Ghana lacks hotel rooms -Tourism Expert
Ho, July 7, GNA - Ghana currently needs about 20, OOO hotel rooms to be able to host the number of tourists expected in the country at a given period, Mr. Frank Kofigah, Head of Planning and Development at the Ghana Tourists Board said on Friday.
He said, currently, there are only 7,000 hotel rooms in the country and these include hotels in remote villages. Mr. Kofigah made the observation at the beginning of a three-day working tour to eco-tourism sites in the Volta Region.
He said in Ghana the hotel with the highest number of rooms had about 200 rooms while in other countries a hotel could have about 50,000 rooms.
"If we have even a thousand visitors at one point in time we will have to beg to use private accommodation."
The tour organized by the Ghana Tourists Board for members of the Parliamentary Select Committee of Trade and Tourism will take the Members of Parliament to selected tourist sites in the Volta Region. The itinerary for the tour includes a visit to Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Liate-Wote Eco Tourism sites, Wli Waterfalls, Kpando Tokor grotto and Kpetoe Kente village, Other places to be visited are Keta, Atokor Slave market, Vume pottery and Cisneros ostrich farm. The Members, on the first day of the trip stopped over at Shai Hill to visit the caves and describbed the scenes as interesting and exciting. Mrs. Alice Boon, Member of Parliament for Lambussie and Deputy ranking member of the group expressed gratitude to the Ghana Tourists Board for such a trip. She pledged the committee's continual support for tourism development in the country.
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GNA
KATH to provide free surgeries
Kumasi, July 7, GNA - The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Cleft Clinic in Kumasi is to team up with their Sunyani counterparts to provide free surgery for cleft babies in the Brong-Ahafo Region. Professor Peter Donkor, Head of the Cleft Clinic of the KATH, who announced this, said the KATH was seeking to work with their colleagues in the spirit of the 50th anniversary celebration of Ghana's independence to provide specialist services and also build capacity for cleft care in the Region.
Briefing newsmen on the outreach programme in Kumasi on Friday, he said the programme would start from July 16 to 20 at the Sunyani Regional Children's Hospital.
Prof Donkor indicated that the first day of the programme would be used for screening while the rest of the days would be devoted to surgery. He appealed to parents of cleft babies in the Region and beyond to take full advantage of the programme and to send their babies for their deformities to be corrected.
"The programme will help to bring smiles on the faces of families that would only pay a token fee of 10 Ghana cedis to cover the cost of laboratory investigations", he said. He said when a similar exercise was held at the KATH last year about 100 babies benefited and expressed the hope that parents of cleft babies would patronize the programme.
Prof Donkor said cleft referred to babies born with split lips and deformed palates, a congenial condition which if not corrected through surgery usually impaired the feeding and speech of affected babies. "A number of babies affected by this abnormality fail to thrive due to feeding difficulties and susceptibility to infections. Others are also left to die simply as a result of parental neglect and superstitious beliefs that the condition is due to a curse", he added.
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GNA
More people buy wallets in Ho
Ho, July 7, GNA - More people, especially youths in the Ho Township are rushing to buy wallets to keep the new Ghana Cedi notes clean. As a result, the price of wallets, which was formally at 250 Ghana Pesewas, rose automatically to 350 Ghana Pesewas in the town. Few people the Ghana News Agency spoke to said their resolution was to keep the new notes neat to befit a country at 50.
"At 50 years of independence, we have to keep new things new and not to do things haphazardly", one of them said. They praised the Bank of Ghana for the decision to re-denominate the country's currency and asked others to keep the new notes clean as other currencies in the world.
Abotsi, a wallet seller said he was having a good market and that he sold about eight wallets a day averagely since the new notes were out as against one or two previously. Meanwhile, many people have complained that there are too many coins in the system than notes and appealed to the Bank of Ghana to release the notes.
When the GNA visited the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Post Company Limited in Ho, at the Western Union Money Transfer desk, it spotted many people who were given huge sum of monies in hundreds of Ghana cedi coins.
An old lady who could not charter a taxicab from the Post Office carried the coins in a rubber bag on her head home. A man believed to be in his late forties was also said to have hired his friends to assist him and his family to count a huge sum of money he collected from the bank in coins.
07 July 07
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GNA
Voting from abroad - Global experiences
A GNA feature by Francis Ameyibor
Accra, July 6, GNA - Since the passage of the Representation of the Peoples Amendment Act (ROPAA) lat year, politicians for and against the Act have been propounding electoral theories on the practicability or otherwise of its implementation.
The battleground has also moved from parliament to the Intra-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting located at Electoral Commission's premises.
As expected the first meeting at IPAC was aborted mid-stream as the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is vehemently opposed to the law, walked out following an entrenched by the two opposing sides.
Statistics of Countries with External Voting Scheme
Mr Theophilus Dowetin, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an inter-governmental organization which supports sustainable democracy worldwide, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that 114 states and territories (as of March 2007) had legal provisions which allowed their electors to vote from abroad. This figure includes five, which have legal provisions in place to allow external voting but, for different reasons, is yet to be implemented.
These include well-established democracies along with the emerging or restored ones.
He explained that 44 out of the 114 countries and territories with provisions for external voting applied it to only one type of election, but a number allow external voting for two or more types of election. In Africa, 28 countries have provisions for external vote. The Americas have 15, Asia 20, Europe 41 and Pacific 10. Mr Dowetin said the most common practice was to allow for two types of election - most frequently presidential and parliamentary elections - which is practised in 22 countries.
He explained that a little over 20 countries and territories used a combination of three types of elections or more.
Mr Dowetin said there were cases where external voting had been used at one time in the history of a country or territory but was no longer continued or provided for in the legal framework or used on a very restrictive basis.
Categories of Elections
The arguments now seem to focus mainly on the kinds of election for which external voting should apply, an important point which political analysts consider as very crucial for a successful implementation of ROPAA.
The kind of vote relates not only to political and institutional considerations - which institutions and levels of government should be influenced by the votes of electors abroad - but also to technical and logistical considerations.
A recent research carried out by International IDEA on external voting in the world revealed four different types of external voting systems.
These are: legislative elections, presidential elections, referendums and sub-national elections.
The first two kinds are related to the election and renewal of organs of national representation such as legislative bodies and the presidency.
If external voting is only allowed for one type of election, the most common practice is to allow it for legislative elections, which is the case in 31 countries, while 13 countries allow external voting for presidential elections only.
According to International IDEA research, there were no known cases of external voting being allowed for referendums only. Some countries which hold both legislative and presidential elections do not allow external voting for both.
For example, Afghanistan applied external voting for its presidential elections in 2004, but it was not provided for the legislative elections in 2005.
Azerbaijan allows external voting for legislative elections only, although the presidency is elected.
Examination of the types of countries that have external voting also shows that they vary according to level of socio-economic development. They include both Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries and countries from the less developed regions of the world, the research revealed. The research concluded that there was no obvious correlation between external voting provisions and socio-economic or political features. These factors, according to International IDEA, remain important in the debates and decision making related to external voting provisions and practices and are often reflected in the challenges or complexities faced by countries.
The countries are also different in the length of time for which their democracies have been established, their roots, and the stability and consolidation of their institutions and democratic practices. According to International IDEA research, Egypt, considers the introduction of external voting to be a purely administrative issue, whilst discussions in Nigeria have also led to an increased interest in external voting.
Several countries that have existing provisions for external voting and in some cases a long history of implementing it are considering extending or improving the external voting process.
This can be done by extending the voting rights to additional types of election or to a larger group of voters or by offering additional voting methods to the existing external voters.
In the case of Ghana voting from abroad was allowed only for diplomatic staff, those studying abroad or employed by the armed forces.
People Entitled to Vote from Abroad
On the key issues of eligibility, electoral experts say the first indicator of the degree of coverage or inclusiveness of external voting is related to the requirements of citizenship, residency, voter registration or other that must be met before a person can be entitled to an external vote.
Ms Maria Gratschew, International IDEA electoral expert says in the majority of the 114 countries and territories, the legislation on external voting does not include any special or restrictive requirement for individuals to be eligible for an external vote.
In others, there are formal limitations to eligibility for an external vote, mostly relating either to the circumstances of the stay abroad (activity-related restrictions) or to the length of time for which the citizen has been out of the country (length of stay abroad restriction).
More often because of technical or administrative limitations than for strictly legal reasons, most commonly external voting is not provided for people who are only out of their country on a temporary basis, whether for work, for business, for study, or for medical or recreational reasons.
She says Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and Norway are among the few countries that offer facilities to voters who are in transit travelling or provisionally abroad.
An electoral administrator in Ghana has admitted to the Ghana News Agency that some countries require external electors to show a valid visa before they are allowed to vote.
According to him participation in external voting also depends largely on requirements for verifying the voter's eligibility, registration procedure, time to request, replace or update the required documents at the home country's diplomatic missions abroad or by post, or possibly by electronic means.
Voting Procedures in used for External Voting
Countries that allow external voting need to ensure that it is conducted in such a way as to meet the requirements of security, transparency and secrecy.
It is also desirable that as far as possible all electors have the same opportunity to vote.
However, countries and territories also need to make adjustments and innovations to cope with the challenges that are particular to external voting, such as the geographical location of voters, security in transporting ballot papers, the high cost of external voting and other administrative issues.
Electoral administrators admit that every voting procedure when applied abroad has implications in terms of the coverage of potential voters and their opportunity to cast a vote.
International IDEA had identified five main different voting methods in use for external voting throughout the world. These are: personal voting at diplomatic missions or other designated places; postal voting; voting by proxy; e-voting; and voting by fax.
They are quick to sound the warning that "each voting procedure has its advantages and disadvantages."
Political Representation for External Voters
Nine countries - four in Europe (Croatia, France, Italy and Portugal), four in Africa (Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde and Mozambique) and one in the Americas (Colombia) - not only allow their citizens abroad to participate actively in some electoral processes, but also enable them to elect their own representatives to the national legislature.
External Voting and Participation
To date, there has been far less focus on the levels of participation among external voters than on levels of voter participation.
In most cases where external voting is permitted, external voters account for only a relatively small proportion of overall turnout. Nonetheless, an external voting population may have considerable impact on election results.
Examples include Italy's 2006 legislative elections - the first held in which external voting was permitted.
The election's outcome was unknown until all the external votes were counted, giving this relatively small group considerable political impact due to the fact that the electoral systems allows a bonus for the party or coalition with the highest score.
In some cases external votes have tipped the scales in an election and they are often counted last.
Where external voting is permitted, rates of registration and turnout among external voters are almost always lower than they are in-country.
Given the amount of preparation for and work involved during and after voting, much effort is put in for very few voters. Turnout among Namibian external voters is very low and represents only 0.09 per cent of the total turnout.
Mali has had a long and positive experience with external voting which was conducted by the electoral authorities in cooperation with the Malian diplomatic missions abroad.
The majority of Malian external voters are located within the ECOWAS region where 61 polling stations are sited, with 47 of those in Ghana alone.
Factors that Influence Lower Turnout for External Voters The factors that influence lower turnout for external voters are political, administrative, institutional and financial. Locating polling stations only where embassies or consulates are available involves obstacles to voting for some external electors. The requirements for registering as a voter are also key to participation as this is in most cases the first step towards participation.
One example of unfortunate arrangements is that of Mexico's attempt at external voting in 2006 which required would-be voters to obtain a photographic voting card which was available only by going in person to Mexico.
Mexicans living abroad, mainly in the USA are about 11 million. Despite efforts by the Mexican authorities, in collaboration with expatriate organizations abroad, to enfranchise as many citizens in the Diaspora as possible, only less than one million voted in the 2006 general elections.
A number of reasons explain this situation: very few voters could register abroad because the majority was not in possession of voter cards issued in Mexico which were a requirement for registration. Furthermore, many Mexicans living in the USA were undocumented and this situation made them shy away from official contacts, such as registration and voting.
Requirements stating a minimum or maximum number of eligible voters may also work as a disincentive to participation or an obstacle to those who register as external electors but will not be included unless the numbers add up.
Senegal, for instance, only organizes external voting if the total number of registered voters in one country is 500 or more. Given these examples, the practical question must be asked whether the low turnout justifies abolishing external voting or simply not introducing it in the first place, regardless of the more theoretical and normative counter-arguments surrounding citizenship. Levels of participation may influence decision-making processes regarding the introduction and abolition of external voting.
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GNA
Ghana to be oasis of peace and stability
Accra, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, the out-going Minister of Defence, has pointed out that Ghana is on the verge of becoming an oasis of peace and stability in sub-Saharan Africa, stressing that this brings to mind the subtle way the country's Fourth Republic has been entrenched.
He made this statement when speaking to the Ghana News Agency to enumerate what he terns "his harvest of achievement" at the Ministry since his appointment in 2001 when he was appointed Minister. The out-going Minister stated that a couple of years ago, many Ghanaians and people living outside the country entertained fears over the possibility that the military could decide to take over the government.
"All this has changed over the past few years Ghanaians are comfortable with their democracy and are now confident in the Armed Forces as well," he stated.
Dr Addo-Kufuor who is also the MP for Manhyia said Ghana had won the reputation of being the most stable democracy in West Africa were the rule of law is combined with a free market economy and a steadily rising Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"It is no wonder that Ghana stands out as a model state that the international community wants the rest of the West Africa sub-region to emulate," he remarked.
Dr Addo-Kufuor noted that while emphasis had always been placed on the country's success in good political governance and economic management, less attention had been placed on how the Armed Forces had been carefully co-opted into playing a new role in the country's development and how they had adjusted after decades of calling the shots rather than answering to civilian authority.
Lamenting on the military/civilian relationship, Dr Addo-Kufuor said the injection of professionalism into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) had resulted in an enduring peace and stability. He attributed the strengthened relation with the military to the political education programmes it had been organising in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). The main purpose was to sensitise officers in both military and civilian in matters that would promote professionalism and healthy civilian/military relation required to move the country forward, he said.
Some of the issues they addressed are political matters, constitutional provisions relating to human rights and the civic responsibilities of Armed Forces personnel, the role of the Armed Forces, topical issues affecting the nation, explanation of high command policies, health matters among others.
"The concerted effort such as those has done a world of good for relation between the military and civilian society", he affirmed. Another area of cooperation, he mentioned, was the effort to bring the media closer to the military through soirees, training workshop, seminars and the armed forces open day, which enabled civilian/media men to visit military barracks and installation to interact with soldiers and their families.
Dr Addo-Kufuor as the Minister of Defence facilitated joint military/police operation, which had been successful in helping to curb armed robbery and other violent crimes. Other activities included curbing illegal activities of chainsaw operators, which contributed to the destruction of the environment, he said adding that, it was now under control due to the effort of the GAF and the Forestry Commission.
He said that the GAF continued to patrol the borders of cocoa growing towns and villages to help curb smuggling of the precious beans. Dr Addo-Kufuor, who was declared the best minister in the year 2003, said undoubtedly that "Ghana is leading peace-keeping nation in Africa and one of the oldest" where Ghanaians had been the Force Commander and currently had a battalion in Bosnia and Namibia and an 800-strong contingent in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Ghana is also an active member of ECOMOG deploying about one-third of its estimated 7,000 personnel in peacekeeping.
He said at present GAF had two observers in Croatia, eight in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 15 in Iraq, 784 personnel in the Lebanon, 775 in Sierra Leone and 13 in Western Sahara.
In addition it had participated in a USA-sponsored Africa Crisis Response initiative as well as the French RECAP initiative respectively. He said Ghana's important role in peace-keeping culminated in the establishment of Kofi Annan peace-keeping Centre (KAPKC) near the Staff College, Teshie with an initial support of 7 million dollars from Germany for the training of people from all over the world.
Dr Addo-Kufuor was selected among 26 strong personalities by international business magazine "The Corporate Guardian" in its July/September edition 2006 headed "Movers and Shakers of Ghana's Economy".
He stated that to ensure professionalism and political neutrality of the GAF, political organization such as ACDR's and 31st December Women Movement, had been proscribed. "It's the government intention to fully engage the Armed Forces as development partners in providing for the needs, deprived and protect the environment," he pointed out.
The Armed Forces are in an agro-forestry project established at Michel Camp, near Tema on a pilot basis.
Due to its success it had been extended to other garrisons securing 410 million cedis raised through contribution by public-spirited individuals and organization while the Forestry Commission offered 50,000 seedlings to support the project.
He said to strengthen Ghana defensive system the GAF has been assisted by the acquisition of a Naval vessel from USA to assist in protecting the maritime resources of Ghana, four MI-17 helicopters from Russia for the internal and external operations of the Air force. Dr Addo-Kufuor stated that in addition a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was concluded with the University of Ghana, Legon, for the affiliation of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College to allow student do graduate studies, leading to masters degree in international relation.
As a manifestation of the untiring work of Dr Addo-Kufuor a new block to house the Ministry Defence, the outfit of the Chief Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chief Director among others would take off by the ending of this month.
"This was at an approximated cost of 3 million US dollars and the funding was 1.25 million US dollars through Chinese grant, and 1.75 million US dollars from the government of Ghana (peace-keeping account). Elaborating on how the 37 Military Hospital was completed, he said, the first phase costing the Ministry of Defence 18 million US dollars by the previous government "but the second phase cost 20 million US Dollars, was entirely the effort of Dr Addo-Kufuor".
The hospital which was commissioned in 2002 July by President J.A. Kufuor had put in place measures for it to become patient-friendly, therefore it has further equipped four emergency response unit vehicles, 13 cadet trained in first aid and two helicopters standby ever ready for emergencies.
He said the new-look Burma Hall with a library complex, which was similar to the Great Hall of the University of Ghana cost of 17 billion cedis, was noted for important activities such as examinations conferences, durbars, court martial and concerts.
To ensure that soldier lived in clean environs he has rehabilitated barracks and started over 19 more projects at the various garrisons to improve sewerage, provision of portable water and roads. Dr Addo-Kufuor at one time combined the portfolios of Defence and Interior with tact and diplomacy is qualified to contest for the highest office of the land, the presidency.
Dr Addo-Kufuor has proven that a consultant physician and a lecturer of medicine can defend the nation effectively without carrying a weapon and or firing a shot.
He successfully moved the military from the era of coup d'etat to professionalism. 07 Jul 07
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GNA
Cut in import tariffs will affect farmers - Survey
Accra, July 7, GNA - A survey has revealed that the import of tomato paste and chicken parts was having severe impact on the production of local tomatoes and poultry and any further tariff cut could drive peasant farmers out of their source of livelihood. Briefing the media in Accra on Friday, Ms Ute Hausmann, Policy Officer for Food First Information and Network Action (FIAN International), said substantial increase in tariffs was rather needed to ensure market access and adequate levels of income that would secure tomato and poultry production in the country.
She stated that FIAN's fact findings conducted in tomato and poultry producing districts in the Greater Accra Region, namely Koluedor and Ashaiman, revealed that if Ghana fixed its tariffs to agree with the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, Ghana would be infringing on provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights it ratified in 2000.
Ms Hausmann noted that the survey also showed that poultry production was at a high risk of collapsing, as most farmers had moved from the production of broilers to eggs due to the influx of imported chicken in markets.
She identified increase in price inputs as a major challenge to the farmers. "All of them complained that production costs have increased more than producer prices. For poor peasants, the increasing gap means that they will have to reduce their meals, since they have started running into debts."
She said the import surge of tomato paste mostly from Italy, Spain and Portugal was a threat to the local market, adding that this could lead to increased poverty levels in rural areas. According to her, annual imports had increased from 3,269 tons in 2003 to 24,740 tons now, while the domestic production of fresh tomatoes had stagnated or even declined. "The pre-condition for the development of a vibrant tomato sector would be a higher level of market protection and a simultaneous development of processing and canning infrastructure in the country," she added.
Ms. Hausmann said the survey also showed that Government's support for farmers in the sectors had not been encouraging and appealed to both Government and the international community to support the farmers to raise household incomes and improve food security. She appealed to Government to create a business environment where there was fair competition, reduce imports of chicken, provide access to favourable credit schemes and mitigate high cost of inputs prices. Mr. Mohammed Adam Nashiru, President of the Peasant Farmers Association, said despite various appeals made by the Association to Government, the challenge still persisted. He said it was sad to see the Ghanaian market dominated by unwholesome imported chicken parts, saying, "these foreign companies opt to export the meat, because it was cheaper for them to export than to destroy them".
Mr Nashiru said the Association hoped to engage the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture to lobby for the passing of a bill to make agric-finance more accessible to farmers.
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GNA
VCT centre to determine HIV/AIDS accurately for Dangme West
Agomeda (GAR), July 7, GNA - The Dangme West District Assembly with the support of World Vision International (WVI) Ghana and the Ghana Health Service is to establish a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Centre to help determine HIV/AIDS infection more accurately. It would also enable the District to formulate sound policies, strategies and plans to respond more effectively to the pandemic. Mr Michael Adjowerh-Nortey, District Chief Executive (DCE), stated these at the opening of a workshop on HIV and AIDS at Agomeda on Friday, organized by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Africa-Ghana (FSDA-Ghana).
It was under the theme, "Fight Against the Spread of HIV/AIDS Stigmatisation, All Shoulders to the Wheel".
He said that the District had embarked on a five-year strategic plan aimed at providing accurate information on the disease, undertaking an HIV/AIDS educational programme and providing support to people living with HIV (PLHIV), orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Mr Adjowerh-Nortey noted that a major obstacle to the efforts to curb the spread of the disease in the District was discrimination against PLHIVs, which forced them to go underground and avoiding undergoing treatment.
"When this is done, it undermines our efforts to curb the epidemic as it enhances its spread and penetration into the population", he stressed.
The DCE described the impact of discrimination against children and the youth living with HIV as "even more catastrophic". "People within these groups are in their impressionable age, which makes them less able to withstand discrimination and stigmatisation against them", Mr Adjowerh-Nortey stressed. The DCE expressed appreciation to FSDA-Ghana for supporting the District's development programmes.
Mr Frederick Yao Alipui, Executive Director of FSDA-Ghana, noted that HIV/AIDS posed a challenge to Ghana, Africa and the World and said the workshop was one of the Foundation's activities for Agomeda and the District this year.
He said as a result of the collaborative effort of FSDA-Ghana in the area, the Ghana AIDS Commission had selected the District for the implementation of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme. The FSDA Executive Director expressed the hope that the programme would contribute to create more awareness in terms of education about the dangers of the disease.
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GNA
Govt determined to help the police to combat crime
Kumasi, July 7, GNA - Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for the Interior, has stated that the government will not sit down unconcern for a few selfish individuals to hold the nation to ransom through criminal activities.
The government will therefore explore various avenues to get vehicles and other logistics for the various units of the Ghana Police Service to enable them to combat crime, especially armed robbery in the country.
Speaking at the presentation of five patrol vehicles fitted with radio, siren and other equipment to the Ashanti Regional Police Command on Saturday, Mr Kan-Dapaah, reiterated the government's commitment to support the police to stand up to their duties. He said armed robbery was becoming a threat to the Ghanaian society and there was the need for the police personnel to rise up to the task. The Minister said the Ghana Police Service had an enviable record and urged the personnel to ensure that they maintained the confidence the public had in them by demonstrating to the world that they were ready to combat crime in the country. He commended the personnel who were recently deployed from other regions to combat criminal activities, which were increasing in the Kumasi metropolis.
Mr Kan-Dapaah, said the little time that they had spent had helped reduce crime considerably in the city and urged them to continue to work hard to achieve their aim. ACP Seth Charles Oteng, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, thanked the government for the gesture and gave an assurance that the vehicles would be put to good use.
07 July 07
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GNA
Demo to protest marginalisation of northern Ghana
Accra, Jul 6, GNA - A demonstration will be held in Wa the Upper West regional capital organised by the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPA) , a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) to protest against discrimination and marginalisation of northern Ghana next Wednesday.
In a statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Adongo Ayorogo Bismark, President and Joseph Konnuba, Secretary, the organisation said the protest is also to draw the attention of the President and the government to the plight of the three regions in the northern part of the country to start implementing policies and programmes that would cement rather than divide it into "a privileged south and a marginalized north".
It pointed out that there had been greater intensity of marginalisation of the three regions and described the number of northerners in the government as "only token" and with "minimal influence in the distribution of national resources as advocated under the constitution".
NORPA stated that the marginalisation of the three northern regions had become well known that the office of the British Prime Minister in a statement confirmed its awareness of discrimination against the area. The organisation expressed concern that the government had not taken appropriate measures to address the issues it raised in a petition it presented to it on 14 December 2006.
It noted that the three regions had been excluded from the President's special initiatives and the Millennium Challenge Account MCA fund while the government had not shown its preparedness to allocate resources in accordance with the formula of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The statement said that the intensification of the marginalisation of the three northern regions included the failure of the government to implement the requirement in the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy to provide free school clothing and meals for all basic school children in the three northern regions. The organisation also criticised the government for not disbursing the District Assemblies Common Fund in accordance with the constitution from 2001 to 2003.
NOPRA said that as long as the problems persisted it would not hesitate to urge patriots, civil society organisations and advocates of transparency and accountability in democratic governance to advise the government to pay the arrears accrued to all assemblies in the country within the stated period.
It reminded Ghanaians that the quest to attain the Millennium Development Goals and become a middle-income country by 2015 would be a mirage if regional inequalities and imbalances in the country's socio-economic development were not addressed. 06 Jul 07
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GNA
More Organisations Commend SpaceFM
Sunyani, July 6, Space FM - More Organisations in the Brong Ahafo Region continue to commend Space FM for emerging the best radio station in the region for 2006 at the maiden media awards organised by Door Steps Ventures in collaboration with the Brong ahafo Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, (GJA) and the Regional Planning Committee of the Ghana@50 Celebrations.
The latest organisation to commend Space FM is Beauty In virginity, (BIV) an NGO in Sunyani. In a letter, the Chief Executive of BIV, Mrs Theodora asubonteng, said "We wish to commend Space FM for emerging as the best radio station in the Brong Ahafo region for 2006.We know getting there has not been easy because there are several factors that go into deciding who is the best". Mrs Asubonteng conitnued that "BIV believes that the awards would motivate media practitioners in the region to continue to strive for excellence in their professsion and ensure the total development of the nation".
The Chief Executive added that "rewarding excellence has seen many individuals and organisations bringing the very best in them".
She urged journalists to highlight issues affecting women and children to ensure that they have a fair playing field.
In another development, the Chief Executive of Glogal Support Services, another NGO in Sunyani,Mr Vincent Yaw Preko, has congratulated Space FM for winning the Best Brong Ahafo Radio Station Award. He said "the performance of Space FM over the past four years has proven that it is a force to reckon with in the radio industry".
Mr Preko continued that media practitioners have been promoting the cause of the communities and it is only proper that they are adequately rewarded for their jobs.
Space FM, operated by Global Media Partners, won five out of the twenty-one awards at the event including the best sports presenter (Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya), Best Sports Programme (Space Super Sports), Best Arts and Entertainment presenter (Danny Glover - presenter of Space Ecstasy,) and Best Morning Show presenter Nana Kyei Adoma Samuel (Nana KAS). The over all best media practitioner, however went to Kwabena Pra Jnr (Dondada), of Nananom FM, Goaso. Before the awards, there were indications that Space FM was going to annex most of the awards and it was therefore no surprise that the station won five of the awards.
But Nana KAS, host of "Space Morning Flight" thought his programme should have won the best radio programme. "Though I have won the best morning show award, I believe the show should have rather won the award".
Patrons also could not understand why Space FM's "Business and Finance programme "Pe Adwuma Bi Ye", hosted by Kwabena Appiah Kubi, did not win an award.
They argue that even before the presentation of the awards, MP for Sunyani West, Hon. Kwadwo Adjei Darko, had mentioned that the programme was unique in several ways.
Dignitaries at the programme included, Hon. Kwadwo Adjei Darko, MP and Minister of State at the Office of the President, Professor Akumfi Ameyaw, Minister, Ports, Railways and Harbours, Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy B/A Minister, Hon.Adjei Yeboah, Deputy Minister, Mines, Lands and Forestry and Hon. Kwame Ampofo Twumasi, Deputy Education Minister.
The rest were, Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko, Wenchi Krontihene and chairman of the occasion, Daasebre Amankona Diawuo, Berekumhene and Nana Gyau Gyan, Berekum Atipemhene.
Source:
Space FM,Sunyani
Expert on violence against women to visit
Accra, July 6, GNA - Prof. Yakin Ert=FCrk, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on violence against women, its causes and consequences, begins an official visit to Ghana on Saturday.
During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with Government authorities, civil society representatives, United Nations officials and individual victims of violence against women, a statement issued in Accra by the United Nations Development Programme in Accra said. It said Prof. Ert=FCrk planned to visit the Greater Accra, Northern Region and Volta regions to gather first-hand information on the question of violence against women in the country.
"The mission will focus on domestic violence and other social and cultural practices that are violent towards women and is meant to assist Government and civil society partner in their efforts to address these human rights concerns," it said.
It said based on information received during the visit, Prof. Ert=FCrk would present a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council containing her findings and recommendations. Ms. Ert=FCrk, Professor of Sociology at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, was appointed Special Rapporteur in 2003.
Source:
GNA
Dead Body Left On Street for 4 Days
Suspected armed robber lynched
The spectre of meting out instant justice to people suspected of committing crimes has been carried to bizarre levels within the Kumasi metropolis with a suspect being set upon by a mob and beaten to death and the body left on the street for four days.
The body of a suspected thief, who was lynched by a mob at Adoato Adomanu, a Kumasi suburb, was deposited by the roadside in the full glare of the public, without anybody informing the security agencies.
The suspect was said to have attempted to steal a stereo system from a stationary vehicle in the area but was caught in the act and the mob meted out instant justice to him.
The Daily Graphic said residents in the area are tight-lipped on the incident.
Some people contacted claimed they did not know of the exact item the suspect attempted to steal.
A young lady, who claimed not to know much about the incident, said she saw the mob lynching the suspect on Monday afternoon.
It took the Daily Graphic to bring the incident to the attention of the police as residents in the area looked unconcerned about the case and passed by the body, which was in the early stages of decomposition.
Many people passing by covered their nostrils with handkerchiefs as the' area was engulfed with an offensive odour.
Some information gathered indicated that several people beat the suspected thief, some hitting him with cement blocks, stones and clubs till he passed out.
The police at Sofoline were preparing to clear the body on Thursday.
Last week, a similar incident happened at Ashanti New Town, also in Kumasi, where a suspected thief was lynched under similar circumstances by a mob.
In that case, the suspect was said to have fortified himself with 'juju' (charm), which was to enable him to escape from robbery scenes and when the mob got to know of that, it angered them the more, inducing them to lynch him.
At a point, the lower part of his body was burnt, only for the mob to see the charm tied around the waist. His death however, did not satisfy them, as they set his body ablaze.
Source:
Daily Graphic
GAF Test Alertness
More than 250 armed soldiers went through some streets of Accra yesterday in military vehicles in an exercise to test their vigilance as two busy weeks of guarding the African Union attendees winds to a close. They were supported by an Air Force helicopter.
In this convoy movement to test the systems and their own readiness, the soldiers organised a multi-procession flag march with one party going through the main streets of Accra and the other moving through Tema and Madina.
Police motorcycles closed roads, and traffic came to a halt while the procession passed. People lined the sidewalks, some cheering on the soldiers and others wondering what they were doing.
The soldiers were enacting an impromptu drill as commanders contacted them only hours earlier and told them they had about two hours to report to duty.
"The message is that we remain vigilant and that we stand for democracy in our country," said Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okyere, the General Commanding Officer of the Southern Command.
Brigadier-General Okyere said that the idea for this test was to push the soldiers and instil awareness in them.
While Ghana has an established democracy, Okyere said that the fight for democracy must continue.
"Freedom is a very expensive thing," he said. "Once you get it, you have to consolidate and maintain it."
In order to maintain the current democratic system, the military personnel plan and rehearse contingency plans often. They hold flag marches about six times a year.
"What you want all the time is a credible force that remains proactive," Brigadier-General Okyere said.
The armed forces weren’t in the drill alone. A number of other security forces held their own events throughout the day.
"This nation enjoys peace," Brigadier-General Okyere said. "But it doesn’t happen by chance. We have to work for it."
Source:
Ghanaian Times
Veep inspects Wa/Bamboi road project
Bamboi (N/R), July 6, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama has told the contractor working on the 53-kilometre Tinga-Bamboi portion of the Wa/Bamboi road to do a good job and to complete it early to enhance the economic activities of the people.
He said the government attached importance to quality roads because a good road network was one of the surest ways of helping to reduce poverty.
Vice President Mahama said this when he made a stopover at Bamboi to inspect 21.5 million Ghana Cedi road project while on his way to the Upper West Region on Thursday.
He said when completed the road would impact positively on lives of the people as it would facilitate the movement of goods and people from the region to the southern parts of the country. "The people of the Northern and Upper West regions have suffered in the past because of the bad nature of the road. This project means a lot to them and we must not relent but to redouble our efforts to complete the project on schedule and of good quality". Nana Opoku, Project Coordinator, said work on the project was moving 17 percent faster than its 15 percent scheduled plan. At a meeting with the chiefs and people of Bamboi, Vice President Mahama told them that Bamboi would be connected to the national electricity grid to promote cottage industry.
"Darkness is sickness and sooner than later your town would be booming with economic activities and the school children would also have access to light to enhance their studies", he said. He assured the people of Bamboi that their request for a senior secondary school and the upgrading of the health centre to a hospital would be channelled to the appropriate ministries for consideration. On the Bui Dam, Vice President Mahama said work would start soon and called for the cooperation and support of the people for its smooth take-off.
Vice President Mahama appealed to the people of Bamboi, Bole, Sawla and Tuna, where he paid courtesy calls on the chiefs, to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The Regent of Bamboi, Nana Adama Salia, commended the government for providing schools, potable water and roads to the people. At Bole the Bolewura Amankwa Gbeadese II called on the government to consider renaming the Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba districts as Bole South and Bole North districts because the two districts belong to one traditional area.
Source:
GNA
West Africans becoming major users of illicit drugs
Accra, July 6, GNA - Mr. Abraham Nunoo, Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, on Thursday noted that there was an upsurge in the use of illicit drugs among West Africans, saying the sub-region had moved from being a transit point to a major user of illicit drugs due to the weaknesses in the laws governing member countries.
Mr. Nunoo was speaking at a ceremony in Accra organized by Humanity Care International (HCI), a Non-Governmental Organization, to sensitize students of Labone Secondary School on the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said recent developments on the West African coast, especially the recent interception of large quantities of cocaine in Senegal and other countries, gave credence to the fact that there had been an increase in the use of illicit drugs among West Africans.
Mr. Nunoo said the UN had observed that illicit uses of drugs were mostly associated with transnational and organized crimes which had political, social and economic effects on countries.
He said the fight against the use of illicit drugs needed a multi-dimensional approach and the UN had been assisting Ghana through the International Narcotics Control Board in its quest to fight against the use of illicit drugs.
Mr Nunoo said the UN had been training Ghanaian security personnel and also providing the government with modern devices to be able to detect illicit drugs on the shores and beyond. Mrs Faustina Nelson, Executive Chairperson, HCI, said it was important for civil society groups to see the need to educate the youth, who are the future leaders of the country, against the use of illicit drugs.
Mrs Nelson said HCI saw the need to educate the youth, especially students who were vulnerable, against the influence of drug peddlers. She said it was untrue that hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana helped to increase the intelligence quotient of students.
Source:
GNA
Chief Justice, 77 others receive State Honours
Accra, July 6, GNA - Ghana's first female Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood and 77 other individuals were on Friday recognized by being awarded state honours for distinguished service to the nation.
Chief Justice Wood together with the Omanhene of Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Serebour II and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Paul Acquah, received the Order of the Star of Ghana, the highest state honour.
The other awards were in three categories, Order of the Volta (Companion), Order of the Volta (Member) and the Grand Medal. The recipients cut across all fields of human endeavour, including politics, education, public service, medicine, industry and commerce, religion, social service, arts, music and sports. President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was on hand to decorate them with their honours, called for dedicated and selfless service from all Ghanaians to enhance national productivity. He said they should accept at all times, to strive to outdo themselves.
"Like the Olympic medallist, we should seek to surpass existing limits to set new records hitherto deemed unattainable. This way, Africa, including Ghana, can excel in the competition and thereby carve a dignified niche for itself in the Global Village." President Kufuor noted that inherent in the present world of globalisation, were myriads of opportunities, which were not restricted to Ghanaians or Africans alone but open to others around the globe. The ability to take full advantage of these opportunities, he said, demanded best skills, self-application and innovative thinking. Public/private partnerships together with closer relations between research and industry had also become part of the new approaches to socio-economic development.
President Kufuor said Government would continue to acknowledge those who excelled in their fields of endeavour and expressed the hope this would inspire all to do their best in the service to their communities and the nation.
Nana Otuo Serebour said it was their expectation that as a nation "we shall continue to strive towards creating a national environment that nurtures creativity, rewards risks and encourages excellence". It was their expectation that the noble intentions that moved the Government to institutionalise the annual awards ceremony would serve as a challenge to all Ghanaians to pursue excellence, wherever they found themselves.
Among the winners were Professor F.O. Kwami, former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Jones Ofori Atta, Economist and Politician, Dr G.K. Agama, Banker, Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Politician, Professor Akilagpa Sawyer, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, the Reverend Professor E. Addo-Obeng, Vice Chancellor, Cape Coast University, Naa Professor J.S. Nabila, Traditional Ruler and Educationist, and Mr Kwaku Owusu, alias "Kowus", an Industrialist.
The others were Professor S. Ofosu Amaah, Medicine, Professor Holdbrooke-Smith, Orthopaedic Specialist, Dr Edward Atterh Narh, Physician Narh Beta Clinic, Ms Alice Darkoa Asare, President of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Mr Smart Y. A. Chigabatia, Civil Servants' Association, Professor Atukwei Okai, Writer, Poet and Educationist, Mr Freddie Blay, Politician, Mr K.S.P Juantuah, Politician, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Musician and Ike Quartey, Boxer. 6 July 07
Source:
GNA
Police arrest four suspects for alleged murder
Sunyani, July 5, GNA - The police in Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region four persons suspected to have murdered a 32 year-old farmer, Awudu Yahaya.
Superintendent of Police Kwadwo Peprah Addai, Techiman Municipal Police Commander, gave the names of the suspects as Alhaji Issifu Alhassan, 42, Osei Kwaku, 22, Issifu Amina 32, wife of Alhassan and Iddrisu Tona, 32, alias Landlord, at a press briefing in Sunyani. He said on June 30, one Abudu Mumuni reported to the police that the deceased, who was his nephew, was missing and suspected Alhassan of having knowledge about his whereabouts. He said Alhassan had earlier accused the deceased of having stolen his mobile phone and an unspecified amount of money. Investigations by the police revealed that the suspects had tortured and beaten the deceased to death. Mr Addai said Alhassan took the body to Bredi in the Nkoranza District, about 36 kilometres away from Techiman, and secretly buried it.
The police, he said, upon a tip-off went to Bredi, exhumed the body and sent it to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for autopsy. The police have also arrested three persons for possessing 26 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Pokukrom in Tano South district.
They are Atta Kofi, driver, Karim Issaka 19, driver's mate and Seidu Alhassan, 55.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Samuel Obeng Kyere told journalists that police at Bechem had information that some people were conveying the dried leaves from Nsawkaw in Tain District to Kumasi through an unapproved route. He said the police acted quickly and arrested the culprits.
Source:
GNA
The Sad Story of a 42 Year Old Ghanaian
Steven Yeboah fled Ghana in 2004 to Ireland because his life was in danger back in his home town Nsoatre in the Brong Ahafo region following a chieftaincy dispute that rocked the area.
Three people lost, Osofo, Anane and Kudjo, lost their lives in that dispute which has denied the area of a chief till date.
It would be recalled that somewhere in March, 2001, there was a misunderstanding as to who should be enthroned as the Nsoatrehene.The royal battle was between Professor Oppong Boachie and Nana Boadan Panin.Nana Boadan, who is not well educated, was of the view that his next of kin, his nephew, Steven Yeboah was most suitable to occupy the stool.
The decision was based on the argument that Yeboah, who was then a drugist,was youthful and was better educated and thus in better position to compete with the Professor.
That was where the trouble for young Yeboah began.
" Really, Yeboah was in a good position to ascend the throne", a source at Nsoatre told the Space FM in an interview.But the dream of young, energetic Yeboah becoming the chief of the area soon became a nightmare for him as some personalities who allegedly were supporters of the professor, threatened him with death.
"Fearing for his life, Yeboah had no option than to flee the country into exile", a family member told the Space FM.
Asked why Yeboah was threatened, the family source continued that “our son was a threat to the candidature of the professor and he would have emerged as the chief if laid down procedures were followed".
“Even as at now, he can not return and stay at any part of the country because of the dispute’, the source added."Yeboah missed the peak of Ghana's golden jubilee celebrationbecause there was no way he could come home", the source added.
Five years after the dispute erupted, the people of Nsoatre still have no chief and Yeboah still remains in exile in Ireland because he is still on the "wanted dead list' of his opponents.
An 85 year old man, Opanin Yaw Kra Oppong, told Space FM that "fifty years after Ghana 's independence should be a time for nananom to put their acts together for the betterment of the chieftaincy institution".
He continued that there are bound to be misunderstandings but nananom must resolve them maturely to maintain their dignity.
Meanwhile the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area and President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chief, Okatakyie Agyemang Kodum, has stressed the need for chiefs to see to the resolution of disputes in their areas to accelerate socio-economic developments.
Source:
Space FM,Sunyani
Ghana Telecom launches Broadband4U in Kumasi
Kumasi, July 05, GNA - Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, on Thursday stressed the need to develop and implement a comprehensive integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) policies and strategies to move the nation forward to attain a middle income status.
He said the challenge facing the nation was the formulation and implementation of appropriate ICT policies that would lead the nation to accelerate socio-economic development.
Mr Assibey-Antwi made the call when launching Ghana Telecom (GT) BroadBand4U Internet service in Kumasi.
He said the world was currently experiencing an unprecedented growth in information and socio-economic activities because of ICT and commended management of GT for introducing the product. Mr Assibey-Antwi said GT had been a major contributor to the development of ICT in the country and assisted in the implementation of Government's policy to provide ICT to most Ghanaians to promote rapid socio-economic development.
He said Government in the pursuance to accelerate ICT policies to promote the knowledge and use of ICT, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the management of Microsoft to provide ICT education and training in the country.
Mr Assibey-Antwi appealed to the management of GT to take advantage of the establishment of community ICT centres in some districts to extend its services to rural areas.
Mr Joseph Wereko, General Manager in-charge of Marketing and Research of GT, said the Broadband4U provided global and competitive opportunities in business and provided the cheapest and affordable communication system in the country. He said the product also served as a research tool for students, academia and designed to empower children to do their homework independently.
Major Don Chebe (rtd), Corporate Communications and CARE4U Manager, said the product was one of the most significant achievements of GT and significant to the people of Ghana.
He said while about 60 per cent of Europeans used Broadband only one per cent of Ghanaians had access to it. Major Chebe said the company would continue to expand and extend the broadband services to most regional and district capitals to enable majority of Ghanaians have easy access to Internet services.
05 July 07
Source:
GNA
Mills' Bodyguard In Alleged Assault Case
OFFICE OF PROF. JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS KUKU HILL, OSU, ACCRA, GHANA P.O.BOX 375, ACCRA. TEL 233-21-760225 FAX NO 233-21-760226
July 5, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
It has come to the notice of The Office of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress, publications in sections of the media that a member of his security detail allegedly assaulted a certain Kojo Yeboah, at Cow Lane, in Accra, on Tuesday July 3, 2007.
We are aware that the matter is being handled by the appropriate law enforcement agency, in this case the Accra Central Police.
The Office of Professor Mills is also independently investigating the matter and can assure Ghanaians that should the said bodyguard be found to have acted unprofessionally, the appropriate disciplinary action would be exacted.
Koku Anyidoho (In-charge, Communications)
Source:
OFFICE OF PROF. JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS
Mills' Bodyguard Beats NDC Man
A prominent bodyguard of National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, is in trouble with the law for allegedly beating up a fellow party man at Cowlane in Accra. Arnold, who is a heavily-built man popularly referred to as ‘Machoman’ in local parlance, pounced on his victim at the Central business District in Accra yesterday for daring to question the authority of local ‘Lord’ Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Press Secretary to Prof. Mills.
The victim of the heavily-built bodyguard’s attack is 36 year old Albert Kojo Yeboah, fondly called Carlos, who is currently wringing in pain.
The case involving the bodyguard, popularly called Arnold in reference to California Governor and former movie star, Arnold Schwarznegger because of his resemblance to the US actor now Governor, has its origins in the Odododiodoo by-election in which a deal was reached to have the much favoured Alhaji Walid Laryea step down for Nii Tackie Commey.
It was feared at the time that, if such a deal was not brokered, the votes of the NDC would be split among the candidates, spelling defeat for the party. The Odododiodoo constituency seat had become vacant following the death of the substantive MP, Hon Samuel Mankattah.
Carlos, who has reported the case to the Accra Central Police Station, said he called in to a Radio Gold programme yesterday for Nii Lante and Walid to clear the air on the money given to Walid for him to step down for Nii Tackie Commey.
Radio Gold had reviewed a publication the previous day about a report that $9000 was given to Walid for stepping down for the man who finally emerged as MP for the Odododiodoo constituency. The bodyguard was alleged to have confronted his victim at his place of business over why he had called in to the radio programme and opened the party to ridicule.
Mr. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Prof Mills’ aide, was said to have delivered the money, described as compensation, for Walid’s expenses in the by-election before he was impressed upon to step down by NDC gurus, for Nii Tackie Commey. The amount, said to have been delivered by Nii Lantey, fell short of the $9000 claimed in the newspaper publication.
Nii Lantey was the NDC candidate in the said by-election but was forced to step down following a court case against him for an alleged electoral malfeasance.
Walid, who was hospitalized at the Cathedral Hospital at the time of the deal, confirmed to Carlos that the money his wife received on his behalf was $7000 and not $9000 as claimed by Nii Lantey. Walid confirmed to Daily Guide yesterday that he indeed received $7,000 even though he had spent far more than that.
Carlos’ call-in to the Radio Gold programme was to seek the truth about the shortfall, but this intervention incurred the wrath of the macho-like Arnold.
Seething with anger, he approached Carlos at his place of business and questioned him about his quest to discover the actual amount doled out, seeing it as a means to embarrass a party fellow. As Carlos proceeded to pick up the newspaper which contained the report about the amount said to have changed hands, Arnold allegedly pounced on him with a combination of blows.
Bystanders, who could have intervened, took to their heels as Carlos weathered the ordeal of his aggressor. After the thrashing, Carlos hobbled to the Accra Central Police Station to lodge a complaint of assault against Mills’ bodyguard. The Police have confirmed the report and have promised to pick up the alleged aggressor for questioning when they are done with their preliminary investigations.
The victim of the assault has, meanwhile, been given a Police medical attention form to go to hospital as a routine procedure in such cases. Alhaji Walid has promised to talk about the subject at a later date. Source: D. Guide
Source:
Daily Guide
New Ghana Cedi To Sink
- Warns Frimpong Boateng
The Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, has warned that the new Ghana Cedi (GH¢), which has been introduced as a legal tender by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), faces the risk of tumbling like the two previous sets of currencies introduced since Ghana's independence.
He said, far from being a prophet or doom, there are all indications pointing to the fact that, if certain measures are not put in place the new cedi will certainly travel the same route as its predecessors. Making his contention in an interview with The Independent, Professor Frimpong Boateng, who is one of the aspirants seeking to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the 2008 elections, disclosed that, the introduction of the new Ghana Cedi is nothing new to Ghanaians since it is the third in a series.
He said the two previous cedis first introduced in 1965 by Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and second in 1979 by the then Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, suffered devaluation and depreciation due to the corrupt and unacceptable attitudes of some Ghanaians. Diagnosing how the new Ghana cedi could stand the test of time, Professor Frimpong Boateng gave several antidotes which could help save the new cedi from tumbling like the two previous ones. He indicated that some of those antidotes are a much-needed change of attitude, which if not done have the tendency of affecting the value of the cedi. He pointed out that, Ghanaians must work hard and be honest in all their endeavours at every level.
Corruption, he pointed out, is the bane of every economy and that if corrupt practices at all levels are not checked and eliminated from the Ghanaian society, the new cedi would definitely suffer unimaginable setback. "We must say good-bye to corruption,” he asserted adding that a consciousness of the value of time is an essential ingredient in the fight against the downward slide of the cedi, and the economy as a whole. Ghanaians should seek communal welfare and trust in God, he affirmed.
He said, Ghanaians should realise that the differences between Ghana and the developed partners is that, the developed nations have technology, which Ghana does not have, and since the world is driven by a knowledge economy, and since science and technology are necessary as an opportunity for improving on one's economy there is the need to improve on our technology base before we can move on. Also among Professor Frimpong Boateng's antidotes is the need to make education very practical so that things learnt in schools and in the universities could be transformed into visible and tangible products in factories and on the streets.
“We need to have an educational system, which will empower our graduates with the capacity to make machines that will work for us," the Korle-Bu CEO told The Independent.According to the NPP aspirant, the world is waiting for Africa that has embraced technology and has positioned itself to be an equal and credible partner on the world economic scene. He said, "We cannot continue to import everything from tooth pick to aircraft and expect that we can maintain the value of the new cedi," he insisted and explained that the more a country imports the more the value of its purchasing power depreciates.
Turning his attention to agriculture, the professor said we should be able to modernise it, and be able to feed ourselves as well as export some to other countries to earn foreign exchange. "We should be able to put in place agro businesses that will make farming in Ghana profitable and enjoyable,' he asserted. Professor Frimpong Boateng said there is the need to design towns and villages, and embark on sanitation engineering, including the construction of drains instead of gutters as we see all around.
"We should use technology to prevent the addition of more zeros to our currency so that there would not be the need for us to embark on expensive re-denomination exercises in the future only to remove zeros from written values of our currency.” "These and many others are measures Prof. Frimpong Boateng-Ied government would put in place to keep our currency intact and to ensure rapid development of the country,' he said.
Source:
The Independent
Ghana leads in Railway network to link ECOWAS
Accra, July 5, GNA - Ghana has already taken a lead in rehabilitating and expanding its railway network system, to pave way for the Trans-ECOWAS interconnecting railway project in member States. According to Ms. Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Minister of Harbours and Railways, government had signed a contract with Peatrak Company Limited (an engineering company), to begin the first phase of construction of new rail lines from Accra through Tema to Kumasi. She said the project would be expanded from Kumasi to Paga in the Upper East Region, to link the country to Burkina-Faso.
Ms. Horner-Sam, who was addressing experts at a national information seminar on the progress on a feasibility study on the Trans-ECOWAS interconnecting Railway project on Wednesday, said rail transportation could become the most viable option to road transportation, provided the costs were put under control. The seminar, which brought together experts and engineers, would discuss, among other things, the content of the study, a presentation of the segments affected by the study in Ghana and the mode of data collection and was expected to educate stakeholders on the project so as to receive better imputs and add-ons to the scope of the study. Ms. Horner-Sam said the rehabilitation of existing Western Railway lines from Takoradi to Kumasi through to Hamile in the Upper West Region, were all significant efforts towards ensuring a sustainable sub-regional integration.
"This can be achieved through the implementation of concrete projects and programmes aimed at developing the region in a comprehensive and interdependent way," she said. The Deputy Minister noted that coming on the heels of the African Union Summit, which had the vision of a united Africa, called for dynamic sub-regional organisations, which were committed and result-oriented.
She explained that the commitment by member states to the mobilisation of resources and the development of the railway industry in Africa was in line with the transport objectives for fulfilling the NEPAD Vision of reducing delays in cross boarder movements of people, goods and services.
"It will also promote cross boarder trade and economic activity through improved land transport linkages and improve air passenger and freight linkages across Africa's sub-region," she said.
Ms. Horner-Sam said for Ghana, pragmatic policies such as the development of a comprehensive national transport policy was operational to pursue strategic objectives that ensured safer, reliable, effective, efficient and fully integrated transport system that was responsive to the needs of producers and consumers.
She said if well developed, the rail system had the potential of becoming a vital part of the country's transport system carrying a larger portion of travellers and freight on the busiest transport corridors of the country and beyond, while reducing cost. She urged participants to provide realistic and practical information that would ensure an effective railway system in the sub-Region.
Dr Seini Modi Salifou, CIMA-UMA Expert (an Engineering Company) explained that the 14-month feasibility study, which started in November 2006 was carried out in 10 ECOWAS member countries, including Togo, Nigeria, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina-Faso, Senegal and Ghana and was expected to end in December this year.
He said the study realised that most of the countries already had existing rail lines that would make the interconnectivity much easier, though about 17 more new lines had been recommended to be developed to make the process complete.
Dr Salifou stressed that as the mandated consultants of the Project by the ECOWAS Secretariat, it considered the study to be of paramount importance as it must reveal the interest of railway transportation and demonstrate both technical and economic justification of the investments required for these infrastructures.
He expressed the hope that stakeholders would have a better understanding of the objectives and content of the study to be able to contribute effectively and also called for realistic practicable suggestions to make the study a success.
Source:
GNA
Union Government of Africa: Only by name?
AU summit ends without agreement on government timetable
Accra, July 4, GNA - The two-day grand debate on the proposed Pan-African Government by African political leaders ended deep into the night on Tuesday without a decision as to the nature and timeframe.
The leaders, instead, by a unanimously declaration, agreed to set up a Ministerial Committee to identify among other things, the contents of the Union Government concept and its relations with national Governments.
It would also examine the domains of competence and impact of its establishment on the sovereignty of member states and the elaboration of a road map and timeframe.
The Committee has the added responsibility of defining the relationship between the Union Government and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and to look at ways of getting additional sources of financing the activities of the continental Government.
The outcome of its studies would be submitted to a Committee of Heads of State and Government, which in turn, would make appropriate recommendations to the next ordinary session of the African Union (AU) to be held in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, in January 2008. President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is the Chairman of the Union, said there were neither winners nor losers of the debate, characterised by tolerance and mutual respect and conducted in a frank, forthright and serious manner.
It was not about winners or losers but the rededication of "ourselves to the building of a Union Government" and the common vision and principle for its realisation.
He said they were determined to build the necessary synergy to unite Africa and fight the unacceptable level of poverty among its peoples.
Africa's political integration was not going to be modelled after that of the United States of America (USA) or the European Union. It would be something to suit the unique attributes of the Continent.
He said the leaders on account of the shared vision of a united and vibrant continental union resolved to inject new dynamism, re-energise and bring a new momentum to the AU. Consequently, the capacity of the AU and its organs are to be strengthened.
President Kufuor stressed the need for the rationalization and harmonisation of the RECs to lead an African Common Market through the stages of the treaty establishing the African Economic Commission. He said the leaders recognised the importance of involving peoples of Africa including the Diaspora in the processes leading to the formation of the continental Government.
The Ninth Accra Summit of the AU attended by 52 Heads of State and Government was devoted to the single agenda of discussing the future of the Union.
That there was total endorsement of the proposed Union Government was not in doubt, the devil however, was in the nature and speed. While some of the leaders were eager to see immediate political integration others favoured a gradual approach.
Source:
GNA
President Kufuor is mad at ....
...Cocaine security flop
President Kufuor is reported to be deeply worried and also angry with his Security Chiefs over the recent monumental security blunder that culminated in a dramatic escape of a cocaine-laden vessel from Ghana’s territorial waters.
The Chronicle says the flop occurred despite adequate intelligence information to the security agencies.
Accordingly, the President has charged his Security Chiefs to provide answers as to why and how the cocaine-laden Vessel, MT Jano sailed through Ghana’s territorial waters without being captured.
The Chronicle last week published a thorough revelation of how the national security set-up had once again disappointed the nation on a drug related matter, at a time the MV Benjamin scandal was still fresh in the minds of Ghanaians.
The revelations in the latest case, according to the paper, are what sparked the President’s anger.
The paper quotes the President as charging his Security Lords; "Unlike the other case. I demand immediate answers on this particular case," clearly pointing out his frustrations over the security blunder.
Perplexed and tensed up over the President's directive on the security fiasco, Security Bosses got together a team of operational men from the meeting late last week and told them to look into what might have accounted for the security failure.
Sources could not disclose the full list of the participants at the crisis meeting but those present included, Interior Minister, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah; Mr. Afari from the National Security Ministry; Mr. Adu Amankwaa, Head of the Organized Crime Unit of the Ghana Police Service; Mr. Mark from the Narcotic Control Board and other top Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces drawn mainly from the Naval Command.
Ahead of the commencement of investigations by the team of security men, The Chronicle says a significant blame game has already started with one security establishment accusing the other of not doing much to ensure the arrest of the cocaine vessel.
Naval sources say the top Naval Command have been pointing accusing fingers at the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), for not providing them with adequate information to enable them track down the vessel.
Yesterday, Mr. Ewontoma, Director of Operations of the anti-drug institution, who had been mentioned by sources at Ghana Navy as being the one who was passing on intelligence information on the vessel to Navy, declined to comment on the accusation that he did not provide enough information to the Military, hence the failure.
The NACOB operations man referred the paper’s reporter to Mr. Ben Botwe, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of NACOB for any information that was being sought. Mr. Botwe also declined to comment on the issue but pointed out that as far as he was concerned, NACOB did what it had to do about the vessel.
He however indicated that he was not interested in blame games and would therefore not respond to any accusation from any quarters and referred the paper to the Interior Minister whom he said had been briefed adequately on the issue.
Interior Minister, Mr. Kan Dapaah said investigations were ongoing about the matter and so would want that investigators be allowed to do their work for answers to be found to many questions that ought to be answered on the MT Jano case.
The paper however says its latest intelligence information suggests that the cocaine vessel spent several days floating on Ghana’s waters after it run out of fuel days after the Navy and the entire security set-up of the nation had been alerted.
It was after those several days that a local vessel, Tropic Sun, was contacted by an agent to supply fuel to the distressed MT Jano.
Source:
Chronicle
Water experts attend workshop on water uses
Savelugu (N/R), July 4, GNA - Water and sanitation experts have called for pragmatic measures to protect water sources from further contamination to improve the lives of people particularly those in rural communities.
The experts made the call at a workshop on: "Water initiative behaviour change", at Savelugu in the Savelugu/Nanton District on Wednesday.
The four-day workshop would focus on issues concerning water uses and help participants to understand and be able to explain behaviour change issues that confront partners and collaborators in hygiene and sanitation activities.
The West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI) organised the forum, which would also enable participants to know the basic concepts of behaviour change in health promotion.
The participants are from the World Vision-Ghana, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Water Aid, the International Trachoma Initiative and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) as well as personnel of WAWI.
Others are from the Ghana Education Service (GES), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Health and Sanitation Department and the Tamale School of Hygiene.
Mr. Sumaila Seidu Saaka, Behaviour Change specialist and a consultant for USAID and WAWI who facilitated the workshop, said poor sanitation and hygiene accounted for the unacceptably high number of deaths among children.
He said the Hygiene Improvement Project (HIP) under WAWI was the latest investment in water and sanitation initiative intended to reduce diarrhoeal diseases and improve child survival. Mr. Saaka expressed the need to practise safe faecal disposal, hand washing with soap, safe storage and treatment of water at point-of-use (POU) and other hygienic ways of staying healthy at all times. Dr Abdoul Diallo, Regional Coordinator of WAWI who is based in Bamako, Mali, called for closer collaboration among stakeholders in water and sanitation in the West African sub-region to help control water pollution.
He noted the difficulty in changing human behaviour and stressed the need for the participants to work towards changing behaviour especially, in water use to ensure the most hygienic way of using the resource.
Alhaji Ahmed Ewura, chairman of WAWI working group in Ghana, in speech read on his behalf, called on participants to share ideas on safe water and collaborate in their various activities on behaviour change. He said WAWI had, over the years, worked to implement several projects to bring water and sanitation facilities into its operational areas to improve the lives of the people.
Source:
GNA