Saturday, May 24, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 46)
By Rebecca Kwei
IT was a brass band nostalgia in Agona Swedru when the town hosted the launch of the Kasapreko National Brass Band Competition last week.
Like a street carnival, brass bands and masqueraders from Agona Kwanyako, Agona Swedru and Winneba paraded through some principal streets of Swedru and converged on the lorry park for the event, which was chaired by the acting President of the Agona Nyakrom Traditional Area, Nana Botwe II.
In times past, brass band music was very popular in the Agona towns but one does not hear much of it any longer.
The competition, the first of its kind which will be held annually as a national cultural festival, is to revive brass band music in Ghana and generate interest and patronage in it, thereby creating employment for all those involved.
According to Mr Kofi Yankah, the CEO of Dateline Marketing Limited, organisers of the programme, for this year the competition would involve five brass bands from the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Volta regions.
Regional cultural officers would register all the brass bands in the regions, from which the best five would be chosen, he said.
Consequently, 20 bands from the four regions would then compete at the Swedru Sports Stadium on July 5, 2008.
The overall winning group will receive a set of instruments, cash, a certificate and products of the Kasapreko Company Limited, the title sponsors of the competition.
Mr Yankah said the guiding spirit behind the competition was fairness, transparency and professionalism and that people from MUSIGA, the School of Performing Arts, the National Dance Ensemble and the University of Education, Winneba would be invited to be the judges.
In his welcoming address, the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Ben Mensah, noted that brass band music had almost died out in the Swedru area.
He said he was happy that the competition had been instituted and expressed the hope that the event could be turned into an annual cultural festival which would attract tourists from all over the world.
He reminisced over how the Agona Kwanyako Brass Band used to play in London on some occasions and said he wished that brass bands would be revived to perform at functions.
The Marketing Manager of Kasapreko, Mr Andrew Akolaa, said the company decided to be part of the brass band competition because it shared in the objectives of the competition, which were to revive and sustain one of Ghana’s best cultural assets — brass band music.
He pledged Kasapreko's continued support for the competition.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr S. K. Boafo, launched the competition.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women of excellence honoured
Saturday, May 17, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 46)
By Rebecca Kwei
TEN women who have reached out and made a difference in the lives of others were last Friday honoured at a ceremony at the National Theatre.
The women who were nominated by opinion groups in their regions and selected against the four pillars of duty, sacrifice, integrity and approachability were Leocadia Aleser, representing the Upper West Region; Melanie Kasise, Upper East; Fati Issaka (who was honoured posthumously) Northern Region; Doris Nana Marfo, Brong Ahafo Region, and Theodosia Jackson, Ashanti Region.
The rest were Mama Atrato II, Volta Region; Nana Amba Eyaaba, Central Region; Ama Benin, Eastern Region; Comfort Zormelo, Greater Accra, and Sara Nyamekye, Western Region.
Dubbed "Portrait of an Excellent Woman Awards", it was a night of listening to these noble women tell their stories of how they have impacted society positively.
Their works range from empowering women and children to building orphanages, motivational speaking, fighting crime and helping with development projects.
One could not help, but appreciate these women silently and give them thumbs up for brightening the corner around which they find themselves.
At the end, one woman, Melanie Kasise, who is the founder of the Sirigu Women's Organisation for Pottery and Arts, was selected as the ambassador to represent the other women in championing the course of women and children.
Madam Kasise will spearhead a campaign aimed at stirring up the spirit of communal nurturing among women and encourage positive and productive lifestyles among the youth.
All the 10 women received a citation and textiles which were presented to them by the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama.
Hajia Mahama congratulated the honourees and said for being selfless, sharing their time, love and skills with others, they deserved all the honours bestowed on them.
"We appreciate you. Ghana recognises you; continue to be the role models you are," she added.
Another award, named 'Encouragement Award', was presented to hiplife musician, Mzbel, for her courage and will power.
Part of the citation said, "This young lady has in recent times suffered several traumatic experiences within our society. She has been physically and emotionally abused, publicly criticised and perhaps misunderstood. Yet, though laden with bruises and wounds, she managed to dust herself off, pick herself up, and start walking again."
The event started with songs from Calvary Methodist Choir and a poem by Motombo. There was also good music from the Ramblers Band, Kwabena Kwabena and Black Prophet. The Ramblers Band actually got Hajia Mahama and Sylvia Annie Akwettey of the Ghana AIDS Commission on their feet to boogie to 'old school' music.
The Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in his speech, extolled women for the invaluable role they play in the development of a country.
According to Ewra Adwoa Buahema of Shear Power Ventures, organisers of the maiden edition of the event, "Portrait of An Excellent Woman" was set upon a tripod stand — remembering past heroines, celebrating present excellence and inspiring the future.
She said the aim of the programme, among others, was to showcase role models to inspire the youth and challenge more women to critically review their role in human resource development.
Despite the late start of the programme, technical hitches and a lack of co-ordination, MC Fritz Baffour, ensured that the programme pulled off successfully and achieved its aim of celebrating women.
By Rebecca Kwei
TEN women who have reached out and made a difference in the lives of others were last Friday honoured at a ceremony at the National Theatre.
The women who were nominated by opinion groups in their regions and selected against the four pillars of duty, sacrifice, integrity and approachability were Leocadia Aleser, representing the Upper West Region; Melanie Kasise, Upper East; Fati Issaka (who was honoured posthumously) Northern Region; Doris Nana Marfo, Brong Ahafo Region, and Theodosia Jackson, Ashanti Region.
The rest were Mama Atrato II, Volta Region; Nana Amba Eyaaba, Central Region; Ama Benin, Eastern Region; Comfort Zormelo, Greater Accra, and Sara Nyamekye, Western Region.
Dubbed "Portrait of an Excellent Woman Awards", it was a night of listening to these noble women tell their stories of how they have impacted society positively.
Their works range from empowering women and children to building orphanages, motivational speaking, fighting crime and helping with development projects.
One could not help, but appreciate these women silently and give them thumbs up for brightening the corner around which they find themselves.
At the end, one woman, Melanie Kasise, who is the founder of the Sirigu Women's Organisation for Pottery and Arts, was selected as the ambassador to represent the other women in championing the course of women and children.
Madam Kasise will spearhead a campaign aimed at stirring up the spirit of communal nurturing among women and encourage positive and productive lifestyles among the youth.
All the 10 women received a citation and textiles which were presented to them by the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama.
Hajia Mahama congratulated the honourees and said for being selfless, sharing their time, love and skills with others, they deserved all the honours bestowed on them.
"We appreciate you. Ghana recognises you; continue to be the role models you are," she added.
Another award, named 'Encouragement Award', was presented to hiplife musician, Mzbel, for her courage and will power.
Part of the citation said, "This young lady has in recent times suffered several traumatic experiences within our society. She has been physically and emotionally abused, publicly criticised and perhaps misunderstood. Yet, though laden with bruises and wounds, she managed to dust herself off, pick herself up, and start walking again."
The event started with songs from Calvary Methodist Choir and a poem by Motombo. There was also good music from the Ramblers Band, Kwabena Kwabena and Black Prophet. The Ramblers Band actually got Hajia Mahama and Sylvia Annie Akwettey of the Ghana AIDS Commission on their feet to boogie to 'old school' music.
The Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in his speech, extolled women for the invaluable role they play in the development of a country.
According to Ewra Adwoa Buahema of Shear Power Ventures, organisers of the maiden edition of the event, "Portrait of An Excellent Woman" was set upon a tripod stand — remembering past heroines, celebrating present excellence and inspiring the future.
She said the aim of the programme, among others, was to showcase role models to inspire the youth and challenge more women to critically review their role in human resource development.
Despite the late start of the programme, technical hitches and a lack of co-ordination, MC Fritz Baffour, ensured that the programme pulled off successfully and achieved its aim of celebrating women.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Trial on malaria management underway at Prampram
Saturday, May 10, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 34)
By Rebecca Kwei
A community-based trial to find out the impact of home and community management of malaria and pneumonia in children under-five is being undertaken in the Dangme West district.
Under the study, children with fever are given an anti malarial and antibiotic combination by community based agents (CBAs) to ascertain its impact on illness and death rates in children under five.
This was made known when about 20 journalists from various media houses in Accra visited Prampram to acquaint themselves with research work on malaria in the district.
The programme was organised by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) as part of activities marking World Malaria Day, in collaboration with The Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique, and Indepth Network.
Giving a background to the study, Dr Amanua Chinbuah, a Public Health Specialist said research findings show that most deaths in children often occur at home before reaching health facilities and that was a major implication for programmes intending to reduce child mortality.
She said, in order to save lives, there was the need for children to be promptly diagnosed and offered effective treatment at home/community level before reaching health facilities.
Dr Chinbuah said overall childhood mortality remains high in Ghana despite various strategies aimed at combating malaria as well as other preventable childhood illnesses.
Currently the Ghana Health Service policy is to treat presumptively fever in a child under five as having malaria.
However, she noted that not all fevers in under-fives were due to malaria. The three major childhood illnesses causing death in Africa were malaria, acute respiratory infections especially pneumonia and diarrhoea. Additionally, Dr Chinbuah said some symptoms that occur in malaria also occur in pneumonia making it difficult to easily distinguish between these two diseases even in health institutions where there are no laboratory facilities.
The overall objective of the study was thus, to develop and test the impact of an intervention for home management of fever (presumably due to malaria and pneumonia) that is feasible and acceptable on under-five mortality and morbidity.
Home Based Management of Malaria which was later changed to Home Based Management of Fever (HBMF) was initiated by the World Health Organisation is the process by which fever in children under five years recognised by their caregivers is treated at home or in the communities by their caregivers, and or community health workers or trained medicine distributors.
For this trial, CBAs have been trained among others to determine the eligibility for treatment, assess, classify and identify treatment, treat and refer where necessary as well as record keeping. The anti malarial drug used is artesunate amodiaquine and the antibiotic is amoxicillin.
The communities in which the CBAs work have also been sensitised through audio messages, dramas and are allowed to ask questions on the intervention being introduced.
According to Dr Chinbuah, the project was still in its implementation stage and the 600 CBAs who have been trained have taken care of more than 3000 children with fevers in the district.
She said the field supervisors will continue to monitor the CBAs, adverse drug events, drug resistance patterns as well as review changes in caregiver knowledge and behaviour.
By Rebecca Kwei
A community-based trial to find out the impact of home and community management of malaria and pneumonia in children under-five is being undertaken in the Dangme West district.
Under the study, children with fever are given an anti malarial and antibiotic combination by community based agents (CBAs) to ascertain its impact on illness and death rates in children under five.
This was made known when about 20 journalists from various media houses in Accra visited Prampram to acquaint themselves with research work on malaria in the district.
The programme was organised by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) as part of activities marking World Malaria Day, in collaboration with The Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique, and Indepth Network.
Giving a background to the study, Dr Amanua Chinbuah, a Public Health Specialist said research findings show that most deaths in children often occur at home before reaching health facilities and that was a major implication for programmes intending to reduce child mortality.
She said, in order to save lives, there was the need for children to be promptly diagnosed and offered effective treatment at home/community level before reaching health facilities.
Dr Chinbuah said overall childhood mortality remains high in Ghana despite various strategies aimed at combating malaria as well as other preventable childhood illnesses.
Currently the Ghana Health Service policy is to treat presumptively fever in a child under five as having malaria.
However, she noted that not all fevers in under-fives were due to malaria. The three major childhood illnesses causing death in Africa were malaria, acute respiratory infections especially pneumonia and diarrhoea. Additionally, Dr Chinbuah said some symptoms that occur in malaria also occur in pneumonia making it difficult to easily distinguish between these two diseases even in health institutions where there are no laboratory facilities.
The overall objective of the study was thus, to develop and test the impact of an intervention for home management of fever (presumably due to malaria and pneumonia) that is feasible and acceptable on under-five mortality and morbidity.
Home Based Management of Malaria which was later changed to Home Based Management of Fever (HBMF) was initiated by the World Health Organisation is the process by which fever in children under five years recognised by their caregivers is treated at home or in the communities by their caregivers, and or community health workers or trained medicine distributors.
For this trial, CBAs have been trained among others to determine the eligibility for treatment, assess, classify and identify treatment, treat and refer where necessary as well as record keeping. The anti malarial drug used is artesunate amodiaquine and the antibiotic is amoxicillin.
The communities in which the CBAs work have also been sensitised through audio messages, dramas and are allowed to ask questions on the intervention being introduced.
According to Dr Chinbuah, the project was still in its implementation stage and the 600 CBAs who have been trained have taken care of more than 3000 children with fevers in the district.
She said the field supervisors will continue to monitor the CBAs, adverse drug events, drug resistance patterns as well as review changes in caregiver knowledge and behaviour.
Make Mother's Day special
Saturday, May 10, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 19)
By Rebecca Kwei
It's that time of the year again to celebrate the special people in our lives — mothers.
Mother's Day would be celebrated with a lot of zeal across the globe tomorrow, May 11, because mothers are held in high esteem.
A mother's love and care is enormous and it is important to celebrate her every day of her life. But on this day, you have to pay tribute to her in a special way and let her feel on top of the world.
On Mother's Day children may allow their mothers some rest and take over all the household chores as well as prepare their mother's favourite meal. They can also make handmade gifts for their mothers.
If you are in a position to buy your mother a gift, I guess you may be wondering what to get her this year. Your mum is always going to appreciate the gift you buy. So even if you are a bit incorrect in your choice, she will always treasure a gift from you. However, a little thought while purchasing the gift might make her day more delightful.
Below is a guide by experts on how to select the perfect gift for your mum.
For the mums who are fond of jewellery
Most mums are fond of jewellery so you cannot go wrong if you decide to get a piece of jewellery as a Mother’s Day gift. A ring and necklace go as a perfect gift. You may go in for a piece of fashion jewellery which is trendy, comes in a variety of style and is easy on pockets. Pearl sets are a favourite of most mums.
Gift flowers
Flowers are a wonderful way of expressing your love and gratitude to your mother on the special occasion of Mother’s Day. Carnations are the traditional flowers for the occasion. But you may say thank you to your dear mum with a bouquet of her favourite flowers.
Gift hampers/baskets
If you wish to pamper your mothers with loads of gifts on the special occasion of Mother's Day, gift baskets make an excellent gift idea. And today, you do not need to go shopping for all the goodies one by one as there are several attractive Mother’s Day gift baskets available in any gift store around you.
Mum who loves perfumes
Perfumes are a favourite of many mums. Some just love to have a big collection of perfumes and deodorants in their dressings. Take a little pain and give a unique and special perfume on Mother’s Day. The fragrance of that perfume will remain with her forever.
Mum who loves to read
If your mother is fond of reading, the ideal Mother’s Day gift will be books and magazines. If you plan to give a book, figure out your mum's favourite author or her area of interest. Is it fiction or non-fiction? In fiction does she likes poems, women-oriented books or thrillers? Or is she interested in inspirational, self-help books or any other category? You can also give a subscription of her favourite magazine too.
Mum who loves music
For the mothers who are fond of music and love to have music around them while they are working or relaxing, the best Mother's Day gift will be CDs of her favourite singer. You may give a collection or albums of her favourite singer, or you can also give her a new music system, a Walkman or a CD Man, depending on her requirement and your budget.
Mums fond of watching movies
Some mums love to watch movies but do not get the time and opportunity to do the same. This Mother's Day, pamper your mother a little. Get her VCDs or DVDs of her favourite movies. And how about giving her a new DVD player in case she does not have one?
Mums who love modern appliances
Ease your mum's life this time by buying her modern kitchen appliances; a new juicer or microwave. Or you may also give some latest home appliances which she has been planning to buy for a long time, for Mother's Day is the ideal time to show your mum how much you care.
For the expectant mums
Expectant mothers will always appreciate a gift for their baby to be born with a giggle and a blush. A book on parenting or a CD on exercises for the mothers-to-be will be a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift for them.
For mother-in-law
All the above ideas can be used for the mother-in-law too. In case you are not sure about your mother-in-law’s choice, take advice from your husband or sister-in-law. A better idea will be to take your husband along while shopping for Mother's Day gift for your mother-in-law.
Mother's Day gifts may also extend beyond your mother. Remember to include wives, aunts, grandmothers, and/or other women who have been influential in your life. Happy Mother's Day!
By Rebecca Kwei
It's that time of the year again to celebrate the special people in our lives — mothers.
Mother's Day would be celebrated with a lot of zeal across the globe tomorrow, May 11, because mothers are held in high esteem.
A mother's love and care is enormous and it is important to celebrate her every day of her life. But on this day, you have to pay tribute to her in a special way and let her feel on top of the world.
On Mother's Day children may allow their mothers some rest and take over all the household chores as well as prepare their mother's favourite meal. They can also make handmade gifts for their mothers.
If you are in a position to buy your mother a gift, I guess you may be wondering what to get her this year. Your mum is always going to appreciate the gift you buy. So even if you are a bit incorrect in your choice, she will always treasure a gift from you. However, a little thought while purchasing the gift might make her day more delightful.
Below is a guide by experts on how to select the perfect gift for your mum.
For the mums who are fond of jewellery
Most mums are fond of jewellery so you cannot go wrong if you decide to get a piece of jewellery as a Mother’s Day gift. A ring and necklace go as a perfect gift. You may go in for a piece of fashion jewellery which is trendy, comes in a variety of style and is easy on pockets. Pearl sets are a favourite of most mums.
Gift flowers
Flowers are a wonderful way of expressing your love and gratitude to your mother on the special occasion of Mother’s Day. Carnations are the traditional flowers for the occasion. But you may say thank you to your dear mum with a bouquet of her favourite flowers.
Gift hampers/baskets
If you wish to pamper your mothers with loads of gifts on the special occasion of Mother's Day, gift baskets make an excellent gift idea. And today, you do not need to go shopping for all the goodies one by one as there are several attractive Mother’s Day gift baskets available in any gift store around you.
Mum who loves perfumes
Perfumes are a favourite of many mums. Some just love to have a big collection of perfumes and deodorants in their dressings. Take a little pain and give a unique and special perfume on Mother’s Day. The fragrance of that perfume will remain with her forever.
Mum who loves to read
If your mother is fond of reading, the ideal Mother’s Day gift will be books and magazines. If you plan to give a book, figure out your mum's favourite author or her area of interest. Is it fiction or non-fiction? In fiction does she likes poems, women-oriented books or thrillers? Or is she interested in inspirational, self-help books or any other category? You can also give a subscription of her favourite magazine too.
Mum who loves music
For the mothers who are fond of music and love to have music around them while they are working or relaxing, the best Mother's Day gift will be CDs of her favourite singer. You may give a collection or albums of her favourite singer, or you can also give her a new music system, a Walkman or a CD Man, depending on her requirement and your budget.
Mums fond of watching movies
Some mums love to watch movies but do not get the time and opportunity to do the same. This Mother's Day, pamper your mother a little. Get her VCDs or DVDs of her favourite movies. And how about giving her a new DVD player in case she does not have one?
Mums who love modern appliances
Ease your mum's life this time by buying her modern kitchen appliances; a new juicer or microwave. Or you may also give some latest home appliances which she has been planning to buy for a long time, for Mother's Day is the ideal time to show your mum how much you care.
For the expectant mums
Expectant mothers will always appreciate a gift for their baby to be born with a giggle and a blush. A book on parenting or a CD on exercises for the mothers-to-be will be a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift for them.
For mother-in-law
All the above ideas can be used for the mother-in-law too. In case you are not sure about your mother-in-law’s choice, take advice from your husband or sister-in-law. A better idea will be to take your husband along while shopping for Mother's Day gift for your mother-in-law.
Mother's Day gifts may also extend beyond your mother. Remember to include wives, aunts, grandmothers, and/or other women who have been influential in your life. Happy Mother's Day!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Breakthrough of malaria vaccine in sight
Saturday, May 3, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 30)
By Rebecca Kwei
Scientists are a few steps away from making a breakthrough in their quest for a safe and effective malaria vaccine.
“We are closer than ever before to having a safe and effective malaria vaccine and research is progressing well,” Dr Daniel Ansong of the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST, said when he made a presentation on “Search for a Malaria Vaccine: Where Are We Now?” at a forum for journalists in Accra.
Malaria kills over one million children every year and 90 per cent of malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
The forum was organised by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) as part of activities marking World Malaria Day, in collaboration with the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique, and Indepth Network.
It was on the theme, “Malaria, a Disease Without Borders”, with the sub-theme, “Malaria — The Connection With Other Preventable Diseases”.
About 20 journalists from various media houses took part in the workshop and there were two journalists from Mozambique and a programme officer from the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique.
According to Dr Ansong, the vaccine had the potential to save thousands of lives across Africa, as well as make a positive impact on the economy and the capacity of healthcare systems on the continent.
He said under Phase II of the clinical trials, which began in 1992, scientists were to monitor the safety and potential side effects, measure immune response and preliminary efficacy against infections and clinical diseases and determine optimum dosage and schedule and formulations.
Phase III of the clinical trials, which will begin later this year, will involve continuous safety monitoring, potential side effects and evaluation of efficacy on a large scale.
After the Phase III process, the vaccine application will be submitted to the regulatory authorities for approval.
Dr Ansong said African scientists and doctors were working hard on this advanced research to overcome the huge problem of malaria in Africa, adding that “a vaccine will be a key component in defeating malaria”.
African countries where the trial sites for the malaria vaccine are located include Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Mozambique.
The international agencies supporting the vaccine development are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK).
In a related development, a communiqué issued by AMMREN to mark World Malaria Day called on heads of state and government in Africa to implement well-coordinated, integrated country-wide programmes to drastically reduce the rate of malarial infections in Africa.
By Rebecca Kwei
Scientists are a few steps away from making a breakthrough in their quest for a safe and effective malaria vaccine.
“We are closer than ever before to having a safe and effective malaria vaccine and research is progressing well,” Dr Daniel Ansong of the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST, said when he made a presentation on “Search for a Malaria Vaccine: Where Are We Now?” at a forum for journalists in Accra.
Malaria kills over one million children every year and 90 per cent of malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
The forum was organised by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) as part of activities marking World Malaria Day, in collaboration with the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique, and Indepth Network.
It was on the theme, “Malaria, a Disease Without Borders”, with the sub-theme, “Malaria — The Connection With Other Preventable Diseases”.
About 20 journalists from various media houses took part in the workshop and there were two journalists from Mozambique and a programme officer from the Malaria Consortium, Mozambique.
According to Dr Ansong, the vaccine had the potential to save thousands of lives across Africa, as well as make a positive impact on the economy and the capacity of healthcare systems on the continent.
He said under Phase II of the clinical trials, which began in 1992, scientists were to monitor the safety and potential side effects, measure immune response and preliminary efficacy against infections and clinical diseases and determine optimum dosage and schedule and formulations.
Phase III of the clinical trials, which will begin later this year, will involve continuous safety monitoring, potential side effects and evaluation of efficacy on a large scale.
After the Phase III process, the vaccine application will be submitted to the regulatory authorities for approval.
Dr Ansong said African scientists and doctors were working hard on this advanced research to overcome the huge problem of malaria in Africa, adding that “a vaccine will be a key component in defeating malaria”.
African countries where the trial sites for the malaria vaccine are located include Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Mozambique.
The international agencies supporting the vaccine development are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK).
In a related development, a communiqué issued by AMMREN to mark World Malaria Day called on heads of state and government in Africa to implement well-coordinated, integrated country-wide programmes to drastically reduce the rate of malarial infections in Africa.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Welfare of children is core in government policies
By Rebecca Kwei
THE First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, has said the welfare of children is at the heart of the government’s policies.
Consequently, the government has introduced relief measures such as capitation grant, school feeding programme, free bus rides for schoolchildren to enable them to have access to education, stay in school and be productive citizens in future.
Mrs Kufuor made these comments when the wife of United Nations Secretary-General, Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, called on her at her office in Accra.
Mrs Ban was in the country with her husband, Ban Ki-moon, to attend the 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII).
The First Lady said the promotion of universal basic education and the halving of illiteracy by 2015 was very high on the agenda of the government.
Among Mrs Ban’s entourage were officials from UNICEF. Mrs Kufuor expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its contribution to the development of children in Ghana.
Mrs Ban commended the First Lady for the works she had been doing in the area of women and children. She was hopeful that the recommendations of UNCTAD XII would be put to good use for the benefit of all.
The two ladies later visited the Osu Children’s Home where they interacted with the children. They visited the children’s department as well as the E-learning centre of Otabil House, a two-storey building at the home for males.
Mrs Kufuor and Mrs Ban commended the staff for their work and advised the children to be of good behaviour.
UNICEF presented items including rice, corn soya blend and drinks to the home.
In another development, the Princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who is also attending the UNCTAD XII, also paid a courtesy call on the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor.
Mrs Kufuor expressed her conviction that education is the key to development. She said she founded the Mother and Child Foundation, a non-profit making organisation working on community development through self-help projects, to target young mothers and children in deprived communities.
She said the foundation had also tried to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS through the provision of anti-retrovirals and lectures to reduce stigmatisation. She mentioned lack of funds and equipment as some of the major challenges the foundation had to grapple with.
Princess Maha briefed the First Lady on some of the projects she was undertaking in Thailand and the challenges facing her.
Princess Maha who runs several philanthropic organisations and foundations, has developed special interest in agricultural extension to improve schoolchildren’s nutritional needs and support education as well as mother and child care.
She also helps the handicapped to use information technology to develop independent living and learning skills.
The First Lady and Princess Maha exchanged gifts.
THE First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, has said the welfare of children is at the heart of the government’s policies.
Consequently, the government has introduced relief measures such as capitation grant, school feeding programme, free bus rides for schoolchildren to enable them to have access to education, stay in school and be productive citizens in future.
Mrs Kufuor made these comments when the wife of United Nations Secretary-General, Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, called on her at her office in Accra.
Mrs Ban was in the country with her husband, Ban Ki-moon, to attend the 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII).
The First Lady said the promotion of universal basic education and the halving of illiteracy by 2015 was very high on the agenda of the government.
Among Mrs Ban’s entourage were officials from UNICEF. Mrs Kufuor expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its contribution to the development of children in Ghana.
Mrs Ban commended the First Lady for the works she had been doing in the area of women and children. She was hopeful that the recommendations of UNCTAD XII would be put to good use for the benefit of all.
The two ladies later visited the Osu Children’s Home where they interacted with the children. They visited the children’s department as well as the E-learning centre of Otabil House, a two-storey building at the home for males.
Mrs Kufuor and Mrs Ban commended the staff for their work and advised the children to be of good behaviour.
UNICEF presented items including rice, corn soya blend and drinks to the home.
In another development, the Princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who is also attending the UNCTAD XII, also paid a courtesy call on the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor.
Mrs Kufuor expressed her conviction that education is the key to development. She said she founded the Mother and Child Foundation, a non-profit making organisation working on community development through self-help projects, to target young mothers and children in deprived communities.
She said the foundation had also tried to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS through the provision of anti-retrovirals and lectures to reduce stigmatisation. She mentioned lack of funds and equipment as some of the major challenges the foundation had to grapple with.
Princess Maha briefed the First Lady on some of the projects she was undertaking in Thailand and the challenges facing her.
Princess Maha who runs several philanthropic organisations and foundations, has developed special interest in agricultural extension to improve schoolchildren’s nutritional needs and support education as well as mother and child care.
She also helps the handicapped to use information technology to develop independent living and learning skills.
The First Lady and Princess Maha exchanged gifts.
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