• 21.09.2008

CPP celebrates Nkrumah's Birthday

Accra, Sept 21, GNA - The rejuvenated Convention Peoples Party (CPP) on Sunday commemorated the 99th birthday of Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, with the outdooring of the party's Election 2008 running mate Dr Abu Sakara.

Thousands of party supporters, clad in white with the cockerel, the symbol of the party embedded at the back and the portrait of Dr Paa Kwasi Nduom, CPP flag bearer of the party at the frontage, congregated at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to celebrate and official launch of the party's campaign.

The announcement of Dr Sakara as running mate to Dr Nduom was greeted with fanfare, recital of appellations and shouting of slogans by activists of the CPP.

The venue was set agog with the singing of patriotic songs interjected with shouts of "Nkrumah Show Boy" and release of white doves into the air. Party loyalists observed a minute's silence in memory of the Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Nkrumah, born on September 21st 1909, led Ghana to independence on March 6 1957 and was overthrown in a coup in February 1966. The venue of the commemoration was enlightened with reminiscences of Ghana under Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah - his selflessness, the struggle for African liberation and unity, his overthrow and rejection by some of his close associates and his exile days in Guinea.

The fanfare also witnessed painful recollection and vivid narrations of the suffering of other less fortunate members of his team and innocent children who were maimed as a result of the violence perpetrated by his political opponents.

Leading members pledged their commitment to reconstruct the vanguard that would lead to the attainment of Nkrumah's ideals, build a party that would provide food, clothing and shelter for Ghanaians. The party also introduced its aspiring parliamentary candidates from most of the 230 constituencies to the people.

Dr Nduom also demonstrated the unity of the party by parading some of the leading members who contested with him during the presidential primaries last year but lost. They include Dr Kwaku Osafo an economist, Mr Bright Akwetey, a legal practitioner and Dr F.W.A. Akufo. Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa and Mr George Opesika Aggudey were not available to be introduced. 21 Sept. 08

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Drama at UCC campus, students walk out during political debate

Cape Coast, Sept. 21, GNA-There was a dramatic turn of events during a political debate between representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Saturday during which a misunderstanding led some students to stage a walk out amidst hooting and booing in protest against what they termed, "unfair interference" by the chairman for the occasion.

The debate which was organized by the local branch of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), on the topic: "My policy on graduate unemployment", was to enable all political parties with representatives in Parliament to outline their programmes on how they will solve the graduate unemployment problem in the country.

All went well at the programme, attended by only the two parties, represented by the NDC Cape Coast parliamentary candidate, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro and the NPP General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow who both lined out the programmes their parties would address to solve the graduate unemployment problem at.

However, hell broke loose and things turned sour when the chairman, Mr Michael Sekyi Darko, a graduate student asked Mr Barton-Odro to sum-up before Nana Ohene Ntow took his turn. This did not go down well with Mr Barton-Odro who threatened to walk out of the hall if the chairman insisted that he first took his turn, because according to him, once the students had voted for the order of presentation during the programme and he was the last speaker events should continue in the same sequence and the students joined in his protestations, creating a tense atmosphere ruing which some of them walked out.

Obviously disappointed by the turn of events, Mr Darko used his powers as chairman and gave his closing remarks, denying both representatives the opportunity of a summary. The close of the event could not cool down tempers as a student charged on the chairman but was restrained by others.

In his speech, Mr Barton-Odro had pledged his party's commitment to make teaching so attractive with incentives like "professional allowances for certificated teachers and "hardship allowances" for those in deprived areas to attract more graduates to take up the profession. He said an enabling environment will be created for the private sector to be more vibrant to absorb more graduates urging them against the over dependency on the public sector for "non-existence jobs".

He said the youth in general were the party's focus and under the administration of Prof. Evans Atta-Mills a "Youth in Industry Programme" will be launched to, among others, assist graduates who will exhibit entrepreneurial potentials to set up their own businesses. Mr. Barton-Odro expressed concern about the inability of the government to implement the ban on the importation of rice and poultry products which had resulted in the collapse of the local poultry and rice production industries.

For his part, Nana Ntow said his party will pursue a policy that will diversify and expand the economy base of the country to give impetus for the private sector to grow.

He said more emphasis will also be on the training of high calibre of human resources for all sectors of the economy while agriculture will be given a boost for it to absorb more graduates to help solve the problem.

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• 20.09.2008

Ghana to become industry leader in underwater timber processing

Mpaproase (E/R), Sept. 20, GNA - Ghana will become an industry leader in underwater timber operations, following government's agreement with a Canadian firm to invest 100 million dollars in the sector. The investor, Clark Sustainable Resources Development Limited (CSRD), has already expended more than 10 million dollars in preparation for commercial production, which is expected to begin in December this year on the Afram arm of the Volta Lake.

Harvesting of the submerged tress will also facilitate safer transport on the Volta Lake, Mr Michael Browse, Country Manager of CSRD said on Friday.

He was speaking at a public hearing organised by the Environmental Protection Agency and the CSRD to explain the project to traditional leaders and people of Mpaproase, near Gyakiti in the Asuogyaman District.

Parliament ratified the agreement in 2006, which has given CSRD the right to a concession of 350,000 hectares out of the 850,000 of the Lake's total area.

Government, however, has a 20 percent interest in the net value of the concession to be harvested by CSRD.

Mr Browse explained that CSRD would solely finance the project, which would create over 400 jobs out of which 75 percent employees would be recruited locally.

He said the company would also establish a sawmill plant at Mpaproase to help develop the infrastructure and technical knowledge of the people. On environmental and social impact assessment of the project, Dr Eamonn Barrett, Impact Study Project Director of the Environmental Resources Management Limited in the United Kingdom, said the project would affect 40 households in the community.

He said the CSRD would resettle about 280 residents at a nearby location in addition to compensating them in accordance with international requirements.

Dr Barrett said CSRD had gathered all the scientific, environmental and any other information on the project that was likely to impact negatively on the community and had put in place measures to mitigate them.

He pointed out that the company had considered the impact of the project on fishing activities and the livelihood of the communities, pledging that it would cooperate effectively with residents. Mr Bilijo Nayan, Strategic Relationships Director of CRSD, said the project would bolster the country's drive to promote eco-tourism which had been impeded by the risk of fatal boat accidents as a result of the large number of submerged stumps in the Lake. Residents expressed satisfaction with the project and called on the company to give priority to the youth in the area in terms of employment. 20 September  2008

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Military commander urges soldiers to remain loyal and dedicated to duty

Apremdo (W/R), Sept. 20, GNA - A military commander has urged soldiers to remain alert and jealously protect the integrity of their profession and that of the country by strictly observing the values of discipline, loyalty and dedication to duty.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Vib-Sanziri, Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion of Infantry at Apremdo, near Takoradi, said for individual soldiers to achieve success in their career, they must always respect and obey the orders of their superiors.

He was speaking at a send-off reception organized by the Unit at the Myohaung Barracks, Apremdo, in honour of Major Albert Dawohoso, who had been reassigned to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Accra.

Lt. Col. Vib-Sanziri said Major Dawohoso exhibited rare qualities of an excellent soldier that made him a role model who would be remembered by officers and men of the Unit for a long time. He said Major Dawohoso's leadership qualities helped to maintain perfect unity and hard work among personnel, which led to successes in many fields by the Unit. The Unit presented gifts, including a double-door refrigerator, to Major Dawohoso.

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Police resolves to maintain peace at Bekwai

Bekwai (Ash), Sept. 20, GNA - The Bekwai Police has admonished leaders of political parties to impress upon their members to strive to be law- abiding in their political activities and campaigns for the maintenance of peace in the area before, during and after the December elections.

Police Superintendent Felix Cosmos, the Bekwai Municipal Police Commander, said following recent skirmishes, clashes and conflicts in the area among some political parties and politicians, his outfit was on high alert and had resolved to enforce the laws. He said those who were bent on causing trouble with the intent of throwing Bekwai into a state of turmoil would be dealt with according to the law.

He was speaking at a political education durbar of chiefs and people of Bekwai, organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday.

The durbar was aimed at sensitizing the public on their civil rights and responsibilities, to ensure that they make informed decisions in their political activities to enhance peaceful elections. Superintendent Cosmos stressed the need for the public to partner the police if they were to live up to expectation in maintaining law and order.

He said the time has come for the public to consider that, enhancing peace in the country was a shared responsibility and not the sole prerogative of the police.

The Municipal Police Commander lauded the NCCE for the education and expressed the hope that the public would take the programme serious for a peaceful campaigns and elections

Nana Opoku Ababio, Adontehene of the Bekwai Traditional Area, urged the NCCE to intensify their educational programmes, to help the public to be conscious of their civic rights and responsibilities.

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• 19.09.2008

Ban of ex-Service Commanders is Absurd -JJ

Accra, Sept. 19, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings has said it was absurd for banning seven former Service Commanders from military installations by the national security.

Former President Rawlings, in a statement signed by his Aide, Kofi Adams, said the motive for the ban is designed to lock-out the noble intentions of the Generals who were trying to safeguard the integrity of the December elections.

"This absurdity can only emanate from a guilty and desperate NPP government incapable of facing the December 7 elections without fraud and violence."

The former President said the NPP was hiding behind the national security apparatus to deliberately skew the reasons behind his meeting with the affected retired Generals, to sow seeds of fear and intimidation.

He urged Ghanaians to see the action to ban the seven as a clear manifestation of the NPP's desperation.

He cautioned all Ghanaians to be alert "since the NPP is desperate to covert plans to perpetuate violence in the run-up to the elections because there is a clear indication that they will lose." The former President called on Ghanaians to join hands in ensuring peace and security and be wary of persons and institutions that claimed to protect the citizenry but were rather operating to protect the ruling party to perpetuate its stay in power.

He described the former service chiefs as distinguished citizens of Ghana whose reputations were being maligned by a "paranoid government which has no modicum of respect left in its approach to issues." Former President Rawlings said meetings aimed at ensuring peaceful elections would continue and enjoined religious, traditional and opinion leaders as well as well-meaning members of civil society to join the effort to preserve the sanctity of the right of choice and the electoral process.

The National Security this week announced the banning of Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo, Former General Officer Commanding, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, former Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Owusu Ansah, former Chief of Naval Staff, Mr C.K Dewornu, former Inspector General of Police, F.Y. Asare, former Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Bruce Konuah, former Defence Advisor to Pakistan and W.K Aboah, former Commissioner of Police from entering military installations.

Source:

GNA

Ban on Former Army Generals Generates Controversy

A ban placed on seven former army generals from entering any military installations in the country after they met with former President Jerry Rawlings is generating intense debate.

Some security experts say the move by the National Security Council to slap a total ban on the former army generals could be misleading as it could be misconstrued that they were planning to stage a coup de'tat. But President John Kufuor's government denies the assertion, saying the measure was taken in the interest of national security ahead of this year's general elections.

The security agency also reminded Ghanaians that a similar ban imposed on former President Jerry John Rawlings from entering any military installation in the country is still in force. Kofi Adams is the spokesman for Ghana's Ex-President Rawlings. From the capital, Accra he tells reporter Peter Clottey that the government is afraid of its own shadow.

"This is an absurdity of the highest order because I really do not see the cause for taking such a serious action against these generals who are out there to try to restore the integrity of the process of the elections. If the government is not guilty, and if the government is not desperate and afraid to face the genuine election come December seven without fraud and violent, I don't think they would have taking the kind of decision that they took," Adams pointed out.

He said the decision to ban well-meaning former army generals is regrettable.

"These generals are out there with noble intentions to add their expertise to the process of securing the campaigning process and also on the day of the election. And one of them has even gone ahead to have a meeting with the minister of interior, and so for the national security to take this knee-jerk reaction, it becomes worse when they base their decision on a newspaper publication. So, what it tells me is that the national security has no intelligence unit, and that is very bad for the country's security," he said.

Adams sharply denied the former president wants to destabilize the country by organizing a coup de'tat.

"If he (Ex-President Rawlings) was planning to destabilize the country, I don't think this is the way he would go about it. But let me say that Jerry Rawlings is the former president of this republic's commitment to the sanctity of the right of choice cannot be questioned. In 1992, in 1996 and in 2000 he supervised genuine elections, one of which resulted into Ghana's first transfer of power from a democratically elected government to another," Adams noted.

He said Ghanaians are not interested in coup de'tats and but want to reject the ruling party in this year's general elections.

"This government with how it has ruled the country now, everybody wants to reject it. Nobody would give it (government) a leeway by going to topple it through a coup de'tat, not at all. It (coup de'tat) is no longer fashionable. They came in through the thumb and they will surely go out by the thumb," he said.

Adams described the move to ban the former army generals from entering any military installations in the country with immediate effect as an attempt to cause anarchy.

"It is a recipe for chaos because these generals that you have banned from entering military installations is not the way to secure this country. What they have rather done is to expose to Ghanaians that the security set up is up to something sinister, because if one of the reasons for which they took that action was that the former president had talked about commanders not obeying unlawful orders, by their (government) action they are suggesting that commanders should obey unlawful orders. So, the government is up to give unlawful orders against its political opponents. So, genuine minds and strong minds who are coming up to suggest otherwise must be dealt with by saying that oh don't go to military installations," Adams pointed out.

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Expose fake journalists in the society - Papa Ankomah

Takoradi, Sept. 19, GNA - Papa Owusu Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi has called on the National Executive Committee of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to expose fake Journalists in the society.

He said "These individuals use the freedom of speech guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution to write negative and false reports about government officials and Ministers of State, without any justifiable reason, while others engage in blackmail and other negative acts." Papa Owusu Ankomah made the appeal when presenting an 850 Ghana cedis, 2.5 horse power Samsung split air condition to members of Western Regional branch of GJA at Takoradi on Friday. He pointed out that Journalists worldwide were the mirror of society and their reports had influence on the individual and developments in several deprived and inaccessible communities. Papa Ankomah reminded journalists that they had a duty to ensure their reportage did not inflame passions, but rather promote peace, unity and development in the country.

He said the presentation, was in response to an appeal made by the association during a visit to the Press Centre a few weeks ago. Papa Ankomah asked journalists, to play a leading role in Election 2008 and contribute to a peaceful and fair election. He commended the branch for its foresight in establishing a Press Centre, second to the National Secretariat in Accra. Papa Ankomah urged the media to expose wrong doing by Ministers of State and government functionaries to enable government function effectively and efficiently in the interest of all and sundry. "You are there to correct us when we go wrong in a professional way," he added.

Mr George Amihere Naykene, Western Regional Chairman of GJA, expressed appreciation to Papa Ankomah for his quick response to the appeal. He said the Press Centre was open to the public, especially those who believed in free speech and were prepared to promote and interact with the media. Mr Naykene appealed to individuals and organizations to assist in making the press centre functional.

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Irrigation dam turns to waste dump

Ashaiman (GA/R), Sept 19, GNA - Farmers living in the environs of the Ashaiman Irrigation Dam have appealed to stakeholders to take immediate steps to check unsanitary conditions of the scheme, saying it had become a waste dump for residents. At a sensitization seminar on Thursday at Ashaiman, the farmers said residents had turned the banks of the dam into a toilet and refuse dump adding that estate developers have also encroached on the 130-acre site.

The forum was organized by the Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition (GTLC) on the theme: "Obtaining self-sufficiency in rice production in Ghana - Ashaiman Irrigation site as case study." Mr Bernard Kanati, Secretary to the Farmers Association at the Irrigation Project Site, said the removal of government domestic support, coupled with low tariffs on imported rice and the rise in input cost were hampering rice production in the country.

Mr Ernest Debrah, Minister for Food and Agriculture, in a speech read for him, said obtaining self-sufficiency in rice production in Ghana required a combination of strategies that would increase yield in the four rice growing ecologies.

He named the four rice growing ecologies as upland ecology, inland valleys, hydromorphic and irrigated ecologies. Mr Debrah said total irrigation was expected to grow at a rate of 50 percent per annum which would lead to a total of 50,000 acres of irrigated land by 2010.

He said currently, there were 21 irrigation schemes in the country, including 12 rice-growing projects of which Ashaiman is one. Mr Kwabena Okai Ofosuhene, Greater Accra Focal Person of the GTLC, said food security and poverty reduction had been compromised as policy implementation gaps created space for escalation in food importation. Mr Ofosuhene noted that for such gaps to be bridged for the sustainability of the sector, there should be consistency in government policies on trade, adding that such policies must aim at building capacity and assisting rice farmers to generate surpluses. He suggested that the Ministries and other state institutions could provide a level aggregate demand for local rice, instead of procuring imported rice during implementation of their policies such as the school feeding policy.

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Enforce child protection laws - Participants

Kumasi, Sept. 19, GNA - Participants at a day's training seminar on juvenile justice in Kumasi, called for the enforcement of laws protecting the rights of children towards the promotion of juvenile justice in Ghana.

They also advocated the enforcement of the provisions of the Children's Act 560 and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), to protect children from abuse and discrimination.

Participants were drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, the Attorney General's Department, Department of Children, Social Welfare, the Judiciary, the Ghana Education Service as well as child rights advocate groups.

The event, which was organised by the Defence for Children International Ghana Section (DCI-Ghana) on Thursday, sought to sensitise State authorities and professionals working on juvenile justice about the General Comment Number 10 (GC 10) of the Children's Right and Juvenile System.

It also aimed at building capacities of participants to enable them to promote and monitor the use of GC 10 in the implementation of the UN CRC.

Participants said the lack of proper structures and effective monitoring mechanisms hampered the promotion of juvenile justice the country.

They called on political parties to make juvenile justice system an integral part of their campaign messages, especially in this election year to ensure the protection of children's rights. Mr Charles Gyamfi Danquah, Ashanti Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), called for strict adherence to the provisions of the UN CRC to promote and protect the rights of children.

Dr Elizabeth Archampongma Archampong, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), urged child rights advocates to challenge the government to commit itself to the enforcement and promotion of children's rights.

Dr Oppong-Appiagyei Ampong, Executive Director, DCI-Ghana, urged the participants to initiate concrete measures to protect the rights of children.

The GC 10 that was issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in February 2007, expressed areas of juvenile justice policy, which needed to be implemented by State parties which ratified the UN CRC.

These included the prevention of juvenile delinquency, diversion from judicial proceedings, age of criminal responsibility, assurance of fair trial, prohibition of death penalty and life imprisonment without parole as well as deprivation of liberty as last resort.

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• 18.09.2008

Stop "Aseda" Tours - Asantehene To JAK

Otumfuo Osei tutu II, the Asantehene, has told President John Agyekum Kufuor that his tenure of office is not yet over so he should stop his ‘Aseda Tour’ with immediate effect.

President Kufuor whose tenure officially ends on January 7, 2009, recently embarked on a nationwide tour to express his gratitude to Ghanaians for their support in making his administration a success.

On Sunday, he kicked the Aseda Tour with a mammoth rally at the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency in the Ashanti region where he started his political career in the late 1960s. The Asantehehene indicated that until January 7, 2009, President Kufuor still remains the First Gentleman of the land so he should do away with complacency and continue his good works. He cautioned the President never to think that it is all over as regards his tenure, because “more tedious work is ahead of you and members of your administration.

The Asantehene told him that the four remaining months of his administration was the most difficult period so he should concentrate on his work and ensure that he bows out on a clean note. Otumfuo made the remarks a week ago when President Kufuor stormed the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to officially introduce Nana Addo Dankwa Akufoo Addo as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the impending polls.He reminded President Kufuor that he assumed office in a peaceful atmosphere – therefore it behooves him to make sure he leaves office with the peace of the country intact.

The peace and harmony flourishing in the country presently, Otumfuo pointed out, could be sustained only when President Kufuor played an integral role.

The Asantehene thus implored the President to remain focused and not be content with the many successes he had chalked within the almost eight years of his rule. He emphasized that his numerous achievement would be in vain if there is turmoil in the country within the last four months of his administration.Meanwhile the Asantehene has promised to confer an honour on President Kufuor after he leaves office, for generations yet unborn to know his legacy.

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Avoid harmful traditional practices

Accra, Sept 18, GNA - Mrs Marian Tackie, Director, International Women's Desk, Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs on Thursday condemned some cultural practices that were inimical to the socio-psychological well-being of individuals in the society.

"Female genital Mutilation (FGM) is a form of violence and must stop. It is an affront to the dignity of women and girls", she said. Mrs. Tackie said this at the third Regional Forum on FGM organized by the Inter-African Committee (IAC) in collaboration with Ghanaian Association for Women's Welfare (GAWW) on harmful traditional practices with special reference to FGM.

The Forum sponsored by Kvinnefronten in Norway is on the theme: Youth in Action to reach Zero Tolerance to FGM brought together youth activist from over ten African countries including Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Togo, Djibouti and Niger to discuss and sharpen their skills for effective lobbying and advocacy in their respective countries.

The objectives of the 2008 forum is to strengthen and mobilize young people as agent in the elimination of FGM and other harmful traditional practices, empower them to form national networks as well as equipping them with information on existing regional and international human rights instruments.

Mrs. Tackie commended the IAC and GAWW for implementing various activities aimed at bringing positive attitudinal changes at the individual and societal levels and building capacity of the youth in the fight to eliminate harmful traditional practices.

She noted government's commitment through the setting up of a multi-sectoral monitoring team and the ratification of various conventions as concrete measures to address the issue.

Ms. Mercy Osei-Konadu of UNFPA said the practice called for a holistic solution through the implementation of culturally sensitive programmes for its abandonment, advocacy for legal and policy reform while building national capacity to stop the practice.

"We are happy to note that in Ghana, the Criminal Code Amendment Act 484 is in place, while advocacy and sensitisation and awareness programmes have been established at many levels of society to reduce the national prevalence rate", she added.

Mrs. Florence Ali, President of GAWW said, involving the youth was an effective tool to ensure that future generations would be saved from FGM and other such practices.

Dr. Morrissanda Kouyate, IAC Director for Operations said the activities of Africans in the Diaspora were being monitored to ensure that they did not engage in such practices.

He said the committee was working to promote useful African practices as well as eliminating harmful ones and called for support from civil society, religious leaders and other stakeholders to help in the fight.

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Kundum Festival ends at Axim

Axim (W/R), Sept. 18, GNA - The people of Axim in the Western Region Saturday rounded off this year's Kundum Festival with a peace concert.

The concert was aimed of sensitising the youth for them to avail themselves as agents of peace before, during and after the December 7, 2008 general elections.

The concert which featured Gospel musicians, Christiana Love and hiplife musicians Tic Tac was organised and financed by Miss Catherine Abelema Afeku, New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Evalue Dwira constituency.

Kundum is an annual festival celebrated by the Nzema people to mark the end of prolong hunger as well usher in the season for abundance harvest of food and fish.

Miss Afeku, in a pre-concert address admonished the youth who constitute the mainstay of the nation to desist from activities that could "dog" them into violence or crisis.

She stressed that individuals cannot break the law but can break themselves against the law since the 1992 constitution guaranteed nothing but ordered freedom.

Freedom under the constitution, she noted can therefore not be used as a licence to spread false news likely to cause fear and alarm to the public.

Miss Afeku provided 20 pieces of clothes for the traditional dancers.

Source:

GNA

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• 17.09.2008

MTN supports Fofia Yam Festival

Techiman (B/A), Sept. 17, GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) has presented cash and the company's branded souvenirs worth about GHC 10,000 to the chiefs and people of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, as part of its support towards the celebration of this year's Fofia Yam festival.

A press statement signed on Wednesday by Ms Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Ghana Operating Unit, said the donation also included a Fixed Wireless Application Phone (FWAP machine) popularly known as "Space to Space" to be used to generate income for community development.

According to the release, Mr Kofi Yirenkyi, Key Accounts Manager of Ashanti and Bring Ahafo Sales and Distribution Division of MTN, presented the package to the Omanhene of Techiman, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV.

In his remarks during the presentation, Mr Yirenkyi said MTN was happy to associate itself with the festival to show the commitment of the company to the community in which it operated and recalled some of the activities undertaken by the company in the community. The Omanhene of Techiman thanked MTN for their support to the festival.

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AIDS, major killer in Tema

Tema, Sept 17, GNA - The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be a health threat in the Tema Metropolis and presently the third leading cause of death among ten diseases. Last year 56 people reportedly died through the disease which has also so far claimed 41 lives in the first half of this year, 2008. Also the city scored a higher prevalence rate of 2.2 percent against the national rate of 1.9 percent in 2007.

This situation, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) attributed to risky sexual behaviour and appealed to the residents to take stock of their lifestyles to put the city rate at par with the national, so as to ensure an overall success at curbing the spread of the pandemic. Mrs Felicia Okai, Health Coordinator of the TMA told a capacity building workshop for non-governmental, community based, civil society and faith based organizations on Wednesday that, the prevalence rate, though dwindling, kept fluctuating since 2004. In 2004, the prevalence rate for the metropolis was 5.4 percent which dropped to 2.2 in 2005; it however increased to 3.6 in 2006 which was above the national and regional rate of 3.2 and 3.4 percent respectively.

Mrs Okai said multiple sexual partners was still a risky factor, as a number of people, both male and female changed sexual partners more than once in a year. She said education was still important to change unhealthy lifestyles and appealed to the media to give their support to the Assembly and organizations in their educational campaigns. Women, she said, should be empowered financially and educated to negotiate safe sex as a way of reducing infection.

The TMA Health Coordinator reiterated the need for residents to either abstain or be faithful to one un-infected partner. She said sexually active people must use condom consistently and correctly, they must also desist from sharing needles and blades with people, in addition to being ever conscious. Mr Kweku Akpotoso, Coordinating Director of TMA encouraged participants to educate the public on the pandemic to help curb the metropolis prevalence rate. Mr Akpotoso noted that the disease was no longer a clinical issue but a social one as it affected every sector of the economy.

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Ghana to host International Tourism Day 2009 celebration

Accra, Sept. 17, GNA - Ghana has been chosen to host the international celebration of the United Nations World Tourism Day next year, Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, said in Accra on Wednesday. She said the recognition given to Ghana to host such an international event gave a strong signal of how fast the tourism industry was developing into a major international player.

Mrs Sai-Cofie made the remarks when she inaugurated a National Planning Committee of the 2009 World Tourism Day celebrations, under the chairmanship of Mr Charles Osei-Bonsu. The 2009 Tourism Day celebration would be on the theme: "Tourism Diversifies." "Next year's celebration should be an event that would further boost Ghana's image as a location for memorable celebrations, events, conferences and investments," she said.

The Minister noted that the selection of Ghana to host such an international celebration gave the country an opportunity to attract some businesses and make the country a safe haven for investments, thus enhancing the tourism sector. "We have got to attract potential big foreign investors, who want to put their monies elsewhere and possibly into the sector," she said. World Tourism Day is celebrated every September 27 to draw the world's attention to tourism and its role in the socio-economic development across the globe.

The Day is also to be used to promote domestic tourism. Mrs Sai-Cofie, speaking on next year's theme, said: "We should remind ourselves that tourism is an activity that affects many who are traditionally not seen as participants in the industry. "Tourism creates opportunities for jobs in many industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction and retail trade, which all cater for tourists by providing personal services such as guides, shopping, restaurants, photography, entertainment and transportation."

The Minister said there was the need for stakeholders to remind themselves of the positive impact of tourism on foreign exchange earnings, employment and income generation as well as conservation of the environment and also a catalytic tool for growth of the other sectors. "Ghana offers a wide range of unique and exciting natural, cultural and historical resources that when well developed and packaged...should play a vital role to transform the sector." Mrs Sai-Cofie challenged the members of the committee to engage district assemblies and communities to also plan and showcase what they had to offer to the world during the hosting of the 2009 International World Tourism Day.

"The challenge therefore is to deepen our public-private partnership, be original and always strive to come up with unique packages that make Ghana an entirely memorable experience....Planned programmes and activities should make lasting impressions on all visitors and beckon them to repeat visits to the country."

This year's celebration on the theme: "Tourism: Responding to the Challenges of Climate Change," would be climaxed at Ho in the Volta Region to capture the essence of fighting against environmental degradation among other negative environmental practices. This year's celebrations would be used as a crusade against negative environmental practices in various communities while developing and implementing strategies to fight the changing climate conditions. "Climate change is not a remote event but a phenomenon that already affects certain destinations," Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, said during a media launch of this year's event. Activities planned for this year's tourism day celebrations include, sensitisation seminars and tree planting exercises at various regional capitals and districts. A major national sensitisation programme would be held on September 23 at Ho to whip up enthusiasm in the public towards the national day celebration.

There would also be a launch of a project dubbed: "Green School Project" where schools in the Volta Region would be encouraged to adopt practices of greening their environment. Participating schools would plant trees and the most successful school would be honoured as the "Most Green School in Ghana." Mr Osei Ameyaw called on the public to show interest and participate in this year's events.

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Hit-and-run driver kills two at Bobrama

Axim (W/R), Sept. 17, GNA - The Nzema East Municipal Police Command is looking for a hit-and-run driver, who knocked down a motor rider and his pillion rider at Bobrama near Kikim, killing one instantly and the other dying later at a hospital.

The police commander of the area, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dan Ohene-Djan, told the Ghana News Agency at Axim on Tuesday that the incident happened last Sunday, September 7, 2008.

He gave the name of one of the deceased as Mr Kwame Boateng, 35 from Axim, while the other person's identity is yet to be known.

ASP Ohene-Djan said reports reaching the command indicated that the runaway driver was coming from Half-Assini towards Takoradi when the accident occurred.

He said the two bodies have been deposited at the Axim Government morgue for autopsy and the police have intensified their search for the arrest of the driver.

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• 16.09.2008

NPP is elite focused - Sekou Nkrumah

Anloga, Sept 15, GNA - Mr Sekou Nkrumah, son of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government was elite focused and out of touch with the poor. He observed that the NPP government's policies and programmes only enhanced the comfort of the rich and window dressed packages for the poor.

Mr Nkrumah was addressing a National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth rally at Anloga at the weekend.

He said the government had used about 50 million dollars to put up a presidential palace when many people were without basic amenities such as water.

Mr Nkrumah said if two million dollars each of that amount had been distributed among 25 Senior High schools, those schools could be transformed into model ones to give quality training to many Ghanaians to become assets to themselves and the state.

"That money could train brilliant students from poor homes in their education but not for the pleasure of one person," he said.

He said in his assessment, the NDC was currently the only party passionately principled on doing things to benefit the poor just as the Convention Peoples Party did under his late father Dr Kwame Nkrumah. "It is not surprising the NDC just like the CPP draws its support from the rural and poorer constituencies because of its apparent zeal for social justice, freedom and equality," Mr Nkrumah said.

Ghana, he stated, needed a people centred party and president as the NDC's Professor Evans Ata Mills, to rule the country. He said this was why he joined the NDC to win power for the poor and the marginalized.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings asked the people of the Volta Region to maintain their faith in the NDC, saying other regions including the Central and Western Regions, had realized the massive failure of the NPP and were rushing back to the NDC. Other speakers included Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, Squadron Leader Clend Sowu (rtd), Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Mr Eddie Annan and Mr Modestus Ahiable, all executive members of the party. 15 Sept. 08

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3 Northern Regions Cry For More Doctors

THE shortage of health personnel in the northern parts of Ghana, was brought to the fore at the weekend at separate functions at Bolgatanga and Wa.

Reports indicate that a great disparity exists in the doctor-patient ratios between the three northern regions put together and just one hospital in Accra.

The same could be said of nurses and other categories of health staff.

From Bolgatanga, A.I. Mohammed reports that Dr J. Koku Awoonor-Williams, Upper East Regional Director of Health Service, noted that whereas the national doctor-patient ratio was one to 13,000, the Upper East Region had a doctor-patient ratio of one to 29,000, the Upper West, one to 44,000 and the Northern Region one to 93,000.

The nurse-patient ratio for the Upper East Region is one to 1,243.

The region’s total nurse workforce of 842 deployed to 166 health facilities, making an average of five nurses per facility, at any particular time.

Dr Awoonor-Williams was speaking at the 22nd Annual General Conference of the Public Health Nurses Group on Thursday.

The conference was under the theme: "Promoting community involvement in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, the role of the public health nurse".

He said out of the eleven doctors posted to the region over the last four years, only one reported.

Despite the challenges, he said the region has some of the best practices. It has the highest number of baby friendly facilities in the country withy 51 of its facilities designated baby-friendly out of 237, counterywide.

Beatrice Appah, National chairperson of PHNG, underscored the importance of the conference which she said was to assess the group’s performance and strategise for the ensuring year.

Dr Elias Sory, Director-General of Ghana Health Services, in an address read for him, noted that the recognition that almost all the causes of maternal death were preventable should rekindly the hopes and resolve of all health workers.

He said the battle against maternal deaths can be won because the technology and cost effective interventions were available and the health staff were equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills.

In a speech read for him, Mr Alhassan Samari, the Regional Minister, observed that the level of development of every nation was measured by its health status indicators of which maternal death was a critical part.

He said the role of public health nurses, was pivoted in reducing maternal mortality.

Matthew Ayoo, also reports from Wa, that lack of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the Upper West Region posed serious threat to quality health care delivery services.

As a result the region has the highest infant mortality rate of 208 deaths per 1,000 live births as against the national average of 111 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The region also has the highest maternal mortality rate recording as many as 29 maternal deaths in 2007.

Between January and June this year eight maternal deaths were recorded in health facilities in the region. The situation could be worse at the local community level where access to health care delivery faced challenges such as poor road network and lack of transportation.

The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Alexis Nang-Beifubah, painted this gloomy picture when he gave an overview of maternal and child health services in the region at a workshop for media practitioners last Thursday.

Dr Nang-Beifubah said although the region required 25 doctors it has only six complemented by 691 nurses as against 1,379 required. There are only eight pharmacists out of the 13 required, eight Laboratory technologists and seven X-Ray Technicians as against the required 21 and 18 respectively.

Dr Nang-Beifubah said despite these constraints health personnel were doing their best to render quality health care to help reduce infant and maternal mortality rates adding "women have no right to die in this era of the nation’s development through child birth".

He suggested the institution of incentive packages for health professionals who accept posting to remote communities.

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NDC assures guaranteed prices for farmers

Donkorkrom (E/R), Sept. 16, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) would pay a minimum guaranteed price for cereals and other food crops to revolutionise agriculture when it formed the next government.

It said the Afram Plains and the North would be the food basket if irrigation facilities were made available to farmers, especially when the farmers were assured that their produce would be bought at a good price to give them a qualitative sustained livelihood.

Mr. John Dramani Mahama, running mate to Professor John Evans Atta Mills, NDC Flag bearer said these during mini rallies at Ekyi-Amanfrom, Tease, Maame Krobo and Kwaekese, all in the Afram Plains.

The rallies, which formed part of Mr. Mahama's 10-day tour of parts of the Eastern Region were attended by enthusiastic crowed that gave him rousing welcome.

Mr. Mahama said when the NDC stepped up rice and other cereal production, the government would be able to feed educational institutions easily and at a lower cost that would pave the way for feeding of all pupils and students in schools within the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE).

At Kwaekese, Mr. Mahama said it was sad that the electric poles the people themselves had erected through Self-Help Electrification Projects (SHEP) had remained standing for about 8 years now without being connected to the national grid.

He said the bitumen roads the NDC constructed in the Afram Plains, the NPP had not added a metre of bitumen to those stretch which had remained in the state that they were.

He said the NDC was the government who opened up the area by providing telecommunications and transport facilities so that the youth could sell their foodstuffs without coming to Accra to seek greener pastures.

The NPP government did not find it important to add any value to the area, he added.

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• 15.09.2008

Ashanti Region - champions in National Arts Festival

Kumasi, Sept. 15, GNA - The Ashanti Region emerged the overall champions in the seventh National Festival of Arts for Senior High Schools (SHS) held at Tamale in the Northern Region. The one-week festival, which had the theme; "Promoting Our Culture through Healthy Living", attracted participants from all the 10 regions of the country.

They competed in choral music, vocational and visual arts, sight singing, poetry recital, dance and drum language. Presenting the trophies and certificates to Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyinah, the Ashanti Regional Director of Education in his office in Kumasi on Friday, Mrs Georgina Acquah, the Regional Cultural Officer of the GES, said the Region came first in the choral music and placed third in poetry recital.

Additionally, she said the Region came fourth in four other disciplines including sight singing, dance, vocational and visual arts and drum language.

Mrs Acquah praised the resource persons and other stakeholders whose support and encouragement contributed to the region's enviable achievements.

She noted that for two consecutive years, the Region has maintained the overall first position in the National Festival of Arts, not only in the SHS level, but also in the basic education level. Mr Onyinah commended the officers, participants and all those who contributed to the achievement of the region. He promised to continue to offer all the needed support and encouragements to enable the region successfully defend its enviable position.

Mr Onyinah admonished other subject areas to emulate the feat of the cultural unit to enhance the region's image.

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Ghana’s Debt Now ¢91 Trillion

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency, Joseph Samuel Annan, on Thursday asserted that the country’s total debts now stood at ninety-one trillion cedis.

Speaking at a mini-rally at Kissi, near Komenda in the KEEA constituency, Dr Annan said; although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had been one of the luckiest governments in the history of Ghana, it has done little to show for the large sums of money it has been receiving in office.

The rally formed part of activities of the five-day tour mounted by the NDC presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, in the Central Region.

Dr Annan, an economist, said Ghana’s debt from 1957 to 2001 stood at ¢43trillion but the NPP, from the time it assumed office eight years ago to date, has catapulted it to ¢91 trillion but has little to show for it.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to reject the NPP in the December general election and vote for the NDC to manage the affairs of the country. He also called on the electorate to vote massively for him to enable him represent them in Parliament.

Speaking at the same function, Prof Mills assured the people of Kissi that, if voted into office, he would work hard to improve their lot by establishing a citrus-processing factory in the area, as many of them are orange farmers.

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Group calls for immediate release of Tsatsu

Kumasi, Sept. 15, GNA - Members of a pressure group 'Free Tsatsu Tsikata Now Campaign' have called for the immediate release of Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive of GNPC, sentenced to five years imprisonment by an Accra Fast Track High Court for willfully causing financial loss to the state.

They contended that proceedings at the court prior to and subsequent to June 18, this year, when Tsatsu was sentenced affected the credibility of Ghana's judiciary.

They said when being sentenced, Tsatsu's counsel was not in court, and the presiding judge, Mrs Justice Henritta Abban, gave her ruling even though the Supreme Court had fixed June 25 for a ruling on whether the International Finance Corporation (IFC) should be required to provide evidence in the trial concerning Valley Farms Project. Mr Kyeretwie Poku, a Spokesman for the Group made the call at a forum in Kumasi at the weekend.

He noted that a prosecution witness, Mr Jim Wilson testified that Valley Farms were doing well and the company was determined to make profit for shareholders and wondered how Tsatsu who transformed GNPC could be imprisoned without any justifiable cause. "Tsatsu has given selfless service to Ghana in many capacities including his contributions to strengthening the rule of law," he added.

Mr Kwesi Pratt Junior, Member of the Group, appealed to Government to review Tsatsu's case in order not to stall initiatives by Ministers of State to attract foreign investments into the country.

He urged Government to conduct thorough investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds by some NPP functionaries to give meaning to the declaration of zero tolerance for corruption and not committed to selective justice. 15 September 2008

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Kufour Gov't to Nail Rawlings

Exclusive information reaching the Ghanaian Observer (GO) newspaper indicates that, in the next few days, Government will be making available to the diplomatic, business and international community a heavy dossier on seditious statements made by former President Jerry John Rawlings in the last seven years alone.

The move, GO gathered, is Government's way of informing those communities where to look, "should any unfortunate explosions of violence before, during or after the elections occur." But Government, also by that move, aims at notifying the international community that it will not relent in its duties in security the nation before and after the crucial elections, GO was told. The dossier will entail 'hard' evidence, including newspaper cuttings, footages and sound-bites that carry material intended to incite people against individual appointees in Government, the State, particularly agencies such as the Armed Forces and the Police Service, as well as material intended by Rawlings at fanning ethnic sentiments.

The move has become necessary, in the light of the increasing levels of threat to peace and stability in the country in the run-up to the December 2008 Presidential elections. A high ranking officer at the Ministry of Interior has described as clear indications of the leadership of the National Democratic Congress to set up parallel security systems to decide State security issues, even when there is a State machinery in place.

Specific cases cited by GO sources as worthy of note by the international community is the last year Africa Day forum in the Netherlands, where Rawlings was heckled by a young lady moderator for spending way past the allotted time given him to make a speech; and another public programme in Europe in which a daughter of the late General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa accused the ex-President, of murder and called for his arrest by British Police.

Rawlings had in both instances not only made sadist and sarcastic references to the execution of Ghanaian military generals, but sullied the image of Government by leveling tons of unfounded accusations against the John Agyekum Kufuor administration, without providing evidence.

"The dossier will also include statements made in Nigeria and South Africa, all not only justifying the slaughter of the Generals but inciting the international community and citizens of Ghana against the ruling Government, including unfounded allegations about Kufuor's politicization of the Armed Forces by appointing tribesmen to key sensitive positions." That is aside other "scurrilous statements" made here on our soil, which clearly points to an agenda by Rawlings and his NDC to incite some ethnic groupings against others, particularly Ewes against Akans," according to our sources.

His persistent calls to the Police and Armed Forces to arrest Kufuor, including this latest one in which he said he could not understand why it is normal for police to arrest armed robbers, but unconstitutional, if he Rawlings urges the police, with the support of the Armed Forces, to remove a corrupt Government, sources said, will all be covered in the dossier. His meeting with his former security capos, after the tamale-Gushiegu incident as well as Mills' private security operatives scuffle with the State security operatives of Kufuor during the Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival two weeks ago, will be featured.

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Edward Kufour - Journey from Bankruptcy to Riches

KUFUOR’S BANKRUPT SON TURN’S OVERNIGHT BILLIONAIRE -Part I

Special report by Raymond Archer

The journey from bankruptcy and rags to riches, stretches a million miles. Sometimes, it’s a lifetime journey. But when you have the right name as Edward Agyekum Kufuor, and your father is John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the republic of Ghana, that journey can be covered overnight.

October 5, 2000. It was three months away from Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor being crowned President of Ghana. But one of his sons, Edward Kufuor, now a billionaire and his Black American wife Renee Jackson Kufuor were facing an embarrassing financial crises forcing them to appear before a US Court for voluntary bankruptcy.

Together, the couple owed up to about 49 creditors in a combined debt of about $50,000. The couple were so broke that they could not even pay for the $600 wedding ring Edward Kufuor used to marry his wife. The other bills included telephone, medical bills, books, magazines, credit card, insurance, clothings, household goods and whole lot of items.

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which people who cannot pay their bills file a case in a bankruptcy court to immediately stop all their creditors from seeking to collect debts from them. Under chapter 7 of the US Federal Bankruptcy Law, a petitioner asks the court to discharge them from their debts.

By 2001, a company called Four Our Seed, LLC, registered in the State of Louisiana which lists Edward Kufuor and one Philip Britton as owners was rendered “Not Active”. The company could not even file their annual report, until their license to conduct business was eventually revoked on November 18, 2005.

In 2002, another company called News Stars International Group, LLC also owned by Edward Kufuor, Kendris Brumfield and Irvin Robins and registered in the State of Louisiana also became “Not Active” by October 15, 2002. On March 21, 2003, the company collapsed and was dissolved.

On May 21, 2002 another company RJ Quest International, LLC, registered in the State of Louisiana by both Edward Kufuor and Kendris Brumfield with the duo as shareholders and managers became “Not Active” and eventually had its license revoked by Louisiana Secretary of State on September 15, 2006.

In August 29, 2004, another company owned by Edward Kufuor and his Black American wife Renee Jackson Kufuor called NANABA LLC, also became “Not Active” The Louisiana Secretary of State revoked the company’s license on November 16, 2007. Nanaba in an Akan word which means the ‘King’s son’.

Earlier in May 2007, two properties owned by the ‘King’s Son’, Edward Kufuor and his wife Renee Jackson Kufuor, was seized by a Civil Court of the Parish of New Orleans in a civil case entitled Omni Bank Vrs. Edward Kufuor and Renee Jackson Kufuor Kufuor.

The District Sheriff in the Parish said he sold the two properties belonging to Edward and Renee Kufuor “by virtue of a writ of seizure and sale to me directed by the Honorable, The Civil District Court of New Orleans”

The Sheriff Said he proceeded to sell the properties by public auction “On the ground floor of the Civil District Court building, 421, Loyola Avenue, on May 3, 2007, at 12 O’clock” to recover an amount of One Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Four dollars, Twenty Four Cents ($180,524)

In the midst of this crisis, the “King’s Son” Edward Kufuor and his American wife left the United States and moved to Ghana, where his father is really a KING-President of the Republic of Ghana.

Just when they arrived in Ghana in 2007, the President’s son was given a nice resettlement package, sponsored by the Ghanaian tax payer which turned him into an overnight billionaire.

In that year, the Electricity Company of Ghana, awarded a $1.4 million contract to his company, Aces Company Limited to supply pre-paid meters. The President’s son supplied the meters from China. This sweetheart deal brought smiles to the faces of Renee Jackson and her husband Edward Agyekum Kufuor. Stay Tuned.

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No Formal Education, No Drivers License

Persons who have not been to school could no longer be legal drivers in Ghana

Koforidua, (E/R), Sept. 15, GNA - The Eastern Regional office of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, (DVLA) has registered 1,110 vehicles as at 31st July this year as against 926 the same period in 2007.

Mr Vincent Fiati, Eastern Regional Officer, DVLA, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Koforidua. He said the office also received 1,951 applications for driving license from prospective drivers and out of that, 1,669 applicants passed the various examination and test, and were issued with drivers' license while 283 applicants failed.

Mr Fiati said during the same period last year, 1,583 applications were received and 1,293 were issued with license and 289 were refused. He said the large number of failures was due to the implementation of the new law governing the issuing of license, which states that a prospective applicant should posses at least a Basic Education Certificate.

Mr Fiati said majority of those whose applications were refused were those who could not provide any educational certificate. He said the new move by DVLA was one of the many measures being put in place to help reduce the rampant road accidents to the barest minimum.

Mr Fiati said it was unfortunate that majority of commercial drivers in the country could not read nor write and this had contributed to the many road accidents, because they cannot read and interpret road signs.

He also attributed the high rate of road accidents in Ghana to the lack of maintenance of vehicles, adding that, very soon his outfit in collaboration with the police would undertake an exercise to check vehicles which are poorly maintained in the region.

Mr Fiati said it was unfortunate that every single day there was news of road accidents in the country and appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority and Ministry of Roads and Transportation to ensure that regular maintenance were carried out on the roads to prevent accidents. Mr Fiati also cautioned drivers to avoid unnecessary speeding and overloading, which were the other causes of road accidents.

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Daily Guide: JJ boys hit town

Hordes of retired commandos who served in the erstwhile 64 Infantry Regiment and perceived to owe allegiance to former President Rawlings, are trickling into Ghana and taking strategic positions with the aim of serving as bodyguards and polling agents for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before and during the December polls, DAILY GUIDE has learnt.

The development follows reports that Jerry Rawlings had started holding meetings With people who held security positions under his government, in addition to inciting NDC supporters.

One of such ex-servicemen is the second-in-command in Professor Atta Mills's security team, who pitched his strength against President Kufuor's guards at Cape Coast recently and paid dearly for it.

Even though NDC officials gave the name of the commando as Emmanuel Ewusi aka Angola, Daily Guide intelligence reports indicate that the commando-turned bodyguard is known and called ex-Sgt. Emmanuel Yao Huze.

Angola joined scores of former combatants who went on premature retirement from the elite Unit 64 when the NDC lost power in 2000.

"Some of Huze's colleagues who accepted to be re-oriented into the regular army are now Warrant Officers at Takoradi and are doing well," a source said.

The soldier, who hails from Afiadenyigba near Dzodze in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region, declined to be absorbed into the regular army when his unit was disbanded, and opted for retirement.

He was spotted among the former President's personal guards in the run-up to the 2004 general elections but vanished soon after the NDC lost that election.

After leaving the army, ex-sergeant Huze was reportedly sent on certain assignments in Brazil, Brunei and Equatorial Guinea, before returning to the country with a number of his colleagues two months ago.

While in the 64 Battalion in the late I990s, Huze stayed in a Commando quarters at the Awudome Estates in Accra and had a stint of further training at the 64 Battalion of Infantry in Tamale before being listed for a foreign mission.

The quarters, the paper gathered, was the seized property of the late Siaw ofTata Brewery fame.

Other ex-commandos who are still armed and served mostly as a private army for former President Rawlings and other NDC functionaries are regrouping and taking vantage positions in the 10 regions as they maintain constant communication with their godfather - Jerry Rawlings.

Party insiders say they would be used as polling agents and electoral monitors for the NDC on December 7 and they are already communicating and strategizing among themselves.

During the numerous demonstrations by the NDC and its allies, remnants of the commandos were used as security units.

It would be recalled that Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a Deputy General Secretary of the party, once threatened to unleash the commandos on Ghanaians, when the police prevented the party from going on a demonstration. He later ate his words when he was pelted with an avalanche of condemnations.

It is feared that considering the allegiance of the commandos to the former President and the fact that they still have sophisticated weapons in their possession, their presence at polling stations may become an issue of security concern during the polls.

Throughout the recently held voter registration exercise, there were reports that many armed civilians besieged the registration centres to create problems and intimidate people.

Interestingly, a suggestion from the Ghana Police that security personnel should be armed on voting day had not gone down well with the NDC.

Reports say in the last two months, many of the Rawlings commandos have not only returned to Ghana, but have been communicating frequently and planning on how best to help the NDC win the December polls or ensure that the party is treated fairly during the polls.

The 64 Battalion comprised a fine selection of the best brains of ultra-Rawlings-loyalists who were hand-picked and sent to Cuba for an advanced military training in guerilla warfare soon after the 1981 military coup which was disguised as a revolution.

On their return to Ghana, they were rated higher than the mainstream Ghana Army and were better armoured, better-resourced, better-fed and better-housed.

During the Rawlings-led government, many of them did not stay in military barracks but took up comfortable residence in houses confiscated by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) including Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia's house at Odorkor and the GNTC flats at Kanda Estates, both in Accra.

Another of their preoccupation was intelligence gathering as it came an open secret that many of them acted as taxi drivers to gather information by engaging unsuspecting passengers in conversations on political issues.

It would be recalled that the NDC Deputy National Organiser, Yaw Boateng Gyan, in a recent bravado comment said among other things: "We are serving notice to the NPP that we are more than ready to stand toe-to-toe with them and slug it out if that is what they want".

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Ho Police busts 419 fraudsters

Ho, Sept 16, GNA - The police in Ho has, within the past three weeks, foiled two attempts by fraudsters to dupe their targets of thousands of Ghana cedis. Mr Benard Dery, Volta Regional Police Commander, said the police in the two cases went undercover to support agents to bust the fraudsters. He said Kwesi Tematey, 30, of Accra is in custody helping in investigations in the first case but the key suspect in the second case sneaked out of the police web.

Mr Dery said in the first case a police undercover agent invited a caller who claimed he had pilfered a million dollars from his rich Lebanese employer in Burkina Faso and needed some money to enable him to get the money to Ghana. He said the caller, who said he was the houseboy of the said Lebanese, asked for 5 million CFA to add to his 3 million CFA to get the dollars to Ghana to be shared.

The fraudster assured the undercover agent that he contacted him upon a recommendation by a lady called Gifty in Ghana. Mr Dery said upon persistent follow-up calls, a deal was hatched and Tematey who, in one of his calls, announced the delivery of the supposed windfall in Accra, arrived in Ho and was put up at a hotel by the agent. He said the agent showed Tematey bundles of Ghana cedis in a briefcase supposed to be the equivalent of the CFA he needed for the deal to be sealed. The agent and Tematey moved out of the hotel en-route to Accra when he was picked up by detectives.

The Commander said in the second case police trailed another caller who had tried to sell supposed aluminium dust to Togbe Ahoney Akliku, Volta Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but he escaped. He said the man had told Togbe Akliku that he (Togbe) could make a profit of 20,000 Ghana cedis if he advanced 40,000 Ghana cedis to buy the aluminium dust being shipped by a company in Europe.

Mr Dery said the man escaped from the police net when he got down at the Tema/Accra Motorway supposedly to link up with his partners. In another development, the Ho Police last week arrested George Kwesi Baume Kley, 50, on suspicion of planning armed robberies in the Volta Region. Mr Dery said Kley who admitted having been jailed for armed robbery in the past was picked up by a Police-Military Patrol team upon a tip-off. He said three unregistered cars in possession of Kley are with the police.

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