Ghana@50 Was Not A Tea Party - Oboshie

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon. Mrs. Oboshie Sai Coffie, has observed that the Ghana @50 celebrations was not about tea partying and having fun, but was an occasion for sober reflections and accelerated development. She has therefore tasked journalists and media personnel to help showcase the legacies bequeathed to the nation arising out of the event.Hon. Oboshie made the above observation when she led a team of government officials and members of the press on an inspection tour of some of the Ghana @50 project sites on Tuesday, August 07, 2007. Accompanying the Minister were Mr. Andrew Awuni (Presidential Press Secretary), Hon David Annang (Tema Municipal Chief Executive), Mrs. Catherine Afeku (Government Spokesperson on Infrastructure), Hon. Reginald Nii Bi Ayi Bonte (Former MP, Odododiodio), and other senior officials form the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.The tour took the team through to the inspection of sanitary facilities at the Kinbu Gardens, La Agyeman, and Kakasunaka in Tema. It also included an inspection of Ghana @50Housing Projects at La Wireless, The AU Village at Ridge, and the VVIP Lounge at the Kotoka International Airport.At the Kinbu Gardens, the Project Manager of the sanitary facility intimated that projects of similar nature were under construction nationwide, with four in Accra alone. He said most of them were about 60-75% complete.The 22 - seater Kakasunaka sanitary facility, which has almost all its inner parameters tiled, has been painted. The project is almost complete. On the unwelcome stench that has engulfed the facility, the Tema Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. David Annang, who conducted newsmen round said the area is a swampy one. The use of the area as a landfill site is therefore a deliberate attempt to fill the area, which will later be covered with laterite.The La Agyeman sanitary facility has 16 closets, 15 wash basins, 7 urinal pots. The Project, which commenced on April 22, is expected to be completed within a month, pending the disbursement of their remaining funds.The entourage made a stop-over at the La market where the Minister interacted briefly with some of the traders, who were so joyous in witnessing such a scene, especially when it was not elections time.At La wireless, one could not help but marvel at the splendor and beauty of the landscape and thoughtfulness of the developers as the team were led down the Osagyefo Boulevard down to the office of an official of the Secretariat, Mr. Francis Dadzie who conducted them round. There were 103 housing units, all completed, with the Ghana @50 Secretariat owning 30 of them, as well as all the furnishings in the remaining apartments, something the Secretariat intends to offer as equity in the sale of the ones owned by the private sector. Mr. Dadzie seized the opportunity to correct reports in the media that the Ghana @50 stake in the estate is on sale. He minced no words when stated that there has been no official decision yet on the issue. He hinted that it is the private sector that has started disposing off part of its stakes in the area. The facilities are just magnificent.The ambience, splendor, and grandeur that greeted the team as it was ushered into the ultra-modern and prestigious Ministerial and Presidential VVIP suites at the Kotoka International Airport cannot pass without comment. What an edifice? The Minister tasked journalists and the public to desist from tagging such areas as restricted zones, and to rather feel free to visit there by simply seeking authorisation from the appropriate quarters. The lounge confirmed that Ghanaians are indeed championing African Excellence, in ushering in dignitaries to the country in such a serene and cozy environment. Any dignitary who visits the new VVIP will attest to the much touted hospitality of Ghanaians and indeed the magnitude of the work undertaken by the Ghana@50 Secretariat.The final stop was the AU Village at Ridge. The facility was among those that were used for the AU Summit. There were thirty (30) completed, well furnished housing units. Each has five bedrooms, 2 living rooms, dinning rooms, well furnished kitchen, etc. As we were led round by project manager, workers could still be seen doing minor maintenance works on the site.At the end of the tour, in one of the rooms, pressmen had the chance to interact with the Minister and her entourage, on their impressions of the entire tour. So overwhelming was the sight that a journalist from the Ghanaian Voice Newspaper remarked that “to some extent the allegations about the misuse of funds are baseless”In winding up the tour, the Information and National Orientation Minister admonished the pressmen around to tell the story as they came to see for themselves and disabuse the misconceptions that the taxpayer’s monies voted for the Ghana @50 activities were used for jamborees.On his part, Mr. Andrews Awuni stressed that there were tangible things to show as legacies for Ghana @50. This, to him, include the inspected facilities at La wireless, Ridge, the VVIP at the KIA, as well as over 50 rest stops, regional jubilee parks, sanitary facilities, and other projects across the country. He noted that this is a deviation from the past, for example Ghana @40 where but for the anniversary cloth, all is history. He disclosed that the gains and intrinsic values to be derived from the facilities far outweigh the expenditure on them. Mr. Awuni advised media personnel to visit project sites before making a fuss about them, more so when it was easily within their reach to do so.
Source:PRINCE BOAKYE-BOATENG

Scancem Bribery: Norwegian Minister 'sad'

A 52-year-old Norwegian minister of International Development, Erik Solheim, has described as "sad" news that a Norwegian multinational company, Scancem, owners of local cement-producer Ghacem, has been heavily involved in bribing top Ghana government officials.‘In an interview at the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Office on Tuesday, Mr Solheim said, “I'm saddened to hear what a Norwegian company did in the past in Ghana,” the paper quotes the minister as saying.He said he had followed the court case of the multi-million dollar bribe scandal as published in Dagens Naeringlsiv Magasinet of 21/22 April 2007 specifically between 1993 and 1998 as stated in a Norwegian court by two of Norway's most respected journalists, Geir Imset and Harald Vanvik.The Norwegian minister was being interviewed by two Ghanaian editors, Asare Otchere-Darko and Kweku Baako, during their visit to Norway to investigate matters involving evidence before a Norwegian court that top people under the National Democratic Congress government received bribes of more than $4 million from Scancem with the purpose of consolidating the then Norwegian-owned firm’s hold in the local cement industry.When it was disclosed to Mr. Solheim that ongoing investigations by the Auditor-General in Ghana suggest there could be underhand dealings in very recent payments totalling $22,555.7836 (¢209.4 million) made by Ghacem from 2002 to 2004 alone, his answer was swift: “If any Norwegian company or individual is caught in malpractices in Africa or elsewhere we will not accept it. We will clamp down on them,” adding that the country’s anti-bribery law, enacted in 2003, will be allowed to take its course.He said the fight against corruption was a "hard, long-lasting" one, and its difficulties more pronounced "if top leaders are involved in corruption." The Norwegian publication had boldly cited former President Rawlings and his wife and former top presidential staffer P V Obeng as allegedly being among recipients of from Scancem during the five-year period.The journalists pushed the Norwegian minister, a founding member of the Socialist Left Party of Norway who, at 32, became the party’s leader until 1997, to explain the seeming contradiction between his country’s international political image as a champion of ethical politics and its historical inaction against the corrupt practices of its multinational companies.His response was that the Centre-right coalition government of Norway has put in place a social corporate responsibility agenda for the country’s firms operating abroad.While saying he was not by any means justifying bribery, Mr Solheim said "In the past, the excuse was that everyone else was doing it." But, since 2003, under prime minister Jens Stoltenberg’s administration, "the policy of the Norwegian government has completely changed."He further stated that, until four years ago, Norway, a country that makes good governance and anti-corruption a major action plan in its development aid programme, allowed its companies to effectively claim tax exemptions for bribery monies paid to corrupt officials.Mr Solheim has been instrumental in pushing an Oslo-Paris proposal to reform the immunity from prosecution that international organisations enjoy, as an effective weapon in the global anti-corruption artillery.He recently told the UN, "Most important, politicians should commit themselves. Only strong, political will can hinder corrupt officials, politicians as well as businessmen and others, to be able to hide their illicit assets in safe havens."The Norwegian Government is strongly committed to this end, and urge upon other States Parties to put the issue of asset recovery, money laundering and safe havens high up on the political agenda - nationally, as well as in different regional, international and global fora. Together, we can make a difference."But, the Ghanaian reporters, who expressed indignation at the hitherto silence of the Norwegian authorities on the Scancem scandal accused the Norwegian government of double standards.Yet, the minister, who insisted that his country’s attitude towards cross-border briberies have changed significantly, stressed that corruption was an international problem which was "illegal, immoral and caused social destructions," requiring the conviction of all to fight.The journalists then read a portion of the Norwegian court’s ruling on the civil case brought against Tor Egil Kjelsaas, a former Director of Africa of Scancem, for the recovery of NOK25 million ($4.3m) allegedly stolen by Mr Kjelsaas meant to bribe top African officials.The judge, Trine Standal, held that "the two parties" in the case "agree that the bribery had not been contrary to Norwegian, Ghana or Nigerian law."Though, the criminal laws in both Ghana and Nigeria have since the 1960s both been clear against corruption, this blatant untruth appeared to have been conveniently accepted by the Norwegian court to sidestep the illegality of the entire suit against the ailing Mr Kjelsaas. The law generally frowns against seeking compensation for an act of illegality.Mr Solheim could not comment on this.But, earlier at an Oslo business sector conference on development cooperation, in February 2006, Mr Solheim had described as "positive and important" the "engagement of Norwegian companies in developing countries."He also told Norwegian multinationals that "We expect Norwegian operations to be ethical and hope that the examples you are setting will be followed by others," adding, "There is no doubt that these expectations can be challenging for Norwegian companies in some cases. We know that companies from a number of other countries are bringing with them a less ethical approach to their engagements in developing countries. The competitive situation can seem rather unbalanced at times, but this is not always the case."But, the Ghanaian journalists told him it was difficult to see the continuing stranglehold that Ghacem has on Ghana’s cement industry as positive to the locals. They said, though, the bribery might have taken place in the past, the consequences from that practice remained real and devastating, as shown in the recent near-doubling of cement prices Ghana.Sounding critical of Scancem’s activities in Ghana since 1992, when Government began selling its 75% stake in it to the Norwegians, the journalists who could not see any ethical examples worth emulating from that Norwegian company, demanded from the country’s minister of international development what his government intends doing about the social impact of the imbalances that Ghacem’s unfair industrial practices have had on Ghana.
Source:The Statesman

Big boost for Ghanas' rice sector

The Government and the French Agency for International Development on Wednesday signed two loan agreements totalling 13.8 million Euros to support the country's ailing rice sector.The credit consists of 12.5 million Euros soft loan for investments, field activities and support for the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body (GRIB) and additional grant of 1.3 million Euros for technical assistance to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). Professor George Gyan-Baffour, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, signed the two agreements on behalf of Ghana while Ms Caroline Piquet, Acting Resident Manager of the French Agency for International Development initialled for her country.A statement issued by the MFEP said the Government would provide 930,000 Euros being its contribution to the training cost of MOFA staff, 790,000 Euros being farmers' payment to the investments and the cost of the credit while financial institutions, essentially the Rural Banks, were to provide about 1.5 million euros in credit.The agreements are aimed at developing lowland rice production in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions.It said about 6,500 hectares of lowland areas would be developed with water control infrastructure and technical support to the farmers. It said the project would help strengthen professional organizations, targeting the different levels of the commodity chain as well as provide some support to existing financial institutions in order to facilitate access to credit by the various stakeholders. The statement also said the MOFA would be in charge of the project at all levels, including national, regional, districts as well as the planning and monitoring of activities.It said MOFA would also establish contract with different partners such as non-governmental organisation, micro-finance institutions and the non-formal education Services to implement its activities. Mr Ernest Debrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Mr Pierre Jacquemot, French Ambassador to Ghana, witnessed the ceremony. Agriculturists say Ghana has great potential to expand its present average rice production area of 89,700 hectares by 200 per cent if its vast area of inland valleys and swamps is fully exploited. They say the greatest potential lies in the interior Savannah zone which covers almost the whole of the northern half of the country, extending over nearly 9.32 million hectares.
Source:GNA

US Military Commander advices Ghanaian Soldiers

General William Ward, Deputy Commander, United States European Command has observed that a soldier in uniform should personify sincerity and helpfulness among his people. He said besides their regular mission, they should engage in other things to help their fellow citizens.General Ward was interacting with soldiers from the 66 Artillery Regiment working on a community library complex at Mafi-Anfoe, in the North-Tongu District on Tuesday.Major Mathews M. Battison, Military Attache at the US Embassy in Ghana initiated the library and would be fully furnished and stocked with books and computers when completed.The project is estimated to cost GH40,000 or 400,000, 000 million cedis.The library complex and street lighting projects are among ventures the US European Command is helping the Mafi-Anfoe, a predominantly farming community to undertake.General Ward who is visiting Ghana with his wife said he was absolutely delighted about the contribution of his men to the development of the people in the area.He said the US cherished contributing to the stability and security of Ghana and Africa, saying the Millennium Challenge Account and other facilities being handled by USAID were to quicken development in Ghana. Major Battison, who was honoured as Development Chief of the community under the stool name Togbe Dunenyo, said his association with the community started with a casual acquaintance with a native of the area sometime last year.He said the projects, partly supported partly by friends, were progressing steadily because of the communal spirit of the people. Miss Mary Yates, former US Ambassador to Ghana lauded the US/Ghana collaboration.Mr Joe Gidisu, Member of Parliament for the area said the support by the US to build the library was an important contribution to raising educational performance in the area.Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister asked the people to appreciate US efforts by helping to complete the projects early. He promised that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) would collaborate with all stakeholders on the projects for their successful completion.Lieutenant Elvis Asamoah, of the 66th Artillery Regiment told journalists that apart from the library project, troops from the regiment had helped build school blocks at Sokode in the Ho District and Agbozume in the Ketu District.He said the help were in accordance with the Regiment's corporate policy of building bridges of cooperation between the military and civil society.
Source:GNA

"Last Minute" Ministers Sworn-In

NPP questions NDC's $700,000 at Rawlings' Houston fundraiser

A report filed by our American correspondent, Prince Osei Bonsu, says the National Democratic Congress managed to raise a record US$700,000 (GH¢ 650,142.50, or ¢6.5 billion) at a banquet fundraiser in America attended by NDC founder Jerry John Rawlings and his wife.Perhaps, even more remarkably, the organisers had set a formidable target of $5m. But, the Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party has called on the Electoral Commission to insist on "full disclosure” from the opposition party, to kill off any suggestion that the money “could come from stolen money being recycled and brought back into the country for election purposes.”The weekend's historical fundraising event was organised by the North American Coordinating Council of the NDC in Houston, Texas on Saturday, August 4. The venue was the plush Hilton Hotel Southwest, Houston.In his keynote address, Mr Rawlings accused the NPP of running a “kleptocracy”, where there is a total disregard for the rule of law, describing the Kufuor administration as one which condones nepotism, corruption, and abuse of power.While commending the efforts of any political party to "appeal to Ghanaians abroad for funds to supplement what can be raised domestically," Mr Boadu is of the view that "If fundraising is done outside of Ghana, the Electoral Commission must go into and demand transparency on the identity of the individuals and firms that, as in this case, are said to have contributed to the tune of $700,000."Mr Boadu thinks the law banning foreigners and foreign interests from contributing financially to political parties in Ghana "should be respected. We should be mindful against drug money or monies from foreign companies being smuggled into our politics to buy protection and influence procurement contracts and so forth."Our reporter says, the attendance itself was poor, as far as political fundraisers go. The ballroom at the Southwest Hilton in Houston was barely a third full and most of the attendees were from out of State. However, what was astonishing was the amount of money realised both in corporate and individual donations.This raised questions as to whether the amount raised, $300,000 short of the million-dollar mark, was a mark of a combination between the resources of Ghanaians in Diaspora and the popularity of the NDC, or really a reflection of how our domestic laws on political funding can be easily side-stepped.The guest list at the event, graced by Ghana's longest serving Head of State, included other nationals, mostly from Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda and African-Americans.Also in attendance to the banquet/fundraiser were the various chapters of the NDC in North America, from, among other places, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, and from Canada, Toronto and Montreal.The report speaks of the pomp and ceremony with which the former President and his wife were carted to the event. They were "transported in a diplomatic limousine from his residence in the Woodlands, a suburb of Houston." The former Ghanaian first couple arrived at the fundraising banquet "in good spirit" and whisked to a waiting VIP suite. At about 9.30pm they were led into the banquet hall to the NDC anthem and cheers from the crowd.Delivering his after-dinner speech, Mr Rawlings spoke of the apparent "imbalance" existing in the world, with particular rebuke of the relationship between the West and Africa.He accused "Western powers, in particular, the United States and Britain," of continuing to shower "praises on regimes that lack the moral, administrative, political, managerial, market, legal/judicial, constituency relation, and professional corruption of our generation."Repeating what has become his theme complaint on the international circuit, Mr Rawlings lamented "institutional criminal acts that goes [sic] unpunished and falls [sic] on deaf ears. These criminal malfeasances, including Kleptocracy," he said, was being condoned by the hierarchy of the Ghanaian government, when they, the West know very well how such instances of abuse of power psychologically demoralise "those who play by the rules of democracy."In his speech, Mr Rawlings alleged that while the abuses of the NPP government was going on unabated, "the fabric of society and youth of our dear country," have been reduced to "rugs and tissues" on which the "elite members of the NPP and government walk on. Where is the ethics with the West, when such acts are simply brushed aside in the name of good governance?" he charged.He brought in the conflict in Iraq, accusing America and Britain of destabilising the peace in the region. The report refers to Mr Rawlings saying, "By them refusing to heed to a universal consensus not to destabilise the era of good feelings immediately after the Cold War, others such as the Ghanaian government believes, it can get away with anything on earth, as far as it does not contradict the desires of Britain and the United States. Hence the neglect of what is going on by the United States and Britain in Ghana and elsewhere in the continent."When it came to her turn, the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings captured the attention of the audience and gave, what the report describes as "a chilling account of the manipulation of justice in "the Kings Court."She alleged that the NPP was using various unconventional tactics to criminalise actions that were legitimately implemented by her NGO, the 31st December Women’s Movement.The event was hosted by Joseph Manboah-Rockson, a professor at Texas Southern University in Houston, and Kwame Mensah-Bonsu
Source:Prince Osei Bonsu & Nana Obeng Danquah

Where will the NPP Prez Candidates get the 250m cedis?

Two hundred and fifty million old cedis or twenty five thousand Ghana New Cedis is the figure given by the New Patriotic Party as the nomination fee for its aspiring presidential candidates. That’s roughly US$25,000. By any standard, that’s a lot of money. So far, none of the 17 aspirants has signaled withdrawal from the race due to the inability to raise such a huge initial financial outlay in nomination fees.It can therefore be argued that wherever they are going to find it, these determined aspirants would do so. Some clearly can afford it and probably more, from their own resources, while others would need a lot of help. That’s just the first step. After the nominations have been filed and accepted, the campaigning would continue in earnest and that would involve even more money.The preceding point of “continuing” the campaigning is significant because all the aspirants have been campaigning for some months now with reports of money and other incentives in kind being lavished to woo the prospective delegates to the December congress. So it is going to be money, money, money…all the way! But which of these 17 aspirants leads in the money game? The following assessment is based more on public perception and the “behaviour” of some of the aspirants themselves than any verifiable public accounting system.
Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama: Incumbency does not seem to have given him any financial advantages. Not much either from former construction firm. Said to be cash strapped but looking forward to donations from people who believe in his viability in 2008
Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo: Could his Foreign Minister’s per diems help? Hardly, say funding experts. And not much from former law firm either. Said to have wealthy backers and could receive international help.
Hackman Owusu-Agyemang: Comes across as a very wealthy man. What with his Hackman Foundation and other philanthropic donations? He recently donated a Club House to his party. Has international connections and is looked upon as one of the aspirants to whom money may not be that much of a problem .
Yaw Osafo-Maafo: Not clear how it all started, but months, or even, a year or two earlier, it was widely rumoured that he had built up a war chest just for a day like this. Money therefore should not be a problem for the former finance minister.
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku: “I don’t know”, was what a relation said about how the Offinso-North MP is funding his campaign. And it is true; his is one of those mysteries in the current campaigning for the NPP presidential campaign race. Where is the money coming from?
Professor Mike Ocquaye: Said to have made friends in his brief stint as Ghana’s High Commissioner to India and help could be coming from that source. The myth of grinding mills and such things to prospective delegates has caught the public imagination for a while. Not known to have well-heeled business friends.
Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy: Had a flourishing medical practice in the US. Has been openly critical of the way money seems to be playing a central role in this campaign. Has great admiration from Diaspora Ghanaians, most of whom are actually not that financially well-off.
Boakye Agyarko: Like Dr. Arthur Kennedy, has had a brilliant career on in the US. In the financial district of Wall Street he rose to become a Vice President of the Bank of New York. His financial independence is therefore not in doubt, but funding a campaign is another matter altogether.
Dan Botwe: Another of the mysteries. His sources of funding are a closely guarded secret, if they exist at all. Said to be relying more on his grass root connections from the days when he was the party’s General Secretary, than on money. He has been very vehement in his denunciation of how money has crept in to “spoil” his party.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng: The heart surgeon with the “Midas Touch” both in the operating theatre and in administration. Not a rich man but has the support of a rich man. He is probably the only aspirant who has had the open endorsement of a very rich man, Mr. Kofi Amoabeng, the CEO of Unique Trust Financial Services.
Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey: It is not clear how much stock he owns in the advertising agency he headed for many years, but even if he owned it all, it is not likely that other shareholders would allow him to dip his hands into the company’s kitty to finance his campaign. Jake, though comfortable, does not have those huge amounts of “dosh” to run a protracted campaign.
Nkrabea Effa-Dartey: Not clear his sources of funding
Kwabena Agyepong: Rumoured to have made local and international connections as a one time press secretary to the president and could have convinced some of them to invest in his future. In fact, the wilder of the rumours even suggest that his backers are in the southern part of the African continent.
Owusu Agyepong: As a former president of Ghana’s venerable association of surveyors, the former Majority Leader is not a man without connections and individual means
Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor: Like Osafo Marfo, the president’s younger sibling has given (or been given) the impression that he has amassed a war chest to succeed his brother. Campaign funds: No problem!
Alan Kyeremanten: He has been christened Alan Cash because of the real or imagined campaign largess is reputed to be “splashing about”. He has become the target of almost all the aspirants and intense media scrutiny because of the perception that he is the president’s favourite.
Paapa Owusu-Ankomah: Paapa’s source of funding is not clear, but he is gradually being associated with the Chief of Staff at the Osu Castle. In the coming days, things would get clearer after the nominations have been filed. The cash men and struggling men would expose themselves, for one thing, it is said, that cannot hide is MONEY!
Source:Accra Daily Mail

Osafo Marfo Storms B/A

Space FM,Sunyani, August 7- NPP Presidential hopeful, Hon Yaw Osafo Marfo, storms the Brong Ahafo Region today as part of campaign to win the flagbearership of the party in December.The former financial minister, who was sidelined by president Kuffour for inexplicable reasons, would meet constituency executives at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District before moving to Sunyani, the regional capital where he is expected to interact with executives of the Sunyani East and West contituencies of the NPP.From there, the presidential aspirant would hold similar meetings with party executives at Berekum and Jaman Districts. The former finance minister and MP for Akyim Oda, was instrumental in shaping the nation's economy during his tenure and won an award as best finance minister.He is also credited for the first ever qualificataion of the Black Stars to the world cup in 2006 when was the sports minister.Hon. Osafo Marfo was one of the party's presidential aspirants who was disappointed at the NPP's Tema rally as their desire to speak to thousands of their followers, never materialized.The aspirants turned up in their numbers with the hope of addressing the party at the rally, to mark the climax of the 15th anniversary celebration of the NPP.Their supporters were there in their huge numbers, some carrying placards with various inscriptions, but in the end only two of the aspirants had the privilege to speak to their followers.
Source:Space FM,Sunyani

NDC Diasporans Raise Over $700,000 Towards '08 Elections

A banquet fundraiser/Baquet (American style) was organized by the North American Coordinating Council of the National Democratic Congress in Houston Texas (USA) on Saturday, August 4 2007 at the Hilton Hotel Southwest and 59 Freeway in Houston, Texas. There was nothing magical about the attendance, but what was astonishing, which demonstrate a resolve by Ghanaians in the Diaspora, was the amount of money realized both in corporate and individual donations.What probably drew the crowd, including nationalities from Nigeria (the most), Cameroonians, Ugandans, and our brethren, African-Americans, was the presence of His Excellency, the former First Gentleman and Lady of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.Also in attendance to the banquet/fundraiser were the various chapters of the NDC in North America from Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, Toronto, Montreal (Canada) and others.Transported in a diplomatic limousine from his residence in the Woodlands, a suburb of Houston, the former first couple arrived at the banquet/fundraiser in good spirit and whisked to a waiting VIP suite. At about 9.30 pm they were led into the banquet hall to the NDC anthem and several cheers from the crowd.In a speech after the dinner, the former president enumerated the imbalance existing in the current International system, particularly vis-a-vis the West and Africa, where the "Western powers, in particular, the United States and Britain, keep showering cheap praises on regimes that lack the moral, administrative, political, managerial, market, legal/judicial, constituency relation, and professional corruption of our generation. Simply put, "institutional criminal acts that goes unpunished and falls on death ears. These criminal malfeasances, including Kleptocracy", that his Excellency emphasized, is rather condoned by the hierarchy of the Ghanaian government, when they, the West know very well how such psychologically demoralizes those who play by the rules of democracy.The total disregard for the rule of law, nepotism, corruption, and abuse of power by the Kufour government is going on unabated, while the fabric of society and youth of our dear country, Ghana remain the rugs and tissues blquote upon which the elite members of the NPP and government walk on. Where is the ethics with the West, when such acts are simply brushed aside in the name of good governance .In other word, America, with Britain destabilized the peace prior to the ongoing American-Iraq conflict. By them refusing to heed to a universal consensus not to destabilize the Era of good feelings immediately after the Cold War, others such as the Ghanaian government believes, it can get away with anything on earth, as far as it does not contradict the desires of Britain and the United States. Hence the neglect of what is going on by the United and Britain in Ghana and elsewhere in the continent.In a similar narrative, the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings captured the attention of the audience and gave a chilling account of the manipulation of justice in quote the Kings Court. She gave an account of how the Kufour Administration uses various unconventional tactics to criminal actions that were thought out and implemented by a duly elected Board of Directors of here Non-governmental organization, the 31st super supersub December Women Movement. Today, after several years of eradicating guinea-worms, infants deaths and deaths of teenage mothers, such debilitating statistics have once again surfaced in the Kufour administration.The dinner banquet raised an amount of about US.$700,000.00 (Seven hundred thousand dollars), which is a fraction of the total pledges and out of the projected target of US 5 million dollars the NACC-NDC of North American had projected through donations from corporate bodies and individuals. At the close of the dinner/banquet, it was suggested and agreed upon hat such dinner/banquets will be organized in various cities across the United States, to enable the NDC raise the monies it needs to throw out the NPP government from power in 2008.As for the resolve that was taken at the just concluded NDC leadership Conference in Houston, it is important for the NPP to know that it is not going to be easy winning against the NDC especially as Prof Mills is retained. The NPP won in 2000 purely because the general Ghanaian society was calling for a change , since change is always unknown to anyone; as such it was obvious that change was the significant 'savior' that drove the floating voters to NPP aid. The victory in 2004 on the other hand was a to give the government time to continue with its projects and also to enable the electorate to do effective assessment of the NPP in a much longer time. But the dire is cast because Ghanaians have themselves come to realize that the mandate they gave the NPP in 2004 was an error in judgment. Since all loans they collected after the almost wiping out of the country's debts by the G-8 countries, has gone into their private pockets. Projects that they claim are in the works are just empty promises that have nose realistic goals to them.In politics, and particularly in representative democracies accountability is an important factor in securing legitimacy of public power. In NPP tenure a distinction should be made between accountability and transparency. Accountability differs from transparency in that it only enables negative feedback a decision or action, while transparency also enables negative feedback before or during a decision or action. Accountability constrains the extent to which elected representatives and other office-holders can willfully deviate from their theoretical responsibilities, and the Ghanaian people will faithfully hold thus reducing corruption.The Banquet/dinner was the first of its kind in North America and will be replicated in Ghana since contributions from supporters of the NDC toward the defeat of the NPP translates into a covenant.Dr. Joseph Manboah-Rockson - Professor at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. U.S.A. and Mr. Kwame Mensah-Bonsu - were the Co-Hosts
Source:North American Coordinating Council of N.D.C.

Dallas investor signs power-supply deal in Ghana

A company owned by Dallas real estate mogul Gene Phillips has landed a $3 billion deal with the African country of Ghana to refurbish a barge to generate electricity for the power-starved nation.

Ghana has a severe electricity shortage brought on by rapid population growth and drought in north Africa. The drought has limited the country's ability to generate hydroelectric power.

It's essential to elect a capable leader -SKB

Professor S. K. B. Asante, an international consultant, has said democracy had come to stay in Ghana but remained fragile enough to require a mature, strong, steady, visionary and knowledgeable political leader to protect it."This is a crucial matter for high-level consideration by all the political parties that are in the process of selecting party flag bearers."Prof. Asante said with the exception of the National Democratic Congress that had gone through the rigorous exercise of electing a torch bearer, the remaining political parties had their presidential aspirants criss-crossing the country making campaign speeches.Speaking at the 10th anniversary of New-Man Preparatory and Junior Secondary School at Kade, Prof. Asante, who is also a Council member of the National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council, said while many pronouncements by the presidential aspirants were mature, carefully considered and generally convincing, some of the speeches regrettably left much to be desired.Instead of highlighting their track record, a number of them only hammered out their comparative youthful age as a necessary and desirable qualification for the presidency."They seem to be oblivious of the fact that youthfulness cannot always be equated with age," he said.He said some presidential aspirants seemed to be living in a world of fantasy when they stressed their capability as if industrialization of Ghana could be hastened with a magic wand."They claim they have pragmatic and long lasting solutions to the recurring energy crisis and erratic rainfall pattern in the north". Prof. Asante said he would venture to state that the basis for assessing the candidates for the 2008 presidential election should focus specifically on issues like, "contributions, capabilities, conduct, track record of service and commitment".Others are in-depth knowledge of the issues pertaining to the development and smooth administration of the country and the potential acceptability of the candidate by Ghanaians in the selection process. He said there was the need to select a person who "can do the job and not the person who wants the job. We need a visionary leader who can keep up and sustain the macro economic stability, good political governance so far established and achieve the much-needed economic independence to match with our political independence".Prof. Asante said, "indeed we need a leader who has a deep and intimate appreciation of where this country is coming from and where it needs to get in the shortest possible time".
Source:GNA

Ghana Plans to Export Labour

Ghana is seriously considering the option of formally exporting her skilled labour in order to capitalize on the benefits accruing from the uncontrollable phenomenon of migration.

The decision to manage migration is informed by the strong belief that the time is rife for a shift from focusing attention only on the negative aspects of migration to the positive impacts the phenomenon could have on the economy. At a “National Consultation on Migration, Remittances and Development,” Government officials, migration experts, and researchers agreed on the need for a national policy on migration through which the country can incorporate the formal export of its skilled labour.

The Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF), the Government of Ghana, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly organized the consultation on Wednesday in Accra.
Internationally, migrants account for about 3% of the world’s population of 175 million persons. However, it is believed that a chunk of migrants coming from developing countries, including Ghana are unregistered, (illegal). On the other hand, remittances from registered migrants continue to be the mainstay of many families and communities in migrants’ home countries.

In the case of Ghana, remittances have become a major source of foreign exchange. The Bank of Ghana estimates that remittances to Ghana rose from US $410 million in 1990 to US $2.4 billion in 2006 and has over the period been higher than the Official Development Assistance (ODA), Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and exports.
It is against this backdrop that the stakeholders who converged at the roundtable voted in favour of a policy that would allow for “brain gain” rather than “brain drain.”
Leading the pack of proponents for a national policy, Mr. Daouda Toure, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator said, “Ghana needs a holistic National Migration Policy which will look at the multifaceted nature of migration and address the key issues of legal and regulatory frameworks, human resources development and training”, among others.
Mr. Daouda who doubles as the UNDP Representative in Ghana also proposed that Ghana develops a National Human Resources Development (NHRD) strategy and training that address the skills needs of the country as well as that of developed countries.
In his view, this will enable Ghana train and export skilled labour, based on negotiated agreements with receiving countries, which as part of the agreement could support such training.
He said, “such a proactive approach to human resource development, will enable Ghana manage migration to her advantage.”
He also proposed that government could engage the receiving nations in bilateral discussions that could ensure the acquisition of visas for migrants by the Ghana government.
He revealed, “It is estimated that over the next 10-15 years, USA alone will require an additional one million health workers. It has also been noted that 23 percent of Africa’s trained medical doctors have migrated to the Northern Hemisphere, leaving Africa with a terrible deficit on health services: with 100,000 doctors to a population of 700million as compared to 200,000 doctors to France’s population of 83 million.
Mr. Toure noted that the implications for health delivery and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets on health couldn’t be overlooked.
He continued that other sectors such as education and business continue to lose skilled professionals to the developed countries.
Therefore, Mr.Toure said, “there is every indication that there are real opportunities to make migration work for Ghana’s development and we must continue to tap on opportunities provided by migration in remittances, improved skills, knowledge and technology.”
But, he said, Ghana must also allow for planned return migration by enabling migrants to invest in safe and profitable investments and to bring home not just their money, but also the acquired know-how and expertise
Hon. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Ghana’s new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Corporation and NEPAD was of the view that “remittances stand out among the benefits of migration,” but in most cases those benefiting from migration are traffickers. Hence, the country needs a national policy in order to optimize the full benefits of migration.
For his part, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning noted that remittances represent an enormous transfer of resources from the endowed to the less endowed countries of the world and in many cases between countries of the South. These, he said “constitute the second largest capital flow to developing countries.”
He disclosed, “private inward transfers received by groups such as non-governmental organisations, embassies, service providers and individuals through the bank and non-bank financial institutions in Ghana amounted to $1.52 billion dollars at the end of the first quarter in 2007.”
This, according to him, represents an increase of about 17.1 percent over the same period in 2006. “Indeed, remittances from abroad have emerged as one of the foremost contributors to Ghana’s GDP.”
Mr.Baah-Wiredu said, the impacts of remittances can be realized in proper healthcare for local residents, increase in employment opportunities and educational level, landed opportunities, etc. The standard of living has improved drastically with respect to the impact of remittances.
“This presupposes that, consistent increase in remittances would go a long way to promote national growth towards achieving the goals of MDGs.”
Reviewing the history of migration in Ghana, Dr. Mariama Awumbila, Director, Centre for Migration Studies noted that migration has brought about a loss of human capital, but can also provide an opportunity for the acquisition of skills, experience and knowledge, resulting in a ‘brain gain’.
“The exodus of professional and others does not necessarily involve a one-way flow of skills. Return can involve transfer of skills back to Ghana, job improvement and investment in small businesses,” she said.
She pointed out that a national migration policy should take into account the prime challenge of how to tackle the main push factors for migration - poverty and the lack of job opportunities in Ghana.
Source:Public Agenda

Man U, Get Ready!!

MICHAEL ESSIEN aims to put a rocket up Fergie on Sunday — by scoring with a scorcher.The Chelsea midfield star is vowing to explode more long-range stunners like the one which rocked Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last December.That swerving 25-yard cracker smashed in with the outside of his right foot was voted the club’s Goal of the Season.And there would be no better time for a repeat than in the Wembley Community Shield clash with Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.Essien said: “The goal against Arsenal is the best in my career. To score against one of our rivals from that position and at that time of the game is something special that I will never forget in my life.“But I think I can score better goals than that. Once I keep believing in myself, I can score beautiful goals.“Personally, it was a fantastic season for me and I was very happy with my output for Chelsea.“It was not easy for me and my team-mates and we have to be happy that, after a difficult campaign, we managed to grab two trophies.“Hopefully, next year we can all do even better.“Although we finished behind Manchester United in the league, I think they deserved their title. They put up a great fight from the start to the end of the season.“As Chelsea, we can’t win all the time. We won two trophies in the end and I think we were OK with our season. But we’ll try our best to win back the title.”Chelsea splashed £24million-plus to land Ghanaian Essien from Lyon two years ago. Despite a slow start to his Stamford Bridge career, the versatile24-year-old proved last season he was worth every penny — often starring as a makeshift defender rather than in midfield.He added: “Playing in defence was not something new for me. I was once a centre-back and I played a lot of positions before I moved to Europe.“That is why I am comfortable to play in any position my team requires of me.“I am a passionate player. I have to give 100 per cent every time. Nothing less will do. But I don’t think I’ve reached my limit yet.”Essien and Andriy Shevchenko have both given boss Jose Mourinho a massive boost ahead of Sunday’s Wembley date.Shevchenko trained for the first time yesterday since picking up a back injury in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America.And Essien had recovered sufficiently from a calf strain to join in the session.PSV Eindhoven defender Alex has now been granted a work permit by the Home Office, after earlier delays held up his move here from Holland.The Brazil international still has to agree personal terms with Chelsea and have a medical
Source:.

I Am Not A Weak President.

Scientists say there is a possibility of an avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak next year, given that influenza pandemics occur approximately every 40 to 50 years and this year is the 39th year since the last pandemic occurred.Dr Kofi Asare, Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), said given the rate at which the H5N1 influenza virus, which causes bird flu, was spreading the threat of a pandemic was eminent. "It is a case of when, not if, the next pandemic will strike." He made the remark at a public lecture organised by the Association of Recognised Professional Bodies (ARPB) on the current situation of avian influenza in Ghana.Speaking on the significance of avian influenza transmission to humans, he noted that three conditions needed to be present for the outbreak of a pandemic - there should be a novel (new) virus; the new virus should cause disease to humans and the virus should spread through human-to-human transmission.He said in the case of H5N1 the first two conditions were fulfilled but no case of human-to-human transmission had been reported as yet. "Currently we have records of bird-to-bird and bird-to-human transmission which can be brought under control - we need our pastors to pray that human-to- human transmission would not occur anytime soon," he said.Statistics available from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that so far, 319 human H5N1 infections have been detected worldwide, out of which 192 deaths, representing 60 per cent of persons infected have occurred.WHO and influenza experts across the globe have also predicted that when the pandemic occurs, between two to seven million deaths would occur.In 1918, when the Spanish H1N1 Influenza occurred between 20 and 50 million fatalities were recorded. In 1957 the Asian H2N2 influenza killed at least two million humans while one million deaths were recorded in the 1968 Hong Kong H3N2 influenza pandemic.Dr. Asare said the health sector alone would need not less than US$5.3 million to effectively control the bird flu situation in Ghana and therefore called on the government to find money to assist the various sectors to deal with the situation."Currently no one has immunity against the virus - we are not safe - we can't afford a pandemic. Our development partners are likely to prepare vaccines for their peoples when a pandemic breaks out and when that happens we will suffer greatly," he said.Dr. Andreas Miles from US Agency for International Development said currently 50 different bird species had been affected adding that the number of birds infected ran into billions with China alone recording five billion birds with bird flu infections.She said the virus killed younger persons faster than older persons, adding it thrived on overreaction and younger persons being more active made it easier for the virus to work on them. "The virus has been found to change in character so whatever vaccine is developed would also need to be changed year-after-year to ensure that it combats the virus effectively," she said.Dr. Francis Kunadu-Ampratwum from the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) said in terms of preparedness in Ghana there was a working group in place, which monitored the situation closely and mapped out strategies and plans to inform action.He said the challenge had been the fact that farmers whose birds were found to be infected with the virus were not forthcoming with information as to how the disease could have got unto their farms. "The way things are now we still do not know how the recent outbreak started from Tema to Sunyani to Aflao then to Togo between April and June," he said.He said in that outbreak alone at least 21,622 birds were destroyed by Bird Flu Coordinating Team in four farms in between Tema and Nungua and an additional 2,629 were destroyed in homes and poultry farms in Sunyani.Dr. Kunadu-Ampratwum noted that the mode of the spread had been mainly through movement of birds across borders and the illegal trade in wild birds.He called for "a taskforce with teeth to bite" to check the illegal trade in wild birds."There is also a need for a nationwide bio-security which ensures that humans would not bring diseases unto their farms, know the warning signs of bird flu, protect themselves, their families and community, report sick birds to the nearest veterinary authorities," he said. Mr. Ace Ankomah from the Ghana Bar Association said there was no need for a special taskforce to deal with the bird flu situation, adding that the laws empowered the veterinary officers and guards to deal with the situation.He said the problem on hand was not lack of enough laws and regulations but rather lack of effective implementation of the laws. Mr. Ankomah noted, for instance, that veterinary guards and ordinary public officers had the authority under the law to destroy animals found to pose public health risk and that persons found to be harbouring such animals were liable for prosecution. "We must begin to prosecute some of the poultry farmers on whose farms infected birds are found," he said. 02 Aug. 07
Source:GNA

NPP's Filling Fees Out

The National Executive Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday fixed the filing fee for presidential aspirants at GH=A2 25,000 (250 million cedis).The decision was taken at their meeting held in Accra during which a code of conduct for the aspirants was also agreed. Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the Party, told reporters that the National Congress that would elect the party's flagbearer for the 2008 elections would take place on December 22 this year. Nominations would therefore be opened on September 22. Some 20 members, including Vice President Aliu Mahama and several senior cabinet ministers, have expressed their desire to contest the primaries.Eight cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo, Defence Minister Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Trade and Industry Minister Allan Kyerematen, Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Tourism and Diasporan Relations Minister, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, have resigned to contest the primaries. The others are Education, Youth and Sports Minister Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Felix Owusu-Adjapong, and Communications Minister Mike Ocquaye.Before Wednesday's meeting, various personalities had mentioned figures such as GH 50,000 cedis (500 million) and more than GH 60,000 (600 million cedis) as filing fees.Nana Ohene Ntow said the amount was a compromise amount that should also help the party fund its activities and the primaries. He said the Council has also sent out a strong warning to contestants that the party would not countenance dirty campaign and a code of conduct that had been agreed was to ensure that there was a level playing field and clean campaign.Nana Ohene Ntow said any candidate, whose agents would fall foul of the rules would face severe sanctions, including disqualification. He said no official of the party at all levels would be allowed to campaign for any candidate.Concerns have been expressed in party circles about the trend of the campaign which is looking dirty. 01 Aug. 07
Source:GNA

Full list of Ministers and Regional Ministers out

The Government on Tuesday released the full list of Ministers and Regional Ministers.A press release signed by Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs named them as: Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Interior, Professor Dominic Fobi, Education, Science and Sports, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mrs. Esther Obeng Dapaah, Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Tourism and Dispora Relations, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, and Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning.Others are Mr. Francis Poku, National Security, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Health, Mr. Joe Ghartey, Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Ernest Debrah, Food and Agriculture, Mr Joseph Adda, Energy, Mr. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Fisheries, Mr. Abraham Osei Aidooh, Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Joe Baidoo-Ansah, Trade and Industry, Nana Akomea, Manpower, Youth and Employment, Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Information and National Orientation, Dr. Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim, Communications, Hajia Alima Mhama, Women and Children's Affairs and Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Ports, Harbours and Railways.The release mentioned the following as Ministers of State: Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Ambrose Dery, Justice and Attorney General Ministry, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Culture and Chieftaincy, Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Aviation, Mr Samuel Owusu-Adjei, Public Sector Reform, Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, Education Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen, Interior, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Godfred T. Bonyon, Transportation, Mr. Charles Bintim, Minister of State at the Presidency and Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of State, Presidency.The Regional Ministers are Mr. George Hikah Benson, Upper West, Mr. Alhassan Samari, Upper East, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Brong-Ahafo, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti, Mr. Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, Volta, Mr. Evans A. Amoah, Western, Nana Ato Arthur, Central and Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra. 31 July 2007
Source:GNA

Godsell Retires as CEO at AngloGold Ashanti

The Chairman of AngloGold Ashanti, Russell Edey, this morning announced that Bobby Godsell would be retiring from the company and the board with effect from 30th September 2007.The board simultaneously announced the appointment of Mark Cutifani as Mr Godsell's successor. Mr Cutifani currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at CVRD Inco where he has responsibility for CVRD Inco's global nickel business. He will take up his new position in mid-September.Commenting on the announcement, Russell Edey said, "The board and management of AngloGold Ashanti are very fortunate to have had the benefits of Bobby's inspiration, leadership and innovative flair for the past 12 years. I have no doubt that he will continue to make a contribution to South Africa in whatever course he chooses now to follow. We believe that Mark Cutifani is a person well-suited to meet the challenges which face AngloGold Ashanti and the gold industry at large".Bobby Godsell said today, "It is the right time to change leaders. In Mark Cutifani, a mining engineer with a wide and impressive track record of both operating and executive experience across a range of minerals, including gold, and on several continents, we have a new leader who brings exactly the qualities and experience needed for AngloGold Ashanti's new chapter."For my own part, after 34 years in corporate life I am looking forward to exploring new ways of being a constructive citizen of my country."Additionally, Mr Edey today announced that Roberto Carvalho Silva, after a long and impressive career with this company and its predecessor, spanning more than three decades, has decided to leave AngloGold Ashanti in September. The board and management wish him well in his future pursuits. Neville Nicolau will become the Chief Operating Officer of the company with responsibility for all operations. Mr Carvalho Silva will assist Mr Nicolau in the consolidation of the two operating regions, which will commence as soon as possible.A summarized version of Mr Cutifani's résumé, for information, followsMARK CUTIFANIEducationUniversity of Wollongong, WollongongB.E., Mining Engineering (First Class Honours)Previous Experience2007-date CVRD INCOChief Operating Officer2003-2006 INCO Ltd.Toronto, Ontario2006 Chief Operating Officer2005-2006 President, North America and Europe2004-2005 President, Ontario Operations2003-2004 Vice President, Mines Operations, Canada and UK2000-2002 SONS OF GWALIA LTDWest Perth, AustraliaManaging Director1998-2000 NORMANDY MINING LTDAdelaide, Australia1999-2000 Group Executive, Mining and Development1998-1999 Group Executive, Mining1994-1997 WMC LTD1997 Group Manager, Project Management1994-1996 Manager, Operations - Nickel1993-1994 SAVAGE RESOURCES LTDGeneral Manager, Coal1988-1993 KALGOORLIE CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES1991-1993 General Manager, Operations, Gold1990-1991 Manager, Business Analysis and Development1989-1990 Manager, Open Cuts Operations1988-1989 Resident Manager, KMA1976 -1988 CRA LTDMelbourne, Australia1986-1988 Manager, Coal, Coalcliff1984-1986 Deputy Manager and Operations Superintendent1982-1984 Engineer, Planning, Coalcliff1976- 1982 Miner/Cadet/TraineePersonal DetailsMark, an Australian, is 49 years old. He and his wife, Luana, have four young children.
Source:John Owusu (GM - Corporate Affairs)

GIA resumes flight operations

Passengers of Ghana International Airline (GIA) who had been stranded for several days are being airlifted to London after the completion of arrangements to clear the backlog.GIA sources told GNA that the Airline encountered some difficulties because the plane, which runs the route, developed a technical fault. Two chartered aircraft brought in two batches of stranded passengers from London on Monday night.Passengers in Accra who were to have departed for London last Friday are expected to leave for London by a chartered aircraft on Tuesday morning, whilst those who should have left on Sunday and Monday are expected to leave for London on another chartered flight on Tuesday afternoon.The sources said the airline expected the situation to return to normal soon.

Parliament rejects President’s nominee, freezes two

Parliament has rejected the nomination of Rev. Dr Akwasi Owusu-Bi as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI.The House has also deferred until further notice the approval of Mr Kenwood Nuworsu as Deputy Minister of Manpower Youth and Employment and Ms. Victoria Bright as Deputy Minister at the office of the President.The House took the decisions after the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament; Freddie Blay had moved a motion for the approval of the last 14 Ministerial nominees who were vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament last week.The other 11 nominees were however approved unanimously by the House making the total number of approved nominees 23.The rejection of Rev. Dr Akwasi Owusu-Bi’s nomination was based on inconsistent answers he provided to some questions which were asked by the Appointments Committee while the deferment of the nominations of Mr Kenwood Nuworsu and Ms Victoria Bright was aimed at giving the Appointments Committee more time to investigate some issues about the nominees. Hon. Freddie Blay, Chairman of the Appointments Committee described the decision of the House as an evidence of deepening democracy in the country.Parliament rises on Tuesday, and so resumed sitting today in a bid to complete the task of approving the President's nominees for ministerial jobs. The Appointments committee is expected to present its report to the House for consideration today. The Committee sat last Saturday to complete vetting of three nominees; Frank Agyekum for deputy Information Minister, Frederick Opare Ansah for deputy Communications Minister and Maxwell Kofi Jumah for deputy Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.

Nuclear is way out

A committee of experts set up to plot the way out of Ghana's prevailing energy crisis has identified nuclear as the only long-term option. It has, therefore, called for immediate steps to be taken in pursuit of nuclear energy as an alternative source of power. The advice formed part of the recommendations of the committee set up by the President to consider the possibility of Ghana adopting nuclear as a long-term source of power. A source at the committee said that its members felt that Ghana had no choice but to opt for nuclear, since hydro and thermal energy could not provide the required mix needed by the country. Besides, it said, hydro and thermal energy were fraught with natural and operational difficulties from which the current energy crisis resulted. According to the source, members of the committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Council of State, Prof Daniel Adzei-Bekoe, noted that globally countries were opting for nuclear energy as an alternative source of power and cited France, where nuclear energy provided 80 per cent of that country's power, as an example. It said the committee, which would present its report to the President within a month, was now considering the types of reactors to use and where they should be placed. The source said members of the committee were also considering the means of financing the project. The committee was also looking into the legislation guiding the setting up of nuclear plants, it said, adding that "members of the committee are carefully planning" to ensure a smooth take-off. The source said building a nuclear plant was expensive but the cost of operating it was less than that of operating a hydro or thermal power generating system. Besides, it said, nuclear energy could serve as a source of revenue for the nation, since many countries in the West African sub-region lacked electricity. Asked whether Ghana had the financial wherewithal to operate nuclear plants, the source answered in the affirmative. On expertise, it said a core group of scientists could be trained to man the plants, since they would take between eight and nine years to start operations.It said the country could also seek advice and support from the Interna¬tional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); In a related development, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with the IAEA, has developed an integrated nuclear security support plan for the country.Consequently, experts from the !AEA are in the country to discuss the plan with the GAEC on how to implement it. The plan, among other things, seeks to protect the people and the environment from any radiological accident. The acting Director for Radiation Protection Board of the GAEC, Prof Geoffrey Ami-Reynolds, said this in an interview in Accra yesterday. Source: Daily Graphic

Mystery Illness among Global Resources Ghana Staff?

Fifteen colleagues of an oil services worker who died in Ghana are to be flown home.But Global Resources played down claims of a mystery illness among staff in Ghana after the death of pipe fitter Keith McKintosh, from the Black Isle in Ross-shire.The firm's chief executive Paul Wisely confirmed that some staff had complained of "minor" illnesses but said they did not appear to be related.They are to return to Britain after requesting to do so on compassionate grounds after the death of Mr McKintosh.None had "initially" requested to come home due to concerns about illness among the staff, Mr Wisely said."There have been a number of employees who have reported minor ailments, but there is no common thread to them," he said."These have ranged from sunburn and stomach ailments to mild malarial symptoms. Medical facilities and medical support are provided, and no Global employees were transported home from Ghana due to illness."He added that the cause of Mr McKintosh's death was still under investigation. "We expect to hear the results of the post-mortem soon," he said.His body will be repatriated as soon as possible, and a senior member of the company's management team has arrived in Ghana to offer support.Nine men will fly out of Ghana over the weekend. One has already flown home and flights have been arranged out of Ghana for the remaining five employees. The firm said a "significant number" of staff remained in Ghana.
Source:GHP

Corruption seems to Like the Kuffour Family

Newly unsealed documents in the United States federal bribery case against Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, describe a plan to steer profits to the son of the president of Ghana and a frantic effort to get the congressman to revive a lucrative deal in Nigeria as it appeared to unravel.
The newly available documents shed light on a telecommunications deal prosecutors say Jefferson was orchestrating in Ghana. They allege that Eddie Kufuor, son of Ghana President John Agyekum Kufuor, was to push the deal inside the government.
"Jefferson has told (the confidential witness) that is it likely the son of the president of Ghana will receive a share of the profits of a joint venture to be set up in that country in exchange for his assistance in obtaining the necessary approvals for the commencement of the business venture there," the FBI wrote in its search warrant application to search Jefferson's New Orleans home and the office of accountant Jack Swetland. Swetland has not been charged.
The documents show that Eddie Kufuor was one of those who traveled from Washington with Jefferson to Ghana, where the deal was pitched to numerous high-level government officials including the vice president and the minister of communications. Kufuor could not be reached for comment Friday.
The papers also state that Jefferson stored some of the of money he took from an FBI informant in soy burger boxes and other food containers in the freezer his Capitol Hill home.
For nearly two years, the Justice Department resisted legal efforts by The Times-Picayune and The Washington Post to open the records of what the FBI found when it searched Jefferson's homes in Washington and New Orleans, his car and the office of his accountant. Last week, more than a month after Jefferson was indicted by a federal grand jury, the government relented, and the documents were available for inspection Friday.
They contain no major revelations in a case that first burst into public view Aug. 4, 2005, when the FBI served its search warrants in a case that centers on Jefferson's efforts to help land African contracts for iGate Inc., a U.S. telecommunications firm. In June, the government indicted Jefferson on 16 counts of racketeering, bribery, fraud and obstruction of justice. He pleaded innocent and has vowed to clear his name in a trial scheduled for early next year.
The documents fill in some of the blanks in the story of how the government thinks Jefferson sought to profit from the African deals and how investigators see him as a central player in engineering the ventures.
The government alleges that Jefferson received more than $400,000 in bribes and millions of shares of corporate stock for helping iGate gain a foothold in Nigeria and Ghana. By 2005, it appeared that Jefferson had persuaded NITEL, the Nigerian state-owned telecommunications company, to use iGate's high-speed Internet technology, a deal he estimated would be worth $200 million or more.
But in June of that year, according to the documents, the deal appeared to be falling apart. NITEL purchased Chinese telecommunications supplies incompatible with iGate's technology. Wiretaps placed by the FBI overheard businessman Suleiman YahYah, who was the Nigerian contact with NITEL, urge iGate CEO Vernon Jackson to get Jefferson involved, the government said.
"The solution to the problem rested with Congressman Jefferson," the government wrote in its search warrant affidavit.
When FBI agents raided Jefferson's Capitol Hill home, they found $90,000 in his freezer. The money had been handed to Jefferson days earlier by an FBI informant, and prosecutors have noted that the money was neatly wrapped in aluminum foil.
Documents from that search show that the money was in frozen food boxes.
According to the FBI, Jefferson placed $20,000 wrapped in foil and rubber bands inside a Boca Burger box. Boca is known for its organic soy burgers. Another $20,000 was stashed inside a Pillsbury Pie Crust box.
Three stacks of cash containing $10,000 each were found inside a bag from the local "Yes Organic Market" grocer. Two more cash bricks, a total of $20,000, were found simply wrapped in foil in the freezer.
Around his house and in his 1990 Lincoln Town Car, the FBI found numerous documents related to iGate, Nigeria and the telecommunications deal. On the coffee table of his home, agents were careful to note they found a box of Reynolds Wrap, 200 square feet.
Source:times-picayune

CJA kicks against sale of ADB to Stanbic

The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) has become the latest group to kick against the request of Stanbic Bank of South Africa to buy the shares of Bank of Ghana in Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).The CJA, a pressure group made up of opposition parties, said: "The CJA is convinced that the grounds for off-loading the shares of ADB are clearly unacceptable. The process is not transparent and could lend itself to fraudulent manipulation by corrupt officials."Staff of ADB, TUC, Socialist Forum of Ghana and various individuals and organisations have voiced their opposition to off-loading the Central Bank's 48 per cent shares in ADB to Stanbic Bank.CJA said in a statement released in Accra on Thursday that, the main rationale for the deal was contained in recommendations from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), which argued that the fact that the Central Bank, being a regulator of banking, was a shareholder in ADB created a conflict of interest situation. "As a result of this blatantly absurd position, the World Bank and IMF are pressuring the Government of Ghana to off-load the Central Bank's share in the ADB."However, CJA said it saw no conflict of interest in the Bank of Ghana (BOG) owning a little over 48 per cent shares in ADB pointing out that BOG had set up an independent trust to manage its equity. The CJA also pointed out that ADB was doing "fairly well", moving to the fourth largest bank in Ghana with net assets of more than 700 million dollars.It said ADB's involvement in Western Union Money Transfer accounted for between 300 and 400 million per annum, while it had also acquired 10 per cent equity in Ghana International Bank and a significant equity in agricultural enterprises."The fact that agriculture, which accounts for 45 per cent of GDP, only receives six per cent of total bank lending is a pointer to a serious policy failure in the management of the sector. It is a matter that requires urgent national attention. That is a job for the Government and not the ADB."CJA said there was no guarantee that Stanbic would continue to maintain all the strategic branches of ADB and focus on agriculture if it was allowed to take hold of ADB.It asked Stanbic to expand its operations into agriculture, if its interest in the sector was genuine, or establish its own agricultural bank without having to take over the assets of ADB.
Source:GNA

PV Obeng denies ever taking bribe from SCANCOM

Mr P.V. Obeng, a former top advisor under the Provisional Defence Council (PNDC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) administrations, on Friday de nied claims that he took bribes from Norwegian cement giant, SCANCEM."I know nothing of the alleged payments whatsoever and certainly nothing about the alleged Bank accounts in Switzerland or elsewhere," he said in a statement emailed to GNA from London."I wish to state here and now quite categorically that I have never ever made any admissions or any statements, to any person, in whatever shape or form which can even be remotely interpreted as an admission of receipts of any sums of money as consultancy payments from SCANCEM whilst in public office."Indeed I could not have made any admissions to matters which simply did not happen."An official of the Company who is in court in Norway for embezzlement has said he paid bribes into two separate accounts allegedly owned by Mr Obeng and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. Nana Konadu has also dismissed the allegations. Giving his side of the story he said he received and completed a questionnaire for a Norwegian newspaper and then received a phone call whilst in London from a journalist in Ghana."In the very brief conversation the reporter sought to know if I knew about a court case in Norway involving Mr. Tor Kjelsaas and his former employers, Scancem."The very poor connection did not allow for any lengthy conversation, which was in any case terminated when the line got cut off. It appears my simple reply to his queries is now what has been twisted or misinterpreted as my alleged admission to the receipt of millions of dollars for consultancy payments."Mr. Obeng said his Company did some consulting work for the Norwegian company SCANCEM after he left public office in December 1996 and had been paid for its services.He said he registered his consultancy company in the middle of 1997 after leaving public office in December 1996, and began a search for clients.He said in 1998 his consultancy firm was retained by four companies; two from Norway one from the United Kingdom and the other from the United States of America"One of the Norwegian companies was SCANCEM with whom my company entered into a retainer agreement which began in mid 1998 and expired in December, 2006."The monthly retainer fees paid by the company was exceedingly low even by local standards but we continued to work for them with the view of building the necessary foundation for the company and to build a good corporate profile." Mr Obeng said he did not work as a consultant for SCANCEM and SCANCEM never engaged him to work for them in any manner while in public office."Indeed I can emphatically say that during my long stay in pubic office I did not accept to serve on boards of companies, whether public or private, foreign or local because I am acutely aware of the conflict of interest situations I might be placed in. It obviously will defy logic to place myself in such a position in relation to SCANCEM".He said he had referred the matter to his solicitors "with firm instructions to take immediate, necessary and prudential steps to redeem the damage done to my image and reputation and certainly to assert the true state of affairs and specifically to circulate this matter to the Ghanaian Press".
Source:GNA

Parliament approves nominations of 12 Ministers

Parliament on Friday approved the nomination of Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD and Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie as Minister of Information and National Orientation.The House also approved the nominations of 10 newly appointed ministers after the Appointments Committee of Parliament presented its report to the House after vetting the nominees.The Ministers are: Mr Ben Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communications, Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment and Mr Joe Baidoo-Ansah, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative.Others are: Mr Samuel Owusu-Agyei, Minister of State in- Charge of Public Sector Reforms, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior and Ms Cecilia Dapaah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. The rest are: Mr George Benson, Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister and Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister.The House later approved an increase in the District Assemblies' Common Fund from the current five per cent to 7.5 of the total national revenue. It takes effect from January 1, 2008.Increasing demands on the assemblies by government institutions such as the Police Service, the creation of new districts and the implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme are some reasons for the upward adjustment of Fund.Members of Parliament called for effective monitoring and oversight responsibility over the Assemblies to ensure the proper utilization of monies sent them.They said the monitoring role of Members and auditing by the appropriate agencies must be strengthened.Meanwhile, the House is expected to rise next week Tuesday after an address by former UN Secretary-General, Busumuru Kofi Annan, at a special meeting to be held in his honour.
Source:GNA

Legon Lecturers Have no Place to Sleep?

The acute accommodation problem at the University of Ghana, Legon, has compelled some lecturers to live in boys' quarters.
Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University, said this on Thursday at a ceremony to formally hand over 11 bungalows at Kisseman in Accra acquired from the defunct Ghana Airways.
Professor Yankah said out of about 800 lecturers, the University had been able to accommodate only 330, adding that the rest were still living with friends and families with some facing possible ejection from their landlords.
He said the concerns showed by the public on accommodation problems of students must equally be demonstrated in the plight of lecturers' accommodation to help boost their morale in the discharge of their duties.
Professor Yankah said the acquisitions of the bungalows were some of the steps taken by the University towards alleviating lecturers' accommodation problems on campus to enhance service delivery.
He said the ability of the University to attract young lecturers to replace the ageing ones was dependent on the provision of decent housing units for them and thanked government for its support towards the acquisition of the bungalows.
In a related development, a delegation from the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in Saudi Arabia, paid a courtesy call on the Pro-Vice-Chancellor to look at the possibility of areas of cooperation with the University.
Professor Khalid Alujaimi, leader of the delegation, said WAMY had offered to sponsor three students to the doctorate level to any University in the world to enhance the study and teaching of Arabic. Professor Alujaimi said WAMY had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with over 20 universities in Africa.He added that any cooperation with UG would help afford its students to interact with other sister-universities on the continent and beyond to sharpen their Arabic skills.
Source:GNA

We are not Recruiting People to Work in USA

The US Embassy in Accra on Thursday denied that that it was recruiting people to work in the US. A statement issued in Accra by the US Embassy said: "It has come to the attention of the United States Embassy that certain individuals are disseminating erroneous information about job opportunities in the United States.

"The flyers that have been posted in the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area contain the following information: 'Work in United States: An American Consular Requires 90 Ghanaian workers urgently to be employed in our new Industries....'"The Embassy said it wished to inform the public that it had no knowledge of any on-going recruitment exercise and that persons who dealt with such individuals did so at their own risk. The Embassy said it was working closely with the Ghana Police Service on this issue.

Satellite transit tracking system for trucks begins on August 1

The Satellite Tracking System to monitor operations of transit vehicles would become fully operational by August 1, 2007, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) said in Accra on Thursday.It said in a statement signed by Ms. Annie Anipa, Assistant Commissioner/Public Relations, that under the new system, which was in line with CEPS' modernisation and reform programme, devises, known as Satellite Tracking Units (STUs), would be attached to all transit vehicles to monitor their movement along the approved transit routes."Each transit vehicle will be required to attach a tracking unit to the roof of the vehicle using its magnetic mounting and wire strip," CEPS said."Vehicles without a normal horizontal metal roof will be required to have a horizontally welded metal plate of at least 25 cm x 25 cm attached to the top of the vehicles," it added. CEPS told transit vehicle operators that the attachment of an STU would be a pre-requisite for the vehicle to embark upon a transit journey through Ghana.It said the administrative fee per vehicle for the STU was GH=A2 50 (50,000 cedis), adding that any breach of the directive would constitute an offence punishable under the laws of CEPS. CEPS said with the operation of the Satellite Tracking System now in place, its transit escort would be disengaged from accompanying vehicles on their journeys.
Source:GNA