Wednesday 30 November 2011

A Different Sort of Journalism

This one I didn't submit for publication...


As a third year journalism student in Adelaide, I have had some exposure to the operations of the media in Australia and the principles and skills that are expected of a working journalist. I have experienced working in journalism at a television station, a radio station and an online magazine. I have now experienced work as an intern at the Daily Graphic, the highest-selling national newspaper in Ghana and have been stunned by the array of differences between journalism at home in Australia and here in Ghana.
My first day in the newsroom presented me with a few of these. Firstly, I noticed the disparity between the number of journalists and the number of (working) computers. There are not nearly enough computers available for every journalist to be able to work, even with a number of staff bringing their laptops to the office. On top of this, there are often computers not working, network problems with the internet and a very temperamental printer. The interns have been denied access to the internet – how we are supposed to research for stories is beyond me. I also learnt that despite events starting anywhere from 8am to sometime in the evening, the one and only driver always leaves at 9am. And when I say 9am, we must factor in ‘Ghana Man Time’ (GMT) so it is usually closer to 9:30 or 10am when he leaves. Often journalists must simply catch taxis and pay with their own money if they wish to arrive at events on time.
Invitations arrive at the office for events, including press conferences, meetings, conventions, ceremonies and launches in the weeks beforehand, and I often wonder why the organisers of the events have even invited the media. I went to a conference last week that consisted of a four hour presentation on how to perform heart surgery and liver transplants. Not exactly news. Obviously these organisations want publicity, but you can be hard pressed as a journalist looking for an angle that is actually newsworthy. A graduation ceremony or product launch is not exactly newsworthy where I come from. Many stories that are reproduced from press releases are closer to a public relations job than journalism. And then there is the added bonus of events starting late. You can often experience Ghana Man Time at its best while waiting up to two hours for an event to begin.
The house style at the Daily Graphic is another thing I have had to adapt to. Firstly, the writing style and language used would cause riots if printed in Australia. Front page headlines over the last couple of weeks have included ‘Lesbians Invade Accra Shopping Mall’ and the use of the word ‘homo’, language that is most certainly taboo in Australia. The writing of stories often involves copying lines directly from press conferences and reproducing press releases; sentences are used that simply don’t make sense due to poor English and complex words and phrases are copied by journalists who do not understand it themselves – the average Ghanaian would certainly not understand, especially those who struggle with basic English. Perhaps the house style is due to culture. Perhaps the content of the paper is due to restrictions caused by the paper being state-owned.
And then one must consider the images used to accompany stories. It is not uncommon to see a dead body plastered across the front page, or an unconscious child lying in a hospital bed. This is not something you would see in Australia as it violates two principles of ethical journalism – respecting privacy and considering the sensitivities of the reader. Again, this is probably due to differences in culture and different expectations of the media by Ghanaians developed over many years.
Despite all these differences between journalism in Australia and Ghana, by far the most shocking is the receipt of what is known as ‘brown envelopes’ in Western Africa’s media circles. Journalists here in Ghana do not just accept, but expect to get paid at the conclusion of press conferences, conventions, meeting and other events. They will actively hunt down the organisers of events to collect their payments – Ghana Cedi (GHC) notes often placed in brown envelopes - before they leave to complete their stories. Inside the envelope, a journalist can expect to find anywhere from GHC10 to GHC200.
In the business, they like to call this payment ‘travel money’ as organisers are aware that journalists have to pay for their own transport to and from events. But the amount of money often received is far too much for this to be a justification. Some journalists admit this, but justify their acceptance of the payments by saying they rely on this money as their wages are very low. Some like to call it a ‘tip’ and compare it to the money received by workers in hospitality. But you cannot compare a journalist receiving payment at the end of an event to a waiter receiving a tip for his services. It is a waiter’s duty to provide the best service possible to their customers, and there is no problem if, at the end of this service, they are rewarded for their efforts. A journalist, on the other hand, has a responsibility not to the organisers of an event, but to the general public and the readers of the news. Their responsibility should not lie with the person paying them their ‘tip’ as a waiter’s responsibility does. A journalist has a duty to provide unbiased, uncensored and transparent news for their readers.
 The payment given to a journalist comes with strings and expectations which play on the mind of the journalist whether they are aware of it or not. The acceptance of money for a story undoubtedly conjures some sense of responsibility for the journalist. It is possible as a journalist to block this out and write an unbiased story, but there is still an uncomfortable sense of guilt that comes with the ‘brown envelope’. And of course, not all journalists choose the moral high ground to remain unbiased.
Then of course there are the strings that come with the money that are not as easy to ignore as your own conscience. Upon registration at events, media are expected to provide contact information. It is not uncommon on the days following the event to be pestered with phone calls from organisers, asking if their story has been written and why it has not yet been published. They want to know when they will see it in the paper and sometimes even ask to check the story before it goes to print. As I have had to explain on numerous occasions, I have no control of what is published, payment or no payment. Even after being warned that bribes – yes, I said it, they are bribes – are a part of the culture of journalism here in Ghana, and after being exposed to the practice for over four weeks now, I still find it incredibly uncomfortable. It truly makes you question with whom your responsibility lies, and whether you can actually trust the news.
Overall, journalism in Ghana is a completely different experience to what it is in Australia. I struggled to accept many of these differences at the beginning and found it incredibly frustrating to work for an organisation whose inefficiency was so typically Ghanaian. But I can now see the immense value of working in the Ghanaian media and the lessons I have learnt about the country, the culture, the people and journalism… even if it’s what not do in Australia.

Religious Rubbish (Features)

28/11/11
Religious Rubbish (FEATURE)
STORY: Zoe Darling
Ghana is a country that takes religion and religious duties very seriously. With sixty three per cent of the population Christian, one only needs to pass a shop called ‘God’s Gift Salon’ or ‘By His Grace Chop Bar’ or ‘Jesus Loves You Dressmakers’ to realise this. It would be difficult to miss the religious slogans, such as ‘Jesus Lives’ and ‘Why Deny God?’ plastered on the back window of every trotro and taxion the road. Travelling the streets of Accra on a Sunday morning, one can experience relative peace and quiet due to the majority of Ghanaians attending lengthy church services.The presence of preachers on television, on street corners and even on trotrosreveals just how passionate Ghanaians are about their religion. Ghanaians have even explained that their beliefs are not a religion they follow, but they are a way of life, an unquestionable part of their being.
But one must wonder if it is all just talk. Admittedly, many of the Christian values and principles are upheld by Ghanaians with the greatest commitment and dedication. ‘Love they neighbour’ for example is an important part of Ghanaian culture and is obvious from the warmth and friendliness of the people. Values such as giving, sharing and welcoming others are also Christian values that are second nature to many Ghanaians. ‘You are welcome’ and ‘you are invited’ can be heard whenever entering someone’s house or when in the presence of someone eating a meal.
It is, however, difficult to ignore the blatant contradiction when it comes to love of God’s creations, particularly the earth. Rubbish and pollution is a serious problem in Ghana, and it is a wonder that a people so committed to their religion, their God, and God’s creations could disrespect their environment without hesitation and to such great extent.
The issue of pollution is most evident in Accra, where the city streets are littered with scraps, the open drains are filled with discarded water sachets and plastic bags tangle around your feet as you walk. Everything, even if you are buying something already wrapped in plastic, is placed in a plastic bag for your convenience. Sometimes you will even be provided with two plastic bags for your purchase. And with no public rubbish bins to be found anywhere in the city, it is no wonder there is such an abundance of litter on the ground. People simply throw their rubbish in the gutters or out the windows of cars. It is little wonder how the beaches and ocean along the stunning coastlines of Ghana have become so filthy – it is not uncommon to become tangled in plastic while swimming in the warm water at beaches in and around Accra.
While navigating a clear path through the rubbish on the ground, the smell of burning rubbish can also be smelt, further polluting the air that is already full of fumes, smoke and unpleasant smells. It is troubling to watch the black smoke emanate from piles of rubbish along city streets, in school yards, on private properties and even on the beach. And the pungent smell makes it impossible to enjoy a stroll through Accra.
But apparently some Ghanaians know the value of keeping the country clean. It’s almost a joke when you visit tourist areas like Kakum National Park where they ask you to not only place your litter in the bin, but to separate your waste for recycling purposes. Why do Ghanaians that are not in the tourism industry, not have the same respect for their environment?
In the West, there has been a strong movement in recent years to minimize pollution and curb the effects it has on the environment. Many people try to not only minimize the amount of waste they produce, but also dispose of the waste that is produced in a way that is sanitary and environmentally friendly. Businesses attempt to use packaging that will create minimal waste, can be recycled, or is biodegradable. In Australia, some states now even charge customers for the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and shopping centres because plastic is seen as a threat to the environment. Road users buy special environmentally friendly cars to minimize their output of pollution into the atmosphere, and in some places, taxes have been introduced to control the amount of pollution produced by business. Recycling is a part of the culture, and those that make an effort to recycle their waste are rewarded through schemes and reimbursement. It is accepted that there must now be a conscious effort by everyone to reduce pollution and its impact on the environment.
It is frustrating, then, to see the abundance of rubbish that litters Ghana, and to see the rubbish that is collected simply burned and not dealt with in a productive manner. The issue of pollution in Ghana is a blatant contradiction to the outpouring of religion and love of God and His creations.
The apparent indifference to the consequences of pollution could be a lack of education of the effects that rubbish has on the environment, and the effects that burning of waste has on the atmosphere. It is a serious issue and education on the dangers it poses to the health of animals and the inconvenient and unsanitary conditions that are created from blocked drains needs to be addressed.
Ghana has such an abundance of natural beauty in the diverse landscapes that cover the country. It is a pity then, that there is such an abundance of waste polluting this beautiful land, especially from those who claim to love all God’s creations.

HelpAge Ghana (General News)

29/11/11

HelpAge Ghana (GENERAL NEWS)

STORY: Zoe Darling

It has been revealed that the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is under threat, according to its Projects Officer Mr Huduissah.
Mr Huduissah said the challenges that face the NHIS are numerous and are contributing to the risks for the future of the organisation.
At a workshop on local government and ageing issues for local representatives of older people, organised by HelpAge Ghana in Accra today, he said the main challenges facing the NHIS include fraud and leakages, governance structure and poor claims management.
He said the issue of the low renewal rate of NHIS members was due to “lack of information in the system”.
Discussions at the workshop, which focused on the Older Citizens’ Monitoring (OCM) Project and the Department of Social Welfare’s Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Cash Transfer Programme, addressed the issues surrounding these two schemes and particularly the problems in healthcare for the aged.
Mr Huduissah said the way forward had begun with the establishment of a Clinical Audit Division and strengthening of the Internal Audit Division at NHIS to conduct both financial and operational audits and therefore promote efficiency and effectiveness.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Director for HelpAge Ghana, Mr Ebenzer Adjetey-Sorsey addressed the key issues in the area and said the problems start with Ghana’s lack of definition of who an ‘older person’ should include.
Mr Adjetey-Sorsey expressed concern for the increasing number of older people in Ghana, where the number classified as such has more than tripled in the last thirty years, in line with worldwide trends.
He said men and women in this category face different challenges and this necessitates the need to address ageing issues from a gender perspective.
HelpAge Ghana, an affiliate of the global network of age care organisations HelpAge International, is a non-governmental, non-religious and non-profit making organisation established to promote the prospects of older people in Ghanaian society.
The importance of older people and their contribution to family and community development is not recognised as valuable in Ghana, a mindset that needs to change according to Mr Adjetey-Sorsey.
He highlighted the issue of social change, including modernisation, industrialisation and urbanisation, saying we mist consider its effects on the older people and the way we approach their issues.
He identified the national challenges affecting the aged in Ghana as unemployment, inadequate income and poverty, discrimination, exclusion and bad attitudes of Ghanaians towards the aged and rights abuse or denial.
He added that inadequacy of suitable and specialised health care for the aged is an area needing attention.
HelpAge Ghana is involved in the advancement of the welfare of older persons in Ghana at a number of levels, including advocacy for policy and programme development, awareness creation to both older and younger Ghanaians, promotion of the rights of older persons, research, the building and support of day centres and the provision of healthcare for the aged.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

A cloud over Accra Sports Stadium (Features)

23/11/11
Published 5/12/11
A cloud over Accra Sports Stadium (FEATURES)
STORY: Zoe Darling
Waves of cheering, shouting and chanting flow across the crowd, while the screech of countless vuvuzela pierce the air. The constant thrum of bongos and maracas provides a backdrop for the entirety of the 90 minute football match. Accra Hearts of Oak fans belt out their club anthem, while Asante Kotoko supporters sing equally as loud, both sides frantically waving their flags and brandishing banners and other paraphernalia. The cries of ‘pure water!’ and ‘fan ice!’ are even more common inside Accra Sports Stadium than on the streets of the city, a feat I didn’t think possible. The stadium is full to the brim, with few seats vacant and the energy and excitement of the crowd more than making up for any absences.
It is an atmosphere that I have never experienced before. Football matches are exciting anywhere in the world, but the atmosphere present in Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday for the much anticipated clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko Football Clubs was enthusiasm to a greater extent.
Then the game begins. If possible, the crowd lifts even further. Two minutes in, we see the first stretcher taken onto the field for an injured player. It is an occurrence the crowd is accustomed to, and we see the stretcher emerge several more times throughout the match. Unnecessary? Maybe. Over-acting? Probably.
Despite this, the game continues but with little to report. There are no goals scored, a disappointment for both teams. Probably the most exciting point of the match is when, unhappy with a referee call, supporters start hurling water bottles, rubbish and anything else that comes to hand onto the field. Unluckily, one of the players is in the line of fire and gets pelted with the debris, but the carnage doesn’t stop. Eventually the police get called in, and trot across the field with their batons. The flying rubbish eases, but not before the damage is done.
 Meanwhile, fights are breaking out between disgruntled and over-excited fans. The more sensible members of the crowd hold back those that appear to be eager for a brawl. Eventually, this too subsides and the crowd returns to its seats, once again happily chanting and singing as the game continues. Quarrels, arguments and disagreements, especially over referee calls, are to be expected at any football match and often even add to the atmosphere. For a game of the scale seen on Sunday, it was positive to see, in general, a very well behaved and united crowd.
There was, however, one cloud that hung over the stadium on Sunday. It was a cloud of smoke, smelling very strongly of marijuana. And the many members of the crowd participating in the taking of drugs showed no signs of discretion as they passed around their joints. At one point I was even offered one, and when I politely declined, my donor seemed quite disappointed.
The prevalence of the illegal drug among supporters insider Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday makes me wonder firstly, how it is allowed through the gates, and secondly, why it goes unnoticed or ignored by officials inside the stadium. The smell of marijuana is not exactly hard to miss. At an event as prominent as an Oaks versus Kotoko match, I would have thoughy security would be much tighter. I was, after all, searched and man-handled by two separate security officers as I came through the turnstiles. What are they searching for if it’s not the illegal stuff? A tightening of security, it seems, is highly necessary.
The experience of a football match in Ghana was exciting, fun and eye-opening, despite the cloud of smoke and lack of goal scoring. Hopefully next time I will witness the enthusiasm of the crowd when a goal is scored.

Monday 28 November 2011

Progressive Movement Institute (Education)

25/11/11
Progressive Movement Institute (EDUCATION)
Story: Gloria Bamfo & Zoe Darling

THE Director of Pre - Tertiary Ministry of Education Mrs Mary Quaye has stated that the governmenet is working on on a national program to change the curricullum in schools especially at the secondary level.
At a conference on Career development addressing the theme “Effective strategies in career development - a tool for national development” in Accra today (Friday), Mrs Quaye said the government is working on a realignment of the curriculum and supports the work of non-government organisations (NGOs) in the education sector.
She said the curriculum is supposed to shape students to reinforce their God-given talents and is important because the education and training of students is essential for Ghana’s development.
As part of the government’s support for students and particularly those studying in the technical and vocational areas, the government has established a Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training and will be distributing 3600 laptops to students.
The Ministryof Education is also working on a national program to bring in entrepreneurship at a social level and train teachers in the field of counselling so they are better equipped to guide students, she added.
Mrs Quaye expressed concern for students in the technical and vocational fields, saying the mindset of society is a challenge, particularly the perception of parents and grandparents.
In Ghana, technical and vocational areas are often “no-go areas” for students and there is pressure to avoid certain subjects.
Mrs Quaye added that these are the areas that generate money, independence and self fulfillment for our children.
She advises parents to change their perception on courses like Home Economics and Visual Arts, addding that students should also feel free to swap courses if they are not content in their current studies.
“It is never too late to change courses” she said, urging students to not be influenced by the choices of their friends.

Africa Fairtrade Convention (Business)

23/11/11
Fairtrade (BUSINESS)
Story: Zainab Issah & Zoe Darling

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Ms Hannah Tetteh has expressed the government interest to partner with Fairtrade International to improve the livelihood and standard of living of Ghanaians especially in the agricultural sector.
“Access to markets is still a problem and some producers do not have organised markets and therefore there is a need to work together to help people understand that agriculture is still a very valuable career choice”, she said.
Ms Tetteh said this at the opening ceremony of the Africa Fairtrade Convention in Accra to discuss papers for the benefit of Africa Fairtrade producers.
The Africa Fairtrade Convention is an annual event that provides a platform for African small-scale producers, international traders, policy makers, partner organizations and Fairtrade stakeholders to discuss how better trade conditions can help improve the livelihoods of African farmers and workers.
It also provides the opportunity for African producers to meet Fairtrade buyers and other stakeholders to do business.
The Executive Director of Fairtrade Africa, Mr Michael Nkonu said Agriculture is at the heart of Africa’s economy but lack of access to markets under favourable conditions was a major problem for many producers.
He said  this, coupled with trade liberalisation and underinvestment in agriculture has trapped many local farmers in poverty.
“We need to invest more in our farmers to ensure that they can compete on a level playing field,” he added.
Mr Nkonu urged participants to use the convention as an opportunity to interact, connect and strengthen their network not only to see where they could invest and support producers, but also observe firsthand how their support for Fairtrade will make a change.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fairtrade International, Mr Rob Cameron said  in order to sustain livelihood and strengthen partnerships in Africa, there was the need to  improve connections between producers and businesses.
He said this would make work across borders easier and more efficient and producers would be able to create more customised businesses and development plans as part of their Fairtrade certification.
 Fairtrade International also has programmes, policies and partnerships which are targeted to enable millions of people to overcome the challenges that keep them locked in poverty and create opportunities for greater impact for those who need it most.
Chairman of Fairtrade Africa Mr Yorokamu Abainenamar, said there was the need to create the awareness and increase solidarity as a movement in improving the livelihood of the producers.
He called,for more participation in the convention in order to discuss ideas on how to impact the lives of people especially in the agricultural sector.
This year’s convention comprises of a General Assembly of all 270 Fairtrade producer organisations in Africa and is attended by more than 100 Fairtrade buyers and stakeholders.

Apollo Hospital Group (General News)

21/11/11
Apollo Hospital Group (GENERAL NEWS)
STORY: Zoe Darling and Kirsty Telfer

The Ministry of Health has engaged in talks with Indian organisation Apollo Hospital Group Ltd to train medical staff in tertiary education.
Representatives from the Apollo Hospital Group are in Accra this week to meet with stakeholders, government officials and medical practitioners to discuss a possible collaboration and share their learnings with the Ghanaian medical field.
They hope to finalise an agreement to complement health delivery services in the country using the expertise and success of the Apollo Hospital Group in India over the past twenty eight years.
As part of the collaboration, it is planned that a private wing will be established at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to train specialised medical staff.
Director of Medical Affairs of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Afua A. J. Hesse, in the first of a series of meeting in Accra this week, said she hoped to see results from the collaboration within one year.
Prof Hesse will meet with representatives from the Apollo Hospital Group on Tuesday (22 November) when they visit the National Cardio Centre and One Centre of Excellence, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for discussions with management.
Cheif Executive Officer (CEO) of Apollo Clinics, Mr. Sudhir Diggikar, said that discussions with the Ministry of Health should reach some conclusion by Wednesday.
Apollo Hospital Group currently ownes and manages forty six hospitals in India.

Human Rights Have No Boundaries (Features)

Published 19/11/11
Human Rights Have No Boundaries (FEATURES)
STORY: Zoe Darling
In light of the current debate surrounding homosexuality in Ghana, the issue of human rights has also been a hot topic. Since British Prime Minister David Cameron’s controversial comments linking the recognition of homosexuality to foreign aid in Ghana, Ghanaians and particularly President John Atta Mills, have made their position on gay and lesbian rights perfectly clear. They will not accept it, and they will certainly not legalise it.
Cameron, expressing views shared with many in the West, clearly recognises the fair and equal treatment of homosexuals as a human right. It seems many Ghanaians have gotten this confused with the legalisation of homosexual marriage, which is not recognized in most of the Western world.
Cameron’s comments and the idea of accepting homosexuality have infuriated many people in Ghana, where a very strong anti-gay sentiment prevails. Many people have told me that in Ghana, it is not part of the culture to accept homosexuality. As a Westerner living in Africa, among many other cultural differences, I have accepted this. I would not suggest that Ghanaians embrace homosexuality and certainly not legalize gay marriage. I would not suggest that Western values be enforced on Ghana; the unique and remarkable culture should not be changed because of unwanted foreign influences.
Let me make it clear that I am in not in any way a gay activist or anything similar. I am, however, a strong believer in the universal recognition of human rights and a supporter of all action taken to ensure they are defended.
Having said this, one thing I struggle to accept is the persecution or prosecution of homosexuals based on their sexuality as I see this as a violation of the individual’s human rights. Ghanaians have argued with me and tried to convince me that in Ghana, freedom of sexuality is not a human right as it is not part of the culture. Again, I struggle to accept this.
The very definition and idea at the core of human rights is the fact that they are rights that belong equally to every human, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, political affiliation or any other distinction. They are universal and egalitarian. The United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) promote and fully support the idea that human rights are an inalienable and fundamental entitlement of all human beings, simply because they are human.
The UNDHR stipulates that everyone is entitled to human rights, "without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. This makes it very clear that human rights are universal. To remove the rights of homosexuals from this concept is to remove the principal of universality and human rights are transformed to simply reflect the values of certain groups.
But even if one accepts that human rights are universal, they may argue that homosexuality is not a human right. I must argue that fear of prosecution or persecution for a personal choice made in the privacy of one's home, is a violation of human rights. No one should have to fear for their freedom or safety based on the private choice of their sexuality. The UNDHR stipulates that "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation."
I recognise that in Ghana homosexuality is not culturally acceptable, but I also see the discrimination of gays and lesbians based on their sexuality as a violation of human rights.
David Cameron’s stipulation that the recognition of human rights be a requirement for the receipt of international aid does have merit, despite the negative implications that come with such a demand. I simply ask Ghanaians to consider the basic rights of their brothers and sisters and not be so hasty to eliminate choice of sexuality as one of these.

GNFS Ceremony (General News)

18/11/11
Published 19/11/11
GNFS Ceremony (GENERAL NEWS) - GNFS records fewer fire outbreaks this year
STORY: Alice Aryeety and Zoe Darling

THE Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has recorded a significant reduction in the number of fire outbreaks this year, compared to 2010.
One thousand, five hundred and seventy two fire outbreaks were recorded, with the damage estimated at GHC2,237,239 as of September this year, compared to 2,601 fire outbreaks, with a damage bill of GHC360,027,775.57, in 2010.
  The Chairman of the Fire Service Council and Member of Parliament  for Madina/Abokobi, Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, announced the figures at the passing-out ceremony of Course 42 Recruits of the GNFS at the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) in Accra yesterday.
Special awards were presented to four recruits. While R/FM Alori Benjamin took home the overall best recruit award, R/FM Justice Dellor received the best recruit in foot drills, with R/FW Susana Kudiabor winning the Commandant’s award and R/FM Robertson S. Nkudede, the best in academics.
Despite the reduction in figures, which may be attributed to intensified public fire safety education and engagement with the public, Alhaji Sorogho said the Fire Service could do more to ensure further decline in subsequent years.
Two hundred and ninety-nine recruits, comprising 96 women and 203 men, drawn from all the 10 regions graduated  after a 16-week training course.
Another batch of 300 recruits will commence training by the end of this month as part of the GNFS recruitment exercise.
It is anticipated that 3,000 men and women are to be recruited over the three-year period from 2011 to 2013.
 “The recruitment drive is in recognition of the readiness of the government to provide a career for the youth in fire fighting and rescue and resource the service to meet the fire safety needs of the citizens,” Alhaji Sorogho said.
In addition to enhancing the human resource base of the service, 227 fire-fighting vehicles and equipment, funded by the Exim Bank of the USA and India and the Belgian Government, started arriving in the country from April this year.
A total of 57 pick-up vehicles, 10 motorbikes and two buses are also expected to arrive by the end of the year to help in service delivery.
Two hundred and sixty acres of land has also been acquired at Dodowa for the building of a modern Fire Academy and Training College capable of training about 500 people at any time.
These measures, as well as the provision of  funds as a temporary solution, are to address the challenges, including inadequate personnel accommodation and vehicles, other logistics and working service conditions of for personnels, faced by the GNFS.

Roads and Traffic Issues in Ghana (Features)

Published 8/11/11
Roads and Traffic Issues in Ghana (FEATURES)
Story: Zoe Darling
Upon arrival in Ghana, a Westerner must be prepared for differences. Differences in the culture, the climate, the landscape, the people, the food, just to name a few. These differences become apparent very quickly, but none is more obvious, even in the short drive from the airport, than the frightening phenomenon that is the traffic.
Drivers pay no heed to the lines separating lanes of traffic, with often three cars squeezing into a single lane. Cars weave erratically through the tightest of spaces and around hawkers as other slam on their breaks to avoid a collision. Sometimes cars simply drive on the wrong side of the road, directly into oncoming traffic. Speed limits are blatantly ignored, as are the majority of road rules. In the beginning, it is terrifying, and oddly captivating.
According to the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), there are over 10,000 reported road traffic crashes in Ghana annually, but in reality the number is much higher because so many go unreported. Every year more than 1,800 people are killed in crashes on Ghanaian roads, with a rate of nearly 19 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles. Compare this to my home country, Australia, which has a similar population; there is an average of just one fatality per 10,000 vehicles.
It is clear that there are serious problems with the infrastructure, particularly around Accra, which will only grow as the number of road users continues to increase. The road systems simply cannot handle the amount of traffic. But a more pressing issue is the condition of the roads and the evident lack of maintenance. The predominance of potholes, installation of haphazard mounds of dirt to act as speed humps, open drains bordering narrow streets and general debris littering the roads has resulted in the complete state of disrepair that is Ghanaian roads.
It would be a challenge for even the most skilled and experienced drivers to navigate. But it appears many drivers in Ghana do not have a license, are untrained, or are in desperate need of guidance when it comes to road rules and road safety. Some are downright reckless and dangerous.
To further enhance the impossible driving situation, many of the vehicles on the road are in appalling condition. In many other countries, they would not be considered roadworthy. These cars are not simply uncomfortable; they are unsafe and pose a risk to both the occupants and other road users. I have been in moving cars that have suddenly lost bumpers, broken down in the middle of busy intersections or even had a door fall off. For the safety of everyone, these cars should not be on the road.
But one of the most frustrating issues I have with driving in Ghana is the lack of seatbelts. I was in a taxi last night when the driver spotted a police check ahead. He promptly buckled his seatbelt, we were waved through the checkpoint by the officer, and the driver promptly unbuckled his seatbelt. This raises a number of questions. Why would the driver, with the option of seatbelt, not wear it? Is it a lack of education of the benefits? Or disregard of the benefits in favor of comfort? Surely it was not inconvenience or laziness, judging by his haste to unbuckle after the checkpoint.
Why are none of the passenger seats, in any form of publicly used transport, equipped with seatbelts? Most of the taxis I have been in seem to have the capability. And with the reckless driving and often uneven road surfaces, I would definitely welcome them in tro tros and other public buses.
Why is there not more encouragement to wear seatbelts by the authorities, either through education or penalties for those who do not abide by the rules? On that point, why are the authorities not penalizing dangerous driving and removing unsafe cars from the road?
I recognize that there are a lot of issues raised. I realize it would not be a cheap exercise to address these issues. But the benefits of improving the roads, educating drivers, and enforcing the road rules would be time and money well spent.
According to the NRSC, it is estimated that road traffic crashes cost Ghana about 1.6% of the GDP annually. If these issues were addressed, the cost to taxpayers would ease, traffic congestion would be reduced and the harm to vehicles and other property would be minimized. I shouldn’t have to mention the cost of human life that could be spared.
As a Westerner witnessing the calamity of traffic on Ghanaian roads, I realize this is just another difference that I will slowly acclimatize to. But don’t even get me started on the incessant, inescapable and completely unnecessary honking.

IHRMP Graduation Ceremony (Education)

9/11/11
Published 12/11/11
IHRMP GRADUATION CEREMONY (EDUCATION)
Story: Marian Ansah & Zoe Darling

THE CEO of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Mr George Smith, has defended the single spine salary structure (SSSS),saying the project is a gradual process which requires critrical and strategic thinking as well as a job evaluation before it can be wholly implemented.
He noted that the country would have been in chaos if the SSSS was implemented fully at the present time and not gradually.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for students of the Institute of Human Resource Management Practitioners (IHRMP),he noted that it was not possible for the SSSS to be implemented at a goal as some people in the nation had suggested.
The SSSS has been recently criticised by GMA over some factors used in the prior grading structure which resulted in the recent strike by medical practitioners
Mr Smith,at the ceremony held in Accra on Wednesday, stated that the government should have informed the public service before implementing the pay reform.
He noted that a job evalaution should be carried out on the SSSS to identify the challenges and disavantages that would be encountered in the execution of the project.
He stated that the evaluation program would lead to understanding and co operation among the public workers.
During the ceremony,he urged the graduating students of IHRMP to develop and uphold a level of equity and fairness in the payment of salaries as upcoming human resource managers.
Mr Smith urged the students to develop strategic means of policies that would lead to acceptability without people withdrawing from the policy.
He noted that it was imperative for Human Resource practitioners to be creative.
“Creativity and innovation will lead to recognition and appreciation of the job” he said.
The Vice President of the Institute,Mr John Wilson stated that it was important for the students to develop the right capablities and culture that would help them in their profession.
He revealed that the greatest assest in every organisation was the human resource practitioner who would determine the ultimate growth of the nation.
He urged the students to take up a new challenge and be proactive.
Mr Wilson noted that it was imperative for the students to focus on identifying the policies and goals of any organisation.
29 students graduated as Associate members of the Institute and Nana Yaa P. Twum as the first certified member at the ceremony.

Improved Cookstoves (General News)

14/11/11
IMPROVED COOKSTOVES (General News)

STORY: Zoe Darling

Envirofit, in conjunction with the Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (CEESD) has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and Indoor Air Pollution  through the distribution of efficient charcoal and firewood cookstoves in Ghana.
The project, which aims to distribute 12,000 charcoal cookstoves by January next year, seeks to reduce charcoal use through improvement in combustion efficiency of up to forty per cent and reduction in biomass fuel consumption by sixty per cent compared to traditional cookstoves used in Ghana.
The CEO of Envirofit Ron Bills, speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Accra on Monday, said that this would reduce the tonnage of charcoal used, reduce pressure on forest resources and reduce emissions from the use of charcoal.
He noted that poor wood combustion kills more than two million people every year, and it was a particular concern in Africa because of high population growth.
He said the use of the improved cookstoves therefore aimed to address the issue of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), especially among women and children, by reducing Indoor Air Pollution.
Mr Bills said Envirofit was pleased with the success of the recent distribution of charcoal cookstoves in Kenya and the consequent opportunities for employment in manufacturing in the country.
“We’d like to do the same thing in Ghana,” he said.
300,000 of the Envirofit cookstoves have already been sold in 40 different countries around the globe, resulting in 1.5 million people breathing healthier air and spending less time and money cooking, as well as a decreased demand on forests and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
At the meeting, stakeholders expressed concern over the plans to only distribute the cookstoves in two districts in the Ashanti Region - Ejisu-Juaben, Asanti Akim North, and Bosomtwe.
The price of the stove was also a concern, but according to Vice President of Engineering for Envirofit Nathan Lorenz, the reduced cost of expenditure on charcoal could also save beneficiary households GHC75 every year.
He said the Envirofit stoves were built to be clean, efficient, durable and affordable, as this was important for the market.
Envirofit and CEESD are taking advantage of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol that binds developed countries to promote investment in developing countries in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the arrangement, carbon revenues are raised through the CDM.
The carbon revenues provides a subsidy, so Envirofit is able to sell the stoves at a reduced price to consumers.
This programme fits into the Government’s Better Ghana Agenda.

CoTA Launch (POLITICS)

15.11.11
CoTA Launch (POLITICS) - Ownership of TV, radio by politicians undermines Ghana’s democracy

Seth J. Bokpe & Zoe Darling

THE Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Prof Kwame Karikari, has expressed grave concern for democracy in the country due to the increasing ownership of radio and television frequencies by politicians.
 At the launch of the Coalition for Transparency of the Airwaves (CoTA) in Accra on Tuesday, Prof Karikari said that lack of free access to the airwaves, particularly radio and television, posed serious dangers to pluralism and to freedom of speech and expression.
“Besides the threat of politicians taking over the airwaves by means of a lack of transparency in the allocation of frequencies, many voices will become silenced “, he said.
“These dangers must be stopped. And it can only be stopped by public expression of opposition to acts and omissions that close the doors to the expression of different and contrary viewpoints on airwaves.”
With more than 15 civil society organisations as members, the CoTA has among its objectives the promotion of genuine pluralism of voices on the airwaves, advocating the expeditious allocation of broadcast frequencies to genuine community radio applicants and promoting equity and transparency in the allocation and management of broadcast frequencies.
Additionally, CoTA advocates the passage of and adherence to a Broadcasting Law that is in keeping with international best practice.
Prof Karikari said since 1992, all governments had failed to pass a broadcasting law that made access to the airwaves transparent and democratic.
The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, who launched the initiative, said the influence of the electronic media could not be underestimated and it raised a whole lot of ethical issues for those who controlled them in respect of the country’s political process.
Those who control the media, he noted, could be assumed to control the state hence the need to ensure that the broadcast media met the needs of society.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Ransford Tetteh, stated that Ghanaians must not remain oblivious to the challenges in the broadcast media, especially the use of intemperate language by some radio stations during elections.
With another election on the horizon, he observed that it was not in the interest of peace in the country if there was no broadcasting legislation to guide it.
Mr Tetteh said it was the hope of the GJA that, “CoTA will guide and enhance the legitimate public interest in policy, law and regulation in the broadcast industry and thus help in nurturing for Ghana a more professional, vibrant, transparent and accountable broadcast industry.”
Issues concerning frequency allocation have been a subject of controversy especially between members of the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN) and frequency regulators of the National Communication Authority (NCA) with the GCRN accusing the NCA of using excessive bureaucratic processes to deny its members frequencies.
In that regard, Prof Audrey Gadzekpo, a senior lecturer of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana, observed that transparency standards in the NCA were below international standards.
“We can also conclude from what we know that there is no equity in allocation and access. While we may think we have plurality, if we see it only in terms of numbers, plurality goes beyond numbers. We need to ask: do we have plurality in media types, cultural, geographic, gender and pluralism?” she asked.

Sale of TTB (Business)

3/11/11
SALE OF THE TRUST BANK (Business)

Story: Alice Aryeetey and Zoe Darling

THE Coalition for the Protection of Individuals Liberties and Constitutional Rights (COPCOR) has called on the government and the board of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to reconsider the intended sale of The Trust Bank Limited (TTB) to Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).
The Communications Officer of the COPCOR, Mr. Elorm Desewu, at a press conference in Accra today,(Thursday) said unimpeachable information gathered indicates that the intended sale of TTB  did not follow any financial logic, and Ghanaian workers/SSNIT contributors would lose over GHC 6.7 million annually if TTB is sold to ETI.
According to the COPCOR, TTB was one of the best investments that SSNIT has entered into in the financial services industry, using the contributions of the Ghanaian worker.
TTB has produced positive results compared to other SSNIT investments, and the bank has paid handsome dividends to all shareholders over the years, making the intended sale surprising.
According to Mr. Desewu, ETI has put in its Third quarter report that the sale has been completed and integration would start soon.
The shareholders of TTB are yet to meet on the issue, suggesting that a behind the scenes deal for the sale of TTB has already been made under the management of SSNIT General Director Frank Odoom, Board Chairman Kwame Peprah and the government appointed board members.
The appointed consultants on the transaction (Ecobank Capital and Pricewaterhousecoopers), said the sale would help solve the single obliger issues that force many banks to request for waivers from Bank of Ghana before participating in big ticket transactions.
They added that the Ecobank group would bring additional benefits to clients of TTB and also address concerns about external interference in the bank's business and operations.
COPCOR refute these claims, saying that a good Ghanaian asset should not be sold out to foreigners because of single obliger issues because the local banks can be combined to create a larger bank that would remain Ghanaian.
They said the problems of Ghanaian businesses and individuals are better addressed by the ability of the banks to put together packages as well as their willingness and capability to assist SMEs'.
They further advised that SSNIT should simply go by their own policy of not having more than 35% investment in any financial institution by selling excess shares to other existing shareholders.
The COPCOR said that if the government does not rescind this sale to the ETI within two weeks, demonstrative action would be taken.

Welcome

Welcome to the obruni files! My name is Zoe and I'm a journalism/international studies student at the University of South Australia. I'm currently a Hawke Ambassador for the Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience program at the university, which allows me to spend a semester abroad volunteering or undertaking an internship. I chose to come to Ghana with volunteering organization Projects Abroad, who organize my placement and accommodation. 
I have spent 8 weeks so far in Ghana, with 5 still to go. My first month I lived in the Eastern Region, just outside a town called Mamfe in the Akuapem Hills. Everyday I participated in volunteer building of 2 new classrooms at a Projects Abroad-run school for disadvantaged children called Wonderful Love Daycare, nestled in the tropical forests between Kwamoso and Koforidua. Before the classrooms were completed, a class of young children had their classes sitting under a tree in the school yard. The volunteers helped mix cement, make mud bricks, plaster walls, and paint pictures on the walls, among other things (including playing with the super cute children on the their breaks).
My second month has been spent living in the coastal suburb of South Labadi in Ghana's capital, Accra. Accra is a big, dirty, smelly, busy and thrilling city. Here I am working at the national state owned newspaper, the Daily Graphic. As an  intern I spent my first couple of weeks learning the ropes in the office and shadowing other journalists. Now I go on joint and individual assignments. In my spare time at the office (of which there is plenty) I write features on both current issues and my experiences in Ghana. I will be posting any stories that I write or help write, whether they are published or not. I would like to point out that if I was the editor, I probably wouldn't publish some of these stories due to lack of newsworthiness, but i don't have a say in what stories I'm sent to and whether it is 'news'. I would also like observe that most stories in which I have collaborated with other journalists, I have not been 100% happy with the writing style and language. But as I am just the intern,  I am often reminded that the techniques I have learnt in journalism in Australia are not the same as the house style at the Daily Graphic. Just something that I have to live with.
Along with 'Abinah' (my Ghanaian name), I quickly came to realize that I would be known to most ghanaians and even by myself at times, as simply 'obruni'. Obruni means 'foreigner' in local language Twi, and is used to refer to anyone who obviously is not native to the country. There is not a street I can walk down, tro tro station I can walk through or path I can take where I can avoid the cries of 'Obruni! How are you?What is your name? Where are you going?'. I have come to accept my status as an obruni here in ghana, and even embrace it, hence the name of this blog.
Enjoy!