Investigations are in order - Akufo-Addo
Ship with tourists docks at Takoradi harbour
Government to provide more resources for poverty alleviation
Rainstorm renders 617 people homeless
Nduom is not CPP representative
in government - Dowuona
Agyei nominated as
Goasomanhene
Fanteakwa
again fails to elect Presiding Member
80-million cedis tomato
factory commissioned
Government will focus on
sustainable management of natural resources
Prepare
to make greater sacrifices - Dr. Obed Asamoah
Ghanaians
urged to appreciate the role of the Minority
Water shortage hit
Bomaa-Asukese
Northern Easter School
opens at Wa
Minister calls for
re-planning of land usage
Make donor support beneficial to people, health workers told
Okyenhene calls on Government to promote individual initiative
Good Friday, Easter Monday declared statutory holidays
Oyoko (Ashanti Region)
09 April 2001
Dr. Obed Asamoah,
Chairman of the NDC's National Re-organisation Committee, at the weekend
cautioned against discussing the issue of who becomes the party's presidential
candidate for the 2004
general elections now to avoid any division within its ranks.
He said the party's
focus at present should rather be on how to re-organise and get all structures
of the party functional.
"We do not start
re-organisation by putting forward issues that are divisive," Dr Asamoah
told representatives of the various constituencies and organs of the National
Democratic Congress in Ashanti at a meeting at Oyoko in the Sekyere East
District on Sunday.
It formed part of the
nation-wide tour by the committee to identify the cause of the NDC's election
defeat in the December polls, strengthen its structures on the ground and
fashion out strategies for the future.
Dr Asamoah repeated
that politics is about numbers and for that matter as the party strives to
reach out to those outside it, everything should be done to "hold on to
those we have".
This, he observed,
could be achieved by shelving issues that could potentially divide members of
the party and put off others wishing to join hands with them.
He told the rank and
file not to allow the party to be "hijacked by opportunists" but
insist that the NDC at all levels is led by dedicated and sincere people.
Dr Asamoah was hopeful
that, by doing away with in-fighting and arrogance, the NDC stood a better
chance of re-capturing power in the next elections.
Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama,
a member of the committee, told members of the party to go back to reconcile
their differences and criticised the situation where some of them go behind
their own elected executives.
He noted that
"suspicion is the poison of friendship" and called for strict
enforcement of discipline in the party.
Dr Tony Aidoo, a
leading member of the NDC, bemoaned the lack of unity, trust and love within
the party, saying this was unhealthy.
Earlier, in a welcoming
address, Mr Nti Fordjour, the Ashanti Regional Vice-chairman, asked the members
to remain steadfast, dedicated and make the necessary sacrifices to help win
back power in 2004.
GRi../
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 April 2001
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said on Monday that the government’s policies are on course and investigations into suspected malpractice and misappropriation in public institutions would not divert its attention.
In an interview with the GNA in Accra, Nana Akufo-Addo said the investigations are in order and do not amount to witch-hunting.
They would enable the new ministers to acquaint themselves with how the ministries, departments and agencies were run so as to determine the best way forward, he said.
"It will allow the ministers to establish mechanisms that will enable Ghanaians to appreciate good governance".
The Attorney General said there had been several allegations in the past three years of mismanagement of the water sector, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and other sectors, which must be investigated.
"We cannot just brush them off and continue with work. The truth must be established so that we can win the trust of the people for us to carry out the mandate given us.
"This is not witch-hunting and so far there has not been any arbitrary arrests, shaving of hair or any such actions contrary to the law, to suggest that government has gone out of the way to get people into trouble".
Nana Akufo-Addo said the investigations have two aims. First, they are to satisfy both the government and Ghanaians that the nation's resources are properly accounted for.
Second, they are to enable the new government to fashion out better mechanisms to ensure that waste of resources is not repeated.
"The people of this country are entitled to know the truth and we are determined to get to the bottom of all allegations."
He said some officials of the previous government are clearly nervous about the whole exercise but gave the assurance that the investigations would be done according to the due processes of the law.
Nana Akufo-Addo said officials being investigated should not be ashamed if they have nothing to hide.
He said the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have their roles to play but for now, the investigations would be done on the executive level.
The two anti-corruption institutions would intervene when investigations assume certain dimensions, he said.
Commenting on the repeal of the criminal libel law, Nana Akufo-Addo said the present government does not believe that the move would lead to abuse in the media circles.
He said in the recent past, the media, especially the private media, have been very responsible. In any case, he said, "we do not believe that freedom of speech, of views should be criminalised."
"We do not believe that people should go to jail for expressing their views."
The minister said a free hand for the media would ensure that the government is more open and transparent.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 09 April 2001
Crystal Symphony, a six-star cruise vessel with 500 tourists from mainly the United States and Europe and 545 crew, arrived at the Takoradi Port on Monday for a day's
visit.
Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, and Captain Rieduif Maalen, who is in charge of the ship shook hands after it berthed.
Officials of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Ghana Tourist Board and the Immigration Service, were also on hand to welcome the tourists and the crew.
Later, Mr. John Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, was taken round the ship by Captain Maalen.
Mr. Kwame Ansong, Projects Co-ordinator of Sunseekers Tours Limited, local agents of the ship, said the ship, with 950 guestrooms, would call at the Takoradi Port again in November.
The last port of call of the ship, which made its first visit to Takoradi in April, last year, was Namibia in Southern Africa.
Some of the tourist visited places of interest in and outside the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
The ship will later sail to The Gambia and Senegal.
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Sankana (Upper West) 09 April 2001
The government will allocate substantial resources to enhance the development of tourist attractions, markets, dug-outs and dams as a way of alleviating poverty in the rural areas.
It will also step up public education on the use of such projects to ensure optimum benefit to the people, Mr. Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister said when he addressed the chiefs and people of Sankana Traditional Area during their annual "Kalibi" festival celebration on Saturday.
Kalibi festival is celebrated to commemorate the 1896 great war between the people of Sankana and notorious slave traders, led by Sameri Touri and Babattu.
Mr. Mogtari urged the people to take steps to minimise the threat of HIV/AIDS by embracing the campaign against its spread.
He said HIV/AIDS has assumed an alarming proportion, which needs a concerted effort by chiefs, parents, teachers and civil society to educate the people on its devastating effect on national development.
He said the government will soon fence the Sankana dam, the largest in the region and solicit funds to undertake irrigation projects to help improve the output of farmers in the area.
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Kadjebi (Volta Region) 09 April 2001
A rainstorm that swept through Kadjebi in the Volta region last Wednesday destroyed a total of 124 houses and the Local Authority Primary "B" School block, rendering 617 people homeless.
Mr Kwadzo Dei, Kadjebi District Officer of the Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who took newsmen round the scene last Thursday, put the estimated cost of damage at 75 million cedis.
He said pupils of the affected school are now attending classes in one of the Junior Secondary School (JSS) classrooms.
Mr Dei said an unidentified 50-year-old trader who was injured when the storm ripped off the roofs of her house has been treated and discharged by the local clinic.
Mr Rashid Bawa, Member of Parliament for Akan, told newsmen after his tour of the affected houses that he had contacted the district forestry office for tree seedlings to be planted by the community to serve as wind breaks.
He expressed concern over the rampant felling of trees by illegal chainsaw operators in the area, and called on the public to help check the practice.
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Nduom is not CPP
representative in government - Dowuona
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 April 2001
Dr Nii Noi Dowuona, General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP) said on Saturday that Dr Kwesi Nduom, Minster of Economic Co-operation and Regional Integration, who is a member of the party, joined the NPP government in his personal capacity.
He said: "Dr Nduom is not a representative of the CPP in the NPP government. Whatever policies or ideologies he promotes are basically out of his own convictions and understanding of the realities of the government he represents."
Dr Dowuona was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra to clarify the role of Dr Nduom, a defeated CPP parliamentary candidate in the last election, in defending the HIPC Initiative of the NPP government.
The CPP has categorically rejected the initiative.
The CPP said HIPC is not the solution to Ghana's debt crisis and suggested instead, a prudent management team to handle the fiscal policies of government.
In contrast, Dr Nduom has defended government's position on HIPC and the advantages that the country would derive from the initiative.
Dr Dowuona said: "although the party is against the initiative, if an individual member of the party believes in its sustainability and is promoting it, that is his own idea."
He said the party's support for Mr John Agyekum Kufuor during the presidential run-off should not be misconstrued as a political alliance. "We are a dully registered political entity who may agree or disagree with the NPP government on issues."
He said the party is supreme and above individual members, "so if Dr Nduom ever stands on the political platform of the party he will have no choice but to promote and defend the party's manifesto and programmes beyond any personal considerations."
Dr Dowuona said the party's central committee, the highest decision making body, did not receive any formal letter from the government concerning Dr Nduom's appointment.
Dr Nduom says he is still a committed member of the CPP and that his position in the NPP government is one of national service, "one in which I feel my services and expertise are required and therefore could not refuse".
"I am still a fully committed member of the CPP party," he said and has stated his intention to contest the seat he lost. "I will file for the Edina-Eguafo seat today if Dr Ato Quarshie, the NDC candidate for the constituency should decide not to stand again."
Dr Ndoum likened his current position to a coalition government "where different political parties come together to fight a common cause after which they go back to pursue their original party ideas."
He said this trend exists in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Israel, Japan and at one time or the other France, where different political parties have come together to fight a common cause during an election and gone back to pursue their own political ideas thereafter.
He said the concept is new to Ghana but is definitely not a misplaced one.
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Adankrono (Eastern Region) 09 April 2001
Two men mining for diamonds in a long pit at Adankrono near Kade died on Friday as a result of injuries sustained when the pit caved in.
Kofi Konto, 26 and Kwaku Oppong, 35 and two others with them were completely buried under the pit and rescue workers had to rush to their aid.
When they were removed from the pit, Konto and Oppong were in critical conditions and were rushed to the St. Dominics Hospital, Akwatia where they died shortly on arrival.
A number of diamond pits have collapsed in Adankrono area in the past, but this is the first recorded death.
Meanwhile, Konto, father of three and Oppong who has four children were buried at Adankrono over weekend.
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Hawa on empowerment
of women
Wa (Upper West) 09
April 2001
Madam Hawa Yakubu,
Minister of Tourism said at Wa on Sunday that the primary aim of Ghanaian
women's struggle for empowerment was not to replace or dominate men, but to
address issues and concerns affecting them.
She said since there is
no historical precedent of men voluntarily, granting quality status to females
or addressing their concerns, it was only logical that women should take their
destiny into their own hands.
Madam Hawa said,
"male dominance invariably and inevitably perpetuates male advantage and
privileges to the detriment of females".
She was contributing to
the topic, "empowering women in Northern Ghana," at the Northern
Easter School at Wa, in a speech read for her.
The Minister advised
women in positions of decision- making not to behave like men by ignoring
women's issues and concerns.
Mrs. Angelina Mornah
Domakyaareh, Deputy Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative
Justice (CHRAJ) noted that Ghana is basically a tradition-dominated society,
pointing out that "no where in Ghana is the traditional ways of life more
pronounced than in the three Northern regions."
"Traditionalism,
as the history of the world over the ages has shown, always worked to the
detriment of women and in some cases, reduced them to the status of second rate
persons or citizens."
Mrs. Domakyaareh said
one of the means of empowering women in the northern parts of Ghana is the
elimination of all forms of discrimination that have their roots in religion,
traditional values and practices and male chauvinism.
Ghana has done much to
deal with discrimination against women by enshrining in the 1992 constitution
the equality of the sexes, Mrs. Domakyaareh said, adding however, that
constitutional guarantees alone cannot liberate women in the region if no
concrete steps are taken to reduce or eliminate all forms of discrimination
against them.
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Agyei nominated as
Goasomanhene
Goaso (Brong Ahafo) 09 April 2001
Nana Yaa Akyaa, Queenmother of Goaso Traditional Area, has nominated a 56-year-old Kumasi-based druggist, Mr Antwi Agyei for consideration as the Omanhene of the Goaso Traditional Area.
At a meeting of the Boadi Royal Family at Goaso, 11 out of 15 family members, who formed the Electoral College, voted for Mr Agyei while four voted for Nana Kwame Nsiah, another nominee.
Opanin Kwame Afriyie, a spokesman for the Queenmother, said Mr Agyei would be introduced to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in due course.
He said it is the sole responsibility of Nana Akyaa, who is recognised by Otumfuo Osei Tutu as the Queenmother of the area, to nominate a candidate for consideration to occupy the vacant Goaso stool.
Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo abdicated last year.
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Fanteakwa
again fails to elect Presiding Member
Begoro (Eastern Region)
09 April 2001
The Fanteakwa District
Assembly has again failed to elect a Presiding Member as Mr Kwadwo Adjei Addo,
a businessman, polled 27 votes against Mr Christopher Nyumutsu Obier, an
educator, who obtained 22 votes in the 49-member assembly.
A Presiding Member
needs to obtain two-thirds of the votes to be elected. The assembly has
subsequently adjourned indefinitely.
Two weeks ago the
assembly could not elect a Presiding Member following the inability of the
contestants to poll two-thirds of the votes.
In another development,
the Bole District Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Musah Issah, last Thursday urged
new appointees to the Bole District Assembly to avoid apathy and work
assiduously to ensure the socio-economic development of the people.
He was addressing the
assembly during the swearing in of 19 government appointees, comprising five
women and 14 men, to the assembly.
Mr Issah noted that
some government appointees were not always regular at assembly meetings because
they were not answerable to the electorate, and urged the new appointees to
live up to expectation.
Mr. Soko Teye, a Tamale
High Court Judge, swore in the new appointees to the assembly.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 April 2001
Wing Commander Andy Mensah (RTD), Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has resigned his post, sources close to the Authority confirmed on Friday.
The sources said Wg-Cdr Mensah tendered his resignation about nine months ago but was asked to stay on to ensure smooth hand-over.
He is due to take up a new appointment with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, based in Dakar, Senegal.
Captain Joseph Boachie (RTD) Deputy Director-General takes over as the new director-general.
Wg-Cdr Mensah has been on a three-year renewable contract that has spanned the last 12 years. The source said a new GCAA board would be constituted soon.
The GCAA has chalked remarkable successes in the last 10 years under the leadership of Wg-Cdr Mensah who has markedly face-lifted the Kotoka International Airport to become one of the most prestigious destinations in Africa.
Kotoka, currently rated 'A', has rights to the US air space.
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80-million
cedis tomato factory commissioned
Tuobodom (Brong Ahafo)
09 April 2001
An 80-million cedi
tomato processing factory established by the Adventist Relief and Development
Agency (ADRA) was commissioned at Tuobodom in the Techiman district on last
Thursday.
The factory which can
process 15 crates of tomatoes a day would serve as a demonstration plant to
train farmers and entrepreneurs who are interested in tomato processing.
Mr. George Baiden,
Director of ADRA, Ghana, said the project, a join venture between Sustain, an
international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Natural Resource
Institute of United Kingdom (UK) is to help process tomatoes, usually allowed
to go to waste in the area.
Mr. Vincent Djarbeng,
ADRA Agro-forestry officer said the objective of ADRA is to promote
agricultural activities in the country through input credit facilities to
farmers to enhance their business.
Nana Opoku Abankwa II,
Krontihene of the Techiman traditional area who was the special guest of honour
appealed to the farmers to support ADRA and patronise the factory so as to
prevent the project from becoming a white elephant.
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Government will focus on
sustainable management of natural resources
Aworopataa (Brong Ahafo) 09 April 2001
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Land, Forestry and Mines said on Thursday that the government will focus its attention on the exploitation of natural resources as envisaged in the manifesto of the NPP.
The government intends to manage the country's natural resources in a sustainable manner and would encourage educational programmes aimed at creating awareness among the people to avoid activities that lead to environmental degradation, he stated.
Dr. Afriyie said the rate at which the forests are being degraded poses serious consequences to bio-diversity and conservation, he told farmers engaged in food crop and tree growing along the 80-hectare stretch of the Tongya Forest Reserve at Aworopataa in the Techiman District.
He noted that deforestation, inappropriate farming and bushfires are destroying the vegetation cover, including watersheds and medicinal plants.
Dr. Afriyie identified chainsaw operators who engage in illegal logging as the main contributors to deforestation and called on the people, especially, the youth to be actively involved in the programme to check environmental degradation.
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Prepare to make
greater sacrifices - Dr. Obed Asamoah
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo)
09 April 2001
Dr. Obed Asamoah,
Chairman of the National Re-organisation Committee of the National Democratic
Congress (NDC), has asked members to be ready to make greater sacrifices to
enhance its chances of re-capturing power in 2004.
Additionally, he said
members would have to explore new and ingenious ways of looking for resources
from within their localities to undertake activities because financial
assistance from headquarters would not be as forthcoming as it was in the past.
"Those who were
prepared to help us whilst we were in power may not be so generous with us now
that we are in opposition so we must learn to adapt if we are to stay afloat
and re-capture power in four years time".
Dr. Asamoah was
speaking at a "re-organisation" meeting at Sunyani at the weekend,
attended by delegates from the party's branches in the Brong Ahafo region and
leading functionaries.
He said a dispassionate
assessment of the party's performance in the last elections clearly indicates that
lack of greater internal democracy, poor relationship with the private press
and infighting cost it the polls.
"As we begin the
process of re-organisation, therefore, we must make sure that we thoroughly
address all the factors that did us during the December polls to enable us
re-capture power".
Dr. Asamoah urged
members and supporters not to be dispirited by the electoral defeat because
being the strongest party in opposition, the NDC can bounce back to power if it
puts its house in order.
"We can take
inspiration from President Matthew Kerekou of Benin who after losing to
Nicephore Soglo, has come back to win two successive elections", Dr.
Asamoah said.
The 17-member National
Re-organisation Committee was formed to revive the spirit and political fortunes
of the party in the wake of its defeat.
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Ghanaians
urged to appreciate the role of the Minority
Kumasi (Ashanti Region)
09 April 2001
Mr Ibrahim Yakubu,
National Democratic Congress (NDC) secretary for Old Tafo/Suame constituency,
on Saturday called on all peace loving Ghanaians to appreciate the role of the
Minority group in Parliament for keeping the government on its toes.
He stressed that
without such a role the government could initiate certain policies and
programmes that would not augur well for the socio-economic and political
development of the country.
Mr Yakubu, who was
speaking at an executive meeting of the party at Suame zonal area in Kumasi,
said Ghanaians should, therefore, not misconstrue some of the objections the
Minority raises in Parliament as efforts to thwart the government policies and
programmes.
"They are rather
aimed at placing the ruling government on alert," so as to provide the
needs of the people, he said.
Mr Yakubu, who called
on supporters and members to continue to rally solidly behind the NDC, urged
them to refrain from all provocative acts and behaviour that would bring the
name of the party into disrepute.
He said "once a
party is voted into power, it becomes the governing body of the nation and
therefore, all should join hands as one family and give it all the necessary
push to succeed and also protect our young democracy".
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Water shortage hit
Bomaa-Asukese
Bomaa-Asukese (Brong Ahafo) 09 April 2001
The people of Bomaa-Asukese near Tepa, are facing an acute water shortage following breakdown of stand pipes in the town, three years ago.
River Asukese, that has been their source of drinking water, has also dried up and the people travel long distances to fetch water for domestic use.
Mr Peter Amankwaa, a member of the unit committee, told the GNA that those who cannot make the distance, fetch water from contaminated ponds.
Mr Amankwaa appealed to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), to repair the broken down stand pipes to enable them enjoy good drinking water.
He said an electricity transformer sent to the town should be installed without further delay to enable them enjoy power.
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Northern Easter School
opens at Wa
Wa (Upper West) 09 April 2001
This year's Northern Easter School opened on Saturday at Wa with the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, pledging the government's commitment to the promotion of sound policies for global integration of the economy.
About 130 participants of diverse backgrounds, including teachers, workers, chiefs, trade unionists, farmers and pensioners from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Brong Ahafo regions are attending the four-day school which serves as a forum for deliberation of the developmental problems. It is organised annually by the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) of the University of Ghana.
The theme for this year is: "Globalisation and the socio-economic development of Northern Ghana".
Alhaji Mahama said in an address read on his behalf by the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Sahanun Mogtari that Ghana would need to accelerate the pace of integration at all levels to ensure economic progress in the global village.
He said, "facts and figures show that countries with low incomes like Ghana are the least integrated into the world economy and unless we are enabled to integrate fast, we would continue to be marginalised".
Dr. Sule Gariba, a social and political analyst who spoke on "Globalisation; implications for Northern Ghana", expressed grave concern about the high poverty level of Northern Ghana.
He said while the national average of those below the poverty level stands at 43 per cent, that of the north is 77 per cent.
Dr. Gariba said the problems of the north could only get priority attention if it gets a fair representation in the body politic of the country, adding that out of the 19 Cabinet Ministers, only one is a Northerner.
Dr. Gariba said the dire economic situation in the north is one of the reasons that prompted the government to join the HIPC initiative. "How positively or negatively HIPC impacts on the north, will determine its success," he added.
In his report, Professor Kobina Asiedu, Director of IAE said there was a sharp drop in the number of people taking advantage of its courses in the three northern regions as a result of the electioneering campaign last year as would-be participants joined in the campaign trail.
He appealed to district assemblies in the north, to help the institute overcome some of its problems to enhance its activities.
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Minister calls for
re-planning of land usage
Nkenkansu (Ashanti Region) 09 April 2001
Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Mines, Lands and Forestry, has emphasised the need for the re-planning of the country's land usage to enhance sustainability and check degradation of forest resources.
The government is therefore appraising itself of all options to encourage the communities and corporate bodies to get actively engaged in efforts at regenerating depleted forests, he said.
"Heavy doses of community input would be required to check the destruction of the forest through farming, bushfires and illegal timber operations," Dr Afriyie said, when he inspected the Habitat Re-forestation Project in the Afrensu Brohuma forest reserve at Nkenkansu in the Offinso district of Ashanti.
The project was established three years ago by the Habitat Timbers Limited, a timber company and so far, 110 hectares of the destroyed reserve had been re-planted with tree species like mahogany, ofram, cedrella, wawa, papa, mansonia, edinam, koto, emire and teak.
He said the focus of his ministry now is to find workable solutions to problems of unsustainable use of resources and hinted that there would be a drastic cut down on seminars and workshops.
Dr Afriyie praised Habitat Timbers for its initiative particularly, for planting indigenous timber species with long gestation periods.
Mr George Bitar, Farm Manager of the project, who conducted the Minster round said they took the initiative as a way of "giving back what they take away from the forest".
He disclosed that they spend about 40,000 dollars annually on the project, which has provided permanent employment for 20 people.
Mr Bitar told Dr Afriyie that getting the right seeds and in required quantities as well as bushfires are the major problems facing the project.
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Jirapa (Upper West) 09 April 2001
Dr. Richard Anane, Minister of Health has charged health workers in regions, which have received donor support, to ensure that the nation derives maximum benefits from the investments.
"The people demand nothing less than reduced waiting time and prompt attention to critical or emergency cases without up-front payment", he said at the commissioning of rehabilitated and expanded infrastructure at the Nurses and Midwifery Training College at Jirapa.
The expansion of the facilities at the cost of 850,000 dollars, financed by DANIDA, would enable the college to increase its student intake to 120 from 72.
He said with improved facilities, the people would expect better attention when they visit the hospitals and clinics.
The Minister urged health personnel to use resources judiciously so that money saved thereby can be used to improve conditions in other sectors.
Mr. Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister, commended DANIDA for its contribution to the development of community health financing schemes in the region.
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Kyebi (Eastern Region) 09 April 2001
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has advised the government to help remove the notion that the easy way of becoming rich in the country is to get a government appointment.
Such a notion does not promote individual initiative and creativity among the people, Osagyefo Ofori Panin told a group of ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) who called on him at his palace on Sunday after attending a thanksgiving service of the Abuakwa Constituency Branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He observed that the recent situation whereby some people became rich within some few years after their appointment as members of government did not send the correct signals to the youth.
He, therefore, urged the government to stop the current situation where one needs to know somebody in government before he or she wins a contract.
Osagyefo Ofori Panin urged the ministers and MPs to remember the poor in their constituencies when taking decisions to help remove the abject poverty in most rural communities.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 April 2001
Friday, April 13, (Good Friday) and Monday, April 16, (Easter Monday) are statutory public holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country, a statement signed in Accra by Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, Minister of the Interior has said.
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