The Manhyia incident – chief tells his side of the story.
Minister recommends establishment of diagnostic centre
New labour body will not participate in May Day celebrations
Students body urges government to negotiate with university workers
Wildlife society calls for conservation of birds
87 billion cedis voted for road works
Media asked not to divide society
Ghana to host speakers of West African parliaments
MP wants clarifications on common fund
IGP calls for international co-operation among police administrations
Girls forced to elope into marriage in Nadowli, priest complains
Minister defends demolition exercise but says government not responsible
Municipal authority to reclaim 700 Plots of land
GaDangmes trace their history and call for one king
Book on Ghanaian technology launched
Stool Lands Commission Vows to Kick out Land Guards
Chiefs disassociate themselves from installation of Omanhene
Labour union dispute -TDCL cautions rival unions on May Day celebrations
Ghanaian scientists urged to utilise laser centre
Remove structures that corrupt---Abeasi
Government is committed to donor funded projects, Minister
The Manhyia incident – chief tells his side of the story.
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 30 April ’99 –
The Paramount chief of Goaso, Nana Agyei Ampofo, on Wednesday strongly denied media reports that he assaulted his Queenmother and thereafter wept bitterly at the Manhyia Palace last Monday after being prevented from swearing the oath of allegiance to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.
Describing the reports as "vicious and unfounded", Nana Agyei Ampofo who is also a member of the Council of State, said he would not hesitate to abdicate "if it is proved that I actually committed those culturally sacrilegious acts".
Nana Agyei Ampofo, told a press conference at Sunyani that he would referthe matter to the Media Commission for investigations to establish the veracity of the reports and that he would be prepared to accept the commission's findings.
He said "though I could have gone to the courts to seek redress for the damage the defamatory stories have caused to my reputation, I am channeling my grievances through the Media Commission".
This, he said, is due to his commitment to the practice of responsible journalism and the belief that "the commission has the men of integrity and honesty to ensure fairness and justice".
Nana Agyei Ampofo accused some members of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) of conspiring with the former acting Queenmother of Goaso and head of the Natia fetish, Nana Yaa Akyaa, "to destroy my reputation".
Nana Agyei Ampofo said prior to the day of the incident, he was informed that Nana Akyaa, with the support of a man who contested the stool with him but lost, had hired some thugs to attack him during Otumfuo Osei Tutu's installation.
He said he quickly informed the Ashanti Regional Police Commander about the intended action of the ex-acting Queenmother of Goaso who had been destooled.
Nana Agyei Ampofo said when it was his turn to swear the oath of allegiance, Madam Akyaa alias Yaa Mabere who was sitting among members of the Kumasi Traditional Council, got up and with some people following her, walked towards him.
He stated that though a free-for-all fight broke out between his retinue and followers of Madam Akyaa in spite of attempts by the police to prevent a clash, "I never struck her as the police effectively shielded me from the attackers".
He, however, admitted that "l had to press the jaws of one of the daughters of Madam Akyaa who was trying to remove my sandals by biting my feet.
"I therefore never pounced on any Queenmother neither did I weep when I was prevented from swearing as a result of Madam Akyaa's swearing of the great oath of Ashanti that I cannot swear to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II because I was disrespectful to his predecessor".
Nana Agyei-Ampofo denied that he had on three occasions refused to respond to the late Otumfuo OpokuWare's call in connection with the destoolment of Nana Akyaa.
He recalled an occasion when he refused to respond to the call of the KTC because as a paramount chief it was only the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and the Asanteman Council which have the authority to summon him.
"I believe that it is this refusal and the notion that whenever I sit on the judicial committee of the National House of Chiefs, I reverse the rulings of the KTC which have caused some of its members to conspire against me".
He said Nana Akyaa had earlier tried to prevent him from swearing the oath of allegiance during the burial of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware but was stopped by the Mamponghene who was then acting head of the Asanteman Council.
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Minister recommends establishment of diagnostic centre
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ‘99 –
Dr Moses Adibo, Deputy Minister of Health, on Thursday recommended, as a matter of urgency, a consensus-building process to diagnose autism in the country.
He said autism is extremely difficult to diagnose, because there is a wide spectrum of behaviours that can fall under its diagnosis.
Dr Adibo, who was speaking at the launch of ‘autism awareness month’ in Accra, called for a baseline data to be assembled to inform the nation about the condition. The launch was organised by Autism Research Centre, a non-governmental organisation.
Autism is a severe communication disorder that causes individuals to have difficulty in interpreting language and social behaviour. It affects males four times more frequently than females.
The deputy minister said the diagnosis of autism is primarily based on behavioural observations like the absence of speech, overreaction to change and the pervasive lack of response to other people.
Dr Adibo expressed regret that the Centre for Health Research Statistics in Ghana has not recorded a single case. "It seems most people are not aware of the problem."
He said it is estimated that autism occurs in five to 15 out of 10,000 births, but because of the varying diagnostic definitions, statistics are imprecise.
Dr Joseph Asare, Chief Psychiatrist, said 20 to 25 per cent of autistic children show signs of brain damage, and the first trimester of pregnancy could be a contributory factor.
He called for an intensive education on antenatal care and safe obstetric practices. "Community-based training programmes should be organised for non-mental health workers, families and communities on how to handle autistic children."
Mrs Evelyn Oduro-Wiredu, programme officer of the centre, said the centre would be offering counselling, treatment and management for children with autism disorders.
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New labour body will not participate in May Day celebrations
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ’99 -
Mr Joseph Essiful-Ansah, Interim President of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), said Thursday that the federation will not participate in this year's May Day celebrations at the Independence square.
Mr Essiful-Ansah was speaking to newsmen at Legon in reaction to a warning from the Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) that the movement’s participation could affect the peaceful celebration of the workers.
"We don't want to derail anybody's activities. We have discussed the matter with the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare and we have given him the full assurance that we will not be there", Mr Essiful-Ansah said.
The interim president said the GFL has even warned its members not to wear their "T" shirts anywhere near the Independence square or around Osu in the interest of peace.
The GFL, which was out-doored three days ago as the second national labour organization after the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is currently holding its congress at Legon.
Its mebershi is drawn from the Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Judicial Services Association of Ghana, National Lotto Receivers Union, Textile, Garment and Leather Employees Union and the Ghana Tailors and Dressmakers Association as its members.
It is seen as rival organisation to the TUC which has been the sole labour organisation since independence and comprises 17 national unions.
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Students body urges government to negotiate with university workers
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ’99 -
The out-going President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana, Mr Frank Owusu Ansah, on Thursday called on the government to negotiate with both the senior and junior staff of the universities.
He said any delay in negotiations will produce a higher cost than what it takes to meet the demands of the Tertiary Education Workers Union (TEWU) and the Federation of University Senior Staff Association (FUSSAG).
Mr Owusu Ansah was speaking at a press conference by the SRC on the current situation on current strike action by the two bodies which has brought academic at the universities to a standstill.
He said for two weeks the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) have withdrawn their services, and this has brought lectures to a stop, although students have only two weeks to write their end of semester examinations.
"The SRC of Legon is pre-empting a possible closure if the government and the general public do not give the issue the needed attention."
The in-coming president, Nii Narku Dowuona, called on TEWU and FUSSAG to reconsider their decision and come to a compromise, so as to end the semester.
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Wildlife society calls for conservation of birds
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ’99 –
The Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) on Wednesday called on Ghanaians to help conserve birds since they have been observed to be excellent indicators of the state of the environment.
"Birds provide vital signs of the health of any environment by either remaining or migrating to other lands," Mr Erasmus Owusu, a senior official of GWS said.
Mr Owusu, who is the programmes manager of GWS's "Important Bird Area (IBA) Project", was speaking on "The Community and Bird Conservation" at a day's seminar for media practitioners in Accra.
He said studies have proved that birds have been better researched than any group of animals or plants.
"They promote awareness of the need for conservation, because if the bio-diversity of any area is over-exploited, the birds either migrate or become extinct.
"The presence of the birds over water also helps fishermen to locate fish shoals." Mr Owusu said Ghana, as well as nine other African countries, has been selected for the IBA project to compile and publish a directory of "sites that are critical for birds in Africa".
"In considering these sites, priority is given to areas with species that are at the most immediate risk of extinction."
The GWS started the implementation of the IBA project in July 1994 and by the end of 1997, 60 forest reserves had been surveyed, 40 of which qualify as international area of importance for birds.
He said so far 724 bird species have been identified in the country, and it is believed that more would be identified if the right atmosphere is created for birds.
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87 billion cedis voted for road works
Wa (Upper West), 30th April ‘99 –
The government has earmarked 87 billion cedis as counterpart funding to support donor financed road construction projects this year.
Roads to be given priority are the Wa-Bamboi road, Tamale town road, and roads in the north-east corridor of the Volta region.
Mr Dominic Azumah, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport, made this known at the eighth parliamentary forum at Wa on Wednesday to explain the work of parliament to the people.
Mr Azumah mentioned the European Union (EU), KWS of Germany, OCES of Japan, African Development Bank and ECOWAS fund for Development as donors who have expressed their desire to finance major road construction projects this year.
On the Wa-Bamboi road, Mr Azumah, Member of Parliament for Garu-Tampane in the Upper East region, said the government has met all conditions set by the donors for the projects.
"These conditions are the economic viability of the roads, redesigning of the roads and open competitive bidding of the contracts".
He told the forum that 19 billion cedis have been voted for periodic maintenance of roads in the Upper West region this year while the ECOWAS fund would finance the Tumu-Leo on the Ghana-Burkina Faso Highway.
Mr Bede Ziedeng, Upper West Regional Deputy Minister, said television viewers in the region have been denied GTV transmissions due to a breakdown in Han's power generator and appealed for parliamentary support towards the solution of problem.
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Media asked not to divide society
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ‘99 –
The Ministry of Communications on Thursday expressed concern about the trend of recent debates in the media in respect of the up-coming Ga Traditional Cultural ban on drumming in the metropolis and urged the mass media to exercise extreme circumspection in the conduct of such discussions.
A statement signed by the Minister, Mr John Mahama, said circumspection is necessary in order to prevent some of the "unguarded utterances that are currently whipping up ethnic sentiments around the issue".
The statement noted that some of the contributions of listeners to some radio programmes have been highly inflammatory and disrespectful of the traditions and customary beliefs of the Ga people.
"If care is not exercised in the discussion of such issues, it could lead to breaches of the peace and other unpleasant consequences, which are not in the interest of any of the parties involved."
The statement explained that the state is enjoined by the Directive Principles of State Policy to promote the integration of the people of Ghana and prohibit discrimination and prejudices on grounds of place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, gender or religion, creed or other beliefs.
The Ministry called for a "dispassionate dialogue between concerned religious groups and traditional authorities, which will both uphold freedom of religion and worship and at the same time preserve respect for the traditions and cultural norms not only of the people of Accra, but of all other traditional areas."
The Ga traditional council's annual one-month ban on drumming and dancing goes into force next week, and the council has asked for the co-operation of churches to avoid a recurrence of last year's clash between Lighthouse Church and traditionalists.
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Ghana to host speakers of West African parliaments
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ‘99-
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Justice D. F. Annan, will on Monday, May Three to Wednesday, May Five, host the first conference of speakers of West African parliaments.
A statement issued by the acting clerk of Parliament, Mr K. E. K. Tachie, said the conference will take place at parliament house on Monday May three.
The conference is under the theme, "ECOWAS- The Parliamentary Dimension". It is aimed at strengthening parliamentary democracy and fostering inter-regional and sub-regional co-operation between member countries.
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MP wants clarifications on common fund
Juaso (Ashanti Region) 30 April ’99
Mr Alex Kwaku Korankye, Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante-Akim South, has appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to come out clearly on the allocation of MP's share of the district assemblies common fund.
Some assemblies are thwarting the efforts of MPs by misinterpreting the guidelines on the share of the common fund and politicising the allocation to MPs in opposition parties to make them unpopular, he said.
Addressing the Asante-Akim South District Assembly at Juaso, Mr Korankye said the assembly requested him to submit projects he wanted to embark upon in the communities for approval before his share of the fund would be allocated to him.
The MP said the ministry should also come out to specify projects that fall within the traditional functions of the assembly and those that fall within the domain of MPs.
He said he submitted a list of items to be purchased on a pro-forma invoice about two months ago to the District Finance Officer and the District Chief Executive for approval.
The administration felt 800 bags of cement, 12 packets of galvanised roofing sheets, 100 dual desks and a cash of four million cedis he was demanding from his share of the common fund were rather within the traditional functions of the assembly, he told the Assembly.
Mr Korankye said he was not happy about the way he was being treated by the assembly since he is not the only MP benefiting from the fund and views the action of the assembly as a sabotage.
Mr Korankye said he has complained to the Regional Minister, Mr Kojo Yankah, who asked him to submit a memorandum which he did.
There was nothing like transparency in the distribution of the Poverty Alleviation Fund and the education on it was not adequate in the rural communities, he stated.
Mr James Boadi-Danquah, the District Chief Executive, appealed to the assembly to investigate the allegations made by the MP against him.
The allegations are not only false but politically motivated and calculated to bring his name and that of the assembly into disrepute, he said.
He said he has no bad intentions against the MP whom he described as a friend and that he was only going by guidelines on the release of the common fund.
Mr Boadi-Danquah said the assembly has disbursed 46.5 million cedis to 24 groups under the poverty alleviation programme and that it was fairly distributed throughout the 11 area/town councils in the district.
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IGP calls for international co-operation among police administrations
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April 99 –
Mr Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Wednesday called for international co-operation between police administrations in the world to stem the tide of cross-border crimes.
He said, with the advancement in science and technology, crime is assuming a more terrifying dimension and a collaborative effort of police forces of the world is needed to combat it.
Mr Nanfuri was speaking at the opening of a special training course being organised by the United States International Criminal Training Assistance Programme (ICITAP) for officers and men of the Ghana Police Service in Accra
The 15-week training programme, which would involve 275 officers and men, is under an agreement between Ghana and the United States governments.
It is designed, among other things, to improve their capabilities in controlling civil disturbances and effectively deal with organisers of demonstrations and cross-border crimes.
The IGP urged the participants to take the programme seriously and to bring the knowledge and experience they would gain to bear on their work.
He said the technical assistance component of the ICITAP agreement would provide basic teaching materials to improve the training programmes of the service.
Mr Nanfuri said the ICITAP will donate helmets, riot shields, batons, bullhorns, first aid kits and cameras worth about 50,000 dollars during the programme to Ghana.
Mr George Coxey, leader of the resource persons, said the agreement is the beginning of a relationship between the two police organisations adding that they were ready to learn from the experiences of their Ghanaian counterparts.
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Girls forced to elope into marriage in Nadowli, priest complains
Issa (Upper West), 30th April ‘99 –
Despite educational programmes on the abuse of human rights and outmoded customary practices, more people have resorted to marriage by elopement at Issa in the Nadowli district and surrounding areas.
The victims are mostly school girls of between 13 and 18 years who are forcibly removed from school and dragged to their husbands whom they sometimes do not know.
Two Catholic priests and some organisations who have tried to stop the practice have been warned to either stay out of the matter or face the wrath of the communities involved.
Mr Mathias Nadari, an elder of the village, in an interview said such people often refuse to follow the laid down customary marriage procedures and connive with some family members to elope with the girls.
He said in most cases, parents who try to rescue their children during elopement are brutally assaulted and disgraced in public.
Mr Nadari, who is also a unit committee member of the village, attributed this anomaly to the lack of a traditional chief in the area over the past 14 years. He said the area has been rife with chieftaincy disputes and litigation since the death of the former chief in 1985.
Confirming the story, the Reverend Father Francis Vog-Enga, parish priest of the Issa Catholic church, said the situation has crippled formal education in the area.
Fr Vog-Enga said even though there is a youth leadership training institute in the village, none of the students is from the area."Sometimes these people entice the young girls with money and some
few bottles of alcoholic drinks."
The parish priest said he would use his pulpit to fight against the practice until it is completely wiped out to pave the way for educational development in the area.
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Minister defends demolition exercise but says government not responsible
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ’99 -
Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that government is responsible for the current demolition exercise being carried out by the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) in some parts of Accra.
Answering questions from reporters at the Castle during a post-cabinet briefing, the minister said it is AMA which is enforcing its bye-laws "and this has nothing to do with the government".
Mr Mahama said, however, that the demolition "of course needs to be co-ordinated and must have a human face".
He said the exercise needed public support, adding: "we support AMA to do what is right. People should not brazenly build on access roads and on drains."
Mr Steve Akorli, a deputy minister of Roads and Highways, said when access roads are blocked, very little can be done when there is fire adding that structures built on access roads must be demolished for law and order to prevail.
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Municipal authority to reclaim 700 Plots of land
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ‘99 –
Mr Samuel Adokwei Addo, Accra Metropolitan (AMA) Chief Executive, on Wednesday said over 700 plots of land belonging to the assembly have been encroached upon and that efforts would
be made to reclaim them.
He said the plots, which include sites for markets, recreational centres and schools, are seriously being encroached upon because AMA has not properly acquired them.
"The proper acquisition of these lands will, however, stop these encroachers to enable AMA to use them for their purposes," Mr Adokwei Addo told the assembly's general sessional meeting in Accra.
He said work on the relocation of the 37 Military Hospital Lorry Station, James Town slaughter house and waste management within the metropolis is in progress and will be completed by the end of the year.
The Development Planning Sub-Committee of the AMA has also identified 15 key areas for the development of Accra.
They include environmental sanitation and public health, waste management, tourism and recreation, education at the primary and junior secondary school levels and institutional and capacity building.
The AMA boss said efforts are being made to implement a credit fund at the shortest possible time to be used as loans for the constituents, adding that a budgetary allocation of 220 million cedis has been made for its implementation.
A report on the implementation of the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP) said the government, with assistance from the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development and OPEC Fund, will undertake comprehensive dredging of the lagoon with effect from First June.
It said an ad hoc committee to examine and execute the processes to get rid of human settlements and illegal structures to give way for the smooth commencement of work at the site.
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GaDangmes trace their history and call for one king
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ‘99 –
Nii Amarh Josiah-Aryeh, an Accra-based legal practitioner, on Wednesday proposed the installation of a "common king" for GaDangmes.
This, he said, would reduce the incidence of chieftaincy and land disputes and lead to progress in the area. He said the example of the Asantes and the Zulus of South Africa is proof that "for any race to progress, it must have a common king."
Mr Josiah-Aryeh made the proposal at the second of a series of four lectures organised by the GaDangme Society, a non-political, non-governmental and non-religious institution dedicated to strengthening unity and development in the area. His topic was on the GaDangme concept of God.
The lecture is aimed at creating awareness on the need for GaDangmes to consolidate their efforts and resources to alleviate poverty and enhance their progress.
Mr Josiah-Aryeh said GaDangmes have a rich heritage in terms of culture and resources.
However, due to urbanisation, the area has been demarcated under several paramount chiefs, all of whom claim authority over plots of lands, which they sell or lease out to aliens for their selfish interest.
"This situation accounts for the many land and chieftaincy disputes, and denies the true GaDangmes access to land in their own communities, with its resultant poverty among our own people.
"The only way for us to reduce the disputes, poverty, and have a steady progress is to install a common king in the like of the Ashanti and Zulu kings."
Mr Josiah-Aryeh said that GaDangme worship is not fetish, adding that the GaDangme Wulomo (traditional chief priest) does not get possessed like the Woyeei (festish priestesses) does.
He explained that as far as GaDangme religion is concerned, it is "alien or fake" to get possessed.
Nene Tetteh Odorkor Tuumeh I, Swapolor of Yilo Krobo Traditional area who chaired the function, congratulated Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on his successful enthronement.
He pledged the support of the GaDangme chiefs and people for the new Asantehene.
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Book on Ghanaian technology launched
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th April ’99 -
A book entitled "Appropriate Technology Products of Ghana" which aims at providing documentation on locally fabricated products to enhance industrialisation and sensitise researchers to endeavour to upgrade their traditional technologies was launched in Accra on Thursday.
The book, published by the Development and Application of Intermediate Technology [DAPIT] secretariat, aims at offering promotional or marketing avenues for small-scale manufacturers who find it difficult to sell their products.
Alhaji Dr Farouk Brimah, deputy minister of MEST, said there are benefits to be derived from utilising products listed in the book for small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs in the rural setting.
He said the book will help to motivate people interested in rural industrialisation to start small-scale businesses and that science and technology have a crucial role to play in the attainment of the goals of Vision 2020.
"We are in an information age, where no one can doubt its (information) potency as a resource in the development of the individual, organisation or nation."
Mr S. K. Dotse, acting executive secretary of DAPIT, said the publication contains information on various types of machines and equipment fabricated by local industries.
He said DAPIT plans to outdoor another edition of the publication by the end of 2000.
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Stool Lands Commission Vows to Kick out Land Guards
Amasaman (Greater Accra) 30 April ’99
The Stool Lands Boundaries Settlement Commission (SLBSC) on Thursday swore to stop the activities of land guards to eradicate violence in land disputes.
Mr Justice J. A. Osei, Commissioner of SLBSC, told a public forum to educate chiefs and land custodians on issues involving the settlement of stool lands boundary cases, while cases are pending before the commission, the disputing parties usually employ land guards to prevent surveyors employed by the commission to draw a preliminary plan of the disputed area from doing their job.
These land guards also threaten people residing on the land.
The disputing factions do that out of the erroneous notion that the preliminary plan is the final evidence for judgement, he said.
This preliminary plan "is only meant for the commission to know the claims and counter-claims of the factions in the dispute and that it is not a conclusive plan.
"This misconception about the preliminary plan accounts for about 50 per cent of the violence and its resultant delay in the settlement of land boundary dispute cases."
Mr Justice Osei said: "The commission has, therefore, taken it as its duty to eradicate this phenomenon of land guards who are even believed to be enriching themselves at the expense of the land custodians, buyers and the commission."
He warned disputing factions to refrain from granting developers portions of a land under dispute before the commission without the permission of the commission.
The commission has, however, added a new feature to its operations to make it possible for a piece of land under dispute to be granted to a neutral investor "provided the land would be used for the national interest."
Mr Justice Osei observed that the current centralised system of the commission's operations is another major cause of delay in the dispensation of justice.
This, he said, promotes long litigation and its attendant disunity and violent confrontations out of impatience on the part of disputing factions, adding: "some cases take even over 20 years to resolve".
He, therefore, suggested that two deputies should be employed to handle cases in the Northern and Southern sectors to assist the substantive commissioner in ensuring quick settlement of cases.
Nii Amasa, chief of Amasaman, noted that the situation where rival chiefs are entooled by different families in a town is another major cause of land boundary disputes in the Ga traditional area.
He, therefore, advised paramount chiefs in the area to ensure that the right heirs are enstooled to reduce the incidence of claims and counter-claims over authority and property.
Mr Jerry Thompson, District Chief Executive for Ga Rural, asked members of the Ga traditional Council to ensure that people are properly trained and well scrutinised before they are enstooled if the dignity of the chieftaincy institution is to be maintained."
The chiefs of Weija, Gbawe, Ayawaso, Asofan, Amomale, Oshuman and Abeman, all in land disputes with one another, took turns to shake hands as a sign of reconciliation and pledged to submit themselves to efforts at finding a lasting solution to the problem.
Nii Kojo Kwame, Mankralo of Weija, demanded compensation for Mr Seth Aryie, who had his seven-bedroom flat worth over 100 million cedis demolished and burnt by thugs from Gbawe in the heat of a dispute last year.
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Chiefs disassociate themselves from installation of Omanhene
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 30 April ’99
Twenty-one people, claiming to be the recognised divisional chiefs of the Banda traditional area in the Brong-Ahafo Region have disassociated themselves from the installation and subsequent outdooring of a new paramount chief for the traditional area.
They described the ceremony as "fake" and illegal and calculated to throw dust into the eyes of the public.
In a statement signed by the secretary to the traditional council, Mr A.Y. Ababio, and the chiefs said, contrary to media reports, only three out of the 24 divisional chiefs actually swore the oath of allegiance to the "so-called" new Omanhene.
The chiefs said they still recognise Osabarima Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito as the only legitimate Omanhene of the traditional area and accused the Petelli Royal Family of Kabrono of "causing confusion and engaging in provocative acts that could cause tension and conflict".
They said their action was unlawful because an injunction was served on the Petelli Royal Family almost one week before the installation which showed disrespect for law and order.
The statement said the Kralongo Royal family of Banda-Ahenkro is contemplating a contempt suit against the Petelli Family in view of the action.
"We the divisional chiefs of the Banda traditional area do not recognise the so-called newly installed and outdoored Omanhene," the statement said, and warned the public not to transact business with the new chief.
It would be recalled that on April 25, a 30-year-old student of the Ghana Institute of Languages, Mr Emmanuel Yaw Boadu, who had been installed as the Banda Omanhene under the stool name Nana Sakyame Sene-Apem II was outdoored at a ceremony at Banda Kabrono.
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Labour union dispute -TDCL cautions rival unions on May Day celebrations
Tema (Greater Accra) 30 April ’99
The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) on Thursday advised the proposed Ghana Federation of Labour against joining the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) in this year's May Day celebrations at the Independence square.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, Mr Wilson Agana, Chairman of the TDCL said that the Federation and its supporters: the Textile, Garments and Leather Employees Union (TEGLEU) must stay away because they have made attempts to divide the front of the TUC.
The TUC wants to celebrate this year's May Day peacefully and advised that to avoid any provocation all rival unions must stay away from the Independence square or any gathering of the TUC in the interest of peace.
Asked whether the decision was not an infringement on the democratic rights of others. Mr Agana answered that democracy and peace go together but where peace is likely to be threatened a good advice must be taken.
This year's May Day, being the last of the century will be celebrated in grand style.
Mr Agana said there would be a regional awards ceremony at the Tema International Trade Centre at Batsonaa, and a dinner dance later at the GBC club house where miss May Day will be crowned.
In another development, the TDCL has called for the removal of armed soldiers from the premises of Atlas Company Limited since the workers "are not at war "with the management of the company.
Mr Agana said it was wrong for the management of the company to bring in armed soldiers in a dispute between the workers and Mr Fred Ekuban, the Administrative Manager.
The armed soldiers were brought in after the dispute had been resolved and a settlement reached that a committee will be set up to go into allegations against Mr Ekuban after the May Day celebration.
Mr Agana said the TDCL believes that issues can be resolved at the negotiation table and would not allow workers to be intimidated with soldiers.
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Ghanaian scientists urged to utilise laser centre
Elmina (Central Region) 30 April ’99
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Professor Y.S. Boafo, has called on the country's scientists to utilise the Laser and Fibre Optics Centre (LAFOC) at the UCC to accelerate the country's technological development.
He said he could foresee a breakthrough in the application of optics and laser technology in the next millennium, and urged the centre to do some more prospecting, to enable the Ghanaians appreciate the good works of scientists.
Prof Boafo, made the call at the closing session of the first West African sub-regional college on "optics education for tertiary teachers and researchers" at Elmina on Thursday.
About 30 researchers and teachers from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroun and Cote d'Ivoire attended the four-day workshop.
It was aimed, among others, at exposing the participants to the activities of LAFOC with the view of encouraging collaboration between the centre and other institutions.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor said he believed that the science optics and laser offers immense opportunities and advantages to mankind.
Laser application in communication, medicine, industry, environment and agriculture should be looked into, he suggested.
Prof Boafo hoped that deliberations at the college would be put to good use and that LOFAC would serve as a resource centre for research work.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the college, the participants, expressed concern about the shortage of manpower and low funding which are hindering optics research, particularly in areas such as computing, electronics and communication.
They complained about the low level of collaboration in optics research among research institutions and between institutions and industries.
The participants said postgraduate training in computing, optometry and electronics should be encouraged to strengthen the manpower needs of the sub-region in general and LOFAC in particular.
They also urged research institutions to seek partnership with industries as a means of identifying demand-driven research areas and funding, and called for a strategic plan that would guide LOFAC in its research and development efforts.
The participants further asked that adequate equipment be provided for the optometry unit of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to enhance the training of more qualified optometrists.
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Remove structures that corrupt---Abeasi
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April ’99
Mr Kwasi Abeasi, Director General of the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF) on Thursday called for institutional and societal reforms to fight corruption.
The canker is a national problem that calls for the concerted effort of the government, civil society and the private sector for its resolution, he said.
At the third in the monthly series of discussions with journalists on corruption, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Mr Abeasi said, "a simple approach for an effective impact against corruption would be to remove the corrupting incentives usually provided by the private sector."
At the same time conditions in the public sector that encourage the public or civil servant to allow themselves to be corrupted need to be minimised or removed.
The fight must start "with an attempt at organisational and attitudinal change of the public service", he said
"Corruption also lowers compliance with construction, environmental or other regulations; it reduces the quality of government services and infrastructure, and increases budgetary pressures on government", Mr Abeasi stated.
"In all aspects of life let us start to make sure that those who perform or work hard are properly rewarded. Sometimes an ordinary commendation for a job well done could be an encouraging reward".
Mr Abeasi called for adequate remuneration for workers and suggested the enactment of a gift policy as it pertains in some countries to help guide officers in what could be acceptable as a gift and what was corruptible bribe.
Corruption could sometimes be more of greed and selfishness than to poverty, he said.
Nana (Dr) S.K.B. Asante, an economic consultant who presided urged the media to intensify their campaign against corruption.
The topic was "Corruption, private enterprise and national development"
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Government is committed to donor funded projects, Minister
Ho (Volta Region) 30 April ’99
Alhaji Amadu Seidu, Deputy Minister for Works and Housing has assured donor agencies that the government is committed to the completion of donor-funded projects in spite of delays in providing counterpart funds.
Inaugurated the Volta and Eastern Regions water supply rehabilitation project at Ho on Thursday, Alhaji Seidu said the government has adopted a number of measures including budget reforms and revenue improvement, to enable it generate the counterpart funds for such projects.
The project is being undertaken by the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and funded by the German Bank for Reconstruction (KFW).
The German government has so far provided 15.5 million Marks .
The project will improve water supply in some district capitals and smaller towns in the Volta and Eastern Regions on completion.
So far 15 towns in the Volta Region and 17 others in the Eastern Region have been earmarked under the first phase of the project.
The Minister said the government has put other measures in place and established the legal framework for the speedy implementation of the projects.
They include the enactment of Act 564, which established the Community Water, and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), which would to be responsible for the implementation of th0e national water supply and sanitation programme.
Mr Christian Nakonz, German Ambassador in Ghana said Ghana and Germany would hold their next round of negotiations under their co-operation agreement in early June this year.
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