Victor
Selormey released after overnight detention
NPP's
100 days in power described as phenomenal
Former Auditor General
denies allegation
Government yet to settle
for business - PNC
Foreign Minister to attend
Afro-Arab conference
Speaker of Parliament
attends Commonwealth African Speakers Conference
Rainstorm spoils the fun
for holidaymakers
Techiman Council acts to
halt teenage pregnancies
Activities of some NCCE
staff portrayed it as partisan - DCD
Government's decision on
HIPC is well intentioned - MP
NPP is not anti-Ewe -
Women's Organiser
NDC
Chairman urges members to get involved in development
Right political choices to change Volta Region's destiny
Ghanaians asked to have confidence in Kufuor's administration
Co-ordinating committee on premix fuel dissolved
Couples showing preference for registration of marriages
Victor
Selormey released after overnight detention
Accra (Greater Accra)
17 April 2001
Mr Victor Selormey,
former Deputy Minister of Finance, was released on Monday on bail following his
arrest by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) on Sunday night.
"I have been
released," Mr Selormey told the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview
in Accra. "I am not at home. I will talk to you later," he added.
Reliable sources close
to the BNI told the GNA in a separate interview that Mr Selormey was not
arrested because of the alleged transfer of two million dollars of an Exim Bank
facility to a non-existent company.
"It is a new case
altogether," the source said, but would not give details.
He added that national
security co-ordinators would issue a statement on the case on Tuesday.
The police issued a
statement recently saying Mr Selormey, Mr Dan Abodakpi, former Minister of
Trade and Industry, and some officials of the two ministries were being
investigated for the Exim Bank case and the transfer of money to consultants
for the computerisation of the courts.
The police statement
said Mr Abodakpi had given a statement to the police and were waiting for Mr
Selormey to arrive back home.
Mr. Selormey arrived
from London on Sunday night at about 2000 hours where he had been receiving
medical attention and was taken away by officials of the BNI.
Meanwhile, the Kotoka
International Airport security has denied media reports that Mr Selormey was
arrested when he arrived.
A security source at
the airport explained that the former deputy minister was only met at the VIP
lounge and "politely invited" to the headquarters of the BNI to which
he obliged.
The source said the
invitation was done in "a friendly manner to the extent that the former
deputy minister excused the official to smoke".
He said reports that Mr
Selormey was arrested at the tarmac minutes after arrival were false, adding
that the information might have come from a journalist from an Accra FM station
who reported to security officials that he had come "to cover an
assignment".
The BNI source also
denied allegations that officials of the NDC were at the airport to welcome Mr
Selormey.
The Airport Security
source said Mr Martin Amidu, former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of
Justice, only came in when he tried to find out why Mr Selormey was being
invited to the BNI.
Mr. Amidu has denied
that there was a scuffle.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
NPP's
100 days in power described as phenomenal
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo)
17 April 2001
The first 100 days of
the NPP's administration have been positively eventful, productive and even
phenomenal, given the difficult circumstances under which it assumed power, the
youth wing of the party has said.
"For a government
that has no experience in governance to be able to present a budget, appoint
its full complement of Ministers and Cabinet and keep the machinery of state
running flawlessly within a short time, is phenomenal."
These were contained in
a statement issued on Monday by the Youth Wing of the party and signed by its
Acting National Chairman, Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah in Sunyani, to commemorate the
government's first three months in office.
It said an objective
analysis of its performance proves that the government has performed creditably,
especially given the "precarious nature of the economy it inherited".
"President John A
Kufuor and his team have proved wrong, sceptics who thought that it was going
to plunge the country into chaos because of its lack of experience in
governance".
The statement said the
joining of the HIPC Initiative and increase in fuel prices over the period
under review are nonetheless, some of the head-on initiatives taken by the
government to solve the country's socio-economic problems.
It welcomed the
creation of new ministries of Private Sector Development, Women's Affairs,
Basic Education and Girl-Child Education, describing them as "visionary
and ground-breaking".
"Over the same
period, the President found time to travel to neighbouring countries with the
view to improving relations with them in order to achieve peace and stability
in the sub-region".
"As the government
marks its first 100 days in office, we wish to commend President Kufuor and his
team for their sterling performance and resourcefulness in handling difficult
national issues".
The statement appealed
to Ghanaians to be patient and continue to support the government as it takes
steps to salvage the country's economy.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Former Auditor General
denies allegation
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
The Former Auditor General, Mr Osei Tutu Prempeh on Monday said he was personally surprised that documents, which had long since found their way into the public domain, should be described as classified to warrant his arrest from the Ridge Church on Good Friday.
He denied that documents taken from his home by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) are classified or secret.
Speaking in an interview with the GNA, Mr Prempeh said that he is mandated under the Constitution as an Auditor General to submit reports annually on various government institutions to the speaker of Parliament, who in turn makes it available to the Public Accounts Committee.
The reports included those on Pre- University Education Institutions, District Assemblies and Traditional Councils, Consolidated Fund, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Bank of Ghana and financial institutions.
Others are Public Boards and corporations, statutory organisations and institutions of Higher learning.
Mr Prempeh said copies of those reports are also made available to all the 200 Parliamentarians.
"Once the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament discusses contents, findings and recommendations of the reports they become public documents and portions of it are freely quoted, especially in the media."
"I have always taken personal responsibility to ensure that the classified nature of the documents are protected while in print and that is why all the printing is done in-house under heavy security guard to prevent leak before it gets to the Speaker of Parliament and the Parliamentarians, "he said.
Mr Prempeh, who said he has been asked to proceed on leave, added that his motive for keeping copies of all reports he personally issued since becoming an Auditor General was to enable him to refer to them anytime the need arises.
The Auditor General was arrested on Friday for keeping a number of classified state documents in his house in contravention of official regulations relating to the handling of vital state documents.
A release from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) said thirty-nine pieces of vital state document were retrieved from Mr Prempeh's room during a search.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Government yet to settle
for business - PNC
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
The People's National Convention (PNC) on Monday said the government has not yet settled down for serious national business and governance, 100 days after assumption of office.
"The government has been very slow in taking off for the past 100 days, the President is yet to complete the formation of his government, the Council of State and there is no clear national direction," the party noted.
Mr D. Bin-Kotten Nibi, Chairman of the Publicity Committee, was assessing the performance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in its first 100 days in office in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
He said the government has spent too mach time on what went wrong in the previous government instead of charting a new national direction and focusing on its policies and programmes to redeem the people from hardships.
"This seemingly loss of focus can undo the government as it has given grounds for the 'chasing of ghosts' and all sorts of people trying to take advantage for personal vindictiveness."
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi said indications are that the government cannot deliver on its campaign promises as it has noticed "the vast differences between governmental realities and opposition realities."
The PNC publicity chairmen mentioned some campaign promises that may not be delivered as the introduction of subsidies on agricultural inputs, an all inclusive government, 100 per cent national minimum wage increase and an open and transparent governance.
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi decried the government's overnight shift from a national discussion on the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative to its adoption, contrary to its earlier position and calls from civic society.
He said the government has shown signs of inconsistency in handling national issues and thereby creating the impression that its transparency slogan is a two-edge sword.
On the strengths of the NPP government, Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi noted that they lie in its human resources base as the party is endowed with academicians, technocrats and men of economic experience, which is a pre-requisite for good governance.
However, he said, cohesion of these human resources seems to be a problem for the government and if not managed well could lead to friction and factionalism.
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi commended the government for its intention to reconcile the nation and suggested that the composition of the committee should be a broad-based one to reflect its national character.
He said the scope should extend beyond the PNDC/NDC regime and cover all governments since independence.
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi said as the second largest opposition party in Parliament, after the National Democratic Congress (NDC), PNC members in the house would maintain their identity as such and support national issues that would enhance the living conditions of the average citizen.
"Our MPs are free to support or oppose government policies, notwithstanding, our support for Mr John Agyekum Kufuor during the runoff against NDC's Professor John Evans Atta Mills."
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi said PNC prides itself in helping to strengthen democracy in the country with a historic support that led to the successful change from an elected government to another.
He said that with such an achievement the party would play its role to ensure that the government adheres to the Constitution and would be prepared to defend it at all cost.
Mr Bin-Kotten Nibi said a PNC government within the first 100 days in office would have formed a human-centred government that would place emphasis on the welfare of the governed.
"The government would have focused on national self-reliance through economic empowerment," he said.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Offuman (Brong Ahafo)
17 April 2001
More than 100 people at
Offuman in the Techiman District in the Brong Ahafo Region have been rendered
homeless following a severe rainstorm that hit the town.
Several buildings
including the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Primary School and the Church of
Pentecost had their roofs ripped off.
Mr Ofosu Boamah,
Assembly Member for the area, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that personal
properties, including clothing and cash, were also destroyed.
There were no
casualties, he said, but the damage is estimated at more than 15 million cedis.
The assembly member
said the victims are temporarily staying with friends and relatives and
appealed to the District Assembly and the National Disaster Management
Organisation (NADMO) to come to the aid of the victims.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Foreign Minister to attend
Afro-Arab conference
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman on Monday, left Accra for Algiers, Algeria to attend the 14th Session of the Co-ordinating Committee for Afro- Arab Co-operation.
Mr Owusu-Agyeman was accompanied by Mr Kodjo Wadjie, Director of Africa and OAU Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting will discuss ways of reviving co-operation between Africa and the Arab World as well as examining recommendations of the OAU and the Arab League on various aspects of reviving the relationship.
After the meeting, the Foreign Affairs Minister will leave for Morocco on a two-day official visit to that country.
The Minister will hold discussions with Moroccan government officials on how best the two countries can co-operate, and sign an agreement to set up a permanent joint commission for co-operation.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Speaker of Parliament
attends Commonwealth African Speakers Conference
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, left Accra on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to attend the eighth Conference of Commonwealth African Speakers and Presiding Officers, which begins on April 18.
Mr Adjetey, who is accompanied by Mr Rex Owusu Ansah, Clerk of Parliament, will deliver a paper on the topic "The Role and Function of Parliament."
In all about 100 delegates from Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa will attend the conference.
Among the issues to be discussed are the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in the Administration of Parliament, the Role of Parliament in the International Decision-Making Process, Poverty Alleviation in the Context of Debt Burden and the Spread of Diseases in Africa.
Others are Globalisation and Technological Changes, a Challenge to Africa, and the Role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in and outside Parliament.
The Speaker will be away for six days.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Rainstorm spoils the fun
for holidaymakers
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
A severe rainstorm from the east of Accra drenched Easter Monday holidaymakers after 3 p.m. just when they were at the peak of their revelry at the beaches and other entertainment spots.
Meteorologists had earlier in the morning warned the public about the coming storm but a burning sun deceived the holidaymakers into thinking that it would be shining all day long.
When the GNA arrived at the Korle Gonno Beach, where Vibe FM, an Accra radio station, was organising what was dubbed "the Wildest Beach Jam", fun lovers, mainly those who did not want to wade in the waters, were desperately seeking shelter from giant raindrops.
Some of them were spotted rushing for shelter in a house whose roofing was being blown off by strong winds. They hardly noticed what was happening above their heads as they concentrated on finding safer ground to avoid stepping into puddles.
Others, some as young as eight years, could be seen walking home as they braved the storm and traffic under conditions of very poor visibility.
Picnics by families and organised groups as well as family get-togethers characterised Easter holidays, with the beaches at La, Dansoman, Korle Gonno and Kokrobite, all in Accra, being the main centres of attraction.
Earlier at the Dansoman Beach, Mr Franco Nero, proprietor of Franco Nero Beach Club, said patronage and sales had been poor.
Apart from the high prices of alcoholic drinks, he said, the low patronage was partly due to the siting of houses close to the beach.
He said the houses, occupied by families, should have been drinking bars and hotels as pertains at La Beach and other beaches.
The GNA learnt that the Dansoman Beach had no lifeguards and charged no entry fees as pertained at public beaches like La Beach and other well-managed ones, making it a free-for-all point for holidaymakers.
At the time of filing this report, no fatality had been recorded at any of the Accra beaches.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Techiman Council acts to
halt teenage pregnancies
Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 17 April 2001
The Techiman Traditional Council is to institute a by-law to punish teenage girls in the area who become pregnant.
Nana Amoafowaa Agyeiwaa, Krontihemaa of Techiman Traditional Area, who made this known at the Techiman Senior Secondary School at the weekend, said the measure is to help curb teenage pregnancies in the district.
Addressing female students of the school as part of activities by queenmothers in the Techiman Traditional Area to reach out to female students of first and second cycle institutions, Nana Agyeiwaa entreated the students to be careful about their sexual behaviour since apart from getting pregnant, they could also contract HIV/AIDS, which is real.
She, therefore advised the students to postpone sexual gratification till they are due for marriage.
Nana Afia Pomaa, Abanimhemaa, called on the female students to be disciplined and obey school rules and regulations to enable them to achieve their aims.
Madam Agnes Yaa Nsiah, Techiman District Co-ordinator of the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education, expressed regret about the low enrolment of girls in the district and called for a concerted effort to arrest the situation.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Activities of some NCCE
staff portrayed it as partisan - DCD
Goaso (Brong Ahafo) 17 April 2001
An appraisal of the activities of some members of staff of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has portrayed it as having worked only in the interest of a section of the community.
Mr S.O. Kusi-Appiah, Asunafo District Co-ordinating Director, said Ghanaians have for sometime now perceived the NCCE as an organ of a particular political party, thus compromising its role in the country's democratic dispensation.
Mr Kusi-Appiah was speaking at the inauguration of a 30-member NCCE consultative body that will assist the Commission to formulate, implement and oversee programmes to create awareness among the citizenry about their civic responsibilities, rights and obligations.
Members of the consultative body were selected from heads of the various decentralised departments in the district.
The body will also serve as a pool of resource persons at public forums in addition to being a vehicle for the dissemination of civic messages in their organisations.
Mr. Kusi-Appiah noted that the much-talked about accountability, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption may not have the desired impact "if we are not able to break the psychological bondage many Ghanaians find themselves in".
He, therefore, charged the body to properly shape the NCCE to enable it to work satisfactorily to meet the expectations of all sections of the people.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Government's decision on
HIPC is well intentioned - MP
Abodom (Ashanti Region) 17 April 2001
Mr Kofi Poku Adusei, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, has defended the government's decision to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative describing it as "well-intentioned, appropriate and a right judgement".
He noted that the initiative would help to provide Ghana with some respite to allow for the stabilisation of the economy to put it back on the path of real growth.
Mr Adusei was addressing an Easter fund-raising harvest organised by the chiefs and people of Abodom in the Amansie East District in aid of the towns face-lift program.
The MP gave the assurance that the government would not do anything that would not be in the interest of the nation, saying, it would keep faith with the people and deliver on its election promise of bringing about positive change in the country.
He, therefore, asked all Ghanaians to exercise patience, show goodwill and have confidence in the government, adding, "you will never be disappointed".
About 10 million cedis was realised at the function.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
NPP is not anti-Ewe -
Women's Organiser
Denu (Volta Region) 17 April 2001
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is not against Ewes, Obaa Yaa Afrifa, National Women's Organiser of the party has said.
She said the fact that not many Ewes have been appointed to high positions in the government has to do with the number available for consideration and not a deliberate policy to sideline them.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at the weekend, Madam Afrifa explained that politics is a game of alliances and loyalty.
She said since Ewes largely did not support the NPP, there were just a few of them in the pool, who could be regarded as having the necessary degree of loyalty and could, therefore, be considered for jobs in the government.
Again the government is constrained to appoint the majority of ministers from Parliament but out of the 19 parliamentary seats in the Volta Region the minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) won 17 with the remaining two going to Independent candidates.
Mr. Victor Gbeho, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for the Anlo Constituency, is considered an NDC sympathiser.
Mr. Rasheed Bawa, who won the Akan Constituency, has been nominated as the Deputy Minister of Education designate.
Madam Afrifa, who is a government appointee for the Ketu District Assembly, said the NPP would not fail in its responsibility to the people of the Volta Region because it is a government for the whole country.
She said she supports the call for the exhumation of the bodies of the seven senior army officers executed by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) Junta for reburial.
She, however, said she does not think it is necessary to look for those responsible for the executions to punish.
"The harm has already been caused, we are only calling for a fitting reburial as the reasons for their execution has been undermined by the worst things we see in Ghana today," she stated.
Madam Afrifa said the NPP government would be non-partisan in its dealings with all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the 31st December Women's Movement.
She noted that the formation of the Ministry of Women's Affairs is to harness all available facilities for the eradication of poverty among women so as to raise their status in society.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
NDC
Chairman urges members to get involved in development
Kasoa (Central Region)
17 April 2001
Alhaji Habibu Adramani,
Chairman of the Awutu/Senya Constituency branch of the National Democratic
Congress (NDC), at the weekend advised supporters and well-wishers of the party
to continue to play active roles in the socio-economic development of their
communities.
They should also
maintain their faith in the leadership of the party and endeavour to organise
periodic meetings in their zones and wards to discuss matters that would
sustain the interest of the party's numerous followers.
Speaking to newsmen at
Kasoa on the post-election programmes of his constituency, Alhaji Adramani
affirmed the NDC's determination to bounce back strongly in the 2004 general
elections to recapture power.
He said the smooth
transfer of power from the NDC to the NPP signified the party's determination
to sustain national peace and stability and more importantly its continued
desire to ensure the promotion and growth of democratic governance in the
country.
He appealed to members
of the various political parties in the area to rally firmly behind the Member
of Parliament for Awutu/Senya, Mrs Hannah Tetteh-Kpodar, in her determination
to mobilise available manpower and other resources within the constituency for
the betterment of the people.
Alhaji Adramani
expressed the hope that NDC parliamentarians would continue to offer
constructive and effective opposition to the ruling NPP to keep the various
arms of the government on their toes at all times.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Apesokubi (Volta
Region) 17 April 2001
The chiefs and opinion
leaders from the Volta Region have been urged to lead their people to make the
right political choices necessary for the region's rapid development.
This is because the
region's development has suffered over the years because of wrong political
choices.
Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa,
Volta Regional Minister, gave the advice when he addressed a durbar held in his
honour by the chiefs and people of Apesokubi Traditional area on Monday.
Mr Owusu-Yeboa observed
that despite the constitutional injunction on chiefs not to engage in partisan
politics, they nevertheless wield considerable influence on their people in
making partisan political choices.
The Regional Minister
said it is imperative for the people in the region to take a cue from other
parts of the country and make the necessary change towards reshaping the
destiny of region.
Mr Owusu-Yeboa bemoaned
the peculiar circumstances of the northern sector of the region but called on
chiefs in that part to exorcise the area of its several disputes to pave the
way for a brighter future.
He reaffirmed the
government's commitment to tackle pressing problems in the area and called for
their support through prayers.
Nana Kwasi Asampong 11,
Abakomahene of Apesokubi, Nana Ogyeabour Akompi Finam 11, Kadjebihene and Nana
Asare Baah, Woraworahene in their addresses appealed to the Regional Minister
to approach his work with steadfastness and honesty.
They pledged the
support of the chiefs from the northern sector during his tenure.
GRi../
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 17 April 2001
Three stores at the Kumasi Central Market were on Tuesday razed by fire, destroying large quantities of imported rice and bales of sponge.
The prompt arrival of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) prevented the fire, which started at about 04:30 hours, from spreading.
Mr Anthony Okyere Darko, a Divisional Fire Officer, who led the firemen, told the Ghana News Agency that it took the firemen, using three fire tenders less than half an hour to put out the fire.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established, he said, adding that there was a power outage at the time of the incident.
GRi./
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Brofoyedru (Ashanti Region) 17 April 2001
Nana Kwame Asante-Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre, has called on Ghanaians to have absolute confidence in Mr John A. Kufuor's administration.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Kufuor is making frantic efforts to tackle the economic hardship created by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and very soon the people would start realising the comfort of life, Nana Asante-Frimpong said at a durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Brofoyedru, near Nkukua-Buoho in the Kwabre District on Monday.
He told the people that the government was committed to the development of the rural areas and that the town is included in the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) Four.
The MP said the road from Medoma through Maase to Nkukua-Buoho would soon be reshaped.
GRi../
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
The Ministerial Committee on Premix Fuel Administration and Distribution for Canoe Fishermen on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the Central Regional Co-ordinating Committee on Premix Fuel.
It also announced the appointment of a new committee comprising Nana Kweigya of Moree, Nana Mbir of Winneba, a representative of the Regional Fisheries Directorate and a representative of the Regional Co-operative Officer.
Other Members are Mr Mustapha Mohammed, Mr Paul Essun and Mr. Edwards S. K. Taylor.
A statement signed by Mr. Joel Agyapong, Public Relations Officer, cautioned that under no circumstance should premix fuel retail outlets sell above the approved price of 7,550 cedis per gallon.
It said proceeds made and profits that would accrue must be used to the benefit of the fishermen.
The statement gave the assurance that the committee is committed to ensure the adequate supply of premix fuel for fishing.
GRi../
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Cape Coast (Central Region) 17 April 2001
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd) has said Ghana has no excuse for its inability to feed herself and called for strategies to increase food production.
Major Quashigah, who was opening a three-day strategic planning workshop at Cape
Coast, expressed concern over the high cost of food imports and charged the participants to come out with meaningful strategies to "put food on the table of every Ghanaian."
The workshop was meant to evolve plans for the production of adequate food. It focused on the development of an integrated strategic plan to achieve of production targets year by year.
Major Quashigah pointed out that any nation endowed with natural and human resources such as Ghana "offends God for not taking advantage of the vast arable lands to grow what they can eat and what they can not eat for export."
The Minister stressed the need for financial interventions in the agricultural sector by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and other banks.
Over 40 participants, including the Minister of Fisheries, Mr Ishmael Ashittey and top scientists, who head various units at the ministry, attended the workshop, the first of its kind.
The participants suggested that production of rice, maize, cassava and plantain, among other staples should be increased by not less than 30 per cent by the end of the year.
GRi../
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 17 April 2001
Mrs E. Owiredu-Gyampoh, Registrar-General, on Tuesday noted that more Ghanaians have adopted registration of marriages to church weddings in recent times due to the cost involved with the latter.
She said marriage registration has increased from an average of 161 monthly in 1998 to 184 at the end of last year. It is expected to continue increasing this year as January and February recorded a total of 557.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mrs Owiredu-Gyampoh said 1,931 marriages were registered in 1998. This increased to 1,972 in 1999 and 2,200 for last year.
She said registration of a marriage costs less than 100,000 cedis for the whole process, which involves filing of notice at a Metropolitan Assembly, publication, issuing of a licence as the basis for the registration at the Registrar-General's Department.
Mrs Owiredu-Gyampoh said that upon satisfying the requirements at the department a certificate of Registration of Marriage is issued to the couple.
Marriages are registered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during normal working hours in the presence of witnesses.
The Registrar-General explained that the registration of marriages was preferred to church marriages by many couples because it involves less time and expenditure compared to church marriages.
She said most young would be couples are discovering that modesty in marriage ceremony is better than the flamboyance and fanfare of some church marriages that at times lead the new couple into debt.
"This is a healthy sign for the survival of young marriages as less expenditure leads possibly to less debt, which is good for the development of society and reduces early marriage tension due to over expenditure during the preparation stages," Mrs Oweridu-Gyampoh said.
She said the increase in marriage could also be attributed to the lowering of the marriage age from 21 to 18 years.
Special licenses are also issued at the Department to couples, who may wish to leave the country.
GRi../
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com