African Heads of State arrive for forum

A number of African Heads of State have started arriving in Accra to attend the second conference of the "Partnership with Africa" from the January 12 to January 14 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Teshie, Accra, on the theme: "Two Generations-One Future."Organised under the auspices of German President Horst Kohler, the conference is a sequel to the first Africa Conference he convened in Bonn in November 2005, where he launched the Africa Partnership Initiative.President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria was the first to arrive. He was followed by President Festus Mogae of Bostwana and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

Mr Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Union Commission has also arrived.They were all met by President John Agyekum Kufuor of the Republic of Ghana, Ministers of States, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Senior Service Personnel at the Kotoka International Airport.
Source:GNA

Ghana is grateful for Germany's development support

President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed Ghana's appreciation to Germany for its development support to the country, which crossed the billion Euros mark last year. In addition, a 270 million Euro debt owed her by Ghana was also cancelled, something, that significantly contributed to the turn around of the country's economy. President Kufuor conveyed the country's appreciation at the opening of bilateral talks with the visiting German President Horst Kohler at the Castle, Osu, on Thursday.

Accompanied by the wife Eva and a 170-member delegation, made up of Government Officials and businessmen, he is in the country for a four-day visit during which, he would participate in the Partnership with Africa Forum. The last time Mr Kohler came to Ghana was about four years ago when he was then the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

President Kufuor noted that apart from development assistance, there were technical and economic cooperation between the two countries in the areas of education, agriculture, good governance as well as the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic. He recalled the encouragement President Kohler as Managing Director of the IMF gave to the country, when it opted for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. "It is a credit to you. The encouragement you gave to us to go through the HIPC has helped to turn the economy around. It is now strong, stable and showing a lot of hope."

President Kufuor also referred to the "Initiative on Partnership with Africa", a baby of President Kohler, and his decision that Ghana should co-chair the Forum, which seeks to promote understanding among peoples of the world, in Accra from the January 12 to January 14 and said: "This reflects the confidence you and your Government have in Ghana." He said it was significant the Forum was being held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPC), which the Germans helped to established to assist to restore peace and security to the West African Sub-Region.

President Kohler said his country was impressed with President Kufuor's leadership which, has led to high economic performance and stability of Ghana's economy. He also lauded President Kufuor for his role in the African Union and said he saw it as a privilege to be one of the first leaders to visit Ghana as it celebrated its 50 years of nationhood.

President Kohler said his Partnership with Africa Initiative was meant to find ways and means of promoting dialogue based on equal footing. He noted that through joint effort and activity by the rich nations and Africa, the Continent would be put on a path of prosperity.

Bailiff breaks into Eva Lokko’s office to take inventory

After over a year of being under lock and key, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Former Director-General, Eva Lokko's office was on Thursday broken into to allow an inventory to be taken. The entry into the office was necessitated by the refusal of Ms Lokko and her Legal Team, Bentsi Enchill and Letsa to open the door to enable Mr Franklin Duncan-Williams, the Bailiff to carry out a high court order given on January 8, 2007, consequent to a judgement by Mr Justice E. L. Dzakpasu on November 6, 2006.



The Court ordered Ms Lokko and her Legal Team to open the doors to her office for the Bailiff to take inventory of items in the office on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at exactly 11:00 hours. Contrary to the Court’s order, neither Ms Lokko nor her Legal Team showed up at the premises of GBC with the keys to the door.




When GBC Lawyers, Matthews Consult represented by Mr Michael Anokye managed to get Mr Ace Ankomah on phone at about 11:30 hours, he (Mr. Ankomah) claimed he had gotten the High Court Registrar, Mr S. B. Issaka to postpone the implementation of the order to January 12, 2007 at 15:00 hours. The GBC Lawyers contacted the High Court Registrar on phone and he vehemently denied ever postponing the effective date for the office to be opened.




After waiting for about one-and-a-half hours, Mr Anthony Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Matthews Consult, showed up with a faxed letter from Ms Lokko's legal representatives stating their request for the postponement, but Mr Matthews insisted that the letter arrived at 10:50 hours, 10 minutes before the effective time and moreover it was not legally binding on them.
GNA

Many Ghanaian Women risk death through unsafe abortion

In Ghana abortion is widespread and, because it is technically illegal, mainly unregulated.
It is estimated that as many as two-thirds of all terminations are unsafe and large numbers of women are dying.

Gloria is 22 and lives in a village in eastern Ghana.
She has had two abortions in two years and has not told her family as she is afraid she will be thrown out.

Her village is governed by traditional tribal customs.
Both abortion and contraception are frowned upon and children are seen as precious.
But Gloria does not want children yet - she wants to continue her schooling.
So, with the help of a friend she resorted to self-abortion. But it all went badly wrong.
"The first method I used were the leaves of the bush plant mixed with kawa, a local stone," she told BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents.

"We ground them together and inserted it into the uterus."
But that method did not work and in a small, quavering voice, Gloria said: "Then we inserted the branch of the bush plant and the blood started coming in 15 minutes."
Broken bottle

Gloria's second abortion was only four months ago.
First her friend gave her melted sugar with Guinness. No effect.
I bled and bled and bled for more than five days
GloriaThen 10 paracetemol tablets ground up with local gin. Still nothing.

"Finally, we tried a broken bottle ground up with seawater and "Blue", a washing detergent, which we soaked in a cotton cloth and inserted into my womanhood," she confessed.
"By doing that the foetus came. I bled and bled and bled for more than five days."
Gloria is today in constant pain and too afraid to see a doctor.

She has refused to tell even her mother, who is a midwife.
"If I informed my mother, she would tell my father and that would be the end of me," she explained.

Infertility fear
Other women in both rural Ghana and the cities echo these fears.
In the capital Accra, Gracie, Betty and Debbie spoke about their abortions.
They are all young, single mothers, abandoned by their men and struggling as low-paid market traders.

Betty is just 26.
"Nobody knows, not even my friends. I thought I'd get in big trouble," she said.
Since my abortion I've not been able to get pregnant again
Betty
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The abortion cost 300,000 cedis (about £16), which she said was a lot of money for someone like her.

She continued: "Since my abortion I've not been able to get pregnant again. That was five years ago.
"But I am fortunate because a friend of mine died after hers."
Money was also a big issue for Debbie.
Her boyfriend got her pregnant and then left her.

But her brother gave her money after she lied, saying she needed it because she had malaria.
At the hospital the doctor told her an abortion would cost 500,000 cedis (about £28) but she had only 400,000.

However she pleaded with him and the operation went ahead.
"But that night," Debbie related, "I had terrible pains. I went back to the hospital. The doctor had left part of the foetus in my womb."
Serious infection
And finally, Gracie's story.

When I sit down my leg shakes. I can't sleep
GracieHer abortion also took place in a hospital and was also botched.
The doctor who operated on her was not a gynaecologist.
He used dirty instruments and she got a serious infection.
She nearly lost her right leg.

"When I sit down my leg shakes. I can't sleep," she said.
In Africa, Ghana's abortion law is considered relatively liberal.
Technically it is illegal but there are three broad and flexible exceptions which mean women can demand legal terminations.
They are: if she gets pregnant as a result of rape, incest or reduced mental ability; if the pregnancy poses a risk to her physical or mental health, and if the unborn child might suffer an abnormality or disease.
But that is if they know the law at all and that is a major problem.
Women and girls, doctors, quacks, the police, even judges, have all been shown to be ignorant of Ghana's law, or have wilfully broken it knowing they will not be caught.
Lucrative trade

I often say the female pelvis is a goldmine
Dr Joe Taylor, gynaecologistGynaecologist Dr Joe Taylor - an advisor on reproductive health to the government - often treats women after botched abortions.
"I've seen many, many, women dying and what is most tragic is that those who don't die suffer disabilities that are life-long and painful," he said.
"Abortion is carried out in this clandestine and dangerous way because most people perceive it to be criminal and illegal."

Ignorance and greed are the main reasons illegal abortion thrives, he said.
No-one knows the exact figures. Statistics are rare in Ghana.
The quacks and the charlatans can charge high fees, even from poor women.
"I often say the female pelvis is a goldmine. And if you're a miner you can make big money," Dr Taylor concluded.

The criminalisation of abortion along with traditional values, social perceptions and religious teachings have created a crisis in Ghana.
And across most of Africa, where it has been estimated that four million females a year undergo unsafe abortions, 30,000 of them die as a result.
One expert has called abortion "a killing field".
And there is little evidence to suggest that the situation will change soon.

Source: BBC

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday sent a message of congratulation to Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, the newly appointed Ghanaian Deputy Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A statement signed by Mr Dan Osman, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry said, "Dr Asamoa-Baah has indeed made both the Ministry and the country very proud by his appointment as the number two man of the World Health Organisation.

" It said the Ministry was not surprised at Dr Asamoa-Baah's appointment since records showed that he qualified as a Medical Doctor from the Ghana Medical School in 1984 and worked at the Offinso Government Hospital in the Ashanti Region and later acted briefly as the Senior Medical Officer of the same hospital.

Dr Asamoa-Baah pursued further studies in the UK where he obtained postgraduate qualifications in community health, health planning, health economics and health policy analysis. He returned home and continued to work with the Ministry of Health until he was appointed Acting Director of the newly created Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME) Division of the Ministry.

The statement said Dr Asamoa-Baah has been instrumental in reforms in the health sector, in the civil service and in budget and financial systems in the wider public service. He has also served on a number of inter-sectoral committees and taught part time at the Ghana Medical School and the School of Public Health.

The Ministry thus urged all health professionals to see the appointment of Dr Asamoa-Baah as the WHO Deputy Director General as a motivation as well as a challenge to work harder than before.GNA

Night cleaning of Accra begins

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, in collaboration with the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) on Monday began an exercise for daily night cleaning of the Central Business District of Accra.A workforce of 1,000 people, drawn from the NYEP, are to undertake the cleaning, ensure that drains in the District become litter-free, and arrest people who throw refuse into the drains.

The clean-up exercise, which started Monday evening at the Accra Rawlings Park, formed part of an exercise to rid the city of litter. The exercise, meant to enhance the sanitation situation in the city, is part of making the city spick and span for Ghana's Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, who was present at the beginning of the exercise, said the exercise would not be a nine-day wonder as in previous exercises.It would be sustained after the celebration, and there would be constant supervision to ensure that refuse did not go back into the drains.

The exercise went into gear under lights provided by big trucks of Zoomlion, a private waste collection company in Accra. Young men and women, holding brooms and other shovels went into action. They swept the streets, opened slabs and de-silted gutters and emptied filled mini litterbins into large trucks.Mr Asamoah Boateng told journalists that the exercise was being done in the night so that it would not interfere with free flow of traffic and commercial activities during the day.

He said the Ministry was organizing an extensive public education along the clean-up exercise, adding that a change in legislation was being pursued to update penalty for sanitation offences.Mr Asamoah Boateng said 40 people had been trained in legal procedures for sanitation offences since the re-introduction of the arrest and punishment to household sanitary offences, popularly christened "Asaman sama" which took off in Techiman last December.

The Minister said recruitment of sanitary officers was underway in all the 10 regions, and was expected to be completed by February. He said waste segregation and recycling programmes would be pursued.
Source:GNA

German President Horst Kohler arrives in Accra for a four-day official visit to the country on Thursday, January 11. To be accompanied by the wife Eva, he would hold bilateral talks with President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu; pay a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, at his Manhyia Palace and visit the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to discuss issues on the brain drain with the students.

President Kohler would also participate in the second conference of the "Partnership with Africa" from the January 12 to January 14 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Teshie Accra, on the theme: "Two Generations-One Future." The conference is a sequel to the first Africa Conference the German President convened in Bonn in November 2005, where he launched the Africa Partnership Initiative. President Kufuor and President Kohler are programmed to interact with about 50 young leaders from Germany and Africa at the Conference.

Some other African leaders including President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria; Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; President Festus Mogae of Bostwana; Mr Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Union and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, would also be attending. Mr Andrews Awuni, President Kufuor’s Press Secretary, told a Castle press briefing on Tuesday that issues to be deliberated on would involve the environment and management of the natural world; armed conflict and everyday violence; educational opportunities and employment prospects and democratic participation.

Bilateral relations between Ghana and Germany have always been good. In June 2002 President Kufuor paid a four-day official visit to Germany. The then German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, also made a reciprocal visit to Ghana. Mr Awuni used the occasion to convey President Kufuor's gratefulness to the Chief Imam, the entire Muslim community and Christian Congregations in Ghana, for their prayers for the country and the Jubilee anniversary.

He appealed to all, who called on the name of God to pray earnestly and fervently that the Jubilee year would also mark the country's time of rest from her labour.GNA

Upper West NDC MPs condemns youth employment programme

All the seven Upper West NDC members of parliament on Tuesday accused the government of using the Youth in Employment Programme to create jobs for only members of the NPP and other party sympathizers. "It is nothing short of an NPP youth recruitment drive.

If one does not bear an NPP card and is not ready to register as a member of the party, one is automatically disqualified from obtaining employment under the programme". Mr. Edward Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, announced these at Wa during an NDC News conference organized to climax their five-day tour of all the 10 constituencies of the Upper Western Region.




The Members who were at the conference included; Alban Bagbin, Minority leader, Mathias Puozah, Nadowli East, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Wa West, Rashid Pelpuo, Wa Central, Benjamin Kumbour, Lawra/Nandom, Edward Salia, Jirapa and Mrs. Alice Boon, Jirapa. Mr. Salia, who is also the chairman of the Upper West Parliamentary caucus said come 2008, Ghanaians were going to return their votes to the NDC after having gone through myriads of hardships under the NPP regime.




He said their studies on the ground proved that Ghanaians were bent on returning NDC to power because of the leadership qualities they saw in Professor John Atta-Mills and urged all party loyalists to keep campaigning so as to win more members for the 2008 general elections.




"Upper Westerners have only one request: that we salvage them from neglect, discrimination and suffering" He added The caucus chairman also accused the NPP government of not doing enough for a smooth pilgrimage for Muslims in the country and called on the President and the Vice President to apologize to all pilgrims and Ghanaians in general, adding that, it was only the NDC leadership that visited the stranded pilgrims at the Kotoka International Airport.





On the Millenium Challenge Account, the MPs said it was a testimony to the fact that the NPP government had neglected the North by not including the Upper East and West Regions in the programme. The NDC members also criticized the government for not speeding up the rural electrification programme in the Region.



'The NDC is worried about the neglect of the rural electrification programme." The News conference was also attended by regional and constituency executive members, and other loyal members of the party.GNA

State-Owned Media get new Boards

The National Media Commission (NMC) has reconstituted the Board of Directors for State-Owned Media organisations in consultation with President John Agyekum Kufuor. A release signed by Joseph E. T. Dottey, for the Executive Secretary of NMC, said the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Board is chaired by Mr Rex Owusu-Ansah; with Dr A.B.K. Anane; Mr Abdulai Musah; Mrs Gina Blay; Mrs Agartha Gaisie Nketia; Dr Kofi Oti Adinkra and the General Manager, Nana Appau Duah as members.

The New Times Corporation Board is chaired by Professor Kwesi Yankah; with Togbe Avudzega Soga; Mrs. Harriet Armah; Mr Anthony Edow Dadzie; Mr J. Derby Amissah-Arthur; Mr Eddie Adiin Yansah; Mrs Genevieve H. Haruna; Squadron Leader De-Graft Elllionah and the Managing Director, Nanabanyin Pratt as members.

The Board for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has Reverend Dr Asante-Antwi as chairman; with Mr A. K. Bonney; Dr Audrey Gadzekpo; Mr Robert Ahomka Lindsay; Mrs Stella Amegashie; Mr Ben Batabe Assorow; Ms Georgette Francois; Mr F.K.D Frimpong and the Director-General as members.

The Board for Graphic Communications Groups Limited has Nana Kwasi Offei Agyeman as chairman; with Mr Kafui Asem; Mr Mike Adjei; Mrs Esther Nakai Mensah; Mrs Rose Fosu; Mr Michael M. Asigri; Mr Akwasi Agyeman; Mr E.M. Boye and the Managing Director as members.

The statement said the GNA Board would be inaugurated on January 16, 2007; New Times Corporation on January 17; Ghana Broadcasting Corporation January 18 and that of Graphic Communications Group on January 19, 2007. The inaugurations would take place at the respective offices of the Media Houses.GNA

African Soil Scientists meet in Accra

The achievement of food security and the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 would still remain the main challenges for Africa if innovative approaches were not developed to solve the soil degradation and land use problems.

"Degradation of land and water resources increasingly threatens national and households’ food security in many parts of Africa. In these countries, degradation reduces the options for attaining their future food security targets and that of the next generation." Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of Education Science and Sports, said this in Accra when he opened a six-day Fourth African Soil Science Society International Conference on the theme: "Impact of Climate Change; Global Trade; Urbanisation and Biotechnology on Land Use in Africa.

" The conference, attended by about 150 participants is discussing the dynamics of land use; local market; global trade and land use patterns; climate change; land management and biodiversity among other topics. Papa Owusu-Ankomah noted that land use changes associated with agriculture could disrupt the natural balance between the production of biomass and the release of carbon by soil respiration. He envisaged that the development and implementation of sustainable land and water management practices would contribute significantly to the attainment of food security and environmental health.

"The development of sustainable land management practices should take into account the consequences of the requirements of international trade with its binding conditions; the impact of climate change with potential increase in natural disasters and the prospects of biotechnologies on land use systems and land management techniques.

" He asked soil scientists to be vocal and to participate actively in policy formation; norms and standard setting; good agricultural practices with respect to soil science and related issues. "There is the need for African Soil Science Society to position itself, as a regional broker for land issues within the civil society in Africa and to develop active collaboration particularly with international institutes and networks dealing with soil and land issues and strong lobbying for public and donor's support for more investment in sustainable land management.

” Papa Owsu-Ankomah called on Soil Scientists to play a key role in advising decision makers and various stakeholders for the realisation of the African Green Revolution given the strategic importance of fertilizers in achieving the African Green Revolution to end hunger. The African Union Member States have declared fertilizers both inorganic and organic as strategic goods and have resolved to increase the use of fertilizer from the current average of eight kilograms per hectare to an average of at least 50 kilograms per hectare by 2015.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, expressed concern about the gap created between researchers, policy makers and end users and noted the importance to bridge the gap for national development. He explained that research was essential and urged research scientists to ensure that they worked not only in their shells but also in collaboration with end users of their findings.

Prof. Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah, Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who chaired the function, said the issue of land use and its implications had become topical and the climate change; global trade; urbanisation and biotechnology were at the core in ensuring sustainable development.

He said the challenges of agriculture in the 21st century required systemic integration of the environmental, social and economic pillars of development to meet the needs of the present generation without sacrificing their livelihood for the future. He called for the formulation of a comprehensive land use plan to ensure that prime agricultural land and other natural resources such as soil, water and forests were protected.GNA

Anomabu presents its programme for Ghana’s Jubilee Celebration

Memorial plaques to honour three heroes of Anomabu in the Central Region, for the great and exemplary contributions made to the country, would be unveiled on February 24, by President John Agyekum Kufuor as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of nationhood.




They are Dr Kwegyir Aggrey, the visionary philosopher and educationist, George Ekem-Furgesson, the celebrated surveyor, credited with the survey of the area that became the Gold Coast and Nana Amoonoo V, the Anomabu chief, who led other traditional rulers in the Colony to sign the Bond of 1844.



The programme is the baby of the Anomabu Traditional Council. A delegation of chiefs and some prominent personalities from the area including the Omanhene, Kantamanto Amoonoo X1, Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast and Mrs Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, a Member of the Council of State, on Monday called on President Kufuor at the Castle, Osu to present to him the programme dubbed: “Anomabu @ 50”.




Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister and Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, accompanied them. Nana Adjiri Aggrey, Mpontuhene, who acted as spokesperson, said the area had played a significant role in the country’s history and that it was only proper, that it was brought out, as the nation celebrated the important landmark of 50 years of political independence.





He said the occasion would also be used to honour President Kufuor for his leadership that had restored the national pride and brought hope to the country. President Kufuor said Anomabu must have something the nation should be proud of. He noted that apart from the three notable personalities, it had also produced key people like Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, the first Ghanaian to be appointed a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and Mr Kofi Annan, the immediate past United Nations Secretary-General. President Kufuor gave an assurance that he would lead a high level government delegation to attend the ceremony.GNA

Former President to attend Ortega's inauguration

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has accepted an invitation from President-elect of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega Saavedra to attend his inaugural ceremony, which takes place in Managua, Nicaragua on January 10, 2007. Daniel Ortega served as Nicaraguan President from 1985 to 1990.

Defeated by Barrios de Chamorro in the 1990 presidential election, Ortega remained an important figure in Nicaraguan opposition politics, loosing the 1996 and 2001 presidential elections before winning the 2006 election.

A statement issued by Mr. Victor Smith, Special Assistant and Director of Public Affairs said Former President Rawlings, who leaves Accra on Sunday, January 7 and will be away for one week.

Ghanaians Eager For Ban On Smoking In Public Places

Fifty-eight-year-old Ghanaian civil servant Kwaku Anku has been a smoker for over 40 years. Despite knowing the dangers of cigarettes, he has no intention of kicking the habit. After all, he says, his grandfather was a smoker and he lived to the ripe old age of 84.

Anku respects the sensibilities of non-smokers and chooses not to light up in the workplace, but he does smoke in bars and restaurants, but maybe not for much longer.

Ghana's chief anti-smoking campaigner, the director-general of the country's health service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, is stepping up a campaign to ban smoking in public places as a bill to ban smoking in public places continues to gather dust.Akosa is threatening to march on the seat of government with a signed petition over the government's failure to act on smoking."Eighteen months is too long for the bill to be with cabinet," says an exasperated Akosa, who is also calling for a ban on tobacco advertising and the imposition of higher taxes on cigarettes.

A survey by the Ghana Health Service conducted in October and November 2006 revealed that 96 per cent of Ghanaians are in favour of legislation on tobacco control.Studies show that some 14.3 per cent of pupils in junior secondary schools have tried smoking before the age of 18 and a whopping 45 per cent of residents in the three northern regions, Northern Region, Upper East Region and Upper West Region, are addicted to smoking.

The government may have developed cold feet on a smoking ban because of the large amount of taxes it collects from British American Tobacco (BAT), the sole cigarette manufacturer in Ghana.For example, BAT, which has some 90 per cent of the Ghanaian tobacco market, contributed about 5.9 per cent of Ghana's GDP between 1986 and 1990 and saved the government 1.7 million dollars during the same period as 80 per cent of raw materials were produced locally, instead of it being imported.

The company employed, before the decision late last year to close down the factory, some 245 staff in 10 stations in various tobacco producing areas and about 20,000 retailers.Some 1,300 farmers and their families depend for a living on tobacco with their total income in 2003, the most recent year for which figures are available, amounting to some 2.1 million dollars.But BAT is closing down its plant in Ghana in what it has described as an ongoing drive to minimize costs of production.

Tony Okwoju, corporate affairs manager at BAT in Ghana, says the company will now sell products imported from its subsidiaries.BAT Ghana is also the single biggest private company in afforestation, having planted about 4.5 million trees on nearly 3,800 hectares of plantation.Some of it is designed to help cure its tobacco from fuelwood.

Heat from the wood is used to cure the tobacco, hence the need to replace wood that is cut for the purpose.The company is also promoting water protection programme in several areas throughout the country and awards scholarships to university students.But, as Akosa warns, "Smoking kills and there is no way we should allow people to buy death."
Source:DPA

DFP to establish Gari Factories

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has plans to produce Gari in large quantities for export to generate adequate revenue for the country when given the mandate to rule the nation.Apart from the immense economic returns the nation would get, the move would help solve the unemployment problem confronting the nation as it would offer millions of the jobless youth in the regions permanent employment.

To ensure the fulfilment of this dream, the party plans to provide each of the ten regions, a giant Gari Processing Factory and encourage cassava growers to produce more to feed the proposed industries by offering them a better deal.Mr. John Amekah, Deputy General Secretary of the DFP said these when he addressed a cross-section of people, including farmers, fishermen and DFP regional executives at Awutu-Panim, near Ayensuako, in the Central Region.

The meeting was to explain the aims and objectives of the party to people in and around Awutu-Panim, who are mostly cocoa and food crops farmers.Mr. Amekah attributed the failure of the Ayensu Starch Factory at Awutu-Bawjiase to lack of proper planning by the initiators, adding that when DFP takes over the administration of the country and set up the proposed Gari factories, cassava growers would be worth their salt.

He said that the country could produce millions, if not billions of tonnes of gari to famine-threatened African countries annually to generate enough revenue to cushion her economy, adding that if succeeding governments had thought of it and initiated moves towards that decades ago.Besides, the commodity could also be exported to some Western and Middle-East countries for greater economic returns if proper feasibility studies were carried out in those countries to secure a lasting market for the commodity.

Mr. Amekah described as untrue, the perception by some leading politicians that no political group can solve the numerous socio-economic problems facing the nation single-handedly.He maintained that, "the mere fact that the two leading political parties, NDC and NPP have, as yet, not been able to secure the right antidote for the country's economic woes, does not imply that no political group could do so".

The Deputy General Secretary said that the DFP has got the answer for the country's economic and other predicaments and asked the electorate to give the DFP the nod in the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2008.He said the DFP would unite the people, irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic backgrounds, to ensure effective national cohesion and progress all the time.

Professor E. S, Okyne, a founding member of the DFP, who chaired the function, also assured Ghanaians of the party's determination to salvage the nation from its socio-economic predicament. 07 Jan. 07
Source:GNA

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

Reconcile current and former Presidents - Presbyterian Moderator

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), the Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has stressed the need for cordial relation between the President and the former Head of State.

He recalled an initiative by the Christian Council of Ghana some time ago to resolve the impasse between the two, but said the attempt was not welcomed. "Despite the insults we received from a cross section of the citizenry, in our desperate attempt to join the two together, it is imperative for the Church to put pressure to ensure that their relationship become healthy," he said.

In a sermon at the induction of the Akuapem Presbytery Chairman of the Church at Akropong on Sunday, the Moderator stated that reconciliation between them would augur well for the development of the country. He noted that, as Ghana was about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's independence, the nation needed unity and reconciliation more than ever before and "the best people to show the way to unity and reconciliation is the former and sitting President".

Preaching on the theme "Christ the universal King," he urged leaders to be mindful of the fact that no authority except that of God was everlasting and called on them to put their trust in Christ, "who reigns forever". He mentioned the rise and fall of kingdoms and the execution of former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein as events that gave credence to the fact that no ruler or kingdom was absolute.The execution of Saddam Hussein must make leaders conscious of their actions to humanity when they were in power.

Rt. Rev. Frimpong-Manso described the execution as a sad one and noted that "earthly justice required that those who committed crime against humanity should be dealt with on earthly terms". He called on Ghanaians to desist from the "pull him down syndrome" that had become a canker in the society, which impeded development and progress.The Moderator called for a better approach in the New Year as the nation prepared for the 50th independence anniversary to make way for progress.

The Moderator advised the Presbytery Chairman to discharge his duties as a servant of Christ, the universal King and to desist from all forms of iniquity that could bring reproach. He reminded him that corruption, indiscipline, nepotism, political acrimony and inconsistency of faith among others, were some of the challenges and urged him to put his trust in Christ.

The Presbytery Chairman, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Mante, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Trinity Theological Seminary, would hold office for five years. He noted that the accomplishments of the Presbytery required better performance during his term to move it forward and called for the prayers and support. The Presbytery Chairman, said development of the presbytery could not be achieved without the transformation of the lives of the less privileged.

He thanked the General Assembly and the Presbytery Council for the confidence reposed in him by nominating and electing him into that office.
Source:GNA

Gold workers threaten strike on new pay system

Workers of AngloGold Ashanti at the Obuasi mine in Ghana are threatening to stage a demonstration on 2 January to protest a new pay system introduced by the parent company in South Africa.

According to the workers at Obuasi in central Ghana, the new pay system, known as EDICOS, is cumbersome to operate and has led to some anomalies in their salaries.The Chairman of the workers union, Kwarko Mensah, said the EDICOS system is creating a lot of problems for the workers and the union in particular.

He said the union leaders have been criticised for not protecting the workers` interests with regard to the problems associated with the pay system.Mensah said though the Obuasi management team is aware of the problem, they cannot do much about it.

A management source told reporters that the problem is receiving the best of attention and expressed the hope that the workers would see the need not to embark on the demonstration.

Saddam Execution.....Full Cell Phone Footage

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