President Kufuor asked COPAL to Speak against tariffs on Cocoa Products

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday tasked member countries of the Cocoa Producers Alliance (COPAL) to speak against the imposition of tariffs on cocoa products such as cocoa powder and cocoa butter that were exported to the European Countries. In an address read for him at the opening session of the 70th COPAL Council of Ministers meeting in Accra, President Kufuor said value addition was one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainability of the cocoa economy in member countries. He asked the countries to pay attention to harmonization of quality standards among them, payment of remunerative prices to farmers, processing and consumption of more cocoa locally and adherence to good agronomic practices. “If we prioritized these objectives in our respective national development agenda, I believe we would be heading towards fulfilling the dreams of the founding members of the Cocoa Producers’ Alliance and helping to reduce poverty among a large section of the cocoa growing communities in various countries,” he said. Professor George Gyan-Baffour, Deputy Minister of Finance, said government would take measures to eliminate any cases of the worst form of child labour on cocoa farms and also lend support to other stakeholders and partners to eliminate the practice. “We would ask for cooperation and understanding from all consuming countries as we take the necessary measures to tackle these challenges,” he said. Prof. Gyan-Baffour stressed the need to intensify efforts to bring other cocoa producing countries into the fold of COPAL. Currently, out of the 17 African Cocoa Producers only seven are members of COPAL. “It is the hope of Ghana that the secretariat would spare no effort in getting a number of these countries to be members of COPAL. Our alliance would thus become stronger.” Mr Charles Ugwuh, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, urged member countries to target China as a major target because of its enormous potential. “Indeed, it is worthwhile to consider appointing a Specialist or consultant to provide detailed advisory on this as we as other emerging markets.”GNA

Talk about stabilised cedi is false - GNP

It is the dollar which is falling in value with respect to the pound sterling and the Euro that is giving the semblance of stability to the cedi, Mr Kobina Amo-Aidoo, Interim National Chairman of Ghana National Party (GNP),said on Friday. He said the cedi could not be a stabilised currency as long as "we continue to ignore local manufacturing of goods".He said: "We have to change the language 'I sell this; I sell that to I make this I make that", adding that at present Ghanaians imported almost everything including matches and chewing sticks.Mr Amo-Aidoo, therefore, called on Ghanaians to totally reject the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2008 elections.Speaking to the GNA in Accra to correct an earlier misreport carried by the Agency, the Interim National Chairman said Ghanaians should by now realize the level of deceit and fake political agenda exhibited by both the NDC and NPP Governments and to take steps to halt the falsehoods being propagated by the two parties."I call on all Ghanaians to totally reject the NPP and their false propaganda designed to attract public attention and remain empty on the ground", he said.Mr Amo-Aidoo cited the implementation of he National Health Insurance Scheme and the Capitation Grant and said majority of Ghanaians were not benefiting from the programmes as were being taunted by the government's propaganda machinery.It said it took almost a year before one could obtain NHIS card while Ghanaian children in private schools were also not enjoying the so-called capitation grant and the school-feeding programme. He said the GNP could not look on unconcerned while the Government propagated falsehoods to the detriment of the people."The kids of Ghana, the children and the youth are the only delicate legacy for this nation and we cannot remain unconcerned as their lives are in very serious danger", he said.The GNP said there was the need for a transparent and decent political administration to provide basic social services to the people and that it was time for the nation to seriously rejuvenate its potentials and develop its resources to enhance the well being of the people. He said the GNP had developed a human centred social policy that would ensure the welfare of the citizenry and appealed to Ghanaians to totally reject both the NPP and NDC and vote for the GNP to ensure total liberation and freedom for the people.
Source:GNA

NPP is the only party that can defeat NDC in 2008 - Nana Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, an aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has observed that NPP was the only party that could defeat the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and ensured it never returned to power. However, he pointed out that defeating the NDC posed a big challenge to the NPP because it would depend on its message, dynamic leadership and effective organization. Nana Akufo-Addo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, made the observation when addressing constituency and polling station executives from four constituencies in Ashanti at Obuasi. He appealed to delegates of the December Congress to vote for a flagbearer who could win the 2008 elections for the party. Nana Akufo-Addo said "NDC was serious and it would not be easy for the NPP in the 2008 elections. Three successive defeats would lead to its collapse therefore, they are really serious. We know NDC very well and their policies, we should not allow them to return to power". He pointed out that the December congress represented the party's future therefore, the delegates should look for a leader with a global vision. "I have all the qualities of that visionary leader and could lead NPP to victory in 2008. Let us be truthful that if indeed NPP wanted a leader for 2008, it is Nana Akufo-Addo," he added. Nana Akufo-Addo denied that he was proud and arrogant, "here I am, very simple and a small man". He said he played a key role in ensuring peace in Liberia and other troubled countries therefore, the assertion that his leadership would bring chaos and divisions in Ghana was not true.GNA

Ghana will introduce Digital broadcasting Next Year

Mr Berifi Apenteng, a media consultant on Wednesday said digital broadcasting would be introduced in the country within the next two years.He was speaking at a consultative forum on public service broadcasting organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GNA), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the KAB Governance Consult at Lagos Town near Takoradi.The forum was under the theme "Public Service Broadcasting in Ghana, The Way Forward".Mr Apenteng, who is also a honorary member of the GJA, said television and radio sets in use would have to be replaced because they cannot pick up transmission of the digital technology. He said digital broadcasting would make efficient use of the frequency spectrum and make broadcasting cheaper, apart from an increase in the number of broadcasters, there would be more specialised channels. Mr Apenteng said public service broadcasting is crucial for Ghana's development and national unity and the GBC is well placed to transform into a true public service broadcaster. He said the corporation and the National Media Commission should take the lead in this direction and engage the public in discussions on its role and relevance.Mr Appenteng proposed that the GBC be allowed to derive funds from a variety of sources to make it financially independent and free from government pressures.Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the GJA, said the country needs public service broadcasting to nurture its democracy. He said the public should own the public service broadcasting and support it to perform its expected roles.Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, Chief Executive Officer of KAB Governance Consult, said as broadcasting is an important tool in the development of nations, a public service broadcasting station should be truly independent of government's economic influence and commercial pressures. Ms Dela Folie, a representative of FES, said the FES would involve itself in activities that would empower the media to strengthen the country's democratic process. 10 Oct. 07
Source:GNA