Tema Mantse calls for support for indigenous industries.

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA
The Chief of Tema, Osongaa Nii Adjei Kraku II has appealed to the government to support indigenous industries to blossom to maturity.
He said with the current spate of increasing graduate unemployment, increased investment in the indigenous sector of the economy would help create many job opportunities for the teeming youth of the country.

Osongaa Nii Adjei Krakue II, Tema Mantse
 

Durbar
Nii Krakue made the appeal at a durbar in his palace in Tema to commemorate his 22nd anniversary of his enstoolment as a chief of the area
"We have now gotten to a stage in our development where only a few of our students passing out of the various tertiary institutions can be employed by industry. However, there is one area that holds a lot of promise. This is our indigenous industry." He said
He added "if our graduates can be encouraged and supported with funding to go into our indigenous industry or businesses such as food, fishing, farming and agro processing, they can use their knowledge and skills to improve and grow the sector to absorb a chunk of the youth. The Japanese, Europeans and Chinese recorded vast improvement in their indigenous industries when graduates moved into that sector of their economy"
ERRATIC POWER SUPPLY
Nii Krakue II said in view of the energy challenges facing the country, the time has come for government to consider harnessing solar energy to supplement electricity production in the country

Renewal of Oath.
As part of the anniversary, Nii Krakue renewed his oath to members of the Tema Traditional Council after which the 13 members of the Council who were sworn in a Tema High Court Judge, Justice Adjei Frimpong also reaffirmed their support to the Paramont Chief.
The 13 Divisional Chiefs and Priests who swore the Judicail Oath, the Oath of Secrecy and the Oath of Membership of the Council were advised to play seriuoelsy to help the Paramont Chief in administering peacefully.

UNITY
The Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Mr. Harry A. Attipoe, urged the people of Tema to sustain their unity, close their ranks and co-exist peacefully.

He advised them to use laid-down procedures in their customs and traditions to resolve their differences and urged the various king makers not to engage in anonymous letter writing on chieftaincy issues.

Support
The Chief Executive Of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten congratulated Nii Tema on his anniversary and pledged the continuous support of the assembly for his administration to ensure growth and peaceful co-existence.

Member of the TTC who were sworn in are Nii Odametey II, Chief Fisherman,Awudum, Nii Adjeirteh Mator III, Chief Fisherman Ashaman, Nii Tetteh Atanya II, Adigom Mantse and Nii Adjei Tsuru II, Sakumono Mantse.
Others are Nii Mensah Bossah II, Kubekro Mantse, Nii Armah Akitikpo II, Okyeame, Nii Ashitey Saasaabi II, Saasaabi Mantse, Nii Armarh Somponu II, Shipi Awudum and Nii Adjierteh Afedi I, Shipe Ashaman.
The rest are Nii Tetteh Tsuru Orkor II Akwashongsyse, Nii Adjetey Agbo II, Mankralo, Numoo Asino Kofi II, Sakumo Wulomo and Numoo Abo Dade Hamle II, Naayoo Wulomo.
In a related development, the National Chief Imam,Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu also led a team of Muslim cleric to hold a special prayer session and Quran Recitals were read to thank Allah for the 22 years rule of the Tema Manste, who professes the Islamic faith.
End-

Unilever Foundation provides schools with sanitation facilities

UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.
The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilities 

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.6Kp0A4cj.dpuf

UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.
The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilities 

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.6Kp0A4cj.dpuf

UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.
The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilities 

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.6Kp0A4cj.dpuf

UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.
The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilities 

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.6Kp0A4cj.dpuf

29 November 2014 | Written by  Benjamin Glover |

29 November 2014 | Written by  Benjamin Glover |

29 November 2014 | Written by  Benjamin Glover |

UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.
The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilities 

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.6Kp0A4cj.dpuf

29 November 2014 | Written by Benjamin Glover - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.j0cQ6QYg.dpuf


UNILEVER Ghana Foundation (UGF), has constructed sanitation facilities for two public basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region.
 

The facilities, worth GH¢120,000, comprise six washrooms and six hand washing units for the Padmore Street Basic School and four washrooms and four hand washing units for the Community Five Number 3 Basic School for both teachers and pupils.

The foundation said the project was aimed at inculcating the habit of hand washing with soap in children and also to improve their health status.

Advice to parents

Handing over the facilities to the management of both schools, the Chairman of UGF, Mr Andrew Evans Quayson, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children washed their hands with soap and water before eating.
“We live in a world where over two million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Eighty per cent of these deaths are unfortunately reported in Africa and Asia and nearly one billion people do not have access to safe water. Again 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation,” he said.

Mr Quayson said a survey conducted by UNICEF in Ghana in 2010 revealed that only 13 per cent of the population had access to improved toilet facilities while 48 per cent of basic schools in Ghana had access to adequate toilet facility in 2007.

Effective utilisation of facilitiesÂ

He urged the schools to take good care of the facilities and uphold strict maintenance culture.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended Unilever Ghana for the gesture and urged other corporate entities to emulate the example of the company to help improve the standards of education in the metropolis.Â
The Headmistress of Community Five Number 3 Basic School, Mrs Rose Essel and her counterpart from the Padmore Street Basic School, Mrs Pearl Akua Agyeman, in separate remarks, expressed their appreciation to Unilever Ghana for meeting a critical need of the schools and pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to prolong its lifespan.
The occasion was graced by Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II, who encouraged the pupils to make maximum use of the facility.Â
He also admonished parents to take keen interest and supervise their wards to regularly carry out hand washing with soap to avoid illnesses.
Â
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/education/34535-unilever-foundation-provides-schools-with-sanitation-facilities.html#sthash.j0cQ6QYg.dpuf

Child welfare centres in Tema run short of whooping cough vaccine

12 December 2014 | Written by Benjamin Glover - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/35301-child-welfare-centres-in-tema-run-short-of-whooping-cough-vaccine.html#sthash.8IErBSmj.dpuf


Child welfare clinics, popularly called “weighing centres,” in the Tema Metropolis and its environs are experiencing a temporary shortage of Pertussis vaccines.

Pertussis vaccine is usually administered as a component of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines at six weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks, after the birth of a child, to protect them against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and haemophilus influenzae type B.
As a result of the shortage, nursing mothers who report to these facilities to have their infants immunised with the vaccines are being turned away.
Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.Â
Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually become more serious, particularly in infants.Â
Lack of Pertussis can lead to serious illness in infants, children and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants.
When contacted, the Metropolitan Director of Health, Dr John Yabani, said he was informed that there was a general shortage last week but as of Wednesday, the directorate had received some stock from the regional office and that would be made available to the various immunisation centres in the metropolis.
He, therefore, allayed the fears of nursing mothers, saying all efforts were being made to resolve the issue.

Worried nursing mothers

Some worried nursing mothers who were turned away due to the shortage after visiting the Tema General Hospital, Tema Metropolitan Assembly  Clinic and the Tema Manhean Health Centre’s weighing facilities told the Daily Graphic that they were asked to come back at a later date when the vaccine was expected to be available.
“They collected my mobile phone number and said they would contact me when the vaccine was available,” said Madam Gladys Eshun who added that she had earlier been to the Tema Manhean Health Centre where she was referred to the TMA Clinic but was told to go and come at a later date.Â
A health worker at one of the centres, who pleaded anonymity, during a follow-up visit by this reporter, said they have had to turn away nursing mothers because they were experiencing shortages.Â
“As a result of the shortage, we are deferring the administration of the DTP, while continuing to do the rest of our work. We have decided to take the telephone numbers of the nursing mothers so that as and when we take delivery of the vaccines, we will call them to bring their children for vaccination,” she said.
“I have been informed that there is a general shortage even in Accra and we would want to appeal to the authorities to remedy the situation,” the health worker said.
Â
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/35301-child-welfare-centres-in-tema-run-short-of-whooping-cough-vaccine.html#sthash.8IErBSmj.dpuf

TEMA-ASHAIMAN MOSLEMS GET AMBULANCE

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tema

Alhaji Yusifu Ibrahim Iliasu (2nd from left) Chief Driver of Ashaiman presenting an ambulance to Osongaa Nii Adjei Krakue II, Tema Mantse. The vehicle worth GHC 30,000 is for the use of the Moslem community in Tema and Ashaiman.

The presentation was done over the weekend during special prayers organised by Muslim community as part of activities marking the 22nd anniversary of the enstoolment of Nii Adjei Krakue II.

TEMA-ASHAIMAN MOSLEMS GET AMBULANCE

The Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, led the Muslim in prayers. They prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for the Tema in particular and the nation in general
Sheikh Sharubutu urged the Tema Traditional Council to work in unity in order to realise their goals.

Residents of Sebrepo and its environs bemoan lack of amenities

 Alhaji E. A. Tetteh, KKDA District Chief Executive(in cap) interacting with some participants of the town hall meeting 

 Some participants of the town hall meeting held by KKDA.

 By:   Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA
Residents of Kakasunanka, Michel Camp, Sebrepo, Gbestile, Gulf City Electoral Area and its surrounding areas which constitute the KAMSBERG Area Council in the Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly, have expressed their disappointment of the failure of past and present government to execute key development a project in the area.

They bemoaned the lack of access roads, drains, market, lorry parks, clinics, public schools, street lights in the area stating the lack of such basic infrastructure and amenities posses a serious challenge to the residents.

The residents expressed these sentiments at a Town Hall meeting organized by the Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly, (KKDA). The Town Hall meeting was aimed at educating the community members, chiefs and people on the development agenda of the district. It was also targeted at collating the inputs of the residents in the formulation of the Medium Term Development Plan of the Assembly.

Poor Roads
The Chief of Saki, Nii Tetteh Oglie, contributing to the discussions bemoaned the state of the road linking Kpone Barrier to Michel Camp. He said due to poor supervision, construction of the road which started in 2011 have developed huge potholes adding that the resulting dust generated by vehicles plying the creates a lot of inconvenience for residents.

He appealed to the Assembly to ensure the early tarring of that particular stretch of road and other roads in the community to bring relief and ease the burden on residents.

Nii Oglie also appealed to residents to pay all rates and levies to empower the Assembly to carry out its mandates adding that it was only then that they can hold the assembly accountable when it fails to meets its mandate
Lack of Funds

Responding, the Urban Roads Engineer, Mr Martin Essilfie said the road project have stalled due to lack of funds but was optimistic that work on the stretch and other access roads would received the urgent attention.

Presiding Member’s assurance
The Presiding Member of the KKDA Mr Ellis Elliot Aferi, who chaired the function disclosed that under the leadership of the Member of Parliament for Kpone Katamanso Constituency who doubles as the Regional Minister for Greater Accra Region, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, contract has been awarded for the tarring of the some major roads in the affected communities and work would commence soon.

Medium Term Development Plan

The KKDA Development Planning Officer, Mr Paul Mac Ofori said the Assembly was developing a new Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) to help the assembly properly plan for the socio-economic growth of the area.
He mentioned some key intervention earmarked for the affected communities. These includes the construction and completion of a three-unit classroom block at Nmlitsakpo, the provision of a six-unit two-storey basic school block at Nmlitsakpo, as well as another three-unit classroom block at Saki.
Other projects earmarked for the communities are the reshaping and re-graveling of selected roads, installation of street lights, construction of a market complex at Gbetsile, construction of an Area Council Office, provision of skip containers to address sanitation challenges as well as undertaking street-naming and property addressing exercises.

Development Planning Scheme
The District Works Engineer, Mr Vincent Yeboah said noted that as a result of the absence of a Development Planning Scheme, there is uncontrolled development in most of the communities, which have resulted in houses being haphazardly built.

He also appealed to chiefs and other landlords to make available lands for the construction of social amenities for the communities.

Consultation and Participation
In an address, the District Chief Executive, Alhaji E. A. Tetteh, said the assembly has resolved to hold such fora regularly to give account of all projects and programmes executed of being executed by the Assembly to inform the citizenry of its performance and also receive feedback.
"This will give the community the opportunity to appreciate the collective efforts of the district in meeting their needs and aspirations. It will further offer the platform for all grievances, suggestions and contributions to be raised and appropriate measures taken to address them.” he said.

Value for money
Mr Godwin Nuadeke, a resident and Chairman of Top Estates Landlords and Residents Association lauded the Assembly for the intervention earmarked for the area but advised the Assembly to ensure contractors deliver quality jobs in order to ensure value for money.
He said even if only one project out of the many enumerated is to be done over the four year period, the quality and standard of work should be very high to ensure the people benefited from it.

Fire guts Presby Church warehouse at Sakumono-Estates

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA
Fire gutted a warehouse at the premises of Hope Congregation of the Presbyterain Church at Sakumono -Estates, Tema yesterday( Thursday) destroying items worth hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.
The 40-foot container, which was converted into a warehouse, at the time of the accident contained newly brought chairs, mattresses and other essential items belonging to the church.


Initial efforts
Efforts by some church workers and some passerby to put out the fire using about 10 fire extinguishers and water were fruitless as strong winds hampered their efforts to combat the blaze.

The timely arrival of a firefighting crew from the Tema Community Two at the scene however helped to battle the blazing flames. It took them less than an hour more to bring it under control.

CAUSE OF FIRE
The blaze at the warehouse broke out at about 12 noon while a welder was creating a window in the packed container. In the process, a spark from his welding machine came into contact with the combustible materials in the container and the subsequent fire. No one sustained injury

Mr Joseph Addottey, Assistant Station Officer from the Community Two Fire Station who led the crew of fire personnel said an investigation has begun into the cause of the fire while damage was still being assessed.

Tema: HIV prevalence rate unstable

Tema: HIV prevalence rate unstable

Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA

The prevalence rate of HIV /AIDS in the Tema Metropolis has been fluctuating over the past five years.
Currently, the prevalence rate is 2.8 per cent compared to the Greater-Accra Regional prevalence rate of 2.7 per cent and the the national average of 1.3 per cent.
In 2009, the Metropolis recorded the highest prevalence rate of 4.0 percent and started showing a downward trend to 2.8 in 2010 and 2.2 percent in 2011 only to rise again to 3.6 percent in 2012
The Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, Mrs Judith Amo-Mensah who disclosed this at an education forum for school children to mark this year's World AIDS Day celebration in the Metropolis at Batsonaa, said it was regrettable that the local prevalence rate keep fluctuating adding that the age group of affected persons range between 20 to 39 years who are in their reproductive period.
“The Metro Health Directorate is particularly worried about the issues concerning adolescents and HIV. There is the need to organise programmes to improve access to HIV prevention services especially at the community level,” she said
The forum was jointly put together by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and the Health Directorate and the Ghana Education Service, to create awareness of the existence of the disease, among the children.
More women test positive for HIV
Mrs Amo-Mensah further disclosed that at as June 2014, more women have tested positive for HIV than men in the Tema Metropolis.

She said out of a total number of 1,445 females tested, 332 tested positive while 184 males out of 1,186 tested positive for HIV.

Mrs Amo-Mensah said of the total figure, 290 clients are receiving HIV care while a total of 223 have been placed on cotrimaxozole prophylaxis while of 169 clients were on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Measures
To curtail the spread she said the Metropolitan Health Directorate provides a package of cost effective interventions which includes scaling up counseling and testing sites, expanding prevention of Mother-to-child transmission coverage, establishing centres to provide comprehensive care for People living with HIV and AIDS, (PLWHIV), expanding the districts response initiatives in the care of PLWHIV as well as scaling up coverage of Home Based Care for PLWHIV.

She enumerated some challenges militating against efforts at curtailing spread of the disease. This includes inadequate facilities to accommodate the ever increasing clients, inadequate supply of test kits and other logistics as well as difficulty in collecting reports from the private sector.

The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive,(MCE) Mr Isaac Odamtten, whose speech was read by Madam Matilda Mahamah, Director, Department of Social Welfare, tasked the youth not to indulge in indiscriminate sex in order to avoid contracting the virus especially as the yuletide approaches.

He said stigmatizing PLWHIV is not a good thing and must be stopped adding that PLWHIV should be afforded equal opportunities in the job market as their counterparts who are non reactive so that together “we can build a better Ghana”

The Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Mr Wilberforce Ofosu-Dankyi this year the celebration was focused on safe sex and stigma reduction because there are very important if they are to achieve the Metro HIV and AIDS response.
-End-