The Ministry of Energy on Tuesday announced that the load shedding programme should be suspended from November 1-5 in support of the National Immunization Days.
"In order to support the immunization programme this year and also to ensure that the health delivery targets of government are met, government has decided that the current loan shedding programme should be suspended from November 1-5," a statement signed by Mr S.Q. Barnor for the Minister of Energy said.
The statement said the load shedding programme would resume on November 6.
About six million children under five years of age are targeted to be immunized against polio during this year's National Immunisation Days (NIDs) scheduled from November 1-5.
During the same period, about 5.065 million children from nine months to
59 months are expected to be immunized against measles while Vitamin A Supplement would also be administered.
In addition, 2.1 million free insecticide treated nets (ITNs) would be presented to children under-two to boost the survival of millions of children for the fight against malaria.
This year's NID is an Integrated Child Health Campaign aimed at reducing under-five mortality rate by two-thirds by the year 2015.
GNA
News from Ghana,the African Sub-Region and More!
31.10.06
Cocoa Processing Company pays 1.5 billion cedis dividend to State
Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), a major confectionery manufacturer, on Tuesday paid 1.55 billion cedis in dividend to the government of Ghana, its majority shareholder.
This is the first time the company has paid any dividend to government since it was listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange three years ago. CPC successfully floated 40 per cent of the shares of the sole shareholder to the public in 2003.
Nana Obiri Boahen, Board Chairman of CPC, said the initial challenges faced by the company had been subdued while its expansion and rehabilitation programme embarked on in 2004 with the view to increase overall throughput capacity from 25,000 to 65,000 metric tonnes annually was well on course and substantially accomplished.
The first phase of the programme involving the construction of a state-of-the-art 30,000-metric tons per annum capacity liquor plant was completed and commissioned in November last year.
Nana Boahen said the second phase, which will deal with the refurbishment of the old cocoa factory in order to increase its capacity from 25,000 to 35,000 tons per annum had started and expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2007.
The expansion is expected to generate an annual turnover of 100 million dollars for the company. Besides this physical transformation, the company was undergoing a major structural reorganisation, which will substantially boost its efficiency, Nana Boahen added.
This is expected to result in job cuts, he said, but added that the company was committed to an amicable settlement for the job losses. He appealed to government to continue to support the company to achieve its set goals.
In response, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, said government would do all it could to support local industries and companies to become competitive.
He said the expansion works being carried out by the company was in line with government’s vision to process at least 40 per cent of local production of cocoa, which had been growing steadily reaching 730,000 tons in the 2005/06 cocoa season.
This is the first time the company has paid any dividend to government since it was listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange three years ago. CPC successfully floated 40 per cent of the shares of the sole shareholder to the public in 2003.
Nana Obiri Boahen, Board Chairman of CPC, said the initial challenges faced by the company had been subdued while its expansion and rehabilitation programme embarked on in 2004 with the view to increase overall throughput capacity from 25,000 to 65,000 metric tonnes annually was well on course and substantially accomplished.
The first phase of the programme involving the construction of a state-of-the-art 30,000-metric tons per annum capacity liquor plant was completed and commissioned in November last year.
Nana Boahen said the second phase, which will deal with the refurbishment of the old cocoa factory in order to increase its capacity from 25,000 to 35,000 tons per annum had started and expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2007.
The expansion is expected to generate an annual turnover of 100 million dollars for the company. Besides this physical transformation, the company was undergoing a major structural reorganisation, which will substantially boost its efficiency, Nana Boahen added.
This is expected to result in job cuts, he said, but added that the company was committed to an amicable settlement for the job losses. He appealed to government to continue to support the company to achieve its set goals.
In response, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, said government would do all it could to support local industries and companies to become competitive.
He said the expansion works being carried out by the company was in line with government’s vision to process at least 40 per cent of local production of cocoa, which had been growing steadily reaching 730,000 tons in the 2005/06 cocoa season.
Water, electricity tariffs go up from November 1
Water and electricity tariffs, which were to go up from last May, come into effect from Wednesday, November 1, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced on Tuesday.
A gazette announcing the increases said for residential units, consumption of between one and 300 units of electricity would attract 700 cedis per unit, from 301 to 600 units would attract 1,200 cedis per unit while 600 units and above attract 5,000 cedis per unit.
For non-residential areas, 1-300 units attract 1,029 cedis per unit, between 300 and 600 units would be 1,250 units while 600 units and above attract 1,450 cedis per unit.
For water, the rate for between zero and 20,000 litres for metered domestic use would attract 4,850 cedis per 1,000 litres while consumption of 20,000 litres and above is 6,750 cedis per 1,000 litres.
The rate for unmetered houses the flat rate per month is 28,794 cedis per 1,000 litres, while the rate for public stand pipes is 4,850 cedis per 1,000 cedis.
The flat rate for commercial in industrial oranisations and public and government departments is 8,150 cedis per 1,000 litres while the special commercial rate is 20,375 per litre.
A statement signed by Mr Kwame Pianim, Chairman of the PURC, said in line with the policy of discontinuation of the automatic adjustment, the utility companies were being invited henceforth to submit their request for tariff adjustment based on detailed cost buildup to enable the Commission to minimize inefficiencies and avoid transmitting such management inefficiencies to the consuming public.
The PURC said the utility companies should endeavour to cut cist and improve the delivery of utility services to consumers. "The VRA (Volta River Authority) and ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana) are requested to adhere strictly to the load shedding programme in order to minimize inconveniences to the consuming public.
"Investors are being encouraged to explore opportunities to invest in the energy and water sectors to take advantage of the obvious shortages in the supply of these essential services."
The statement said it had become obvious that the country could no longer depend upon government resources and those of VRA to provide adequate and reliable energy supplies needed to fuel the nation's accelerated growth agenda.
"We need to make the environment attractive to independent power producers. For these investors, an economic tariff is of strategic and primary consideration."
The PURC said for the average consumer, it had become increasingly clear that conservation must not only be encouraged but be enjoined by a realistic tariff structure that reflected the scarcity value of the utility services.
"For the average worker, it is in the long term more desirable to pay a little bit more for dependable and realistic electricity rather than continue with current uneconomic tariff and its accompanying unreliable and disruptive supply that destroy people's appliances acquired after long years of savings."
GNA
A gazette announcing the increases said for residential units, consumption of between one and 300 units of electricity would attract 700 cedis per unit, from 301 to 600 units would attract 1,200 cedis per unit while 600 units and above attract 5,000 cedis per unit.
For non-residential areas, 1-300 units attract 1,029 cedis per unit, between 300 and 600 units would be 1,250 units while 600 units and above attract 1,450 cedis per unit.
For water, the rate for between zero and 20,000 litres for metered domestic use would attract 4,850 cedis per 1,000 litres while consumption of 20,000 litres and above is 6,750 cedis per 1,000 litres.
The rate for unmetered houses the flat rate per month is 28,794 cedis per 1,000 litres, while the rate for public stand pipes is 4,850 cedis per 1,000 cedis.
The flat rate for commercial in industrial oranisations and public and government departments is 8,150 cedis per 1,000 litres while the special commercial rate is 20,375 per litre.
A statement signed by Mr Kwame Pianim, Chairman of the PURC, said in line with the policy of discontinuation of the automatic adjustment, the utility companies were being invited henceforth to submit their request for tariff adjustment based on detailed cost buildup to enable the Commission to minimize inefficiencies and avoid transmitting such management inefficiencies to the consuming public.
The PURC said the utility companies should endeavour to cut cist and improve the delivery of utility services to consumers. "The VRA (Volta River Authority) and ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana) are requested to adhere strictly to the load shedding programme in order to minimize inconveniences to the consuming public.
"Investors are being encouraged to explore opportunities to invest in the energy and water sectors to take advantage of the obvious shortages in the supply of these essential services."
The statement said it had become obvious that the country could no longer depend upon government resources and those of VRA to provide adequate and reliable energy supplies needed to fuel the nation's accelerated growth agenda.
"We need to make the environment attractive to independent power producers. For these investors, an economic tariff is of strategic and primary consideration."
The PURC said for the average consumer, it had become increasingly clear that conservation must not only be encouraged but be enjoined by a realistic tariff structure that reflected the scarcity value of the utility services.
"For the average worker, it is in the long term more desirable to pay a little bit more for dependable and realistic electricity rather than continue with current uneconomic tariff and its accompanying unreliable and disruptive supply that destroy people's appliances acquired after long years of savings."
GNA
Government will take decision on ex-President when necessary - Bartels
Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Information and National Orientation, on Tuesday said the government would take a decision on ex-President Jerry John Rawlings when it became satisfied with the intelligence information gathered on his reports of his bid to stage a coup.
He said it would not be wise to disclose security information to the
public and that the decision as to whether the ex-President should be arrested and prosecuted would be done when necessary.
For now, however, government would just give him “close marking”, Mr Bartels said at a press conference to react to some statements the ex-President made last Thursday when he reacted to accusations by President John Agyekum Kufuor that he had allegedly been soliciting funds from an oil rich country to stage a coup in Ghana.
"When you have a man with the kind of history Mr Rawlings is made of, you don't play with him, rather you give him close marking.” He said the conference was unique because it was the first time the New Patriotic Party had decided to respond to the many effusions of the former President which had come to be known as "boom speeches".
Some of the statements that Mr Bartels reacted to included whether ex-president Rawlings was planning a coup, whether President Kufuor was being whitewashed by the West, alleged complaints of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan about the conduct of the judiciary in Ghana as well as allegation of corruption and cocaine scandals.
Mr Bartels said ex-President Rawlings was expected to deny that he was planning a coup and it would have been strange if he actually admitted it. "Ex-President Rawlings is known in this country as a serial coup-maker involved in three coups, one of which failed...but we all have the history of Rawlings' second coming which brought in the PNDC era to guide us."
He said nobody in Ghana who had the experience of ex-President Rawlings from 1979 to date and had even made a cursory study of Ghana's history would make the mistake that given the chance the ex-president would not organize another coup.
Part of the problem between the ex-President and President Kufuor started soon after he handed over in 2001 and he and his wife went to Switzerland and instructed the Ambassador to release 30,000 dollars for her treatment which the Ambassador politely refused.
Touching on the other allegations, he said it was not US President George Bush and UN Prime Minister Tony Blair alone who held President Kufuor in high esteem but that most world leaders admired him for his ability to turn Ghana's economy around, respect for human rights and the rule of law, among other things.
He said it was strange that ex-president Rawlings could think that the government could control CNN and the BBC and other foreign media, adding that government remained committed to freedom of speech, expression and independence of the media and did not even control Ghana's state media.
He said this was in contrast to what happened during the PNDC and NDC eras when the media was controlled and gagged by subtle methods and journalists were detained.
On cocaine Mr Bartels said under the administration of the former President, the US 1999 report on narcotics said 300 cases of illicit drugs, including cocaine had gone unpunished between 1994 and 1999 in Ghana.
He said it was unfortunate that ex-President Rawlings was trying to bring Mr Annan into partisan politics in Ghana and asked the public should ignore those remarks.
Mr Bartels said the Armed Forces had appealed to the ex-President to stop drawing them into politics when he had a problem with the government. Mr Bartels said at the conference, during which slides of atrocities committed during the PNDC era were shown, that there had been no kangaroo courts and political detainees in Ghana's prisons, adding that 146 people went missing or were murdered during the PNDC era.
In an answer to a question as to whether those slides undermined the national reconciliation process, Mrs Gloria Akuffo, Aviation Minister, said "it was important to remind ourselves of where we came from in order not to repeat those mistakes as we move forward".
GNA
He said it would not be wise to disclose security information to the
public and that the decision as to whether the ex-President should be arrested and prosecuted would be done when necessary.
For now, however, government would just give him “close marking”, Mr Bartels said at a press conference to react to some statements the ex-President made last Thursday when he reacted to accusations by President John Agyekum Kufuor that he had allegedly been soliciting funds from an oil rich country to stage a coup in Ghana.
"When you have a man with the kind of history Mr Rawlings is made of, you don't play with him, rather you give him close marking.” He said the conference was unique because it was the first time the New Patriotic Party had decided to respond to the many effusions of the former President which had come to be known as "boom speeches".
Some of the statements that Mr Bartels reacted to included whether ex-president Rawlings was planning a coup, whether President Kufuor was being whitewashed by the West, alleged complaints of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan about the conduct of the judiciary in Ghana as well as allegation of corruption and cocaine scandals.
Mr Bartels said ex-President Rawlings was expected to deny that he was planning a coup and it would have been strange if he actually admitted it. "Ex-President Rawlings is known in this country as a serial coup-maker involved in three coups, one of which failed...but we all have the history of Rawlings' second coming which brought in the PNDC era to guide us."
He said nobody in Ghana who had the experience of ex-President Rawlings from 1979 to date and had even made a cursory study of Ghana's history would make the mistake that given the chance the ex-president would not organize another coup.
Part of the problem between the ex-President and President Kufuor started soon after he handed over in 2001 and he and his wife went to Switzerland and instructed the Ambassador to release 30,000 dollars for her treatment which the Ambassador politely refused.
Touching on the other allegations, he said it was not US President George Bush and UN Prime Minister Tony Blair alone who held President Kufuor in high esteem but that most world leaders admired him for his ability to turn Ghana's economy around, respect for human rights and the rule of law, among other things.
He said it was strange that ex-president Rawlings could think that the government could control CNN and the BBC and other foreign media, adding that government remained committed to freedom of speech, expression and independence of the media and did not even control Ghana's state media.
He said this was in contrast to what happened during the PNDC and NDC eras when the media was controlled and gagged by subtle methods and journalists were detained.
On cocaine Mr Bartels said under the administration of the former President, the US 1999 report on narcotics said 300 cases of illicit drugs, including cocaine had gone unpunished between 1994 and 1999 in Ghana.
He said it was unfortunate that ex-President Rawlings was trying to bring Mr Annan into partisan politics in Ghana and asked the public should ignore those remarks.
Mr Bartels said the Armed Forces had appealed to the ex-President to stop drawing them into politics when he had a problem with the government. Mr Bartels said at the conference, during which slides of atrocities committed during the PNDC era were shown, that there had been no kangaroo courts and political detainees in Ghana's prisons, adding that 146 people went missing or were murdered during the PNDC era.
In an answer to a question as to whether those slides undermined the national reconciliation process, Mrs Gloria Akuffo, Aviation Minister, said "it was important to remind ourselves of where we came from in order not to repeat those mistakes as we move forward".
GNA
Beauty queens call on Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations
The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations,Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, on Tuesday reiterated his call to Africans in the Diaspora to pool their resources to develop Africa.
He said the continent was stricken with immense poverty and governments alone could not marshal the huge resources required to bring about development.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey made the call when both Miss Caribbean Commonwealth 2005 and 2006 called on him in Accra.
The visit of the beauty queens formed part of the award package of the pageant, which provided air tickets to travel to any country of her choice.
The Minister noted that it was high time Africans living in the Diaspora reunited with their roots and contributed their quota to the development drive of the continent.
Mr Obtsetsebi-Lamptey explained the Joseph's Project to them saying it formed part of Ghana's 50th anniversary celebration where Africans abroad would be encouraged to come back home.
Miss Shaheroh Williams, Miss Caribbean Commonwealth 2006 expressed gratitude for the Ghanaian hospitability saying she was pleased to be visiting the country for the first time.
In another development, students from the Sunamis in the Netherlands paid a courtesy call on the Minister as part of their education tour to the country.
The students who are basically Ghanaians born abroad and Africans in the Diaspora would visit some the tourist sites in the country to acquaint themselves with the slave trade.
GNA
He said the continent was stricken with immense poverty and governments alone could not marshal the huge resources required to bring about development.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey made the call when both Miss Caribbean Commonwealth 2005 and 2006 called on him in Accra.
The visit of the beauty queens formed part of the award package of the pageant, which provided air tickets to travel to any country of her choice.
The Minister noted that it was high time Africans living in the Diaspora reunited with their roots and contributed their quota to the development drive of the continent.
Mr Obtsetsebi-Lamptey explained the Joseph's Project to them saying it formed part of Ghana's 50th anniversary celebration where Africans abroad would be encouraged to come back home.
Miss Shaheroh Williams, Miss Caribbean Commonwealth 2006 expressed gratitude for the Ghanaian hospitability saying she was pleased to be visiting the country for the first time.
In another development, students from the Sunamis in the Netherlands paid a courtesy call on the Minister as part of their education tour to the country.
The students who are basically Ghanaians born abroad and Africans in the Diaspora would visit some the tourist sites in the country to acquaint themselves with the slave trade.
GNA
Finance Minister to present 2007 budget on November 16
Finance Minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu will present the 2007 Budget Statement and Government financial policy statement to parliament on November 16, Members of parliament heard as they reconvened from recess on Tuesday.
According to the Business Agenda for the House, a backlog of bills, including the Domestic Violence Bill, are also expected to be considered during the meeting.
Welcoming members back from recess, the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, entreated them to lend support to the leadership of the House in order to deal with the workload ahead of the house.
He said they should put the national interest first and attend to the business of the house promptly. "This meeting would be active. You must show zeal. I shall commence proceeding on time. The time is 10 am," he added.
Earlier, the House observed a minute's silence for former Speaker Justice Daniel Francis Annan and the MP for Offinso-South, Mr Kwabena Sarfo, who both died this year.
The new member for Offinso-South, Dr Owusu Achaw Duah, also took his place in the chamber and swore the Oath of Secrecy and that of a Member of Parliament, administered by the Speaker Sekyi Hughes.
Mr Sekyi Hughes welcomed the new member and asked the house to support him in the discharge of his duties in the House. Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Deputy Minority Leader, said the member for Offinso-South should see himself as a representative of every member of his constituency regardless of who voted or did not vote for him.
He drew attention to reports of a murder that occurred on the eve of the by-election in the Offinso-South constituency, and said the new MP should link up with the police and take up the responsibility of investigating the matter.
Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, also welcomed Dr Duah and said the police had already concluded that the murder was not politically motivated.
He expressed the hope that stories being bandied about by some senior politicians that the murder had some political links would be laid to rest and urged those making the allegation to check their facts before coming out with such reports.
GNA
According to the Business Agenda for the House, a backlog of bills, including the Domestic Violence Bill, are also expected to be considered during the meeting.
Welcoming members back from recess, the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, entreated them to lend support to the leadership of the House in order to deal with the workload ahead of the house.
He said they should put the national interest first and attend to the business of the house promptly. "This meeting would be active. You must show zeal. I shall commence proceeding on time. The time is 10 am," he added.
Earlier, the House observed a minute's silence for former Speaker Justice Daniel Francis Annan and the MP for Offinso-South, Mr Kwabena Sarfo, who both died this year.
The new member for Offinso-South, Dr Owusu Achaw Duah, also took his place in the chamber and swore the Oath of Secrecy and that of a Member of Parliament, administered by the Speaker Sekyi Hughes.
Mr Sekyi Hughes welcomed the new member and asked the house to support him in the discharge of his duties in the House. Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Deputy Minority Leader, said the member for Offinso-South should see himself as a representative of every member of his constituency regardless of who voted or did not vote for him.
He drew attention to reports of a murder that occurred on the eve of the by-election in the Offinso-South constituency, and said the new MP should link up with the police and take up the responsibility of investigating the matter.
Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, also welcomed Dr Duah and said the police had already concluded that the murder was not politically motivated.
He expressed the hope that stories being bandied about by some senior politicians that the murder had some political links would be laid to rest and urged those making the allegation to check their facts before coming out with such reports.
GNA
30.10.06
Education Ministries urged to provide adequate teaching time in SSS
The International Final Awards and Examiners Appointments Committee of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has urged Ministries of Education to provide adequate teaching time in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS).
This is because the level at which the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination has been pitched is demanding and candidates need optimal contact time to be able to perform well in the examination.
A statement issued in Accra by WAEC the Appointments Committee made the recommendation at their 61st meeting in Lagos, Nigeria. It said the Committee reiterated the importance and need to improve access to quality education.
The statement said members called on the governments of member countries of WAEC to support to Council in its fight against examination malpractices. WAEC members are The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
“Members noted that even though there were no reported cases of leakages in the November/December 2005 private candidate and the May/June SSS certificate examinations, there were many irregularities, with a high incidence of collusion cases detected from the scripts of candidates.”
The statement said the Committee drew attention to the importance of the Chief Examiners’ Reports published by WAEC at the end of each examination and which showed the strengths and weaknesses of candidates in general as well as their specific performance in each subject.
It said the Committee stressed the importance of such reports since they also made recommendations on teaching and learning on how to enhance the performance of candidates.
The Committee advised students to access these reports with the assistance of their school authorities and parents because such reports would help prospective candidates to understand what was required of them during examinations.
GNA
This is because the level at which the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination has been pitched is demanding and candidates need optimal contact time to be able to perform well in the examination.
A statement issued in Accra by WAEC the Appointments Committee made the recommendation at their 61st meeting in Lagos, Nigeria. It said the Committee reiterated the importance and need to improve access to quality education.
The statement said members called on the governments of member countries of WAEC to support to Council in its fight against examination malpractices. WAEC members are The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
“Members noted that even though there were no reported cases of leakages in the November/December 2005 private candidate and the May/June SSS certificate examinations, there were many irregularities, with a high incidence of collusion cases detected from the scripts of candidates.”
The statement said the Committee drew attention to the importance of the Chief Examiners’ Reports published by WAEC at the end of each examination and which showed the strengths and weaknesses of candidates in general as well as their specific performance in each subject.
It said the Committee stressed the importance of such reports since they also made recommendations on teaching and learning on how to enhance the performance of candidates.
The Committee advised students to access these reports with the assistance of their school authorities and parents because such reports would help prospective candidates to understand what was required of them during examinations.
GNA
ECOWAS Executive Secretary Consoles Nigeria over ADC plane Disaster
The Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has expressed his condolences to the Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, the Government and people of Nigeria over Sunday’s plane crash in Abuja in which some 100 persons, including eminent personalities, lost their lives.
An ECOWAS statement to the Ghana NEWS Agency said the plane, operated by the Aviation Development Company (ADC) Airlines, was on a scheduled domestic flight to Sokoto in northern Nigeria when it crashed soon after take-off, killing almost everyone on board.
Among the dead are the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Maccido, his son, who was a senator and a grandson.
Dr. Ibn Chambas also expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, and prayed God to grant them the strength to bear the sad and irreparable loss.
An ECOWAS statement to the Ghana NEWS Agency said the plane, operated by the Aviation Development Company (ADC) Airlines, was on a scheduled domestic flight to Sokoto in northern Nigeria when it crashed soon after take-off, killing almost everyone on board.
Among the dead are the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Maccido, his son, who was a senator and a grandson.
Dr. Ibn Chambas also expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, and prayed God to grant them the strength to bear the sad and irreparable loss.
Court again denies Tsibu-Darko bail
An Accra High Courtnow hearing the case of one of the suspected drug barons, Prince Tsibu-Darko on Monday rejected an application for bail for him. Mr Gabriel Pwamang, Defence Counsel for Tibu-Darko, filed a motion for bail but this was rejected by the court.
The case, which was initially being tried at the Circuit Court, was moved to the High Court.The case has been adjourned to November 20. The case of the prosecution is that investigations are still underway.
The plea of Tsibu-Darko, 49, owner of Koreana Hotel, who was picked by the security for allegedly dealing in narcotic drugs, is yet to be taken by the court.
He also owns Kamoney Forex Bureau in Tema. Tsibu-Darko who first appeared before an Accra Circuit Court is facing a charge of doing prohibited business relating narcotic drugs.
Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim reminded the courtof the fact that the Police had not completed investigations.The facts of the case are that the Police after receiving intelligence reports mounted surveillance, which revealed that the accused
was doing business relating to narcotics.
GNA
The case, which was initially being tried at the Circuit Court, was moved to the High Court.The case has been adjourned to November 20. The case of the prosecution is that investigations are still underway.
The plea of Tsibu-Darko, 49, owner of Koreana Hotel, who was picked by the security for allegedly dealing in narcotic drugs, is yet to be taken by the court.
He also owns Kamoney Forex Bureau in Tema. Tsibu-Darko who first appeared before an Accra Circuit Court is facing a charge of doing prohibited business relating narcotic drugs.
Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim reminded the courtof the fact that the Police had not completed investigations.The facts of the case are that the Police after receiving intelligence reports mounted surveillance, which revealed that the accused
was doing business relating to narcotics.
GNA
Addo- Kufuor inaugurates assemblies in Upper West
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence on Monday inaugurated a 27-member newly constituted Wa West District Assembly at Wechiau in the Upper West Region.
He read the President's inaugural speech in which he charged the Assembly members to serve their country at the decentralized level of governance in a way that would make their constituents feel they were also participating in the governance of their nation.
He advised the members not to seek their personal interest against the public good and warned that members who used their positions to gain contracts or undue favours from assemblies, would be committing a very serous offence and liable to sanctions.
Dr Addo-Kufuor urged District Chief Executives to discharge their responsibilities creditably in order to convince everybody that they were nominated with the people's interest as the paramount consideration.
Mr Daniel Kuusogno Dari, the district Chief Executive said the Assembly has been allocated a total of 25 billion cedis since 2004 out of which 13.8 billion cedis had been received and expended on programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
These funds, he said came from the District Assemblies' Common Fund, HIPC relief fund, District Wide Assistance Project and the Youth Employment Fund.
Dr Addo-Kufuor also inaugurated the 25-member Wa Municipal Assembly at a well-attended ceremony at Wa during which he read the President's inaugural speech.
GNA
He read the President's inaugural speech in which he charged the Assembly members to serve their country at the decentralized level of governance in a way that would make their constituents feel they were also participating in the governance of their nation.
He advised the members not to seek their personal interest against the public good and warned that members who used their positions to gain contracts or undue favours from assemblies, would be committing a very serous offence and liable to sanctions.
Dr Addo-Kufuor urged District Chief Executives to discharge their responsibilities creditably in order to convince everybody that they were nominated with the people's interest as the paramount consideration.
Mr Daniel Kuusogno Dari, the district Chief Executive said the Assembly has been allocated a total of 25 billion cedis since 2004 out of which 13.8 billion cedis had been received and expended on programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
These funds, he said came from the District Assemblies' Common Fund, HIPC relief fund, District Wide Assistance Project and the Youth Employment Fund.
Dr Addo-Kufuor also inaugurated the 25-member Wa Municipal Assembly at a well-attended ceremony at Wa during which he read the President's inaugural speech.
GNA
Elizabeth Ohene inaugurates Birim South District Assembly
Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Office of the President on Monday inaugurated an 81-member Birim South District Assembly at Akyem Oda. The assembly is made up of 54 elected members, 24 Government appointees and three ex-officio members, including the District Chief Executive, Mr Frank Kwame Busumtwi, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Members of Parliament for Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru, respectively.
The occasion coincided with the inauguration of three Metro Mass Transport buses for the area. Ms Ohene who read a speech on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor, urged the assembly members not to seek their personal interest against the public good.
He said any member who would use his or her positions to gain contracts or undue favours from the assembly would be committing a serious offence and conflict of interest and should be liable to sanction.
In a welcoming address, Mr Busumtwi cautioned the new assembly members that being assembly member was not an easy task. "It requires hard work, perseverance, dedication, humility and tolerance", he said.
Mr Busumtwi expressed worry that the assembly had not been able to achieve its revenue target for the past three years and expressed the hope that with the crop of new assembly members' things would change for the better.
He mentioned sanitation as a major problem facing the assembly, adding that it was faced with the problem of getting land for final disposal site for both solid and liquid waste.
The assembly later elected Mr Robert Amoah, a 44-year-old educationist, as the Presiding Member. Mr Amoah, who was the only contestant, polled 74 out of the total 76 votes cast.He thanked the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that he would live up to expectation.
The occasion coincided with the inauguration of three Metro Mass Transport buses for the area. Ms Ohene who read a speech on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor, urged the assembly members not to seek their personal interest against the public good.
He said any member who would use his or her positions to gain contracts or undue favours from the assembly would be committing a serious offence and conflict of interest and should be liable to sanction.
In a welcoming address, Mr Busumtwi cautioned the new assembly members that being assembly member was not an easy task. "It requires hard work, perseverance, dedication, humility and tolerance", he said.
Mr Busumtwi expressed worry that the assembly had not been able to achieve its revenue target for the past three years and expressed the hope that with the crop of new assembly members' things would change for the better.
He mentioned sanitation as a major problem facing the assembly, adding that it was faced with the problem of getting land for final disposal site for both solid and liquid waste.
The assembly later elected Mr Robert Amoah, a 44-year-old educationist, as the Presiding Member. Mr Amoah, who was the only contestant, polled 74 out of the total 76 votes cast.He thanked the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that he would live up to expectation.
Rotary organizes free eye screening and treatment
Dr Francis Odame, Specialist Ophthalmologist of the Korle Bu and La Hospitals, on Monday suggested the establishment of an eye bank, saying this is important to replace some damaged parts of the eyes of patients.
He admitted that the establishment of such a bank would not be easy but could be done if there were ready donations to serve as stock. Dr Odame was speaking to journalists at an exercise to screen for glaucoma and cataract in Accra and its environs.
He said there was no single eye bank in West Africa but the idea was important to replace some damaged eye components through donations from those who passed away.
Dr Odame called for routine eye check-ups for school-going children while employers should also make it mandatory for workers to go for check-ups.
The eye screening exercise, which is free, is part of efforts by the Rotary Clubs of Accra Ring Road Central D9100, Windsor, Canada and the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India to bring medical assistance to the doorsteps of the needy.
It is also to create awareness about eye diseases and disorders. The programme would be followed up with medical treatment as well as surgeries at the La General Hospital.
Over 70 patients would undergo surgery, 400 would be given medicated glasses while others would receive medication. Dr Viral Purohit, Head of the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India and also leader of a 13-member team, said it was the hope of the Institute to establish a clinic in Ghana.
He said a mobile clinic would also be established to take care of the poor in the villages.
GNA
He admitted that the establishment of such a bank would not be easy but could be done if there were ready donations to serve as stock. Dr Odame was speaking to journalists at an exercise to screen for glaucoma and cataract in Accra and its environs.
He said there was no single eye bank in West Africa but the idea was important to replace some damaged eye components through donations from those who passed away.
Dr Odame called for routine eye check-ups for school-going children while employers should also make it mandatory for workers to go for check-ups.
The eye screening exercise, which is free, is part of efforts by the Rotary Clubs of Accra Ring Road Central D9100, Windsor, Canada and the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India to bring medical assistance to the doorsteps of the needy.
It is also to create awareness about eye diseases and disorders. The programme would be followed up with medical treatment as well as surgeries at the La General Hospital.
Over 70 patients would undergo surgery, 400 would be given medicated glasses while others would receive medication. Dr Viral Purohit, Head of the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India and also leader of a 13-member team, said it was the hope of the Institute to establish a clinic in Ghana.
He said a mobile clinic would also be established to take care of the poor in the villages.
GNA
UN Internet Governance Forum to Focus on Development
Meeting for the first time in Athens from 30 October to 2 November, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum will focus on "Internet Governance for Development." The theme was determined by the strong consensus reached at the World Summit on the Information Society and afterwards that the Internet should be a key for development, said Markus Kummer, Executive Director of the Forum's secretariat.
Topics to be addressed at the Forum include free flow of information and access to knowledge, threats to Internet security such as spam and "phishing," the "multilingualization" of the Internet, international domain names not in the English alphabet, and expanding access for users in poor countries.
There will be no negotiated outcome, but the Forum will seek to stimulate a dialogue between the private sector, civil society and the academic and technical communities and their institutions, who are running the Internet and have their tradition of informal bottom-up decision-making and networked communication; and the more formal and structured world of governments and intergovernmental organizations.
The Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, will speak at the opening on Monday, which will also be addressed by the two "fathers of the Internet," Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, co-inventors of the TCP/IP protocols.
The Greek Minister of Transport and Communications, Michalis Liapis, will chair the four-day meeting. Nitin Desai, the Chairman of the Forum's Advisory Group, will chair the session devoted to discussing the way forward. More than 30 workshops will be held in parallel to the main session.
Topics to be addressed at the Forum include free flow of information and access to knowledge, threats to Internet security such as spam and "phishing," the "multilingualization" of the Internet, international domain names not in the English alphabet, and expanding access for users in poor countries.
There will be no negotiated outcome, but the Forum will seek to stimulate a dialogue between the private sector, civil society and the academic and technical communities and their institutions, who are running the Internet and have their tradition of informal bottom-up decision-making and networked communication; and the more formal and structured world of governments and intergovernmental organizations.
The Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, will speak at the opening on Monday, which will also be addressed by the two "fathers of the Internet," Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, co-inventors of the TCP/IP protocols.
The Greek Minister of Transport and Communications, Michalis Liapis, will chair the four-day meeting. Nitin Desai, the Chairman of the Forum's Advisory Group, will chair the session devoted to discussing the way forward. More than 30 workshops will be held in parallel to the main session.
28.10.06
Ghana seeks 1.2 billion dollars Chinese support for strategic projects
Ghana is seeking 1.2 billion dollars Chinese development support towards the implementation of a number of strategic projects to help speed up the pace of the country's economic progress, Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President, said on Friday.
The projects include the Bui Dam, construction of a backbone for the telecommunication network and rural electrification. China has already advanced 50 million dollars for the telecommunication backbone project.
Mr Awuni told a press briefing that Ghana had presented the Chinese authorities with the project proposals and that these would come up for discussion during the China-Africa Heads of State Summit to be held in Beijing from November 3-5.
President John Agyekum Kufuor would join about 48 other African leaders at the Summit at which China would present its programme for investment and financial support to Africa for the next five years and the specific areas it would be ready to give support.
The meeting would also discuss international politics, trade, economic and cultural development. Mr Awuni said from China, President Kufuor would attend the first ever Korea-Africa summit to be hosted by President Roh Moo-Hyun from November 7-9.
He said Ghana and Korea would engage in bilateral talks on greater economic co-operation and trade. President Kufuor would meet the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Mr Ban Ki-Moon.
Mr Awuni said the two countries would consider co-operation on the expansion and divestiture of the Tema Oil Refinery and the building of new thermal plant to generate more energy.
President Kufuor would also pay a two-day working visit to Japan to confer with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and meet with Ms Sadoko Ogata, President of JICA, as well as the presidents of Japan External Trade Organisation and Japan Chocolate and Cocoa Associations.GNA
President Kufuor inaugurates a bus for Central Regional Coordinating Council
President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Saturday inaugurated a 33-seater bus valued at 632 million cedis, for the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) in Cape Coast.
He commended the council for the foresight and urged them to ensure that it was maintained regularly to prolong its life span.
President Kufuor called on other regional coordinating councils to emulate their example.
The bus purchased with funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund would be used to monitor projects being undertaken in the region under the fund.
It would also be used as a staff bus to ensure punctuality at work. Nana Ato Arthur Central Regional Minister, briefing newsmen later said it was purchased to reduce fuel consumption by the monitoring team that used more than six vehicles for their operations.
“With the bus it would be more convenient and easier for the team to operate efficiently and effectively,” he added. Nana Arthur pledged to ensure the bus was well maintained.
In another development, President Kufuor joined mourners at the burial and final funeral rites of Madam Monica Woode, mother of Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Omanhene of Edina Traditional Area at Elmina.
In another development, President Kufuor joined mourners at the burial and final funeral rites of Madam Monica Woode, mother of Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Omanhene of Edina Traditional Area at Elmina.
He later paid a courtesy call on Nana Conduah at his palace. Nana Conduah expressed appreciation to President Kufuor and his entourage for mourning with the bereaved family saying “ This is an honour for me, my late mother and the family.”
Madam Woode, alias Auntie Ama Gyefuaw 65, died on Monday July 31, at the Central Regional Hospital after a short illness. She left behind five children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grand children.
27.10.06
Military High Command cautions Rawlings
Ghana’s Military High Command on Friday said the Ghana Armed Forces would continue to be loyal to the state and government of the day as the case was during the rule of former President Rawlings, a statement from the Military High Command said on Friday.
"We have no other option than to team up with other security services to protect the integrity and stability of our dear nation as well as the democratic dispensation being enjoyed by all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnicity and religious beliefs".
The statement was in response to a press conference the former President held on Thursday in Accra when he reacted to certain allegations President John Kufour made against him at a rally at Offinso in the Asahanti Region.
It said the High Command had noted the comments the former President made that, “he expects the Commanders to go to the Minister and tell him that his policies or other directives are not favourable to the military and cannot work hence he should change them” or words to that effect.
The statement signed by Colonel E. W. K. Nibo, Director of Public relations, Armed Forces said, “The Ghana Armed Forces would like to appeal to the former President to stop drawing it into the political utterances that appears to be the order of the day anytime he has a bone to pick with the government.
“He should allow the military to do its work as enshrined in the constitution of our dear country just as it did for him in the past". The statement expressed concern that, "such statements coming from him as a former Commander-in-Chief tend to undermine the Command, discipline, esprit de corps, teamwork and professionalism of the Armed Forces, which do not augur well for peace and stability of the country."
In as much as the former President is entitled to his opinion, the Military High Command finds it unfortunate that as a former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, such comments should be coming from him, since he is very familiar with the code of conduct of the military".
The High Command of the Armed Forces “respects him as its former Commander in Chief and would therefore expect his comments about the military to be circumspect by urging the military to continue to do the good work it has been doing rather than subjecting it to public ridicule, contempt and embarrassment", the statement said.
GNA
Total Petroleum Ghana and Total Ghana Limited merge
Shareholders of Total Petroleum Ghana Limited (formerly Mobil Oil Ghana Ltd) and Total Ghana Limited at separate meetings on Friday approved the merger of the two companies, Mr. Felix Majekodunmi, Managing Director of Petroleum Ghana Limited announced on Friday in Accra.
Mr Majekodunmi told a press conference that as part of the merger agreement, Total Ghana Limited would be put into members’ voluntary liquidation and the whole of its undertaking and assets will be transferred to Total Petroleum Ghana Limited.
Total Petroleum Ghana Limited would thus issue new shares to the shareholders of Total Ghana Limited in line with the rights of the shareholders in the liquidation. Mr Majekodunmi said the merged company’s name will be Total Petroleum Ghana Limited and would remain quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The merged company will occupy a leadership position in Ghana with an estimated market share of 28 per cent and a network of 225 service stations across the country.
“Synergies derived from rationalization of depots administrative and marketing operations will increase efficiency, reduce operating cost, consequently increasing profitability and shareholder value,” Mr Majekodunmi said.
He stressed that the benefits of the synergies would enable Total Petroleum Ghana Limited to competitively satisfy the ever challenging and increasing needs of its customers whilst putting safety first at all times. Touching on redundancies as result of the merger, Mr Majekodunmi said 46 employees had been affected because of the rationalization of assets and operations of the two companies.
Management and representatives of staff of both companies, he said, had amicably negotiated redundancy packages of the affected employees, a package which had received the approval of the Labour Department of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment for implementation. Mr Majekodunmi reiterated Total Petroleum Ghana Limited commitment to providing quality products, reliable and efficient service to its customers.
Besides, he said, the merged company would continue to be alive to its corporate social responsibilities while contributing positively to the economic growth of the country. Mr Majekodunmi was upbeat about the performance of the shares of the new company, saying once the results of the synergies began to manifest it would push share prices up. Total occupies a strong position in Africa with downstream operations in over 58 countries with about 3,800 branded service stations and shares in seven refineries.
GNA
Mr Majekodunmi told a press conference that as part of the merger agreement, Total Ghana Limited would be put into members’ voluntary liquidation and the whole of its undertaking and assets will be transferred to Total Petroleum Ghana Limited.
Total Petroleum Ghana Limited would thus issue new shares to the shareholders of Total Ghana Limited in line with the rights of the shareholders in the liquidation. Mr Majekodunmi said the merged company’s name will be Total Petroleum Ghana Limited and would remain quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The merged company will occupy a leadership position in Ghana with an estimated market share of 28 per cent and a network of 225 service stations across the country.
“Synergies derived from rationalization of depots administrative and marketing operations will increase efficiency, reduce operating cost, consequently increasing profitability and shareholder value,” Mr Majekodunmi said.
He stressed that the benefits of the synergies would enable Total Petroleum Ghana Limited to competitively satisfy the ever challenging and increasing needs of its customers whilst putting safety first at all times. Touching on redundancies as result of the merger, Mr Majekodunmi said 46 employees had been affected because of the rationalization of assets and operations of the two companies.
Management and representatives of staff of both companies, he said, had amicably negotiated redundancy packages of the affected employees, a package which had received the approval of the Labour Department of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment for implementation. Mr Majekodunmi reiterated Total Petroleum Ghana Limited commitment to providing quality products, reliable and efficient service to its customers.
Besides, he said, the merged company would continue to be alive to its corporate social responsibilities while contributing positively to the economic growth of the country. Mr Majekodunmi was upbeat about the performance of the shares of the new company, saying once the results of the synergies began to manifest it would push share prices up. Total occupies a strong position in Africa with downstream operations in over 58 countries with about 3,800 branded service stations and shares in seven refineries.
GNA
New Nkrumahist party in the offing?
Barring any hiccups, Ghana's political arena is set to have a new member with the formation of a new political party aimed at providing an alternative based on the Nkrumahist tradition.
Officials of the yet to be named party told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday that the party would be built on Nkrumahist roots and become the unifying ground for all who positively crave for a more nationalistic, domestic-based philosophy to development.
'It will have an economy that has active roles for both the state and the private sector.'
The officials, who declined to be identified at this stage, said,
'It will fill the vacuum on the centre and left spectrum of Ghanaian politics to provide a positive alternative to the right leaning policies of the ruling NPP.'
Organization work for this group, according to the official, has been programmed to end in July of 2007 to give enough time for the wounds of the past 96 1992 to date - to be healed and understanding to be reached that will enable the middle to left of centre organization to unite those who want to avoid name.
The promoters of this organizational drive said they acknowledged the need for painstaking research to prepare its policy direction that would appeal to the ordinary Ghanaian as well as professionals and entrepreneurs who were yearning for a party that would put Ghanaians at the centre stage of opportunities in the country.
They said they were keen on building a mass political movement that were truly independent of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). They do not want to be a fragmented part of any other political organization.
=93By our hard work, we intend to build a firm place now and for the future in Ghanaian politics.=94
The promoters who spoke to the GNA said they had been engaged in quiet moves to reach people who would give the new organization credibility once it got off the ground.
=93For now, organizers 96 men and women - have been deployed throughout the 230 constituencies in the country to work the ground and determine the feasibility of launching a successful organization.=94 On how they intended to get to the masses since Ghanaians seemed to be tired of politics they said their foot soldiers were dedicated, proven political organizers who were determined and resolved to win recruits for the new organization.
They said so far, they had been encouraged by the reception given to them due to their non-confrontational stance to politics. =93They have been instructed to acknowledge contributions made by the NDC and the NPP in recent years to seek growth in Ghana. They are just selling their positive messages and promoting an alternative approach to development that is based on self-reliance and a preference to Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs while making way for the state to play a role in directly facilitating growth.=94
They say if their plans work, the new organization will attract known politicians while making big room for new people with alternative ideas that will broaden its appeal. This includes current and former
MPs, public servants, business owners and professionals. Another angle is to make significant inroads to recruit women and the youth to make the organization a truly national one with a broad base and appeal.
They declined to mention names of those behind the organizational strategy, indicating that a firm lid had been put on the identity of those giving a positive response to the recruitment process.
'Care is being taken to bring on board people with positive views on the political scene and those who have not been active participants in divisive politicking and to avoid those who have engaged in politics of exclusion through extreme ideological hard line views.
'The promoters are determined to keep working without the usual noise and claims of being on the ground and winning elections until the fundamental organization work is done,=94 they said. Source:
GNABarring any hiccups, Ghana's political arena is set to have a new member with the formation of a new political party aimed at providing an alternative based on the Nkrumahist tradition.
Officials of the yet to be named party told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday that the party would be built on Nkrumahist roots and become the unifying ground for all who positively crave for a more nationalistic, domestic-based philosophy to development.
'It will have an economy that has active roles for both the state and the private sector.'
The officials, who declined to be identified at this stage, said,
'It will fill the vacuum on the centre and left spectrum of Ghanaian politics to provide a positive alternative to the right leaning policies of the ruling NPP.'
Organization work for this group, according to the official, has been programmed to end in July of 2007 to give enough time for the wounds of the past 96 1992 to date - to be healed and understanding to be reached that will enable the middle to left of centre organization to unite those who want to avoid name.
The promoters of this organizational drive said they acknowledged the need for painstaking research to prepare its policy direction that would appeal to the ordinary Ghanaian as well as professionals and entrepreneurs who were yearning for a party that would put Ghanaians at the centre stage of opportunities in the country.
They said they were keen on building a mass political movement that were truly independent of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). They do not want to be a fragmented part of any other political organization.
=93By our hard work, we intend to build a firm place now and for the future in Ghanaian politics.=94
The promoters who spoke to the GNA said they had been engaged in quiet moves to reach people who would give the new organization credibility once it got off the ground.
=93For now, organizers 96 men and women - have been deployed throughout the 230 constituencies in the country to work the ground and determine the feasibility of launching a successful organization.=94 On how they intended to get to the masses since Ghanaians seemed to be tired of politics they said their foot soldiers were dedicated, proven political organizers who were determined and resolved to win recruits for the new organization.
They said so far, they had been encouraged by the reception given to them due to their non-confrontational stance to politics. =93They have been instructed to acknowledge contributions made by the NDC and the NPP in recent years to seek growth in Ghana. They are just selling their positive messages and promoting an alternative approach to development that is based on self-reliance and a preference to Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs while making way for the state to play a role in directly facilitating growth.=94
They say if their plans work, the new organization will attract known politicians while making big room for new people with alternative ideas that will broaden its appeal. This includes current and former
MPs, public servants, business owners and professionals. Another angle is to make significant inroads to recruit women and the youth to make the organization a truly national one with a broad base and appeal.
They declined to mention names of those behind the organizational strategy, indicating that a firm lid had been put on the identity of those giving a positive response to the recruitment process.
'Care is being taken to bring on board people with positive views on the political scene and those who have not been active participants in divisive politicking and to avoid those who have engaged in politics of exclusion through extreme ideological hard line views.
'The promoters are determined to keep working without the usual noise and claims of being on the ground and winning elections until the fundamental organization work is done,=94 they said. Source:
GNA
October Salaries delay
The Controller and Accountant-General's Department on Friday announced that salaries for this month, which were to be paid on October 25, 2006 have been delayed.
A statement Mr Christian Sottie, Controller and Accountant General signed said the delay was due to management units on the old Payroll Processing System (IPPD 1) which were being migrated onto a new Oracle Human Resources Management System (IPPD 2).
"Efforts are being made to pay salaries by Tuesday 31st October 2006," Mr Sottie said and appealed to all staff whose salaries were processed at the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to bear with them.
Robbers confess to attacking Mzbel and friends
Three people, who were suspected to have robbed and raped Mzbel, the popular Hip-life musician and his female dancers on Thursday confessed to the Police in Accra to have taken part in that dastardly act.The suspects are Emmnauel Agozie, 26; Munkiala Tahiru 25 and Kennedy Agbozo, 18.
Briefing the media about the general crime situation in the capital, Assistant Commissioners of Police, Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, Regional Police Commander, said the suspects were arrested last Sunday upon a tip-off by the victims after they were spotted at the La Beach.
According Emmanuel Agozie, a suspect who narrated the incident to the media at the Police station, he said it was one Joe, who is on the run that took the three of them at midnight of that day to the house of the musician at New Gbawe.
He said when they got to the place it was Joe who entered the room and spent sometime there and later came out with one of the female dancers, who begged him not to do anything to her.
He said they made away with foreign currencies, a laptop and a digital camera.
In another development three persons suspected to have robbed one Ibrahim Kombian, a businessman, raped and defiled his daughters at Pokuase-Amanfrom, were also picked up by the Police.
The suspects were Yusif Mohammed; Abdul Basheed Musah and Kofi Yeboah while the Police have mounted an intensive search for a fourth suspect only known as Daddy, who is on the run.
ACP Akrofi Asiedu said the suspects took away four mobile phones, jewelleries and some assorted drinks from the house of the victim.
He said a few days after the incident, Kofi Yeboah; a taxi driver was identified and arrested as one of the suspects, who perpetrated the shameful act.
He said he later led the Police to arrest the two other suspects.
Meanwhile, the Police patrol team at Osu, Accra also arrested a gang of suspected mobile phone snatchers.The suspects are Frank Apau 23; Adu Kwabena, 22 and David Klottey, 18.
The Regional Police Commander said the suspects attacked and attempted to snatch mobile phones from their victims, who were returning from a nightclub last Tuesday at 0100 hours, when the Osu Police patrol team chanced upon them and arrested them.
A search conducted on them revealed a cutlass, a toy gun and an axe.
ACP Akrofi Asiedu gave the assurance that the Police and the Military had jointly devised operational strategies to tackle crime in Accra and its environs.
He expressed the hope that when the strategies become fully operational the robberies would reduce.
Jerry John Rawlings fear NPP will use force to stay in power after 2008
Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday rejected the perception that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was for the Asantes while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was for the Ewes.
He said there were Ewes, who were members of the NPP just as some Asantes could be found in the NDC and it was, therefore, wrong for anyone to say that this or that party belonged to this or that ethnic group.
Former President Rawlings was answering questions at a press conference in Accra to respond to accusations by President John Agyekum Kufuor that he was looking for money to destabilise the country.
He said: "Ghanaians should not allow tribalism to divide us. Don't allow yourselves to be divided. Don't allow I am an Asante, he is an Asante or he is Ewe to be used to fool us."
He said what was wrong was wrong and what was right was right and that he would continue to speak the truth and that the development of the nation was anchored on transparency, accountability and justice.
Former President Rawlings said it was sad that the NPP Government, which was wooing investors, should be the same government to be shouting about imaginary violent change of government.
He said "destroying the credibility of the country can lead to destabilization and that after the Black Stars had performed creditably in the 2006 World Cup to put Ghana high in the World it was rather sad that they (Stars) only came back home to meet cocaine scandals.
Vowing that he would not stage any coup d'etat again Former President Rawlings, who had successfully staged two coups, said it did not take foreign money or money to buy arms from abroad to stage a coup and that all that was needed to stage a coup were in the country.
"The guns are in Ghana and there are some in President Kufuor's house since he is the President."
He said it was sad that President Kufuor should be using a coup scare to frighten Ghanaians and to make them live in a state of panic and that "when the government itself was faced with panic situation through its own activities then it puts fear into Ghanaians".
Former President Rawlings said power was sweet and that it was difficult to relinquish and that his fears was that if the NPP were defeated in Election 2008 it (NPP) might use "brute force to stay in power".
He said there were Ewes, who were members of the NPP just as some Asantes could be found in the NDC and it was, therefore, wrong for anyone to say that this or that party belonged to this or that ethnic group.
Former President Rawlings was answering questions at a press conference in Accra to respond to accusations by President John Agyekum Kufuor that he was looking for money to destabilise the country.
He said: "Ghanaians should not allow tribalism to divide us. Don't allow yourselves to be divided. Don't allow I am an Asante, he is an Asante or he is Ewe to be used to fool us."
He said what was wrong was wrong and what was right was right and that he would continue to speak the truth and that the development of the nation was anchored on transparency, accountability and justice.
Former President Rawlings said it was sad that the NPP Government, which was wooing investors, should be the same government to be shouting about imaginary violent change of government.
He said "destroying the credibility of the country can lead to destabilization and that after the Black Stars had performed creditably in the 2006 World Cup to put Ghana high in the World it was rather sad that they (Stars) only came back home to meet cocaine scandals.
Vowing that he would not stage any coup d'etat again Former President Rawlings, who had successfully staged two coups, said it did not take foreign money or money to buy arms from abroad to stage a coup and that all that was needed to stage a coup were in the country.
"The guns are in Ghana and there are some in President Kufuor's house since he is the President."
He said it was sad that President Kufuor should be using a coup scare to frighten Ghanaians and to make them live in a state of panic and that "when the government itself was faced with panic situation through its own activities then it puts fear into Ghanaians".
Former President Rawlings said power was sweet and that it was difficult to relinquish and that his fears was that if the NPP were defeated in Election 2008 it (NPP) might use "brute force to stay in power".
26.10.06
Hugo Chavez sponsors coup in Ghana?
I thought it was funny when I first heard it. Prez Kuffour at it again. Then I told a diplomat who had not hear it yet. His response " who advises this president at all". I went home smiling thinking it was one of those things people say when they mout political platforms.
But as I laid on my bed starring at the ceiling many ideas came to mind. I remembered a Ghanaian businessman telling me on a flight what happens when they hear the word "coup". They think about their investments and how much they stand to loose when that eventually happens.
To cut it to the core, coups are not good news to anyone. Not the country, not the investors not the potential investors and not the continent.
We have had these in the past, all proved to be empty threats.
Rawlings have been equivocal in his comments (That I know) but on coups he has said many times that he has no interest in doing that again. I have heard off record, a comment by one of Rawllings' confidants that "prez kuffour will not be dignified with a coup".
I hope the president will focus on running Ghana and stop this pranks. We are many years behind and we can't afford to be doing this.
Comment:- by Isaac TETTEH blog owner
Accra Air Force base to house hanger for US regional aircraft
The Accra Air Force Base is to house a new hanger for the US Embassy's C-12 aircraft that would provide regional support for its mission in Ghana and 26 other embassies in West and Central Africa.
The aircraft was attached to the US missions in Dakar and Monrovia and until 2004 it was based in Abidjan, La Cote d'Ivoire. A new operating location had to be found for it after the deterioration of the political situation in Cote d'Ivoire.
The Ghana Government and the Ghana Air Force provided the space to park and maintain the aircraft when it arrived in Accra in early 2004 until a proper hanger was built for it.
The aircraft, capable of flying 1,200 miles - about five and half hours in the air - depending on its mission, can carry about eight passengers.
At a short ceremony at the Air Force Base in Accra on Thursday to unveil the project, Ms Pamela Bridgewater, US Ambassador in Ghana, said the construction of the hanger represented the commitment of both countries to bilateral relations as well as their joint goal of promoting stability and cooperation in the West Africa Sub-Region and throughout Africa.
She extended the US Congress's appreciation to the Ghana Air Force for providing such support and expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana for giving the C-12 a new home.
Air Vice-Marshal Joseph Boateng, Chief of Air Staff of the Ghana Air Force, also expressed appreciation to the governments of the Ghana and the US for bringing the militaries of both countries together.
He said the Ghana Air Force enjoyed the training support from the US and expressed the hope that such cooperation would continue into the future.
JAK Defends JJ Coup Allegations
President John Agyekum Kufuor has strongly defended allegations of a coup plot he made against former President Rawlings, at a by-election rally in the Offinso South Constituency at the weekend.
The President has also dismissed criticisms that the platform on which he spoke about such a sensitive national issue was improper.
His Spokesperson, Mr Andrew Awuni in an interview said, the President indeed has impeccable security reports, linking Mr Rawlings to renewed attempts to truncate the nation's 14-year-old democratic experiment through the barrel of the gun and that he has no regrets for making the matter public at a political rally.
Over the weekend, President Kufuor directly accused his predecessor of seeking financial help from an unnamed oil rich nation to topple his government.
It was the first time the President made any such allegation against Mr Rawlings, whose public utterances have been cited by some powerful New Patriotic Party (NPP) guns as synonymous to treason.
Mr Awuni said President Kufuor is confident that the nation’s security personnel are willing and ready to protect and defend nation’s constitution and security at all times. Meanwhile, Mr Fifi Kwettey, a spokesperson to the former President has declared that his boss does not need external funding in order to stage yet another successful coup d’ tat a in the country.
Fifi Kwettey told newsmen that Mr Rawlings has no intension of destabilizing the democratic dispensation he helped establish in 1992, instead, the good people of Ghana would themselves topple the NPP regime through a democratic election in the 2008 elections.
Critics of Mr Rawlings say his public utterances about perceived hardship in the country these days and alleged massive bribery and corruption in the government of the NPP are similar to those he made prior to his second successful coup which overthrew the Liman regime.
His critics have used this as basis to conclude that Mr Rawlings is a a serious threat to national security.
Source:Citi FM
Source:Citi FM
Rawlings urges international media to report accurately on Ghana
Former President Jerry Rawlings on Thursday urged western governments and the international media to do diligent reportage of events in Ghana.
He argued that western governments and their media were turning the other way "on serious issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, intimidation and rule of fear”. Former President Rawlings, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra, said he now aspired to greater principles than clinging on to power.
He said power had a way of making one to feel invincible giving one the urge to cling on to power, "but the truth is that I have no urge to have power and I am doing nothing to come back to power. "I have never and would never go anywhere to look for money to plot a coup.
What I have been doing over the years is to tell the truth about the state of corruption and abuse of human rights in the country that is going on, on the blind side of both local and foreign media; with the western governments notably the U.S. and U.K."
Former President Rawlings said he would not stop doing this until the government sat up and began to attend to the development needs of Ghanaians.
He said US President George Bush's constant praising of President John Agyekum Kufuor without critically examining the state of governance, was a systematic way of creating a culture of impunity, where the government would begin to think that it could get away with anything it did.
He alleged that CNN's Jeff Koinenge was whisked away to Iraq in 2001, just when he was preparing to do documentaries on the human rights, corruption and the rot in the judiciary in Ghana. "These are some of the machinations that when I talk about, I am accused of plotting against the government."
Asked if he ever proposed to the then President-elect John Agyekum Kufuor to use his (Rawlings’) Ministers since they had several years of governance experience; Former President Rawlings said:
"I only casually suggested Mr Paul Victor Obeng, who had a great sense of governance issues then, to be part of a transitional body in order to avoid a vacuum during the period of transition from the National Democratic Congress to the New Patriotic Party.
"Ladies and gentlemen, is this something wrong? It was only a suggestion and they had the right to decide on what to do."
Former President Rawlings said he welcomed the efforts of religious bodies to patch up relations between him and President Kufuor. "However, they must first ensure that they do not just bandage a wound. They must first clean it, and put medication before bandaging it.
They must also work to right all the wrongs they have committed against innocent people across the country."
He said the National Reconciliation Commission was unable to reconcile the nation, and the security agencies were unable to arrest the killers of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, the Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, and 30 others in Yendi.
He argued that western governments and their media were turning the other way "on serious issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, intimidation and rule of fear”. Former President Rawlings, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra, said he now aspired to greater principles than clinging on to power.
He said power had a way of making one to feel invincible giving one the urge to cling on to power, "but the truth is that I have no urge to have power and I am doing nothing to come back to power. "I have never and would never go anywhere to look for money to plot a coup.
What I have been doing over the years is to tell the truth about the state of corruption and abuse of human rights in the country that is going on, on the blind side of both local and foreign media; with the western governments notably the U.S. and U.K."
Former President Rawlings said he would not stop doing this until the government sat up and began to attend to the development needs of Ghanaians.
He said US President George Bush's constant praising of President John Agyekum Kufuor without critically examining the state of governance, was a systematic way of creating a culture of impunity, where the government would begin to think that it could get away with anything it did.
He alleged that CNN's Jeff Koinenge was whisked away to Iraq in 2001, just when he was preparing to do documentaries on the human rights, corruption and the rot in the judiciary in Ghana. "These are some of the machinations that when I talk about, I am accused of plotting against the government."
Asked if he ever proposed to the then President-elect John Agyekum Kufuor to use his (Rawlings’) Ministers since they had several years of governance experience; Former President Rawlings said:
"I only casually suggested Mr Paul Victor Obeng, who had a great sense of governance issues then, to be part of a transitional body in order to avoid a vacuum during the period of transition from the National Democratic Congress to the New Patriotic Party.
"Ladies and gentlemen, is this something wrong? It was only a suggestion and they had the right to decide on what to do."
Former President Rawlings said he welcomed the efforts of religious bodies to patch up relations between him and President Kufuor. "However, they must first ensure that they do not just bandage a wound. They must first clean it, and put medication before bandaging it.
They must also work to right all the wrongs they have committed against innocent people across the country."
He said the National Reconciliation Commission was unable to reconcile the nation, and the security agencies were unable to arrest the killers of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, the Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, and 30 others in Yendi.
Help make NHIS a success ... Baah-Wiredu
Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, has appealed to Ghana Insurers Association (GIA) to help make the National Insurance Scheme a reality to Ghanaians.
He said some insurance companies were supportive to the scheme while others notidentifying themselves with the scheme. He added that, it was government's wish that, "those companies sitting on the fence should get on board and provide the necessary support or alternative to make the scheme more beneficial to people of Ghana."
In a speech read on his behalf during the launch of the 2006 insurance week, in Accra, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Insurance Bill, which seeks to strengthen the National Insurance Commission, streamline the licensing of Insurers, Capitalization, Solvency and financial resources of the Insurance Industry has been approved by Cabinet.
The week, organized by the Association was under the theme, "Insurance, a tool for national development". Currently, he said, the bill is before Parliament, adding that, one of the most important provisions is the separation of life business and general business and that the bill, among others, ensures a code of practice, market conduct, rules and penalties for offenders.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu also said Life Assurance as against Non-life, appears to be falling behind in terms of coverage but there were indications of the quest for new products, which would attract huge savings.
Accordingly, Mr. Baah-Wiredu urged the Association to design more life assurance products which are easily accessible and affordable to bring on board many people who are still ignorant of the inherent benefits of insuring themselves and their dependants.
He said insurance companies must take advantage of the establishment of the Insurance Training Centre which government facilitated its establishment under the auspices of the National Insurance Commission to train their staff for the challenges ahead.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said in their zeal to sell, Insurance companies promise the public "outrageous things like house mortgages immediately you start your policy, loans, unreasonable sums of money etc."
Instead, he said, the Association and others in the industry must put product training ahead of all other issues, adding, "after all a well trained agent will be more confident and able to sell better". Mr Baah-Wiredu said it is the duty of the Association to map out effective strategies to the expectation of the would be insured and those already in the books of the companies.
Mr Mahama Samba, President of the GIA, said Insurance policy holders must read carefully insurance contracts to become conversant with the contents so that they are not misled by anyone.
Mr Samba said the Association would extend its services to the rural areas so that people there benefit from insurance schemes.
Rawlings refutes allegations of a coup plot
Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday denied soliciting for funds to stage a coup d'etat in Ghana and said he had never and would never solicit for funds to stage a coup in Ghana. Former President Rawlings was reacting to allegations made against him by President John Agyekum Kufuor at separate rallies at Abofour and Kokote to round off the parliamentary by-election campaign of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Offinso South Constituency on Sunday.
In a speech read on behalf of Former President Rawlings by Mr Victor Gbeho, a Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, he said he did not know where the allegation was coming from. He said the allegation was so wild that it did no credit to the country’s intelligence service, “which has been under pressure to manufacture stories to discredit the NDC Party".
Former President Rawlings said as far as his recent trips abroad was concerned, the media had widely reported his speeches in Euskirchen and Hamburg in Germany and at the South Bank University in London to convince Ghanaians that he was not on a coup trip.
"I have noticed over a period that President Kufuor has developed the habit of attacking me personally whenever his administration is in trouble and so I am not surprised at this recent attack." Former President Rawlings said President Kufuor had targeted him and his family for prosecution but he would not be intimidated and would continue to expose the wrong doings of his government.
President Kufuor had said he was not happy about the behaviour of Former President Rawlings, adding that he and his government had no time for him now but would reply him at the appropriate time. He said Former President Rawlings did not want to hear the success story of the NPP and was using various avenues to discredit his government.
He expressed concern about the negative attitude of Ex-President Rawlings destroying the good image of the NPP government abroad; begging for funds to destabilise the country and finding loopholes to divide the people at the local level.
24.10.06
Premier League frozen because of a court injunction
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has acknowledged the receipt of a court Interlocutory injunction restraining the FA from continuing with the One Touch Premier League competition.
A statement issued and signed by Mr Kweku Ampim Darko, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA copied to the GNA Sports said the Association received the Interlocutory court injunction on Tuesday, October 24, from an Accra High Court.
The statement said that the Premier League has therefore been suspended with effect from the Eighth Week.
It said the FA will communicate any development on the league as and when it becomes necessary.
The statement said it is therefore informing all Clubs and stakeholders accordingly of the court injunction and the new directive.
A statement issued and signed by Mr Kweku Ampim Darko, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA copied to the GNA Sports said the Association received the Interlocutory court injunction on Tuesday, October 24, from an Accra High Court.
The statement said that the Premier League has therefore been suspended with effect from the Eighth Week.
It said the FA will communicate any development on the league as and when it becomes necessary.
The statement said it is therefore informing all Clubs and stakeholders accordingly of the court injunction and the new directive.
JAK's Accusation Of JJ is true - Ntow
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party has backed President Kufuor’s comments at the weekend that former President Rawlings was scheming to overthrow his government.
In an interview with an Accra-based radio station, JoyFM, Ntow said Kufuor’s comments were true and ought to be taken seriously.
President Kufuor told supporters of the NPP at a rally in the Offinso South Constituency at the weekend that former President Rawlings recently tried soliciting financial support from an unnamed, oil rich country to topple the NPP administration.
He said the government would not antagonize the former President first, but if he attempted anything nasty, he would be dealt with appropriately.
Kufuor is noted for such loose talk -JAM
President Kufuor’s comments at the weekend that former President Rawlings was scheming to overthrow his government caught the attention of former Vice President Evans Attah Mills, who dismissed the allegation, saying it had no basis.
Attah Mills said it was unbecoming of President Kufuor to cast aspersions at his opponents and never bothering to substantiate them."Kufuor is noted for such loose talk," Atta-Mills said
"He says things that he cannot substantiate. We're tired of him crying wolf where there's none."
Mills said Kufuor ought to check his utterances if he wanted to be taken seriously, otherwise very soon no one would listen to him when he speaks.
The claim also drew in the NDC’s National Organiser, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo who posited that President Kufuor was deliberately throwing mud at the former President and the NDC to cover up for his party’s shortcomings. Former President Rawlings is not in the country and would be expected to react to the charges.
Cost of Gas Pipeline Project up 10%
Officials of the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO) on Tuesday said the initial cost of the project had risen sharply in view of the rising cost of energy equipment arising from the recent hikes in crude oil prices.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency after a stakeholders' forum in Accra, Mr Jack Derickson, Managing Director of WAPCO, said 93the three months delay in completing the project would result in about 10 per cent marginal cost in the original figure of 500 million dollars=94. He said the major works left were the construction of the compressors at the Lagos end of the project and issues bordering on research and monitoring.
The major items now are the upcoming civil works at Alagbado and Lagos Beach Compressor Station (LBCS), completion of mainline welding and burial and commencement of tie-ins.
"We also intend to receive major equipment including compressor modules at site and piping at Alagbado and LBCS are working at getting manufacturers of items for installing the compressors at the Nigerian end of the project as well as complete trenching works in Takoradi and Tema."
The Research and Monitoring Stations are to be built in Tema and Takoradi, and hydro-testing of pipeline followed by the inauguration of the pipeline and other facilities.Asked if the foundation members were willing to pick up the extra bills, Mr Derickson said it was something they were working on and did not expect any hiccups.
Presenting an update on the extent of construction offshore, Mr Barth Nwagboso, Project Director, said the installation of the 20-inch mainline from Takoradi in Ghana to Badagry in Nigeria was completed last April. The lateral pipelines in Cotonou, Lome and Tema have also been completed.
"What is ongoing now is the sub-sea tie-ins and pre-inauguration of the offshore pipelines and trenching works in Takoradi and Tema. Ms Michelle Cowherd of the Environmental Unit commended the collaboration with the various Environmental Protection Agencies in the four countries saying further studies were being conducted for baseline noise and air quality assessment within nine months of the issuance of permits.
She said construction and post-construction monitoring was ongoing noting that WAPCO had responsibilities to ensure that construction was done in accordance with environmental and social commitments among other things. 24 Oct. 06
Briefing the Ghana News Agency after a stakeholders' forum in Accra, Mr Jack Derickson, Managing Director of WAPCO, said 93the three months delay in completing the project would result in about 10 per cent marginal cost in the original figure of 500 million dollars=94. He said the major works left were the construction of the compressors at the Lagos end of the project and issues bordering on research and monitoring.
The major items now are the upcoming civil works at Alagbado and Lagos Beach Compressor Station (LBCS), completion of mainline welding and burial and commencement of tie-ins.
"We also intend to receive major equipment including compressor modules at site and piping at Alagbado and LBCS are working at getting manufacturers of items for installing the compressors at the Nigerian end of the project as well as complete trenching works in Takoradi and Tema."
The Research and Monitoring Stations are to be built in Tema and Takoradi, and hydro-testing of pipeline followed by the inauguration of the pipeline and other facilities.Asked if the foundation members were willing to pick up the extra bills, Mr Derickson said it was something they were working on and did not expect any hiccups.
Presenting an update on the extent of construction offshore, Mr Barth Nwagboso, Project Director, said the installation of the 20-inch mainline from Takoradi in Ghana to Badagry in Nigeria was completed last April. The lateral pipelines in Cotonou, Lome and Tema have also been completed.
"What is ongoing now is the sub-sea tie-ins and pre-inauguration of the offshore pipelines and trenching works in Takoradi and Tema. Ms Michelle Cowherd of the Environmental Unit commended the collaboration with the various Environmental Protection Agencies in the four countries saying further studies were being conducted for baseline noise and air quality assessment within nine months of the issuance of permits.
She said construction and post-construction monitoring was ongoing noting that WAPCO had responsibilities to ensure that construction was done in accordance with environmental and social commitments among other things. 24 Oct. 06
Gospel musicians spike allegations of consulting fetish priests
The United Gospel Musicians Association (UGMA) on Tuesday expressed concern about allegations in the media that gospel musicians consulted fetish priests and priestesses to facilitate the sale of their songs.
The Association challenged radio presenters making the allegation to come out and name
those they claimed had consulted fetish priests and priestesses or apologise to Christians for the false allegation.
Mr Ernest Kwesi Ennin, General Secretary of UGMA, told a press conference in Accra that the reports had created anxiety among gospel musicians and Christians as a whole.
"The reports have the potential of adversely affecting the promotion and sale of gospel music and shall affect the impact of gospel music," he said.
Mr Ennin said consulting fetish priests contradicted the Christian faith and noted that members of UGMA relied spiritually on God and were motivated by Him in composing, recording, producing and marketing of their music.
The Association challenged radio presenters making the allegation to come out and name
those they claimed had consulted fetish priests and priestesses or apologise to Christians for the false allegation.
Mr Ernest Kwesi Ennin, General Secretary of UGMA, told a press conference in Accra that the reports had created anxiety among gospel musicians and Christians as a whole.
"The reports have the potential of adversely affecting the promotion and sale of gospel music and shall affect the impact of gospel music," he said.
Mr Ennin said consulting fetish priests contradicted the Christian faith and noted that members of UGMA relied spiritually on God and were motivated by Him in composing, recording, producing and marketing of their music.
Use language to promote peace, unity--ACP Yakubu advises Media personnel
The Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jonathan Yakubu on Tuesday called on media personnel to promote peace, unity and the nation's young democracy by working in conformity with professional ethics.
Addressing a press conference at Tema on recent publications, comments and contributions that are gradually creating tensions and anxiety in the society, the ACP advised media personnel against the use of derogatory remarks that have the tendency to create anxiety and tension. He noted that often times, certain programmes and phone-in callers make uncomplimentary remarks about personalities holding high offices, "which is unfortunate."
ACP Yakubu noted that the Police and the Media work in collaboration with a lot of challenges facing the two institutions and this require that care be taken in order to promote
the development of democracy, rule of law and socio-economic development of the nation.
Referring to section 208 of the criminal
code which stipulates that one commits an offence for publishing, reproducing a statement, rumour
or report to cause fear, alarm and disturb the peace and cautioned journalists against flouting it in their own interest.
He said the police have a duty to protect and defend the hard won democracy being presently enjoyed and warned that "we as a police organisation will not sit down unconcerned for the freedoms of speech and expression enshrined in the constitution to be abused or violated".
To this end, Mr Yakubu advised media personnel to be circumspect in their reportage and how they handle publications, contributions, phone-in calls in the discharge of their duties by crosschecking of facts in order not to embarrass and abuse the rights of people.
Addressing a press conference at Tema on recent publications, comments and contributions that are gradually creating tensions and anxiety in the society, the ACP advised media personnel against the use of derogatory remarks that have the tendency to create anxiety and tension. He noted that often times, certain programmes and phone-in callers make uncomplimentary remarks about personalities holding high offices, "which is unfortunate."
ACP Yakubu noted that the Police and the Media work in collaboration with a lot of challenges facing the two institutions and this require that care be taken in order to promote
the development of democracy, rule of law and socio-economic development of the nation.
Referring to section 208 of the criminal
code which stipulates that one commits an offence for publishing, reproducing a statement, rumour
or report to cause fear, alarm and disturb the peace and cautioned journalists against flouting it in their own interest.
He said the police have a duty to protect and defend the hard won democracy being presently enjoyed and warned that "we as a police organisation will not sit down unconcerned for the freedoms of speech and expression enshrined in the constitution to be abused or violated".
To this end, Mr Yakubu advised media personnel to be circumspect in their reportage and how they handle publications, contributions, phone-in calls in the discharge of their duties by crosschecking of facts in order not to embarrass and abuse the rights of people.
Eddie Annan meets six constituency executives in C/R at Winneba
Mr. Eddie Anan, one of the aspirants flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and his campaign team have met with six constituency executives in the Central Region at Winneba to explain his plans and programmes to them. The executives were drawn from Agona East and West, Gomoa East and West, Effutu and Awutu-Senya constituencies.
Mr. Annan in his 10-point plans and programme, said when elected as the flag bearer of the party, he would, among other things, offer decisive leadership and work hard to enable the party take away power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
He said, he would unite all factions of the party and work towards increasing members of party, create economics freedom for Ghanaians and create jobs in the country.
Mr. Anane appealed to followers of the party to vote for him to become the flag bearer of the party and also urged them to remain united and continue campaign for more supporters to enable it come back to power in the 2008 elections.
He said, he is the only dynamic and marketable aspirant to lead the party to power, adding that his administration would practice all inclusive government. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency later, he said when given the mandate to rule the country he would tackle unemployment problem in the country that had led to the high rate of corruption.
He added his voice to calls on members of National Association of Graduates Teachers (NAGRAT) to return to the classrooms while government was finding solution to their grievances.Mr. Eddie Anan, one of the aspirants flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and his campaign team have met with six constituency executives in the Central Region at Winneba to explain his plans and programmes to them.
The executives were drawn from Agona East and West, Gomoa East and West, Effutu and Awutu-Senya constituencies. Mr. Annan in his 10-point plans and programme, said when elected as the flag bearer of the party, he would, among other things, offer decisive leadership and work hard to enable the party take away power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
He said, he would unite all factions of the party and work towards increasing members of party, create economics freedom for Ghanaians and create jobs in the country.
Mr. Anane appealed to followers of the party to vote for him to become the flag bearer of the party and also urged them to remain united and continue campaign for more supporters to enable it come back to power in the 2008 elections.
He said, he is the only dynamic and marketable aspirant to lead the party to power, adding that his administration would practice all inclusive government. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency later, he said when given the mandate to rule the country he would tackle unemployment problem in the country that had led to the high rate of corruption.
Mr. Annan in his 10-point plans and programme, said when elected as the flag bearer of the party, he would, among other things, offer decisive leadership and work hard to enable the party take away power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
He said, he would unite all factions of the party and work towards increasing members of party, create economics freedom for Ghanaians and create jobs in the country.
Mr. Anane appealed to followers of the party to vote for him to become the flag bearer of the party and also urged them to remain united and continue campaign for more supporters to enable it come back to power in the 2008 elections.
He said, he is the only dynamic and marketable aspirant to lead the party to power, adding that his administration would practice all inclusive government. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency later, he said when given the mandate to rule the country he would tackle unemployment problem in the country that had led to the high rate of corruption.
He added his voice to calls on members of National Association of Graduates Teachers (NAGRAT) to return to the classrooms while government was finding solution to their grievances.Mr. Eddie Anan, one of the aspirants flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and his campaign team have met with six constituency executives in the Central Region at Winneba to explain his plans and programmes to them.
The executives were drawn from Agona East and West, Gomoa East and West, Effutu and Awutu-Senya constituencies. Mr. Annan in his 10-point plans and programme, said when elected as the flag bearer of the party, he would, among other things, offer decisive leadership and work hard to enable the party take away power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
He said, he would unite all factions of the party and work towards increasing members of party, create economics freedom for Ghanaians and create jobs in the country.
Mr. Anane appealed to followers of the party to vote for him to become the flag bearer of the party and also urged them to remain united and continue campaign for more supporters to enable it come back to power in the 2008 elections.
He said, he is the only dynamic and marketable aspirant to lead the party to power, adding that his administration would practice all inclusive government. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency later, he said when given the mandate to rule the country he would tackle unemployment problem in the country that had led to the high rate of corruption.
Change socio-economic discrimination of the north - CYAUR
The Concerned Youth Association of Upper Regions (CYAUR), is to hold a demonstration in Bolgatanga, against what it called "the Economic Discrimination" against the three regions in the northern part of the country.
In a statement issued in Accra at the weekend, it said all efforts must be done to bridge the "yawning" socio-economic gap between the north and south. The CYAUR described the socio-economic inequality gap between the north and south as "alarming and unimaginable" and noted the unfair disbursement of the HIPC Funds, the exclusion of the two Upper Regions from the Millennium Challenge Account Funds and the absence of any Presidential Special Initiative in the three regions as some of the factors for the demonstration.
The statement signed by Mr. Ayorogo Adongo Bismark, President and Mr. Konnuba Joseph Kam-saamba, Secretary both of CYAUR explained that the demonstration, which should have been held on the 27th of October this year had to be postponed to 13th November following appeals of people from the area in the Diaspora to enable them to take part.
It stated that even though traceable to the colonial government's policies that deliberately denied people of the area development for the purpose of reserving them as a source of cheap labour for cocoa farms and the mines in the south, governments after independence in 1957 should have reversed the "colonial legacy" with "a high sense of patriotism and nationalism".
The Association called on all sons and daughters of northern Ghana to do away with their political colours and unite to champion the course of the area, saying, "political parties will come and go, but northern Ghana will continue to exist".
It said that to prevent politicians from making capital out of the exercise, efforts were being made to prevail on the three Regional Ministers and MPs from the northern part of the country to lead the demonstration
The CYAUR appealed to Ghanaians not to see the intended protest as a struggle between the south and the north and said all that it was seeking for was "Equity", adding that, "all northerners, both home and abroad, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, the clergy and all well meaning Ghanaians who support even development of the country should join them in their quest for socio-economic justice.
"The status quo that northerners are hewers of wood and drawers of water and the feeling that northern Ghana is an economic desert, destitute of mineral wealth and other precious resources is a big fallacy and must be challenged and changed by all northerners," the statement said.
The Concerned Youth Association of Upper Regions (CYAUR), is to hold a demonstration in Bolgatanga, against what it called "the Economic Discrimination" against the three regions in the northern part of the country.
In a statement issued in Accra at the weekend, it said all efforts must be done to bridge the "yawning" socio-economic gap between the north and south. The CYAUR described the socio-economic inequality gap between the north and south as "alarming and unimaginable" and noted the unfair disbursement of the HIPC Funds, the exclusion of the two Upper Regions from the Millennium Challenge Account Funds and the absence of any Presidential Special Initiative in the three regions as some of the factors for the demonstration.
The statement signed by Mr. Ayorogo Adongo Bismark, President and Mr. Konnuba Joseph Kam-saamba, Secretary both of CYAUR explained that the demonstration, which should have been held on the 27th of October this year had to be postponed to 13th November following appeals of people from the area in the Diaspora to enable them to take part.
It stated that even though traceable to the colonial government's policies that deliberately denied people of the area development for the purpose of reserving them as a source of cheap labour for cocoa farms and the mines in the south, governments after independence in 1957 should have reversed the "colonial legacy" with "a high sense of patriotism and nationalism".
The Association called on all sons and daughters of northern Ghana to do away with their political colours and unite to champion the course of the area, saying, "political parties will come and go, but northern Ghana will continue to exist".
It said that to prevent politicians from making capital out of the exercise, efforts were being made to prevail on the three Regional Ministers and MPs from the northern part of the country to lead the demonstration
The CYAUR appealed to Ghanaians not to see the intended protest as a struggle between the south and the north and said all that it was seeking for was "Equity", adding that, "all northerners, both home and abroad, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, the clergy and all well meaning Ghanaians who support even development of the country should join them in their quest for socio-economic justice.
"The status quo that northerners are hewers of wood and drawers of water and the feeling that northern Ghana is an economic desert, destitute of mineral wealth and other precious resources is a big fallacy and must be challenged and changed by all northerners," the statement said.
In a statement issued in Accra at the weekend, it said all efforts must be done to bridge the "yawning" socio-economic gap between the north and south. The CYAUR described the socio-economic inequality gap between the north and south as "alarming and unimaginable" and noted the unfair disbursement of the HIPC Funds, the exclusion of the two Upper Regions from the Millennium Challenge Account Funds and the absence of any Presidential Special Initiative in the three regions as some of the factors for the demonstration.
The statement signed by Mr. Ayorogo Adongo Bismark, President and Mr. Konnuba Joseph Kam-saamba, Secretary both of CYAUR explained that the demonstration, which should have been held on the 27th of October this year had to be postponed to 13th November following appeals of people from the area in the Diaspora to enable them to take part.
It stated that even though traceable to the colonial government's policies that deliberately denied people of the area development for the purpose of reserving them as a source of cheap labour for cocoa farms and the mines in the south, governments after independence in 1957 should have reversed the "colonial legacy" with "a high sense of patriotism and nationalism".
The Association called on all sons and daughters of northern Ghana to do away with their political colours and unite to champion the course of the area, saying, "political parties will come and go, but northern Ghana will continue to exist".
It said that to prevent politicians from making capital out of the exercise, efforts were being made to prevail on the three Regional Ministers and MPs from the northern part of the country to lead the demonstration
The CYAUR appealed to Ghanaians not to see the intended protest as a struggle between the south and the north and said all that it was seeking for was "Equity", adding that, "all northerners, both home and abroad, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, the clergy and all well meaning Ghanaians who support even development of the country should join them in their quest for socio-economic justice.
"The status quo that northerners are hewers of wood and drawers of water and the feeling that northern Ghana is an economic desert, destitute of mineral wealth and other precious resources is a big fallacy and must be challenged and changed by all northerners," the statement said.
The Concerned Youth Association of Upper Regions (CYAUR), is to hold a demonstration in Bolgatanga, against what it called "the Economic Discrimination" against the three regions in the northern part of the country.
In a statement issued in Accra at the weekend, it said all efforts must be done to bridge the "yawning" socio-economic gap between the north and south. The CYAUR described the socio-economic inequality gap between the north and south as "alarming and unimaginable" and noted the unfair disbursement of the HIPC Funds, the exclusion of the two Upper Regions from the Millennium Challenge Account Funds and the absence of any Presidential Special Initiative in the three regions as some of the factors for the demonstration.
The statement signed by Mr. Ayorogo Adongo Bismark, President and Mr. Konnuba Joseph Kam-saamba, Secretary both of CYAUR explained that the demonstration, which should have been held on the 27th of October this year had to be postponed to 13th November following appeals of people from the area in the Diaspora to enable them to take part.
It stated that even though traceable to the colonial government's policies that deliberately denied people of the area development for the purpose of reserving them as a source of cheap labour for cocoa farms and the mines in the south, governments after independence in 1957 should have reversed the "colonial legacy" with "a high sense of patriotism and nationalism".
The Association called on all sons and daughters of northern Ghana to do away with their political colours and unite to champion the course of the area, saying, "political parties will come and go, but northern Ghana will continue to exist".
It said that to prevent politicians from making capital out of the exercise, efforts were being made to prevail on the three Regional Ministers and MPs from the northern part of the country to lead the demonstration
The CYAUR appealed to Ghanaians not to see the intended protest as a struggle between the south and the north and said all that it was seeking for was "Equity", adding that, "all northerners, both home and abroad, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, the clergy and all well meaning Ghanaians who support even development of the country should join them in their quest for socio-economic justice.
"The status quo that northerners are hewers of wood and drawers of water and the feeling that northern Ghana is an economic desert, destitute of mineral wealth and other precious resources is a big fallacy and must be challenged and changed by all northerners," the statement said.
23.10.06
Prez Not Obliged To Publish Probe Reports
A retired Supreme Court judge, Justice George Lamptey, says the President is not obliged to make public the report of any committee or commission of enquiry that he sets up.
Similarly, the Constitution does not support suggestions that the President should act on reports of committees set up by the ministries, he said.
Justice Lamptey was addressing a seminar on Continuous Professional Development for some professional bodies in Accra on Thursday. It was on the theme, ‘Promoting the Public Interest - The Role of the Lawyer’.
He said that a commission or committee of inquiry set up by the President was only expected to present its report to the President who would in turn, issue a white paper on it. "These reports are not for public consumption and so he is not expected to hold a press conference to announce the recommendations to the public."
Justice Lamptey also spoke on vetting of ministers. He said rather than subjecting government appointees to the rigours of parliamentary vetting, Ghanaians should perhaps be looking at amending the Constitution to make it possible for the President’s appointees not to go through such procedures.
"He pointed out that after the President appoints the ministers, Parliament spends about two months selecting and dropping people and, therefore, delaying the actual time needed to commence serious government business."
Justice Lamptey also described as unjustifiable, criticisms that the President travels too much.
He noted that Ghana’s constitution has made the President assume the roles of both Head of State and Head of Government, as well as the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Thus, given the numerous functions of the President, he said, it was to be expected that the President will perform such important roles by visiting other countries for the mutual benefit of all Ghanaians.
"When do we say the President is performing his duties as Head of State and when do we see him performing the role of Head of Government?" he questioned.
The chairman for the occasion, Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, also a retired Supreme Court judge, appealed to professionals in the country to come out of their shells and comment on issues of national interest.
"There are too many ‘experts’ on every issue in Ghana, but the real experts who should set the records straight keep quiet," he complained.
The seminar was organized by the Association of Certified Accountants and other accounting bodies. Representatives from the legal, medical, accounting and engineering fields presented papers on topical issues.
Similarly, the Constitution does not support suggestions that the President should act on reports of committees set up by the ministries, he said.
Justice Lamptey was addressing a seminar on Continuous Professional Development for some professional bodies in Accra on Thursday. It was on the theme, ‘Promoting the Public Interest - The Role of the Lawyer’.
He said that a commission or committee of inquiry set up by the President was only expected to present its report to the President who would in turn, issue a white paper on it. "These reports are not for public consumption and so he is not expected to hold a press conference to announce the recommendations to the public."
Justice Lamptey also spoke on vetting of ministers. He said rather than subjecting government appointees to the rigours of parliamentary vetting, Ghanaians should perhaps be looking at amending the Constitution to make it possible for the President’s appointees not to go through such procedures.
"He pointed out that after the President appoints the ministers, Parliament spends about two months selecting and dropping people and, therefore, delaying the actual time needed to commence serious government business."
Justice Lamptey also described as unjustifiable, criticisms that the President travels too much.
He noted that Ghana’s constitution has made the President assume the roles of both Head of State and Head of Government, as well as the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Thus, given the numerous functions of the President, he said, it was to be expected that the President will perform such important roles by visiting other countries for the mutual benefit of all Ghanaians.
"When do we say the President is performing his duties as Head of State and when do we see him performing the role of Head of Government?" he questioned.
The chairman for the occasion, Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, also a retired Supreme Court judge, appealed to professionals in the country to come out of their shells and comment on issues of national interest.
"There are too many ‘experts’ on every issue in Ghana, but the real experts who should set the records straight keep quiet," he complained.
The seminar was organized by the Association of Certified Accountants and other accounting bodies. Representatives from the legal, medical, accounting and engineering fields presented papers on topical issues.
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