Gas Shortage Hits Accra

Gas users anxiously waiting for some gas

The country, especially Accra, has been hit by a devastating shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), leading to many households resorting to the use of charcoal.
For automobiles which use LPG as fuel, these are terrible times as they have to wait in queues for hours at locations where gas is available.
In some instances, by the time it is their turn to be supplied, they are told that it is finished, making nonsense of the long wait.
When DAILY GUIDE went out to seek first-hand information about how the situation was in certain suburbs of the city, long queues had been formed by LPG users, sometimes with the product not available.
The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has been tight-lipped on the scarcity, pretending that all is well.
However, DAILY GUIDE sources said the refinery has not been working for some time now; hence the shortage of gas which is a by-product of petrol.
At Kawukudi, the ‘no gas’ inscription welcomed expectant customers who sadly went away.
A gas station assistant at Dzorwulu said they had been expecting gas since last week Monday but had not heard information from the suppliers.
“As you can see, all these cylinders belong to costumers who need gas very urgently but we can’t serve them because we don’t have gas,” the young man stated.
Many taxi drivers in Ghana now prefer gas to gasoline because they think it is more affordable. In their bid to tap the economic advantage of using LPG for their cars, many commercial vehicles have altered from petrol consuming to LPG, thereby putting extra pressure on what is strictly meant for domestic consumption.
In an interview with some of the taxi drivers, they said the shortage of gas has affected their daily sales very much. Some lamented that they could not make the stipulated amount for their car owners.
When DAILY GUIDE got to Anasset Company Limited in Awudome, there was a very long queue stretching from the premises of the gas station to the one-way road in front of the place, thereby causing a traffic jam on the road.
The management of the gas station however refused to talk to the paper, with the excuse that they were busy and could not talk. But some of the people in the queue who spoke to us said they had been in the queue since 6am and had not been served as at 12 noon.
At some places, gas was served on ‘whom you know’ basis. Others had to pay as much as GH¢5.00 extra in order to be served quickly and those who could not pay had to be in the queue and wait patiently for their turn.
At the Louis Gas Station at Trade Fair, La, the management refused to talk to DAILY GUIDE when the reporter wanted a verification of some allegations from the costumers that they were serving the people they knew rather than those in the queue.
Some people had to travel from Teshie-Nungua and Sakumono to join queues at the Louis Gas Station at the Trade Fair site. A school girl in the queue said “I have been here since 8am and I have not been attended to yet.”
 The girl bemoaned “my classmates are in school and I am here waiting to buy gas; by the time I get home, school would be over for today.”
A restaurant operator told DAILY GUIDE that the gas shortage had affected their daily profits since they did not have enough gas to prepare food for their customers to buy.
Reports from across the country also paint a similar picture of the biting shortage of LPG.

By Isaac Osei

I Slept With Lamptey Mills

Enoch Nii Lamptey Mills

The woman at the centre of the alleged sex scandal involving the proprietor of Great Lamptey Mills Institute, Enoch Nii Lamptey Mills, has shot back at the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for recommending that the man be put on trial for rape and defilement.
The apparently exasperated young lady said she was shocked at the posture the state had assumed on the matter even though she had willingly agreed to have sex with the man on numerous occasions as a consenting adult.
Speaking to Joy FM yesterday, the woman, who has a child with the famous school proprietor, revealed that she had sex with Lamptey Mills several times on her own freewill before she got pregnant.
“I was 18 years then and we had sex several times because I wanted to have sex with him,” she said, adding “I got pregnant just before I turned 19 in December. I am a December born.”
According to the young woman, their child is now 3 years old and the suspect has been caring for them while she has been going to school.
 “Mene sane po ne?” she blurted out in the Ga language during the interview, to wit “what at all is this?”
Yesterday, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) said it was awaiting a response from the Attorney General to commence trial against the proprietor of the school.
Lamptey Mills is accused of having an affair with a 16-year-old former student of his school.
He was re-arrested last week on the orders of the Attorney-General after he had been set free of the same offence last year by an Accra circuit court.
He is currently in custody at the Ministries police cells pending the commencement of his trial.
Head of Public Relations at DOVVSU, ASP Freeman Tetteh, said officials “have officially charged him for court and a docket forwarded to the A-G’s department. It is the A-G that prosecutes rape cases unlike defilement which is prosecuted by the police…We have done our part we are only waiting for the A-G’s department to request his person.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) is revising its disciplinary regulations to cover proprietors of schools who misconduct themselves.
Currently, the regulations do not empower the GES to act against proprietors and teaching staff of educational institutions

Daily Guide Picks 3 Awards

Two journalists and the famous crack cartoonist, Akosua of DAILY GUIDE and BUSINESS GUIDE picked three awards at the 15th Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) Awards last Saturday night.
This was an improvement over last year’s awards when the leading private newspaper in the country and number two on the sales market picked one award for Best Design and Layout newspaper.
The journalists, Emelia Ennin and Esther Awuah, who received a plaque each and citations for being the best journalists in Environment and Small and Micro Scale Enterprises respectively, were among the 33 persons who were honoured at the awards night.
Akosua, the unsurpassed satirist cartoonist, picked the newly instituted award for cartoons, sponsored by the renowned industrialist Akenten Appiah-Menka of Apino soap fame.
In addition, each award winner will receive a laptop computer.
A reporter from Metropolitan Television, Samuel Agyemang, defied all odds to become the youngest journalist ever to win the coveted Journalist of the of the Year award for 2009.
For his prize, Mr. Agyemang, 29, received a professional enhancement package of $28,000 equivalent to GH¢42, 000 from Unilever Ghana Limited, as well as a visit to the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) in Washington DC in the United States, to have attachments at some renowned media houses, depending on his area of specialty.
It was all excitement at the Banquet Hall of State House in Accra, as the GJA celebrated its 15th awards night under the theme: “Unethical journalism and corruption in the media: A danger to democracy.”
Journalists who thronged the venue had the opportunity to celebrate the night with Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Aidan White of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and a host of other dignitaries. They were treated to sumptuous music by Abrantie Amakye Dede and his Apollo High Kings band.
In all, 33 awards were given to journalists and some media houses, while five individuals who have contributed in the flourishing of the media landscape including Mr. Aidan White, were given honorary awards.
The award winners are; for News Reporting, TV – Portia Solomon (TV3); News Reporting, Print – Francis Tuffour (Ghanaian Times); News Reporting, Radio – Evans Mensah (Joy FM); Features, Radio - Kingsley Obeng Kyere (GBC); Features, TV – Samuel Agyemang (Metro TV); Features, Print – Doreen Allotey (Daily Graphic); and Investigative Reporting - Peter Dela Tenge (Metro TV).
Others were, Sports Reporting – Maurice Quansah – (Daily Graphic); Arts, Entertainment and Domestic Tourism - Kofi Akpabli – Freelance; Photo Journalism – Gabriel Ahiabor (Daily Graphic); Business, Finance and Economic Reporting – Edward Nyarko (GTV); Small and Micro Scale Enterprises, Health Reporting – Lucy Adoma Yeboah – (Daily Graphic); HIV/AIDS Reporting – Gertrude Anka – (Ghanaian Observer); Development Journalism for advancing MDGs - Portia Solomon - (TV3); and Rural Reporting – Samuel Akapule – (GNA).
The rest were; Crime and Court Reporting – Kingsley Hope - (Ghanaian Times); Hygiene and Sanitation – Dzifa Azumah (GNA); Disability Reporting – Issah Shaibu – (GBC); Telecommunications – Samuel Dowuona (GNA); Anti-Corruption – Anas Aremeyaw Anas (New Crusading Guide); Education - Isabella Owusu-Oppong – (GTV); Columnist of the Year – Vicky Wirekoh Andoh – (Daily Graphic); Cartoonist – Akosua – (Daily Guide); Best Layout and Design newspaper – (Daily Graphic); Best Rural Radio Station – (Radio Peace -Winneba); Human Rights - Sunrise Radio (Koforidua); Democracy and Peace – (Citi FM); Best Radio Programme in Akan – Wo haw ne sen? (Peace FM); Best Radio Programme in Dagbani – (Diamond FM, Tamale); and Best Radio Programme (Talk) - Kusum Gboo Obonu FM.
Vice President Mahama, who stood in for President John Evans Atta Mills as the guest of honour, commended the GJA for recognizing that there are still unethical practices and corruption in the media.
“The fact that the GJA has chosen this theme means that the media is willing to be accountable to the people with whom the ultimate power rests,” he said.
He cited misreporting, poor language, mercenary journalism and lack of objectivity as some of the challenges that the media needs to overcome and added that there is the need for journalists to close their ranks and weed out charlatans from among them.
The Vice President also complained about the rate at which the media displays photographs of dead persons and others he considered obscene and also noted that the serial calling phenomenon was making it impossible for the public to judge what he called “real public opinion.
“If we want to purge our journalism of the negative tendencies, then we must be able to discuss issues affecting the profession. So much is expected from the media. Our work should be fair, credible and responsible.”
He also bemoaned what he called “partisanship in our public discourse,” adding that “everything in this country is interpreted based on our political prejudices”.
Vice President Mahama said the media has been in the forefront of fighting for media freedom and urged practitioners to continue to hold public office holders accountable.
Aidan White, who chaired the ceremony, admitted that journalism is facing enormous challenges, saying, “Journalism is in profound crises”.
He said the media needs to re-assess itself if it wants to continue to fight for democracy and development and added, “The media has to set the highest standard of accountability and transparency. If journalists are corrupt, democracy is fatally flawed.
“We need to lead the struggle for tolerance, give equal voice to majority and minority as well as expose corruption especially in high places”.
The Minister of Information, John Tia Akologu said it was refreshing that the GJA had realized that unethical journalism had gone beyond what he called “perception stage” and noted that the time had come for journalists to name and shame errant colleagues.
He said journalists could not say that the GJA Code of Ethics had achieved its usefulness, stressing that writing unethically had become the order of the day.
Kabral Blay-Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) said the GJA showed humility and courage in selecting the theme for the ceremony, adding, “In recent months there has been assault on press freedom.”
He called on the government to empower the commission with funds so that it would be able to promote freedom of expression and also ensure a free and responsible press.
Oumar Farouk, President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), called for improved condition of service for journalists in order to make them immune to corrupt tendencies.
Ransford Tetteh, President of the GJA, said by promoting excellence in Ghanaian journalism “we are helping to further consolidate freedom of the press in Ghana and to get the Ghanaian media to remain the toast of lovers of democracy across the world.”

Michael Essien Quits Black Stars

Michael Essien

Ghana’s midfielder Michael Essien has temporarily put his international career on hold saying he will not play for the Black Stars for some time. This comes after coach Milovan Rajevac said he would welcome the fit-again Chelsea enforcer for next month’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland.
But Essien feels after so many recent injury setbacks, he wants to concentrate on getting back to his best with Chelsea.
The midfielder believes that his absence will not be severe on his country as players like Anthony Annan, Kevin Prince Boateng and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu have excelled in his (Essien’s) absence.
“I think I will be taking a break. Not retiring, just not playing for (the) time (being). I have to take the right decision for myself. I don’t know whether they (Ghana) will be disappointed because they have done fine without me,” said Essien.
Essien missed the World Cup in South Africa in June because of a knee injury, but despite his absence the Black Stars reached the last eight of the tournament.
He suffered the injury while training at the African Cup of Nations in Angola in January and only recently returned to action for Chelsea.
The English side has also recently brought in players who are capable of competing with Essien for his starting place in the squad.
His absence in the Black Stars squad means other young players with hopes of playing the national team could be given the chance to exhibit their skills and potential.

2131 Presents Black August @ Boom Club

2131 INCORPORATED, producers of the 2131 Banging Hiphop Show and one of the most recognized social networks in Ghana, is noted for commanding thousands of young and exuberant folks to its numerous outdoor parties and events. 
As part of its second year anniversary, 2131 seeks to give back to society by contributing to the Korle Bu Dialysis Renal Unit through ‘Black August’ slated for Boomerang Night Club on August 21.
The ‘Black August’ project hopes to raise 50,000 Euros between now and December to purchase two dialysis machines for the renal unit.
The startling reality is that the Korle Bu Renal Unit currently has only one machine. According to statistics, more than 2,000 Ghanaians across the country need kidney transplants, many of whom have had to depend on renal dialysis to survive.
2131 will organize a series of events together with 4syte TV to help raise funds to embark on the project.
On August 21, the first of the series of events will be launched at the Boomerang Night Club with the support of all the celebrities who have endorsed the project.
These various musicians who are also billed to perform live at the event include VIP, Mzbel, Kweku T, Sarkodie, 4×4, VIP, Ayigbe Edem, Asem, Richie, Eazzy, Zigi, OJ Blaq, Trigmatic, D Black, Chemphe, Obuor, Tictac, J Town and many others.

R2Bee Premieres Video At Silverbird

Mugeez

THE BRITISH Council will conclude its Words and Pictures (WAPI) series with a festival dubbed ‘I Rep Africa,’ at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel courtyard on May 8.
The festival is a celebration of what it means to be young and African in the 21st century. It’s an event for Ghana’s established stars to come together with the stars of tomorrow, to have fun and network.
There will be performances by R2Bees, alongside Ghana’s best young WAPI artistes and underground Ghanaian musicians. There will also be a fashion show and spoken word poetry.
Other activities will include an expert discussion panel for young creatives to learn from the professionals, acting workshops, craft fair, and much more.
This is also a chance for the best artists to win star prizes by showing how they ‘Rep’ Africa in their chosen art form.
If you are a visual artist, musician, spoken word artist or photographer, you stand a chance to win a place in the British Council’s Creative Entrepreneurs Training scheme, worth GH¢1800.
All entries in visual art and photography will be judged before the event. Spoken word poetry and music will however battle it out on the day of the event.
There will be an opportunity for young, upcoming creatives and artists, to network with the experts in the field.
A panel of professionals in journalism, broadcasting, photography, music and advertising, will also be there to share their experience and give tips on how to survive in the industry.

Kenyan Held In Albino Sale Sting

Police in Tanzania say they have arrested a Kenyan national who was attempting to sell an albino man.
The arrest was made in a sting operation as police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts.
Police say they struck a deal equivalent to more than $250,000 (£159,000) for the 20-year-old man.
Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witchdoctors claiming they have special powers. The Tanzanian government has promised to take action.
According to the Tanzanian police a 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man.
The regional police commander, Simon Siro, told the BBC that Mr Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver's assistant.
Court cases
But the police said Mr Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest.
Mr Mutei is due in court on Wednesday accused of human trafficking.
In Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy.
Over the last three years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases.
But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences.
The number of albino killings has fallen, but the fear is still strong. African albinos are also under threat from skin cancer and for that reason they rarely live beyond the age of 40

http://www.reverbnation.com/theffx

Methodist Bishop Blasts Mills

The former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante-Antwi, has taken the government to the cleaners, saying the Mills administration has failed miserably.
The bishop, who was delivering a sermon at the thanksgiving service for the newly-elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, on Saturday at the Ridge Church in Accra, indicated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration had disappointed million of Ghanaians, owing to broken promises.
He noted that the time had come for Ghanaians to appreciate the good works of the nation’s past leaders, citing former president Kufuor as a leader whose contributions towards the development of the country had been undermined by his opponents.
Rev. Asante-Antwi, who endorsed the candidature of Nana Akufo-Addo, called on Ghanaians to reject the NDC and vote for the NPP flagbearer in the 2012 polls.
“Let us put in the appropriate measures that we are the alternative government. We have forgotten a lot of people in this country. At times we don’t notice them as human beings and need to be cared for.
“...They said that we didn’t do well, what have they done about those things? What about the roads? Now, the road toll has been increased how many per cent? More than a thousand per cent! What have they done with the monies collected? Water, electricity?
“Nana as I said, you have said it all, I am only trying to summarise,” he stated.
He commended Alhaji Aliu Mahama for waging a crusade against indiscipline when he was the vice president, adding “Alhaji, I hope you will pick it up again for this country.”
He bemoaned what he said was the poor implementation of social interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme as well as the continued schooling of some children under trees.
What was expected to be a low-profile family thanksgiving service however turned out to be a mammoth rally when supporters of the party got to know their flag-bearer was worshiping at the Ridge Church.
Nana had entered the church premises to meet a sizeable crowd of NPP supporters but the crowd grew thicker as the service went on.
The congregation could not hold their joy for a successful congress as they sang praises and prayed for Nana Akufo-Addo, the prosperity of the NPP and the entire nation.
Dignitaries present included National Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, presidential aspirants Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Isaac Osei, Alan Kyerematen and former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Others were Dr. K.K. Apraku, Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Nana Ohene Ntow, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng and others.
Addressing the congregation, Nana Akufo-Addo said “let us give thanks to the Almighty God for His dominion over last Saturday’s historic presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party. Praise and glory be to His name for the peace and solidarity that prevailed. Amen.”
He stated “I have been humbled by the fact that I received from our party the greatest endorsement ever of any leader of our political tradition.
The hand of God was clearly upon that outcome. And, I draw further inspiration from the words of Micah 6:8.”
Nana Akufo-Addo said the outcome of the presidential primary of August 7 was “another monumental testament that God has a special interest in the protection and promotion of Ghana’s multi-party democracy and in the NPP’s major role in that national project.
“The sincere efforts by everybody involved, from candidates to their supporters, to use the success of Saturday to foster unity within the NPP offer us ample evidence of the significant benefits that can be derived from a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election process.”
“Permit me, Reverend Fathers, to pledge in this holy house of the Lord that for the December 2012 general election, the behaviour and attitude of the NPP will be proactive to ensure that the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process is enhanced for the sake of our democracy and the peace of our nation,” Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
He said the NPP envisaged a system of governance that provides the best of public services for every citizen, including an effective public healthcare system, access to a secure and reliable justice system and unfettered access to quality education in Ghana that rivals any in the world.
A message by the former President, J.A. Kufuor, read by former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, called for unity among the rank and file of the party to unseat the NDC in 2012.
After the thanksgiving service, a reception was held at the forecourt of the church for the congregants and some took advantage to interact with Nana Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries

Fidelity Bank Reawrds Customers

•Edward Effah - MD of Fidelity Bank

Although Fidelity Bank is less than five years old, it has already won the hearts of many Ghanaians ranging from salaried workers to small and medium scale entrepreneurs and big corporate clients.
The bank, in its loyal and dedicated service to costumers, has decided to reward its costumers and attract new ones. They plan on doing this by instituting the “Go For Gold” promotion.
Fidelity Bank, an indigenous Ghanaian Bank born out of Fidelity Discount House, then a leading discount house in Ghana, said it chose gold because, gold was synonymous to Ghana.
“As a local bank, Fidelity Bank sees its customers as its pride and fervently believes that such customers deserve to be treasured and appreciated with something as valuable as gold bar.
“Gold has been highly valued for thousands of years and it is a desirable economic object, a financial asset and an industrial product with the only true standard of value,” the company said in a statement.
According to the bank, all new accounts opened with a minimum of GH ¢300 gain an individual a coupon which automatically enters them into the promotion.
Multiples of GH¢300 will attract multiple coupons. For the existing accounts, those who leave balances of GH¢ 300 and more will get a coupon and multiples of GH¢ 300 will attract multiples of coupons.
The ultimate winner will take home a grand prize of gold estimated at GH¢60,000. There will also be other consolation prizes

Ghana Boosts Ties with Trinidad & Tobago

Dr Joe Oteng-Adje and Carolyn Bachan

GHANA boosted its relations with Trinidad and Tobago after a delegation from the Government of Ghana joined the people of Trinidad and Tobago to commemorate the Emancipation Day celebration of the oil-rich country on August 1, 2010.
The delegation, which was led by the Energy Minister, Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei included the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Accra.
They paid a courtesy call on the newly-elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar to deliver a special message from President Mills.
Bilateral talks were held with the prime minister and the newly-appointed Minister of Energy and Industries, Senator Carolyn Seepersad Bachan on the support of Trinidad and Tobago to Ghana’s gas sector.
In his speech, Dr. Oteng-Adjei described the visit as timely because of Ghana’s oil discovery.
Dr. Oteng-Adjei indicated that with the recent discoveries in the Jubilee oilfields which contain an expected recoverable reserves of about 800 million barrels of light crude oil with an upside potential of about 3 billion barrels, Ghana has become a major oil and gas producing country.
Dr. Oteng-Adjei emphasized government’s commitment to encouraging the industry practitioners in the sector to share experiences with their counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago to improve the local content and participation policy.
The mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the two countries over the years was acknowledged by the Prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
She added that it was thoughtful of Ghana to re-affirm its relationship with the new government, assuring that her country would support the development of the country’s  oil and gas industry.
Thomas Manu, Director of operations at Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) who was part of the delegation, pointed out that issues of local content and participation have recently gained prominence internationally, disclosing that they are relevant to all oil producing countries that seek to maximize benefits from its oil resources.
“The huge value they can bring to oil and gas producing community provides compelling reasons for the development and enactment of a local content and participation policy in Ghana,” he stressed.
Trinidad and Tobago, which lies in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela, has been producing oil for the past 100 years.
The country is the world’s largest producer of ammonia fertilizer and methanol.