CURRENT EVENTS #2

Solar Eclipse …..29 March at 9:11 AM

New Minimum Wage Out

Effective 1 March the minimum wage is up from 13,500 cedis to 16,000 cedis an increase of 18.52%! This change is meant to maintain the economic stability as well as maintain right atmosphere for growth. This was agreed to in an atmosphere of “give and take” by the following groups: Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment (government); Executive Director of Ghana Employment Association (employers); Ghana Trade Union (organized labor). The minimum wage will be tax-exempt for the 2006 budget even though the cost to government will ensure lower levels of income, people will have more to spend.

49 Years Independent

On 6 March 2006 Ghana was 49 years old. It was wonderful to witness the patriotism and pride as many celebrating remember the day when Kwame Nkrumah proclaimed independence. The government wants all “people to be able to manage their own affairs.” They have pledged to strengthen the rights of cistizens; ensure transparency of administration and provide opportunities for all to participate in the decision making process.


Deep Thinkers in Ghana are Few!

Development progress has been rated at 20%. This is “attributed to the fact that people in Ghana aren’t using human facility to maximum production.” Ghana needs economic independence and should make a massive effort in food production. They should strive to improve health, quality of education of children in school.


Environmental Issues Must be Concern of Ghanaians

During the fourth African environment day it was proclaimed that all should work toward a “filth free nation.” In order to institute attitudinal and behavioral change there must be awareness and financial support. “Zero littering: the way to healthy living.”

Feel This…….

Feel This…….
- Watching a grown man sitting on the edge of a chair reading children’s book after children’s book.
- Air so dry your nostrils are no longer moist
- Sun so bright you walk with your eyes cast down
- Hearing giggles of children, turning to see them wearing one whole outfit between them, one has the top the other the bottom
- Realizing the impact of death…no insurance, no work, no food, no home, two children and a mother with an infected foot; father was a security guard for the college
- Cold water sliding down a parched throat which has been drawn from a bore hole into a reserve tank, boiled, chilled, no ice after having no water for several days.
- Wind has picked up, it’s been one month since rain, the clouds release gallons of water at once pounding on a tin roof hitting the dry expectant earth.
- Hearing the voice of a loved one over a staticy phone line….they cannot hear you.

Big Box Store Comes to Ghana

OK, so it’s not REALLY a big box store but as you may imagine the name caught my attention while walking along a street in Cape Coast.