| HOME | | | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2009 | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2008 | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2007 | | PHOTO REPORTS | | VIDEO REPORTS | | AUDIO REPORTS | | EDITORIAL | | LATEST WORLD NEWS | | | | ARTS in GHANA | | GET FREE STUFF | | Food & Drinks in Ghana | | Africa Cup 2008 | | Ghana Hotels | | Links / Websites | | Ghana Districts | | Ghana Tourism | | Ghana Classifieds | Names in Ghana | | | * 2 May 2009 | | JAK'S minister praises Jerry | Former Western Regional Minister, Joseph Boahen Aidoo has pointed out that although it is the responsibility of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to put the administration of Professor John Evans Atta Mills on its toes, former President Jerry John Rawlings, who is the founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has taken over that mandate and they are happy with his role.
He, however, regretted that whilst the NDC founder had described the President's Ministers as mediocre, His Excellency Prof. John Evans Mills has rather strangely been showering praises on himself and his government, after awarding himself 80% success within his first hundred days in office.
Hon. Boahen Aidoo also expressed his surprise at why the President was reported to have said that he had confidence in his government, when he addressed the durbar of chiefs and foreign dignitaries in Kumasi over the week¬end.
"Nobody is challenging the President for his assertion except that the founder of his party, Jerry Rawlings, thinks that he is using mediocre Ministers to run the government, so why is he always telling Ghanaians to have confidence in his government," he questioned.
Hon. Boahen Aidoo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Amenfi East constituency, made this known when he addressed hundreds of students of the Takoradi Polytechnic branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederation' (TESCON) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), over the weekend.
Aidoo noted that it would have been better for the President to put in place good security measures to protect the ordinary Ghanaian against the armed robbery menace, instead of always asking that we have confidence in his government.
According to him, provision of security formed part of the numerous promises made by the President during the campaign period, but nothing has been done to that effect, to address the country's security situation which seems to be worsening by the day.
According to him "Ghanaians are asking for nothing more than efficient security, because they need peace".
Hon. Aidoo also criticized the government for slashing the budget of the anti corruption institutions in the country. According to him, although the President gave indications during his State of the Nation's address that he would empower the anti-corruption state institutions in the country to thoroughly investigate corrupt public officials, he has reneged on the promise as well.
To make matters worse, he has also cut down more than 50% of budgetary allocation to these anti corruption state institutions. This, in his view, pointed to a weak start of a person who was bent on fighting corruption.
According to him, under former President Kufuor, not only did he strengthen the anti corruption institutions, but also passed anti corruption laws to fight the canker.
He told the cheering students that the Audit Service was given a budget of GH¢I, 149,600 under the 2008 budget that was prepared by the NPP government but has been reduced to GH¢5 ,557 ,133.
In the same vein, he said CHRAJ, SFO, NCCE, NMC and other state institutions had their budgets slashed.
Hon. Boahen Aidoo further explained that the decision to slash the budgetary allocation of the aforementioned institutions would weaken their activities. "It gives a lean way for people to spend government money if the institutions are not adequately resourced. This is how President Mills tries to fight corruption in this country," he opined.
The legislator, after criticizing the sitting President, then turned his attention to shower praises on former President John Agyekum Kufuor, describing him as one of the greatest African leaders of the 21st century.
According to him, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor of . Ghana, Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania were the few greatest African leaders of the 21 st century.
For President Kufuor to maintain that dignity, he disclosed that some leading members of the NPP were in serious talks with him to remain silent as a Statesman, and contribute his quota to national development and not to dabble in partisan politics in the country.
The Member of Parliament for Takoradi constituency, Hon. Okye Kwabenah Darko-Mensah in an address entreated the NPP youth to unite and rally behind the party to campaign towards victory in 2012. "We need unity of purpose to win the next elections. The NDC lied their way to power and will lie their way out of power," he noted.
Nana Owusu Ankomah, Western Regional Chairman of the NPP who chaired the function appealed to TESCON to revamp their activities, despite the party being in opposition, to give the NPP enough support from the youth wing to effectively fight the 2012 general elections.
Mr. David Acquah, the outgoing TESCON President and his executives handed over the baton of leadership to the new administration led by Matfred Osagyefo Kwaw and his able lieutenants, to steer the affairs of the NPP youth wing.
| | * 30 April 2009 | | Former officials of previous administration return vehicles - Ministry | Accra, April 30, GNA - Some former officials of the previous administration have returned their duty post vehicles, a statement from the Ministry of Information said on Thursday.
The statement signed by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information, said former Press Secretary to President John Kufuor, Mr Andrew Awuni, and former Minister for Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Saddique Abubakar, have as at 2pm on Thursday returned their vehicles. It said the return of the vehicles followed Wednesday's ultimatum to all former officials to return vehicle that were being kept illegally.
The statement said Government also wished to acknowledge that a number of former officials, including Nii Ayitey Boafo, a former Special Aide to former President J.A Kufuor, Mr. George Hikah Banson, former Upper West Regional Minister, and Professor George Hagan of the National Commission on Culture had been in touch to discuss the appropriate modalities for regularizing their purchase or return of their vehicles.
"It is government's hope that all others who are still in illegal possession of state vehicles would follow the good example of their colleagues and return them without delay," the statement said. | | * 28 April 2009 | Deutsche Welle holds workshop for radio stations | Accra, April 28, GNA - Deutsche Welle (DW) Radio (German Radio) on Tuesday held a workshop on its "Learning by Ear" programme for its partner stations in Ghana.
The partner radio stations include all the nine public fm stations across the country and eight private radio stations drawn from six regions of the country, which relay the "Learning by Ear" programme. The workshop, which took place in Accra, was to enable the DW-Radio to share thoughts and information on the programme as well as all its other programmes, which were relayed, with a view to creating a connection with its partner stations. Dr Naser Shrouf, Head of Distribution for Africa and the Middle East of DW, said the programme examined the challenges that young Africans faced.
He said it was a lively mix of in-depth reports, radio dramas and feature stories aimed at providing listeners with an opportunity to get the necessary skills to succeed in Africa and to discover a whole new world of today.
Mr Shrouf said the programme had been produced by African authors from across the continent with support from DW staff. He said it was currently available in six languages including English, Kiswahili, French, Hausa, Portuguese and Amharic and targeted boys and girls of ages between 12 and 20. The partners expressed appreciation for the workshop and called on DW to consider producing the programme in any of the Ghanaian languages. | | | | * 28 April 2009 | | NDC Top Shots Own Gov’t Lands | Contrary to the ongoing propaganda that the government of Mr J.A. Kufuor gave state lands to its officials, it has emerged that certain top officials of the President government also own some of such lands. Preliminary investigations undertaken by The Ghanaian Observer reveal that National Security Advisor Brigadier Joseph Nunoo Mensah owns one of such lands at the Airport West area of Accra.
The said land was granted to him by the Lands Commission in 1978. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings-led and inspired 31s December Women’s Movement (DWM) also owns land under the South Legon Development Scheme of the Lands Commission.
The land was granted to the DWM in 1998 when Mr Rawlings was Presdient of the Republic and Nana Konadu was First Lady. Also on the list is Council of State member, Peter Tinganaba Nanfuri who also has a grant of state land at the North Legon Residential area. The land was granted to him in 1985 when the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) junta was in government.
Also on the list is the late Edward Kojo Salia, one time Minister of communications under the Rawlings-NDC government. His land at North Legon Residential area was granted to him in 1998 when he was in government.
Another former Minister and later Ambassador under the NDC government of Mr Rawlings, Mr Ferdinand Ohene Kena also owns state land at the North Legon Residential Area, which was granted him by the Lands Commission in 1993 when the NDC was in government.
Another long time Minister in the Rawlings-NDC government, J.H. Owusu-Acheampong also surfaces on the list as having been granted land in the North Legon Residential Area. Council of State Chairman, Dr Kofi Awonoor also owns one of such lands at the North Legon Residential Area, which land was granted in 1987.
Attorney General and Justice Minister, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu was also granted land at North Legon in 1993. The said list, which is only a peep into the loads of NDC functionaries, leaders and their acolytes who have been given such lands from the P/NDC days to the last day of the last NDC government of office on January 7, 2001 makes interesting reading, as it reveals the high and low as well as known financiers and bank rollers.
Officials at the Lands Commission which has been in charge of state lands and who spoke to newsmen in condition of anonymity expressed surprise at the attempted politicization of the acquisition of state lands.
“Every Ghanaian citizen who has the means can apply to the lands Commission for the grant of state lands. If the application is successful, such a person is communicated to with the cost of the land and other incidentals, which must be paid before a lease is prepared in the name of such a person,” one office of the Lands Commission told GO over the weekend.
GO has in its possession a tall list of grants made by various government, dating back to the Kwame Nkrumah led CPP government and judging that the P/NDC ruled Ghana for 19 years, the longest any person has ruled Ghana; a simple arithmetic calculation shows that those two regimes granted state lands more than any other. The question is who are the beneficiaries?
| | GJA to commemorate World Press Freedom Day | Accra, April 27, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will commemorate this year's World Press Freedom Day on May 3 with a number of activities.
A statement issued in Accra on Monday by Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the GJA, said the celebration would begin with a symposium and flag-raising ceremony at the Ghana International Press Centre on Monday, May 4 at 0930 hours.
The topic for the symposium is the same as the global theme for the celebration, which is, "Media, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding". The statement said speakers would include the Minister of Information Mrs Zita Okaikoi, the President of the GJA, the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association.
The rest are the President of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, and the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa.
The message of the UN Secretary General and the Director General of UNESCO for the Day would be presented at the symposium, which will be chaired by Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Media Commission.
The event is being sponsored by Accra Brewery Limited and supported by Voltic Mineral Water.
The statement said on May 6, there would be a dialogue in Accra under the theme, "Transforming GBC into a true Public Service Broadcaster - Challenges and the Way Forward". It would be organized in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and KAB Governance Consult, as part of an initiative by the GJA to promote quality public service broadcasting. The statement said Mr Berifi Apenteng, Broadcasting Consultant, will make the lead presentation, while Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission and Mr William Ampem-Darko, Director General of GBC, would be the lead discussants. Participants will be drawn from statutory bodies, the media, academia and civil society.
The statement said the dialogue was a follow-up by the GJA to collaborative efforts in the last quarter of 2007 and early 2008 to improve Public Service Broadcasting. It said recommendations from the forum would be presented to the National Media Commission, Ministry of Information and the Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama.
The statement said there would be another dialogue on May 7 with Ms Anna Bossman, Acting Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on the topic "Towards Better Human Rights and Administrative Justice in Ghana". It is being organized by the GJA in collaboration with FES.
It said World Press Freedom Day among other things provided an opportunity to affirm the importance of freedom of expression and press freedom - a fundamental human right enshrined in the Ghanaian Constitution and in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It said GJA considered the theme for World Press Freedom Day celebration a good reminder to the Ghanaian media to intensify their efforts to promote unity and national cohesion and to help instil in Ghanaians the spirit of dialogue, tolerance, civility and mutual understanding in the body politic and social discourse. | | NPP peddling falsehood - Zita | The Government has described the claim by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has deleted some of its original promises from its 2008 Campaign manifesto as a "deliberate falsehood".
It said the NDC launched its manifesto publicly at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra and copies were distributed to most people present while embassies and high commissions as well as civil society organisations were also given copies.
A statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, said with such an array of organisations receiving copies any move to delete portions of the manifesto later ''would have been suicidal to the credibility of the NDC".
Last Wednesday, the NPP held a press conference and said the NDC had come out with another manifesto in which it had deleted some of its promises, especially those that pledged to improve the conditions of teachers.
The government statement said: “We hope, however, that the document the NPP is quoting from is not from our policy drafts which were stored in a computer that was burgled just before the elections; we hope the police would consider this development as an important one that could help us unravel the perpetrators of that theft".
It said the NPP in its claim that there was high cost of living due to high inflation and the depreciation of the cedi, must come to terms that it left behind a shattered economy which it failed to tell Ghanaians before and after the elections.
It said the statement by the NPP also confirmed the Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor's, assertion that "the NPP was reckless in its expenditure in 2008".
The statement stated that it was clear the problems that the NPP was talking about could not have come about within the 100 days of the Mills Administration, adding that "government would have thought that the NPP would have rather accepted its mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy which saw the cedi depreciate by 13 per cent in 2008, inflation galloping to 18.1 per cent by December 2008 and a budget deficit of over 15 per cent of GDP.
The statement assured Ghanaians that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the problems created by the NPP administration were fixed and that the Mills administration would not be distracted in its move towards clearing the mess.
It said the move by the government to fix the economy had begun to yield fruit because according to the Ghana Statistical Service, there was a slow down in the rate of inflation.
"Also, preliminary information on the budget execution also indicates an overall narrow budget deficit of 0.9 per cent of GDP in the first quarter of the year, compared to the 1.7 per cent recorded for the first quarter of 2008," it stated. .
It said the government was aware of the problems that the country was going through due to the global economic crisis and that was the reason why it had instituted measures to ameliorate the impact on the Ghanaians.
These measures, the statement said include 50 per cent subsidy for fertilisers, introduction of free exercise books, free school uniforms and an increase in the capitation grant by 50 per cent.
It gave the assurance of the government's readiness to welcome constructive criticism and suggestions, but advised the NPP to come to terms with the fact that the people's mandate and trust was with the Mills Administration. It also urged the NPP to come to terms with the reality on the ground and stop behaving as if they were the repository of all wisdom.
The statement also expressed concern about reported cases of attacks on journalists by NPP functionaries and "entreat the police to see these attacks as criminal acts which infringe on the fundamental human rights of journalists and their rights to practice in freedom".
It stated that government would not countenance any show of impunity and disregard for civil liberties no matter who perpetuate such acts.
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| Please note: Some links may open in a new window! / READ ALL NEWS FROM 1 WEEK ON ONE (1) PAGE ! | * Sunday, 3 May 2009 | How to KILL your CHILD - FAST: Click Here! | | Mills to meet with British PM Brown | Accra, May 3, GNA - President John Atta Mills will pay a three-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from May 6, during which he will hold talks with British Premier Gordon Brown and other leaders to foster closer development cooperation between the two countries.
A statement signed by Mr Mahama Ayariga, presidential spokesperson, said the talks would centre on improving trade, investment, security and development cooperation between Ghana and the UK. President Mills will also meet with the Prince of Wales, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, David Miliband, the Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Jacqui Smith and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Cameron.
Other leaders that President Mills will be meeting are the Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown and the Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Davies of Abersoch. President Mills will also meet with British investors and visit the Ghana High Commission, the London school of Economics and meet members of the Ghanaian community.
He will be accompanied by the First Lady, Naadu Mills, Ministers of State and other high ranking government officials, the statement added.
> BACK to TOP < | | Government commends media | Accra, May 3, GNA - Government on Sunday commended the Ghanaian media for its "inspirational role across Africa" despite the challenges facing practitioners. In a statement signed by Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, the government identified some of these challenges to include low wages and salaries for many journalists and the need to improve standards and enhance the role of the media as a key partner in development.
It said the government remained committed to the passage of the Right to Information Bill into law, pointing out that it recognised the concerns of various stakeholders that needed to be carefully considered by cabinet. "The NDC is not only committed to strengthening the media by helping to improve on the standard of its practitioners, but also dedicated to ensuring easy access to information and a positive engagement of the media in its efforts at improving the living conditions of Ghanaians."
The statement said the theme for this year's commemoration - "The Potential of the Media in Fostering Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation" - threw a challenge to the Ghanaian media. It said Government agreed with UNESCO that "only a media that is vibrant, independent, pluralistic, inclusive and fair, editorially free and beyond censorship and influence from owners or interests can contribute to dialogue and reconciliation across divides." The statement said it was government's expectation that the media would continue to play its rightful role, mindful of the fact that it could only help in promoting tolerance and getting feuding parties to accept each other when it was also able to strengthen the principles and practices of a free and professional media.
"As we join the Ghana Journalists' Association and the media generally to celebrate the 2009 World Press Freedom Day, we condemn unreservedly attacks either verbal or physical on journalists, and wish to advise all to desist from such practices," the statement said. Government also called on media owners and managers to pay their staff reasonable wages and salaries, and must work to improve their competences through various training programs as a step towards improving journalism standards. > BACK to TOP < | | The Resurgence of Ho Municipal Hospital | A GNA Feature by Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi
Ho, May 3, GNA - From a state of near collapse in 2006, the Ho Municipal Hospital inaugurated in 1927 has bounced back as the first choice health facility for people in the Municipality. Fresh blood has been injected into the Hospital bringing it back to the state of a preferred health facility with a better working attitude of workers. Until April 2006, many inhabitants including politicians had written the Hospital off in view of its deteriorating infrastructure among other uninspiring multiple factors.  (c) ghana-net.com / EventPicture.co.uk | The non-functioning of the theatre and mortuary reduced the status of the Hospital to that of a clinic because there was little activity after work at the Out Patient Department (OPD) with less than 90 OPD attendances daily. Admissions fell drastically with percentage drug availability hovering around 50 per cent, meaning that prescriptions had to be taken to private pharmacists many a time. |
The Hospital environment presented a story of its own with choked gutters, overgrown weeds with plastic and polythene wastes, wards decorated with cobwebs with dead bodies left in wards for more than 24 hours.
These perhaps necessitated the shifting of attention from the Municipal Hospital to the newly constructed Volta Regional Hospital also known as "Trafalgar" with the hacking off by half the staff of the human resource strength of the Municipal Hospital to constitute the initial staff strength of the Regional Hospital. The Municipal Hospital became virtually lifeless as patients started packing and leaving the facility for their homes claiming that their homes were more hygienic than the Hospital and that they preferred to die in their homes than at the Hospital. In the midst of that frustration, came a new Management in the middle of 2006 headed by Dr Kofi Gafatsi Normanyo, which invested in the Ho Mutual Health Insurance Scheme with the registration of some patients to reduce the number of patients, who absconded after receiving treatment.
That investment yielded great dividends and gave the facility a lifeline enabling the new management to among other things to revive the theatre which had become almost dysfunctional. The management again borrowed money from the Hospital's staff welfare fund to repair and reactivate the 82-year old mortuary in September 2007.
Haunted by frequent media reportage and complaints of poor health worker - patient relations, the authorities initiated series of staff training workshops to re-orientate staff on quality patient care. These have yielded results since the hospital staffs now render service beaming with smile, confidence and radiating hope to patients. Dr Normanyo said the management ensured that staff picked up the right signals through regular training on attitude, knowing that without good attitude people would not patronise the facility. Since then, the song has changed with people rushing from all walks of life to the onetime referral Hospital with pressure on staff who had to be fed while working due to the pressure. Dr Normanyo said the pressure compelled the authorities to request the services of locum doctors- doctors on leave from other health institutions, to ease the pressure and reduce waiting-time. He hinted that currently over 500 patients visit the Hospital each day compared to 60 previously.
Dr Normanyo said the growth of clientele is driven by the Hospital's Strategic Plan aimed at depending on its own resources to ensure customer satisfaction.
He said the Hospital now has a total of five doctors and was "prudently managing its finances" to invest in infrastructure and create good environment befitting a Municipal Hospital. "We have started renovating the maternity wards and hope to extend it to other wards very soon, the OPD and bring our kitchen back to life by the end of April," the Medical Superintendent said. He said the Hospital was also modernizing its record keeping with the installation of computers in consulting rooms and the wards to make data retrieval and processing of insurance claims easy. Dr Normanyo expressed the hope that the Hospital's five-year strategic plan would by 2013 put the facility at a top level among other Hospitals offering an "individual client-focused holistic quality service with the heart of love, understanding and harmony". He said the main challenge, however, remained the delay in payment of National Health Insurance claims and called on stakeholders to support the facility. 29 April 09
> BACK to TOP < | Former President Kufuor attends World Bank Land Reform meeting | Accra, May 3, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived in Accra on Saturday after a two-week visit to the United States and Germany. Mr Kufuor attended two separate high-level meetings on Reform of the World Bank and Improvement in Land Administration in Africa.
A press release issued by the Office of the former president and signed by the Spokesperson, Mr Frank Agyekum, said in Washington DC, former President Kufuor attended the first meeting of the 12-member high level commission set up by the World Bank earlier this year for the modernization of the Bank.
The Commission was set up by the World Bank earlier this year for the Modernization of the Bank. The Commission, which report to the World Bank President Robert Zoellick, is charged with making recommendation on how the Bank is governed so that it can better fulfil its mission of overcoming global poverty. It is chaired by former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, and includes Mrs. Sadata Ogata, President of Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr.Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the Peoples Bank of China and Mr. Paschal Lamay, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WATO).
From the US, former President Kufuor attended the 2009 African Presidential Round Table which focused on "Leadership Challenges on Land Reform in Africa", in Berlin, German. The forum organized by the African Presidential Archives and Research Centre at Boston University, USA, is an initiative for former democratically elected leaders of Africa to share their ideas and experiences with a global audience. The Former President expressed satisfaction at the outcome of both meetings. > BACK to TOP < | | * Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Peacefull Ghana ...Akwaaba! Two Aboakyer Asafo companies clash in Winneba | Winneba (C/R), May 2, GNA-About nine people were wounded and two government vehicles had their wind screams and driving mirrors damaged following a clash between the two Asafo Companies involved in the celebration of the Aboakyer festival in Winneba on Friday.
A police spokesman told newsmen that, the quick arrival of the police to the stop, saved what could have been described a bloody situation.
The spokesman said while the two Asafo companies were parading the principal streets of the town as part of the celebration they clashed at spot near the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office where members started throwing stones and other missals at each other. He said two vehicles belonging to the ECG and the Ghana
Highways Authority, were damaged, adding the wounded were treated and discharged at the Winneba Government Hospital. Meanwhile the District Police Commander, ASP France Yiribaare
when contacted, confirmed the confrontation but said things have been brought to normal and that absolute peace and order has returned to the town and the celebration was going on smoothly. ASP Yiribaare said the security personnel would leave no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful celebration of the festival, He therefore appealed to the people to cooperate with them and comport themselves to ensure a peaceful celebration. > BACK to TOP < | | Northerners urged to unite for development | Accra, May 2, GNA - Minister of State at the Presidency, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, on Saturday called on indigenes of the three northern regions to unite and ensure rapid development of their homeland. Mr Pelpuo said government's efforts to develop the regions would be meaningless if residents did not live in harmony. He was speaking at a durbar of Federation of Upper West Youth Association (FUWYA) in Accra.
The event, organised by the association, showcased various cultural practices in the Upper West Region with the objective of bolstering unity among the people. Mr Pelpuo called for the preservation and promotion of good local cultural practices to protect the area's heritage. > BACK to TOP < | | * Friday, 1 May 2009 | | President brother is special advisor | President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills has lent further credence to the ‘blood is thicker than water’ adage when he appointed his blood brother as one of his special advisors.
A statement signed by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga, named Dr. Cadman Atta Mills as a member of a 10-man Economic Advisory Council (EAC), constituted to advise the President on key economic issues affecting the country.
Other members of the special committee include Dr. Gorbin Nankani (Chairman), Togbe Afede, Emmanuel Ablor, Professor K.N. Afful, Fred Ohene Kena, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Ishmael Yamson, K.Y. Amoah and Joe Hide.
“This is to help manage the impact of the international and domestic economic crisis affecting the country in the wake of the global economic crunch,” it said.
According to the statement, the committee would liaise with existing institutions to formulate key economic policies for the country.
It is not clear how political observers will take this development, especially in the face of the fact that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) vehemently criticized former President John Agyekum Kufuor for appointing his brother, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, as Defence Minister.
FACTS:
Dr. Cadman Atta Mills was formerly with the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank.
He married Maimouna Mills in Dakar, Senegal- a union that was blessed with one issue.
Somewhere along the line, Cadman filed for divorce and Mrs. Mills also filed a counterclaim- a development that led to a looming legal tussle. But prior to the historic trial, the parties reached a settlement agreement and placed the terms of the agreement on record.
They agreed to split Cadman’s retirement account with the World Bank and also his thrift savings accounts so that each party would get 50%.
In August 2004, the court entered a judgment of absolute divorce, granting the divorce and incorporating the parties’ settlement agreement.
The judgment also reserved jurisdiction to receive, amend, alter, amend and/or alter any qualified pension orders which might be necessary to carry out the terms and provisions of the parties’ agreement.
Following the entry of judgment, Mrs. Mills drafted an order for the division of Cadman Mills’ pension benefits with the World Bank. This, he refused to do and another motion hearing was held, following which the parties made a modification of the previously submitted but un-executed order, leading to an agreement to change Mrs. Mills’ share to 41%. The agreement was then placed on record.
By Bennett Akuaku
> BACK to TOP < | Police put in place adequate security measures at Aboakyer | Winneba (C/R), May 1, GNA-The Effutu Municipal Police Command have put in place adequate preparation and measures to ensure peace and security in the municipality during and after the celebration of Aboakyer festival of the chiefs and people of Effutu Traditional Area. They have therefore warned that the police would deal drastically with anyone would like to foment trouble or disturb the peace in the area.
The Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francis Yiribaare said these in statement issued to the press in Winneba on Thursday.
He said in collaboration with the Regional Police command, sufficient human and logistical resources have been mobilized for the purpose of providing adequate safety and security for people of all walks of life including foreigners, tourist participating in the festival. The command said, it "recognizes the positive impact a peaceful and successful festival holds for the people of the Effutu Traditional Area and the country at large".
It therefore urged all and sundry to comport themselves properly and avoid conducts that have the potential of creating violence and disorder to mar the beauty of the event.
The statement said the carrying of offensive instruments like sticks, stones, cutlasses, knives and singing of provocative songs should be avoided.
"The commander reminded the public that the police are determined to maintain law and order as well as protect life and property and will not intimidate, molest or in any way mistreat law abiding people". The statement advised miscreants and other criminals, pick pocket, thieves, trickiest, fraudsters and other trouble makers to stay way or desist from such anti-social conducts in their own interest. He said such people, when found will be arrested and prosecuted in the interest of peace and justice.
Meanwhile, the Aboakyer festival would reach its climax on Saturday, May 2 when the two Asafo Companies would go to bush to capture a live deer.
The first animal to be brought to the durbar ground is stepped on by the Omanhene, Neenyi Ghartey with his left foot to signify its acceptance for the traditional customs. > BACK to TOP < | | Asantehene grateful to anniversary participants | | 10 years anniversary celebration of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II - LIVE GTV-VIDEO (recorded) | Kumasi, May 1, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has expressed profound gratitude to people who contributed meaningfully to his 10th anniversary celebrations. He said their participation and contribution has really united Ghanaians and portrayed the real tradition of the Asante kingdom to the outside world.
These were contained in a statement signed by Mr. G B Osei Antwi, Media Relations Officer of the Manhyia Palace, and issued in Kumasi on Thursday.
It stated that the celebration, which involved persons from different cultural backgrounds, would serve as history to the people of Asanteman and the world as a whole.
The statement expressed regret about some minor incidence which occurred particularly at the popular stand at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, during the climax of the event on April 26. It enumerated among others how the arrangement of seats for some invited dignitaries was abused at the stadium. > BACK to TOP < | | * Thursday, 30 April 2009 | | Unilever registers GH¢29.2 million net profit | Accra, April 30, GNA - Unilever Ghana Limited registered a net profit after tax of GH¢29.2 million in the financial year ended 2008, as against GH¢12.4 million in the previous year. The company's operating profit also rose by 56.7 per cent from GH¢18.2 million in 2007 to GH¢28.5 million in 2008 and its Board declared an interim dividend of GH¢0.1005 per share and recommended a final dividend of GH¢0.1123 all of which amounted to GH¢0.2128 per share.
The shareholders also approved resolutions to elect and fix remunerations of Directors as well as amended regulations to allow for conversion and/or issuance of shares in electronic data form in compliance with requirements of the Ghana Stock Exchange. Mr Charles Cofie, Chief Executive Officer of the company, who disclosed this at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Accra on Thursday, said the high performance was as a result of prudent measures adopted by management.
Mr Cofie said management resorted to cost cutting measures in the heat of the global economic crisis to ensure that its impact was minimal on the company's performance.
He said high turnover rate was reduced and strong portfolio management measures adopted to cut down on unnecessary operational expenditure which resulted in saving of cost. Mr Cofie said the continued global economic crisis posed a greater challenge to the company this year but was confident that its strategies and brands would continue to do well.
"We will explore and take appropriate internal actions with the aim of pursuing our strategic objectives to ensure the viability of the company." Mr Cofie gave the assurance that the company would continue to meaningfully contribute to the development of society through its social responsibility interventions. > BACK to TOP < | Peacefull Ghana - Akwaaba! One Shot Dead And Two Injured At Bawku | Bolgatanga, April 30 GNA - One man was shot dead and two others received gunshot wounds at the cattle market in Bawku, when an unidentified gunman in an attempt to shoot a motorbike rider rather shot a different person in the arm. The incident created panic among the crowd at the market and people started running helter-skelter while others went for their guns and started shooting.
Speaking from Bawku in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mr Musah Abdulai, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, said the first shooting started around 12.00 noon and put the whole area into panic, especially as today, Thursday, is a market day and many people were in town doing business. He said the security personnel deployed troops to the vantage areas in the Municipality and they had managed to bring the situation under control.
Mr Abdulai said the security personnel were trying to maintain the calm and to ensure that the violence did not erupt again. The dead has been sent to the Bawku Hospital mortuary while the injured are also receiving treatment. Meanwhile, thieves took advantage of the confusion and drove away cattle that had been sent to the market for sale. > BACK to TOP < | Drama unfolds as Hohoe assembly elects Presiding Member | Hohoe, April 30, GNA - There was drama at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly during the exercise elect a Presiding Member when two candidates who had collected and filled nomination papers stepped down, incurring the displeasure of members. This held up proceedings for over an hour as members booed and hurled insults at each other.
When calm returned Ms Edith Akpoto, 48, an educationist who had stepped down with Mr Kosikumah Hovi, 52, a journalist, was re-nominated to contest for the position.
Mr Bismark Addae, Assemblyman for Leklebi who was nominated to contest against Ms Akpoto, stepped down to enable her stand unopposed. She polled 62 votes out of 66, representing 93.9 percent to become the Presiding Member of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly. Ms Akpoto explained in her acceptance speech that the blood relationship between her and the contestants were so close that it was almost an absurdity to compete among themselves, hence her decision. Mr David Acheampong, Hohoe Municipal Electoral Officer, told the Ghana News Agency that the action of Ms Akpoto did not constitute an aberration of the law.
He said she could be re-nominated to the position as she stepped down on her own volition without any adverse findings made against her that could have debarred her from contesting. > BACK to TOP < | | * Wednesday, 29 April 2009 | Tourism raked in $US1.3 in 2008 - Minister | Accra, April 29, GNA - An estimated 1.3 billion US dollars was realized from the tourism sector last year, thus making it the fourth highest foreign exchange earner after gold, cocoa and remittances from Ghanaian residents abroad.
Also, a total of 232,883 jobs were directly or indirectly created by the sector in the same year which represented 13 per cent growth over 2007's record, said Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah, Minister of Tourism. Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Tourism, she noted that when well planned, tourism could be a viable tool for the conservation of the environment and the preservation of local cultures.
Ghana - and the DREAM of Tourism... 
Tourists in Ghana? Where are you..? What Jobs? Not at this shop in Akosombo. (Akosombo dam.. "Main attraction"..!)
"It could also induce both the central and the local governments to make infrastructure improvements such as better water and sewage systems, roads, electricity and telephone in the host communities," the Minister added.
Mrs Azuma Mensah noted that for the past six decades, tourism had experienced continuous growth and diversification to become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. She said according to the United Nations Tourism Organization, the sector had demonstrated enormous scope to contribute to the poverty reduction in the world especially in third world countries. "In 2007, it generated more that 260 billion US dollars in foreign exchange earnings for poor countries," she added.
Mrs Azumah Mehsan said the 23 member committee drawn from all the ministries would serve as an advisory and decision-making body to the Ministry of Tourism and the implementation of its policies. The minister, who is the chairperson for the committee, noted that the committee would also serve as a platform for effective collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and other ministries, departments and agencies.
In an open forum, the members called for the inclusion of technical people on the board to offer the needed advice, promote internal tourism and implement policies drawn for the tourism sector.
Mrs Bridget Katsriku, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, noted that the committee had been in existence for the past eight years but was ineffective because most of the members were of junior ranks and therefore could not help implement decisions taken at meetings. "Now that we have directors, chief directors and even deputy ministers on the committee, we hope decisions taken will see the light of day," she said.
> BACK to TOP < | | Mills cuts sod for Chinese Government assisted 100-bed capacity general hospital | Accra, April 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday took a further step in redeeming his pledge to improve the nation's health delivery when he cut the sod for work to commence on a Chinese Government assisted 100-bed capacity general hospital and malaria research centre at Teshie in Accra.
He reiterated Government's commitment to improve the health delivery, but stressed healthy lifestyles, sound environmental maintenance and proper sanitation for disease prevention to save the nation money to tackle other areas of national development concerns. While appealing to local and traditional authorities to create the necessary conducive environment for the project to be completed on schedule, President Mills gave an assurance of fair distribution of national projects.
The hospital, located at Teshie Tsuibleo in Accra, is being constructed at a cost of US$13 million with Chinese component of US$7.5 grant.
China Geo Engineering Corporation is the contractor for the project which is scheduled to be completed in 16 months. The sod-cutting ceremony marked the first of planned health projects under the Mills Administration. The project is in furtherance of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, under which the Government of Ghana made a request to the People's Republic of China for the construction of 100-bed General Hospital with a malaria research centre. The facility would serve the Teshie-Nungua communities, who for some time now have been going to either the La or the Tema General Hospitals, the two nearest public health facilities, which are kilometres away.
Facilities included in the design are full medical equipment, out patient unit, radiology unit with CT and x-ray, two operating theatres incorporating ultra-sound, enterospy, gastrocopy and electrodiogram equipment.
The hospital, which would also serve as a scientific herbal treatment centre, is designed further to render services in optometry, accident and emergency, maternal and child health, physiotherapy and ear, nose and throat (ENT).
President Mills urged the managers of the project to ensure prudence and good management.
He repeated the Government's assurance that the National Health Insurance would not be scrapped, but rather Government would enhance its operations with a one time premium payment, which, he said, was an achievable goal.
President Mills expressed gratitude to the Chinese Government for the assistance, and prayed for wisdom and direction for the Government to be able to fulfil its promises, which he described as sacred to the people of Ghana.
Mr Yu Wenzhe, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said good health care delivery was one of the main ways to the advancement of the social and economic well being of the people.
He spoke of Chinese assistance in the health sector to a number of African countries, which, he said, China saw as reliable partners. Another area that China has committed itself to is the construction of the Bui Hydro Power Dam Project, and Mr Wenzhe said China would keep all its commitments to Ghana.
Dr George Yankey, Minister of Health, said Government would exempt all construction equipment machines and medical equipment and other materials required for the project and personal belongings of the Chinese engineering technicians specifically assigned to the project from the payment of customs. There would also be VAT relief for the purchase of local building materials.
Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister Youth and Sports and MP for Ledzokuku (Teshie), called for assistance from Government to improve the water situation. He also appealed to government to rat the "Teshie Bush Road", as a bypass to ease the traffic congestion on the main Teshie-La Road. A former Member of the Council of State, Nii Adjei Anang, who chaired the function, called for eyes to be kept on the site to prevent pilfering of construction materials. Among those present at the ceremony were Dr Gladys Norley Ashitey, former Deputy Minister for Health, former MP for Ledzokuku, Mr Daniel Amartey Mensah, the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly Chief Executive, chiefs, elders and the clergy. > BACK to TOP < | | Dzogborve Catholic primary school needs assistance | Dzogborve, (V/R) April 29, GNA - The Catholic primary school, build over 38 years ago at Dzogborve in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region, is in a deplorable state. The walls of the school block, which was constructed by the people with the assistance of the Comboni Missionaries of the Church, has developed cracks and some of the roofing sheets had either been ripped off by rainstorm or worn out. Mr. Francis Gamor, chairman of the school's PTA and Mr. Francis Klu an opinion leader of the town led the GNA to observe the deplorable condition of the school. Mr. Gamor said pupils of the school, which served eight communities in the area, were at the mercy of the vagaries of the weather. He said " We do not know how to get a place for the pupils to have classes as we have entered the rainy season" and appealed to philanthropists, organisations, Member of Parliament for the area, the district assembly, and the Ghana Education Service to assist the school with a classroom block. > BACK to TOP < | | * Tuesday, 28 April 2009 | | NHIS officials advised to avoid politicising scheme | Nkoranza (B/A), April 28, GNA - Mr. Kwame Gyedu, Nkoranza South District Co-ordinating Director, has advised officials of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to avoid politicising the scheme to enhance its patronage. 
(c) ghana-net.com / EventPicture.co.uk He said "In spite of the change of government, the scheme continues unabated, so you should not allow your political affiliations to affect your work since the scheme was introduced to ensure the well-being of all Ghanaians". Mr. Nuako, who is also acting board chairman of Nkoranza South District NHIS, was addressing field workers of the scheme, at a day's orientation workshop at Nkoranza. He urged all Ghanaians to register with the scheme, adding that it was the most important intervention that had made health care delivery affordable to the people, irrespective of their status. Mr. Nuako said the development of every nation depended on the health of its people and Ghana could not hope for a bright future should the scheme collapse. Mr. Stephen Opoku Brobbey, manager of the district NHIS, commended the field workers for their hard work, which he said had brought remarkable improvement in the operations of the scheme. He said about 85,489 people registered with the scheme in 2008 as against 65,000 persons in 2007. Mr. Brobbey said the district scheme had paid a total of GHC 1,752,220.56, covering medical bills of 167,388 members to health institutions. He advised the workers to educate the people about the importance of the scheme to increase its membership. Mr. Samuel Adu-Poku, Public Relations Officer of the district scheme, asked the workers to promptly deposit fees they would collect from clients at the bank. > BACK to TOP < | | Ban on drumming in the Ga state | Accra, April 28, GNA - The Ga Traditional Council, on Tuesday announced that the ban on drumming and noisemaking to usher in the annual Homowo festival would take effect from Monday 4 May, 2009. A statement signed by Mr. E.T Addoquaye, Registrar of the Ga Traditional Council, said the ban would be lifted on Thursday June 4, 2009.
"Homowo celebration would be as follows: Nungua, July 4, Lante Djan We, August 1, Tema, August 14, Ga Mashie August 15, and Osu, La, Teshie, Kpone , Prampram and Ningo on August 25", It said. The statement advised the public to respect the ban and honour the traditions of the Ga state. > BACK to TOP < | | Minister asks TMA to review TEXPO contract | Tema, April 28, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey, has called on the Chief Executive and Assembly Members of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to urgently review the Tema International Trade Exposition Centre (TEXPO) contract. Nii Ashitey said the Assembly must "revisit the 1.2 billion cedi contract and take back the land."
He made the call on Friday during the confirmation of Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware as the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive. The TEXPO project, which Nii Ashitey initiated when he was the Chief Executive of TMA, was to create a platform for business and commerce in the metropolis.
The 24-acre land project, which was to have a shopping mall, banks, playground, restaurants, and offices for big companies in Tema as well as a showroom for cars, was abandoned and leased to Jospong Group of Companies for 50 years.
The contract was signed in 2005 and under it the company would own 70 percent shares while TMA owns 30 percent shares. Jospong Group of Companies, as part of the agreement, paid 1.2 billion cedis to land owners as compensation on behalf of TMA.
Nii Ashitey appealed to the assembly to also eject encroachers on a 26-acre land at Adjriganor acquired by the TMA during his tenure to be used for offices and residential accommodation for workers of the metropolis.
He appealed to the assembly to map out strategies to use these resources judiciously to generate revenue for the development of the metropolis, adding that the TEXPO project is still viable. > BACK to TOP < | | Government to set up committee on Vodafone | Accra, April 28, GNA - The Government would soon set up a five-member committee to review some aspects of the agreement that led to the sale of majority of government shares in Ghana Telecom to Vodafone International. 
CLICK HERE for the PHOTO REPORT (ghana-net.com / EventPicture.co.uk) | The Committee to be headed by a retired judge of the Superior Court of Judicature would include representatives from the Attorney General's Department & Ministry of Justice, Communication experts and technocrats from the Ministry of Communications.
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The Minister of Communications, Mr. Haruna Iddrissu announced this London on Monday during a meeting with top officials of Vodafone International at their Newbury Headquarters in the United Kingdom, a statement from the Ghana High Commission in London said. Mr Iddrissu said whilst in opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed reservations about the agreement and pledged to review it when Ghanaians gave them the mandate to run the affairs of the country.
The Committee was therefore being set up in fulfilment of the promise the party made to Ghanaians. Mr Iddrissu said areas the Committee will be expected to look at include;
Justification for the indemnity clause which seems to give protection to management and judgement defaults.
On the principles of cash free and debt free, Government needs to know what accounted for the huge indebtedness and liability of Ghana Telecom and why these were not declared during the negotiations: It said Government needed to satisfy itself that nothing had been glossed over because a real calculation could not have accounted for the low price of $900 million as sales price offered for Ghana Telecom. The Committee would find out how much liability was incurred from the time of Telenor's disagreement to the time of the transaction between Ghana Telecom and Vodafone International and because of national security implications, the National Fibre Optic backbone should not have been included in the transactions.
"The Committee would therefore have to investigate why national security concerns were not considered and come out with appropriate recommendations to Government," the statement said. It said under the Sales and Purchases Agreement (SPA) there was the release of Ghana Telecom University College to Vodafone International to run and for an eventual return to the Government of Ghana at a cost of 8 million pounds is determined to run the University as an IT Institute of Excellence and would therefore want to take it back. "Government would also want to know how a loan of $228 million was made to Vodafone and how a further amount of $63 million accruable from the ESCROW Account was disbursed."
Mr Iddrissu said Government would want the Committee to address labour rationalisation issues, particularly how employees of Ghana Telecom were going to be affected by the SPA:
Responding on behalf of Vodafone International, Mr. Mathew Kirk, Director for International Relations, welcomed the decision to review the Agreement, but advised the Government to be circumspect in dealing with the issue lest it sent negative signals to the international business community.
> BACK to TOP < | | Vodafone suit adjourned to May 28 | Accra, April 28, GNA - The Ghana Telecom (GT)/Vodafone International suit was on Tuesday adjourned to May 28 by the Fast Track High Court (Commercial Division) following the non-availability of the representative from the Attorney General's Department. When the case was called Mr Bright Akwetey, who represented the plaintiffs, intimated to the court that the representative of the Attorney General was not available and they had agreed on a month's adjournment.
Issues at stake are whether or not the plaintiffs have any locus standi in the matter and whether or not the process adopted prior to and leading to the placement of Sales and Purchase Agreement before Parliament were in accordance with the procedures provided under the Companies Code and the Constitution.
Others are whether or not Articles 6 (1), (6), Articles 10 (7), 12 and 13 (21) of the Agreement contravened the Constitutional requirements and whether or not the High Court had the jurisdiction to determine the constitutionality of the Agreement ratified by Parliament. The plaintiffs made up of Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Mr Kwame Jantuah and two others are also seeking the restoration of the optic fibre network to the Volta River Authority and an order for the true revaluation of the assets of GT. They were also seeking the revocation of the agreement for the sale of Ghana Telecom (GT) to Vodafone International.
The plaintiffs instituted the legal action against the previous government to halt the sale of the state-owned Ghana Telecom to Vodafone International. On July 3, last year government announced an agreement on the sale of GT to Vodafone. In the agreement, government retained 30 per cent share. > BACK to TOP < | | * Monday, 27 April 2009 | | Police corporals assault second-hand clothes dealer | Sekondi, April 27, GNA - Two policemen have been interdicted by the Western Regional Police Command for allegedly beating, ransacking and detaining Mr Francis Essiew, a 38-year-old second hand clothes dealer at the Takorad i central Police Station under the pretext that he was a drug dealer. The suspects are detective Corporal Alidu Salifu and Detective Corporal Ebenezer Neeyi Ahomanyi with the Narcotics Unit of the Police. Seven others are also under investigation. Their interdiction is aimed at facilitating investigations into how nine policemen, on April 15, stormed Mr Essiew's house, broke the door, ransacked the room and beat him in front of his wife and two children.
Briefing the media Police Chief Inspector Olivia Adiku, Public Relations Officer, they would be on interdiction until investigations are over by April 30. Mr. Essiew told newsmen that on that he was asleep with his family when he heard shouts that he should open his door and fearing the people could be armed robbers, he hesitated. He said the group broke down the door, ransacked the room and when he demanded who they were Corporal Salifu and Corporal Ahomanyi beat him up. Mr. Essiew said the next day he was transferred from the Takoradi Central Police Station to the Sekondi Narcotics Unit where he was granted bail after which it was found that it was a mistaken identity. Mr. Essiew said his request for medical forms to enable him seek medical care infuriated Corporal Salidu who pounced on him and again subjected him to severe beatings. The Commander in charge of the Narcotics Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Basintale, said the unit went to the house of Mr. Essiew to search it for his alleged dealing in drugs but they found nothing. He denied any knowledge that his men assaulted Mr. Essiew and said "even if such an incident occurred no one has reported it to me". > BACK to TOP < | | Methodist Bishop says ethnicity is a killer | Esikadu, April 27, GNA - The Most Reverend Robert Aboagye- Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, has said promotion of ethnicity could lead to division, confusion and the retardation of development. He said all countries that have developed around tribal lines and ideas have been destroyed while strife, anger and disputes have dominated.
Rev. Aboagye-Mensah was said this in a sermon to climax the 48th annual synod of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church at Essikadu on Sunday.
It was on the theme ""Oh Holy Spirit, establish us in the Lord Jesus to finish the task ahead". He said marriages, culture, families and infrastructural development were destroyed in Rwanda and parts of Nigeria when they decided to adopt ethnic and tribal ideologies and cautioned Ghanaians not to choose that path.
Rev. Aboagye-Mensah appealed to Ghanaians to build their nation based on the teachings of Christ and that when the Holy Spirit is present, it does not look at one's tribal origin or social status. "Christ makes all one in him and there is no Jew, Greek or Akan person when they meet together in the worship of God." Rev. Aboagye-Mensah said "even democracy is based on division and if you do not belong to a particular group, then you are out." "Our differences should strengthen and compliment our humanity," he said. | | Arthur K. Blames NPP Defeat On Extravagance | Accra — Dr. Arthur Kennedy, former Director of Communication of Nana Addo's campaign team, has attributed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) defeat in the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections to the splashing of money by the presidential aspirants at rallies during the primaries.
In addition, he said the abuse of the processes in the most recent parliamentary primaries demoralized the people and resulted in the down all of the party.
In an interview with The Mail he debunked the rumor that the high number of aspirants who contested, caused the NPP to lose the 2008 general election.
Dr. Kennedy said, "The party obviously has mechanisms to restrict the number of parliamentary candidates but the mechanisms were abused by constituency, regional and national executives before the elections."
He revealed that there is a committee investigating why the New Patriotic Party lost the elections.
The NPP called for proposals from party members to review the party's constitution as part of its self-assessment programme following its defeat in the 2008 elections. The deadline for the proposals is over and 66 documents are up for consideration.
According to Arthur Kennedy, the submission of the proposals is consistent with Article 19 of the party's constitution which mandates persons who wish to seek reviews in its laws to file their convictions, at least, two months to the party's national congress.
Some of the proposals that he said were sent to the party executives include limiting the number of people who end up at congress as contestants.
When asked about his view on the proposal, he said "I don't think it is a bad idea to make a proposal to restrict the number of people who can contest for the presidential candidacy of the NPP. It rather has to do with how it is implemented in an impartial manner".
Dr. Kennedy said he was of the same opinion with some members of the Party who proposed that the number of the presidential aspirants should be reduced to five. He however thinks it should be done in good faith and with a clear conscience.
He said some of the aspirants tried to work out alliances but were constrained by time.
He said in order to restrict persons who want to contest as presidential aspirants, there must be criteria that will take into consideration experience, geographical balance, democratic growth and "standard" of persons.
Expressing optimism, Dr. Kennedy said it is possible for the NPP to come back to power after the first four-year term of the NDC but cautioned that it is not automatic. "It is very likely for the party to come to power in the next 4years only if the members do not sit down absentmindedly waiting for the next election before they will act", he said.
| | EU Week celebration announced | Accra, April 27, GNA - The Delegation of the European Commission in Ghana, in collaboration with the European Union member states will celebrate this year's EU Week in Accra from May 4 to 8.
A statement to the Ghana News Agency on Monday said there would be a two-day film festival dubbed "European Union Cultural Week 2009" in Accra between May 6 and 7.
It said the films to be screened include "Crossing Europe - European film festival" which was a projection of nine films throughout Europe and a Ghanaian film "No time to die". It said an interactive exhibition about the youth in Germany
would also be opened at the Goethe-Institut on Tuesday, May 5. This year's celebration is under theme: "EU - Ghana partnership
on Global Challenges". > BACK to TOP < |
___________________________________________________________________ | LATEST GHANA NEWS 27.04.2009 - 03.05. 2009 WEEK 18 - 2009 | | | * Sunday, 3 May 2009 - Mills to meet with British PM Brown - Government commends media - The Resurgence of Ho Municipal Hospital - Former President Kufuor attends World Bank Land Reform meeting - Government to increase investment in agriculture | * Saturday, 2 May 2009 - Two Aboakyer Asafo companies clash in Winneba - Northerners urged to unite for development - Dead bodies: AMA blames community - Govt urged to expedite action on freedom of information bill - JAK'S minister praises Jerry | * Friday, 1 May 2009 - President brother is special advisor - Police put in place adequate security measures at Aboakyer - Asantehene grateful to anniversary participants - NPP condemns threat on its Volta regional chairman - Ghanaian freed from Libyan prison | * Thursday, 30 April 2009 - Unilever registers GH¢29.2 million net profit - One Shot Dead And Two Injured at Bawku - Drama unfolds as Hohoe assembly elects Presiding Member - German Government donates IT equipment to KAITPC - Former officials of previous administration return vehicles - Ministry | * Wednesday, 29 April 2009 - Tourism raked in $US1.3 in 2008 - Minister - Colonial policy cause of illiteracy and poverty in north - Mills cuts sod for Chinese Government assisted 100-bed capacity general hospital - Dzogborve Catholic primary school needs assistance - Government has disappointed women - WILDAF | * Tuesday, 28 April 2009 - NHIS officials advised to avoid politicising scheme - Ban on drumming in the Ga state - Lets all fight against counterfeiting and piracy - Gyetuah - Government to set up committee on Vodafone - Vodafone suit adjourned to May 28 - Minister asks TMA to review TEXPO contract - Government reaffirms transparency in oil management - 60,000 graduates to do national service | * Monday, 27 April 2009 - Police corporals assault second-hand clothes dealer - Methodist Bishop says ethnicity is a killer - Arthur K. Blames NPP Defeat on Extravagance - EU Week celebration announced - NDC Top Shots Own Gov’t Lands - GJA to commemorate World Press Freedom Day - NPP peddling falsehood - Zita - Kufuor under Fire - Sunyani Police arrest suspected armed robbers | | | Your REPORT Your STORIES * Your PHOTOS PUBLISH NOW! |  | | All about the Ghana Election 2008 | | |  |  | | | | * Sunday, 3 May 2009 | | Government to increase investment in agriculture | Botoku (V/R), May 3, GNA - Government is determined to increase its investment in agriculture in order to guarantee internal food security and make the country a net exporter of food. Vice-President John Dramani Mahama gave the hint at a durbar organized by the Chiefs and people of Botoku in the Volta Region on Saturday, in honour of Ms Sena Akua Dansua, Minister of Women and Children Affairs, who hails from the community. Ms Dansua was enthroned as "Ngoyifia" (Development Queen), under the stool name "Mama Nyuiewaa" in honour of her elevation to a Cabinet Minister and also being the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi Constituency for the past 12 years.
Vice President Mahama said Ghana's continuous dependence on other countries for its food needs was a dent on the country's pride and sovereignty. He said the government would soon re-package the Youth in Agriculture Programme, as part of measures to broaden the frontiers and scope of the sector, to make it beneficial, especially to the youth to reflect the aspirations of government for the sector.
Vice President Mahama said government was streamlining the bureaucratic bottlenecks to make agri-business lucrative, attractive and devoid of frustrations. He urged the youth to reposition themselves in order to reap the full benefits of the government's agriculture programmes, which hold the answer to youth unemployment. He described Ms Dansua as hard working, vocal, cheerful, approachable, assertive and apt and that she is "one of the special eyes of the National Democratic Congress".
Vice President Mahama commended the traditional authorities for the honour done her and urged the youth, especially girls in the community to emulate her sterling example. Vice President Mahama said the Vakpo-Botoku-Tsoxor road would soon be given attention.
Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister commended the chiefs and people of Botoku for honouring Mama Nyuiewaa, and urged the youth to take their education serious because "it's the key to development." He advised the Municipal and District Chief Executives and their Members of Parliament (MPs) to work cordially to help facilitate the rapid development of the region.
Togbe Atakora IV, Mankrado of Botoku Traditional Area said the honour bestowed on Mama Nyuiewaa was to stimulate hard work and excellence in the youth of the area with parents playing their roles well by investing in education. Togbe Atakora commended President John E. A. Mills and Vice President Mahama for seeing the qualities in Mama Nyuiewaa and also the opportunity given her to serve the country in a sensitive and important area as women and children affairs. Thanking her Chiefs and people for honouring her, Mama Nyuiewaa said "am flattered", and pledged to work hard. She appealed to the people to bury their differences and position themselves towards installing a new chief to facilitate development in the area. | | * Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Dead bodies: AMA blames community | The situation at the “Mile Eleven" cemetery off the Kasoa-Winneba road where decomposed bodies were reportedly exposed due to Monday morning's downpour has been given a new twist.
Reacting to the story, the Metropolitan Public Health Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Dr Simpson Anim Boateng, contended that the incident was a deliberate action by members of the community to demonstrate their disapproval of mass burial of corpses there.
He said investigations by his department on Tuesday revealed that the grave was dug by the residents whom he had, in the past accused of illegally building there.
According to him, the residents had encroached on the land meant for the cemetery.
Dr Boateng told the Times in an interview that the government in the 1970s acquired 0ver 200 acres of land there for the purpose of burials but the encroachment had left less than only four acres for mass burial.
“These people acquired the land from the chief in the area and are staying there at the risk of their health because most of the people buried there died of highly contagious diseases," he stated,
Dr Boateng, who sounded frustrated, said his department had on numerous occasions advised people against the practice.
"Honestly speaking, national security will have to come in because the situation is beyond me now and the whole township is built on cemeteries, although no single resident can show a permit allowing him or her to build there," he complained.
He said because of the encroachment, only a small piece of land was left for mass burial and that often resulted in digging and exposing of skeletal parts in the process because of the very limited space.
His frustration found further expressing in his complaint that a lot of very influential people in the society had acquired lands there thus making AMA's efforts to bring back sanity to the area very difficult.
Meanwhile, Dr Boateng has led a team to the cemetery to dig a new grave for the reburial of the corpses.
The entire area has also been fumigated.
An official at the Environmental Protection Agency told the Times that they could only make a public statement after they had visited the place.
| | Govt urged to expedite action on freedom of information bill | Accra, May 2, GNA - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), on Friday asked government to demonstrate its commitment to probity, accountability, open government and respect for human rights by ensuring the immediate passage of the freedom of information bill.
A statement signed by Miss Anna Bossman, Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, and issued in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, which falls on May 3, said such legislation would also help to strengthen institutions of governance to play their role of ensuring transparency and good governance as well as deepening democracy. "This year's theme "Media Dialogue and mutual understanding", compels us all to reflect on the tenets of tolerance and acceptance of each other in spite of our differences. It reminds us that there is unity in diversity and that we all have a role to play in the nation building", It said.
The statement said journalists and the media had enormous power to shape attitudes and perceptions, and this power must be used responsibly with the sole aim of making this nation a better place for everybody. It urged media houses to set up human rights desks and appoint focal persons to report and discuss issues pertaining to human rights. "This way, they would contribute immensely towards human rights promotion and invariably protecting the vulnerable in society especially women and children" the statement said. It commended the Ghanaian media for the pivotal role it played in ensuring the conduct of successful general election in December last year.
| | * Friday, 1 May 2009 | | NPP condemns threat on its Volta regional chairman | Accra, May 1, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said that it would not countenance harassment and acts of intimidation of its functionaries, officers, supporters and members in any part of the country.
A statement signed by Mr. Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman said " The NPP has noted with great concern, the demonstration of the chiefs and warriors of Asogli state against Mr. Kenwuud Noworsu, Volta Regional Chairman of NPP, for expressing his views or opinions on recent pronouncements made by Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State."
It said Much as the NPP believed in the right to resort to demonstration by a person or groups to show their resentments to opinions and deeds of people, the party condemned acts of intimidation and threats on its regional chairman and members of the party on the basis of expressing political opinions. The statement said that what Mr. Noworsu did was to add his voice to the numerous criticisms levelled against the chief by various citizens of Ghana.
"We all remember the recent pronouncements by Togbe Afede on the purported deliberate neglect of Volta region by the NPP administration and how it attracted massive criticism. That, the chiefs and warriors of Asogli state should pick on the regional chairman is unacceptable and an affront on his democratic and civil rights in our current democratic dispensation. If for expressing his views, he is being declared persona non-grata in his own region then God save Ghana", It said. The statement said Ghana has come far in terms of personal freedoms, free speech and expression of opinions. It said "We should not allow any group of people, be they chiefs, political parties, individuals and groups to take this hardly won freedom from us by using lies and falsehood because the NPP will always champion the truth".
The party commended the police for the timely intervention and urged them to continue to protect lives and properties of all citizens regardless of political affiliation or region of origin. | | Ghanaian freed from Libyan prison | Accra, May 1, GNA - Mr. Daniel Baidoo, a Ghanaian, who was imprisoned for 25 years in Libya in 2001 for possessing Christian materials, has been released through the intervention of the government. He joined Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who returned home Thursday evening from Tripoli, Libya, after a three-day official visit to that country.
The Vice President told journalists at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, that Mr. Biadoo, in his early thirties, went to Libya in 1998.
Vice President Mahama said Mr. Biadoo, who was a member of the Union Church, requested for Christian literature from a Christian organization in the U.S in 1998. The Vice President said the Libyan security personnel intercepted the literature that was being posted to Mr. Biadoo, leading to his incarceration.
Vice President Mahama said when the government of Ghana learnt of the case upon coming into power, it sent a letter of clemency to the Libyan authorities through a special envoy of that country, facilitating the release of Mr. Baidoo. | | | | German Government donates IT equipment to KAITPC | Accra, April 30, GNA - The German Government on Thursday presented a set of IT equipment worth 150,000.00 Euro and a Pajero four-wheel drive vehicle to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
The donation, which included computers, printers and photocopiers was financed as part of the collaboration between the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the KAIPTC, will assist the centre to expand its institutional capacities to provide the needed training for peace support operations and crisis prevention measures in the West African Region.
Major-General John Attipoe, the Commandant of KAIPTC said the world economic crisis had affected supporters of the Centre, but GTZ had stood firm to support them with IT equipment that were crucial in the training.
Major-General Attipoe expressed his gratitude to the German Government for the donation, which he said would help discharge their responsibilities.
Mr. Hans Christian Winkler, Deputy German Ambassador to Ghana said the donation was part of the bilateral agreement signed in 2003, to support KAIPTC and it was a pleasure to continue with the process. The German Development Co-operation recognized the critical role a functioning IT system had played in bringing KAIPTC to its high level of performance, as an ECOWAS designated Centre of Excellence for Peacekeeping Training and Research.
GTZ is a German government-owned corporation that was established to promote international cooperation and contribute to sustainable development throughout the world. It works in areas including rural development, economic development and employment, and environmental and infrastructural development. | | | | Colonial policy cause of illiteracy and poverty in north | Accra, April 29, GNA - Mr David Ofosu-Dorte, a lawyer, on Tuesday attributed the high rate of underdevelopment and illiteracy in the three northern regions to the colonial policy which sought to make the north the labour force of the whole country.
"During the colonial era, northerners and the northern region were designated to provide labour for all the activities that would take place in the south and due to that, education was the least of the priorities of the colonial masters as far as the north was concerned," he explained.
Speaking at a forum organized by IMANI, a public awareness oriented organization, Mr Ofosu-Dorte, Managing Partner of AB David and Law, said due to this policy, only one secondary school was built for the whole of the three northern regions, which was at the time just one region. He said this colonial policy was what had led to numerous "kayayei", (female porters), on the streets of Accra and other areas because "an illiterate parent would likely not see the need to educate his child".
Mr Ofosu-Dorte also blamed successive governments which also failed to address the issue after numerous promises on their campaign trails. He condemned instances whereby inhabitants wanted indigenes to be given political appointments because it was believed that they would be more committed and would identify with the needs of the people. Mr Ofosu-Dorte cited Colonel George Minyila and Mr Joshua Alabi as political leaders who made a lot of positive impact on the people that they served although they did not come from those areas. He appealed to governments to continue with good policies started by their predecessors and also work towards changes in reports issued by government institutions.
"Comparing the 1959 Report on Local Government to the 1998 Auditor General's Report, one could tell almost all the findings were the same (corruption and misappropriation of state funds) and not much had been done towards change," Mr Ofosu-Dorte said. He called on the media to come out with issues which were more development oriented for the benefit of the people and put a stop to false political stories which only heightened tensions. Mr Ofosu-Dorte appealed to Ghanaians to avoid the Ghana Man Time (GMT) syndrome of not keeping to time and also not to confuse justice with vengeance. | | * Wednesday, 29 April 2009 | | Government has disappointed women - WILDAF | Accra, April 29, GNA - A women's group, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), on Wednesday said the government had disappointed Ghanaian women in the appointment of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives. WILDAF said the NDC government had therefore failed to honour its promise in the party's manifesto of ensuring 40 per cent representation of women in political positions.
Ms Bernice Sam, National Programmes Coordinator, WILDAF, said this at the launch of a Rural Women's Empowerment Project in Accra. She said it was unacceptable that out of the 143 nominees for the district assemblies, only nine of the appointees were women, adding that even two out of the nine have been rejected in the Central and Volta regions.
Ms Sam also stated that the recent appointment of members into the Economic Advisory Committee which did not have any female representation, despite the many competent female economists in the country, was a further indication that the government could not meet its pledge.
"Ghanaian women are watching, listening and reading to hear what the President John Evans Atta Mills-led administration will tell us to convince us that they are fulfilling their promise," she added. Ms Sam said women groups were initially happy when President Mills began appointing women to key government positions such as the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and therefore questioned why the sudden change. The Programmes Coordinator also expressed concern on the lack of government's commitment to address the concerns of women, saying that women were still marginalized in society despite various protocols the country had ratified.
Trokosi and widowhood rites, Ms Sam said, were still prevalent in the country and the practice of labelling older women as witches, banning them from homes and condemning them to "witch camps" had also not been halted.
She said rural women also continued to lack access to credit and health facilities, family planning and potable water whilst the girl child also lacked access to education. Ms Sam indicated that as a result of some of these constraints, about 26 per cent of rural teenagers had their first child before age 18.
WILDAF, she said, had therefore initiated the rural empowerment project funded by the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry to empower women to insist on their rights.
She stated that the project which was being implemented in Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso for 30 months, would empower the rural women to help maximize the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (3) to half extreme poverty by 2015. Ms Sam said in Ghana the project would be implemented in two districts in Greater Accra - Amasaman and Sege - to educate 50 women to also provide legal first aid to their peers on rights and domestic violence.
Nana Manko Asumadu Sekyi I, Mmbabaahemaa of Dawu Akuapim, who chaired the launch also expressed worry over the discrimination in the sharing of property or inheritances for women as a result of some traditional practices. She said women who could not have children in rural communities were often denied inheritance of their deceased spouses or when the marriages were dissolved. Nana Sekyi therefore commended the initiative of WILDAF and expressed the hope that the project would provide women with a stronger voice to fight for their rights. | | * Tuesday, 28 April 2009 | | Lets all fight against counterfeiting and piracy - Gyetuah | Accra, April 28, GNA - Mr. John Gyetuah, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, on Monday called on all stakeholders to get involved in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. He said "We must pool resources, both material and human, to raise awareness through sensitization, seminars and initiatives". Mr. Gyetuah, who made the call at this year's World Intellectual Property Day and the launch of the Ghana Anti-Counterfeit Campaign, in Accra, said Ghana should be part of the global efforts to fight counterfeiting and piracy. He said the International Chamber of Commence estimated that 7 per cent of worldwide trade was in counterfeit goods with the counterfeit market being worth over US $500 billion in 2004. Mr. Gyetuah said if practical measures were not taken, counterfeiting of products of intellectual property would rob the nation of its sweat and toil.
Mr. Kofi Essuman, president, Institute of Packaging, Ghana, said intellectual property protection was weak in the country and constituted to be a major deterrent to foreign and domestic investment. He said as the country sought to recruit investment in knowledge-based industries, it must build effective institutions and systems to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property rights. "We need to promote effective communication and co-ordination among enforcement agencies in our West African sub-region with the sole aim of eliminating counterfeited and pirated goods from our markets", Mr. Essuman said. Mr. Joseph Harley, Acting Registrar-General, said the Ghana anti-counterfeiting project was expected to create awareness on the problem of counterfeiting. He said under the project, regulatory bodies and law enforcing agencies would be trained and equipped with tools to enable them to identify fake and counterfeit products. Mr. Harley said the absence of stringent measures to protect intellectual property rights created unfair competition among producers. | | Government reaffirms transparency in oil management | Accra, April 28, GNA - The Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr Kwabena Donkor on Tuesday reaffirmed government's commitment to ensure transparency and good governance in the management of the country's oil find. Speaking at the launch of Oil and Gas Sector Research and Advocacy Project (OGSRAP) in Accra, Dr Donkor said government was committed to put in place the right institutions and measures in the sector to increase national wealth and foster sustainable development and social stability.
He said government would subject the oil and gas policy to a broader consultation with civil society to improve its content. Dr Donkor said government's policy direction for the oil and gas sector was informed by fundamental issues such as resource ownership and jurisdiction, fundamentals of fiscal and legal framework, broad relationship among actors in the petroleum sector, broad institutional framework, local content and indigenisation and principle of state and national participation.
He said the review would examine the extent to which the existing and proposed sector policies and bills could be coordinated as well as apply universal principles of good governance in the petroleum sector. Mr Ishmael Edjekumhene, Senior Projects Manager of KlTE, said the project was to strengthen the capacity of Members of Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy (PSCME) to enable them to critically review the bill covering the project.
He said the project would provide comprehensible information on internationally acceptable best practice in oil and gas management, the adoption of which would lead to more sustainable and equitable harnessing of the country's hydrocarbon resources.
Mr Edjekumhene said the parliamentarians would learn new ideas and concepts in the oil and gas value chain, cardinal principles of good governance in the petroleum sector and the role of various stakeholders in promoting good governance in the sector. | 60,000 graduates to do national service | Kumasi, April 28, GNA - Over 60,000 graduates from tertiary institutions across the country would be posted to various institutions by October this year to begin their one year national service. The number is 20,000 higher than last year's, which stood at 40,000.
Mr Kwasi Quainoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Scheme who announced this, therefore appealed to the personnel to accept any part of the country to which they would be posted, since that was where their services would be most needed. Mr. Quainoo was addressing a day's orientation programme organised by his outfit in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for over 6,000 final year students of the University.
He said to help reduce congestion at the regional office in Kumasi during the registration of the personnel; two new registration centres have been opened at the old laundry block at KNUST and another at the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) to expedite action on the registration of the personnel.
The Regional Director said since National Service Persons were always seen as role models in society, it would be prudent for them to abide by the rules and regulations binding the institution where they would be posted, to enable the youth in the area to emulate their good examples.
He charged them to be good ambassadors of the scheme, by helping to meet the objective for which it was established; to help them gain some experience at the various work places, as well as supporting the man-power needs of various institutions across the country. Mr Quainoo urged the personnel to strive to be agents of change wherever they found themselves, by working hard, showing dedication and commitment to whatever job they found themselves. He appealed to opinion leaders, government agencies and all institutions that would be hosting National Service Personnel to support them. | | * Monday, 27 April 2009 | | Kufuor under Fire | ... favoured the Ashanti Region in school feeding programme
Mr Michael Kenneth Nsowah, National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has stabbed former President Kufuor in the back, describing his school feeding programme as politically biased. He also described the tenure of his predecessor Amoako Tuffuor as a complete failure replete with administrative lapses.
Mr Michael Nsowah, who was last year asked by the Kufuor government to take over from then embattled Amoako Tuffuor, said the programme was manipulated by the former government to favour the Ashanti Region. He said the Kumasi metropolis alone had 96 schools benefiting from the programme.
Comparing it to what happened in other parts of the country, the Coordinator noted that it would be a great eye saw.
For instance, the whole of the Upper East and West regions recorded 22 and 17 respectively in terms of the recorded programmes. The National Coordinator was speaking in an interview with newsmen.
According to him, with the government’s strong interference in the programme, the Tuffuor-led administration did not get a free hand to perform its functions.
Speaking in respect of a contract which was awarded to Mrs. Adjoa Mensah Kwakye, a caterer but later taken away from her and awarded to a new person at Bodomase by the GSFP and the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly in the Ashanti Region, he described the whole process as illegal.
He chastised the Tuffuor administration, saying rightful procedures were not followed in awarding contracts. He assured that he would as his staff to look into the case. “The former administration made grievous and unpardonable mistakes by refusing to work in collaboration with Ghana Education Service.
(GES) who have the full records of al the schools within the country and would be in the better position to give accurate figures on most of deprived schools in the most remote areas” he added.
Mr Nsowah said it was unfortunate that the procedures and allocations made by the previous administration were replete with corruption. Mr Nsowah said in some cases enrolment figures were bloated by officials. He said his administration would stop the process carried out by the Tuffuor’s administration.
| | Sunyani Police arrest suspected armed robbers | Sunyani, April 27, GNA - Two suspected armed robbers involved in an attack and robbery of passengers on board an Accra bus bound for Sunyani were arrested on Friday at Terchire in the Tano North District by a Sunyani Police patrol team.
The two, Fatawo Awudu, aged 21 and Abubakari Moro, a Fulani and 21 years old, are in police custody in Sunyani. They were part of six suspected armed robbers who attacked and robbed the passengers of their mobile phones and money. Briefing the press in Sunyani Superintendent of Police Charles Domanban, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Crime Officer, said the police are looking for the rest of the gang members. He mentioned their names as Alhassan, 21, Mumuni, 21, Yahaya, 24 and Tahiru 20 years.
The crime officer said the passengers left Accra for Sunyani at about 1800 hours on Thursday.
On reaching Terchire, a town near Duayaw Nkwanta at about 0100 hours, the driver saw that robbers had blocked the road with logs. He said when he attempted to move in-between the logs, one of the robbers appeared from the bush and ordered him to stop but he resisted until one of the front tyres was shot.
The crime officer said to avoid an accident, the driver stopped and the robbers entered the bus. They ordered the passengers to surrender their mobile phones as well as their monies and compelled them to move out of the bus and lay on the ground. He said a police patrol team had a tip off and moved to the scene but the four at large fled with some mobile phones and all the monies stolen whilst the two were arrested. Police retrieved a dagger and some mobile phones from them and they told police that they stayed at a place called Rasta Man Hotel at Atwima Koforidua near Abuakwa on the Kumasi/Sunyani road in the Atwima-Nwabiagya Ddistrict and had operated on the highways for about a year with locally-manufactured pistols. | |
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