Accra, May 6, GNA - The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) on Tuesday announced its "3 in 1" process aimed at reducing dependence on external funding for project implementation.

The initiative seeks to establish Red Cross chapters in about 7,800 communities throughout the country to shift from the traditional role of waiting for foreign assistance before responding to disasters. Mr Andrews Kwesi Frimpong, Secretary General of the Red Cross Society, said this at a press conference to mark World Red Cross Day under the theme: "Together for Humanity".

The day, which falls on May 8, 2008, also marks the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Red Cross Society.

Mr Frimpong said the new concept would deliver basic and regular social services in communities to create awareness on volunteerism and the activities of the society.

"This will help the communities to get to know more about what we do, become direct beneficiaries of our activities and in return support our cause when the need arises," he said. Mr Frimpong said four of such new chapters had been created at Kuntenase, Abono, Feyiase and Worakese in the Bosomtwi District of the Ashanti Region to promote the generation of local resources. He said the society also had its Strategy 2008-2010 which would help in organizational development, capacity building among volunteers and members to enable them to become better equipped in the delivery of humanitarian services.

Activities for the celebration in Ghana will include a clean-up exercise, float, blood donation, public lectures, safety game and first aid education.

District Assembly constructs offices

Nyinahin (Ash), May 6, GNA - The Atwima Mponua District Assembly is building an assembly hall complex, a 40-unit office block, 10 staff bungalows and a guest house at the cost of GH¢1,200,000. Mr. Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive, said this at the second ordinary meeting of the assembly at Nyinahin on Monday. Mr. Owusu-Ansah said the second phase of the Rural Electrification Project in the district had started with the erection of low tension poles at Tanodumase, Gyereso, Pasoro, Anamsu, Nsuotem, Ahyiresu and Anhwiafutu and that negotiations were also far advanced to connect 33 other communities to the National Electricity Grid. He said since 2007, a total of 57 projects including the construction of classroom blocks, provision of water and other facilities funded by assembly's part of the common fund and donor support funds had been completed.

The assembly is building market stores at Otaakrom and Mpasatia and they would be completed before the end of the year. Mr Owusu-Ansah said Nyinahin Library and Information Communication Technology (ICT) complex projects estimated at over 60,000 Ghana Cedis were being jointly funded by the assembly as well as the Member of Parliament's share of the Common Fund. He said the assembly had provided GH¢1,200.00 worth of sanitary tools to some communities in the district. Under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mr. Owusu-Ansah said 327 community education teaching assistants, 250 youth-in-agriculture, 70 health extension workers and 60 sanitation aids have been recruited in the district. The assembly has also provided over 1,000 mono and dual desks to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for distribution to some schools. 06 May 08