GO to  > WEEK  34                    GO to  >  12.08.2007

     FOR NEWS ARCHIVE , VISIT : www.ghana-net.com

                             $ 12  FOR  365  DAYS

          CONTACT : GHANA@GHANA-NET.COM

                     -  ONLY -  GHANA - ADVERTS !

 Six die in a pileup on Accra-Aflao road

Sogakope, Aug 14, GNA- Six people died, five of them on the spot, in a pileup involving four vehicles at Alesikpe, near the Customs Excise and Preventive Service checkpoint at Dabala junction on the Accra-Aflao road.

Police sources said the dead were Togbe Kporsu III, chief of Dzelukope, Confidence Kafui Sedziafa, a lady teacher and relative of the chief and Reverend Hortor, pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church at Nsawam.

The others were Yaw Agbenyega, Michael Yaw Mankattah and Godwin Sammah both citizens of Dabala. Six other persons, seriously injured, were on admission at the Sogakope District Hospital and an unknown number of persons were also sent to other health facilities.

Chief Superintendent of Police Mr. Steven D Anyan, in charge of Tongu Divisional Police, told GNA that the accident occurred at about 1120 hours on Monday.

He said the vehicles involved in the accident were articulated truck, with registration number GT 4295 V, loaded with cement, Hyundai minibus with registration number GW4471 Y, Opel cadet private car, with registration number GR6252 A and Datsun pickup, with registration number GT417 D all traveling from Accra towards Aflao. He said initial report received by the police indicated that Agbenyega who was driving the opel private car lost control of his vehicle while being overtaken by a Toyota Land Cruiser and crashed into the articulated truck. Mr. Anyan said the mini bus and pickup close on the heels of the opel cadet then crashed into the cadet and articulated truck one after the other.

He said the Chief, teacher and the pastor were on the minibus. Mr. Anyan said police were still investigating circumstances leading to the accident.

Source:
GNA     /   LINK :     Road safety campaign in Ghana

SAD STORY !

Forty-year-old woman arrested for abortion

Manfo (Ash), Aug 16, GNA- Akua Oparebea, a 40 year old farmer and mother of six has been arrested by the police at Manfo near Tepa for using some herbs to terminate her seven-month-old pregnancy and burying the foetus in a cocoa farm.

According to the police, the suspect has been granted bail because of ill health, and would be put before court soon.

Briefing newsmen at Manfo on Sunday, Inspector Mohammed Luri Batong, Station Officer in-charge of Manfo police, said on July 25 this year, Kwabena Rashid, the fianc=E9e of the suspect, became suspicious of Oparebea's pregnancy when he observed her physical condition and questioned her but she refused to explain anything to him. Not satisfied with the strange behaviour of his lover, Rashid reported the matter to Nana Osei Ababio, chief of Mfanibu in the Ahafo-Ano North District in Ashanti, who summoned the suspect to his palace.

Inspector Luri said after interrogations by the chief and his elders, the suspect confessed committing the crime and led them to a spot in a cocoa farm where she had buried the foetus for three days. The chief then reported the case to the police who went exhume the foetus, which was completely decomposed. According to Inspector Luri, the suspect who is a widow with six children said she did that because of poverty and the fact that the man responsible for her pregnancy may not be able to take care of her children in addition to a new baby.

Source:
GNA

                            $ 12  FOR  365  DAYS

• 19.08.2007

CPP congress in danger: party is broke


Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - The Convention People's Party's (CPP) third National Delegated Congress slated tentatively for September ending is in danger as the party cannot raise funds to organize it, eminent members of the Central Committee told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Saturday.

"The party barons and godfathers have failed to roll in the needed funds for congress.most of them are mainly interested in controlling the party machine rather than ensuring that we organize to elect the most popular candidates for Elections 2008," they stated.

He explained that the party needed thousands of the new Ghana cedis to pay for the congress venue, logistics, accommodation and feeding for the over 2,000 delegates, transportation and other contingency services. But unfortunately, leading political figures within the party especially those who had declared their presidential ambitions are rather using their resources to project themselves across the length and breadth of the country, whiles the party famish to death, the National Executive source lamented.

They disclosed that the party is far behind scheduled of a Central Committee decision adopted at its meeting held in Accra on Friday, June 15, which directed that ward and constituency elections were to be organized from June 15 to the first week in July.

Regional elections between mid-July to July 31; National Executive Council Meeting in mid August and opening of nominations for Presidential aspirants National Executive Officers for the Party from July 16 to August 6.

The Central Committee had set vetting of Presidential Aspirants and National Executive Officers from August 10 to 14 and the congress for August 31 to September 1, but we had to postpone it mainly due the financial problems.

"Our situation is compounded by the emergency of financial power blocs who are propounding two schools of thoughts.one believe in a delayed congress to give the new faces on the presidential track more room to organize and campaign effectively.

"Whiles the second group support the September congress, which proponents believe would favour one particular presidential aspirant and defeat the call for creating a level playing field for all the candidates to market themselves," they stated.

He said in spite of these obstacles, the Central Committee is committed to upholding the party's principles."we would prevent our electoral processes to be corrupt, which might produce a leader, who may lack the legitimacy, respect or moral authority to lead our nation." The Central Committee sources appealed to the Presidential Aspirants to demonstrate their commitment to leading the party by supporting efforts to build the structures - holding of constituency congress, regional elections and the national congress.

They commended leading members who had expressed the desire to contest for the presidential slot for elections 2008 - Mr George Opersika Aggudey a businessman, Dr Kwaku Osafo, an Economist; Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, former Minister of Private Sector Reforms; Professor Agyeman Badu Akorsah, former head of the Ghana Health Service and Mr Bright Akwetey, a lawyer.

They also commended scores of leading members who are interested in the National Executive post, adding, "we need the resources, capacity and capabilities of all Nkrumaists to enter the crucial Elections 2008 with full force." 18 Aug. 07

Source:
GNA

Crusading Guide's Anas is 2006 Journalist of the Year


Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a reporter with the 'Crusading Guide' Newspaper was on Sunday named best Journalist of the year 2006 at the 12th Ghana Journalists' Association (GJA) Awards Night held in Accra.

Anas was also adjudged the best investigative reporter for the year under review, by investigating Euro Foods Company on disguise as a cleaner in the firm whose duty was to help mix maggot infested flour for the baking of biscuits for sale to the public.

For the Best Journalist prize, he received a six-week fully paid advanced journalism course by the Thompson Foundation in Cardiff, Wales, in addition to a personal computer and printer, all valued at GH(12,500 (125 million cedis).

He also received a plague and a laptop computer for winning the best investigative reporter of the year.

This year's awards ceremony had a special feature of honouring three very important personalities, including President John Agyekum Kufuor, for their support for the media. The other two were Dr Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana and late senior politician, Dr J.B Danquah.

The precincts of the International Press Centre, venue of the event, was packed to capacity, not only with journalists, but also top government functionaries and other politicians, the clergy, diplomats and civil society leaders who cheered on as the various winners were announced.

The Most Reverend Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, was the guest speaker.

For the other award categories, Mr John Vigah of the Ghanaian Times was adjudged the best sports reporter, Mr William Asiedu of Graphic Showbiz, Best Arts and Entertainment Reporter, Mr Edmund Kofi Yeboah of the Daily Graphic, Finance and Economics, and Mr Emmanuel Kojo Kwarteng, formerly of the Daily Graphic, Environment.

The rest were Mr Kofi Akordor of the Daily Graphic, Best Columnist, Ms Matilda Asante, Joy FM, Best News reporting (Radio), Nana Aba Anamoah of TV3, Best News reporting (TV), Mrs Clare Banoeng Yakubu, Ghana Television, Best Feature story, and Ms Peggy Ama Donkor, best reporter on Health.

Special awards were given to media house employees who were nominated by their managements. They were Alhaji Nurudeen Isshaaq of the Ghana News Agency, Mr James McCaulley of the Ghanaian Times, Mr Yaw Obeng Manu of Peace FM, Mr Sam Okaitey of the Daily Graphic, Mr Sam Coker of Ghana Television, Mr Philip Kojo Archer of TV3, Mr Thomas Obeng Darko of Citi FM and Mr Godwin Avenogbor of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

In his brief remarks, Anas expressed happiness and said he was dedicating his award to the staff of the 'Crusading Guide', especially its Managing Editor, Mr Kwaku Baako Jnr, who he said, had helped shaped him.

The GJA awards is held every year to reward excellence among practitioners and promote high professional standards, integrity and media accountability. There was live band music by the 'Alpha Waves', in addition to performances by the Alabaster Box, an Afropella group, Hip-life sensational Wutah and others.

Source:
GNA

Barclays Bank opens new branch in Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga, Aug 19, GNA - Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana, at the weekend urged the various banks to encourage their customers to take advantage of the new Foreign Exchange Act to transfer and save their foreign earnings with local banks.

The new Act, which replaces the Exchange Control Act of 1961, provides a new statutory framework for foreign exchange payments and transactions that allow individuals to transfer up to 10,000 dollars each year from their foreign exchange accounts for business in the country without documentation.

Dr Bawumia, who was speaking at the opening of a new branch of Barclays Bank at Bolgatanga, said the new law allowed importers to make direct transfer from their foreign accounts of up to 25,000 dollars per transaction without initial documentation. He said Ghanaians travelling abroad are permitted to carry with them up to the equivalent of 10,000 dollars, unlike the old act that allowed between 3,000 and 5,000 dollars.

The Deputy Governor said saving with the banks was easier and more profitable now than before and urged people in possession of foreign currencies not to hide them in their rooms but deposit them with the banks.

Dr Bawumia observed that in the past three years, various banks had opened branches in the regions due to the increase in real incomes and the need for more competition for deposits.

He said between 2002 and 2004, bank branches increased from 309 to 344 while 81 new branches were added between 2004 and 2006. However, only 27 bank branches, out of 425 were located in the northern part of the country, including the Upper East region, he noted. "Barclays Bank is, however, not opening this here today because it is feeling sorry for the people of Bolgatanga. It is doing so because it makes good business sense and I am sure more banks would soon realize that it makes good business sense to open branches with large unbanked populations, whether North or South. This is what competition is all about," he said.

Dr Bawumia held that the stable macro-economic environment in the country had generated a healthy competition in the banking industry, with low inflation, stable exchange rate and declining interest rates. He commended banks operating in Ghana for their support during the redenomiation exercise that began last July, saying, the Central Bank was aware of the strain the exercise put on the bank staff, "but we knew that we could count on your professionalism." Mrs Margaret Mwanakatwe, Managing Director of Barclays Bank, urged business people and civil servants in the Bolgatanga Municipality to open accounts with Barclays, saying, 700 people had already registered to do so.

She said the Bank had projected to open about 2,000 new accounts in three months and assured the people of fast and efficient services, and "an agreeable loan system".

"Let me assure you that our doors are open to all customers because with as little as GH(4.00 (40,000 cedis), you can open an account with any of our branches across the country," she said, adding that small scale business operators could also join Barclays' business club and take advantage of the numerous training programmes and investment trips to improve upon their businesses.

Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister who cut the sod to open the bank, expressed the hope that Barclays would help improve the standard of living of the people. She advised all who would be borrowing from the Bank to pay back in good time in so others could also benefit. She advised the Bank staff to be friendly to customers so as to attract more of them.

Source:
GNA

TOPP institutes Vitality Day


Twifo Ntafrewaso (C/R), Aug. 19, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Ahiable, Estate Manager of Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) Limited on Friday advised the youth to take their education seriously and adopt a positive lifestyle to enable them to grow up to become responsible citizens. Mr Ahiable gave the advice during the celebration of 'Vitality Day' initiated by the Company to bring together the children and spouses of the workers of the company.

He said, Vitality Day , the first of its kind is aimed at giving the children and spouses an insight, into the operations of the company and create a viable and sociable living atmosphere in the area. As part of the celebration the children were given talks on healthy eating and dental screening by a team of medical personnel from Central Region Hospital and voluntary counseling and testing for HIV by TOPP a medical team.

The children also toured the company's plantations, oil mills and were exposed to office work.

Mr Ahiabale advised the children to refrain from immoral acts to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS disease.

In an interview with some of the children, mostly JSS and Senior Secondary School Students, they commended the management for initiating the programme and hoped it would help them to choose their careers after school. They also appealed to management to make the celebration an annual affair.

Source:
GNA

• 18.08.2007

Lawyer before court for assaulting police officer


Koforidua, Aug. 18, GNA- A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem South, Mr. Seth Wiafe- Danquah, was on Friday put before a Koforidua circuit court for assaulting a police officer. The accused, a lawyer pleaded not guilty to the offence of assaulting a public officer and was granted bail in the sum of 30 million cedis to reappear on September 4.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Theophilus Nyadu, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, Police Chief Inspector David Adra was the prosecutor at the Nsawam district court involving two persons who had been accused of assaulting a public officer. He said on the first day of appearance in court, Mr Wiafe-Danquah, who was the counsel for the accused persons, prayed the court to grant them bail but the prosecutor argued that the bail would impede investigations, which was upheld by the court.

ASP Nyadu told the court that on August 15, when the accused persons appeared before the court, Mr. Wiafe- Danquah, appealed that the prosecutor should be replaced and the prosecution assigned to another person since he had an interest in the case. That led to a misunderstanding between the two who exchanged words in the court room.

The prosecutor said the Presiding Magistrate, Mr Joseph Mensah, then called the two persons to order and asked them to resume their seats to which they complied. According to the prosecutor, after they had resumed their seats, Mr. Wiafe-Danquah then hit the complainant in the face with his hand and the case was later adjourned.

The complainant later reported the incidence to his superiors and after that lodged a complaint at the charge office where he was issued with a police medical form to attend hospital. ASP Nyadu said later on, the accused also went to the police station to make a counter report, but the complainant identified him and he was subsequently arrested and put before the court.

Source:
GNA

The sea is "eating-up" Ada township


Ada, Aug. 18, GNA - The devastating nature of sea erosion to life and properties of the people of Ada in the Dangme East District of the Greater of Accra Region is worsening each day as implementation of the sea defence project continues to delay.

The situation, which has stayed with the people for nearly 40 years, had resulted in the destruction of several properties causing villages and families to relocate.

Of the 40-kilometre stretch of land area of Ada, about 14 kilometres has been identified as the most critically affected areas where properties estimated at about 154 million euros were under threat from sea erosion.

During a visit to the area on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface concluded: "You don't need anyone to tell you that the area is a disaster zone." Mr. Boniface visited the area to ascertain the extent of damage and assured the people of Government's commitment to the implementation of the project.

The Minister explained that the delay has basically been due to resource availability to fund it, noting that currently Government was reviewing proposals from four foreign companies on the project. He said the estimated cost of the project which would involve the construction of groyne field, revetment structure over four kilometres and a groyne at the estuary of the Volta River to facilitate a permanent opening at all mouths of the River ranged between 36 million euros and 40 million euros.

Mr Boniface said the preferred technical intervention must offer a long term solution to the sea erosion problem and therefore Government was weighing all the options available to take a decision soon. Giving a brief history of the problem, Ms. Betty Nimako, a 56 year-old Head Teacher of the area said she no longer has a family home in Ada because where they used to live had been taken over by the sea. "Two schools; Azizanya DC Primary and Ada Foah Presby primary, a football pitch, storey buildings have all been submerged by the sea. "As we speak now the frontage of the District Assembly is now a road because the original one constructed has been completely taken over by the sea and the second one also is almost about to be submerged," she said.

Expectations are that, within a couple of years, the District Assembly building would be no more because not only has the sea gotten nearer to it (about 70 meters away) but also its breeze has affected it badly giving its a new colour.

The yellow-painted building has turned black. Mr Ebenezer Dordo, Head of Personnel of the Assembly said: "At the moment all our machines including computers are down because of the serious effects of sea breeze.

"When they are repaired they do not last for even a week and break down again."

Source:
GNA

Foundation builds Gari processing factory


....and village centre
Dzodze-Tornu (V/R), Aug. 18, GNA - Midogo Foundation, a Netherlands-based non-governmental organisation has built a gari processing factory and a village centre for the community at Dzodze-Tornu in the Ketu District.

The GH(75,000 (750 million cedis) facility is expected to enhance the socio-economic development of the farming community. Inaugurating the facilities, Madam Monique Muller-Van Leenen, First Secretary of the Kingdom of Netherlands, reiterated the willingness of her country to support growth and poverty reduction in Ghana. She described the facilities as an excellent showcase of Ghanaian-Dutch relationship.

Mad Leenen urged women in the community to take advantage of the facilities to improve their lot. Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, lauded the efforts of the foundation and said government would hook the area to the national electricity grid to facilitate development. He said the town's roads were among those to be rehabilitated and that the government was also considering the construction of a dam in the area.

Miss Comfort Ablormeti of the Department of Women, advised women to form cooperative groups to access micro credits available at her ministry.

Mad. Wortman Anija, Chairperson of Midogo, said the Foundation had plans to build a modern Secondary Technical School for the community and appealed to the chiefs to make land available for the project. Inan address read for him, Togbe Dzudzor Avedzi, Chief of Dzodze-Tornu, expressed gratitude to the Foundation and promised that the facilities would be used well.

Source:
GNA

Ex-convict jailed 10 years for an attempted robbery


Juaso (Ash), Aug. 18, GNA - After a foiled attempt to rob a bank at Agogo in the Asante-Akim North District, a 30-year-old ex-convict has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour by the Juaso Circuit Court.

The sentence of Kwaku Poku, a driver's mate comes a few months after serving a six-year-old jail term handed him by the Agogo magistrate court for stealing. He pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage, attempt to commit crime and was convicted on his own plea. Assistant Superintendent of Police Isaac Dompreh, presenting the facts of the case told the court, presided over by Mr. Jacob Boon that a principal witness in the case was one Razak Nyanteh, a police constable at Agogo.

He said Constable Nyanteh, who reported for night guard duties at the Agogo branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) on August 3, this year detected that the air conditioner in the banking hall had started functioning though it was off when he reported to duty. The prosecution said sensing danger Constable Nyanteh went round the building and heard an unusual noise in the manager's office after discovering that three louvre blades and a burglar proof had been damaged.

ASP Dompreh said after close observation, the witness spotted Poku in the banking hall through the broken louver blades and immediately called the police station for reinforcement. The accused who attempted to escape through the broken window in the process broke more of the louver blades compelling Constable Nyanteh to fire warning shots forcing the accused to retreat into the banking hall.

The prosecution said minutes later, the police reinforcement arrived together with the bank's manager who opened the front door leading to the banking hall and saw that documents were scattered all over the floor. The accused was found hidden in a wooden cabinet and was arrested and after investigations charged with the offences.

Source:
GNA

• 17.08.2007

Ghacem caught in price-fixing web, as European regulators fine Scancem owners
Asare Otchere-Darko , 17/08/2007



Prices of cement in Ghana have nearly doubled this year, causing great concern in the building industry, as the nation revisits the dominant hold that Ghacem has over the industry.

READ MORE  HERE  :  THE  STATESMAN

Minister Plays "Chacha" With Railways


.. and Puts Mineral Resources On "Awawa"

You Cannot Write JJ Off From History


Security Capo Mounts Defence for Rawlings
PROFESSOR EBOE Hutchful, Executive Director of African Security Dialogue and Research, has expressed strong reservations at the way some sections of the political divide in the nation are bent of re-writing the history of Ghana by apportioning blames to the former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings in terms of security of the State.

According to him credit must be given to whom it was due, saying it was unfortunate that people have resorted in the negatives of the former President after he had helped to restore some dignity into national security.

He said attempts to completely write off Mr. Rawlings and to kill a predecessor king was not right for the nation. "You cannot write him out of history. People must not kill a king that preceded another king for another person to be hailed."

In a jokingly manner but on a serious note, he said, "I have no doubt that when the NDC comes to power, they would like to re-write their own history to praise themselves," he told a parked gathering of learned lawyers, civic society organizations, security experts drawn from Ghana Police, Immigration, Army, Navy and other relevant institutions when he gave a talk on "Democratic Governance of Security; facing up to Ghana's fragility'.

Speaking at the second Ghana Speaks lectures in Accra organized by Joy FM in collaboration with Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Prof. Hutchful, who gave a preliminary praises for the former President and that of President John Agyekum Kufuor for his roles on consolidating the security gains of the former President, said despite the fact of the authoritarian regime of Mr. Rawlings, he managed to establish the National Security Act in 1992.

He said Mr. Rawlings and Captain Kojo Tsikata (Rtd), former National Security Boss have managed to stabilize the State's security. Prof. Hutchful's recommendations did not go down well to two individuals including an Evangelist Patricia Amoah, who quizzed the lead discussant on why J.J should be should be given credit.

They accused the former president of destroying the security set up through coups and counter coups.

But Prof. Hutchful, a security expert maintained that his argument that it would be totally out of place to want to kill a predecessor to the advantage of another.

"I see that Ghana is in conflict position over Rawlings heritage. I said this in a very detailed book and I also see that some Ghanaians have unresolved problem with Rawlings. It is time that we look at the reality of issues and give credit to where credit is due."

Prof. Hutchful, who delved into issues of national security, bemoaned the manner in which things are polarized especially parliamentarians.

He said there was the need to reconsider our partisan positions and work collectively in the security of the nation.

Recounting the establishment of the National Security Act 526, he noted that Ghana is rated among the best African countries in terms of security.

Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of IDEG said, "While the primary security threat in the past emanated from a single in the form of coups d'etats, current threats are from much more decentralized, diffuse, overarching and dangerous sources, including the proliferation of conflicts and small arms in the sub-region, incidents of armed robbery, narco-trafficking, terrorism, HIV/AIDS, natural disasters, economic shocks etc."

According to him, a presentation suggested that democratic consolidation is unlikely to occur without addressing these problems.

"Indeed Ghana today is in a uniquely favourable position to tackle these challenges, given appropriate political will."

In a released signed on his behalf by Prof. Kwame a Ninson, head of Research And Information Unit, Dr. Akwetey observed that the nation' security management is however flawed by a number of challenges.

The challenges he mentioned included contradictory and largely obsolete legal frame work, weak governance mechanisms, in the security sector, low level of public interest in and engagement with security issues and absence of a policy frame work in the security sector.

However he noted that, "Ghana has recently shown a remarkable progress in terms of political stability and quality of governance. Improvements have occurred also in the quality of the security environment."

To him, there is now protection of basic individual liberties and greater transparency around security matters, adding that the state and its security institutions are no longer seen as agents of insecurity to Ghanaian citizens.

On his part, former national Security who served as the chairman for the occasion, Mr. Kofi Bentum Quantson, said the abrasive pursuit of the politics of expediency that flaunts the philosophy that the end justifies the means with scant regard for the socio-political consequences must not be entertained.

"A laissez-faire political expediency strategy can severely undermine good democratic practice and eventually threaten national security. Especially when the ends are determined in a selfish dubious context that may be miles away from the overall national interest," he said, adding that anybody who, or anything, which undermines the national interest, should be broadly classified as a national security threat. "National interest here should be interpreted as the quality survival of the people."

Mr. Bentum, who stated his opening remarks that he would be flogging the obvious if he should repeat that security is a cardinal requirement for the survival and wellbeing of humankind; or that without security there can be no development or progress; or that without progress life on planet earth would stagnate into a dangerous mess, said, "But I should, because security in any form, manifestation or dimension- whether as global security, national security, human security, social security, food security, ecological security, even cosmic security- should be appreciated and religiously observed as a way of life and an inseparable companion.'

According to him unfortunately current situations are giving different dimensions. "In many situations, you mention security and images of harassment, torture, imprisonment, terror and so on are conjured. Even security personnel can be despised with venom. That is unfortunate."

One reason he said ought to be dealt with politicians, he said, "One reason has to do with the way politicians, governments and powerful people with influential connections, have misused, abused or bastardized institutions established to protect the people, to protect their own parochial interests, incompatible with, or actually inimical to the national interest."

Mr. Bentum, avers further that another problem in his view has to do with the rather thorny issue of how much of security should be applied in any given situation, to achieve the optimum objective, in a manner that does not jeopardize the human rights and civil liberties of the people. "That fine balance has not been easy to maintain, especially in the volatile and crazy world of ours, where some people seem to derive psychopathic satisfaction in perpetuating sophisticated organized and brutal lawlessness that often defies reason and when measures to deal with these situations could result in more devastating insecurities."

He continued, " Indeed all over the world, governments and civil society groups have been battling this. The issue could be further aggravated when civil society finds itself compromised or emasculated to the extent that it abdicates the supreme obligation of defending the national interest."

The former security boss stated further that his experience as a security boss indicated that, "oftentimes the managers of national security are confronted with unpleasant paradoxes or uncomfortable dilemmas especially when it becomes apparent that the authorities themselves are, by their actions or inactions, promoting or creating security tensions."

"A ludicrous twist develops when they refuse to locate the problem in themselves, and instead, blame their adversaries, real or imagined. I expect that you recognize this "blame-game" attitude as regrettably chronic characteristics of our political.

Source:
Ghanaian Chronicle

Committee intensifies education against child abuse


Mankranso (Ash), Aug 17, GNA- The Ahafo-Ano South District Child Committee has intensified the fight against child labour, defilement, parental neglect among others in the area. The committee has therefore called on stakeholders especially the police, the Department of Social Welfare, assembly members, traditional and religious leaders as well as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to join the committee to make the exercise a success.

Nana Amankuo Ntiamoah, Nifahene of Mankranso and Chairman of the Committee, announced this at a meeting of the committee at Mankranso. He said the committee in conjunction with stakeholders has embarked on a house-to-house educational campaign to discourage offenders from taking advantage of their ignorance to abuse the rights of children. Nana Ntiamoah pointed out that parents in estranged relationships should not deprive their children their rights since they had nothing to do with the break-up.

Her said child abusers when caught would be dealt with according to the law of the land. He called on parents to see to the welfare and proper upbringing of their children since they are the nation's future leaders. 17 Aug 2007

Source:
GNA

B/A Lawyers Slam Police Commander

Space FM, Sunyani, August 17- The Brong-Ahafo Regional Branch of the Ghana BAR Association, has taken the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare Addo to the cleaners, for showing constant gross disrespect for the rule of law.

The Lawyers are saying despite his position as the topmost police officer in the region and a trained lawyer, the Regional commander has through his behaviour and utterances demonstrated that he has no respect for the rule of law.

The regional BAR Association stressed that “the regional Police boss has on a number of occasions shown gross disrespect for the very law that established his office and flouted the orders of the various courts of law in the region”.

The lawyers said these at a press conference in Sunyani in reaction to pronouncements by the regional police commander that the police would not deal with the Fiapre Circuit Court again following the bail granted some alleged armed robbers.

The lawyers pointed out that as far back as last year, DCOP Ayesu Opare-Addo blatantly refused to release one Sam Bennett, the Managing Director of Eusbett Hotel in Sunyani and a businessman from police custody after he had been granted bail by the High Court in Sunyani.

They said “it took the intervention of senior citizens and opinion leaders of the township after 6 hours of the Court order to release the said Sam Bennett, and the lawyers continued that, the Regional Police boss boasted that he was releasing the said man not because of the Court order but because of the pleads from the general citizenry”.

The regional BAR Association said DCOP Opare-Addoo ordered the seizure of the properties of Aksher Timber Company, Wenchi without any Court order and refused to respond to numerous court processes served on him.

The High court once again ordered the release of the said items but the Regional Police Commander refused to obey the orders of the High Court in Sunyani.

DCOP was subsequently cited for contempt on March 23, 2007 and on the fixed date for hearing of the contempt case,” he displayed the arrogance of brutal force by surrounding the High Court premises with armed policemen in the company of almost all divisional commanders of the region”.

The Lawyers continued that “Mr. Opare-Addo subsequently apologized and purged himself of the contempt proceedings brought against him but even delayed for over 6 weeks before releasing the said items to Aksher Timber Company”.

The Regional BAR Association said DCOP Opare-Addo has refused to comment on a petition filed against him by Mr. Sampson Dankwa, whose child was allegedly sadly beaten up by the Police boss for no apparent reason.

“His refusal to submit his comment or obey the orders of CHRAJ whose authority is derived from the Constitution has confirmed his disregard for the very body he was trained to police”, they lawyers added.

They recalled that “in the matter of the Republic Vs: Isaac Agyemang, the police boss called the Circuit Court Judge, Sunyani, on phone and ordered him not to grant the accused person bail, showing gross disregard for the power, independence and authority of the judicial service”.

Again “in the matter of the Republic Vs: Nana Adututu Kwarteng and others before the Goaso District Court, the police commander again refused to release the accused persons after a Court of competent jurisdiction had granted bail to the accused persons”.

The lawyers continued that to show his trait of flagrant disrespect for the Courts and rule of law, DCOP Opare-Addo went on air and granted interviews to various radio stations in a matter still pending at the Circuit court, Sunyani.

The lawyers pointed out that it is not true that the alleged robbers were given bail on the first day as purported by the Regional Commander of Police.

The lawyers said, “records available indicates that the said robbers were granted bail of four hundred million cedis with 3 sureties to be justified on the 11th adjournment, and infact the accused persons are still in custody because they have not been able to fulfill the conditions set by the honourable court, besides they are to report to the police every Monday 8:30am”.

The Lawyers observed that, “DCOP Opare-Addo through his behaviour is more or less seeking to incite the public against Lawyers and the Judiciary”.

They explained that his attitude towards the law does not make him the lawyer that he claims to be, adding that “his conduct is a disgrace to the BAR and the members do not accept him as a member of the B/A Bar which he is seeking to bring into disrepute”.

They said the regional Police Commander has indeed through his attitude and actions set a dangerous precedent for the command of the Ghana police Service and this is the time for him to be brought to book by higher authorities.

The lawyers stressed that the police boss does not regard the office of the Regional Attorney General’s Department headed by a competent and senior lawyer.

"Generally where a court pronounces on something that you don’t agree with, the line of action is to appeal against that decision, order or judgment, which he as a lawyer should have known better to refer the matter to the Attorney General’s Department to lodge an appeal if he thinks they have a case" they lawyers stated.

They therefore called upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Interior Minister to discipline DCOP Opare-Addo or to re-orient him, adding that the Regional Bar want to see the back of the regional Commander within the shortest possible time in the region.

Source:
Space FM,Sunyani

• 16.08.2007

VRA spends $42m monthly to generate electricity



Akosombo, Aug. 15, GNA - Even though the Volta River Authority spends 42 million dollars a month in generating electricity from the dam, it recoups only 25 million dollars, Mr. Kwasi Brenu Amoako, Plant Manager of the Volta River Authority (VRA) said on Wednesday.

"The books of VRA does not look good, meaning 17 million out of the 42 million cannot be accounted for", he said.

Mr. Amoako was speaking at a visit to the Akosombo Dam site, organised by the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association GECA to interact with the authorities of the VRA on the current energy situation in the country.

"The new thermal plant at Tema does depend on crude oil running at 25 cents per unit, this shows that a second look should be taken on the seven cents of tariffs paid by Ghanaians and also Ghanaians do pay the lowest in the sub region, compared with countries like Togo 14 cents and Benin 15 cents," he stated.

Mr. Amoako said, "Currently the water level is rising at 0.1 foot as at today and we hope the rains will continue to rain in the northern region".

"But currently, Ghana is receiving 20 to 80 megawatts of power from Cote d'Ivoire and this can explain why we are experiencing the change in the power shedding", he added.

Mr Amoako said, the low water in-flow being experienced by the VRA could also be attributed to environmental degradation in the catchments area.

He said that the VRA would collaborate with the Forestry Commission and the District Assemblies to enact by-laws to protect the ecology along the banks of rivers feeding the Akosombo Dam.

Mr Amoako noted that, there were 70 District Assemblies in the catchments area of the Volta Lake and stated that some of them allowed sand winning and other environmentally unsound purposes, which affected the rainfall pattern and water inflow into the dam.

The first stage of the construction begun in 1961 when the Volta River project was established and work started on the Akosombo dam and power Station.

Four units with total installed capacity of 588 megawatts were completed in 1965, marking an important step for industrialization and economic growth of the newly independent sate of Ghana.

In 1976, Volta Aluminum Company VACOL became the main purchaser of power generation from Akosombo apart from ECCG and the mines. In 1972, the second stage of the project was completed with the addition of two generating units, with installed capacity of 324 MW to bring the total units capacity to 912 MW at a time.

Retrofits of the dam took place between October 1999 and March 2005; each generating unit was up rated to a maximum output of 170 MW. Total plant capacity is therefore 1020 MW. 15 Aug. 07.

Source:
GNA

Close down unregistered driving schools -DVLA


Accra, Aug. 16, GNA - The Drivers Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA} has urged the Ministry of Transportation to close down unregistered driving schools.

The DVLA and the Ghana National Associations of Driving Schools (Ghanadrive) on Thursday said such schools had no standards and were dangerous to society since there were not doing the right thing. Mr Cecil Garbrah, President of Ghanadrive made the call at a launch of certificate for drivers who completed driving courses organised by the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (Ghanadrive) He said the introduction of the certificate would create among drivers the need to learn the basics in driving.

Launching the certificates, Mr. Godfrey Bayon Tangu, Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation said road accidents cost Ghana 110 million dollars each year, which represented 1.6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

He said the money could have been channelled into the Ghana Road Fund for road maintenance works.

He said 90 per cent of road accidents were due to human errors such as over speeding, fatigue driving, driving and talking on the phone, non maintenance culture among others and commended Ghanadrive for their effort to reduce the high rate of accidents in the country.

Mr Tangu said road safety should be seen as everyone's responsibility and noted that if drivers were trained properly they could contribute more positively to the reduction of road traffic accidents and their related consequences.

He said government was aware of the current on-going educational programmes by the driving schools adding that a committee made up of stakeholders in the industry had been set up to review and come up with a comprehensive standard syllabi for registered driving schools. Mr. Tangu urged drivers to be abreast with rules and regulations to make them efficient in their performance particularly during the CAN 2008 where the nation would be hosting lots of visitors. He said the legislative Instrument of Act 683 was before cabinet and would be enforced after its approval to instil discipline among pedestrians and drivers.

Mr David Adonteng, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) said global statistics indicated that over one million people died every year and about ten times the number got injured in various degrees through road traffic accidents.

He said NRSC was working hard to make Ghana a nation with the safest road transportation in Africa by 2015, "where we expected to have single digit fatality rate comparably to the highly motorized countries."

Mr. Adonteng said NRSC was collaborating with the ministry of Transportation and DVLA and the Ghana Technical Training Centre to establish National Drivers Academy to provide advance training courses for driving schools instructors and drivers who want to upgrade their knowledge.

Source:
GNA

Farmer fined for failing to pay livestock license fee

Seven arrested for illegal sale of Ghana 2008 merchandise


Accra , GNA- The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday swooped on illegal manufacturers and sellers of merchandise bearing the logo of the African Cup of Nations and arrested seven persons at various locations in Accra.

The items seized included T' shirts, scarves and key rings embossed with the Ghana 2008 logo in the operation conducted at Osu, Makola and Tudu which is targeted at checking the unbridled production and sale of the tournament-related merchandise. Similar operations had already been carried out in Tamale and Kumasi and the exercise will be intensified in the build up to the tournament.

Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the LOC told GNA Sports that the culprits will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who want to profit from the tournament without first securing the requisite license and rights.

He reiterated the LOC's 'Zero Tolerance' policy against all forms of ambush marketing and warned the public about the illegal aspect of publishing any insignia related to the Nations Cup. "The operation will be sustained in order to protect stakeholders who have committed funds into organizing the tourney." The LOC has already formed an alliance with the Customs, Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) and other security agencies to stop the contravention of the marketing rights of the organizers of the tournament.

The LOC is also working closely with the Police and other law enforcement agencies to seek out all illegal manufacturers and importers of items connected to the tournament, and those who put them out for sale, as well as vendors and hawkers engaged in their trading for prosecution by the courts of law. "Organisers of the tournament, both the LOC and CAF, have the right to confiscate all such items that have been branded with the name, the logo, the mascot, and other images of the tournament, including the trophy, which are all registered trademarks of the organizers".

Source:
GNA

SCANCEM Bribe: Judgement Day Today


Norway SC orders disclosure of Swiss account
According to the newspapers Crusading Guide and Statesman, today, Thursday, August 16, the identity of a private account in Geneva, Switzerland in which about $1.7 million was transferred as bribe monies, is expected to be disclosed.
On the orders of Norway's Supreme Court, details of the account are supposed to be provided.

This should help in the appeal case this December, in which a former top employee of Scancem is accused of stealing more than $4 million meant as bribe monies to top Ghanaian personalities, namely PV Obeng and former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings.

In 2000, a report by Scancem International ANS, led by its in-house lawyer, Arne-Jørg Selen, discovered that an account at Unibank, Luxembourg, which all along they believed belonged to P V Obeng did in fact belong to one of the men who was responsible for putting money into that account, Tor Egil Kjelsaas, who was head of Scancem's cement operations in Africa, mainly Ghana and Togo. The other man was Per Jacobsen, head of finance, Scancem.

About $2.5 million had gone into that account in five years, from 1993 to 1998. Within the same period, another account held at Barclays, Geneva, Switzerland had received from Scancem another $1.7m.
This account, the Scancem bosses believed belonged to Ghana’s first lady at the time, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings.
About seven years ago, the Hibis Group, a UK-based anti-fraud and anti-corruption systems firm, with a branch on Drammensveien 39, Oslo, Norway, found out for Scancem that the Unibank account was in the name of Mr Kjelsaas. But, the investigators drew a blank on the Barclays account, allegedly in the name of Mrs Rawlings.
Mr Kjelsaas’ explanation to Scancem’s internal investigators, as contained in pleadings before a Norwegian District Court last year, was that the account was in his name "because he did not want to put the recipients at risk."
A similar investigation had been done by the old bosses of Scancem (before the Norwegians sold it to German firm HeidelbergCement in 1999) under Cato Holmsen, director of administration at the time.
Holmsem concluded in his report of January 2000 that in spite of some glaring irregularities with the operations of the slush funds, he could find no evidence that Kjelsaas misappropriated the bribery monies.
He had spoken to two of the intended recipients, a Togolese Minister of Industry Payadowa Boukpessi (and later Finance Minister), who was summoned to Oslo by Scancem and Ghana’s PV Obeng and had become convinced that at least those two received the bribes, if not all, as intended.
In court, however, Kjelsaas, who did not even attend proceedings, refused to cooperate and would not make available bank statements of the Unibank Bank account.
He, however, had strong witnesses in the persons of former executives of Scancem, including the highly respected Gerhard Heiberg, a former CEO and Chairman of Aker (former owners of Scancem), Per Jacobsen and Tor Nygaard to rally to his defence that indeed Scancem operated such a system of bribing top government officials and that the monies did get to their intended recipients through a system which operated on trust.
On the Barclays account, though, the court had absolutely nothing to go on. Last June, the Norwegian Supreme Court decided to get to the bottom of it. Now it is left with the ailing 69-year-old Mr Kjelsaas to comply.
Between 1996 and 1998, a total sum of about $1.7m was paid into two private accounts, one at the Union Bank of Switzerland, Zurich and another at Citibank, Geneva. The transfers were marked either "Consultant General" or "Finders Fee". Scancem officials made these payments to facilitate their bid at the time to obtain controlling shares in Cimtogo, the state-owned Togolese cement company. The man who made that deal possible was the country’s Industry Minister, Payadowa Boukpessi. According to Scancem’s own internal investigation, he confirmed later to Holmsen, when he was invited to Oslo to assist with the investigation, that he received the payments as scheduled.
Interestingly, Scancem was around the same time in the process of buying more and more shares in Ghacem. In 1992, Government of Ghana owned 75% of Ghacem, by 1999, it had sold off all its stake in the company to the Norwegians. The District Court of Norway in its judgment of last September held that Scancem knew who the monies were supposed to go to, and the purpose of the internal enquiry was to find out whether the moneys went to Kjelsaas.
In the court proceedings, Kjelsaas’s case was that the name the Unibank account was in was immaterial to the dispute. He was merely using an old account he had himself, as this was easiest. It was further argued that it was difficult for many recipients in Africa to open accounts abroad.
Kjelsaas was said to have withdrawn cash in London or Luxembourg and passed it on to the correct recipients. His witnesses contended that Kjelsaas took the money to Africa by air.
The defendant’s case was that it was useful for the account to be in his name when taking cash out. Little was said or known about the Barclays account, however.
Court testimonies given and evidence before the court showed that Scancem paid amounts to other accounts during this period which were controlled by African recipients.
Tor Nygaard, who headed Scancem operations in Ghana, for a long time, told the court that Scancem also paid out amounts in cash locally to a number of recipients in Ghana, usually in envelopes and that the person who undertook this exercise was a top Ghanaian executive at Ghacem, Accra at the time. From 1993 to 1998, according to Scancem’s internal probe, a total amount of $1,690,000 was paid into the Barclays account in Geneva. $2,460,00 went into the Unibank account.
A very senior source at Scancem told The Statesman last Friday that the company was baffled by the fact that more money went into the Unibank account than the Barclays account, and this became even more so after Mr Obeng resigned as top presidential staffer in December 1996.
He told The Statesman that Scancem’s case was not about Mr and Mrs Rawlings or PV Obeng. The company accepts that some monies were certainly paid to top government officials in Ghana, and this may run into double the $4.1m being claimed back from Mr Kjelsaas.
"What we are saying is that this [$4.1m] is the amount that we have serious reasons to believe never really got to them but was taken by Kjelsaas."
When he was further questioned about the reliability of the evidence given by Mr Heiberg, the Scancem source said, "We don’t put enough weight on his evidence because these things happened after him, I believe. It was just a situation of the old bosses of Scancem coming to defend one of their own. That’s how we saw it."
He further stated that the German owners who took over Scancem in 1999 also intend with this trial to send a clear message that they "disapprove of the bribery scheme that was operated by the former owners of Scancem." As was captured in the report filed for Dagens Naerinsgliv on April 21-22, "In the middle of the 1990s, there were two anonymous bank accounts in Unibank SA in Luxembourg and Barclays SA in Geneva in Switzerland which were earmarked 'Ghana’, and substantial amount was being paid in dollars to the said accounts from SCANCEM’s headquarters in Oslo."
As judge Trine Standal observed in the ruling, "Scancem itself established a system of bribery and corruption. The system required payments to be untraceable. The system can only be based on trust, and producing evidence in retrospect can be difficult. Kjelsaas finds it hard to prove he is innocent, and Scancem has a problem proving him guilty."
The decision by the Supreme Court of Norway to compel full disclosure of the Barclays account is a reflection of the court’s frustration: The trial judge held, "Tor Egil Kjelsaas has made absolutely no contribution to clarifying the matter, or to undermine Scancem International ANS’s claims against him. ":Tor Egil Kjelsaas’s health has deteriorated, admittedly, but he could have produced account statements, company documents etc. Tor Egil Kjelsaas’s failure to assist in clarifying matters affects how the Court sees the evidence."
Information reaching The Statesman is that Scancem may still reach some form of settlement with Kjelsaas before the December appeal.


Source:
The Statesman

Akosa declares for President: Full text of speech



Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Comrades, Fellow Ghanaians and well wishers around the world, Good Afternoon. Let me graciously welcome all of you once again to this Press Conference.

About three years ago, I was a technocrat doing my very best to help the Ghana Health Service achieve its mandate of implementing Government Policy and also to help educate Ghanaians on the many health issues. As I traveled throughout the Country identifying the challenges and the opportunities that came with my responsibilities, I was confronted with naked or abject poverty existing side by side with great untapped opportunities. These contradictions, everywhere in the Country, makes me wonder what is happening to this dear country of ours.

I was reminded of the saying, “Evil triumphs where good people do nothing” This wise saying set me thinking and re-evaluating my role in the development of this country – the house that Nkrumah built.

While as Director General of the Health Service I had done my utmost best, sometimes under very trying circumstances and with very limited resources. This prompted the thought that I could do even more in a different capacity. I could do better by going beyond implementing Policy to making Policy. After much soul searching, and consultations with those close and dear to me, I came to the conclusion that the Presidency offers such an opportunity. I therefore stand before you today with all humility, to end a long period of media and public speculation and to declare my candidature for the flagbearership of the great CONVENTION PEOPLE’S PARTY (CPP).

First of all, let me take this opportunity to say it loud and clear that the continued survival of the CPP in Ghana today, is in itself a great victory, a vindication of its past achievements, and an indication of its resilience and invincibility. It is ample evidence that the Party that gave Ghana Independence in the face of so much cynicism, and even hatred, appears after all has been said and done, as the only Party that is capable of rescuing Ghana from the social and economic morass that we find ourselves in today. The CPP is now the only Party that can restore hope and foster shared growth and development for all Ghanaians, especially our women folk and our Youth.

Despite forty years of persecution, despite being banned, outlawed, proscribed, forbidden, despised, ridiculed and even buried - the red cockerel still crows aloud with the pride and majesty of its past achievements. Fellow Ghanaians, today, the CPP is ready to redefine the politics of Ghana and indeed of Africa once again.

For all those who have sacrificed and stood firm to protect and ultimately redeem the name, the motto, the symbol and above all the spirit of the CPP, let me congratulate you heartily and to say to you ‘you did it not for yourselves, but so that all Ghanaians irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender or even political affiliation, may benefit’. I say “Ayekoo”;

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, my entry into politics is purely for altruistic reasons – that is, to serve my country, my continent and indeed humanity.

However, I am also aware that the failure of past leaders to live up to expectation has created many doubting Thomases amongst us. Fellow countrymen and women, we cannot continue to live off the failure of others, to give up hope and effectively leave our fate to the manipulations of a selfish few. At some point, we have to rise above such doubts and be determined. We must be resolute – with God on our side, everything is possible! We shall overcome.

The fact that I have declined and given up many good offers and positions in my career – at home and abroad, to be able to better serve this country with my God-given talents I believe, is testimony enough of my good and committed intentions for Ghana. Indeed it is the least That I can do for a country that has given me and my family so much.

You will bear me out that there is in Ghana today, a politics of arrogance, a politics of greed, a politics of selfishness, a politics of disrespect and a politics of impunity that that has placed the needs of a tiny few, above the necessities of the overwhelming majority.

A sad state of despair, living side by side with insensitive ostentation, a tale of two cities.

We would rather build Presidential palaces than ensure that not a single child is detained at the hospital because of the inability of parents to pay bills. In the short time span of 40 years, we’ve lost all the self-confidence and self-respect that Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP instilled in us. With nostalgia, we recall the times when Ghanaians walked this earth with our shoulders high. Today we hold ourselves in such low esteem that visitors to our country cannot help but to also take advantage of us and further belittle us.

We need to remind ourselves on a daily basis that we are God’s children too, that no group of people have a divine right to dominate and exploit the other. I believe that given the opportunity, every Ghanaian will work and rise to their fullest potential and talent for our collective development. And that is what my Government will do. We will provide equal opportunity for all Ghanaians irrespective of their background. I shall work together with all Ghanaians to restore the original spirit and vision of the CPP to Ghana.

The Development of Ghana lies in the hands of all of us and I repeat, all of us and not just a chosen few. Each of us, as a piece in a jig-saw puzzle, must fit to make a whole and the absence of just one, renders the whole, incomplete.

What is Ghana’s vision today? Middle income status with a per capita income of $1,000 by 2015 seems to be the vision, but I am yet to read a clear road map that will take us there. Is it a shared vision? And how many Ghanaians have been educated to be part of the vision?

Do we have a national interest now? What is our national credo? And have we set a national agenda out of it?

The Private Sector, we are told, is the engine of growth but it continues to be bogged-down by many problems as indicated by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and others. All this is happening while the state has shied away from the many avenues by which it could serve as a major sponsor or facilitator. The Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) program, lauded at its inception, has all but withered into near oblivion.

Employment statistics indicate that Agriculture which is still subsistence (hoe and cutlass) by and large, engages 60% of employees and contributes only about 35% of the GDP. Manufacturing contributes just 9.0% from 16% in the mid-seventies.

Ghana is now a nation of traders buying and selling what others have produced – indeed things we used to produce in this country - things such as shoes, radios, TV’s, sugar to matches and tomato paste. The Trade Fair Site that was built by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to showcase Ghana’s industrial prowess, now showcases every other country’s produce but very little of made-in-Ghana. We have allowed the 100 Industries built during the CPP era to collapse and or to be sold. No wonder it is said that while Ghana could not achieve health and education for all, it is on course to achieve shops for all. What a shame!

We have allowed over 100 industries built during the CPP era to collapse and or to be sold, while we look to outsiders for our sustenance. The wanton and hasty disposal of the nations assets to outsiders with empire-building ambitions is a bad omen for our future economy. I direct this statement to all who have lined up to buy the Agricultural Development bank that a future CPP Govt. will invalidate any such transaction and take back our property because it is not in the interest of Ghana to give it away. This does not signify a call for unbridled nationalization. No! The ADB is strategic for the mainstay of Ghana’s economic development. Like any self-respecting nation, we must prioritize our national and strategic interests. It is our moral and constitutional duty to do so.

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a divided country. The North and South appear to represent two different worlds. The rural and urban divide is so profound whilst the urban drift continues to create an expanding peri-urban poor to which, much to our peril, no attention is paid. It is a country where the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. The end result is the growing crime wave that has engulfed our dear and once safe country. We must reverse this worrying trend. Indeed the CPP is the only Party with a record of consciously working to bridge this divide, and given the mandate of the good people of this country, I shall continue those good works started by my party.

We often wonder where it is that we think we are going as a country. We seem to have lost the basics and yet, we want to compete in the global world. We have no capital but yet, we are keen to be identified as capitalists. We must go back to the basics!

Any species of animals that cannot feed itself, clothe itself, provide shelter for itself, heal and defend itself cannot survive. Can Ghana feed itself, clothe itself, provide shelter for its citizens, heal and defend itself? The answer to all these is of course, NO. We have the same land mass as the United Kingdom but with only one-third of their population. Under the excuse of a land administration problem, we would sooner weeds grew on the land rather than food. Traditional foods eaten by Ghanaians today come from elsewhere; tomatoes from Burkina Faso, Plantain from the Ivory Coast, Beans from Togo, Onions from Niger, etc. Has Ghana become secondhand? This was a question I asked in an article about three years ago. We proudly wear hand-me-down clothes or ‘first and second choice’, ‘bend down’ boutique items. What is even more disrespectful to fellow Ghanaians is that we allow secondhand panties, handkerchiefs, face towels, socks, brassieres, etc. to be imported into the country because we do not think we should produce them. It does not do our confidence, our image and our developmental needs any good. It did not use to be like this before – what has happened?

Are our Politicians aware of the damage they are causing to this country? Do our politicians know where the expanding peri-urban poor, Ghana’s street people and all the hawkers sleep? A visit to the Business District of Accra, Timber Market, Sodom and Gomorrah, Yam Market, etc. all in Accra, Kumasi Race Course and so many other locations at night, tell a very sad and gloomy story.

At this juncture let me pay homage to some of our media houses who have ensured that at least once a year, all such persons (street people), are fed well and remembered. Equally, Apostle Kwadwo Safo is singled out for commendation and respect. He has shown that all of us can in our own little or big way, do something to help make this country what we all want it to be. The common contribution to the nation’s development by all is crucial to the entire country’s success story.

There are as many uncompleted buildings in Ghana as there are completed buildings. As a poor country, we cannot expect every individual to accumulate enough money to own a house. It would be a sure recipe for corruption. Equally, the unfortunate situation where underpaid workers and ordinary Ghanaians have to pay two to three years rent in advance is to acquiesce to the frightening levels of indiscipline that is stealthily creeping up on us.

Our inability to manage and defend ourselves internally demonstrates the spate of armed robbery and senseless killings and maiming of innocent Ghanaians. Personal safety comes at an unaffordable cost. Once upon a time, before 1966, Ghana was not like this.

The level of investments in health coupled with the level of ignorance and disinterest in health matters contrive not to allow us to keep healthy lifestyles and to properly heal ourselves. These are the basic fundamental elements that this country must resolve in addition to looking at the bigger picture.

The preamble to Ghana’s seven-year development plan (1963-1970), stated that after the execution of the plan, no Ghanaian shall be in need of food, clothing, shelter, health and education. Fellow Ghanaians, what has happened since the CPP was overthrown and the Plan abolished?

The welfare of the Ghanaian does not appear important in the politics of Ghana today. The welfare of the Ghanaian must be and will be central to a CPP Government agenda as it was before. It shall be the criteria on which the Government shall be judged. To Ghanaians, you have miraculously survived in a harsh political terrain where you do not appear as a variable in the equation other than to buy your vote every four years.

Within the four years, those who came to you and gave you the ¢5,000 and ¢10,000 now Gp 50 and Gh ¢1.00, did you see them again? Did they come back to ask of you? Did they sympathize with you when you couldn’t pay your children’s school fees? The time has now come for all Ghanaians to standup to our politicians and to make them show us some respect and love, for we are all God’s children and we deserve better.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, I shall single out education for comment because investment in education yields the highest return to our national security and development. The CPP under the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of a free Ghana and the man voted African Personality of the Millennium, bequeathed us one of the greatest legacies that any govt. could leave to its people - a great educational system which produced some of the best brains in the world today.

Kofi Annan is perhaps the most famous of such Ghanaians, but all over the world, Ghanaians who profited from the educational policies of the CPP occupy important positions – from space scientists in the most sophisticated science and engineering laboratories in the United States, Medical Specialists in some of the worlds most advanced Hospitals and clinics, to Mining Engineers in some of the worlds richest mines in Africa and Latin America. We’ve done it all, thanks to the CPP. Indeed, in the first 10 years of the CPP under limited colonial, the number of university students grew by nearly 500%, a feat that has never been repeated by any government since then.

In the nine years of the Nkrumah Government, every district then in Ghana had a secondary school. Many training colleges were built to provide teachers for the many basic schools that had sprung up every where in Ghana. All the 6 Public Universities today were built by the Osagyefo. The University of Ghana, KNUST, the University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba was transformed out of the Ideological Institute. The University of Mines, Tarkwa from the Tarkwa School of Mines and the University of Development Studies from the Nyankpala Agricultural College.

Everybody in the Government today benefited from the Educational Policies of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Today, it is as if we have conspired to conceal these facts and to prevent our children from benefiting from the same system that took many of us out of poverty. Equal opportunity and social justice does not exist anymore in Ghana and it cannot be realized from mere verbal pronouncements.

Today, all our schools, from primary to university, are in a state of shocking disrepair. 60% of Junior Secondary School (JSS) students do not go to SSS and of those who do, only 10% eventually find their way into our tertiary institutions. The statistics on graduate unemployment is frightening. Over one million children are out of school. This, to say the least, is shameful. The depths to which we as a nation have sunk, is unacceptable for a country that seriously wants to develop and for a country that once was the envy of the world. My administration will reverse this trend.

There is certainly not much skill and knowledge taught at the primary and JSS levels that can make any school-leaver at that level survive the harsh realities of life today. Is it therefore surprising when we see all these children selling trifles on streets across the country? All this while, our politicians whom we voted in to serve us, send their children to Private Schools abroad. Do they care? It happened during the period of the National Democratic Congress government, where they found friends to look after their children abroad and the practice continues today.

In the Immortalized words of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, he says, ‘membership of the CPP will not be for rewards but for service to nation’.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in the area of Health, it is fair to say that we’ve made some major initiatives in recent times, such as the introduction of the National Health Insurance, despite its many implementation problems. Surprisingly the President, Vice President, Ministers and others do not make much reference to the scheme anymore.

Perhaps it has gone out of reach of their radar but it is not out of the woods yet. The scheme appears to have been plagued by maladministration and it is still struggling for better management. If the 2006 budget for the NHIS was approved in November 2006, barely a month to the end of the year, then one can appreciate the operating difficulties they must be going through.

I call on government to give it all their support, free the Council from bureaucracy, political interference and interest and provide them with all the National Health Levy funds to be used to grow what will be President J A Kufuor’s lasting legacy to all Ghanaians. Monies cannot be kept in the Central Bank and not earn interest. It happened in 2005 and 2006 and it cannot continue that way.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think it is fair to say that zero tolerance for corruption has all but dissipated. The ‘C’ word has now become a mere perception in Government circles and self-interest now reigns.

The principle of service to country, so highly championed in the CPP by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, shall be carried to its logical conclusion. The system shall be ruthless on corruption. Poverty cannot be reduced if the hydra-headed levels of corruption are not dealt with, particularly among Politicians and Senior Public and Civil Service officials as well as the givers.

Ghana has over sometime now - particularly in the last four or five years, become a major transit zone for narcotics. Its presence in Ghana must give all of us great cause for concern for, it is fast taking root in our communities, on our streets and also in our schools.

A CPP government under my direction will broaden the front of the war against drugs to include not just interdiction but also relentless public education as well as treatment for those youth who unfortunately, have fallen victim to this social canker and are languishing in medical facilities and prayer camps around the country. As a Pathologist, I have seen some of the worse consequences of its use – a rupture of the right side of the heart being a pretty violent outcome.

Now let me pay profuse homage to a person who is at once a servant of the people and a great leader who worked so hard that Ghana will be free – free of all the difficulties that stare at us today. A man who gave all of us the opportunities we casually exploit today whether positively in the interest of Ghana or, negatively for the interest of others. That he died a pauper must never be forgotten by Ghanaians. He founded the CPP and introduced Nkrumaism – a home grown ideology to achieve the means of a rapid economic development for Ghanaians. ‘Of course the Blackman is capable of managing his own affairs’, was one of his favourite sayings. I salute him, his person and his vision which is even more relevant in today’s Ghana than it was during the struggle for freedom. I salute Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Events of 2007, the 50th anniversary celebrations, the death of Madam Fathia and the deliberations of the African Union Conference in July 2007 are all testimonies to Osagyefo’s illustriousness. At the conference he was mentioned more times during their deliberations by leaders from all the African Countries than the mention of the names of all the other leaders put together. Truly, ‘Nkrumah never dies’.

The history of this our dear nation needs to be re-written to properly reflect the significant contributions that were made towards the development of Ghana. This will serve as a guiding light and an assurance to all those who sit on the fence out of fear that there is indeed a great amount of eternal merit in patriotism.

To quote a recent statement of President J A Kufuor to buttress his achievements, he proudly stated that – “it is in my time that Ghana has arisen again”. Needless to say, it would be interesting to find out from His Excellency the President, which other time he might have been alluding to when he used the word ‘again’.

Finally, I take this opportunity to wish all other aspiring candidates across the entire political spectrum well in their respective endeavors, so that Ghana, our dear nation, may be the ultimate beneficiary of our collective and diverse service to Ghana.

I also wish all of you here, the media personnel as well as sympathizers the very best in all your undertakings.

Ghana before self, Ghana deserves better Long live the CPP, long live Nkrumaism and long live Ghana. CPP! “ye be kye na asu obi ara so”

Source:
Prof. A. B. Akosah

• 15.08.2007

NGO launches door-to-door anti-AIDS campaign


Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - The Peoples Dialogue on Human Settlements, a non-governmental organization, on Tuesday launched a community door-to-door education campaign on HIV/AIDS.

The campaign is aimed at divulging information on HIV/AIDS to people, especially those in less endowed communities, in their own language and environment through a familiar medium of communication, according to Dr Lukman Abdul-Rahim, coordinator of the project. He said both male and female condoms would be distributed freely as a means of encouraging people to patronage them, and demystify local tales on their usage.

Speaking to Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra, Dr Abdul-Rahim explained that the project was envisaged with the support of the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) as a "Community-Led Response to HIV/AIDS," through care, campaign and economic empowerment. He said through the initiative, 20 community activists from Ashaiman and Old Fadama in the Greater Accra region had been trained to help implement the door-to-door campaign to create community awareness, reduce stigmatisation and discrimination against People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

"Economic empowerment of people would only be meaningful if it's propelled on the wheels of adequate information on the pandemic, and healthy lifestyle of PLWHA and their dependants," he held. He appealed to policy makers and opinion leaders to inculcate HIV/AIDS education in all their programmes, adding that the people were being trained as pacesetters to lead their communities in the fight against the disease and improve their living conditions. As part of their training, representatives of targeted communities were taken through an overview of the HIV/AIDS situation in Ghana, including the first official report of the disease in 1986, five years after it generally broke out in 1981. Other topics discussed were: basic facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs); risky behaviours and attitudes and behavioural change methodologies, attitudes towards PLWHAs, the danger of stigmatisation and discrimination.

At least 5,000 condoms had been distributed to targeted communities in the Accra area, as part of the campaign.

Source:
GNA 

Only three parties have operational regional offices in V/R


Ho, Aug 15, GNA - Only three of the about eight registered political parties in Ghana have operational regional offices in the Volta Region, a GNA survey has revealed.

They are the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Conventions Peoples Party (CPP).

The rest have either abandoned their offices, converted them into other uses or were searching for one. Article 55 Clause (7) b. of the constitution requires that every political "party has branches in all the regions of Ghana and is, in addition, organized in not less than two-thirds of the districts in each region".

Mr Dogbe Selormey, Deputy Volta Regional Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency that the trend was for the parties to be active only when the EC was carrying out an exercise. He said during the EC's last inspection exercise in 2006 the People's National Convention (PNC) was operating from offices at Agortime-Kpetoe, near Ho and capital of the Adaklu-Anyigbe District. Mr Dogbe said during the recent Regional Congress of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) attended by Mr Dan Lartey, its leader, officials of the party told the EC that they were looking for a place to use as party regional headquarters and would notify the Regional EC when found.

At the CPP offices Mr Albert T. K. Klu, Regional Administrative Officer, said its regional office had remained opened but conceded that many of their constituency offices had had to close because of inability to pay rents.

Mr Klu, 82, said despite the failure of the party machinery to pay their allowances he was committed to keeping the party machinery working because of his commitment to the cause of the CPP.

"When Kwame Nkrumah got out from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) shouting independence now, I shouted with him," he said. At the NPP offices Mr Charles Kofi Gadotor, Regional Administrative Officer, said the regional office was active with a regularly paid staff of five.

Miss Mary Ayebi, secretary, who has worked with the NDC for the past six years, said the party's well-equipped offices were opened regularly.

Mr Manfred Nuku-Dei, Regional Secretary of Democratic Freedom Party, said the party had acquired a building it was refurbishing to use as its office from the middle of September. He said for now the party, which is active in the region, operated from a makeshift office.

Source:
GNA

Police commander calls for tolerance in Winneba


Winneba (C/R), Aug 15, GNA- The New Winneba District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jordan Quaye has urged the people of Winneba to tolerate the views of each other to help ensure peace and tranquility.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Winneba on Tuesday, ASP Jordan Quaye expressed his concern about the increasing rate of assaults cases, fighting and confrontations in the area. According to him the police receive an average of 36 to 39 of such cases monthly, adding that in July 2007 alone the police at Winneba recorded 40 assaults cases.

The Police commander said if they had tolerated the views of each other, cases of this nature would not have occurred. The new Police Commander said the Police in collaboration with personnel from the Police Training School and the security officers at the University of Education, Winneba, have started joint night and day patrols to fight crime especially cable thieves who have off late intensified their activities.

"This office warns all telephone and electricity cable thieves to repent before we get them, we will not tolerate interventions on arrested cable thieves and other criminals".

ASP Jordan spoke against instant justice meted out on suspects in the form of lynching, saying, "It is an offence and criminal to beat or mete out any form of punishment to any suspect arrested". Suspects must be handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution by the law court, he said. According to him the Police Task Force was on twenty-four hour duty to offer assistance to the public and urged people to contact them when in need.

He urged the public not to abuse the police telephone lines with false calls, so that the operations of the Task Force would be very successful.

Source:
GNA

LINK  :  Ghana Police Service

Journalist group protests against ADB sale


Accra, Aug.15, GNA - The Association of Journalists for Economic and Social Justice (AJESJ) has added its voice to calls on the management of Bank of Ghana not to sell its shares in the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

Mr Granfadaa Ayitomeka, a Spokesperson for the association, said ADB had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the country and the sale of the shares should not go ahead in the interest of the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, he noted that the privatisation of viable and strategic national institutions in Africa was an attempt by the West and its agents to roll back the continent's independence.

Mr Ayitomeka said the viable and strategic business entities that were taken over by foreigners had been deliberately run down ostensibly to pave way for foreign competitors.

He said if Stanbic Bank was not able to provide the five per cent credit facility out of its agriculture sector portfolio to local farmers then government should reconsider its decision of the sale of the shares.

Mr Ayitomeka said as a people's bank, ADB offered the cheapest lending rates and had networked all its 48 branches nationwide of which many were situated in the rural areas.

He added that ADB was responsible for procuring 85 per cent of all outboard motors used by fishermen in Ghana as well as the establishment of programmes which had encouraged the youth into farming. Mr Ayitomeka noted that ADB had also crafted the Small Holder Mango Project intended to reduce poverty and stem desertification in the three Northern regions.

"It is the state that solely bears the responsibility to provide vital services such as irrigation schemes, crops insurance, storage facilities and institutional infrastructure to countries that are doing well in agriculture," he added.

The performance of ADB must not be seen in the financial sector or profit but its contribution in terms of yields per acre, income level for farmers in varieties of high yielding crops we consume in Ghana, he said.

The association called on political parties, civil society and pressure groups to come together and fight against the sale of the Central Bank's shares for the sustainability of ABD and the socio-economic development of the country. Several organisations including the GTUC, staff of ADB and Committee for Joint Action, a pressure group made up of opposition parties, have also voiced opposition to the sale. 15 Aug. 07

Source:
GNA

Angry Parent Murder Ghanaian Doc?



... Stabbed To Death In Her Car

London -- A Ghanaian paediatrician, living in the Britain, stabbed to death in a frenzied attack outside her suburban home may have been murdered by a patient or their parent, police have said.
Devout Christian Dr Victoria Anyetei's killer is believed to have lain in wait outside her front door - possibly hiding in the back seat of her car - before pouncing as she left for work.

The 53-year -old consultant was stabbed multiple times all over her body as she sat in her Toyota Avensis which was parked in her driveway in the quiet cul-de-sac.

Her blood splattered body lay undiscovered in the front seat of the car - with the door shut - for over two hours and was only found over two hours later by her teenage son when he left the house.

A neighbour in the new built estate in Dartford, Kent, told how he heard 'blood curdling screams' as he made the grim discovery.

He said: "I heard this really loud, anguished yell. I ran outside and saw him on the driveway of his home.

"He was going mad, just staring at his mum's car. Then I saw Victoria. She was behind the wheel with her head rocked back. Blood was everywhere.

"Other neighbours were comforting him, but he was still screaming. It was pandemonium. The blood was all coming out of her neck. She was covered in blood.

"I will never be able to get that image out of my head. It was horrendous." Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge of Kent Police described the attack on Tuesday morning as a 'truly extraordinary crime'.

He said: "These things hardly ever happen - a middle-aged, professional, well respected, upstanding, devout Christian member of the community attacked in a frenzied way and struck down in broad daylight.

"That is the almost unique challenge facing the murder inquiry team at this stage."

He said officers would be investigating the possibility that she may have been killed by a former patient, or the parent of a former patient, with a grudge against her.

He said: "That particular aspect will be looked at and it will be looked at in some detail.

"It would appear from the evidence we have so far that Dr Anyetei was specifically targeted, quite possibly attacked from behind and suffered multiple stab wounds across her body."

CSI Beautridge said 20 officers were working on the investigation.

He said: "A lot of people are being interviewed at this stage and her car is subject of a full and thorough forensic examination.

"However, no arrest have so far been made."

He said whoever killed the consultant would likely have had been in an agitated state after the attack and have blood on their clothing.

Dr Anyetei has been working in the UK since 1994, and started as a locum consultant paediatrician at St Thomas's Hospital in central London eight months ago.

On Tuesday morning she left for work as usual at 8am to drive to Dartford railway station to take the train into central London.

But police believe she was attacked seconds after leaving the £250,000 end of terrace home that she shared with her 19-year-old son Andrew Thompson and a younger relative.

Forensic officers are still examining the scene for clues and carrying out house to house inquiries. Dr Anyetei was divorced, and her ex husband still lives in Ghana. Several other relatives, including a brother, live in Britain.

Her next door neighbour, Naseem Shah described her as a 'wonderful woman.'

"She was very polite and pleasant. She would always say hello.

"It's terrifying to think this could happen here. It's such a quiet place, there's never any trouble."

Another local said she was deeply religious and would go to church every Sunday.

He said: "She was a doctor who was full of goodness and kindness for others.

"That is what makes this murder so tragic."

Dr Anyetei was divorced and her former husband lives in Ghana.

Source:
ThisIsLondon

Ghanaian chefs win six medals in Kenya cooking competition


Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Members of Ghana Chefs Association who participated in an International Cooking Competition in Kenya have returned home with six medals - three silver and three bronze. The competition held in Kenya last week was in three categories - Starters, Main Meals and Desserts.

The Ghanaian chefs competed with their Kenyan counterparts in three rounds in the preparation of the three categories, which make a whole course meal.

Mr Stephen Dzilah, President of Ghana Chefs Association, told Ghana News Agency on their return that their ability to win the medals was very significant to the association.

"For the Ghana Chefs Association, which is only two-and-a-half years old, to be able to compete with Kenya, which has been participating in this competition for years, and be able to bring back home such honours is no mean achievement."

The association has been made a member of the African Chefs Association.

Mr Dzilah announced that there was another opportunity for the association to compete in South Africa in December, this year, and further join the World Association of Chefs' Societies Congress in Dubai in March, next year.

He said the association was poised to achieve excellence in the hospitality industry by sharpening their cooking skills and offering quality and safety foods to the Ghanaian consumer and tourists. Mr Dzilah reminded Ghanaians that food formed an important component in the hospitality industry in addition to its importance in health.

"Food also forms an important part of the tourism industry," he said.

Source:
GNA 

Ghana elevated to most-favoured nation status

.. As, Botswana, Ghana Sign Trade Treaty

Gaborone -- Botswana and Ghana recently signed a 10-year trade agreement on intergovernmental cooperation in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Banny Molosiwa, says the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) focuses on investment protection in the wider context of policies that favour and promote FDI.

The treaty protects contracting parties against expropriation, provides for dispute settlement mechanisms and guarantees free transfer of funds between the two countries.

It elevates Ghana to most-favoured nation status and extends a special Ghanaian national treatment to investors from the West African country that celebrated 50 years of independence last March. Molosiwa says Ghanaian investors will be accorded treatment equal to that enjoyed by investors from other countries in Botswana.

They will also enjoy national treatment, which means that with limited exceptions, Ghanaian investors will enjoy treatment equal to that accorded to domestic investors.

"Botswana investors will also be entitled to similar treatment in the Republic of Ghana," she says. "This treaty will remain in force for a period of 10 years and shall continue in force thereafter until (one) contracting party notifies the other contracting party in writing of its decision to terminate the treaty."

The Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Lebonaamang Mokalake, signed on behalf of Botswana while Nana Akufo-Ado, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented his country. Botswana hosted a Botswana-Ghana Expo to strengthen trade links between the two countries in 2005.

Source:
Mmegi/The Reporter 

Gambia Murders: Survivor's chilling account


Mr. Martin Kyere, 27, who escaped death in the company of about 44 Ghanaians that were allegedly arrested and brutally murdered by Gambian Police on the orders of President Yahya Jammeh two years ago, has finally broken his silence on the events of that dark night in Banjul, Gambia.

Giving a chilling account of their nightmare, Kyere, currently resident in Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region, said the soldiers arrested and bundled them into a 207 Mercedes Benz bus on July 22, 2005 and took them into a bush where his friends were shot and butchered to death.

He mentioned some of the victims as Agya Amo, Paul Acquah, William Mensah, Yaw Kyere, Kwamena Fosu, Kwaku Appiah and Peter Mensah. Others were Nelson Frimpong, Richard Boakye, Isaac Kwadwo Ampadu, Emmanuel Nortey, Isaac Asante, John Kwaku Akwaful and Daniel Kumi.

Kyere could however not confirm whether they all lost their lives but official sources have indicated Kyere was the only Survivor.

According to him, he narrowly escaped death because the rope used in tying him got broken as the security agents were dropping them into a ditch in an area called Brufur, near a Gambian river.

According to the Daily Guide newspaper, Kyere who spoke on a local radio station, New Mercury FM in Kumasi last Thursday, said they had met in The Gambia, which was then a popular transit route to Europe, in search of greener pastures.

Around July 2005, they were given the assurance that one Charles Taylor, aka Captain, could take them to Spain via River Gambia.

The Senegalese agents recruited a number of Ghanaians and other ECOWAS nationals numbering about 50 who showed interest in the deal.

So one day they all camped at Sali Imboo, a village near the river, while Taylor arranged with a certain Lami to release his boat to transport them.

He said deep into the night, when they had just begun the journey, communication became difficult as they reached the middle of the river. They then sent six members of the group to contact Taylor but the six never returned and a few minutes later information reached them that state security guards were on the river looking for them. The frightened owners of the boat, he said, quickly left them by the riverside to their fate, which soon turned tragic.

Still fighting to continue the trip they sent other persons Victor, Agya Amo and Nana Benyin to see if they could find Captain Taylor but later events revealed they had been arrested and detained at the police station.

He said a couple of hours later Victor returned in the company of security men, who apprehended and marched them to the police station, where they were tied with ropes.

News about their arrest spread quickly, so thousands of people including government officials and journalists rushed to catch a glimpse or them.

It was then that they learnt they had been arrested for allegedly plotting to oust The Gambian government, headed by President Yahaya Jammeh.

Their nightmare was to continue the next day, when they were 'loaded' into the 207 Mercedes Benz bus and driven to Brufur. During the journey they feared the worst so they began to pray, Kyere said. However, a soldier angered by their prayers and plea for mercy, drew a sharp machete and cut off the hand of one of them.

They seized their food, documents and money, and as well beat them up severely. He said the only sound he heard thereafter was the firing of gunshots amidst screams of 'God save us! God save us!'

'He maintained, however that he was alive today because he broke free from the rope and fled amidst firing of bullets.

It would be recalled that an investigating officer at the Gambian Police headquarters, Sekouba Jadama wrote a letter to the editor of the Freedom newspaper, giving a detailed account of what happened.

He had asked international bodies to call the Gambian President to explain since he gave the orders for the execution of the men.

He wrote: "While at the occasion, a telephone call suddenly came from the NIA Officer posted at Barra that some West African Nationals have been arrested and their motives were to destabilize the celebrations of July 22. Ousman Sonko, the Inspector General of Police was present, as well as Daba Marena, DG-NIA and Ndure Cham, Chief of Staff.

"Instructions were passed immediately for their detention and Abu Njie used his cellular phone to contact the "Gelegele" owner to be on standby to transport the arrested West African Nationals.

"The Banjul/Barra ferry had already closed. However, instructions were given to the Managing Director of the Ports, Mr. Gibba, to dispatch the ferry without further delay to Barra.

"The ferry and the navy boat went to Barra and collected these innocent people under armed escort provided by the State Guard and the Police Intervention Unit personnel.

"They were first taken to the Naval Headquarters and later to the Police Intervention base in Kanifing, and others to the confiscated Baba Jobe residence at Kotu. Most of the Ghanaian Nationals were taken away by the late Captain Tumbul Tamba, Musa Jammeh, the famous "Bombarde" Kawsu Camara, some officers and NIA Intelligence officers.

"There were no Police Officers present, except our IGP, Ousman Sonko.

“Our investigating team then went to Brufur and discovered that the bodies were scattered all over the bushes with deep cuts to heads and eyes and broken noses. Only eight bodies were found at Brufur and the rest were dumped around Batokunku.

"In fact those bodies found at Brufur were to be taken to Batokunku, but because it was getting to daybreak the killers decided to dump them there."

Source:
Daily Guide

Devt of "intelligent human capital" dependent on midwives


Ho, Aug.14, GNA-Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health on Tuesday stated that the "intelligent human capital" need of the country was dependent on midwives.

He said it was therefore, essential that the country's midwives strategize and educate the public on pregnancy and delivery techniques to produce high quality human resource for the nation. Major Quashigah said this at the 6th Biennial General Meeting of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) in Ho. The Meeting was on the theme; "Global shortage of midwives- a call for action".

Major Quashigah stated that the economic success of many nations without natural resources was the result of their dependence on the quality of human capital and asked the GRMA to " lay a strong human resource foundation for the country with the delivery of children with good health and high intelligent quotient."

He observed that many pregnant women in the country were ignorant of human activities that affected budding system in the womb and urged midwives to constantly educate the public on the importance of nutrition at expectancy stage.

" Many pregnant women take in everything including alcohol and give birth to mentally retarded and deformed babies", he said.

Major Quashigah said these were the main problems of the country and urged the GRMA to improve upon knowledge acquired from their forbearers and share them with the public to safeguard the country's dream of achieving the Millennium Development Goal by 2015. Mrs. Ernestina Djokoto President said shortage of midwives and training prgrammes remained the major problems of the Association and called on the government to empower health workers who had left active service and others being under-utilized to join the GRMA for the country to achieve the objective of safe motherhood by 2015. She said, " the times when midwives stayed at the hospitals and maternity homes waiting for clients has past" and appealed to midwives in the country to visit clients in their communities.

In a fraternal message, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) all pledged their unflagging support to the GRMA for the country to achieve the MDG by 2015.

Source:
GNA

SCANCEM Bribe: "Cat & Mouse" Game


EX-SCANCEM BOSS IN ‘CAT AND GAME WITH BAAKO
Mr. Gerhard Heiberg, one of the high profile witnesses in the Scancem bribery case being heard in a Norwegian court, has been engaged in a ‘cat and mouse game’ with the author of this story (Kweku Baako, Jnr., Editor-in-Chief of The Crusading Guide), since August 9, 2009.

A relentless pursuit to get him (Heiberg) to answer some questions relating to the SCANCEM case at the Asker and Baerum Court and what he was purported to have said on a Ghanaian radio station last week to the effect that he never mentioned the names of ex-President Rawlings, his wife (Nana Konadu) and Mr. PV Obeng in court, had proved fruitless as at the time of filing this story from Oslo to Accra (August 11, 2007).

Mr. Heiberg had been reported in the April 21-22 2007 edition of a leading mass circulation newspaper (250,000 per day) in Norway, the DAGENS NAERINGSLIV (DN) as having testified in court to the effect that “there were a number of people but I don’t want to give any names. There were many people, in many countries. There were more than Rawlings and PV, including politicians and managers in industry”.

The same Heiberg, according to the DN newspaper, had also indicated that Rawlings and his spouse were among those who had received considerable payments from Scancem (see page 40 of the April 21, 2007 edition of DN which carried the original story).

Heiberg, a former Norcem and Asker Head, also explained to the court that “there were by and large bribes in all countries” where Scancem had its cement business and operations, Sandvika, Norway. Scancem has operations in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, Tanzania, Congo, Sierra Leone, Niger and Gabon.

I had just arrived in Oslo, Norway, early morning of Tuesday, August 7, 2007, when news reached me that Mr. Heiberg or someone purporting to be him, had told Radio Gold, a leading Ghanaian FM radio station, that he had never mentioned the names of ex-President Rawlings, Mrs. Rawlings and PV Obeng in court during the trial of Tor Egil Kjelsaas, former Scancem African Head, on whose behalf Heiberg had testified in court.

This development was quite surprising given that the same man had been directly quoted as having mentioned those names during his testimony in court by the DN newspaper. If his denial of the quotes attributed to him by the Norwegian newspaper was to turn out to be truthful, then the credibility of the newspaper as well as its story under reference, would have been severely undermined if not entirely shattered.

It was against this background that a colleague Editor-in-Chief, Gabby Asare Ochere-Darko of the Daily Statesman and myself, set up an interview encounter with the two Norwegian journalists, Geir Imset and Herald Vanvik, who wrote the story which has caused waves in both Ghana and Norway. Our mission? To ascertain the veracity or otherwise of Heiberg’s alleged denial on Radio Gold and to seek the reaction of the two journalists to the denial and more information on the Scancem bribery palaver.

Come Wednesday, August 8, 2007, the two of us (Gabby and myself) met the two journalists in a restaurant near a busy and noisy street corner for the slated interview. The over an hour-long interview left us in no doubt that if indeed it was Mr. Heiberg who had issued the purported denial of portions of his court testimony on radio in far away Ghana, then “the general” from Lillehammer Olympics, as he is affectionately called, has a very tall ladder of credibility and integrity to climb.

Why? Because the two Norwegian journalists were meticulous in carrying out their work, culminating in the publication of April 21, 2007 story in which some direct quotes had been attributed to Mr. Heiberg. They showed evidence of their email correspondence with Heiberg; seeking his verification and/or authentication of the quotes being attributed to him, and Heiberg apparently had no problems with the quotations including the one which directly mentioned (implicated?) Rawlings and PV Obeng during his testimony in court in August 2006.

The two confident and self-assured Norwegian journalists couldn’t believe Heiberg would deny responsibility for the quotes attributed to him because he (Heiberg) had approved of them long before the publication of April 21, 2007. Their disbelief stemmed from the fact that after the April 21 publication, Mr. Heiberg, in a telephone chat with Vanvik, (one of the reporters), attested to the fairness and accuracy of the story. He (Heiberg) was then in China. Subsequently, his positive reaction to the story was also published in the April 23 of the DN without it attracting any disapproval from him.

“We are surprised at his Accra denial. He has not complained to us about any aspect of our story of both the April 21 story which carried the quotes attributed to him and the subsequent one (April 23) which reported his positive reaction to the first story. Neither he nor anybody mentioned or quoted in that story has complained to us directly or indirectly through anybody, as far as we know”, lamented the Norwegian journalists.

It was after our encounter with the two journalists and after having satisfied ourselves as to the credibility of their story, particularly with regards to the critical quotes attributed to Mr. Heiberg, that we proceeded to make contact with Mr. Heiberg whose telephone contacts the Norwegian journalists kindly gave us.

The following is how my pursuit of an interview with Mr. Heiberg since my arrival in Oslo, Norway, has unfolded, as at the time of filing this report (August 11, 2007).

STEP ONE – AUGUST 9, 2007 (15.10GMT): I RANG HIS MOBILE PHONE NUMBER IN ORDER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INTERVIEW. HIS PHONE WAS OFF AND I LEFT A VOICEMAIL INTRODUCING MYSELF AND MY MISSION.

STEP TWO – AUGUST 9, 2007 (17.00GMT): I SENT HIM A TEXT MESSAGE (REMINDER) THUS: “MY NAME IS KWEKU BAAKO, A JOURNALIST 4FRM GHANA NOW IN OSLO, COULD U KINDLY TALK TO ME ON AN ISSUE OF PUBLIC INTEREST? I WILL LEAVE NORWAY MONDAY, MY CELL NO IS ……” (MY PRIVATE MOBILE NUMBER WAS STATED FOR HIS ATTENTION).

STEP THREE – AUGUST 10, 2007: (HEIBERG’S FIRST RESPONSE) I AM IN CHINA SO I HAVE NO CHANCE TO TALK TO YOU.

STEP FOUR – AUGUST 10, 2007 (02.00) (BAAKO’S RESPONSE): I APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION THOUGH YOU SPOKE TO A GHANAIAN RADIO STATION ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO. I WILL LEAVE OSLO ON MONDAY BUT WILL CONTINUE TO GET YOU TO REACT TO CERTAIN ISSUES RELATIVE TO YOUR ASSERTIONS ON GHANAIAN RADIO AND YOUR SUBMISSIONS IN THE NORWEGIAN COURT AS CARRIED BY THE DN NEWSPAPER. WITH DUE RESPECT, MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AND A SAFE JOURNEY BACK.

STEP FIVE – AUGUST 10, 2007 (15.35GMT): I RANG HIS (HEIBERG’S) MOBILE NUMBER TO TRY AND PERSUADE HIM TO GRANT AN INTERVIEW AND THE FOLLOWING ENCOUNTER ENSUED:

KWEKU BAAKO (KB): HELLO?

GERHARD HEIBERG (GH): HELLO

KB: GOOD EVENING, HELLO SIR?

GH: YES, GOOD EVENING.

KB: AM I SPEAKING TO MR. GERHARD HEIBERG?

GH: YES

KB: MY NAME IS KWEKU BAAKO, JNR. I AM A JOURNALIST FROM GHANA AND I WANT…

GH: (SHARPLY INTERRUPTS) NO, NO, LISTEN, I AM IN CHINA AND I AM ABOUT TO SIT IN A PLANE IN CHINA

KB: YES, TWO MINUTES OF YOUR TIME, SIR?

GH: I AM SORRY UH?

KB: AND SO WHEN CAN I CALL YOU?

GH: (RUDELY CUTS THE LINE THUS, BRINGING THE CHAT TO AN ABRUPT END)

STEP SIX – AUGUST 10, 2007 (16.54GMT): I DECIDED TO SEND HEIBERG THE FOLLOWING TEXT MESSAGE: “WITH ALL DUE RESPECT SIR, 4GIVE ME 4 BEING A SOURCE OF TRANSIENT IRRITATION 2 U. IT IS DUE 2 THE NATURE OF MY PROFESSION. I HV TRAVELED ALL THE WAY 4FRM ACCRA 2 OSLO 2 INVESTIGATE THE SCANCEM CASE IN THE ASKER AND BAERUM COURT IN SANDVIKA, NORWAY DURING WHICH U WERE A WITNESS 4 TOR EGIL KJELSAAS. IN ORDER TO A PROFESSIONAL JOB I THOUGHT I NEEDED 2 TALK TO U. HOWEVER IT APPEARS UR WORK SCHEDULE MIGHT NOT ALLOW U 2 RESPOND 2 MY QUESTIONS. MAYBE, I CAN USE THIS MEDIUM 2 GIVE U A BRIEF OUTLINE OF MY AREA OF INTEREST.

*1: HAVE U SPOKEN 2 A GHANAIAN RADIO STATION DURING WHICH U DENIED EVER MENTIONING THE NAMES OF RAWLINGS, HIS WIFE & PV OBENG IN COURT?

*2: HOW DO U REACT 2 CLAIMS BY THE DN JOURNALISTS THAT ALL THE QUOTES ATTRIBUTED 2 U IN THEIR 21ST APRIL EDITION WERE FORWARDED 2 U B4 PUBLICATION AND THAT U OKAYED THEM THEN?

*3: HOW ABT THEIR CLAIM THAT SUBSEQUENT 2 THE FIRST STORY THEY SPOKE 2 U ON THE FON WHILE U WERE IN CHINA AND U ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY OF THEIR 21ST APRIL STORY?

*4: THEY SHOWED ME ANOTHER PUBLICATION DATED 23RD APRIL WHICH REPORTED UR POSITIVE REACTION 2 THE FIRST STORY AND THEY THEREFORE CANT UNDERSTAND UR PURPORTED DENIAL ON A GHANAIAN RADIO STATION. THEY ALSO UNDERSCORED THE FACT THAT SINCE THE APRIL 21ST STORY THEY HVNT RECEIVED ANY FORMAL OR VERBAL COMPLAINT 4FRM EITHER U OR ANYBODY ELSE. WHAT IS UR REACTION 2 THEIR REACTION?

*5: I HV MANY MORE QUESTIONS BUT I WILL LIMIT MY INITIAL ENQUIRY 2 THE ABOVE. U MAY CHOOSE THIS MEDIUM 2 ANSWER OR MY EMAIL ADDRESSES WHICH ARE AS FOLLOWS: kwekubaako@yahoo.com and tawiahsam@ucomgh.com. THANKS FOR UR ATTENTION AND SORRY 4 BEING A BOTHER. GOD BLESS U.

STEP SEVEN – AUGUST 11, 2007 (02.42) (HEIBERG RESPONDS): I AM IN CHINA, TODAY ON MY WAY TO NORTH KOREA! I DON’T HAVE ANY POSSIBILITY TO TAKE AN INTERVIEW.

STEP EIGHT – AUGUST 11, 2007 (06.14) (BAAKO REPLIES): NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES INTERVIEW VIA FON IN RELATION 2 THE FEW QUESTIONS I SENT 2 U VIA THIS MEDIUM YESTERDAY? PLEASE I SINCERELY BELIEVE IT IS IN OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IF U FIND A LITTLE TIME OFF UR TIGHT SCHEDULE 2 PROVIDE ANSWERS 2 MY QUESTIONS VIA FON. THE ANSWERS, HOWEVER BRIEF, MAY BE USEFUL 4 STARTERS WHILE WE WAIT 4 AN OPPORTUNITY 4 A FULLER INTERVIEW. I PROMISE NOT TO TAKE MORE THAN 5 MINS OF UR TIME IF AND WHEN U OBLIGE ME MY REQUEST 4 A BRIEF FON INTERVIEW, HOPING 4 A MORE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, I REMAIN URS SINCERELY, KWEKU BAAKO, JNR. OSLO, NORWAY.

As at the time of filing this story from Oslo, Norway (11.43 – Norwegian time – 9.43am Ghanaian time), Mr. Gerhard Heiberg, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and a well-known figure in Norwegian business circles, was yet to reply to my last text message to him.

I might be unfair to him if I were to speculate that he may have lost his enthusiasm to answer questions from the Ghanaian press. Or he prefers the anonymity of radio? Perhaps, he might still be airborne enroute to North Korea. One can only hope against hope that “The General” who testified as a witness for the defendant (accused of stealing bribe money) TOR EGIL KJELSAAS, in the Scancem bribery/theft scandal trial in a Norwegian court, and also found time to talk to Radio Gold in apparent defence of Ex-President Rawlings and company, would also find time and space to respond to the preliminary questions filed to him by this author. Hopefully!?

Only time will tell. Stay tuned…

Source:
Crusading Guide

GCB launches MoneyGram


Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Ms. Nikki Spottiswoode, Regional Director Africa, MoneyGram on Wednesday said the collaboration in establishing GCB Moneygram was an obvious choice since the bank has the largest branch network across Ghana and it would make it convenient for customers to have access to the service.

She said MoneyGram had firmly established itself as one of the leading money transfer services in Ghana for the past six years and the demand for the service had encouraged them to expand their agent network to cover more locations in the country.

"We share similar values and a commitment to quality customer service and extremely competitive fees," she said.

Ms. Spottiswoode stated that the MoneyGram service allowed customers to safely send money around the world in as little as ten minutes, subject to agent availability and hours of operations.

Making the remarks at the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) MoneyGram launch in Accra Ms. Spottiswoode said the new service would enable Ghanaians abroad to send money to relatives in Ghana in a more convenient and safer way.

The Bank said the new product was as a result of an agreement between GCB and MoneyGram International and would enable beneficiaries to receive their remittances at any of the 133 GCB branches strategically spread in the country.

Its convenient and reliable network includes retailers, international post offices and financial institutions, the release said. Ms. Spottiswoode said the GCB was implementing new corporate strategy to deliver quality services and create value for its shareholders.

"We believe that this new alliance with MoneyGram brings on board an international service that is in line with the varied needs of our customers."

MoneyGram International is a leading global payment services company whose mission is to provide beneficiaries with affordable, reliable and convenient payment services including money transfer services. It is currently operating in 125,000 money transfer locations in 170 countries including 4,300 locations in Africa.

Source:
GNA

Minister launches jobsinghana.com


Accra, Aug. 15, GNA-Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communications on Wednesday launched Ghana's first indigenous job engine, www.jobsinghana.com, that uses the Internet as a platform linking jobseekers to employers and vice-versa.

It is a tool that makes human resource management easier for employers and puts jobseekers in control of their careers. Dr. Ntim said the database, which would introduce Information Communication Technology (ICT) and related efficiencies in the human resource sector, would also make jobs readily available to help reverse brain drain in the Diaspora.

He said the attainment of this feat pointed to the fact that ICT holds immense promise as its deployment was rapidly changing and opening new avenues of relationships for society.

"The contribution indeed points to the fact that there are individuals in Ghana with innovative skills today who are committed to the deployment of ICT solutions that are beneficial to users as a universal enterprise", he added.

The Minister said the website would also provide consultancy services to help solve problems of unemployment by attracting persons with employable skills to the site to attain jobs and complement government's effort to secure jobs for the youth.

Dr. Ntim said in Business Processing Outsourcing( BPO) which was a lucrative venture in ICT, a number of investors were keen to locate in Ghana and improve telecom services to enable them do business on cost effective basis.

He hinted that the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was facilitating the development of incubation facilities at the Ghana Multimedia Centre to promote technology commercialization and economic focus.

The Minister therefore commended the initiative and called on the young entrepreneurs and others in the IT industry to set targets and increase research activities to develop skills in the industry. Mr. Ernest Adade, Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) also applauded the initiative, which, he said, was consistent with the aims of the NYEP to create more job avenues for the youth.

He stated that the NYEP had been able to employ over 104,000 youth, saying this had reduced the number of graduate unemployment by 6,000. He said the programme had also employed over 23,000 pupil teachers in the regions, and pledged the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment's commitment to support any drive to secure more jobs. Mr. Richard Baffour, Chief Executive Officer for Jobsinghana said the website has a growing database with automatic links for jobseekers, employers, and a resource centre with information on resume writing, career search and other human resource tips.

He said the site has registered over 3,000 job seekers to save them from frustrations of walking around with application letters to seek employment.

Mr. Baffour said the initiative was more of his social contribution to the growth of the human resource sector and to jobseekers whose dreams to secure a job had never been realized. 15 Aug. 07

Source:
GNA

Ewe history book is launched


Ho, Aug. 15, GNA - A 160-page book on the history of Ewes was launched in Ho on Wednesday.

The book titled " Ewe Duko" (Ewe state) is to enlighten the public on the culture of Ewes and the true identity of the Ewes. Reviewing the book Mr Walter Blege, President of the Evangelical Presbyterian University, said there was the need for more Ewe literature to enable the youth to discover their roots.

He said many Ewe children were ignorant of where they came from, where they were and where they were heading towards and urged parents to buy the "Ewe Duko" which talked about who the Ewes really are. Mr Blege said the book talked about the Ewes as a state in Africa with many natural and human resources and appealed to all Ewes to read the book.

Launching the book Mr Raymond Okudjeto, President of Volta Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, advised Ewes to unite and build the Eweland to achieve its socio-economic development. The writer, Mr Charles Kwame Kudzordzi, called for support to build the Ewe language and state into a strong one. The first copy of the book was bought for GHC 200.

Source:
GNA

• 14.08.2007

Three suspected armed robbers lynched


THREE suspected armed robbers who allegedly snatched a handbag from a woman at Osu, in Accra, were lynched by a mob in the early hours of yesterday.    > READ MORE > GO TO     GHANA PLICE SERVICE  <    Source: Times

Quality science education essential to development- Dzamesi

New Juaben ready for Effiduasehene's burial

Koforidua, Aug 14, GNA- The Koforidua Township is bracing up for the funeral celebrations of the late Effiduasehene and Nifahene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Acheamfour Omane II, from August 18 to 20. Known in private life as Mr Kwabena Antwi, the late Nana Omane who died in January this year, ruled for thirty-three years and he is credited for his interest and support for the development of education in his domain.

He is said to have provided land for a number of educational institutions in the New Juaben Municipality including the Pope John Junior Seminary, the Pentecost Schools, the Feeder Roads Training School as well as the proposed permanent site for the All Nations University College.

A letter signed by Mr Dennis Boateng, Effiduase State Secretary, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency said the late chief would lie in state at the 'Mposo Ne Ameyaw Fie', the Effiduase Palace, from August 18 to be followed by his committal at the Effiduase Royal Mausoleum on August 20.

Aside his traditional duty, the late Nana Omane was also a former Eastern Regional Manager of the Cocoa Marketing Board and one-time General Manager of the Tema Fishing Corporation. He is survived by two wives and 21 children.

Source:
GNA

CPP elects presidential candidate next month


Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) will hold a special national delegates' congress, tentatively next month, to elect a presidential candidate for Elections 2008, a party source has said. The source told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that potential candidates had started canvassing for support across the country. It said the CPP Central Committee would soon announce tentative dates for opening of nominations for presidential aspirants, as well as national executive officers and that vetting of aspirants would immediately follow the filing of nomination.

Leading members who had expressed the desire to contest for the presidential slot included the Party's flag bearer in 2004, Mr George Opersika Aggudey, Dr Kwaku Osafo, an Economist; Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, former Minister of Private Sector Reforms; Professor Agyeman Badu Akorsah, former head of the Ghana Health Service and Mr Bright Akwetey, a lawyer.

The source held that CPP would be the third force in the elections next year. "The name CPP will not only remind Ghanaians of the great deeds of the Nkrumah-led CPP, but would also lay bare the deficiencies of the ruling NPP and the main opposition NDC," it added. The person called on members of the CPP to ensure that the Party's strength was consolidated and revitalized.

Meanwhile, the Central Committee has approved a programme to prepare the Party for the Congress and directed all Regional Steering Committees to organize ward and constituency elections in preparation for the National Congress.

In the CPP presidential primaries held in 2003, Mr Aggudey, obtained 1,216 ballots from 1,800 delegates at the congress to beat Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, a Veteran Politician and Lawyer, who had 461 votes.

The Party's incumbent national chairman, Dr Edmund Nminyem Delle, was elected during the primaries held four years ago. He polled 1,008 votes, beating Mr Iddi Egala, a Chartered Accountant, to the second place with 394 votes, while Mr Felix Amoah, an Electrical Engineer, placed third with 272 votes.

Mrs Araaba Bentsi-Enchil Svenson, a Political Scientist, and the only female contestant in the 2003 national executive polls, was elected the First National Vice-Chairman with 635 votes.

Mr Mike Eghan, a Veteran Broadcaster, was elected the Second National Vice-Chairman with 396 votes whilst Mr Johnny Hanson, another Veteran Politician, was elected Third Vice-Chairman with 240 votes. Professor Nii Noi Dowuona also retained his position as General Secretary with 1,156 votes to beat two contestants - Mr Kwasi Baidoo, 445 votes and Mr Ganiyi Akanni Balogun, 85 votes. Mr Martin Donkor retained his position as National Treasurer after, winning 1,219 ballots as against 465 votes obtained by Mr Ekow Duncan, a Management Consultant.

Source:
GNA

Website on JJ Rawlings Launched


A website ( JJ Rawlings ) which is to serve as an information source on aspects of the life and works of the Former President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E J J Rawlings has been developed.

According to the website, the idea was originally crafted in 2005 while the the editor was working towards a book on the life and works of Former President Rawlings and his contribution to Ghana, Africa and the World.

The editor had to change his mind from writing a book to creating a website which will serve a larger audience of students, academicians, every Ghanaian living everywhere, other interested people, researchers and activists searching for information on Former President Rawlings.

The main purpose of the website it to serve the increasing interest in the Life and Works of the Former President.

Interested persons could also join a mailing list where new information and updates would be sent to them.


Source:
jjrawlings info

Call for referendum on Africa Union Government


Accra, Aug. 14, GNA- The World Pan-Africanism Council (WOPAC) and the All-African People's Organisation (AAPO) have called for a referendum on the grand debate for a union government for Africa. A Press statement issued by WOPAC and AAPO in Accra on Tuesday said the referendum would give mass participation to Africans to discuss continental unity.

The two organisations stressed: "We unequivocally call for the full involvement, participation and affirmation of the people of Africa on the Union Government question."

The three-page press statement signed by Mr. Benjamin Anyagre, Executive Committee Member of WOPAC on behalf of the two organisations and made available to the Ghana News Agency, expressed dissatisfaction about the inability of the African Union (AU) to clench continental unity, at the Ninth Summit of the Union in Accra.

"This historical assignment for political and socio-economic unity of Africa in the spirit of a free and fair referendum by universal adult suffrage, will involve actively all people, irrespective of status in society, race, colour, tribe or religion," the statement said. The document said it was wrong for only 53 Heads of State to decide on the future government for Africa for the over 830 million people on the Continent.

It said a referendum would end 50 years of debate on Union Government of Africa.

"We as Pan-African Mass Movement, in our wisdom and principle, state categorically, the position that there is no need to further delay the processes of an African Union government now." The statement said the AU meeting failed to satisfactorily debate the issue of strategically re-position the freedom and development of Africa in the contest of unity.

The two Pan African organisations called on the AU to feature the Continental African Union issue during the 10th AU Summit in Ethiopia, in January 2008.

The statement called on stakeholders to marshal all efforts as a historical responsibility to safeguard the future of Africa and free the people from poverty, hunger, diseases and possible social extermination.

Source:
GNA

Calls for white paper on Volta Lake boat disaster


Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Monday called on government to issue a white paper on the findings of the Volta Lake Boat Disaster Committee's enquiry submitted to the Ministry of Ports, Harbours & Railways in May last year.

A CHRI statement issued in Accra said a year had passed since the report was submitted and the government had shown no sign of producing a white paper on it.

"We feel that it is of crucial importance that a white paper is produced with all possible speed," the statement said, adding that many important issues needed to be resolved.

"There are, for instance, no confirmed numbers for those who have died".

The CHRI said it expected the government to show how it will prevent any similar tragedy from occurring in the future.

Source:
GNA

Trip to China turns into nightmare


Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - The relatives of eight teachers alleged to have been sent to China for teaching appointments said on Thursday that they had been given a raw deal by the Travel and Tour operators who arranged the trip but the operators denied the claims saying the arrangements were misunderstood.

Ms. Ernestina Abrokwah, owner of Litina Travel and Tours, the tour company, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that those who took up the teaching appointments were duly informed about all the travel arrangements before departure and expressed surprise at the claims being made by their relatives.

Ms. Abrokwah was reacting to media reports that the teachers recruited for placement in schools in China in April this year had been cheated because some of them did not get the teaching appointments while those who had their appointments, had not been paid according what had been agreed in the deal.

She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that because most of the schools in China were about to go on vacation, the teachers agreed to go on the trip to teach for one month and acclimatise while they waited for the schools to re-opening in September.

The tour operator denied that the company ever promised the teachers a monthly salary of 1,000 US dollars because the individual schools were to work out salaries.

Ms. Abrokwah explained that three out of the eight teachers, namely Mr Mac Gorni Attipoe, Charles Appiah-Korang and Evelyn Akowuah had initial problems with their appointments outside Beijing, but arrangements were being made to resolve the challenges for Mr Gorni and Miss Akowuah when school re-opened.

Monies had also been sent to Appiah-Korang who had opted to come back home for his return.

Ms. Abrokwah also stated that the company had arranged accommodation for the other five teachers who left recently for China to acclimatise while they also waited for the schools to re-open to start teaching.

Mr. Kingsley Amoabeng Kena, the husband of one of the victims who called at the offices of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said he still stood by his story on difficulties being faced by the teachers in China and that the tour company was not being truthful to the public. He said Litina Travel and Tours Limited, an Accra-based tour agency, advertised in the Daily Graphic of April 20, 2007 inviting prospective Ghanaians for recruitment to teach English language in various Chinese educational institutions.

According to Mr Kena, the tour company collected 3,500 dollars each from the first three applicants while the rest were made to pay 4,000 dollars each for the trip which included the securing of visas and plane tickets.

He said the tour company also promised the would-be teachers free accommodation, secure teaching jobs, three meals a day, working and resident permits for one year and a salary of 1,000 US dollars a month. Mr Kena said because of the attractive nature of the package and the manner in which it was presented, most people were convinced to leave Ghana.

"Little did they know that all the media fanfare was to deceive and extort money from innocent and unsuspecting Ghanaians," he added. Mr Kena said his wife, Evenly Akowuah, a few days after the trip called home complaining that the promises made by the tour company had not been fulfilled.

Ms Akowuah, according to Mr Kena, had been receiving 400 dollars a month from which she paid rent, water, electricity and telephone bills contrary to the promise made by the tour company that they were going to receive 1,000 dollars in addition to free accommodation and utilities. Mr Kena said because of the persistent calls from his wife, he asked for a refund of the travel package but the tour operator had failed to honour a promised to refund 1,000 US dollars of the amount. According to the complainant, when the matter was reported to the Police, Ms Abrokwah refunded only 200 dollars.

Source:
GNA

Work on an ICT post office at Sekondi begins


Sekondi, Aug.14, GNA - The management of Ghana Post has decided to include Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities to post offices in the country.

Mr Kofi Dua-Adonteng, Managing Director of Ghana Post who announced this said a post office equipped with ICT facilities was ideal with the current development in information technology. He was speaking at a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a GH=A2 140,000 (1.4 billion cedis) post office equipped with Internet facilities and a conference hall at Sekondi.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi, and a Presidential aspirant of New Patriotic Party (NPP) is financing the project.

Mr Dua-Adonteng said a post office with ICT facilities would enable many people nationwide to have access to Internet facilities. He noted that Ghana Post must adopt modern technologies to effectively compete with the increasing technologies. Mr Kwesi Blay, Deputy Western Regional Minister called on management of Ghana Post to introduce courier services to re-capture the business sector of communication.

He said the sale of stamps alone was not financially prudent. Mr Blay regretted that most people instead of using the Internet to access information, misuse it and sometimes defraud unsuspecting individuals.

He called on citizens in Sekondi to utilise opportunities offered by the facility and maintain it for future generations. Papa Ankomah said it was his contribution towards the development and bringing ICT closer to the doorsteps of people in Sekondi and its environs.

He pointed out that the facility would educate the youth, generate funds for development and create employment opportunities for the youth. "There are several opportunities for the elderly, women and children in ICT," he added.

Source:
GNA

Kwahu Praso Rural Bank makes profit after 25 years

Kwahu Praso, Aug. 14, GNA - Kwahu Praso Rural Bank which faced series of financial malpractices and lost credibility in the banking sector about 25 years ago, made a net profit of GH=A211,356 (113.56 million cedis) last year as against GH=A29,833 (98.33 million cedis) in 2005, an increase of 15.48 per cent.

Management of the bank increased its investment from GH=A2260,000 (2.6 billion cedis) in 2005 to Gh=A2320,000(3.2 billion cedis) last year despite the fall in government Treasury bill rate. Mr Eric Kwakye-Darfour, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Bank, announced this at the bank's 12th annual general meeting at Kwahu Praso at the weekend.

He said the bank's deposit also rose by 19.53 per cent from a mobilization of GH=A2 466,000 (4.66 billion cedis) in 2005 to GH=A2557,000 (5.57 billion cedis) last year while its assets went up from GH=A2536,000(5.36 billion cedis) in 2005 to GH=A2 693,000 (6.93 billion cedis) in 2006.

Mr Kwakye-Darfour, said total investment of the bank increased from GH=A2 280,000 (2.80 billion cedis) in 2005 to GH=A2 320,000 (3.2 billion cedis) last year while it was able to raise a share capital of Gh=A26,150 (61.5 million cedis) last year. He said the bank paid a total of Gh=A25,750 (57.4 million cedis) as bonus share to its Shareholders which had been used for the payment of dividends to the shareholders and had therefore raised the bank's share capital to GH=A2 11,906 (119.06 million cedis).

Mr Kwakye-Darfour announced that the bank had been rated the 8th Well Managed Rural Bank in the country out of the 123 rural banks by the Apex Bank and advised its customers to re-pay loans granted to them. He advised the shareholders to increase their share capital to enhance its capitalization.

Mr Solomon Akwettey, President of Eastern Regional Chapter of Association of Rural Banks, said recent events in the country indicated that armed robbers had turned their attention on rural banks. He therefore, advised managements of rural banks to abide by instructions and directives of the Bank of Ghana and ARB Apex Bank in respect of their cash holdings and in transit to forestall robbery at the banks and urged them to insure their cash to avoid natural disasters.

Nana Onwona Asante, Kwahu South District Chief Executive, advised managements of rural banks to use part of their profit to pay for the premiums of rural dwellers to enable more people register with the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Source:
GNA

• 13.08.2007

Farmers and Fishermen protest ADB Sale


Navrongo(UER), Aug.13, GNA - The National Farmers and Fishermen Association has appealed to Government to rescind its decision on the sale of 48 per cent of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) shares to a strategic investor.

Mr Philip Abayori, President of the association, made the appeal at a farmer's forum held in Navrongo in the Upper East Region at the weekend.

He explained that with the role played by ADB in the agricultural sector, it would be suicidal for Government to sell the Bank's shares. "Farmers would not forgive Government if it sells out 48 per cent of ADB shares," Mr Abayori emphasised.

Mr Abayori explained that for the past years, ADB had been the largest sponsor of the National Farmers Day celebration.

"The bank provides a three bedroom house to the National Best Farmer and continues to grant agricultural loans to farmers in the country," he stated.

Mr Abayori suggested that the shares should rather be floated exclusively for Ghanaian farmers and fishermen.

Source:
GNA

Ekom de yen! -workers cry out


Last Thursday at Akwatia in the Eastern Region, economic activities in the diamond rich town virtually came to a halt when all the 806 workers of the Ghana Consolidated Diamond (GCDCL) Limited, as well as the Chiefs and people of Akwatia thronged to the streets donned in black and red attires to express their displeasure at government’s neglect of the Ghana Consolidated Diamond (GCDCL) Limited which has resulted in the company’s virtual collapse.

The chiefs and the people, therefore, appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP government to act quickly to revive the dying state-owned GCDCL, which is the bread basket of the entire community and beyond.

At a press conference organised under the auspices of the Akwatia Christian/Muslim communities, Akwatiaman Traditional Council and the GCDCL workers after the demonstration, they cried out to the President, saying GCDCL was on the verge of collapse.

As a result, workers of the company have not been paid for the past seven months - from January to July - this year, the protesters noted.

Because of this, they added, the people of Akwatia and its environs were reeling under abject poverty, with serious rippling effects on the socio-cultural and economic lives of the communities around Akwatia.

Some of the placards carried by the demonstrators read; “ekom de yen; Mr. President do something before you go; our education is falling; we are fed up Director- we need our money etc”

They revealed that because the company’s machinery and equipment are now dilapidated, with most of them broken down, no meaningful production have taken place resulting in the non-payment of the workers’ salaries for almost eight months.

The people maintained that many families of the workers are breaking apart, with wives unable to withstand the heat of the prevailing abject poverty leaving their husbands while many wards of the workers have been sacked from school over their parents’ inability to settle their school fees.

They further argued that even some of the students who were children of the workers were not allowed to sit for their final examinations.

“Parents are unable to provide one square meal a day to their families. Workers go to work on empty stomach. … Some live on cooked cassava spiced with salt and hot pepper without fish. Some workers are selling their hard earned personal belongings cheaply to feed their families”, they claimed.

“Pensions and death benefits are outstanding for more than one year,” they further noted. They, therefore, suggested possible solutions to amicably solve the current heap of problems on the company.

Among the suggestions, the workers asked the government to seriously consider injecting working capital into the company to enhance its effective and efficient operations.

They also asked government to expedite action on possible divestiture of the company to a “reliable investor of good standing” to ensure that workers of the company receive their outstanding salary arrears from January to July this year.

They cautioned that the collapse of Ghana Consolidated Diamond Limited during President Kufuor’s tenure will have an “indelible black spot in his outstanding, efficient and effective administration” as well as spell doom for Akwatia and its environs.

Source:
GYENAYAME CONCORD

Journalists Are Toothless Bulldogs -Wayo

... Some of them are in bed with govt