Minister of Chieftaincy to launch poem

The Association of Contemporary Ghanaian Poets and Writers will next month launch a selection of poems entitled "A Weeviled Harvest". Written by Barima Adu Asamoa, the anthology of selected poems has a special poem dedicated to the Golden Jubilee celebration entitled Ghana@50, The Poem.

A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday said the launch is in support of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and would be performed by the Minister, Mr S.K. Boafo. The foreword written by Mr Molefe Kete Asante, an African-American scholar, said: "There is something deep and reflective on the way this poet handles the various emotions, colours, nuances and obstacles in our everyday life."

Barima Adu-Asamoa, who is a poet, writer, filmmaker and lecturer, was educated in Ghana and the UK. He is President of the Association of Contemporary Ghanaian Poets and Writers.GNA

Ghana marks Meteorological Day

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the worldwide meteorological community would celebrate World Meteorological Day which falls on March 23.

A statement signed by Z. Minia Acting Director General of the Ghana Meteorological Agency, said WMO celebrates the day by focusing on a theme of topical or current interest to humankind. The theme for the celebration dubbed " Polar Meteorology: Understanding Global Impacts" is to commemorate the entry into force, the UN Convention creating the organisation.

The statement said the fundamental concept of the International Polar Year (IPY) was an intensive burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary scientific research and observations focused on the earth's Polar Regions and their far- reaching global effects.

British High Commission, Ghana, Raises Visa Application Fees

The British High Commission announced on Tuesday that UK visa fees would go up from April 1. A statement issued in Accra said the increases, the first since 2005, were because of “a substantial change in programme, which aims to improve the control and to improve further customer service”.




The statement said transit, direct airside transit visas were now 815,000 cedis, six month visa was now 1.170 million cedis, student visa was 1.835 million cedis while one-year, two-year, 10-year visit visa was 3.7 million cedis. Returning residents would also 3.7 million cedis, while settlement is 9.250 million cedis.


The statement said the new fees incorporated the handling charge previously levied separately by our commercial partner VFS. It said applicants for long-term visas would need to obtain a certificate to confirm clearance from contagious tuberculosis before lodging their applications.GNA

Accra to host workshop on business

The British West African (BWA) Forum for Trade and Business Partnership will from Wednesday hold a three-day international workshop in Ghana to promote international business networking on trade and investment opportunities between British and West African companies.

A release signed in Accra on Tuesday by Mr Justice David Basundo, a Consultant to BWA, said the workshop on the theme: "Preparing to Locate Business Partners in UK, Europe, America and Asia," would create opportunities for British supplier companies, entrepreneurs, industrialists, investors, bankers and lenders as well as their counterparts to unparalleled long-term trade and investment connections.

The release said the speakers at the workshop are a group of bankers and business intellectuals whose credentials are impeccable for accessing international trade credit and offshore funds that are applicable to various modes of business. The speakers include Dr Godwin A.T Oboh, Former Group Managing Director Union Bank of Nigeria, Dr Salima Paul of the University of West England, Dr Kola Ali, Managing Director Union Bank U.K.

Some of the topics outlined for discussion are the Impact of Globalisation in Trade Credit Payment System and the Requirements and Procedures for Accessing Offshore Funds to Finance Viable Projects.GNA

President To Visit Portugal

The President, Mr. J. A. Kufuor, begins a two-day official visit to Portugal on Monday, March 19, 2007. The visit is at the invitation of the President of Portugal, Mr. Anibal Vacaco Silva.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD said the President would proceed to Portugal from the United Kingdom at the conclusion of his State visit to that country.It said the visit would accord the two presidents the opportunity to examine ways of strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Portugal.

“The two leaders will also deliberate on current African and international issues, including a European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Joint Strategy to develop practical approaches for future partnership between the EU and Africa,” the statement said. Portugal will assume the EU Presidency later this year.
Source:GHP

U-17 ACN: Ghana 0 Nigeria 2

GHANA'S Jubilee BLACK Starlets lost their toughest test in the on going African U-17 championship in Kegue, Togo, today. Having run amok over Eritrea in their last game, the Ghanaians were expected to throw in much to maintain the recent aura of invincibility against their Nigerian counterparts.

But two goals, from the young eaglets, one in each half of the game, dashed the hopes of all Ghanaians. Indeed, the Nigerians appeared more determined for the maximum points.
The Nigerians, like their Ghanaian compatriots, played two games earlier winning all with impressive results. The Nigerians are leading the Group B standings with 9 points ahead of their Ghanaians counterparts.

In the other Group B clash, Burkina Faso, who are yet to fetch a point in the competition would want to vent their venom on bottom-placed, Eritrea at Lome.Today at Kegue competition host, Togo, will seek to make amends in their game against Gabon, while Group leaders Tunisia, battle South Africa in the other Group A match.

Source: Isaac TETTEH

Flagbearer must have the ability to unite the party and nation-Kufuor

London, March 16, GNA - Political experience and the ability to hold together the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should influence the choice of the party's 2008 flagbearer, President Agyekum Kufuor, has counselled.He said, whoever emerged winner in the race to lead the party to the elections should not only be a uniting force to the party but must have the ability to carry along with him majority of Ghanaian voters.

"It is therefore important that even as we exercise our emotion, we should balance it with good judgement."President Kufuor was addressing an international delegates conference of the NPP attended by representatives from the United States (US), Canada and across Europe in London on Friday.The National Chairman, Mr Peter Mac Manu and other national officers, including Madam Ama Busia, a Vice Chairman, joined them. President Kufuor allayed any fears about imposition of a candidate on the party, saying, that was alien to its tradition and that the selection would be done democratically.

He told the conference that the Government has worked to the party's visions and principles of democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law and that it was this that was drawing increasing international attention to the country. "We are not a party of convenience nor are we opportunists. We believe in humanity and the common good of our people.

" President Kufuor asked them not to give in to the negative propaganda that the Government was detached from the party, describing that as untrue.He advised the diasporan party supporters to prepare and organise well to win more support for the party, especially so with the passage of the Representation of the People's Amendment Act.
Source:GNA