Vodafone introduces Ghana’s 1st free info service via phone

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Vodafone introduces Ghana’s 1st free info service via phone
file photoTo create universal access to information by all, Vodafone Ghana Foundation (VGF) has launched Vodafone 321, Ghana’s first public information service, to advance access to trusted information via phone in five local languages.
The free and on-demand service, which is user friendly even for people with limited literacy, is accessible on simple mobile phones in languages such as English, Ewe, Ga, Hausa and Twi. On how the partnership with Human Network International (HNI), an American NGO, will transform lives and create cohesiveness, Nana Yaa Ofori Koree, Head of Vodafone Ghana Foundation and Sustainability, said: “The greatest contribution a telecommunications company can bring to subscribers is the ability to empower firms, families and individuals to get up to date information using fewer resources. Today, the launch of 321 has made it possible for anyone who dials “321” to be connected to a menu of topics, spoken in the language they prefer”. Mrs Ofori-Koree said the service provides news; weather forecasts; maternal health; sexual reproductive health; family planning; and water and sanitation; adding that these key messages are available via SMS and USSD. “This service has the potential to reach millions of people in Ghana, with important and accurate information, without the caller having to have personal contact with an expert,” the Head of Vodafone Foundation said in addition. Sarah Rogers, Program Manager for HNI, said the launch of 321 in Ghana is a game changer. “The Service has been active in Madagascar since 2010, and in Malawi since 2014. If our experiences in Malawi and Madagascar are any indication, Ghanaians are going to love this Service”. The Program Manager also said HNI works across all sectors to promote the free flow of information between vulnerable groups and the humanitarian and development professionals dedicated to helping them. The technology behind the Service is developed by VOTO Mobile, a Ghana-based tech start-up and beneficiary of Vodafone Ghana Foundation’s Mobile for Good Initiative. DKT International, Marie Stopes International, Grameen Foundation, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), UK Aid, Ghana Health Service, and GSMA are the main contributors to this service. Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Unemployed Nurses shock Health Ministry with planned demo

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Unemployed Nurses shock Health Ministry with planned demo
file photoThe Ministry of Health says it is surprised nurses who completed training in August just last year would form an unemployed association.
Reacting to the threat by the nurses to demonstrate on April 27 if the ministry does not post them, Public Relations Officer for the ministry, Tony Goodman explained that even processes to get them employed has not even been exhausted. “Those who completed in 2014 have all been employed. The next level is for Ghana Health Service to announce if there is a vacancy, then they will buy the form and go through an interview process,” he stated. Tony Goodman added, “after your name is selected it is sent to the ministry for clearance and posting, and we are on it we haven’t gone through the process so I am surprised they are coming this early to call for postings”. But leader of the Unemployed Nurses Association, Adams Awudu disagreed with his position. “Mr. Tony with the issue of the forms I disagree. Either you are being economical with the truth or you are misinformed. Currently if you can tell me where the forms are because I know the system is no more in place,” he contended. The nurses insist the planned demonstration would take place on April 27, claiming the government has failed to fulfill an agreement to post them after training. They also blamed poor communication between the ministry and trainees for their woes.   Source: 3FM 92.7 | tv3network.com

Ridge suspends OPD services, emergency cases for 4 days

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Ridge suspends OPD services, emergency cases for 4 days
file photoThe Ridge Hospital in Accra will from Friday suspend all emergency and out-patient services to allow for a fumigation of its facility, authorities have announced.
Also to be affected is the Hospital’s main theatre. Authorities say the fumigation exercise begins from 4:00pm Friday to 8:00am on Monday, April 18 after which the services would be restored for the general public to access. The suspension will, however, not affect in-patient and obstetrics and gynecological services, the hospital said in a statement issued Thursday and signed by its head of administration, Emmanuel Taadi. “All hospitals in the region are to make alternative arrangements to refer emergency cases to other hospitals,” the statement which was copied to health facilities within the region advised. It explained that “the fumigation process of the facility is a routine exercise to make the hospital safer for the provision of quality health care services.” By tv3network.com

EC should’ve gone for a more meaningful logo – Branding expert

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EC should’ve gone for a more meaningful logo – Branding expert
The new logo is expected to be launched soonA branding expert says the Electoral Commission of Ghana could have opted for a more meaningful logo than what it is planning to launch, perhaps to reflect its values.  
Nii Odartey Hutton-Mills says the new logo in his estimation would have been a starting point for any firm’s. “It wouldn’t be an end product,” he stressed. Nii Hutton-Mills, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Bold Advertising, made these submissions on TV3’s News@10 on Wednesday, April 13. The EC unveiled its new logo to media practitioners at a workshop on the 2016 elections on Tuesday, April 12. It has scheduled a special event to launch the logo. Happy people Nii Hutton-Mills expressed frustrations as to what the EC is aimed at achieving with a change in logo. “You can do rebranding by changing colour,” he suggested, adding that the new logo represents happy people. Checks by TV3 also indicate that the logo is similar to that of an educational counselling institution in Ankara, Turkey. The EC’s reputation came under a heavy attack in 2013 during the landmark election petition. Since then, the long-standing Commissioner Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan has left the scene with Charlotte Osei now in charge. Already, amendments are being made to the Commission’s constitutional instruments. For instance, the presidential and parliamentary elections will no longer be held on December 7 as previously but on November 7. By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana Twitter: @kwame_amoh

Cost of military housing project shoots up over 50%

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Cost of military housing project shoots up over 50%
file photoThe cost of a housing contract signed to provide accommodation to the Ghana Armed Forces has been increased by over 50%.
The contract, according to the Auditor General’s report for 2011, was signed in 2007 for the construction of 18 houses. But the project that was approved at the cost of 16.6 million cedis was reviewed upward, costing the state 25 million cedis representing 50.6% increment. This was done without recourse to the Public Procurement Authority’s approval. This came up Thursday at the Public Accounts Committing sitting when the Defence Minister Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor appeared before it to defend certain expenses by the ministry. The Public Procurement Act 2003, Act 663 makes variation above 10 percent illegal. Section 87 (1) stipulates, “Except in cases of extreme urgency, where there will be an aggregate increase in the original amount of the contract by more than 10 percent of the original price, a procurement entity shall inform the appropriate Tender Review Boards in the case of a contract subject to review by the Tender Review Board of any proposed extension, modification or variation order with reasons.” Head of Engineering at the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Isaac Nyarko told the Public Account Committee that the variation was not as a result of change in structure. The over 50 percent increase in cost was caused by delay in releasing funds to pay the contractor to execute the project on time. This he blamed on the Finance Ministry. Now the Defence Minister has a daunting task of reviewing the contract after it emerged that only one out of 18 residential houses has been completed. Dr. Kunbuor told the committee he is finding it difficult to locate the contractor who is said to have abandoned the project. He has therefore threatened to publish his details in the dailies in a bid to locate his whereabouts. Story by Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana

Nov 7 will be test of leadership – Veep

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Nov 7 will be test of leadership – Veep
Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur ascended his position on August 6, 2012Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has asked Ghanaians to vote for a leader who can take the country forward.
He says such leadership cannot be found anywhere else than in the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Vice President Amissah-Arthur evinced how the NDC prides itself in a leader who has kept his house in order and not one “who is bringing confusion within his party”. The vice president made the remarks at the launch of Young Professionals, a group of young men and women devoted to helping John Dramani Mahama get another four-year mandate. The launch was held at the University of Cape Coast on Wednesday, April 13. Vice President Amissah-Arthur did not mince words in describing Ghana as “stable and unified” under President Mahama. “So, there is a test of leadership when we go for election on November 7.” He charged all gathered to know the kind of leader to choose for the country. “Are we selecting a leader who is able to keep his house in order? Are we selecting a leader who is bringing confusion within his party? Are we selecting a leader who has vision for his people?” Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Different Shades

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GH Classics

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Stadium 3

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Beats Africa

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