RAMADAM DATE ANNOUNCED
BY JAMILA AKWELEY OKERTCHIRI
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has announced the date for the observation of the crescent to signal the commencement of this year’s Ramadan.
Briefing the press on the start of the Ramadan, the National Executive Secretary at the office of the National Chief Imam, Alhaji Awaisi Bio, said 31st July 2011 shall be the first day for the observation.
If the crescent is not sighted on the said day, Monday, August 1, 2011 shall complete the month of Sha’ban by calculation.
“Consequently, Tuesday, the 2nd of August 2011 shall be an automatic day for the commencement of the fast for the year 2011,” he said.
Alhaji Bio therefore called on Muslims to bury their differences and unite to develop the country.
Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu commented, “The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the practice of homosexuality and that even foreigners who were there were all punished by Allah Almighty.”
He added that Allah created male and female for the purpose of procreation, noting, “If Allah wanted us to practice this, He wouldn’t have created a woman when Adam wanted a partner in the Garden of Eden’.
Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu therefore called on Ghanaians to frown on the act in order to avoid incurring the wrath of Allah Almighty.
He also appealed to the authorities to do everything to stop the practice.

From left, Alhaji Osman Kadri, Chairman of occasion, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam and Alhaji Abdul Kadri Tabir, Greater Accra chief of Dagomba and vice chair of the council of Muslim chiefs.

Hugs for Ghana Donates to Hospitals®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

HUGS FOR Ghana, a student-led nonprofit organization in Mukilteo, USA has donated 100 sets of thermometers to four hospitals in the Greater Accra and Western regions of Ghana.
Korle Bu Children’s Hospital, Princess Marie Children’s Hospital, Labadi General Hospital and Eikwe Hospital are the beneficiaries of the items worth approximately $3,500.
The organization, founded by 16 year old Joel Bervell, is dedicated to supporting underprivileged children in hospitals, institutions and other child-related services in Ghana.
Presenting the items to Rebecca Lartey, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Bervell, President of the organization said, “The organization’s mission is to reveal the gift of love, hope, confidence and warmth to the hearts and lives of Ghana’s youngest citizens.”
He said funds for the donation were raised through the health initiative projects-‘100 Cents Saves a Life’ and ‘Ghanaian Night of Culture,’ both free will donation events.
“The focus of the fundraiser was to provide information to the community about the needs of disadvantaged children in Ghana,” added Bervell.
He hoped the thermometers would contribute to the path of healing for children while at hospitals.
Mrs. Lartey said the donation had come at a time when the hospital needed it the most. She expressed joy about the donation and called on others to follow in the footsteps of Hugs for Ghana.

Joel Bervell presenting a thermometer to Mrs. Rebecca Lartey at the Korle Bu Children’s Hospital.

Japan Assists Adensi North District®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

THE JAPANESE government has provided a 10-unit water closet toilet facility worth $105,932 for three towns in the Adansi North district.
The project targeted at covering Fomena, Dompoase and Fumso is expected to benefit 16,000 inhabitants.
It will also improve the sanitary and general health conditions of the beneficiaries.
“The growth in population in the district has increased pressure on sanitation facilities,” said Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Naoto Nikai at the grant signing ceremony.
“It is difficult for the limited facilities to serve the over 92,000 people in the district,” he added.
The project scheduled to be completed in a year is being financed through the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGHSP).
However, the district assembly will bare the cost of preliminary works and contingencies in the construction.
“This is very commendable on the part of the district assembly, ensuring that the provision of such amenities become the right of its inhabitants,” said Nikai.
District Chief Executive of Adensi North, Abdul Lateef Majdoub expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for supporting them in addressing the issue.
“It is a demonstration of the continuous commitment of Japan to alleviate the suffering of people even in the face of the recent calamity that hit the country,” Majdoub said.
He therefore assured the Japanese government of the district’s commitment in providing the counterpart funding agreed upon.

Naoto Nikai and Abdul Lateef Majdoub signing the grant document at the ceremony.

“Deliver Quality Claims”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Insurance companies have been urged to improve their relationship with their customers by paying claims quickly.
Rev. Asante Marfo-Ahenkora, president of the Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA), made these observations during the first memorial lecture held in Accra to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Kwesi Essel-Koomson, founding Managing Director of KEK Insurance Group.
The lecture was themed: “Insurance claims - the role of the broker, the insurer and the reinsurer”.

Speaking on the brokers’ perspective, Rev. Marfo-Ahenkora said an insurance broker deals with many insurers so they have access to different types of insurance policies.
He explained: “They act on behalf of their clients and define what risk to insure, what type of cover is best and how much it should cost. In many cases, the insurance broker is most valuable in the event of a claim.”
He therefore admonished those insured to engage the services of insurance broker, stressing that brokers have a duty to work in the best interest of their clients and provide sound practical account independent of any insurance company.
Samuel Kwaku Ocran, Deputy Managing Director of Star Assurance Company, also speaking on the insurer’s role, noted that the claims unit of insurance companies deals quickly and fairly with all claims submitted while distinguishing between valid and invalid claims.
“When this is done, the insurer then assesses the loss or damage, adjusts and negotiates the claim amount, processes the claim for payment as well as indemnifies the insured in the form of repair, replacement, reinstatement or payment of cash”, he said.
Mr. Ocran however noted that an insurance company may refuse to pay claims due to false statement and failure to disclose relevant facts when applying for the insurance; claims which does not fall within the items insured in the policy; and failure to comply with the terms of agreement.
He asked persons insured to look beyond the white and black prints on the contract terms when applying for insurance.

Ken Aghoghovbia, Chief Executive Officer of Africa Reinsurance Corporation, in a speech read on his behalf, said the primary objective of the reinsurer is to settle claims promptly barring anything that might prevent them from doing so.
“It is evident that the primary role of reinsurance is essentially to give the necessary support to insurers to enable them meet their primary obligation, settle claims of policy holders and guide against the risk of collapse that may arise from the inability to settle genuine claims when due.”

Muslims Call for Homosexual Prohibition®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Michael Ciaglo

THE MUSLIM community in Ghana has called on government to introduce a “Prohibition of Homosexuality and Lesbianism Bill” that would criminalize homosexual acts.
The details of this bill, which would imprison homosexuals without the option of a fine, were presented at a Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG) news conference on Thursday morning.
COMOG bemoaned homosexuality and called for a collective effort from government and religious groups to battle it.
“The community hereby urges all of us – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, government and opposition – to unite as one concerned people to fight the common twin – homosexuality and lesbianism – as well as their byproduct – same sex marriage,” said Alhaji Mohammed Easah, National President of COMOG.

Alhaji Mohammed Easah, (center) national president of COMOG, speaks out against homosexuality

Earlier this week, the Christian Council of Ghana held a similar press conference denouncing homosexuality and calling on all religious organizations and “decent-loving Ghanaians” to join the campaign against the practice.
Alhaji Easah also noted that “all religious organizations have condemned homosexuality in strong terms. We, the Muslim community, condemn the practice as disgusting, repugnant, unacceptable and alien to our culture and national norms, and also alien to our natural behavior as a people.”
The current Ghanaian Criminal Code, section 104(1) (b), outlaws “unnatural carnal knowledge,” a phrase interpreted to mean homosexual intercourse. COMOG is calling for government to go one step further and implement stricter regulations against all homosexual activities.
Alhaji Esaha said the proposed bill, if passed into law by parliament, would attract severe penalties including long prison terms with no option of a fine and disqualification from appointment or promotion to any public office or position.
Alhaji Easah urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders to join the fight and assist police in identifying and prosecuting gays and lesbians, adding “Any person who fails to report a homosexual or lesbian that approaches him or her to engage in such acts also commits the offense.”
In an attempt to garner widespread acceptance of the bill, Alhaji Easah advocated for all political parties to agree on a stance against homosexuality.
“Let this fight be not an NDC/NPP affair, but an all-hands-on-deck affair,” Alhaji Easah said. “Let government, the opposition and the people unite to prosecute this fight to success – in the ultimate interest of Ghanaians.”

Antenatal Clinic for Sickle Cell Patients @ Korle Bu
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri
KORLE-BU Teaching Hospital is set to start a special antenatal clinic for pregnant women with Sickle Cell disorders.
The clinic will be opened on Wednesdays to treat patients at the Obstetrics OPD starting from today, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
A statement signed by Mustapha Salifu, Public Relations Officer of the hospital noted the sickle cell Clinic for pregnant women was one of the specialized clinics that the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology used to run in the 80s but was suspended.
He therefore observed that all pregnant women with sickle cell disorders who wish to be seen for expert management should first get the necessary referral before coming to the clinic.
“We hope patients and their relatives will co-operate and support the hospital to make this special clinic attain the purpose of its re-introduction,” the statement said.

Kente Weavers Urged to Patent Their Designs
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Dominic Kojo Blay

Kente weavers have been advised to register their designs to avoid duplication by other players in the industry.
The authority in charge of culture has therefore been tasked to get a national copyright for the numerous kente designs.
Dr. Hannah Bissiw, Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, said this at the inaugural celebration of the 1st National Kente week in Accra themed: “Celebrating our Kente heritage; a majestic new boost for sustaining the Ghanaian economy and maintaining the tradition in the 21st century.”
She observed that kente is the pride and heritage of Ghanaians, noting, “We must protect the uniqueness of our kente.”
Dr. Bissiw also noted that some factories both home and abroad are imitating the kente designs.
“It is Ghana’s pride to keep the quality and design of our kente,” she said.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Alexander Asum-Ahensah noted that the kente cloth is a symbol of unity in the country.
“All Ghanaians recognize and cherish the kente cloth, even in the Diaspora the kente cloth has become an African fraternity.”
He stressed the need for the industry to be sustained for future generations.
“I therefore appeal to the very experienced weavers to make time for the youth to acquire the needed technical skills,” he added.
The sector minister asked the general public to be part of the week-long celebration.
Nana Abena Konadu, a representative of Royal Protocol Services, organizers of the event, said the celebration was aimed at boosting and sustaining the Ghanaian kente industry.
She explained that the event is also to project the kente heritage, which is gradually collapsing due to low patronage.
Activities lined up the celebration include kente weaving competition, kente ‘what do you know’ contest, kente fashion show and the kente dinner dance, which will be held at the State Banquet Hall on August 6, 2011.
Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah, Media Co-ordinator of the event, said the fund-raising dinner dance will create a seed fund to assist players in the kente weaving business that are facing financial challenges.
He said invited guests that will grace the occasion include ministers of state with Professor Akilakpa Sawyer being the guest speaker.
“Tobge Afede XIV, the Abgobgomefia of the Ho traditional area will co-chair the occasion with a representative of the Asantehene,” he said.
Tickets for the event are selling at GH¢100.00 for a person and GH¢150.00 for double at Koala, Joy FM and shoprite- Accra Mall, and 37 Maxi Mart.