Agbedohia Stephen Ghana Institute of Journalism A LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Dear Minister, I felt very proud and overwhelmed after reading the news item on Ghanaweb which was about your meeting with the nine member Chinese delegation to Ghana. I had a very great feeling after reading what you told them when they told you not to arrest their citizens. It was also clear to me that delegation did not care to consider what our laws are with regards to small scale mining, or consider the danger it poses to the ordinary Ghanaians or even consider the behavior of their citizens towards Ghanaians and I begun to think if china was in the position of Ghana, would they have even contacted the Ghanaian president before taking actions top resolve that, or can Ghana send a delegation to China and instruct the Chinese government to allow their unlawfulness exhibited by foreigners as Business? I would also say, I was gigantically proud when you indicated them that “Ghana has no responsibility in providing employment for Chinese” As young boys who have always believed in the African, you just demonstrated to me that there is hope for Ghana. I wish all other ministries and their heads as well as leadership would consider Ghana and the interest of Ghanaians first anytime they meet delegations make up of light skinned men. Let us prove to the white that, the Black men is capable of managing his affairs and also let them know that, Africa is not an extension or a part of their continents. I would end here with a cote from our National Anthem…… “and help us to resist oppressors rule, with all our will and might forevermore”

OUR SOCIAL ISSUES...

IT IS NOT TOO LATE......... THE MOMENT I SAW THE CLAUDS FORMING THIS MORNING, I BEGUN ASKING MYSELF IF WE ARE READY AS A NATION FOR THIS YEAR'S RAINS? I THEN BEGUN THINKING OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE AS A NATION TO PREVENT THE FLOODS THIS YEAR IN CASE WE HAVE SIMILAR RAIN AS WE HAD LAST YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE DONE NOTHING MEANINGFUL APART FROM OUR USUAL TALKING TO PREVENT THE FLOODS. THEN I ASK, IS THIS HOW BAD WE CAN BE AS A PEOPLE? WHY SHOULD WE ALWAYS BE FACED BY THESAME PROBLEM EVERY YEAR AND YET DO NOTHING THAN SHARE RELIEVE ITEAMS AFTER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND PROPERTIES HAS BEEN DISTROYED BY FLOOD. WE ALL ARE AWARE OF THE SOLUTION BUT OUR PROBLEM IS, THE CITY AUTHORITIES DONT HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO DEMOLISH "THAT BUILDING" ON THE WATER WAY JUST BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF LOOSING POWER OR FOR THE FEAR OF BEING VOTE OUT. BILL COSBY ONCE SAID"I DONT KNOW THE KEY TO SUCCESS, BUT THE KEY TO FAILURE IS TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE, WE CAN STIILL ACT NOW, LETS ACT NOW TO SAVE THE LIVES AND PROPERTIES THAT WOULD BE LOST IF THE RAINS SETS IN. INFACT, WE ARE MADE AWARE THAT THIS YEAR, THE RAINS ARE GOING TO BE MORE SERIOUS THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR. NB: IF YOU AREA LIVING IN A FLOOD PRONE ARE, ADVICE YOURSELF AND RELOCATE BEFORE THE HEAVY RAINS SETS IN.. A STICH IN TIME,.............

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Did you know? Written By, Kwasi Poku Owusu; a student journalist from the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Jewellery has become an emblem that many people use them to signify authority, riches and some other forms of power. Traditionally, jewellery has its own way of telling a story. Nevertheless it does not change the true meaning of it. Have you ever wonder, that the jewellery that you gracefully put on is of the accurate quantity of the precious metal that it is said to be made of? Well it will surprise you to know that what we put as jewellery sometimes turns out to be a fake. These include the locally manufactured and the imported ones. The jewellery industry in Ghana has a long history from way back before, during, and after the independence of the country. Products within the sector are highly valued as well as patronized both locally and the international market. Some of which include ear rings, wedding rings, anklets, bracelets, necklace and all manner of craft works. However, there seems to be little or no control over the operations of the industry. As a result, consumers of such products are left vulnerable and the mercy of manufactures and importers. Meanwhile, manufactures and importers of genuine jewellery are not pleased with the situation at hand and therefore, the need to set up a check and balance scheme that will help bring this challenge to a halt. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) nee Ghana Standards Board introduced the Assaying and Hallmarking of jewellery scheme about four years ago to help control and ensure quality of service in the sector. Hallmarking is a quality control mark, placed on an article made of precious metals such as gold and silver. According to research, it is the accurate determiner and official recording of proportionate content of precious metal in jewellery. These tests on jewellery are independently carried out by an Assay Office. Hallmarks are official marks stamped on gold, silver and platinum articles as a guarantee of certain purity and fineness of the jewellery. A Ghana hallmark contains three symbols namely; the sponsor’s mark (often called the maker’s mark), a number indicating the purity or fineness in part per thousand, and an Assay Office mark. The articles that are marked are gold and silver. For gold, the standard marks are as follows; 375 (9 karat), 585 (14 karat), 750 (18 karat), 990 and 999 parts per 1000. For silver, the standard marks are; 8000, 925(sterling), 958(Britannia) and 999 parts per 1000. According to the Head of Public Relations for GSA, Kofi Amponsah Bediako, in an encounter, made mention of the objectives behind the instituting of the hallmarking scheme, saying that; the scheme is there to protect the consumer against fraud due to false claim by the jeweler, to provide accurate and verifiable reports about the constituents of jewellery, develop Ghana as one of the leading gold market center in the world and to develop export competiveness. He also added that upon the establishment, the assay office has been performing it duties but some jewelers have neglected the office. Initially, the jewelers use to come for certification but within these past years very few of them still come for the process. The certificate only last for only one year which means that every year comes with new certification He also said that the facility is not limited to only jewelers but the consumers and the general public at large, however almost all consumers and the public are ignorant and unaware of this facility. He gave a reason as to why it is so, saying; there is the availability of the ready market because the consumers always want to buy those with the common identity (those that have names in the market). Mr. Amponsah later outlined the benefits that both the jeweler and consumers are likely to enjoy when they make good use of the facility. To the consumers and the public as well as jewelers; • The satisfaction that, the consumer gets the right purity of precious metal for the given price (i.e. value for money). • The third party assurance of quality and originality. • Easily identify fake products on the market. • It will provide clear indication of their capabilities. • Provide strong evidence of commitment to quality. • Provide assurance of consistency in purity and quality of jewellery, hence enhances market share. He finally added that the GSA in fulfilling its mandate to protect the consumer and improve the precious mineral trade has extended the third party certification activities to the jewellery industry by building capability for the assaying and hallmarking of precious metals. It is obvious that the X-ray Florescence (XRF) machine at the assay laboratory of the GSA, tests both locally made and imported jewellery. Manufactures and consumers of jewellery making and its usage are invited to make use of the facility provided. Therefore it is the responsibility as citizens who are interested in the craft to make it a point to be vigilant and aware of what we put on as gold or silver. So the next time you visit a jewellery shop, look out for the marks and the certificate to ensure equity in the delivery of goods and services.

Threatening Imminent Collapse of James Town Fishing Industry. Fishes are an important source of protein for millions of people worldwide. Since the early 1970s, 70 to 100 million metric tons of fish are caught each year for food. People consume about 70 percent of fish caught, and nearly 30 percent are used as animal feed that helps produce other forms of protein. Fish protein represents about 25 percent of the total animal protein consumed by the world’s population, second only to beef. (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved). In addition to being a source of protein, fishing as a vocation, has been with the dwellers of towns and villages located closer to the sea since time immemorial. James Town in Accra is no an exception. Of recent times there have been challenges which, if not seriously looked at, would contribute to the collapse of the industry in James Town. The challenges are, but not limited to, high cost of inputs, lack of storage facilities, and depletion of fish stock as a result of the use of unorthodox methods which include pair-trolley. This threat has led to some fisher folks of James Town deserting the once lucrative venture, a source of livelihood and a long-standing tradition which pass from one generation to the other. James town fishing industry faces imminent collapse. Fishermen at the James Town fishing community lament over the imminent collapse of the fishing industry if support is n ot forthcoming. The rising cost of materials is driving away people from the old tradition and lucrative business of the indigenes of James Town. • • Poor day’s catch is as a result of pair-trolley. Ironically, the bigger vessels used in the pair-trolley belong to people with clout in society. Different species of fish found in the Atlantic Ocean and other sea foods being caught include the crab • Part of the distribution chain (the women) • Fishermen are deserting the vocation for other job. Hardly a normal fishing expedition makes up at least 20 crew needed on a vessel. Mending of fishing nets at the James Town fishing harbor. Fishermen at the James town fishing harbor are seeking for help to save the industry from collapsing in the near future. These fishermen say, they will wish that the government comes to their aid to help solve the numerous problems facing the industry to enable the be able to feed the nation as well as being able to earn a living.