Former Assemblywoman to sue Town

Planning officer

Agona Swedru (C/R), Dec. 13, GNA - Lawyers of the former Assemblywoman of the Agona West Municipal Assembly, Mrs Hanna Nyarkoh are working to drag the Town and Country Planning Officer (TCP) to court for alleged interference and encroachment on her land.

Mr Frank Ebo Selby, a lawyer of Mrs Nyarkoh told Ghana News Agency at Agona Swedru that Mr Frank Martikorley, Agona West Municipal Director of TCP hired a grader and cleared the piece of land in front of his clients house without their consent.

He said the intended legal action against the TCP Officer was to ensure justice and fairness in land administration of the country. Mr Selby noted that the land in dispute was acquired in 1994 and registered at Lands Commission after the completion of the Urban- three project in the Agona Swedru township.

He said the TCP Director cannot use his office to harass and intimidate people in the Agona West Municipality who had rightfully acquired lands. When Mr Martikorley was contacted about the allegations he denied any wrong doing and said he was assisting the former assembly woman to acquire the land legally.

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Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - Government is to harness the economic potential of Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) to create 45,000 jobs to reduce the unemployment situation in the country by 2011, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication said on Saturday. He said that the growth of ITES has the potential to rake in additional 750 million dollars, by the same year, in a form of revenue with a multiplier effect on the economy leading to higher investment, increased job creation, and improvement of quality of life.

Mr. Iddrisu disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Alhassan Umar, Director of ITES Secretariat, at a dinner organized by Rakes Company Limited (RCL) in Accra. RCL is a private company that out sources business operations to a third party company and organization, to manage within a designated period of time. The company currently manages nearly 150 staff of MTN, the multinational telecommunication service provider.

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu said that government had tasked the Secretariat to assist in the development of a strong and vibrant private sector in the information and technology industry to enable Ghana attain its socio-economic agenda. "As part of government strategy, several programmes are being implemented under the eGhana project to make the country the preferred destination of ITES-Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) Companies in the continent," he said.

Mr. Robert Sam, Managing Director of RCL said that the contributions made by the telecommunication industry to mainstream the development agenda of the country could not be overemphasized. "The responsibility rests upon us to explore innovative ways of harnessing the economic potential of Information, Communication and Technology to improve the socio-economic development of the country," he said. Mr. Sam called on institutions and stakeholders to take advantage of outsourcing facilities offered by the RCL stressing that it saved time, money as well as relived the human resource of companies, any shortage that might hit them.

"Outsourcing provides the company the ability to concentrate on the core business instead of getting distracted by additional matters," he said. He appealed to government to give special incentives such as 'tax holidays' and to subsidise the energy sector and other production inputs in order to reduce cost and encourage wealth creation and even distribution in the country.

Source: GNA

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Sunyani, Dec. 13, GNA - A group of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assaulted journalists covering the awards ceremony of Brong Ahafo @ 50 anniversary celebration in Sunyani. The occasion was attended by the former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman, Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region and NDC party bigwigs.

The journalists attacked were Mr. Dennis Kwadwo Peprah of the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Regional Correspondent of Daily Graphic, Mr. Ian Motey, Regional Correspondent of Ghanaian Times, Mr. Michael Boateng of the Chronicle and Mr. Larry Paa Kwesi Moses of TV Africa. Mr. Peprah was nearly lynched by the supporters but for the timely intervention of police personnel on duty.

The incident was reported to the police in Sunyani who gave the journalists medical forms to fill at the Regional Hospital. The incident happened when Flt. Lt. Rawlings was about to deliver his address.

One of the attackers walked to where the journalists were seated and virtually lifted Mr. Peprah and his seat off the ground and started beating him.

As Mr. Peprah lay on the ground screaming for help some of the attackers who included women activists of the party stamped on his stomach and delivered blows at him from all angles.

A policeman who went to the rescue of Mr. Peprah received some slaps by one of the attackers and a taxi that was hailed to convey Mr. Peprah to a safe place had its back side smashed by the irate mob.

Source: GNA

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* Saturday, 12.12.2009

Winneba, Dec 12, GNA - Doctors, Nurses and other paramedical staffs of the Winneba Government Hospital staying at the Low-cost Area, have threatened to leave the hospital following persistent attacks on them by armed robbers.

According to the health professionals, they had been traumatized and discouraged by the insecurity at their bungalows and quarters in recent times, by the activities of the robbers who persistently robbed them of their valuable items.

The officials made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Winneba after they handed over one Richard Baiden, a 20 year-old student of the Winneba National Vocational Training Centre, who was arrested at the area for breaking into a provision store on Wednesday night. The Low-cost Area is where most government officials in the Municipality including doctors and nurse reside. Dr Abdulla Hadi, a Medical Doctor and victim, narrating his ordeal to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said armed robbers entered his bungalow and robbed him of everything during mid-year last year. He said a doctor posted to Winneba only three months ago had also been robbed.

Dr Hadi said "I am leaving for elsewhere by the end of December, 2009, because I cannot work in such a dangerous environment and unsecured area as a medical doctor".

Mrs Justina Brown, Midwife of the Hospital on her part said, she had been a victim of armed robbery before and described the scene as very disturbing, adding that her money and other items including TV sets, Mobile Phone and other items were taken away at gun point by the robbers. She said the harassment and threat being encountered by doctors, nurses and paramedical staffs at the hands of "these hardened criminals had been communicated to the Police and Effutu Municipal Assembly but to no avail". Mrs Brown said there were no street lights and security at the area and these had contributed to the situation.

Mr Emmanuel Essandoh, a Nurse, said armed robbers invaded his quarters at the same place some time this year and made away with items bought for his wedding and a TV set, mobile phones, jewels and other valuable personal effects.

When GNA contacted the Effutu Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Martin Asamoah, he confirmed the story and said that they are handicapped.

He said they had only one vehicle which was not enough for effective patrol duties and appealed to the people to assist the police to undertake armed robbery fighting. According to the Winneba Police Command, two other accomplices, namely Kojo and Kobbie (Alias Texaco) involved in the recent robbery were on the run and efforts were being made to apprehend them. ASP Asamoah said the student who had been arrested would be put before court as soon as investigations were completed. Mr Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive told the GNA that the Assembly would give a vehicle to the police before Christmas for patrols duties.

Source: GNA

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Ministry of Tourism, GTB denies bribery allegation

 Accra, Dec. 11, GNA - The Ministry of Tourism and the Ghana Tourists Board, on Friday, denied allegations by an Accra based newspaper that the sector ministers had taken bribe from Zakhem limited, a company developing a hotel at the Accra Race Course.

Mr Julius Debrah, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourists Board who addressed a press conference in Accra to react to the publication explained that Zakhem's local representatives Cascade Development Company Limited, entered into an agreement with the government of Ghana on January 11, 2007 for the re-development of the 14.16 hectare site in Accra previously owned by the Government.

The agreement stated that the Accra Race Course would be developed into a five- star hotel with a shopping mall, office and residential buildings. He said as part of the agreement, the government had 10 per cent share holding in the company.

Mr Debrah said the ministers were invited to the premises of the company by the management to familiarise themselves with the operations of the corporate entity.

Mr Debrah who was flanked by the Minister, Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah and the Deputy Minister, Mr Kwabena Akyeampong, said the company used the opportunity to present a certificate indicating government's 10 per cent share in the project as outlined and approved by Parliament.

He explained that no money exchanged hands during the visit, although Zakhem Limited at a later date paid cheques of three thousand and two thousand dollars respectively following an appeal made by the Ministry for the production of a post-Obama visit video document and in support of the United Nations World Tourism Day hosted by Ghana earlier this year. "These amounts were paid into the Ministry's accounts and receipts duly issued to cover the said payment," Mr Debrah said, stressing that the cheques paid by Zakhem was a donation in support of the above events. He however said: "if anybody has evidence that the sector ministers collected monies they should let the public know. As far as the Ghana Tourists Board is concerned the Ministers did not receive any cash payment as alleged."

Mrs Azumah-Mensah expressed surprise at the story and reiterated the availability of records to show that the cheques were paid into the Ministry's account.

She said similar donations were made by the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel and other local organisations that supported the World Tourism Day celebrations.

Source: GNA

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 Disables want 10% share of oil revenue

 Accra, Dec.11, GNA - The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has called on government to consider allocating 10 per cent of the country's oil revenue to support education of the disabled.

The GFD has also called for a law to compel corporate bodies to allocate five per cent of their corporate social responsibility fund towards supporting the interest of the disabled.

Mr. Isaac Tuggun, Administrator of the GFD, who made the call at the official launch of The Dawhenya School in Accra said even though the disabled constituted about two million of the country's population, issues concerning their development had not been receiving the needed attention. The Dawhenya School is an eight million Ghana Cedi school complex project being undertaken by the Shiloh Baptist Church at Dawhenya to provide opportunities to both the physically challenged and others to pursue academic and vocational learning from pre-school through senior high level. This integrated institution, according to the church, would also train the head, heart and hands as well as give the deprived a window of opportunity to improve themselves and eventually impact the society at large.

Mr. Tuggun said even though recent government interventions were encouraging, the GFD believed that the allocation of such percentages of revenue would greatly enhance the welfare of the disabled as well as make them independent.

He said the disabled was still discriminated against as the existence of unfriendly facilities at institutions were still rife in the country and thereby limiting the progress of the disabled.

He said even at integrated systems or institutions of learning, officials do not have requisite knowledge on how to handle the special services that the disabled require.

Mr. Tuggun therefore, called for political will and change of mind and attitude to dealing with issues concerning the disabled. Mr. Godwin Addo, National Examinations Officer, Ghana Education Service, called for the setting up of educational endowment funds in villages and towns where resources would be lodged to support the education of the child.

Mr. Addo also called on families to stop spending lavishly on the dead and use the resources to support the education of their children. Mr. Djaba Nyakotey, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church and Leader of the Dawhenya School project, said the church instituted the project to help end the deprivation facing the vulnerable in society. Mr. Nyakotey said it was the belief of the church that beneficiaries of its project would be economically empowered to face the challenges of life. He called on corporate bodies to support the church to make the project a reality.

The construction of the facility is expected to be completed by next year.

Source: GNA

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President John Evans Atta Mills may have received all the praise for being an incorruptible man, but on the blind sight of the noble Professor, some of his men may be doing things that have the tendency of putting his government in a bad light.

This is exactly what happened on Wednesday, when confusion broke out on the precincts of the National Security Secretariat (Castle Annex), between operatives of the National Security and the customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on one hand and a car syndicate, led by one Mr. Carl Wilson, alias ‘Rambo’, the chairman of the Disposal of Forfeited Vehicles Committee (DFVC) at the Tema Harbour on the other hand.

This was after the security agents impounded a 4x4 Chrysler vehicle that Mr. Wilson, together with his bodyguard whose name was only given as Daniel, and an Ivorian called Nanan Kublan Olivier, had taken from the port, and were attempting to re-spray it at Asylum Down in Accra.

Soon after the car had been impounded, Mr. Wilson engaged the National Security operatives in a heated debate, during which he claimed that the said vehicle was to be given to ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, an assertion the ex-President refuted when he was reached on phone by the security operatives for verification. Mr. Rawlings denied knowing Mr. Wilson, let alone, request for a confiscated car from him. Credible sources at the National Security, who witnessed the incident, told the Chronicle newspaper that Mr. Rawlings subsequently sent three of his bodyguards, led by one Dr. Lawson, to disassociate him from the stolen car.

Having been embarrassed by the ex-President’s denials, Mr. Wilson then changed his story that the stolen 4x4 Chrysler vehicle was rather mean for the Department of State Protocol, much to the amusement of the security operatives. The Spokesman for the ex President, Kofi Adams, told the Chronicle that they were not aware of any such request for the vehicle.

Though he admits knowing Mr. Wilson, Mr. Adams could however not tell whether the Office of the President had issued any such directive for a vehicle to be sent to Mr. Rawlings. For this reason, he said they have asked for an investigation into the issue, since they could not ascertain its veracity or otherwise. According to our sources, the National Security and its related security agencies had been closely monitoring Mr. Wilson and his group for some time now, due to the rampant and strange circumstance at which confiscated cars at the Golden Jubilee Terminal at the Tema Harbour get missing without any trace.

However, the paper’s sources said Wilson and his group have been selling the vehicles to some second hand cars dealers in town, who buy these cars from them after they have been confiscated from their original owners. But luck eluded him on Wednesday, when the security operatives caught him pants down, after trailing him from Tema. A security source told the Chronicle that at about 6:00 pm, during the day in question, the 4x4 Chrysler vehicle was moved onto a towing truck with registration number GT2454 E, with an inscription Koo Town Services. The truck moved from Tema to Accra, got to the Castle junction, as though it was heading for the Presidency, turned and headed towards Castle Annex, only to drive past the famous Blue Gate to Asylum Down, where it stopped at a garage.

Mr. Wilson is said to have joined Daniel Olivier and demanded that the 4x4 Chrysler vehicle, which was still bearing a foreign registration number plate, be sprayed in the night, but the owner became alarmed and explicitly told them to leave his garage but they refused and rather chose to change the registration number to avoid suspicion, and have it sprayed in a different garage.

It was at this stage that the security operatives pounced on them, and arrested Wilson and his colleagues, and impounded the car. The National Security Coordinator, Colonel Larry Gbevlo Lartey (Rtd), admitted when The Chronicle contacted him on phone, that there were some issues between his outfit and Carl Wilson, but said The Chronicle information was not entirely true, and asked the Chronicle to cross-check from his sources and get back to him later. All efforts to reach him again, as agreed upon earlier, proved futile as his phone had been switched off. Carl Wilson also who failed to pick calls put through to his cell phone to get his side of the story. He also did not reply to text messages sent to him.

Meanwhile, some CEPS officers are asking the government to probe the activities of Mr. Wilson at the Tema Harbour, to know the true number of cars that have gone missing and the amount involved.

Source: The Chronicle

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Dr. Arthur Kennedy who headed Nana Akufo-Addo’s communication team during the elections, but is now cooling it off in the USA, alleged in his book that while some of the key party figures were criss-crossing the country campaigning, others were enjoying with their girlfriends in hotels to the detriment of the party.

According to him, when the party gurus met chiefs in the Central Region to plead with them to support the party, they (chiefs) made a similar complain about the chasing of women by some of the party leaders.

On page 132 of the book, Arthur Kennedy wrote: “In Kumasi, while polling agents looked for party leaders to help resolve problems, one party leader was reportedly holed up at his girlfriend's place."

The leading member of the NPP further contended that though some of the district chief executives (DCEs) were seen to be unpopular, they were also womanizing at the expense of campaigning.

“As in every campaign, local issues and the candidates mattered. In many places, DCEs were seen by the public as the face of the party, and where they were unpopular, the voters punished the party for their perceived arrogance. For example, in the Central region, a few days before the second round, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Kwabena and I met the regional House of Chiefs to persuade them to support the NPP. During the meeting, one chief reminded us that the DCEs were our primary links with the people, and that in many instances our party had been ill-served by our DCEs.
"He said that on many occasions, he (the chief) had tried to see the DCE without success.

"However, while waiting to see the DCE, a young woman, scantily dressed, was walking in and out of the DCEs office. This account was backed by many of the assembled chiefs."
Dr. Arthur Kennedy, who contested the NPP presidential primaries and bagged a single vote, alleged in the book that on the day of the elections, a leading member of the party shocked a diplomat at a hotel.
“That night, a national executive member was spotted having dinner at a hotel in Accra by a shocked diplomat."
On perceptions of arrogance, he said, the perceptions of arrogance on the part of the DCEs were extended to members of parliament and used Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng as a classical example.
“The classical example of one such ministers was Honourable Stephen Asamoah Boateng, who was acknowledged by even his enemies to be hardworking, but considered by some admirers to be arrogant. He capped this by telling a caller on a radio show to be careful because you are talking to a Minister of State. After a valiant effort, he lost his seat."
He also conceded that the party’s inability to carefully handle the premix fuel issues, together with their seemingly indifference to the issues of pair-trawling, greatly affected the fortunes of the NPP.
“For some unknown reasons, Honourable Nana Ato Arthur, and Honourable Gladys Asmah, who needed to collaborate to resolve the issue, did not have a good relationship and could never agree on the best way to resolve the pre-mix issue.”
Kennedy also blamed poor structures for collating results, as another bane that contributed to the defeat. According to him, during the elections, the National Chairman, Mr. Peter Mac Manu and the campaign director, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, were having different results from the constituencies, making things difficult for the party to compile results.
At a point, he claimed, he had to move to Dr. Wereko-Brobbey’s office to check the correct results, saying, “it seemed his collation centre was quieter."

Source: The Chronicle

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 NPP Congress rescheduled to Jan 29, 2010

 Accra, Dec. 11. GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday rescheduled its Special National Delegates' Conference from December 19, 2009 to January 29, 2010 due to logistical and administrative constraints, a senior member of the party told the GNA on Friday.
The party's guidelines for the Conference made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said filing of nominations for national executive positions would be from December 21 to December 28. Positions to be contested for are National Chairperson, 1st National Vice Chairperson, 2nd National Vice-Chairperson and 3rd National Vice-Chairperson.
Others are General Secretary, National Treasurer, National Organizer, National Women's Organizer and National Youth Organizer. The National Officers are to be elected at a National Annual Delegates' Conference by a simple majority of the votes cast and they shall hold office for three years.
The guidelines say nomination of such officers shall be lodged with the General Secretary not later than 14 days before the holding of the National Annual Delegates' Conference.
The Guidelines also indicate that regional conferences are to be organized between December 28 and 30.
Nominations open from December 14, for regional executive slot, whilst vetting is fixed for December 21 and 22. The results of the vetting will be communicated to the aspirants on December 23.
According to the Guidelines positions to be contested for are Regional Chairperson, 1st Regional Vice Chairperson, 2nd Regional Vice Chairperson, Regional Secretary and Regional Assistant Secretary.
Others are Regional Treasurer, Regional Organizer, Regional Women Organizer and Regional Youth Organizer and they shall also hold office for three years.
Explaining the postponement, Nana Ohene Ntow, NPP General Secretary, cited the inability of some constituencies to organise constituency conference to elect officers as a major factor.
He said there was a little bit of time overrun, "that is why we have shifted the regional elections to December 28 and 29h and then subsequently, one month after we then hold the national conference".
Mr Stephen Ntim, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Mr Felix Owusu Agyapong and Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey have declared their intentions to contest for the National Chairmanship slot.
For the National Vice Chairperson slot it is only Mr Michael Omari-Wadie, who has so far declared his intention to contest for the post. About five personalities including the incumbent General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow, have declared their intention to contest for the post. Others include Mr Yaw Buabeng Asamoa, Mr Nkrabeah Effah Darteh and Mr Obeng Busia.
Mr John Boadu, Alhaji Moctar Bamba, Mr Isaac Edumadze, have so far declared their intention to contest for the National Organiser slot while Ms Otiko Djabah and Ms Frances Essiam have also declared their intentions to slug it out for the National Women's Organiser post. Three youth activists, Mr Stephen Amoah, Mr Isaac Ampong and Mr Anthony Abayifa Karbo, want to contest for the position of National Youth Organiser.

Source: GNA

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Accra, Dec. 11, GNA - The Public Works Department (PWD) said on Friday that estimates for the renovation of seven ministerial bungalows were yet to be considered by the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing.

A press release by Mr Rockson Yeboah, Engineer-in-Chief, said the estimates varied as per "works specification and rate of deterioration". He identified the bungalows as Number 7 5th Circular Road, Cantonment; Number 1 Inner Cantonment; Number 53 Osu Residential; Number C18 Roman Ridge; Number 14 4th Circular Road; Number 53 Liberation Road and Australia House.

Mr Yeboah said the projects were erroneously captured as "ongoing", but these estimates were yet to be considered by the minister for a decision to be made.

He said 57 Ministerial bungalows had been renovated at a total cost of GH¢4.1 million and not 59 bungalows at GH¢4.9 million. A media publication in Accra alleged that government had spent GH¢56 billion on the renovation works.

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And Metro TV Crew

10 people including an 80-year- old man yesterday sustained serious injuries when GoldFields Ghana Limited (Damang) ‘mobilised’ soldiers to brutalise innocent farmers embarking on a peaceful demonstration against the company. The demonstrators numbering about 200 from Atta ne Atta, a farming community affected by the operations of Goldfields Mine at Damang have been permitted by the Police to embark on a peaceful demonstration which was aimed at calling on the government to come to their rescue from the ‘merciless’ hands of the mining company which is the head sponsor of the senior national team the Black Stars. The military brutalities did not end with the demonstrators but also media personnel who had come there to cover the demonstration. The Metro TV crew led Patrick Arthur was not spared the military torment. The cameraman, Eric Osei is the one who suffered most from the ordeal as the military men struggled with him to retrieve his camera.

According to Mr. Frank Appiah who is the leader of the farmers, the military men were hired by officials of Goldfields to brutalise them to stop the peaceful demonstration and in so doing got 10 of the demonstrators seriously injured. The injured were taken to the Tarkwa Government Hospital.

Speaking to the Enquirer in an interview, Mr. Appiah noted that ever since GoldFields started mining in the area, members of the community have been suffering from severe inhuman treatment from the company.

He described Goldfields as selfish and irresponsible as the company is only interested in making huge money from its mining activities which have led to the pollution of the source of drinking water of members of the community. Apart from the pollution, the intensity of the blasting of the rocks has resulted to the weakening of the buildings of the community. Further, among other harmful effects of the activities of the mining company, Goldfields have rendered the community extremely dusty thus injurious to human health. He said that before the company commenced active mining operations last year in the area, the community leaders had appealed to GoldFields to relocate the community to another place as the mining activity would render the place inhabitable.

He added that the officials of GoldFields threw their appeal to the dogs and started operations last year. He continued that they did not relent in their efforts and as such sent petitions to the Member of Parliament for the area, Kwasi Blay, The District Chief Executive of Prestea Huni Valley, the Environment Protection Agency as well as relevant state agencies.

He noted that the petitions have yielded no result because at all occasions that GoldFields is invited for a meeting over other issue, the company treat it with contempt and fail to show up.

He said it is in view of this attitude by the mining company that they decided to embark on a peaceful demonstration but unfortunately this was quelled by the GoldFields-Sponsored Military brutality which resulted in terrible injuries to some of the demonstrators and the Metro TV Crew.

Attempts by the Enquirer to speak to the Corporate Affairs Manager of GoldFields, Dr. Tony Aubyn failed to materialize as he sent this reporter a text message claiming that he was in a meeting and so he should call later. More than two hours later, the Enquirer called Dr. Aubyn several times but these went unanswered.

Meanwhile information reaching the Enquirer at press time has it that Mr. Robert Siaw, the Local Affaires Manger of GoldFields(Damang) who Mr. Appiah noted as the main architect behind the military brutality is shamelessly begging his ‘tortured victims’ not to go to the press over their ordeal but allow sleeping dogs to lie.

The Enquirer

* 09.12.2009

The founder and leader of the United Renaissance Party (URP) and businessman, Charles Kofi Wayo, popularly known as ‘Chuck’ has disclosed that he would resign from the Coalition he entered into with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prior to the 2008 elections should the government fail to deliver on the campaign promises made to Ghanaians by August 4, 2010.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana programme recently, Mr. Wayo blamed the elites of this country as having done very little to alleviate the plights and sufferings of majority of the people of this country but used the opportunity to enrich themselves. He did not mince words in pointing out that the leaders of this country have been repeating the same old things we began with as a country as that has not helped in the developmental efforts of this country.

“We are still doing the same things that brought Rawlings to power. Rawlings was a reformer but he was destroyed by the elites who surrounded him”, he retorted.

Mr. Wayo bemoaned the appalling standards of living of the ordinary men and women who have in diverse ways contributed their quota towards national development. He said, “Farmers don’t get pension, the taxi drivers, traders, fishermen, the cripple do not get help from the State.”

He however commended the leadership style of President Evans Atta Mills and mentioned the fact that he was not corrupt. Mr. Wayo stated, “President Mills gave off his per diem for the benefit of the man on the street and wants his Ministers to do the same. Prof. Mill is more ethical and humble.”

The URP leader was full of praise for His Excellency Prof. Mills and stressed that once the head was clean, the bottom would be cleaned up in no time. “I am happy with his intentions, he has no Giselle behind him and I see great hope for the future, Prof. is a gradualist but quite tough. He has shown the intent of fighting corruption”, he remarked.

Touching on the problems of confronting the energy sector, Chuck Wayo said the place had been turned into an arena of corruption when he and his group were appointed by the President to the board and that they were trying to unravel the damage at the Energy Ministry and was hopeful that things were going to get well and better very soon.

Presenting his thought on the 2010 budget that was presented to Parliament by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning about two weeks ago, Mr. Wayo noted that our economy has been run in the colonial mentality for the past 52 years and that it was time “we resisted the Breton Woods Institutions”.

He said our country was fifteen times richer than England and yet we are stucked in abject poverty notwithstanding the fact that we sat on abundant resources but have allowed ourselves to be overwhelmed by external actors to cause serious damage to us.

Mr. Wayo appealed to the President to take very good care of the security agencies notably the police, army among others as our very existence as a nation-state depends greatly to them. He also asked for better remuneration for ordinary workers in the country for they have suffered for far too long.

Source: The Lense (Ghana)

Hannah Bissiw

Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr Hannah Louisa Bisiw, has demand that she is addressed by her titles.

“If titles were not to be used, they wouldn’t have been created?” She asked.

Bisiw was speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana Programme where Mr Kweku Kwarteng, Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a co-discussant on the programme, addressed the President of the nation as “Mills.”

She insisted that Kwarteng addressed the President as “His Excellency, Professor John Evans Atta Mills” to show respect for his position.

To make matters worse, Mr Kwarteng again addressed the deputy minister as ‘Hannah’ and she became so alarmed that she maintained that she is addressed properly by her titles or else she will not allow the communications director to make his submissions.

It took the intervention of Shamima Moslem, host of the programme for the discussion to continue.

Source: myjoyfmonline

Lorry accidents claim 317 lives

in Eastern Region

Koforidua, Dec 9, GNA - A road safety official expressed worry that as at the end of November this year, 317 people died and 2,179 people sustained injuries in lorry accidents in the Eastern Region. Mr Stephen Anokye, Regional Co-ordinator of National Road Safety Committee, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Regional branch of "KERAPA", a National Youth and Adolescent Network on Population and Development in Koforidua on Wednesday.

He said about 90 per cent of the 1,371 road accidents involving 1,813 vehicles, was caused by avoidable human error and advised passengers to caution drivers when they drive carelessly or disobey traffic rules. Paapa Kyeremeh, Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council, called on the Police to check unnecessary overtaking, over speeding and disregard for traffic regulations by drives. Mr Kofi Abina, Regional Population Officer, called on the youth to channel their energies into productive ventures.

Mr Joshua Wayo of the Network advised the young people against illegal migration to other countries in search of greener pastures and rather take advantage of government youth programmes and develop their potentials.

Source: GNA

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* 08.12.2009

 Accra, Dec. 8, GNA - About 1,578 Ghanaians were deported between January 2008 and June 2009, according to available records by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

It said Ghana had been classified as an origin, transit and destination for irregular migrants, those who cross borders illegally by avoiding immigration officials, those who cross borders in a seemingly legal way using falsified documents and those staying after the expiration of their legal status.

Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Belinda Adwoa Sika Anim of Migration Information Bureau; announced this when addressing traders at sensitization programme on irregular migration in Accra on Tuesday.

She noted that the problems associated with irregular migration were due to misinformation and lack information.

DSI Anim appealed to all prospective travellers to contact the bureau for the necessary information on their trips and ascertain whether their documents were genuine because undocumented migrants faced extreme forms of exploitation and hostilities in destination countries.

"Migrants working outside migration rules encounter abusive employment relations and poor living conditions in addition to engaging in poorly paid, difficult and sometimes dangerous jobs," she said.

DSI Anim urged prospective travellers within the ECOWAS sub-region to travel with their passports because it was the only prerequisite for free movement since visas were not required.

Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Ibrahim Lang-Hani of Fraud Unit, Kotoka International Airport, advised Ghanaians to contact the GIS for genuine birth certificates and passports and refrain from consulting visa and birth certificate 'contractors'.

Source: GNA

The opposition New Patriotic Party has challenged President John Evans Atta Mills to disclose the “criminals” who allegedly attempted bribing him.

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Pianim, on Monday, December 7, stated at a forum that Ghana is fortunate to have Prof. Mills as president because he will not steal from Ghanaians.

According to him, he had been present on at least two occasions when President Mills returned ‘brown envelopes ‘which had been offered him as bribe.

In a sharp rebuttal to Mr. Pianim’s claims, the NPP, has expressed its dismay at the revelation and has challenged the President to disclose and “cause the arrest of such criminals”.

In a Press Statement signed by the Communications Director of the party, Kwaku Kwarteng, the NPP said, “it is questionable that the President failed to cause the arrest of such criminals when the incident happened.

“It would appear that President Mills and the NDC he presides over have an unhealthy interest in protecting such criminals. It is to diffuse such an impression that the president needs to stop shielding them and offer them to the law without further delay”.

Mr. Pianim’s affirmative comments on President Mills’ integrity, has also been corroborated by many including NPP MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, P.C Appiah Ofori and Maverick politician Charles Kofi Wayo who claim they can vouch for the honesty and goodwill of the law professor.

The NPP however holds a contrary opinion. According to the party, Mr. Pianim’s revelation rather exposes the NDC government’s lack of commitment to fight corruption in the country.

“The President’s shielding of the wrongdoers betrays government’s lack of commitment to fight corruption. Coming at a time of ongoing investigations into the Mabey and Johnson corruption scandal, the revelation of President Mills’ protection of the criminals is embarrassing to the presidency, the NDC government, as well as the nation”. The statement said.

“If people have become so emboldened that they are able to walk up to the highest office of the land and seek to offer bribe to the President of the Republic, then we are losing the fight against corruption.” It added.

The party is thus challenging President Mills to expose and cause the arrest of the people who allegedly attempted bribing him.

"NDC's Response"

General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has described the NPP’s demand as absurd.

“It is absurdity to the highest level. What they should be doing is to call their party member to defend the statement. Why would you call on the president to defend the statement of a leading member of your party? Since when did Mr. Kwame Pianim become Professor Mills’ spokesperson?” He said.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia told Citi News that although the NDC has always held the opinion that Professor Mills is incorruptible, neither the party nor Professor Mills can be held responsible to defend claims made by Mr. Kwame Pianim; an NPP stalwart.

“The first thing they have to do is to press for evidence from the person making the allegation. It is he who alleges who proves. This is a simple fact that I expect members of the NPP to know and they shouldn’t be exposing their ignorance in public.” He said.

Source: CityFMonline

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 PRESIDENT JOHN Evans Atta Mills has finally broken his silence on reports making rounds that he will seek another term as the Number One Citizen on the ticket of his party come 2012.

President Mills over the weekend personally confirmed reports that he would contest for a second term on National Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket if his first term in office officially ends.

“Atta Mills and the NDC shall be back in 2012,” he remarked.

His pronouncement put to rest debates over whether he intended seeking another term in office, considering his health status.

Several concerns had been raised about his health including concerns from leading members of his party who said the President would not be able to submit himself to the rigorous campaign schedules in 2012.

But the President’s announcement at Buipe during a sod cutting ceremony attracted a loud applause from a section of party supporters and the entourage who accompanied him to the town.

Questions were however being asked whether President Mills would find it easy staging another comeback with the frosty relationship between him and NDC founder over his style of governance.

Top party kingpins in recent times had descended on the old professor for what they said was a slow implementation of some campaign promises, with others saying his actions could cause the defeat of the NDC.

But President Mills hit back at his critics at Buipe, saying though their suggestions and criticisms were welcome, he was not going to accommodate anything short of the requirements of the Constitution of the country.

According to him, they had failed to see the giant strides he made in the country and were only interested in tongue-lashing him for their own interest, reiterating that he was the man in charge and Ghanaians were keenly watching.

He assured Ghanaians that after his first term in office, a lot of transformation would be witnessed and a good legacy would be left for the country.

Soon after President Mills took over office, questions were asked as to whether he would seek a second term following his failing health.

Many leading NDC functionaries came to the conclusion that President Mills intended projecting Vice-President John Mahama and would hand over the baton to him in 2012 after his four-year mandate, to also lead the party.

This however was not meant to be as the President openly registered his readiness to go for another term after 2012.

Prior to this announcement, President Mills appeared to be losing favour with ex-President Rawlings, whose Swedru Declaration ushered the Number One Citizen into pole position as the party’s flagbearer in the run-up to the 2000 election- a position he held onto until he won power in 2008.

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, a former presidential aspirant of the party, joined the fray, describing the ministers under the Mills Administration as ‘Team B’ players and was jabbed by President Mills’ boys for his open attack.

Alex Segbefia, a deputy Chief of Staff, had on an Accra radio station late last month dropped a hint that the 65-year-old President was the party’s best bet if the NDC would retain power in 2012.

He admitted there were various contenders for the position of flagbearer for the party, but believed the President still stood tall, saying his desire for re-election in 2012 was non-negotiable.

His disclosure was given credence when the President himself announced that he indeed intended staging a comeback to lead the party in 2012 but some political pundits said he would have a big task in view of the fact that several factions had emerged within the party and uniting them would be difficult.

Source: Daily Guide

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