Tema fuel tanker drivers want permanent terminal

Petroleum tanker drivers arriving at the Tema Oil Refinery to lift products for distribution across the country become stranded for lack of parking lots and therefore cause danger to life and property in attempting to find space . This situation arose when they were ejected from a parking terminal initially provided by the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) but had to be ejected as a result of TOR’s inability to contain the cost in operating the terminal. According to the tanker drivers they jostle with other commercial vehicles which use the road from Kpone to Tema . When the Daily Graphic visited the refinery area m the takers had parked haphazardly posing danger to each other because of the inflammable nature of the product. The Tanker drivers called on the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which is the regulatory body , to as a matter of urgency assist them to get a permanent transport terminal They expressed worry that ‘ a small accident can lead to a disaster and cause heavy loss as some oil tankers contain inflammable substances. "It is a disaster in waiting and we cannot allow that to happen.” they claimed. Leaders of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union and the Tanker Owners Union jointly made an appeal to the authorities to help provide a safe parking space for them Ejection speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic at Tema, the Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, Mr Eric Amoako confirmed that the taker drivers previously had a parking terminal leased by TOR for use by the tankers. He said in 2013, TOR informed them of its decision to eject them as a result of a change in TOR’s business module. Mr Amoako said TOR explained that it could not afford the rising cost of the rent and therefore had the contract abrogated. He said as a result of that, since December last year, all the tankers which called at TOR and other depots to lift products had no option but to park on the streets. Mr Amoako said the narrow state of the road and the great number of vehicles that use the road everyday and to add to it, over three thousand trucks that are parked on the road poses danger to everyone. “We reckon that the current situation is very unsafe for the public. It is great nuisance to public health and safety hence our appeal to the NPA to make sure they provide a central car parking terminal so that we can be properly control and check our members to avert any disaster” he said He said prior to the ejection from the leased terminal, they had engaged the NPA to help them find alternatives area but their appeal went unheeded. Disaster waiting to happen The Executive Secretary of the Tanker Owners Union, Mr. Ignatius Doe described the current situation as very abnormal considering the number of high tension electric lines under which they park their vehicles. “You can imagine what will happen should there be any spark”, he said. He said the association has received a series of warming notices from GRIDCo urging them to stop parking trucks under the High Tension Electric Cables, but due to the unavailability of a permanent terminal, they have no option than to continue parking out cars there. Living in fear He said they are always living in fear knowing too well that a disaster is ready to happen. He therefore appealed to the NPA to invest in the construction of a spacious and modern truck terminal for members of the association. Mr Doe said the regulator, NPA, in an attempt to reduce the diversion of fuel products from filling depots by tanker drivers, installing vehicle tracking devices on all fuel tankers which is aimed at detecting tankers that veer off approved routes, stop at unapproved places and discharge at unapproved places. Mr Doe, while commending that move, appealed to the NPA to also take the safety aspect of their operations very seriously by providing a central terminal where these trucks can park while waiting their turn to lift products to ensure orderliness and avert disaster. -End- Quick Read:  Fuel tanker drivers in Tema are appealing for a permanent terminal.  They explained that there is a situation currently, wherein truck drivers and other commercial drivers jostle for space with members of the association who park along the road creating congestion and exposing road users to danger.  The drivers say the presence of high tension electric cables increase the threat pose to their operation

Tema churches mark easter sunday with church services

Many churches in the Tema Metropolis held church services on Sunday to commemorate on the resurrection of Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago after His crucifixion. Most of the churches were filled to capacity with most of the congregants clad in white attires for the occasion signifying Christ’s victory over death. At the First Baptist Church, Tema the Senior Pastor, Rev. Osei Kwabena Nkrahene preached on “The Persistence of God” with selected bible passages taken from Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:8-10, 23-31. He said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians hope and empowers them to live righteous lives. Rev. Nkrahene asked Christians to let the activities and teachings of the passion week through to the resurrection of Christ reflect in their daily activities and duties. He admonished them not to give up but rely entirely on God. ‘If you are willing to persist, you will end up where God wants you to be” he said. He said as true witnesses to the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus it was imperative for all Christians to emulate the good examples of Christ, by depending solely on him for direction and guidance. “If God did not leave Jesus Christ in the grave, then he surely will not leave you alone but he will give you strength to overcome life difficulties,” he said adding that “in the fullness of time when God decides to deliver you, goodness will overtake you and God will course you to forget all your pains He said one of the significance of the resurrection is that when God says something about an individual, he makes sure it is fulfilled and urged Christians in particular and Ghanaians in general to do away with the past negative behaviors that displease God. Rev Nkrahene said the power of resurrection brings about change and that an empty tomb symbolizes a new beginning in the life of every Christian and advise all to turn new leafs in their lives in order to proclaim the gospel of the Lord. He called on Ghanaians not to relent but continually pray to God to intervene in the affairs of the country adding that “no matter where we belong, we all stand to benefit” -end-

Suspected armed robber killed in a shoot-out

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA

The Tema Police shot and killed one suspected armed robber in a shootout at “New York” a suburb of Ashiaman in the early hours of today April 24th 2014 The body of the deceased, only identified as Asorko aged 21 has been deposited at the police Hospital morgue for autopsy. Items retrieved at the scene included 28 AA live cartridges, two wedding rings, two laptop computers, eight pen drives, one Tigo mobile phone SIM card and one AK47 bayonet .

Briefing Briefing newsmen about the incident, the Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police,(DCOP) Mrs. Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri said at about 1:30 am on Thursday, April 24, 2014, police picked up information that a gang of robbers led by one Augustine Lubayele, 25 and three others including the deceased had assembled and were planning their schedule for the night. She said just as the robbers were about to embark on their robbery expedition, the police patrol team advanced on them but one of the robbers armed with a locally manufactured pistol opened fire at the police and the police also returned the fire, resulting in the death of one of them. DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said three other suspects, including the gang leader identified as Augustine Lubayele, however managed to escape. Police –Public collaboration She attributed the success of the operation to what she termed as collaborative effort between the public and the police adding that the police acted on information it received from a member of the public to which the police responded swiftly to. The Tema Regional Police Commander appealed to members of the public to report criminals among them in the communities to help sanitise the system . She said the criminals lived with the people hence the need to hand them over to the security agencies . DCOP Mrs Vib – Sanziri . gave the assurance that the police will always protect the identity of such informants. “We do not want the situation where our patrol teams only react to these robberies when they occur but we should take action to prevent them as well,” she said. DCOP Mrs. Vib-Sanziri appealed to the public to help them locate the gang leader and his two accomplices. She also called on the public to come to the Regional Police Headquarters to identify the deceased to help in their investigation. She assured residents of Tema and its environs that the Police Service is ready and committed to help weed out the criminals in the system to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all. Upsurge in crime She said following recent reports by some residents within Ashaiman about the persistent attacks by a group of gangsters who operate in suburbs such as Gbestile, Washington, Atadeka, Zenu, Bumper-to-Bumper and New York, the Tema Regional Police Command has instituted a number of measures including intelligence gathering in order to arrest the perpetrators and bringing security to the people. -End- Pix: 1. Items found the deceased armed robber. 2. Body of Asorko, 21, the deceased alleged robber Quick Read Suspected armed robber killed in a shoot-out The deceased was alleged to be part of a gang who were about to strike when they were pounced on by the police. The gang leader and two other accomplices are on the run.

Inter Allies beat New Edubiase 1-0

By Benjamin Xornam Glover,TEMA Inter Allies continued their resurgence on the First Capital Plus Bank Premier League when they pipped New Edubiase 1-0 at the Tema Park. Burkinabe import, Niare Benogo secured the only goal for the day in the 57th minute via a free kick on the edge of the penalty box. Inter Allies under the tutelage of Coach Herbert Addo as usual of them played all the nice football especially in the first half but failed to do what matters in football, goal scoring. However on resumption of play, Inter Allies upped their play and in one of their surges by midfielder Kassim Prosper was fouled resulting in a free kick which was beautifully scored by Benogo.

EP Church Women's Guild donates to Pastors under training

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA The National Women’s Guild of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has donated cash and assorted items valued at GH c 3,000.00 to Evangelical Presbyterian Ministerial Students’ Union at the Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon in the Greater Accra Region. The Guild presented a cash of GH c 800 and items including bags of rice, cakes of soap, soft drinks, boxes of sardines and toiletries to support the students on their training. The donation is part of an annual activity undertaken by the National Women’s Guild. Presenting the items, the President of the Guild, Mrs. Sarah Lewis said the gesture was part of their responsibility and also Christian obligation to support those called into the service of God. She said the donation was the Guild’s contribution towards the upkeep of the Ministerial Students. Mr. Prosper Abetia Sakyi, Vice Chairperson of the Evangelical Presbyterian Ministerial Students’ Union on behalf of the students expressed appreciation to the Guild for its kind gesture and asked the blessings of God for the members. Pix: Mrs. Sarah Lewis President National Women’s Guild (3rd Left) in a group photograph with members after the presentation. With them is Mr. Prosper Abetia Sakyi, Vice Chairperson of the Evangelical Presbyterian Ministerial Students’ Union

Ashiaman and Tema face sanitation challenges

By: Rose Hayford Darko & Benjamin Xornam Glover The Ashiaman central market is experiencing mounting refuse as the large containers over flow its contents creating bad odour in the vicinity . When the Daily Graphic visited the market it was discovered that filth had engulfed the market with the containers overfilled leaving huge heaps of rubbish and some spilled around in the market . The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly is therefore confronted with sanitation challenges especially in the markets, lorry parks and even open places. Some people could be seen indiscriminately defecating in open places while dumping of refuse and excreta in open drains, choked gutters, and created pile up of accumulated garbage at dump sites in some parts of localities.

Container bay Responding to some of these challenges in an interview with the Daily Graphic at Ashaiman, the Public Relations officer of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwesi Adu-Gyemfi said currently, the assembly is constructing a permanent container bay in the main market which when completed will help solve some of the sanitation problems especially in the central market.

He said the assembly did not initially factor the construction of a refuse container bay when it was putting up the market and as a result, they had to place the huge container in the middle of the streets. He said even though the Assembly ensures that the only container is emptied regularly, the consistent overflow of refuse due to the sheer volumes of waste generated had created a dumpsite on the streets and impeding the flow of traffic. Mr Adu-Gyemfi said it was to help salvage the situation that the assembly was constructing a permanent refuse container bay inside the market to facilitate the easy collection and evacuation of waste from the Central Business District (CBD). He said the bay will be provided with a security to ensure that that refuses is not spilled on the ground. Truck pushers Mr Adu-Gyemfi mentioned the activities of truck pushers who move round the various suburbs to collect refuse as some of the set-backs undermining disposal of refuse. He explained that instead of moving to approved designated sites to dump their refuse, these truck pushers under the cover of darkness, dump their daily collections at the main market contributing to the overflow of garbage onto streets and pavements in the market. Other challenges Mr Adu-Gyemfi said was the long queue at the final disposal site at Kpone which contribute to the delay of trucks that had gone to empty their garbage. At the time of filing this report, a garbage truck was spotted carting away piled up refuse from the Ashaiman main market. The Assembly PRO appealed to individuals to act responsibly and not litter the environment. Appeal Some traders in the Ashaiman Market have called on the Assembly to clean the market and rid the place of filth more regularly. One of the traders, Madam Vida Addo said the filth that normally engulfed the market posed many dangers to not only the traders but consumers as well.,

Tema The scene at the Tema Community One Central Business District has also become a concern to residents who patronize the market area especially the area referred to as ‘Kwasea Dwaso The closure of the market refuse dumping grounds compounded the activities of garbage collectors, who used wheel barrows to collect refuse from residential areas in the vicinity of the Tema Community One Market for a fee. . It is opened only when a truck arrives to pick refuse away to the Kpone landfill site. The Kwasea Dwaso is noted for offloading of foodstuffs from the hinterland while some traders who claim to sell their wares cheap also display foodstuffs on the ground where refuse is scattered . Meanwhile the Assembly ensured that the dumping grounds is closed to use because of the irregular movement of trucks which collect and send refuse from the market dump to the Kpone land fill site . Madam Adjoa Mintah, a trader at the “Kwasea Dwaso” bemoaned the insanitary condition and particularly blamed the garbage collectors for contributing to the spilling of refuse on the streets especially near the wares. Other traders were of the view that they were losing their clients because of the filth and appealed to the Assembly to mount an exercise on the wheel barrow boys who contributed mostly in generating the filth . How ever source close to the Assembly disclosed that the Assembly was incapable to refuse contractors who helped in lifting refuse from the dumping grounds to Kpone . The source said the Assembly has a limited number of trucks which are also used to service residential areas and therefore could not meet the demand .Meanwhile the decision to close the market dump until a refuse truck arrived was to avert the dumping by the wheel barrow boys who also scattered the refuse on the street creating filth in the area .

SSNIT educate employers in Tema on Biometric registration system

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tema Employers and their representatives in Tema who are contributors to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have been sensitized on the new biometric registration exercise slated to kick start on May 5, this year. The biometric registration exercise is intended at collecting biometric information of existing contributors and generating 13 alphanumeric social security numbers for those with eight-digit numbers. The biometric data will facilitate quick and easy verification of the identities of SSNIT contributors in future. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic at Tema after a sensitization programme for employers and their representatives the Tema Area Manager of SSNIT, Mr. Ahmadu C. Salia said the new system for the administration of social security seeks to provide superior service delivery to its stakeholders by employing appropriate technologies. He said the essence of the new SSNIT biometric registration is to enable the Trust improve on its service delivery to members and provide superior service to its contributors and pensioners under the scheme. Mr Salia explained that the registration will be done in phases at the workplace of employers as well as offices of SSNIT adding that officials from the Trust will contact employers and agree on the period to undertake the exercise. He appealed to managers of establishments to collaborate with SSNIT to make the exercise which seeks to facilitate quick and easy verification of members, modernize their records and information, update processing and eliminate multiple registrations and contributes to the speeding up in the payment of benefits, smooth and successful. Mr Salia expressed the hope that the new system when fully activated would help beneficiaries receive their claims between five and ten days as processing and registration cycle among others will be drastically reduced. He disclosed that the social security numbers for newly registered members would be generated and made available to a member or employers and registration would be done within two working days at all SSNIT branches adding that contributors who will be registered will be issued with SSNIT smart cards Mr Salia said the new system will also come with the Operational Business Suite (OBS) which will serve as an information kiosks, made up of a display screen card reader, a fingerprint scanner, a keyboard and a printer, which will be placed at vantage points to provide service to customers, since they would be accessible to all registered members of SSNIT with valid smartcards. Activities to be carried out in the information kiosk include viewing of transaction status, general enquiries and printing of statement of account. General Manager in charge of SSNIT Special Projects Rev Kweku Osei Bimpong appealed to employers to inform their workers not to rush to any SSNIT office for the biometric registration as very worker will be registered on schedule. The Tema Harbour Branch Manager, Mr. David D. Torkonoo appealed to employers and employees to co-operate with the Trust and put in the necessary effort to ensure the success of the project as they seek to ensure more efficiency in the operations of SSNIT in the country. -End-

Ashiaman Divisional Police Command bemoans inadequate logistics and infrastructure

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, ASHIAMAN The Ashiaman Divisional Police Command has bemoaned the inadequate number of operational vehicles, office equipment, official and residential accommodation among others challenges facing the service. The command has therefore appealed to the Ashiaman Municipality and other stakeholders to support the service by providing all the necessary support, to enable the personnel execute their duties efficiently and professionally. The Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Mr Jonathan Ametepe Adams-Godoe made this known during the annual get-together dubbed “West Africa Security Service Association (WASSA), which was organized by the Ashiaman Divisional Police Command to review their performance in 2013. The annual programme is meant to refresh police officials for working throughout the year, and reward those who had distinguished themselves in their areas of operation. Challenges ACP Adams-Godoe said in spite of the challenges the service was facing, the personnel have and would continue to discharge their duties dispassionately by clamping down on some of the criminal activities that could have jeopardized the lives of the citizenry. He said the command has not been able to fully deal with okada menace adding that the more they step up their operations against the okada business, the more daring the operators become. That notwithstanding, he said the police will not relents in its effort to curb the nuisance. The Divisional Commander said the police despite its logistic and infrastructure challenges, the service have been able to reduce crime especially violent ones to its barest minimum as a result of the arrest of some leaders of the armed gangs Initiative ACP Adams-Godoe said the Command had come up five major projects which it intends to carry out by the end of 2014 to provide the minimum serene work place environment to enhance service delivery in the municipality. These projects are the fencing and landscaping of the existing divisional headquarters at Kaketo, construction of a new Ashaiman Divisional Headquarters Complex , relocation of the old police barrier to a new place at Shai hills, refurbishment and equipping of the Divisional offices and installation of a standby generator set for the divisions’ offices. He called on the public to support the initiative to enable the service to achieve the defined targets aimed at reducing crime in the area. Image rebuilding On image rebuilding, ACP Adams-Godoe said commenced a programme on a local radio station, Sena Radio where senior police officers make appearance to educate and sensitize the public on the need to be security consciousness. He also disclosed that three new police stations will be opened to serve communities which are constantly harassed by armed robbers. haphazard construction The Tema Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP) Mrs Beatrice Z. Vib-Sanziri said the police was facing huge challenge in terms of the haphazard way buildings in the municipality and its environs were sited stressing that the situation has made response to calls to crime scenes or areas very difficult. She called on the public to cooperate with the police, by providing useful information that would help reduce crime and other acts of indiscipline in the municipality. commendation The Member of Parliament for Ashiaman, Mr Alfred Agbeshi expressed his appreciation to the police service for their great performance which has led to an improvement in the security situation in the area and urged them to keep making the area a better and safe place to live. He also called on the residents to be law abiding and desist from acts that will warrant police arrest and prosecution The Municipal Chief Executive for Ashiaman, Mr Ibrahim Baidoo gave the assurance that the assembly would continue to support the police service with the entire all the necessary support, to enable the personnel execute their duties efficiently and effectively. -end- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Turkish Navy ship in for three-day visit

y Benjamin Glover | Wednesday, 16 April 2014 17:43 | A Turkish Navy Ship, “TCG Orucreis” has docked at the Tema Harbour for a three-day visit to strengthen the ties between the Turkish and Ghanaian Navy. “TCG Orucreis”, which is on a 102-day circumnavigation of Africa, is under the command of Rear Admiral Yasar Gamur. While in Ghana, the team would take part in training activities with its Ghanaian Naval counterparts to support capacity building efforts in maritime security. Briefing journalists aboard the warship in Tema, the Operation Officer of the Turkish Maritime Task Group, Lieutenant Humdullah Bayrak, said Ghana was the first port of call of the Turkish Navy. He said the objectives of the mission, among other things, were to conduct operations in the oceans around Africa in line with Turkish foreign policy, improve current bilateral relations with African nations including Ghana and establish new ones and contribute to the safety of sea lines of communication. According to him, the Turkish crew would also support ongoing anti-piracy efforts and offer humanitarian assistance activities such as basic physical examination and healthcare training, food, school and medical support to selected institutions. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/21433-turkish-navy-ship-in-for-three-day-visit.html#sthash.F3Mw46FS.dpuf

Tema Police arrest two persons for possessing instruments intended for crime

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA Two persons have been arrested by the Tema Regional Police Command for possessing instruments intended for unlawful entry. The two are Emmanuel Nartey, 21, a taxi driver, unemployed. The suspects were picked up by the police in two separate operations in the Tema metropolis. According to the Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP) Mrs. Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri, one of the suspects, Emmanuel Nartey, a native of Kodiabe was arrested on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at about 12 am by one of the Tema Regional Police Patrol Team for possessing an implement intended or adapted for unlawful entry. She said the patrol team on their usual patrols around Sebrepor spotted the suspect in the company of two others onboard a grey and yellow Nissan Almeria taxi cab with registration number GT 3729-14. Implement concealed in engine DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri explained that the occupants of the taxi cab were signaled by the police personnel to stop but before the police could approach the vehicle, two other occupants fled leaving only suspect Nartey. She said a search conducted by the police revealed a cutlass and an iron cutter concealed in the engine compartment of the vehicle. DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said when the suspect was probed as to why he failed to keep the implements in the booth of the vehicle; he could not give any tangible reason. “The command suspects he(Emmanuel Nartey) may be part of a syndicate who use iron cutters to break into people’s houses to steal and rob”, she said adding that the suspect has since been charged with preparation to commit crime and processing implements intended of adapted for unlawful entry.

She said investigations were still going on to arrest the two other accomplices. Mobile phones and iron cutters In the case Norbert Nyake, the Regional Commander also disclosed that the Tema township night patrol team on their usual patrol duties at Gbetsile arrested him on suspicion also on Thursday April 10, 2014 at about 1 am. She said a search conducted in a backpack he was carrying revealed a Samsung mobile phone, a blackberry mobile phone, two HTC mobile phones, two iron cutters and a scissors. DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said upon further interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that he used those implements to gain access into the rooms of his victims. She said the suspect further tool the police to two houses at Mataheko where he allegedly stole four mobile phones and also demonstrated how he uses the implement in his possession to gain ingress into the rooms of his victims. The Tema Police Commander said one of Nyake’s victims was met and confirmed his window was damaged and his phones stolen.

DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said the suspect has been charged with stealing, possessing implements intended or adapted for unlawful entry, preparation to commit crime and causing damage to the windows of his victims adding that he has since been arraigned before court. Caution She cautioned the youth who engage in stealing and robbery as well as other criminal activities to put a stop to it since these crimes could eventually lead them to jail. DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri also advised car owners to dig into the back ground of people they employ as drivers as some of these drivers team up with their criminal friends and use their cars for criminal activities. -End- Quick Read The Tema Regional Police command has arrested two persons arrested in possession instruments intended for unlawful entry. One of the implements was found concealed in the engine compartment of a taxi-cab The Command says it is working hard to rid the metropolis of criminals who have in recent time invaded Tema metropolis.

METRO PAGE ASHAIMAN ASSEMBLY GUARDS SENSITIZE ON NEW TRANSPORT BY-LAWS

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, ASHAIMAN Personnel of the Ashaiman Municipal Guards of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, (ASHMA) have been sensitized on the enforcement Urban Passenger Transport Services (UPTS) Bye-Laws. The by-laws is to regulate passenger transport operations in the municipality in accordance with The Local Government Act (Act 462) which mandates the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to plan and regulate urban transportation within its jurisdiction. The Urban Road Project is being implemented in selected assemblies across the country, including the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly . UPTS Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Head of Urban Transport, Mr Patrick Labik said the UPTS seeks to regulate all transport activities within the assembly’s jurisdiction and also ensure orderliness, efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of passenger transport services. He added that the project is aimed at strengthening existing transport unions, help them operate efficiently and also assist them to increase economic gains of operators and commuters. He explained that the training of the guards has become necessary because they are supposed to enforce the by-laws and ensure that all commercial vehicle operators pay the requisite fees. Mr. Labik He warned that Transport Unions and association who flout the by-laws will be sanction appropriately. Be Alert The Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Joshua Adams Asihene charged the guards to be on the alert and ensure that none of the commercial transport operators escape from the payment of the approve fees. He said the sensitization and consultative meetings will be extended to all stakeholders including the various transport unions and association to keep to help them Mr Asihene gave the assurance the assurance that the assembly will support the guards with the necessary logistics to ensure that the project is devoid of problems and challenges. He said the assembly is also collaborating with a private firm to secure towing vehicles to enhance the effective enforcement of the by-laws. Effective Collaboration The Municipal Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, DSP, Mr Kwame Gyesi Afari, expressed optimism that municipal guards will collaborate effectively with the personnel of the MTTD in the efficient enforcement of by-laws when it is implemented. DSP Afari He advised the guards to strictly enforce the new by-laws while remaining firm and neutral in the discharge of their duties. -end- Quick Read: The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly is geared up to implement the Urban Passenger Transport Programme The programme is aimed at improving the public transport system in the municipality and boost revenue generation for the assembly pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover DSP Kwame Gyesi Afari, Ashaiman Municipal MTTD Commander addressing the participants

Demurrage and rent payments remain the biggest disincentive doing business at the country’s ports .

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana has organized a one day lecture to ascertain causes and impact of demurrage and rent payments on the cost of doing business at the country’s ports . The lecture also formed part of a continuing personal development (CPC) with resource persons from the Ghana Shippers Authority ,(GSA) Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority(GPHA) Ship Owners and Agents Association (SOAAG) and Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders .(GIFF). The Branch Manager of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) Mr Emmanuel Arku in his presentation stated that demurrage which is paid when there is a delay in loading or offloading for the year 2013 amounted to $ 73 million He said Gh¢ 32 million were collected as rent charges to the delays in clearance of cargoes. According to Mr Arku , if shippers could clear their cargoes within the 7 days grace period generally provided by the Terminal Operators and Shipping Lines, there would be no such costs. He noted that such high costs remain one of the biggest disincentives in the growth of import and export businesses in the shipping industry in the country. He partly attributed the delays in clearing cargo at the ports to the increase in cargo without the requisite port capacity such as infrastructure, equipment, cargo handling space, efficient transactional processes, and up-to-date technology, among others. Mr Arku said other factors identified include the lack of effective planning and implementation for port infrastructure stressing that “there seem to be lack of adequate planning into the future or inability to implement the plans for the Ports . The Tema Branch Manager of GSA said lack of effective coordination among port stakeholders such as the Port Authority, Terminal Operators, the Shipping Lines/Agents, the Customs Division the Destination Inspection Companies, the Security Agencies, Custom House Agents, and Shippers, also contribute to challenges that add up to the cost of doing business. Mr. Arku made a proposal of short, medium and long term measures which in his view will help to reduce cost of transaction at the Ports. . He indicated that demurrage and rent are avoidable costs and stressed that the Ports represent a key asset for economic development, therefore inefficiencies and delays that characterize operations at the ports must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Other speakers also indicated that most of the delays at the ports were avoidable if the importers did the right thing. The Executive Secretary of SOAAG, Mrs Perpetual Osei Bonsu defended the collection of demurrage on containers explaining that for then that does not equate the revenue accruing in freight. The Acting Marketing and Public Relations Manager of GPHA, Nana Esi Söderberg stressed the need for a clear knowledge on the part of consignees of the various port charges and how they accrue as well as the implications and benefits of proper planning with respect to importing or exporting cargo in order to avoid delays in the clearance of cargo. The Vice President of CILT, Mr Albert E. Ofori said the Continuing Personal Development programme was one of several periodic forums to educate and equip stakeholders with the requisite knowledge to enhance their competitiveness. -End- Writers email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Quick Read  Demuurage and rent charges have been identified as one of the biggest disincentives in the growth of import and export businesses in the shipping industry in the country.  According to the GSA if shippers could clear their cargoes within the 7 days grace period generally provided by the Terminal Operators and Shipping Lines, there would be no such costs. Number Crunch $ 73 million - the amount paid as demurrage in 2013 per records of the Ghana Shippers Authority

High utility bills cripple hospitality industry

By Benjamin Glover | Tuesday, 08 April 2014 Page 55 The Tema Region branch of the Ghana Progressive Hotels Association (GAPROHA) has appealed to government to consider the rated status of hotels by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) which is crippling the hospitality industry. The association said being rated by the new tariff structure which puts them to the level of as a manufacturing companies is affecting the operations of the hospitality industry and will compel the operators to close down . According to the GAPROHA, hotels have all along been levied as commercial entities but to their surprise per the new tariff increases, hotels have now been elevated to the status of Special Load Tariff - Low Voltage (SLT-LV) which is the same as manufacturing companies by the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) in its billing cycle. This according to them has lead to losses in revenue to the state, retarded growth in the sector and a massive unemployment as a result of their inability to operate. The association made the observation at its caucus meeting held in Tema to find ways of redeeming the industry and also to take steps to remedy the situation. The Association stated that with the new status, energy tariffs have risen significantly in recent times and become unbearable and difficult to remunerate its workers. They said they could foresee the closure of a greater number of operators because of their inability to foot their energy bills. Briefing the media at the meeting, the National President of the GAPROHA, Nana Kodjo Opei IV, appealed to the government to consider the plight of the hoteliers and come out with appropriate directive to help sustain the industry. He explained that hoteliers have over the years regularly and patiently been absorbing steady increases in our overheads, particularly utility bills without drawing the authorities attention to their situation which has affected their finances Nana Opei IV stressed that the Association has come out because the situation has reached an alarming point . He noted that as manufacturers could pass on the increases to products, the same cannot be said of hotels. Nana Opei stated that Ghana is not a good tourist center and therefore they cannot pass on the current tariff increases to our guests, He appealed to government to in the interim placed hotels in the commercial category in order to lessen their burden stressing that if that was not done, the sector faces collapse or forcible closure of a large number of hotels. -End-

COTVET equips Tema woodworkers with skills

By Benjamin Glover | Saturday, 05 April 2014 14:01 A two-week workshop, intended to train woodworkers in modern techniques of carpentry and entrepreneurship to enhance productivity and income has been held in Tema with a call on the government to restrict the importation of cheap wood products into the country. One hundred members of the Tema Wood Manufacturers Association (TEWOMA) drawn from the Tema metropolis and Ashaiman municipality attended the training, which was funded by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) and facilitated by the Wood Industries Training Centre (WITC). They were taken through various topics including design, finishing and marketing of wood. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic during the opening session of the programme, the President of TEWOMA, Mr Maxwell M. Prempeh, observed that cheap imported wood products had contributed to suppressing the local wood manufacturing sector and led to the decline of the industry. Mr Prempeh acknowledged the potential of the local wood industry and stressed that wood products made locally were not only durable but could compete favourably with those imported. He bemoaned the lack of technical and financial support for the sector and said the local artisans had problems with good finishing, but without good finishing, many people would not patronise their products. He was also of the view that the products of local wood workers would be of good quality if they were given the necessary training and support. Mr Prempeh also said it was against that backdrop of challenges, that the association approached COTVET for support. He said the training which was funded by COTVET under the Skills Development Fund to the tune of over GH¢ 83,000, was to equip its members with modern skills that would help keep the workers abreast of the current trends in the wood industry. Mr Prempeh expressed the hope that the training would help to enhance their output and thereby increase productivity. The Director of the Wood Industries Training Centre, Mr Douglas Asuming, recounted that one of the major problems facing the wood industry was the drastic reduction in forest resources which served as the raw material base for the sector. He, therefore, stressed the need for woodworkers to constantly equip themselves with modern technology to enable them add value to the limited wood products in the system. Mr Asuming advised the participants to adopt new marketing strategies and entrepreneurship skills to enhance their businesses. An Executive Member of TEWOMA, Mr Delali Amexo, was optimistic that the training programmes would contribute to high productivity and improve the lives of the artisans. Mr Amexo appealed for the construction of a wood village with modern facilities for carpenters and woodworkers in Tema to provide a more secure, safe and congenial environment for the wood workers and help increase productivity. Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/20845-cotvet-equips-tema-woodworkers-with-skills.html#sthash.hIrnQA8Y.dpuf - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/20845-cotvet-equips-tema-woodworkers-with-skills.html#sthash.hIrnQA8Y.dpuf

Tema Traditional Council demolition victims appeal for help

More than 1000 displaced residents of Tema Manhean whose structures were demolished last Wednesday have appealed for help to enable them to cope with the aftermath of the demolition exercise by the Tema Traditional Council (TTC). Some of the victims told the Daily Graphic that they were taken unawares by the taskforce, which descended on them with bulldozers to eject them from the land. Residents of the community have been rendered homeless following the demolition of their houses by a taskforce of the TTC. The residents, who are mainly fishermen and fishmongers, told this reporter that they had lived in the community for decades. The Chairman of the Area Residents Association, Mr Evans Horve Fiadu, said the community was allocated the land between the 1950s and 1960s by the TTC to facilitate their fishing trade. He stated that during the latter part of last year, and the early part of this year, the TTC started inscribing eviction notices on their structures. According to Mr Fiadu, they initiated series of meetings with the TTC with the view to amicably solving the problem but to no avail. Demolition He indicated that last Wednesday, bulldozers, accompanied by a team of police officers and members of the TTC taskforce, descended on the community and demolished the structures. “We are not litigating over the land with the traditional authority,” he stated, adding that “we are only appealing for help as we struggle to cope with the sudden misfortune that has left our people without a place to lay their heads and undertake their fishing vocation to earn a living”. Asked why they had not moved to another land allocated to them by the TTC, Mr Fiadu said the new place was not only closer to the sea but also a refuse dump, which was not habitable. TTC reacts The Tema Traditional Council (TTC) has, however, justified its action of demolishing the structures. The council claimed that it was ready to undertake a project on the site as the encroachers got more and more entrenched in the area. A source at the Tema Traditional Council (TTC) told the Daily Graphic that a 120-acre land area of which the U-compound was not part had been taken over by visiting fishermen who came to perform their vocation there many years ago. It said the land on which they were encroaching belonged to the TTC but because they were moving in and out, the council allowed them to continue to use the area. According to the source, the council, however, realised that the encroachers had sub-leased the encroached land while the original settlers moved upwards to an area near the Roman Catholic Church at Manhean. Quit order It said in June 2013, the TTC, sensing danger, announced a quit order to the encroachers and those the land was sub-leased to, because the TTC had a purpose for the land and more so their presence was creating a slum. The source explained that the quit order was not to punish those living in that area but rather to sanitise development of Tema Manhean. It said many of the encroachers understood the order of the TTC and had moved while others refused to heed the order. The source was of the view that the traditional council had shown some magnanimity by allowing the illegal settlers to continue to stay for a period of about one year just to enable them to move to the new area allocated to them by the TTC. NADMO Intervention Meanwhile the Tema NADMO has started registering the victims to enable it to support them with some materials. According to the Tema Metropolitan Co-ordinator of NADMO, Hajia Zainab Abdulai, the situation was not as it happened at Adjei Kojo. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/20918-tema-traditional-council-demolition-victims-appeal-for-help.html#sthash.XRwAsS5o.dpuf

Bear with govt — NDC regional chair appeals

By Benjamin Glover | Sunday, 06 April 2014 08:57 | The Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Mr Kwasi Aboagye, has appealed to members of the party to bear with the government, since the President is focused and has plans to deliver . He called on them to massively support the party to attract more supporters, and added that “we must eschew complacency which could affect the fortunes of the party.” Inauguration of NDC office Mr Kwasi Aboagye was speaking at the inauguration of a new NDC constituency office at Agbozume in the Ketu South Constituency He commended the constituency executive and members of the party for contributing towards the acquisition of an office for the party. He said it was a mark of growth, and urged members to remain united . President focused He also indicated that the President was focused, and appealed to all to be patient with him, saying, “my appeal on behalf of the President is that we should be very patient with him for everything will go right’. Economic situation temporary Mr Aboagye explained that what was happening and the difficulties the nation was going through was temporary, noting that the government has very good plans which will soon be delivered. Some citizens of Ketu South in the Volta Region called on the government to promote the area by enhancing its natural resources to help create jobs for the youth. They claimed that, “it is not enough for the region to be used as a ‘World Bank’ for the political interest of the ruling party but to also help in the growth of the area.” Philanthropists A philanthropist, who contributed to funding the project, Mr Famous Kwesi Kuadugah, appealed to the government to transform the Ketu South Constituency into a hub of economic activities to create jobs, improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty. Mr Kuadugah, who is also the Managing Director of Fame Safety Consult, said with the vast natural resources available in the area, coupled with the vibrant trading activities along the route linking Aflao and its surrounding towns, the area was strategically positioned for trade and industries. He noted that the area was endowed with resources including salt, and called on the government to invest in the industry to attract private entrepreneurship and also create jobs for the people. He was emphatic that since 1992, the constituency had turned out to be the political “World Bank” for votes for the NDC but were not benefiting in commensurate terms. Mr Kuadugah said it was time Ketu South did not only remain a ‘World Bank’ for votes for the NDC, but also an economic hub for the nation. He noted that as much as they expected the government to address all the challenges they faced, the citizens must also show determination and confidence in contributing their quota to the development of the area. Mr Kuadugah said he was glad to have contributed towards the securing of the new constituency office for the party, and expressed the hope that it would go a long way to galvanise the party. The office has, among other facilities, a conference hall and offices for various constituency officers. The Constituency Chairman, Mr Marshal Ackumey, said the acquisition of the office was made possible through the collective efforts of some members of the party in the constituency, including Messrs Kuadugah, Frederick Alipui, Albert Zigah and Raphael Alorwu, Madam Bertha Amenuvor and Madam Elizabeth Kuenyefu. He said that the party was initially headquartered at Denu but later moved to Aflao then to Tokor, noting that the absence of a permanent office had affected the party’s activities and grassroot mobilisation. He said by securing a permanent office the constituency officers would be in a position to organise effectively and administer the affairs of the party more efficiently. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/politics/20813-bear-with-govt-ndc-regional-chair-appeals.html#sthash.Vv0Cke94.dpuf - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/politics/20813-bear-with-govt-ndc-regional-chair-appeals.html#sthash.Vv0Cke94.dpuf

2 Suspected robbers arrested in Tema

Wednesday, 02 April 2014 The Tema Police have arrested two suspects for allegedly carrying out two separate robberies at ECOBANK and the Ghana Commercial Bank, both at Tema Community One. The robberies are said to have been carried out about 3 p.m. yesterday, April 1, 2014. The suspects have been identified as Mohammed Ahmed, 31, a motor mechanic who lives at Dome in Accra, and Emmanuel Ahiagbedzi, 23, a resident of Accra New Town. During a search on them, the police found a pistol, a Nokia mobile phone, GH¢2,605, as well as a talisman in a lady’s bag they were carrying. At a press briefing in Tema yesterday, the Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mrs Beatrice Zakpa Vib-Sanziri, said a police patrol team from Tema Community Two had information that the suspects had robbed some customers of the banks of their money. Based on that information, the patrol team pursued the robbers, who were riding an unregistered motorbike. Realising that the suspects might escape, the driver of the police team, Corporal Stephen Kyei Mensah, used the police vehicle to push the motorbike. As a result, the suspects fell down from their Honda motorbike, enabling the police to arrest them. DCOP Vib-Sanziri commended the public for the timely information leading to the arrest of the suspects and charged security officers manning the various banks in Tema to be extra-vigilant. She advised bank authorities to give information on criminals timeously, so that they could be arrested on time. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/20604-2-suspected-robbers-arrested-in-tema.html#sthash.bO8AuXmP.dpuf