WESTERN CULTURE IS A PROBLEM-MAHAMA

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama HAS called on Ghanaians to denounce foreign activities and cultures that are alien, detrimental and inimical to development.

He said Ghanaian culture abhors disrespect to elders, which unfortunately is becoming very common in Ghanaian platforms including the media arena.

               

President Mahama said this when he opened the 2014 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region on the theme: "The Creative Arts industry and Tourism- a platform for National Development."

The programme which was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and the Regional Coordinating Council attracted traditional authorities, ministers of state, the clergy and dancing groups from all the administrative districts of the country.

NAFAC as a biennial event that offers a common platform for all the regions to come together to display the very best of their culture and traditions.

"Ghana is enjoying the relative peace we have at the moment partly as a result of the richness of our culture and traditions."

President Mahama said the movement away from Ghanaian dishes to foreign canned foods is a worry as proven research programmes has indicated that most of such imported canned foods are becoming inimical to the health of many people.

On the external family system, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to revisit traditional systems that are all embracing and unifying as the closed family system is impracticable in Ghana.

He called on Ghanaians to be appreciative of the traditional diversity and unity that exists among all the people of the country adding: “'It is not a mistake that we live in peace even with traditional and cultural diversity, for God knows why he put us together."

President Mahama promised to avail resources that would help build and maintain traditional monuments in the country.

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts said government is working closely with the Ministry to complete all outstanding cultural infrastructure particularly the regional centres for National Culture with active involvement of the private sector.

She promised to turn around the tourism and cultural activities that would make Ghana the best tourist destination in the African continent.

Pemampem Yaw Kagberese V, Paramount Chief of Yeji, who chaired the function appealed to government to called for frequent organisation of such programmes to ensure national unity and integration.

He called for the development of tourist sites in the region to increase patronage and generate more income for national development.

Editorial

ONE COUNTRY AND A UNITED PEOPLE

At the just the ended National Art and Culture Festival held in Sunyani, the President of the Republic had cause to call for national unity and call for all to eschew divisiveness, ethnicity and discrimination in our national life.

He also called for national unity to face the challenges of our time. That was a good call on the people of our country and it remind us of times of old when the thought of where our came from, the name of one was not the criteria for gaining admission into school, winning a contract, being given an appointment or gaining a favour.

 It must be emphasized that the challenge of ethnicity became prominent after the overthrow of the Osagyefo when  the opposition which had originally been divided on tribal basis in their political groupings started dividing the spoils after the 1966 coup d’état  amongst themselves on the basis of ethnicity. However due to the solid foundations the first Republic laid in bringing an all inclusive and united people, their tribal machinations could not destroy our country.

The tribal minded elite then tried to destroy one of the pillars of our unity, the boarding school system and replace it with day schools, they have not completely succeeded but it is work in progress for them.

Now what do we see especially since the onset of the 4th Republic, there is now an intensification of clannishness in the public  and  the economic sector, where ethnic groups try to gain resources in the state offices and gather the spoils because of the perception that the chief of state is our person from our ethnic group. This builds from below and the expectation most times become irresistible and otherwise promising national leaders succumb to this canker and dangerous practices.

We are for the President’s call and believe that this must begin at home and become a hallmark of the administration. We should be vigilant in ensuring that this creeping division and ethnicity does not overwhelm our state and government. Overloading one ethnic group on scholarships is a case in point. The political parties, social and economic grouping should also be alert to this challenge. We have avoided the civil wars was in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia  Mali and L’Cote d’Ivoire  because we have not had one group  cheating and benefiting alone from state resources, do not let us do it now. Let us beware of the canker of tribalism.  

'Let those Russians die'

Russians starve against the backdrop of sanctions, they can not raise loans to buy something they need, so why haven't they rebelled against Putin yet? This is a question that many Western publications and bloggers ask in their articles and posts after Putin's address to the Federal Assembly last week. Many of these articles say that social protests and devastation would be in store for Russia this winter. 

Western media strongly emphasizes that Putin, instead of digging into "age-old grievances and claims to the West", should come to his senses and return the Crimea to Ukraine. "On Thursday, Mr. Putin was forced to contend with trouble on both fronts, as insurgents mounted a deadly attack in the Chechen capital of Grozny, and he was compelled in his yearly address to reassure Russians that his assertive foreign policy would not bring economic ruin," an article in The New York Times said.  "In the first part of the 70-minute speech, Mr. Putin adopted the angry, aggrieved tone toward the West that he has used since Russia annexed Crimea in March, blaming the United States for starting the trouble by fomenting a coup in Ukraine. He used a more professorial tone in the second, economic part of the speech, but it proved to be a laundry list of small adjustments, many of them recycled," the article continues. 

"Vladimir Putin will be accumulating foreign policy challenges, - the Spanish El Pais wrote. - But any of them can be more or less controlled, which can not be said about the deeply sick Russian economy that has been in deep decline because of falling oil prices and the ruble exchange rate that has lost 40 percent of its value in one year. This heralds a winter of discontent on the streets of Russia."

Vardan Bagdasaryan, Doctor of History, Professor, Deputy Director of the Center of Scientific and Political Ideology told Pravda.Ru: "The point is as follows: you (Russia) announce the enemy (the West), but you can do nothing. Economic indicators and oil prices are falling down along with the ruble. This is what many Western publications write, - said Vardan Bagdasaryan. - The situation is really complicated as Russia lives on the west-centrist model. Russia is built into the Western economy. Therefore, mere declarations are not enough, there should be real steps made to change the model of the country," the specialist said. 

As for economic estimations, there are very few sober assessments in the West. For example, Bloomberg quoted an official at BCS Financial Group in London, Luis Saenz. "The "good part" of Putin's address is that he said he'd like a reduced government role in the economy and more freedom for business activity, - Saenz, head of equity sales and trading in London for Moscow-based BCS Financial Group said. "The bad part is that Putin's recipe for overcoming the crisis is made mostly from general proclamations," said the expert.

Russia needs to change its model

"Under the conditions of the crisis and actual aggression against Russia, the situation in economic, informational, and several other areas is extremely tense, - said Sergei Grinyaev, Director General of Center for Strategic Estimates and Forecasts told Pravda.Ru. - In such circumstances, conducting reforms is extremely difficult and inefficient. Moreover, changes under the conditions of crisis and conflict can lead to very negative consequences. I think that today, emphasis needs to be attached to anti-crisis management. Today, one must adjust all government programs and strategies that have been adopted in recent years to be implemented before 2020. 

"Given the new geopolitical reality and a new state of the Russian economy, all those strategies of today will most likely not be realized. They need to be suspended until the situation in the Russian economy and in the world improves."

Against the background of predictions about the imminent collapse of the Russian economy, many Western publications wonder why Putin enjoys such high ratings. The USA Today came to conclusion that it goes about the unity of the nation in the face of an external enemy.

Why are Putin's ratings so high?

"I agree with this logic, - says Vardan Bagdasaryan. - Russia's historical development is based on "challenge-response" principle. This can be a challenge of nature or an internal call, but it most often goes about an external challenge. The West has always been such an external challenge to Russia. Putin took up the challenge of the West after the defeat in the Cold War, even after the national inferiority complex had been formed in Russia. A large part of the Russian population accepted this feeling of the Russian president taking up the fight - this what explains Putin's high ratings, I believe," the expert told Pravda.Ru. 

In conclusion, here are a few quotes from Western bloggers. "I do not feel sorry for the Russians, let them freeze and die there in Ukraine," variations of this comment are very popular. "Economics and dead bodies from Ukraine, and their enthusiasm may fly up in smoke very quickly. It only works with Russians, who have been victims of their own governments for hundreds of years," says LindaWagner.

"These negative  estimations are consequences of the media and psychological war, - notes Vardan Bagdasaryan. - We have been appealed to Western opinions for a long time. We would pay first priority attention to how the West would estimate Russia. If the West was giving a positive assessment, it was believed that Russia was going in the right direction. If the assessment was negative, it was believed that Russia was doing something wrong. 

"Life with an eye to Western opinions has created numerous strategic traps for Russia, in all areas of life. Orientation towards Western values deprives Russia of sovereignty in terms of cultural values. Russia should be guided by Russian values. Yet, one should know the position of the rival to conduct propaganda against the rival and offer an alternative project.

But there are other opinions. A poster named as Cristo wrote: "Before Putin appeared on the international scene, I was a very apolitical guy. And suddenly, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I thought it was impossible. But it turns out that it is. A politician, who cares about his country. A politician, who can think. A politician, who is smart. A politician, who knows what to say and when to say. A politician, who makes the West work 24 hours a day to vilify him. Putin is probably  someone, who gives humanity the last chance to survive in this world."

Lyuba Lulko

Pravda.Ru 

Births and Deaths Registry introduces automated birth certificate

The Birth and Death Registry has introduced an automated birth certificate for acquisition of passport to avoid fraud.

Mr Samuel Foster Omane, Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Births and Deaths, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Koforidua.

Mr Omane said the department still issued ordinary birth certificates which was valid for every transaction except for the acquisition of a passport.

He explained that because the ordinary birth certificate was hand written, it was easy for people to interfere and fake the information on it.

Mr Omane said before one was issued with the automated birth certificate, the fellow had to apply with two photo copies of the original birth certificate which would be sent to Accra for verification before the automated one was issued.

GNA  

Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark Patient Solidarity Day

Patients’ Alliance of Ghana in Engagement (PAGE), a non-governmental organisation, is joining the rest of the world to mark Patient Solidarity Day using it as a pivot for Ghanaians to continue keeping Ebola at bay and totally eradicating cholera.

Patient Solidarity Day is observed every 6th December with patients and organisations from around the world coming together to call for universal health coverage under the theme: "One voice, United, Universal".

A statement signed by Mr Isaac Amponsah, founder of the NGO, said Patient Solidarity Day was launched in Ghana on 30th October 2013, simultaneously with other African countries under the umbrella of the International Alliance of Patients’ Organisations.

It said the threat of Ebola in West Africa and the recent cholera -outbreak in Ghana showed that communities were at high risk.

"PAGE, therefore, is emphasising the need to keep our surroundings clean, eat hot food and observe proper hand washing practices to avoid the two diseases and other communicable diseases"

PAGE also urged Government to sustain the effort of maintaining an effective health system that is ready to combat any outbreak of the Ebola disease.

It said patients were among key affected populations in every society and must be remembered at all times. Health workers and health professionals must provide an enabling environment for smooth dialogue where the Patient Charter was upheld.

Budgetary allocations towards Primary Health Care and health infrastructure must be released on time and the designs of health infrastructure must be disability friendly, the statement said.

PAGE reminded health workers that the patient’s involvement was an intricate part of healthcare and wished all Ghanaians a healthy Patient Solidarity Day and good health in the years to come.

GNA

Ghana marks International Human Rights Day

Ghana marked the International Human Rights Day with a national dialogue on the plight of older females, children with disabilities and persons with mental health problems for merely being accused of witchcraft.

The National dialogue seeks to create a platform for structured and informed discussions on the customs surrounding witchcraft accusations; the gender perspective, and also to draw attention to the fact that the problem disproportionately affects women.

The dialogue to mark International Human Rights day was organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on the theme: “Protecting the Vulnerable: Witchcraft Accusations and Human Rights Abuse in Ghana”.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra , Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection explained that Ghana intends to use the Human Rights day to deepen national attention on the issue.  

“We need to get greater understanding of the problem and garner public support and action in discontinuing the practice.

“It will also be an opportunity for key stakeholders to propose tangibles cross disciplinary recommendations to ending the practice in Ghana,” she said.

Nana Oye Lithur explained that the phenomenon of women being accused of witchcraft still exists across the country with the worse hit being the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

She said currently, a total of six alleged witch camps are located in five Districts in the Northern Region: Kukuo, Gnani-Tindang, Gambaga, Bonyase, Tindan-zhie (Kpatinga) and Nabuli in Nanumba South, Yendi, East Mamprusi, Central Gonja and Gushegu Districts respectively.

The Gender Minister noted that allegations of witchcraft is highly gendered, with older females, widows, childless or unmarried women bearing the brunt of the scourge due to strongly-held customary beliefs about such women not meeting certain gender stereotypes.

She commended both governmental and non-governmental institutions for interventions aimed at awareness-raising programmes on the witches’ camps and their harmful effects on women.

The institutions includes; the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) which conducted a comprehensive Research on the witches camps; ActionAid-Ghana which has develop a Roadmap on eliminating the witch camps and the Go Home Project of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

Nana Oye Lithur said the Ministry of Gender is studying a roadmap to determine how best to strengthen the collaboration and collective efforts towards removing the camps.

The Ministry is thus working with the partners to close down at least one camp before the close of the year.

“As part of our effort to leverage and improve upon the living conditions of alleged witches, steps have been taken by MoGCSP; these include giving cash transfers under LEAP to the inmates of the witches’ camp.

“Together with the Ghana Health Service, MoGCSP provides basic needs such as food, potable water, sleeping arrangements (re-roofing of huts) and medical screening. This is to ensure their protection and basic health needs,” Nana Oye Lithur said.

She noted that the “Lordina Foundation,” is constructing a vocational Skills Training Institute for the Gambaga Witchcamp and its surrounding communities.  

“Notwithstanding all this effort, MoGCSP is working progressively on reintegrating the alleged witches in their home villages. This process is more sustainable and promotes the rights of the women to live freely,” she said.

Nana Oye Lithur commended the media for being instrumental in educating the public about the situations of the women in the witch camps.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed December 10, as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring to the attention ‘of the peoples of the world’ the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

This year’s slogan, “Human Rights 365,” encompasses the idea that every day is Human Rights Day.

The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on December 4, 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.

GNA