One Cedi will be worth One US dollar -JAK

In July this year, one Ghana Cedi would be equivalent to one US dollar after the denomination of the Ghanaian currency.

This was declared by President John Agyekum Kufuor at the national rally of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which was organized at Koforidua on Sunday to run off the three-day national delegates' conference of the NPP.

He explained that, the denomination of the cedi was arrived at, as a result on the enhancement of the value of the cedi and said that was achieved through good governance.President Kufuor said the day was exactly six years since he was sworn into office as the President of the country when the economy of the country was in very difficult situation and it was not easy to get petroleum products to buy in the country.

He said his government had to work very hard to get the country's economy to where it is currently without arresting or detaining some of the citizens of the country or seizing their properties.President Kufuor said, currently, the problem facing the economy of the country was insufficient energy, adding that the Government of China had agreed to provide funding for the construction of the Bui Dam and very soon, the Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General would travel to China to sign the agreement to that effect.

He said the provision of more energy would lead to industrial growth and the generation of employment for the youth.The President said the NPP has four generations of devoted members, which was a sign of blessing and that the party would never die.The President called on the members of the party not to allow the "deceitful ones" to lead them astray and declared that the campaign of the party towards the 2008 elections had started.

The Vice-President, Aliu Mahama urged the delegates to move out in unity and start the campaign towards victory in 2008.The Foreign Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the effect that the members of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) were saying that, the 2008 elections would be contested on comparing the achievements of the NDC government against that of NPP.He questioned the records of the NDC and wanted to know if the "record of arrest and beating of people" was what the NDC want to compare with that of the NPP.

The Minister of Local Government and Environment, Mr Asamoah Boateng said for four years as the Vice-President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, the Presidential candidate of the NDC could not have the street leading to his hometown tarred but it was President Kufuor who had the road tarred.The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in a graphic representation, said the NPP government had started the construction of a seven storey building to provide accommodation for all Ghanaians and had reached the second story.

He warned that if Ghanaians make a mistake to deny the NPP the opportunity to continue with the building, Ghanaians would loose the opportunity to get accommodation.
Source:GNA

Don’t give in to negative propaganda-President Kufuor

President John Agyekum Kufuor has told the rank and file of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to give in to negative propaganda, to create a gap between them and the Government. “Everything is going for us. We cannot give in to complaints and cynicism when the fruits of our labour are maturing and are ready for harvest.”

They should therefore remain steadfast, work hard and continue to sacrifice to put Ghana in the ranks of advancing nations of the world. President Kufuor was addressing an annual delegates conference of the party held at the EREDEC Hotel in Koforidua on Saturday.

Held under the theme: “Moving Forward in Unity”, it provided the chance for the party to evaluate its performance and chart a pragmatic course to present itself to the electorate with a united front. More than 2000 delegates from all the 230 constituencies in the country attended. There were also representatives from the party’s overseas branches in the United Kingdom, Italy, United States of America, Canada and Germany.

President Kufuor said the Government’s achievements were tremendous and were something the party members should be proud of and take credit for. He said for the first in decades, the national reserves have exceeded Two Billion dollars, multi-lateral inflows would also be over 317 million dollars this year as a result of the 100 percent debt forgiveness, with the economy stabilising and inflation verging on single digit.

Besides, evidence of infrastructure development was showing throughout the country and that there had also been the introduction of interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme, the capitation grant, National Youth Employment Placement Programme and the Venture Capital among others. “Let us be telling our success story to the world. Nobody can tell it better than ourselves.”

President Kufuor however, reminded them that they could ruin things for themselves, if they did not hold in check certain negative tendencies, citing for example, the many complaints about the activities of party members aspiring to be flagbearers. He said, in a benign manner, he has monitored the movements of Ministers with presidential ambitions, while keeping close watch on their respective ministries to ensure that they performed the duties expected of them. He declared that none of them would be allowed to wreck the party’s chances to retain power in the year 2008.

President Kufuor told the delegates, that the choice of candidate to lead the party was not about who was more knowledgeable or better resourced. Rather, the search was for a leader who appreciated the party’s time-tested values and traditions, could hold the party together and has the humility to hold himself accountable to the party and the nation. “We must remember that parties by themselves do not choose a President. It takes the nation at large to do that. That is why we must look for the person who is acceptable to a sizeable portion, indeed majority of the citizenry”, he added.

Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Chairman of the National Planning Commission and a stalwart of the party, said the most important task facing the NPP now was to build up the party’s machinery and to get itself battle ready at all levels. The priority is the message and the machine to keep the party in power, come 2008 and not the Presidency. He said the rank and file should feel sufficiently enthusiastic and work their hearts out.

Mr Mensah said it was regrettable that, the aspirants have not heeded the advice, not to rush into campaigning. There were fraternal messages from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People’s National Convention (PNC), Convention People’s Party (CPP), Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP).GNA

NPP set for 3-day National Conference

All is set for the formal opening of the three-day national delegates conference of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), being held at the EREDEC Hotel, Koforidua in the Eastern Region under the theme 'Moving forward in unity'.

Delegates who began arriving on Friday have completed the registration formalities and are now ready for a successful conference that is billed to rejuvenate the NPP to face the challenges ahead.

President J.A. Kufour and his Vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, were yet to arrive at the conference venue at the time of filing this story, although National Executives and other leading members of the 'Kukrudu' fraternity are already seated on the dais.Others, who have taken their seats include Ministers of State, Regional Executives of the party, Members of Parliament of the ruling party, District Chief Executives (DCEs), diplomats and traditional rulers.

Drumming took a centre stage at the conference grounds this morning as various kente ensembles enliven the largely partisan crowd with intricate dancing and singing.Of particular interest is the canvassing being undertaken by supporters of various aspiring candidates for the Presidential slot of the NPP who were seen stomping round the conference venue for their preferred candidates.

Prominent in this lively but unofficial campaigns, are a group donning Tee shirts that proclaims the Vice-President while could also one could also instant delegates rooting for Dr Konadu Apraku, former Minister responsible for Regional Integration.Other contenders include Mr Dan Botwe, former Information Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing who all had supporters displaying their banters.

Supplementing the atmosphere were vendors of kinds selling wares including confectionaries, local artifacts, party paraphernalia and food.Traffic was heavy and it was difficult getting access to the EREDEC hotel from the Nana Kwaku School Complex, and the Police as a temporary measure closed vehicle access to sections of the conference grounds.

Commuters are now being re-directed to the Betom by-pass to re-join the Galloway route to destinations such as the Koforidua Polytechnic, New Juaben Secondary Commercial and Atekyem suburbs of the municipality.The morning events are devoted to the formal opening of the conference and shall include speeches by President Kufuor, Mr J.H. Mensah, the Senior Minister, and the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Felix Owusu-Agyepong.

More speeches on the progress of the party will be offered by the Ministers of Finance, Youth and Employment, Health, and Agriculture later in the day.Also to do presentations are the General Secretary of the NPP, the National Treasurer and the National Chairman, who is to address the faithful on the state of the party, to be followed by a plenary session.

Sunday's activities will include an inter-denominational service to be held at the conference venue, adoption of conference resolutions and a rally at the Koforidua Jackson Park.
Source:GNA

Essien wins BBC African award

Ghana midfield icon, Michael Essien has been voted the 2006 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) African Footballer of the Year.

The hard tackling and intelligent midfielder polled 66% of the 12, 000 votes ahead of Mohamed Aboutrika of Egyptian giants, Nadi Al Ahly and his Chelsea team mate Didier Drogba, an Ivorian.
Aboutrika and Drogba polled 30 and four percent of the total votes cast respectively.

Essien's win, according to information monitored by the GNA Sports was based on his outstanding performance in the 2006 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup held in Germany.

Known as the "Bison" for his strength and powerful style of play, Essien was instrumental in the success of Ghana at the Mundial, ensuring the team's progress to the second round of the 32-nation tournament.

The midfielder has also played a pivotal role for Chelsea in the English premiership and the UEFA Champions League and is regarded as one of the club's best midfielders and indeed, one of the best for the position in the world.

Essien, who is also vying for the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Africa Footballer of the Year goes into the contest with slight advantage over his opponents, Drogba and Samuel Eto'O Fils of Barcelona and Cameroon due to the award.
Source:BBC

I Will Consult Kufuor - Mills

The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has stated that he will never hesitate, if he wins the 2008 elections to become the President, to consult President J. A. Kufuor on important national issues.According to him, President Kufuor, who would be a former President after 2008, would by then have had experience and knowledge about national issues which would help his government and the nation as a whole.

Prof. Mills, who was interacting with journalists at an end-of-year soiree for media practitioners at the weekend, said by virtue of being the President of the country for eight years, President Kufuor would have firsthand information on nationals issues which his government might need.He stated that that was what he meant when he said some time ago that he would consult former President Rawlings if he won the 2000 elections during a function at Swedru.

However, people misconstrued and misinterpreted it.He noted that since no single person was the repository of knowledge and information, it was always important for one to do a lot of consultation.Asked who would be his running mate in the 2008 election, Prof. Mills, who had Mr Martin Amidu and Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni as his running mates in 2000 and 2004 respectively, said he would leave such decision for the various groups, including representatives of the membership, to take because currently the party had about a dozen people each of whom qualified to be his running mate.Prof.

Mills gave the assurance that his campaign would strictly be on issues which bordered on the welfare of the people �because Ghanaians are suffering and want a person who will ensure that there is work to do, food on their table and their kids have affordable and quality education�.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, congratulated Prof Mills on his election as the flag bearer of the NDC and assured him that the media would offer all candidates equal opportunity to get their message to the electorate.The Chairman of the NDC, Dr Kwabena Adjei, said the party and the media were not at cross purposes but were doing their work for the betterment of the nation.

Therefore, they should see each other as partners.In attendance was Mr Eddie Annan, who sang tunes of old to the admiration of the people present. There were also representatives of Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu.Story by Donald Ato Dapatem
Source:GHP

NDC Denies Report of Another Congress

Ghana’s main opposition national democratic congress party (NDC) is reportedly planning to hold a second delegate congress to elect a new flag bearer for the 2008 general elections.This follows speculation that former vice president and the party’s current presidential candidate John Atta-Mills is not well. But the party says Atta-Mills is well and that it is not considering holding another congress to elect a new flag bearer.

Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah is the deputy general secretary of the NDC. He described the reports as preposterous.“Throughout my political life I’ve heard and read preposterous stories but this for me is the most bizarre and ridiculous of all the stories that I have ever heard… We’ve had a successful congress, Professor Mill won by a landslide and is the presidential candidate of the NDC and it stays that way for 2008 elections and it’s as simple as that.

There has never been intimations or discussions anywhere. So for me, it’s a figment of some ones morbid imagination,” he said.Afriyie-Ankrah said though the former vice president had been ill at one point, he is now as fit as a fiddle.“Yes it is true that Atta-Mills was not well at a certain time and he went to South Africa for treatment. Does it mean that when somebody is not well for a certain period of time that the person will never be well again?

Haven’t we all been sick one time or the other in our lives? Do we all know when the Lord will call us? So for me, it is really preposterous,” Afriyie-Ankrah noted.Afriyie-Ankrah continued,” This whole issue about he is not swift therefore he is not well, now it’s part of the negative mentality that we have…Two days after the party’s congress he (Atta-Mills) called me to meet him for a discussion.

I had difficulty getting out of bed and when I met him he was looking very fit and very healthy and I said my goodness, this is somebody who they claim is very sick?Afriyie-Ankrah said the party is confident of coming to power in the next general elections.“We are very confident but not complacent that we stand a very good chance of coming back to power because when you look at the track record of the NPP (ruling New Patriotic Party), they’ve made a lot of promises that they’ve not been able to keep.

But when you look at the personality, the stature and standing of Professor Mills, I call him the political saint because he has been in political office for over thirty years and there is no hint of a scandal around him,” he said.Afriyie-Ankrah said the party would build on the incorruptible reputation of the former vice president to come to power.

“This is somebody who is incorruptible, this is somebody who has integrity and this is somebody who has shown that indeed he is an honest and selfless and matured person and who has a vision and love for this country, and I believe that is a very good platform for us to move forward and win the elections and develop this country,” Afriyie-Ankrah said.
Source:VOA

Sustain current democratic dispensation as a way of life for all times - Kufuor

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday appealed to Ghanaians to accept the challenge of sustaining the country's current democratic dispensation as a way of life for all times. It should, in addition, become the basis of national development, he said at the opening of the 58th annual New Year School, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon.

The school is being held under the theme: "Ghana at 50, Achievements, Challenges and the Future." It would provide the platform for the participants and the nation to examine key national concerns since independence, the choices that were made and the consequences with a view to providing directions for the future.

About 600 people including District Chief Executives, Members of Parliament (MPs), organized labour and civil society organizations are attending. President Kufuor said the return to constitutional rule in 1992 signaled a new beginning for change and renewal to address the challenges of the country's stagnated socio-economy.

Since then, determined efforts had been made to improve the governance system, arrest the economic decline and create opportunities for the people to pursue productive endeavours to realize their full potential. He said confidence has now been restored in the economy and the nation and that Ghana was one of the few countries rated by the United Nations to likely achieve the Millennium Development Goals within the specified time of 2015.

President Kufuor spoke of the many difficulties and uncertainties that have afflicted the political system during a greater part of the last five decades and stated that despite the difficulties, the goal of nation building has remained on course. He stated that there had been impressive achievements within the last half-century that the nation must be justifiably proud of, citing the massive expansion of infrastructure in terms of good road networks, telecommunication, ports and harbours as well as urban and rural electrification. "

Social services like hospitals, potable water, educational institutions of all levels also experienced rapid and phenomenal expansion." He however, said economic growth that was assumed would come automatically in the wake of Ghana's independence to support the desired rapid development proved to be a mirage.

This, he said, was partly due to the not-too-mature and informed socio-economic management in governance for the first few decades after independence and the complex Cold War influences of the time. President Kufuor declared the Jubilee year, a year of national renewal and said "The stage is set for the accelerated take-off of Ghana as a united and prosperous nation." Professor Daniel Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State, praised the School for the opportunity it has been providing for intellectual development.

The New Year School has been organized consistently without interruption for the past 57 years, despite the turbulent political changes. Professor C.N.B. Tagoe, the Vice Chancellor, asked the participants to share the knowledge and skills acquired with the communities when they go back.GNA