The Good Book says in one of its component books that “He who has health has hope. And he who has hope has everything”.
This statement underscores the importance of good health to every individual in particular and a country as a whole.
The importance of health to this country is manifest in the fact that health-related issues have become some of the major issues in the country’s political dispensation, with each political party outlining its vision for the health sector.
Successive administrations have been investing heavily in the health sector, be it in infrastructure, human resource development and logistics.
However, in spite of these, the challenges in the health sector look more daunting than ever before as the population grows and resources become limited.
Therefore, the announcement by President Mills that the government will upgrade the Central Regional Hospital to a fully-fledged teaching hospital comes as good news.
The idea to upgrade the Hospital to support the training of medical doctors at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences is not only apt, but also a wise decision.
The challenges that the country faces with regard to doctor-patient ratio will be a thing of the past if the country takes bold and pragmatic steps such as the one announced by the President to deal with the training of more health professionals.
Again, considering the pressure that the two leading referral hospitals, the Korle Bu and Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals, face by way of patients from all corners of the country, the proposed Cape Coast Teaching Hospital has the potential to serve people in and around the Central and Western corridors of the country and even beyond.
It is also appropriate to mention that with the expected oil drilling in the last quarter of this year, the proximity of this teaching hospital is even crucial in anticipation of work-related incidents and accidents.
Much as we praise the President and the government for this thoughtful programme, we hasten to add that the necessary logistics and support should be given prior attention for the quick and early execution of this project.
The Daily Graphic wishes to use this opportunity to appeal to the government to speed up the implementation of the electronic payment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) that will ensure that service providers are able to provide services to all patients irrespective of their locations.
The NHIS, by far, has been one of the best social policies so far and extra effort should be made to ensure the implementation of the electronic card system to make the health insurance policy more embracing and attractive.
Without doubt, it has the potential to deepen the NHIS, which already has become a model for other African countries.
If majority of our people have access to good health care, we may be on the path to attaining the principles of Buddha, the Founder of Buddhism, that “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship”.
Monday, September 6, 2010
BYE, BYE TO SHIFT SYSTEM (SEPT 4, 2010)
THE importance of education has never been in doubt. It is valued in society because it is a vehicle for imparting knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, education cultivates character and develops the intellect. Strategies and methods used in the process are many and varied. This is why psychologists, philosophers and educationists advocate proper and adequate training for everyone.
Such formal training is critical at the primary and secondary levels of education where teachers have to cope with young children and adolescents at a very impressionable stage of the development of their intellect and personality.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC welcomes the decision of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to abolish the shift system for public schools in Accra with effect from the next academic year, which begins some 10 days hence.
The school system has been run on shift basis for the past two decades or more. Under the shift system, classrooms are shared between two classes, where one uses it in the morning for a stipulated period and the other in the afternoon.
This situation militated against the eight hours study period, reducing it to four, hence limited time for co-curricula activities.
This approach has led to some social ills like truancy and laziness. But worse of all, the children end up poorly educated.
It is sad that what was meant as a stop gap measure due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and learning materials was to metamorphose into a permanent feature of our educational system.
We, therefore, applaud the Mayor, Mr Alfred Oko Vandapuye, for the bold stand he has taken against the shift system and putting in place measures to mark its abolition at the beginning of this academic year.
At a meeting with headteachers, circuit supervisors and officers in charge (OICs) of basic schools, Mr Vanderpuije said after working with churches, heads of private schools and individual property owners, the AMA had secured enough structures and, in some cases, built temporary ones to be used as classrooms for the education of the children.
He also said 200 members of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been assigned to assist teachers in the schools.
Much as the DAILY GRAPHIC is happy with the measures the AMA has so far put in place, we wish to emphasise that the success of the exercise will largely depend on the determination, dedication and devotion of teachers and parents who will really be at the centre and we, therefore, urge them to offer their very best.
It is important to note that successive governments had, since independence, made attempts to eradicate such a system that has bedevilled the educational system, in a bid to provide opportunities to all Ghanaian children, and we must do everything to protect this new landmark in our education development programme.
Our survival as a nation hinges on how well our educational institutions are able to produce quality human resources at all times and we should, therefore, be prepared to stand up for these children through thick or thin until we cross the Rubicon.
Let the new wind of change in shift system of our education bring about a refreshing change in our attitudes and lay the desired foundation for all our children towards a brighter tomorrow.
Furthermore, education cultivates character and develops the intellect. Strategies and methods used in the process are many and varied. This is why psychologists, philosophers and educationists advocate proper and adequate training for everyone.
Such formal training is critical at the primary and secondary levels of education where teachers have to cope with young children and adolescents at a very impressionable stage of the development of their intellect and personality.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC welcomes the decision of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to abolish the shift system for public schools in Accra with effect from the next academic year, which begins some 10 days hence.
The school system has been run on shift basis for the past two decades or more. Under the shift system, classrooms are shared between two classes, where one uses it in the morning for a stipulated period and the other in the afternoon.
This situation militated against the eight hours study period, reducing it to four, hence limited time for co-curricula activities.
This approach has led to some social ills like truancy and laziness. But worse of all, the children end up poorly educated.
It is sad that what was meant as a stop gap measure due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and learning materials was to metamorphose into a permanent feature of our educational system.
We, therefore, applaud the Mayor, Mr Alfred Oko Vandapuye, for the bold stand he has taken against the shift system and putting in place measures to mark its abolition at the beginning of this academic year.
At a meeting with headteachers, circuit supervisors and officers in charge (OICs) of basic schools, Mr Vanderpuije said after working with churches, heads of private schools and individual property owners, the AMA had secured enough structures and, in some cases, built temporary ones to be used as classrooms for the education of the children.
He also said 200 members of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been assigned to assist teachers in the schools.
Much as the DAILY GRAPHIC is happy with the measures the AMA has so far put in place, we wish to emphasise that the success of the exercise will largely depend on the determination, dedication and devotion of teachers and parents who will really be at the centre and we, therefore, urge them to offer their very best.
It is important to note that successive governments had, since independence, made attempts to eradicate such a system that has bedevilled the educational system, in a bid to provide opportunities to all Ghanaian children, and we must do everything to protect this new landmark in our education development programme.
Our survival as a nation hinges on how well our educational institutions are able to produce quality human resources at all times and we should, therefore, be prepared to stand up for these children through thick or thin until we cross the Rubicon.
Let the new wind of change in shift system of our education bring about a refreshing change in our attitudes and lay the desired foundation for all our children towards a brighter tomorrow.
BYE, BYE TO SHIFT SYSTEM (SEPT 4, 2010)
THE importance of education has never been in doubt. It is valued in society because it is a vehicle for imparting knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, education cultivates character and develops the intellect. Strategies and methods used in the process are many and varied. This is why psychologists, philosophers and educationists advocate proper and adequate training for everyone.
Such formal training is critical at the primary and secondary levels of education where teachers have to cope with young children and adolescents at a very impressionable stage of the development of their intellect and personality.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC welcomes the decision of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to abolish the shift system for public schools in Accra with effect from the next academic year, which begins some 10 days hence.
The school system has been run on shift basis for the past two decades or more. Under the shift system, classrooms are shared between two classes, where one uses it in the morning for a stipulated period and the other in the afternoon.
This situation militated against the eight hours study period, reducing it to four, hence limited time for co-curricula activities.
This approach has led to some social ills like truancy and laziness. But worse of all, the children end up poorly educated.
It is sad that what was meant as a stop gap measure due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and learning materials was to metamorphose into a permanent feature of our educational system.
We, therefore, applaud the Mayor, Mr Alfred Oko Vandapuye, for the bold stand he has taken against the shift system and putting in place measures to mark its abolition at the beginning of this academic year.
At a meeting with headteachers, circuit supervisors and officers in charge (OICs) of basic schools, Mr Vanderpuije said after working with churches, heads of private schools and individual property owners, the AMA had secured enough structures and, in some cases, built temporary ones to be used as classrooms for the education of the children.
He also said 200 members of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been assigned to assist teachers in the schools.
Much as the DAILY GRAPHIC is happy with the measures the AMA has so far put in place, we wish to emphasise that the success of the exercise will largely depend on the determination, dedication and devotion of teachers and parents who will really be at the centre and we, therefore, urge them to offer their very best.
It is important to note that successive governments had, since independence, made attempts to eradicate such a system that has bedevilled the educational system, in a bid to provide opportunities to all Ghanaian children, and we must do everything to protect this new landmark in our education development programme.
Our survival as a nation hinges on how well our educational institutions are able to produce quality human resources at all times and we should, therefore, be prepared to stand up for these children through thick or thin until we cross the Rubicon.
Let the new wind of change in shift system of our education bring about a refreshing change in our attitudes and lay the desired foundation for all our children towards a brighter tomorrow.
Furthermore, education cultivates character and develops the intellect. Strategies and methods used in the process are many and varied. This is why psychologists, philosophers and educationists advocate proper and adequate training for everyone.
Such formal training is critical at the primary and secondary levels of education where teachers have to cope with young children and adolescents at a very impressionable stage of the development of their intellect and personality.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC welcomes the decision of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to abolish the shift system for public schools in Accra with effect from the next academic year, which begins some 10 days hence.
The school system has been run on shift basis for the past two decades or more. Under the shift system, classrooms are shared between two classes, where one uses it in the morning for a stipulated period and the other in the afternoon.
This situation militated against the eight hours study period, reducing it to four, hence limited time for co-curricula activities.
This approach has led to some social ills like truancy and laziness. But worse of all, the children end up poorly educated.
It is sad that what was meant as a stop gap measure due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and learning materials was to metamorphose into a permanent feature of our educational system.
We, therefore, applaud the Mayor, Mr Alfred Oko Vandapuye, for the bold stand he has taken against the shift system and putting in place measures to mark its abolition at the beginning of this academic year.
At a meeting with headteachers, circuit supervisors and officers in charge (OICs) of basic schools, Mr Vanderpuije said after working with churches, heads of private schools and individual property owners, the AMA had secured enough structures and, in some cases, built temporary ones to be used as classrooms for the education of the children.
He also said 200 members of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been assigned to assist teachers in the schools.
Much as the DAILY GRAPHIC is happy with the measures the AMA has so far put in place, we wish to emphasise that the success of the exercise will largely depend on the determination, dedication and devotion of teachers and parents who will really be at the centre and we, therefore, urge them to offer their very best.
It is important to note that successive governments had, since independence, made attempts to eradicate such a system that has bedevilled the educational system, in a bid to provide opportunities to all Ghanaian children, and we must do everything to protect this new landmark in our education development programme.
Our survival as a nation hinges on how well our educational institutions are able to produce quality human resources at all times and we should, therefore, be prepared to stand up for these children through thick or thin until we cross the Rubicon.
Let the new wind of change in shift system of our education bring about a refreshing change in our attitudes and lay the desired foundation for all our children towards a brighter tomorrow.
Friday, September 3, 2010
A GOOD ONE THERE, NANA (SEPT 3, 2010)
Mining has been with us for a very long time and pre-dates independent Ghana. Its contribution to national development could be measured in various dimensions.
It is important to state that the mining law also makes room for artisanal or small-scale mining and so groups and individuals could apply for concessions.
It is to protect the environment from the acts of illegal miners that the law requires artisanal miners to apply for concessions and go about their duties within the confines of the law.
Sadly, many of our youth have taken to illegal mining activities. The DAILY GRAPHIC has, time without number, drawn attention to the activities of galamsey operators, whose duty has been to pollute the environment without regard to laid-down rules and regulations.
The careless abandon with which these miscreants have taken their acts to cause all manner of havoc to the country’s natural resources is very nauseating and an eyesore.
Years ago, Ghana could point to rivers such as Pra, Densu, and Birim. Today, such rivers are dead due to the activities of illegal miners.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, applauds the efforts of the Chief of Akyem Adankrono, Barima Sarpong Kumankuma II, for his vigilantism and good leadership skills, which led to the seizure of galamsey operators whose activities have polluted River Birim in the Eastern Region.
But we are saddened that it has to take the effort of a chief and his people to chase out these illegal miners, when there are state institutions tasked with the mandate to protect our natural resources.
Strong state institutions, well resourced to carry out the mandate without fear of favour is what this country lacks.
Our forest cover has been depleted to the extent that what is left is nothing to boast about. Water- bodies that serve as a source of livelihood to many communities are almost dead, threatening the very existence of our compatriots in the rural areas.
In spite of all these challenges, state institutions seem to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of these challenges and have given up the fight.
It is only when communities and societies lose faith and trust in state institutions to provide them with security that vigilantism would thrive.
However, such acts could lead to clashes and possible casualties on the part of public-spirited Ghanaians who insist on doing what is right.
The DAILY GRAPHIC applauds the people of Akyem for chasing out these miscreants in our society and supports their cause to ensure that their main source of water was not polluted any longer.
The onus lies squarely on all of us to also become vigilant and to resist the activities of illegal miners whose actions are making life unbearable for our communities.
It is important to state that the mining law also makes room for artisanal or small-scale mining and so groups and individuals could apply for concessions.
It is to protect the environment from the acts of illegal miners that the law requires artisanal miners to apply for concessions and go about their duties within the confines of the law.
Sadly, many of our youth have taken to illegal mining activities. The DAILY GRAPHIC has, time without number, drawn attention to the activities of galamsey operators, whose duty has been to pollute the environment without regard to laid-down rules and regulations.
The careless abandon with which these miscreants have taken their acts to cause all manner of havoc to the country’s natural resources is very nauseating and an eyesore.
Years ago, Ghana could point to rivers such as Pra, Densu, and Birim. Today, such rivers are dead due to the activities of illegal miners.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, applauds the efforts of the Chief of Akyem Adankrono, Barima Sarpong Kumankuma II, for his vigilantism and good leadership skills, which led to the seizure of galamsey operators whose activities have polluted River Birim in the Eastern Region.
But we are saddened that it has to take the effort of a chief and his people to chase out these illegal miners, when there are state institutions tasked with the mandate to protect our natural resources.
Strong state institutions, well resourced to carry out the mandate without fear of favour is what this country lacks.
Our forest cover has been depleted to the extent that what is left is nothing to boast about. Water- bodies that serve as a source of livelihood to many communities are almost dead, threatening the very existence of our compatriots in the rural areas.
In spite of all these challenges, state institutions seem to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of these challenges and have given up the fight.
It is only when communities and societies lose faith and trust in state institutions to provide them with security that vigilantism would thrive.
However, such acts could lead to clashes and possible casualties on the part of public-spirited Ghanaians who insist on doing what is right.
The DAILY GRAPHIC applauds the people of Akyem for chasing out these miscreants in our society and supports their cause to ensure that their main source of water was not polluted any longer.
The onus lies squarely on all of us to also become vigilant and to resist the activities of illegal miners whose actions are making life unbearable for our communities.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
KUDOS, GCCL (SEPT 2, 2010)
IT is always a sign of humility not to blow one’s own horn but in the circumstances where nobody does that for you, you are forced to do so yourself. That is what we intend doing today by way of extolling the good performance of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) over the years.
At its annual general meeting (AGM) last Tuesday, stakeholders in the fortunes of the state-owned media praised the GCGL for its excellent performance in 2009 in spite of the unfavourable national and global economic conditions.
At the ceremony, a dividend of GH¢400,000 to the government was declared. For quite sometime now, the GCGL has been making substantial dividend payments to the government.
A few years back, the GCGL was the only state-owned enterprise that paid dividend to the government. The sterling performance of the GCGL could be a case study one day in the wake of the dwindling fortunes of most state-owned enterprises in the country.
Perhaps the decision of the framers of the 1992 Constitution to insulate the state-owned media from government control has made it possible for the company’s achievement so far because the board and management are free to run the organisation on pure commercial lines.
The lesson is that in trying to operate along pure professional and commercial lines, the newspapers in the company’s stable do not necessarily have to be hostile to the government of the day in order to make profit.
Indeed, they have opened the pages of the newspapers to the government to explain its policies and programmes to the people and at the same time offered a platform for alternative solutions to the country’s problems.
The achievements of the GCGL give credence to the school of thought that the government and the media need not be in adversarial relationship in order to play their roles effectively.
Article 162(5) of the 1992 Constitution charges that “all agencies of mass media shall, at all times, be free to uphold the principles and objectives of this constitution, and shall uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana”.
Therefore, the work of the state-owned media and the independent media is not mutually exclusive as they are all charged to ensure accountability and transparency in the governance system.
Maybe, the time has come for the other media organisations to learn from the Graphic model so that they can operate professionally but as a business and at the same time holding all public office holders accountable for their stewardship.
The role of the free press in any society is not in doubt; it is critical to the success of the country’s fledgling democracy and that is why it is required of all media practitioners to exercise media freedom guaranteed by the Constitution with responsibility.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that the threat to free expression and free press can only come from media practitioners themselves if they decide to practise the profession without due regard to their code of ethics.
It is a sad commentary that while media practitioners are ready to jump at the neck of public office holders to demand that they account for their stewardship, journalists do not want to be accountable to anybody.
And we think journalists should be reminded of the popular maxim in equity that “he who” comes to equity must come with clean hands. All that we are saying is that journalists need not be reckless in their reportage or adopt the attitude of ‘publishing and be damned’ to gain recognition in the society.
Journalists should, therefore, exercise their mandate with responsibility and serve the public good just as the newspapers in the GCGL stable have been doing all these years.
Kudos, GCGL, for contributing to national development.
At its annual general meeting (AGM) last Tuesday, stakeholders in the fortunes of the state-owned media praised the GCGL for its excellent performance in 2009 in spite of the unfavourable national and global economic conditions.
At the ceremony, a dividend of GH¢400,000 to the government was declared. For quite sometime now, the GCGL has been making substantial dividend payments to the government.
A few years back, the GCGL was the only state-owned enterprise that paid dividend to the government. The sterling performance of the GCGL could be a case study one day in the wake of the dwindling fortunes of most state-owned enterprises in the country.
Perhaps the decision of the framers of the 1992 Constitution to insulate the state-owned media from government control has made it possible for the company’s achievement so far because the board and management are free to run the organisation on pure commercial lines.
The lesson is that in trying to operate along pure professional and commercial lines, the newspapers in the company’s stable do not necessarily have to be hostile to the government of the day in order to make profit.
Indeed, they have opened the pages of the newspapers to the government to explain its policies and programmes to the people and at the same time offered a platform for alternative solutions to the country’s problems.
The achievements of the GCGL give credence to the school of thought that the government and the media need not be in adversarial relationship in order to play their roles effectively.
Article 162(5) of the 1992 Constitution charges that “all agencies of mass media shall, at all times, be free to uphold the principles and objectives of this constitution, and shall uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana”.
Therefore, the work of the state-owned media and the independent media is not mutually exclusive as they are all charged to ensure accountability and transparency in the governance system.
Maybe, the time has come for the other media organisations to learn from the Graphic model so that they can operate professionally but as a business and at the same time holding all public office holders accountable for their stewardship.
The role of the free press in any society is not in doubt; it is critical to the success of the country’s fledgling democracy and that is why it is required of all media practitioners to exercise media freedom guaranteed by the Constitution with responsibility.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that the threat to free expression and free press can only come from media practitioners themselves if they decide to practise the profession without due regard to their code of ethics.
It is a sad commentary that while media practitioners are ready to jump at the neck of public office holders to demand that they account for their stewardship, journalists do not want to be accountable to anybody.
And we think journalists should be reminded of the popular maxim in equity that “he who” comes to equity must come with clean hands. All that we are saying is that journalists need not be reckless in their reportage or adopt the attitude of ‘publishing and be damned’ to gain recognition in the society.
Journalists should, therefore, exercise their mandate with responsibility and serve the public good just as the newspapers in the GCGL stable have been doing all these years.
Kudos, GCGL, for contributing to national development.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
DEALING WITH RICE SMUGGLING (SEPT 1, 2010)
The news that the nation is losing a whopping $40 million annually mainly as a result of the nefarious activities of smugglers in the rice industry is quite disturbing and irritating.
According to the facts available to the DAILY GRAPHIC (check today’s lead story), about one third of the nation’s total rice import is allegedly smuggled into the country. In other words, as much as 100,000 metric tonnes of the estimated 350,000 metric tonnes of the rice we import is brought in through smuggling, thus evading taxes and other tariffs due to the nation.
Why the resort to smuggling? Well, we are told that Ghana operates a higher tax regime on rice imports as compared to say, Cote d’Ivoire, and this makes smuggling a very lucrative business to the detriment of our economy.
In fact, it is learnt that while a Ghanaian rice importer is confronted with a total tax regime of 35 per cent — 20 per cent Customs Duty, 12.5 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy ((NHIL) — our neighbours in Cote d’Ivoire only have to contend with a Customs Duty of 12.5 per cent.
So the inherent difference of 22.5 per cent in the landing cost of the product is what is said to be motivating many people to take to smuggling. The implications of this are two fold. In the first place, Ghana is losing millions in either uncollected taxes and duties, as well as losing revenue from decreasing importation of legitimate rice.
But that is not all. The worse fear of many industry players is that with the price of rice rising on the international market — an average of about $800 and $900 in the last four weeks — it would create an even more conducive atmosphere for smuggling to go on unabated.
What do we do under the circumstances? How do we abate the smuggling or stop it altogether?
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks one area that must immediately engage the nation’s attention is our high tax regime on imported rice. We seriously believe it would not be out of place to review our tax regime downwards to make the smuggling of the product unattractive.
We recall efforts by the government to motivate cocoa farmers to produce more and also make the smuggling of the produce across our borders unattractive by the annual adjustments in the producer price of cocoa.
This intervention has not stopped the smuggling across our borders but the annual price adjustments offer enough incentives for the farmers to sell their beans to local buyers.
In the same vein, the DAILY GRAPHIC believes that if the authorities ensure that there is no tariff differential between the import of rice into Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, it would work the magic we all so anxiously desire.
Furthermore, we demand the tightening of security at our boarders where smuggling is said to be rife. Some of the areas mentioned include Elubo, Dadieso, Nkrankwanta and Enchi and we must take drastic measures to curtail the smuggling and collect duties on imports from Cote d’Ivoire.
It is no secret that some of our customs officials are having a field day at their various duty posts and it is time such nation wreckers were weeded out without any hesitation whatsoever.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, however, believes that the long-term solution to the smuggling problem is to implement proper development plans to stimulate local rice production. For too long, we have paid lip-service to the local rice industry and the earlier we wake up from the slumber, the better it will be for all of us.
This is not to say that nothing is happening to revitalise the local rice industry. Perhaps action so far has not been able to encourage farmers to venture into this sector. Let us provide the needed incentives to produce more to feed ourselves and for export.
According to the facts available to the DAILY GRAPHIC (check today’s lead story), about one third of the nation’s total rice import is allegedly smuggled into the country. In other words, as much as 100,000 metric tonnes of the estimated 350,000 metric tonnes of the rice we import is brought in through smuggling, thus evading taxes and other tariffs due to the nation.
Why the resort to smuggling? Well, we are told that Ghana operates a higher tax regime on rice imports as compared to say, Cote d’Ivoire, and this makes smuggling a very lucrative business to the detriment of our economy.
In fact, it is learnt that while a Ghanaian rice importer is confronted with a total tax regime of 35 per cent — 20 per cent Customs Duty, 12.5 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy ((NHIL) — our neighbours in Cote d’Ivoire only have to contend with a Customs Duty of 12.5 per cent.
So the inherent difference of 22.5 per cent in the landing cost of the product is what is said to be motivating many people to take to smuggling. The implications of this are two fold. In the first place, Ghana is losing millions in either uncollected taxes and duties, as well as losing revenue from decreasing importation of legitimate rice.
But that is not all. The worse fear of many industry players is that with the price of rice rising on the international market — an average of about $800 and $900 in the last four weeks — it would create an even more conducive atmosphere for smuggling to go on unabated.
What do we do under the circumstances? How do we abate the smuggling or stop it altogether?
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks one area that must immediately engage the nation’s attention is our high tax regime on imported rice. We seriously believe it would not be out of place to review our tax regime downwards to make the smuggling of the product unattractive.
We recall efforts by the government to motivate cocoa farmers to produce more and also make the smuggling of the produce across our borders unattractive by the annual adjustments in the producer price of cocoa.
This intervention has not stopped the smuggling across our borders but the annual price adjustments offer enough incentives for the farmers to sell their beans to local buyers.
In the same vein, the DAILY GRAPHIC believes that if the authorities ensure that there is no tariff differential between the import of rice into Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, it would work the magic we all so anxiously desire.
Furthermore, we demand the tightening of security at our boarders where smuggling is said to be rife. Some of the areas mentioned include Elubo, Dadieso, Nkrankwanta and Enchi and we must take drastic measures to curtail the smuggling and collect duties on imports from Cote d’Ivoire.
It is no secret that some of our customs officials are having a field day at their various duty posts and it is time such nation wreckers were weeded out without any hesitation whatsoever.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, however, believes that the long-term solution to the smuggling problem is to implement proper development plans to stimulate local rice production. For too long, we have paid lip-service to the local rice industry and the earlier we wake up from the slumber, the better it will be for all of us.
This is not to say that nothing is happening to revitalise the local rice industry. Perhaps action so far has not been able to encourage farmers to venture into this sector. Let us provide the needed incentives to produce more to feed ourselves and for export.
PROTECTING OUR OIL (AUGUST 31, 2010)
CRUDE oil, also known as the “black gold”, has been a source of income to many economies, in spite of fears that it could be a curse if not properly managed.
Ghana has since 2007 joined the comity of oil-producing countries. Indications are that the Gulf Coast of West Africa is the next destination of oil wealth and will account for 25 per cent of oil supply to the United States of America in the next 10 years.
Presently, the West Coast accounts for almost 10 per cent. This is how significant West Africa, which includes Ghana, has become in international circles.
Ghana’s oil, although significant, cannot be the panacea for the economic woes of the nation. Reserves estimates are about 1.6 billion and expected drilling of about 120,000 barrels per day, which is a drop in the ocean as compared to Nigeria which produces 2 million barrels, yet expectations of oil money has been heightened in this country.
A look around the world shows that oil discovery has been a source of conflict in many countries, as selfish individuals willing to benefit at all cost in the oil business will do anything at the expense of national cohesion.
Therefore, the call by the President to deal with questionable characters in the oil sector for their selfish means is in the right order.
The call is not only timely, but also significant, in the sense that reports of militants on the borders of the country infiltrating our localities are rife and worrying.
Dr Kwesi Aning, a Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre in Accra, a week ago at the Graphic Business Forum, expressed concern about the need for transparency in the oil business to assuage the high expectations of Ghanaians.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is of the opinion that while the government has declared its intentions to deal with such miscreants in our society, the country could begin the process of ensuring more transparent discourse with all stakeholders.
The seeming silence on the country’s oil business from officialdom and recent reported cases of impasse between the GNPC and Kosmos need to be discussed dispassionately and with the objective of ensuring transparency.
Beyond that is also the need to bring to the table and for the education of Ghanaians the issues regarding the Oil Management Fund and to devise strategies for implementation that will be made known to all Ghanaians.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is convinced that the government will do the right thing by putting in place the necessary regulatory and legal regime needed for the full exploitation of the oil find for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
We do not have the luxury of time, considering it that the first oil drill is expected in December, this year.
Again, the government must demonstrate by actions, such as resourcing the security agencies with the needed logistics and capacity to deal with both internal and external actions.
We cannot be oblivious to the fact that people would find loopholes where they are available and, therefore, all the necessary support should be forthcoming and timely.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also calls on each Ghanaian to do his or her part to expose the activities of those who have made it their mandate to rip this country off through their dubious activities.
After all, the benefits of the oil business will depend on the collective efforts of each individual to police this very important national resource.
Ghana has since 2007 joined the comity of oil-producing countries. Indications are that the Gulf Coast of West Africa is the next destination of oil wealth and will account for 25 per cent of oil supply to the United States of America in the next 10 years.
Presently, the West Coast accounts for almost 10 per cent. This is how significant West Africa, which includes Ghana, has become in international circles.
Ghana’s oil, although significant, cannot be the panacea for the economic woes of the nation. Reserves estimates are about 1.6 billion and expected drilling of about 120,000 barrels per day, which is a drop in the ocean as compared to Nigeria which produces 2 million barrels, yet expectations of oil money has been heightened in this country.
A look around the world shows that oil discovery has been a source of conflict in many countries, as selfish individuals willing to benefit at all cost in the oil business will do anything at the expense of national cohesion.
Therefore, the call by the President to deal with questionable characters in the oil sector for their selfish means is in the right order.
The call is not only timely, but also significant, in the sense that reports of militants on the borders of the country infiltrating our localities are rife and worrying.
Dr Kwesi Aning, a Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre in Accra, a week ago at the Graphic Business Forum, expressed concern about the need for transparency in the oil business to assuage the high expectations of Ghanaians.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is of the opinion that while the government has declared its intentions to deal with such miscreants in our society, the country could begin the process of ensuring more transparent discourse with all stakeholders.
The seeming silence on the country’s oil business from officialdom and recent reported cases of impasse between the GNPC and Kosmos need to be discussed dispassionately and with the objective of ensuring transparency.
Beyond that is also the need to bring to the table and for the education of Ghanaians the issues regarding the Oil Management Fund and to devise strategies for implementation that will be made known to all Ghanaians.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is convinced that the government will do the right thing by putting in place the necessary regulatory and legal regime needed for the full exploitation of the oil find for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
We do not have the luxury of time, considering it that the first oil drill is expected in December, this year.
Again, the government must demonstrate by actions, such as resourcing the security agencies with the needed logistics and capacity to deal with both internal and external actions.
We cannot be oblivious to the fact that people would find loopholes where they are available and, therefore, all the necessary support should be forthcoming and timely.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also calls on each Ghanaian to do his or her part to expose the activities of those who have made it their mandate to rip this country off through their dubious activities.
After all, the benefits of the oil business will depend on the collective efforts of each individual to police this very important national resource.
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