Fire fighters avert tragedy after fuel tankers go up in flames

BENJAMIN XORNAM GLOVER  

26 JANUARY 2017

Remains of the fuel tankers 

Tragedy was averted yesterday when three tankers, fully loaded with fuel products, went up in flames at the Tanker Yard near the Kpone Barrier in Tema.

The vehicles, with registration numbers GB 1488-12, AS 3975 V and GB 1491 -12, which were parked within the premises of a garage, suddenly exploded.

It took personnel of the Fire Service about 40 minutes to bring the ravaging fire under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby factories.

Even though the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, some eyewitnesses suspect one of the tankers might have developed a mechanical fault.

There were no casualties.

Brief

The Operations Officer in charge of the Devtraco Courts Fire Station, Assistant Divisional Officer II Mr John Abeiku Blankson, who confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic, acknowledged that his team had a hectic time fighting the fire, noting that they had to rally support from five other fire stations to eventually bring the fire under control.

 He said investigations had commenced to establish the actual cause of the fire.

 According to him, his outfit received a distress call about a fire outbreak near the Kpone Barrier some few minutes after 10 a.m. yesterday.

He said looking at the magnitude of the fire, they had to call for reinforcement from the Ashaiman,Tema Regional Headquarters and other nearby stations to support in extinguishing the fire.

He said it took the personnel about 30 minutes to confine the fire and finally extinguish it 10 minutes later.

Mechanical fault

A security man at the garage, who refused to mention his name, said one of the tankers developed a fault and a mechanic was called in to fix it.

He said moments after the mechanic had left, smoke was detected from the faulty truck when it was about to set off.  It suddenly caught fire, which spread to the two tankers parked nearby.

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/fire-fighters-avert-tragedy-after-fuel-tankers-go-up-in-flames.html

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17 Fishermen arrested for illegal fishing

BENJAMIN GLOVER  

07 JANUARY 2017

Seventeen fishermen have been arrested by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Marine Police of the Ghana Police Service and the Fisheries Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Fisheries for allegedly engaging in light fishing.

The illegal fishermen and the items

The fishermen were  using a total of 33 portable generator sets with high intensity light accessories in contravention of the Fisheries Regulation 2010, LI 1968.

Section 11 of the Fisheries Regulation 2010, LI 1968 stipulates that a person shall not, within the fisheries waters of Ghana, use any fishing method that aggregates fish by light attractions, including the use of portable generator sets,  switch boards, bulbs beyond 500 watts or bulbs whose culminating light intensity attract fish and long cables able to facilitate light production.

Briefing journalists in Tema, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Moses Beick-Baffoe, said on board the 17 canoes  were an average of two generator sets with light accessories, some of which had an intensity of 1,000 watts.

Investigations

The suspects, he said, had been handed over to the Fisheries Enforcement Unit for further investigations and prosecution.

He warned that the navy would continue to carry out its legitimate and core duties and urged those engaged in illegal fishing to desist from the act.

Closed season

Commodore Beick-Baffoe said last month was declared as a closed fishing season for trawlers, adding that the Fisheries Commission, which had the mandate to preserve and protect the fish stock, approached the navy for regular patrols to ensure that the closed season was observed.

He added “that this arrest should send a strong message to other operators in the sector to be mindful of their illegal fishing actions and respect the regulations governing the sector.”

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/17-fishermen-arrested-for-illegal-fishing.html

Tema Customs misses revenue target for 2016

Mr George Blankson (standing), the Commissioner General of the GRA, speaking at the event. 

The Tema Sector of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) fell short of its 2016 revenue target. 

The sector collected some GH¢7.334 billion, representing 95.37 percent of its target of GH¢7.690 billion, thereby missing the target by 4.63 per cent.

That notwithstanding, officials of the sector, which is the largest revenue collection point in the country, said the 2016 performance showed a 20.55 percent revenue growth from that of 2015.

The Sector Commander, Mr Confidence Nyadzi, disclosed this at an end of year get-together and awards night organised by the sector in Tema over the weekend.

Non-revenue activities

He indicated that the sector, during the year under review, also arrested and confiscated some 5,633 and 2,646 used fridges and mattresses, respectively, since those items were classified as banned goods.

He explained that the importation of those items could endanger public health and further have negative implications on the environment and so the sector had instituted a strict monitoring regime to ensure that those items were not allowed onto the open market.

“Some arms and ammunition were also intercepted, while a syndicate that was abusing diplomatic exemptions through the illicit importation of non-diplomatic cargo through diplomatic channels was arrested accordingly,” he stated.

Efficiency

Mr Nyadzi said the sector would continue to work hard to improve efficiency in its operations through the streamlining of functions.

 It had also instituted capacity-building programmes and media engagements to ensure that results were achieved within specific time frames.

Target

The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Mr John Kuudamnuru Vianney, for his part, indicated that out of the national target of GHc10.8 billion for 2016, his outfit could manage to collect GHc10.315.

He ascribed the decline in 2016 to the fact that it was an election year which saw most business people adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

“There have been some election years in the past when we were able to achieve our targets and even exceeded them. However, 2016 was a very difficult year,” Mr Vianney indicated.

He suggested that the division’s performance would be judged on the ability of officers to live up to the task and work harder towards the attainment of targets.

Commissioner-General

The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr George Blankson, said even though the Customs Division could not hit its target, the entire division deserved commendation for its hard work in 2016.

“We have a responsibility to deliver better services as public servants. Therefore, do not feel comfortable but rather strive to perform better in the coming years to meet the higher expectation of the public,” he told the officers, adding, “Perform better in the years ahead; don’t feel comfortable but make the effort to meet expectations.”

Awards

Awards were presented to staff and stakeholders for their performance in the year under review.

The Sector Commander's Special Award went to Mr Ransford Samuel Abaka, a Chief Revenue Officer, while the Chief Revenue Officer in charge of Outdoor, Mr Peter Alu, received the Most Outstanding Manager award.

West Blue Consulting, GCNet and Bollore Africa were also honoured, with the Large Taxpayer award going to Dangote Cement.

via : http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tema-customs-misses-revenue-target-for-2016.html

Accident on Accra-Tema Motorway causes heavy traffic

BENJAMIN GLOVER  

17 JANUARY 2017

An accident on the Accra-Tema Motorway yesterday morning resulted in heavy traffic on the motorway, as the accident vehicle blocked the busy road.

The truck, with registration number GT 8517-15, which was conveying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Takoradi in the Western Region to Tema, fell on the road, near the Klagon underpass bringing traffic to a standstill.

A crane lifting the tanker while some police and fire personnel look on

The accident led to serious traffic at both ends of the motorway, compelling the police and personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to rush to the scene to prevent any possible disaster.

Alternative routes

Commuters who could not stand the gridlock had to divert to alternative routes, including the Nungua Beach Road.

Some passengers who could not stand the situation were forced to walk to their destinations, while others resorted to the use of commercial motorbikes, popularly known as “Okada”, to continue with their journey.

Incident

The gas tanker was carrying products weighing about 50 tonnes. When the driver reached that section of the motorway about 5 a.m., he lost control of the vehicle, making it fall on its side.

The driver, who is said to have sustained minor injuries, was rushed to the Tema General Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Deputy Tema Regional Chief Fire Officer, Divisional Officer Grade One Mr Timothy Osafo Affum, said his outfit received a call about the accident around 5:30 a.m.

He said when firemen arrived on the scene, they detected that some drivers were forcing their way through the accident scene, for which reason the police were called in to block the road and secure the area.

He explained that after exploring various options, including transferring the product into another vehicle, the team finally  hired a crane to lift the overturned tanker. The road was eventually opened to traffic at 3 p.m.

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/accident-on-accra-tema-motorway-causes-heavy-traffic.html

Ex-GPHA workers demand payment of gratuity

BENJAMIN GLOVER     

13 JANUARY 2017

The aggrieved ex-port workers holding placards to send home their demands

Some aggrieved former workers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) yesterday stormed the headquarters of the authority to demand full payment of their severance package.

Clad in red and wearing red wrist bands, the ex-workers converged on the main road leading to the offices of the GPHA to demand the payment of their full retirement benefits.

The workers were part of a voluntary retirement exercise in 2002 but are yet to receive the full retirement package.

Stand-Off

The demonstrators, numbering over 100, who had sought permission from the police to picket in front of the GPHA headquarters in Tema, later insisted on marching to the office of Mr Richard Anamoo, the Director General of the GPHA, and Mr Jacob Adorkor, the Director of Port, Tema, to demand their gratuity.

They were, however, prevented by the police from entering the premises.

After nearly three hours of running battles with the police over access to the offices of the GPHA, the aggrieved former workers agreed to call off the action and rather petition the Presidency and the Transition Team to have their issues resolved as early as possible.

Placards

The demonstrators held placards with inscriptions such as: “The 14 years of waiting is over”, “We want our benefits paid”, “The deceit and lies must stop”, “‘We are dying”, “Mr Owusu Mensah, you said you don’t owe us. The five people court ordered you to pay, why did you pay them? Don’t lie”, “Georgina Wood, is that how you are as Chief Justice?”

Several demonstrations

This is the umpteenth time in the last 14 years that the former port workers have staged a protest over claims that over 4,000 of them are owed several millions of cedis in employee compensation.

The Spokesperson for the ex-workers, Mr Laud Nsiah Laryea, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said in 2002 the management of the GPHA embarked on a World Bank funded project dubbed: ‘Voluntary retirement exercise’ as part of the restructuring of the port.

Some staff opted for the voluntary retirement programme, he said, and as a result were paid their benefits, but upon careful calculation, they discovered that the management of the GPHA had short-changed them.

Mr Laryea said the group took legal action against the company and, in 2008, the Supreme Court gave a ruling in their favour. But only five of them had been given their rightful severance package.

He wondered why the GPHA management had refused to pay the rest of the workers what was rightfully due them.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of the GPHA, Mr Paul Ansah Asare, who interacted briefly with the aggrieved ex- workers,  urged them to go back to the Supreme Court to enforce the implementation of the court ruling if they believed strongly that they had secured judgement in their favour.

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ex-gpha-workers-demand-payment-of-gratuity.html

St Andrew Methodist Brigade holds Beauty Pageant

BENJAMIN XORNAM GLOVER 

11 JANUARY 2017

The Boys and Girls Brigade, a Christian youth organisation of the St Andrew Methodist Church at Tema Community Two, has organised a beauty pageant for its members. The event, dubbed “Face of 16th Tema Brigade,” was aimed at inculcating into the youth of the church the Ghanaian heritage.

A group photograph of the contestants

It was also targeted at promoting Methodism among the children. The theme for the occasion was: Promoting Rich Ghanaian Heritage and Methodism.”

Ten young girls, representing all the regions of Ghana, thrilled the audience to various Ghanaian music and dance forms. They also recited poems depicting the values of the various regions and modelled and exhibited their talents.

The highlight of the event was when the participants answered questions from the panel of judges to prove how much they knew about the Methodist Church.

The 10 contestants were Esther Addo Quaye, 12, representing the Western Region; Erica Asiedu Tetteh, 10, Upper West Region; Lily Makafui Nutsugah, 10, Volta Region, Mabel E.A. Yeboah, 10, Greater Accra Region, and Emmaneulla Osei Akoto, 10, Ashanti Region.

The rest were Elisa A Appafram, 10, Eastern Region; Emmaneulla Aba Mensah, 10, Upper East Region; Faustina Nelson, 12, Brong Ahafo Region and Nhyira Ofosua Yanney, 11, Central Region.

At the end of the contest, 10-year-old Elisa A. Appafram who represented the Eastern Region beat the nine other contestants to grab the coveted crown and sash.

The first and second runners-up positions went to Ms Nhyira Ofosua Yanney and Ms Emmaneulla Osei Akoto, representing the Central and Ashanti regions, respectively.

They both received certificates and souvenirs from the organisers and sponsors.

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/juniors/junior-news/st-andrews-methodist-brigade-holds-beauty-pageant.html

Police quiz Tema Hospital over missing patient

BENJAMIN GLOVER 

21 JANUARY 2017

Ten days after a patient went missing at the Tema General Hospital (TGH) while on admission, the police have officially opened a missing person’s investigation into the matter.

The administrator of the hospital and two nurses are currently on police enquiry bail as a result of the disappearance of Mr Reuben Anyasu, 64, from the facility.

Mr Anyasu was admitted to the health facility on December 31, 2016 but after 10 days at the hospital, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

The hospital authorities have so far not offered any clue, a situation that has left family members distressed.

Missing

The spokesperson of the Tema Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ms Juliana Obeng, in an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, said the patient  allegedly “absconded” from the facility on January 10, 2017 and had since not been found.

She said the police subsequently opened investigations into the case.

She explained that it was on that basis that the administrator of the hospital and the two nurses who were on duty at the time of Mr Anyasu’s disappearance, were invited to assist in the investigations.

Ms Obeng said statements were taken from the suspects who were subsequently granted police enquiry bail.

Detailed report

She said the police had asked management of the hospital to provide a detailed report on the incident to help the police in their investigations.

Ms Obeng also assured the relatives of the missing patient that a thorough search would be conducted into his disappearance and called for their support.

via: http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/police-quiz-tema-hospital-over-missing-patient.html