ECOWAS conference on Biotechnology ends

Ministers of Agriculture and Science of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the end of a four-day third ECOWAS Ministerial Conference on Biotechnology, adopted"The 2007-2010 Plan of Action on Biotechnology and Bio-safety" in the Sub-Region.

The Ministers at the weekend also recommended the creation of a coherent framework between the national bio-safety; strengthen communication on bio-safety, and implement a strategy of communication on the risks involved in the Action Plan.The four-day conference brought together about 200 experts in biotechnology from ECOWAS countries to examine and adopt the Plan for the development of biotechnology and bio-safety within ECOWAS prepared in line with the decision taken by the Ministers during the Second ECOWAS Ministerial Conference in Bamako in June 2005.

The Action Plan, which will serve as a working tool were in two parts - action plan on biotechnology and action plan on bio-safety. It raised concerns on the involvement of stakeholders; strengthening capacity of national research institutions including extension systems; the involvement of local private sector in the biotechnology programme; putting in place an efficient coordinating, management, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and intensifying communication on bio-safety.

They also agreed on the holding of Biennial Ministerial Conference of Ministers of Agriculture, Environment, Science and Technology and to strengthen the coordination between Sub-Regional biotechnology and bio-safety institutions.The Ministers agreed that the fourth Ministerial Conference be held in Cote d'Ivoire in June, 2008.
Source:GNA

Kwesi N'doum will quit NPP Gov't soon

Minister for Public Sector Reform, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom on Friday dropped hints of his imminent resignation from the President Kufuor-led national administration of the NPP.He said his resignation is based on the conflict of interest that seems to be deepening as the campaign season for the 2008 December polls draws closer.

"I have plans to disengaging myself from the NPP (administration)", he said.Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, who is also an MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem said he would not behave like the late Vice President Kow Nkensen Arkaah who at one time was contesting the government of which he was a member on the ticket of another party, the Great Alliance.

To Dr Nduom, it is not expedient to remain a minister in an administration and contest its party on the ticket of another party.According to him, remaining in the office till election time places a lot of strain on a person as he experienced during the 2004 elections and said he would not want to go through such an experience in the 2008 elections.Dr Nduom was however quick to add that his declaration should not be misconstrued to mean that if the NPP retains the reins of national administration and he is invited to serve in any capacity he would decline it."I am ever ready to serve my country in any capacity", he intimated.

Dr Nduom pointed out that he is proud to be associated with the NPP administration though it was not every matter that he agrees with or is happy about. “It is however important that I step aside since I do not intend to join the NPP.”He said that his intension to resign is known to President John Agyekum Kufuor. He however declined to state when he would resign but said it is imminent and it is only a question of when.

Turning his attention to a group calling itself the Patriots and who claim to be members of the CPP, Dr Nduom described them as a bunch of intolerant politicians who want things to be done their way.He said some people in the CPP think the party is for them, but what they are doing is rather hurting the party. “We cannot have a party that is battling to woo people into its fold but whose leading members are behaving as if the party is a club”, he observed.

Ministry to acquire land for Korle Lagoon ecological project

The Government has approved 10.4 million euros to finance part of the Korle Lagoon ecological project to start infrastructural development in the Old Fadama area.

The project marks the commencement of the relocation of commercial activities at Old Fadama to Adgin-kotoku in the Ga-West district of the Greater Accra region which was meant, to decongest the central business areas of vehicular and human traffic. Dr. Thomas Fokuo Agyapong, Director for the Modernization of the Capital City said this on Friday when he interacted with owners' of the land to seek their consent to enable the Ministry to acquire 800 acres of land for the first phase of the project.

In all, over 1200 acres of land were required to complete the four phases of the projects across a ten-year life span. He said the first phase of the projects would have amenities such as a link road from the town to Midea, schools, Police post, health centres, electrification works and a warehouse.

He said the projects were being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment and Water Resource, Works and Housing, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, among others formed part of the Ministry's plan to beautify Accra. Dr. Agyapong noted that the projects, which would begin in September this year, would also have housing and hostel facilities to accommodate both traders and businessmen.

He said the rest of the phases would involve private entrepreneurs who would complement the efforts of government in the overall development of the area. Dr. Agyapong mentioned that the old Fadama area, which comprise Agbobloshie, Sodom and Gomorrah and Timber market would all be relocated after the completion of the projects and the site developed into an ultra modern entertainment center with other low cost apartment for rent.

Mr. Abeiku Dickson, Special Assistance to the sector Minister said the Ministry would continue to use dialogue as opposed to compulsory acquisition to acquire the land for the projects. He called on the landowners to regard the project as a feather in their cup and support government to develop the area into an urban one.GNA

Nigeria death fails to halt poll

The sudden death of an opposition candidate will not delay a presidential poll due to take place on April 21, Nigeria's electoral commission says.
"It will not affect the elections," Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) spokesman Segun Adeogun told Reuters news agency.

Mr Adeogun says the Alliance for Democracy will be allowed to replace Adebayo Adefarati, who died Thursday.
Mr Adefarati, 79, seen as an outsider in the race, died in a hospital.
According to Nigeria's electoral act, elections are to be delayed until "convenient date" if a candidate dies after nomination papers are delivered.

"Unless someone is up to some mischief, the death of Adefarati should not affect the polls," Hamisu Shira, chair of Nigeria's House of Representatives committee on electoral matters told the BBC News website.
"All the Alliance for Democracy is required to do is simply present another presidential candidate to INEC."

President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is stepping down after two terms, paid tribute to Mr Adeferati at a campaign rally, saying: "He would have been a worthy opponent."
Mr Adeferati was governor of south-west Ondo State from 1999 to 2003, but lost a re-election bid in the April 2003 elections.
He was then nominated by his party as presidential candidate for Nigeria's forthcoming elections.

BBC

80-megawatt barge arrives to support Akosombo

An emergency 80-megawatt barge procured by a consortium of mining companies has arrived at the Tema Port as part of efforts to beef up energy requirements due to depleting water levels in the Akosombo Dam.It would be providing power in three months during which Newmont engineers would install and test the facility to meet expected capacities.

The consortium led by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited includes Gold Fields Ghana, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Star Resources. The barge would be located at the New Tema VRA Sub-Station near the Tema Oil Refinery.Briefing journalists at the Tema Port, Mr Joshua Mutoti, Newmont's Energy Manager, said the 45 million-dollar barge is the consortium's contribution to stabilizing the power rationing programme.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) embarked on a power-rationing programme last August following depleting water resources of the Akosombo Dam, which is currently at 237.60 feet, far below the minimum operating level of 240 feet.The Akosombo Dam started commercial production of electricity in 1965.

GNA

Two more judges dead

Two more justices of the superior courts of Ghana are reported dead.Justice Essilfie Bondzie, a retired Appeal Court judge died at the weekend while Justice Asamoah of the Court of Appeal died on Wednesday morning.

Their deaths come immediately after the death of Justice George Kingsley Acquah, the Chief Justice who passed away on Sunday.

Brazil struggles to hold on to lead

Reuters) - Brazil were heavily indebted to goalkeeper Julio Cesar in their 1-0 win over Ghana in a friendly international on Tuesday.Vagner Love scored the winner in a rematch of the 2006 World Cup second-round tie which Brazil won 3-0 but Julio Cesar was their most important player.He made his first notable save in the 15th minute when he tipped away Eric Addo's close-range header.

Two minutes later, Brazil won a corner, Kaka headed on at the near post and Vagner Love, unmarked at the far post, drilled the ball home for his second international goal.Julio Cesar was in action again in the 20th minute as he blocked a dangerous run by Alex Tachie Mensah.Despite missing captain Stephen Appiah and midfielder Michael Essien, Ghana continued to threaten the South Americans in a surprisingly slow-paced game.

Julio Cesar made his best save to turn away Laryea Kingston's fierce drive from the edge of the area in the 50th minute and tipped over Sulley Muntari's 30-metre free kick shortly afterwards.Muntari's effort scraped the crossbar before going out to safety.Brazil, who thrashed Chile 4-0 in Gothenburg on Saturday, were happy to threaten on the break and created a clear opening in the 65th minute which was wasted by Kaka, who toe-poked the ball wide.Ghana had midfielder Haminu Dramani sent off for a second bookable offence in the 77th minute, after which the game fizzled out with Brazil happy to sit back on their lead.
Source:Reuters