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Ghananie.com

Parliament passes three Bills

Parliament on Thursday passed three bills, including the Credit Reporting Bill after taking them through the third reading. The National Lotto and Foreign Exchange Bills were the other Bills passed. The purpose of the Credit Reporting Bill is to provide a legal framework for the licensing, operation and supervision of credit bureaus in Ghana .It also seeks to establish the conditions for the formation, processing and storage and disclosure of credit information. The Finance Committee in its report on the Bill noted that Ghana currently did not have a comprehensive and reliable credit information system available to lenders, making them rely solely on borrowers for information. Due to this, financial institutions are unable to make informed and reliable decisions in relation to the allocation of credit. The lack of credit information system increases the risks of lending and causes financial institutions to provide less credit, thereby reducing the availability of credit for small and medium size businesses. The National Lotto Bill would revise the law regulating the operation of national lotto and to restructure the National Lotteries Department so as to generate more revenue for the state. The Department of National Lotteries was set up as a department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to conduct the national weekly lotto for and on behalf of government. Despite making substantial contributions to the Consolidated Fund, the promulgation PNDC Law 223 deregulated the lottery industry in Ghana and subjected the department to competition from private lottery operators. The Foreign Exchange Bill seeks to provide a new statutory framework for the management of the foreign exchange transactions regime in the country.GNA

Parliament nears passage of bill against "Domestic Violence"

The Domestic Violence Bill, which seeks to provide legal protection for marital spouses and children from violence and abuses, went through the second reading in Parliament on Thursday. The First Deputy Speaker Mr Freddie Blay, who sat in the chair, ruled that the motion was moved after much debate on whether it should be deferred for the next day since it was past 1300 hours and Parliament had to close by 1400 hours. Members were divided on the movement of the motion, arguing that due to the importance of the bill, ample time was needed to study the Report of the joint Committee on Gender and Children and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on the Bill, distributed earlier in the day. The House was unanimous on its support for the bill after Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice had moved the motion, stating that domestic violence had become a social canker and the bill was to provide victims with a broader set of remedies. He observed that the bill never saw the light of the day in earlier attempts to make it materialize for frequent deferments against the rather increasing reports incest, rape and other forms of domestic abuses. Mr Osei-Prempeh said the bill considers both offenders and victims and provision was also made for settlement and further provide a check for the numerous attacks on women, children and the voiceless vulnerable bring perpetrators to book and victims back their dignity. Reading the Report of the Joint Committee, Mrs. Esther Obeng Dapaah, Chairperson of the Committee said violence within domestic settings was exemplified in the beating of spouses, sexual and other forms of house-helps and children, the aged, sick and physically challenged. "A recent national study on violence revealed that one in three women interviewed had been beaten, slapped or physically punished by a current or most recent partner. "There are also cases of sexual and other forms of harassment in the office settings. Domestic violence had in some instances resulted in the death of spouses and children," Mrs Obeng Dapaah said. She said, the introduction of the bill was informed by the need to provide victims of domestic violence with a broader set of remedies including, particularly protection orders, which will promote human dignity and ensure prompt, cost effective and less traumatic means of redress. Members of the House, particularly from the Minority side indicated the readiness for Members to pass the bill, saying it was unfortunate that the bill had been perceived as fronting for women against men. Mr Kojo Armah, CPP-Evalue Gwira said it is about inhuman treatment of one person against another, adding that both men and women can be victims of domestic violence. Alhaji Abubakar Sumanu, NDC-Tamale North said the bill would prove to the world that Ghana had come of age, while Mr Haruma Iddrisu, NDC-Tamale South commended Cabinet on the removal of the provision of marital rape from the bill, saying that; "You cannot restrict the enjoyment of conjugal rights. Mr Iddrisu commended the initiators of the bill and suggested that further attempts should be made to identify factors leading to domestic violence, adding that the passage of the bill would not be enough in checking abuse, if the judicial process is going to be slow. He said the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs should look for more funds under the proposed fund in the bill to educate and conscientize Ghanaians on the implementation of the bill. Mr Stephen Balado Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano South criticised in harsh terms people who were wrongly claiming ownership of the bill, to the extent of forging signatures of faceless people in the constituencies urging Members of Parliament to hasten work on the bill. He said the bill belongs to Parliament and no impression should be created that Parliament was against the passage of the bill. Using the local Akan expressing, "Alomo Gyata" Mr Balado Manu said some women had become tigresses and lionesses, inflicting violence on men at home and urged them to see the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mr. Kwamina Bartels for a new orientation. Mr Balado Manu stated further that it was wrong for some people to wear red bands and parade the public gallery of Parliament on the day of the second reading of the bill to create the impression that Parliament was against the bill. Soon after this statement, which was supported by Mr. Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro some group of people mostly women, including Nana Oye Lithur, a human rights advocate seating in the gallery and wearing red bands and mourning cloths walked of the Chamber. Nana Lithur later told journalists that they walked to expressed their protest at the way some Members of Parliament were handling the debate.GNA

Payment of reparation attracts mixed reactions from beneficiaries

There have been mixed reactions to the quantum of reparations being paid to victims of human rights abuses as payments began in Ho on Thursday. A total of 375 people are expected to benefit from the reparations in the Volta region, an official told newsmen. Mr Donkor Ayifli, one of the victims rejected the two million cedis paid to him, describing the amount as "a mockery". He said his pain would rather deepen if he should accept the amount and that he would have been content with a "certificate". Mr Ayifli, a member of the Steering Committee of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), said he lost his tractor parts and a store and was in prison custody for a long time and hauled before the Public Tribunal 14 times. He alleged that recipients did not sign any receipts to acknowledge receipt of the amounts they were paid. Another recipient who would neither identify himself nor the amount of money he was paid, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he was disappointed at the amount because he lost two cars and building materials, with which he was about to put up a storey building. He did not return the money. One of officials involved in the payment and would not identify herself however advised that anybody who was dissatisfied with what he was being paid could still petition the relevant authorities. She explained that what was being paid was not compensation because the government could not pay such compensations. On the other hand, 85-year-old Raphael Larbi, who told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he was forced into self-exile in Togo from 1960 until 1966, said he was thankful to God for the amount paid to him especially for the step taken by government as a show of remorse on behalf of the State and wished the government well. Mr William Dusu, 51, who said he was beaten mercilessly by soldiers for daring to challenge them for selling his wife's kenkey unlawfully said "I was not expecting the amount I was paid" and that the important thing was not the quantum of money being paid out but the spirit behind it. Mr Ricky Atiana, 56, said the reparation was important because it showed the weakness of rights abuses against forgiveness, peace and reconciliation and that wrongs could never be hidden. Mr Gershon Kwaku Dompreh, formerly with the Ghana News Agency who was granted unconditional Presidential pardon after serving eight out of 20 years in prison “for conspiracy to do an act and doing an act detrimental to the sovereign people of Ghana”, could not be paid because his name was missing among those eligible. He was asked to petition. There were others whose names could similarly not be traced while others were asked to follow up to Accra. Meanwhile, those who would not be able to make it to Ho by Friday 24, November 2006 to collect their reparations could contact the Attorney-General's Department.GNA

Agreement signed to develop fish farming

The Ministry of Fisheries together with the state of Israel and the Freshwater Fishery Institute of Shandong, China, have signed a technical agreement to help develop aquaculture in the country with the aim of promoting fish farming. "The training programme, which has already started is designed to transfer aquaculture skills and technology to our farmers," Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries, told parliament on Thursday. She was responding to a question from Mr Joe Gidisu, (NDC-Central Tongu) on what was being done to promote aquaculture in the Lower Volta Basin. The Minister said the Lower Volta basin had a high potential for aquaculture development and that the Ministry would help design and implement projects through the private sector. "The Lower Volta basin, which stretches from Akosombo dam to the estuary at Azizanya-Ada, has the potential for the development of pond and pen fish culture. In Battor and its outlying towns and villages the people are already practising penfish." She said the Ministry had carefully considered the practice and effecting some changes to make it more effective and efficient. Responding to another question, Mrs Asmah said the Ministry had set in motion the arrangements for the establishment and inauguration of the Fisheries Commission to assist in the regulation and management of the country's fisheries resources in compliance with article 269 of the constitution and the provisions of the Fisheries Act of 2002.GNA

University of "419", Legon?

What started as small scale criminal enterprises among Nigerians in Ghana at various internet café’s has now metamorphosised into a rampaging devil eating into the fabric of University students with University of Ghana becoming the latest hub.Operators of the Advance Fee Fraud (419) scam have now moved their operations to the premier University of Ghana, Legon, as the hub of their fraudulent activities where they lure unsuspecting victims to. They are said to be in strong connivance with some students and are duping unsuspecting members of the public of huge sums of money. The Enquirer went on their trail recently and found that most of the fraudsters are of foreign origin, especially Nigerians.It came out that those involved in the scam are lodging in various halls of residence of the university and often use the rooms as their offices.Latest to fall prey to the fraudsters and their student accomplices are two South African nationals who were in the country for gold transaction.The two, Ian Peterson, a businessman and Reginald Mowaz, who came into the country from neighboring Togo on October 25, this year.Upon arrival, the two went to the On The Run amusement centre on the Legon-Madina road where they met two Nigerians and a Ghanaian who claimed to be students of Legon.On hearing the mission of the South Africans, the two Nigerians, Gideon Ikperu and Michael Nkwe, arranged a meeting at the same venue the following day.The Enquirer gathered that the Ghanaian, Eric Konadu Antwi, joined the meeting and promised the South Africans that he had a company by name Miluk Ventures which was capable of liaising with the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) to get them the gold.With documentary evidence of a registered company, Peterson and Mowaz became convinced, and were lured into a room at Legon Hall by the 419 men. There, the South Africans parted with $149,000, after which they went back to the On The Run for drinks to seal the deal.That was the last time the South Africans set eyes on the two Nigerians and their Ghanaian counterpart. All efforts to trace them have proved futile, it later came out that they had been swindled.The Enquirer’s painstaking investigations proved that Legon campus is also virtually becoming visa acquisition centre. With the introduction of the US visa lottery for the year, the place is boiling with the activities of “connection men.”A visit to the campus by the Enquirer revealed that banners were flying all over the place directing prospective travelers where “cheaper and quality’ services are available.A highly placed source at the university confirmed the presence of the 419 men on the campus. It said the incident involving the South Africans was just one of the numerous cases.
Source:The Enquirer

All 'Cocaine men' to be freed!

The President is planning to undertake one of the most wide-ranging institutional reforms ever carried out, in response to falling confidence in the police service, The Statesman can reveal.

Meanwhile, the prosecutions against the men suspected to be Ghana’s leading drug barons, are crumbling with the police still not being able to support all the charges with evidence that may stand up in a trial.Already, last Fridayan Accra Regional Tribunal chaired by Justice Frank Manu discharged Alhaji Moro and three other suspects, who had been held in connection with the missing 76 parcels of cocaine from the vessel MV Benjamin for want of prosecution. The Prosecution withdrew the case.

While details are still sketchy, a Commission of Enquiry, similar to the Justice Archer Commission, which presented its report in 1981, is apparently being considered.The President is said to prefer an institutional structure that can readily purge the force of abusive and criminal elements.

It could, in an extreme probability, even mean dismissing officers on reasonable suspicion of inappropriate behaviour, a source hinted.The recent Georgina Wood Committee report observed that “a new cadre of security personnel imbued with a high sense of integrity, discipline, nationalism and patriotism is urgently needed for law enforcement in the country.

”Meanwhile, as revealed by The Statesman and The Crusading Guide Tuesday, President John Agyekum, acting on advice from the Police Council and the Attorney General and others, has renewed his confidence in the Inspector General of Police, Patrick Kwarteng.

The shortcomings of the Police have been identified to include corruption, problems with training, management, supervision and excessive use of force. According to a senior Castle source, the President believes the “major focus must be on reforming the institution, tackling the corruption, indiscipline, institutional disregard for basic human rights, and the administrative weaknesses nationwide.”

The source summed the expectations as thus: “The focus of the reforms is on the wider need to greatly improve policing.”The reforms are expected to involve a wide-ranging shake up of policing structures, which should lead to greater autonomy under a much decentralised force.

Issues to be addressed include implementing revenue-generating measures, such as spot fines, etc, to help boost the running of police services in the districts.Also hinted is a kind of police standards unit, which will ensure that a high and uniformed code of conduct is maintained.Another pressing proposal is to set up an independent police complaints commission to address public grievances against the police.

The complaints body may also be empowered to initially look into cases of police corruption and hand it over to the appropriate institution, such as the Criminal Investigation Division of the Service to look into it, and then give a report to the independent body after investigation.Public confidence in the police is being undermined by corruption, especially road traffic bribery.

But, Government believes, if proper discipline is instilled, fines from traffic offences could serve as a major source of revenue to help enhance the quality of the service.The service currently is struggling to cope with the demands of modern policing, such as complex serious crimes and even the global threat of terrorism.

The reforms will also involve cutting down waste and establishing a much enhanced conditions of service for officers, especially their take-home pay. Public confidence in the police remains low and mobs have attacked several police stations on several occasions. In January the presidential Archer Commission issued a white paper critiquing police operations and providing specific directives as to how to address police manpower, training, and logistical needs.

But, human rights advocates also talk of an apparent blatant disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution ordinarily exhibited by the police service, which the reforms are expected to address, as well.

For example, even though Prince Tsibu Darko, who was facing drug offence charges, was granted bail by an Accra High Court after four months in custody on what Justice A K Abada described Tuesday as on grounds of “mere suspicion”, by last night, the police were still refusing to release him, saying they were awaiting instructions from the Attorney-General in clear contempt of the court order.

Meanwhile, the circuit judge presiding over the drug case against four alleged drug traffickers, was yesterday promoted to the High Court. The suspects, who have also been on remand for four months, are Kwabena “Tagor” Amaning, Abass Issah and Kwabena Acheampong.Information reaching The Statesman suggests that today, Chief State Attorney Gertrude Aikins is likely to file a nolle prosequi – meaning the state is “unwilling to pursue” the case against the accused persons.

The Attorney-General’s Department had earlier told the Circuit Court that it intended to put the suspects before the Fast Track High Court.The three were arrested after testifying at the Justice Georgina Wood Committee, set up by the Ministry of the Interior to investigate two high-profile cocaine cases.

Another suspect, Victor Kisseh, alias Yaw Billa, who was arrested and charged later, has since been freed.
Source:Statesman