GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP DISATER POLICY...Zita announces at AUCC graduation (PAGE 11, NOV 16)

THE government is developing a comprehensive national disaster policy which will spell out measures to combat the effect of the global warming on the environment.
The Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, who made this known, said the issue of climate change was not only for the industralised nations, and that Ghana was currently experiencing the negative effects of climate change.
Mrs Okaikoi said this at the 5th graduation ceremony of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) in Accra at the weekend. The ceremony was on the theme “Climate Change, the role of communicators in Africa”.
In all, 139 students were presented with Diploma in Communication Studies for the 2008 academic year.
She said the power of communication could not be overlooked because the world had become a global village with the evolution of science and technology.
Mrs Okaikoi stressed the need for the graduates to sensitise and inform the public about issues of climate change and induced disasters in Ghana and the sub- region.
For her part, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms Sherry Ayittey, expressed concern about the effects of global warming, which had caused more heat waves and droughts.
She said this could result in more conflicts for water resources, and had a greater potential for heat- related illnesses and deaths.
Climate change has disrupted more lives, and that had resulted in the increase in migration to the city, she noted.
Explaining the implications of global warming, Ms Ayittey said in 1983, there was a severe drought in Ghana which resulted in the occurence of a nationwide wildfire, where large expanse of forest woodland and farmlands were burnt down.
She also referred to the 2007 massive floods in the Northern, Central and Western regions of Ghana, where huge losses, in terms of lives and property, were recorded.
"Africa and other developing nations are more vulnerable to the risks and challenges posed by climate change," she stated.
Ms Ayittey urged the graduates to educate the entire citizenry on what climate change is and its effects.
The President of the AUCC, Mr Kojo Yankah , announced the university’s proposal to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and the University of Ghana to replace the Diploma in Communcation with an Association Bachelor's Degree.
The objective, he said, was to review the syllabus, so that what is known as the diploma track would from January 2010 be incorporated into a full four-year degree course.
"AUCC would from January offer a number of certificate courses, which would include public speaking, writing skills, creative writing, speech writing, report writing and listening skills," he disclosed.
Mr Yankah said through its achievements, the school was offering lectures via the internet with other institutions abroad.
Mr Yankah encouraged all in the communication sector to share the issues of climate change to the entire world.
Students who distinguished themselves in various subjects were presented with awards.
Ms Aku Yram Amevedzi, who excelled in Marketing, Public relations and Communications Research Methods, had the overall best students award.