07.10.2007
Where was President Kufuor from Sept. 14-21?
Haruna demands whereabouts of President
The National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Haruna Iddrisu is sighting President John Agyekum Kufuor for contempt of Parliament.
He says the failure by the President’s office to declare his whereabouts during the period he left to undertake some official obligations in Canada is unconstitutional.
A Press statement from the President’s Press Office announced that President John Agyekum Kufuor will leave Accra on Friday 14th September, 2007, for Ottawa, Canada, on an official visit that was to see him hold bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper and the Governor-General, Ms Michaelle Jean.
Indeed the President left the country but none of the meetings publicized came on fueling speculations that he never got to Canada at all.
Mr. Iddrisu addressing a youth gathering in Koforidua, the capital of Ghana’s eastern region said the President’s failure to honour the duties he sighted in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament is misleading adding, any misleading information given to Parliament is contemptible.
The vibrant youth leader also took a swipe at former NDC Chairman, Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah on his recent comments against the NDc and its flagbearer, Prof. John Evans Attah Mills
Dr. Asamoah had said that the NDC cannot win any elections now because its flagbearer, Prof Mills was not marketable
Haruna Idrissu said Dr. Asamoah’s comments were unfortunate and will not be treated seriously by the party.
He said the NDC would want to “remind him (Dr. Asamoah) that no condition is permanent”.
He said Dr Obed Asamoah’s utterances “amounts to nothing but a mere wish, and should be treated by everyone as a mere wish as somebody wishing another person a failure.”
He added that the new terms made under ROPAL to allow a minimum of five hundred Ghanaians the legitimacy to vote is contrary to article 52 of the constitution.
He told the gathering that any attempt to implement ROPAL will be “a recipe for conflict because it will clearly undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the election results” adding that “contested election results, its outcome have been nasty throughout the world”.
He added that the NDC demands a reform in the method of announcing election results, through the introduction of an ICT system to eliminate the bloating of figures.
Haruna Iddrisu says no member of the NPP government can challenge the integrity of Professor Atta Mills, in his quest to lead the NDC to victory in election 2008.
He said the party is coming out with a new Professor Mills campaign—a campaign that will emphasise on his accomplishment, compassion, judgement and character.
He asked all party members to ensure that the “Operation Win Your Ballot Box” achieves victory in 2008.
Source:
jfm
Singapore Airlines launches Passenger Sales Agency in Accra
Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - Minister of Aviation Gloria Akuffo says its policy of air transport liberalization that gives operators a favourable business environment in line with market demands is yielding positive results.
Speaking at the launch of Singapore Airlines Passenger Sales Agency in Ghana, Miss Akuffo said besides the favourable environment, improved infrastructure and facilities needed by businesses in the aviation industry had also contributed to the increasing number of reputable airlines seeking to operate to and from Ghana.
For example, she said the number of Airlines operating in Ghana has increased from 19 in 2005 to 25 presently with more applications pending.
Under the Passenger Sales Agency deal with Travelex Limited, a Ghanaian Tour and Travel Agency, passengers travelling to the Far East would be able to connect Singapore Airlines in Cairo after flying Egypt Air from Accra.
The move is the first step to establishing full flight services between the two countries.
Miss Akuffo, whose speech was read for her, said the separation of aviation safety, regulation and the provision of air traffic services managed by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), from the development, maintenance and management of the nation's airports and airstrips, which were now run by the Ghana Airports Company Limited was another move to boost the industry. She urged Singapore Airlines to pursue the process for the regularization of bilateral air services agreement between Singapore and Ghana to facilitate full flight operations to and from Ghana. Mr Willie Orhin, Deputy Director-General, Finance and Administration of the GCAA, said the launch was an indication of Singapore Airlines' interest in possibly commencing operations in the country if feasibility studies being conducted by the Airline proved favourable.
He pledged the support of GCAA in facilitating the passenger sales activities of Singapore Airlines and also assured them of availability of facilities and services to ensure safety and security of their operations in Ghana.
Mr Ang Beng Siong, General Manager, Singapore Airlines, Egypt and North Africa, expressed the hope that the partnership between the Airline and Travelex would work well to make their presence in Ghana meaningful.
He assured Ghanaians that the Airline would explore ways in which the collaboration would be mutually beneficial to the parties. Mr P.O. Addai, Chief Executive of Travelex, said the launch of the sales agency marks the beginning of the provision of high quality service for which Singapore Airlines was well known. Singapore Airlines has grown from a regional airline some 60 years ago into a global company with a reputation as first class airline. 07 Oct. 07
Attention Recipients, item 01 ends first cast.
Source:
GNA
CPP in position to win Elections 2008
Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) on Saturday ignited its Elections 2008 electoral strategic movement with the voting of 13-man Constituency executives for Okai Koi North with a tagging of the party as the third force for next year's general election. Mr Kofi Attoh, CPP Greater Accra regional Secretary who led a team of executives to conduct the elections noted: "politicians in Ghana has to rediscover for themselves a higher sense of moral content and social purpose going beyond mere numbers.
"To the CPP politics is about providing representation, giving voice to the people and communities, forging new social alliances and alignments, and giving new confidence to old identities," Mr Attoh stated at the Constituency congress in Accra.
Other leading members of the party who attended the congress included; Professor Nii Noi Dowuona, General Secretary, Mr Mike Eghan former Vice Chairman, Mr Felix Amoa, a former Minister of State, Mr Kosi Dede, aspiring General Secretary, and Hajia Hamdatu, aspiring National Women Organiser and large party supporters from the constituency. Mr Attoh said the new crop of CPP leadership after congress in November this year would not only remind Ghanaians of the great deeds of the Nkrumah-led CPP regime but would also lay bare the deficiencies of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the other parties.
He said Ghanaians and the electorate needs to know the bare truth about mismanagement of state resources by the ruling NPP and the past misdeeds of its predecessor National Democratic Congress (NDC), so that, "we are not once again deceived to vote any of them back to governance."
The Constituency congress forms part of preparation towards the third National Delegates Congress to elect national executives and a flag bearer for Elections 2008 slated November this year. According to party's guidelines filing of nominations for contestable positions starts from Monday October 8 to Monday October 22, vetting of flag bearer aspirants starts immediately.
Mr Eghan called on party members to organise to ensure that the strength of the CPP was consolidated and revitalised through empowerment of foot soldiers not only in the constituency but throughout the country.
He entreated the Constituency executives, members and supporters of the party to put their full weight behind any of the flag bearer aspirants who would emerge victorious at the November Congress. He however, urged them to elect a loyal, dedicated and an accomplished flag bearer who have the capacity and capabilities to move the new CPP forward for electoral victory in the next general elections. Mr Amoa said the construction of a Presidential Palace at the Flag Staff House residence of the first President and Father of the CPP, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was an attestation of God's divine mandate for CPP to annex the governance of Ghana once again.
Mr Dede, the aspiring General Secretary expressed concern about deprivation in the country adding that so many talk about poverty in the country, while engaging in conspicuous consumption, ostentatious display of wealth and outright wastage.
He noted: "We, who derive our inspiration from the great Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah cannot indulge in such double standards. Ultimately, our conscience must guide us to adopt norms of public conduct that stand out for simplicity and integrity.
"I do believe that the time has come for the CPP to think innovatively. The politics of protest and agitation will continue to be important. But a number of other tasks are equally important. Making the people aware of their entitlements and empowering them is a political activity which can most effectively be carried out by the Party." Mr Kosi Dede said the essential message that CPP have to propagate and fight against the destructive ideology of the NPP and its outfits. "While our founding fathers were fighting for the freedom of our country, the Danguah/Busia tradition was busy spreading the virus of federalism in our society. Its sole objective has been to denigrate our party and our leaders.
"While our leaders immersed themselves in nation-building, they did their best to undermine them and their efforts and weaken the bonds of amity and harmony."
He urged CPP foot soldiers to move throughout the country to present the good policies of the party to ensure that people understand and recognise the contribution of the party towards nation-building. The newly elected Okai Koi North CPP Constituency executives were; Nene Admte Perprew, Chairman; Mr Simon Justice Akabo and Mr Francis Tachie Mensah first and second Vice Chairmen respectively; Mr Muhammed Y. Houghas, Secretary and Mr Williams O Asante Assistant Secretary. Others were; Richard Nat Nyanyo, Organiser; Emmanuel Homs Nii Laryeh, Assistant Organiser; Madam Aisha Futa, Women Organiser; Ms Lily Mills Kuevi, Assistant Women Organiser; Mr Jacob Kwesi Atsyor, Youth Organiser; Mr Richard Amihere Assistant Youth Organiser; Madam Christine Dogbe and Mr Matthew Kwesi Obeng-Darko, Treasurer and Educational Secretary respectively.
Source:
GNA
"Dead" Judge Talking!
POOR RECORD keeping within Ghana's judiciary was made manifest yesterday when a Tarkwa-based magistrate was declared 'dead' by the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), Mr. Justice Joseph Bawah Akamba.
The incident took place at the 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AMJG in Accra.
Justice Akamba mentioned the name of Mr. Kwame Gyamfi Osei, a magistrate at Tarkwa, who was present at the meeting, among members of the association who died in the course of the year.
He therefore called for a minute's silence to be observed in their memory.
Apparently shocked by the pronouncement, colleagues who were sitting by the virile and healthy-looking magistrate shouted, "He is here. He is here", while he himself rose energetically declaring, "I am here, I am alive", amidst rib-bursting laughter from all present, including Chief Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood.
After the spontaneous laughter, president of the association resumed his speech by apologizing profusely to Mr. Osei for declaring him dead when he is alive.
Mr. Justice Akamba then deplored the poor record keeping within the judiciary which had made him commit that unusual blunder.
"Record keeping in the service is so appalling and I'm glad it has happened this way. This is a true reflection of the sentiments on the ground. I am very sorry."
He narrated how difficult it was for him to get the right records from judges and magistrates to prepare his speech.
The AMJG President, who used the occasion to congratulate the Chief Justice on her appointment, asked her to work with members of the association as she could not do the work alone.
To members of the association, he said, “All should be on board because when we share the same vision and direction, we get to our destination quicker.”
According to Justice Akamba, the judiciary had performed creditably despite the numerous challenges it faced. Though the conditions of service of members had improved remarkably in recent times, he called for further improvement to meet the rising cost of living.
He asked members to practise “true internal justice” within the judiciary “so that it doesn’t only seem that we only dispense justice and democracy but practise it as well”.
Justice Akamba advised his colleagues, saying, “Let’s do away with archaic procedures” which caused undue delays in justice delivery.
For her part, Mrs. Wood promised the judges and magistrates that the reforms started by her predecessor, the late Justice George Kingsley Acquah, would continue despite the challenges faced by the service.
She promised the judiciary that there would be frequent refresher courses for members to be conversant with modern trends, and warned that those who failed to attend the courses would be sanctioned appropriately.
“Foreign trips and courses will not become the preserve of a select few including my own self,” she added.
The Chief Justice encouraged magistrates and judges to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to clear the backlog of cases, adding that the system would enable them to deal expeditiously with criminal cases.
She thanked her colleagues for their support and goodwill since she assumed office, and expressed the hope that they would work assiduously as they had always done.
A Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Sophia O.A. Adinyira, who chaired the meeting, called on her colleagues to ensure that all in society had access to justice.
“We as the custodians and enforcers of the Constitution need to constantly remind ourselves that the achievement of the concept of access to justice depends heavily on the way and manner we administer justice.
“Despite the financial and infrastructural inadequacies that are facing the Judicial Service, we as judges and magistrates must continue to dedicate ourselves to building a truly independent, competent, efficient, and an effective judicial system.”
Dr. Alfred Doku of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Cardiothoracic Centre took the justice dispensers through a series of prevalent diseases and ways to prevent them.
Twelve retired members of the association were honoured.
Source:
Daily Guide
Teachers warned against collecting money from pupils for extra classes
Breman Asikuma (C/R) Oct.7, GNA- The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) District Director of Education, Mr. Ekow Anyanful has warned teachers in the district who collect monies from pupils for extra classes to refrain from such practice because anyone caught would be drastically dealt with accordingly.
He said if parents agree that teachers should organize extra classes for their wards, then they (parents) should mobilise and collect the amount to pay the teachers at the end of the month. Mr. Anyanful gave the warning at a three-day Management Training for 130 Heads of Basic Schools, Circuits Supervisors and Coordinators for both registered private and public Basic Schools in the district at Breman Asikuma.
The training was to p repare them towards the new Educational Reforms Programmes to ensure its success. It was also to build them up for effective work and make them aware of their roles and responsibilities as frontline supervisors to improve educational standard in the area.
The Director said the successes and failure of the new reforms rest on them and urged them to give of their best. He appealed to them to ensure that tuitions given them at training be put into practice for the benefit of the children. Mr. Anyanful urged the participants to explain properly the new syllabus to teachers in their schools and guide them to effective teaching and learning.
Mr. Anyanful called the heads to inspect all on-going projects at their schools involving construction of classrooms and other facilities and submit report to the district directorate immediately. The resource people were all from the District Education directorate led by the district Director.
They led participants through topics including, introduction to 2007 Educational Reforms, Introduction to the New Syllabus, House keeping, Channel of Communication in Ghana Education Service, Code of Professional Conduct, General duties of Heads of a Basic School and Supervision of Teaching and Learning.
Source:
GNA
Illegal Ghanaian Immigrant Jailed for rape
An illegal immigrant who followed a businesswoman home and tried to rape her was jailed yesterday.
Daniel Daffour, 26, punched her to the ground and tried to throttle her.
But the brave victim, 23, fought back and he fled.
Judge Deborah Taylor told Daffour: "You're a serious risk to women." The Ghanaian was jailed indefinitely for the 2005 attack in Southwark, South London, and recommended him for deportation.
Source:
Mirror ( UK )
Korea, Africa Tourism Ministers meet
Accra, Oct. 7,GNA- Ghana took a lion's share of 796 million US dollars as receipts of tourists in the country in 2006, representing 42 per cent of West Africa's total international tourist destination receipts of 1.9 billion US dollars.
The country also recorded the highest receipts per international tourist arrival of 1,855 US dollars.
These figures were made known during a tourism exchange forum organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization under its Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty Foundation (UNWTO ST-EP) supported by the Korean Government in Accra. The forum brought together tourism Ministers and other delegates from West African member countries to deliberate on issues affecting tourism and how to turn the region into the tourism destination of Africa.
Mr Helder Tomas, UNWTO Regional representation for Africa said the total number of international tourist arrivals in Africa in 2006 was 41million, representing 5 per cent of the world arrival. He said,West Africa recorded 4 million international tourist arrivals in 2006, representing 10 per cent of the total with Nigeria as the largest destination in terms of arrivals in the sub-region followed by Senegal.
Mr Tomas said although arrival grew by an average of 7 per cent annually since 1990 more needed to be done in order to earn more from the tourist industry.
He observed that although some countries received more tourist arrivals it did not reflect positively in their foreign exchange earnings.
This he explained might be attributed to the high cost of living in that particular country or much is not done to attract tourist spend money on expenditure.
He said there were numerous problems that were confronting African countries as to how best the continent can derive optimum from its numerous tourism potentials.
Lack of regional tourism policy framework, insufficient Air connections, slow facilitation of traveling documents, political instability, image problem and lack of effective marketing initiatives in some African countries were identified as some of the threats facing the tourism industry in Africa.
Ambassador Dho Young Shim , Chairperson of UNWTO-STEP Foundation on the occasion said the forum was part of their celebrations to mark the 30 years diplomatic ties between Korea and Ghana.
She said as a way of showing the numerous appreciations to Ghana, two pilot programmes dubbed: 'Thank You Small Library" (TYSL) a small library which is meant to grant people who do not have access to books the opportunity to have easy access was commissioned in Abokobi and Danfa.
She said the TYSL initiative aims to use education to eliminate poverty by increasing the number of libraries in poorer regions of the world.
Ambassador Young Shim said tourism was fast becoming an agent of transformation and development and the UNWTO initiative was to help promote tourism in Africa. Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Tourism, called for effective collaboration in the areas of security, information, and experience between African Ministers in-charge of tourism in order to derive more from its abundant tourism potentials.
Source:
GNA
Korean troupe thrills audience with popular Ghanaian folklore
An audience at the Korean cultural display at the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday were thrilled with a Korean version of the Ghanaian popular folkloric song “Kyekye kule”.
The Korean female singer, who mesmerised the mix of foreign and local audience had finished singing a Korean song and gone off stage amidst thunderous applauds, but suddenly ran back to the stage to do the popular “kyekye kule”.
The occasion was the dual celebrations of 30th Anniversary of Ghana-Korea bilateral relations and the Korean National Foundation Day, which marked the founding of the first Korean Kingdom by the sacred forefather Dangun, 4,339 years ago.
As part of the celebration, the Korean National Cultural Troupe were in Ghana to participate in a weeklong cultural and sporting activities.
Prior to the “kyekye kule” performance, the audience watched with enthusiasm equally outstanding and colourful dance and music performances by the cultural troupe.
Notable among the performances were the eight female drummers surrounded with 15 sets of drums, which they skillfully played interchangeably.
Another performance, which could best be described as the peacock dance performed by the ladies, also stood out.
But the five hat-wearing percussionist with ribbons tied to the top of their hats definitely stole the show with beautiful rhythms and exquisite control of the movement of the ribbons attached to their hats.
In his remarks to open the show, Mr. Wi Keyei Chul, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, expressed his country’s commitment to Africa, particularly Ghana, saying, “since President Roh Moo-hyun’s declaration of Korean Initiative for African Development last year, the Korean government has tripled its Overseas Development Aid (ODA) amounts to Africa.”
He said Korea had designated Ghana as its main ODA partner in Africa and that its support for Ghana’s economic development was rapidly increasing and in a more consistent manner.
Mr. Chul noted that this year alone, Korea had supported Ghana with information technology system.
“Now it is Korea’s firm policy direction to provide Ghana with two or three projects every year to support economic development and improve the lives of Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning described Korea as an important development partner to Ghana and expressed the country’s gratitude for the Asian country’s immense contribution to the economic development of Ghana over the past 30 years.
Source:
ghanamusic.com
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Faustina Gyeketey is National Best Teacher
Tamale, Oct.5, GNA- Madam Faustina Gyeketey, a 30-year-old English teacher at the Obokrom Junior High School (JHS) in the Central Region, has won the overall national "Best Teacher Award" for 2007. For her prize, she is to have a 400 million-cedi house to be built at a place of her choice.
The award ceremony, which took place at the Tamale Jubilee Park, was on the theme: "Quality education: Teacher participation in the new education reform".
Madam Victoria Mwalibie, a blind teacher at the School for the Blind in Wa and Mr. Issah Ibrahim Shaibu, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Coordinator at the Wa Senior High School, were the first and second runners up respectively. Madam Mwalibie took home a Peugeot saloon car valued at 18,000 Euros and a computer, while Mr. Shaibu also received a 16,000- Euro Peugeot saloon car and a computer.
In an address read on his behalf by his Chief Adviser, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, President John Agyekum Kufuor admonished teachers to desist from acts that undermine the ethics and standards of their noble profession.
He said recent reports of increasing teacher absenteeism, abuse of pupils and unwillingness to accept postings to deprived communities were a blot on the profession and had eroded the respect and confidence that people had for teachers.
"This day must therefore serve as a time for sober reflection and a pledge by teachers engaged in these acts to change for the better", the President said.
On the theme for the occasion, President Kufuor stated that teachers were the heart beat of the new educational reform, noting that for the programme to achieve its objective the country needed a highly skilled, technologically advanced and dynamic work force to fuel it.
President Kufuor said the central status of the teacher in fulfilling the educational reform could not be overemphasized adding: "Quality education is not achieved by the mere availability of classrooms, textbooks and other teaching and learning materials. "It is rather the ingenuity, dedication and commitment of a teacher that will result in the development of a responsible, disciplined and a national oriented citizenry with requisite knowledge, skills, values, aptitudes and attitudes to become functional and productive".
President Kufuor said it was to upgrade the skills and update the knowledge of teachers that the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the teacher training universities introduced distance learning and sandwich programmes.
He said it was in pursuance of the same aims that Teacher Training Colleges had been revamped with the first batch of students to benefit from the enhanced training colleges had graduated and have just started their career.
He said the GES in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast had instituted upgrading programmes for all basic schoolteachers including untrained teachers.
President Kufuor said currently 21,788 serving untrained teachers and 11,000 serving Certificate "A" teachers in basic schools had enrolled in the Diploma in Basic Education (DBE) programme by the distance and sandwich programmes being run in the teacher training colleges.
He said since the reforms place emphasis on laying a sound foundation for the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology in the basic schools, 15 existing teacher-training colleges had been designated to run enhanced science and mathematics programmes. Mr. Joseph Kwaku Adjei, National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) called on the GES and the government to create better learning environments for teachers and pupils by modernizing schools and reducing class sizes.
He appealed to the government to resolve the issue about deductions in salaries of some teachers, which had been termed as "Recovery of tax arrears and overpayment loan recovery".
He said that some teachers have had their salaries deducted up to amounts such as 1.5 million cedis and therefore called on the government to take steps to correct the situation to forestall any embarrassing occurrence.
Source:
GNA
CPP is not against foreign companies-Dr Osafo
Takoradi Oct. 6,-GNA-Dr Kwaku Osafo, a Presidential Aspirant of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), on Saturday said the Party and its founder, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President, were not against foreign companies investing in the country.
Addressing a press conference at Takoradi, he said Dr Nkrumah promoted foreign direct investment and ensured that the country obtain good equity from the companies.
Dr Osafo said when the CPP comes to power, it would continue the work of Dr Nkrumah in this direction to improve the country's equity in foreign companies.
He said the Party would make it possible for the government, institutions and individuals to have equity in Banks. Dr Osafo said the government must have more equity in the banks to enable the country derive more benefits from the banking system. He said the private sector cannot be the engine of growth of the economy because the country is a developing economy and most funds are in the hands of the state.
Dr Osafo said the state and the private sector must play complementary role in developing the economy, promoting education and grooming entrepreneurs.
He said if this were not done, the means of production would be in the hands of few individuals.
Dr Osafo said development is about the dignity of the human being and dignity is a collective responsibility that all Ghanaians must work towards.
He said corruption is a big problem in the country and asked presidential aspirants of all political parties to declare their assets as he has done to help eradicate corruption. Dr Osafo said corruption deprives the country of the needed funds to construct social infrastructure to relief poverty. He said the fight against corruption should be the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (Chraj) should be empowered to prosecute corrupt people.
Dr Osafo said people should not pay lip-service to the fight against corruption otherwise it would never be eradicated.
He said the Western Region would be worse off when oil exploration begins if corruption is not stamped out.
Source:
GNA
Filth engulfs Parliament House
Parliament House in Accra has been caught up in the web of indiscriminate waste disposal in the country with refuse dumps springing up in the walled compound of the important national institution.
When The Mirror visited the House on Wednesday, masses of refuse could be spotted along the wall that separates the State House and Parliament House from the Osu Cemetery, towards the eastern end of the compound.
A receptacle had been placed in the yard and though it was half full, it was circled by heaps of rubbish.
The Public Relations Officer of Parliament, Mr Jones Kugblenu, told The Mirror he believed the use of the State Banquet Hall, which shares a compound with Parliament House, for private and public functions might have contributed to the littering of the area.
He said the building that housed Parliament is part of the State House, which hosts all manner of activities and persons, some of whom littered the compound indiscriminately.
He said the State Protocol had the keys to the compound and alleged that some of the security men allowed people in to fetch water and do all kinds of things in the compound.
“There is a water booster station at Parliament House, so whenever water supply to the neighbourhood is interrupted, the people from Osu and surrounding areas come in to fetch water and such people may also litter the place,” he explained.
“We share the compound with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, the Council of State and other bodies and it is difficult to control the people who come in here,” he pointed out.
“As at now, he said, there are no plans to move Parliament from its present location, in spite of the intrusions. The Speaker had therefore formed a committee to oversee security at the place,” he said.
“Indeed, security in the Chamber of Parliament has already been beefed up,” Mr Kugblenu gave the assurance.
He said Parliament had contracted a cleaning company to take charge of sanitation inside the Parliament House while the State Protocol was supposed to take care of the compound.
But an official at the Household Department of the State Protocol rejected Mr Kugblenu's claims and insisted that Parliament was responsible for sanitation in its immediate surroundings.
“So please, go back and ask them why the heaps of rubbish are springing up there,” the officer suggested.
A Member of Parliament who pleaded for anonymity called for a serious look at sanitation in the country as a whole.
The MP pointed out that the situation at the official residences of the MPs at Sakumono, near the industrial city of Tema, was not different from the conditions at the Parliament House.
The law maker said “dustbins at our Sakumono estates are always overflowing with rubbish because the waste management companies do not pick up the rubbish regularly. The whole area is also littered with plastic waste and the drains are choked, exposing us to mosquitoes”.
"The situation is really terrible and it is also an indictment on all of us as Parliamentarians. A lot can be done to improve the situation in the compound of the Parliament House, as well as at our Sakumono estates. Visitors to these places get their first impression in the compounds and those are where we have rubbish all over," he said.
Source:
The Mirror
Convention of GAB opens in Kumasi
Kumasi, Oct 6, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Association of the Blind has acquired over 60 hectares of land at Kokode in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District to build a school for the blind.
The association has therefore appealed to the government, philanthropists, churches and other organizations to assist in paying compensation to the land owners and also establish the school. Mr Osei Assibey, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GAB, announced this at the opening of a thee-day convention of the association in Kumasi on Friday.
The convention being attended by 60 delegates from the region is under the theme "Causes and Prevention of Disabilities". He said the establishment of the school would help bring formal education to the doorstep of blind children as well as adults to avoid the problem of sending them far away to the School of Blind at Wa and Akropong in the Upper West and Eastern regions.
Mr Philip Bediako, National Vice-President of the Ghana Association of the Blind, said he was not happy about the inability of some Municipal, Metropolitan and District assemblies to pay the two per cent of the Common Fund to people with disabilities.
He appealed to the assemblies to abide by the government's directives to qualify them to access the fund.
Mr Anthony K. Agyemang, Kumasi Metropolitan Director of the Department of Social Welfare, appealed to the executives of the association at various levels to educate their members to know the provisions of the Disability Act to enable them know their rights and responsibilities. He pledged the readiness of the department to give training to their members at its rehabilitation centres and appealed to them to acquire vocational skills to enable them to be self-employed rather than begging for alms.
Mr George S. Kyeremanteng, Regional Secretary of the association, appealed to the media especially the F.M stations to educate people on the causes and prevention of disabilities at all times. Mr Paul Dotse, a retired educationist who presided at the function, appealed to the public to support people with disabilities so that they could become part of society. 05 Oct 07
Source:
GNA
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Judges, magistrates lament instant justice
Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - The Association of Judges and Magistrates of Ghana (AMJG), on Thursday expressed concern about the resort to instant justice by the public, describing it as an embarrassment to the country. Mr Justice J B Akamba, President of the Association, called on members of the Bar and police to work efficiently and speedily in handling criminal cases to save the nation the embarrassment.
Mr Justice Akamba, a Judge of the Court of Appeal, raised these concerns at the 28th Annual General meeting of the AMJG in Accra. He noted that there was a perceived loss of confidence in the justice delivery system culminating in the resort to instant justice. "Our call is for members to deal with matters before them expeditiously," he said.
He noted that people were not ready to answer the issues about instant justice and called on the media to champion public education in order to save the nation from drifting into lawlessness. According to the judge, remanding every suspect without time limit had never solved issue of instance justice "else our Tribunals would have been heroes today".
He said since the nation was under a constitutional dispensation, which set limits for holding suspects, the only way out was expeditious trial and the active involvement of the bench, bar, police and witnesses.
"We also need to have a critical look at the Criminal Procedure Code with the view to dispensing with the archaic procedures." On health needs of the members, Mr Justice Akamba noted that though death was inevitable, the Association was also worried about its occurrences among members.
He noted that some of the deaths could be prevented if health schemes were put in place to enable members to regularly check on their health status.
Mr Justice Akamba said continuing legal education for its members was important and called on the Office of the Chief Justice to strive to build "the individual capacities of our members to ensure better justice delivery".
On image building, Mr Justice Akamba appealed to members to study their friends and members of the bar well saying "that could give you a clue as to how to avert any damage to your image".
He noted that there had been an improvement in the average take home pay of judges of the superior courts pointing out, however, that there had been delays of improvement in conditions of service of the members of the lower bench and urged the Judicial Service to expedite actions on that.
Mr Justice Akamba observed that the issue of shelter for members was a big challenge to the Association and appealed to the Judicial Service to take a critical look at their accommodation issues. He further stressed the need for the Office of the Chief Justice to work together with members in building their capacities to ensure better justice delivery.
The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood commended the judges and magistrates for the good job done during the year. Mrs Justice Wood said she was to embark on Judicial Case Management that normally tied up neatly with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), empowering judges rather than legal practitioners and their clients to proactively manage and control the pace of litigation. According to the Chief Justice, the Case Management had gained credibility in all strong judiciaries worldwide saying it did not in any way devalue the traditional role of the legal practitioner in adversarial systems.
The Chief Justice was happy with the remarkable contribution of the ADR concept during the year and appealed to members to allow pastors and mediators to see to the resolution of petty cases brought before the court in order to decongest the courts.
Mrs Justice Wood recalled the recent exercise embarked upon by the Office of the Attorney General and the Judiciary in their bid to decongest the country's prisons and appealed to members to remand accused persons where the law made that mandatory. She said the Judicial Service was going to employ some students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Law Faculty to assist judges with research work.
Mrs. Justice Wood appealed to the judges and magistrates to take local training for them seriously as their promotions would be based on the attendance of such programmes as well as the their dedication to work.
She pleaded with members to show interest in Service's activities and bring up suggestions to the new Communication Unit set up to enhance service delivery.
Mrs Justice Wood presented a three-page copy of her vision to Mr Justice Akamba.
Mrs Justice Sophia O A Adinyira, a Supreme Court Judge, who chaired the occasion, commenting on the 50th legal year celebration: "Access to Justice to Justice - Strengthening Judicial Integrity and Capacity" noted that access to justice was a fundamental human right that formed the basis of the rule of law and good governance. She emphasized the need for members to strengthen their integrity by strictly adhering to the code of ethics and enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes for judicial diligence. "We as the custodians and enforcers of the Constitution need to constantly remind ourselves that the achievement of the concept of access to justice depends heavily on us in the way and manner we administer justice."
Mrs Justice Adinyira appealed to members to also continue to dedicate themselves to build a truly independent, competent, efficient and effective judicial system.
The Supreme Court Judge urged members to "look at ways that would promote efficiency and uniformity, improve the quality of the Judicial Service and improve judicial conduct in a way that is fair, objective and effective, in order to advance the rule of law in this our dear nation Ghana."
Fourteen retirees were given various awards.
Source:
GNA
Re-introduce corporal punishment - Traditional rulers
Saltpond, Oct. 5, GNA - Chiefs and Queens mothers in the Mfantseman District have called for re-introduction of corporal punishment in schools to instil discipline among pupils and students.
According to them the ban on the use of canes in schools, except in special cases when it must be administered by the head, has led to a break down of discipline.
"The Holy Bible justified corporal punishment when it states that spare the rod and spoil the child", the traditional rulers stated at a workshop organised by the Girl-child Education Unit of the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service at Saltpond. The workshop sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was to find ways of improving enrolment and retention of girls in schools.
It was also to strategise on how to improve quality teaching and learning.
The traditional rulers also identified video shows, child labour, playing of music deep into the night at funerals and broken homes as factors inhibiting good academic performance in the District. Ms Rosemond Blay, Regional Director of Education in an address said there would be no future for the nation if education was not given a priority. She was not h appy with the poor BECE results of schools in the region saying "I feel ashamed of the results".
According to the Regional Education Director, seven schools in the Mfantseman District scored zero per cent, which meant that none of the students presented for the examination got between aggregates six and 30 to qualify for Senior High School.
Ms Blay appealed to the traditional rulers and parents to do away with practices, which retarded education, especially that of girls. The government was making every effort to improve the quality of education, she said and urged students, parents and the society to play their roles effectively to support the government.
Nana Araba Eyiaba, Queen mother of Effutu and Krontinhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, advised parents and guardians from over burdening girls with household chores since it made them tired before they got to school.
Ms Babara Abban, Regional Girl-Child Education Officer, appealed to women holding positions of trust to pay regular visits to their hometown and to act as role models for girls.
Miss Julia Damalie, Mfantseman District Girls Education Officer, said gone were the days when "the kitchen was the office of the women" and advised girl to strive rob shoulders with their male counterparts in every field of endeavour.
Source:
GNA
US Town Hall Meeting
TOWN HALL MEETING EMBASSY OF GHANA
In view of the current flood situation in Ghana which has resulted in death, famine, outbreak of diseases not to mention destruction of educational and health facilities; the Embassy of Ghana in conjunction with COGA and Africare is launching “Flood Relief Fund”. All friends of Ghana, Diasporans and all the good people of the U.S are being invited to respond to the call of mother Ghana for help. The occasion will be graced by Ministers from Ghana and a talk on Hypertension will be given by Dr. John Allotey.
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2007
PLACE: EMBASSY OF GHANA
3512 INTERNATIONAL DR, N.W.
WASHINGTON D.C. 20008
TIME: 6:00P.M - 10:00P.M.
SPEAKERS: Hon. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Ministry of Information Hon.Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, MP, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning, , Hon. Joe Baidoo-Ansah, Minister of Trade & Industry, Dr. Akoto Osei, Minister of State, Finance and Economic Planning, the Governor and Officials of Central Bank of Ghana and Dr. John Allotey, Medical Doctor.
SIDE ATTRACTIONS: FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING AUTHENTIC GHANAIAN CUISINE A FILM SHOW DUBBED “A Touch with Base-Ghana”
ALL ARE INVITED
Source:
EMBASSY OF GHANA ( United States of America )
UK Police smash £1bn internet fraud gang
· Arrests follow raids in UK, US, Canada and Nigeria
· Huge haul of fake cheques and money orders seized
British police yesterday hailed the arrest of an international gang of fraudsters as a landmark victory against internet crime, following a sting across four countries. More than £8.5m worth of fake cheques and other fraudulent documents were seized in a series of overnight raids across the UK in a joint operation overseen by Britain's Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
The raids, which also took place in the US, Canada and Nigeria, are said to have scooped more than £1bn in fraudulent cheques and money orders. Investigators said that the fraudsters, who mainly used the internet to target vulnerable people for small amounts of money, had racked up vast sums for their efforts.
"This is a low-value, high-volume crime," said Paul Evans, the executive director of Soca, yesterday. "Relatively small amounts of money quickly add up to big profits for the fraudsters. Organised criminals respect no borders and international cooperation is vital when tackling this type of fraud." Officials confirmed that a number of people had been in arrested in Britain, but refused to give further details.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith welcomed the arrests. Mass marketing fraud - the use of mass communication tools to reach many potential victims cheaply and quickly - is estimated to cost Britain more than £3.5bn a year. "This type of fraud is a despicable crime that is costing UK victims huge sums of money every year," Ms Smith said. "It will not be tolerated."
Complaints about faked cheques have risen by 60% in the US over the past year, and officials around the world have expressed deep concerns over the rising tide of internet crime.
The worldwide nature of the internet has made it far easier for criminals to contact potential victims, and a string of local and national enforcement agencies were involved in the swoops. Different criminal gangs are also believed to share information on potential victims or gullible individuals, creating "sucker lists" which they circulate among themselves.
Two victims in Canada are alleged to have lost almost $300,000 (£147,285), although the losses are more generally valued at several hundred pounds. Tracking down the fraudsters has become a favourite online pastime for some vigilantes, who engage in long conversations with the criminals - often located in west Africa or the Netherlands - to try to find out more about them.
The gangs, believed to originate in Nigeria, are thought to have run a number of different scams, often focusing on "advance fee fraud", also known as the Nigerian 419 scam. This involves large prizes or cash sums being offered to victims, who are asked to pay a small sum for the transaction. The "prize" never appears or is in the form of a fake cheque.
Other scams start with phishing emails, often claiming to be from the relative of a rich African official desperate to move a large sum of money to the west. The criminals ask for details of the victim's bank account, which they then drain. Another scam involves buying items from auction websites but overpaying with a fake cheque. The criminals demand that the seller quickly returns the difference; the original payment then bounces.
News of the police operation came as figures showed a sharp rise in credit card fraud. Total losses increased by 26% in the first half of 2007, rising to £263m from £209m a year earlier. Much of the rise was attributed to British credit cards being used fraudulently overseas, which accounted for almost £110m, according to the payment industry body Apacs.
Mike Haley, of the Office of Fair Trading, said that consumers should be constantly aware of fraudsters out to separate unwitting victims from their money. "Scammers are always coming up with new ways to make money, " he said. "It's important to be very wary about cheques you receive from people you don't know - they could leave you much worse off in the end."
Source:
Guardian
Tipper truck kills two women at Chiraa
Sunyani, Oct. 5, GNA - Two elderly women died instantly when a tipper truck loaded with timber logs rammed into them while they stood by the road at Chiraa, near Sunyani.
The bodies of Madam Georgina Konadu, 70 and Madam Yaa Bour, 54, have been deposited at the regional hospital in Sunyani. Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency at the Municipal Police Station, Emmanuel K. Dasah, 27, driver of the vehicle, said he was heading towards Techiman when the incident occurred.
He stated that his truck, with registration number AS 8227 R, suddenly developed a mechanical problem and that he lost control of the steering, resulting in the vehicle hitting the women.
He said following the accident, a mob surged on him and started assaulting him so he fled to avoid being lynched. He later reported to the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit in Sunyani. The vehicle has been detained at the Chiraa Police station.
Source:
GNA
Man Dies In 'Apio' Drinking Contest
AN Akpeteshie competition at Bodomasi, near Agogo in Asante Akim North, in Ashanti Region, ended with the death of a competitor, Yaw Ohemeng, 35.
Yaw, also known as Two Sure, was one of three people to whom the challenge was allegedly thrown. The others who were named as Yaw Willie and Kay, declined it but Ohemeng gladly accepted it.
Chief Superintendent of Police, Richard Baduweh, Asante-Akim North Divisional Police Commander, yesterday confirmed the story to the Times and said that at about 2.30 p.m. last Saturday, the three men and another person, Nana Yaw, met at a drinking spot at Bodomasi.
In the course of their drinking spree, Nana Yaw allegedly threw the challenge that he would give ¢20,000 to anyone of the three who could consume a half beer bottle of ‘akpeteshie’ (local gin) in five seconds.
Yaw Ohemeng, the Chief Superintendent said, took up the challenge and in two gulps, finished the stuff after which he lit a stick of cigarette and smoked it.
Shortly afterwards, he asked Nana Yaw to give him ¢2,000 for food, explaining that he had since morning not eaten anything. But this was denied him and just then, he collapsed.
The ¢20,000 "reward", too, did not materialise.
Chief Superintendent Baduweh said that when Yaw collapsed, the rest fled and it was some onlookers who took him to the Agogo Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Source:
Times
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Africa: US Push 'Foreign Policy Priority' for Africa
04/10/2007 - United States Department of State
Africa stands as a "foreign policy priority" of the Bush administration, Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi E. Frazer told the United States Congress October 2.
In testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, Frazer said the United States is working to promote conflict resolution; humanitarian assistance; strengthening of transparent, democratic African governments; greater economic growth and a strengthening of counterterrorism efforts.
"All of these elements are part of the picture when we consider the Horn of Africa subregion and Ethiopia in particular," she told the lawmakers in her prepared testimony. Frazer's testimony updated the lawmakers on the latest conditions in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa subregion.
Frazer said the United States government has provided more than $200 million to support humanitarian programs throughout Ethiopia in fiscal year 2007.
Turning to Eritrea, Frazer told the lawmakers the United States continues to have "grave concerns" about human rights issues in that country, including the level of democracy, rule of law, freedom of the press and religious freedoms.
"Fourteen years after independence, national elections have yet to be held, and the constitution has never been implemented," she said. "Several thousand prisoners of conscience are being detained without charge indefinitely and without the ability to communicate with friends and relatives. The government has severely restricted civil liberties, and arbitrary arrest, detention (including two Eritrean employees of the U.S. Embassy detained since 2001), and torture are serious problems. Security forces detain and arrest parents and spouses of individuals who have evaded national service or fled the country, despite the lack of a legal basis for such action."
On Somalia, Frazer cautioned that the current situation there "poses a threat to regional stability." She added, however, that the United States has provided more than $89 million in fiscal year 2007 to respond to that nation's emergency humanitarian needs.
Source :
Reborn Radio ( THE african Radio Station in Germany )
3 bn Euro / German Devt. package for Africa
Addis Ababa, Oct. 4, GNA - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged three billion Euros in development assistance to Africa over the next three years.
This is in addition to other financial commitments made by her country to the Continent at the June G-8 Summit held in the German Resort of Heiligendamm.
Chancellor Merkel, who was jointly addressing the AU Commission and Permanent Representatives at the AU's Headquarters in Addis Ababa with President John Agyekum Kufuor, said Africa was at the heart of Germany's development policy and that they would make great effort to honour their commitments.
She, however, demanded that funds made available by development partners should be used effectively to help to lift up the people from poverty.
The European Union (EU) of which, Germany is a key member, provides about 50 per cent of the total development assistance to Africa. She noted that aid alone would not help to transform the situation of Africa and that Africans themselves needed to bear the responsibility of making things better.
"The foundation for development and successful fight to reduce poverty lies with Africa itself."
The German Chancellor observed that the image of the Continent had improved tremendously in recent times and asked the political leaders to see to it that this positive development did not suffer any reverses. She said they must not remain silent but speak against dictatorship, corruption and the violation of democracy and the rule of law.
Democracy, good governance and transparency were keys to economic growth, she said, adding that it was in the light of this that the African Peer Review Mechanism, must be appreciated as a serious opportunity to bring transformation to Africa.
She also acknowledged the need for the Continent to have a fair share of the international trade and not just aid. "This is why there must be a successful conclusion to the DOHA Round of Talks", she said.
President Kufuor praised Germany for the positive and significant role it had been playing both in world affairs and in its relations with Africa.
He said it was, therefore, not surprising that under Chancellor Merkel's Presidency of the EU between January and June 2007 and the G-8, African issues were pushed on high agenda culminating in very far-reaching decisions on debt relief, education, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, energy and increase in development aid among other things.
"However, we remain painfully aware that much more has been promised in the past, which has yet to be fulfilled." He said it was in the light of this that Chancellor Merkel needed to be commended for ensuring that the G-8 summit in Heiligendamm did not only make further commitments to Africa but put in place concrete monitoring implementation plans on how the promises could be realized by 2010.
President Kufuor said Africa was determined to do its bit of the bargain and to live up to its responsibilities as the developed countries delivered on aid pledges.
Source:
GNA
Kufuor condemns cruel killing of 10 AU Peacekeepers
From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Oct. 4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of the African Union (AU), on Thursday condemned the weekend's cruel and senseless killing of 10 AU Peacekeepers serving in Sudan's Darfur Region and gave the assurance that, the dastardly act would not deter Africa from pushing ahead with the goal of bringing peace to all troubled spots on the Continent.
"Africa mourns with the respective nations and bereaved families of the gallant soldiers, and extends our heartfelt condolences to them," he said.
The soldiers, seven from Nigeria, one each from Senegal, Botswana and Mali, died following an attack on the African Union Mission's (AMIS) Haskanita Camp by a group of heavily armed men. Eight others were seriously wounded.
Jointly addressing the AU Commission and its Permanent Representatives, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Kufuor said it was to prevent the continuance of such inhuman acts that the United Nations (UN) must expedite action on the deployment of the "Heavy Support Package" to AMIS.
It should also ensure immediate deployment of the AU-UN Hybrid Force in Darfur, even as efforts were being made to find political settlement to the conflict by bringing the warring parties to the negotiation table.
The AU's under-manned force of 7,000 peacekeepers drawn from 26 countries were sent to the area in July 2004 and is to be replaced by a more robust Hybrid Force, with a strength of 26,000 soldiers and police officers.
President Kufuor said it was regrettable that despite the tremendous strides Africa was making in the fields of political and economic governance as well as conflict resolution and management, durable peace and stability was still elusive in some parts of the Continent, citing, Sudan, Somalia and the Comoros.
He described the situation in Darfur, Sudan, as particularly worrying, as the peace process continued to face serious challenges. The conflict in Darfur had left about 200,000 people dead and displaced two million others since Khartoum enlisted Janjaweed Arab militia allies to put down a revolt by an ethnic minority in 2003. Africa, President Kufuor said, however, would remain undaunted and work to establish peace, security and development throughout the Continent for all of its peoples.
Chancellor Merkel expressed concern about conflicts in Darfur and Somalia, describing them as catastrophic for mankind. She said everything necessary should, therefore, be done to find political settlement to the conflicts.
Source:
GNA
Ghana commends Germany for historic reunification
Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - Ghana on Wednesday commended the Federal Republic of Germany for the historic reunification and pulling down of the dreaded Berlin Wall, which paved the way for the normalization of relationship between West and East Germany 17 years ago.
"Ghana shares in the joy of Germany for the achievement, which hitherto was never thought of. We are particularly gratified by the speed and consistency in the process for reunification," Nana Akomea, Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment, said in response to a toast at the 17th anniversary celebration of German reunification in Accra.
Nana Akomea, who headed a Government delegation to participate in the anniversary, which also attracted the German community in Ghana, the diplomatic corps, journalists and other West African nationals, called for greater cooperation between the two nations.
German reunification took place on October 3, 1990, when the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
The start of the reunification process is commonly referred to as Die Wende (The Turning/The Change).
After East Germany's first free elections on March 18, 1990, negotiations between the two countries culminated in a Unification Treaty, whilst negotiations between them and the four occupying powers produced the so-called "Two Plus Four Treaty" granting full sovereignty to a unified German state, whose two halves had previously been bound by a number of limitations stemming from its post-World War II status as an occupied nation.
Dr Marius Haas, German Ambassador, recounted the 50th anniversary of Ghanaian-German political relations as well as development cooperation.
He said since 1957 the commitments made by Germany to Ghana exceeded one billion Euros.
"Just a few weeks ago a German delegation was here for negotiations on our bilateral development cooperation for the next two years. "Fifty-three million Euros, equivalent to approximately 69 million GHC, have been earmarked for direct budget support as well as for programmes in the fields of agriculture, private sector development, decentralization and law reform."
He said there was no other African country where the exchange of high and highest ranking political visits had been as intensive as in the case of Ghana in 2007.
He recounted the visit of the German President Horst K=F6hler in January for an official visit and to participate in the Second Africa Forum.
Dr Haas said President John Agyekum Kufuor had already agreed to attend the Third Africa Forum to be held in Germany early next month. During the visit President Kufuor would sign a partnership agreement between the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Republic of Ghana in Bonn.
"These demonstrate the quality of the Ghanaian-German relations and I am confident that these relations - characterized by friendship, harmony and confidence - will be maintained and even deepened in the years to come."
Source:
GNA
Stolen AK 47 rifles recovered
Teleku Bokazu (W/R), Oct. 4, GNA- The two AK 47 rifles stolen from two Policemen at Teleko Bokazu near Nkroful in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, has been recovered.
The guns were dumped near a galamsey pit in the area and had been handed over to the Police administration. The sixty rounds of ammunition, which were loaded in the rifles, were however missing when the guns were found.
Four more suspects have also been arrested, bringing the total number of people arrested to 22, including two women. Briefing the Western Regional Minister Mr Anthony E.Amoah, the chief of Teleku Bokazu Nana Afful Kwaw II said last Sunday some youths started beating war drums, singing and calling on all true Nzemas to mobilize their weapons and fight against Adamus Gold resources, a gold prospecting company in the area.
He said though he had been the chief of the town for the past 12 years, the prospecting license was granted as far back as 1936. Earlier the youths had invaded one of the exploratory areas and attacked two policemen on duty, took their guns and uniforms and forced other workers to flee through the nearby farms.
The chief said the youths stormed the palace, removed his sandals and said that they had destooled him.
He said the community public address system was hijacked by one Safohene Sanzu, now on the run, to rally the youth into action. Already four people had reported to the Nkroful police that their houses, stores and other properties had been burnt by their own people who suspected them of supporting the activities of Adamus.
Other people who are likely to receive compensation for the destruction of their crops have also been threatened by the angry youth.
The chief said the youth have persistently refused to respond to invitations extended by Adamus to them.
Mr Amoah told the community that the aim of government was to develop the region equally and all channels of communication should be exhausted before any action was taken.
He said peace was very vital for the development of any area and reminded the inhabitants that any acts to destabilise the peace would worsen the plight of the area.
Mr Amoah advised those who had fled into their farms and nearby bushes for fear of reprisals by the police to return home and assist the police to retrieve the 60 rounds of ammunition and the police uniforms. Mr Freddie Blay, Member of Parliament of Ellembelle, assured the people that he would not support any group to engage in acts that could create tension, mistrust and insecurity in the constituency. He cautioned those associating his name in the acts to desist because it would not serve any meaningful purposes.
Source:
GNA
Ghana makes efforts to check global warming
Accra, Oct. 3, GNA - Ghana is making conscious efforts to promote forestation programmes as the country's contribution to check global warming, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment said in Accra on Wednesday.
The Minister, in a speech read on his behalf at a workshop on ECOWAS Policy on Environment, said Ghana was protecting the environment because global warming could affect its marine resources. The workshop brought together stakeholders on the environment to brainstorm on how to build on the policy in order to pool resources in the sub-region to manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Mr Adjei-Darko said environmental issues had no frontiers, hence the need for a common policy to harmonise and co-ordinate national environment policies in the sub-region.
He observed that government had put in place some initiatives to promote environmental sustainability such as the formulation of a comprehensive Forest and Wildlife Policy aimed at conserving the country's forest and wildlife resources.
"Fortunately, natural resources conservation seems to be the focus of the ECOWAS Policy document. There is therefore a perfect synchrony between this section for the document and the current Ghana Environmental policy," he said.
Mr Adjei-Darko, however, noted that the document did not give enough attention to waste management, which was the most challenging environmental problem in Africa and called on the participants to rectify the shortfall.
Mr Jonathan Allotey, Executive Director Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), called on the participants to come out with a decision that would focus on and give direction to environmental issues in West Africa. 03 Oct. 07
Source:
GNA
NDC Germany Co-Hosts One-World Conference
The NDC in Germany on the 27/09/07 co-hosted a One-World Conference with the German SPD Party, One-World Organization, the Northern German Council of Churches and the Civil-Society Group (AWO). The theme of the Seminar was Ghana ein jahr vor den Parlamentwahl 2008 (Ghana a year before 2008 general election).
The Conference was moderatored by former German SPD - MP of the Bremen State, Mr. Jan Holtuis. The speakers were Dr. Hannes Menkel: President of the Christian Council in Germany and Dr. Andreas Weischelt: President of the Charity Action Organisation, AWO.
The Guest speaker for the occasion was Mr Kwasi Tamakloe, NDC Germany Coordinator. The Christian Council made a presentation of some of their Projects in Ghana in areas such as microfinance for communities and individuals and the building of schools and clinics. AWO also discussed their Projects which includes an SOS village, microfinance etc.
Mr Tamakloe made a presentation on Climate Change and its impact on the achievement of the Millenieum Development Goals. He also spoke about Democracy & Climate Change, need for investments, corruption and the scourge of drug-trafficking which has the potentials to distort both economic and political gains.
In the areas of Climate Change he expressed concern about the destruction of forest reserves, increasing population and the absence of a local economic and social policy which will mitigate against Climate Change. He stated that under a New NDC Govt come 2009, the President in waiting Prof Atta-Mills will focus on the above issues and make sure that Ghana is really readied to participate as an equal Partner in tackling Global issues.
The Conference which took place in the German state of Bremen was represented in large numbers by the Bremen Branch of the NDC and State Party Members of the SPD Party. Amongst the Representatives were NDC Interim –Vice Chairman for Bremen Mr. Alphons Graham and Women’s Organizer Mrs. Gifty Hildebrant
Source:
NDC EU News
Youth of Anwia and Teleku Bokazu attack inhabitants
Anwia (W/R), Oct. 4, GNA- Inhabitants of Anwia and Teleku Bokazu, both in the Nzema East District of the Western Region said they were attacked by their own kinsmen who damaged and burnt their houses in retaliation for their support of the activities of Adamus Resources Limited, a gold prospecting company in the area. They told members of the Regional Security Council at a meeting at Anwia that most of the people were attacked without any provocation. The victims include Doris Asamoah and Stephen Miah, whose stores were burnt, while two others Francis Cudjoe and Emmanuel Avenyoo had their houses burnt, while most of the inhabitants have been threatened with death by the youth.
They said the youth have targeted persons related to the chiefs of Teleku-Bokazu and Anwia for attacks and others who are likely to receive compensation from Adamus resources when they begin operations. The chief of Anwia, Nana Essumali Panyinli IV, said he had been in exile for the past five months following a similar attempt on his life by the youth.
He said the youths have taken over his coconut farm, harvested the crops and cut down the trees, while his personal house, which also serves as the palace is occasionally vandalized by the youth of the town.
Mr. Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister reminded the community that whatever they embark on would have serious economic and social implication on them and their families and urged the youth to use dialogue instead of violence. Awulae Blay, VIII, Paramount Chief of Atuabo, told the people to live in peace and as one people.
Source:
GNA
Korea/Ghana Painting Exhibition opens
Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - A one-week contemporary painting exhibition to commemorate 30 years of Korea/Ghana Diplomatic Relations opened in Accra on Thursday with a call on both countries to use the occasion to enrich their bilateral relations.
The relationship should also generate additional momentum for the expansion of exchanges. Mr Wi Keyei-Chul, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Ghana, said since the establishment of diplomatic relationship in 1977, both countries had continued to expand and consolidate the bonds of friendship, cooperation and partnership in all fields. He said art was a source of insight into people's culture and values depicting a variety of ideas about nature and human beings with its own inherent implications.
The exhibition jointly organised by the Korean International Art Exchange Association and the Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA) was under the theme "The New Vision of Modern Korean Paintings". Mr Keyei-Chul said the exhibition would offer the public an opportunity to see and feel the artistic inspiration and interpretation on nature and life in both Korea and Ghana.
He said it would help promote a better understanding between the two countries and further deepen the friendship.
"I believe this exhibition by the common language of art, will lay a solid basis for enriching our bilateral relations, and generate further momentum for the expansion of exchanges as well" he said. Professor Cha Young-Kyu, President of Korea International Art Exchange Association said apart from being part of the anniversary, the exhibition would provide a good opportunity to 'taste' each other's culture in spite of the geographical distance.
He said Ghana is noted for her preservation of the beautiful natural environment and rich traditional culture just as Korea. "Preserving nature means the pursuit of beauty. Only when we preserve our nature well and try to live together with it, we can live a happy life".
"It is exactly the same aim that most artists eventually want to get through with their diverse artistic processes," he said. Prof Young-Kyu said he hoped the exhibition would maintain the close relationship between the two countries, with the sharing of various cultural and artistic exchanges in addition to diplomatic and economic relations.
Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations said as paintings depicted culture and values of people, he was of the hope that the exhibition would create further awareness of each other's culture.
He was grateful to the Korean government for its continuous support, especially in science and technology.
"We are grateful for affording us the insight into your culture through paintings and I hope that at the end of the exhibition the two associations would learn a lot from each other," he said.
Mr Franklin Nii Glover, President of GAVA, said the paintings would give pleasure to the public and thanked the Korean Embassy for the opportunity. Activities marking the anniversary include painting exhibition, cultural performances, a film festival, street parade, a marathon race and a High Schools Soccer and Taekwondo competitions.
Source:
GNA
128 men report cases against their female partners in Tema
Tema, Oct 04, GNA - The Tema Regional Office of the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) recorded 1,890 cases from January to August out of which 128 men lodged complaints against their female partners.
Among some of the complaints were threats of death, child dispute, assault and pregnancy.
This was contained in a statement signed by Chief Inspector Yaw Nketia-Yeboah, Tema Regional Police Public Affairs Officer. It said DOVVSU anticipated a sharp rise in the number of men lodging complaints against their female partners by the end of the year, as the current number during the period out numbered that of 117 complaints recorded in the whole of 2006.
It said two sodomy cases involving 23-year-old man, Minkaila Issah and Michael Adu-Twum, 30, with four and nine year old boys as their victims were also recorded within the period and the courts sentenced them to 15 and 20 years respectively.
Giving the break down of the 1,890 cases recorded, the release said 811 were criminal while the remaining 1079 were non-maintenance of children (non-criminal) cases.
It includes 107 defilement, 20 rape and 54 abduction cases that occurred in the Municipality during the period under review with Ashaiman recording two-thirds of them. The criminal cases include assault, stealing, threat of deaths, abortion, offensive conducts, threat of harm and indecent exposure. Out of the 1,079 non-criminal cases, 124 were referred to the Family Tribunal, 230 to the Social Welfare, 15 to the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and 710 cases were settled by the DOVVSU.
The statement cautioned against the settling of sexual offences out of court and that interfering in such cases amounted to committing a criminal offence.
It advised the public to report all sexual offences to the police and desist from interfering in criminal cases.
Source:
GNA
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Ghanaian wins German Africa Award
Accra, Oct. 03, GNA - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will present the 15th German Africa Award to Dr Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary of National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC) next week.
The Award, which would be handed over to Dr Appiah in Berlin, Germany, on October 10, is in recognition of his "enormous efforts towards the success of APRM in Ghana and Africa as a whole," a statement from the NAPRM-GC said in Accra on Wednesday.
The German Africa Foundation has since 1993 presented the German-Africa Award to outstanding African personalities who promote peace, democracy, human rights and social market economies in Africa. Previous winners of the Award include Yawovi Agboyibor of Togo, Derek Keys and Trevor Manuel both of South Africa and Professor Peter A. Nyong'o of Kenya.
Source:
GNA
Two Policemen Brutalised
Two policemen were seriously wounded when the youth of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia in the Nzema East District of the Western Region went on rampage last Sunday and vented their spleen on employees of a mining company. The po1icemen, Constable Augustine Opoku-Agyeman and L/Cpl Appiah, both of the Mobile Force Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Takoradi, sustained machete wounds and were admitted to the Axim Government Hospital. Lance Corporal Appiah has since been discharged.
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Source:
Daily Graphic
Plan Ghana donates to flood victims
Wa, Oct. 03, GNA - Management of Plan Ghana, a child focused NGO on Tuesday donated relief items estimated at about 100,000 dollars to Upper West Regional Coordinating Council for distribution to flood victims in the Region.
The items were, 1,000 bags of fortified maize meal, 500 bags each of rice, maize and beans, 250 bags of sugar and 490 cartons of cooking oil.
Others were, 150 cartons of soap, 1,000 plastic plates, and 500 pieces each of towels, mats, mosquito nets and plastic buckets. The items were for 24 communities in four worst affected districts of Sissala West and East, Wa West and East. Mr Samuel Paulos, Country Director of Plan Ghana presenting the items said another consignment for victims in the Region would be delivered within next two-weeks.
He said the NGO was deeply touched by the sufferings on affected children and their parents and the items were to mitigate their plight. Mrs Winifred Dy-Yakah, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister who received the items expressed appreciation to the donors for their concern and gave the assurance that they would be shared according to the allocation sheet.
Mr Paulos and other officials of Plan Ghana visited Dabo village in the Wa West District where they supervised distribution of some of the items by a six-member committee set up by the community to distribute relief items.
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