Tears as NPP leaders beg for votes

The outgoing Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, Ms Christine Churcher is reported in the Monday, December 15 edition of the Daily Graphic to have gone on her knees in the hot sands at the Winneba beach to plead with fishermen there to vote for the New Patriotic Party in the December 28 run-off...

Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea closed

The Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea has been closed down...

...due to embassy’s inability to settle its rent.
The landlady whose property houses Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea forced the closure of the building yesterday to express her frustrations after she received no rent payment for nine months.

She is owed an equivalent of GH¢154,000...
Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Frank Agyekum, confirmed...

TAMALE AIRPORT - INTERNATIONAL???

 No Ghanaian heard about a new contract to upgrade the Tamale airport to international status.

The LAST YEAR upgrading was meant to host the CAN 2008, and when airlines from Angola and South Africa landed in Tamale... But just when there is a re-run of presidential elections in two weeks... there is now a

" International Airport" in Tamale? ... 

                         Source: Ghanaweb-News / 18.12.2008

• 21.12.2008

Acute water shortage in Takoradi

Assakai (WR), Dec. 21, GNA - Residents of Assakai, Chapel Hill, New Takoradi, Bankye-ase, and Windy Ridge Extension, all suburbs of Takoradi, have appealed to management of Acqua-Vitens Rand, Operators of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to rectify the acute water shortage that has hit the areas over the past month.

They contended that it was affecting their operations since they had to walk for long distances to collect water for domestic and commercial activities.

Making the appeal through Ghana News Agency at Assakai near Takoradi, Madam Ekua Atta, a resident of Assakai said commercial users were mostly affected and compelled to rely on tanker and other water supply services, to get water to sustain their operations which was affecting economic growth and development in the affected areas. Miss Rammatu Mohammed, a student at Takoradi Polytechnic said after classes, she and other siblings had to walk long hours and join long queues for water for their household.

Mr Iranious Nyere Buule, Western Regional Engineer of GWC said residents of Assakai and other communities who depended on River Pra at Daboase were experiencing the shortage.

He said the location of some of the new communities, were making it difficult for water which passes through Inchaban, Effia and Takoradi to be distributed to other outlying towns and communities. Mr Buule said to rectify the situation, the headworks at Daboase should be desilted, while old water filters, pumps and other equipments replaced including a new alum plant.

He said to forestall frequent power interruptions, discussions between management of GWCL and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had been concluded and repair works were being undertaken on the main lines. Mr Buule urge the public to pay their water bills promptly to enable other residents enjoy services of GWCL. He reminded Ghanaians that without the requisite equipments, water quality and flow could be persistently disrupted.

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Mills promises to maintain NHIS, Youth Employment

Cape Coast, Dec. 21, GNA- Professor John Atta Mills, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on has assured Ghanaians that he would maintain the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Youth Employment Programme as well as the School Feeding programme when voted into power.

He said everything would be done to improve upon the programmes to make them viable so as to create more jobs for the youth. Professor Atta Mills gave the assurance at a mini rally held at Abura a suburb of Cape Coast as part of his tour of the Central Region, to thank the people for voting for him in the December 7, elections. He denied rumours that NDC would sack all those who have been employed under the youth employment programmes, and stressed that the NDC government would rather make it easier and comfortable for the employees of the programmes.

Prof. Atta Mills commended the police and all security agencies for ensuring peace before, during and after the elections and urged then to maintain the same peace during the run-off.

He pledged that his government would do everything possible to improve upon the living conditions of the police and regretted that, despite the important role the police play in the nation's development they were still living under very poor conditions.

The Flagbearer commended the people of the region for voting massively for him in the December 7 elections and urged them to do same in the run-off and promised to work hand-in-hand with Mr. Ebo Barton-Odro the Cape Coast constituency Member of Parliament-elect. Mr. Ebo Barton-Odro thanked the people of Cape Coast for believing in the change message of the NDC by demonstrating it during the December 7 elections.

He said at the moment the NDC had the majority members in parliament and stressed that for them to enjoy absolute change it was imperative for the electorate to crown it all by voting Prof Atta Mills into power. He urged the people of Cape Coast to come out in their numbers to vote so as to make the change message a reality and that his victory in the just ended elections was for all the people in the constituency no matter their party affiliation and promised to work hard to enhance the development of the area.

Prof. Atta Mills, who was accompanied by the party's women's organiser, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, deputy national organiser, Mr Boateng Gyan also addressed similar rallies at Ntsin, suburb of Cape Coast, Elmina and Komenda.

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• 20.12.2008

Ghanaians warned against electoral malpractices

Accra, Dec. 20, GNA - The National Security Council (NSC) has warned people recruiting non-registered Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians to vote in the forthcoming presidential election runoff to stop forthwith since they would be made to face the full rigours of law when caught. A statement Dr Sam Amoo, National Security Coordinator, signed on Friday said it had come to the notice of NSC that some people were recruiting nationals of other member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Ghanaians, who did not register, to vote.

The statement reminded nationals of other ECOWAS countries and Ghanaians, who did not register, that they could not vote in the forthcoming Presidential Election runoff scheduled for December 28. The statement said: "All citizens from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are to note that ECOWAS protocols allow for free movement of goods and people but not to vote in each others' countries."

"The National Security Council Secretariat cautions any person, who has been recruited for this illegal enterprise from the neighbouring countries and Ghanaians involved in this enterprise to refrain from this illegal action, which is punishable by the laws of Ghana." The statement assured all law-abiding citizens that the Council was monitoring the development closely and would not shirk its responsibility in helping to provide a safe, secure and peaceful environment for the runoff of the Presidential polls.

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NDC Delegation assures Akwatia supporters

Akwatia, Dec. 20, GNA - A high powered delegation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has paid a day's visit to Akwatia to assess the political situation and to reassure members that the party was on the verge of winning the Presidential run-off on December 28. The delegation, which was led by the party's General Secretary, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, included Nana Ato Dadzie, Chief of Staff during the NDC administration, took the opportunity to learn at first hand about the violence that erupted at Akwatia on December 7 and the subsequent arrest of some supporters on suspicion of their involvement in those disturbances.

The delegation met the families of the arrested members and assured them that everything would be done to ensure their freedom. Addressing party members later, Mr Nketia said the NDC was not happy about the arrest of only its members who were not guilty of the offences preferred against them and appealed to all to exercise restraint.

He said nothing could prevent the party from winning the presidential election round two no matter what obstacle that might be put in its way.

Nana Ato Dadzie called for justice and fair play and questioned why only NDC members were put on the list of men wanted in connection with the December 7 incident, describing the list as one sided. He said there was no justification for the police action, especially given the fact that the ballot box was found at the residence of a Constituency Executive member of the NPP at Akwatia. Mr Baba Jamal, Akwatia constituency parliamentary candidate of the NDC said the party would recapture power and make Ghana a better place to live in.

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NPP Takes Big-Hit In BA for Run-Off

With a few days left for the presidential run-off to take place, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Brong Ahafo region has lost one of its members to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Madam Evelyn Adarkwa-Fremah, popularly called Amatel has announced her defection from the NPP to the NDC, which she described as a winning team.

Addressing journalists at the NDC secretariat in Sunyani, Amatel said she had no problem with her former party and that her decision was purely a matter of choice.

Madam Adarkwa-Fremah was among some NPP members who vied for the Sunyani West constituency parliamentary slot on the ticket of the NPP with the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Ignatius Baffuor Awuah.

She, however, was not seen again until her decision to cross carpet to the NDC.

Madam Fremah-Adarkwa, in her press statement, indicated that her withdrawal from the NPP primary was not welcome news to her followers, but kept mute on the matter.

She noted that from now onwards she would commit herself to supporting her new party's candidate, Prof. John Atta Mills to win the December 28 run-off.

“I will do all that I can to support the NDC to win the December 28 elections for the betterment of our future generation,” she remarked.

She therefore appealed to Ghanaian women to give their maximum support to Prof. Mills come December 28 to clinch victory.

Madam Fremah-Adarkwa is the proprietor of a reputable educational institution at Sunyani Dumase.

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Vote for Atta Mills, vote for national growth

Anfoega-Tokorme, Dec 20, GNA -Miss Mercy Kuadah Volta Regional Women's Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Friday stressed that a vote for Professor Evans Atta Mills in the Dec 28, Presidential runoff would be a vote for national growth.

She said the personal qualities of Professor Atta Mills were crucial for economic and social reformation that Ghana needed now. Miss Kuadah was addressing supporters of the NDC at various spots in the Anfoega-Tokorme area in the North Dayi Constituency. She alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had sent its emissaries round the constituency to distribute "Christmas Gifts" to people with the view to getting them to vote a certain direction in the coming polls.

Miss Kuadah asked NDC supporters to receive those gifts, which included rice and cooking oil, make use of them but go to the polls to vote against the NPP candidate.

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Upper West Regional Minister appeals for more votes for NPP

Tumu, Dec. 20, GNA - Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister has appealed to the electorate in the Region to review the numerous development projects undertaken by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government and come out to vote massively for the Party in the Presidential run-off for more development and progress. He said the Region was the poorest in the country and for a government like the NPP that had implemented pro-poor interventions to improve their living standards should be seen and embraced as their government.

Mr Benson made the appeal when addressing separate rallies at Gwollu in Sissala West and Tumu in Sissala East Districts as part of his campaign tour to canvas for votes for the NPP. He mentioned the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), School Feeding Programme, Capitation grant and Free Medical Care for Pregnant Women as some of the pro-poor policies that NPP had implemented which favoured people in the Region.

Mr Benson appealed to foot soldiers of the Party not to be discouraged but work harder than before, especially in the rural communities to persuade the people to vote for the NPP in the second round of the Presidential election on December 28.

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"Hitlist" to include Jesus & Mohammed?

The coordinator of Prof. Atta Mills’ campaign team, Alex Segbefia, has derided the alleged ‘hit list’ being masterminded by the NDC to kill some topnotch personalities in Ghana, adding that Ghanaians should even expect strange names to appear on the list.

“They have now left the issue-campaign and have now decided again to go on a campaign of fear. You first of all hear that we are going to kill Rev. Otabil, then the list grows longer... by next week there will be a longer list and trust me, Jesus Christ and Mohammed would be on that list.”

He argued that the list was churned out by the NPP to discredit the NDC by using it to create a “campaign of fear” to win voters’ sympathy.

Mr. Alex Segbefia was reacting on Citi FM to an NPP press conference on Friday which catalogued a number of violent activities, which the party alleged had been planned by the NDC to be meted out to Ghanaians.

He said the NPP only uses such allegations when they are desperate to win an election, citing instances in 2000 and 2004 respectively to buttress his point.

He challenged the NPP to stick to its campaign of issues.

“Have you heard anybody speak about education, talk about water for our people, anybody talk about the cocaine and drug menace?”

Earlier, Nana Ohene-Ntow, general secretary of the NPP, asked Ghanaians not to downplay the violence alert the party has issued and alleged that the NDC is capable of carrying out those threats.

“People who are known to be sympathizers of the NPP are already getting death treats over the phones and text message...we are warning our people that this is a party that has a culture of violence and that should any NDC candidate become president of this country, NDC thugs would be emboldened to unleash such violence and intimidation and threat against our people,” he said.

He said NDC thugs have already started attacking supporters of the NPP across the country. He mentioned the case of an influential farmer, a well-known NPP activist, at Nanton in the Northern Region whose property has been burnt; and a situation in Agbogbloshie in Accra where NPP supporters were beaten, leaving one with a deep cut beneath his eye.

Ohene-Ntow asked the security agencies to be up and doing before their own supporters join the fray.

“But I am also warning that these attacks can occasion reprisal attacks over which I will not have any control over them…I am calling the attention of every well meaning Ghanaian to look out for such act of vandalism and violence and to help curb those acts” he added.

Both Nana Ohene-Ntow and Alex Segbefia refused to accept that their unsubstantiated accusations and counter-accusations have the tendency to rather plunge the country into a chaotic state.

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The rights of Blind and Partially Sighted Youth in Ghana

It is no longer a news to hear that blind and partially sighted in the country have been neglected for far too long. Perhaps the only occasion where we are recognised is during elections where every single thump counts. It is therefore not surprising that some of the manifestos for this years election have been produced in braille.*

* *

*And the training on the tactile ballot system intensified to cover a larger number of blind and partially sighted persons in Ghana. But if Ghana aims at among other things ensuring productive disabled citizens, then these services are no way near enough. *

* *

*I am lucky to be standing here in front of you reading my own words to you from my braille sheet. This opportunity should be given to every BPS in Ghana. In 2009 we are celebrating 200th anniversary of the birth of the man who invented braille. 200 years! It is about time we see 100% braille literacy in Ghana. *

* *

*However*

* *

*a) **There are no braille text books in our schools right from the basic to the tertiary institutions. This does not ensure fair competition between us and our fellow students. This is not acceptable!*

* *

*b) **Brailling materials and equipment such as perkins braillers and braille sheets are inadequate in the system. Not even the simple frame and stylos. This is not acceptable!*

* *

*c) **We are limited to some few art related courses due to unavailability of equipment and materials to study science, mathematics and technical related subjects. This is unacceptable because the technology exists and there is no reason why Ghanian students should be excluded from studying the courses of their choice. This is unacceptable.*

* *

*d) **The computerised school selection and placement system is imposing a lot of problems to the BPS student. There are cases where BPS students are placed in schools that are not living up to their responsibility of providing for the BPS student. We find technical and high schools where no resource persons are there to cater for their needs. This is unacceptable!*

* *

*e) ** The government bursary for all persons with disability in tertiary institutions is not only inadequate. It does not come on time for us to pay our fees and what is even worse is that not all BPS students receive 100 %. This is unacceptable!*

* *

*f) **The government in its quest for ICT has not taken adequate consideration to our plight. We will not accept being left behind as ICT is introduced through out Ghana. The technology is there so let BPS students join in. *

* *

*g) **The quota system for awarding teachers study leave with pay seems to exclude BPS teachers who want to further their education. This is discrimination and we will not accept it!*

* *

*How long must we wait to see changes in our lives? The disability act is there. We urge politicians to act now! Our question to the political parties of Ghana is - What will you do to ensure the rights of BPS?*

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• 19.12.2008

Editorial: Ghana@50 Still Owes?

For some months now, the contractors who executed Ghana at 50 projects have been complaining about the non-payment of money due them. According to the contractors, they used banks loans to execute the projects, which they have to pay back with interest.

Ghana @ 50 = Ghana @ 51

Unfortunately, they have not been able to settle their indebtedness to the banks, because despite their persistent pleas, the government has refused to pay them.

The Chronicle finds the attitude of the government to be very unfortunate, because all the monies that were earmarked for the celebration was approved by Parliament. Initially, $20 million was released to the Ghana@50 Secretariat which was later increased to $31m following approval of an additional $11 million by Parliament.

The Chronicle believes that before arriving at the above mentioned figure as budget for the celebration, the government took into account the various projects that were being executed as part of the celebration.

We are, therefore, at loss as to why up to date some of the contractors have still not been paid when the contracts they executed was factored into the overall budget. The most worrying aspect of it is that neither the government nor the Ghana@50 Secretariat has come to explain why some of the contractors have still not been paid.

The only period the government has come close to saying something about the subject under discussion was when Mr. Daniel Osei, Coordinating Architect at Ghana@50 Secretariat went to Cape Coast about six months ago, and quoted the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani as saying that his outfit was collaborating with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to raise funds to pay the contractors.

The fact that the contractors are still complaining despite this assurance means that there had never been any collaboration to raise funds to settle the contractors as Mr. Mpiani was quoted to have said.

The Chronicle contends that the behaviour of the government has the potential to kill the desire by Ghanaians to have most government projects to be executed by local contractors. As a government that prides itself as the promoter of the private sector as an engine of growth, this is not the attitude that it should be exhibiting.

We admit that governments all over the world owe both locally and internally, but in this particular case they budgeted for the money and which was approved by parliament, so there is no way one would accept any excuse.

We, therefore, appeal to the government to take immediate measures to settle all the contractors so that they can also go and pay back what they took from the banks to finance the said projects.

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Police in sex scandal

15.5% of police personnel involved in swoops on commercial sex workers barter sex with them instead of prosecuting them, according to a survey by the Police Hospital.

The survey undertaken by two officers of the hospital's Public Health Unit, Chief Superintendent Dr Samuel Otu-Nyarko and Superintendent Jones M. Blantari covered the period between September and November 2007 countrywide, except the Northern region.

It was to find out about the existence of HIY/AIDS among personnel.

The survey, dubbed the Rapid Formative Assessment Report which employed purposive sampling techniques, also sought to examine the extent to which police personnel also interacted with Most-At-Risk Persons especially in 27 most impacted districts of the virus and also assess the level of knowledge of sex related laws in Ghana.

Commercial sex workers and homosexuals are classified among most-at-risk persons.

At a dissemination meeting on the report in Accra on Thursday, Superintendent Blantari noted that 251 officers from the ranks of Sergeants and above were interviewed.

He said that the Police Service had often been cited for arresting sex workers for possessing condoms ostensibly to use as evidence to prosecute them. It is said that some of the personnel also conduct routine swoop on the commercial sex workers without the consent of their superiors.

He stated that the survey revealed that there was a very high knowledge among the personnel on issues related to HIV/AIDS even though there were a few misconceptions about modes of transmission of HIY.

There was also high negative perception against Most-At-Risk-Persons (MARP) which goes to feed on the way the MARPs are treated or would be treated by the Police personnel. The level of knowledge of the law on sex-related offences was also found to be quite low.

Mr Blantari said even though reports had indicated that the HIV/ AIDS infection rate had dropped, this should not make people complacent to engage in sexual activities without taking the necessary precautions.

He noted that conclusions drawn from the survey were that, activities of the Ghana Police Service AIDS Control Programme need to be increased to make them visible throughout the nation.

The report suggests that identifiable groups could be assigned to monitor the arrest and prosecution of these MARP by the Police.

It also said the training curriculum of the Police Service should be expanded to include topics on stigmatisation, discrimination aria human rights especially towards MARPs.

The research noted that sex workers and other identifiable vulnerable groups like homosexuals have been identified as core Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) transmitting groups with their clients being the bridging population in most developing countries including Ghana.

Ms. Getrude Adze Akpalu the Programme officer of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs, commended the team for an in-depth study, saying that there was the need to constantly educate the public about the prevalence of the disease.

She said that the best way to reduce the spread of the virus was to avoid stigmatisation and discrimination of those affected by the disease and incorporate them into the society.

In a speech react for her, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration, Mrs. Elizabeth Mills Robertson, said that it was the expectation of the Police Administration that lessons leant from the assessment report would not be left to gather dust, rather, appropriate and feasible interventions would be put in place to make the report useful to all stakeholders.

"It is important as we devise strategies to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, to carefully look at the most-at-risk population to ensure that the needs of these groups are adequately addressed."

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• 18.12.2008

Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea closed

The Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea has been closed down due to embassy’s inability to settle its rent.

The landlady whose property houses Ghana’s Embassy in Equatorial Guinea forced the closure of the building yesterday to express her frustrations after she received no rent payment for nine months.

She is owed an equivalent of GH¢154,000.

Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Frank Agyekum, confirmed the closure to the FM-station, JOYFM - and said everything was being done to settle the debt.

“Yes, it is a fact that we are in arrears in terms of payment, but I can assure you that urgent steps are being taken to get it paid. In diplomatic circles, being behind in arrears is not something new, it has happened all the time.”

He expressed surprise about the landlady’s action, “but I can assure you that we are going to pay pretty soon”.

Meanwhile Ghana’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea is back in Accra with almost all of his general staff, but, Mr. Agyekum said this has nothing to do with the landlady’s forced closure of the embassy building.

He explained that the general recall of the diplomatic staff was necessitated by the impending transition from the current government to the next.

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Progressive Journalists Union Back Atta Mills

Progressive Journalists Union Of Ghana (Pro-JUG)

Tel: 0244 822034, 0243 66 36 50

http//. www.projug.blogspot.com

email: projug@gmail.com

SPEECH READ BY MR. RICHARD ADINKRA OF PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG) ON THE DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC), HELD ON THE 18TH DECEMBER 2008 AT BUSY INTERNET AUDITORIUM.

Colleague members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen

All protocols observed,

It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG), to this press conference.

The Progressive Journalists Union of Ghana (Pro-JUG) is an association of like minded and progressive journalists who have come together to fight a common purpose, which is to promote the welfare of the Ghanaian journalists and to restore public confidence in journalism in Ghana. Our membership cuts across the entire country.

Our aims among others include:

• Seeking the welfare of all practicing journalists.

• Upholding high journalistic standards and professionalism in the country.

• Restoring public confidence in journalists.

• Creating and maintaining good working relationship and mutual understanding among journalists

• To consistently addressing issues of national interest.

• Championing the course of democracy, good governance and human rights in and outside the country. •

Ladies, Gentlemen and fellow media practitioners, as journalists we are in a unique position to shape the direction and destiny of this country and we can only do this to the fullest if we are given the room to operate on fair playing field.

We are all witnesses to the selective favouritism being exhibited currently in the country by the government and the ruling party. Sadly enough not even the almighty media has been spared of this.

Journalism has been divided along political lines and obviously this does not auger well for the democratic dispensation of this country. This is why we have all converged here today to declare our support for Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills.

We of Pro-JUG have critically assessed and concluded that among the two giants in the run-off, it is only the NDC that can redeem the sinking image of our noble profession. Indeed we need total change in the way politics is done in this country. We need a change from selective favouritism and we have realized that Prof. Mills and the NDC represent this change.

We believe that among the two major parties contesting the presidential run-off in this year’s elections, the needs of Ghanaian journalists would be effectively addressed under Professor John Evans Atta Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) than under Nana Akufo Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Even though it is an undeniable truth that the NDC did not have a palatable relationship with the media in the past, the party has proven to us all in recent times that it has the media at heart and wants it to work in an independent atmosphere. This could be seen in its endeavours in shunning away from financially influencing the media, an act which is evident in the current NPP administration and which is bound to continue in Nana Akufo Addo’s administration if he is retained. After all, he has consistently promised to continue what President Kufuor has done. Ladies and Gentlemen, after our assessment, we can confidently say to the whole world that the national executives of the NDC led by its presidential candidate Prof. Atta Mills, have exhibited an enormous care, and willingness to work with journalists and all who matter in the development of our great country to ensure a better Ghana for all.

As an association of journalists, we have carefully studied the manifestoes of the two political parties in the race, we have assessed their personalities and weighed their leadership experiences and are convinced that the best interest of Ghana would be well served under Prof. Atta Mills and the NDC government which has the policy of investing in people, jobs and the economy. We are therefore urging our entire membership across the country as well as all journalists and media practitioners and the general Ghanaian electorate to vote massively for Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills and the NDC for A BETTER GHANA. Thank you very much and may you vote wisely.

Contact persons: 0244 822034, 0243 66 36 50

ACTING EXECUTIVES PRESIDENT -KWADWO ASARI BAFFOUR-

VICE-PRESIDENT- JEORGE WILSON KINGSON

GENERAL SECRETARY-KOFI AHOVI

Invited Media house 1. TV3 2. Metro TV 3. TV Africa 4. GTV 5. Adom FM 6. Joy Fm 7. Hot fm 8. Asempa Fm 9. Citi fm 10. Angel fm 11. Obuoba radio 12. Peace fm 13. Radio Gold 14. Happy fm 15. Top radio 16. Daily guide 17. Graphic 18. Crusading guide 19. Ghanaian Voice 20. Ghanaian Times 21. heritage 22. searchlight 23. palava

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Clear the issue of composition of Parliament

Apam (C/R), Dec. 18, GNA - The Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, Obrifo Ahunaku Ahor Ankobea II has called on the Clerk of Parliament to clear the issue of the composition of majority and minority members in the House.

"Ghanaians need to know whether Independent members of the House could be part of the Majority or Minority," the Paramount Chief said and added that "this could bring to rest claims and counter claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as to which of them forms the majority in parliament. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Apam, Obrifo Ahor Ankobea said the issue was the subject of confusion among supporters of the two parties and said the earlier it was cleared the better it would be for sustaining peace.

He commended Ghanaians, especially the Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and the media for their roles in ensuring that the December 7 elections were conducted in a peaceful manner.

The Paramount Chief however appealed to them to exhibit the same maturity in the presidential run-off to prove to the outside world that Ghana was really a peace-loving country.

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CPP reiterates neutrality; recommend dismissal of recalcitrant members

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Thursday reiterated its neutrality with respect to support of the two candidates in the December 28 presidential run-off, and asked members to ignore those who go against the Party's decision. A statement signed by Mr Ladi Nylander, CPP Chairman, said it had come to the notice of the leadership that one Henry Kweku Bortsie from the Effutu Constituency in the Central Region and Basharu Dabali from the Northern Region had made declarations in contravention of the Central Committee's position.

"Party members should ignore Messrs Bortsie and Dabali, both of whom are recommended for immediate dismissal from the party," the statement said.

The Central Committee of the CPP on Saturday decided that the Party would remain neutral and not support any of the political parties contesting the December 28 run-off. The Central Committee mandated the party's leadership to continue "to explore the party's options", it said in a statement after their meeting last Saturday.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been lobbying minority parties for their endorsement in the run-up to the December 28 run-off.

SO far, the CPP and People's National Convention (PNC) have chosen to remain neutral, but various individuals and groups are declaring support for either of the two candidate. The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has opted for the NPP while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats have swung to the side of the NDC.

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• 17.12.2008

NPP provides free buses to boost fortunes

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is offering to bus free-of-charge, its supporters living in Accra but who have to vote in other parts of the country during the December 28, 2008 runoff.

An advertiser’s announcement in the dailies is calling on all such supporters to “note that free transport arrangements have been made for them as follows:

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Gloomy Harbinger Heralding Akufo-Addo’s Confrontational Agenda

Gun-Totting Goons
Kidnap Rawlings’ Cameraman

A hapless cameraman on the entourage of the former President was brutally assaulted by persons described by DCOP Opare Addo as “admirers of Akufo-Addo” and later bundled into Police cells in Kumasi on suspicion that he had taken photographs of the NPP flagbearer as he entered the lobby of the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi.

Not only was the hapless cameraman pummeled into pulp, but his camera, which would have provided evidence of any wrongdoing on his part, that is assuming that the act of taking pictures of a public figure in a public place is an offence under the laws of Ghana, was most conveniently destroyed!!!

The cameraman, Baba Hammah, otherwise known as Babs, was left with a head injury for which he had to obtain urgent medical treatment after he was “released on bail”.

In a telephone interview, DCOP Opare Addo, the Ashanti regional Police Commander, confirmed the incident and told this paper that the cameraman was not arrested by Akufo-Addo’s police escort and that it was “admirers of Akufo-Addo” that arrested him and handed him over to the Police.

Asked what was the crime that the cameraman had committed to warrant his arrest, DCOP Opare Addo told this paper that “he was said to be taking photographs of Akufo-Addo and so they arrested him and destroyed his camera.”

“I have instructed that he should be granted bail,” DCOP Opare Addo further told this paper.

Asked what charge(s) are being preferred against the cameraman, since granting him bail implies that there could be a case against him, DCOP Opare Addo replied, “we could charge him for offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace.”

Narrating how the whole incident unfolded, Mr. Kofi Lawson, a member of the security detail in the entourage of the former President told the Weekly Standard that, “the former President and his entourage, including Babs, who is our videoman, arrived at the Premises of the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi at about 11.50am. On arrival, the former President went to the room booked for him to freshen up and prepare for the Akwasidae festival.”

“Some twenty minutes or so later, we heard the sirens of a Police motorcade approaching the hotel, and thinking that President Kufuor was also coming into that hotel, the security details of the former President quickly took positions in order to be out of the way of the President’s security detail while effectively protecting our boss,” Kofi Lawson narrated.

“When the motorcade of Police outriders and about thirty vehicles finally stopped at the hotel, about fifty heavily armed men in Police uniforms, alighted in combat fashion, cocking their weapons and rushing to take positions. I then saw Mr. Akufo-Addo alight from one of the vehicles and went into the hotel lobby. Soon thereafter, I saw some of the Police detail beating and kicking Babs out from the lobby and they bundled him into one of the vehicles and drove him away,” Mr. Lawson recounted.

“I was able to see them beating him because, as part of my duties, I remained in the former President’s vehicle to ensure its security so I was able to see all that transpired from my vantage position,” Mr. Lawson stated. When this paper contacted Mt. Nish Adu-Darko of the Akufo-Addo campaign team on telephone at about 1248hrs to enquire about what transpired, he promised that “I will get back to you soon”.

A promise he had not kept as at 2130hrs when we were going to bed.

Meanwhile the question that is agitating the minds of many Ghanaians is, since when has it become an offence to photograph or even film a public figure at a public place such as a hotel lobby or a sports stadium?

And, if indeed it is an offence, why destroy the evidence by destroying the camera that might hold the evidence to prove that the crime has been committed.

Significantly, Mr. Akufo-Addo, the man who is touting his self-acclaimed human rights credentials all over the place, did not lift a finger to protect the hapless cameraman, or even protest, when the terror was being unleashed on him by his guards even though the whole incident occurred in his full view.

In any case, why were Akufo-Addo and his people antsy about being captured on film at a public place? Was there something they would rather the Ghanaian people do not know about?

Indeed, given that Akufo-Addo did not spend even five minutes in the hotel, an indication that he may not have had a prior booking, what was it that he was doing that was so secret that it should not be captured on film?

Hmmm!!! Asem sebeh…

An official release on the incident issued by Mr. Kofi Adams, an aide to the former President, states:-

Heavily armed policemen accompanying New Patriotic Party Presidential candidate to the Akwasidae in Kumasi have brutally assaulted a video cameraman belonging to the entourage of former President Jerry John Rawlings and whisked him away. Video cameraman Babs Hammer who always accompanies the former President’s entourage did not know what hit him. He chanced to walk into the reception with his camera at the time the Akufo Addo security detail where taking their positions.

On seeing him the policemen pounced on him and gave him a trouncing before carrying him and shoving him into one of the police vehicles in the NPP candidate convoy. Akufo Addo who was reportedly within 12 feet of the incident refused to intervene but rather sat in his vehicle and drove off in the convoy. According to an eyewitness the Rawlings entourage arrived and checked in at the Golden Tulip Hotel around 11.50am. The Akufo Addo entourage then arrived some 20 minutes later with about sixty heavily armed policemen who took position at vantage points at the hotel in a menacing manner.

The eyewitness who was the hotel’s reception said Akufo-Addo and his team moved to the reception of the hotel where some of the policemen asked where the former President and his group where.

It was at that point that Hammer who was loitering in the area waiting for his boss to get ready for the Akwasidae celebrations appeared.

Efforts to reach Hammer have failed. His phone has been ringing of the hook. The entire NPP machinery seems to have descended on Kumasi in a bid to take advantage of the big Ashanti festival as campaigning resumes in earnest for the 28th December Presidential run-off.

It is not too clear why the Akufo Addo’s team were the Golden Tulip because they did not seem to have done anything aside assaulting the Rawlings cameraman.

Source:
Weekly Standard

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Tema Shipyard junior workers demonstrate

Tema, Dec 17, GNA -- Unionized workers of the PSC Tema Shipyard on Tuesday staged a demonstration at the forecourt of the company in reaction to management's decision to interdict 219 junior staff for going on strike.

They were also alleged to have assaulted Mr Kwame Asare Duah, Head of Finance of the company.

The workers drummed, sang and danced to pressurize management to rescind the interdiction decision.

PSC Tema Shipyard is the largest dry-dock in West Africa and provides ship repair and dry docking facilities to vessels. In a letter dated December 15, the company's management interdicted the 219 workers for engaging in an "illegal" two-day sit down strike from November 18th to 20th in addition to assaulting Mr Duah. The letter said they were interdicted in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the company and the Maritime and Dockworkers Union of the Trade Union Congress.

The main gate of the company was locked and 15 police personnel were on hand to protect management, customers and company property. Mr Eric Tibu, Vice Chairman of the company's local union, denied that the workers went on strike and assaulted Mr Duah and explained that on the said days the workers even worked more than the stipulated working hours.

Mr Tibu said they would take the necessary action should management fail to rescind its decision. "We only asked them to explain their intention to deduct taxes on our bonus."

He said as much as they were willing to pay their taxes in accordance with the country's laws, they have the right to demand an explanation on issues they do not understand.

Mr Mohamad Ismail Sulaman, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the company, said the interdiction was unlawful as the workers did not follow the laid down procedure in the CBA and the Labour Act to press home their demand.

He said an investigation would be carried out into the issue after consulting their solicitors and the appointment of those found culpable would be terminated.

Mr Sulaman said the interdiction was necessary to ensure the safety of other workers, customers and property and that management would meet with the mother union for amicable settlement.

He said even though the strike caused the company a lot of money, management was willing rescind its decision on condition that they agree to sign a bond to ensure they comply with the company's rules.

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Planned 72-Hour Closure of Togo Border

Following the exposure of the cynicism of the NPP government to close the Ghana side of the Togo border at least seventy-two hours (three days) before the presidential run-off on 28 December, 2008, the government has been revising its strategy.

Latest intelligence reports picked from National Security has confirmed the review of strategy on the basis that the True Democrat exposed the details of their planned closure of the Ghana/Togo border. The new twist to the plan is the diplomatic pressure being mounted on the Togo government of Faure Gnassingbe to close their side of the border, a convenient decoy to deflect criticism from Ghanaians.

Various options were looked at among them being the tactic to shut the border around 21st-22nd December citing security concerns if the Togolese government fails to do the biding of the NPP government. At the recent meeting held yesterday by the security chiefs and NPP strategists, the other option being kept very close to their chest is to get some of the sponsored agents in national security to fire warning shots or detonate hand grenades very close to the Togo border. The stage-managed incident is to be used by the NPP government to close the border and deflect attention from the ulterior motive of denying most Ghanaians who cross the border daily for business or to work in the sister country.

With the state of panic to be created along the border and among the citizens of the Volta Region, the NPP expects to benefit immensely from the run-off. This is to be enhanced with the deployment of heavy military presence from the 66 Artillery unit otherwise known as the Medium Mortar Regiment stationed in Ho, the Volta Regional capital. A military reinforcement from Accra is also on the cards. The expected gain, the intelligence source told the paper is to reduce substantially the turn-out in the NDC stronghold.

According to the True Democrat intelligence sources, the closure of the Eastern Frontier has not only generated intense debate in the camp of the NPP, but also angered some sons from the Volta Region in the party. With the plot to use stage-managed explosives to create panic and induce fear in the voters, the source is urging church leaders and other civil society groups interested in the conduct of free and fair elections to speak out against the ignominy being planned by the NPP government.

It would be recalled that in our Monday December 15 issue, we reported that high level meetings have been held in the Castle and at the La Palm Royal Hotel, Accra on Thursday December 11, 2008. The meeting, we report on authority discussed extensively new methods to deny Ghanaian citizens living along the border with Togo their franchise. We also exposed the rationale behind the purported conspiracy to close the Eastern frontier seventy-two hours (72-hours), ostensibly to outwit innocent voters from the region who may have traveled to Togo to transact business.

The True Democrat disclosed details of the meeting to have been attended by high profile members in national security and hawks squatting in the presidency. While a son of the Volta Region, who attended the Castle meeting warned of the dangers of their own supporters turning against the government because of its discriminatory nature, the decision as to how to handle it was deferred. The deferral was done to exclude the said person from the subsequent meeting, which took place in the plush hotel.

The paper also provided readers with insights on how the NPP security operatives and big wigs riled into the pronouncements and the open condemnation by the Agbogbomefia, Togbui Afede against the closure of the Eastern frontier twenty-four (24) hours before the first round of voting on December 7 2008. The True Democrat revealed how they proceeded to weigh the options available to them, citing the possibility of the NDC machinery alerting its supporters not to cross the border a day to the election run-off. Sensing that their plan could be ineffective this time round, the meeting which included some noted security chiefs from the Armed Forces, Immigration and Customs and Preventive Service (CEPS) proposed to shut the border with Togo three days to the run-off.

With the latest twist to shut the border earlier than proposed at their secret meeting using stage-managed use of explosives to cause panic and induce fear in the residents, the NDC must sit up. In the earlier story, True Democrat intelligence further revealed a plan 'B' which is to involve the Togolese authorities. A high-powered delegation has been dispatched to Togo to discuss the possibility of closing their side of the border with Ghana. On the condition that the Togolese agreed to the proposal, the Government of Ghana is to hide behind this secret diplomatic manoeuvre to escape criticism.

Meanwhile, the True Democrat intelligence has reaffirmed the information which points to a planned massive deployment of NPP Party Police to the Volta Region on voting day with the sole intention of intimidating, harassing and scaring the voters away from the polls on December 28. The NPP Party Police are expected to draw support from the 64 Infantry Regiment. The soldiers earmarked for the exercise are those exclusively trained in Israel, Morocco and Nigeria when the NPP came to power in 2001.

Most of them were said to have been handpicked from Jamasi and Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. More anon

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NPP Failed, Thus Asking For Forgiveness - NDC

Koforidua, Dec. 17, GNA - Mr Julius Debrah, Eastern Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said that the current campaign of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was an admission that it had mismanaged the destiny of Ghanaians hence its plea for forgiveness.

He said after many years of imposition of suffering on the people, the government now saw the need to reduce the price of petrol only after the flag bearer of the NDC, Professor John Evans Attah Mills had promised to do so when elected president.

Mr Debrah was speaking at the review meeting of the party in the Eastern Regional and the launching of the regional campaign towards the presidential run-off on December 28, in Koforidua on Tuesday. He observed that, the property owning democracy of the NPP had failed all over the world and the world was more and more adopting social democratic policies.

Mr Debrah said property owning democracy was not likely to succeed in a developing country like Ghana and the best policy for the country was the social democratic policy, which ensured that both the rich and the poor had something to eat at the end of the day, hence the need for Ghanaians to vote for the NDC.

The National Organizer of the Party, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, denied that the future government of NDC would sell the government shares of the Produce Buying Company (PBC), to a private company or abandoned the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He assured that the government of the NDC would rather ensure that the NHIS was made national and improve upon the National Youth Employment Programme.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the government of NDC would not mismanage the transitional period by rushing into dissolution of boards of corporations and institutions or the removal of heads of departments and institutions.

He said Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, had assured that he had a duty to fulfil and would not be interested in wasting his time in seeking vengeance when he assumed the reigns of governance. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said Prof Mills had assured that he would like to run a government for all the people of Ghana and not a government for any particular political party.

Mr Antwi Boasiako-Sekyere, of the office of Prof Atta-Mills, appealed to President Kufuor and the NPP to ensure that they leave behind a stable and united country after their party had lost the elections.

He said the NDC and all Ghanaians had sacrificed a lot and invested so much into achieving the stability and the peace the country was enjoying and that should not be allowed to be destroyed.

The chairman of the function, Mr Fred Ohene Kena, a leading member of the party expressed his appreciation to God that the prediction of Mr J. H. Mensah, a leading member of the NPP in 2000 that the NDC would "die" could not be fulfilled.

He said instead the NDC was now a majority party with 113 seats in parliament and waiting to assume the reigns of government. 17. December 2008

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PNC parliamentary caucus endorses Nana

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - The People's National Convention (PNC) parliamentary caucus on Wednesday endorsed the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo for the December 28 run-off polls, contravening the party's decision to remain neutral in the second round of voting.

The PNC's National Executive Committee on Tuesday decided to remain neutral after a chaotic meeting to consider proposals presented by the contestants hit a snag.

But the parliamentary caucus, headed by Moses Dani-Baah, MP for Sissala East, said because the party could not craft a common position on the issue and thus decided to go neutral, "this means we can individually declare our position on whom to throw our weight behind". The other members of the caucus include Bayiriga Haruna, MP for Sissala West and David Appasera, MP for Bolgatanga.

They said even though all the opposition parties called for change during campaigning, including the PNC that campaigned for "real change", the PNC was not in agreement that the change they all identified with to be in Ghana's best interest would be "delivered" by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

"We have studied the visions of the two men contesting the presidency, compared the performance records of both governments, and looked at the historical relationship between the two parties and ours.. And we simply have not been convinced that the NDC offers the kind of change that will fast forward Ghana's development."

They said their decision to support the NPP was informed by the commitment of Nana Akufo-Addo to take "bold decisive steps to close the development gap between the north and south of Ghana".

"This was the dream of our pre-colonial leaders, which began in 1953. Yet, no government had been able to articulate such a clear, exceptional programme for the development of the north as Nana Akufo-Addo has done and which he will put into action if elected President," they said.

They noted that the one billion-dollar Northern Development Fund that would be managed by the Northern Development Authority, which Akufo-Addo had promised to set up within the first six months of his government, was welcome news for the people of the north. "We are ready for that vision . and we will do our utmost to help him make this vision reality.

"The first step that is within our hands today is to elect Nana Akufo-Addo as President, God wiling.. The PNC will then devote itself to providing the critical objective support to ensure that he delivers on this promise and overcomes any hurdles in the way."

The caucus said the party was impressed with the NPP presidential candidate's "discipline to maintain an issues-based campaign, in spite of all provocations that have been thrown his way. "We believe he has shown strong moral character and mature political leadership.

"We are ready to offer him all the critical and objective support that he will need to push forward his bold vision to bring back the can-do spirit of the Ghanaian and finally see us make a serious attempt to moving from our third world status to first world status. "That dream of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, that dream of Dr Hilla Limann, can be realized within a generation with the right leadership driving and supporting the talent and abilities of the Ghanaian people."

Party executives could not be reached on their take on the new development.

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PNC to remain neutral

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - With just two weeks to the December 28 run-off, the People's National Convention (PNC) has decided to remain neutral and not support any of the political parties contesting the polls, as Tuesday crucial National Executive Committee meeting to consider proposals presented by the contestants hit a stalemate.

Even before the meeting commenced at the party's headquarters in Accra, party stalwarts appeared passionately divided over which of the two competing presidential candidates to throw their weight behind, with some jostling and heckling each other, whilst others threw verbal salvos at those unyielding to their entrenched positions.

While those who favoured an alliance with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) argued that the party's (PNC) interest would be best served by the NPP, reminding their members of which political group was responsible for the PNC's current state, those routing for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) contended that it was politically imprudent to back a party the PNC was trying to unseat- referring to the NPP. Others, who seemed indifferent to the commotion, simply remarked that the party (PNC) should also assume a position of neutrality like the Convention People's Party did.

But after hours of heated debates on the proposals made by both the NPP and the NDC, the NEC decided to subject the deliberation to a vote, ending with a tie as both the NPP and NDC garnered 19 votes each from the party executives.

"Given the indeterminate nature of the vote, NEC has decided that it is unable to support any of the two parties", a statement issued moments later by the National Chairman Ahmed Ramadan said. Alhaji Ramadan later told the media the party needed to stay neutral "because cracks would develop in the party if we declared a stand for a particular party," judging from the highly polarized atmosphere at the meeting.

"We need to keep our party intact," he said. Even after that decision to remain neutral was taken, pockets of squabbles ensued as some executives accused others of accepting inducements from the contesting parties, with others indicating in uncertain terms that the decision by the NEC would not be binding on them.

One remarked "What do they mean? Nobody will tell me who I should vote...in short I will vote for the party of my choice and it is my right."

Bernard Monarh, General Secretary of the party told the GNA that both contesting parties "did not meet the expectation of the NEC", leading to the deadlock.

"However, our party and its leadership are committed to deepening democracy and we shall meet and consider reconvening another NEC to discuss further," he said.

Asked what the nature of the proposals or offers made by the NPP and NDC were, Monarh said "They were talking about collaborating, the sharing of positions like ministerial, ambassadorial, district chief executives and the likes".

"They are talking about sharing booty, but the PNC is not about sharing booty but about policies that would enhance the living standards of the people."

"So they did not meet our expectation," he said.

The meeting was also attended by the party's presidential candidate, Edward Mahama, who declined to vote on the issue.

The Democratic Freedom Party yesterday pledged its support to the NPP in the run-off. But the CPP has decided to also remain neutral, asking its supporters to vote according to their compunction.

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VOTES, VOTES, VOTES...

Tamale Airport upgraded to international status

Tamale, Dec. 17, GNA- The Tamale Airport has now been upgraded to the status of an international airport, with all the necessary facilities, at the cost of over 4.2 million dollars. The facilities put in place include, the construction of a run-way, taxi ways and aprons, a terminal, a modified fire service building, rehabilitation of the tower building, a car park and a VVIP lounge. Others are the provision of offices for the Customs, Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) and the Immigration Services. This was made known when the two contractors, who worked on the project, handed over the facility to the Minister for Aviation, Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah in Tamale on Tuesday.

The two contractors were Focal Roads Limited and CONSUL Limited, with BANS Consult as the consultants.

Mr Baidoe-Ansah noted that the Airport had already received some international flights from South Africa, Tunisia and Angola during the CAN 2008 African Cup of nations and hoped that with the addition of more facilities it would now be in the position to fly pilgrims from the north straight to Mecca to perform the Hajj. He commended the contractors for the good work done and impressed on them to always include in their handing over notes, maintenance schedules of the works they have completed, to ensure the "culture of maintenance".

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, appealed to the Aviation Ministry to consider upgrading the airstrips in Yendi and the Mole National Park to enable aircrafts to readily land to provide emergency relief items in times of disasters or the rapid deployment of forces to quell disturbances or riots.

He urged the Ministry to also identify other areas that would be suitable for the development of airstrips.

Alhaji Idris said with the upgrading of the airport and the possible construction of the Fulfulso-Damongo road, the transformation of the economies of the three Northern Regions would be enhanced. The Minister for Aviation later paid a courtesy call on Alhaji Abdulai Ziblim, the Regent of Gulpegu, who commended the government for the upgrading of the airport and the construction of a modern sports stadium, saying "they are promises fulfilled".

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Mr Prince-Derek Adjei, DFP Organiser - against alliance with NPP

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - Mr Prince-Derek Adjei, National Youth Organiser of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), on Wednesday described his party's partnership with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the December run-off as unconstitutional.

Mr Adjei noted that the ideologies and beliefs of the NPP and DFP were completely different.

"There has been a coup d'etat in the DFP after some members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to partner the NPP. I say so because the two parties share different views."

Speaking at press conference in Accra, Mr Adjei noted that the decision by the National Executive Committee had led to the desertion of some members from the party.

"People are threatening to leave the party, others have left," he remarked.

According to the DFP Youth Organiser, the NPP had failed to tell Ghanaians the truth, noting that the party was rather preaching ethnic politics.

He cited government's inability to release lands belonging to the GaDangmes and the sale of state lands to government officials and government's inability to recognise the efforts of Mr J.S. Laryea, a veteran sportsman whose efforts led to the building of the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, formerly the Accra Sports Stadium, by the Queen of England.

Describing the DFP as a young party, Mr Adjei pointed out that it needed more resources in its building process in order to stand the test of time.

Mr Ibrahim Abdul Rahaman, DFP Parliamentary Candidate for Tamale Central, who just quit the party, described DFP's decision to join the NPP as "a mockery and a ridicule of the intellect of Ghanaians". "DFP is a social democratic party, it has nothing to do with a liberal democratic party," Mr Rahaman said.

According to Mr Rahaman, it would be better for his party to join the party which had been calling for "change".

He said during his interactions with a section of the electorate, it came to light that the DFP was seen as an offshoot of the NPP. "The decision to join the NPP now confirms the concerns raised by these people. The foot soldiers of the party should have been consulted on this issue," he said.

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• 16.12.2008

Kufuor urge Ghanaians to vote for Akufo-Addo

Sunyani, Dec. 16, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has appealed to Ghanaians to vote massively for Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, in the presidential run-off on December 28, to enable the party to continue to build on the country's development fortunes.

He said the NPP Government, under his leadership had achieved so much for the country and Nana Akufo-Addo was capable to lead Ghana to a middle-income status.

President Kufuor was speaking at an encounter with journalists in Sunyani, as part of a tour of the Brong Ahafo Region, to express his appreciation to the people for supporting him during his almost eight years in office.

 He said "Nana Akufo-Addo has served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs in my government and I know his capability to build on the solid foundation that my government has been able to lay for the country's progress. President Kufuor said the election would be a referendum on the eight years rule of his government and voting massively for the NPP would be in appreciation of what NPP had done for the country.

He thanked Ghanaians for ensuring peaceful elections on December 7, even though isolated incidents in some areas snuff out the tension that built up before the elections that there would be mayhem and confusion. President Kufuor expressed regret that some people were issuing threats and warnings as well as circulating false information about him and the NPP and urged Ghanaians to dismiss such actions and not to allow these to intimidate them.

He cited that a chief who is a prominent farmer in northern Ghana had had his large farm burnt down whilst the life of a religious leader in Accra had been threatened.

President Kufuor said "The country is out of such intrigues and Ghanaians should not allow such violence to rear its ugly head again". He said that during the eight years of NPP government in office no one was arbitrarily arrested or detained in the country. President Kufuor described as false a document being circulated by some unidentified persons in the country that he had amassed 998 billion Ghana cedis at the Prudential Bank.

He said "It can never be true. Even Ghana's whole cocoa and gold earnings in the year cannot amass this colossal sum and the bank itself will confess that it does not have the capacity to have this sum. It is the work of some people who want power by all means", he said. President Kufuor urged Ghanaians to be vigilant against such intrigues "because we are too enlightened to be hoodwinked by such lies and threats".

He said Ghana had been touted by the global community as an epitome of peace and progress in the world and especially in Africa and urged Ghanaians to remain steadfast and vote wisely in the presidential run-off "so we can enjoy the peace and harmony.

President Kufuor said that the NPP Government had placed the country's economy on a sound footing and had achieved strides in education, health and other sectors of the economy, adding the government had since independence received the greatest foreign support and assistance.

He mentioned the construction of roads, Bui Dam and the oil find and urged Ghanaians to reflect on such good works of the government and vote for the NPP presidential candidate in the run off.

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Government Ready to handover - Mpiani

Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - The Government is ready for the "transition" and smooth transfer of power to the incoming Administration, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said on Tuesday.

"We are ready and are only waiting for the outcome of the December 28 Presidential runoff," he said.

He said a Cabinet Sub-Committee had been working on the Government's handing over notes over the past six weeks and a comprehensive report had been prepared. Speaking to newsmen at the Castle, Osu, he said, they did this by following through with a well-developed manual prepared under the Canadian Internati onal Development Agency's (CIDA) Governance Support Programme.

He said it had been their hope that by now teams from both sides, the Government and incoming Administration, would have been meeting to go through the Government's agenda and what needed urgent attention but for the inconclusive December 7 poll.

Mr Mpiani acknowledged that the runoff would certainly lead to a "very short transition" and said this perhaps should make the nation to take another look at the timing of the general election. He said if it would sit well with the new Government, the handing over could be done and the period of "transition" extended by about a week or two.

Already, Chief Directors of the various Ministries have prepared detailed handing over notes for the Ministers, he said.

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We Are Ready For Alan - Ashanti NDC

Obviously buoyed by their impressive performance in the first round of the 2008 general elections, the Ashanti Regional hierarchy of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dared the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, over his decision to augment his campaign team by introducing Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen to the Ashanti Region. The Ashanti Regional NDC hierarchy says it is ready to match the ruling party boot for boot in the region, and to challenge the NPP for votes in the second round of the general elections, scheduled to take place on the 28th of December, 2008.

A leading member of the NDC campaign team in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Afrifah Yamoah Ponkoh, has stated that whether the former Trade and Industry Minister leads the campaign in the region or not, the NDC was battle ready to meet the ruling party squarely in the second round of the elections and would be hoping to improve its fortunes. The opposition party put up a spirited performance in last Sunday’s elections, retaining their three parliamentary seats and improving their voting percentage in the ruling party’s stronghold of the Ashanti region, by obtaining over 35.5% of the total votes in the region.

The relatively impressive performance of the NDC in the region, coupled with what some observers described as voter apathy amongst residents in the region, have been cited as reasons which denied the ruling party’s flag bearer a one touch victory and eventually pushed the elections to the second round. A cursory assessment of the total valid votes cast in the region last Sunday, revealed that Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo lost a total of 183,806 votes, compared to what his predecessor, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor obtained in 2004, an anomaly which was attributed to low turn out and lack of education in the voting process, which resulted in the region recording huge number of rejected ballot papers.

This situation has therefore compelled the flag bearer of the party to reshuffle his campaign team by dispatching his main competitor in the party’s last year’s primary, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, to reinforce and add vigour to the ruling party’s campaign in the Ashanti Region. But the opposition party is less disturbed about the news and has already declared its intentions to compete strongly with the NPP for votes in the Ashanti Region. Speaking on Angel fm, the NDC leading member warned the NPP to prepare for fireworks because the second round of the election would be a keenly contested one. He stated that the NPP should not attribute their relatively poor showing in the Ashanti Region to voting apathy, but they should accept that the people were tired of their insensitive policies which had only aggravated the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.

According to him, the NPP government has failed to meet the expectations of the numerous Ghanaians, particularly those in the Ashanti Region, who voted for them in 2000 and retained them in power in 2004, adding that for the NDC to increase their voting percentage in the region was a clear indication that they wanted change.”

Meanwhile, a leading member of the NPP and the Campaign Spokesperson for Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, Lawyer Owusu Afriyie, has been explaining why the ruling party would achieve a major victory in the second round of the elections, saying there were about 375,000 newly registered voters most of whom are students in the Polytechnics and the Senior High Schools, who could not participate in the voting process because they were engaged in examinations. From this 375,000 votes, Lawyer Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as “Sir John” indicated that the NPP would obtain about 320,000 votes, representing about 90% to give Nana Addo the much needed victory. He further stated that the NPP would embark on a vigorous campaign to reduce voters’ indifference and encourage them to go out in their numbers to cast their ballots.

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Has Ashanti Region Ever Voted For Prof. Mills?

C/R Voted On Occupational Lines - Kojo Mbir The anti-Premix corruption crusader and former member of the National Premix Committee, Mr. Kojo Mbir, has called on Ghanaians to stop accusing the people of Central Region of voting on tribal lines in the just ended elections. According to him, the region votes on occupational lines and not tribal lines, arguing that if the region was tribal, it would not have voted for President John Agyekum Kufuor in two straight elections in 2000 and 2004.

In an interview with The Chronicle on Friday, Mbir explained that Central Region voted for Prof. John Evans Atta Mills because the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) destroyed their main occupation -fishing, which has been crippled by poor management of premix fuel distribution, coupled with massive corruption in the sector.

Again, he said, the NPP had failed to clamp down on pair trawling, a new development which was fast degrading the sea bed to the detriment of the local fishermen. Although this practice has long been banned along Ghana’s territorial waters, government has not been up to the task to fully discourage pair-Trawlers from plying their trade in our waters.

Mr. Mbir, therefore, asked Ghanaians to refrain from wrongly labelling the people of the Central region, and rhetorically asked whether “the Ashanti Region has voted for Prof. Mills before? People should stop saying that Central Region voted on tribal lines. When the region voted for President Kufuor in two successive elections, did anybody complain?” he asked this reporter.

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Kufuor Weeps for Rawlings

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday admitted publicly that there is bad blood between him and former President Jerry John Rawlings, stressing that there has never been a good relationship between them since he assumed office in 2001.

According to President Kufuor, there has never been a single day that Mr Rawlings had agreed to live in peace with him, no matter how hard he tried to repair and strengthen the polarised relationship between them.

President Kufuor made the revelation when he addressed journalists in Kumasi yesterday as part of his visit to the metropolis to thank the electorate for voting massively for Nana Akufo-Addo and for supporting him throughout his eight years in office.

“Sometimes I just feel bad when I hear Rawlings, my younger brother, calling me all sorts of names and sometimes comparing me to criminals and thieves like Ataa Ayi; but it has always been my prayer that there will be peace between the two of us but sadly, it has never happened,” he lamented.

According to the President, personally, he has nothing against former President Rawlings but was quick to add that looking at how Rawlings treats him especially in the public domain, he did not know how he could accept him as a friend as most Ghanaians were longing for.

Touching on the relationship between him and Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), President Kufuor stated emphatically that he has nothing against Nana Addo.

President Kufuor said even though Nana Akufo-Addo sometimes disagrees with certain issues he proposes, it does not imply that they are not on good terms as is the case between him and former President Rawlings.

He pointed out that one thing Ghanaians should understand is that there is not a single day that Nana Akufo-Addo has spoken evil about him and vice versa.

“Even twin brothers do not always agree on every issue,” the President opined, stressing that even though Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, the Interior Minister is his blood brother, they had on several occasions disagreed on issues.

“So if Ghanaians still see Addo Kufuor as my younger brother, why do they want to say that I am not on good terms with Akufo-Addo who has always been with me in my cabinet?”

Ghanaians can be my best judges on the actions of former President Rawlings and myself and assess which of us is doing the right thing or the wrong,” the President stated.

President Kufuor pointed out that since his tenure was coming to an end, he needed to commend Ghanaians for the unflinching support they had so far given him, and added that their support had enabled the entire nation to gain international recognition.

He said Ghanaians all over the world had been rated as very peaceful people, particularly regarding the manner in which the December 7 general election was conducted, adding that had it not been the comportment of the electorate, things would have gone the other way.

According to President Kufuor, one thing Ghanaians should understand is that no human being can rule a nation without making mistakes.

He said if the people accepted him to be a man of peace with better policies, then those who were in one way or the other offended should “forgive me and vote for Akufo-Addo to come and continue with those better policies”.

In President Kufuor’s view, it would be a great mistake for Ghanaians to vote the NPP out of power.

He urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to come out with appropriate measures by which the electorate would be allowed to cast their votes before they are marked with the indelible ink.

He said no government can come to power with policies better than what his government initiated, and that “if all the parties are coming to continue with my policies, then someone in the midst of the NPP can best follow my footsteps in terms of education, health, rule of law among others”.

He said since the NDC and NPP have each had the opportunity to rule the country for eight years, Ghanaians should critically assess their performances before going for the round two of the elections.

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• 15.12.2008

Tears as NPP leaders beg for votes

The outgoing Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, Ms Christine Churcher is reported in the Monday, December 15 edition of the Daily Graphic to have gone on her knees in the hot sands at the Winneba beach to plead with fishermen there to vote for the New Patriotic Party in the December 28 run-off.

Ms Churcher was a member of a team of NPP leaders, which included flag-bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that toured parts of the Central Region to plead with electorates to have a change of heart and vote for Nana Addo in the run-off.

The region, which has fishing as one of its major occupations and a source of livelihood for many, rebelled against the NPP in the December 7 general elections and voted massively for the National Democratic Congress, a sharp contrast to what pertained in the 2000 and 2004 elections when the region virtually voted en-bloc for the NPP. The NPP lost 8 out of its 16 seats in the region during the December 7, 2008 election, while the NDC profited from the situation with an increase of its seats from two to 11

Issues such as less than expected attention to the concerns of the fisherfolk are suggested to have accounted for the party’s love-lost with the electorate.

“Two major factors believed to have caused the misfortune of the party were the problems of premix fuel and pair trawling by Chinese vessels, which sources say created enormous discomfort among the fishing community,” reported the Daily Graphic of the Saturday tour by the NPP gurus.

The tour took the flag-bearer and his entourage to fishermen, traders and mechanics at Winneba, Agona Swedru, Mankesim and Cape Coast, augmented with interviews on Golden Star FM at Agona Swedru and Radio Central in Cape Coast, whose platform he used to thank the good people of the region for voting peacefully on December 7.

Said the Graphic; “The mission of Nana Akufo-Addo was very simple - to overturn the 23,000 votes by which he fell behind Prof Mills in the first round by pleading with the fishermen, traders and all others in the region whose feelings must have been hurt, to forgive and look at the party's positive side to renew their faith in it.

“The apology was rendered better, perhaps, by the outgoing Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast, Ms Christine Churcher.

“In a very remorseful demeanour and with tears in her eyes, Ms Churcher, affectionately called the “The Iron Lady”, knelt in the hot sand before the fishermen at the Winneba beach for about two minutes to beg them for forgiveness.

“Her unimagined act pricked the emotions of the gathering, many of whom found it difficult to watch the scene, while others could not help but chuckle with pity.”

Christine Churcher is not the only known figure in the NPP who is begging the electorate to renew their faith in the party. Kofi Konadu Apraku and Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, NPP campaign director and campaign chairman respectively, have both followed suit on Joy FM and asked the electorate to forgive and forget the past.

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Kufuor Fails To Fulfill Promise

UDS URGES KUFUOR TO REDEEM GH¢25M PLEDGE

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Kaku Sagary Nokoe, has passionately appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor to release the GH¢25 million Seed Money he promised the University some four years ago to help tackle the numerous financial and infrastructural challenges facing the University before he leaves office next month.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the University authorities had continued to follow on the promise and awaited its disbursement to meet the demands of the UDS but to no avail. Prof Nokoe was speaking at the 9th Congregation of the UDS in Tamale on Saturday.

He enumerated some of the grave challenges facing the four campuses of the University (namely the Wa, Navrongo, Nyankpala and Tamale campuses) which include inadequate lecture halls, teaching facilities, hostels for clinical students at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, staff accommodation and family-bonding facilities such as basic schools on campuses among others. Others are means of transportation for students and lecturers, libraries, health centres and access roads on all the campuses.

The University for Development Studies is the only Institution of higher learning in Ghana which runs a Community-Technical Interface programme, a unique combination of the academic and community based field practical work called the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), that covers a trimester in each academic year for three consecutive years, cutting across all faculties in its integrated approach and ensures that students live and work closely in communities to formulate specific interventions to address definite challenges.

Nevertheless, the Vice Chancellor believes that the present government under the Chairmanship of President Kufuor has supported and transformed the UDS through GETfund and other sources. The University, in spite of the financial and infrastructural constraints still continues to produce highly qualified professionals each year, with practical ability to perform and survive on the job market.

Prof Nokoe also appealed to Estate Developers to consider putting up affordable hostels in and around the campuses of the University to accommodate the over 10,000 students and staff population of 1,027.

He disclosed that the University in this academic year admitted 76 students to its Master of Science, Arts and Philosophy programmes, while for the first time in the history of the University, a major academic landmark was achieved through the admission of five candidates to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, with four in the Mathematical Sciences and one in Development Management. In all, the UDS in this 2007/2008 academic year, successfully graduated 1,270 representing 30% more than last year figure of 972, of whom 28% were women.

Out of the number, 61 got diploma passes including one distinction, 11 First Class Honours (4 in Agric Technology, 7 in the Applied Sciences and none from the Integrated Development Studies), 386 Second Class Upper Honours, 804 Second Class Lower Honours, and 9 Third Class Honours. Three of the first batch of candidates who had enrolled for the Master of Philosophy in Development Studies four years ago also graduated.

On the other hand, President John Agyekum Kufuor, in a speech read on his behalf by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, reacted to the delay in the release of the seed money he promised the UDS. The President stated categorically that his promise to the University still holds and promised to be part of the total transformation of the University.

According to him, he was gradually fulfilling his promise to the UDS without publicity and that was why majority of Ghanaians were unaware of what the NPP government had been doing for the university.

President Kufuor also said that the development of the UDS Medical School in Tamale was central to his government’s plans to develop the Northern Sector of Ghana. He therefore indicated that the National Council for Tertiary Education had drawn his attention to the special recruitment needs of the UDS to meet accreditation and had directed the Ministry of Finance to offer the support.

He declared that the UDS shall be supported to become a University of choice and the natural destination of all prospective applicants already domiciled in the north. Meanwhile, one of the graduands, Ms Alhassan Latifa Abubakar, the only 1st Class student in Applied Chemistry told The Chronicle that her outstanding academic success was achieved through hard work, commitment to studies and discipline. She, therefore, advised all Ghanaian students to be responsive to lectures and cut off bad companies in order to achieve their desired results.

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Be vigilant at the run-off - Mills

Accra, Dec. 15, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate for Election 2008, on Sunday urged supporters to be vigilant during the December 28 run-off to ensure victory and usher in the desired change for a better Ghana. Confident of victory at the run-off, Prof. Mills reiterated his message of change and reminded the electorate that the change could only come through vigilance at the run-off to restore hope and offer better opportunities to Ghanaians.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Kawukudi Park in Accra, Prof. Mills said the NDC won most of the Parliamentary seats and Presidential votes in seven out of the 10 regions, and would give the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) "an even bigger blow in the run-off." Prof. Mills arrived at the rally ground at 1700 hours in a white long-sleeved shirt over black trousers and black shoes, a cap embossed with NDC colours and a muffler in an open-top vehicle waved to the enthusiastic crowd who responded with a sea of white handkerchiefs. He criticised the NPP for taking advantage of its incumbency, adding "we are contesting an opponent that has so much money." However, Prof. Mills said money was not the main decider for victory, "money is not everything. Nobody should think that Ghanaians can be bought".

Prof. Mills noted that Ghanaians had been subjected to persecution and harassment under the eight-year rule of the NPP, during which most Ghanaians were treated with contempt, arrogance and scorn. "But for Election 2008 which has made them humble to accept their mistakes," he added.

Prof. Mills pointed out that reduction in prices of petroleum products announced last Friday by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) was not enough and promised further reduction when elected during the run-off.

He gave the assurance that an NDC Government under his administration would not abandon the National Health Insurance Scheme and National Youth Employment Programme, but institute measures to improve on their performance.

Other speakers at the rally urged the supporters to vote massively for Prof. Mills during the run-off and be vigilant to protect his victory.

They also urged the Electoral Commission to ensure number of rejected ballots was reduced.

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Ghana-Togo Border to close again

...Meetings At Castle and La Palm Royal Hotel Unveils Plot

..the Government of Ghana is to hide behind this secret diplomatic manoeuvre

The True Democrat can report on authority that the NPP plans to close the Eastern frontier three days ahead of the presidential run-off on December 28, 2008. A meeting held at the La Palm Royal Hotel in Accra on Thursday, December 11, 2008 discussed extensively new methods to deny Ghanaian citizens living along the border with Togo their franchise. The decision to close the border seventy-two hours (72-hours) before the D-Day is to outwit the citizens, most whom cross the border daily either to work in the sister country or to transact business.

According to the intelligence sources who attended the high profile meeting, the meeting which was initially held in the Castle had to be shifted to the La Palm Royal due to disagreements. While a son of the Volta Region, who attended the Castle meeting warned of the dangers of their own supporters turning against the government because of its discriminatory nature, the decision as to how to handle it was deferred. The deferral was done to exclude the said person from the subsequent meeting, which took place in the plush hotel.

At the meeting, the open condemnation by the Agbogbomefia, Togbui Afede of the closure of the eastern frontier twenty-four (24) hours before the first round of voting on December 7 2008, was discussed. The consensus was that he should be ignored. The meeting then proceeded to weigh the options available to them, citing the possibility of the NDC machinery alerting its supporters not to cross the border a day to the election run-off. Sensing that their plan could be ineffective this time round, the meeting which included some noted security chiefs from the Armed Forces, Immigration and Customs and Preventive Service (CEPS) proposed to shut the border with Togo three days to the run-off.

True Democrat intelligence further revealed a plan 'B' which is to involve the Togolese authorities. A high-powered delegation has been dispatched to Togo to discuss the possibility of closing their side of the border with Ghana. On the condition that the Togolese agreed to the proposal, the Government of Ghana is to hide behind this secret diplomatic manoeuvre to escape criticism.

However, signals picked by the intelligence indicate that the Togolese authorities are reluctant to close their side of the border. Our sources said President Faure Gnassingbe is not inclined to carry out what is seen as a heinous act against the people, who are constitutionally mandated to exercise their franchise.

A source very close to Togo's Interior Ministry told the intelligence of their reluctance due to the uncertainty of which political party will form the next government in Ghana. According to the Togolese Interior Ministry sources, they do not see why the country should be used to create bad-blood with their own kin and kith while the other frontiers, notably the Western and Northern frontiers are to remain open on the day of the election.

With the Togolese unbending to the pressures from the NPP government, the government's decision to go ahead to close the border at least 72-hours before the run-off is likely to raise tension in the Volta Region. Meanwhile, the True Democrat intelligence unit reports of a massive deployment of NPP Party Police to the Volta Region on voting day with the sole intention of intimidating, harassing and scaring the voters away from the polls on December 28.

The NPP Party Police are expected to draw support from the 64 Infantry Regiment. The soldiers earmarked for the exercise are those exclusively trained in Israel, Morocco and Nigeria when the NPP came to power in 2001. Most of them were said to have been handpicked from Jamasi and Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. More anon

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Chief of Kaasi passes away

Kumasi, Dec 15, GNA - The death is reported in Kumasi of Nana Owusu Yaw Ababio II, chief of Kaasi, a suburb of Kumasi. He was 74.

Nana Akwasi Boakye, Abontendomhene of Kaasi, told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that Nana Ababio, who reigned for 34 years, died on November 28 this year after a short illness. He said the one-week funeral celebration would be observed on Thursday, December 18 at Kaasi.

Nana Ababio left behind two wives and 10 children.

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 ..the FREE PRESS...

• 14.12.2008  / SUNDAY, WEEK 50    -   GO to WEEK 50

Akufo Addo’s Security Assault Rawlings’ Cameraman

Security men accompanying New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have assaulted a cameraman travelling with former President Jerry Rawlings in Kumasi.

The assault at the Golden Tulip Hotel on Sunday left Video cameraman Babs Hammer with a cut on his head inflicted, according to him, from the butt of the gun of one of his heavily armed assailants who accused him of daring to use his camera without permission while Nana Addo was around.

The policemen numbering about 10, according to Babs, bundled him into one of their vehicles and drove him to the Buffalo Unit of the Kumasi Central Police to be locked up.

Rawlings is in Kumasi to attend the Akwasidae celebration of the Asantes on official invitation by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

He and his entourage were said to have checked into the hotel Sunday morning, and a while thereafter, a convoy of Nana Akufo-Addo also arrived at the hotel ostensibly for accommodation.

Indeed Lawyer Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, in charge of Communications in the Ashanti Region for Nana Addo’s presidential campaign, told Myjoyonline.com that Nana’s team was seeking accommodation at the hotel for a member of the team. He confirmed seeing the fracas between the policemen and the cameraman, except it was not exactly an assault case. He said he saw the security men engaged in high-pitched exchanges with the cameraman, and the confusion also occurred at the blind side of Nana Addo.

Sir John explained that the team was having some difficulty securing the accommodation, and while they were engaged in negotiations with the management of the hotel, the video cameraman started filming what was going on.

And according to Babs, the cameraman, it was at this point that one of the policemen approached him and demanded to know who gave him permission to shoot the video while Nana was around.

He said before he could say ‘jack’, another armed policeman shouted that his video cassette be seized, while a third recommended that the entire camera be taken away from him and destroyed.

It was the final ‘advise’ that the security men decided to implement, and while he attempted to hold it from them, they descended on him and pummeled him into submission before pushing him into their car and driven away to the police station.

It took the intervention of National Democratic Congress Ashanti Regional chairman, Daniel Ohene Agyekum, to set Babs free from the police station where officers issued him with a police form to attend hospital.

Babs was treated at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from where he has since been discharged.

Nana Addo and President J.A. Kufuor also attended the Akwasidae celebration.

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