CIC MANAGERS TRAINING WORKSHOP AT ABIRIW AKUAPEM IN THE EASTERN REGION

Organizers:
Ministry of Communication, Ghana
United Nation Development Programme (UNDP)
Ghana Multimedia Incubator Center (GMIC)
Ghana Investment fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC)

OBJECTIVE
To Provide the CIC Managers with additional skills and value that would maximize the service they in-turn provide to their communities and the country at large.

COURSE CONTENT

Ghana Multimedia Incubator Center (GMIC)
•Formed in 2005 by the GoG in partnership with UNDP through the MoI.
•Its main objective is to promote ICT Entrepreneurship development
Through incubating of ICT business start-up
•Also to provide the much needed skills under Government ICT for Accelerated
Development (ICT4AD)

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is the contracting of a specific business task to a third-party service provider.
It is the rearrangement of entire business functions to some other service providers.

This relocation or contracting out of business processes to an outside provider is mainly to achieve efficiency and low cost.

Ghana’s Hope Now, and for Years to Come

At the end of the BPO training, I gained knowledge in;

1 What BPO means or stands for
2 The Worldwide Trend on BPO
3 Why Ghana Needs BPO?
4 Ghana’s Current BPO Status
5 The Future of BPO in Ghana
6 Ghana’s Advantages
7 The challenges in the sector in Ghana

•BPO arising from its unique qualities and attributes has been trumpeted as one of the last bastions of hope to raise the living standards of developing countries such as Ghana, which has in recent memory been accorded the tag of HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Country). However, this much needed Socio-Economic intervention can only be realized with an appreciable number of skilled labour and a better favourable environment to develop a niche in the BPO industry in Ghana.

Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) Typing Software

An interactive typing software that teaches;
How to use the computer keyboard
How to improve your typing skills.

BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS
• concept of a computer
•Computer Hardware
•Computer Software
•Internet and Networking

Internet Usage and Email Etiquette
Rules Of Email Etiquette
Manners and Tones
Internet Search Techniques
Operators and Limiter
•OR (it is used to broaden a search using synonyms and related terms eg. Teenager OR Adolecent)

•AND (for combining multiples terms eg. Welfare Reform AND Legislation)

•NOT (Is use to exclude key word or phrases eg. Jewelry NOT silver)

Communication and listening skill
•Importance of communication

•Communication Process
SENDER
MASSAGE
CHANNEL
FEEDBACK
RECIPIENT
CONTEXT

Communication Barriers
External barriers
Internal barriers

Breaking the barrier
Be natural
Don’t rash
Speak clearly

Time Management
It is a critical factor in achieving productivity
and efficiency.
Time management is all about wining the “EFF” that is effective, efficient and effortless.


Why Time management
•Time is Money
•Can effect cash flow
•It leads to increase in productivity and Efficiency

Bad Time Management
•Leads to bankruptcy and redundancy

Advantages of Time Management
•Leads to high productivity
•Allows one to meet dead lines and target
•Allow one to plane each day effectively.

Time Robbers
•Sending out unnecessary emails, jokes etc. to friends and families during working hours
•Reading news papers, making and receiving phone calls during working hours

We also had a Presentation from other IT Organizations

1. Real IT Solution (Educational software for Ghanaian Students from Upper primary to . Junior High School.)

2. Shop Africa 53 (web base market where Ghanaian can sell their product to both local and foreign customers.)

By Asare-Budu Emmanuel
CIC manager, Bechem TSDA

Chainsaw operators a major target for ministry

The Ministry of Lands and Forest Resources is to collaborate with security agencies, traditional authorities and assembly members to clamp down on chainsaw and other illegal timber operators. Alhaji Collins Dauda, the sector Minister, said this when he inspected Tetain Forest Reserve at Bechem in Tano South. Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, and Mr. Raphael Yeboah, Executive Director, Forest Service Division, accompanied him. The minister expressed concern about the rate at which illegal logging is depleting forest reserves and said, “If immediate measures are not taken to halt the practice, Ghana will have to import timber some years to come.” A quantity of timber boards and logs were found packed at separate points inside the forest and some chainsaw accessories were also retrieved. Alhaji Dauda said as a result of illegal logging 30 percent of timber logs that could be used in the carpentry industry were wasted as the perpetrators operated in the night to outwit the security agencies. He said the government would not tolerate the activities of vehicle owners who used their vehicles to convey timber felled by the chainsaw operators. Mr. Nyamekye Marfo said the Regional Coordinating Council had received information that well-armed illegal operators from Techiman operated in the forest reserve. He appealed to the police and the military to step up night patrols especially on the Bechem/Sunyani/Techiman road to apprehend the perpetrators. The Regional Minister said it was disheartening that chainsaw operations were gaining prominence in the region and appealed to all and sundry to help halt the practice. Mr. Richard Gyasi Amoako, Bechem Forest District Manager, said because the Tetain Forest Reserve was under the supervision of the Nkawie Forest District in the Ashanti Region it made regular supervision and monitoring a problem. Alhaji Dauda ordered that the reserve should be released to the Bechem Forest District with immediate effect to enhance proper supervision.

TANO SOUTH HOLDS SECOND SESSIONAL MEETING

The Tano South District Chief Executive (DCE), Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba has assured that by August this year, all on – going projects in the district would be completed and new ones initiated.

He said the construction of a three unit classroom block at St Joseph College, a police station and barracks at Derma and a dinning hall with kitchen for the school for the deaf among others have been awarded to contractors to commence work. The DCE made this known at the Second Sessional Meeting held in Bechem in the Tano South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Mr. Bukari Zakari Anaba said all these can come to light if rate payers in the district pay their quota to the District Assembly. The DCE identified lack of publicity on the need to pay tolls and rate, non – availability of bye – laws to prosecute rate defaulters and non – existence of revenue task force in the district as some major challenges to the Assembly to generate funds for development in the district.

He disclosed that to ensure effective decentralization system and for the District Assemblies common funds to achieve the purpose for which it was created, the government has decided to review the deductions made at source, to enable the district assemblies get enough funds for development.

Mr. Bukari Zakari Anaba further disclosed that the Tano South district assembly and Bechem Traditional council in collaboration with the German Technical Co operation



(GTZ) are currently developing an industrial site near the District Assembly’s offices for artisans in the district, especially those in Bechem.

He however abhor the activities of illegal chain saw operators in the district and therefore challenged the government and the individuals to protect the environment and the forest form further destruction.

The DCE further appealed to the Assembly members present to report people who involve themselves in these nefarious activities to the security agencies in the district.

On feeder roads, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba informed the house that plans have been put in place to get about six (6) kilometers Bechem town roads constructed to face – lift the district capital. He noted that another twenty – one (21) kilometer stretch form Techimantia to Akomanda has also been packaged for rehabilitation. For save drinking water the DCE said that the district assembly has packaged about thirty – six (36) bore holes for the entire district and small town water system for Brosankro and environs.

To enlighten the house on how the school programme is doing in the district, Honorable Anaba said a total number of one thousand eight – hundred and ninety – eight (1,896) pupils are being fed in five schools in the district.

An executive sub – committee in a report, presented to the house the annual budget for consideration and approval. After reading and critically analyzing the budget, the house decided that some of the estimated prices for some projects should be reduced.

TANO SOUTH DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE PAYS FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO THE VARIOUS OFFICES IN THE DISTRICT

The Tano South District Chief Executive, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba has paid a familiarization visit to the various offices/departments in the Tano South District of the Brong Ahafo Region. Accompanying the District Chief Executive on his visit were the Tano south District Coordinating Director, Daniel Osei – Asebey, the District Information Officer, Barnie K Agyeman, the Tano South Presiding Member, Honorable Prince Henry Boadi and some other departmental heads.

Honorable Bukari Anaba Zakari who assumed duty on 20TH May, 2009 introduced himself to the officers and their staff and interacted with them to acquaint himself with their problems. In each office the DCE visited problems ranging form accommodation, mobility, roads, water, sanitation, street light to security were detected as their major sources of setback to development and therefore appealed to the District Chief Executive and the District Assembly to support them in solving these problems. The DCE in response assured the officers the readiness of the Assembly to help the people to get the needed basic amenities, but reminded them that the Assembly could do all these if tax payers in the district oblige in paying their taxes.

The District Chief Executive on his various rounds explained to the officers some governmental polices and programmes such as the distribution of free school uniforms, coupons to be given to farmers to subsides fertilizer and expanding of the school feeding programme to other schools in the district. A visit to the Tano South District Health Directorate by the DCE and his entourage revealed inadequate residential doctors, the breakdown of some official vehicles and inadequate staff as some of the challenges facing the directorate.

In addressing such challenges, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba with the help of Mr. Daniel Osei – Asebey assured the staff of establishing a semi – detach building to accommodate extra residential doctors, since accommodation has been the reason for doctors abounding their post. On the issue of the breakdown of some vehicle the DCE assured the directorate to release some funds to help repair those cars. Lack of street lights and non – provision of furniture for the police officers was also a worry to the Bechem Police Station.

Outlining problems affecting the Bechem Police, ASP Wisdom Yao Avornu said it is about time the District Assembly provides a head quarters for the police service. In tackling such problems the DCE assured the Bechem police of some future amenities to help the officers feel more comfortable in delivering their service. To ensure security in the district, Honorable Bukari Anaba Zakari promised the officers that in his first 30 days in office, he would restore all the damaged street lights in the district capital and environs to help easy flow of cars and pedestrians and also help reduce crime cases in the district.

The DCE tasked the officers to investigate and detect crime in the district to help save lives and properties. Chain saw operators and lack of security to the workers of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource in the Tano South district was seen as some major problems. The staff therefore called on the government on behalf of the district Assembly to bring more military men into the district to help secure the forest and the forest guides from illegal chain saw operations. Honorable Bukari Anaba Zakari entreated the ministry to educate the local farmers on the swine flu (HINI) pandemic, and also urged the workers to encourage local farmers to cultivate more tomatoes, since it is a profitable business.

The District Chief Executive and his entourage also took time to visit the St. Joseph’s College of Education. At the school the out going principal, Charles B N Mensah called on the Assembly to help construct an additional girl’s dormitory to help accommodate more women into the school. Calling for more assistance, the principal dub for speedy work on the library, which when completed would accommodate 800 students at a goal. The DCE accepted their request in good faith and therefore urged the students to concentrate on their studies.

REGIONAL NURSES WEEK CELEBRATION HELD IN BECHEM

The Deputy Minister for Brong Ahafo Region, Honorable Eric Opoku has called on health professionals in the country to provide a world – class care for patients, irrespective of the limitations they find themselves. This he said involves hard work, dedication, patience and sacrifice that seeks to preserve and prolong lives. The Minister said this at the Regional launching of Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) week celebration held in Bechem in the Tano South district under the theme “Nurse, Leading Care innovations”.

According to Honorable Eric Opoku, nurses who make sure patients are attended to, occupy special spots in the society and have become role models that al lot of people are now struggling to get into nursing training institution to become nurses. To ensure better working conditions for health workers, the minister assured that the government is committed to provide quality health service delivery and facilities that would provide the noble profession the apparatus needed to execute their duties. He therefore urged the nurses to see their career as a call to service and not just one that put food on their table and provide them other accessories. The minister therefore commended the nurses for the good work done and advised them to continue to save more lives

Speaking at the launching the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of GRNA, Mr. Eric Apperkon Cannor who officially launched the programme said nurses being in the forefront of the care of patients and clients, they should be in a position to identify problems before they occur to the clients. It is therefore bestow on nurses to lead the way with proper and result – yielding innovations so as to give proper care to patients. This Mr. Eric Cannor said was the reason for choosing this year’s celebration theme. He revealed that nursing is full of challenges especially in areas where care is rendered to the people, since the need of one patient may be disliked by the other. The chairman said it is the duty of the nurse to embrace such needs and grievance by way of analysis to bring out the best solutions to their clients.

In a keynote address by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Kojo Tinkorang said the vision of the Ghana Health Services is to contribute to socio – economic development and create wealth by promoting health and vitality, ensuring access to quality health for all people living in the region. To pursuit those visions Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang underscored innovations, discipline and integrity as some of the care values that guide the health professionals to execute their task. Inadequate human resource, funds, logistics and equipment needed for effective and efficient service delivery were some of the challenges the Deputy Director revealed as facing the health sector. Dr. Emmanuel Kojo Tinkorang therefore advised the nurses to strive towards career development so as get the opportunity to take leadership roles in the health sector.

The Tano South District Chief Executive, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba in welcome address revealed that the District Assembly on behalf of the government have decided to sponsor students to pursue various courses in nursing in order to increase the number of health professionals in the country. He however warned nurses who have benefited from such facility to desist from giving flimsy excuses when they are posted to the hinterlands to serve the country.

Mr. Bukari Zakari Anaba reiterated that the Assembly would only sponsor nurses who would accept posting to the hinterlands after completion of their course. According to the District Chief Executive, nurses should command the respect of the community by being decent, knowledgeable and skillful in order to let patients feel comfortable secure and relaxed.

The launching saw dignitaries such as the Member of Parliament of Tano south District honorable Andrews Adjei Yeboah, the Tano South District Director of Health Pharm Duut Bedima and the Omanhene and President of Bechem Traditional Council NanaFosu Gyeabour Akoto II. The programme was also climaxed by a football match between the health workers of Bechem and Duayaw Nkwanta

ANNUAL INTER – SCHOOLS CULTURAL SCHOOL COMPETITION

A two day Inter - Cultural School Competition has been held at the Roman Catholic School Park at Bechem in the Tano South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

The occasion saw pupils from various Basic and Junior High Schools including Bechem Nkwanta L/A primary, Bechem Islamic Primary, St Joseph’s Practice primary, Presbyterian Junior High, St Vincent Preparatory among others.

Pupils from the various schools participated in drum language, singing competition, dancing and poetry recital, some poems on drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, the role of women in society were also recited by the pupils to educate and entertain the public.
Songs such as old and patriotic were sang to remind the public of the histories of Ghana. Some patriotic songs such as “Yen ara asa se ni” and “Se oman be ye yie” were also sang to boost the patriotism spirit in the people. Various school cultural troupes performed dances such as war dance, puberty dance and harvest dance.

At the end of the competition some schools were awarded with certificates for best performances. For the Junior High School the overall best school award went to the Presbyterian Junior High School and for the Primary the over all best school was awarded to St Vincent International School.

TANO SOUTH DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE MEETS SENIOR CITIZENS

The Tano South District Chief Executive, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba on behalf of the District Assembly has congratulated Senior Citizens in the district to mark the 49th Republic Day Celebration in Ghana.

Addressing the Senior Citizens at his residence, Honorable Zakari Anaba reminded them that it has been exactly 49 years since Ghana became a Republican country and as such must be celebrated and remembered for the selfless and dedicated services some senior patriotic citizens rendered to the country. “The Services of Our Senior Citizens to this country cannot be over emphasized. Ghana has come a long way and this has been made possible due to these great men of ours”, he said.

Honourable Bukari Zakari Anaba therefore appealed to the Senior Citizens to urge the youth to emulate the good examples of their forefathers in order to leave a good legacy themselves and the generation yet to come. He further advised the elders to desist from negative practices such as depletion of the forest, armed robbery, corruption and conflicts that would destroy the good social fiber of the district.

In an address the Tano South District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Kwadwo Mensah who is also the District Committee Chairman for Brong Ahafo @ 50 took the opportunity to discuss
some activities put in place to mark the occasion. He labeled tree planting, quiz competition, soccer match, beauty contest and exhibition as some of the activities drawn by the committees to help mark the occasion. Mr. Kwadwo Mensah revealed that such activities are also being held in the other districts and municipal assemblies across the region. The chairman therefore expressed hope that the celebration of the birth of Brong Ahafo Region would help foster peace and unity among the people. He therefore called on all to actively participate in the celebration.

Later in a speech, the Tano South District Budget Analyst, Mr. Daniel Owusu who is also a focal person of the Tano South District Child Protection Committee revealed that a programme dubbed “Worst form of Child Labour” has been introduced into the district to help curb child trafficking and other forms of brutalities that children go through. He said children are a blessing and not a curse and as such must be properly taken care of. Mr. Daniel Owusu disclosed that Brosankro, Breme and Derma are among the ten communities to benefit from this programme. He therefore urged the Senior Citizens to enroll their children into school, since education they say is the best way to success.

During the open forum, questions ranging from health to farming equipments were asked. Mr. Danso a tomato farmer requested for measures/procedures to store tomatoes, since tomatoes is vulnerable. In an answer the DCe assured that the District Assembly on behalf of the government is putting measures in place to establish a factory in the district to help can tomatoes locally.

On pension, a pensioner suggested a Ministry of Pension Affairs to help solve problems encountered by pensioners as to the payment of pension allowances and so on.
In an answer to the above question the District Chief Executive Mr. Bukari Anaba promised to take matters up for the higher authorities to handle it.