Government reacts to Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance
Government on Monday reacted to the 2011 Ibrahim Index of African Governance released.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information, said the latest release showed that since 2008, Ghana had earned significant points in all four categories of Human Development, Sustainable Economic Development, Safety and Rule of Law and Participation and Human Rights.
“This is only a confirmation of the strides government and the good people of Ghana are making on daily basis and it is hoped that this report will spur all Ghanaians on to achieving the Better Ghana Agenda which remains an unyielding vision of President John Evans Atta Mills.”
The statement said in 2008, Ghana ranked seventh with 64.3 out of 100 points and currently maintains the seventh position but with higher points of 66.0 out of a 100 points.
In the key areas considered; under Human Development: Ghana has progressed from 67.6 in 2008 to 69.3 in 2009 and now at 69.6 in 2010. Under Sustainable Economic Opportunity: Ghana has progressed from 50.1 in 2008 to 54.7 in 2009 and now 53.4 in 2010.
Under Safety and Rule of Law: Ghana progressed from 71.5 in 2008 to 73.1 in 2009 and 71.9 in 2010, under Participation and Human Rights: Ghana progressed from 68.0 in 2008 to 68.8 in 2009 and further to 69.1 in 2010.
The statement explained that in general terms therefore, when compared with where Ghana stood in 2008, Ghana had earned +0.4 points in Safety and Rule of Law, +1.1 in Participation and Human Rights, +2.0 in Human Development and +3.2 in Sustainable Economic Development.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa added that despite these positive pointers, “Government was aware that a lot more needed to be done to achieve the better Ghana vision of President Mills and pledged government’s continuing determination and resolve to improve the living conditions of all Ghanaians.”
In another development, Government has extended its “sincerest congratulations” to Former President of Cape Verde, Pedro Verona Pires for winning this year’s $5 million (£3.2m) Mo Ibrahim prize for good governance in Africa.
Source: GNA
Doctors will not rescind decision until grievances are met – Ghana Medical Association
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on Monday said it would not rescind its decision on the nationwide strike action until the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission had met grievances of doctors.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview, Dr Kwabena Opoku Adusei, Vice President of the GMA, said the members would continue to stay away as directed until the distortions in the grading structures of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), issues of unscientific determination of market premium and inducement by the FWSC were resolved.
The GMA has complained about the inability of the FWSC to provide unequivocal evidence of migration of doctors onto the SSSS and the ambiguous stance of the Single Spine Salary Secretariat on the positions of District Directors of Health Service and Medical Superintendents.
It therefore gave the FWSC up to October 7 to meet their conditions or they lay down their tools.
Dr Opoku Edusei expressed concern about the inability of the FWSC to acknowledge receipts of all letters written by then GMA on the inducement and market value, adding, “This clearly shows that they are not willing to listen to us”.
In a separate interview, Ms Eva Addo, Director in charge of Salaries Grading, Regrading and Job Evaluation at the FWSC, said it was unfortunate that the GMA had embarked on a strike action when it had not exhausted the outcomes of the meeting with the National Labour Commission (NLC)).
“NLC, a couple of weeks ago, decided to resolve the dispute between FWSC and the GMA by compulsory arbitration as provided for under Section 162 of the Labour Act and decided that the dispute be resolved by compulsory arbitration as provided for under Section 162 of the Labour Act”.
Ms Addo indicated that GMA’s request of discussing the market value and its sustainability were negotiable but could not be assured by the Commission, adding “whilst we have not even finished discussing that they have embarked on a strike action”.
He said the Commission was still working around the clock to ensure the payment of salaries of doctors by the end of October.
A visit to Ridge hospital, Adabraka Polyclinic and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals saw doctors attending to only old cases.
Source: GNA