Ashiaman: Police arrest 31 suspected criminals

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA The police have rounded up 31 suspected criminals in and around Ashiaman in a special exercise to rid the municipality of violent crimes. The suspects were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Rapid Deployment Force, (RDF), the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from the Tema Regional Command, the Anti-Armed Robbery Squad of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Accra Region Operation unit. The six hour operation covered suburbs such as “New York”, Atadeka, Saki, Ashiaman Market Square and other spots such as “Spider Toilet” and “I shall return” which according to the police is a known safe haven for criminals. Briefing journalists at Tema, the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Mrs Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri said a total of 73 personnel made up of nine senior polices officers and 64 personnel carried out the operation between the hours of 10:30 am and 4:00 pm on Wednesday. She said items retrieved included quantities of substances suspected to be narcotic drugs from four of the suspects. She said others were arrested for their alleged involvement in other crimes under investigations by the police. Screening She named those in possession of substances suspected to be narcotics as, Baba Abaa, 20 years and a trader who was found with nine wrappers of the Indian hemp, Mohammed Ayuba, 19, a welder found with two wrappers of Indian hemp, Nathaniel Essilfie, 23, a mechanic with 45 wrappers of Indian hemp and Kweku Eddie, 20 unemployed who was found with 14 wrappers of Indian hemp. She said all the suspects were being held by the police pending interrogation, screening and profiling and necessary action. Identification parade DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said an identification parade carried out by the Ashiaman Divisional Command revealed that three of the suspected criminals were identified by victims of robbery attacks. She named those identified as Emmanuel Kofi Ntiamoah, Emmanuel Tetteh and Dela Danladi all believed to be in their late twenties. Assurance The Tema Regional Police Commander reiterated the commitment of the police to fighting crime in the Metropolis and its environs and gave the assurance that the police was not relenting in its efforts to flush out criminals from the metropolis. Tents She disclosed that the service has secured tents from the National Headquarters which will be mounted in areas such as Gbestile, New York and Asutuare Junction to be manned by armed personnel on 24 hour duty basis to respond to crime within the vicinity as a temporary measure while efforts are made to open more police station stations in these areas. She stressed that policing in contemporary times is a shared responsibility and will therefore require cooperation with the police to get rid of the criminals from the society.

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority embarks on expansion programme

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover | Wednesday, 07 May 2014

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has initiated a programme to expand the country’s ports to adequately take care of the increasing cargo and provide efficient maritime services for importers, exporters and passengers. The ports currently handle about one million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers and it is estimated that in the next 14 years they will handle about two million TEU containers. Third port Besides the expansion project, the GPHA is also contemplating building a third port to complement the Tema and Takoradi ports to adequately take care of the increasing cargo trade. “We have already surveyed the coastal area and have an idea of where to position it, but for now that information is capped until we are ready to start,” the Marketing and Public Relations Manager of the GPHA, Mr Paul Asare-Ansah, announced at a stakeholders’ seminar organised by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Tema. The one-day seminar, which was on the topic, “The role of Customs and other stakeholders at the Tema Port”, brought together various players in the maritime industry. Expression of Interest Mr Asare-Ansah said the GPHA had already sent out a request for the expression of interest for the construction of a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal, as well as a cruise terminal, to address issues of congestion and ensure adequate use of the country's sea resources. “Ghana is an attractive tourism destination and we really want to harness that tourism potential by offering the needed maritime support,” he said. He disclosed that the GPHA had established a rail desk to accelerate the quest to construct a rail link from the ports to the hinterlands to aid in the transportation of cargo. Mr Asare-Ansah said there was no way a port could be efficient without a multi-modal transport system, hence the move to invest in a rail system. Customs Division The outgoing Tema Sector Commander of the Customs Division, Mr John Vianney Kuudamnuru, explained that the aim of the programme was to establish a platform for the sharing of information, educate various stakeholders to become familiar with Customs operations and distinguish among the roles of other stakeholders at the port. He urged the stakeholders to be abreast of the GRA Client Charter and the various stakeholder engagement strategy plans to enhance compliance level and facilitate trade and clearance at the port. The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Capt William Amanhyia, stressed the need for importers and exporters to contract the services of professional freight forwarders before embarking on any international trade to prevent any problems that could arise during the clearing process. http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22455-ghana-ports-and-harbours-authority-embarks-on-expansion-programme.html See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22455-ghana-ports-and-harbours-authority-embarks-on-expansion-programme.html#sthash.aW9baezC.dpuf

238 Naval recruits pass out at Tema Naval Base

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover | Tuesday, 06 May 2014 08:30 - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22383-238-naval-recruits-pass-out-at-tema-naval-base.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#sthash.ifXUKIEF.dpuf

A retired Naval Officer, Commodore Albert Bentil Addison, has reminded personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) not to engage in partisan politics. He said they owed their loyalty to the state and that required that they remain neutral when it came to politics. Parade review Reviewing a passing-out parade of 238 Naval recruits in Tema, Commodore Addison also stressed the need for personnel of the GAF not to molest innocent civilians, since “they are people you have sworn to protect”. “Amid all the challenges you will be facing in line with your duties, you still have to remain steadfast and resolute,” he said. He commended the recruits for going through the course successfully, especially at a time when maritime security had become more important than ever to Ghana and other states along the Gulf of Guinea. Challenges Commodore Addison said the challenges and experiences they went through during the six months of great physical and mental training would stay with them for the rest of their lives. He reminded the recruits that their passing-out marked the beginning of a life-long path of learning and education and charged them not to rest on their laurels but take subsequent training and courses very seriously to enable them to serve with distinction. “Having turned into young soldiers, the temptation is great for you to see your new careers as an opportunity to constitute yourselves into unauthorized law enforcement agencies. Unless you are under clear orders from superior authority, you have no business with debt collection, galamsey operations or the settlement of personal disputes without recourse to the due process of law.” he warned them. Awards Five of the recruits received awards for excelling in various fields during the six-month training. Recruit Paul Abonee was adjudged the best all-round recruit; Fransisca Duncan, the best female recruit; Gadiel Quayson, the best in academics; David Nii Kwartey, the best in drill, while Cynthia Anku Mawufemor received the Commanding Officer’s Special Award. The recruits treated the gathering, which included the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Ashia Odamtten; the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Steven K. Darbo; senior officers and family and friends, to drill display, slow and quick march past, among others. http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22383-238-naval-recruits-pass-out-at-tema-naval-base.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

TOR operations not affected by fire

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover | Wednesday, 30 April 2014 10:51 |

The management of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has given the assurance that its operations will not be hampered by Tuesday's fire outbreak on some pipelines linking the facility to the Tema Harbour. According to the Director of Communications of TOR, Ms Aba Lokko the refinery was safe and assured that product supply will not be affected. She said investigations have commenced to determine what occurred and what next steps to take to avert future occurrence. Meanwhile, the man who was killed by the fire has been identified as Ebenezer Kofi Mensah, 28. He was married with a 4-month-old baby and was said to have died in the blaze in an attempt to siphon fuel from the leaking pipes. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Ms Lokko said the deceased was not a staff of TOR. She commended the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service and all emergency services for the swift response to the disaster. Fire Tuesday gutted fuel pipelines laid behind the Cocoa Processing Company factory. The incident, which occurred between the wall separating the former Akasanoma Factory and the Cocoa Processing Factory, took place at about 3:30 p.m. The Fire Officer for the Tema Metropolitan Area, Mr William Abeka Blankson, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said initial information picked indicated that the explosion was sparked by a leakage from the gas pipeline, and that in the course of the inferno, a high tension electric cable fell on the deceased. He said the initial response saw the deployment of two fire engines from the metropolis; one tender each from the Ashaiman, Tema Industrial Area and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority were dispatched to the scene, while a number of security personnel were posted to the scene to maintain law and order. Officials said the leakage started about 10 in the morning and people rushed to the area, taking advantage to scoop fuel until the disaster struck. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22088-tor-operations-not-affected-by-fire.html#sthash.y5s3xMzz.dpuf

TOR pipelines fire claim one life

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover | Wednesday, 30 April 2014 07:03 |

One person was burnt to death after fire swept through fuel pipelines linking the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to the Tema Harbour Tuesday. The authorities suspect the deceased might have died in the scorching blaze in an attempt to siphon fuel from the leaking pipes. The incident, which occurred between the wall separating the former Akasanoma Factory and the Cocoa Processing Factory, took place about 3:30 p.m. The Fire Officer for the Tema Metropolitan Area, Mr William Abeka Blankson, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said initial information picked indicated that the explosion was sparked by a leakage from the gas pipeline, and that in the course of the inferno, a high tension electric cable fell on the deceased. He said the initial response saw the deployment of two fire engines from the metropolis; one tender each from the Ashaiman, Tema Industrial Area and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority were dispatched to the scene, while a number of security personnel were posted to the scene to maintain law and order. The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, accompanied by the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Ashia Odamtten; the Tema Metropolitan Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation ( NADMO), Hajia Zenabu Abdulai; the Tema Regional Commander of Police, Mrs Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri, and officials of TOR visited the scene to assess the situation. Briefing journalists at the scene, Mr Afotey-Agbo said a leakage started about 10 in the morning and people rushed to the area to scoop fuel. He said instead of the people reporting the matter to the authorities, they rather took advantage of the situation until disaster struck. He said he would recommend to the presidency to recruit security persons to take charge of the pipelines on a daily basis, so that people did not get access to the lines to avert such a disaster. He commended the Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service, the military and the police, as well as personnel of NADMO, for their swift response to the distress call for help. - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22052-tor-pipelines-fire-claim-one-life.html#sthash.wr4FBRko.dpuf

Fire guts TOR pipeline in Tema, one person dead

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 15:03 Fire has gutted some pipelines belonging to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) at Tema in the Greater Accra region. The pipelines are said to have been laid behind the Cocoa Processing Company at Community One, connecting TOR to the Tema Harbour. Graphic Correspondent in Tema, Benjamin Xornam Glover reported that, one person has been burnt beyond recognition by the inferno and that the charred body was still lying at the scene. He said personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) are at the scene trying to bring the fire under control. He added that the fire started around 3:15pm in the area which is close to the Sidalco roundabout towards the Cocoa Processing Company. A number of security personnel have been deployed to the scene to maintain law and order - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22047-massive-fire-guts-tor-pipeline-in-tema.html#sthash.dr9Hi79S.dpuf

national policy on Occupational Health and Safety in the offing

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA A national policy on Occupational Health and Safety has been formulated and would soon be submitted to cabinet for approval. The proposed policy aims at institutionalizing occupational safety and health by extending access to safety and health information, knowledge and skills at all levels of the educational systems and all workplaces. The Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere disclosed this at Tema during a ceremony to commemorate the 2014 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The celebration which was organize d by the Bureau of Public Safety also witnessed the launching of the National Safety Council and swearing in of a five member Governing Board of the NSC, Ghana . Mr Sekyere said it was the belief of government that preventing accidents at workplace through education by introducing the Occupational Safety and Health concept in school curricula and the education system in general will help form an effective and sustainable preventive safety culture on a continuous basis. Transformation He said the new national policy also seeks to transform the Department of Factories Inspectorate into an authority managed by a National Commission on Occupational Safety and Health adding that the new authority when it come into being will bring together under one umbrella all fragmented workplace interventions on occupational safety. He said the transformation of the Factories Inspectorate Department into an Authority is expected to ensure the safety at all workplaces and health of workers through effective implementation of appropriate occupational safety and health management systems. “The authority will also ensure a compensation system that incorporates rehabilitation and effective risk management for efficient and effective compensation of employees who get injured of suffer from of work” Stakeholder involvement The deputy minister noted that the realization of the better Ghana agenda will require the inputs of workers producing and offering services in safe work environment hence the need for all stakeholders to support the safety and health improvements initiatives at the workplace He called on managers of work places to put in place safety committees comprising of representatives of management and workers to ensure compliance of the occupational safety and health standards. Rebranding The Acting Chief Inspector of Factories, Mr Frederick Ohene-Mensah lauded efforts at rebranding the and resourcing the Department stressing that the move would help them to meet the challenges of the 21st century and aid them handle the new and emerging occupational risks. He cautioned industry players who have been recalcitrant in the area of safety, health and wellbeing of workers that a team of prosecutors will soon descend on those employers and prosecute them. He disclosed the that the exercise has commenced in the Ashanti Region and the Greater Accra Region adding that the Tema Metropolis will soon feel the heat of the prosecutors. Threat of prosecution He particularly warned occupiers operating steam boilers /air receivers and lifting appliances who have refused to engage certified engineers /surveyors to undertake statutory examination of these dangerous and hazardous equipment will be summoned before the law court. Mr Senyo Adjabeng, a Labour Consultant called for the delinking of Occupational Health and Safety arguing the current Factories, Offices and Shops Act, Act 328 does not focus on the safety aspect of things but rather places emphasis on issues of sanitation. He also called for the empowerment of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly to enable then enforce law. He said that way, all industries including small and medium enterprises that are looking more at maximizing profits rather that ensuring the safety of workers will not flout the laws. Public Safety Bureau The Executive Director of the Public Safety Bureau, Nana Yaw Akwada speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic said the National Safety Council, Ghana which governing board was inaugurated will be an association of safety, health and environmental practitioners from across industries. He explained that the terms of reference for interim governing board will be to determine criteria for admission of members into the council determine the standards and levels for certification and develop a Code of Ethics and Professional conduct for discussion and adoption and also explore affiliation with other national safety councils across the globe. The interim governing board of the NSC, Ghana is made up of Mr Steven Ankamah Lomotey, Metropolitan Factory Inspector, Mr William Blankson, Chief Fire Officer, Tema , Chief Superintendent Ebenezer Ampofo, Ghana Police Service, Mr Simon Opoku Amankwa, and Nana Yaw Akwada, Executive Dierector, Public Safety Bureau.