NO ELECTRONIC VOTING IN 2012 ELECTIONS

by Caroline Berg (Projects Abroad)



Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan



For the December general election this year, there will be no electronic voting or electronic counting. Instead, there will be a biometric registration, which will replace the old form of voters’ registration.

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, announced this change at a recent Editors’ forum in Accra.

Biometric technology is used to identify people in a more specific and scientific way beyond the usual biographic data. During the registration process, applicants will submit images of their ten fingerprints and a headshot photograph. The purpose of this biometric system is to prevent multiple voter registration and voting, as well as to mitigate incidences of voter fraud.

According to Dr. Afari-Gyan, biometric technology is an easier and cheaper system to deploy than other mass registration procedures. Also, biometric technology is the most reliable procedure, with over 30 years of testing. Lastly, submitting fingerprints and a facial photograph is the least obtrusive biometric method.

All pre-existing voter I.D cards will be replaced. Therefore, every eligible individual interested in voting must partake in this registration exercise.

A demonstration exercise on Biometric going on

The new registration will take a total of 40 days to complete nationwide. The EC is equipped with 7,000 digital registration kits to use across 23,000 polling stations. Prospective voters will be allotted a strict 10-day time frame to register. Nevertheless, there will be a limited “mop-up” period for those who missed registration due to a legitimate excuse such as traveling.

Although the biometric data will be able to identify and root out repeat registrations, the technology is unable to distinguish the difference in a set of fingerprints between a Ghanaian and a foreigner or between an adult and a minor.

“The security of voter registration is an issue that deserves maximum attention,” Dr. Afari-Gyan said.

To this end, Dr. Afari-Gyan said the EC has set up a technical committee comprising of Commission staff members and political party representatives, with the support of the biometrics vendor, to examine ways of achieving utmost data security.

To help ensure such security, biometric data will be collected transparently—that is, out in the open and only at the approved registration stations.

Secondly, data will be protected from unauthorized access. Registration officials will have to use their fingerprints to open or close computers containing the biometric data.

Thirdly, a printout of registered voters will be given to party agents at the end of each day to verify that the output of the registration is consistent with the input.

Finally, the EC has established a data recovery centre in case of potential data loss or system failure at the central database centre.

Registration officials of certain classifications are undergoing training now and officials who will oversee the actual registration will soon receive their trainings. Teams of six will manage voter registration in each “cluster” consisting of four polling stations.

The EC’s total budget for all the biometric voter registration, exhibition of provisional register, and presidential and parliamentary elections is estimated at GH¢243,528,305. Since funds have been provided on a timely basis, Dr. Afari-Gyan announced the EC plans to conduct the biometric voter registration from 24^th March to 5^th May, 2012.

If all goes smoothly, this new biometric identification system will quell the ongoing obstacle of voter impersonations. However, both technology and humans are capable of malfunctions and mistakes. Particularly on Election Day, there is very little room for error.

NHIS Should Cover Traditional Medicine Cost

by Caroline Berg (Projects Abroad)

If 70 percent of Ghana’s population seeks traditional herbal remedies to cure its ailments, then why is traditional medicine not covered in the National Health Insurance Scheme?

“We are appealing to the medical personnel at the local hospitals to include traditional medicine in their services,” the Queen mother of Mankessim, Nana Amageduah I, said during a presentation at the Odo Pee Herbal Research and Learning Center on Saturday. 

Over a dozen recovered stroke patients and a seven-man band came out to the research center to support and raise awareness of Ghana’s traditional medicine. The event also functioned as an appeal to the government to include traditional medicine in Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme. 

“[Orthodox] doctors know about traditional medicine, but they think it is inferior to their medicine,” said Bishop Okanto Davies, National Projects Coordinator for Health Education Malaria Programme at Mankessim.

Nevertheless, interest in Ghana’s traditional medicine is growing steadily and people arrived from all over the country on Saturday to witness the healing power of the Odo Pee center’s alternative medicines.

Mr. John Kofi Sackey, CEO of the Odo Pee Herbal Research and Learning Center, led the presentation and invited each patient up to demonstrate his or her health. One woman ambled around the lawn with a cane, but then soon discarded the walking aid to march proudly on her own, which was met with great applause. 

“We want to make stroke hope for all those who are having stroke to be healed over here,” Mr. Kofi Sackey said, referring to the Odo Pee center.

Although the center has achieved great success in healing stroke victims of all ages, Mr. Kofi Sackey is calling on the government to come to the center’s aid. To better serve its clientele, the center needs more space, more beds and access to modern machines for futher research into plant medicine and also for drug testing.

According to Mr. Kofi Sackey’s PR Officer, Mr. Samuel Sackey, the government had not responded to the center’s initial pleas for help.

“So, we took it upon ourselves that we will research herbal medicine,” Mr. Samuel Sackey said. 

After taking Odo Pee’s medicine to a scientific research center for standardization, it was approved for sale in the markets. Finally, Odo Pee’s products were certified by the government and will soon be used in hospitals alongside conventional drugs.

In general, proponents of traditional medicine are frustrated by the government’s lackadaisical response to the sector’s pleas for assistance. In Ghana, the ratio of traditional medicine practitioner to patient is 1:400, whereas the ratio of conventional doctor to patient is 1:20,000. 

One study conducted in the Sekyere South District of Ashanti revealed how patients must walk over 25 kilometers to access the nearest conventional health center. One subject voiced concern over the demands of such a trip, which could aggravate one’s illness and result in an unnecessary death. Subsequently, most people who live in Ghana’s rural regions seek traditional medicine practitioners in their own communities.

Besides proximity issues, the study found at least 60 percent of Ghanaians also seek traditional medicine either because it is cheaper or they simply believe it to be more effective.

“I’ve witnessed so many traditional herbal clinics and I’ve seen that most of the herbs that are given in treatment to people sick with something serious like stroke, it is better that they use the traditional medicine,” Bishop Davies said.

Not only may traditional drug usage be more beneficial to the individual, but promoting and utilizing Ghana’s own rich stock of natural resources for medicinal purposes could also save the country millions of dollars on imported drugs. 

Moreover, annual global demand for traditional medicine is increasing exponentially and Ghana stands to benefit greatly in this sector. As is evident through China’s traditional medicine exports, which totaled in at 1.46 billion U.S. dollars in 2010, natural medicines are in high demand. 

Nevertheless, Ghana’s traditional medicine industry must tackle several significant issues before it may expect full government support and approval. The first key step for the industry is to organize a database of the country’s legitimate traditional medicine practitioners.

“We’re going to see that the policemen, who helped the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners, see that all the quack practitioners are out of the system,” Mr. Kofi Sackey said.

Starting in February, Ghana’s National Coordinating and Monitoring Evaluation Offices will begin weeding out charlatan medicine vendors, which is not a simple task. According to Mr. Sackey, some drug vendors who sell their products from the trunks of their cars, although they may appear suspicious, are actually safe sources for traditional medicine.

The proposed registration will help facilitate the important integration of traditional and conventional medicine practices in the nation’s health delivery system to complement each other through cross referral of cases to produce a more effective overall health delivery service.

Registration will require practitioners to provide their personal data, educational backgrounds and professional experience. In addition, practitioners are advised to document their research and practices to prove the quality and safety of their products and services. 

Where conventional medicine excels, Ghana’s traditional medicine lags far behind. The traditional sector has yet to develop cogent methodologies to prove product efficacy and ensure product quality. It must also standardize manufacturing practices, consistently test for product safety and conduct post-marketing surveys to pinpoint any adverse results. 

Those present at the Odo Pee center, however, appear prepared to see this arduous battle is through.

“When you go to China or other African countries, they use traditional medicines,” Bishop Davies said.  “But, here in Ghana, we don’t use the traditional medicines because we feel that this is taboo.  But, it’s not like that.”

Monkey Forest Resort in Cape Coast

By Caleigh McLelland (Projects Abroad)

Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park and Anamabo Beach Resort are three attractions that are popular with tourists visiting Cape Coast. However, along the road to Kakum National Park sits another enjoyable, but seemingly less known attraction worth stopping at.

Monkey Forest Resort, owned by a man named Dennis and his wife, a couple from Holland, not only serves as a destination for tourists, but also as an animal sanctuary, which is home (temporarily and permanently) to a number of at-risk animals.

When you first arrive at Monkey Forest, Dennis kindly greets you at the gate. As you enter, the grounds look quite small at first, and with no previous knowledge of Monkey Forest, I assumed that the only animals I would be seeing were monkeys (which did not upset me in the slightest, as we were unable to see any earlier at Kakum National Park due to the time of day we went).

Nevertheless, do not let the name confuse you. Although Monkey Forest does have a handful of sneaky monkeys that will steal your jewellery and your wallet when you are not looking,

Dennis and his wife also care for a variety of other animals including crocodiles; African civets; genet cats; various types of snakes; a hyrax, which is, strangely enough, the closest living relative to the elephant; tortoises and parrots.

Monkey Forest, which has been open to the public since 2007, is not only a must see for tourists wanting something different to do; it is a must see for tourists and Ghanaians for educational purposes.

As you tour the sanctuary, which is bigger than it initially looks, Dennis’ wife talks about each animal as if they are her own children, explains why each animal is there and what the future holds for each of them. Some will be released back into the wild, while others will be kept at the sanctuary, because either they are too weak to be released, or because they would likely not survive in the wild as they have been in captivity for too long.

Although not too visually appealing until you climb the steps to the terrace, which overlooks the vast forest, it is just reassuring to know that there are people out there who recognise the need to educate the public about the threat that many of these animals are facing.

In Ghana, for example, the illegal export of parrots is a thriving industry, and the cruel way in which these birds are captured does not discourage the bird trappers, traders or buyers. Glue made from tree sap is spread onto sticks, which are then placed in trees. Sometimes bird trappers will tie a tame parrot next to the glue in hopes of attracting other parrots. When the parrots are trapped, they are painfully ripped from the glue, caged and transported across borders. I had no idea about this horrific industry until I visited Monkey Forest. Dennis and his wife are truly knowledgeable about the animals they care for.

The tour costs 12 Ghana cedis (all proceeds go toward feeding and taking care of Monkey Forest’s animals) and takes a little bit less than an hour to complete. Once the tour is finished, the couple asks you to join them for a cold beverage.

Dennis and his wife have many renovation plans for the future so they will be able to house more animals, and hopefully find mates for some of the animals currently there.

For more information about Monkey Forest Resort, visit www.monkeyforestresort.com, send an email to rubberaap@yahoo.com or call (+233) 0244 11 83 13.

High hopes for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations

This year’s Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) promises to be one of the most open competitions for many years. With some of the continent’s biggest football forces absent from the 2012 tournament, we may witness a surprise victor.

However, as with every football, competition there has to be a favourite and this year is no exception with many of the major betting agencies tipping the Ivory Coast as the team to beat in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea, the hosts of the 2012 ACN.

Many football fans also believe Ghana has a great opportunity to win their first Africa Nations Cup since 1982. With the likes of the tournaments seven time champions and current holders of the trophy, Egypt, not involved in this year’s competition, along with the 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria, the field is definitely open for a first time winner. The lack of reputable football nations could provide Ghana’s Black Stars with the perfect opportunity to go one-step further than in 2010 by being crowned the tournament champions in 2012. It also creates a platform for smaller nations to make a name for themselves.

Ghana’s biggest national football star, Michel Essien, who will miss this year’s competition through injury, is backing the Black Stars to come out on top in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea. There is a strong possibility of witnessing an enthralling final between Ghana and the Ivory Coast (if both the respective teams play to their full potential), though there is undoubtedly great pressure and expectation on the shoulders of the Black Star’s Serbian coach, GoranStevanovic. Stevanovic believes, however, that he has the right combination of experience and youth in his squad to satisfy the hopes of the Ghanaian people.

Despite the fact that Michel Essien will not be around to contribute to the ventures of the Black Stars in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, the side has enough big names to give themselves every opportunity of winning. Many of these players will be remembered for their heroic efforts in the 2010 World Cup, which saw Ghana cruelly knocked out of the tournament, by Uruguay at the quarter final stage. One of the tournament’s players to watch will be the BBC’s African Player of the Year for 2011, Ghana’s very own Andre Ayew. The Marseille winger scored eleven times for his country last season and he will surely continue to add to his national goal tally over the coming weeks.

Ayew will also have to try to shine in a competition, which will display many other big football names particularly within the star-studded line-up of the Ivory Coast, which has seven English based players available including, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou and Manchester City’s Yaya and KoloToure. The Ivory Coast team also had an impressive qualifying campaign, which saw them win every single match. This is one reason why many football anoraks have them slightly ahead of Ghana as favourites to win this year. Even though Ghana went through the qualifying process undefeated, they were held to a draw on both occasions by Sudan, a team they could possibly face in the quarter-finals.

Besides these two favourites to claim the 2012 title, there are also a handful of nations on the periphery that have the potential formula to win this year’s competition. They include Senegal and Mali. It will not be a complete surprise if Senegal turn out to be tough opposition this year, particularly when one considers the Senegalese strike force of Demba Ba and Musa Sow Both. Both these players currently stand as the top goal scorers in the English and French premier leagues so far this season. This partnership is likely to leave its mark on this year’s ACN as it will surely cause defences many problems.

Mali feature in Ghana’s group stage and they will prove to be tough opponents. Another challenge in the early stages for the Black Stars will be the tournament’s newcomers, Botswana. This will be the Zebra’s first African Cup of Nations and they will undoubtedly want to make it memorable by causing an upset or two against the tournament’s heavyweights.

There will be upsets and shock results without question but each team in this tournament claim to be in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea to win. They have all proved their weight and worthiness of being part of this year’s competition by qualifying in a tough qualification process. Nevertheless, one should focus its attention on the West African countries, as it is likely that the winner of the 2012 African Cup of Nations will come from this area of the continent. Could this be the year for Ghana?

Patronise made in Ghana Goods

Osagyef Amanfo Edu VI, Omahene of Mankessim Traditional Area, has called for the patronisation and buying of goods produced by the people of the Republic of Ghana at the launch of the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP).

The programme was first piloted back in 1995 in 13 districts in the Ashanti and BrongAhafo Regions. Based on the success and lessons of this pilot scheme, a second phase of the project was launched in 2002 covering 66 districts nation-wide. The main aim of the Rural Enterprise Programme is to combat rural poverty and help raise the living standards of the participants living in the rural areas of the country. It is believed that this will be achieved mainly through the promotion of micro and small enterprise activities.

However in order for this project to succeed, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu, said:

“We as people have to make their businesses grow by participating or buying the goods that they produce. We have to be the markets for their products.”

The launch of this development programme in December was attended by many high profile figures including the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. John Dramani Mahamah, described the Rural Technology Services Centres (RTSCs), developed under the REP as remarkable due to the facilities and equipment they provide for the local districts. The RTSCs were established at district level to provide sustainable services such as skills and technology promotion and transfer to local communities.

Addressing the crowd gathered at the Project’s launch, the Vice President said:

“One of the unique features of this project is that it is fully decentralised and integrated into the local government system.

This development project has the highest rate of investment than any other development scheme the government and their partners are currently managing. Following his praise for the success of the scheme thus far, the Vice President turned his focus to the unemployed young people of Ghana and urged them to get involved in the Rural Enterprise Programme.

“This programme, among others, would be useless if our young people don’t take interest in them and don’t take advantage of the opportunities that they present.”

As part of the activities to mark the launch of the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP), some of the projects’ clients held an exhibition and trade show to depict some of the product and skills introduced to the rural poor. The annual trade shows are organised by the Project to provide a platform to explore new market opportunities and learn useful lessons from other colleagues and districts.

Knust Alumni Should Focus on Invention

The Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had challenged the institution’s alumni to take steps leading to invention because that would enhance the socio-economic standard of the nation.

He was of the view that invention is a challenge to the University because that was lacking, considering the University is primarily a Science and Technology institution. He appealed to them to support their alma mater, particularly in the area of research for technological development so as to transform society.

He said this at the Alumni Association’s Award Dinner Ball and as part of the activities to mark the 60th anniversary celebration has organised an awards and fundraising dinner ball at the State House Banquet Hall in Accra.

 The Vice-Chancellor, Professor W.O. Ellis, in his remarks, stated that “Every university is known by its research activities and the strength of its alumni”. He intimated that the KNUST has contributed to the country in diverse ways towards national development, particularly in areas such as energy generation, engineering, agriculture, natural resources, among others.  

Professor Ellis commended the Alumni Association for making the event successful and urged them not to rest on their laurels but aspire to achieve more.  He also acknowledged all stakeholders and individuals for their contribution to the University.  

 On his part, Mr. Tony Danklu, the National President of the Alumni Association, described the occasion as a call to duty for all alumni to assist the University to realise its significant mandate after 60 years of existence. He was emphatic that the University will need the support of the government and the alumni to meet its “Technological Transformation” target.

Some distinguished alumni were honoured for their contribution to the Alumni Association and the University. Among the personalities who received citations and awards were Professor K.K. Adarkwa, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor J.S.K. Ayim, former Vice-Chancellor, Professor S.O.S. Asiama, former National President of the Alumni Association. The rest are Mr Aliu Mahama, immediate past Vice President, and Honourable Yaw Osafo Marfo, the former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

 The event attracted various renowned personalities including government functionaries, Members of Parliament, musicians, scientists, consultants, among others. Notable among them were Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Former First Lady, and Mr. P.V. Obeng, Chairman of the University Council.

Central Press College Graduation

The Managing Director of Coastal Television, Mrs Nyomi, delivered a seminar talk to the graduating students of the Central Press College in Cape Coast.

The graduates were presented with a discussion paper entitled, ‘The Role of Female Journalists in Nation Building’. This talk was part of a series of seminars organised by the Central Press College for its students.

Introducing the Guest Speaker, the Chief Executive Officer of the college, Mr Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei said:

“This is the batch [of students] that has many women participating, and that is why we thought it wise to have a woman to be our guest speaker so that it can be a motivation to females in this media profession.”

The focus of Mrs Nyomi’s presentation was the central role she believes female journalists have to play in the gradual development of Ghana as a nation. She stressed the importance of the way in which a newsworthy story is presented to the public and how this is a key to the success of good print and broadcast journalism.

The timing of this speech delivered to the students was also an important factor as it was placed in the context of the upcoming elections later this year. Mrs Nyomi highlighted to the students that the education they were receiving in such a place as the Central Press College was designed to equip them with the required skills to practice a higher standard of journalism. Mrs Nyomi stated:

“With this kind of education that you have, you are going to make an impact wherever you find yourself.”

The concept of a more informed journalism was coupled with the idea of being more innovative and creative while producing and presenting news stories. Mrs Nyomi called for a more colourful way of presenting the news, a style that is more Ghanaian in the form of its presentation in contrast to the straight broadcast style adopted by many western media networks, Mrs Nyomi added:

“There is one radio station in Ghana that sometimes exaggerates, but I like it because they are telling stories. They tell it like we would tell a story to our children or among ourselves.”

Mrs Nyomi concluded her speech by stressing the need for journalists in Ghana to make an impact and to ask the important, pertinent questions that will provide the answers to many of the big issues in the Republic of Ghana today. This point was explained in further detail in the context of politics. It was explained to the students that their level of education in the practice of journalism gave them the power to ask the burning questions of the day to the politicians and get the answers that would essentially create a greater sense of transparency and understanding in the politics of Ghana today. As a result, it is believed that freedom of the press will develop further, thus contributing to the wider concept of nation-building.

Speaking on behalf of the students and members of the Campus Journalists’ Association, its President, Shaderik Boakye said:

“We should all try as much as possible to abide by all the rules and regulations given us and the code of ethics of the Ghana Journalist Association.”