AU SUMMIT 2007: PRAISE GHANA, ALLELUIA!!!

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Daily Graphic, Friday, October 26, 2007

Long, long, long ago - long before Leonardo da Vinci of Italy flew the first air craft from a mountain top and crushed in a valley and got hurt badly, the legendary African Lizard had fallen off the tallest tree in the world and crushed on the ground without being hurt at all!

Then, while still on the crushed spot, the lizard looked up, down, left and right, expecting people around to applaud him for a great feat. But then when the Lizard realised that nobody was minding him, he declared: “If nobody will praise me, I will praise myself!”

So too, if nobody in this terrorist-infested world and highly coup d’état prone-continent of Africa will praise Ghana for having successfully hosted a terrorism-free AU Summit in the capital city of Accra from June 25, to July 3, 2007, with over 50 Heads of State, numerous Ministers and high-powered diplomats and other dignitaries in attendance, I will praise Ghana on behalf of all Ghanaians.

Commendation

There is no speck of doubt that Ghana as a nation deserves commendation for ensuring that not a single mosquito touched even the smallest toes of any of the African Heads of State who participated in the just-ended historical A U Summit in our country. Even Ghana Parliament has documented in its Hansards that there are incalculable mosquitoes in Accra and these mosquitoes do not need passports and visas to board a plane from any part of the city to the Accra International Conference Centre? This is why we must be grateful to the Creator and sing Praise to Ghana..! So Praise Ghana..! It was not an easy feat at all. Our ancestors coined a proverb that: “If you did not take part in the warfare, you would have the luxury to fume that people did not fight enough.”

Whether we like it or not, the 9^th A U Summit Accra, with focused on the Grand Debate by the African Heads of State on the Union Government of the Continent has come and gone. I will prefer to call it a Golden Jubilee African Union Summit because it took place in the year that Ghana celebrated her Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary. More importantly, the seed of the United States of Africa germinated in the fertile womb of a son of Ghana in the African personality of the 20th century, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who never dies. Over 40 years ago when he was wide awake, and dreaming during day time, his peers were snoring in the night – ‘hrorrrr- hrorrr- hrorr…!’

Dr Nkrumah’s soul

As a matter of fact, the invisible soul of Dr Nkrumah took his seat in a corner behind the 52 African Heads who locked themselves up in the dark room to engage in the invisible Grand Debate. Why wasn’t the debate telecast live for the over 800 million other Africans to see “feelee-feelee?” If the Grand Opening Ceremony could be broadcast live, why not the Grand Debate? It would have made the drama more exiting indeed! And the Heads of State would have even earned the sympathy and an understanding of their citizenry in Africa and the Diaspora instantly.

Can you imagine an African Cup of Nations match in any country in Africa where only the players are allowed into the stadium? Are they playing for themselves or they are playing for the people of their respective nations? Now the African media, African civil societies and individuals citizens on the mother continent and the Diaspora, have also fiercely engaged themselves in another Grand Debate arguing the merits and demerits of the outcome of the “secret” debate - the “Accra Declaration” as the communiqué of the Grand Debate is known.

The purpose of this write-up is not to join the debate but just to look at how Ghana as a nation prepared for the event in terms of accommodation, vehicles and other logistics which made the summit worthy of attending. I will also touch briefly on how most delegates or visitors who came to Ghana for the first time saw our beloved country.

Philosophically, let us first and foremost be honest with ourselves that, as human beings, we are still treading in the forest of errors. Thus, nothing we do on this material plane can be perfect as such. We should therefore, not pretend that everything at the summit was like angels singing and dancing in the kingdom of heaven. And there has never been any perfect human endeavour any where in the world. There can only be a degree of excellence at best or outstanding.

Apology

We must be humble enough to admit our mistakes and say sorry for our shortfalls. This explains why Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mrs. Oboshie Sai Cofie, deserves commendation for coming out boldly to apologise to the media for the problems encountered with some security officers at the event. That apology was indicative of humility, maturity and wisdom on the part of Government and people of Ghana to the rest of Africa and the world. All those who felt offended in one way or the other must accept that apology in good faith.

The truth is that the original arrangements made for the media coverage under the direct command of the AU Commission Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, supported by the Ghana Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), was fantastic. But for the last minute security re-arrangements requested by some participating Heads of State, which protocol demanded Ghana Government to comply with, there would have been no much problems at all as far as media coverage of the event was concerned.

Again another factor that made things a bit difficult to accommodate the over 600 foreign journalists including local ones who descended from the media planet unto our land to cover the Grand Debate was less than the 2000 sitting capacity of the Accra International Conference Centre itself. Space in the Conference Centre became such a scarce commodity that GJA had to adopt a rationing strategy for the benefit of media personnel.

Whatever discussions and arguments we engage in now after the event is but a postmortem analysis or a review of the summit; which is very healthy for our democratic growth. This writer will therefore, humbly assert that we focus more on the positive aspects of the summit and pick up some lessons from the negative aspects so as to move forward not only as a nation but as a continent as well.

Let us also bear in mind that: “Darkness pervaded all before light came. But light came not from darkness. For darkness is the absence of light.” Therefore, as a nation we must endeavour to embrace light and shun darkness. Is there any Ghanaian of good will who will not wish only the best for Ghana?

Positive views about Ghana

Now listen to some positive comments made by most delegates about Ghana. Generally speaking, some foreign journalists whom this writer interacted with at the Media Centre confessed that they could not believe their eyes that they were in an African country. Two young Kenyan female journalists told me they were visiting Ghana for the first. Then when I asked them how they saw Ghana, they looked at each other’s faces and laughed. I wondered why. Then they exclaimed: “Your country is WAWO!” According to them, they found the city of Accra very “sparkling,” I felt flatted. And I was proud to be a Ghanaian. But inside me I knew most of the delegates did not have the opportunity to visit the Korle0 lagoon and the Sodom and Gomorrah areas of Accra.

One Cameroonian journalist put it this way: “I never knew that apart from South Africa there is another country in Africa which is so neat, clean and beautiful like Ghana.” Then he added, “Little wonder the World Bank and the IMF have always cited Ghana as a shining star of Africa.” Despite the problem with the media, some delegates at the Media Centre could not help it but to be dancing to the tune of highlife music being provided by the Global Media Alliance’s stand.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation mounted a magnificent semi-photo exhibition of tourism pictures which attracted so many delegates. They collected all kinds of brochures and pamphlets about Ghana and wanted more. Some of them were snapping photographs of themselves, their shoes, belts and hats from January to December non-stop. They were enjoying the happiness of being in Ghana “keke,” as the Ga will say.

Another positive aspect of the Summit for which Ghana must be praised to the blue heavens was the splendid accommodation facilities made available for delegates ranging from the poorest messenger to the richest Head of State who came to Ghana. The Government and people of Ghana must be commended for sacrificing a little to make the august visitors feel at home away from home. It is these little, little basic things that add up to give Ghana a global branding as hospital and Friendliest people in the world.

The AU village at La Wireless area in Accra was a tourist attraction in itself. Coupled with the magnificent numerous three to four star hotels and others in the sparkling city of Accra made lodging and boarding enjoyable for the august visitors. In fact, Accra is on the way of becoming the neatest and cleanest city in West Africa if it is not yet there. However, the street lighting at night in the city is not good enough. We must do something about this street lights business before we ‘die eh!’

Again, another successful aspect of the Accra Summit which must not be taken for granted was the harmonious and smooth fashion the delegates were conveyed in luxurious cars from their hotels to the Conference Centre and other venues for various activities such as the African First Ladies meetings, the Fashion Shows, the State Lunches, Dinners and Ghana’s Senior Citizens’ Party Gala with African Heads of State.

People who deserve commendation in this regard are the Ghana Police, the traffic wardens, the drivers who drove various delegates including the Heads of State, the young Ghanaian men and women who served as conductors, or guides and other security officers into whose hands the immediate safety of these delegates were entrusted while in Ghana. Sometimes, such officers had to spend long hours with these delegates to ensure that they safely returned to their lodges before they went home only to return the next moment to conduct them round again. The vital roles played by these ordinary officers must not be taken for granted. When the Big men and women are in the Paradise, they should not forget these small men and women on earth, oooo!

African First Ladies

Oh, less I forget! I have observed that most of the African First Ladies who came to Ghana including their host could participate in any beauty contest in any part of the world and they would win hands down. You see, the Creator Himself molded African women in a special way with their unique shapes from the toe to the head. Black beauty is always charming, soothing, graceful and consoling. On the Ghana Television, we saw that one of the African First Ladies was a gentle man. Something extraordinary happened at their meeting on Monday, July 2, 2007. When their Ghanaian Master of Ceremony was introducing them one by one, one of them was represented by a gentle man.

When that particular First Lady from a West African country was announced and a bearded-man in three-piece-costume moved to take the seat, the entire Parliament House where they were meeting burst into uncontrollable laughter. Was he a First Lady or First Gentleman? He himself could not help it. He laughed and laughed until tears started streaming from his eyes. It was fun. That is how life should be. Once in a while someone must create a situation where everybody will forget about their woes and laugh. Laughter is good for human beings. That is why of all creatures on earth only human beings have the gift to laugh haw-haw -haw- haw!

On a more serious note, I can vouch that African First Ladies are not only physically good-looking but their heads are impregnated with wisdom, intelligence and sense of purpose. They are bold, courageous and fearless in their outlook. At the time some of their husbands put their tails in-between their thighs and covering their faces so that television camera will not look into their eyes, their wives stood up with chests high and decisively declared war on HIV/AIDS on the continent.

As mothers who go through the actual pain of labour, they reasoned that they could not sit down with their hands in their laps for HIV/AIDS to be robbing them of their babies at random. Consequently, they have adopted a resolution to drastically deal with HIH/ AIDS here and now and not wait until January, 2008 or so.

The First Ladies’ resolution was so vital that it constitutes the foundation of the very survival of the future of Africa. How can there be United States of Africa in 50 years’ time if today’s African babies cannot live beyond the ages of five? Did African Heads of State embody the First Ladies’ resolution into the Accra Declaration? If not, why not? African Women’s Rights Activists are you there? No further comment!

Frankly, there have been so many positive achievements of the Summit. I have not mentioned the economic gains such Dollars, Euros, and CFAC cash that poured into to the hospitality industry of our country during the period of the summit alone. But for purposes of this article the final one I should like to mention is the special website Ghana created for the event.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Information and National Orientation developed a unique website which was devoted solely for online information dissemination on the Accra AU Summit 2007. The website address was: www.ausummit-accra.org.gh This site was located within the premises of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and managed by the Information Services Department (ISD).

It must be admitted that, perhaps the publicity for the site was not adequate. But it was through this site that, in addition to publishing news stories on the summit on daily basis, speeches, communiqués and other papers presented at the Summit were dispatched online to the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In fact, the AU Headquarters was very appreciative of the services received through this site. They admitted that but for the Accra Summit website, AU itself would have been totally out of coverage area of Ghana. As you know, Africa is still struggling in the forest of technology and power crisis. But we shall overcome someday.

Suggestion

Shall I make one small suggestion for the consideration of the nation? Alright! Ghana must embark, as a matter of urgency, upon the construction of a new International Conference Centre. The new Conference Centre must have at least 10.000 sitting capacity. In the main hall, provision must be made for a Press gallery of at least 3.000 sitting capacity. The Conference Centre must no longer be squeezed in the already congested city centre of Accra. It must be sited either at Dodowa or Kokrobite near Accra. ‘Twah, twah, twah- Omanye abaa! Yaoo!!!’ Praise Ghana!

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was firs published by the Daily Graphic, 26/10/2007.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF GHANA 2007, AYEKOOOO!

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Daily Graphic, Tuesday, October 23. 2007

At long last, the-much-talked-about Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Ghana has come to pass. And Ghana, our beloved mother land is poised for economic take off.

Beautiful people of Ghana, Tuesday, the 6th of March 2007, marked precisely the 50th birth day of the political independence of our mother land. And the Day was celebrated in a most spectacular fashion of red, gold and green colours, ever witnessed at the Independence Square in the political history of the country.

Not even the very day of the proclamation of the independence by the first President of the first Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on March 6, 1957 could march what took place yesterday in terms of sheer human beings who invaded the Black Star Square and its environs to witness the event. I was there myself. And if it wasn’t so, I would not have told you so. When I came out and saw the scattering crows behind the square virtually into the sea, I was mesmerized.

Then the crow listening and watching proceedings on a large electronic screen with huge, huge loud speakers mounted on the brown grasses along the castle road leading to the sit of government, I was spell-bound. I could not plug courage to go round all the four corners out side the square, for what I saw at the two corners spoke for themselves. It was simply fantastic! There is no need to exaggerate. Seeing is believing, beloved reader!

As for yesterday alone, if not everyday at all, (this piece was written on Wednesday, 7th March 2007), I can speculate that the hands of God physically descended and poured benediction upon our nation. Nature itself was extremely kind to us. As a loving mother who was nursing her newly born baby, the weather was just apt for the occasion. The sun’s rays so soothing, were smiling on the parade contingents instead of burning them. The breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean was flowing instead of blowing and gently massaging the smooth faces of the flag waving spectators.

The arena of the Independence Square was majestically colourful, peaceful and graceful. But a certain woman nearly found trouble for herself when she challenged the security agencies as to why they would not allow her to pass through the inner parameters earmarked for the parade purposes only. This happened in front of the last pavilion at the OSU end of the square. Why some people will not willingly abide by simple instructions for the sake of law and order? Even accredited journalists were restricted to certain areas and they had no choice but to obey. How much more an ordinary spectator?

I also saw one Nana in his majestic kente cloth, who came very late after the President, had accomplished the inspection of guards. And with his umbrella-bearer, was trekking from one pavilion to the other, in search of a place to sit. That was the fruit of lateness. When some of our noble opinion leaders are given invitations and requested to be seated at specific times at functions, they choose to behave as if the event is taking place in their own palace. Even if an event is taking place in your dormitory, you must respect the time of your invited guests. Most regretfully, it appeared that Nana had to go back home without witnessing the memorable occasion. It served him well.

We must all take a cue from that incident so that as we embark on the road to the next 50 years of Ghana’s independence, as a nation, we must endeavour to change our concept of time for the better. As the Vice President of Ghana, H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama advised the nation on Friday 2nd March 2007, when he commissioned and handed the keys of 46 Cinema Vans imported by the Government to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Accra. On that day, Alhaji Aliu Mahama did not mince words at all when he postulated: “There is nothing like ‘African time’. Therefore, we should learn how to do the right thing at the right time and stop deceiving ourselves with that erroneous concept of ‘African time.’ All humanity has one time, period!

Respected reader, verily, verily, I say unto you that yesterday was a triumphant day in the checked political history of Ghana and Africa. The entire African continent was in attendance at our Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Europe was there; America was there; Asia was there and others as well.

If you take Africa, for instance, the African Super Power, Nigeria, was not only there as passive spectator at all. As a matter of fact, apart from Ghana herself as the hosting nation and Commander-in-Chief of affairs, Nigeria was the protagonist on the stage of the celebrations. Chief Olusagu Obasanjo was the supreme Guest of Honour and the only one to have Ghana’s highest national state honour bestowed upon him. Any challenger?

Then our famous Zimbabwe was even the first African country to descend from the heavens onto our land on earth. Our closest neighbours including Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo could not afford to be missing in action. From afar, countries like South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, DR Congo, Malawi, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Botswana, Liberia, Gabon, Benin and Guinea Bissau, just to name a few, were all there. In fact, Ghana was like a basket into which the over African over 50 nations were collected like eggs and carefully put for safe-keeping. Security was no problem and every participating country was protected like the pituitary gland in the head of a fish.

Ghana, without any shade of doubt, did everything humanly possible and proved herself to be the star of the black Africa indeed. Ghana is the golden nation of Africa and celebrated the first golden jubilee anniversary of black Africa for the rest to emulate. Ghana lived up to the accolade of the broad theme of the anniversary which is: “Championing the African Excellence.” There is still room for improvement though. As humans, we should be humble and realistic that perfection is not attained in one incarnation.

The parade itself was sparkling in very department of the show.  Britain, Ghana’s former colonial masters proved that indeed, they could not be left out of a celebration of this historical nature. Thus, besides the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward who represented the Queen of England, a contingent of the Army Band of Scottish Pipes and Drums played the role of alpha and omega in the parade and stole the show. Their appearance in traditional attire made them outstanding with their flute music.

The officers of the MASS BAND of the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band, Police Band and the Navy Band, were immaculate in their outlook and their traditional tunes were soul moving. Some charming ladies around our pavilion could not resist the temptation but to start bumping their backs as soon as the flutes started blowing. Some of them were even dancing to the tune of the National Anthem instead of standing to attention. The entire contingents of the security agencies marched with precision. It seems female contingents marched more graciously and with some antics or style in such a away that whenever they turned at corners the cloud spontaneously applauded them. It was magnificent to behold!

The Ghana Education Service cadets made up of Army from the Achimota School, the Navy from the Christian Methodist Secondary School, the Air Force from the St. Mary’s Secondary School and the Police from the St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School as well as a contingent from the Armed Forces Secondary Technical School were just terrific to behold when marching. I wonder whether such young cadet officers of various Secondary Schools could be sustained and trained into some kind of voluntary organisation to serve the nation in times of need. What happens to them when they graduate from the second cycle intuitions? Are their movements monitored so as to see how best the nation could tap from their talents?

As for the Basic School Contingents from Ablekuma-South Sub-metro, the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-metro, the Ayawaso Sub-metro and the Okaikwei Sub-metro as well as the very tender gymnastic youngsters, they must be commended to the bleu heavens. Because, to be on their feet from morning till the time the event ended in the afternoon is not a small feat at all. I don’t know what incentive package is organised for them but they must be motivated nation wide to inculcate in them that patriotism goes hand in hand with deserving rewards. Remember the adage: ‘A nation that does not reward its patriots and heroes is not what…?’

As a nation we should not only be quick in condemning people when they go wrong. We must also learn to praise people when they merit praise. I wish to take this golden opportunity to commend the Accra City authorities for a wonderful work done as far as the beautification of our capital city was concerned. If I compare Accra with Singapore which is the cleanest city in the world, we have some kilometres to travel. But what was achieved within a short span of three months or so before the Golden Jubilee Day of March 6, 2007, if it could be sustained, Accra will be a city to visit in the world one day. I say kudos to the Mayor of the City of Accra and his team of workers.

Perhaps, Ghanaian city authorities can learn some strategies from Singapore. In Singapore, street decorations are supported by institutions, organisations and major companies located along various streets and roads in the city. What is done is that during major festive occasions like Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and others, street decorations become a competition among these companies that are strategically located along ceremonial roads and streets. Then the Singapore Tourist Board offers prizes for the best decorated street during a particular festive occasion.

With this strategy, every institution is motivated and eager to ensure that their street wins the best decorated street awards in the city. This is why when you go to Singapore during any of these festive occasions you will just open your mouth until someone will come and tell you to close it. Singapore has four major festivals celebrated by various religious bodies, namely Christians, Moslems, Hindus and Buddhists. And these festivals follow into one another intermittently .This is one reason Singapore is always beautiful. In fact sometimes the decoration competition between the religious institutions becomes so keen that the city becomes even more brilliant and sparkling with lights at night. With this, the entire city is virtually turned into a golden heaven on earth. Those who have been to heaven before will know what I am talking about here.

In fact tourists who troop to Singapore every day of the year do not sleep at night. They will just be roaming, roaming, going round from street to street, and admiring the beauty of street decorations. I suggest the city authorities in Ghana should team up with Ghana Tourist Board and adopt the Singapore strategy for the beautification of our cities.

Today Wednesday 7th March 2007 marks the first Day of the next 50 years of Ghana and the celebration of the centenary of our nationhood. God alone should be our guide and source of inspiration. Shall we take note of the following African proverb?

“The person who takes the first step ahead of you is not easy to catch up with.” Therefore, once the path has been entered, there should be no turning back. The sky should be the limit for Ghanaians as we look forward to celebrating the country’s centenary anniversary in March 2057. For now, let’s raise our chest high and say: GOLDEN JUBILEE OF GHANA 2007, AYEKOOOOOO!

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic, 23/ 10/ 2007.

KOFI ANNAN: THE AFRICAN LIVING MONUMENT OF THE CENTURY

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Daily Graphic, Wednesday, October 24,  2007

Shall we ever be guided by this African proverb? “If the palm fruit of your farm is not meaty or fleshy enough, it is you yourself who must munch it in such a fashion that others may even envy you!”

Ghanaian/African Media

If the Ghanaian Media and for that matter the African Media do not know what is good for Ghana and Africa, other foreign media will dictate to Ghana and Africa what is bad for Ghana and Africa.

On Tuesday, January 23, 2007, the icon of the black race, the torch-bearer of global diplomacy, Busumuru Dr Kofi Annan the Immediate-Past Secretary-General of the United Nations, safely landed on the soil of his mother land, Ghana after over 40 years of selfless and dedicated service to humanity abroad. One had expected that the following morning, almost all of the newspapers in Ghana, if not all at all, would have, for once, devoted their front page banner headlines for the arrival of this Living Monument of our time.

Sadly, however, it was only a few newspapers in his land of our birth saw the triumphant return of this hero of international diplomacy as front page news. (I am just wondering what the Nigerian media scene would have been like, if Kofi Annan had been a Nigerian-born African citizen). This is why this writer wishes to doff his hat to the two leading public newspapers in Ghana, namely the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times, for demonstrating why Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, established the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1958 for the benefit of African journalists.

My commendation of the Daily Graphic is even more profound because, apart from devoting the entire front page of the Wednesday, January 24, 2007 edition to the arrival of Kofi Annan, the Paper also wrote an editorial on the matter under the heading “AKWAABA, BUSUMURU!”

Daily Graphic’s Editorial

In this write-up, I will dwell on the salient points of the twelve thought provoking paragraphs editorial of the Daily Graphic that welcomed Kofi Annan to Ghana. It is important to bear in mind that the traditional significance of the expression AKWAABA in Akan and WOEZOR in Ewe is deeper than the English term “Welcome!”

Before I review the Daily Graphic’s editorial in question, it is relevant to say a word of appreciation to the Government of Ghana for having staged what could be described as STATE WELCOMING CEREMONY OF BUSUMURU KOFI ANNAN, led by the President of the Republic, H.E.John Agyekum Kufuor himself on his arrival in Ghana.

Most Ghanaians are only familiar with “State Funerals.” We seem to be a people who place premium on dead bodies rather than eulogising living beings. So when the Ministry of Information and National Orientation officially announced the welcoming programme of the great son of the land and called on all patriotic citizens and well-wishers to be at the airport to give a hero’s welcome to H.E.Busumuru Dr. Kofi Annan to Ghana, it was clear that a national event was at stake. As a nation we should not only wait for our state men and women to die before we give them state funerals. There is a Chinese proverb which says: “If you want to honour a man, honour him while he is alive.” Kudos to Ghana Government.

Amazingly, the first paragraph of the Daily Graphic’s editorial for that day started with a quotation from a book written by a renowned Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe. The title was IN ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH. The quote reads:

“The cock that crows in the morning belongs to one household but his voice is the property of the whole neigbouhood.” The Paper continues that the famous Nigerian writer notes that, it is always a source of pride to own the cock which serves the needs of the community, saying, “You should be proud that this bright cockerel that wakes the whole village comes from your compound.” This point explains why Ghanaians should be the first citizens on this planet of heroism and dwellers of the African continent to be proud that Kofi Annan originates from Ghana.

When this writer happened to be in Singapore in November last year, he had to use the name of Kofi Annan, then UN Secretary-General to indicate Ghana on the African map. Apart from Kofi Annan, it was the National Football Team, the Black Stars that I was able to use to tell most people I came into contact with over there where I came from called Ghana. I told those who have never heard of Ghana that Ghana was the only country in Africa whose national team went beyond the preliminary stages in the just-ended world cup in Germany. Then people instantly started shaking my hands saying: “Your country is great!” This is why Ghanaians should not joke with Kofi Annan and the Black Stars at all. He is simply the Living Monument of the 21st Century.

The second paragraph of that editorial made one vital point: “Those who lived in the rural areas appreciate and understand the importance of the cock, especially the one which crows at appropriate times to wake up people to begin their daily economic activities. It is only the lazy who ignores the cock crow.” Whoever wrote that particular Graphic’s editorial deserves a national award. I could not agree more with the Paper on this point.

Today, most people, especially city dwellers cannot appreciate the value of cock crow because of availability of communication technology tools such as radio, television and even wall clocks and watches. People will readily tune in to radio stations at dawn to listen to the voices of radio Pastors than to wait for the cock to crow. The sound some people will expect at dawn is the “korkorkor -korkorkorr” beats of the shoe shine boys in most cities in Ghana today and not the crow of the cock.

Do you remember that when the Network Africa section of BBC wanted to change the cock crow for its signature tune last year or so, the entire continent kicked against it? Even in the Bible, when Apostle Peter proclaimed that he would follow Jesus to the grave, Jesus looked at him and said : “Peter, Peter, I say unto you that even today, before the cock crows once, you will deny me three times!” That was the value of cock crow in those good days.

The third paragraph of the editorial says: “Busumuru Kofi Annan has been Ghana’s gift to the world through the United Nations, which he served with distinction long before he assumed the mantle of Secretary-General.” It went on,” Indeed, he did us all proud when, as the Chief Executive of the UN, he did not feel intimidated and stood up against injustice and unilateralism, even to the extent of disowning the United States in its misguided crusading mission in Iraq.”

That was the humble Kofi Annan of Ghana. And if you are a Ghanaian and you are not proud of this man, then, you may have to go for check-up somewhere beyond this planet. Another wonderful point the editorial made was that : “Busumuru Annan carried to greater heights the image and integrity of Ghana which had been brought to bear on the UN system by our illustrious first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Alex Quayson Sackey, Dr Robert Gardiner, Kenneth Dadzie and E.Y.Amoako (Dr). This is an indication that before Kofi Annan, other sons and daughters of Ghana had played their parts at various stages in the global endeavour.

However, the editorial made it clear that: “He capped it all up when he led the UN to win the coveted Nobel Peace Prize.” The Paper then quotes a Ghanaian adage to the effect that: “A man came to play his part, not to do everything. Busumuru Annan has done his part and we are proud to receive him back home. In typical Ghanaian tradition, as when a cherished person returns home, we say heartily: “Akwaaba, Busumuru Kofi Annan!!!”

Listen to this point in the said editorial: “We are mobbing Busumuru Annan today because when he was given responsibility, he discharged it with a conscience based on cherished and valued principles. We applaud him because he did not bow to pressure, nor did he condescend to any parochial interests.” As a matter of fact, it was this part of the editorial that motivated me to sort of review the entire view of the Daily Graphic of January 24 this year.

The simple question is: How many of us in Ghana or Africa and elsewhere, will be able to discharge our responsibilities with integrity and conscience? If Kofi Annan had not performed his duties as UN Secretary-General with conscience, he would have been devoured by the international media like a lion does to its prey. Do you remember what the international media did to him when his adult son, called Kojo was involved in some so-called oil-for-food saga?

The truth is that Kofi Annan is a human being and as such can err like any human being in the course of his duties. But for some one to work in the UN system for over 30 years or so and then served as Boss of UN for ten years without any concrete evidence of corruption against him, I can only characterise him as an angelic soul. I don’t want to say that he has attained perfection in this incarnation yet. But to paraphrase what God told Noah in the Christian Bible: “If I can find 10 of Kofi Annan’s type on this planet, there will be no more wars on earth.”

Graphic’s editorial therefore postulates that that unique leadership quality, gem, jewel, precious stone of character , demonstrated and exhibited by Busumuru Kofi Annan, “must be a great lesson to us all. Sometimes when people are given jobs to do, there are others who evaluate them positively only on the basis of the many favours they bestow upon certain interest groups, irrespective of whether such favours breach or give dignity to established principles.”

Graphic is of the opinion that it pays for public officials to be motivated and encouraged to discharge their duties with utmost commitment and dedication to the public interest. “More importantly,” it noted, “public officers must be unwavering in the discharge of their responsibilities in so far as they err on the path of the general good. Once they eschew selfishness, they are bound to succeed.”

In the concluding paragraph of that memorable editorial, the Paper wrote: “We are equally thankful to the government for acknowledging the worthy contributions of Busumuru Annan and also for its active participation in the welcoming process. That demonstrates that we recognise and appreciate our heroes. A Hearty welcome! Akwaaba, Busumuru Kofi Annan!!!” the Daily Graphic editorial ended.

Reconciliation

On Thursday, January 25, 2007, a day after the Daily Graphic’s editorial on Kofi Annan, the Paper carried another front page banner headline , screaming with joy: “KOFI’S ,MAGIC AT WORK:- His iconic nature pulls Mills to Castle, first time in six years.” For that day, I must commend all the Ghanaian media for magnificent job done.

If Kofi Annan can use his mere physical presence in Ghana to attract all political opponents including Professor Atta Mills like magnet and drag them to the seat of Government for the first time in half a dozen of years, then you know the kind of soul we are talking about in the man. For that feat, the man must be rechristened as the Paramount King of Peace.

Suggestions

May I make two simple suggestions for the consideration of the nation?

1. The State Protocol must organise a Special Nation-wide tour for Dr. Kofi Annan to visit each of the 138 districts of Ghana. There he must be seen, touched and spoken with  by all school children. The inspiration will be such that in the next 50 years, Ghana may produce more Kofi Annans for the world.

2. The Ministry of Tourism/Tourist Board should create a National Festival of Peace in commemoration of the Triumphant Return of Busumuru to the mother land and the bringing together of all political opponents at the seat of Government.

The day Dr. Kofi Annan will land in the Ewe land, he shall be hailed: TOGBEGA BUSUMURU, WOEZOR LOOOO!!!!! WOEZOR KAKAKAKAKA!!!!!

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD)abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic, 24/10/ 2007

MOBILE PHONE: A TOOL FOR MODERN FISHERMEN IN GHANA

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

 Daily Graphic,  25/10/ 2005

It is prudent to be guided by some of the thought-provoking African proverbs like this simple one: “A child who has never traveled before tends to think that only his mother knows how to cook delicious soup.”

Long, long ago; and long before the Pyramids of Egypt were built and before Amenhotep IV a.k.a Akhenaton who was the first human being to proclaim monotheism or the concept of One God, passed through transition in 1350 B.C., traditional fishermen went to sea with only two basic tools – a wooden canoe and fishing net. The canoe fishermen then could not sail into relatively deep sea to catch whatever fishes they wanted. They were compelled to spend long days and harsh nights at sea, all in vain like Apostle Peter and his colleagues before they met the Saviour, Jesus the Christ.

Later in the 19^th century, when automobile was invented and mechanical engineering advanced to a certain  degree of perfection, canoe fishermen added one more tool to their implements – the out-board motor. This tool helped tremendously to make sailing swift, fast and very smooth indeed. In fact, fishing became more pleasant and enjoyable. The canoes were propelled by four-stroke engines and fishermen could go as far as they wanted provided there was enough pre-mixed fuel in their petrol tank. The proud fishermen could ride and dive deep into the sea and chase fishes and harvest them in their very “dormitories” even when they were

 in the process of “procreating”.

In Ghana, during bumper harvest seasons, some fishermen had no choice but to dump some of their catches back into the sea to avoid selling them at heart-broken prices at the shore. Why? Because they did not have access to cold store facilities to preserve the extra catches for tomorrow. Further more; they did not have the means to communicate with their agents or customers beyond their immediate communities in advance to determine whether their catches could be sold at competitive prices else where. Thus, they were at the mercy of some unscrupulous middle women fish mongers.

Today, at the threshold of the 21st century, thanks to Information Communication Technology (ICT) particularly Mobile Telephony, fishermen in Ghana have added the fourth most important tool to their fishing equipment – Mobile Phone. Ghanaian fishermen may be characterized as the latest segment of the Ghanaian society, especially in the rural community to join the technological train wagon of mobile phone users.

On Wednesday November 23, 2005, this writer was invited in his capacity as a Journalist interested in ICT or online-journalism or cyber-journalism to join a group of researchers, headed by the Coordinator of the Technology Assessment Project (TAP) of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Amos Anyimadu on a study tour of some selected Districts in the Central Region of Ghana with particular focus on fisher folks at Moree.

Without attempting to bamboozle the reader with any ICT jargons such as “VSAT Technology”, “Telematics”, “Mobile telephony”, “Seamless Integration” and what have you, suffice to say that the purpose of the study tour was simply to find out how Information Communication Technology for Advanced Development (ICT4D) policy of the Government of Ghana was impacting on the rural communities in general. In this particular case the research was further narrowed down on how the fishermen at Moree were making use of Mobile Phones to enhance their traditional fishing business to improve upon their living standards.

Moree is a prominent fishing town along the coast of Ghana. It is about two hours’ drive west of Accra, off Accra-Takoradi road a few kilometers away from Cape Coast Township. It is located in the Abura, Asebu, Kwankese District. Moree now has a population of about 30.000 according to the 2000 population census. Even before the research team got to Moree, the team leader, Dr Anyimadu, decided that a stop-over be made at Apam, another progressive fishing town in the Central Region to briefly interact with some fishermen there to see whether the Mobile phone fiver in Ghana has caught up with them, too.

In fact, we reached Apam rather late about 7.30p.m to 8.00p.m. We asked and were directed to the actual area where typical fishermen and women live. The first question Dr Anyimadu asked in the language of the people (Fanti) was whether there was any Communication Centre in the area. A wooden kiosk was pointed out to us. Even though there was no electric light in it, it was operating as a Communication Centre alright.

Central Region fishermen were found to be very open and eager to offer information. As soon as they were made to understand the purpose of our visit in their community at that time of the day, the news spread like bush fires. They were told that we were a team of researchers from the University of Ghana trying to find out whether they had access to mobile phones. If yes, was there any way the communication gadgets were helping them to advance their businesses?

Within a twinkle of an eye, we were invaded by people and any questions put to them were responded to with alacrity. They even offered some information that we did not anticipate. They talked about how they use the mobile phones to check from their agents and customers from various parts of the country where the prices of fish were more competitive.

One revelation we did not know until then was that some fishermen go to sea only to buy fishes from other bigger fishing boats to come and sell. In a nutshell the Apam fishermen are making good use of the Communication Centres and “Space to Space operators” who are operating both fixed lines and mobile phones to enhance their fishing business. Shall I digress a bit?

About 18 years ago, precisely in September 1988, just after 12 months of the establishment of an Apam Community FM Station, I personally went to spend seven days in that town to administer survey questionnaires to a variety of respondents. The survey was in connection with my Project Work in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Diploma in Journalism of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Accra. My topic was “Communication and Organisation of Rural People for Development: A Case Study of Apam FM Station”. In fact the survey covered Apam and Mannford fishing communities. Even though the Station had been in existence for barely one year at the time, I wanted to know if it was making any impact on the rural people. As a matter of fact, the Apam Community FM Station was an experimental Project of the Ghana Broad Casting Corporation (GBC). The experiment was based on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) concept of Rural Broadcasting.

What was fascinating about the Apam FM Station was that, at that time, Ghana was the second country in Africa (after Kenya), selected by UNESCO to benefit from the Community FM Station Programme initiated by what was known as the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).The Station was commissioned on September 26, 1987 by the then Ag. PNDC Secretary for Information, Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi on behalf of the then Chairman J.J.Rawlings.

One major benefit that the fishermen derived from that Community FM Station, according to the survey was that, every dawn before they embarked on their fishing expeditions, they would wait and listen to the weather forecast for the day on the radio in their own language before they went to sea. That service the Station was rendering them was more valuable to them than anything else in their vocation or trade. It helped them avoid storms and other unpredictable hazards at sea.

Thus, besides, relevant information, education, entertainment and other motivational programmes that the station was broadcasting to mobilize the rural folks for development as far as communication was concerned, the people were allowed to go to the studio to undertake some unique traditional performances themselves. Today (2005), the Apam Community FM Station is “dead”. The fishermen lamented when I inquired on Wednesday 23 November, 2005 when the Technology Assessment Project team visited the town. Apam fishermen expressed the desire to have their Community FM Station back. According to them, the 10kw transmitter donated by UNESCO has broken down and the Station had been off air for the past seven years or so.

Now, they had to rely on Adom FM in Tema or Peace FM in Accra to listen to the weather forecast. May I take the liberty to suggest that the District Assembly responsible for Apam, the Member of Parliament for that constituency in collaboration with GBC, if possible, should do some feasibility study of the Community FM Station and come up with a proposal for the consideration of UNESCO for technical support to see if that Radio Station could not be revived for the development communication of the rural people?

On Thursday, November 24, 2005, the Technology Assessment Project study team continued with their research findings at Moree. There is one Communication Centre in Moree, called “Shalom Communication Centre”. It has one fixed line. The land line telephone number is virtually known to everybody in the town. With this strategy whoever in the town receives a call from any part of the country through the Communication Centre can be sent for to respond for a fee. The Communication Centre owner also has a mobile phone in addition to his fixed line. There are three other people who are operating “Table-top Space to Space system” in the town. Those who have mobile phones have to search for a suitable location to position themselves in order to receive network connectivity otherwise, their handsets will only be “museum pieces” in their hands. Mobile phone operating companies should not only crowd themselves in Accra and other big cities. They must consider investing in rural communities, too. They will still make profit considering what we saw at Moree.

In an interview with the chief fisher of Moree, Nana Fin and some of his elders, the Mobile phone has become one of the most important tools they are now using to enhance their business as far as the fishery industry is concerned. According to Chief fisherman, he himself has two mobile phones. He himself does no longer go to sea often. Therefore, when his people are sailing, he gives one mobile phone to them to take along. He keeps one with himself at home. With this strategy communication link is established between him and his fishermen at sea.

He explains that whenever there is any problem such as a shortage of pre-mixed fuel or someone falls sick at sea the fishermen at sea use the mobile phone to communicate with him at home. Then he will quickly respond and arrange for solution to whatever might be the difficulty being encountered at sea. Nana Fin is very happy and proud for this dimension brought about in their vocation thanks to Mobile Telephony. He recalls that previously, when his fishermen went to sea for about three or more days without any feedback, he would be restless until they returned safely. “But these days I am always in contact with my people at sea if only they are within 30km to 40km radius away from me. And I am able to know whatever is happening until they come back to shore”, he said with broad smiles in his face.

Furthermore, with the Mobile phone he could verify the prices of fish at various market places at Tema, Kumasi, Koforidua or even Accra before his people land with their catches. Other fishermen spoken to in Moree concurred with the Chief Fisherman. Messrs Kobina Otu, Mark Pratt and Kofi Sarsah, all of whom have one mobile phone each were very proud to possess the modern communication gadget which is making their business more enjoyable. They are calling on mobile phone operators to come and open mobile phone shops at Moree because more people are eager to acquire the equipment as part of heir fishing implements.

Nevertheless, the fisher folks of Moree have one particular problem which is militating against the smooth operation of the canoe fishing industry in the area. According to fishermen interviewed the basic problem is the use of very powerful lights by some fishing trawlers or boats in fishing in their waters. They said this problem has been persisting for over two years now and all efforts made to obtain the attention of authorities concerned to help solve the problem prove futile. They complained bitterly that the use of the powerful lights tends to drive the fishes away from canoe fishermen who are not able to do deep sea fishing. In fact the Chief fisherman of Moree stated that because of this problem the business of women fishmongers in the town has virtually come to an end. “Now our women are leaving for Abidjan, Kumasi and other places because they don’t have work to do in our town” he lamented.

Mr. Kobina Otu, another leading fisherman, put his lamentation in a rather philosophical fashion thus: “Look us,” he chipped in. “We don’t have forest into which we can go and hunt for games or cultivate cash crops like cocoa and so on. Fishing is the only vocation we depend on to feed ourselves, cloth our wives, and above all to education our children. If today others are making it impossible for us to undertake our God-given career, then what are we living for?”, he queried hypothetically. Moree fishermen are therefore, appealing to the authorities concerned to come to their aid by stopping those who are using the powerful lights in fishing in their area of operation.

The Technology Assessment Project has been mandated by the Ghana Office of the World Bank and other partners to undertake a radio production on Information and Decentralized Development. A follow-up forum on Mobile Communication will take place at Busy Internet in Accra on December 5, 2005, while in-depth research findings of the Moree study tour will be published in a book later. Ghana now has no choice but to

embrace ICT to accelerate its development strategy for the prosperity of the nation.

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD)abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic,  25/10/ 2005

TAKING ICTs CLOSER TO RURAL PEOPLE IN GHANA

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Daily Graphic, Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Once upon a time, the only means of transport available to mankind were human feet. There was no automobile, no locomotive, no ‘sea-craft’, let alone an air-craft. But then, King Hyena and King Tortoise had to embark upon a long journey to a common destination.

The two friends were to participate in a very crucial council of traditional rulers' meeting that was to adopt a resolution to transform all satellite kingdoms into one mighty kingdom with one supreme King. Of course, they had no choice but to make the trip on foot.

However, because King Hyena was faster than King Tortoise, he left him behind and rushed to the meeting. Eventually the two friends reached their destination and successfully accomplished their mission. There is, therefore, this African proverb which reminds that: "Wherever Hyena will go, Tortoise, too, can go; the only difference may be the time each of them will reach their destination."

Ghana, like Malaysia, Singapore and other technologically minded countries, is today gradually but steadily taking Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) to rural communities so as to bridge the digital divide between the urban dwellers and the rural folks in the country.

One strategy Ghana Government has adopted to achieve this feat is the establishment of Community Information Centres (CICs) in all 138 districts throughout the country. The ultimate goal is to establish the CICs in all the 230 constituencies in Ghana. In fact the beauty underlining this concept is to replicate miniature kinds of Ghana-India Kofi Annan of Advanced Information Technology Centre of Excellence in all corners of the country. No matter how long it will take Government to accomplish this seemingly insurmountable task, the important fact is that Government has taken the first step towards the realisation of this vision and mission.

 It must be borne in mind that those countries like Singapore and others who are leading in this field of endeavour, known as E-Government started their journey almost 30 years ago. So Ghana, too, will get there. In this context, E-Government simply stands for Electronic Government. And Electronic Government signifies Governments providing public services to their citizens electronically or online. In Singapore, Government slogan is: Whatever services that can be provided electronically must be delivered electronically. Simple and short.

ICT Policy

It is relevant to mention in passing that Ghana Government through the Ministry of Communications, in 2003 formulated an ICT policy dubbed, Information and Communication Technology for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD). This policy can be characterised as the foundation upon which Ghana's vision for the information age was built. As a matter of fact the Ghana ICT4AD is the concrete evidence of the government's objective to ensure the availability of quality and affordable access to information and communications services to facilitate the transformation of Ghana into knowledge-based society and technological driven-economy as ratified by the country at the World Summit on Information Society in 2005.

The formulation of the ICT4AD also takes in account the aspirations and the provisions of key socio-economic development framework documents such as Ghana's vision 2020 the First Step; the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) 2002-2004; the Co-ordinated Programme for Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2003-2012). This has been updated within the thee-pronged Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) II development strategy. The focus is to enable Ghana attain her developmental goals faster and more efficiently.

At the time of writing this piece, Ghana Government has drawn up comprehensive Development Action Plans out of the ICT Development Policy. The implementation plans outlined specific areas of focus, dubbed Sub-plans. These include: the E-Government Sub-plan; the Accelerated Human Development Sub-plan; the E-education Sub-plan; the Private Sector Development Sub-plan and the E-Commerce Development Sub-plan.

 Others are the E-Health Sub-plan; the ICT and Physical Infrastructure Development and Roll-out Sub-plan; the Legal, Regulatory, Institutional Provisions and Standards Sub-plan; the Industrial, Scientific Research Drive and Promotion Sub-plan; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Drive in ICTs ; the E-Security Sub-plan and above all, the ICTs-in-Community Sub-plan; just to cite a few.

It is the ICTs-in-Community Sub-plan which is the special point of reference in this article. This plan is targeted at programmes and initiatives for facilitating rapid deployment of ICTs within the community especially in the rural zones to promote universal access to and the exploitation of ICTs and its resources in the population at large. And one of the concrete measures Government has adopted in achieving this transfer of ICTs to the rural dwellers is the establishment of the Community Information Centres (ICT) in various districts of the country.

CICs

Ghana's Ministry of Communications since 2005 has embarked on infrastructure development of CICs at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies throughout the country. So far 71 CICs have been established in selected communities. The communities have been selected based on certain existing facilities such as electricity, telephones and so on in those communities.

It is important to underline the fact that the CICs are at various state of development. In other words, not all the established 71 CICs are in full operation yet.

According to survey and evaluation mission conducted by the office of the UNDP in Accra in April, 2007, various CICs are at various operational and functional levels. For example, out of the total number of 71, five have been commissioned (C); eight have been classified as fully operationalised and functional (OF); two are described as operationalised (O); 11 of them are categorised as pending operationalisation (PO) and another 11 referred to as ready, while 34 are placed on status of Civil Works (CW).

It must be noted that some of the terms used here to describe the status of the CICs are more or less technical and can best be interpreted by the technical experts. This writer is only trying to disseminate relevant public information for the benefit of the people of Ghana and beyond, and as such, will not pretend to be an ICT expert at all.

This year (2007) Government is determined to establish at least two CICs with full operational capacity in each of the ten regions of the country before the end of the year. And when we talk of CIC with full operational capacity, we mean a Centre that is fully equipped not only with machines but with the human being with ICT skills and managerial know how, who will operate the equipment and manage the Centre as well.

 In this regard a fully operationalised and functional level CIC must have the following: The physical building itself with electricity and telephone facilities; the Local Area Network (LAN); at least five (5) workstations, that is computers; one Server; one Switch; one Printer; one Scanner and five (5) UPSs. One may ask what are some of the services that a CIC is supposed to render to the community. And I will further probe to know the targeted beneficiaries of CICs in a typical deprived community.

Basically, a CIC has a responsibility to provide not only an Internet cyber cafe services to the community, which is so far, the focus of most CICs visited in April this year. But the CICs are mandated to provide ICT training opportunity to the rural brothers and sisters in the area of basic computer literacy so that they will not see a computer as some ferocious creature ready to devour them whenever they touch it.

Further, the CICs are to support business activities in rural communities by providing marketing information on improved agricultural production and extension services. More importantly, the CICs are strategically positioned to disseminate and educate rural folks on government policies, programmes and projects, especially in the areas of health, education, agriculture, environment, local government by-laws, tourism potentials and investment opportunities in their own localities and how they can tap those using ICT tools.

And the main beneficiaries of CICs among others are the general community members, school children, youth out of school, women and women groups, private business entities, Non-governmental organisations, local government authorities and of course our most venerable traditional authorities.

Stake holders

There are several stake holders or collaborators including the Ministry of Communications, the Assemblies themselves, the UNDP, the Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunications (GIFTEL) and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation (MINO), who are putting their expertise at the disposal of the CICs to make them really productive and to live up to expectation. There are other indirect development partners, playing crucial roles behind the scenes such as the World Bank, the International Institute for Communication Development (IICD) and others.

MINO for instance, is responsible for the content development and management of the CICs. In other words, it is the Ministry of Information and National Orientation through the Information Services Department that has the mandate to employ its experience in the communication and dissemination of public information and the technical know how in editorial matters of information gathering, processing, packaging and disseminating to the grassroots people in the rural zones through the famous ISD Cinema Vans. Information Services Department also has offices doted in most districts with officers who have the technical know how of sending feed-back to government to assess the impact of its policies on ordinary people in the street.

With the coming into being of CICs it has become imperative for these Information Officers to acquire relevant ICT skills in order to support the CICs in content management strategies. This is where, UNDP deserves tons of commendation for teaming up with Ghana Government by providing technical and financial support in the area of capacity building for MINO in training Information Officers to enable them upgrade themselves so as to add modern technique of information dissemination using ICT tools in addition to their traditional know-how.

Capacity Building

During the first and second weeks of June, 2007, UNDP organised a 'Train-the-Trainer' Course in ICTs for selected 22 Information Officers including some District Information Officers at the Ghana Multi-media Information Centre (GMIC) in Accra. At the closing session of that capacity building programme, Ghana's Minister for Information and Orientation, Hon.Kwamena Bartels (MP), was full of praise to the UNDP for their commitment to supporting Government in achieving its ICT 4 AD goals in the country.

The Minister disclosed that his Ministry had just embarked on a nation-wide recruitment exercise and over 116 additional District Information Officers are expected to be appointed to fill vacancies in the remaining districts where officers are not currently available. He pointed out that the CICs have come to stay and are to contribute to get the people at the grassroots to "be informed and enlightened to enable them make informed choices."

Honourable Bartels stated that a series of ICT capacity building programmes would be lined up for all new Information Officers to be engaged to acquire the requisite skills in content management to enable them discharge their duties effectively and efficiently at the CICs where they would be posted to. He, therefore, placed UNDP on "red-alert" to stand by. As he put it, "Oliver Twist…"

Mr Fredrick Ampiah, Partnership Advisor and Head of Partnership Unit at the UNDP who represented the UNDP Country Director in Ghana was of the view that the entire country was strategically positioned to achieve the time-bound Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. He noted that, "the initiative of developing ICT capacity within the Information Services Department will not only serve as the foundation for the full utilisation of the CIC concept, but will also go a long way to improve the creation of knowledge based societies in the rural areas where the majority of Ghanaians live."

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD)abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic, Tuesday, June 26, 2007.