Takoradi, Oct. 29, GNA- The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), on Monday closed down eight hotels in the Sekondi-Takoradi area because owners did not comply with regulations of the Service. The facilities were Valley Beach, Africa Beach, Takoradi Beach, Raybow Hotel, Lagoon Side, Hillcrest, Peak Lodge and Animens hotels. Nana Ekow Abban, the Western Regional Fire Commander, said the exercise was to ensure that the various hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities in the region complied with GNFS rules.

He said the Tropic and Goil gas companies in the area would also be closed down tomorrow because the facilities were too close to the Jubilee Park and commercial drivers were using them as parking bays. He urged all individuals, companies and institutions to acquire fire certificate, saying it was not cumbersome to acquire the document, which is mandatory under LI 1724, passed in 2003.

Roberta Aggrey-Ghanson, GNFS Divisional Officer Grade Three in charge of security and safety, said because the Service did not have any idea about fire exists and other safety measures, a risk assessment must be done prior to the issuance of the certificate. She said the hotels would remain closed until they ensured basic security requirements to safeguard lives and property. 29 Oct. 07

NSOC 34 Social Workshop Project Hunger Project organises workshop for communities

Kade (E/R), Oct. 29, GNA - Mr. Yaw Yiadom Boakye, Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive has called on assembly members, chiefs and opinion leaders in the society, especially those in the rural areas to help educate the people to be more self-reliant and committed to initiate projects for the government and other bodies to assist them in the socio-economic development of the country.

Mr. Yiadom Boakye said that many people in the rural areas lack basic and social amenities like good drinking water, public places of convenience, places for recreational activities like community centres, clinics and others and it is the responsibility of both the government and the people to provide them.

"However, it is the people who should first request and initiate the projects and then seek the assistance of the government and other organisations in the provision of those needs. Heaven helps those who help themselves," he said.

Mr Yiadom Boakye made this call when addressing 212 participants of the Hunger Project-Ghana workshop at Kade at the weekend. The participants were drawn from Okumaning-Aboabo, Larbikrom, Asuboni and Abenaso, all in the Kwaebibirem District. The DCE emphasised that it was the aim of the government to provide the people with basic and social needs but the people themselves should contribute their quota immensely before the government's aim would be achieved.

He therefore, advised the participants to propagate all that they learnt from the workshop among their people to enable them to initiate projects for their development. Mr Yiadom Boakye assured the people that the government is ever ready to come to their aid at all times. He also thanked the Hunger Project-Ghana for their great contribution to the nation. Mr John Sarpong Amoakohene, the Eastern Regional Programme Officer, after taking them through the workshop advised the people to put all that they had acquired into practice. He advised them to go back to their communities and meet the opinion leaders, examine their basic needs, initiate projects and present them to the assemblies, organisations and other bodies for assistance.

Mr Isaac Ollesu-Adjei, the National Programme Officer of Hunger Project-Ghana said the organisation is aimed at coming to the aid of the people at all times in helping them to overcome their problems and provide their needs.

He said so far, the project has reached five out of ten regions since 1996. The regions covered are Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta, Central and Eastern and would be extended the other regions as well. He said where the programme has reached in the Eastern Region include Kwahu South, Kwahu West, West Akim and the Kwaebibirem Districts. Mr Ollesu-Adjei further explained that the project would be extended to Fanteakwa, Manya Krobo, Asuogyaman and Akwapim North Districts before the end of the year. 29 Oct. 07