GRi Newsreel 27-04-99

The World Bank on Monday stated that efforts to improve key areas of human development are in danger. It said faltering growth in Asia and Latin America, uncertain prospects for the transition economies in the former Soviet Union and the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa will make it difficult for the international community to achieve development goals for the 21st century.

According to the World Development Indicators for 1999 televised world-wide from Washington DC, developing countries, with the exception of former Soviet Union, grew at a rate of 5.3 per cent from 1987 to 1997.

The report said this raised hopes and encouraged expectations that living standards would continue to increase in the regions of the world.

However, the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997 has tempered those expectations, it pointed out..

The Bank said hard-won increases in life expectancy have been wiped out by HIV/AIDS, with growth in the school-age population outpacing the numbers of primary school enrolments in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Foreign aid levels are at their lowest levels in almost 50 years."

On Eastern Europe, it said millions of people have seen their living standards deteriorate sharply. In mid-1990s about 147 million people in the transition economies of former Soviet Union were living under the poverty line of four dollars a day, as against 14 million people in 1989.

The report revealed that India and China, which account for 38 per cent of the world's population, have avoided the financial crisis that shook Asian neighbours.

World free trade continues to grow despite protectionist pressures in some countries and the impact of the financial crisis in emerging markets.

Low and medium-income countries have seen their tourism earnings surge more than 500 per cent between 1980 and 1997, with the numbers of foreign tourists to those countries expanding from 67.5 million to 2.3 billion within the same period.

The Bank said all developing regions have lost momentum in achieving their poverty reduction goals.

"East and South Asia were the only regions growing fast enough to reduce poverty by half by 2015."

It said inequality has soared in Eastern Europe and other developing countries.

The Bank noted that communications and computer revolutions are expanding the reach of global knowledge.

It mentioned Ghana, Botswana and Djibouti as having 100 per cent digital telephone networks, with Finland as the country with the greatest number of cellular phones.

The report said global per capita water supply is declining, while many developing countries continue to make strides in ensuring universal primary education and equal access to secondary education for boys and girls.

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NPP congratulates Algerian President Bouteflika

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 April ’99

The New Patriotic Party on Monday congratulated Mr Abdelaziz Bouteflika on his election as president of Algeria and expressed the hope that Algeria will find a permanent solution to its fratricidal war.

A statement issued in Accra said the worlds of Ghana and Algeria have intertwined since the days when the North African country battled France for its independence.

"The two countries have continued their friendship to this day, and it is the hope of the NPP that this will continue under President Bouteflika."

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NPP mourns Frimpong-Ansah, de Graft Johnson

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 April ’99

The New Patriotoc Party (NPP) on Monday expressed its sympathies to the families of the Dr J.W.S. de Graft Johnson , former vice-president, and Dr J.H Frimpong-Ansah, former governor of the Bank of Ghana, both of whom died in London last week.

A statement said it learned with profound shock the death of the two men, adding that their passing away "is a blow to Ghana."

The statement said "under the current regime, their considerable experiences and weighty talents remained regrettably unused."

It said Dr de Graft Johnson was an innovator in Building and Road Research at the engineering faculty of University of Science and Technology, where he also taught.

It said he was forced to spend several years in exile as a result of the early "vicious activities" of PNDC cadres against political leaders of the time, especially the government of the PNP, which the PNDC overthrew.

The statement said Dr Frimpong-Ansah was a "relatively young economist when he took over as governor of the Bank of Ghana."

" He was a self-effacing man, who commanded the respect of those who came to know him."

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World Press Day to be celebrated on May three

Accra(Greater Accra) 27 April ’99

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), will observed this year's World Press Freedom Day on Monday, May three, with a flag-raising ceremony.

The ceremony, will be held at the Ghana International Press Centre under the theme, "GJA press freedom and political stability". It is being organised in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

A GJA statement issued in Accra on Monday and signed by the General-Secretary, Mr Bright Blewu, said the essence of commemorating the Day is to raise awareness among media practitioners, especially journalists, that they have both rights and responsibilities in the cause of their duty to promote and defend press freedom.

"Within the larger context, the commemoration of the Day is to draw public attention to the importance of ideal of press freedom.

"It is also to remind all, both government and the governed, that they have a moral responsibility to promote and defend it (press freedom) as one of the most essential requirements in the maintenance of human rights in any multi-party democracy".

The GJA, which celebrates its golden jubilee this year, has therefore decided to use the Day to focus on the impact of press freedom on the work of the media and overall national development since Ghana's independence, with emphasis on its relevance to political stability.

As a professional body engaged in the promotion of high journalistic standards and the defence and protection of press freedom, the GJA has since 1996, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, commemorated World Press Freedom Day

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Demolishing galore- New Juaben to join the craze

Koforidua (Eastern Region) 27 April ’99

The New Juaben Municipal Assembly will soon embark on the demolishment of unauthorised structures to ensure that development conformed with the municipality's planned layouts.

The exercise will begin from the Adweso Estate area as soon as the Municipal Planning Committee approves of the first phase of the layout plan for the area.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Emmanuel Adu Boateng, announced this on Monday when he inspected the on-going 20-kilometre road works that will open up the Koforidua new Zongo area on completion, and work on a 57-million-cedis health centre.

He said the Assembly warned developers over two years ago against the siting of buildings on waterways and plots earmarked for public amenities.

No compensation will be paid to affected owners, the MCE added

On the road project, Mr Adu Boateng said the Assembly was bearing the cost of hiring a bulldozer at 800,000 cedis per day while the four communities - A, B, C and D - were providing fuel.

He said streetlights would be provided and that the streets would be named after personalities who have contributed significantly to the development of the area.

Mr Adu Boateng also inspected the site for a market estimated to cost more than a billion cedis, and said the Assembly would provide temporary sheds for a six-month period before it would invite interested traders to bid for permanent structures.

It will be recalled that about two weeks ago, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly embarked on a demolishing exercise during which a 65-roomed hotel due for commissioning was pulled down in Accra, and Mawuli Bar, a popular spot at Labadi in Accra, known for its special weekend "Omo tuo" (rice balls) was also razed to the ground. Mawuli Bar had been on that plot of land for 15 years.

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Kufuor says NPP will not reclaim Krobo lands

Oborpah-Krobo (Eastern Region) 27 April ’99

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr J.A. Kufuor, has asked Krobos not to entertain any fears that an NPP government would reclaim lands they bought from the Akims.

He described such fears as "unfounded propaganda by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to discredit us", adding, "we are a party which upholds the rule of law and personal liberty".

Mr Kufuor stated this when he met about 40 "Dademantsemei" (Chief farmers) at Oborpah-Gyakiti in the Manya Krobo district on Sunday as part of his weeklong tour of the Eastern Region.

He commended the Krobos for their hardwork in producing much food to feed the country and assured them that the NPP has a viable agricultural programme which would help to improve the production and marketing of farm produce.

Mr Kufuor said the party would resume the rural development policy embarked upon by the Busia regime which, he said, accelerated rural development and provided the area with the Atua Government Hospital, roads and electrification.

He lamented about the poor education policy of the NDC, saying his party would provide the required facilities and improve the conditions of service of teachers to enable them to offer their best services.

Mr Kufuor and the MP for Koforidua, Mr Yaw Barimah, donated 40 bags of cement each towards the renovation of the school block in the village.

On the NDC’s health education policies, Mr Barimah said while the "cash and carry" led to avoidable deaths of the poor, the educational reforms could not support the poor child to advance to higher levels.

At Boso in the Asuogyaman District, Mr Kufuor presented customary drinks to the traditional council to console them over the death of their paramount chief, Nana Nyarko Yeboa.

He also donated 50 bags of cement towards the renovation of the palace in preparation for the funeral scheduled for the end of next month.

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Minster urges Ghanaians to pray for Rawlings

Winneba (Central Region) 27 April ’99

Mr Mike Hammah, deputy Minister of Roads and Transport has urged Ghanaians not to consider investment promotion trips undertaken by President Jerry John Rawlings, as a waste on the national economy.

"We should rather pray hard for God's continued protection and guidance for the President to initiate more of such useful contacts outside the shores of Ghana to attract more investors", he said.

Mr Hammah, MP for Effutu, was addressing the first session of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district assembly at Winneba on Monday.

He explained that the President's personal involvement in investment promotion activities abroad have no doubt started yielding fruitful results.

"As the world enters the next millennium global trading and marketing activities have become highly competitive, a situation that demands that leaders show a high sense of initiative".

The MP said it was therefore unreasonable and totally unacceptable for any one to play politics with the efforts being made by the President.

Mr Hammah explained that the President's direct contacts with foreign investors in the United States, United kingdom, Germany, France and other developed nations have given the investors a clear picture of business conditions in Ghana.

Ghanaians, irrespective of their political stand, should co-operate with the government and help to create the congenial climate to woo foreign investors, he said. He urged district assemblies to play their part by assisting investors in land acquisition.

Mr. Hammah was not happy at the difficulties which prospective investors go through before acquiring land for their businesses and called for the removal of what he described as "unnecessary administrative blocks" in the system to ensure the smooth operation of the various organisations.

"If we fail to accept them to operate in our country, they have every right to go to either Togo or Ivory Coast".

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Assembly launches Cocoa rehabilitation fund

Koforidua (Eastern Region) 27 April ’99

The New Juaben Municipal Assembly has set aside 50 million cedis from its Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), to grant soft loans to 100 cocoa farmers to maintain their cocoa farms.

Under the project, the Assembly would provide beneficiary farmers with inputs and labour services for the spraying, brushing and refilling of their farms.

The Assembly decided to establish the project in view of the dwindling cocoa yields in the Municipality due to lack of labour to maintain the farms of the ageing farmers.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Emmanuel Adu Boateng, announced this on Sunday when he launched the Assembly's Common Fund "Cocoa Rehabilitation Project", at the Oyoko Cocoa Station near Koforidua.

He said the loans, which would attract 10 per cent interest, would be repaid in two years through the licensed/cocoa purchasing societies.

The project would be co-ordinated by the National Mobilisation Programme (NMP) with technical services to be provided by personnel of the Cocoa Services Division of the COCOBOD.

Mr Yaw Adu Gyamfi, Municipal Director of the NMP announced that 7,000 cocoa seedlings had been nursed in support of the project and urged the farmers to take advantage of the project.

The chief farmer of Jumapo, Opanyin Kwaku Dekpe, expressed concern about the increasing thefts of cocoa beans from farms.

He attributed this trend of affairs to the introduction of private cocoa purchasing companies that do not operate the "Akuafo Cheque" system.

The farmers appealed to the COCOBOD to include the Municipal area in the swollen shoot control programme, as in other parts of the region.

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Boadua gets ¢30m food processing plant

Boadua (Eastern Region), 27^th April, 99 –

A 30 million-cedi food processing plant for the St. Michael's Catholic church at Boadua, near Akwatia, was commissioned on Saturday.

It was provided with financial assistance of 15 million cedis from the German Embassy in Ghana and another 15 million cedis from the Primary Health Care (PHC) department of Akwatia St. Dominic's Catholic Hospital while the church members provided communal labour.

Mrs. Mercy Owusu-Nimoh, a member of the Council of State, who was the guest speaker, said the plant would generate employment for the community as it will encourage cassava farmers to plant more crops as well as provide avenue for making gari and starch The Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, Mr Korankye Ababio who commissioned the plant said the government is working towards food preservation to minimise post harvest losses.

He said over 100 million cedis has been disbursed by the District Assembly towards poverty alleviation and that under the Youth in Agriculture programme, each group of 10 youths would receive two million cedis for agricultural ventures.

Mr Ababio urged the people to stop dumping garbage into River Mmo, the main source of drinking water for a number of villages in the area as it could get contaminated and lead to the outbreak of disease.

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MP complains about police harassment

Saduase (Greater Accra), 27^th April ‘99 –

Ms Beatrice Naa Afieye Ashong, Member of Parliament for Kpone/Katamanso, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to stop the Eastern regional police from harassing the people of Saduase, in the Greater Accra region in their boundary dispute with the people of Adamorobe in the Eastern region.

This follows a complaint that police from the Eastern region last Saturday, supported the people of Adamorobe, to harass Saduase citizens over the demarcation of the boundary.

Seven policemen riding in a police Landrover with registration number, GP 720 are said to have backed 12 people from Adamarobe armed with cutlasses, to demarcate the boundary between the two regions.

The demarcation team destroyed cassava, plantain and vegetable farms belonging to Saduase farmers.

Ms Ashong reminded the police of their duty to offer protection to all citizens of the country and asked them not to be biased in their operation since it impacts negatively on their image.

She said the security councils of the two regions are looking into the boundary issue and called on all sides to exercise restraint for a just solution to be found.

Meanwhile, the Dodowa police are patrolling the town to maintain peace and order.

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Lions give to hospital

Accra (Greater Accra), 27^th April ‘99 –

The Accra Premier Lions Club on Friday presented assorted items worth over five million cedis to the University of Ghana Hospital as its contribution to the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the University.

Items donated include catheters, infusions, ventilators for the lungs, blankets, bed-sheets, volumetric infusion pumps, a breast pump, laboratory and feeding bottles.

Mrs. Esther Ofori, an official of the Club, said the items are a token donation in recognition of the immense contribution by University to society.

Dr. Comfort Dzokoto, Director of the Hospital and Professor J.K. Amuzu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, thanked the club for the kind gestures and said the items will enhance efficient medical delivery of the hospital.

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Robber’s luck runs out, caught after hot chase

Tema (Greater Accra), 27^th April ’99 --

A man who was robbed of 15.7 million cedis he had cashed from the Tema fishing harbour branch of the Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited last Friday arrested one of the alleged robbers after a hot chase.

A Community Two police source told newsmen that the victim, Mr Kwarkye Yeboah, had stopped at the Total Filling station near Ro Ro junction, in Community Two, to buy petrol, leaving the money with the wife at the front seat.

The robbers who had apparently trailed the couple from the bank, also parked at the filling station. Two of them came out of their Opel Vectra car, snatched the bag containing the money and sped off towards Accra.

The police source said the victim and other cars at the filling station then chased the robbers. When the robbers realised there was traffic jam on the beach road that they had taken diverted their course onto the Halcrow beach road but their

access was impeded by a refuse dump. They then jumped out of their car and tried bolt with the money. But the driver of the car was grabbed after a hot chase and handed over to the police.

When he was being interrogated at the station, another complainant came to identify him as being among a group of robbers who had earlier snatched a bag from his car containing very important documents.

When police opened the boot of the get-away car, with registration number GR 3133 P, they found the second complainant's bag with the documents untouched.

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Rwandan official urges African leaders to avoid war

Accra (Greater Accra), 27^th April ’99 –

African leaders must opt for peace and stability to ensure the development of their countries instead of engaging in wars and conflict which retards progress, a Rwandan official said in Accra on Monday. Mrs. Rosemary Musemimali, Director of Social Welfare of Rwanda, told a press conference that genocide could take place anywhere and "bring about disability, hunger, diseases and a traumatised society."

Mrs. Musemimali is in Ghana at the head of a three-man Rwandan delegation who on a 10-day study tour to on the aging policy and social structures of Ghana. Mrs. Musemimali said after the genocide of 1994, the new government is now faced with taking care of 400,000 orphans, widows, street children and other vulnerable groups.

"The government is now rehabilitating the Ministries to take care of the democratisation process among which is the issue of the policy on the aged which is now being formulated.

"Rwanda has a population of seven million and the aging population taken at the last census was 6.2 per cent the population. Most of them are living alone as a result of the war."

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Disabled teachers urged to stimulate consciousness of pupils

Kumasi (Ashanti), 27^th April ’99 –

A four -day workshop jointly organised by the German Development Co-operation and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for 29 mentally disabled teachers has ended in Kumasi with a call on them to design teaching programmes to stimulate the mental consciousness of their pupils.

The workshop on the theme "Teaching/learning materials for disabled pupils --selection, preparation and use", was to improve the participants knowledge in preparation of mentally disabled teaching and learning materials.

Topics discussed included the perception of the environment of the mentally disabled child, attitudes and beliefs about mental disability in Ghana, cognitive approach of teaching and strategies of planning and carrying out lessons.

Mr David Kodenyo, assistant director in-charge of mentally handicapped unit of Special Education Division of GES, urged the participants to design teaching programmes that will stimulate the mental consciousness of the mentally disabled child.

He regretted that most mentally disabled teachers were unable to teach effectively due to lack of extensive exposure.

Mr Emmanuel Agyei, Headmaster of Garden City Special School, called on the participants to continue to broaden their knowledge in their chosen field.

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Mahama: African media must help promote peace

Accra (Greater Accra), 27^th April ‘99 –

Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, on Monday urged African media to promote peace on the continent by not writing or broadcasting news items that will incite the people to engage in conflicts and wars.

The media in Africa, he said, have a great responsibility to ensure that peace prevails on the continent.

"If the Western media sees nothing positive and constructive about Africa besides hunger, disease, starvation, wars and poverty, the African media has a duty to tell at least the other side of the story".

This was contained in an address read for him by Mr B.C Eghan, Chief Director of the Ministry, at the opening of a two-day international workshop in Accra. It is under the theme "Media for peace in Africa - How to provide support and reinforcement".

The workshop, organised by Institute Panons, is being attended by representatives from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi and Senegal. There are observers from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), ECOWAS, UNESCO and the West Africa Journalists Association (WAJA).

Mr Mahama said the media in Africa should publish news that would unite the people for peace, stability and not the type that will incite them into conflicts and wars.

"In Ghana, our young democracy has so far succeeded in making it possible for Ghanaian media men and women to operate in a free environment which the media practitioners themselves can help to sustain to grow to the benefit of all.

"It must be admitted that the media in Africa has had to operate in a rather hostile and unstable political environment. But gradually things are changing and it may take sometime before the entire continent will be free of intimidation as far as the medic is concerned."

Mr Mahama said the media's role should now go beyond its traditional role of informing, educating and entertaining because it must set agenda for society, defend the rights of the public, serve as watchdogs and provide government with the genuine feeling of ordinary people in the street.

Mrs. Jeanette Quarcoopme, Co-ordinator of the workshop, said it would discuss issues about how best the African journalists would cover conflicts on the continent.

She said they would examine the possibility of establishing a regime that would have the mechanism of supporting African journalists to have access to information which the foreign media sometimes have to the disadvantage of the local media.

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New Asantehene rides home to cheers from thousands

The rites leading to the coronation of Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11 as Asantehene, were performed at Pampaso, one of the ancient traditional wards within the metropolis of Kumasi. At 10.30 a.m., the Asantehene was driven to Asomfo Street, about one kilometre from Pampaso, where the ceremonial rites were to take place.

He was then carried in a palanquin to Pampaso,amidst drumming and singing of praises. Otumfuo Osei Tutu acknowledged the cheers by meticulous waving of the right hand. People thronged the area and lined the street; some stood at balconies to applaud and catch a glimpse of their new king.

The king, in a beautiful cloth called "adinkra fufuo" (white cloth with traditional motif), followed by the royal guards reached Pampaso and entered the stool house at 1050 hours.

The crowd stood outside as part of the enstoolment rites was performed inside the stool house. Otumfuo Osei Tutu came out of the house some few minutes to 12 noon after the traditional rites had been performed. He came back from the stool house walking, and in the same cloth, to the cheers and admiration of the motley crowd.

From Pampaso, the Asantehene left for the Kumasi Sports Stadium for the final part of the coronation.

Pampaso has since the installation of King Opoku Ware the first in 1732 been the site for very important and special rites which need to be performed for and by an Asantehene-elect towards the completion of his installation.

A powered government delegation, led by Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, chairman of the Council of State, were among the first to greet the new King on behalf of the government and people of Ghana. Alhaji Bawumia said since the nomination of Otumfuo Osei Tutu to "the high office", he has endeared himself to the people of Ashanti and Ghana by his "noble humility and high sense of respect" for the rich traditions and culture of Asanteman.

Alhaji Bawumia said the government and people of Ghana look forward to his long, productive and prosperous reign as Asantehene in Ghana's development in the new millennium. "May the good Lord bless and protect you abundantly", the message added.

The government delegation included Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Minister of State in charge of security, Mr Mike Gizo, Minister of Tourism, Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah, Minister of Lands and Forestry, Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Commander P.M.G. Griffiths, Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, and Nana Adjei Ampofo the second, Omanhene of Goaso and member of the Council of State. Earlier, the delegation greeted Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem the second, Asantehemaa who arrived at the stadium with her retinue at 1.10 pm.

The chiefs and their retinue started arriving at the stadium as early as 10 a.m. after the ceremony at Pampaso. Almost all countries with missions in Ghana were represented at the coronation. Prominent among them were the British High Commissioner and the Dutch Ambassador who sent greetings from their monarchies. A special delegation from Cote d’Ivoire led by Nana Koukou Osei Tuotuo Anougbe III was represented.

Political leaders including Mr John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party and Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention also witnessed the ceremony which was beamed live on Ghana Television.

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Asantehene makes triumphant entry onto the coronation grounds

Kumasi (Ashanti), 27^th April ’99 –

The sun was high but the multitude that had packed themselves into the Kumasi sports stadium were expectant and knew that every drop of sweat they dripped would be rewarded by the spectacle they had come to see.

Finally, they were not disappointed as at about 1600 hours Otumfuo Osei Tutu arrived in his full splendour. The milling crowd rose to its feet, cheering wildly, waving white handkerchiefs, singing appellations and dancing to traditional music.

The Asantehene, dressed in "batakarikese", a talisman-studded war-dress in which the early Asante Kings went to battle, and riding in a palanquin with a bunch of leaves sticking out of his mouth, acknowledged the cheers and waved back with all majesty.

His arrival was heralded by the blowing of "mmenson", while the courtiers,

with blackened faces and led by Baffour Dumfeh Gyeabour the third, Asantehene's Nsumankwaahene (chief priest), clattered executioners' swords and chanted war songs.

After the courtiers was the Gyaase division, which escorted the Asantehene's retinue with all the stool's paraphernalia, amidst the throbbing of "fontonfrom" and atumpan (types of drums) and the booming of guns at the background, all in a splendid and grand display of the rich Asante cultural heritage.

Following at the rear were the royal guards, who epitomised the Asante military formation, as they paraded locally made guns with which the Asante kingdom fought its wars of conquest and expansion.

When the Asantehene got to the dais where the government delegation and dignitaries sat, he stopped for about 10 minutes and allowed the leader of the delegation, Ministers of State, officers of the security agencies, and Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive who also contested for the nomination to ascend the Golden Stool, to greet him.

He continued to greet the chiefs, including Nana Osei Bonsu the second, Mamponghene and "Nwisiaahene" who had been seated for long hours, awaiting his arrival.

The Asantehene then continued to greet the assembled amanhene(paramount chiefs) of Asanteman.

He then fired three musketry - for the right wing chiefs, the Oyoko clan and the left wing - before he left the stadium in the palanquin amid cheers from the milling crowd.

The convoy of the government delegation had a hectic time leaving the stadium, as most of the dignitaries, who had sat waiting for long periods,

decided to leave even before the Asantehene had left the stadium.

The coronation ceremonies continued late into the night when the Asantehene, will see and sit on the Golden Stool for the first time, and later swear the oath of allegiance to the paramount chiefs, who would in turn swear oath of allegiance to him.

At about 1100 hours on Tuesday, April 27, the Asantehene, clad in a rich white cloth, will sit in state to receive homage and present gifts to the chiefs and other dignitaries.

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Coronation of Asantehene, yes, but business goes on

Kumasi (Ashanti), 27^th April ‘99 - Normal commercial activities went on side by side the coronation of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene in Kumasi on Monday.

While some wore black cloth as demanded by tradition and went to either Pampaso, one of the traditional wards of

Kumasi to view some of the rituals connected with the coronation, or the sports stadium stadium where the coronation was taking place, others dressed in casual attire went about their normal activities.

Traffic flow was very slow especially around Asafo, Amakom, Ahensan and the Fanti New Town as people trooped to the stadium.

The black cloth dominated around those areas while the central business districts of Kejetia, Adum and Nsuase saw people in casual wear going about their business.

Mr Adjei Boafo, a trader at Adum, said he opened his store for normal business because he did not anticipate any looting as it was rumoured during the burial of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second.

Mr Osei Mensah, a trader from Sunyani, said he was in Kumasi to buy merchandise for his store and was not aware of the coronation of the Asantehene.

Mr Kwame Mensah of Amoaful in the Central region, said he followed his chief to Kumasi to witness the coronation "because such an event happens once in a life time".

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Banda gets chief after 26 years

Kabrono-Banda (Brong Ahafo), 27^th April, ’99 -

The Banda traditional area in the Brong-Ahafo region now has a Paramount chief after 26 years of litigation over which of the two royal families at Banda-Ahenkro and Banda-Kabrono had the right to nominate a successor to Nana Kofi Dwuru, who died in 1974.

The new chief is a 30-year-old student of the Ghana Institute of Languages, Mr Emmanuel Yaw Boadu, who was installed about two weeks ago, was outdoored at a colourful durbar at Kabrono on Sunday. His stool name is Nana Sakyame Sen-Apem 11.

The dispute resulted in clashes, which sometimes led to loss of life and destruction of property on both sides.

Last year, the National House of Chiefs, the Supreme Court and the Judicial tribunal of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, ordered the Kralongo royal family of Banda-Ahenkro to hand over the black stool to the Petelli Royal Family of Banda-Kabrono.

All the divisional chiefs except the chief of Banda-Ahenkro, who had earlier sworn the oath of allegiance to the new chief, attended the durbar.

There was heavy police and military presence to ensure security.

Speaking at the durbar, Nana Kofi Sono, Paramount Chief of Sampa traditional area, advised the people to bury the hatchet and work together to enhance the development of the area.

Nana Sakyame Sen-Apem said his immediate task would be to ensure permanent peace among the people of Banda- Kabrono and Banda-Ahenkro.

He thanked the Banda Youth Association for its efforts to resolve the dispute, which he described as ''unnecessary'' and appealed to the people to contribute towards the development of the area.

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Regional ministers discuss Y2K

Bolgatanga (Upper East), 27^th April ’99 -

The five-day 14th regional ministers' conference has opened in Bolgatanga.

Among topics to be discussed is Ghana's preparedness regarding the Y2K Millennium Bug problem, the Youth in Agricultural Development programme, challenges of education in the next millennium and the issue of alien Fulani herdsmen.

The conference is to provide a forum for regional ministers to critically discuss common problems and to work out strategies for the qualitative and quantitative improvement in the lives of the people.

Opening the meeting, Pe Rolland Ayagitam, Chiana Pio and a member of the Council of State, said Regional Co-ordinating Councils have the duty of promoting and monitoring development in the regions, and ensuring the proper implementation of government policies.

They also have the responsibility of ensuring peace and stability to facilitate socio-economic development.

The Chiana Pio noted that much as democracy without development would be of little value, development without the necessary democratic safeguards and institutions would also deny majority of the people their fundamental human rights.

Chiana Pio said: "it is against this background that one views the evolution of new democratic processes alongside the accelerated pace of development in the country as positive".

He stressed the government's commitment to ensure balanced development in all regions to improve the conditions of life in the rural areas as provided under the directive principles of state policy in the constitution.

He cited the reconstruction of the Tamale-Bolgatanga road, extension of electricity from the national grid to all the 110 districts in the country and the provision of other socio-economic infrastructure including pipe-borne water, telephone facilities and health centres as part of the process aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.

The Council of State member said, however, that the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of development, adding that the success of its efforts at improving the living standards of Ghanaians would to a great extent depend on the sustained co-operation of all.

Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, acknowledged that a lot of responsibilities rest on regional ministers, who are expected to come out with results to meet the expectations of the people.

Alhaji Sulemana was optimistic that regional ministers would be "revitalised" and would, at the end of the conference, have new insights and perspectives to confront the problems facing the people.

He said through the government's efforts and the collaboration of the International Fund for Agriculture Development, a number of small-scale dams and dug-outs have been provided to minimise the over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture in the region.

The regional minister said with the anticipated commencement of the second phase of the IFAD project, the region's perennial food shortage would soon become a thing of the past.

GRi.../