A SENIOR Lecturer at the Department of Political Science of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Kwesi Jonah, has petitioned the government to fully translate the ideas of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, into effective action in order to achieve the country’s development agenda.
“Most of his ideas have now found their way into state policies and principles,” he noted, and said the country could only move forward if Dr Nkrumah’s ideas were firmly integrated into the country’s development strategy.
Mr Jonah made the appeal when he addressed an audience at the second public memorial lecture on Dr Nkrumah and his centenary celebration which was held at the Arts Centre in Accra on the theme, "Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah at 100: Celebrating the Life and Legacies of a Pan-African Legend".
“Because of the foundation Dr Nkrumah laid for us, we can boldly say that we are a solidly united country,” he said, and stressed that Dr Nkrumah’s initiatives were not an end in themselves because years after his death most of his achievements were what most Ghanaians depended and prided themselves on.
“The unity of African countries — USA — was more important to him than Ghana,” he said, adding that Dr Nkrumah was of the view that “even the richest African country could not survive alone politically, economically and socially”, and that was why, during the proclamation of Ghana’s independence, Dr Nkrumah stressed the fact that “‘the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent’,” he said.
He indicated that in the process, Dr Nkrumah discovered that three things needed to be firmly implemented if Africa could ever be united and they were “one currency, one army and one foreign policy”, but Kenneth Kaunda, the then President of Zambia, and other African leaders suggested co-operation along functionary lines and regional unions, which for Dr Nkrumah was not a proactive strategy.
He recounted one of Dr Nkrumah’s legacies, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), through which Dr Nkrumah tried to bring all independent states not only in Africa but also other parts of the world, particularly those in Asia, to pursue their own objectives other than following the Eastern and Western blocs to achieve their development agenda.
Mr Jonah said though some of the members of the movement openly aligned themselves with either of the blocs, NAM could never be sidelined from Dr Nkrumah’s achievements because it formed a forum for solidarity across the world.
“Dr Nkrumah, by all standards in the world ,was a great person,” he stated, and pointed out that years after his death Africans around the world remembered him for his persistence struggle against colonialism across Africa.
Mr K. B. Asante, a retired diplomat and educationist who was a minister of state in Dr Nkrumah’s government, bemoaned the fact that years after the Kulungugu bombing, no commission of enquiry had been set up to find the culprits behind the attack.
Recounting his experiences with Dr Nkrumah, Mr Asante recalled that as a political science student he once took the opportunity to ask Dr Nkrumah why he wanted a one-party state when he had two-thirds majority in Parliament and Dr Nkrumah made it known to him that though there were talents in the Convention People’s Party (CPP), he wanted to appoint the best and most relevant Ghanaians into positions, hence his resolve to tap into all parties in a one-party state.
He said he did not even have a CPP card and did not refer to himself as an Nkrumahist but Dr Nkrumah believed and trusted in him, adding that that was why Dr Nkrumah appointed Mr J. H. Mensah in his administration.
The President of the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, justified the legitimacy of the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) passed in July 1958 by Dr Nkrumah.
He said the Act was justifiable, even if the life of one person was saved, noting that innocent people were killed and maimed during the political tension at that time.
Prof Akosa explained that the Act was in no way different from the ‘Patriotic Act’ and the ‘Terrorism Act’ that had been passed in the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), respectively, but no questions had been raised against the passage of those acts.
The President of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Mr Kwaku Manu-Asiamah, said Dr Nkrumah was great among his peers and so his ideas should not be left to die and expressed the belief that efforts at ensuring Nkrumah’s mortality should be the joint commitment of all Africans.
He advised government to negotiate with Panaf Books Limited, the publishers of Dr Nkrumah’s books, to publish the books locally for the benefit of the general public and visitors who visited the park in order to defuse false charges against Africa by Europeans that Africa had no history or philosophy.
On problems associated with the park, he said the museum, a key component of the park, had its roof and floor leaking badly.
“The cracks in the museum floor were hidden for the celebration of Ghana@50 with a carpet. Now the leakage from the floor has exposed our cosmetic attempt to solve the problem once and for all. If you enter the museum today, stains on the carpet will tell an unfriendly story,” he emphasised, and stressed that “Nkrumah was a builder and, therefore, for any building associated with his name to go to ruins is unpardonable”.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Merchant Bank goes to Abbossey Okai
MERCHANT Bank Ghana Limited has widened its reach, with the opening of another branch at Abbossey Okai in Accra.
The outlet, which brings the bank’s network to 18 branches, will offer services to people in the spare parts market as well as small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The acting Managing Director of the bank, Dr Kwame Osei-Owusu, said the presence of Merchant Bank in Abbossey Okai signified an open invitation to the chain of businesses in the area and its environs to deal with it.
He named some of the benefits to customers as the free use of automated teller machines (ATMs), zero deposit account opening, no charges for processing salaries as well as zero charges for withdrawal from personal accounts.
Dr Osei-Owusu said with good collaboration between the bank, the SMEs and business associations, they would together remove many of the barriers facing entrepreneurs in the country, and hence in the Abbossey Okai spare parts market, thus improving their business culture.
"We would not only support and partner you but we would take significant interest in the general development of the capacity of your businesses," he assured.
The Supervising Director of Merchant Bank, Nana Fredua Agyeman Pambuo I, advised staff of the bank to understand and appreciate the concerns of the customers, who mostly operate in the informal sector.
He announced that the bank would collaborate with the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central to ensure that a Police Station was sited in the area to provide security for their activities.
The bank said it would open 11 more branches before the end of the year.
The Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma Central, Mr Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, expressed gratitude to the bank for offering to assist in the establishment of a Police Station to beef up security at the Abossey Okai area.
The outlet, which brings the bank’s network to 18 branches, will offer services to people in the spare parts market as well as small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The acting Managing Director of the bank, Dr Kwame Osei-Owusu, said the presence of Merchant Bank in Abbossey Okai signified an open invitation to the chain of businesses in the area and its environs to deal with it.
He named some of the benefits to customers as the free use of automated teller machines (ATMs), zero deposit account opening, no charges for processing salaries as well as zero charges for withdrawal from personal accounts.
Dr Osei-Owusu said with good collaboration between the bank, the SMEs and business associations, they would together remove many of the barriers facing entrepreneurs in the country, and hence in the Abbossey Okai spare parts market, thus improving their business culture.
"We would not only support and partner you but we would take significant interest in the general development of the capacity of your businesses," he assured.
The Supervising Director of Merchant Bank, Nana Fredua Agyeman Pambuo I, advised staff of the bank to understand and appreciate the concerns of the customers, who mostly operate in the informal sector.
He announced that the bank would collaborate with the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central to ensure that a Police Station was sited in the area to provide security for their activities.
The bank said it would open 11 more branches before the end of the year.
The Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma Central, Mr Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, expressed gratitude to the bank for offering to assist in the establishment of a Police Station to beef up security at the Abossey Okai area.
Friday, March 6, 2009
VIASAT 1 launched
VIASAT 1, a new television channel on Ghana’s TV screens, has been officially launched in Accra with a commitment to deliver quality programmes to viewers and advertisers.
It is owned by Modern Time Group (MTG), a Scandinavian company with coverage in over 29 countries
The Chief Executive Officer of MTG, Ms Laurence Miall d'Aout, said at the launch in Accra yesterday that the group had invested heavily in infrastructure, hinting that both their play-out facilities and transmitter sites were built with state-of-the-art equipment to enable it to provide good picture and sound quality for its audience.
"By doing this, we will drive viewers to the channel and deliver increased returns on investment for our advertisers," she stated, and expressed the belief that its way of doing business would resonate well with the expectations of its advertisers and audience.
"We are a client-focused organisation and we are here to deliver the best entertainment to viewers and first-class services to advertisers," she emphasised.
Ms d'Aout announced that the station intended to set up a transmitter site in the Northern Region, in addition to the ones already in place in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Western regions to enable it to cover densely populated areas of Ghana.
The station, according to her, had also entered into agreement with some of the biggest African content owners and secured what it believed were the best African movies, series and current affairs programmes.
Ms d'Aout said the company intended to develop good relations with newspapers, magazines and radio stations in Ghana to provide TV viewers with better and more programming information.
The Chief Executive of Viasat 1, Rune Skogeng, disclosed that the station had been awarded the national terrestrial TV licence by the National Communications Authority.
He gave the assurance that the station, with over 22 years’ experience in both radio and television broadcasting, would strictly adhere to international standards.
It is owned by Modern Time Group (MTG), a Scandinavian company with coverage in over 29 countries
The Chief Executive Officer of MTG, Ms Laurence Miall d'Aout, said at the launch in Accra yesterday that the group had invested heavily in infrastructure, hinting that both their play-out facilities and transmitter sites were built with state-of-the-art equipment to enable it to provide good picture and sound quality for its audience.
"By doing this, we will drive viewers to the channel and deliver increased returns on investment for our advertisers," she stated, and expressed the belief that its way of doing business would resonate well with the expectations of its advertisers and audience.
"We are a client-focused organisation and we are here to deliver the best entertainment to viewers and first-class services to advertisers," she emphasised.
Ms d'Aout announced that the station intended to set up a transmitter site in the Northern Region, in addition to the ones already in place in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Western regions to enable it to cover densely populated areas of Ghana.
The station, according to her, had also entered into agreement with some of the biggest African content owners and secured what it believed were the best African movies, series and current affairs programmes.
Ms d'Aout said the company intended to develop good relations with newspapers, magazines and radio stations in Ghana to provide TV viewers with better and more programming information.
The Chief Executive of Viasat 1, Rune Skogeng, disclosed that the station had been awarded the national terrestrial TV licence by the National Communications Authority.
He gave the assurance that the station, with over 22 years’ experience in both radio and television broadcasting, would strictly adhere to international standards.
Ministry to adopt stringent measures to save forests
THE Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, has said the ministry will adopt stringent measures to address the problem of deforestation in mining communities in the country.
That, he said, was to ensure that residents of mining communities had sustainable livelihoods.
He gave the assurance when the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr William Williams, paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.
Alhaji Dauda identified re-afforestation as one of the areas that had not received much attention from the government and promised to carry out programmes to significantly address the phenomenon of deforestation which was fast degrading lands in the country.
“It is true that we need the minerals but the lands are being destroyed, together with the vegetation,” he stated, and indicated that the ministry would ensure that programmes on re-afforestation were effectively implemented to yield the desired results.
He acknowledged the relationship that existed between Ghana and Australia and expressed his readiness to deepen ties between the two countries.
Mr Williams expressed Australia’s commitment to address challenges in the mining sector, in view of the fact that there were some Australian companies operating in the sector.
He said he wanted to see for himself the sort of social responsibility activities that such companies were engaged in as part of measures to ensure sustained livelihoods for residents of those communities.
According to him, after taking stock of problems existing in those communities, he would seek to collaborate with the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to figure out how best those problems could be resolved.
Mr Williams invited the minister to a mining conference to be held in Australia in September this year.
The conference, he stated, would focus on Australian companies engaged in mining activities in Africa.
CEPS introduces new system
THE Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in collaboration with Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) is to introduce the Ghana Customs Management System II (GCMSII), to enable agents to validate their documents within five minutes before clearing.
The new web-based system, which would facilitate trade between exporters and importers and increase the revenue mobilisation of CEPS, is an amendment of the current manual system being used by CEPS and will be introduced on April 6, 2009.
The Operations Manager of GCNet, Mr Chris Holden, who made this known at a stakeholders meeting in Accra last Tuesday, said the new system would improve the functionality of the operations of CEPS, by enabling agents to forward details of documents to GCNet and they in turn forward that information to CEPS for feedback, all under five minutes.
He explained that after the 'Manifest' (information submitted by the agents) had been declared and approved by CEPS officials online, the agents could then go to the CEPS depot to clear the goods without delays.
Additionally, he said, that would also avoid the falsification of payments actually made by these agents whilst processing or clearing goods for their clients.
Mr Holden said the introduction of the GCMS II was to avoid such abuses and the erroneous impression created about the level of tariffs charged in the clearance of goods through Customs, or the operational status of the current GCMS being used by CEPS.
The Deputy Systems & Database Manager of GCNet, Mr Eliot Ansah, said the meeting with the stakeholders, who were mainly clearing agents, was to help them identify shortfalls and bottlenecks faced by agents in their operations with CEPS and other agencies.
The Principal Collector of the Compliance Unit of CEPS at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Lawrence Anang, said GCNet had impacted positively on the activities of CEPS.
According to him, the introduction of the system had fully transformed and modernised the operations of CEPS, resulting in increased revenue collection, reduction in clearance time and greater compliance by stakeholders.
In the area of capacity building, he disclosed that GCNet in an ongoing process was training personnel of CEPS in relevance modules of the system, according to their operational requirements.
"The introduction of the new system will enable importers to clear their goods within an hour," he stated, and added that that would also allow them to quickly respond to complaints from clients, and make communication with clients more flexible.
The new web-based system, which would facilitate trade between exporters and importers and increase the revenue mobilisation of CEPS, is an amendment of the current manual system being used by CEPS and will be introduced on April 6, 2009.
The Operations Manager of GCNet, Mr Chris Holden, who made this known at a stakeholders meeting in Accra last Tuesday, said the new system would improve the functionality of the operations of CEPS, by enabling agents to forward details of documents to GCNet and they in turn forward that information to CEPS for feedback, all under five minutes.
He explained that after the 'Manifest' (information submitted by the agents) had been declared and approved by CEPS officials online, the agents could then go to the CEPS depot to clear the goods without delays.
Additionally, he said, that would also avoid the falsification of payments actually made by these agents whilst processing or clearing goods for their clients.
Mr Holden said the introduction of the GCMS II was to avoid such abuses and the erroneous impression created about the level of tariffs charged in the clearance of goods through Customs, or the operational status of the current GCMS being used by CEPS.
The Deputy Systems & Database Manager of GCNet, Mr Eliot Ansah, said the meeting with the stakeholders, who were mainly clearing agents, was to help them identify shortfalls and bottlenecks faced by agents in their operations with CEPS and other agencies.
The Principal Collector of the Compliance Unit of CEPS at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Lawrence Anang, said GCNet had impacted positively on the activities of CEPS.
According to him, the introduction of the system had fully transformed and modernised the operations of CEPS, resulting in increased revenue collection, reduction in clearance time and greater compliance by stakeholders.
In the area of capacity building, he disclosed that GCNet in an ongoing process was training personnel of CEPS in relevance modules of the system, according to their operational requirements.
"The introduction of the new system will enable importers to clear their goods within an hour," he stated, and added that that would also allow them to quickly respond to complaints from clients, and make communication with clients more flexible.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Guinness launches street dance competition
GUINESS Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), has launched its second edition of Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa 2009.
The competition will once again showcase Ghana’s hottest dance talent, the best, vibrant and skilled dancers from across the country, following the runaway success of last year’s competition.
The Marketing Director of GGBL, Ms Ama Okyere, at the launch said, millions watched the televised programmes which showcased dancers from all over Africa, popping, locking and krumping their way to the pan-African final in August.
She recalled that Ghanaian dance stars— 2PUFF and the Nigerian dance crew SOULQUEST — threw down their hottest moves in an energetic dance-off before 2PUFF was crowned Malta Guinness Street Dance champions.
The Marketing Manager of Malta Guiness, Ms Mary Cobbla, said, from Monday, March 2, 2009,each dance crew made up of six people could visit their local recruitment centres where leaflets and demonstration videos would be made available for more information on how to participate in the event.
She added that a series of auditions in each participating country would see dance crews with the best routine entering the national stage of the competition, to compete with each other.
“The smoothest movers and shakers in Ghana will be selected to represent their country at the International Finals in September”, she stated. She promised that for those who thought last year’s show was hot, this year’s show will be even hotter.
She announced that Ghanaian hiphop dance supremo and guru, Slim Buster and some skilled membersof the entertainment industry will be judging this year’s grand final event and Malta Guinness was pulling out all the stops to put on a spectacular show which would be held in Kenya for the first time.
Ms Cobbla disclosed that winners of the Ghana competition would be flown to join counterparts from Nigeria, Cameroun, Tanzania, Kenya, the United States, Europe and Asia for a vibrant contest where only one crew can take the title of Malta Guinness Street Dance International champion.
The competition, she hinted, would truly showcase the best of Ghanaian dance talent to the world.
Additionally, she pointed out that this year’s entrants would enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they danced their way to fame and fortune ; and that the winning dance crew would take home huge cash prizes, exclusive merchandise, Malta Guinness and a DVD of their performances on stage.
The crew, she said would also have the opportunity to work with Africa’s best dance choreographers and professional stylists.
Aside that, she said Malta Guinness would be treating guests to culinary delights, cool tasting drinks and exclusive give-aways, whilst audience at home would have the chance to cheer on their favourite dance crew as they watch Ghana’s brightest stars begin their path to stardom.
The competition will once again showcase Ghana’s hottest dance talent, the best, vibrant and skilled dancers from across the country, following the runaway success of last year’s competition.
The Marketing Director of GGBL, Ms Ama Okyere, at the launch said, millions watched the televised programmes which showcased dancers from all over Africa, popping, locking and krumping their way to the pan-African final in August.
She recalled that Ghanaian dance stars— 2PUFF and the Nigerian dance crew SOULQUEST — threw down their hottest moves in an energetic dance-off before 2PUFF was crowned Malta Guinness Street Dance champions.
The Marketing Manager of Malta Guiness, Ms Mary Cobbla, said, from Monday, March 2, 2009,each dance crew made up of six people could visit their local recruitment centres where leaflets and demonstration videos would be made available for more information on how to participate in the event.
She added that a series of auditions in each participating country would see dance crews with the best routine entering the national stage of the competition, to compete with each other.
“The smoothest movers and shakers in Ghana will be selected to represent their country at the International Finals in September”, she stated. She promised that for those who thought last year’s show was hot, this year’s show will be even hotter.
She announced that Ghanaian hiphop dance supremo and guru, Slim Buster and some skilled membersof the entertainment industry will be judging this year’s grand final event and Malta Guinness was pulling out all the stops to put on a spectacular show which would be held in Kenya for the first time.
Ms Cobbla disclosed that winners of the Ghana competition would be flown to join counterparts from Nigeria, Cameroun, Tanzania, Kenya, the United States, Europe and Asia for a vibrant contest where only one crew can take the title of Malta Guinness Street Dance International champion.
The competition, she hinted, would truly showcase the best of Ghanaian dance talent to the world.
Additionally, she pointed out that this year’s entrants would enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they danced their way to fame and fortune ; and that the winning dance crew would take home huge cash prizes, exclusive merchandise, Malta Guinness and a DVD of their performances on stage.
The crew, she said would also have the opportunity to work with Africa’s best dance choreographers and professional stylists.
Aside that, she said Malta Guinness would be treating guests to culinary delights, cool tasting drinks and exclusive give-aways, whilst audience at home would have the chance to cheer on their favourite dance crew as they watch Ghana’s brightest stars begin their path to stardom.
Surveyors raise concerns on achievement of MDGs
THE achievement of targets for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) may elude the country if the government fails to integrate certain key inputs into its day to day activities, the President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), Mr Jonathan Allotey Abbosey has observed.
“Looking at the slow rate of implementation of development projects and the provision of some social services, the achievement of the target may elude us by the year 2015”, he stated.
Mr Abbosey was speaking at the 40th Anniversary/Annual General Meeting and the Fourth Annual Surveyors Week of GhIS held in Accra.
He said despite the fact that the MDG’s have been streamlined and domesticated into Ghana’s Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS I & II) the concept still appeared very remote or alien.
He noted further that effort should be made, especially by the Ministries, Department and Agencies to achieve the MDG’s.
Speaking on the theme, “Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Ghana- A Reality or a Mirage- The Role of the Surveyor” Mr Abbosey said if the targets of the MDGs were to be attained within the agreed period, then the government needed a well-motivated human resource, efficient cost-effective and transparent land administration system and more importantly, an up-to date geo-spatial data for the planning of development projects.
“Planners require up-to date geo-spatial data to enable them to plan ahead of infrastructure development, if slums and informal settlements are to be controlled to the minimum”, he emphasised and explained that accurate planning schemes could be derived from up-to date maps and plans to facilitate the work of professionals charged with the responsibility of controlling development.
He urged customary land owners with large tracts of land to engage the services of professional surveyors, with the relevant expertise, if even on part time basis, to assist them to manage their lands.
Mr Abbosey, however, gave the assurance that GhIS would continue to collaborate with other professionals to offer cost-effective services to help alleviate poverty, reduce hunger, develop and help maintain infrastructures.
He, therefore, challenged members of the institutions to contribute to the national development agenda by assisting government to implement decisions that would help in achieving the set targets of the MDG’s.
The Chief Executive of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, who chaired the meeting charged members of GhIS to improve the availability of updated information to aid planning and enforce rules and regulations on land surveys and effective planning.
He said the contribution of surveyors to the national development agenda, depicted the importance and relevance of their institution as far as the management of land-based resources, property, construction and environmental issues were concerned.
He said MiDA, based on its goal of “Poverty Reduction through Economic Growth and Agricultural Transformation” sought to improve tenure security for existing land users and to facilitate access to land for commercial crops in the districts under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana programme.
According to him MiDA also intended to rehabilitate and upgrade feeder and trunk roads as well as highways to reduce transportation costs affecting agricultural commerce at sub-regional and regional levels in Ghana.
Mr Eson-Benjamin said he was aware of the inadequacy of Ghana’s land policy and regulatory framework and the underdeveloped land registration system , which he attributed to the large number of land disputes pending before the law courts.
That, he said impacted negatively on the growth and modernisation of the agricultural sector, adding that MiDA saw the sustainability of land reforms as the cornerstone of any successful revolution of Agriculture, of which GhIS had a major part to play.
The choice of theme for the celebration, he said underpinned the institutions effort to accelerate the pace of attaining the MDG’s and also ensuring Ghana’s continued eligibility for the MCA funding.
At the end of the ceremony, 65 surveyors were inducted into the GhIS, while eight survey technicians from various tertiary institutions countrywide were given awards for their excellent performance in their final exams.
“Looking at the slow rate of implementation of development projects and the provision of some social services, the achievement of the target may elude us by the year 2015”, he stated.
Mr Abbosey was speaking at the 40th Anniversary/Annual General Meeting and the Fourth Annual Surveyors Week of GhIS held in Accra.
He said despite the fact that the MDG’s have been streamlined and domesticated into Ghana’s Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS I & II) the concept still appeared very remote or alien.
He noted further that effort should be made, especially by the Ministries, Department and Agencies to achieve the MDG’s.
Speaking on the theme, “Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Ghana- A Reality or a Mirage- The Role of the Surveyor” Mr Abbosey said if the targets of the MDGs were to be attained within the agreed period, then the government needed a well-motivated human resource, efficient cost-effective and transparent land administration system and more importantly, an up-to date geo-spatial data for the planning of development projects.
“Planners require up-to date geo-spatial data to enable them to plan ahead of infrastructure development, if slums and informal settlements are to be controlled to the minimum”, he emphasised and explained that accurate planning schemes could be derived from up-to date maps and plans to facilitate the work of professionals charged with the responsibility of controlling development.
He urged customary land owners with large tracts of land to engage the services of professional surveyors, with the relevant expertise, if even on part time basis, to assist them to manage their lands.
Mr Abbosey, however, gave the assurance that GhIS would continue to collaborate with other professionals to offer cost-effective services to help alleviate poverty, reduce hunger, develop and help maintain infrastructures.
He, therefore, challenged members of the institutions to contribute to the national development agenda by assisting government to implement decisions that would help in achieving the set targets of the MDG’s.
The Chief Executive of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, who chaired the meeting charged members of GhIS to improve the availability of updated information to aid planning and enforce rules and regulations on land surveys and effective planning.
He said the contribution of surveyors to the national development agenda, depicted the importance and relevance of their institution as far as the management of land-based resources, property, construction and environmental issues were concerned.
He said MiDA, based on its goal of “Poverty Reduction through Economic Growth and Agricultural Transformation” sought to improve tenure security for existing land users and to facilitate access to land for commercial crops in the districts under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana programme.
According to him MiDA also intended to rehabilitate and upgrade feeder and trunk roads as well as highways to reduce transportation costs affecting agricultural commerce at sub-regional and regional levels in Ghana.
Mr Eson-Benjamin said he was aware of the inadequacy of Ghana’s land policy and regulatory framework and the underdeveloped land registration system , which he attributed to the large number of land disputes pending before the law courts.
That, he said impacted negatively on the growth and modernisation of the agricultural sector, adding that MiDA saw the sustainability of land reforms as the cornerstone of any successful revolution of Agriculture, of which GhIS had a major part to play.
The choice of theme for the celebration, he said underpinned the institutions effort to accelerate the pace of attaining the MDG’s and also ensuring Ghana’s continued eligibility for the MCA funding.
At the end of the ceremony, 65 surveyors were inducted into the GhIS, while eight survey technicians from various tertiary institutions countrywide were given awards for their excellent performance in their final exams.
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