Rate of drug shipment to Ghana becoming worse

Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Minister of the Interior on Wednesday bemoaned the rate at which massive quantities of drugs were being shipped into the country and said government would make the necessary amendments to PNDCL 236 to deal with the current trends. He said the situation was as a result of the increased efforts of Drug Enforcement Agencies in Europe and Latin America to rid their countries of the trade forcing drug cartels to seek alternative routes in Africa.
Mr. Bartels said the government was collaborating with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to assist to implement the global container control project at the main harbour in Ghana for profiling.The Minister was speaking at the launch of the Hibiscus anti-drug trafficking campaign in Accra which is being supported by the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Government of Ghana."I wish to assure you that we have the political will to implement the provisions of the International Conventions we are signatory to," he said and commended their partners for their support in training and provision of equipment.Mr Bartels appealed to government's partners to support the Narcotics Control Board with the establishment of Treatment Centres for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts as a way of rescuing them from the destruction of drugs.He noted that currently the Psychiatric Hospitals provided treatment for addicts but the stigma attached to them prevented many from seeking early help.He urged all stakeholders to increase the awareness through education and campaigns since it was only though that, that the country could make progress in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. Dr. Kim Howells, UK Foreign Office Minister said the United Nations spent about 300 billion dollars a year on drug related cases and that the UK sought to work with countries affected by the drug trade. He said the rate at which West Africa was being used as trans-shipment point was worrying and urged Ghana to combine her efforts with the European Union, the UK, UN, Interpol and other agencies to curb the menace.
Source:GNA

CPP congress is a turning point for the party - Akosa

Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa, a Convention Peoples Party (CPP) flag bearer aspirant on Tuesday said the party's congress next month was a turning point in its history not only to determine its fate in the 2008 elections but its future and image. He said the congress was crucial and urged the delegates to elect the person with the right leadership qualities acceptable by the electorate.Professor Akosa made the observation at a meeting with delegates of the party from Essikado-Kettan, Shama, Sekondi, Takoradi and Effia-Kwesimintsim constituencies and students from Takoradi Polytechnic at Sekondi.He was accompanied by Alhaji Iddi Imoro Egala who is contesting the party's National Chairmanship, Madam Imoro Ayarna and Mr Kwame Gyantoa both members of Professor Akosa's campaign team. Professor Akosa noted that CPP was the only hope for Ghanaians yearning for a new leadership that had practical answers to the country's myriad problems.He said when elected as President of Ghana, education and creation of opportunities for youth employment and housing schemes for the people would be among his priorities.Professor Akosa advised the delegates not to be swayed by money and other considerations but elect the person who had the "pedigree, commitment and ready to die for the country and CPP". Alhaji Egala said the party's congress was a "make or break affair" therefore delegates must elect people who were prepared to sacrifice to build a strong party as leaders.He said when elected as the National Chairman, he would embark on a massive membership drive to make the party more attractive, strong and dynamic.
Source:GNA

Dube's Funs Heckle Supected Assasins In Court

A South African judge on Tuesday ordered four men accused of murdering reggae star Lucky Dube held without bail after they made a brief appearance in a court packed with the singer's fans.The murder of Dube, South Africa's biggest-selling reggae singer, stunned a nation already traumatised by one of the world's worst violent crime levels and prompted widespread calls for a dramatic police crackdown on criminals.The suspects, identified by SAPA news agency as Sifiso Mlanga, Julius Gxowa, Thabo Mafoping and Mbofi Mabe, were heckled as they were led back into the holding cells at the magistrate's court in Johannesburg.They are charged with murder, attempted hijacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in connection with the Oct. 18 slaying of Dube, who was shot in front of his kids in a Johannesburg suburb in an apparent botched carjacking.The men, two of whom are Mozambicans, will appear in the same court on Oct. 30 to have their applications for legal aid processed, SAPA reported.South Africa's murder rate jumped 2.4 percent between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2007, with 19,202 murders recorded in the period. The number of rapes, carjackings and assaults also remained alarmingly high in the period.Dube, who recorded more than 20 albums in his career and won over 20 awards locally and internationally, will be buried on Sunday in Newcastle, South Africa. His funeral is expected to draw large numbers of fans as well as members of the public. Source: Reuters

Aggudey Gets Angry....For Once

The Convention People’s Party’s flagbearer aspirant, George Opesika Aggudey is not happy with what he deems negative questions being raised about his bid to lead the party for the third time into general elections.Aggudey was the CPP’s candidate for the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, and on Monday, he filed his nominations to contest the party’s flagbearer race, convinced that he was the obvious choice among six interested in the position.He did not take kindly to questions from journalists that his opponents claim he was not marketable and that after losing on two occasions, there was nothing to fight for again.“It is you who is not marketable, it is you. You join other political parties and you come to CPP premises to come and do what…don’t let me use the word on you,” an agitated Aggudey barely restrained his tongue from issuing the undesirable.When told that his critics say he has no chance in the election, Aggudey retorted angrily; “It is you, it is you, what chance do you have in life, you tell me? I am better placed in life than you are, you annoy me so much….” before party members and some of his followers who were on hand restrained the man harbouring dreams of becoming Ghana’s President.For Aggudey, his chances at annexing the CPP slot are as crystal, claiming that he already has the nod of party delegates to become the flagbearer of the CPP and so all he would be doing when the party goes to congress to elect a candidate would be to go for a confirmation of his mandate.Other aspirants who filed their nominations plus the GH¢10,000 (¢100 million) filing fees included Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa. He told journalists that he will as a matter of priority tackle the unemployment situation in the country if he gets the nod to lead his party and Ghana. Dr. Kwaku Osafo who also arrived at the CPP headquarters riding on the back of a motor bike, committed to strengthening the party to make it a formidable force capable of winning any election in Ghana.Lawyer Bright Akwettey and former Public Sector Reform Minister, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom also filed their nomination papers. Monday was the deadline for filing of nominations and the party says medical practitioner, F.W. Akuffo has already filed his nomination.(Play the attached audio to listen to Aggudey.)