Solar energy project takes off

Government has put together a team of local solar energy experts to help kick-start the implementation of the development of solar energy systems in the country.Dubbed: the Joint Coordinating Committee for human resource development towards the dissemination of solar Photo Voltaic (PV) system, the team would implement government's programme of action for the establishment of two solar testing and training centres soon. The Ministry of Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Science and Sports are spearheading the project under a grant sponsorship from the Japanese's government through its International Cooperation Assistance (JICA).

Launching the project and inaugurating the Committee in Accra on Thursday, Mr. Joseph Adda the Energy Minister in a statement read for him by the Chief Director, Mrs Dina Hammond said Ghana was endowed with solar energy resources but its sector had benefited marginally. He said, "in 2003, government came out with a Master Plan to promote the development of solar for off-grid rural electrification using renewable energy in the northern part of the country.

"JICA's support is therefore to help advance the use of solar system in the country," he said.Mr. Adda said solar PV could be sustainable if properly planned and the adequate human resource for its management and operation was developed.The implementation of the project that spanned between 2007 and 2010 was expected to substantially address the country's future energy challenges.Key institutions involved in this project are the Ghana Standard Board, the Association of Ghana Solar Industries, the KNUST, and the Tamale Polytechnic.

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Tamale Polytechnic would house the two training centres where Japanese technical experts would provide support in the training of Ghanaian technicians in solar system PV installation and maintenance.Arrangements are also far advanced for the establishment of the testing centres where all solar equipment and materials to be imported into the country would be tested and certified for better performance of the project.
Source:GNA

Mbeki receives law doctorate from 'CapeVars'

President Thabo Mbeki received a long-awaited honorary doctorate in law from Ghana's Cape Coast University on Wednesday, according to his office.

The university had decided to offer it to him back in 2002 but he had not had the chance the visit the country to receive it, said spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.He therefore made use of his current visit to the African Union summit, hosted in Ghana, to do so

Seychelles vice president calls on Asatehene

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has accepted an invitation to pay a visit to the Island of Seychelles at an appropriate date to be announced soon.The Seychelles Vice President, Joseph Belmont, who attended the African Union Summit which ended in Accra on Tuesday, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene on Sunday.He said: "My President has asked me to extend an invitation to you to visit his country at an appropriate date.

I have deep feeling to be here even though the moment for me to be here is short."A statement from the Manhyia Palace said Mr Belmont was met by the sons of the Asantehene (Ahenema) led by Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene of Kumasi and ushered in to meet Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Mr Belmont said some of Asantehene's descendants were still in Seychelles. He was introduced to Mr. Lewis Prempeh aged 65 and Ms. Molly Prempeh, 55, both surviving descendants.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said the visit of the Vice President reminded him of his forefathers who were exiled to Seychelles by the British. He said in spite of the desire of the Ashantis for an honourable settlement, the British made impossible demands and in the end Nana Prempeh was taken away to Elmina.The Asantehene recalled that when the British saw that the Ashantis were making inroads to get their King back, they sent him to Sierra Leone and finally to Seychelles where he stayed for about 25 years.

He said when the Nana Prempeh returned from exile, Ashantis had profound memories of the Seychelles because he came back as a happy King.Otumfuo Osei Tutu said: "I keep on reminding the British that we still have bitter memories of the exile."The Asantehene said he had accepted to visit Seychelles, but this time not as an exile, adding that he would name where his forefathers stayed as Manhyia Palace.Mr. Belmont presented a book about the development of the Island of Seychelles to Otumfuo the Asantehene.

The Seychelles Vice President was accompanied to the Manhyia Palace by Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister.
Source:GNA

Leaders reject pan-African dream

Southern and East African leaders have rejected plans to set up a pan-African government, as suggested by Libya's head of state Colonel Moamar Gaddafi.Uganda's Yoweri Museveni says he backs economic integration but says Africa is too diverse for one government.Senegal, however, backed the plans and says a breakaway group could be formed.Ghana's Foreign Minister believes problems are inevitable but can be overcome as the European Union has done.

African leaders split on unityAn African Union summit in Ghana has overrun after leaders struggled to reach a compromise on moves to form a closer union.The three-day meeting has been dominated by calls for a so-called United States of Africa but while member nations agree on the goal of economic integration and eventual unity, most leaders have urged caution.Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, and Abdoulaye Wade, the Senegalese president, lead a group of countries who have been pushing for the immediate creation of a federal state.On Tuesday, Gaddafi called for a referendum to settle the issue."We ask all the heads of state to hold a referendum so that they will see that all the people want a United States of Africa," he said in a speech to the summit.

Wade also promoted the creation of a federal government when he spoke to journalists late on Monday.
"There is no salvation for Africa outside political unity. ... If we remain fragmented into little states, we will remain weak, politically weak," he said.
Asked about earlier Senegalese threats that a group of five or six states could forge ahead with federation, Wade said: "Theoretically, it is not excluded ... but I don't think we'll be going in that direction."If the conference as a whole makes progress towards a government that it calls a continental government , a union government ... that will create a basis that we can accept."Other countries, including the big regional powers of Nigeria and South Africa, have called for a more gradual move towards greater union.

"In Uganda, we are not in favour of forming a continental government now," Yoweri Museveni, the Ugandan president, said.He said that while economic integration was possible, people from different regions of Africa were incompatible politically and forcing them together would create tension.Complex situation"I salute the enthusiasm of those who advocate for continental government now. I however, do not want us to move from one mistake - Balkanisation - to another mistake of oversimplification of very complex situations," Museveni said.Pakalitha Mosisili, Lesotho's prime minister, summed up the view of the moderates: "Even as we pursue this noble objective, we cannot ignore the factors that militate against it."He said surrender of national sovereignty was a "tall order".

Haru Mutasa, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ghana, said questions also remain over who will pay for a united Africa."Most African countries can't even fund themselves, so will they ask the World Bank to give them money, and if they do what strings will come attached to it," she said.
Source:GHP

New Cedi in circulation on July 3

The Bank of Ghana announces for the information of the general public that the Ghana cedis and Ghana pesewas will be put into circulation on Tuesday, 3rd July 2007, the first banking day of the month.

Ghana Police declines permits for demonstrators at AU Summit

The police have banned all demonstrations during the African Union summit in Accra which starts Sunday.Several groups from across Africa had planned protests during the summit, which runs until July 3.More than 2,000 police and an unspecified number of soldiers have been drafted in to provide security for the summit in the Ghanaian capital.Accra Region Police Commander, Douglas Akrofi Asiedu told would-be protestors to postpone their demonstrations until after July 3.

"We said they should postpone it because the date selected for the demonstration is not ideal for security," he told a local radio station. "We are overstretched and it would be very difficult for us to get police to protect them."Amongst the wouldbe protesters were Zimbabwean activists led by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change.Another group had intended to stage a protest against Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, for failing to investigate the deaths of 44 Ghanaian migrants in Banjul in 2005.Another organization had intended to highlight the Darfur conflict in Sudan.

Demonstrations do not necessarily need police permits in Ghana. But it is mandatory for organisers to inform the police and make security arrangements.
Source:GHP

UN Deputy Secretary General arrives for AU Summit

Ms Asha-Rose Migiro, United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, arrived in Accra on Thursday evening for the annual Summit of the African Union (AU) during which, she will call for stronger partnership between the UN and the AU on African issues. While in Ghana, Ms Migiro will speak on pertinent issues including the need to speed up efforts for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the war against the spread of HIV/AIDS and the empowering of women and girls.

She will also touch on issues of peace and security on the continent and the latest joint efforts by the UN and the AU to resolve the crises in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Deputy Secretary General is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with some African leaders.GNA