Lumba creates enemies for himself
It has become clear that prolific musician, charles Kwadwo Fosu, a.k.a. Daddy Lumba has created enemies for himself with his latest composition for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo. Daddy Lumba, a music icon who has commercialized his talent happens to be a thorn in the flesh of some politicians who simply cannot stand his ingenuity.
Watch Video: Nana Winner by Daddy Lumba | Although the musician has explained that his decision to sing for the NPP flagbearer was informed by the financial benefits that went with the deal, he was subjected to some harsh criticisms from members of the opposition party who has described him as an opportunist. Latest in the series of attacks is the one from NDC’s Dr. Tony Aidoo who categorically expressed his deep–seated resentment against the musician. Dr Aidoo said “I used to like Lumba, I like his music even though some for the lyrics used to be a bit vulgar - but I used to like the beat and so on but now anytime I hear his music I switch it off because if you have become political, then definitely you must be treated with the political rod." |
Apart from the highlife musician whose song has arguably become the most popular campaign song, the NDC man ridiculed the campaign strategy of Nana Akufo-Addo, saying that “by very disingenuous methods he (Nana Addo) seems to have gotten all these musicians into his camp but of course the musician is also a business person- if you pay the prize he comes, sheer opportunism raised, we are seeing them, we will see, some of them are losing their audience.”
Still on campaigning with music, the former Deputy Defense Minister again commended hiplife star, Obuor adding that, what was disturbing was the extent to which some politicians sought to capitalize and take advantage of these musicians.“Akufo-Addo started by having a Jesus Christ complex and he took the Jesus Christ complex to Kumasi …… that he is Jesus Christ” Dr Aidoo said sarcastically, singing gospel musician, Christiana Love’s “I am moving formed tune” to buttress his point.
Dr. Aiddo last Saturday morning on Radio Gold did not spare the priests and preachers of the gospel when analyzing their contribution in ensuring a peaceful election. According to him, commercialized theology was a very thriving business in the country explaining that not only are the priests not satisfied with the ordinary dats of worship that they claim has been prescribed in the Bible but now they are seizing even working day as an opportunity to reap in more money and this election has provided the most lucrative opportunity for the churches to continue to cream up from their congregation.”
According to him, the priests did not bother about peaceful elections but rather happy about the opportunity to bring the congregation to church to collect tithes and offertories. On the performance of the media, Dr. Aiddo said “there is a considerable dishonesty and discrimination in terms of media practice relating to the campaign.
On television advertisements, Dr. Aidoo said he turned down an invitation to a TV Africa current affairs programme because the station was showing a deceptive and obnoxious commercial against his party. “You are saying that Kweku Baako and whatever… Haruna Atta, Kwesi Pratt were jailed because they were critical of the NDC government, here is this man with his rotten teeth and the lower teeth has already eaten into the upper teeth lying to the children”. He contented that the journalists were not jailed for criticizing the government but for contempt of court.
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NPP expects more votes from Volta than before
Teteman (V/R), Nov 23, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) expects to garner more votes in the Volta Region in the December 7 elections. Mr Dan Korsina, Head of the Volta Regional Campaign Team, expressed the optimism at a rally at Teteman in the Buem Constituency. He said his optimism was based on statistics that showed that the party's election performances had been appreciating in the region since the 1992.
Mr Korsina said the Electoral Commission's statistics first published in 2005 showed that the NPP's performance in the presidential elections in the Volta Region improved from 3.6 percent in 1992 to 4.7 percent in 1996.
He said it went up to 6.4 percent in the first round of the 2000 elections and 11.53 percent in the run-off. In the 2004 presidential elections the NPP again improved on its 2000 run-off performance of 11.53 percent to 14.2 percent, he said. Mr Korsina said the NPP's strategy in the December 7 elections would focus on consolidating those improvements into parliamentary seats.
He said the Buem area and the Volta Region in general had benefited immensely from the road networks, school infrastructure and Senior High School upgrading projects and that should translate into votes for the NPP.
Mr Korsina said the votes of the people of Buem should go to Mr Bob Charles Agbontor as parliamentary candidate and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP presidential candidate.
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Nana Akufo-Addo worships with Muslims in Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga, Nov. 22, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate on Friday stressed the need for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians to consolidate national unity and progress in the country.
He made the call when he joined Muslims in Bolgatanga to worship at the central mosque during a tour of Upper East Region. "Though I am a Christian, I see my presence in the Region today a good opportunity to join you in prayers, since Muslims and Christians all worship the same God," he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo said his commitment to national cohesion and unity informed his choice of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a Muslim as Vice President for Election 2008.
He pointed out that together, they had an elaborate development programme for the three Northern Regions.
"It is time to close the development gap between the north and south to make Ghana a unified country with no disparities in socio-economic development opportunities. That would be the most important job of my Presidency," he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo urged the Muslim Community to pray for total peace and victory for NPP on December 7 to steer Ghana towards prosperity. Alhaji Yussif Adam, Upper East Regional Chief Imam, prayed for God's guidance, wisdom and good health for Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia as well as peace during Election 2008.
The Muslims appealed to Nana Akufo-Addo when elected to assist them to complete the Bolgatanga Central Mosque Project, had been stalled due to financial difficulties.
Nana Akufo-Addo introduced Madam Alima Musah, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bolgatanga Central Constituency to the Muslims.
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Pastor, another in court for defilement
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - Two persons including a pastor who allegedly defiled a 15 year-old girl on many occasions on Friday appeared before a Circuit Court in Accra charged with defilement. A medical report issued after her examination indicated that the victim is pregnant.
Richard Ofori Nunoo, a 28 year-old pastor of Wings of Success Ministry, and Ernest Andrews, 39, a cook have pleaded not guilty. The court presided over Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills has remanded them into prison custody to reappear on December 12. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Gbele said on January 30 at about 5:00 pm the victim left home unceremoniously and all efforts to trace here had proved futile.
The prosecution said the victim who had been loitering around met Madam Patience Tackie, a member of Nunoo's church, who took her home at Laterbiokoshie in Accra. Later Nunoo become her friend and she therefore went to his house on request to help him with his house chores. The prosecution said in October, the victim went to stay with Nunoo who defiled her.
The prosecution said the victim got to know Andrews through one Naa Ayeley who was staying with Ms Tackie. ASP Gbele said on November 1, Andrew invited the victim to a house at Afienya and defiled her.
The prosecution said complainant later had information that the victim was staying with Nunoo and he was apprehended and sent to the Police Station at Dansoman who transferred the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The prosecution said while Nunoo was being held for abduction the victim stated that the two accused persons had had a series of sexual intercourse with her.
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President Kufuor leaves for Liberia
Accra, Nov. 22 GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, left Accra this morning for Monrovia, Liberia, for a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson. A release signed by Mr. Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokes Person, said President Kufuor would be decorated with Liberia's highest national award for his role in the restoration of peace, democracy and stability in that country. It said following Liberia's civil war, Ghana had contributed greatly to peace keeping missions under the watch of President Kufuor in his capacity as ECOWAS chairman.
The release indicated that several peace talks were initiated and held in Ghana, leading to the return to normalcy in Liberia. President Kufuor is expected to return to Ghana tomorrow. At the Kotoka International Airport to see President Kufuor off, were senior government officials and senior military and police personnel. 22 Nov 08
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Nana Addo's convoy involved in accident
Tamne (U/E), Nov. 21, GNA - Two vehicles accompanying Nana Akufo Addo's campaign team in the Upper East Region were on Thursday involved in an accident while leaving Pusiga for Garu.
One person whose name was given as Fati was seriously injured while others sustained minor injuries, and were rushed to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for medical attention.
As of the time the campaign team was returning to Bolgatanga, it was confirmed that the victims' conditions were stable and that they were all responding well to treatment.
An eyewitness, who spoke to the GNA, said the accident occurred at about 1520 hours and involved the vehicles of Madam Gloria Akufo, and Mr Obri Arhin, Operation Director of Nana Addo's campaign team, with registration numbers GE 2848 X and GT 9542 X.
He said the accident occurred as a result of poor visibility from heavy dust stirred by the convoy. The two vehicles on reaching the Tamne Bridge, a few kilometres to the Garu Township, veered off the road with one of them somersaulting.
The eye-witness said security personnel, who were on the entourage, quickly rescued the occupants of the vehicles. Mr Arhin escaped unhurt while Madam Akufo was not onboard the vehicle at the time of the accident.
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No discrimination in sharing national cake - Mills
Wa, Nov. 21, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has assured Ghanaians that the NDC would not discriminate in the allocation of the national cake to the people as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is doing.
He said the NPP administration was segregating the people, taking good care of its people and leaving the majority who did not belong to its cause to suffer, noting: "This type of rule is bad because it does not foster unity and a sense of belonging of the people".
Prof. Atta Mills was addressing supporters of the NDC at a political rally in Wa to mobilise the electorate for the December 7 polls.
"I will make everybody enjoy the national cake and I will be a good representative of all Ghanaians, rule them with integrity, a sense of humanity and provide equal justice for all", Prof. Mills promised.
Prof. Mills said NDC under his administration would provide a special package and Programme to open the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions with good roads, modernised agriculture and education sectors; provide quality health care delivery and decent jobs for the youth through technical and vocational education.
"I will not promise things that I can not do but I will deliver on what I promised you" he said, adding: "I will not engage in corruption but would use the national cake to improve working conditions of the Ghanaian worker - teachers, police, the farmers and fishermen.
Prof. Atta Mills announced that a special fund would be allocated to the University for Development Studies (UDS) to develop and become the backbone of the development of the three northern regions. He called on people in the north to stand solidly behind the NDC in the December 7 elections and should not be swayed to the NPP because of money and empty promises.
Prof. Mills assured the people that an NDC government would not turn its back to the North as the NPP had done for the past eight years. He acknowledged that the turn-out at the rally had encouraged him and the NDC that the people of Wa were still solidly behind the NDC after eights years of the NPP administration. Alhaji Idrisu Mahama, a leading member of the NDC said the NDC was poised to win all the ten seats in the December 7 polls and tasked supporters of the party to go all out to make victory certain and "one touch" for the NDC.
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76 AIDS patients die under NGO care
Tuobodum (B/A), Nov. 21, GNA - All 76 persons living with HIV/AIDS and adopted by the Friends of The Sick, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) at Tuobodum in the Techiman Municipality are reported dead.
The NGO came to their aid in 2001 to offer them the necessary support towards their rehabilitation. Mr Justice Sarkodie, Executive Director of the NGO, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the victims were identified through a sensitization programme.
Mr Sarkodie said after registering with the Ghana AIDS Commission, the victims were supported with anti-retroviral drugs whilst the NGO even sent some of them to Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. He said the NGO had adopted about 62 children of the victims.
The Executive Director commended the AIDS Commission and Ahenbronoso Care Foundation, another NGO in Techiman for their support to the organization in caring for the orphans. He appealed to the government and management of the National Health Insurance Scheme to assist in the registration of the orphans.
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Defence Minister: I'll fly my family out if..
Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence, has stated that he had nothing to lose if war broke out in the country, before, during and after the December elections.
He said if there should be war in the country, he and his family, as well as the other ministers would fly out, while the innocent and the poor faced the consequences.
He, therefore, urged the youth to refrain from activities that would bring conflicts in the country.
The Minister, however, assured Ghanaians that there would be neither war nor anything that would bring political instability in the country, notwithstanding clashes by political parties.
According to him, the Defence Ministry, under his leadership and the Security Task Force, had put measures in place to make sure the country enjoyed its peaceful atmosphere, which has been her hallmark.
"I am assuring you that there will be no war in the country, so don't harbour any fears, since my ministry has prepared adequately for the elections," he stressed.
He gave the assurance at Boamang in the Ashanti Region last Tuesday while addressing a durbar, during which he said the law would deal drastically with anyone who would cause mayhem to destabilize the peaceful nature of the country.
Minister Kan Dapaah said the Defence Ministry was more than ready to ensure that the country enjoyed its peace and tranquility.
He warned that his ministry would deal strictly with anyone who would cause mayhem, irrespective of the person's party affiliation.
"There would be no mercy for supporters of the NPP and other political parties, should they indulge themselves in any catastrophic activities that are intended to bring destruction to the country's peaceful environment," he said.
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NDC will partner chiefs for dev't - Mills
Navrongo (UE), Nov. 20, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) would build and consolidate a strong partnership with chiefs to promote development when voted into power, Professor Evans Atta Mills, the Presidential Candidate of the party NDC has assured. "My government will not be the type of government that will not regard chiefs and neglect them in terms of developmental issues", he said and noted that chiefs are full of wisdom that could effectively be harnessed for development.
He said this when he paid separate courtesy calls on some chiefs in the Upper East Region on Wednesday to solicit for their support I the December 7, 2008 elections. Prof. Mills noted that no proper development could be achieved and thrive without the involvement of traditional authorities that are the custodians of the people's heritage. He pledged to provide more dams and road networks in the area as well as establish shear butter industry for the people so that more employment avenues could be created. He also promised agriculture inputs in the form of subsidy to farmers in the area.
Prof. Mills said the rehabilitation of the Vea and the Tono irrigation dams, for the farming of rice and tomatoes in the region would be fast tracked when the NDC came to power. Prof. Mills assured the chiefs and the people in the region that the National Health Scheme (NHIS) would be made more affordable and accessible when the party wins election and added that it would be made compulsory for every citizen. Mr Martin Amidu, a former Deputy Attorney General, said during the NDC's time in government, Ghana never experienced the spate of armed robbery and trafficking of drugs the country was currently going through. The chiefs Prof. Mills visited prayed for him and wished him well in his political endeavour.
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Don't take NDC serious - Nana Akufo Addo
Tumu, Nov. 20, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, told the people of Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions, not to take serious, the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) pledge of establishing a Savannah Accelerated Development Authority to improve the development in the North serious.
"This is a deceit, it is only to throw dust into the eyes of the people, if not so, why for the 19 years of the PNDC/NDC rule they did not established such an authority to improve development in the north", he asked.
"It has now been the plan of the NDC to be quick to oppose policies and programmes of the NPP but later complement them with unworkable ones and this shows that the NPP is really on course and we are moving forward", Nana Akufo-Addo added.
Nana Akufo Addo was addressing a political rally in Tumu to round off his two days campaign tour of the Upper West Region. He said when he announced that under his administration one billion dollars would be put into the Northern Development Fund to cater for the development needs and aspirations of the people, the NDC came out strongly to criticize it.
He said it had been the wish of the NPP to fulfill the vision and carry out the development plans of the pioneers of Northern Politicians as a measure to unite the country. Nana Akufo therefore called on northerners to vote for the NPP to enable it to implement its development agenda for the North to make the difference for all to see.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Akufo Addo, said the election was about the future prosperity of Ghanaians and that records had shown that the NPP was better managers of the country's economy. He said the Northern regions had benefited more with development projects under the NPP than the NDC and urged them to give their mandate to the NPP to continue with its good works. He gave the assurance that the Wa-Tumu- Navrongo road would be the number one priority of their administration, to get it tarred, to facilitate the movement of goods, services and people between the Upper West and Upper East Regions.
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I left Wa people united but now divided - Rawlings
Wa, Nov. 20, GNA - Former President John Rawlings on Thursday said he is not happy because he left the people Wa united but now they are divided because of chieftaincy problems.
He said: "United I left Wa people but now the people are divided because of chieftaincy and I am not happy about that. Whatever the problem might be, they should come to consensus and address their differences amicably", Former President Rawlings advised. Addressing supporters and members of the NDC in Wa at separate forums on Thursday, Former President Rawlings urged them to vote the NDC into office to restore the lost freedom and Justice that people need. "Let all Ghanaians decide to stay at a place of truth, and that place of truth is the NDC", he said and added that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had never presided over a united people with a common sense of purpose.
Former President Rawlings advised Wa citizens not to allow anyone to take advantage of the chieftaincy divide to cause troubles because such situations set the clock of development backward. He urged traditional rulers, imams and all those, who are stakeholders in the Wa chieftaincy divide, to come together and revoke the laws that had prevented them from rehabilitating the Wa-Na's palace and rebuild the palace for the sake of their children. "The palace serves as a symbol of your embodiment and your history is in the palace and we must not allow it to be destroyed", Former President Rawlings pleaded.
He told the people that Ghana would have been a paradise if the NPP administration had not abandoned the development plans of equity and equality that the NDC implemented in the country.
Former President Rawlings said the NPP had done a lot of damage to the socio-economic structures of the country and that had brought hardships, suffering and hopelessness to the people.
He called himself a clean person because he did not take a dime or pin from the state coffers. He said he handed over power to the NPP in a clean and just manner but expressed regret that corruption and injustice that should have been seen as a criminal act had become practices of the day in the NPP governance era.
Former President Rawlings acknowledged that during the PNDC/NDC rule, education was not entirely free but that parents were able to educate their children to the university level. He said the NPP claimed basic education is free but parents are unable to educate their children at the universities because of high fees and wondered the type of future the youth would be without education.
He said the NDC government brought electricity to the North to improve the lives of the people but today people in the north could no longer enjoy lights because of high tariffs.
Former President Rawlings called on the people in the three northern regions not to feel intimidated but to turn-out massively to vote for the NDC come December 7, 2008 because the party would restore justice, equality, equity and development.
He said Ghana does not belong to him nor for President Kufuor, instead the authority rested with the people because the destiny of the country was in their hands to decide which direction they want the country to go.
Former President Rawlings was met at Bamahu by large droves of supporters, who ushered him into Wa around 1900 hours on Wednesday.
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CPP Accuse NPP of Sowing Discord
Some partisans of Ghana's opposition Convention People's Party (CPP) are accusing the ruling party of a calculated plot to derail their party ahead of the December 7th general elections. The national youth organizer of the CPP claims the party's presidential candidate is currently holding negotiations with the ruling New Patriotic Party to join its ranks and share in running government ministries after the election. But the ruling party rejected the accusation. CPP General Secretary Ladi Nylander tells reporter Peter Clottey that the presidential candidate is doing well ahead of the election.
"The whole story to me is rather bizarre. The point is that everybody has a copy of this letter where Dr. (Kwesi) Nduom (the CPP presidential candidate) is supposed to be running a one-man show. And I would really like to know from the national youth organizer what he means by a one-man show because whenever we go to work in the various constituencies, we work with the party executives. So I am not quite sure what the organizer means by Nduom running a one-party show," Nylander pointed out.
He described the accusation, which suggests that the presidential candidate of the CPP has been financially influenced by the ruling party, as baseless.
"Personally, I would say the accusation is hogwash, if you pardon my saying so. Dr. Nduom has consistently said the CPP this time is going as an independent party, and not only has he said it, but all of us have been working hard towards it. We are making inroads. When we go to the various constituencies, we witness that the ground is very good and fertile. And I mean yesterday, when we went to the central region, we saw how good our work is yielding good dividends," he said.
Nylander said the opposition CPP is determined to be the alternative to both the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC.
"We are sticking to our plan, and we are staying focused. We want to be an independent party and be the credible alternative to what is going on. And as far as I know Dr. Nduom has even said that he is not interested in being anybody's minister and that he wants to be the president. So I don't know where this story is coming from," Nylander noted.
He said the party's chances ahead of the December election is very bright despite polls showing it is trailing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
"Polls are polls, and the real poll is going to be on December 7. We've got our own poll and the situation is not at all what we hear. I have seen two polls so far, one showing the NPP way ahead, and the other showing the NDC way ahead. So one has to ask what is going and what is coming? We have done our own polls, and we are comfortable with where we are. We want to cause a significant upset and of course we will," he said.
Nylander said the party would only decide its next line of action after there is no clear winner during the first round of election on December 7.
"If there is no clear winner, then obviously there would be a second round, and we would deal with it when we get there. It would be a matter of who joins the CPP. Everybody is saying who would the CPP join. Well, we want to ask who would join the CPP?" Nylander asked.
Kwabena Bonfreh, who is the national youth organizer of the CPP, challenged the presidential candidate to refute recent allegations in the Ghanaian media, which suggest that CPP presidential candidate Nduom has been holding talks with the ruling party to serve as a minister if the ruling party wins the December election.
Bomfreh sent a letter to executive members of the CPP, effectively challenging Nduom to answer newspaper allegations that he has been negotiating for ministerial positions with the ruling New Patriotic Party and main opposition National Democratic Congress.
However, he dismissed allegations that he may have been financially influenced to create confusion within the ranks of the CPP. He challenged anyone to come out with evidence.
Bomfreh found it weird that Nduom, for months, refused publicly to rebut the story or at least drag the newspaper to the National Media Commission.
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Activists of reform support Mills
Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - Activists of the National Reform Party (NRP) in 50 constituencies have endorsed the candidature of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, for the 2008 elections.
In a statement signed by activists from Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Northern and Central regions, they urged the National Working Committee of the National Reform Party to publicly endorse the decision of the membership of the party to support Prof. Atta Mills. The statement noted that the NRP National Consultative meeting agreed that the Party would not run a national campaign but upon study of other progressive parties' programmes, shall endorse a party whose policies best advanced the national interest.
"Based on the party's beliefs and principles of grassroots initiatives, (NRP) activists from 50 constituencies across the country resolved . that the policies of Prof. Mills if implemented, will best advance our stated goals which will lead to national development. "We are calling on all Reform activists across the length and breadth of the county to support the campaign of the NDC and Prof. Mills in their various constituencies."
It said in the event of a run-off, Reform, will as in 2000, support a candidate whose election will best serve the national interest.
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Five Burnt To Death
Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service on Wednesday confirmed that five people died in Monday night's fire outbreak at a warehouse at Ablekuma in Accra.
Division Office Grade 1 Daniel Ntim Yeboah of the Weija Fire Service Station, which arrived first at the scene, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the cause of the fire was still being investigated and a report would be made as soon as investigations were completed.
"We got to the scene amidst heavy traffic and blackout to meet five deaths. Others had already been rushed to the hospital before we arrived," he said.
Division Officer Yeboah said the Industrial Area and the Accra Regional Headquarters fire fighters joined in fighting the fire that took over five hours to be extinguished.
He said the owner of the warehouse, who is said to be a Nigerian businesswoman, doubted that the fire was allegedly caused by fire crackers since they were in a shipping container. Division Officer Yeboah advised the public to desist from storing inflammable materials in their residences. He asked the public to give the Fire Service the right directions to fire spots.
An unknown number of persons were also feared to have been trapped under the warehouse that collapsed after a loud explosion when fire gutted the warehouse.
A driver and two others, who were at the warehouse to offload goods from a KIA truck, were among the dead, according to witnesses. One of them who identified himself as Kwesi told Ghana News Agency that the incident occurred around 1800 hours. He said residents around observed thick smoke billowing from the warehouse but they could not rush in to save any of the victims. The fire, he said, spread to three houses nearby but did not cause much harm.
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NGO builds hospital for Tolon
Tolon (N/R), Nov. 19, GNA - Afreak Med Foundation, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) with headquarters in Austria is building a hospital at the cost of 50,000.00 euros for Tolon in the Tolon/Kumbungu District.
The hospital, which will have an out-patient department (OPD), male and female wards, a surgical theatre, a paediatric wing, a pharmacy and a laboratory, is the brain child of Dr. Bayer Stefan, a medical doctor based in Austria and Dr. Kpangkpari Steve of the Catholic Hospital at Asankrangu in the Central Region.
Major Abubakari Sulemana (Rtd), the regent of Tolon and his elders released a 30-acre plot of land for the construction of the hospital which is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Maj Sulemana and Dr. Stefan, the leader of the NGO delegation, cut the sod for work to begin on the hospital in Tolon on Tuesday. Maj Sulemana commended the NGO and said for several years he and his people had struggled to get the government to build a hospital for them but to no avail.
He said when the people in the area fall sick they often have to travel over 16 kilometres to Tamale and gave the assurance that he and his elders would support the project for its early completion. Dr. Stefan said the realization of the dream of building the hospital was through the efforts of a several people including contributions from the people of Europe.
He said the project was to also foster closer friendship between the people of Austria and Ghana and also bring development to Tolon. Mrs. Denisig Kaara, District Director of Health, said the Tolon community and its surrounding areas had a population of over 167,606 and it was difficult for the only health centre to cater for the people. She said it was therefore welcome news to have a big hospital to complement the services of the health centre and urged the district assembly to sponsor more students in nursing training institutions to enable them to serve the district upon completion of their courses.
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National Reform Party activists support Atta Mills
Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Activists of the National Reform Party (NRP) in 50 constituencies have endorsed the candidature of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, for the 2008 elections.
In a statement signed by activists from Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Northern and Central regions, the activists urged the National Working Committee of the National Reform Party to publicly endorse the decision of the membership of the party to support Prof. Atta Mills.
The statement noted that, the NRP national consultative meeting agreed that, the Party would not run a national campaign but upon the study of other progressive parties' programmes, shall endorse a party whose policies best advanced the national interest.
"Based on the party's beliefs and principles of grassroots initiatives, (NRP) activists from 50 constituencies across the country resolved that, the policies of Prof. Mills, if implemented will best advance our stated goals which will lead to national development.
"We are calling on all Reform activists across the length and breadth of the county to support the campaign of the NDC and Prof. Mills in their various constituencies."
It said in the event of a run-off, Reform, will as in 2000, support a candidate whose election will best serve the national interest.
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Fire guts warehouse, several feared burned to death
Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Several people are feared burned to death when fire on Monday night gutted a warehouse containing firecrackers and plastic toys at NIC near Ablekuma in Accra.
An unknown number of persons are also feared to have been trapped under the warehouse that collapsed after a loud explosion. A driver and two others, who were at the warehouse to offload goods from a KIA truck, were among the dead, according to witnesses. One of them who identified himself as Kwesi told Ghana News Agency that the incident occurred around 1800 hours and the cause of the fire is not yet known.
He said residents around observed thick smoke billowing from the warehouse but they could not rush in to save any of the victims. The fire, he said, spread to three houses nearby but did not cause much harm. He said two persons have also been taken to hospital. The witness said the Fire Service fire tenders could not get to the scene early due to vehicular traffic and difficulty in accessing the Anyaah-Ablekuma route that is under construction. As at 0600 hours on Tuesday when GNA got to the scene, the fire was still smouldering but fire fighters were at the scene to save the situation.
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Akufo-Addo challenged on free second cycle education promise
Apam, Nov. 17, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party presidential candidate for Election 2008, has been challenged to tell Ghanaians which aspect of senior high school education he intended to make free if elected as president.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the former first lady, said the call was necessary because already tuition, sports, culture and entertainment were free in secondary schools.
She was addressing separate rallies organized by Gomoa West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), at Apam, Mumford and Eshiem in the Central Region at the weekend.
The former first lady urged the electorate to discard Nana Akufo-Addo's blanket statement that he would make senior high school education free because it was not feasible.
She asked politicians not to toy with the country's education since it formed the bedrock of development and the surest tool for the elimination of poverty.
Nana Agyeman Rawlings said the NPP Government was finding it difficult to pay feeding grant for senior high schools in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
She said dealers in food items always pressurized school heads in the regions for payment for supplies made to educational institutions. Nana Agyeman Rawlings said grants were released after the heads threatened to close down the schools.
She said "if the government could not pay feeding grants to the few secondary schools in the North promptly what do you expect the situation to be when those in the whole country are taken on board". Nana Agyeman Rawlings said even though Capitation Grant given to basic schools was a constitutional obligation, the way it was being managed left much to be desired.
The former first lady said she received report that Capitation Grant for the third term of the last academic year and that of the first term of this year had not been paid to schools.
She asked "how do they expect the schools to be run when they have warned heads not to collect any money from the public?'.
Nana Agyeman Rawlings said the fallen standards of education in the country were due to the way the Capitation Grant was being managed. She said only less than five per cent of schools were enjoying the School Feeding Programme since it was started about four years ago. The former fist lady said "I am not a prophet of doom but I can foresee that the investment parents are making in education would go down the drain if Nana Akufo-Addo is voted into power to implement his free secondary education."
Ms. Shirley Ayittey, National Vice Chairperson of NDC, said the party would invest in the welfare of the people when voted into power. Mr. Francis Arthur, NDC parliamentary candidate for Gomoa West, called on the electorate to consider Election 2008 as an opportunity for them to liberate themselves from the bad policies of the NPP which had impoverished them.
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Mills Campaign in Bawku
Vote for a party more committed to people's welfare - Mills
Bawku, Nov 17, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Ghanaians to critically examine each party and vote for the one that would be more committed to the well being of the people. He said this on Sunday during his visit to the Garu-Tempane, Pusiga and Bawku Constituencies in the Upper East Region where he addressed separate rallies.
Professor Mills said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government preached and practiced property owning democracy, by which some few people enjoyed at the expense of the masses who voted for them. He explained that the NDC, when voted into power, would create prosperity for all Ghanaians irrespective of one's political affiliation, ethnicity and social background.
"Everybody knows Ghanaians are suffering and there is the need for a change, so Ghanaians should vote the NDC to power to redeem them from their plight," he emphasized.
Professor Mills explained that under the current government majority of the people especially the youth were jobless and attributed this to the system of education being pursued. "Most of the youth are unable to go beyond the Junior High School level," he noted.
He said under his administration the youth would be empowered with technical and vocational skills through the establishment of technical and vocational training institutes in each of the district capitals of the country.
Prof. Mills said after their training, the graduands would be assisted financially to establish their own businesses to enable them to become self-employed so that they could in turn provide employment for others.
He said the NDC government, when given the nod, would establish shea-nut industries in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. This, Prof. Mills said, would help to provide several tonnes of shea-buter for local consumption and export and that women who picked shea-nuts for processing would also be provided with protective clothes to protect them from snakebites.
He said women would also be assisted financially to undertake economically viable ventures to support themselves and their families.
Prof. Mills said farmers would be trained through extension officers and provided with modern agricultural implements and farm inputs, and that markets would be made available for farm produce. "What Ghanaian farmers lack is modernized agriculture implements, farming inputs and technical advice which the NDC would provide when elected," he said.
On Ghana's oil find, Prof. Mills explained that under his administration, its benefits would be shared equitably and fairly, and indicated that monies accruing from the oil would be used to provide social services and infrastructural development.
He said part of the monies from the oil would also be reserved for future generations and an independent body would be set up to manage proceeds from the oil judiciously.
Prof. Mills urged the electorate to vote for the NDC to transform the economy and appealed to all stakeholders involved in conducting the elections to be extra vigilant to ensure that the exercise was conducted in a transparent manner.
He stressed the need for peaceful elections and said Ghana was above all sectional interests, and urged Ghanaians to help maintain peace and unity.
Professor Mills also visited some of the traditional authorities in the region including Naba Martin Abilba III, Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Bawku Naba Azoka Abugrago II, Paramount Chief of Bawku Traditional Area and Naba Ibrahim Apakwe-Akutu, Chief of Pusiga. They all prayed for him and wished him successes in all his endeavours.
At rally at Pusiga, 22 people announced their defection from the NPP to the NDC explaining that it was only the NDC that could redeem Ghanaians from their sufferings.
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DVLA for Sale
...although generating 100 billion yearly income
“We for sell-sell something! Sell-sell everything! Sell-sell something!” Seems to be the government’s remix of a popular Ghanaian Hiplife song by Praye, as it continues to dispose off national asserts and institutions with impunity. The latest government institution being offered for sale is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of the Ministry of Road Transport, which generates over ¢100 billion into the Consolidated Fund annually. Documents available to The Enquirer from the vault of the authority reveal that the vehicle testing section of the authority has already been secretly privatized. The management, after clandestinely privatizing the vehicle testing section, called a meeting on October 7, this year to inform the workers of the move, drawing disquiet from the workers, as they listened to their new role under the sale.
The meeting was convened by the Acting Chief Executive of the authority, Mrs Mabel Sagoe. The situation has been described by a top management person as bogus and fraudulent, saying that th workers and the public, who are major stakeholders, should have been involved in the privatization process.
“The DVLA does not need privatization of any kind but rather a well tailored decentralizations to generate more revenue as well as the creation of employment,”.
Investigations by the Enquirer has it that, similar deal was done four ago, by DVLA when one Mr Oppong, a man who used to drive a rickety Opel saloon car but now cruises in a VW Toureg was handpicked and given the section dealing with the testing of headlights at the DVLA. The headlight testing is done at the premises of the DVLA while the gh¢2.00 per every inspection goes to this private man, who has made so much money and has established a multi billion garage.
It was also gathered that Mr Oppong is now gunning for the roadworthy section of the DVLA and has established a new garage at Dome in Accra, while another one, by an unknown person, has been established at Kuntunse on the Nsawam road.
Inside sources at the DVLA told the Enquirer that most of the workers will be assigned a new role as auditors to these private companies, while others will simply lose their jobs. They told newsmen that some people outside the authority have been sent outside to be trained to take over that work.
The move has incurred the wrath of the workers because they claim that the DVLA is currently doing well and that there is no need for any privatization. The sources said that the DVLA pays close to ¢100 billion (old Ghana cedis) into the consolidated fund. But as things stand now the figure is likely to go down because of the privatization.
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