Ghanaians Have No Respect for Time

The outgoing US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Pamela E. Bridgewater, says she has been facing the same challenges that Ghanaians have been facing, during her three year duty stay in the country. According to Bridgewater, she was not exempted from the disturbing effects of power outages, short in water supply, and the flooding incidence in the country.

The Ambassador disclosed that during her three year stay, she observed that Ghanaians had no respect for time, but added that that attitude was gradually changing for the better.

Bridgewater made the observation, when she paid courtesy on the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, in Sunyani, as part of her two-day working visit to the region, to bid the people farewell.

Her Excellency disclosed that the visit was to share ideas about the region, and strengthen the cordial relationship, between Ghana and the United States of America, for future development.

Her Excellency Bridgewater expressed her happiness, when the Regional Director of Health Services, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim, disclosed that Guineaworm infestation cases, as at the year 2007, in the region was 42, and hoped that after few years guineaworm would be eradicated totally from the country.

She was also pleased, when Dr. Bin Ibrahim stated that Brong-Ahafo would in five years be a net exporter of nurses, as the collaboration between the Ghana Health Service and the the Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, had established more health education institutions.

Her Excellency Bridgewater gave the assurance that the American Embassy would continue supporting the Ghana Health Service, to help eradicate Guineaworm and reduce the prevalence of malaria in the country.

Mr. Baffour Awuah, on his part, noted that the relationship between the Embassy and the region had been cordial, ever since Her Excellency assumed office in Ghana, and wished that the cordiality would be sustained. According to the Minister, the region was a major food producer in the country, since 60% of the population was into agriculture.

He however noted that modernization in agriculture still remained a problem.

Mr. Awuah commended the America for its high credentials, when it came to democracy, saying Ghana looked forward to emulating her.

He, however, lamented about the high rate of school dropouts in the country, which could affect Ghana's democracy in the long run.

He stated that technical education in the region was inadequate, and called for a partnership with the Americans, to establish technical education institutes in the region.

The Ambassador and her entourage, later visited Berekum to ascertain the progress of work on Self Help Projects, and the construction of a Rehabilitation Center for the Physically Challenged, which was sponsored with an amount of $3,000 from the Special Self Help Program, instituted by the American Embassy.

According to the Coordinator of the Special Self Help Programe, Peace Adwoa Nunoo, the Ambassador would also present the leader of the Berekum Association of the Physically Challenged, Mr. Samuel Amfo Abankwa, with a motorized wheelchair.

She disclosed that the Embassy had been releasing an amount of US$70,000 annually, for the whole country, for the past three years, to support the less-endowed in society.

Source:

Ghanaian Chronicle

Four killed in renewed violence in Bawku

Four people have so far been killed and more than 12 houses burnt in the Bawku Municipality since violence erupted in the area on Sunday night.

The Security Personnel have arrested 32 people in connection with the conflict and confiscated five guns and ammunition, Mr Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, Upper East Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency in Bawku.

He said security personnel had intensified surveillance and the situation had been brought under control as at 1400 hours on Monday. The Police Commander said the Security Personnel were doing their best to bring calm to the area.

Mr Daniel Nar-ire, Deputy Coordinating Director of the Bawku Municipal Assembly, told the GNA that the violence started on Sunday night at about 1900 hours when some people attacked worshippers at a mosque.

He said the Security Personnel could not cover the entire place at the same time and people at suburbs that were not covered at a particular time continued to fight until the security brought the situation under control but this lasted just for a while and resumed again immediately the security personnel moved to other areas.

"However, the security has been reinforced with personnel from Tamale and there is hope that they would calm down the situation by afternoon," he said.

Today Monday, is Bawku market day but there would be no market for the people.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister Kwamena Bartels said the Government was imposing a 22-hour curfew on Bawku Municipality, Zabzugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoosi and their environs with new curfew hours, from 0900 hours on Monday until 0700 hours on Tuesday. Mr Bartels reminded the public that the ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal Area, Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga, Zoosi and Garu Townships and their environs from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapon still remained in force, and any person found with any arms or ammunition would be arrested and prosecuted. He said a number of vehicles had been burnt in the fighting that started on Sunday when a Kusasi Opinion Leader was shot after prayers. The Kusasi Opinion Leader died while being transferred to the Bolgatanga Hospital.

Mr Bartels said reinforcements of security personnel were being sent immediately to control the situation.

The Government a week ago eased the curfew imposed on the Bawku Municipality and its environs from 2200 hours to 0400 hours to 2400 hours to 0400 hours, citing continued peace and stability in the area. It also commended the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and all stakeholders in the Bawku Municipality and its environs for "the improved security situation in the area".

The Government again appealed to all the factions to help to consolidate the peace by exercising maximum restraint and tolerance and to partner the Government to bring permanent peace to the area.

Alan is Dead Serious

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen has slammed rumours of his imminent return to the party after his shocking resignation last week and maintains that his decision to quit the party still holds.

The former Trade and Industry Minister issued a statement this afternoon saying none should consider him as vacillating on his decision and “thereby displaying inconsistency in thought and judgment” because the issues he raised have not been addressed while talks aimed at having him rescind his decision have been inconclusive.

“I wish to state categorically that I have not rescinded my decision to resign from the party”, the statement said in part.

Alan said it appears that there is a calculated attempt engineered from certain quarters to create public disaffection for him, and stated that while it is true that no single individual is more important than the party to which he belongs, it is equally true that national interest is superior to the interest of any single party.

“In this regard, I will very soon give a firm indication about the role that I expect to play on the political landscape in the country, which I believe will bring hope and confidence to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, religious or ethnic background.”

Alan quit the party exactly a week ago after alleging party members who backed his presidential bid were being intimidated and alienated by followers of Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP presidential candidate.

Read the full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE

I have monitored extensively media reportage and discussions over the past week, following my decision to resign from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). It is clear that there is a calculated attempt engineered from certain quarters, to create public disaffection against me for taking a decision based on principles, and to create the impression that I am vacillating on my decision to resign, thereby displaying inconsistency in thought and judgment. I wish to state categorically that I have not rescinded my decision to resign from the Party.

I am in the same vein compelled to indicate, that efforts aimed at mediation led by former Chairman of the Party, Mr. B. J. Da Rocha were inconclusive. The mediator's proposal was for a withdrawal of my resignation unconditionally, without a substantive discussion of the concerns raised in my letter as well as other concerns discussed with the Party Leadership on several occasions. I have disagreed with this proposal because in my humble opinion it does not resolve the matter on hand.

I believe it would be in the best interest of both the NPP and my good self not to have the general public continue to feed on this matter. Under the circumstances, to avoid creating further doubt in the minds of friends and foe alike, I wish to use this opportunity to re-affirm that my decision to resign from the Party still holds.

I wish to assure the rank and file of the NPP that I have had to take this painful decision purely based on the failure of the leadership of the Party to take concrete action to address fundamental issues within the Party which undermine its strength, and could seriously affect its fortunes in the forth coming General Elections.

I concede in all humility, that no single individual is more important than the Party to which he belongs, but we must also not lose sight of the fact that national interest is superior to the interest of any single Party. In this regard, I will very soon give a firm indication about the role that I expect to play on the political landscape in the country, which I believe will bring hope and confidence to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, religious or ethnic background.

Archer in court over SSNIT contributions

The editor-in-chief of The Enquirer newspaper, Raymond Archer has been hauled before court for failing to pay the monthly Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions of his seven workers as required by law.

Mr. Archer who owes SSNIT, the complainant, up to GH¢8,093.66 has also been charged with issuing dud cheques to the complainant.

An Accra Weekend Court presided over by Mr. Mahama Iddrisu, a Circuit Court Judge, last Saturday sentenced the editor to a fine of GH¢5,673.56 or in default spend three months in jail.

The accused person, who was not represented by any counsel, pleaded guilty for failing to pay the SSNIT contributions of his workers but said he was not guilty for failing to pay the penalties accrued from his inability to pay the contributions.

When asked by the judge why he pleaded guilty to the first offence but not the second, which occurred as a result of the first offence, he said he had promised to pay the complainants, so did not understand why he had to be charged with the second offence.

The editor told the court, “I accept responsibility and will pay the money to avoid litigation” but indicated that a number of the workers were no more with the company and he did not have the time to go chasing them to make them pay the complainants.

Subsequently when the trial judge told him he would be sentenced since he had pleaded guilty to the offence of not paying his contributions under the Scheme, he pleaded with the judge to give him and the complainants some time to have the matter settled out of court.

Standing with his hands behind him, he said he paid some money to the complainant sometime ago and as a result would abide by his promise but the judge still sentenced him, saying that once he had pleaded guilty to the offence the law requires that he should be sentenced and therefore would not bend the rules in his favour.

According to Emmanuel B. Boadi, the SSNIT officer who presented the facts of the matter, Archer is the Director of Focal Media Ltd., located at Tesano, a suburb of Accra and was, as required by law, registered with SSNIT with establishment Reg. No. 202J1005.

Mr. Boadi told the court that on November 23, 2007 the complainant inspected the company’s book and discovered that since October 2006 the editor had failed to pay the contributions of GH¢673.50 of the seven workers under him, contrary to sections 22(1) and (2) of the Social Security Law of 1991 PNDC Law 247.

He said the accused person as well owed GH¢2,420.16 for delayed payment, contrary to Section 23 (1) of the law, making the total debt of the establishment as at October 2007 stand at GH¢8,093.66.

Explaining further, the prosecuting officer noted that a demand notice was sent to Archer to pay up by December 2007 and though the period had expired, he still had not paid the amount to liquidate his debts, in spite of calls for him to do so.

Meanwhile Archer has been granted a GH¢3,000 bail and is due to appear in court next weekend following his plea of not guilty for the penalty which had been slapped on him.


Source: Daily Guide