• 18.05.2008

CONTINUING AN AFRICAN LEAGACY

U.S.-Based Grandson of Ghana's Legendary First President, Kwame Nkrumah,
Builds School and Medical Facility In the African Nation
Heads From NY Home to Ghana With Delegation of Volunteers From Iona College

NEW YORK...Donald Y. Brown, the grandson of Ghana's First President Kwame Nkrumah, has announced his plans to travel to Ghana on May 12th to initiate the first phase of his extensive project to build a school and medical facility in Wadie-Adumakasie. On May 19th, a delegation from Iona College, which has partnered with Brown in this effort, will join him in Ghana.

Brown, the president and founder of The Education Group, has big shoes to fill. Kwame Nkrumah is credited with bringing independence to Ghana after decades of British rule. Inspired by his grandfather as well as his activist father, Donald Austin Brown Sr. (Kwabena Brown), Brown has found his own niche in helping to advance those in need, especially in his homeland. His tool of activism: education. Brown, a New Rochelle, New York resident, has spent more than 11 years in education as a faculty member, coordinator and academic administrator.
Born in Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city, Brown left in 1976, in order to receive a diagnosis and subsequent treatment for his rare blood disease, haemophilia. It would have been near impossible to get the medical attention needed in Kumasi, where most of the residents, who on average earn just $2,200 annually, live well below the poverty line. Brown's father was the illegitimate first son of Nkrumah.
When President Nkrumah was overthrown in 1966, he was forced to live in exile. Nkrumah was educated in Ghana and later studied in the United States. It was in the States that he met with influential Pan-Africanists. It was then that he became fully imbued with the spirit of Pan-Africanism and became very active with the Pan-African
movement. In fact, in 1945 he established the fifth and final, Pan-African Congress, a series of meetings that addressed the issues facing Africa due to European colonization of much of the continent.
"So, in a way, my grandfather was the first link between continental Africa and Africans in the Diaspora," says Brown. In 1976, Brown, then just six years old, migrated to the United States with his mother for medical attention. During his treatment he received numerous blood transfusions and contracted Hepatitis A, B and C, which compromised his liver. Today, Brown continues today to battle liver disease. As if this challenge wasn't enough, in 1985, Brown was involved in a severe
automobile accident that subsequently required him to have three total knee replacements, a shoulder replacement and two additional surgeries. Despite the medical hardships however, Brown persevered and earned a Masters in Education, but soon Brown's life and career were going to make a drastic turn.
After 31 years, Brown, who was then suffering from a severe bout of chronic hepatitis, returned to Ghana for a one-time visit, to reunite with family. Overwhelmed by the spirit and determination of the people and simultaneously outraged at the deplorable conditions in which Wadie-Adumakasie villagers were living, Brown resolved to remain longer than was scheduled, and devise a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to benefit his native land. He realized that most effective way to do that was through education. So he set out to build an educational establishment and an international school.
"I brainstormed with my associates in education and social services and to think about how this might unfold," recalls Brown. Soon Brown had many people on board to help make his dream happen. His Godfather, Chief Nana Osei Whedie, has
allocated 50 acres of village land for Brown to begin developing an international
school, still in the planning stages.
The first phase included the building of a preschool and playground. In a partnership with his Alma mater, Iona College, Brown has been able to raise some funds to provide building materials and books. The village volunteered the labor and the oversight. Every step of the development of the project brings Africans closer to helping Africa become more stable," notes Brown.
On May 12t, Brown returns to the village and site with the delegation of Iona students to complete the building of the preschool." Brown also aims to partner with Ghanaian churches, community leaders and government officials to expand the primary school and secondary schools and eventually build the campus of the international school.
It is a massive undertaking. The plan includes: Providing medical supplies, a full-time doctor and nurse in the village as part of the (CIP), which aims to provide employment for local residents. In subsequent phases Brown wants to provide computers and computer training as well as institute The Global Correspondence
Course Program with Master-level teachers via the internet. A priority is to provide on campus housing for teachers, who in rural Ghana would otherwise have
great distances to travel to get to work. During Phase IX Brown's plan includes the
construction of a Build Wellness Center, which will offer health care, nutrition, and general advice for community residents. Brown says he'll be satisfied after he is able to build a church and ameliorate the community's existing infrastructure-from
plumbing and electricity to general construction in the village.
Brown is following in the well-intentioned footsteps of his grandfather, President Nkrumah, who championed the course of the poor and the disenfranchised citizens of the world regardless of race, origin and the color of one's skin. During his life, Brown's grandfather sought the global emancipation of Africans in the Diaspora, so that they may participate in the development of the continent of Africa. Now, Brown continues this legacy by providing the vehicle for which the young children of Ghana can improve their country through education.
For more information on how you can get involved call the Education Group

at
914.235.5800.

Source:
Brown Communications browncommunications@gmail.com

NDC will re-introduce 70% payment of world price of cocoa to farmers


Asankrangwa(WR), May 18, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that an NDC Government would re-introduce the payment of 70 per cent of the world price of cocoa to farmers before it left office in 2000.

He explained that the NDC had a policy where farmers were paid 70 per cent of the world price of the commodity while government retained the 30 per cent.

Professor Mills was addressing farmers at Asankrangwa to round up the first phase of his five-day tour of the Western Region. The tour was in the Northern part of the Region which took him to Bibiani,Sefwi Anhwiaso, Sefwi Awasu, Sefwi Bekwai, Sefwi Anwhiaso, Sefwi Awasu, Sefwi Bekwai, Sefwi Wiasu, Sefwi Buako, Sefwi Asawinso, Sefwi Debiso, and Sefwi Essem.

The rest were, Juabeso, Bodi, Nsawura, Akontonbra, Kalo, Dadieso, Enchi and Asankragwa where he interacted with traditional and religious leaders, farmers, traders, butchers, drivers, teachers, students, nurses and the youth.

Prof. Mills said reports reaching him indicated that the living standards of farmers were better under the NDC than the NPP Government because during NDC government revenue from cocoa could purchase 13 bags of cement and a packet of roofing sheets.

Now the farmers are being paid GHC 75 per 64 kilogramme of a bag of cocoa and could only buy six bags of cement. Prof. Mills denounced the polarisation of the country and reiterated that when elected, he would not be the President of NDC alone but leader of the entire nation. He said "I would provide the will for Ghanaians to chart a better path to prosperity". Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, General Secretary of NDC said in Ghana kingmakers always looked for the best candidate and that symbolised that the chief would be honest, transparent and earn respect from the people. He said Ghanaians should vote for a presidential candidate who had such qualities that were inherent in Prof. Mills. Ms Ama Benyiwa-Doe, National Women's Organiser said during the 2000 campaign NPP asked the people to consider their welfare and conditions and to vote accordingly and it was now a reality that the people should now consider their current plight and take decisions for themselves in Election 2008.

Source:
GNA

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Atta Mills ends first phase of Western Region tour


Accra, May 18, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reassured Ghanaians of open, honest and transparent government, if elected into power.

Speaking with various opinion and community leaders during the first phase of his your of the Western Region, Professor Atta Mills pledged investment in people, job creation, strong economy and infrastructure expansion as the cornerstones of his administration.

A statement released in Accra on Sunday by Mr. Koku Anyidoho, Head, Communications, said during the tour the NDC Leader, concentrated his campaign in the northern sector of the Western Region. Prof. Atta Mills visited, Bibiani, Sefwi Anhwiaso, Sefwi Awasu, Sefwi Bekwai, Sefwi Wiawso, Sefwi Buako, Sefwi Asawinso, Sefwi Debiso, and Sefwi Essem.

He also visited, Juabeso, Bodi, Nsawura, Akontonbra, Kalo, Dadieso, Enchi and Asankragua.

Prof. Atta Mills interacted with, traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, traders, butchers, drivers, teachers, students, nurses, and lots of unemployed youth and rolled out his vision for 'A Better Ghana'.

He was accompanied by Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe, National Women's Organiser, Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan, Deputy National Organiser, Dr. Frank Abu, Western Regional Chairman, Col. Kaku Korsah (Rtd), Western Regional Organiser, Mr. Ato Awhoi, as well as other Western Regional Executives.

The next phase of Prof. Atta Mills' tour of the Western Region will include towns along the coastal belt such as Evalue Gwira, Jomoro and Ellembele, as well as Tarkwa, Prestea, and Wassa areas.

Source:
GNA

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NPP is more sensitive to plight of poor -NPP


Wa, May 18, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has within the last seven years proved to be more responsive to the needs of the poor through its pro-poor policies, its Upper Regional chairman Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Abubakari has said.

Addressing a rally at Wa to welcome into the NPP about 50 market women who had defected from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Abubakari mentioned the establishment of the Metro Mass Transit service, National Health Insurance Scheme, Capitation grant and the School Feeding Programme as key programmes that the NPP government introduced to help the poor.

He alleged that when the NDC brought in buses during its reign, it distributed them to its supporters at ridiculously low hire-purchase terms instead of putting them under a public transport system. He asked the people to point out any major pro-poor policy that the NDC implemented during its eight years' rule and the 11 years' reign of the Provincial National Defence Council (PNDC).

The NPP Regional Chairman advised voters to be discerning enough not to accept NDC propaganda and lies as truth because they had nothing new to offer and that majority of Ghanaians would again reject them at the polls.

Mr Eddie Kaleonaa, a senior Party activist in the Region, said the high cost of petroleum products was a global problem that was outside the control of the government and it was dishonesty on the part of those who were using it as a tool to attack the government's economic policies.

"You should not expect the government to import crude oil and sell it below the purchasing price to people who will only use the product to drive and ride about".

He explained that subsidizing fuel would not help the poor as money that would go into providing facilities to raise their living standards would go into paying subsidies that in the long run would not support the growth of the economy.

Source:
GNA

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• 17.05.2008

Police Constable sells gun to civilian in Bawku


Bolgatanga (UE), May 17, GNA - A twenty -eight year old Police Constable, Daniel Yeboah was on Thursday arrested by the Police at Bawku for selling AK47 gun with 30 rounds of ammunition at 600 Ghana Cedis to a civilian in Bawku.

Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Crime Officer, and Superintendent Victor Seth Agbetornyo explained that Constable Yeboah, who was with the Patrol Displacement Force and attached to Operation Duties stole the AK47 from a colleague constable, Yaw Asamoah and sold it to Abugre Mahamadu, a civilian and GPRTU Unit Chairman at Bawku.

He said he was arrested and upon interrogation, admitted stealing the gun from his colleague constable Asamoah on Thursday.

Superintendent Agbetornyo said Mr. Mahamadu had also been arrested. The two are currently in police custody in Bolgatanga pending more investigations for the necessary punitive measure to be taken.

Source:
GNA

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Rains expected over northern half of Ghana - Meteo


Accra, May 17, GNA - A moderate rainstorm accompanied by strong winds is expected to give rise to rains over northern sector including parts of Brong Ahafo by afternoon, the Meteorological Services Department said in its 24-hour forecast beginning Saturday. It said the conditions would induce cloudiness over southern Ghana with brief sunny intervals during the day. "Mist or fog patches will form over sheltered areas of southern Ghana early this (Saturday) morning with isolated thunderstorms over high grounds this afternoon or tonight."

It said areas around the Volta Lake will equally experience rain showers or thunderstorms Saturday night. For the temperatures, it said the Northern sector would range between 26 and 36 degrees Celcius with cloudiness and thunderstorms, the Middle sector between 23 and 33 degrees Celcius, and the Coastal areas between 25 and 32 degrees Celcius. Both the Middle sector and Coastal areas will experience cloudiness, mist and showers.

Source:
GNA

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Marketing professionals told to help promote Ghana's trade


Accra, May 17, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Saturday tasked marketing professionals to use their expertise to champion government's effort in promoting exports and access to foreign markets. He said without the appropriate application of export marketing expertise, the elimination of all forms of barriers to improve multilateral trading system would have no effect.

"As marketers, use your creativity to promote Ghana's competitiveness in the global economy. The Golden Age of Business cannot be fully realized, if we do not adopt a professional approach to marketing at all levels."

Alhaji Mahama made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Sampson K. Boafo, Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs at the 6th Graduation ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Ghana in Accra.

Four persons received Chartered Marketers awards while 42 others received Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing at the ceremony which also marked the 10th anniversary of the Institute.

Alhaji Mahama noted that the dynamics in global economies as a result of trade liberalization has led to intense competition within the international market, hence the need for effective marketing to manage its opportunities and threats.

He urged the Institute to partner other bodies to develop a framework for a National Marketing Standards to ensure consistency in practice. He also charged the Institute to partner policy makers to design proactive strategies that would equip businessmen and women to compete effectively.

Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, called on marketers to commit to integrity and fairness in their product claims in order to engender consumer confidence. She said public perception and confidence in marketing practice was poor as a result of unfair products claims and bad customer service. Mrs Osei-Opare urged CIM to adopt codes of conduct to protect consumers' interests and engender confidence in investors. Mr Robert Torgbor, Chairman of CIM Ghana, said the Institute had the highest CIM membership in Africa made up of 1,325 studying members, 181 members in good standing, 20 chartered marketers and two fellows. He advised the graduating students to work hard towards attaining the chartered status and to excel in all endeavours. Mrs Patricia Akpene Tegbe, a Chief Reporter of the Ghana News Agency, was adjudged the Overall Best Student for 2006 and Best Student in Strategic Marketing Decision.

Source:
GNA

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Ghana has retarded in development - Ward-Brew


Accra, May 17, GNA - Mr Thomas N. Ward-Brew, flag bearer of Democratic Peoples' Party (DPP) on Saturday said Ghana had retarded in her development agenda due to structural defects and behavioural shortcomings of the Government.

"In Ghana, instead of going forward in development, we appear to be going backwards, the nation lacked in development on several fronts due to the absence of much needed reforms in economic, political, cultural, sociological and psychological spheres," Mr Ward-Brew stated in Accra. Mr Ward-Brew who was addressing delegates at the Party's Special National Delegates Congress, which elected him to lead the party for Election 2008 called for drastic reforms and special surgical operation to save the country.

He said at the time of Ghana's independence in 1957, the nation was almost at par with Singapore and Malaysia, but according to Mr Ward-Brew, now these nations were far ahead of Ghana. The DPP flag bearer and Chairman called for a re-examination of the nation's development strategies both from the stand point of structures and behaviours of national leaders and the citizenry.

Mr Ward-Brew also condemned politicians who through deliberate crafted propaganda were fashioning ethnic based politics in Ghana."they have knowingly or unknowingly enslaved our people to virtually link some political parties with some particular ethnic groups."

He said the linkage of political parties to ethnicity was dangerous because some ethnic groups often considered the criticism as personal attack and immediately jumped to defend such political parties anytime their policies or programmes were attacked.

The DPP Leader reminded chiefs of provisions in the 1992 Constitution which debarred them from active partisan politics nothing that in recent times some chiefs were trying to drag the Chieftaincy institution into partisan politics.

"There are some politicians who also visit chiefs and use photographs of such visits for their advertisement. Given the fact that chiefs are not supposed to get involved in partisan political activities such photographs could give wrong signals to the public about the chief's involvement.

"There is nothing wrong for courtesy calls on chiefs, however turning round to use photographs of the visit for advertisement or project the politician's image is dangerous for the nation's political development," he said.

The DPP Chairman also called for decorum in the utterances of politicians especially when the campaign heated up, stressing that extreme care must be taken to ensure that the political temperature was controlled in few months to Election 2008. Mr Ward-Brew called for a reduction on political party financing because it had been a bane on the nation's lopsided development since more money was being utilised for politics than into production. He noted that the primaries of some political parties had turned into carnival for the affluent in society to display their wealth in influencing delegates to elect them.

Mr Ward-Brew explained that in such a situation it would be difficult for Parliamentarians of such a political party to fight corruption at the national level. "It is the political parties that should brace themselves to fight corruption and when structures of the party machinery are dangerously infested with corruption then only compromise could occur," he said. 17 May 08

Source:
GNA

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Achieving middle income status, choice not wish - J H Mensah


Ho, May 17, GNA - Mr J.H. Mensah, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has said taking Ghana out of the third-world bracket into a middle-level income status was a choice that Ghanaians must make and not only wish for.

He said the national strategies must be those that everybody would ascribe to and be committed to attain.

Mr Mensah, who is also Member of Parliament of Sunyani-East, was addressing an NDPC Consensus-Building workshop on Ghana's Long Term Vision in Ho for political party leaders. He said the plan must be based on verifiable data, or "we strive in futility." Mr Mensah said the resolve to achieve set goals was as important as the resources but expressed regret that often Ghanaians dissipated their energies on unnecessary bickering over issues. Mr Mensah said Ghana must "drive itself harder" towards its goals, commending the "dramatic examples of Vietnam and Cambodia," where national commitment had spurred the two countries out of economic backwardness and all round structural dislocations. He said agriculture must be radically transformed from a dreary chore for unsophisticated land tillers into a business where acreages of crops could be increased and sold at economically reasonable prices to processing chains.

Mr Mensah expressed regret that lending by the Agricultural Development Bank to farmers had dropped drastically and the seedlings production process failing. He urged political parties and all Ghanaians to "buy into" national development strategies to insulate the process from change of governments.

Dr Regina O. Adu-Twum, Director-General of the NDPC, said evidence from all over the world indicated that no nation could accelerate its social and economic development without properly articulating its vision for development and mobilizing its resources towards achieving that vision.

She said Ghana had achieved some economic breakthroughs but the economy "remains basically fragile, small, open, highly dependent on external inflows and vulnerable to shocks triggered by global fluctuations in commodity prices as we are witnessing today". Dr Adu-Twum said the NDPC was therefore building a consensus to develop a long-term plan that incorporates strategies for attaining a middle-income status by 2015.

Dr Adu-Twum urged political leaders to come along with the NDPC to build a plan to be owned by the entire country. Dr Nii Moi Thompson, representing the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), called for the updating of data to make planning effective. He said the hyped per capita income target of 1,000 dollars by the 2015, must go along with other social indicators in any evaluations, slamming the continuing waste in the system as demonstrated by the confusion about the real number of people on government pay roll. Mr Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said as a nation "we must agree to squeeze ourselves to achieve development".

He said the creative intellectual capacity to build the nation was crucial and that money must be moved from the unproductive areas to productive sectors.

Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, also of the NPP said the revision of the Vision 2020 document was to make projections more realistic and feasible. Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, National Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC) said governments must accept it when their policies fail, while Ms Frances Essiam, of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) said policy issues should not be tainted with political propaganda.

Source:
GNA

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• 16.05.2008

Seven die in Huni-Valley train crash

Tarkwa (W/R), May 16, GNA - Seven people were killed and 25 others were injured when two trains collided at Huni-Valley on the Western Rail Line on Thursday.

The dead were three women, including a pregnant woman, two men and twin sisters aged about one-and-a half years old. Their bodies have been deposited at Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Those who sustained various degrees of injury were rushed to Government and ABA Hospitals both at Tarkwa and Huni-Valley Health Centre.

Mr Joseph Ernest Yalley, Hunu-Valley Station Master, attributed the collision to lack of communication between Huni-Valley and Kuranteng Stations.

He said one train, loaded with bauxite was heading towards Takoradi while the other was going to Awaso to load bauxite. Mr Yalley said information had been sent to Takoradi and Awaso for cranes to remove the wagons, adding that normal traffic would resume within four days.

Meanwhile, a number of Government functionaries including Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, visited the accident scene on Thursday.

Source:
GNA

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Drumming and funerals to be banned


...in Agona Swedru Municipality
Agona Swedru, May 16, GNA - A ban on drumming and performance of funerals in the Agona Swedru Municipality would take effect from August 1 to 24, 2008 to enable the Swedruman Council to celebrate this year's Akwambo festival.

Nana Ogyabea Badu Ehuren, Sanaahene of Agona Swedru who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday warned churches, group leaders and family heads to comply with the order to ensure peace and stability.

He said the Council would give stiffer punishment to those who would flout the order.

Nana Ehuren said the ban would assist the chiefs to celebrate the week-long festival to promote progress and development in the area. He stated that the Council would use the occasion to clear bushes on the banks of river Akora from Mahodwe to Swedru Sawmills where species of trees would be planted.

The Sanaahene noted that negative reports had been received about some unscrupulous people who threw wastes into the river and defecate indiscriminately on the banks polluting the river and the environment. He said as part of the celebration, Swedruman Council would also organise a massive clean-up exercise in the Municipality and called on the Assembly members, opinion leaders, Christian and Muslim groups, market women and other identifiable groups to get involved to ensure its success.

Source:
GNA

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Social services to pick hospital bill of sick Ghanaian in UK


Accra, May 16, GNA - The authorities of Wippscross Hospital in East London, which is treating a sick Ghanaian lady, Ms. Emelia Frimpong, on Friday said the cost of her treatment since March 5, 2008 was to be borne by the social services and not be charged her.

The authorities, however, noted that the next stage of the patient's treatment, which might involve a long-term stay at other healthcare facility, would be charged to the destitute patient herself after a financial assessment of the treatment had been made by social workers.

A statement from the Ghana High Commission, London, received in Accra said Ms. Angela Odie, the Senior Nurse at the Hospital who spoke to the Consular Section of the Mission over the treatment of their Ghanaian patient, indicated the need to enforce the confidentiality rule put in place by the UK Health system for helpless (paraplegic) patients as intrusion on their privacy may be interpreted as violation of the patient's human rights.

It said consequently the hospital authorities had decided forthwith to put security lock on the patient's unit to prevent visitors especially, radio operators, among others from gaining access to the patient.

"Since the news of Ms. Emelia Frimpong's case broke, both Mission and the hospital treating the lady have been inundated with calls from Ghanaian radio stations seeking to know how government of Ghana will react to the case," the statement said.

Source:
GNA

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Shielding economic saboteurs killing Ghana


Ho, May 16, GNA - Mr Kwasi Oppong-Damoah, Volta Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has said the inclination of Ghanaians to refuse to provide evidence during investigations of individuals for graft was a major drawback to development. He said the tendency made it difficult for agencies charged with dealing with economic saboteurs to accomplish their corporate responsibilities.

Mr Oppong-Damoah was reacting to a questioner's concerns during an open forum at a seminar on procedures for tax returns for private school proprietors in the Volta Region in Ho on Tuesday.

Mr Clemence Odabla, representing Lackharm School Complex at Bowiri in the Jasikan District, wanted to know if moneys collected by some public officers as inducement fees or gifts as well as big kickbacks on contracts were also subject to taxation. Mr Oppong-Damoah said the national dilemma was that even where malfeasance was conspicuous, hardly would people come forward to help apprehend the culprits.

He blamed this phenomenon on culture that had made the Ghanaian to recoil at the opportunity to expose nation wreckers, especially economic saboteurs.

Mr Oppong-Damoah said in other cultures it was pride of citizenship to expose nation wreckers, making it difficult for people to dodge tax or plunder public resources. Mr Oppong-Damoah explained that gift tax was self-assessment in character and that taxpayers were obliged to report any taxable gifts received within the year of assessment to the Commissioner within 30 days of receipt. He said tax relief for workers did not come to them as additional cash payments but rather aggregates of the relief were deducted from incomes before tax, thereby lowering tax deductions.

Source:
GNA

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140 police recruits pass out


Accra, May 16, GNA- One hundred and forty police recruits who formed the first batch of trainees for this year on Friday passed out of the Ghana Police Training School after a six-month training course. They were taken through courses such as Practical Police Duties, Criminal Law, Law of Evidence, Act or Decree, Police Service Instruction, Fundamental and Human Rights, among others. Addressing the recruits, Mr Paul Quaye, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who was the Review Officer called on the recruits to respect the core pillars of the Police Service, which were Professionalism and Discipline and to use them correctly with discretion.

He urged them to distinguish themselves in all their actions and also strive to improve upon the knowledge that they had acquired from the training school.

He reminded the recruits of their crucial roles that they had to play in this election year.

"The Police administration entreats every police officer to approach the impending elections with zeal, vision, loyalty, and the needed commitment which are prerequisites for the provision of peaceful elections", he said.

The Ghana Police Service was resolved to play a pivotal role in the country's quest for effective democratic process and would not spare any person who might sabotage the process. Mr Quaye commended the French government for the provision of a French Resource Centre at the Police School and urged the recruits to make good use of the facility to enhance their communication with people from the Francophone countries, especially during peace keeping missions.

The recruits would be posted to the various regional capitals on three months practical attachments after which they would be posted to the various districts for 18 months on probation before they would be confirmed.

The Overall Best Male Recruit award went to General Recruit (G/R) Nii Odartey Lamptey, while the Best in Conduct went to G/R Patrick Essien.

In the female category, Policewoman Recruit (PW/R) Ellen Ataa Yeboah received both the Overall Best Female Recruit and Best in Conduct awards.

Source:
GNA

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• 15.05.2008

Ghanaian Denied Medical Care In London


A young Ghanaian woman resident in the United Kingdom (UK) who has fallen into coma is being denied medical treatment at a hospital in London because of her illegal immigration status. For the past two weeks, Emelia Frimpong, 28, has been at the Whipps Cross University Hospital in North London without treatment.

The hospital authorities are waiting for ‘cash down’ before treatment could begin on her condition, which has been diagnosed as tuberculosis of the bone.Last Monday, her condition deteriorated and she has since been in coma. Ms Frimpong has been bedridden since February this year after a long admission at the Royal London Hospital in East London. UK immigration laws do not favour illegal immigrants who seek medical treatment without paying for the service.

Ms Frimpong, who has apparently overstayed her entry clearance for about a year, entered the UK for a visit about six years ago but was taken ill shortly afterwards.Friends and well-wishers have applied to regularise her stay in the UK on compassionate and health grounds but the Home Office has not responded to the application. It was learnt that attempts were also made by the UK immigration authorities to remove Ms Frimpong from the hospital because she had flouted the country’s immigration laws, despite her worsening conditions.

Those attempts were, however, thwarted by some health authorities who failed to sign the removal documents at the hospital. Mr Percy Kobbina, a well-wisher, told the Daily Graphic that Emelia, who is also known as Emelia Cromwell, a former student of the Ghana National College in Cape Coast, was treated during the early stages of the disease.“The issue of immigration documentation came in when she needed therapy and other forms of expensive medication,” he noted. He said before the illness, Ms Frimpong had enrolled at the South Bank University to read Education because “she wanted to be a teacher to regularise her stay”.

Efforts to mobilise funds for her return by well-wishers proved futile until her life was threatened before a Good Samaritan informed the Ghana High Commission of her situation. At the Currie Ward of the hospital, Emelia, who is believed to come from Saltpond in the Central Region, lay flat and helpless, without any attention from health workers.The hospital authorities are demanding an undisclosed amount of money (deposit) before attention could be given to the dying woman.The Ghanaian community in the UK has condemned the action of the hospital, with some of them wondering why the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK did not have room for such situations, in view of the heterogeneous nature of the country.

The Ghana High Commission in the UK has acted promptly to save the situation. The High Commissioner, Mr Annan Cato, told the Daily Graphic that Emelia’s family and the government of Ghana had been informed about her condition and that he was anxiously waiting for a response. He said the High Commission could only act on instructions from Accra and perhaps the response from the family, adding that “unfortunately, the government does not make funds available to the embassies for such purposes. Hitherto, missions’ budgets included such moneys but I am afraid not now,” he said.

Mr Cato revealed that the Ghana government always requested the families of such victims to provide funds, while it made travel arrangements to get the victims back home or helped them continue with medication in the country of incident. When asked what would happen if the family did not have anything to provide, he said that was a hypothetical question, “but we shall all help in our own small way to rescue the situation”. He was also quick to add that the situation called for a swift intervention from the government but expressed the concern that “this must be an isolated case because immediately you do it for her, many more demands will come now or in the future and the precedent today will not help all of us”.

The High Commissioner expressed optimism that the UK authorities would not remove Emelia, given her present condition, and wished her speedy recovery.For the past 24 hours, the Daily Graphic has been making frantic efforts to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the issue from the hospital authorities but to no avail.

Source:
Daily Graphic

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• 14.05.2008

I would support local industries, says Dr. Nduom


Accra, May 14, GNA - Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), on Tuesday said a CPP government would support local industries to create jobs instead of importing goods.

"A CPP government would support the local industries to manufacture cars, televisions, radio sets, tires, and also support local entrepreneurs, farmers and fishermen to grow their businesses."

Dr. Nduom, who was speaking at a Town Hall meeting with residents of the Ablekuma South Constituency in Accra, said a CPP government would put money into the pockets of people by creating more jobs. "If CPP gets into office every Ghanaian would earn a minimum of 5,000 dollars after five years. Ghana's 500 dollars was higher than that of South Korea at the time of independence but today South Korea is earning over 10,000 dollars. It is because we rely on imported goods at the expense of locally manufactured ones," he said.

Dr. Nduom said it was under a CPP government that locally manufactured goods like Corned beef, tires, bottles, shoes and a jute factory came into the country.

"CPP has created more jobs than any other political party in this country and has helped the country to become self sufficient in food production. CPP would make sure that rice farmers in Ghana would become productive. If rice produced in Ghana is patronized jobs would be created," he said.

Dr. Nduom said it was rather unfortunate that many fishermen cannot get access to premix fuel because they have to face a committee and that under his administration premix fuel would be easily accessible to farmers.

He said District and Municipal Chief Executives would be elected into office rather than being appointed by the President. "District and Municipal Chief Executives are elected in other countries but we choose to appoint them. Look at the unsanitary conditions in this country and they cannot do anything because they are in bed with the government" Dr. Nduom said.

He said people are trying to destroy the CPP but the party is strong. "Even if this year's election goes into a run-off, the CPP would stand alone and would not enter into an electoral alliance with any party."

Dr. Nduom said people are now asking for a change after trying both the NPP and the NDC.

Mr. Nadi Nylander, National Chairman of the Party called for unity to ensure victory in the December election.

Source:
GNA

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NDC responds to NPP media conference


Accra, May 14, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday said the NPP failed to answer questions its Leader and Flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills together with his running mate,

Mr John Dramani Mahama had raised in their campaign launch in Accra recently. The NDC said, the NPP and its leaders have still not answered the pressing questions it had raised that this year's election would be contested on issues and that it (NDC) would not engage in comparing records which it considered as a recipe for mediocrity.

The NDC, in a statement signed by Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Director of Communications, said the NPP had "rather in its typical fashion is seeking refuge in distortions of statements that were made, creating their own versions of the facts and perfecting the art of deception by trying to divert the attention of Ghanaians from their failures and their inability to answer the questions.

"The NPP persists with vicious personal attacks on NDC leader's personal capabilities, the party's philosophy and history. "The comparison of records between PNDC/NDC and the NPP as is being demanded by the NPP is also a diversion. The real comparison is between the PNDC/NDC and the UP/NPP traditions."

The statement said, "for now, the NDC as a political party is focusing on putting people first because it is quite clear that notwithstanding the much trumpeted effective economic management of the NPP our people's living conditions have deteriorated."

The reports of the Ghana Demographic Health Survey of 2003, and UNDP's Ghana Human Development of 2007, indicated that in spite of having increased access to resources, high commodity prices and debt relief, the improvements in the conditions of living for Ghanaians during eight years of NPP rule have not been significant, and in some cases the human development indicators have shown deterioration in the living conditions of Ghanaians.

The NDC gave the assurance to Ghanaians that "this year, in this election campaign, the party would speak on the issues that concern all of us most and would address itself fully to responding to the issue of how to ensure that government puts the interests of the most important of Ghanaians above every other interest and would work to create a better Ghana for the majority of Ghanaians."

The statement said, "We will speak to the issue of improving access to decent health care such as how we intend to deal with the challenges of waste management and public sanitation. We will talk about how we intend to manage the economy and continue to grow this economy at rates that will truly take us to middle-income status by the year 2020 as had always been envisioned by the NDC."

The NDC will show what can happen when government recognises that the people's priorities are the government's priorities and not vice-versa.

It said the NPP's performance ought to be measured against their campaign rhetoric and it would be a shame if the good people of Ghana would let them get away with their mismanagement and mediocre record by "buying" the political propaganda that they have cynically and consistently put out in the public domain.

The NPP perpetuated the lie that the NDC did nothing and thus shifting the goal posts, or lowering the bar for an assessment of their own performance.

The statement said the NDC believed that when Ghanaians have the opportunity to critically evaluate the NPP record "they will be left with no doubt that they have been let down by the people who promised paradise, and failed to deliver on their platform promises adding, "this is the issue at stake."

It said; "The people of Ghana will not allow themselves to be intimidated into voting for mediocrity because some politicians have made it their task to make them afraid of their fellow compatriots who belong to a different political tradition.

"It is that style of propaganda that thrived on holding up a distorted image of ones opponents, making people afraid of them, and then blaming all their sins on them in the hope that in their fear they would vote otherwise."

It said Ghanaians have nothing to fear from John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama or the NDC and that the NDC believed they were discerning and intelligent and they have the mandate to make their rightful choice.

"We believe in a better Ghana and will invest in people, in jobs and efficiently manage the economy to get us back on the road to prosperity", the statement added.

Source:
GNA

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Police clash with demonstrators at Bekwai


Bekwai, (Ash), May 14, GNA - Riot police on Wednesday morning clashed with angry demonstrators at Bekwai, who were protesting against the results of the NPP parliamentary primaries in the constituency.

Several people including school children were injured by stray bullets and fumes from tear gas canisters fired by the police in their attempt to disperse the crowd.

Most of them, in the midst of the confusion ran and sought refuge in the Omanhene's palace while intermittent gunshots and smoke from tears gas canisters continued to billow the skies in the town. The Bekwai government hospital, which is in the centre of the town was deserted as doctors, nurses and other health officials ran fo safety following the firing of tear gas into the hospital by the police in a desperate attempt to flush out some of the demonstrators who had sought refuge there.

Several people who were injured had to be rushed to private hospitals and nearby clinics outside the town due to lack of personnel at the Bekwai government hospital.The demonstrators burnt car tyres and blocked all roads leading to the town.

At the time of filing this report, the atmosphere in the township was tense with armed police patrolling the streets while most residents remained indoors for fear of their lives. Ten people had been arrested by the police and placed in custody.

Mr Owusu Bempah and Mr. Michael Ofosu Appiah, spokesmen for the demonstrators said they had already notified the police at Bekwai but they refused to give them the go-ahead.

However, Chief Superintendent Osei Ampofo Duku, Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, told newsmen that by law, a five-day notice should have been given before the demonstration but the organizers ignored this.

Supporters of Mr Joe Osei-Wusu, Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) who lost the Bekwai constituency primaries of the NPP on Saturday planned to demonstrate against the outcome of the results.

They alleged that the incumbent MP, Mr Kofi Adusei, had connived with some of the constituency executives to rig the elections in his favour. This, according to them, resulted in a situation where some unqualified people were selected as delegates to vote, which ensured his re-election.

The spokespersons said they had notified the National Executive of the party to nullify the results but they had not received any response.

Source:
GNA

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Govt reviews effect of global increases of oil and food


Accra, May 14, GNA-Government on Wednesday said it would soon announce measures aimed at reducing the effects of global fuel and food crisis.

A statement Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Information and National Orientation signed said; "Cabinet has for sometime now been examining the global crude oil price increases and its effect on the Ghanaian economy."

It said when it met on Wednesday, it reviewed the options available to the government on how to effectively manage the global fuel price increases and the increase in the prices of goods and services, especially food items.

The statement said, "Government wishes to assure the nation that the economy as at now is in a good shape due to the strong macroeconomic indicators and with the discovery of oil, it is expected that the economy will improve greatly."

Source:
GNA

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Chief condemns police action at Bekwai


Bekwai (Ash), May 14, GNA - Nana Karikari Appau, Paramount Chief of Bekwai Traditional Area, has appealed to the Police administration to conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances that led to the indiscriminate firing of tear gas by some police personnel at Bekwai on Wednesday that resulted in injury to several people. He described the action of the police as unfair, unprofessional and infringement on the right of the people since there was no tangible cause for their action.

Nana Karikari Appau said this at an emergency meeting of the Bekwai Traditional Council at Bekwai.

The meeting was necessitated by the clash between the police and some youth of the town who threatened to go on a demonstration to register their displeasure at the re-election of Mr. Kofi Opoku Adusei, NPP Member of Parliament for Bekwai, last Saturday. Demonstrators, who accused the MP of not living up to expectation, ran helter-skelter when police fired several warning shots to disperse them resulting in a number of them sustaining injuries. Nana Karikari Appau said it was quite unfortunate that whereas the police could have adopted a more professional strategy in dispersing the crowd, they became more offensive in their actions. "It is very pathetic that many innocent children had to seek refuge in my palace as they could not withstand the intensity of the tear gas thrown at them by the police," he said. Nana Karikari Appau appealed to his people to exercise restraint for peace to prevail in the area and expressed the hope that the Police Administration would investigate the incident.

Source:
GNA

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 IRA says extra classes' money is taxable


Ho, May 14, GNA - Income earned by teachers in both private and public schools from extra classes are liable to taxation, Mr William Charles Sefah-Agyebeng, Assistant Commissioner (Training) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has said.

He said it was the responsibility of heads of schools under whose aegis the extra-tuition-for-fees were held to file tax returns on such extra incomes for tax assessment by the IRS.

Mr Sefah-Agyebeng was delivering a paper on "Your Tax Returns- A Fair Way of Assessing Your Income Tax'' at a seminar attended by about 130 proprietors of private basic and second cycle schools in the Volta Region in Ho on Tuesday.

He said public sector teachers and other public sector workers were not exempt from paying taxes on incomes earned from other jobs besides what they were paid from the consolidated fund.

The seminar was part of a series being held across the country to educate private school owners on procedures for filing tax returns, their obligations to the state and tax administration as it affected them.

Mr Sefah-Agyebeng said private schools as all other businesses were enjoined by statutory laws and the constitution to file accurate returns of transactions within stipulated time frames.

He said development levies, bookshops, extra classes, canteen and transportation services, rent from structures, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues and other cash and physical donations were also incomes that must be included in returns and not school fees alone. Mr Sefah-Agyebeng said filing tax returns enabled the taxpayer to be fairly assessed for corporate and individual relief and also helped widen the tax net.

He said employers were required to furnish the Commissioner of the IRS with returns of their employees on specified Income Tax Forms on specified dates.

Mr Sefah-Agyebeng said these include notice of employee engagements and exits.

He said presenting false and misleading declarations, intentional deceptions, aiding and abetment attracted sanctions.

Mr Kwasi Oppong-Damoah, Volta Regional Director of the IRS, said taxes were paid only on profits and not when returns showed that losses were incurred.

The thrust of opinions, questions and suggestions during an open forum was that government should help private schools to grow into stronger businesses.

Source:
GNA

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We Are Not Drug Dealers -NPP


...NDC hid many cocaine cases but we are exposing them

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reacted to the recent comments by the NDC Presidential candidate, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills that Ghana is becoming a safe haven for drug dealers. Speaking at a well-attended press conference in Accra yesterday, the National chairman of the party, Peter Mac Manu said the NPP government does not deal in drugs.

He noted that the NDC regime hid many drug related cases from the eyes of the public, but NPP has so far not done that. According to him, when the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Eric Amaoteng was arrested for dealing in drugs, the party did not stand by him but allowed the law to take its due course.

Mac Manu also expressed surprise at the comments made by the NDC vice Presidential candidate, Hon. John Dramani Mahama that comparison of records was a sign of mediocrity.

“The question then is why the Vice Presidential candidate (John Mahama) of the NDC should be against such a comparison? Our message to the NDC is that the voters would not allow them to hide their record with such flimsy excuses. We believe that NDC has carefully considered the records and concluded that such a comparison would be unflattering to their party, because NPP has by far the superior record in government”, he stressed.

According to the party Chairman, comparison would not only be on track records but also about leadership style and vision.

“Let the debate be joined and let the inevitable comparison begins. Nana Akufo-Addo believes in Ghana”, he emphasised.

He said the task ahead was about convincing Ghanaians as to which of the parties seeking their mandate could be trusted to bring about the kind of economic transformation necessary to bring prosperity to all.

“Which party offers the kind of hope that the people can buy into? Which of the parties can be trusted to protect and promote multi-party democracy? Which party has shown the commitment to give us development and prosperity without compromising on the individual freedom? Which of the parties can be said to have the most persuasive and viable plans for creating a modern society, the kind for which our forefathers sacrificed their lives and died? Which of the Presidential Candidates best fits the bill?” he asked.

He noted that apart from the noise being made by the NDC against the ruling party, the electorate have resolved not to vote for the NDC to return to power. Peter Mac Manu said it was unfortunate that the NDC misled the public by stating that the party has turned a new leaf.

Flanked by the General Secretary, Nana Ohene-Ntow, Agnes Okudzeto, First Vice Chairperson, Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, National Campaign Chairman, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Campaign Director, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, Communications Director, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister for Children and Women Affairs and a host of others, Mr. Mac Manu noted that the slogan, the theme, the songs and other things branded as new by the NDC were all cosmetic.

On the issue of corruption, Mr. Mac Manu said the NPP has passed laws on public procurement and financial management whist holding the first ever Public Accounts Committee of Parliament hearing in public.

This, he said was evident in Nana Akufo-Addo’s pronouncements last month to the effect that his government will fight corruption vigorously.

Whilst admitting that the difficulties that many Ghanaians face, especially in urban environments with respect to housing, water shortage and poor sanitation, he noted that conscious efforts are being made to address the challenges.

He further noted that “even if the NDC honestly concedes that they are changing in order to attract more voters, is there any convincing evidence that the NDC’s change is genuine,” he asked rhetorically.

He thus asked the NDC as a party to pray for their sins and plead for forgiveness before the electorate can consider them and accept the genuineness of their proclaimed new image.

Mr. Mac Manu was, however, not clear about the NDC’s move to revive the infamous cadres of the defunct P/NDC and opined, “To what purpose, it is not clear. Let us hope that it is not sinister.”

For him, the coming election is about choices, stressing that “in terms of the Presidential candidate, the reality still remains that the Ghanaian electorate is limited to choosing between the NPP and NDC”.

The NPP therefore appealed to Ghanaians to think deeply about the choices before them since according to the party, “we cannot afford to take this country back. The NDC is artfully urging Ghanaians to discard their collective memory of P/NDC that squandered the opportunities they had in almost two terms in office.” He noted that the NDC cared very little during its days in government, since nursing mothers were routinely being detained in hospitals because they could not afford the cash and carry system.

“In 2003, the NDC refused to support one of the most innovative and pro-poor programme in recent history, the National Health Insurance Schemed (NHIS). The NDC chose to walk out on their responsibility as law makers when babies, nursing mothers and the elderly were in need of a more humane health care system”, he emphasised.

According to him, the NHIS was passed into law without a single NDC vote, adding that perhaps the new NDC needs to educate the public on why they voted against the NHIS and yet in their 1996 manifesto, the NDC promised that “feasibility studies on the proposed health insurance scheme have been completed and the scheme would be tested on a pilot basis and would be introduced on the national scale as part of the NDCs health policies, if successful,”

Source:
Chronicle

Rising cost of agric inputs affecting food production - Best Farmer


Agona Nsaba (C/R), May 14, GNA - The increasing cost of agricultural inputs is affecting food production locally because of reduction in farm size by some major farmers, Mr Emmanuel Tetteh-Danyo, former Agona District best farmer on Wednesday observed. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Agona Nsaba in the Central region, Mr Tetteh-Danyo expressed concern about the sharp increase in prices of agricultural chemicals on the market. He said most of farmers could not afford to purchase weedicide and other agricultural chemicals for use on their farms and therefore appealed to Government to subsidize inputs.

Last year, he said a weedicide that was sold at GH¢4.50 is now being sold at GH¢11.00 Mr Tetteh-Danyo, who was also the former National Organizer of the Farmers and Fishermen Association of Ghana again to Government to waive taxes on imported agricultural inputs. He said the waiving of the taxes on the agricultural insecticides would go long way to help farmers to improve their activities to increase food production. Mr Tette-Danyo expressed concern about the irregular visit of farms by agric extension officers in the District and appealed to the Minister of Food and Agriculture to help redress the issue.

Source:
GNA

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• 13.05.2008

 Government urged to provide accommodation for teachers


Nkoranza (B/A), May 13, GNA - Mr Kwabena Agyemang-Badu, Nkoranza District Director of Education, has called on Government to tackle teachers' accommodation with urgency to enable them accept postings to deprived areas. Addressing the staff of the Directorate at a meeting at Nkoranza, Mr Agyemang-Badu expressed regret that, some teachers serving in settler communities, lacked proper accommodation. He mentioned Nsunensa, Pienyina, Betoda, Mangoase-junction, Bonkuru, Grumakro, Nyamebekyere, Beboano, Nsugum and Makyinmabre as communities that did not have accommodation for teachers. Mr Agyemang-Badu urged Government to adequately resource District Assemblies especially in the educational sector to enable them construct teachers' bungalows. He advised the staff to improve on their performance by working hard to promote education in the District. The District Education Director urged teachers to eschew negative attitudes such as absenteeism, lateness and alcoholism. "As teachers we expect you to lead morally upright lives to earn the respect of the people, since you are regarded as role models in the communities", Mr Agyemang-Badu added. He thanked the District Assembly for voting GH¢3,000 to conduct mock examinations to prepare final year students of Junior High Schools in the area towards the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Source:
GNA

Two in court for expelling cocaine


Accra, May 13, GNA - Two persons charged with attempted exportation of narcotic drugs and possessing 60 and 65 pellets of cocaine respectively were on Tuesday remanded into prison custody by an Accra Circuit Court. The court did not take the pleas of Bismark Kwaku Kyei and Maxwell Dartey after expelling 65 and 60 pellets of drugs respectively suspected to be cocaine.

They are to reappear on May 26. Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Edward Ansah said on May 10 this year at about 9:05 pm, Kyei arrived at Kotoka international Airport (KIA) to board flight to Amsterdam en route to Spain.

Prosecution said the personnel of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) suspected Kyei of concealing drugs in his stomach and he confessed saying the drugs were given to him by a Nigerian to be given to one Emeka, another Nigerian for a fee of 4,000 Euros.

The prosecutor said the exhibit has been sent to the Ghana Standard Board for analytical examination.

In the case of Dartey a Ghanaian resident in Spain, prosecution told the court that on May 6, this year at about 6:20 pm, Dartey arrived at KIA to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam en route to Spain.

Prosecution said the NACOB officials suspected Dartey of carrying drugs so his urine was tested and it proved that he had some foreign materials in his stomach.

He was observed for some time and he expelled 60 pellets. Accused said the drugs were given to him by one Mahama who resides at Accra-Newtown to be given to Abdul Aziz in Spain for a fee of 3,000 Euro's. Prosecution said the drugs have been forwarded to the Ghana Standard Board for examination.

Source:
GNA

207 kilometres of roads to be tarred in Upper West


WA, May 13, GNA- Mr Godfred Bayon Tangu, Minister of State in charge of Transportation, on Sunday announced that a total of 207 kilometres of roads would be tarred in the Upper West Region this year. The roads include the Nadowli-Lawra-Hamile and the Jang-Tumu-Chuchuliga road, which links the region to the Upper East Region.

Mr Tangu was addressing a rally organized by the Wa Central constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at Wa on Sunday. He said "Under the NPP administration, 5,000 schools have been built through out the country out of which 450 are in the Upper West Region while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constructed not more than ten schools in the region when it was in power."

Mr Tangu said the Region had never been developed to such a level since the Country attained Independence. He said if voters would judge all the political parties by the level of development they had bequeathed to this country, the NPP had already won the 2008 Election.

Mr Sahanun Mogtari, Ghana's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, said Professor Evans Atta Mills, NDC flag bearer, was aware that NPP had done what was expected of it in government and appealed to voters in Upper West Region to ignore the NDC because it had nothing new to offer. Concerning the "no money in pockets" cry by some people, he said no government would distribute money to people to spend without producing anything.

Mr Mogtari said "What the Government has done is to create opportunities for people to work and make money." Mr Abdul-Aziz Mohammed, Wa Municipal Chief Executive, urged NPP supporters to work hard to enable the party to win more parliamentary seats in the region.

Source:
GNA

SIF launches its 10th anniversary


Accra, May 13, GNA - The Social Investment Fund (SIF), under the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy project launches its 10th anniversary celebration tomorrow Wednesday focussing attention on its successful interventions in the lives of the poor and vulnerable in society. The event, which takes place in Suhun in the Eastern Region, has earmarked elaborate activities to be climaxed with a dinner and awards night to beneficiaries and SIF's targeted audiences.

A statement copied to the GNA on Tuesday said as at December 2007, nearly 1.2 million people in about 108 districts have so far benefited from SIF's direct assistance.

The aim of the celebration is to highlight SIF's role, its relevance and achievements in Ghana's socio-economic development over the period. SIF is a project funded by the Government of Ghana, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNPD) with support from OEC Fund for International Development.

It was established in 1998 to arrest and resolve problems that arose from the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme SAP and the Propramme of Action to Mitigate Social Cost of Adjustment (PAMSCAD). The statement said: "Indeed 10 years of efficient management of resources and effective operations, is a period of reflection, stock taking, reckoning challenges and achievements as well as celebrating successes with stakeholders." It said SIF offers a demand-driven and flexible mechanism to deliver targeted assistance to urban and rural impoverished communities in Ghana.

Source:
GNA

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• 12.05.2008

Kufuor unhappy about recurrent violence in Bawku

Bawku (U/E) May 12, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday expressed concern and displeasure at the recurrent violent conflict in Bawku, at a time that peace talks were almost completed.

He said after the meetings with the two feuding parties and the Nayiri, Chief of Mampurugu, last February, something important came up, which he thought would be the key to finding a lasting solution to the conflict, only to hear that the effort did not yield the desired result. Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari delivered the special message from President Kufuor to both the Kusasi and Mamprusi factions in the conflict at Bawku.

Speaking to the Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoko II and his Elders, Mr Samari said President Kufuor wanted them to exercise restraint while efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

He informed them that President Kufuor would be inviting them to Accra soon for further talks.

Naba Azoka said after the previous meeting with President Kufuor, he called all his Chiefs and Elders and informed them about all that they had discussed and asked all to adhere to the President's call for peace.

He said all his people agreed to stop the violence and Bawku returned to normalcy until last week when his nephew, Alhaji Karim Ogah Musah was killed.

When Mr Samari met the Mamprusi faction, Alhaji Akhalifa Bugri, Elder of the Mamprusis, stated that some of the acts that usually sparked off the conflict in the area were done by criminals and called on the Security Services to do a thorough investigation into the Sunday night's killing that started the recent violence. He complained that the conflict had made life very difficult for them as the people could not do their businesses and the curfew hours were making the hot weather unbearable. Mr Ofuso-Mensah Gyaebour, Upper East Regional Police Commander, told the people that the Security Personnel were neutral and needed their cooperation to be able to do their work efficiently. He asked them to send the Police any information that would help them to stop criminal acts or arrest people, who perpetrated criminal acts, saying; "our duty is to protect everybody and their property". When GNA went round the Bawku Township all was calm and people were going about their businesses without problems. The banks were also opened for work.

Source:
GNA

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Atta Mills Hits Western Region


NDC Leader & Presidential Candidate, John Evans Atta Mills, after a very successful launch of his party’s campaign, is moving to the Western Region today with his message of how his government shall give Ghanaians a Better Ghana.

The NDC Leader will be entering the Northern corridor of the Western Region through the Ashanti Region and is expected to spend the working week out there.

The NDC Leader is being accompanied by some members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) as well as some members of the Functional Executive Committee (FEC).

At the end of last week, John Evans Atta Mills was in Kpando, where he paid his last respects to the late Togbega of the Akpini Traditional Area, Togbe Dagadu.

Source:
OFFICE OF PROF. JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS

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Rawlings Regrets 1979 Executions


Memories of the 1979 executions of three of Ghana’s former heads of state and some top military officers came alive again at the weekend in Abuja as the ex-president of Ghana, Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings (rtd), said though the killings were regrettable, there was no way his Armed Forces Revolu-tionary Council (AFRC) junta could have avoided them.
Rawlings also said Nigeria under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was capable of bringing out the best not only in the country but also in Africa because according to him, Yar’ Adua “is displaying an admirable level of integrity.” The ex-Ghanaian president, who spoke at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, said the executions were “very painful and regrettable, but there was no other way out.”

Ghana’s AFRC headed then by Rawlings executed eight senior military officers on June 16 and June 26, 1979 for alleged corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

He said if the executions had not been carried out, the rank and file of the Ghanaian Army would have slaughtered the officer corps.

Rawlings cited the example of a military formation in Takoradi where, he said, the soldiers had rounded up some 200 officers and were taking them through their final prayers before execution before he intervened.

“We were able to address that but another six were executed ten days later. It was another sad moment. I attempted to prevent it and sent an officer but the firing squad shot the officers before their commander could give the order,” he said.

Rawlings said the initial idea was to execute only former head of state, Gen. I. K. Acheampong and Gen. Utuka who was the head of the border guards to assuage the feelings of Ghanaians.

He said: “We had no choice than to sacrifice only two originally. But you must understand our country was in a state of rage then, not different from what Russia was when it had its revolution.

Rawlings admitted that he became a hostage to the situation, explaining “I was a partial hostage to that situation. I had no force. The authority that I enjoyed was my moral authority with the people. Their action (the execution of the senior officers by the boys) was to curtail the anger of the nation.” Rawlings also urged the Nigerian government not to be neutral in happenings on Africa's political scene, saying Nigeria under President Yar’ Adua was capable of bringing out the best not only in the country but also in Africa.

He said: “Your president, in spite of situations, is displaying an admirable level of integrity. I appeal to Nigerians and your government to keep an eye on what is happening in Africa.”

He said that Nigeria as the giant of Africa should be responsible to other African countries by checkmating them to avoid a crisis situation on the continent.

He advised Yar' Adua to leave behind an enduring legacy by using his presidency to bring out the best in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. “You do not have to send troops or soldiers with ammunition to any country, your words can make great impact, especially now that political morality is returning to your country'' he said.

He blamed Britain and the U.S. for the escalating crisis in Africa, saying “The crisis in Africa is a consequence of the damage the world has suffered during the leadership of Britain's Tony Blair and America's George Bush.”

He said the crisis in the continent came as no surprise to him. Specifically, he said the invasion of Iraq by U.S. and Britain in 2003 had undermined “international political morality and the judicial consciousness of the public. Seven years ago in an interactive session with former heads of states of the world, my constant song was the damage the world had suffered under Blair and Bush.

“I told them (the former heads of states) that soon we would see the consequences in about three and five year's time, particularly in Africa. Today I have been proved right,'' he said.

In denouncing the approach to the war on Iraq, Rawlings said: ``Blair and Bush were in a haste to demonstrate the power of the new world order and the manner they went about it undermined fundamental ethical values.” Rawlings also denounced the trial outside Africa of former Liberian president Charles Taylor on war crimes at the International Criminal Court at the Hague.

“I would have wished, my black dignity would have been preserved, if Taylor was being tried on the black continent and not in the white man's land,'' he said.

Rawlings also did not rule out external influence in the trial of Taylor. Rawlings was twice Ghana’s head of state and was the first president of the Fourth Republic of the country

He first appeared on the Ghanaian political scene on May 15, 1979 when he led a group of junior officers in the Ghana Air Force in an unsuccessful coup d'état that resulted in his arrest and imprisonment.

He was court martialled in public and sentenced to death.

But Rawlings won the love of the rank and file of the Ghanaian military and the public due to his bravery at the court martial.

Before he could be executed, another group of junior officers within the Ghana Army overthrew the then military government of Gen. Fred Akuffor on June 4, 1979.

The coupists released Rawlings from prison and installed him as head of the new government - the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council. On life after retirement, Rawlings said it had been a mixed grill.

“On the one side, it's been hell; on the other hand, one could say that I have been caught in between,'' he said.



Source:
ThisDay (Nigeria)

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Inflation goes up


Global inflationary trend which has been on the rise since the beginning of the year, has replicated itself in Ghana with inflation for April 2008 being 15.29 percent- a 1.5 percent increase over the previous month’s figure.

The impact is mostly due to rising prices of food, causing a shortage in most parts of the world and the volatile crude oil price. Inflation for March 2008 was 13.79 percent.

According to figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service, April inflation was triggered mainly by the non-food and food groups as was the case in March.

While the food group contributed 5.94 percentage points to the inflation, the non-food inflation added 9.53 percentage points.

The twice reviewed prices in petroleum products made the transport sub group the highest contributor with 1.75 points.

Within the non-food group, hotels, cafes and restaurants as well as household goods, operations and services also contributed significantly to the change, adding 1.36 and 1.30 points.

The surge in hotel, cafe and restaurant prices were mainly due to the 12th UNCTAD conference that took place last month where there were a lot of foreigners in the country.

Once again, communications did not see any change in price for seven months running but education saw a slight change of 0.29 points. Housing and utilities contributed 1.23 points.

With regard to food inflation, oils and fats, bread and cereals as well as fish sub group contributed 1.62, 1.62 and 1.27 points to April inflation.

The figures showed that the national index for food, which accounts for roughly half of the goods used to compute the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 10.46 percent to 10.98 percent.

Also, the national index for non-food inflation increased to 13.23 percent, from 12.79 percent.

Commenting on the reasons behind the continuous rise, Dr. Grace Bediako, Government Statistician said the increase was influenced partly by external shocks, adding that much more analysis would have to be conducted to identify where the forces driving inflation was coming from.

She explained that her outfit will have to work hand-in-hand with policy makers and analysts to come out with measures that at least could help contain the hike.

For the regions, Greater Accra recorded the least inflation of 11.35 percent followed by the Brong Ahafo with 11.50 percent. The Ashanti region followed suit recording an inflation of 11.73 percent.

The Volta, Upper, Central and Western regions recorded inflation of 16.00, 18.99, 19.68 and 20.64 percent respectively.

On the other hand, Eastern and Northern regions remained the regions with the highest inflation recording rates of 22.21 percent and 22.63 percent respectively.

Source:
Daily Guide

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NPP Beats NDC

... in Cabinet Reshuffles

While the debate on frequency of ministerial reshuffles rages on, it has emerged that, the ruling NPP has had more reshuffles, both major and minor than opposition NDC.

In all, from 1994 to 2000, the NDC had a total of 17 minor and major reshuffles while the NPP has had 18 so far from 2004 to 2008.

Of the NDCs 17, thirteen were minor reshuffles, while four were major ones just as 14 of the NPP's were minor while four were major ones.

The four major reshuffles for the NDC spanned 1994, 95, 97 and 99, while that of NPP occurred in August 2004, April 2006, May 2006 and June 2007.

The NPPs total number of 18 reshuffles is only equaled by that of the CPP, which from February 1957 to January 1965 had fifteen minor and three major ones.

The statistics showed that the main casualties in the various reshuffles have been the ministries of Energy, Education, Interior, Information and Local Government.

The ministry of Energy in particular has had six ministers in President Kufour's two-term administration, while the Ministry of Local Government had five reshuffles, with Kwadwo Agyei-Darko appearing twice.

The statistics were contained in a paper delivered in Accra by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana, Prof. Joseph Atsu Ayee.

The occasion was an inaugural lecture of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and Prof. Ayee spoke on "Some Thoughts on ministerial Reshuffles in Ghana," a topic the Chairman for the occasion Prof. L.A. Boadi agreed was "a much neglected aspect of Ghana's political history."

Prof. Ayee sought to delve into the reasons for which some presidents have been quick in carrying out reshuffles, and although his letters to both former President Rawlings and President Kufuor received "stony silence," the details of his presentation left members of the audience as excited as he was.

At a well-attended lecture, Prof. Ayee argued that too frequent ministerial reshuffles could be counter-productive and could damage, rather than strengthen the power, position and legitimacy of the president. "Frequent reshuffles give one the impression that the government is not serious and stable and therefore incompetent."

This stems from his belief that most ministerial portfolios are demand driven and thus require ample time for the minister in charge to see his or her way clear. "The rapid turnover of ministers has had a disruptive effect on policies and programmes and led to situations in which a high proportion of the ministerial team members were inexperienced in their posts."

Article 78 (1) of the 1992 constitution states, "Ministers of state shall be appointed by the president with the prior approval of parliament " Section two of the same article gives the president the unlimited power to "appoint such number of ministers of state as may be necessary for the efficient running of state."

This constitutional provision and similar ones previously, according to Prof. Ayee, appear to have given presidents the unchecked powers, which most of them have used to show "potential rivals and awkward dissidents where power lies."

In the situation, Parliament, the body that is supposed to scrutinize ministerial nominees, usually became helpless, watching as the president rearranges, the very people they deemed qualified for specific ministerial appointments.

Mr. K.B Asante, the retired Diplomat once commented on the matter saying, "the president selects those he believes can assist him to carry out his policies His selection is endorsed by parliament. Then he comes back half way through his term and says 'I have made a mistake. This man is not good. I will rather have this other man.' Can you then trust his judgment? Worse still, he makes other changes. A pantomime of cabinet musical chairs is a bit too much."

On the other side, Prof Ayee noted, reshuffles have become a way of building patronage for Ghanaian presidents, where they have used it to distribute favours to friends and families in return for support.

Worse still, most ministerial reshuffles since 1957 have been without prior consultations with the persons involved, a situation that has often resulted in psychological and emotional burdens for them, he said. This is more so when no compensation packages have accompanied dismissals.

A popular joke about Nkrumah's regime was that ministers were advised not to take their lunch before the one o'clock news or they risk being choked upon hearing their dismissal.

The Prof. said such instances to create the impression among ministers that once they were in office they must "amass wealth by hook or crook so that if you were no longer in office, you would not feel the loss of the perquisites of office."

He therefore advised that, it has become necessary for Ghana to think about resettlement packages for dismissed ministers.

When asked about what could be done to prevent presidents from being too quick in their reshuffles, Prof. Ayee said while it is constitutionally Ok, "the power and authority must be used judiciously."

Source:
Public Agenda

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