We will Not Shutdown Akosombo Dam---VRA

Contrary to speculations that the Akosombo Dam would soon be shut down due to declining low water, the Volta River Authority (VRA) on Friday said the two generating units were running reliably.A statement signed for Ms. Abla Fiadjoe, Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, said with the technical analysis carried out and the critical monitoring system put in place, VRA had taken measures to operate the Station with two of the units at a level lower than 235 feet in "a technically safe but professionally cautious manner". "The VRA wished to assure all electricity consumers that and the general public that the two generating units currently at Akosmbo are being operated reliably and that we have no plans to shutdown the Akosombo Generating Station," it said.The statement said the VRA would continue to run the two generating units and review the situation at the end of July. "We wish to stress that this is not the first time the Akosombo Generating Station is being operated at levels below 235 feet," stressed.Going back to history, the VRA said in March 1966 it operated at 234.60 feet and for about three months to as low as 234.0 feet on June 8, 1966 when it reached the lowest ever levels with the units. "This is compared to the 126 Megawatts being produced from each of the units at this time following the successful retrofit of the Akosombo Plant," the statement said.The Authority said it had also taken requisite action to ensure that water for the reservoir, which was not only meant for power generation, was available for other uses, including water supply to the communities in the catchment area downstream Akosombo."The VRA wishes to assure the general public that it has the matter in hand and is with the assistance of Government, implementing various emergency measures which have to date helped to contain the situation albeit at lower than normal water levels," the statement noted. The Authority said it had also taken note of certain public sentiments expressed largely through the media that the VRA was telling a different story to the Government than it was telling the public explaining that: "This is patently false."It said Ghanaians and consumers of electricity on the other hand needed to appreciate the fact they could contribute to improving the situation by adopting serious energy conservation measures. 20 July 07
Source:GNA

Bill to Bring Ghanaians Prisoners Abroad Passed

Parliament on Friday passed the Transfer of Convicted Persons Bill, aka "Amoateng Bill" into law after taking it through the Third Reading.The Bill, yet to receive Presidential assent, would enable Ghanaians convicted outside the country serve their sentences in Ghana and other foreign nationals convicted in Ghana serve theirs in their home countries.

Although debate on the bill was non-partisan, the passage of the bill was preceded by days of heated arguments and sharp divisions. Those against the bill said it was a waste to spend resources on transporting convicted Ghanaian prisoners back home.They argued that the country's prisons were already choked with a large number of prisoners sharing limited facilities. Members who supported the bill, however, countered those arguments, saying convicted Ghanaian prisoners were kith and kin and needed support from fellow countrymen.

A report of the Committee on Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs presented to the House said: "The Commonwealth Secretariat has proposed a scheme to enact legislation to facilitate the transfer of convicted prisoners to address issues where extradition does not respond to the transfer of convict.""So far not less than 25-member countries of the Commonwealth have enacted legislation in this regard," it added.The Report said President J.A. Kufuor continues to receive persistent request during his visits abroad from citizens abroad for Ghanaian convicts to serve their prison terms in Ghana.

"The introduction of the Bill for consideration of this House was informed by the above stated concerns," it explained. It said the Extradition Act 1960, (Act 22) only permitted a person accused of an offence committed outside Ghana to serve the term of imprisonment in Ghana where the Republic of Ghana has an extradition agreement with the other country."Further to this, the request for extradition of the accused person can only be made where the act or omission in question constitutes an offence in both jurisdictions.The above specified conditions for the transfer of accused or convicted person under the Extradition Act poses severe limitation, the report said.

Meanwhile, the number of Ghanaians serving prison terms outside is not known, however, it is on record that there were about 100 prisoners from Ghana in Thailand prisons in relation to narcotics crimes.Earlier, Members of the House called for urgent response from regulatory bodies and the assemblies to check the activities of food vendors and others who sell consumables.They touched on the way food and drugs were being sold under unhygienic conditions and said it was compromising the health of the public.

They were contributing to a statement by Ms. Akua Sena Dansua, (NDC-North Dayi) on the poor handling of comsumables. Ms. Dansua said exposure of food items and poor handling of foods were compromising the health of everybody in the country. Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, said the ministry was working at addressing the problem and was set to design markets that enhance the protection of the handling of food in a better way.
Source:GNA/GHP

Ghana Police;Cotract Killings.....TOO EARLY TO SAY THAT

The Police administration on Thursday said it was too early to conclude that the recent spate of murders in the country were cases of 'contract killing' because motives of the killings had not yet been established.

"Investigation has also not been able to establish or suggest the motives for any of these killings. The result of the investigations would help us classify them appropriately", Deputy Inspector General in-charge of operations, Dr. Kofi Kesse Marfo said.

Speaking at the press conference on the current spate of murders in the country in Accra, he said the motive for the killings might be varied citing chieftaincy disputes, economic, land, and political reasons as some of the many motives for 'contract killings'.Dr. Marfo announced a 20 million cedis (GH 200 Cedis) reward for information that will lead to the arrest of the killers.The police he said, was doing everything possible to stem the tide of 'these regrettable incidents' he said, adding that the police were following some interesting leads to their logical conclusion. Citing the murders of Mr Boateng, former Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Telecom, Mr. Rokko Frimpong, Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr Samuel Ennin, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Nana Brentuo III, Chief of Nyankumasi- Adansi among others, he noted that some suspects in some of the murders had been put before court and were on remand.

He said for security reasons the police could not make public inroads that had been made until investigations were completed.He mentioned the revamping of community policing activities, intensified patrols, more cordon and searches of known and reported criminal bases, intelligence collection of criminal activities and gangs and increased snap checks as some of the measures being put in place by the police.Dr. Marfo urged people in communities to come out with their peculiar problems that were potential threats to the peace and tranquillity in those areas.The Deputy IGP asked the public to report real threats of death and harm to the police without hesitation but was quick to caution that people should not take advantage of the opportunity to make hoax and frivolous calls."Person who advertently abuse the facility by sending the police on a wild goose chase would be held for deceit of public officer," he said.
Source:GNA

Illegal mining affect nation's image - Aryee

Ms Joyce Rosalyn Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines has observed that activities of illegal miners on concessions of mining companies adversely affected the country's image as a safe investment destination. She said such activities also adversely impacted on the companies' ability to contribute to national development.Ms Aryee made the observation during a courtesy call on Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in Sunyani.

She suggested that part of the Mining Development Fund should be used to promote small-scale mining to prevent activities of illegal miners."Weaning the youth from illegal mining activities into small-scale mining has been one of the key challenges," she said and called on Government to facilitate the implementation of the law since small- scale mining would generate more jobs.Ms Aryee explained that small-scale mining would not only provide employment for the youth in mining districts but engaged them in lawful commercial enterprise to contribute to national revenue through taxes and reduce environmental degradation.She noted that activities of illegal miners was threatening lives of people in mining areas because the appropriate methods and chemicals were not used in their operations and degrade their operational areas and the environment.Ms Aryee said illegal miners were found in underground operations of AngloGold Obuasi Mine as well as Bondai Shaft in Prestea and appealed to the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council to collaborate with the Mining Commission to stop the practice in the region.Ms Aryee observed that many benefits could be derived from mining when the appropriate linkages were exploited because the industry created more social and employment opportunities in the development of human resources and other industries in rural communities. However, she called for policies and strategies to deepen the multiplying effects and benefits of the industry because of the positive impact of mineral export earnings on the balance of payment, foreign exchange reserves, monetary policy and business activities in the country.Ms Aryee said mining would continue to play a central role in economic development and called on mining communities to endeavour to implement significant institutional restructuring and corporate principles of co-operative and shared responsibilities in the management of social and environmental issues.She said the Chamber would continue to work with Government, chiefs, NGOs and stakeholders to promote environmental and socially responsible mining operations in the country. Mr Kwakye expressed appreciation for her visit to the region, saying contributions of the mining industry could not be underestimated since its revenue was crucial in the country's socio-economic development process.He urged mining industries not to limit their social responsibilities to mining communities but endeavour to enhance development in other communities outside their operational areas. Mr Kwakye called on the public to co-operate with mining companies for smooth operations. 19 July 07
Source:GNA