Illegal Gold Miners Trapped in Pit Collapse

Eighteen gold miners have been confirmed dead and another 30 are still trapped one day after an illegal mine collapsed in western Ghana, police said on Tuesday.
Attempts to rescue the 30 men still trapped in an abandoned mineshaft at Nsuapim, about 400km west of the capital, Accra, are being hampered by a lack of earth-moving equipment, they said.

Area police Commander Daniel Sampana said he has sought help from one of the big mining companies in the area, Bogoso Gold, which has offered excavators. Bogoso is a subsidiary of Canada's Golden Star Resources.
Illegal gold mining has been a source of concern for both the Ghanaian government and the big mining companies.

Illegal miners often take over abandoned mineshafts and galleries in order to dig for gold there on a small scale. Left without maintenance for years, these structures sometimes cave in on the miners.

Note:
These are analysis of the blogger---Isaac TETTEH
Pit Collapse: - This happens basically because the earth ideally should be in a state of equilibrium. Meaning, every excavation in an in-situ rock, will seek to adjust to keep the earth in its equilibrium state.
There are factors that make the acquisition of this perfect state faster, the major bring disturbance of either the wall or foot rock.
Factors that cause these disturbances include ground vibration from a neighboring pit, flooding among a host of others.
To prevent these from happening, Legal mining companies undertake proper stope support, professional de-watering, prevention of rock acid drainage etc.
Illegal mining is a crime under the current laws of Ghana. Laws have been put in place to integrate “Galamsay operators” into following “the rules of engagement”. Many of them have not heeded this call. The reasons are that they feel they will not make as much money as fast as they are making now when their operations are regulated.
This has exposed them to even greater risk since many Legal mining activities are ongoing in the Western region.
I hope the authorities at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) will intensify its outreach programmes in these deprived districts so as to clear all doubts in the minds of these “wanna-be miners”.

Traditional leaders urged to respect rights of subjects

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, has charged chiefs and other traditional leaders to respect the rights and dignity of their people at all times. He said chiefs should see themselves as servants who were prepared to lead their people to promote peace and development in their areas.

Speaking at the first meeting of the year of the Asanteman Council in Kumasi on Monday, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, charged the chiefs to respect their subjects in order to win their support and not to use their positions to antagonise them. Otumfuo Osei Tutu was not happy about the current trend in funeral celebrations in Asanteman and reiterated his call on traditional rulers in the area to discuss the issue passionately and come out with traditional bylaws that would help curb the situation and reduce funeral cost.

He said chiefs had an onerous responsibility to protect the customs and traditions of their people adding that, the current way of funeral celebrations were against the traditions of Asanteman. Otumfuo Osei Tutu stated that, the huge sums of money used in preparing food, drinks and other extravagant activities during funerals must be condemned by all. He indicated that such monies could be well invested in the socio-economic and educational development in the communities and thereby improve the living conditions of the people.

Otumfuo announced that the Council was to set up a committee to look into the issue and come out with appropriate recommendations that would help to curb the phenomenon. He was not happy that some chiefs in the Brong Ahafo Region, who owed allegiance to the golden stool, bypassed him and got themselves registered at the Brong Ahafo Regional house of chiefs and warned that, such attitude would not be tolerated anymore.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, said chiefs, who owed allegiance to him must first swear the oath to him before getting themselves registered at the regional houses of chiefs. The Asantehene also warned the chiefs against using their authorities to settle disputes, which were beyond their capabilities and urged them to always refer such cases to the Manhyia Palace for settlement.GNA

Ga Mantse Outdooring in Pix

King Tackie Tawiah, Ga Mantse, the Overlord of Ga State, lifts up a broom tied with a white handkerchief to signify the victory and unity of the Ga State after his coronation on Saturday.
Naa Omar Duro, Ga Manye, Queen Mother of Ga State, welcomes King Tackie Tawiah III to coronation grounds.

King Tackie Tawiah III, Ga Mantse, the Overlord of Ga State, sits in state after his coronation on Saturday
King Tackie Tawiah III beams with smiles after his coronation on Saturday.DSC 8184: King Tackie Tawiah III acknowledges the cheers of his people after his coronation
Nii Adotey Obuor, Sempe Mantse, delivering the welcoming address at the coronation of King Tackie Tawiah III on Saturday.

Various foodstuffs were presented to King Tackie Tawiah at his coronation on Saturday.

A retinue of Priests and Priestesses at the coronation of King Tackie Tawiah III on Saturday.
Ga State Warriors arrive at the coronation grounds.
King Tackie Tawiah III flanked by Naa Omar Duro, Ga Manye, Queen Mother of Ga State and Nii Ababio, James Town Mantse, move toward the dais at coronation grounds.

The Ga State has a new King

The new Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, was officially outdoored as the rightful King to lead the people and steer the affairs of the Ga State at a colourful and peaceful coronation ceremony in Accra on Saturday.

Members of the Ga Traditional Council, the Chiefs and Queen-mothers of most of the clans and their followers, Ministers of State, and well-wishers from all walks of live thronged the King's Palace in Accra to witness the coronation ceremony which was characterized by pump and pageantry. Amidst musketry by the warriors, drumming, singing and dancing as well as waving of flags, King Tackie Tawiah III, Known in private life as Dr. Jo Blankson, arrived at the coronation grounds in a Black Mitsubishi Montero guarded by his security men.

There was heavy police presence to provide security and prevent any mishap as a result of the controversy that had surrounded the enstoolment of the new Ga Mantse. This however, did not deter the people to show their rich culture as the women carried various food items and the various Asafo groups displayed their skills to pay homage to the new King.
The highlight of the ceremony was observed by the slaughtering of a bull by the Warriors and the sprinkling of the blood on the feet of the new King to signify the finality of the process and the acceptance by the ancestors and the people of the King.

In his acceptance speech, King Tackie Tawiah III said with his coronation and the support of the people, the development of the Ga State would move at a fast pace to put her on a pedestal to be admired by all. "A baby learns how to sit, crawl, stand, and walk before he runs but we have to start by running because our state has lagged behind in so many ways. What do we have to show after 50 years of independence? This has to be corrected as soon as possible"
The Ga Mantse noted that traditional leaders like the Asantehene, Okyenhene and Togbe Afedzi had with the support of the government undertaken many developmental projects for their people because of the peace they enjoyed. King Tackie Tawiah III advocated the establishment of Ga Development Corporation to mobilse funds to support development and promised to work with all factions and the various clans of the Ga State to move it forward.He said the population of the Ga State was huge, hence the need for all hands to be on deck. The new King called for government support to improve on the infrastructure of the various communities as well as to give back the leased lands to the owners after the term had expired. King Tackie Tawiah III expressed the hope that peace would prevail even after the controversies adding, "goodness, oneness and prosperity should be the portion of the Ga State" . Sheik I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister pledged the support of the government for the new King to move the region forward and said a forum would be held to listen to the concerns of all the people in order to reach a consensus. He asked for God's blessings and wisdom for the Ga Mantse and urged him to be humble, obedient and work assiduously to bring all the people under one umbrella.
The Minister presented 100 million cedis to the Ga Mantse as government's contribution for the work ahead.
Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture on Saturday called on citizens of the Ga State to bury their differences and forge ahead as one people with a common destiny.
"It is only God who appoints Kings, if you are not a royal there is no way you can become a King".
Mr. Boafo was speaking at the coronation of the King Tackie Tawiah III, the new Ga Mantse at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra. The ceremony attracted hundreds of people who had come from far and near to witness this memorable occasion which occurs ones in a lifetime.
The Ga Mantse Palace went gay as the various Asafo Companies treated the gathering to cultural displays and the incessant beating of fontomfrom drums amid the firing of muskets.
The atmosphere was further charged as the new Ga Mantse arrived at the palace with his retinue of Ga sub-chiefs and warriors who boomed their muskets which shook the durbar grounds.Mr. Boafo said the chieftaincy in Ghana was a noble institution and called on the people in the Ga State to unite for the development of the area.
"King Tackie Tawiah III is the Jubilee King and all must support him to bring development to the traditional area," he added. Mr. Boafo also stated that about 80 percent of the country's population still believes in the chieftaincy institution and this signifies that the institution was here to stay, "I know the pedigree of King Tackie Tawiah III and I believe that he would be able to bring development to the people," he emphasized.
Mr. Nat Nunoo Amartefio, a former Mayor of Accra also called on the Ga citizens to bury their differences and support the new Ga Mantse to raise the Ga State to the level that it deserves. He said even though some people may have some disagreements on certain issues the coronation of King Tackie Tawiah III should bring to an end all our differences and move the Ga nation forward. Naa Dedei Omadru, Ga Manye, on her part called for peace and unity in the Ga State in order to bring development to the traditional area.She called for the empowerment of women through skills training and financial assistance to enhance their businesses.
Nii Adote Obuor II, Sempe Mantse, in his welcome address, advised the people of the Ga Traditional Area to rally behind the newly enstooled King in-spite of the petty squabbles because the new Ga Mantse, endorsed by the Ga Tradtional Council, had come to stay. "After the burial of Nii Amugi II, there was the need for a new Ga Mantse to steer the affairs of the state. There was confusion over the selection but the Dzaase (Kingmakers ) had found a solution by choosing Dr. Jo Balnkson. Whether he is good or not he will lead us."
He said a new Dzaasetse, Nii Tetteh Kwei II had also been outdoored to work together with the Ga Mantse to speed up the development of the Ga Traditional area and called on the people to give them their maximum support.King Tackie Tawaih III was born to Madam Mary Lartey of the Asere Dzorshie Royal Family and Joseph Blankson Lartey, a Chief Spokesperson of the Ga State and a grandson of King Tackie Tawaih I.

Wolfowitz Seeks African Leaders’ Backing

Paul D. Wolfowitz, seeking support for his beleaguered leadership as president of the World Bank, is turning for help to the one group at the bank that aides say he has focused on the most, the leaders of sub-Saharan Africa, bank officials say.At a news conference on Saturday, as hundreds of delegates circulated in Washington and speculated about Mr.

Wolfowitz’s future, several finance ministers of African countries said he had done an outstanding job in increasing aid to Africa and demanding an end to corruption.“He has been a visionary,” said Antoinette Sayeh, finance minister of Liberia, which has received considerable bank assistance following its conflicts of a couple years ago. “We’re very grateful for his leadership in getting where we are today.

We look forward to that continuing.”Rama Sithanen, a deputy prime minister of Mauritius, said Mr. Wolfowitz had been “supportive of the reforms in our country.” He said Mr. Wolfowitz “has apologized for what has happened” regarding the favoritism shown to his companion, Shaha Ali Riza, who is employed at the bank, and should be dealt with in a way that was “commensurate” with his mistakes.

REGSEC issues statement on coronation of Ga Mantse

Following concerns raised about security during the proposed coronation of the new Ga King slated for Saturday, April 14, 2007, a meeting of the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) was convened to discuss the security arrangements and related matters in respect of the event. This was contained in a statement issued by the office of the REGSEC and signed for the Regional Minister by the Chief Director.

The statement said, "further to the briefing given by the members of the Regional Security Council, REGSEC hereby appeals to stakeholders to be circumspect in their utterances, behaviour and action. REGSEC also appeals for peace, calm and harmony during this period. "REGSEC has directed that the security agencies should take necessary action to avert any breach of the peace and to bring to book any person who will attempt to foment trouble and cause confusion. "Meanwhile, REGSEC has directed that the security agencies should be on high alert to ensure that security of the region is not breached."GNA

Togolose Refugees to be repatriated

The UNHCR, the Governments of Ghana and Togo on Thursday signed a Tripartite Agreement to Facilitate Voluntary Repatriation of Togolese Refugees from Ghana.The agreement, which was signed in the Togolese capital, Lome seeks to facilitate the voluntary return of Togolese refugees who have been in Ghana since 1992.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ghana's Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Togolese counterpart Zrifou Ayeva, signed for their countries, while the UNHCR Representative in Ghana, Ms. Aida Haile Mariam, signed for the UNbody. The delegation from Ghana included Nana Akufo-Addo , Mr McArios A. Akanbong, Assistant Director-Legal and Consular Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. M.A. Bawumia, Ministry of the Interior.

Also in attendance were various members of the diplomatic community including USA, China and the European Union.Given some interest expressed by a portion of Togolese refugees in returning home, UNHCR and the respective governments are putting in place a legal framework to govern possible voluntary repatriation to Togo.Voluntary repatriation is the most preferred durable solution option for refugees. Ghana hosts some 50,600 refugees, 12,326 of them being Togolese.The Ghanaian Foreign Minister later paid courtesy calls on the new Togolese Prime Minister, Mr. Agboyibor, and the Togolese President, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe.

The meetings, which were held behind closed doors, centered on Ghana-Togo relations and on regional and continental issues. The Togolese President praised the efforts of the Ghanaian President and AU Chairman, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, towards the establishment of peace in the region and continent and hailed him as a great friend of Togo.
Source:GNA