* Monday, 04.01.2010

120 years of age! King of Gonjaland

passes away

Tamale, Jan. 3, GNA - The Senyonwura, Seidu Bi-Ngbanye, acting President of the Gonja Traditional Council, has announced the death of the Yagbonwura, Bawa Abudu Doshie, King of Gonjaland at his palace in Damongo on Friday.

The late Yagbonwura was born in 1890 and died at the age of 120. He was the father of the late John Bawa, a one time Northern Regional Minister in the Rawlings regime.

The late Yagbonwura was the President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the eminent chiefs, made up of the Ashantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu and the Nayiri Bohagu Sheriga, King of Mamprugu appointed by the Kufour administration to mediate in the Dagbon chieftaincy crises. The Senyonwura Bi-Ngbanye said preparations were being made for his burial at the royal mausoleum for the burial of Gonja kings.

Source: GNA

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Bawku Naba condemns recent Killing of two people in Bawku

Bawku (U/E), Jan. 4, GNA - Naba Asigri Abugrago II, Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, has condemned the latest killing of two peopl= e and wounding of another two last Thursday. It would be recalled that last week Thursday, an unidentified gunman=

shot and killed a Medical Assistant, Mr. Roger Alenga and Hamidu Rahamani= , a Shopkeeper. At a Press Conference held at his palace, the Chief said the inciden= t constituted a setback and it was very disturbing to note that when peace seemed to be returning to the area such an unfortunate incident would happen. Naba Abugrago said eyebrows were being raised concerning who might b= e responsible for the barbaric incident which was likely to set the clock o= f peace and progress backwards. He indicated that from his own personal investigations into the incidents, the deceased persons were not known to be high profile personalities involved in the inter-ethnic conflict to attract ethnic hostility from any of the protagonists.

Naba Abugrago said Roger Alenga, who was Yanga by tribe, was based i= n Langbesi in the Mamprusi Traditional Area in the Northern Region and came= to Bawku two days after he was murdered. He said the possibilities of being trailed from the Northern Region to Bawku for unknown reasons could not be ruled out. Naba Abugrago cited for example that it was reported that he was a close friend to Mr Alando Banab, the dispensary technician at the Nalerig= u Hospital who was murdered by unknown assailants last year for seemingly unknown reasons. He said Alenga was also reported to be involved in a legal tangle wi= th other persons in Bawku in recent times and that fact could not be discoun= ted outright. Naba Azorka called on the security personnel in Bawku to conduct thorough investigations into the matter and urged the people to volunteer=

information and co-operate with the security to expose and arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

He commended the security personnel and opinion leaders for their efforts to bring sanity to the area. The Paramount Chief called on the media to be circumspect and not ru= sh to apportion blame on identified ethnic groups alleged to be behind such incidents without proper investigations. He expressed his condolence to the bereaved family and wished those receiving treatment a quick recovery.

Source: GNA

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Two die in motor accident on

Akosombo-Tema Road

Afienya, Jan. 4, GNA - A three-year-old baby girl and a middle aged man died on the spot on Sunday when the vehicle on which they were traveling from Akosombo to Tema got involved in an accident.

An eye-witness, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday on the Afienya road, said the accident occurred when a Toyota Urvan from Kpong heading towards Tema attempted to overtake a Nissan Urvan ahead of it. According to the eye witness, the driver of the Toyota crashed with the Nissan Urvan in the same lane.

He said a BMW Saloon car coming from Tema towards Akosombo also ran into the two vehicles.

The eye witness said, the three-year-old deceased, who was with her surviving mother and the middle aged man reportedly got trapped and died instantly.

He said passengers on board the vehicles, including the drivers and their mates, sustained severe injuries. The casualties had been sent to the Emergency Unit of the Tema General Hospital when the GNA got to the scene.

Source: GNA

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Former President and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings, has once more descended on President John Evans Atta Mills, his appointees, and some leading members of the ruling party, saying they have been ungrateful to those who laid down their lives to bring the party back to power.

He also revealed that some members of the Mills government and party officials had gone to the extent of sponsoring some serial callers to insult him (Rawlings) on radio. According to him, he was compelled to come out publicly to speak his mind about the government because genuine advice he offered was disrespectfully ignored, adding that very soon he would have no option but to start mentioning names.

Addressing a gathering at a symposium organised by National Cadre Front and the United Cadre Front in Tema to commemorate the 31st December Revolution, Rawlings observed with regret 'the culture of money politics' that had been introduced into the party. He noted tha those guilty of such behaviour were toying with the destiny of the party at their own peril.

Sounding a word of caution, the NDC founder said the party was not used to money politics, and expressed worry over reports that such influences, threats from certain government circles, misuse of armed security personnel to intimidate and prevent legitimate candidates from vying for political offices and promise of potential benefits being made to delegates were against the spirit of 31st December.

"One day, I will come out and give you details of all the advice I have given that has been ignored. These people are showing disrespect and contempt after we worked hard to win the election." He said at some party meetings, certain leading members had the audacity to question why his comments and criticism should be accepted because, according to them, he (Rawlings) had made no monetary contribution to the party.

"So embarrassing was this to many party faithful that they went around and sought financial support for me to donate to the party; but I did not accept those monies. What I brought into the party was too invaluable to quantify in monetary terms. I brought on board integrity, I brought sacrifice - the blood of those who had died fighting for the ideals of the PNDC and NDC. We must learn to show respect for what people have done.

"There are too many wrongs because we fail to take the high moral ground when it matters most," the former President said. He argued that the defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the last election was yet another revolt following the moral decay that the country had experienced, and was worried that the ruling NDC was also neglecting calls for transparency and accountability.

Former President Rawlings noted that 31st December was not just another day. According to him, "It reminds us of the principles of probity, accountability, integrity and justice. Unfortunately, we are allowing the moral fabric of the NDC to deteriorate. Our party was built on a foundation of visionary leadership and self-discipline.

"NDC has never used money for political positions. Let us not make the same mistakes some made. He stressed that the 31st December Revolution of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) gave birth to the NDC and noted that it would simply be unacceptable if the government of the day could not uphold the principles that gave it life.

"Let us not be seen to be so power hungry we fail to follow the time tested due process that made NDC the party it is today. We toy with the party's destiny at our own peril," he concluded.

Source: Daily Guide

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Accra, Jan. 4, GNA - Professor Kwanbena Frimpong Boateng, Director of the Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has cautioned that unless Ghanaians dedicate themselves to national development, the country would continue to lag behind in industrialisation. He said that during the colonial era, Ghanaians who were not engineers took part in the construction of railways in the country but "today we are waiting for outsiders to repair the broken down railways." Prof. Boateng was speaking at the 29th Annual Technology Exhibition of Kristo Asafo Church, in Accra on Sunday.

He said that even though education was the foundation for development, the country's technical institutions, universities and polytechnics could not propel the country to industrialisation. Prof. Frimpong said: "leadership at all levels - at the home and work place is another dilemma of the progress of Ghana". He said that any nation that could not provide its people with food, clothing and shelter has no chance of survival and called on Ghanaians irrespective of their political affiliations to support the government to succeed.

Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso, a Senior Lecture at the Legeon Centre for International Affairs, advised journalists to desist "from wedging war among politicians by pitching them together on the microphones, instead they should use the air time to project the country's technological development." He called on government to make allocation for the purchase of cars manufactured by Kristo Asafo and assist the Church to advance its technological achievement to create jobs for the youth.

Apostle Dr. Osafo Katanka leader of the Church, asked Ghanaians to move away from outmoded agricultural practices and undertake mechanised farming to increase production.

He said even though Ghana gained independence about 52 years ago, the people still relied on the "white man", and wondered who was to be blamed for the woes of the country since it was blessed with natural resources including minerals and timber.

Apostle Dr. Osafo called for the training of more experts such as engineers to assist in the country's industrial development. Prof. Nana Opoku-Agyeman, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, called on Ghanaians to persevere and work hard for the country to achieve its technological goals.

Participants at the exhibition, including academicians, security personnel, politicians, members of the Church and member of the public, said they considered the technological achievement of Apostle Dr. Katanka as the country's industrial take off.

Luxurious Kantanka limousines with inbuilt television set and security cameras were some of the exhibits that stunned the participants. Locks that could open just at the knock on the door, television sets that were tuned on or off with a clap of the hand close to the screen, engine stabilizers, curtains that could spread or fold at a gentle clap of the hands and many other items were on display.

Source: GNA

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Professor Tagoe condemns polarisation

in the society

Accra, Jan. 4, GNA - Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Legon, on Monday condemned the political polarisation of the society stressing that it would militate against the country's fledging democratic governance. "Any cursory observer of the political scene in Ghana today, would attest to the growing polarisation of the society into two antagonistic entities with each camp refusing to see anything good in the other," he said.

Prof. Tagoe was speaking at the opening of the 61st Annual New Year School in Accra.

The School, scheduled from January 3-9, 2010, is under the theme; "Sustaining Democratic Governance in Ghana: Issues before the Nation". It has over the past 60 years provided persons of diverse vocations and varied backgrounds the opportunity to dispassionately discuss vital issues of national and international concern. Prof. Tagoe said the theme chosen for the school would provide another opportunity for participants and speakers to reflect on the democratic path of governance in the country to chart a new course devoid of tension and polarisation.

"In 1991, Ghanaians decided in a constitutional referendum that the only way they would be governed is through electoral democracy," he said, but expressed worry that the citizenry were gripped with fear and uncertainty during presidential and parliamentary elections.

Prof. Tagoe noted that the fear and uncertainty raised some questions concerning the collective comprehension of the ideals, institutions and practice of democratic governance in the country.

Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, Director of the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education, said democratic governance could not be sustained within the context of growing poverty, illiteracy, youth unemployment, poor environmental sanitation and the general feeling of insecurity. He said the sustenance of the democratisation process and its utilization depended on the development of institutions and processes that were more responsive to the needs of the ordinary citizens, including the poor and vulnerable in society.

Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi said the 2010 New Year School would focus on developing a framework for sustaining democratic governance in Ghana. He said it would also serve as a platform for participants to dispassionately discuss and offer ideas on topics including enhancing the capacity of the youth for national development. "The Institute will offer innovative ideas for assessing the role of objective and independent media in promoting a democratic government; enhance the capacity of the youth for national development and improve the electoral process for democratic governance," he said. Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi said the Institute had submitted a proposal for a Master of Arts and Philosophy in HIV and AIDS Management to the School of Research and Graduate Studies for the necessary action. "The programme is designed for workers in middle-level and senior management positions and individuals who have first degrees and may want to develop careers in HIV and AIDS Management," he said. Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi said in addition, the Institute had presented a proposal to the Board of the Faculty of Social Studies for consideration to replace the current title "Resident Tutor" given to teachers of the Institute with the designation "Lecturers" to conform to the current practice in the world of academics.

"This request will enhance opportunities to recruit more lecturers and researchers to fulfil the Institute's new vision to become the centre of excellence for the efficient delivery of university-based continuing and distance education to meet the challenges of national development and global competition," he said.

Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi appealed to stakeholders in the educational sector to donate at least five new vehicles to the Institute to enhance its operations.

He called on authorities of University of Ghana and Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) to help restore the physical facilities at the Regional Centres of the institute and build a new multi-purpose Distance Education Complex at the Legon Campus.

Source: GNA

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