GRi Newsreel 26-04-99 (cont.)

Pramso (Ashanti), 26th April '99 -

 Members of the NewPatriotic Party (NPP) have been told to avoid divisivetendencies and foster close relations with non-party members to draw them into their fold.

Mr Atta Akwasi Junior, Bosomtwe constituency chairman of the NPP, said the ruling government has failed to satisfy the populace, and it is only the NPP that can create the enabling environment "for Ghanians to find their feet".

Members should therefore not engage in acts that will sew seeds of discontent in theirranks or drive prospective supprters away, Mr Akwasi junior, told members of Ward 16 of Pramso NPP in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district of Ashanti at afund-raising rally for the establishment of an office to co-ordinate the activities of the party in the constituency.

Mr Daniel Asuo-Afram, constituency secretary, called on members not to hesitate to contribute "financially and positively" towards the upkeep and the running of the party.

He observed that the ward can boast of the most dedicated and committed members of the party and hoped they will support the party to victory.

He assured them that the party will by all means go to the "Castle" next year and appealed to them to embark on viable economic ventures to raise funds to support the party in addition to fund-raising rallies.

Mr Richard Adu, a founding member of NPP, urged members to be concerned with the victory of the party in the year 2000 presidential and parliamentary elections.

This, he stressed, is not going to be easy and urged them to gird their loins to make their dreams come true.

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Dodowa (Greater Accra), 26th April '99 -

 Equipment worth over 12 million cedis were presented to the Dodowa New Town Integrated Community Centre for Employable Skills (ICCES) on Saturday.

Mr Mark Ayivor, President of Rotary Club of Accra East, donated 10 hand sewing machines, a compressor, a spraying gun and two benches, all worth about than six million cedis, while Mr Seth Apraku-Mensah, Director of ICCES, donated a set of catering equipment worth 2.5 million cedis for the establishment of a

catering department.

Mr Tomo Yuku Sano, a Japanese Volunteer Lecturer in Electrical and Electronics attached to the centre, donated two desk-top computers worth five million cedis.

The centre, established in 1985, offers a free-tuition three-year course in six subjects, namely, Carpentry, Masonry, Tailoring/Dressmaking, Electrical/Electronics, Blacksmith and Agriculture.

Making the presentation, Mr Ayivor said the items is the club's modest contribution to help the centre to train boys and girls to acquire skills for self-employment.

He said as more young adults gain employment, "we are sure to reduce the incidence of such social vices as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and armed robbery in our society", adding that the ever-growing number of street children will also be minimised.

Mr Apraku-Mensah said the vision of the ICCES is to combat youth unemployment and rural-urban drift, and contribute to the development of micro enterprises among the youth.

According to Mr Apraku-Mensah, since the ICCES programme started in 1987, the number of centres has increased from 12 to 79 in 1994. He put the number of trainees who have graduated from these centres at about 12,000.

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Nkawie (Ashanti), 26th April '99 -  

Two communities in the Atwima District, Nkawie-Panin and Wansambire, are to benefit from the first phase of the district assembly's rural housing project.

An initial amount of 20 million cedis for the project will cover the re-roofing of houses, the construction of collapsed walls, plastering and the rehabilitation of toilet facilities. It will also cover the painting of houses, and the provision of electricity and water.

A report of the executive committee presented to the second meeting of the District Assembly said at Nkawie on Friday. Feasibility studies on the project have been completed and work will start in July.

Mr Peter Yaw Mensah, District Chief Executive said the assembly collected 396.2 million cedis out of its targeted 462.3 million cedis for last year, representing an 85.6 per cent achievement rate..

He called on members for assistance in increasing the revenue base of the Assembly to enable it to meet the expected increase in expenditure when unit committees and area councils are established.

The district is to benefit from the Village Infrastructure Project in Ashanti for which the Assembly has voted 35 million cedis.

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Accra (Greater Accra), 26th April '99 -

President Yasser Arafat, of the state of Palestine arrived in Accra on Saturday as part of his African tour to drum up support for plans to declare Palestine as an independent state.

At the airport to receive him was Vice-President John Evans Atta-Mills, Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyie, Minister of State for National Security, Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Joseph Laryea and diplomats.

Mr Arafat and his entourage including Dr Nabil Sha-alth, Minister for International Co-operation and his political adviser, Mr Nabil Abourdene, had been to Conakry, Guinea and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Briefing newsmen, the Palestinian leader said his visit was todiscuss the Middle East peace process and plans to declare Palestine as an independent state.

He said although the Palestine authority has the right to declare independence, consultations are necessary "with brothers and friends" whose support it has enjoyed over the years on the subject.

"You can't forget your brother's support and advice on such a difficult and important subject," he said.

Sampling views during his tour, Mr Arafat said, "some of them are advising us to delay a little bit and make the declaration after the Israeli elections".

However, a final decision will come from the Palestine Central Assembly.

"I will discuss my findings from the consultations with the Central Council before a final decision is taken," he said.

President Arafat later left for Abuja, for talks with Ghanaian officials.

This is his fourth visit to Ghana after those in 1986, 1989 and 1991.

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Nsutam (Eastern Region), 26th April '99 -  

A severe rainstorm that hit Nsutam Onyamebekyere and Kobokobo villages in North Akuapem District last Thursday has resulted in the loss of lives and property worth more than 100 million cedis.

Master Kwame Boadu, a 15-year-old jss three student, who sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Mampong Government Hospital died the following day.

Mr Fuzzy Torbey, Member of Parliament for Okere Constituency who visited the area at the weekend to assess the extent of damage, said about 120 houses at Nsutam had their roofs ripped off while other buildings, including the Local Presbyterian Primary School, were destroyed, rendering about 200 people homeless. About 100 houses were also partly damaged at Kobokobo and Onyamebekyere, leaving some 150 people homeless. The victims are putting up with friends and relatives.

Mr Torbey assured the people of assistance to resettle them and asked them to plant trees to serve as windbreaks to protect their houses. The MP, who had earlier led the people of Akrakwadjo on a three-hour clean-up campaign, assured them that the local JSS building which was hit by rainstorm last year would be rehabilitated. He said 50 million cedis from the district's share of the common fund had been set aside for the project.

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Half Assini (Western Region) 26 April '99

 The government has no intention of abandoning the Efasu gas power project as being rumoured in the area, Mr Joseph. E. Ackah, MP for the area, said.

Construction of workshops at the project site and high tension lines from Essiama sub-station to Efasu and Elubo is going on steadily, he said during a briefing of Jomoro District Assembly on parliamentary proceedings at Half Assini on Friday.

The assembly was asked to continue to give its assistance towards the completion of the project.

The MP appealed to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to expedite action on the payment of compensation to farmers whose coconuts and other crops were destroyed to make way for the project.

Mr Thomas Kwesi, District Chief Executive for the area, announced the selection of the district among five others in the Western region to benefit from the Village Infrastructure Project this year.

The project is to increase rural communities' access to development resources to speed up the implementation of rural development priorities set by the district assembly.

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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 26 April '99

 The Ashanti Regional branch of the Association of Road Contractors has resolved to commit its equipment in support of the implementation of the "Operation Keep Kumasi Clean and Green Programme".

The equipment would be used specifically for excavation and clearing of refuse until the entire Kumasi Metropolis is rid of filth and refuse dumps, Mr B.K. Arthur, Regional Chairman of the association told members of the association who spent more than seven hours clearing a huge refuse dump at New Agogo in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The programme was initiated by the Regional Minister, Mr Kojo Yankah.

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