AFRICA IN THE WAKE OF BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE –GLO-1 PUTS GHANA ON THE DIGITAL MAP.

The unveiling of the international fiber optic submarine cable in Ghana by Globacom Ghana Limited known as Glo-1 was a welcoming news indeed for the Government of Ghana, the industry regulator- National Communications Authority (NCA), and stakeholders in the ICT industry. Although Ghana wasn’t the first West Coast African country to have access to this facility, since Nigeria was put on this platform somewhere last years or so, many expert in the telecom sector in Ghana believe that this initiative by Globacom to place Africa on the Digital Drive with the rest of the world is a giant dream come and must be well celebrate for. Not only does it demonstrate the can do spirit of the African entrepreneur but a good signal to the rest of the world that Africa is now ready to Bridge the Digital Divide.
Bridging the Digital Gap between Africa and the world was thought to be a phenomenal task which will last for decades, before Africa would catch up with the rest of the world when it comes to the Digital Divide. But with the wit, ingenuity, and the excelling power to succeed by the African entrepreneur has witness the emergence of a new breed of corporate African institutions with close collaborations with their various governments aiming at bridging the Digital divide, and that is seen to be the case of Global Telecommunication Limited and other such institutions like Main One Cable Limited.
In the words of Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, who welcomed the Glo 1 launch, Ghana has made giant and tremendous strides in the area of telecommunications and that “even the socialist among us will agree that when we say that liberalization has no dividend, we certainly cannot say so for the telecoms sector. We are today reaping [from] the foundations that were laid for a liberalized regime of the telecoms sector and allowing the private sector to take its pride of place.

“Mine will be to commend Globacom Limited, at least the launch of Glo 1 today in my conception, is West Africa’s Indigenous response to the need for global connectivity and this is the first time that we are having such a major investment come from an African, meant for an African, and connecting with the rest of the world and you deserve our commendation.”

He appealed to Globacom to reserve some of their additional value added services-related businesses for Ghanaians, “whether in the area of the printing of scratch cards, whether in the area of security, whether in the area of providing diesel or manning cell sites,” he said, “we will be happy that it generates some additional business for the Ghanaian people and that is how we can share in their entry to the market.”

Vice President John Mahama, special guest, predicted that in the not too distant future, the capacity of bandwidth available to a country will determine its status of development rather than GDP. He therefore welcomed the increase in bandwidth availability in Ghana with the arrival of Glo and its launch of the backbone infrastructure and services, which he said will deepen competition and provide alternative choices, comparable pricing and improved quality of service for the benefit of Ghana’s communication sector.

“It will be common in future to be asked not of the size of the GDP of your country but of the size of bandwidth that is available in your country,” he said, emphasizing the determination of the government to develop ICT infrastructure that will provide abundant capacity to carry high speed voice, video and internet facilities to all districts of Ghana.

“I say this because towards the end of 2008, the uptake of broadband in Ghana stood at one percent which was extremely low and inadequate for meaningful development. With the arrival of Glo 1 and other submarine cables the total bandwidth capacity of 2,040 gigabytes will be available to Ghana… It is therefore expected that the increase in bandwidth capacity will be more than adequate to meet the increasing demand for communication services, promote and support business process outsourcing industry in Ghana by creating jobs and revenues to government while exerting a downward pressure on prices as a result of increased competition.”
Governments and its various bureaucratic institutions are waking up from their slumber to the new dawn of era where things are down the digital way therefore acknowledging the essence of the placing much attention to the developments and improvements of the necessary infrastructures that propel the growth of technological advancement in their countries.
It is a welcoming news when government also forge close collaborations with industry players to ensure a smooth and an enabling playing ground where both parties sees each other as partners in the market, delivering quality yet affordable services to the end user.

By:Benjamin Nana Appiah Acquaye

STRENGTHING NARCOTIC CONTROL BOARD IN THE WAKE OF WIKILEAKS EXPOSE, THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.

The shocking revelations by wikileaks in recent times have caused a massive shake up in certain corridors of power around the world. The releases of highly classified intelligence information of various governments to the US government intercepted by the whistle blowing website wikileaks has indicted many countries and its governments across the world, and Ghana is no exception to it. A popular UK newspaper “The Guardian’ published on its website copious notes of the wikileaks intelligence releases on how the American government views Ghana when it comes to dealing with narcotic drugs issues by it government. It also blamed successive governments of the country for its lackadaisical attitude in nipping the menace in a bud. According to wikileaks report “The US Embassy on December 21, 2007 note that Government Of Ghana contacts in both Police service and the presidential office have said they know the identities of the major barons, but they have not said why they have not chosen to arrest them. ‘A police service contact told us the government of Ghana does not have the political will to go after the barons. This officials and other close to the president have also told us they cannot trust anyone when it comes to Narcotic” wikileaks quoted the US Embassy cable from its confidential section 03 Accra 002590”.
It even drags the Narcotic Control Board into the issue by accusing the appointment of a former NACOB Boss by the NPP government as a clear sign of the then government’s unwillingness to fight the drug trade.
It’s also interesting to note that all these intelligence information leaked by the wikileaks concerning the Government of Ghana’s inability to fight Narcotic war in the country has not been challenged by the former Government and also the current administration, even though the latter has shown its sincere commitment to the fight against the drug menace. In fact there are ample evidences or even real scenarios one can point to the latter’s proactive role in curbing the menace.


Firstly, we all witnessed the first gentleman of the land, H.E Prof J.A.Mills going through security checks at the Kotoka International Airport defying prestigious and glorifying protocol courtesies entitled him, then he instructed every member of his government to emulate his example. In fulfillment of its sincere promise against Narcotic Drugs, secondly the cuurent adminisntration appointed a dynamic and result oriented person to head and manage the affairs of the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) to ensure that Ghana does not become a hiding haven for notorious drug barons and a preferred destination or transit for narcotic drugs. Mr. Yaw Akrasi Sarpong is currently the Executive Secretary of Government anti –narcotic drugs institution which according to sources is yet to be turned into a commission. The zeal, diligence and commitment to the course of a drug free Ghana under Yaw Akrasi Sarpong has led to the various arrest and detention of many drug barons including the recent arrest of Pierre Wadini by Interpol through the collaborative efforts of NACOB in the USA this year.
As part of efforts it efforts to educate the Ghanaian public on the dangers of narcotics drugs, NACOB under Yaw Akrasi Sarpong together with his dedicated and selfless team of professionals embarked on a public sensitization mission with the aim of educating every Ghanaian on the cunning influences of narcotic drugs and this is done through engaging schools, Civil Society Organizations and various workers union in discussions.
Journalists across the length and breadth of this country has also benefitted from NACOB’s education which has even resulted in the formation of a network of media practioners in the fight against drugs, although the idea of bringing journalists together to assist NACOB in the fight against drugs was muted by the then minister of interior Hon. Hackman Owusu Agyeman in2007, it was given a major boost under the current administration. Journalist against Drugs (JAD) has had close collaborations with NACOB and has benefitted tremendously in terms of educational workshops and getting access to accurate information from NACOB pertaining to their activities.
The truth of the matter is, whether we as Ghanaians likes it or not the information leaked by wikileaks websites about Ghana’s role in narcotic drugs cannot be refuted ant where on this planet by both the NPP and NDC government. We should remember that “Truth clash to the earth shall rise some day” and that s exactly what had happened. It is public knowledge as to which administration did what and which administration did that, so we should stop the blame game and find strategies as to how to curtail future happenings. Here is a note of caution to the Mills led administration that all efforts should be made so that the ‘VVIP’ Very very important people lounge at the KOTOKA International Airport would not be used again as the main conduit for the so called senior, filthy rich drug barons. His Excellency Prof. J.A.Mills and Mr. Yaw Akrasi Sarpong should crack the whip when necessary so that the ordinary Ghanaian would have some peace of mind, self dignity and fell proud to walk anywhere on this earth without fear of been branded or suspected of been a drug dealer because you are coming from Ghana.
One frustrating and disturbing informations we gathered from wikileaks was how poorly personnel of NACOB were paid or renumerated, and that was a source of worry for the current NACOB boss, who then complained about the lukewarm attitude of the previous Kufour administration who failed to provide NACOB with adequate resources thereby putting personnel of NACOB in a compromising situation in their line of duty. Mr. Yaw Akrasi Sarpong‘s seemingly frustration over low remuneration of NACOB personnel is not a misplace one although he was not the then head of NACOB, such situation has had a negative toll on the service thus painting NACOB black in the eyes of the public.
It is the hope of many Ghanaians including this writer that since NACOB falls under the per view of the ministry of interior, efforts should be made so that personnel of NACOB be roll onto government Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) so they wouldn’t be vulnerable to drug traffickers. Let’s all rally behind NACOB to make Ghana a drug free state by reporting the activities of narcotic dealers in our neighborhoods to them and the promise is “you will never regret you did that just for mother Ghana”.

By: Benjamin Nana Appiah Acquaye
(The writer is a member of Journalist against Drugs- Ghana)
e-mail:nanaappiah2002@gmail.com

AN-NISAA FOUNDATION INAUGURATES IT'S STUDENT WING

Group picture of Executive members of An-nisaa Foundation and members of the newly formed Student wing of An-nisaa.


An-nissa Foundation a non governmental organisation made up of professional Muslim women has inaugurated it's student wing called An-nissa Student Association in Islamic Girls Senior High School at Suhum in the Eastern Region.The establishment of the student wing or club in the school forms part of the foundation's long term commitment in empowering and motivating the Ghanaian Girl Child especially then Muslim Girl to take secular education serious, and this is done through a well structured mentorship program design to challenge and equip the girl child with the requisite skills and abilities to compete effectively in every field of endeavor.

AN-NISAA FOUNDATION INAUGURATES IT'S STUDENT WING AT SUHUM

An-nissa Foundation a non governmental organisation made up of professional Muslim women has inaugurated it's student wing called An-nissa Student Association in Islamic Girls Senior High School at Suhum in the Eastern Region.The establishment of the student wing or club in the school forms part of the foundation's long term commitment in empowering and motivating the Ghanaian Girl Child especially then Muslim Girl to take secular education serious, and this is done through a well structured mentorship program design to challenge and equip the girl child with the requisite skills and abilities to compete effectively in every field of endeavor. The President of the foundation, Hajia Rukaya Idriss in her inaugural address stress the need for the Muslim girl to emulate the exemplary role of some outstanding professional Muslim women who through thick and thin have contributed their quota to the upliftment of their societies.She said An-nisaa Foundation is made up of such women of substance and are dedicated to the course of serving as role models to all Muslim girls across the country.Hajia Idriss urge the students to be respectful and obedient to their teachers since by so doing will go long way to ensure their success in future.

The ceremony also witness the swearing in of the new executive of the An-nissa Student Association by the President of the An-nissa Foundation , Hajia Rukaya Idriss and Alhaji Nurudeen , Patron of the newly formed Student wing.
The foundation also donated sanitary pads , books and other items worth thousand of Ghana Cedis to the Association.

Caption for the picture: Group picture of Executive members of An-nisaa Foundation and members of the newly formed Student wing of An-nisaa.

Birth and Death Registry Bemoans low rate of Child birth registration in the country

The Acting Registrar of Birth and Death Mr Stephen Kwaku Amoah has revealed that in 2009 alone, roughly half of the children born in Ghana did not receive birth certificate. According to him because these children lacks birth certificate, they will face difficulties accessing socila program such as health care and education.

Mr. Amoah made these staggering revelation at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Birth and Death Registry for Fiath Base Organisations(FBO) in Accra.

Acknowledging the problem of inadequate birth and death registrations in Ghana as a serious problem,the Acting Registrar pointed out some interventions being taken up by his outfit in sensitizing the general public to improve registration coverage in the country."The Registry has also experimented with a focused registration program called the Community Population Register Program (CPRP) has yielded outstanding results. The Registry partnered with Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Health Service, District Assemblies, Plan Ghana and UNFPA to implement the plan in now 26 communities across the country. The Program uses volunters to help register Vital Events. They submits data to the Registry staff who then process the data at the district offices.

He further noted that to reverse the current trend there is the need for stakeholders including FBO's to join the force to induce creative methods of increasing birth and deaths registration among their followers.

He then contended that Faith Basee Organisations plays a vital role in the lives and cultures of most people throughout the world. Indeed in Ghana about 78 per cent of people identify themselves as members of a religious or spiritual community and attend a religious activies at least once a week and though they may follow different traditions and worship very differently, they invariably can agree on many things, including the importance of Birth and Death registration."Religion and faith base institutions have a great deal of influence among their followers in Ghana. They combined network of these institutions is larely and well structured, with churches, mosques and missions in every part of the country along with affliliated schools, hospitals and community centers. Therefore by increasing collaborations and use of these networks in data collection to feed the vital registratiuon system cannot be overemphasised"

The picture from left to right names: Mr. Mosese Ali ( Birthj and Death), Middle: Mr. Stephen Kwaku Amoah - Acting Registrar Birth and Death and Mr. Nii Odai from the Ghana Statistical Services.


By: Benjamin Nana Appiah Acquaye

AN-NISAA VISIT SUMUM ISLAMIC GIRLS HIGH SCH....

As part of efforts to inspire and empower more girls in making education their bedrock to success, more and more career women are trying to bridge the wide gap between the high turn-out rate for boys and low turn-out rate for girls in our educational circles. Women groups from different professional background are assisting government in encouraging the Ghanaian girl to make education a life time ambition.Right from the Northern to the Southern parts of Ghana these efforts from such women groups has had a positive imparts on the girl child resulting in an encouraging enrollments in all stages of our educational ladder. AN-NISAA Foundation is among some of the women groups that are pushing the agenda for high enrollment of girls in schools.AN-NISAA meanng "WOMAN" in Arabic is a Non Governmental Organisation made up of professional Muslim women whose interest is to EMPOWER and TRANSFORM the Muslim girl through education to face the future with confidence.With hope insight and strong determination to accomplish it ultimate objective AN-NISAA since two months ago has embark on an educational mentoring program to assist the GIRL CHILD and promote quality education in deprived communities in Ghana.The team last week set off to visit the SUHUM ISLAMIC GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL in Suhum a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana.They were met by Hundreds of Students who could not take their eyes off the visitors who have travel all the way from Accra to visit them and share some words of inspiration with them and more interesting was the fact that they were all women in the Muslim faith and at the same time career women.







Let me share this inspirational words with you "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others."

By: Benjamin Nana Appiah Acquaye

AN-NISAA FOUNDATION EMPOWERING OUR FUTURE LEADERS WITH KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.......

One of Ghana’s profound and dignifies educationist of all times and one of the most eminent Africans of his day, Dr. James E. Kwegyir Aggrey once quoted ‘if you educate a man you educate a person, but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation”.
This saying has had it true effect on our dear nation Ghana as our mothers irrespective of the situation, whether favorable or unfavorable conditions strive hard through thick and thin to educate their children to be equiped with Knowledge, Information and Education so as to assume responsible roles in their respective professions, and it is haertwarming to note that heir efforts have yielded positive fruits especially on the socio-economic development of Ghana. This saying of Dr Aggrey seems to have a profound effects on the lives of some few muslim professional women in Ghana and are spearheading a counselling and mentorship educational programs in basic schools located in and around deprived communities across the country and also providing assistance through scholarships schemes for needy but brilliant children.

Hajia Hannatu Kugblenu is an educationist with the Ghana Education Service - school feeding program unit and a member of AN-NISAA Foundation joined by her colleagues visited the Nurumustafia Islamic Basic School located near Tema.

The programm was well attended by pupils and it afforded them the opportunity interact with the visitors.The school children ages between 5 -15 years old really enjoyed listening to their mothers from AN-NISAA Foundation as they take them through series of counselling and mentorship drives.Just sit, relax and go through the pictures and you'll never regret you did..............................








By: Benjamin Nana Appiah Acquaye