22.8.07

Osu Homowo was Peacefull

Police presence in Osu in Accra, which is divided over achieftaincy dispute, ensured that the people had a peaceful Homowo celebration.Nii Nortey Owuo III, Osu Manste, amidst drumming and dancing, sprinkled"Kpokpoi", the traditional food made of corn flour and palm fruit soup, throughsome streets of Osu.Osu Mantse Nii Nortey Owuo 111 introducing himself to the gathering at the Osu palace before descending the stairways to perform the sprinkling of kpekpoi indicating the beginning of the Homowo celebrations the by people of Osu .















21.8.07

Ghana 1 Senegal 1

Senegal on Tuesday failed to punish a highly defensive Black Stars, and in spite of a near total dominance, the Terranga Lions could manage only a one-all draw in their international friendly at the Den Stadium, Millwall, England.Striker Asamoah Gyan had put the Black Stars ahead in the 44th minute in a half that saw both sides attempting onslaughts at the opposing net.It took a 73rd, almost unchallenged but well exploited opportunity by Senegal captain El Hadj Diouf to level matters for the Lions.In a match that saw the Senegalese earn as many as 10 corner kicks as against none for the Black Stars, such was the dominance of the Lions, whose vow to beat the Stars, expressed in pre-match outbursts by Diouf and colleagues met a stiff resistance in Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingson.On countless occasions, Kingson pulled off daring saves to deny the Lions near goals, and when the second half saw a slowed Michael Essien in the Stars midfield, the traffic was all towards the Stars end.Indeed the Stars major force in the first half, Laryea Kingston, was totally anonymous in the second half as Diouf and his men tore at ease at the Stars defence.The Stars barely threatened their opponents in the second half, and it came as little surprise when Diouf latched onto a floated ball that landed between and Richard Kingson just ahead of the six-yard box, affording him ample time to dribble the goalkeeper before planting the ball firmly into the net.The Stars next play Morocco on September 8, also in a friendly build up to the Cup of Nations.Line-up: Richard Kingson; Francis Dickoh; Hans Adu Sarpei/Michael Helegbe, (77); John Paintsil; Shilla Illiasu, Anthony Annan/Ahmed Barusso(90), Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien/Bernard Kumorji(77), Sulley Muntari/Junior Agogo(83), Asamoah Gyan and Haminu Dramani/Andre Ayew(90).




20.8.07

Shine Starlets Shine!!!: U 17 SOUTH KOREA

Our Twinkle Twinkle little Starlets have a way for making us proud almost everytime they participate in Tournaments such as this. It is against this backgroud that I have become an ardent supportor of the side anytime there is an U 17 world cup. Ghana, having won this competion twice and an impressive record to boast of at the junior level, places a lot of burden on the shoulders of the current line-up. But I must be quick to add that I have been impressed by the performance of the team in their 1st game against Trinidad and Tobago. Right from the blast of the whistle, they made their intentions known that they will take nothig shy of a goal harvest. One thing particularly impresive about the side is their ability to pass the ball around with breathtaking speed. This is slightly different from the free flowing "one touch and pass" "Agoro" style we are used to. This is not to say that the Agoro style has been abondoned. Infact they have added the speed of the european League to the style making them one of the teams to beat. Special mention must be given to all the technical handlers of this side; those who are no more with the team and those who are still there. I applaude coach Silas Tetteh's poise and decision making. I would like him to smile a little bit in the next games though.

But most of all I give a double thumbs up for our gallent future Michael Essian's and Stephen Appiah's. Please take this chance to shine seriously, making your career the ultimate goal so you don't fizzle out early like some of your pre-decessors.I believe you can bring home the Ultimate prize!!
By:Isaac Tetteh

U-17 WC: Starlets In An Emphatic 1st Win

National U-17 soccer team, Black Starlets cruised on with Ghana's hope for a third global title at the FIFA world Championship when they spanked Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in a Group F opener on Monday in South Korea.
The Ghanaians who are making their eight appearance at the competition they won in 1991 and 1995, scored thrice in the first half before wrapping up the game late to jump to the summit of the four-team table with three points that includes Germany and Columbia. Sadick Adams gave the scanty Ghanaian fans dotted across the Cheonan Sports Complex a reason to expect a rainy day when he tore open the Trinidad and Tobago rear but surprisingly shot wide with just the yawning net in sight.
That move soared the team's confidence and opened the way for Ransford Osei who grabbed the opener in the 11th minute. Osei profited from a move initiated by Daniel Opare when the latter raced above his marker from the left flank, cut deep into the middle before instigating the final pass for the former to hit the back of the net with the ball in a manner that left Trinidad's goalkeeper Samuel Glenroy exposed.
The Starlets though not playing particularly well, managed a few chances, but consistent calls of offside by the assistant referee ensured their appetite for more goals was suppressed with the offside traps well executed by their opponents.
However the creative genius, Ishmael Yartey who struggled to stay in his element had a rear breakthrough with the offside traps on the 20 minute mark but with only Glenroy to beat, the All Blacks winger squeezed the ball on the goalie's body to the dismay of all. The pendulum of action fast swung into Trinidad and Toibago's favour and in one of the scarce threat to the two times world champions, it was Ghana's goalkeeper Joseph Addo who ensure the scores remained unchanged with a fine save.
Ghana was to strike again just when their opponents seemed to be settling down with incessant raids that saw Osei's well taken shot kissing the post and deflecting to safety on the 35th minute. Ten minutes on, Osei got lucky with his second, as he finished Abeiku Quansah's set up after the creative midfielder tore the defence into shreds before laying that pass.
Inspired by the goal, Adams made it three on the stroke of half time by feasting on Opare's sweat.
The second half produced less action, but gave indication of the fine telepathic understanding that proved the strength of the Ghanaian youngsters.
In their quest for redemption, the losers managed a consolation goal with a thunder bolt shot from substitute Stephen Compbell from a set piece just beyond the final third with 10 minutes left of play.
Substitute Kelvin Bossman grabbed Ghana's fourth five minutes later to ensure total victory. Ghana next plays Germany on Thursday.
Line-up Joseph Addo, Paul Addo, Daniel Opare, Francis Boadi, Tetteh Nortey, Abeiku Quansah, Enoch Adu/Abdul Naza Alhassan, Sadick Adams/ Kelvin Bossman , Ransford Osei, Ishmael Yartey, Philip Boampong/ Richard Mpong .
SummaryGhana beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 at the Cheonan Sports Complex in the second Group F fixture at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. Scorers: Ransford Osei(12, 44), Sadick Adams(45+1), Kevin Bossman(89) Line Up: Addo J, Addo P(C), Opare, Boadi, Tetteh, Quansah(56' Frimpong), Adu(77' Naza), Adams(76' Bossman), Osei, Yartey, Boampong Watch the match Here(FIFA) or channelsurfing

19.8.07

Nigerians Rush To Set Up Businesses In Ghana

Although sometimes chaotic, the Nigerian market has always seemed big enough to keep its local entrepreneurs occupied. However over the last twelve months, there have been significant moves by Nigerian companies looking to carve themselves a presence in other West African countries. With the announcement of two Nigerian investments this week in Benin and Ghana – one large and one small – Russell Southwood looks at how and why things are changing.South Africa is both an economic engine for the southern Africa sub-region and a platform for those wanting to do business across the continent. Although there are no exact figures, probably about 30% of its ICT companies have some involvement in selling their services across Africa and many multinationals make South Africa their regional headquarters for Sub-Saharan operations. In connectivity terms, despite the high monopoly prices of SAT3, the size of the South African economy and its connections with its sub-region means that it has become the sub-regional hub for countries like Namibia and Mozambique.Although South African ICT companies often look longingly towards becoming global operations (by buying companies in developed markets), their strength probably still lies in the scale of their domestic market and their uneasy links with the rest of the continent. Uneasy? There are not many Africans who will tell you that they have met modest, quiet South Africans in the course of doing business. They probably exist but they just haven’t met them yet.The Nigerian economy may be only a third of the size of South Africa’s but its mobile market will soon be bigger than South Africa’s. However, as a country it lacks proper power and transport infrastructure and along with its sheer size and scale of population, these have seemed to keep Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs eyes focused on their own country. Despite having a SAT3 landing station, Nigeria is not yet connected to any of its neighbours, although there have been long-standing plans to connect to Benin. Lagos airport is not a hub for regional flights in the way Johannesburg is and there is no airline of international standing providing regional flights.A couple of announcements this week signal that this may all be beginning to change and there is much more that is going on below the radar. Nigerian entrepreneur Mike Adenuga has been reported as being unable to return to Nigeria as a result of a run-in between the former President and Vice-President. But this has enabled him to play a more active role looking for business elsewhere in the region. Globacom’s ambitions in the region were signalled in announcement 12 months ago. Its investment in the Glo 1 international fibre cable (connecting many countries in West Africa) gives it an ideal future springboard for further involvement in the sub-region. Cheaper international connectivity will give it an interesting competitive advantage.But Globacom and the Beninois Government surprised everyone last week by announcing that a licence had been awarded to the company and it would be rolling out services in 60 days. According to Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Jameel it was preferred ahead of the other bidders because of its technical superiority and ability to deliver.According to the minutes of the Benin Government’s Council of Ministers (10 August) the bidding for new licences was launched (rather quietly) on 3 August and the decision was taken on at the Council of Ministers of 10 August to grant the licence to Globacom.This makes some of a nonsense of the Benin Government’s claims that it wants to run the telecoms sector in a different way to its predecessor. The Minutes of the Council meetings on 2 and 3 August make no mention of the tender and deciding a tender of this kind in seven days seems incredibly fast. Of course, the intention may simply be to displace MTN who are in dispute with the Government over licence fees (see issue 363) and has had its network switched off.Globacom paid FCFA33 billion for the licence to be paid in four tranches, the first tranche of which, FCFA15 billion, has to be paid by 19 August. Its taxes in the Cahier de Charges have been lowered from 6% to 4%, it has no import duties for three years and is exempt from co-location costs with Benin Telecom for one year.No sooner had news of this announcement been absorbed than the company announced with its usual 100% self-confidence that it would be granted a licence in Ghana. Globacom has been involved in sponsorship already in the country so it fell to the Manager in charge of Events and Sponsorship at GLOBACOM, Olayinka Atande to tell the press that: ‘Any thriving company which does not see the essence in establishing in Ghana is not serious.” The regulator NCA confirmed that it was studying an application from Globacom. Its name did not feature in the Westel acquisition (which may go to Celtel) but it could bid for incumbent Ghana Telecom that comes with a mobile subsidiary, One Touch.Meanwhile on a more modest but nonetheless interesting note, one of Nigeria’s key ISP players Linkserve has also set up shop in Accra. It is selling a satellite broadband Internet solution that promises download and upload speeds of 3 mbps, which even if you discount for operational speed, is a fast service. Obviously it requires VSAT equipment to implement. It is targeting internet users, corporate businesses, NGOs, embassies, mining industries and government institutions especially in the rural underserved areas. Linkserve promises that it has plans to roll out other products using SAT3 and wireless broadband technology before the end of 2007.Besides the two companies above, there are other companies like PC assembler Omatek that have opened up an office in Ghana. And the traffic is not all one way as Ghana’s Soft Tribe have repaid the compliment and opened up offices in Nigeria. There are few multinationals with regional offices in Lagos but GS telecom runs a successful pan-continental business from the city.If it is hard to meet a quiet, modest South African in business, then it is doubly hard to meet a Nigerian who has these qualities. But it is the entrepreneurial energy of people in the ICT sector from both these countries who are driving forward the emergence of a common market in Africa.
Source:www.balancingact-africa.com.

18.8.07

The sea is "eating-up" Ada township

The devastating nature of sea erosion to life and properties of the people of Ada in the Dangme East District of the Greater of Accra Region is worsening each day as implementation of the sea defence project continues to delay.The situation, which has stayed with the people for nearly 40 years, had resulted in the destruction of several properties causing villages and families to relocate.Of the 40-kilometre stretch of land area of Ada, about 14 kilometres has been identified as the most critically affected areas where properties estimated at about 154 million euros were under threat from sea erosion.During a visit to the area on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface concluded: "You don't need anyone to tell you that the area is a disaster zone." Mr. Boniface visited the area to ascertain the extent of damage and assured the people of Government's commitment to the implementation of the project.The Minister explained that the delay has basically been due to resource availability to fund it, noting that currently Government was reviewing proposals from four foreign companies on the project. He said the estimated cost of the project which would involve the construction of groyne field, revetment structure over four kilometres and a groyne at the estuary of the Volta River to facilitate a permanent opening at all mouths of the River ranged between 36 million euros and 40 million euros.Mr Boniface said the preferred technical intervention must offer a long term solution to the sea erosion problem and therefore Government was weighing all the options available to take a decision soon. Giving a brief history of the problem, Ms. Betty Nimako, a 56 year-old Head Teacher of the area said she no longer has a family home in Ada because where they used to live had been taken over by the sea. "Two schools; Azizanya DC Primary and Ada Foah Presby primary, a football pitch, storey buildings have all been submerged by the sea. "As we speak now the frontage of the District Assembly is now a road because the original one constructed has been completely taken over by the sea and the second one also is almost about to be submerged," she said.Expectations are that, within a couple of years, the District Assembly building would be no more because not only has the sea gotten nearer to it (about 70 meters away) but also its breeze has affected it badly giving its a new colour.The yellow-painted building has turned black. Mr Ebenezer Dordo, Head of Personnel of the Assembly said: "At the moment all our machines including computers are down because of the serious effects of sea breeze."When they are repaired they do not last for even a week and break down again."
Source:GNA

17.8.07

Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop


Mr. George Opesika Aggudey, the 2004 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) who is campaigning to retain the leadership position of the party, has stated that he finds it strange that people who worked vehemently against the party have now bounced back with their ambitions to lead the party after he had made it attr tive and marketable across the country. According to him, though those contesting him are equally good materials to lead the party, their loyalty is questionable because they were flirting with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).“It is welcome news for the party. It is good that they have come to make the CPP more attractive but were they not the same people who abandoned the party? Are they therefore genuine CPP members? He asked Speaking in an interview with Radio Gold, an Accra based FM station recently the 2004 Presidential candidate who garnered less than 2% of the total valid votes cast said, “monkey cannot work for baboon to chop. Monkey must work and chop.”He urged the rank and file of the party including all the potential delegates to come out in their numbers to endorse him as a demonstration of the fact that he held the party firmly when those contesting him abandoned it to the advantage of the NPP.On repentance of the party members including Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, the former Minister of Public Sector Reforms, who has started criss-crossing the country in his desire to lead the party, Mr. Aggudey, GoldCrest Security boss, said he had doubts about his so-called repentance because he worked for another party and even cast innuendoes against his own presidential candidate who was voted for at congress. “My point is that the CPP at the time should not have been left in the cold,” he argued.The CPP aspirant who was lambasted over his outbursts at a presidential debate that “women were objects of comfort’ said it was interesting to note the rate at which party stalwarts were canvassing for the party’s top post but refused to contribute their quota for the party that once upon a time ruled the nation.When asked whether he was afraid of his opponents, he responded in negative, saying, “I know that at the end of the day, I will win. I want to call upon all the genuine CPP members to come out and make sure that the CPP become more vibrant, attractive and marketable.”Aggudey cited the popularity of the incumbent President, John Agyekum Kufuor and the positions endorsed by some of the party members who worked against his candidature as some of the factors that contributed to his poor performance at the last elections.“You cannot claim to be a CPP member and keep your alms folded. It was through my efforts that the CPP is what it is today.”Independently, Chronicle can confirm that single handedly, Aggudey funded billboards across the country and made sure the CPP brand remained alight and resisted immense taunts from noted CPP elements like Mr. Kweku Baako, Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso of the University of Ghana.
Source:Chronicle

16.8.07

Akosa declares for President: Full text of speech


Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Comrades, Fellow Ghanaians and well wishers around the world, Good Afternoon. Let me graciously welcome all of you once again to this Press Conference.About three years ago, I was a technocrat doing my very best to help the Ghana Health Service achieve its mandate of implementing Government Policy and also to help educate Ghanaians on the many health issues. As I traveled throughout the Country identifying the challenges and the opportunities that came with my responsibilities, I was confronted with naked or abject poverty existing side by side with great untapped opportunities. These contradictions, everywhere in the Country, makes me wonder what is happening to this dear country of ours.I was reminded of the saying, “Evil triumphs where good people do nothing” This wise saying set me thinking and re-evaluating my role in the development of this country – the house that Nkrumah built.While as Director General of the Health Service I had done my utmost best, sometimes under very trying circumstances and with very limited resources. This prompted the thought that I could do even more in a different capacity. I could do better by going beyond implementing Policy to making Policy. After much soul searching, and consultations with those close and dear to me, I came to the conclusion that the Presidency offers such an opportunity. I therefore stand before you today with all humility, to end a long period of media and public speculation and to declare my candidature for the flagbearership of the great CONVENTION PEOPLE’S PARTY (CPP).First of all, let me take this opportunity to say it loud and clear that the continued survival of the CPP in Ghana today, is in itself a great victory, a vindication of its past achievements, and an indication of its resilience and invincibility. It is ample evidence that the Party that gave Ghana Independence in the face of so much cynicism, and even hatred, appears after all has been said and done, as the only Party that is capable of rescuing Ghana from the social and economic morass that we find ourselves in today. The CPP is now the only Party that can restore hope and foster shared growth and development for all Ghanaians, especially our women folk and our Youth.Despite forty years of persecution, despite being banned, outlawed, proscribed, forbidden, despised, ridiculed and even buried - the red cockerel still crows aloud with the pride and majesty of its past achievements. Fellow Ghanaians, today, the CPP is ready to redefine the politics of Ghana and indeed of Africa once again.For all those who have sacrificed and stood firm to protect and ultimately redeem the name, the motto, the symbol and above all the spirit of the CPP, let me congratulate you heartily and to say to you ‘you did it not for yourselves, but so that all Ghanaians irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender or even political affiliation, may benefit’. I say “Ayekoo”;Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, my entry into politics is purely for altruistic reasons – that is, to serve my country, my continent and indeed humanity.However, I am also aware that the failure of past leaders to live up to expectation has created many doubting Thomases amongst us. Fellow countrymen and women, we cannot continue to live off the failure of others, to give up hope and effectively leave our fate to the manipulations of a selfish few. At some point, we have to rise above such doubts and be determined. We must be resolute – with God on our side, everything is possible! We shall overcome.The fact that I have declined and given up many good offers and positions in my career – at home and abroad, to be able to better serve this country with my God-given talents I believe, is testimony enough of my good and committed intentions for Ghana. Indeed it is the least That I can do for a country that has given me and my family so much.You will bear me out that there is in Ghana today, a politics of arrogance, a politics of greed, a politics of selfishness, a politics of disrespect and a politics of impunity that that has placed the needs of a tiny few, above the necessities of the overwhelming majority.A sad state of despair, living side by side with insensitive ostentation, a tale of two cities.We would rather build Presidential palaces than ensure that not a single child is detained at the hospital because of the inability of parents to pay bills. In the short time span of 40 years, we’ve lost all the self-confidence and self-respect that Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP instilled in us. With nostalgia, we recall the times when Ghanaians walked this earth with our shoulders high. Today we hold ourselves in such low esteem that visitors to our country cannot help but to also take advantage of us and further belittle us.We need to remind ourselves on a daily basis that we are God’s children too, that no group of people have a divine right to dominate and exploit the other. I believe that given the opportunity, every Ghanaian will work and rise to their fullest potential and talent for our collective development. And that is what my Government will do. We will provide equal opportunity for all Ghanaians irrespective of their background. I shall work together with all Ghanaians to restore the original spirit and vision of the CPP to Ghana.The Development of Ghana lies in the hands of all of us and I repeat, all of us and not just a chosen few. Each of us, as a piece in a jig-saw puzzle, must fit to make a whole and the absence of just one, renders the whole, incomplete.What is Ghana’s vision today? Middle income status with a per capita income of $1,000 by 2015 seems to be the vision, but I am yet to read a clear road map that will take us there. Is it a shared vision? And how many Ghanaians have been educated to be part of the vision?Do we have a national interest now? What is our national credo? And have we set a national agenda out of it?The Private Sector, we are told, is the engine of growth but it continues to be bogged-down by many problems as indicated by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and others. All this is happening while the state has shied away from the many avenues by which it could serve as a major sponsor or facilitator. The Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) program, lauded at its inception, has all but withered into near oblivion.Employment statistics indicate that Agriculture which is still subsistence (hoe and cutlass) by and large, engages 60% of employees and contributes only about 35% of the GDP. Manufacturing contributes just 9.0% from 16% in the mid-seventies.Ghana is now a nation of traders buying and selling what others have produced – indeed things we used to produce in this country - things such as shoes, radios, TV’s, sugar to matches and tomato paste. The Trade Fair Site that was built by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to showcase Ghana’s industrial prowess, now showcases every other country’s produce but very little of made-in-Ghana. We have allowed the 100 Industries built during the CPP era to collapse and or to be sold. No wonder it is said that while Ghana could not achieve health and education for all, it is on course to achieve shops for all. What a shame!We have allowed over 100 industries built during the CPP era to collapse and or to be sold, while we look to outsiders for our sustenance. The wanton and hasty disposal of the nations assets to outsiders with empire-building ambitions is a bad omen for our future economy. I direct this statement to all who have lined up to buy the Agricultural Development bank that a future CPP Govt. will invalidate any such transaction and take back our property because it is not in the interest of Ghana to give it away. This does not signify a call for unbridled nationalization. No! The ADB is strategic for the mainstay of Ghana’s economic development. Like any self-respecting nation, we must prioritize our national and strategic interests. It is our moral and constitutional duty to do so.Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a divided country. The North and South appear to represent two different worlds. The rural and urban divide is so profound whilst the urban drift continues to create an expanding peri-urban poor to which, much to our peril, no attention is paid. It is a country where the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. The end result is the growing crime wave that has engulfed our dear and once safe country. We must reverse this worrying trend. Indeed the CPP is the only Party with a record of consciously working to bridge this divide, and given the mandate of the good people of this country, I shall continue those good works started by my party.We often wonder where it is that we think we are going as a country. We seem to have lost the basics and yet, we want to compete in the global world. We have no capital but yet, we are keen to be identified as capitalists. We must go back to the basics!Any species of animals that cannot feed itself, clothe itself, provide shelter for itself, heal and defend itself cannot survive. Can Ghana feed itself, clothe itself, provide shelter for its citizens, heal and defend itself? The answer to all these is of course, NO. We have the same land mass as the United Kingdom but with only one-third of their population. Under the excuse of a land administration problem, we would sooner weeds grew on the land rather than food. Traditional foods eaten by Ghanaians today come from elsewhere; tomatoes from Burkina Faso, Plantain from the Ivory Coast, Beans from Togo, Onions from Niger, etc. Has Ghana become secondhand? This was a question I asked in an article about three years ago. We proudly wear hand-me-down clothes or ‘first and second choice’, ‘bend down’ boutique items. What is even more disrespectful to fellow Ghanaians is that we allow secondhand panties, handkerchiefs, face towels, socks, brassieres, etc. to be imported into the country because we do not think we should produce them. It does not do our confidence, our image and our developmental needs any good. It did not use to be like this before – what has happened?Are our Politicians aware of the damage they are causing to this country? Do our politicians know where the expanding peri-urban poor, Ghana’s street people and all the hawkers sleep? A visit to the Business District of Accra, Timber Market, Sodom and Gomorrah, Yam Market, etc. all in Accra, Kumasi Race Course and so many other locations at night, tell a very sad and gloomy story.At this juncture let me pay homage to some of our media houses who have ensured that at least once a year, all such persons (street people), are fed well and remembered. Equally, Apostle Kwadwo Safo is singled out for commendation and respect. He has shown that all of us can in our own little or big way, do something to help make this country what we all want it to be. The common contribution to the nation’s development by all is crucial to the entire country’s success story.There are as many uncompleted buildings in Ghana as there are completed buildings. As a poor country, we cannot expect every individual to accumulate enough money to own a house. It would be a sure recipe for corruption. Equally, the unfortunate situation where underpaid workers and ordinary Ghanaians have to pay two to three years rent in advance is to acquiesce to the frightening levels of indiscipline that is stealthily creeping up on us.Our inability to manage and defend ourselves internally demonstrates the spate of armed robbery and senseless killings and maiming of innocent Ghanaians. Personal safety comes at an unaffordable cost. Once upon a time, before 1966, Ghana was not like this.The level of investments in health coupled with the level of ignorance and disinterest in health matters contrive not to allow us to keep healthy lifestyles and to properly heal ourselves. These are the basic fundamental elements that this country must resolve in addition to looking at the bigger picture.The preamble to Ghana’s seven-year development plan (1963-1970), stated that after the execution of the plan, no Ghanaian shall be in need of food, clothing, shelter, health and education. Fellow Ghanaians, what has happened since the CPP was overthrown and the Plan abolished?The welfare of the Ghanaian does not appear important in the politics of Ghana today. The welfare of the Ghanaian must be and will be central to a CPP Government agenda as it was before. It shall be the criteria on which the Government shall be judged. To Ghanaians, you have miraculously survived in a harsh political terrain where you do not appear as a variable in the equation other than to buy your vote every four years.Within the four years, those who came to you and gave you the ¢5,000 and ¢10,000 now Gp 50 and Gh ¢1.00, did you see them again? Did they come back to ask of you? Did they sympathize with you when you couldn’t pay your children’s school fees? The time has now come for all Ghanaians to standup to our politicians and to make them show us some respect and love, for we are all God’s children and we deserve better.Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, I shall single out education for comment because investment in education yields the highest return to our national security and development. The CPP under the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of a free Ghana and the man voted African Personality of the Millennium, bequeathed us one of the greatest legacies that any govt. could leave to its people - a great educational system which produced some of the best brains in the world today.Kofi Annan is perhaps the most famous of such Ghanaians, but all over the world, Ghanaians who profited from the educational policies of the CPP occupy important positions – from space scientists in the most sophisticated science and engineering laboratories in the United States, Medical Specialists in some of the worlds most advanced Hospitals and clinics, to Mining Engineers in some of the worlds richest mines in Africa and Latin America. We’ve done it all, thanks to the CPP. Indeed, in the first 10 years of the CPP under limited colonial, the number of university students grew by nearly 500%, a feat that has never been repeated by any government since then.In the nine years of the Nkrumah Government, every district then in Ghana had a secondary school. Many training colleges were built to provide teachers for the many basic schools that had sprung up every where in Ghana. All the 6 Public Universities today were built by the Osagyefo. The University of Ghana, KNUST, the University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba was transformed out of the Ideological Institute. The University of Mines, Tarkwa from the Tarkwa School of Mines and the University of Development Studies from the Nyankpala Agricultural College.Everybody in the Government today benefited from the Educational Policies of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Today, it is as if we have conspired to conceal these facts and to prevent our children from benefiting from the same system that took many of us out of poverty. Equal opportunity and social justice does not exist anymore in Ghana and it cannot be realized from mere verbal pronouncements.Today, all our schools, from primary to university, are in a state of shocking disrepair. 60% of Junior Secondary School (JSS) students do not go to SSS and of those who do, only 10% eventually find their way into our tertiary institutions. The statistics on graduate unemployment is frightening. Over one million children are out of school. This, to say the least, is shameful. The depths to which we as a nation have sunk, is unacceptable for a country that seriously wants to develop and for a country that once was the envy of the world. My administration will reverse this trend.There is certainly not much skill and knowledge taught at the primary and JSS levels that can make any school-leaver at that level survive the harsh realities of life today. Is it therefore surprising when we see all these children selling trifles on streets across the country? All this while, our politicians whom we voted in to serve us, send their children to Private Schools abroad. Do they care? It happened during the period of the National Democratic Congress government, where they found friends to look after their children abroad and the practice continues today.In the Immortalized words of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, he says, ‘membership of the CPP will not be for rewards but for service to nation’.Ladies and Gentlemen, in the area of Health, it is fair to say that we’ve made some major initiatives in recent times, such as the introduction of the National Health Insurance, despite its many implementation problems. Surprisingly the President, Vice President, Ministers and others do not make much reference to the scheme anymore.Perhaps it has gone out of reach of their radar but it is not out of the woods yet. The scheme appears to have been plagued by maladministration and it is still struggling for better management. If the 2006 budget for the NHIS was approved in November 2006, barely a month to the end of the year, then one can appreciate the operating difficulties they must be going through.I call on government to give it all their support, free the Council from bureaucracy, political interference and interest and provide them with all the National Health Levy funds to be used to grow what will be President J A Kufuor’s lasting legacy to all Ghanaians. Monies cannot be kept in the Central Bank and not earn interest. It happened in 2005 and 2006 and it cannot continue that way.Ladies and Gentlemen, I think it is fair to say that zero tolerance for corruption has all but dissipated. The ‘C’ word has now become a mere perception in Government circles and self-interest now reigns.The principle of service to country, so highly championed in the CPP by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, shall be carried to its logical conclusion. The system shall be ruthless on corruption. Poverty cannot be reduced if the hydra-headed levels of corruption are not dealt with, particularly among Politicians and Senior Public and Civil Service officials as well as the givers.Ghana has over sometime now - particularly in the last four or five years, become a major transit zone for narcotics. Its presence in Ghana must give all of us great cause for concern for, it is fast taking root in our communities, on our streets and also in our schools.A CPP government under my direction will broaden the front of the war against drugs to include not just interdiction but also relentless public education as well as treatment for those youth who unfortunately, have fallen victim to this social canker and are languishing in medical facilities and prayer camps around the country. As a Pathologist, I have seen some of the worse consequences of its use – a rupture of the right side of the heart being a pretty violent outcome.Now let me pay profuse homage to a person who is at once a servant of the people and a great leader who worked so hard that Ghana will be free – free of all the difficulties that stare at us today. A man who gave all of us the opportunities we casually exploit today whether positively in the interest of Ghana or, negatively for the interest of others. That he died a pauper must never be forgotten by Ghanaians. He founded the CPP and introduced Nkrumaism – a home grown ideology to achieve the means of a rapid economic development for Ghanaians. ‘Of course the Blackman is capable of managing his own affairs’, was one of his favourite sayings. I salute him, his person and his vision which is even more relevant in today’s Ghana than it was during the struggle for freedom. I salute Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.Events of 2007, the 50th anniversary celebrations, the death of Madam Fathia and the deliberations of the African Union Conference in July 2007 are all testimonies to Osagyefo’s illustriousness. At the conference he was mentioned more times during their deliberations by leaders from all the African Countries than the mention of the names of all the other leaders put together. Truly, ‘Nkrumah never dies’.The history of this our dear nation needs to be re-written to properly reflect the significant contributions that were made towards the development of Ghana. This will serve as a guiding light and an assurance to all those who sit on the fence out of fear that there is indeed a great amount of eternal merit in patriotism.To quote a recent statement of President J A Kufuor to buttress his achievements, he proudly stated that – “it is in my time that Ghana has arisen again”. Needless to say, it would be interesting to find out from His Excellency the President, which other time he might have been alluding to when he used the word ‘again’.Finally, I take this opportunity to wish all other aspiring candidates across the entire political spectrum well in their respective endeavors, so that Ghana, our dear nation, may be the ultimate beneficiary of our collective and diverse service to Ghana.I also wish all of you here, the media personnel as well as sympathizers the very best in all your undertakings.Ghana before self, Ghana deserves better Long live the CPP, long live Nkrumaism and long live Ghana. CPP! “ye be kye na asu obi ara so”
Source:Prof. A. B. Akosah

15.8.07

NPP to organize mock polls


The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will organize mock elections to demonstrate what its activists should do on polling day as part of its preparations towards recording a resounding victory in next year's general elections, Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the party, has said."The NPP has suffered under the NDC as far as rigging of elections are concerned and we cannot succeed without the positive involvement of party activists some of who allowed themselves to be influenced in many ways during past elections".Mr Mac Manu was addressing the Nadowli West Constituency conference of the party at Sombo in the Nadowli District on Tuesday. The conference was organized to elect a parliamentary candidate for the constituency.During the election Wing Commander Eric Dakurah (RTD), the District Chief Executive, beat Dr Daniel Bagah, Dean of the Wa campus of the University of Development Studies by 51 votes to 41 to become the parliamentary candidate.He said the region, which used to be one of the strong holds of the Danquah/Busia tradition, has in recent times fallen to the NDC because the party members in the region were not working hard enough to attract people into the party."We want to take back the region but we cannot do that without your support and you must open up to welcome new comers into the party since we cannot win elections with only our core members". Mr Mac Manu also addressed the Wa Central Constituency Primary where Mr Clement Eledi, a Deputy Minster of Food and Agriculture, emerged as the parliamentary candidate after defeating Mr Abdullah Bin Salih, a teacher, by 81 votes to 37.The third contestant, Mr Hardi Bawa who was absent, polled no vote. Alhaji Abubakari Abdul-Rahman, Regional Chairman of the party, called on party supporters to use the opportunity offered by the peaceful election of parliamentary candidates to forge ahead in unity. "We need the votes and input of every party member to enable us win the presidential and parliamentary elections in the region and nothing must be done to destroy this objective", he said.Mr Mac Manu and his team of high profile party officials that included Nana Ohene Ntow, the General Secretary, organized an "operation 2008" strategic workshop for NPP functionaries in the region at Wa. The team also included, Mr Lord Commey, National Organizer and Miss Rita Asobayire, National Women's Organizer.
Source:GNA



Minister launches jobsinghana.com

Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communications on Wednesday launched Ghana's first indigenous job engine, www.jobsinghana.com, that uses the Internet as a platform linking jobseekers to employers and vice-versa.It is a tool that makes human resource management easier for employers and puts jobseekers in control of their careers. Dr. Ntim said the database, which would introduce Information Communication Technology (ICT) and related efficiencies in the human resource sector, would also make jobs readily available to help reverse brain drain in the Diaspora.He said the attainment of this feat pointed to the fact that ICT holds immense promise as its deployment was rapidly changing and opening new avenues of relationships for society."The contribution indeed points to the fact that there are individuals in Ghana with innovative skills today who are committed to the deployment of ICT solutions that are beneficial to users as a universal enterprise", he added.The Minister said the website would also provide consultancy services to help solve problems of unemployment by attracting persons with employable skills to the site to attain jobs and complement government's effort to secure jobs for the youth.Dr. Ntim said in Business Processing Outsourcing( BPO) which was a lucrative venture in ICT, a number of investors were keen to locate in Ghana and improve telecom services to enable them do business on cost effective basis.He hinted that the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was facilitating the development of incubation facilities at the Ghana Multimedia Centre to promote technology commercialization and economic focus.The Minister therefore commended the initiative and called on the young entrepreneurs and others in the IT industry to set targets and increase research activities to develop skills in the industry. Mr. Ernest Adade, Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) also applauded the initiative, which, he said, was consistent with the aims of the NYEP to create more job avenues for the youth.He stated that the NYEP had been able to employ over 104,000 youth, saying this had reduced the number of graduate unemployment by 6,000. He said the programme had also employed over 23,000 pupil teachers in the regions, and pledged the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment's commitment to support any drive to secure more jobs. Mr. Richard Baffour, Chief Executive Officer for Jobsinghana said the website has a growing database with automatic links for jobseekers, employers, and a resource centre with information on resume writing, career search and other human resource tips.He said the site has registered over 3,000 job seekers to save them from frustrations of walking around with application letters to seek employment.Mr. Baffour said the initiative was more of his social contribution to the growth of the human resource sector and to jobseekers whose dreams to secure a job had never been realized. 15 Aug. 07
Source:GNA

14.8.07

Prof. Mills To Tour Some States in US

The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills leaves for the United States of America on Tuesday for a two-week tour.He is expected to meet with some Congressional representatives and honour public speaking invitations.A statement by Mr. Koku Anyidoho, who is in charge of communications at the Office of Prof. Mills, said the NDC candidate would meet Ghanaians across the political divide in the states he visits.He would also be part of the Ga Dangme Homowo celebrations in New York/New Jersey and have private meetings with NDC caucuses in selected states.

President to cut sod for Bui hydro

All is set for the sod cutting for work to commence on the construction of the 400-megawatt Bui Dam hydropower and the Bui City project on August 24.The 622 million-dollar project is to be funded with a 562 million dollars concessionary loan from the Government of China and a 60 million-dollars counterpart fund from the Government of Ghana. The project, the third hydro project after Akosombo and Kpong, is one of the measures of government for a solution of the perennial energy problem, which leads to load shedding.Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Energy, who announced this at the Meet-The-Press series in Accra on Tuesday, said President John Agyekum Kufuor would perform the sod cutting at the project site located close to the Bui National Park in the Brong Ahafo Region.Albert Kitson discovered the area as a potential site for hydroelectric power development in the 1920s when the British Government embarked on a campaign to support the social and economic development of the area.The Minister said several efforts were made in the past to develop the dam but these did not materialise adding that through sustained effort by the current Government, a lasting solution had been found. He explained that the project was a multi-purpose one, which besides the power generation also had other uses such as irrigation, fisheries and tourism."Current irrigation potential is estimated at about 30,000 hectares which should transform agricultural production in the area and also the region," Mr Adda said.He said it was also planned to develop a modern Bui City and added that the strategy was to use the Resettlement Housing Programme as the building block of the project.Mr Adda said out of an estimated projected construction workforce of 3,400 some 2,900 would be Ghanaians with the rest being Chinese expertise."Ghanaian companies will also benefit from the sub-constructional works and also supply of materials," he stated. Mr. Adda said the Environmental Impact Assessment had been carried out and the required mitigation and compensatory measures had been evaluated for necessary action.The project, he said, had been designed so as not to have any trans-boundary impacts, especially with C=F4te d'Ivoire. "No portion of C=F4te d'Ivoire will be inundated even at the full supply level."He noted that Parliament had already passed the Bui Power Authority Bill, which provided the legal basis for the institutional arrangements of the project."We intend to tap the expertise of Ghanaians who were involved in the earlier projects (Akosombo and Kpong) in order to ensure that the mistake of past are avoided," the Minister said.Answering questions, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said the programme had a power purchase agreement where proceeds from the project would be shared accordingly. He urged the business community to take advantage of the project saying, "Over 600 million dollars is being sunk into the project that businesses could move in for their benefits."
Source:GNA

NDC continuing with Nkrumah's good work - Sekou


Mr. Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana's first President, has said it was only the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration which had been able to continue with a sense of commitment to the good works that Dr Kwame Nkrumah left uncompleted.He said that the policies of NDC were in line with those of Dr. Nkrumah and urged the NDC supporters not to be detracted by the negative and unconstructive criticism of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but continue the good work Former President Jerry John Rawlings was doing for the country.Mr. Sekou Nkrumah was speaking at the weekend at the inauguration of the Ablekuma Central Constituency Youth Working Committee of the NDC. He said the transformation process the NDC was undergoing would not only broaden and deepen and encourage grassroots participation but would also contribute to the emergence of a new Ghanaian who eschews corruption, greed and avarice.He said the nation, under the leadership of Professor Atta Mills would ensure that an enabling environment was created and sustained to allow all to achieve their fullest potentials.Mr. Haruna Iddrissu, National Youth Organiser of the NDC has warned the ruling NPP government and their supporters not to do anything that would inflame passions during and after the 2008 general elections. He cited an example where Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey usurped the work of the Electoral Commission (EC) by going on air to announce electoral results contrary to the laws of the land.He said; "I will also go on the air to announce a counter results, come 2008 if he made an attempt to repeat it," adding that the NDC was not going to tolerate any Jake Obetsebi Lamptey's declaration anymore, but would play according to the rules of the game to ensure genuine victory, come 2008.Mr. Iddrissu expressed the optimism that not a single vote in the Ablekuma Central Constituency would bypass NDC to any group, come 2008, stressing that this could only be possible if, "you assured me that you would be vigilant at your various polling stations," he told the supporters.Mr Courage Balon, Constituency Youth Organiser urged the supporters to be vigilant at all the 106 polling stations in the constituency.
Source:GNA

13.8.07

President Paa Kwesi Ndoum?

While former Minister of Public Sector Reforms, Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum, keeps on denying that he has put in any bid to contest the flagbeareship race of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), a leading member of CPP, Comrade Felix Amoah, has appealed to the rank and file, especially delegates for their up-coming National Delegates Congress to endorse Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom as the CPP-flagbearer for the December 2008 Presidential election.“In same vein I am taking this golden opportunity to appeal to all Ghanaians to consider electing this affable man and astute politician as the next President of the Republic of Ghana come December 2008”, noted Comrade Amoah, who served as a Minister of State under the Limann administration in the Third Republic at a press conference Thursday.Sharing with the media Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum’s credentials, he said he Dr Ndoum was born into the CPP tradition with his father, Master Yorke, an educationist, serving as the director of the young pioneers in the Central Region in Kwame Nkrumah’s time.He noted that while studying in the USA, Dr Ndoum wrote several articles in the West African Magazine depicting the Nkrumaist ideas/ideals and that in 1995, he adopted and sponsored five regions with cash, bicycles, t-shirts and other logistics to assist the growth of CPP.Again, Dr Ndoum also selected and sponsored over 10 parliamentary candidates to contest the 1996 elections, naming the beneficially regions as Western, Eastern Volta, Upper East and Central.“The National Delegates Congress of 1999 was funded by Kwesi Ndoum to the tune of ¢45 million and this was when he was not contesting any position and was actually out of the county”, Comrade Amoah noted.He said in the 2004 elections, Dr Ndoum supported, campaigned for and sponsored several contestants with cash, posters, billboards and other logistics.According to Limann’s Minister of State, Dr Ndoum has also shown exemplary qualities as a Minister in various ministerial positions in the Kufuor administration, including Economic Planning, Energy and Public Sector Reform.“He led the Ghana team in delivering the unprecedented sum of $547 million from the United States of America’s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)”, he stated, adding that he (Ndoum) “led the team to prepare Ghana’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy that has brought many benefits to the economy; and was the chairman of the National Development Planning Commission”.To Comrade Amoah, Paa Kwesi Ndoum has therefore gained unequalled experience in leadership and governance and acquired tremendous experience and strategy on how to win elections, making him the No.1 choice to lead CPP to victory in 2008.“Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom won the December Parliamentary election on the ticket of the Convection People’s Party (CPP) to become the MP for Komenda-Edina-Egguafo-Abrem (KEEA).He won the election convincingly with 30,981votes against the 15,427 votes for his opponent from the NDC.His 66.8% win compares to the 52.8% of the presidential votes won by President John A Kufuor in the same KEEA constituency to gain a second term”, he added.Comrade Amoah mentioned that Dr Nduom would be long remembered as the MP who happened to be a Minister of State who questioned the Ghana@50 Secretariat and the nation’s preparedness for the historic Jubilee year of Independence celebrations.In his constituency, he said Dr Nduom has been an MP with a difference - accountable, transparent and visible in the community and that through him, the name KEEA is recognised in many places nationally.Touching on some of the projects Dr Ndoum has undertaken in his constituency, Comrade Amoah mentioned building of community libraries and community centres in Elmina and Brenu Akyunim for the Edina Traditional area.He also mentioned a community library in Agona and a community centre in the Berase Town for The Abrem traditional area as well as a community library in Komenda for the Komenda traditional area and a community library in Abreshia and a community centre at Eguafo in the Eguafo traditional area.He said Dr Ndoum has made it a policy that any student in his constituency who qualifies and gains admission to a university but has financial difficulties will be given assistance and that through this he has made it possible for a number of students to go to the university.According to him, Dr Nduom has been instrumental in forging good relationships between Elmina and Netherlands, France and the United States, saying that the town of a province in France is cooperating with Elmina to improve tourism potential, particularly through strengthening the planning and organisation of the annual Bakatue and Edina Bronya festivals.“As the Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Dr Nduom lobbied successfully to ensure the dredging of the Elmina-Benya Lagoon to improve the fishing industry and the improvement of important roads such as the Ankaful- Amisano-Elmina road, the Agona-Essiam Effutu road, the Komenda junction-Komenda road, the Edinaman Secondary School access road and others”, he pointed out, adding that Dr Ndoum has also seen to the reconstruction of the Elmina bridge.
Source:GYENAYAME CONCORD

11.8.07

Court acquits eight executive members of CPP

An Accra Fast Track High Court has acquitted eight executive members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) of a charge of contempt filed by a group of seven people, a section within the party. The application is in respect of a court order to retrieve party vehicles in the possession of Mr. George Aggudey, the Flagbearer of the Party in 2004 elections and other persons, and thereafter brand them as custom demands, with party name, motto, colour and the party emblem of the red cockrel. It also sought the punishment of the court for the defendants for allegedly not reserving eight executive positions to be filled. The eight defendants are Dr Edmund Delle, Araba Bentsi Enchill, Johnny Hansen, Prof Nii Noi Dowuona, Martin Donkor, Riley Poku, B K Senkyirey and Kwasi Pratt Jnr. The plaintiffs are Nana Kwaku Dumfeh, Osei Tano, Kofi Aganu Luvo, Kwadwo Aduamoah, Amanka Appiah, Francis Opai Tetteh, and Atta Essiam. The Court, presided over by Mr Justice P K Gyaesayor ruled that the application was premature and absolved the defendants of the contempt application brought against them. The court in its ruling observed that the orders in a earlier settlement, under Mr K S P Jantuah were not implemented and the plaintiffs brought the application seeking the imprisonment of the defendants. The Court observed that the application was not seeking the enforcement of the judgement, but punishment of the defendants for disobeying the court and it was the duty of the plaintiffs to show beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants deliberately refused a court order. With regards to the eight places to which the plaintiffs were entitled to in the task force, the courts ruled that an affidavit indicated that eight places had been reserved for nominees of the plaintiffs' applicants. The court said this indicated the attempts to comply with the terms of settlement and it was now the duty of the plaintiffs to fill the eight places by submitting their names to the party. It therefore did not find the defendants disobedient and did not hold them liable. GNA

Large police presence marks Homowo festival

A large police presence marked the climax of the celebration of this year's Homowo festival of the chief's and people of Ga Mashie in the Greater Accra Region at the week-end. The police personnel from the Rapid Deployment Force, Mounted Squadron, Armoured Car, the Panthers and CID units, with another standby force, barricaded the streets to prevent a possible clash of supporters of different claimant clans to the Gbese stool.Despite the presence of the police to enforce an order to the various royal houses to restrict the sprinkling of the traditional food, kpokpoi, the Chief of the Ga State, Nii Tackie Tawiah II, and some other chiefs went ahead and publicly sprinkled the traditional food as symbol of the Homowo celebration.The celebration was also marked with the beating of drums and the chanting of war songs, as royal entourages and other people, mainly the youth clad in red tee shirts accompanied the chiefs. The regent of the Gbese Stool, Nii Tetteh Ahinakwa performed the sprinkling rite on behalf of Nii Ayibonte II in the Gbese Mantse Palace, as Niibi Ayitey Adjin Ayibonte, who identified himself as stool elder, said Nii Ayibonte was still undergoing the rites for full assumption onto the stool.However, a barricade mounted by the police prevented Nii Okaija III, also a claimant to the stool from going into one of the ruling clan houses, Nii Tetteh Ankamah We to perform the sprinkling rite. Nii Okaija III accused supporters of the Nii Ayibonte for using the police against him and infringing on his right of movement, but the Officer in-Charge of Police Public Relations, Mr Kwasi Ofori said the police had not taken sides and was only preventing a crisscross, which could spark confrontation among the various clans. The Chief of the Ga State, Nii Tackie Tawiah later told journalists that the celebration had been peaceful without violence or any feeling of malice.He said all the various claimants were still "brothers" and they would remain united despite their differences. Nii Tackie denied any order from any quarters to restrict the celebration to the various clan houses without going public. He outlined his vision for the Ga State as improvement of education, employment and skills training for the youth.
Source:GNA

Group pledges financial support for Osafo-Maafo

A group, calling itself Millennium Business Executives, has pledged 50,000 Ghana cedis to support the flagbearership campaign of Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a New Patriotic Party presidential (NPP), aspirant for the 2008 General Elections. Part of the amount will be used to pay for his nomination fees and the rest for his campaign activities.A press release signed by Mr. Kwabena Acheampong, Executive Secretary of the Group, and issued in Kumasi, said the support was a demonstration of the firm believe of members of the group in the ability of Mr. Osafo-Maafo to lead the NPP to victory in the 2008 Elections and also consolidate the socio-economic gains achieved by the party in the last few years.According to the release, the members of the group, who are sympathizers of the NPP, recognized the immense achievements of Mr. Osafo-Maafo during his tenure as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Minister of Education, Science and Sports. It said his sterling performance had been recognized internationally, that was why he was voted as the best Finance Minister in Africa and the second best in the world.This, according to the statement, culminated in Mr Osafo-Marfo's appointment to oversee Liberia's post war economic recovery. It said Ghana needed a person of such calibre with natural leadership qualities to succeed President Kufuor to propel the country's economy to greater heights.The statement urged the party's delegates to analyse critically the contribution of each of the contestants and choose the one who had made significant impact in the government of President Kufuor to lead the party.
Source:GNA

10.8.07

146 pregnant women tests HIV/AIDS positive

One hundred and forty-six pregnant women out of 4,841, who opted for HIV/AIDS test under the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programme in Kumasi were found to be with the virus. Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive who gave the hint said the three Anti Retroviral Treatment centres operating in the Metropolis, which includes the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are currently treating about 162 out of 387 patients, who are doing very well.She said this at the opening session of an international course on HIV/AIDS epidemiology with emphasis on children and nutrition in Kumasi on Thursday, which was supported by MASHAV (an Israeli Centre for International Cooperation).The course organized by the Millennium Challenge Initiatives (MCI) in collaboration with the government of Israel, targeted healthcare teams including medical doctors, nurses and nutritionists from public and private health institutions in the metropolis.The course is to build the capacity of the health staff to provide quality care and efficient health services to the people.Madam Appiagyei said she was happy that additional strategies have been put in place to address the HIV menace by the expansion of voluntary and counseling tests centres to include some private and maternity homes and clinics as well as VCT for all pregnant women at anti-natal clinics. The Metropolitan Chief Executives said training on HIV/AIDS for heath teams has been a matter of concern in the world today due to the high rate of infections.She said "it is somewhat encouraging to note that there was a drop in the number of new cases from 3.7 per cent prevalence rate in the first eight months of 2006, to 3.2 per cent for the same period in 2007. The drop in number could be attributed to the fact that strategies adopted to address new infections are effective, which is an encouragement for all stakeholders to press on and not to give up the fight against HIV/AIDS", she addedMadam Tali Tal, Information Department Coordinator for Ghana at the Embassy of Israel said MASHAV stands at the centre of Israel's activities to share her experience and expertise around the world. She said the course was another important step in advancing the cooperation between Israel and Ghana and hoped it would continue to expand for the benefit of the two Nations.Madam Tal said the programme was the latest addition to the list of health programmes between Israel and Ghana.She said the collaboration also involves the establishment and maintenance of a trauma care unit at the Komfo Anokye Hospital as well as the training of trauma emergency medical staff. She said she was looking forward to the completion of a maternity care unit at the Kumasi South Hospital, currently under construction and to facilitate more courses in Israel for medical and Para-Medics in the country.The Information Coordinator indicated that her country actively engaged in agriculture and aquaculture programmes with the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and hoped to launch a programme for organic farming in Ghana very soon. 10 Aug 07
Source:GNA

Why tolerate corruption? - Ghanaians Asked

A Chief State Attorney in charge of the Eastern Region, Mr Anthony Gyambiby, has expressed worry with the Ghanaian society's tolerance for corruption and corruptible practices. Mr Gyambiby said tolerance for corruption in Ghana was so endemic that "society tends to respect the affluent without finding out the background of such people" while ironically, "the diligent, honest but poor people are relegated to the background."Addressing participants at a democracy and good governance workshop in Koforidua on Thursday, Mr Gyambiby called for a new attitude and thinking towards fighting the canker especially one that would question the source of wealth of the affluent in society."By so doing, we will be setting a grand agenda or crusade to promote democracy and good governance so that the needs and aspirations of the poor millions in Ghana will be fulfilled."Mr Gyambiby's views were corroborated by Miss Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Programmes Officer of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, organizers of the workshop, who also faulted society for failing to question how people came by what they had or how they acquired their wealth.In addition to Miss Ofori-Kwafo's submissions, the State Attorney said parties involved in corruption must only be blamed "but we must also seek to understand the structural character of the phenomenon as well as how it is embedded in the relationships among individuals and organizations."Such an undertaking would help in the "launching of a great war against corruption while promoting and nurturing our young democracy."The Chief State Attorney was speaking against the backdrop of the debilitating effects of corruption, especially the attitude of the corrupters to misallocate state resources, foster misguided and unresponsive policies and regulations, lowering of productivity and the exacerbation of poverty.Mr Gyambiby also spoke on the need for the state to enhance the capacity of institutions such as the media and the legislature, given their oversight responsibilities in the fight against corruption to enable them discharge their responsibilities well.He argued that because corruption could lead to the weakening of democratic processes and public order and thus impede development, it was important that the executive arm of government took the lead in combating and preventing it.Miss Ofori-Kwafo called on the government to incorporate into existing laws an elaborate definition of corruption to reflect the internationally accepted definitions of corruption, which clearly criminalizes the offence. She appealed to the government to expedite action on the passage of a credible freedom of information bill to facilitate public access to information about the activities of government, including budgetary allocations, revenues and expenditures and thereby enhance accountability and transparency and increase trust in government. The New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Adjei Boateng, said the fight against corruption should not be a job for one person or one organization. It should be done with the concerted effort of all stakeholders.Source:GNA

9.8.07

Breaking News---Gambian President Accussed of Ordering the Killing of 40 Ghanaians


Two years after 44 Ghanaians and 10 other ECOWAS nationals were reported killed in The Gambia, evidence is emerging that The Gambian President, Yahaya Jammeh, ordered their execution.The Ghanaian Times newspaper, quoting Ghana Police sources, said on Thursday that the order for execution came apparently because Jammeh was made to believe that they were dissidents preparing to overthrow his regime.“Intensive investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police in The Gambia and Senegal, have established that all the victims were butchered at the command of The Gambian Head of State,” the paper said.Still quoting top officials of the Police CID, the paper said a full report has been submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD which requested the investigation.At the CID head office in Accra on Wednesday, the paper learned that at least one Ghanaian survived the massacre and has given a detailed account of what happened on July 22, 2005. His name was given simply as 'Kyere' and he is said to be currently living in the Brong-Ahafo Region.The Ghanaians and their colleagues, according to the police, were using The Gambia as a transit point, possibly for migration, to Europe in search of greener pastures.Mr. Kwasi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the report has been submitted to his office. "I will study it and take the necessary action," he told the Times."I was asked about the murder of the Ghanaians during my vetting in Parliament. It is a matter of serious concern to Ghanaians that innocent countrymen could be cruelly murdered simply because they have been found in a fellow ECOWAS country," he said.Information linking the murders to the Gambian President began to make the rounds in The Gambia recently, when a top Gambian police officer broke ranks with the administration and went public with details of the atrocities in a report to Freedom Newspaper, Gambia's premier online publication. He termed it "state-sponsored genocide" against "innocent Ghanaians."The Internet publication was reproduced by a Ghanaian newspaper, Public Agenda on Monday, July 9. It alleged that the Gambian officer, who identified himself as Sekouba Jadana, gave vivid account of how the Ghanaians and other nationals were summarily executed by state security guards and dumped in a bush."The debate on the issue has been going on for sometime now and I believe that it is time for the whole world to take note and prepare ways and means of bringing His Excellency, Dr Alhaji Yahaya to justice. Jammeh should face the International Criminal Court since he spearheaded the 'Ghanaian genocide' in the Gambia," Jadana said in his statement."The Ghanaian Government should ensure that justice is seen to be done in this high-profile crime against humanity. Sincerely, I was not present when the gruesome murders of the Ghanaians took place on that fateful night in the Gambia, but I was involved in the investigations at the preliminary stages," Jadana added.Giving the background, Jadana alleged that President Jammeh and a host of his ministers were at a cultural jamboree in Banjul, the national capital, organised as part of activities marking the country's independence anniversary, when a telephone call came from an official of the National Investigation Authority. It said that some West African nationals had been arrested and that their motives were to destabilise the anniversary celebrations and that there was an imminent security threat.An order was allegedly given for their arrest with further instructions from the Head of State to deal with them. "His Excellency was advised to return to the State House immediately and walahi (swearing) he ran, and was saying deal with them! deal with them! and he was trembling while going home."Jadana further alleged that even though the ferry over the Gambia River had closed at the time, an order was given for it to transport the captives across the river and head towards Brufur, a town at the other side of the river."Our investigation team went to Brufur and discovered that the bodies were scattered all over the bushes with deep cuts from heads to eyes and broken noses."According to Jadana, who allegedly dispatched his findings from the Police headquarters in Banjul, there was news blackout on the discovery of the bodies. 'The news of the brutal murders was not covered by the national radio and television at all," he said.President Jammeh failed to turn up in Accra for the Summit of African Heads of State and Governments held in Accra on July 1-3. Observers believe the murder of the 44 Ghanaians and other nationals was the principal reason why he failed to turn up.
Source:Ghanaian Times

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