Ministry to acquire land for Korle Lagoon ecological project

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nigeria death fails to halt poll

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

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

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

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

BBC

80-megawatt barge arrives to support Akosombo

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

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

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

GNA

Two more judges dead

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

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