• 11.05.2008

Ministry of Fisheries to contract $40m loan


Akyem Soabe(ER), May 11, GNA - Ministry of Fisheries is to contract a 40- million dollar loan from Chinese Government to begin a 2,000 hectare fish farming project on River Pra at Shama in the Western Region.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)has been signed between the Ministry and two Chinese companies, Chinese National Fisheries Corporation and Lu Ye Fisheries to secure the loan. Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister for Fisheries announced this at the harvesting of the first aqua culture pilot project at Akyem Soabe in Kwaebibirem District.

The project was launched last year.

She said under the MOU, a joint committee comprising representatives of the companies and the Ministry would be instituted to supervise the project that would provide employment for the youth. Mrs Asmah explained that the companies would provide equipment for construction works and supply the farmers with high quality fingerlings and after harvesting buy the fish from them.

She said the Ministry would assist the farmers with soft loans to be repaid within 12 months to construct ponds and supply of fingerlings. On the aqua culture project, Mrs Asmah said about 800,000 Ghana cedis had so far been spent including the training of about 400 farmers from Kumasi Metropolitan Area and more farmers would be provided with the necessary training to begin their own projects.

She said last year 95,000 fingerlings were supplied during the launching to the management of Kwabs Farms Limited at Akyem Soabe and was expected to realise about 200,000 Ghana cedis after harvesting. Mrs Asmah noted that fish farming was one of the most lucrative businesses that could be undertaken and urged the youth to get involved in fish farming and refrain from migrating to urban centres in search of non-existing jobs.

Mr Yaw Yiadom Boakye, Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to the ministry for the project that would help reduce small-scale mining activities in the area that was degrading the environment.

Source:
GNA

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Mortal remains of Togbe Dagadu laid to rest


Kpando, May 11, GNA- Rites for the interment of the late Togbe Dagadu VII, Akpinifia and president of the Akpini Traditional Council has been observed at Kpando in the Volta Region.

The burial climaxed the 11-day funeral celebrations that included firing of musketry, paying of last respect by traditional authorities of the area and dignitaries across the country and from Togo. Togbe Dagadu, known in private life as Vincent Attah Bullar, who ruled as paramount chief of the Akpini Traditional Area (Kpando) for 14 years and was one time a member of the Council of State, died at the age of 68 in 2006.

He was a quantity surveyor and worked with public sector organizations in Ghana and companies abroad and also engaged in private consultancy.

A brochure on the funeral said his tenure, as chief was replete with bickering that did not give Togbe the "peace of mind and time to settle down to chart the way for Kpando's development."

This notwithstanding, the information said, Togbe Dagadu, who had also served as Vice-President and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and member of the National House of Chiefs had pioneered the establishment of an Education Fund and a youth training centre for the Akpini area.

Most Reverend Francis Lodonu, Catholic Bishop of Ho, who led officiating priests at the burial mass, said the death of Togbe Dagadu should put the people in a reflective mood to usher into the Akpini state a new epoch of mutual cooperation.

He slammed the bitterness, acrimony, verbal and physical confrontations associated with chieftaincy in the region. Bishop Lodonu urged the people of Akpini to go through the process of the selection and enthronement of a successor peacefully. Mr Sampson Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, who led government delegation to the funeral, donated schnapps, beer, soft drinks and other assorted drinks, and 5,000 Ghana cedis to the bereaved family and the Akpini state while Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of New Patriotic Party also donated 1,000 Ghana cedis.

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) also donated 1,000 Ghana cedis and assorted drinks. Dr Paapa Kwesi Nduom and Dr Edward Mahama flag bearers of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and People's National Convention (PNC) respectively were among dignitaries who attended the funeral.

Source:
GNA

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Mothers must ensure peaceful elections


Ho, May 11, GNA- Reverend James Noble Tulasi, head pastor of Jubilee Christian Centre, Ho, on Sunday called on mothers in the country to use their positive influences to ensure peaceful elections in the 2008 Elections.

He described mothers as "good advisors, compassionate and loving" and urged them to let those qualities affect their husbands, sons and politicians in the country for peaceful elections. Rev. Tulasi said this at a special Mothers' Day Church service, organised by the Church in Ho. He said mothers have important roles to play and called on them to let their motherly love infest the nation to prevent intra and inter party conflicts before, during and after the elections. Rev. Tulasi advised mothers to preach peace, love and unity and urge politicians to exercise restrain in all their activities to ensure peace in the country. He urged mothers to pray and keep politicians and their supporters on guard. Rev Tulasi urged children and husbands to honour and show love to their mothers and wives all the time to make the home comfortable.

Source:
GNA

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Chiefs urged to be neutral in Election 2008

Accra, 11 May, GNA- Osabarima Antwi Agyei V, Chief of Okadjakrom in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region, has advised traditional rulers to be neutral in the events leading to the Election 2008 to preserve the country's peace, unity and stability.

He also asked chiefs to avoid meddling in active party politics as stipulated in the 1992 Constitution, particularity this election period, to preserve the dignity and sanity of chieftaincy.

Osabarima Agyei, who is also Twafohene of the Buem Traditional Area, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Okadjakrom, explained that "because we occupy unique position in society we should not support any presidential or parliamentary candidate or anyone seeking political office to ensure peace during the 2008 Election.." He advised chiefs to assist in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections to enhance the country's political development. Osabarima Agyei said the country's multi-party democracy has brought socio-economic and political gains and called on Ghanaians to work collectively to deepen and sustain the political process. He said "I am confident that Ghanaians would assist the Electoral Commission (EC) to enable it to conduct credible elections since the people appreciate democratic principles and values acquired through chieftaincy even before the advent of democracy in the country." Osabarima Agyei noted that the task for the EC to conduct credible elections is enormous and challenging and advised the Commission to accept concrete criticisms and suggestions from political parties and the public to enable it improve upon its performance and achievements. He observed that the country has traveled far in its democratic experiment and appealed to the people to tolerate and respect divergent views for peace and stability.

Osabarima Agyei said even though election was an important event that legitimized authority in a democratic dispensation, peace and stability were also essential to push the country's development forward..

Source:
GNA

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• 10.05.2008

Nyamekye residents cry to Ghana Water Company


Accra, May 10, GNA- Mr. Foster Gyimah-Danso, Chairman of Ablekuma North Sub. Metro Council in Accra has called on the Ghana Water Company to, as a matter of urgency ensure regular water supply to Nyamekye, a suburb in Accra and its environs.

He said for more than a year now, water supply to the area has been irregular and ceased flowing recently and expressed surprise that communities like Alafia, Odokor Official Town and North Darkuman all close to Nyamekye were having almost 24 hours' water supply. Mr Gyimah-Danso, a former assembly member of the Darkuman West Electoral Area, was speaking on the water situation in the area in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Nyamekye. He said the situation was affecting socio-economic lives of the people and cited that residents of the Mambo Spot and Parker Hotel area were buying water from neighbouring communities at high cost. Mr Gyimah-Danso expressed worry that women and children often crossed the Darkuman-Nyamekye road and the Mallam-Lapaz highway for water, exposing them, especially the children to the risk of being knocked down by vehicles

He said recently a small girl crossing the road in the area with water was knocked down by a vehicle. Mr Gyimah-Danso said the water problem was affecting the studies of school children as they go to school late and instead of learning in the evening they go to look for water.

He appealed to the Company to take charge of or supervise the laying of auxiliary pipe lines to homes and new settlements to avoid congestion of pipelines and illegal water connections. Some residents the GNA spoke to about the water situation said the inability of the Company to provide regular water to the area was improper because the water authorities did not explain the problem to them. They said even if the Company was facing technical problems, one year duration was enough time for the carrying out of repairs works to normalize the situation.

Source:
GNA

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Ghana reinforces ties with Iran


Iran is ready to work with independent countries: Ahmadinejad Service: Foreign Policy

TEHRAN, May 10 (ISNA)-Iran is ready to lift cooperation with independent countries to prevent major powers from plundering their natural resources, said the president as receiving Ghana’s accredited ambassador credential.

Iran and Ghana as two countries having friendly ties are making every effort to boost mutual transactions, said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran backs reinforcing ties with Ghana in all domains, added the president.

The Ghana’s envoy Rashed Baba for his part said his country is willing to use Iran’s precious experiences in all domains.

Source:
ISNA

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Impact of Ghana 2008 tournament on tourism industry


Accra, May 10, GNA- The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has concluded a survey which sought to monitor spending and hotel reservations during the Ghana 2008 soccer event and assess the impact of the tournament on the hospitality sector and its contribution to the national economy. The survey which was conducted during and after the tournaments sampled 130 accommodation establishments consisting of 3,706 rooms in Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale as well as Cape Coast because of its proximity to Takoradi whose hotel stock was not enough to accommodate all teams.

Mrs Bridgette Katsriku, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, told the GNA that a total of 187 guests, made up of 87 percent male and 13 per cent female were interviewed. She said the survey indicated that four and five-star hotels (up-market hotels) had the highest occupancy rates at 91.4 percent followed by 3-star hotels at 90.5 percent.

"On average, the mid-level hotels, that is, 2-star hotels had a 68 percent occupancy rate. The performance of this category was mostly predicated on whether there were enough up-market hotels because at venues with little or no up-market hotels, the 2-star hotels, had higher occupancy than those venues with up-market hotels." Mrs Katsriku noted that the performance of the lower end hotels with the exception of 1-star hotels was relatively poor with average occupancy rate being 71.8 percent while Guest Houses occupancy was 65.3 percent and Budget hotels 50.9 percent. The overall occupancy rate for the four venues and Cape Coast was 78.8 percent.

According to the survey, sources of reservations were 42.6 percent by individuals, 19.8 by local travel agencies, 13.9 percent by corporate entities, 9.2 percent by government agencies, 8.8 percent by embassies in Ghana and 5.7 percent by others not included in the above mentioned names.

Length of stay for four and five - star hotels had 30 nights, three-stars had 42 nights, two -star had 32 nights, one-star had 20 nights, guest houses had 10 nights and Budget hotels had 15 nights. She said the respondents interviewed all intended to stay for about 16 nights and an average of USD$4,411.40 spending money per person.

Mrs Katsriku said if such an amount was spent, the economy could have benefited from about US$824,932 and explained that 34 percent of the income was spent on accommodation, 11 percent on food and beverage, 11 percent on transportation and eight percent on daily entertainment. The survey showed that 73 per cent of the respondents were Africans, 23 per cent Europeans, two per cent Asians and one percent each from South America and other countries.

The top five nationality who were in Ghana ranked from the highest were; Nigerians 13.9 percent, South Africans 10.7 percent, U.K 10.2 percent, Senegalese 9.1 percent and Beninois 8.6 percent. The Chief Director said the GTB trained a total of 5,367 food vendors in Greater Accra, Central, Western, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti and the Brong Ahafo regions in food preparation, personal hygiene, food handling, general hygiene, environmental sanitation and food conservation.

Mrs Katsriku said hosting of the African Cup of Nations has exposed the Ghana to the world and expressed hope that the country would continue to reap the benefits of hosting this important sporting activity in the years to come.

Source:
GNA

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• 09.05.2008

Hundreds mark May 9 Stadium Anniversary

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52% of teachers in the N/R are untrained



Tamale, May 9, GNA - A Northern Region education sector annual review conference has shown that teacher training and deployment is still a problem in the area as 52 per cent of the teachers are untrained as against 48 per cent trained teachers.
This was contained in a communiqu=E9 issued at the end of the three-day second Northern Region Education Sector Annual Review forum in Tamale on Friday.

The communiqu=E9, signed by Mr. John Kwesi Hobenu, the Regional Director of Education, said the teacher-student contact hours were lost because the teachers did not stay in the school community but commuted daily between urban and semi-urban locations to their places of work in the rural areas.
The document also indicated that even though the provision of education infrastructure had greatly improved in the region, many school buildings were of poor quality and far below standard.
Poor performance at both the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASHSCE) was also identified at the forum as one of the educational challenges in the region.
"Regional achievement is very poor on the average. Boys continue to out-perform girls..." the communiqu=E9 said.
The communiqu=E9 stated, however, that despite these challenges, there had been a drastic improvement in enrolment due to the introduction of the school-feeding programme.
"The school feeding programme has been successful in improving enrolment from 11,703 at the start of the programme to the current enrolment of 16,718 as at the end of 2007," it said. The participants recommended that the government should provide at least two more teacher-training colleges to increase the quality and quantity of supply of teachers in the region as part of the efforts to address the challenges. They appealed to the government and authorities at the District level to work towards improving the incomes and welfare of teachers to promote their dignity.


Source:
GNA

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Man rapes pregnant girl


Ajumako (C/R), May 9. GNA- An Ajumako district magistrate'S court on Thursday remanded a 28-year-old farm labourer into prison custody for raping 16-year-old pregnant girl at Nkatiem near Sunkwa in the Ajumako -Enyan-Essiam district.

The plea of the accused person, Abdulai Ali was not taken and the court, presided over by Mr. Kwasi Boakye Enimil ordered him to re-appear on May 22 2008.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector, Maxwell Emmanuel Akorley told the court that on May 2, Ali lured the victim to the outskirt of Nkatiem and defiled her despite her condition.

He said the girl reported her ordeal to her parents on reaching home and they reported the matter to the police. Ali was the arrested and put before court.

Source:
GNA

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Ghana hosts UNWTO seminar on handcrafts and tourism


Accra, May 9, GNA - A seminar that seeks to examine the prospect of a sustainable partnership between the tourism and the handcraft sector and how that could contribute to poverty alleviation in Africa would be held in Ghana from May 20 to 22, this year.

The seminar on the topic: "Tourism and Handcraft: two key economic sectors to contribute to poverty reduction in Africa," would bring together stakeholders in the two industries, including officials of Tourism Administration, Tour Operators, non governmental organizations and generally handcrafts related personnel and associations.

A statement signed by Mrs. Doris Yaa Yamoah, Public Relations officer at the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations said that the seminar was a follow -up to an earlier one held in Quagadougou, Burkina Faso, last year by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which offered participants in the two industries the opportunity to exchange experiences, ideas and provide guidance for technical aspects of tourism and handcrafts development in Africa. The statement said handcrafts and tourism had the potential to bring major social and economic benefits to Africa, fostering the continuity of local traditions and making significant contribution to UNWTO's goal of working towards poverty reduction in the region. Topics to be discussed will include: Tourism and handcrafts development in Africa, Handcraft marketing and distribution for tourism purposes, Product design, quality and labelling.

Source:
GNA

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Intellectual Property Pact With UN Aims to Boost Economic Development


A new agreement signed between the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Ghana aims to boost the West African nation's economic development and bolster its standing with the international business community.

WIPO Director General Dr. Kamil Idris welcomed the development, saying it "marked a new chapter" in the agency's cooperation with Ghana. The Intellectual Property Development Plan "offered a comprehensive and coherent approach to establishing a robust intellectual property framework that will support the country's development objectives," he added.

The Plan is "timely as Ghana is at the dawn of its economic take-off," the country's Attorney General and Justice Minister, Joe Ghartey, said following the signing. He added that progress in administrative reform "was boosting his country's standing within the international business community."

The Development Plan seeks to establish a better system for users of intellectual property rights - such as universities, small- and medium-sized enterprises, chambers of commerce and industry, research and development institutions, the judiciary, and copyright organizations - and aims to make sure they have the technical capacity to use the system.

It also promotes the development of creative industries, electronic commerce and agriculture.

Source:
UN News Service

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• 08.05.2008

08.MAY 1945 ! End of the WW 2 in Europe and Africa!

IN MEMORY!

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174 basic schools' classes take place under trees


WA, May 8, GNA - One hundred and seventy-four (174) classes in basic schools in the Upper West Region are held under trees, despite Government's effort to improve the infrastructure profile at the basic school level.

Of this number, 104 are found in primary schools, 51 in kindergarten and 19 in Junior High Schools, Mr Cletus Paaga, the Regional Director of Education, said this at the 2008 educational sector regional review workshop at Wa on Thursday.

He said there are also 274 Primary, 207 JHS and 37 Kindergarten classrooms in dilapidated conditions through out the region, whilst 209, 15 and 72 classes in Primary, JHS and Kindergartens respectively are held under makeshift structures such as sheds.

Mr Paaga said enrolment figures increased by 2,576 children in Kindergarten, 4,623 in Primary and 2,520 in JHS in 2007, whilst Senior High Schools and the Teacher Training Colleges in the region recorded no changes.

He described the performance of the region at Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), as very encouraging with five out of the eight districts namely, Wa Municipal, Nadowli, Wa East and West and Sissala East Districts falling within the first 40 in the performance league table.

The low performance in some districts was attributed to poor supply of teachers, as there are 1,516 trained teachers against 1,533 Pupil teachers most of whom are community teaching assistants recruited under the National Youth Employment Programme.

Out of the number of trained teachers, Mr Paaga said 393 of them had applied for study leave this year, but noted that, the Government had decided to sponsor only 3,000 trained teachers for tertiary courses annually.

He, therefore, appealed to the district assemblies to take up the responsibility of sponsoring those who would not be considered by the government for sponsorship.

Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister regretted that there were 1,060 teaching vacancies to be filled in the region and asked the district assemblies to fashion out strategies that would attract teachers to their districts.

The Regional Minister said a holistic approach to teaching and learning in schools was needed to improve performance in basic schools, whilst the situation in the Senior High Schools could be improved if the teachers increased their level of commitment to teaching.

He warned district directors of education and teachers against using their positions to engage in partisan politics, saying he would not hesitate to call for the transfer of any district director who would openly campaign for any political party.

Source:
GNA

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• 07.05.2008

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Ghana calls for standard methods of testing cocoa


Accra, May 7, GNA - Ghana wants the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) and non-European communities involved in the cocoa trade to set out a standardised method of testing cocoa bean exports in order to protect the integrity of the crop, a top industry official said on Wednesday.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Tony Fofie, a Deputy Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), said there was need for a harmonised testing methodology in order to have a harmonised quality rating.

"We need all the main players - COPAL (Cocoa Producers' Alliance), the ICCO and especially EU importers - to come out and define testing standards in order to create an acceptable system for all," Mr Fofie said.

There have been concerns in recent times about individual countries setting their own standards for cocoa imports based on which they grade quality, a situation exporting countries find problematic.

"We have a lot of countries to which we export our cocoa and so what happens if all these countries at various points decide to come out with their individual method of analysing the beans?" Mr Fofie asked. Ghana enjoys high premium on its cocoa which it ships mainly to Europe and Asia.

Last year, Japan downgraded a shipment of cocoa from Ghana based on what Cocobod said was the Asian country's own method of testing. "We still have this kind of situation arising from time to time. The problem is methodology of their analogy," Mr Fofie said, reiterating that the situation was not really about excess chemical residue in the beans.

He explained that while some importing countries included shells in the testing process, others only analysed the beans. Mr Fofie, who is in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, said currently, Cocobod researchers were conducting a study to find alternatives to the dependence on chemicals.

He said Ghana was always mindful and committed to approved levels of pesticides in cocoa quality, especially with bagged cocoa shipment and that the system where many buyers were requesting for bulk shipment in containers should be encouraged.

"For us in Ghana now, we have been doing a lot more of the bulk shipment."

Mr Fofie said although there were no more virgin forests for new cocoa farms, Ghana was implementing modern technology, including fertilisation and the adoption of high-yielding seeds, to significantly increase productivity to not less than 600,000 tonnes as yearly average. "Until recently, we were doing just about 450 kilos per hectare, far below what others produce. But now I can confidently say we are doing far more than that as part of our policy to increase our average production to 700,000 tonnes and higher".

Source:
GNA

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Bugri Naabu warns Akufo Addo


Politician, contractor and soccer administrator Mr. Daniel Bugri Naabu has advised NPP presidential aspirant Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to endeavour to make a careful search for a vice presidential candidate, by stopping at the door of an influential and widely-respected Konkomba, Baasare or a Bimoba, if indeed the Party is to sweep maximum northern votes and ascend to power yet again.

Speaking to a team of THE SUN HOUNDS at his office in Accra, the multi-faceted professional bent backwards into history and recollected how these trio of ethnic grouping had descended from a common ancestor, and were ready to exploit their massive numbers throughout the country to propel the NPP to power once more.

Mr. Bugri Naabu informed that he had spoken at length to Nana Addo only a couple of days ago on the issue, and being an opinion leader and a politician with his eyes and ears to the ground, he was only echoing the generality of sentiments in all three regions up-north.

“I do not want to sound ethnic but if indeed the NPP is desirous of winning power, the hierarchy cannot ignore my assertion because I am a conscious opinion leader, and knows the terrain and its current happenings,” he shot across his executive table to THE SUN HOUNDS. According to him, the Kufuor administration has done a yeoman’s job in the three northern regions by creating an enabling environment for peace and free speech, as well as marked pace in development, “and now the onus is on Nana Addo to pick that one excellent candidate with that commanding respect for the vice presidential slot.”

Mr. Bugri Naabu recalled how the grouping had spread their tentacles far and wide throughout the whole country in several spheres of work, and assured that he was under no illusion whatsoever as to their resolve to rally behind Nana Addo and vote en bloc, once a respected one of their own was selected. Determined to state his case so explicitly clear and win over a mass of people with his argument, Mr. Bugri Naabu noted that in 1979 Tolon Na Alhaji Yakubu Tali II from ….. was selected to partner the late Mr. Victor Owusu.

He continued that yet again in 1992 Mr. R.R. Alhassan, a Dagomba was also picked to partner the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. Bugri Naabu said in 2000, civil engineer by trade Alhaji Aliu Mahama, yet another Dagomba was selected to partner Mr. J. A. Kufuor, but today the reality is that any respectable Konkomba, Baasare or Bimoba could bring the votes by huge margins to the NPP, “for they far outnumber all those in the three regions,” he added.

“Politics is about numbers and I have told Nana Addo to use a lot of wisdom, patience and maturity in selecting otherwise any wrong pick could break the Party following up-north,” he told THE SUN.

Mr. Bugri Naabu then turned his attention on the grievances of Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen which led to his resignation from the Party the other day. He opined that there was so much loose talk that seemed to inflame an already sensitive situation, and cautioned all Party loyalists including the top brass to endeavour to restrain themselves from igniting a volatile situation in future, by turning a small fire into an inferno.

“Numbers in politics count so much and if indeed we so crave for power, we ought to do all we can to salvage a potentially dangerous situation and forge ahead in unity,” the politician cum contractor stated. The Sun

Source:
The Sun

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Ghana sits on drug time bomb


THE HEAD of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department (CPMRD) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Dr. Kwesi Aning, says Ghana is sitting on a time bomb. He said this in regard to the increasing spate of drug menace in the country.

He wondered why government officials are not prepared to face the fact and adopt methods to reverse the situation. “We need to call a spade a spade. The nation is actually in a deep crisis and people are afraid to speak about it,” he said.

Dr. Aning made this observation when he delivered a key note address on Monday, at the official inauguration of the Ghana Penal and Justice System Observatory (GHAPEJUSO) in Accra. For him, cases of drugs, crime, arm-robbery and others are just the litany of unintended consequences.

He therefore called for a concerted effort to clamp down on the menace.

According to him, his concern about the use of Ghana as a transit point for drugs was not about the use of flashy cars by some members of the public but how this tarnishes the image of Ghana as a country.

Dr. Aning contended among others that the fear factor that has gripped many officials who are fighting against some of these vices must be condemned. He cited the case of the late Chief Justice, Justice Kingsley Acquah, who reportedly told him that his life was in danger because he was fighting against corruption in the judiciary.

Despite the shortcomings of the security agencies in curbing the menace, he noted that the judiciary has in no small way thwarted the zeal and ability of the security agencies to combat this particular type of crime.

Dr. Aning said “it became apparent that particular judges give particular judgements in drug cases that are beginning to show a pattern. While previously, this was explained as due to the technicalities of the law, it is now clear that judgements by some members of the judiciary are more than suspicious, especially in cases where judges grant bail to drug traffickers with sureties which are far less than the value of the drugs seized.”

He expressed the belief that the people engaged in the drug business in Ghana have the capacity to corrupt and infiltrate the ranks of government and influence the outcome of the criminal justice and political processes.

Dr. Aning expressed misgivings about the continuous silence of government on the position of the police on the Kojo Armah’s Committee report on the disappearance of some 42 slabs of cocaine at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Police headquarters.

He also condemned the manner in which standing orders were handled in Parliament when issues concerning Mr. Eric Amoateng came before it.

He also mentioned the activities of land guards, chieftaincy disputes, land litigations, the concentration of youth unemployment, ethnic tension as being contributory factors to the heightening tension in the country.

To combat drug trafficking, he stressed the need to establish proper institutional frameworks with equipment, qualified personnel and resources.

This, he said, demands political will, public education, support from the judiciary, politicians and the security agencies. On his part, the General Secretary of GHAPEJUSO, Mr. Edward Mensah Kpodonu, said the biggest problem facing this nation was the failure to peacefully acknowledge our defects with humility of criticisms of any sort. According to him, most people even considered criticisms as a taboo.

“Corruption has become a way of life, abuse of authority and position is now a menace, robbery with violence resulting in the loss of precious lives continue to plague our society more seriously than ever before”, he noted.

For him, the masses have become stakeholders in the creation of a perpetually anomic society where peace and security could no longer be guaranteed.

He gave an overview of the inauguration of the executive members of the GHAPEJUSO and its roles in helping to improve upon the infringement on human rights.

Former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice V.C.A Crabbe Chaired the occasion.

Source:
Chronicle

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Two drivers honoured for sending pregnant women to hospital


Breman Asikuma (C/R), May 7, GNA - The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the District Assembly, has honoured two taxi drivers for conveying four pregnant women who were in labour to hospital free of charged. The drivers were Mr James Buabeng, aged 38, based in Breman Ato Dawuda and Mr Simon Ewusi, 32 from Breman Anhwiam.

The drivers' gesture followed a memorandum of understanding was signed between the various transport unions in the Central Regional and the Central Regional Health Directorate for drivers to send pregnant women in labour to the health facilities without demanding payment. Mr Buabeng received a 20-inch colour television set whilst Mr Ewusi had a sound system as his award at a ceremony under the theme: "Transport Unions at the Service of Pregnant Women". Mr Buabeng on behalf of his colleague thanked the organisers for the honour and hoped that other drivers would share in the plight of pregnant women by emulating their example.

Mr Emmanuel Adjei Domson, District Chief Executive for the Area, who presented the award to the drivers, expressed his gratitude to them for exhibiting patriotism in discharging their duties. Mr Adjei Domson was not happy that, despite the education and tuitions given to the drivers on the memorandum of understanding initialled, some have remained insensitive to the call. He urged the executives of the various driving unions to periodically organised sanitization programmes for their members on current motor traffic regulations.

Dr Luiz Gohungo Amoussou, AOB Director of Ghana Health Service said the purpose of the agreement was to save pregnant women and their children from dieing mainly because of lack of funds. He appealed to drivers in the region to abide by the agreement to help reduce maternal mortality rate and also save the lives of women.

Source:
GNA

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Government urged to improve on Human Rights


Accra, May 7, GNA - Human rights non-governmental organisations in Ghana on Wednesday expressed concern about human rights abuses in the country saying that even though the country was not doing badly, more needed to be done.
They contended that though there were no statistics to support their claims, more could be done in areas such as the judiciary, police service, right to information and basic necessities to boost the country's image on the international scene. The programme, organised by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI - Africa) in collaboration with civil society organisations, was to review the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on human rights submitted to the United Nations. The review mechanism set up by the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations aims at improving the human rights situation in all UN member states.

Nana Oye Lithur, Regional Coordinator of CHRI Africa, said the programme was organised to address issues raised in Ghana's reports which were submitted to the HRC on May 5, 2008.

In a critique of the report, she said it failed to include among other things the African Peer Review Mechanism report on Ghana between 2004 and 2007 which provided a wealth of information and issues relating to women, especially pregnant women in prisons, and called for alternative solutions such as community work, suspended sentences, probation and fines.

Nana Oye said CHRI had identified six national priorities with regard to human rights and had also submitted a supplementary report with a focus on the Ghana Police Service and forced evictions. The priority areas identified were the adaptation of a National Evictions Policy, the need to rehabilitate police cells, strengthen judiciary structures, expansion of legal aid to the rural sector, the need for an effective implementation of human rights standards by the police service and an increase in civic education on human rights standards.

Mr Michael A. Brigandi of Amnesty International reported on the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) and urged the Government to take action to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations by the NRC.

Ms Agnes Kabajuni, representative of the Centre for Housing Rights and Evictions, noted that poor people in the urban areas were vulnerable to housing violations and that lack of affordable options to own property forced many Ghanaians into the rental market and informal settlements.

She said government had made affordable and accessible housing a priority but this had been ineffective due to flawed policies, implementation and monitoring mechanisms. She called on government to limit factors which perpetuated gender inequalities and barriers to women in the Ghanaian rental market. The Programme Manager for Women in Law and Development (WiLDAF), Mr Frank Wilson Bodza, noted that the government admitted in the report that it had not done enough to increase women's participation in decision-making and recommended implementation of the affirmative action law. He also urged political parties to agree to implement a quota system as a means of having more women in politics. Mac-Darling Cobbinah, Executive Director of International Gay and Lesbians Association, said it was unfortunate that they had been marginalised and called on school authorities to counsel students who engage in homosexuality and lesbianism instead of dismissing them from school. He condemned the criminalisation of their activity in the report and said that they would be printing materials to educate the public in accepting gays and lesbians as they were.

Source:
GNA

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• 06.05.2008

Government apologises to Metro TV, viewers


Accra, May 6, GNA - Government has apologised to Metro TV and its viewers for the interruption of a live transmission of a programme on the network during the just-ended meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Mr Joe Baidoo-Ansah, Minister of Trade Industry, Private Sector Development, and President's Special Initiative, interrupted the live programme and drew criticism from the public.

Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, outgoing Minister of Information and National Orientation, said in a letter to the National Media Commission (NMC) that Mr Baidoe-Ansah, who was acting as the President of the UUNCTAD XII Conference, was compelled to intervene when he realised that the debate on Metro TV was rather turning political, with comments made by Dr Nii Moi Thompson of the Convention People's Party (CPP).

The Minister's letter was also copied to UNCTAD-Geneva, Office of the President, Council of State, Council of Elders of the Convention People's Party, National Commission for Civic Education and the Management of Metro TV.

"Indeed his comments were inadvertently carried on the broadcast as he was under the impression that he was talking off air during a commercial break."

"Government duly apologises to Metro TV and viewers for the interruption of the live transmission of programme."

The ministry said it noted with grave concern the CPP's assumption that government had something to do with the failure of the television station to broadcast the programme the following day.

"We are disappointed that this assumption has been made without any reference to check its authenticity. Despite subsequent conversations with your good self and public announcements by the Deputy Manager of Metro TV, Mr Alhassan Haruna, denying the assertion you have refused to retract the libellous and defamatory statement."

"For the record, this government has never intimidated any station into refraining from broadcasting any of their scheduled programmes and demands a retraction of statements made in your letter to that effect." She said she expected a retraction within 24 hours of receipt of the letter failing which she would be compelled to take action to salvage her image.

Source:
GNA

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Shock at renewal of sea protection contract


Sakumono, May 06, GNA - Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament have expressed shock that a contract awarded Yiadom Builders Limited for the continuation of the Sakomono Coastal Protection Project had been renewed against its recommendation.

The contractor has completed only 10 percent of the 600- meter sea protection project awarded in 2004 that was expected to be completed within five months.

Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, Chairman of the PAC who led the Committee to inspect ongoing government projects in the Tema Metropolis on Tuesday, said committee members were surprised that the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, had renewed the contract after the committee, Parliament and Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, former Minister of Water Resource, Works and Housing had recommended that the contract should be terminated and the mobilization fee refunded by the contractors.

Mr Mensah, Member of Parliament for Upper West Akyem, said instead of terminating the contract, the ministry ordered a revaluation leading to the appreciation of the total cost of the contract, GH¢660 million, by GH¢260 million.

Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Member of Parliament for Ningo/Prampram, said he was shocked and annoyed at the work done so far adding that the contractor did not deliver on their promise.

Mr Hubert Osei-Wusuansa, Project Engineer who conducted the committee members round, said the contractor abandoned the project after receiving the mobilization fee and that they failed to deliver even after the extension of the five months to 10 months.

Mr Osei-Wusuansa said the contractor was given the contract because they had the equipment and staff.

At Community 18, Lashibi, Mr Wise Ametepey, Head of Drainage of the Hydrological Service Department, led the committee to inspect a GH¢160 million drainage expansion project.

Mr Ametepey said the first phase of the project, which started in 2004, had been completed but the second phase has not started due to lack of funds.

He said the project was designed to widen and deepen the drainage to collect flood waters from Communities 18, 19 and 20 into the Sakumo Lagoon.

Mr Ametepey said 3.5 kilometers stretch of the drainage with six culverts were completed last year and that though the project was not fully completed, flooding in the three communities had been minimised.

Source:
GNA

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Teaching Assistant loses job over text message


Ho, May 6, GNA - A mobile phone text message from a Teaching Assistant under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to a District Coordinator over outstanding allowances, has resulted in the termination of his appointment.

Mr Jacob Gada, the Teaching Assistant at Dzita in the Keta District lost his job few days after sending the text through a termination letter he received from the Coordinator.

The Ghana News Agency learnt on Tuesday that Mr Gada has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to prevail on his District Co-ordinator, Mr Seth Yormevor to restore his appointment and pay all his outstanding allowances.

In his petition on March 13, this year, Mr Gada told the Commission that following delays in the payment of allowances to those engaged under the NYEP in the district, he sent a text message to the District Co-ordinator, Mr Yormewor which read in part: ".frogs like water but not when it is hot".

Mr Gada said a few days later, he received a letter from the Co-ordinator terminating his appointment for displaying "total indiscipline and gross insubordination".

When contacted, Mr Carlos Mensah, Volta Regional Principal Investigator of CHRAJ described the termination of Mr Gada's appointment as "unfair".

He explained that, the act of sending that text message should not warrant such an action.

Mr Mensah said reports from the District Circuit Supervisor of the Ghana Education Service described Mr Gada as dutiful and said effort was being made to resolve the issue amicably.

Source:
GNA

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Syphilis cases on the rise


Kumasi, May 5, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has expressed concern about the increasing cases of Syphilis in most communities in the country especially among people between 40 and 50 years. Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Ashanti Regional HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator, who expressed the sentiments, noted that the disease was more prevalent in the Central and Western Regions.

He was addressing District Directors of Health Services (DDHS), District Respond Initiatives (DRI) as well as Focal Persons on HIV/AIDS in the Ashanti Region during their first quarter meeting in Kumasi at the weekend.

The meeting aimed at discussing their proper roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other diseases and adopts affective measures to prevent them.

Dr Agyarko-Poku said although Syphilis could be treated in all health centres and hospitals, peoples' attention were on the HIV/AIDS and therefore cautioned that if care was not taken, it could also become another national problem.

He challenged all stakeholders in the country to fight against the spread of this sexually transmitted disease. Mrs Felicia Dapaah, the Ashanti Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, urged Health personnel to liaise with District Assemblies in their bid to provide quality health delivery in the country.

Dr Osei Somuah, Obuasi Municipal Director of Health Service, stressed the need for religious bodies to be included in the effective planning towards the eradication and control of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and others. He advised them to be actively involved in educating the people about the dangers of such diseases and the need to prevent and control them at all the times.

The Municipal Director was not happy that funds for such interventions were not released on time resulting in rising incident of most preventable diseases. He, therefore, called on the government to release funds early to facilitate the work of District Health Directorates.

Source:
GNA

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Is Marriage Becoming Too Expensive?


Sir Alan Patrick Herbert once said that “the institution of marriage was begun that a man and a woman might learn how to love and, in loving, know joy; that a man and a woman might learn how to share pain and loneliness and, in sharing, know strength; that a man and woman might learn how to give and, in giving know communion” (Institution of Marriage, 98). The institution of marriage, itself, is a sacred institution because of its very nature. It is something special, that is sanctioned by governments, many societies, and, almost all the religions of the world. Followers of Christianity will tell you that it was given and sanctioned by God, as a binding agreement to his (God’s) people to show their commitment to each other.
People decide to marry for several reasons. They might decide to marry for legal, social, and economic stability. Others might decide to do that to form and strengthen a family unit, for procreation, education, and nurturing of children, land legitimizing and for sexual relations. Yet, others even do that as a public declaration of love or to obtain citizenship. Indeed, the latter reason is what is in vogue in most Western countries where immigrants—legal or illegal—marry citizens to cement or legalize their immigration status. Interestingly, the procreative essence of marriage is becoming less popular, as people, who, THINK, are too busy to bring up children are simply going for mere co-habitation.

Unfortunately, the process leading to marriage has become an uphill task for many, especially, the youth to climb. Marriages have simply become too expensive. It is no more enough to present drinks and gifts (known as dowry), a token of support used to compensate the parents for the loss of services of their daughter. In recent times, this gesture is just the first of many processes the man (or, in some cases, the couple) will go through before the marriage is sanction and cemented. The process leading to marriage, itself, is as expensive as the one which comes after—the huge party to celebrate the event.

Our society seems to have become more Western in its values than it was about two decades ago, when marriages were less expensive, more traditional, and more meaningful to the couple, the two families, and the entire society. Marriage, hitherto, was a simple event, sanctioned by the two families, which also meant a lot to the couple who found the joy more in finally making public their intentions to spend their lives together more than the jamboree that characterized the event. Today, we are told that the engagement ceremony, which is the equivalent of the traditional Ghanaian marriage, is no more “proper” marriage—at least that is the undercurrent message that some of our churches have given us. Thus, besides the engagement ceremony, which is very expensive, churches, almost as a matter of necessity, require the couple to crown the traditional ceremony with a wedding ceremony, which is also a burden to many families.

The last time I checked, the church of Pentecost, quite recently, made it mandatory for couples to leave a one-month period between the engagement and the wedding ceremonies. That rationale behind that, I don’t understand. Is it to give the couple some time to re-think the marriage? If that is the case, is the engagement ceremony not marriage, in itself? Is it to give the couple more time to look for some more resources for the wedding? In effect, what this decision means is that the couple needs to go through the expensive engagement ceremony, still manage to pull some resources together, for the one-month’s waiting period, and, then, crown the celebrations with an expensive wedding. To be fair, though, our churches tell us that: “Oh you don’t need to do any expensive wedding,” “you can just come to the church premises on a week day, and we will bless your marriage,” “the couple can just come in with a few family members,” and so on, but we know that is not what really happens in churches—at least in recent times.

One of the issues I have been trying to understand is why the engagement ceremony is almost losing its effect and importance. It appears the engagement ceremony is almost becoming not an event in itself, but only a subordinate process to the main event, which is the wedding ceremony. But, is the engagement ceremony not marriage? Can’t the couple live together after the engagement ceremony? Why has the wedding ceremony become the most important of the events leading to the marriage? Now, if we uphold the wedding as the more important (even if we don’t openly say so), isn’t that an affront to our traditional establishment?

Expensive marriages have almost become a must, even for low-income families, due to the fear of what “people” will think otherwise. ...Society has its own requirements for what it considers a “successful” wedding; churches want to maintain a “certain tradition” and the couple, boxed into the game of perception, will be forced to satisfy potential critics who come to these ceremonies with pen and paper, in hand, to “judge the contest.” Guests expect to see a particular style and make of the wedding dress, a specific model and make of the wedding car, and a specific place for the wedding reception. Today, wedding receptions are no more held on the premises of the church. When was the last time you saw one? It’s either in a hotel—not just any hotel—or an expensive guest house.

In effect, the cost of organizing a marriage ceremony—the engagement or the wedding ceremony—has escalated to the roof through the years. Everything from the wedding dress to the place for the honeymoon seems to be so costly that parents and/or the couple end up taking out large loans to organize this event. The craze to meet societal expectations has driven couples to do some crazy things—people can be crazy, you know. Sometimes, the problem comes from the bride’s family for the groom to meet some expectations, and continue the “respectable” family tradition of the bride, but sometimes, it also comes from the sheer stupidity on the part of the guy to prove his love for the woman. You know we all have our own definition of love. If that were not the case, a man will not go for a loan to organize an expensive wedding just to prove that he loves a woman.

Perhaps, we need to go back to the basics; what is our definition of marriage? What is our definition of a dream marriage? Is it about the joy that comes with finally tying the knots with your dream man or woman? Is our yardstick for a successful marriage ceremony about how expensive the ceremony will be or the joy in the ceremony itself, whether expensive or modest? Does your dream wedding have to really be the most expensive party of your life? Do you want a wedding to captivate your guests? Or, do you want a wedding which, while giving you a beautiful memory, will also make your dream come true, without putting yourself in the poor house on one event?

Some people want us to believe that the marriage ceremony, especially the wedding is a one-time event, so we should not worry how much we spend organizing it. Thus, we often hear people say “this is your only chance” and “it is the most important event in your life,” etc. It is a fact that marriage is a special event, and so should be specially-organized. However, a special event is not necessarily an expensive event. I have NEVER thought the two words are synonymous, and I don’t think they are. However, that is not how many understand it. They will not even mind taking huge loans just to meet this need. Unfortunately, in cases where people have taken loans, they have struggled after spending so much on marriage ceremonies, because they either went a-borrowing or emptied their coffers to satisfy, in most cases, not themselves, but to meet societal expectations.

About two years ago, a good friend of mine, here, in the USA, took loans from two banks for his marriage ceremony (in Ghana). By modern standards, his wedding was lavish and it also took a lavish amount of his time and affection. He returned from Ghana with his wedding ring, pictures of the wedding, and full of smiles at the least display of the pictures. Two years on, he was not fortunate enough to secure a visa for her wife to join him in the states, and he has also not managed to clear his huge debt, which has become a burden to him. He now has a very bad credit, whose score is way below the national average. Another friend also spent so much in the hope that gifts from friends and well-wishers would help him defray the cost. That dream is still waiting to be realized!

The beauty about marriage seems to have been replaced with a material consideration that has become a source of worry to many people. The challenge that confronts many people, especially the youth is that they might not get married as soon as they will want, they will risk meeting these huge expectations conventionally set by society, or will opt for co-habitation, but with no commitment to these relationships. The problem is that the churches or other religious institutions that are supposed to allay the fears of the youth about this process are not making things very easy.

Are we setting a bad precedent? Will expensive marriages not lead to some moral crises of some form? 


Source:
Godwin Yaw Agboka/Public Agenda

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Man refuses blood to son to die


Accra, May 6, GNA - An auto air-condition repairer who refused blood transfusion for his two-year old son on religious grounds which led to his death on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit.

Jakes Komla Asamoah, 33, auto electrician has been charged with negligently causing harm and intentionally and unlawfully refusing access of the necessities of health and life to his son.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to GH¢ 10,000 cedis bail with two sureties to be justified.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. George Abavelim prosecuting said the complainant in the case was Dr. Maame Yaa Nyarko, a medical officer at the Princess Marie Hospital, Accra while the accused lived at Amansan.

He said on February 9, this year at about 1205 mid-day, the accused took his son by name Kelvin Asamoah, aged two years four months, who was sick to the Princess Marie Hospital for treatment.

Mr Abavelim said on arrival at the hospital, the medical officer on duty examined Kelvin and noticed that the patient was anaemic and needed blood transfusion but the accused who is a member of the

Jehovah Witness refused and insisted on religious grounds that his son should not be given any blood transfusion.

He said because of the refusal of the accused for the son to be given blood the boy died on February 10 and a report was made to the Police and Asamoah was arrested and in his caution statement admitted the offence. Post mortem report on the deceased stated the cause of death among others as "severe anaemia".

The deceased has since been buried.

Source:
GNA

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EDITORIAL: The Metro TV Fracas


The Minister for Trade, Industry, Presidential Initiative and Private Sector Development, Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah, found himself on the wrong side of etiquette last week, when he disrupted a live programme broadcast on Metro TV, because he disagreed with the comments that were being made by one of the panellists.

As a result of this unethical behaviour, the Minister had some sort of fracas with Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, an Economist and a leading member of the Convention People's Party (CPP). The situation which did not go down well with the leadership of the CPP, compelled them to issue a statement, demanding a public apology from Baidoe-Ansah.

The CPP also called on President Kufuor to dismiss the Minister if he refused to apologise to them, for the embarrassment he caused to their leading member on the programme.

Apart from the CPP statement, there were also public condemnations of the attitude of the Minister, especially the shame he brought to the nation.

Joe Baidoe-Ansah, who was initially hesitant at meeting the demand of the CPP, to apologise, finally gave in last week Friday, when he issued a statement apologising to the viewing public for his conduct.

Though the Minister did not meet the demand of the CPP, of apologising to them officially, we think apologising to those who watched the programme was not enough.

He should have, first of all, apologised to the TV Station, the panellists, the CPP and the nation, as the office he holds makes him a representative of Ghana, so any misbehaviour should be seen as a grave emberrassment to the nation.

There is no doubt that his attitude that day was not only an embarrassment to him as a Minister, but also to the entire country, especially journalists, since he is a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

Worst of it all, he was seen touching the shoulders of one of the foreign dignitaries on the programme in anger.

Joe Baido-Ansah should now begin to understand, that the position that he is currently occupying, is a big and respected one, therefore he must begin to behave as a Minister befitting that status.

That youthful exuberance should give way to diplomacy. As the newly-appointed President of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), he may have had a genuine problem with the programme, but it was wrong for him to have gone there, during the period of the programme, whether at that material time it was off air or not.

The proper thing he should have done was to register his protest to the producer of the programme, and the need for them to avoid that in future and not to barge into the programme, resulting in the disgrace he has brought upon himself and the nation.

The Chronicle thinks this unfortunate conduct should serve as a lesson to other ministers, who would try to use their positions to such an extent in future. No matter the situation though, we at The Chronicle are convinced that even though the Minister has behaved as a good democrat, by coming out to apologise, that apology was not good enough.

Source:
Ghanaian Chronicle

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42 Slabs of Cocaine Gone Missing


The investigative panel that was commissioned by the Minister of Interior in February to investigate the missing cocaine from the exhibit room of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has uncovered that 42 slabs of cocaine were missing from the custody of the CID.

In their report submitted to the Minister of Interior on April 24, it was detected that 12 slabs of cocaine were substituted and one whole box containing 30 slabs was found to have been stolen.

The report said "According to the Ghana Standards Board, the substance used to substitute the slabs of cocaine was proved to be corn dough."

It further indicated that the Prampram consignment comprising 67 sacks was tested by GSB between 10th July and 8th October, 2006, and all proved to be cocaine, at which stage all the drugs were transferred into 67 empty cartons.

In October 2007, the new Director General of CID, DCOP Frank Adu Poku was appointed upon the departure of Mr. Asante Apeatu to take up an appointment with Interpol in France. Between January 28 and February 26, 2008, the whole consignment was retested by GSB upon a request by the new leadership, where it was identified that some of the cocaine had been stolen.

It noted that it was the detection of the substitution of the cocain that prompted the police administration to inform their sector minister, Hon. Bartels, who subsequently set up a panel to investigate the substitution and the missing cocaine.

According to the report, the panel interviewed 43 persons including the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong who the committee found to have no stain on his professional conduct.

The panel emphasized that they were unable to find anyone directly liable for the substitution and stealing of the cocaine. However, it was the view of the Investigation Committee that the perpetrators of the act might have used the following methods; the use of keys, or the apron at the back of the exhibit store, or by the workers engaged to fix reinforcement, or at the time the Venezuelan cocaine was being carted out for destruction, or possibly the taking of advantage of frequent electricity outage of the time or the possible tempering of the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) facility.

The report re-emphasized that the most possible of the assumptions were the use of keys, or at the time the Venezuelan cocaine was being carted out for destruction, adding that in each of the possibilities, DSP Patrick Akagbo was the key figure.

It stated that there is evidence that three informants received GH¢ 5,000 from the former head of the Organized Crime Unit, Mr. Adu Amankwah as a result of the representation they made to him which turned out later to be false.

Their crime, which the Committee defined as deceit of a public officer or defrauding by false pretence, since they were able to deceive both the Minister and Mr. Adu Amankwah.

It went on to say that in spite of the presence of a CCTV facility at the CID Exhibit Room and a 24hour guard, the exhibit room had a louver glass window through which a mischief minded person could gain ingress into the room and efforts to block this obvious access had not been taken seriously by those responsible, while the CCTV was not working and not attended to by monitors as expected.

The report intimated that the person who had the keys to the exhibit store, DSP Akagbo might be the obvious suspect in the offence under investigation. "He had no business keeping the exhibits store keys when his unit had nothing to do with the Prampram case and he could have reported the refusal of Mr. Adu Amankwah to take over the keys to the Director General of CID or higher authority.

The fact that he kept the keys all this while and that he failed to take proper steps to supervise the structural works being done to strengthen the store render him as a prime suspect," the report stressed. The Police Public Relations Director, DSP Kwesi Ofori told the press yesterday that he could not comment on the report because they received their copy only at the close of last week.

He, however, corrected the media's erroneous reports that all the 67 parcels at the sixth floor of the CID headquarters had been stolen, adding that they were very much concerned about the missing 42slabs and were still investigating the perpetrators of the act.

Media men were taken to the exhibit store room for inspection of the rest of the cocaine in the CID custody

Source:
Ghanaian Chronicle

Africa is now opened to business-President Kufuor


From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, London

London, May 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday encouraged the world's business giants to look more to Africa to support economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty among its peoples. The Region was now opened to business and that the prospects of good returns on investments were high.

"The next million dollar you want to make could come from Africa than anywhere else", he said at a gathering of Chief Executive Officers of some multinational companies, including Coca Cola, Microsoft, Diagao, SABMiller, Sumitomo and Vodafone at the Canary-Wharf, the financial district of London.

Also present at the meeting dubbed: "Business Call to Action" and jointly hosted by the United Kingdom (UK) Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were senior Government Ministers and high ranking representatives of the United Nations (UN). They were discussing concrete ideas for drawing on the power of businesses to help speed up progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing countries, particularly Africa. The MDGs, which range from halving extreme poverty to halving HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by 2015 form a blueprint agreed on by all countries and the world's development institutions. There is however, growing anxiety that many African nations were off track in achieving the goals. Ghana and Rwanda are the only countries on the continent seen to be making strong showing at realising these goals.

President Kufuor said there were enormous opportunities for investment in the region, citing the raw material base and quality human resources and asked that it was time the multinationals shook themselves off whatever doubts they had about Africa.

He said, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Ghana for example could export 6,400 duty free and quota-free commodities to the US market.

Added to this, were trade agreements with Europe, India, China and Japan, that had also opened their markets to Africa. "We are waiting for you to come in", he said, while expressing concern about the low Foreign Direct Investment flow to the Continent.

President Kufuor pointed out that, although the development partners had been generous with their Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), the dependence on this could not take Africans out of poverty. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was in the best interest of businesses to bring the poorest countries into the global economy and to create a globalisation that was all inclusive.

"I am not talking about a moral imperative but about a strategic and economic one."

He said there was the need to fully acknowledge the critical importance of the private sector in driving development-focusing its attention not on an old one-dimensional "welfarist approach" but on enterprise, on free and fair trade and open markets and on harnessing the power of innovation and the building blocks of growth.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, said dignity and prosperity went hand in hand and pledged that Africa would be a good partner. Mr Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator said the "Business Call to Action" was not a one time event, but a commitment to speed up progress on the MDGs.

Source:
GNA

Ministry to highlight tourism in national development


Accra, May 6, GNA - The Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations will on Friday, May 9 interact with corporate organizations that sponsored its activities last year on the importance of tourism in national development.

It would be a dinner event to honour the sponsors as well as to discuss extensively how the development of tourism helps in generating foreign exchange, creating jobs and reducing poverty, especially in rural areas.

A statement signed by Mrs Bridgette Katsriku, Chief Director of the Ministry, urged all invitees to the event to attend in order to contribute to the important discussions,

"The Tourism Ministry has made great strides in the development of tourism since 2005," the statement said and called for more support for the industry to enable it build on its achievements.

Source:
GNA

Assembly to develop Aboakyer into tourist attraction


Winneba (C/R), May 6, GNA - The Effutu Municipal Assembly is to come out with measures that would enhance the celebration of Aboakyer festival with the aim of making it more attractive to tourists to generate revenue for development. A major activity, which would be modernise as part of measures would be the masquerades competition, which adds a lot of beauty and excitement to the celebration.

Mr Robert Ekow Ghanney, the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, announced this on Monday when he addressed the Assembly in Winneba, during which he spelled out development plan for the Municipality. He said the Finance and Administration sub-committee of the Assembly has, therefore, been asked work out the modalities for adoption by the Assembly towards the decision.

Mr Ghanney said broadly, the development plan would cover areas as education, health, agriculture, revenue generation, sports and tourism development.

He said work on the Assembly's office complex would be expedited to save the trouble of holding Assembly meetings in other institutions' premises adding that, roofing and partitioning were the things left to be tackled.

Mr Ghanney stressed the need to strengthen the various sub-structures of the Assembly in order to boost revenue collection in the localities. He said the revenue outfit ought to be resourced well to be able to discharge their duties diligently and intelligently, noting that the Assembly would have to explore a number of ways to generate revenue. Touching on Agriculture and fishing development, Mr Ghanney said small scale farmers would be assisted with soft loans from the national Youth Employment Fund to enable them expand their farms to reap the benefits of large -scale production.

He said a safe landing site for Winneba fishermen would be constructed in June this year to improve fishing in the area.

Source:
GNA

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• 05.05.2008

Private company to manufacture ultra light aircraft

Accra, May 5, GNA - Miss Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation on Tuesday announced that a private micro-light aircraft company (WAASPS) based in the Eastern region has embarked on the manufacturing of two and four seater ultra light aircraft for pilot training, medical and agriculture support services.

She said the company has so far manufactured four aircraft and are in the process of completing another four this year.

Miss Akuffo, highlighting the activities and achievements of the Aviation Ministry at the Meet-The-Press series in Accra, said the company has also embarked on basic training of pilots in the country on micro lights aircraft.

The ministry, she said, was collaborating with the company to manufacture enough of such aircraft to enable them to have access to the hinterlands during national disasters.

On infrastructure, the Minister said the ministry was faced with inadequate office accommodation and equipment, transit facilities at Kotoka International Airport, aircraft maintenance facilities and facilities at domestic airports, links with ground transportation, among others.

"Another problems facing the ministry is lack of Title to KIA lands and this is making things difficult for us to keep encroachers at bay," she said.

Miss Akuffo said a chunk of KIA lands were encroached upon posing danger to their operations and that of the encroachers and appealed to government to cede right of land titles to the Ministry. On severance payments to the defunct Ghana Airways Limited workers, the Minister said, 47 pilots and Flight Engineers were fully settled at a total cost of 1.4 million dollars.

The government, she said, had agreed to bear a total cost of 6.5 million dollars of 1,199 General Staff, including Cabin Crew who qualified for severance payment.

She said government had so far released two million dollars with 4.5 million dollars outstanding and 1,024 out of the general staff have been partially settled at 1.9 million dollars. Miss Akuffo, however, said 20 out of the remaining 175 have rejected the Liquidator's offer and were demanding that the calculation of their severance be based on their salaries at the out of station. The rest are yet to validate their claims.

Ghana Airways (GH) Staff with Airways Catering Limited (ACL) prior to ACL's autonomy have also been partially settled. Claims by ACL staff engaged after autonomy have been rejected as they were not GH staff at the time of liquidation.

Source:
GNA

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Four killed in renewed violence in Bawku


Bawku (U/E), May 5, GNA - Four people have so far been killed and more than 12 houses burnt in the Bawku Municipality since violence erupted in the area on Sunday night.

The Security Personnel have arrested 32 people in connection with the conflict and confiscated five guns and ammunition, Mr Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, Upper East Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency in Bawku.

He said security personnel had intensified surveillance and the situation had been brought under control as at 1400 hours on Monday. The Police Commander said the Security Personnel were doing their best to bring calm to the area.

Mr Daniel Nar-ire, Deputy Coordinating Director of the Bawku Municipal Assembly, told the GNA that the violence started on Sunday night at about 1900 hours when some people attacked worshippers at a mosque.

He said the Security Personnel could not cover the entire place at the same time and people at suburbs that were not covered at a particular time continued to fight until the security brought the situation under control but this lasted just for a while and resumed again immediately the security personnel moved to other areas.

"However, the security has been reinforced with personnel from Tamale and there is hope that they would calm down the situation by afternoon," he said.

Today Monday, is Bawku market day but there would be no market for the people.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister Kwamena Bartels said the Government was imposing a 22-hour curfew on Bawku Municipality, Zabzugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoosi and their environs with new curfew hours, from 0900 hours on Monday until 0700 hours on Tuesday. Mr Bartels reminded the public that the ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal Area, Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoosi and Garu Townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapon still remained in force, and any person found with any arms or ammunition would be arrested and prosecuted. He said a number of vehicles had been burnt in the fighting that started on Sunday when a Kusasi Opinion Leader was shot after prayers. The Kusasi Opinion Leader died while being transferred to the Bolgatanga Hospital.

Mr Bartels said reinforcements of security personnel were being sent immediately to control the situation.

The Government a week ago eased the curfew imposed on the Bawku Municipality and its environs from 2200 hours to 0400 hours to 2400 hours to 0400 hours, citing continued peace and stability in the area. It also commended the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and all stakeholders in the Bawku Municipality and its environs for "the improved security situation in the area".

The Government again appealed to all the factions to help to consolidate the peace by exercising maximum restraint and tolerance and to partner the Government to bring permanent peace to the area.

Source:
GNA

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Chieftaincy disputes due to lack of transparency


Pesse (E/R), May 5, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of State at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, has attributed the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the country to lack of transparency in the selection of candidates to occupy stools. He therefore called on traditional authorities to ensure that rightful candidates were allowed to occupy the stools to avoid those conflicts.

The Minster made the call in an address read on his behalf by the Director of Chieftaincy, Mr George Addo at a durbar of chiefs and people of Pesse in the Eastern Region.

The durbar was to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Otwasuom Osae Nyanpong, Chief of Pesse and the Kamenahene of the Akwamu Traditional Area at Pesse on Saturday.

Mr Boafo said it had become very important for all occupants of black stools to carefully indicate in writing, the origin of their stools, brief history of previous occupants of the stools and unacceptable behaviour of occupants of the stool which may attract sanctions.

He said when all these were done and copies sent to the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs as well as the Ministry and National Archives for safe keeping, it would serve as reference point for occupants of stools.

"All these steps when carefully and honestly applied would eliminate conflicts and ensure that the most eligible and suitable candidate is selected, installed and accepted by all stakeholders." he said.

Mr Boafo said one of the major functions of the Ministry was to initiate, formulate and ensure the efficient and effective implementation of policies, plans, and programmes and projects to preserve, develop, promote and preserve Ghanaian heritage, institution, arts, architectural sites and values.

He therefore assured that his ministry would continue to come out with programmes and policies for traditional authorities to help them to preserve the dignity of the chieftaincy institution.

The Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Mr William Ampem Darko also the Guest of Honour, said this years general elections should not be considered as a do and die affair but must be a normal process of selecting leaders in order not to disturb the relative peace the nation was enjoying.

He said all the organs of government needed to play their roles effectively to move the nation forward and praised the media for its role in ensuring the sustainability of the democratic dispensation. Mr Amepem Darko cautioned the media to be circumspect in their reportage in order not to inflame passions before, during and after the general elections.

Otwasuom Osae Nyanpong commended the government on the numerous development projects currently going on in the area and appealed for early completion of the road from Marine to Gyakiti. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu urged the people to encourage their sons and daughters both home and abroad to help develop the area.

Source:
GNA

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Alan’s damage is irreparable


The news of Alan Kyerematen’s return to the fold of the NPP may come as a sigh of relief to members of the NPP.

It may also appear as though broken fences have been mended.

The reality however is that the melodrama of his exit and the effusion that came with it and his subsequent return has left a negative imprint on many a mind that previously perceived the NPP as democratic.

Ghanaians now perceive the NPP a as a violent Party that gets what it wants with a verve, through intimidation of those who are opposed to it.

Alan’s exposé brands the NPP as vindictive and its history and antecedent confirms this.

The NPP in character and form has consistently demonstrated that violence is its stock in trade, though it is quick to deny its penchance for achieving its end through manipulative force.

Clearly, it was such tendencies that compelled Alan to exit the NPP.

In his resignation letter to the NPP leadership, Mr. Alan Kyerematen is said to have cited intimidation and alienation of his supporters after the Congress as his reasons.

His assertion has been corroborated by the outspoken nephew and chief spokesman of the NPP flagbearer, Gabby Orchere Darko, who the other day on Metro TV’s morning show as though confirming the December verdict referred to Atta Mills as President Mills.

That admission by Gabby Orchere Darko was not an error- but an intuitive expression of conviction.

In a myjoyonline.com’ story, Gabby was reported as having said; “even though Alan may have genuine concerns, he overreacted and took the wrong decision.

The issue of perceived intimidation has occurred several times; in 1992, 1996 and 1998, and Alan’s complaints may not be peculiar”.

He said Nana Akufo-Addo suffered what could be even worse attacks than Alan’s but he did not quit, and rather waited on the party’s leadership to deal with the matter.

Akufo-Addo, according to Gabby, complained of distressing intimidation of his supporters by supporters of Kufuor, but allowed the Party to resolve the matter.

Let us be reminded of the method employed by the Akufo Addo camp to rob ‘Alan Cash’ of the NPP flag bearer race - rough edging out of colleagues, resulting in the bitterness between the two; deepening the depth of cracks within the NPP.

To put it bluntly, it is a case of fabricating stories about your opponent and painting him black.

It is therefore understandable why the NPP witch-hunted well meaning Ghanaians who worked under the NDC regime, some of which led to the imprisonment and subsequent death of Victor Serlomey.

The incarceration of Kwame Preprah, Dan Abodakpi, and Dr. Yankey, as well as harassment of Sherry Ayittey, Ernest Agbodo, Tsatsu Tsikata (the genius in oil exploration, whose effort culminated in the eventual oil find in recent times).

Others are former President Rawlings and his wife, E. T. Mensah, Professor Mills, Ato Dadzie as well as the dismissal of host of public office holders who worked closely with the NDC.

Their penchance for finding fault where none exists and demonization of citizens of value and integrity vividly demonstrates the NPP’s vindictiveness and intolerance.

A case in point is the recent Fadama brouhaha, where the Akufo-Addo boys tried intimidating NDC supporters at the residence of his eminence the National Chief Imam, Alhaji Nuhu Sharubutu when Prof. Mills called on him during the commemoration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

As is characteristic of the Akufo-Addo led NPP, they ran to the media with distorted statements intended to portray the NDC rather as violent whereas the reverse is true (It is not surprising because they are crafty at fact twisting, for it is their stock in trade).

Unfortunately for them, the National Chief Imam, Alhaji Nuhu Sharubutu, debunked their claim.

The Fadama brouhaha in effect is a clear indication that the NPP intends to prosecute acrimonious campaign.

It is also instructive to mention the recent dead heat between President Kufour and the former National Security Minister Francis Poku, which culminated into the Minister’s dismissal and eventual house arrest and the unclear, conflicting statements from the Information Ministry on that matter.

Knowing what his people are capable of, Francis Poku sneaked out of the country for his dear life.

Another issue worth examining is the recent comparison of the wobbling eight years NPP mal administration that only democratized poverty in Ghana to the rather sterling performance of the NDC by the NPP flag bearer at his maiden press conference.

Sadly he churned out amazing litany of lies. He was however quickly held in check by the affable Member of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, whose well researched analysis exposed how badly the NPP has so far performed in the midst of plenty resources available to the nation under their watch.

The NPP is reminded that this kind of tactics will not find audience among the voting population. The Ghanaian voter is aware of the NPP’s, dismal economic showings which has resulted in chronic problems such as growing prices of food, astronomical utility bills and chaotic potable water crisis facing the Ghanaian. These are the issues that will inform how Ghana votes in December.

The Ghanaian is aware that the NPP has in the last eight years succeeded in not only democratizing poverty but has succeeded in quadrupling the national debt.

More so the voter is aware it has created few undeservedly extreme wealthy people and is quick to hush those who dare question their source of sudden wealth.

This is a Party whose leadership, while in opposition vowed to declare their assets within hundred days on assumption of office. This vow is yet to be fulfilled.

Ghanaians now understand the NPP mind set: creation of class society such that majority will remain so poor and be compelled to eat cramps from the table of the few wealthy; there by taking away their liberties, especially free speech.

What Ghanaians are looking for in a President, is a tolerant leader like Professor Mills, whose hallmark is peace and cares about his fellow man.

A personality with immense equanimity rather than one with a militant posture, whose body language smacks of arrogance and hotheadedness.

Source:
Richard Quashiga - Communications Response Unit of the NDC

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Alan Shames NDC - Ocquaye


Professor Mike Ocquaye has said the return of Mr. Alan kyeremanten to the New Patriotic Party has put their enemies to shame.

"They thought Alan would not come back and they thought the party is going to divide but to their surprise Alan is back and the party would continue to move forward", he told ADM.

The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region said all those who thought that the party was going down and would not win the December elections would bow down their heads in shame.

He told ADM that the NPP will never disintegrate as people are saying because the party believes in democracy and members understand each other and love and care for themselves.

Prof. Mike Ocquaye said there is no organization or political party in the country which does not have problems; the most important thing, he said, is how to solve the problems amicably. He said "that is why the party executives and its members were not happy when Alan resigned from the party. That is why we asked him to rescind his decision in order to allow the party solve any problem he and his followers were having with the party as he stated in his resignation letter".

The return of Alan Kyeremanten, the Professor said would strengthen the campaign of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and would also fill the gap he left as the one charge of "Identifiable groups". In a related development, Mr. Alan Kyerematen will lead Nana Addo's campaign team in the Western Region today.

Meanwhile an articled titled "Thank God that Spio, Iddrisu and Eddie didn't pull an 'Alan-K' on Atta-Mills" by Kobina Ebow & Bayijan Fuseini , Co-Chairs of the Nkrumahist-Rawlings Alliance (USA) made available to ADM, the authors say "Members, sympathizers and well-wishers of the NDC should register their deep gratitude to Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu (and his wife Betty Mould-Iddrisu), Eddie Annan and Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah for not having succumbed to the 'Alan-K' temptation to defect from the NDC following their loss to Professor Atta-Mills at the NDC Congress in December 2006."

In an obvious swipe the NPP the authors conclude that: "It is general knowledge within the NDC that many in the Mills Team have a "Oh, let them go" attitude to the possibility of various people leaving the Party. The NDC has a strong chance of winning the 2008 elections. But, lacking the finances of an incumbent government and the charisma of a Rawlings-type candidate, it must work harder on such basics as party unity and not take disaffected former candidates for granted. Even where such candidates do not resign, they may not be motivated to put in their fullest effort if the Party's leaders and Mills in particular treats them with aloofness-as is his penchant. Wining an election requires many elements, but it is not about how many people you can quarrel with or encourage to leave your party.

"The NDC, and Prof Mills, should take useful lessons from the Alan-K fiasco. High handedness only leads to defections; and Akufo-Addo's choice of a running mate may lead to yet more NPP defections, improving even more the chances for an NDC victory in 2008."

Source:
Accra Mail

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Car kills two women at Juapong


Ho, May 5, GNA - An Opel saloon car on Monday morning knocked down and killed two young women at Juapong on the Accra-Ho highway. The deceased are yet to be identified. Mr Elvis Gbesemete, Volta Regional Director of National Road Safety Commission told the GNA that the car was overtaking another vehicle in a curve when it hit the two women said to be going to the farm. The Opel saloon car with registration number GT 9306 B then veered off the road and crashed into a structure for a corn mill. Mr Gbesemete observed that wrong overtaking is a major cause of accidents in the country.

Source:
GNA

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