* Saturday, 08th May 2010

Poverty a threat to Ghana's democratic process-ISODEC 

*  Source: GNA

Bolgatanga, May 8, GNA - Mr. Jonathan Adabre, Upper East Regional Manager of the Integrated Social Development
Centre (ISODEC), a non-governmental organisation, has noted that poverty is a major threat to multi party democracy
in Ghana.

He explained that poverty demobilises people or groups to effectively participate in the decision making process. Mr. Adabre made the observation when he delivered a lecture on the topic:

"Poverty - a threat to constitutionalism and multi party democracy in Ghana," in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region, during the 10th annual constitutional week celebration, organised by the National Commission for Civic Education.

He observed that constitutionalism is about respecting human dignity .. Mr. Adabre said often poor people were not able to claim their rights and entitlements, thereby threatening constitutionalism and multi party democracy.

He said the development gap between the North and the South of the country was a threat and a great mockery to the democratic process.

Ghana to receive one million barrels of oil from Equatorial Guinea 

*  Source: GNA

Accra, May 8, GNA - Ghana is to receive one million barrels of crude oil every six months from Equatorial Guinea.

The first consignment of the supply is expected in July.

This follows a three-day official visit by President John Evans Atta Mills to Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Chris Kpodo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, who accompanied the Head of State on the trip, made this known to journalists on Friday, at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

Explaining some high lights of a Joint Communique signed between the two countries at the end of the visit, Mr. Kpodo said the two leaders discussed how to strengthen bilateral relations, which led to the signing of four agreements of co-operation and collaboration in the vital areas of agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises, trade and education. He said an agreement between the two countries in air services collaboration was also revived.

The Deputy Minister said a delegation from Equatorial Guinea would arrive in Ghana in due course, to discuss with the authorities, how best to seek mutual co-operation in the fields of hydro carbon, maritime transport, education and culture, as well as fishing and the environment.

Mr. Kpodo said Equatorial Guinea shared with Ghana her rich experience in oil exploration, adding that the Ghana Export Promotion Council would soon hold a trade exhibition in that country, with the view to showcase Ghanaian products.

He said President Mills assured the Ghanaian community that government is concerned with their welfare whether they are legal immigrants or not. President Mills also urged them to be of good conduct and endeavour to be exemplary representatives of their motherland.

Aboakyer clash, ten injured

*  Source: GNA

Winneba (C/R), May 8, GNA - A durbar to climax this year's Annual Aboakyer festival by the chiefs and people of the Effutu Traditional Area could not take place due to insecurity and the mounting tension in the Municipality.

The Omanhene of the Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, made this known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Winneba on Saturday. According to him as at 0700 hours on Saturday, the two Asafo Companies Tuafo and Dentisfo No. 2 had still not gone to the bush to capture the live deer, for fear of being attacked, following a clash between the two on Friday evening in which about ten people were injured.

He said he would not comment on the situation now but described it as unfortunate and appealed to his people to remain calm to avoid loosing more lives and the destruction properties.

Meanwhile, a number of police personnel, armed with anti-rioting gadgets are patrolling the Municipality to prevent further rioting. As at 1030 hours on Saturday when the GNA visited the durbar ground, there were a handful of people at the place.

According to the Winneba Police, those injured were treated and discharged at the Winneba Government Hospital.

The police said the Tuafo No. one and Dentsifo No. 2 Asafo Companies clashed at Ntwatanan and threw missiles and other offensive objects at each other on Friday evening, resulting in the injuries, and that four people have been arrested to help in the investigations.

People who travelled to Winneba to watch the festival have expressed their disappointment at the situation. A few of them told the GNA that the confusion and the troubles that has marred the celebration, was as a result of chieftaincy disputes.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephraim, who is also the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council, told the GNA on phone that "he was at an emergency security meeting and therefore would not be able to comment on the situation".

Alan Kyeremanten begins tour of C/R

*  Source: GNA

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