GO TO WEEK 16          BACK TO WEEK 14

NEWS ARCHIVE 2008

Ghana Police Service

SOUND`S LIKE A JOKE.. IS`NOT:

AFTER G.W. BUSH`s VISIT; GHANA WILL NAME A ROAD - OFFICIALY -

G.W. BUSH ROAD..

WE SAY; THAT`s GREAT!

NOW WE COULD SAY;

WE HAVE "BUSH-TAXI`s" AND A OFFICIAL "BUSH ROAD"..

-  NICE SUNDAY TO ALL ! -

• 13.04.2008

Rawlings calls for investigation into deaths at Anloga


Anloga, April 13,GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings has again called for thorough investigations into events that led to the death of five people during the attempted installation of Mr Francis Nyonyo Agboada, a businessman, as Awomefia of Anlo last November. He said lasting peace could only return to the area when the whole truth was unearthed.
Former President Rawlings was speaking at the funeral on Saturday at Anloga of Israel Ahadzi, 28, Menco Tugba 47, Israel Amenume, 50 and Mama Senyo, 48, who died during the disturbances.
Moses Daba, a policeman who also died, has already been buried. The ex-President said Anlos of today reflected the same qualities that motivated their forbears to disengage themselves from the tyrannical rule of Togbi Agorkoli at Notsie and migrated to their present location. He said it was therefore in nobody's interest to sweep under the carpet events that led to the unfortunate occurrences at Anloga. Former President Rawlings said the government should not renege on its constitutional responsibilities to the people and must work to unravel the truth for justice to prevail.
Turning to the December general elections, the ex-President urged the people to vote massively for the National Democratic Congress.Mr Kofi Humado, Member of Parliament for Anlo, said the four died trying to ensure the inviolability of the Anlo chieftaincy institution. He said there was the urgent need for the people to put the past behind them to speed up development in the area.
Mr Kofi Ahiabor, Keta District Chief Executive, said the unfortunate situation could have been avoided if the sides to the dispute had been a little more tactful and diplomatic in asserting their positions. Nana Oye Lithur, a human rights activist, urged the people to be resolute in fighting for their rights and they should use the funeral to heal old wounds. There was heavy police presence at the funeral that was characterized by firing of musketry, drumming and singing of dirges.


Source:
GNA

>  BACK  TO TOP  <

Government relies on GNA to make informed decisions - Information Minister


Koforidua, April 13, GNA - Mrs Oboshie Sai-Coffie, Minister of Information and National Orientation, at the weekend said Government relied heavily on Ghana News Agency (GNA) reports to make informed decisions and urged the staff to continue to do their best. She said the importance of GNA in the collection and dissemination of information and the selling of Ghana to the outside world could not be overemphasized.

Mrs Sai-Cofie, who was interacting with staff at the Koforidua Office of the Agency during a working visit, said the Ministry was working around the clock to provide it with adequate resources. Later at a media briefing, the Eastern Regional Minster, Mr Kwadwo Affram-Asiedu expressed displeasure at the behaviour of some Media Practitioners in the Region, who refused to cover his programmes on the grounds that he did not give them money. He said even though Media practitioners in the Region were generally doing very well, a few had made it a point to demand money after every event, adding that the practice was denting the image of the media.

Mr Asiedu said he had been informed that some of the reporters were not being paid by their employers hence such poor attitude and, therefore, urged the Leadership of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) to take up the matter. He appealed to Mrs Sai-Cofie to also go into the issue why some media houses were not paying their staff and also the remuneration packages of journalists in the country.

Source:
GNA

>  BACK  TO TOP  <

• 12.04.2008

Many Hepatitis-B sufferers in Nandom found to be babies


Nandom (UW/R), April 12, GNA - A visiting medical officer has expressed concern at the high rate of hepatitis 'B' in the Nandom area in Upper West region, saying it was more disturbing as many of the victims were children born with the disease. Dr. Emmanuel Aleser of the Sunyani Regional Hospital, in the company of two other Medical Officers who visited the area earlier this week to offer free medical services to over 800 people, warned that the disease was a silent killer and urged adults to have checkups from time to time. Speaking to a group of patients in Nandom, he advised those suffering from Hepatitis B to desist from consuming alcohol so as not to aggravate their condition and asked all adults to stop unprotected sex and embrace healthy life styles.

The visiting medical team treated people with various health problems, including, malaria, typhoid fever, hypertension and diarrhoea. They also performed surgeries. Members of the Nandom Youth Forum (NYF), a local NGO which organized the free health outreach programme, appealed to doctors who hail from the area to accept postings to the region so as to serve their people. They noted that the area was poor and needed the support of everybody to help develop it.

Source:
GNA

Doctors urged to avoid conflict of interest


Takoradi, April 12, GNA - Mr Abraham Dwuma-Odoom, a Deputy Minister of Health, on Friday advised medical doctors working in public hospitals not to refer National Health Insurance clients to their private clinics for examination when diagnostic facilities exist where they are working.

Speaking at a NHIS stakeholders meeting at Takoradi, he said some doctors are in the habit of referring patients to their diagnostic clinics for examination and charge them on the account of NHIS even when facilities for examination exist in the public hospitals they are working.

Mr Dwuma-Odoom said, "This is a practice of conflict of interest and inside trading and those who do that should put a stop to it or attract the necessary drastic sanctions".He said some of the Mutual Health Insurance Schemes have huge outstanding treatment bills to be paid to health providers in the region.

Mr Dwuma-Odoom directed that funds be released for the payment of the bills and urged the Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority and Scheme Managers to ensure speedy payment of outstanding bills to health providers.

Mr Dwuma-Odoom expressed the hope that the introduction of new tariff and revised medicines list would bring about improvement in the provision of health care to the people and bring about sanity and efficiency into the management of claims. He urged Scheme Managers and Health Providers to administer claims properly so that the tariffs and medicines list could be improved.

Mr Emmanuel Reinfred Okyere, Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority, said monitoring officers of the authority would visit the Mutual Health Insurance Schemes monthly to interact with them and also enforce compliance of all relevant laws and regulations. He said the NHIS achieved 40 per cent in the Western Region as at December 2007.

Mr Okyere said NHIS card bearers account for between 85 to 90 per cent of out-patient attendance at health facilities in the region. He said most schemes submit their reports late and this affect the release of funds and other logistics to them. Mr Okyere said the Chief Executive Officer of the authority has, therefore, directed all reports from the schemes must be endorsed by Board Chairpersons as a way of monitoring them. He said this directive should be strictly enforced by all Board Chairpersons.

Source:
GNA

• 11.04.2008

Government urged to check import of electronic waste


Accra, April 11, GNA - Government has been tasked to institute stringent measurers to check the huge importation of electronic waste being dumped in the country. Mr. Mike Anane, a laureate of the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 and Coordinator of a campaign dubbed: "Stop the Exportation and Dumping of Toxic Waste," further called on government to review the nation's environmental laws and regulations to stem the importation of electronic waste.

Speaking at press conference in Accra on Friday, Mr Anane said the increasing exportation of electronic waste (e-waste) had had several implications on the nation's health and the environment. These include the outbreak of respiratory diseases, eye defects and other related ailments. Mr Anane expressed concern about the upsurge of imported electronic waste such as used computers, television and air conditioners, saying they were brought under the pretext of recycling. He noted that the nation did not have any recycling plant to tackle these electronic wastes, stressing that the dismantling and burning of those wastes could not be classified as recycling.

Agbogbloshie Market in Accra is one of the spots of dismantling and burning of e-waste. Dismantled computers are sold in tonnes to prospective agents who in turn sell them to companies. While these dismantled e-wastes are bagged and shipped to China and other countries, copper and other metals embedded in them are also sold to local firms for a fee.

Mr Anane noted that the United Nations Environment Programme estimated that 20-50 million tonnes of electronics were discarded each year with 70 per cent of these products being shipped to poor nations. "These machines are obsolete, not functional; they contain an array of toxic materials, including lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants which were destined for landfills," he said Mr Anane observed that the preserved "Korle Lagoon," was now dead as a result of the activities of the scrap dealers who dismantled the electronic waste on the banks of the lagoon.

According to Mr. Anane, most of the e-waste exported could not be refurbished hence they ended up in rivers, lagoons streams, among other places, stressing that these wastes contained dangerous elements that were inimical to the health of millions of people and the environment. He said e-waste in Ghana had reached crisis proportion noting that each week containers of discard computers, television sets and even lead acid automotive batteries were shipped from industrialised nations. "Children in particular are highly susceptible to toxic substances, which could lead to long term cancers that affected the lungs and all parts of the body," he added.

Mr Anane said irresponsible exportation and dumping of e-waste by industrialised countries presented a major international environmental justice scandal, which should be condemned by all. He therefore appealed to government to review the nation's environmental laws and regulations as well as penalties contained in them to ensure that waste brokers and recyclers may not be tempted to breach them.

Mr Anane mentioned Germany, Holland, United Kingdom and United States of America as some of the routes where more e-wastes were shipped from and appealed to the international communities to accelerate efforts in order to reduce the risks posed by e-waste. "A host of developed countries are already grappling with what to do with the piles of discarded e-waste. Exporting them to developing countries including Ghana is increasingly becoming one of the most preferred ways of getting rid of them," he said. He called on manufacturers to disclose publicly hazardous substances in their products and proper techniques for managing them.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Over 500 investors to visit Ghana


Accra, April 11, GNA - Ghana is ready to host the rest of the world during the World Investment Forum meetings, Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr Robert Ahomka-Lindsay said on Friday. Briefing the media on the forum, Mr. Ahomka-Lindsay, said the conference would provide a unique platform for interaction and networking through a series of conferences and best practice forums between policy makers and businessmen.

Over 500 businessmen, policy makers and officials of investment agencies across the world are expected to attend the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) Conference and the World Investment Forum (WIF). The conference, which will take place in Accra between April 18 and 22, will be held to coincide with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XII. The two events being organized jointly by the Ghana Government through the GIPC, WAIPA and UNCTAD will bring together the delegates to explore ways to accelerate Foreign Direct Investment inflows. About 192 Investment Promotion Agencies will attend.

Mr. Ahomka-Lindsay said the World Investment Forum will explore future developments in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows, new opportunities and challenges for investors, how global value chains and business linkages are evolving and how emerging economies can accelerate the development process through FDI among other things. He said it was expected that the WIF and the WAIPA conference would provide a platform for sharing practical experiences and insights into globalization, the opportunities and the channels in harnessing these opportunities. He said it was an opportunity for Ghana to showcase what it had to offer the World and urged all businessmen and women to take advantage of the presence of the many investors which will be in the country to do business.

To ensure that Ghana gained from the forum, Mr Ahomka-Lindsay said a Ghana-China trade forum would be held with visiting Chinese investors to enable the Association of Ghana Industries, the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ghana Free Zone Board to brief them on investment opportunities in the country. There will also be business match-making where Ghanaian entrepreneurs can interact with their foreign counterparts. He said as part of the arrangement a specific pavilion is being put up to house Ghanaian companies to enhance the promotion of partnership. "There will be a forum where Ghanaian businessmen and their foreign counterparts will meet and interact," he added.

The highlight of the forum is the annual WAIPA Awards and gala dinner at which three investment promotion agencies would receive awards for their dedication and creativity in identifying problems, raising awareness among stakeholders, formulating policy remedies and affecting change. According to him, the first Women in Business Awards would also be presented to women-owned businesses that have benefited from the business development services of EMPRETEC centres in their respective countries.

Source:
GNA

>  BACK  TO TOP  <

Librarians must be abreast with electronic retrieval of information- Dr Darkwa


Winneba (C/R), April 11, GNA - Dr Osei Darkwa, Principal of the Ghana Telecom University College, has urged Librarians to be abreast with electronic retrieval of information to make the profession more relevant to today's Internet world. He said as students became more self-directed learners, Librarians ought to be trained in the use of the new technologies of electronic information retrieval so as to assist library users.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar by the Committee of the University of Liberians and their Deputies (CULD) on Thursday in Winneba, Dr Darkwa said, there was the need to educate users on how to select which library catalogue would be appropriate to search for, using the Internet. Eighty participants from the public Universities and Polytechnics in the country are attending the seminar under the theme: "Access to Information". Dr Darkwa said that, the challenges posed by electronic libraries must be identified and appropriate solution be designed to overcome them. He proposed that, CULD and other African library organizations, get together to create a shared digital library of materials available online. "CULD should lobby tertiary institutions to contribute to the

creation of a library with a large stock of material available to students from member institutions," Dr Darkwa said. He added that, the general public could have access to such a wealth of information through membership and institutional subscriptions. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw said everybody needed information and urged librarians to make good information accessible to the public. The chairperson of CULD, Mr Valentina J. A. Bannerman outlining the programme for the seminar announced that participants would looked new ways of acquiring and managing electronic resources and also consider a case for the collection of development policies in African University Libraries.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Ashanti Branch of Ghana Association of the Blind launches Sports Activities


Kumasi, April 11, GNA- The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana Association of the Blind went on a route march through the principal streets of Kumasi as part of activities to launch the Region's Version of a Blind Soccer Fiesta. The National Blind Soccer, which was launched in February this year, aims among others, to unearth the innate athletic potentials of the visionary impaired whilst also drawing public attention to their athletic capabilities.

Led by guides, members of the association marched through the streets with placards some of which read "Support Us to Collect Medals for Ghana", "We can Perform" among others. Later in an interview with the GNA, Mr Alfred Tabi Amponsah, President of the Kumasi Metropolitan Branch of the Association, said the sporting event, which would take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium include blind soccer, blind gold ball, javelin, 80 meter race and other field events. Mr Tabi Amponsah called on the public to disabuse their minds of the notion that the blind are not capable of performing. He also called on the government to establish a sport fund to sponsor sports activities for the blind.

Mr Kyeremateng, Secretary for the Association, called on the public to adhere to the disability bill, while also urging drivers to respect the white cane and offer them the due assistance. He disclosed that the chief of Kokode, in the Bosomtwi Atwima Kwanwoma district, Nana Boakye Yiadom has given the Association 25 acres of land in the area to help establish a school and called on individuals and other stakeholders to come to their aid.

Mr Frank Addai Boateng, Principal Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council in Kumasi, urged all blind people in Ghana to come together to form a strong pressure group and a mouth piece for the Association to lobby for government's support. He assured them of the Sports Council's support whenever the need arises and urged them to come out with programmes, which would be incorporated in the Sports Council's Programme. Mr Boateng also encouraged them to come out with more sports programmes that would arouse public interest.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Artist jailed 18 months for stealing


Ho, April 11, GNA-A Ho circuit court, presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Siammeh has sentenced a local artist to 18 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing. Selasi Kumi, who was convicted on his own plea broke down in tears after the sentence.

Police Chief Inspector Peter Insaidoo told the court that Kumi on January 15, this year sneaked into the dormitory of the Ho Nursing Training College and stole various items belonging to the students. He said Kumi stole mobile phones, gas cylinders and amount of 150 Ghana cedis.

Inspector Insaidoo said Kumi arrested when one of the student spotted him standing by gas a cylinder she stole from the dormitory while waiting for taxi and raised an alarm. He said the students including their male counterparts arrested the accused and handed him over to the Police. Inspector Insaidoo said the students identified various items in the possession of the accused as theirs. The police said Kumi confessed having stolen the items but pleaded for forgiveness.

Source:
GNA

• 10.04.2008

Robbers adopt new strategies at Tema


Tema, April 10, GNA -- Armed robbers operating in the Tema Metropolis and its environs have adopted new strategies in attacking their victims due to the high presence of police and military patrols in the metropolis. Inspector Olivia Turkson, Tema Police Public Affairs Officer stated this on Thursday during a press briefing to highlight armed robbery operations in the area.

Mentioning some of the new modus operandi of the robbers, Inspector Turkson said that armed robbers had resorted to posing as taxi drivers who carry two or three other accomplices pretending to be passengers who attack a passengers who board the taxi. She said another strategy was the trailing of private cars from town right to their houses and robbing them of their cars and other belongings at home and cautioned them to be wary of vehicles following them for long duration.

The Public Affairs Officer added that the robbers also hide along the Tema motorway and attack commercial and private drivers who either stop to urinate or pick ladies who flag them for lift. Advising against walking alone at night at secluded places, she said persons who walked alone at night were also a target for robbery while the public must desist from keeping huge sums of monies at home. The Regional Command asked the public to ensure that they memorize inscriptions on cars and taxi numbers as well as report any attack to the police immediately.

Inspector Turkson also urged the public to volunteer information on syndicates operating in Communities one, four, seven, eight and nine as well as Sakumono and Ashaiman. Meanwhile, she also advised the public against swimming at sea during the rainy season as the level of the sea increases after downpours. She said four persons got drowned at the Mighty Beach near Sakumono during the Easter holidays. They were 34 year-old Kojo Frimpong, Yaw Sam, 26, Mohammed Sarili, 26 and Gloria Moses, 19 years. Their bodies have been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary awaiting autopsy.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Accra, April 10, GNA - Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) fetched the country 1.2 billion dollars last year compared to 892 million dollars in 2006. This represents a 30.5 per cent increase over 2006.

The figure brings NTE contribution to 27.7 per cent of the country's total exports of 4.2 billion dollars.

The growth was achieved on the back of earnings from three main sub-sectors; agriculture, processed and semi-processed products and handicrafts. Cocoa paste, canned tuna, veneer, cocoa butter, sheanuts and pineapples are among the 10 leading NTE products

"We are on course and our ability to cross the psychological one billion-dollar mark is proof that the strategy we have drawn up is working,"

Mr Collins Boateng, Executive Secretary, of Ghana Export Promotion Council, said. He was speaking at a press briefing to present the 2007 export performance report. The GEPC Council set the one billion-dollar target in its NTE growth strategy some
three years ago.

Mr Boateng attributed the performance to enhanced market access programmes for exporting companies, product diversification, aggressiveness of Ghanaian exporters and enhanced data capture through the GCNET system. The European Union and ECOWAS remained the major destination of NTEs, accounting for 46.55 per cent and 31.36 per cent respectively of the exports.

Other African countries, developed countries and emerging economies hold the remainingshare.

The leading markets include the United Kingdom, France, Nigeria, Burkina Faso,Togo and United States. At the regional level, Nigeria has become a prominent NTEs market in the ECOWAS
sub-region Mr Boateng said GEPC was adopting various measures to develop the ECOWAS
sub-regional market While acknowledging the impressive growth in the NTE sector, Mr Boateng said
there was the need for increased funding if the sector was to meet its projection of four billion dollars in revenue by 2010.

On the outlook for 2008, GEPC plans to establish a marketing company to address the marketing problems of small holder farmers and thereby address supply side constraints, mainstream Trade in Services into NTE statistics and strengthening institutional capacity of the Council.

"The aggressive implementation of above programme with funding support from

Export Development and Investment Fund should enable achievement of NTE value of 1.5 billion dollars by December 2008," Mr Boateng added. There are over 383 different non-traditional export products categorized into agricultural, processed/semi-processed and handicrafts. The GEPC had a base of over 3,000 registered private sector exporting companies organized into 15 product associations. 10 April 08

Source:
GNA

NPP congratulates John Mahama


Accra, April 10, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday congratulated Mr. John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole Bamboi, for his selection as running mate of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the December vote. "The NPP wishes to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Hon. John Dramani Mahama, MP, on his selection as Prof. John Evans Atta Mills' running mate. We welcome him to the democratic debate about the future of our country," a statement signed by Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, NPP Campaign Manager, said.

It said the NPP believed that the outcome of the elections would be determined by the respective records of the NDC and the NPP in government as well as the competing visions of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP flag bearer, and Prof. John Evans Atta Mills for the future of Ghana. "We are fully prepared for the contest. We reiterate our call to the NDC to join us in an issue-based contest that will make all Ghanaians proud," the statement added.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

GHACEM to haul 600,000 tonnes of cement by rail per annum


Accra, April 10, GNA - GHACEM, the largest producer of cement in the country, would haul an estimated 600,000 tonnes of cement annually through the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL). A delegation from GHACEM, including Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, the Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director and Mr. Eric Westerberg, the Commercial Director, made this known at a meeting with the Minister of Harbours and Railways, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi in Accra on Thursday.

The delegation said the transportation of cement by rail would "significantly reduce" the price of the product on the Ghanaian market which is linked by rail. They said GHACEM was willing to collaborate with the GRCL with a view to re-introducing the haulage of cement by rail. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said the interest demonstrated by GHACEM was "very encouraging". He empowered a committee comprising officials of the Ministry, the GRCL and GHACEM to hold discussions on how to identify and remove bottlenecks obstructing the haulage of cement by rail.

The committee will also discuss modalities for collaboration between the GRCL and GHACEM on the rehabilitation of the Western line in partnership with other stakeholders. Meanwhile, GHACEM has unveiled a plan to haul an estimated 90,000 tonnes of cement from July to December 2008 using the Western Rail Line from Takoradi to Kumasi.

Source:
GNA

• 09.04.2008

Death on Winneba-Kasoa Road


Winneba(C/R) April 9, GNA-Two persons died, one on the spot and the other later on admission at the Winneba Government hospital when a Benz Bus with registration No. AS 2862 P on which they travelling collided with an Articulator truck near Gomoa Potsin on Monday night.

One of dead has been identified as only Madam Ama from Gomoa Dominase while the other, a male is yet to be identified. Ten others, whose names were not known, but received various degree of injury, are on admission at the Winneba Government Hospital under critical conditions.

The Winneba District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jordan Quaye told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that the articulator truck loaded with bags of rice from Accra, was heading towards Cape Coast, while the Benz Bus was from Assin Foso to Accra. ASP Quaye said the two drivers and two children of Madam Ama, aged between 4 and 7, who died in the accident, were among those receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to the police the bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of the Winneba Hospital for autopsy and appealed to the public to help identify the other body. 9 April 08

Source:
GNA

Three in court for dealing cocaine


Accra, April 9, GNA - A businessman, who was found to have hidden 66 pellets of cocaine in his luggage when he arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to board a flight to Italy, appeared at an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday with two accomplices.

Eric Afriyie Acheampong and his accomplices, Awal Mohammed and Abdul Razak Suhunu, are being held for engaging in criminal conspiracy relating to narcotic drugs.

Acheampong has also been charged for attempting to export narcotic drugs and possessing 66 pellets of drugs suspected to be cocaine. Mohammed and Suhunu, who allegedly provided Acheampong with the drugs, are being held for supplying narcotic drugs. The court did not take their plea and remanded them into police custody to reappear on April 23.

Chief Inspector Marjorie Otabil told the court that on April 4 this year, at about 7:30 pm, Acheampong arrived at KIA to board an Alitalia flight to Italy.

The prosecution said while Acheampong was going through departure formalities, operatives of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) suspected he was carrying drugs because of his demeanour.

The NACOB operatives therefore intercepted his luggage and when it was opened 66 oval shaped thumb size of pellets suspected to be cocaine wrapped in a polythene bag was found.

The prosecution said some of the pellets were concealed in his clothes.

When Acheampong was interrogated he admitted that the drugs belonged to him and stated that on March 31, at about 12:00 pm he assisted Mohammed and Suhunu to wrap the cocaine at a house at Alajo. Acheampong claimed he bought the drugs from Mohammed and he paid 9,000 dollars leaving 5,000 as the balance, which was to be paid after the trip. The prosecution said police investigation led to the arrest of Mohammed and Suhunu.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Moves to enhance TV/radio receptions in V/R


Hohoe, April 9, GNA - The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on Wednesday assured the people of the Volta Region that it was working to replace its transformer situated at the Amedzofe Technical Station to enhance television and radio reception in the region.

Mr Ralph Avornyo, the Volta Regional Director of GBC who gave the assurance in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said: "Serious efforts are being made to salvage the situation."

He was reacting to a recent public outcry on what has been described as the perennial poor reception of television and radios stations in some parts of the region. Mr Avornyo said, the Amedzofe Station continued to receive falling signals because the transformer was very old and its spare parts were no longer available on the market except by special order from the manufacturers.

The Director explained that, the transformer was made to operate within a specified time frame and anytime beyond the grace period only called for replacement. He said the strength of its Volta Star on Frequency Modulation 91.0 megahertz has also dipped from the operating five kilowatts to the current 500 watts adding that the situation was hampering revenue base of GBC.

Mr Avornyo praised the technical staff of GBC for bringing their expertise to bear on the situation. He entreated viewers, listeners and other stakeholders to be patient as management was working around the clock towards solving the problem.

Source:
GNA

Labour Commission discontinues case with Railway IMC


Sekondi, April 9,-GNA- A Sekondi High Court on Wednesday discontinued a case in which the National Labour Commission (NLC) was seeking a court order to compel striking workers and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Ghana Railway Company.

The NLC, in an application filed by Madam Efiba Amihere, said the NLC would no longer continue with the case since the workers had resumed work. The court, presided over by Mr. Justice Anthony Oppong, therefore struck out the case.

It would be re-called that the NLC on March 31 this year instituted legal action against the workers and the IMC to compel them to resume work.

The court adjourned to April 9, to enable the defence prepare adequately.

Workers of the GRC began a strike action on February 15 in protest over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions and called for the dismissal of the Managing Director Mr. Rufus Quaye.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

>  BACK  TO  TOP <

• 08.04.2008

African Easter School for children opens in Winneba

Winneba (C/R), April 8, GNA- About 65 million women aged between 20 and 24 years are married or in union before the age of 18 in developing countries while 213 million children are engaged in some form of child labour in Africa.

Dr. Mali Nilsson, official of the Ghana Office of the United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said this at the opening of the 2008 International Easter School for Children at Winneba on Monday.

Two hundred children from some African countries including Ghana, Chad, Sudan, Liberia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Niger, Congo Brazzaville and Democratic Republic of Congo were attending the programme.

The School was under the theme: "ten years of Implementing child Act 560, issues and the way forward."

Children Rights International, a non-governmental organisation, organised the programme that was being sponsored by UNICEF and United Nation High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).

Dr. Mali Nilsson said children should be detained only as a last resort but some one million children were in detention worldwide. Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, said government was putting up more school infrastructure due to increased enrolment as a result of the introduction of the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Programme.

She said because government believed that the proper upbringing of the child must start from early childhood, it initiated policies towards the promotion of the welfare of children.

Hajia Mahama said 87 Early Childhood Care and Development Committees had been formed in addition to the existing 37 ones to ensure the development of children.

Hajia Mahama said since 2006, over 100 child Protection Teams have also been established by the Department of Children of the Ministry in some endemic communities with high incidence of abuse and violence against children.

Mrs. Estelle M. Appiah, Director, Legislative Drafting Division of Ministry of Justice said children whether in conflict with the law or not should as much as possible be kept out of the criminal justice system.

She said, although the Act says each Assemble is to establish the number of Child Panels, this has not been done. The chairman of the board of director of the Child Rights International, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah said the Net Enrolment Ratio of the children in primary school is 69 percent, indicating that about 30 percent are not in school.

He said most girls are unable to enter Senior High Schools and got pregnant as a result of poverty.

Professor Anamuah-Mensah suggested the provision of credit facilities and other supports to parents of needy children to help address the problems of the children and their families. Mr. Bright Appiah, Executive Director of Child's Rights International, outlining the programmes for the school said the children after several presentations would discuss the ACT 560 and make their recommendations to government.

Source:
GNA

India announces $5.4bn credit line for Africa


From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Delhi, India

Delhi, April 8, GNA - India on Tuesday announced a 5.4 billion-dollar credit line to support Africa's development as 14 African leaders, including President John Agyekum Kufuor gathered in Delhi for a historic Indo-African partnership Forum.

Information Technology (IT), rail transportation system, telecommunications, power generation, small, medium and micro enterprises are among key areas to benefit from the package within the next five years.

Additionally, the Asian country, under a Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme has unilaterally decided to provide preferential market access for exports from all 50 Least Developed Countries, 34 of which are in Africa.

Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who announced the package at the opening session of the two-day forum, said products covered included cocoa, cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, ready-made garments, fish-fillets, copper and aluminium ore, as well as non-industrial diamonds.

In the last four years, India has extended lines of credit amounting to 2.15 billion dollars to Africa. Dr Singh said his country was determined to become close partners in the continent's resurgence.

Africa Union Chairman, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, President Maitre Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Mr Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and President Joseph Kabila Kabanga of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are among those attending. The meeting is expected to fashion out a comprehensive partnership framework to guide the economic partnership between Africa and India into the future.

This comes at a time when the continent is enjoying enormous global attention with the world's most powerful economies jostling to establish a strong presence.

Dr Singh said it was his country's intention to enhance its "Aid to Africa budget" of the External Affairs Ministry for implementing projects in critical areas, focusing on human resource development and capacity building.

"Over the next five to six years, we propose to undertake projects against grants in excess of 500 million dollars." He said it was the wish of India to see the 21st Century as a Century of Asia and Africa with the peoples of the two continents working together to promote inclusive globalization.

President Kufuor said the success of the Indo-African forum and its framework for co-operation should galvanize and accelerate growth and stability in Africa and India.

He encouraged his colleague leaders to ensure that human resource development, institutional capacity building and deepening of economic co-operation for their mutual benefit were made the main pillars of the partnership.

President Kufuor said the emerging partnership should not be exclusive to only governments but must include the private sector, businesses, civil societies, education and cultural institutions. He noted that there was a lot Africa could learn and benefit from through its engagement with India, citing the country's impressive Green Revolution, mastery of ICT, general engineering and success in the promotion of small and medium enterprises. President Kufuor said he was confident that their shared history, common positions at the United Nations and other global forums, and bond of friendship would stand them in good stead for the challenges of the globalized world.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Ghanaian, German cooperation to help fight drug menace

Accra, April 8, GNA - German Ambassador in Ghana, Dr Marius Haas, on Tuesday said cooperation between the two countries would bolster the fight against drug trafficking and investment of the illicit proceeds. He said increasing information exchange between German law enforcement agencies and the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) through the Embassy's police liaison had been very fruitful in checking some drug cases in the country.

Dr Haas said this when the Embassy presented six fax machines valued at GH¢1,500 to the NACOB on behalf of the German Federal Criminal Investigation Department.

The donation was in support of the decentralization process of NACOB which includes the opening of additional offices in Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi, and some focal points of antinarcotics activities. Dr Haas said the machines were expected to help ensure prompt communication between field officers and NACOB Headquarters, thus strengthening the effectiveness of the whole network.

"German assistance does not only consist of the provision of hardware but comprises training measures too," he said and noted that a NACOB officer was currently undergoing a six-month language and anti-narcotics training course in Germany while another official has been selected for the 2009 course which begins in September.

He said a Crime Suppression Training Course for about 25 Ghanaian anti-narcotics investigators would be held in Accra in July this year. This will be in addition to two courses titled "Operational Analysis" and "Police Operational Tactics and Methods" for both the Ghana Police Service and NACOB officers and investigators scheduled for end of 2008.

General Joshua Hamidu (Rtd), Board Chairman of NACOB, expressed disgust at the idea of Ghana being turned into a transit point for drugs and commended Germany for its continued support, especially its willingness to help to train Ghanaian personnel in combating drug trafficking.

"We are hopeful that your kind gesture would help make NACOB a better organization poised to do the job it is supposed to do," he said.

Source:
GNA

 >  BACK  TO TOP  <

European Union Supports Ghanaian Contractors


Kumasi, April 8, GNA- Ghanaian Contractors will soon benefit from an European Union (EU), sponsorship package in capacity building and supply of equipment.

As a first step, the TMX, a Holland based Company which deals with equipment supply to road contractors has offered to supply variety of heavy duty equipment to some of the contractors on credit to enable them to deliver quality services on time. Mr. Kwame Kyeremateng Mensah-Aborampah, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Progressive Road Contractors Association (PROCA), who disclosed this at a general meeting in Kumasi on Tuesday said capacity building training in management and effective ways of winning bids for contracts will soon be underway.

He explained that such training workshops which will benefit only registered members of the Association, especially Quantity Surveyors and Managing Directors would award Participants with Certificates. Mr. Mensah-Aborampah therefore called on contractors who have not as yet registered with the Association to do so to benefit from the package

while also appealing to them to work hard to restore the fallen image of

the country's contractors. He hinted that government had resolved to pay all outstanding debts to contractors, denying speculations that five percent of such monies deducted would go into government chest. Later in an open forum, members of the Association pleaded with the executive body to support them as indicated in their slogan "Unity, Love and Forward in Progress.' They also called for equal share of contracts among members when they are awarded.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

Winneba Police warns against trouble in Aboakyir festival


Winneba(C/R), April 8, GNA - The Winneba District Police Command has warned that any group of people or individuals who would be caught attempting to cause trouble before and during the celebration of the coming Aboakyer festival in Winneba would be arrested and prosecuted. The Command has therefore cautioned all parties litigating in land and chieftaincy to contract their lawyers and pursue such cases in court in order not to disturb the peace in the town. The Winneba District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jordan Quaye gave the warning in a press statement he issued in Winneba on Monday.

He reminded the Asafo companies and institutions that, disturbing public peace, holding processions unnecessarily and without authority, and others are offences against the Public Order Law 491. ASP Quaye appealed to leaders of the groups and institutions among others, who want to hold procession to inform the Police for advice on routes to be taken to avoid any trouble. The Police Commander said the police are neutral and would always remain so therefore no one or group of people should attempt to draw them into any conflict.

Source:
GNA

> BACK TO TOP <

• 07.04.2008

 African nations urged to deal with security threats collectively


Accra, April 7, GNA- The Chief of Army Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Major-General Samuel Odotei, on Monday called on African states to collaborate efforts to enable them to effectively deal with threats to peace and stability on the continent and globally. He noted that the changing trends in global security, particularly terrorism and global warming, which "knew no borders", necessitated Africa to confront these issues head-on to mitigate their impact on society.

Maj. Gen. Odotei was speaking in Accra at the opening of the four-day Final Planning Conference for "Africa Endeavour 2008" scheduled for July this year in Nigeria. "Africa Endeavour" is an initiative led by the United States European Command, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and development partners. The programme was aimed at addressing issues of inter-operability of command, control, communication and information systems within the armed forces of the AU countries to enhance the operations of its Africa Standby Force (ASF).

It sought to encourage information sharing, lay the necessary foundation for collaboration of communications links, improve inter-operability and increase understanding among African militaries to avert future conflicts. Maj. Gen. Odotei said the ASF would not be a potent force unless it had workable and reliable command, control, communications and information systems, since they provided the hub for information sharing.

He urged participants at the conference to be more committed to formulating a sound concept for the command, control and inter-operability standards of the ASF. The July training exercise in Nigeria would aim at showing the operational relevance of "Africa Endeavour," plan, install, operate and maintain a communication set-up capable of supporting all ASF operations.

The Accra planning conference sought to review, test and support plans to identify challenges for the Nigeria exercise. Over 100 military and civilian personnel from about 24 African nations are attending the Accra conference.

Source:
GNA

Ghana-India pledge to deepen economic partnership


Delhi, April 7, GNA- Ghana and India on Monday renewed their resolve to deepen bilateral relations and economic partnership for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

Their main areas of focus would include Information Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture and infrastructure development. This was the outcome of talks held between President John Agyekum Kufuor and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, ahead of the two-day Indo-African Summit in Delhi.

Fourteen African Heads of State are attending the meeting to launch an action plan and adopt a declaration to take their time-tested relations to new heights.

Partnership between Ghana, an emerging economy with a rapidly expanding need for technology and India, a nation recognized as a pacesetter in the global knowledge economy, could significantly help the West African nation to bridge the digital divide and accelerate its pace of development.

President Kufuor is quoted by Mr Andrew Awuni, his Press Secretary, as describing India "as a shinning example and an inspiration for the developing world" adding that, Ghana wanted to learn from their example and best practices.

Additionally, he noted that the Asian country has a strong private sector with the capacity to invest and asked that it showed more interest to do business in Ghana and Africa in general.

Mr Awuni told the Presidential Press Corps that President Kufuor pointed out that there were various projects India could build and transfer in African countries as a way of supporting the Continent with the needed technological know-how to give meaning to the South-South co-operation.

Responding, Dr Singh said his country was determined to strengthen its socio-economic, political and cultural ties with Africa. He said he was confident that the summit would be a major success with concrete results to show.

President Kufuor later held separate meetings with a group of investors, who have shown interest in the Ghanaian economy. The investors are into telecommunications, supply of agricultural equipment and machinery and the energy sectors.

One of the groups, Escorts, which is already in Ghana, deals in agricultural equipment, and has so far, brought down 1,500 tractors for supply to farmers.

Mr Rajan Nanda, Chairman of the Company, informed President Kufuor that they have secured a 100-million dollar credit line to assist more Ghanaian farmers to import tractors from India.

Indo-Ghanaian relations have traditionally been warm and friendly and following President Kufuor's four-day state visit in 2002, India's private sector presence in Ghana has steadily increased, especially in the areas of pharmaceuticals, Information Technology (IT), agro-processing, automobiles and supply of agricultural equipment.

 >  BACK  TO TOP  <

COCOBOD advises cocoa farmers to embrace Akuafo Cheques

Akim Oda (E/R), April 7, GNA - The use of Akuafo cheques for cocoa purchases is still in force and both farmers and purchasing clerks are encouraged to patronise it, a quality control officer of industry regulator Cocobod has said.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Kwadwo Kyei, Principal Quality Control Officer of COCOBOD, said it was an offence to use cash to buy cocoa. "It is equally an offence in the part of farmers not to accept Akuafo cheques as payment for their beans," he added. The Principal Officer admitted that there had not been strict enforcement of the cheque system over the years but added that measures had now been put in place to improve the system. He explained that cocoa farmers initially reluctantly embraced the idea due to occasional hitches they faced in cashing their moneys at the banks.

Mr Kyei advised farmers to be wary of Licensed Buying Companies who used hanging scales, instead of the platform scales to weigh cocoa bought from them. He urged the farmers to always record cocoa beans sold out in their passbooks.

Source:
GNA

 >  BACK  TO TOP  <

 


"NDC Was Founded On Integrity"

Rawlings Is Not Corrupt – Kofi Coomson

The owner and publisher of the Chronicle newspaper, Nana Kofi Coomson has stated that former President, Jerry John Rawlings, the founder of the NDC is not a corrupt person. “I can’t put my hand on my heart and say Rawlings is corrupt,” Kofi Coomson stated. The NPP parliamentary aspirant was speaking recently on Metro TV’s political programme, Good Evening Ghana, hosted by Paul Adom-Okyere. He said there was a perception before and during the 2000 elections that created an atmosphere which fostered the demonisation of the NDC and its founder.

He also said that the National Democratic congress (NDC) has turned out not to be the corrupt party that many had claimed it was. These revelations by the one-time acerbic critic of ex-President Rawlings are in sharp contrast to claims by critics and opponents of the former president and the NDC. Nana Kofi Coomson confessed that he still lacks the evidence to substantiate a story he carried to the effect that former president Jerry Rawlings was using drug money to finance the 64 battalion. He recounted that in the run-up to the 2000 elections, he saw a story in the Geneva Tribune newspaper that a Ghanaian diplomat, Frank Benneh, was busted in Switzerland for narcotics and he (Coomson) decided to smear President Rawlings with the story.

On the issue of the personality to partner, Prof. Evans Atta Mills in the 2008 elections, Kofi Coomson said Hon. John Mahama comes across as a fine man. “There are NPP members who have plainly said that they will vote for the NDC if John Mahama was picked as running mate,” he said. Nana Kofi Coomson was speaking on a wide range of issues – areas the interview touched on were the recent allegation that he had forged an NPP letterhead, his parliamentary ambitions and the disparaging remarks he made about NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo Addo prior to the NPP congress.

Source:
Lens

 >  BACK  TO TOP  <

*