Justice Amua Sekyi is Dead

Mr Justice Kwaku Etrue Amua-Sekyi, Chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) has been reported dead. He was 74.A family source disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday.

The late Justice died at home around 0920 hours on Thursday at Takoradi. The source described Justice Amua-Sekyi who was also a Supreme Court judge as a noble man."He has done what everybody would wish in life and served Ghana with integrity", the source said A wife and three children survive him.Funeral arrangements would be announced later.

Ghana Addo Kufuor---not ready to deploy troops in Somalia

Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, has stated that the country is not ready to deploy troops to Somalia. Speaking during his recent visit to the Third Battalion of Infantry of the Ghana Army in Sunyani, the Minister, however, commended the battalion's role in internal security, as well as maintaining law and order in the sub-region, particularly along the border with la Cote d'Ivoire.

Dr Addo Kufuor urged the troops to be extra vigilant at the border due to the current situation in that neighbouring country. He said Ghanaians appreciated the support the Garrison had given to the Police in several operations, including "Operation Calm Life", to the Forestry Commission. The Defence Minister appealed to the armed forces to remain loyal to the government and the people in maintaining a political order that would continue to protect the constitution and maintain peace and security. Dr Addo Kufuor noted that the most difficult problem that had confronted service personnel over the years was the lack of adequate accommodation and announced that the Ministry was expending 20 million dollars on an urgent housing scheme for the troops.

Under the scheme, he said, the construction of 18 four-storey blocks, each expected to house 16 families, had already begun in Accra, Takoradi, Tema, Ho and Tamale. The Minister said the Ministry would use 10.5 billion cedis on the renovation and construction of living quarters and other facilities for the Three Garrison in Sunyani. He added that the projects were expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Dr Addo Kufuor noted that the retention of over-aged service personnel due to the lack of funds for their release had been the major cause of the accommodation problem, but announced that the Ministry was seeking 67 billion cedis for the purpose.GNA

Ghanaians Mark Africa Union Day Off Work

The Ministry of the Interior on Thursday reminded the public that, Friday, May 25 is Africa Union Day and a statutory public holiday.

A statement from the Ministry signed by the Minister, Mr Albert Kan Dappah said the holiday should be observed throughout the country.

Freedom of Information law could be expensive if not well-managed

The Freedom of Information Law could prove to be very expensive, if not well-managed, President John Agyekum Kufuor, cautioned in Accra on Wednesday. He said the Government would therefore ensure that adequate ground work had been done before its passage. The Attorney-General, he said, was working out the time-table, the Government needed, to be ready with the law.

President Kufuor was interacting with delegates to the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights at the Castle, Osu. Made up of Human Rights Commissioners of African Union (AU) and representatives of Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations, they are in Accra to deliberate on human rights issues confronting the Continent. President Kufuor spoke of the Government’s determination to put in place the necessary institutions and laws to protect the rights of the people, citing the landmark Domestic Violence Law and the repeal of the offensive Criminal Libel Law.

Without respect for human rights, governance cannot be said to be good and this could hamper investment inflows, he added. President Kufuor, who is the Chairman of the AU, said liberated Africa must therefore uphold people’s rights, which “is the basis of democracy.” He counselled that with the opening up of the world, it was important for the Commission to help deepen the awareness of African societies to the dangers that could arise out of the pursuit of sectional rights.

He noted that, the violation of the rights of minority groups, had been the major cause of most of the friction and conflicts on the Continent and said such pitfalls must be avoided. Mrs Salamatta Sawadogo, Chairperson of the Commission and leader of the delegation, praised President Kufuor for his keen interest in the work of the Commission and said; “We know we can depend on your support to implement the mandate given to us.” She said the decision to hold the Session in Accra was taken to share with Ghana the joy of the 50 years of political independence.GNA