The state-own Ghanaian Times reports that all officials asked to proceed on leave by the government are only doing so to facilitate investigations but have not been dismissed.

If they are found not to have engaged in any malfeasance after the investigations, they will be asked to return to post.

President John Agyekum Kufur gave this explanation when a delegation from the Asanteman Council, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, called on him at the Castle, Osu on Friday.

The President pointed out that the officials concerned could not continue to stay in office once allegations of financial impropriety had been made against them in person, or their various establishments implicated. They had to proceed on leave pending the outcome of investigations.

He therefore rejected criticisms from certain quarters that those asked to proceed on leave had been victimised by the government and dismissed.

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Students disrupt UCC congregation

The 31^st Congregation of the University of Cape Coast was temporarily disrupted by a demonstration by some continuing students of the university.

The placard-bearing demonstrators led by the National President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Mr Frank Annor-Dompreh, interrupted the programme to present a petition to the Minister of Education, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, for President John Agykum Kufuor to do something about their grading system.

The demonstrators chanted war songs, and while some carried placards such as “80 per cent is a killer”, “Stop 80 per cent, Love Life”, others carried tree branches along.

They entered the congregation grounds just as members of the University Council and the Minister of Education, the Central Regional Minister and some dignitaries took their seats.

President Kufuor later in an address read on his behalf, urged the Universities to design their programmes in such a way that they would instill in students, good working habits since they would later join the working force.

GRi…/

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The Daily Graphic

Transfer of huge sums of money to foreign consultant - Ex-Ministers, others help Police

The state-own Daily Graphic says the police have requested two former ministers and some officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance to assist in investigations into the transfer of huge sums of money to a foreign consultant.

The affected ministers are Mr Victor Selormey, for Deputy Minister of Finance, and Mr Dan Abodakpi, former Minister of Trade and Industry.

The officials are Mr Haizel of the Ministry of Trade, now on terminal leave; Ms Eva Mends of the USAID Desk, Ministry of Finance; and Mrs Agnes Datsa, Head of Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Finance.

A statement signed by the Director of Police Public Relations, Mr Richard Baduweh and issued in Accra said the investigations are in connection with the Court Computerisation Study, which involves a contract sum of $899,000 and the Science Technology Valley Study for which payments totalling $400,000 have so far been made.

The Science and Technology Valley Study is meant to promote public and private sector partnership for technology growth in the country.

Mr Selormey, according to the statement, is further required to help unravel the mystery surrounding the allocation of $2 million from the Chinese Exim to a non-existent company.

It requested Mr Selormey, who is said to be out of the country at the moment, to report to the CID Headquarters or the Police Information Room as soon as he returns.

Mr Abodakpi, according to the statement has already been contacted and is helping the Police in their investigations.

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Mallam Isa relieved of position in PNC

The National Standing Committee of the People’s National Convention (PNC) has relieved Mallam Ali Yusuf Isa, former Minister of Youth and Sports, of his position as acting National Chairman of the party for vacating his post.

The Committee, the highest body of the party, explained that “the acceptance of an appointment by Mallam Isa in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government amounted to vacation of his post as the acting National Chairman.

Col. David Gbong Zanelerigu (rtd), the first Vice-National Chairman of the PNC, is, therefore, to take over from Mallam Isa pending the election of a substantive chairman at the party’s congress.

These were contained in a statement issued and signed by Dr Somtim Tobiga, Spokesman of the party, after the party’s National Standing Committee meeting held at Bolgatanga at the weekend.

The party says even though it has not brokered an alliance with the NPP and does not object to individual members accepting an NPP's appointment those who do so only act in their individual capacities.

GRi…/

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The Daily Guide

Speaker quells Minority revolt

The Speaker of Parliament Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, last Friday quelled an attempted insurrection from the Minority by exhibiting his knowledge of the standing orders in support of his ruling, says the Daily Guide, a private-owned paper.

Mr Ala Adjetey's ruling on the motion on the National Reconstruction Levy Bill had been challenged by the Minority, who demanded a headcount.

After a heated debate on the bill, the Speaker put the question asking those in support of the Bill to say "aye", which the Majority did.

When he said those against should say "Nay", the Minority shouted 'Nay'! He then ruled that the "aye" had the vote.

However, the Minority challenged the ruling and called for a head-count.

The Speaker then said that those in support of his decision that the "yes" have the vote should stand on their feet to be counted but this declaration of "my decision" attracted shouts of "you are biased" and murmurs from the Minority.

The Speaker then quickly referred the House and the shouting Minority to Standing Order 113(3), which reads "in case of a head count, Mr Speaker shall take votes of the House by calling upon members who support or oppose his decision successively to rise in their place" stressing on "my decision", and asking why the murmurs and shouts.

At the start of the count, many members of the Majority side rushed in from outside the chamber to be counted but this was however, challenged by the Minority.

Again, the Speaker with authority, referred the House to Standing Order 113(4), which reads, "a member may vote in a division even if he did not hear the question put", and there was dead silence from the Minority.

The Majority, in the ensuing count, pulled 94 votes as against 82 by the Minority.

GRi…/

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The Ghanaian Chronicle

BNI probes deals at Sports Ministry

The offices of the embattled Youth and Sports Ministry have been buzzing with frenetic activity over the past one week with officers of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) scrimmaging through piles of documents to uncover acts of malfeasance and corruption, writes the private-owned Ghanaian Chronicle.

Employees of the Ministry reportedly are cooperating fully with the agency in their work to discover the missing piece in the enfolding jigsaw puzzle.

"It is as if the Ministry is under siege," a Ministry insider complained to the paper.

The BNI are hell-bent on unraveling the mystery surrounding the disbursement of several billions of taxpayers' money blown in dubious contracts characterized by malfeasance and conflict of interest.

The investigations are in response to an undertaking by Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama to investigate malfeasance at the Youth and Sports Ministry.

The Veep, who assumed oversight responsibility for the Ministry after the ouster of Malam Yusuf Issa, has issued a directive to the security agencies to work with dispatch on their investigations in order to finally resolve the matter, Chronicle learnt.

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Soldiers attack Police station

Seventeen soldiers from the 48 Engineers Regiment, wielding clubs and belts with metal hooks, last week Sunday went on a bloody rampage at the Osu Police station and charged on the police personnel on duty, leaving some policemen and women and other innocent civilians with various degrees of injury.

Some of the officers had their heads cracked with clubs and metal hooks while others suffered fractures in the arm.

The most serious injury was suffered by Lance Corporal Mary Damoah, whose head was crushed with a club. Corporal Joseph Aboagye also suffered fractures on his left hand while Emmanuel Kojo Anim, a suspect in detention, had to be rushed to hospital.

When police personnel on duty could not stand the beatings and the sight of blood gushing out like water, the Station Ordinance (SO), Rejoice Noil managed to sneak out of the danger spot to blow a whistle to alert their colleagues at the barracks and summon them for assistance. Sensing danger, the hasty-footed soldiers scattered and fled.

According to police personnel on duty that day, the rampage was ignited by the detention of two soldiers from the 48 Engineers Regiment namely, Lance Corporal Fiatekpe and SPR Daniel Deku for assaulting a police woman and misconducting themselves at the police station.

GRi…/

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NPP News

Pay rise for soldiers

The NPP News, ruling party’s mouthpiece reports that in fulfillment of its campaign promise, the NPP Government has increased the daily allowance for Ghanaian troops on peace-keeping abroad from 16 to 20 dollars with immediate effect.

According to the Minister of Defence, Hon Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, the upward adjustment was in fulfillment of the government's pledge to review the UN allowances for Ghanaian soldiers.

The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama also announced at the 53^rd Anniversary of the 28^th February crossroad shooting incident last month that the government would review the peace-keeping allowances for troops serving on the UN Mission would be increased.

It is recalled that during the campaign towards 2000 elections, there was an NDC propaganda that the NPP was going to abolish peacekeeping when it comes to power.

This move by the NPP government did not only debunked that dirty propaganda of the NDC but also showed the concern of the NPP towards the gallant soldiers of the country unlike the NDC which mortgaged the troops allowance to purchase the controversial presidential jet.

The Youth Wing of the NPP is reported to have congratulated the President for the bold decision.

GRi…/

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Free Press

How to combat procurement fraud

The private bi-weekly, Free Press, reports that the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) has advised the government to ensure that all procurement departments in the public sector are manned by professionals to help minimize corruption, often associated with the government sector.

At a press conference in Accra last Tuesday, the Acting President of the Association, Mr. S. Ando-Kwofie said in many government departments, procurement invoices are either under or over valued resulting in huge losses to the nation with the few individuals benefiting from "this white colour crime".

To combat this practice, Mr. Andoh-Kwofie noted that it was only procurement officers who were members of the Institute that could be sanctioned and not those who were appointed procurement officers for one reason or the other.

He cited as example recent reports of the Auditor General the Serious Fraud Office on the operations of some Ministries, Departments and other Agencies of the Central Government and District Assemblies as revealing a catalogue of procurement malpractices, which, to him, must not be allowed to continue in this era of positive change.

GRi…/

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The Ghanaian Voice

NPP on course

The Ghanaian Voice, an independent bi-weekly says fast thinking by the NPP seems to be doing the government a lot of good and forestalling what could otherwise have been constitutional embarrassments for them. Having been in political wilderness for the greater part of 28 years might have roughened their political edges somewhat, which accounts for their lack of experience in governance.

Coupled with the euphoria of having won the last elections, the government seems to lack the cohesion in pooling ideas in taking decisions mandated by the 1992 constitution. Agreeably, certain appointments are supposed to have been made by the President in consultation with the Council of State. The Council is yet to be in place though certain appointments it is supposed to be consulted on have been made.

This is to be expected from a party that seems to have seen its electoral victory too true to believe. This is also where the danger lies as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) awaits any slip to take the government on. Being too eager to trumpet the shortcomings of the NPP, the NDC advertised their intention to seek redress in the law courts but no sooner had they gone to court to prevail on the NPP to name a cabinet than the government released the list of cabinet, thus effectively shutting the door to any legal tussle in that regard.

"That is fast thinking and a plus for the NPP," the paper said.

GRi…/

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The Dispatch

Court to decide on Jerry contesting 2004

The Dispatch, an independent bi-weekly carries that one of the greatest tasks facing the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as it tries to re-organise, is the role of the former President, Jerry John Kwashie Rawlings. As per the 2000 NDC National Executive Congress, Rawlings will be considered as the Life Patron and Leader of the party.

There are however some members of the NDC who want to take the issue of whether the former President can contest the 2004 Presidential elections to the Supreme Court for a decision.

Art. 66(2) of the Constitution states: "A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms."

Art. 66(1), "A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President."

The intended court action is to enable the Supreme Court interpret whether Art. 66(2) means the "two terms" refers to a lifetime ban or to not more than two consecutive terms in office.

Many constitutional lawyers the paper spoke to feel strongly that Art 66(2) interprets that it is a lifetime ban on J. J. not to ever contest the Ghanaian Presidency again.

Explaining their decision, a member of the group that intends to go to the Supreme Court said, "we would want a clearer interpretation of Art. 66(2), so that it eliminates a potential distraction as we try and re-build the NDC."

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The Accra Mail

No more coups in Ghana?

The Accra Mail, a private bi-weekly writes that Ghanaians after Election 2000 generally agree that there is some air of freedom pervading the country, the kind associated with advanced and stable democracies. People no longer harbour any fear that some uniformed men could descend on them at dawn and march them to the Castle for "identification haircuts" and the like.

Another aspect of this newfound freedom, it said, is the ease with which military personnel interact with their civilian compatriots at academic round table discussions and other forums in the interest of the nation.

It was at one such function that a serving military officer won the toast of participants when he disclosed that the general trend in the Ghana Armed Forces was anti coup. The elation was visible when Naval Captain Quarshie who is the Deputy Commandant of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College announced to the audience who had assembled to discuss security that the coup mentality is now dead in the military. The same trend he said is prevailing in Ghana's giant neighbour, Nigeria.

"Soldiers now believe in changing governments through the power of the thumb. When we are dissatisfied with your rule, we vote you out when it is time for elections after four years."

GRi…/

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The Ghanaian Democrats

NDC functionaries burgled

At least three top functionaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are known to have been burgled within last week at their various places of residence in Accra, according the party's bi-weekly mouthpiece, The Ghanaian Democrat.

Mr Isaac Adjei Mensah, the former Minister for Works and Housing, now Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Techiman North played host to some hoodlums who broke into his official residence at Ridge late in the night last Monday and carried away some money, personal effects and a mobile phone.

The former deputy Minister of Defence, Dr. Tony Aidoo took his turn the following night when some uninvited guests broke into his residence at Sampa Villa near the Weija police barrier.

The hoodlums broke into his car and removed the cassette radio and then entered the boy’s quarters which they vandalised, having gained access into the building through the window and damaging the mosquito net in the process.

They then left a bunch of keys at the boys' quarters and fled.

The third NDC victim to suffer at the hands of burglars last week was Alhaji Issahaku Salia, the MP for Wa East whose residence at Manitvilla was also raided by unknown hoodlums.

He also lost some unspecified amount of money and personal effects to the night marauders.

It would be recalled that early this year some thieves broke into the office of the National Treasurer of the NDC, Dr. Sydney Laryea, and carried away a whole safe containing some money.

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Public Agenda

Asante-Akim South girls awarded scholarship

The independent paper, Public Agenda, reports that the Asante-Akim South District Assembly and the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) under a joint initiative to promote girls' education has awarded scholarship to 332 girls in both first and second-cycle schools in the area. Twenty-six of the scholarship beneficiaries are in senior secondary schools (SSS) and receive 500,000 cedis each academic year.

The remaining 306, who are at the basic level are provided with books, mathematical sets and uniforms as well as full payment of both their school fees and printing fees.

Francis Owusu-Ansah, Deputy District Co-ordinating Director, announced this at a review workshop on girls' education at Juaso.

Educationists, representatives of religious bodies, parents, professional bodies, heads of department, pupils and students attended the workshop aimed at finding effective solutions to problems affecting the promotion of education among girls in the district. Owusu-Ansah, who is also the Desk Officer for Girls' Education Programme in the area, outlined a wide range of activities to sensitise the people on the importance of education particularly that of females.

GRi.../

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