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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament is to use its "superior brain power" and all constitutional means to compel the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to rescind its decision to adopt the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HPIC) initiative.

This is because the NDC believes HIPC would wreak untold hardships on the already overburdened Ghanaian.

Mr Alban Bagbin, MP for Nadowli North, announced this at a press conference held by the NDC Upper West Region Parliamentary Caucus to educate the people on recent political and economic developments in the country.

The press conference, which was attended by hundreds of party supporters, mainly the youth, was also intended to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas with the people of the region.

Mr Bagbin, who is the Minority Leader in Parliament, said as democrats, the NDC would use the Constitution and the law to get the government to adopt policies that are in the best interest of the people and the nation.

Mr Bagbin claimed that out of 200 Skoda Octavia cars imported by the previous government for allocation to doctors and other paramedics, in the public health service, only 64 were given to the Ministry of Health by the NPP government.

The rest was shared among the Ministers, he said and challenged the government to confirm or deny the claim.

Mr. Bagbin added that the country's debt since 1960 to date stands at 5.8 billion dollars.

He also said that the widows of former presidents, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Hilla Limann and Prime Minister Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia were all catered for in the recent payment of ex-gratia awards, saying that the widow of Dr Busia was paid 49 million cedis.

Dr Sam Somuah, Special Assistant to the Minister for Presidential Affairs, told the GNA in an interview that only 70 out of the 200 cars have so far been received, out of which 65 have been given to the doctors and five to the government.

"Mr Bagbin is telling a big lie, unless they are invisible cars on the roads of Accra, which nobody else is seeing," the Special Assistant said.

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Owusu-Agyemang greets visiting UN Chief

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana for their relentless support for him over the years saying, he owed his successes to this backing.

He said he is particularly grateful for Ghana's leading role in complementing international support to ensure a successful campaign and re-election for his second term as UN chief.

"I think that the support is essential, whatever I do as UN Secretary-General, I do not do it alone", Mr Annan said when Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyemang called on him at the State Lodge in Accra.

He said he is hopeful of success in his bid for re-election. "I will be honoured to do so if I am selected to serve again," he added.

Mr Annan arrived last night for a three-day private visit after which he would join African leaders at a summit on AIDS due to open in the Nigerian capital, Abuja on Wednesday. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is also expected at the summit.

The Secretary-General gave the assurance that the nation can rely on the world body as its partner in developing the economy and in strengthening political institutions.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang said Ghana is very proud of Mr Annan's achievements and the government is happy to have him around for discussions on some pertinent issues.

"We were also excited when you agreed to serve a second term," Mr Owusu-Agyemang told the Secretary-General, adding that the fact that there was unanimous approval of his candidature speaks volumes.

He gave the assurance that Ghana in collaboration with others would do anything to further push forward Mr Annan's second term bid.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang lauded UN agencies in Ghana saying they have provided true partnership in the country's development process.

Mr Annan is expected to call on President Kufuor later at the Castle after which, they will have private lunch.

GRi../

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Ex-ministers in government bungalows are serving - MPs NDC

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday said ex-ministers occupying government bungalows are serving Members of Parliament for whom special arrangements are being made to secure accommodation.

A statement signed by Mr Kofi Attor, Deputy General Secretary, said investigations by the NDC could not identify the ministers and deputy ministers who are said to be encumbering the occupation of the government bungalows.

"The few that we have identified happen to be serving MPs for whom we understand special arrangements are being made," it said.

The statement asked the Minister of Works and Housing to supply to the General Secretary of the NDC a complete list of the ex-ministers involved to enable him to assist in their relocation where necessary.

The statement was reacting to an ultimatum by the Works and Housing Minister, Kwamina Bartels on Monday giving 20 former ministers and deputy ministers still staying in government bungalows until Friday to quit or be ejected.

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Children's problems overwhelming - President Kufuor

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday called for a sustained collaborative effort by all stakeholders of the economy to effectively combat problems facing Ghanaian children.

"There is overwhelming evidence that despite Ghana's ratification of the UN Child's Right Convention ten years ago and the passage of the Children's Act 560, 1998, not much progress seem to have been made in addressing problems facing children."

President Kufuor said available statistics show that one out of every 10 children die before the age of five, adding that 28 per cent of children of school-going age are on the streets, whilst the menace of child abuse, still persist.

"The challenge is overwhelming and government cannot do it alone," he said. "I therefore expect the private sector, civil society, religious bodies, traditional leaders and all Ghanaians to join the National Partnership for Children (NPC) initiative to ensure the provision of conditions that will promote children's rights, welfare and development."

Mr. Kufuor made the call when he launched the NPC, a subsidiary of the Global Movement for Children (GMC), initiated by former South African President, Nelson Mandela and his wife.

The NPC, initiated by the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC), UNICEF, Ministries of Finance and of Women's Affairs, Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision International, would lead all stakeholders of the economy to create conducive conditions for child's rights, welfare and development promotion.

Mr. Kufuor noted that the number of children on the streets and in child labour is disturbing, saying that this has exposed several children to social, mental and physical abuses.

He observed that, added to children abuse is the disparity between the up bringing of the rural and urban children as most of the rural areas lack adequate facilities for proper education and child development, "despite several millions of dollars spent on child development programmes by the previous government."

"We all have a sacred duty towards our children," he said.

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Minister calls for better collaboration to save roads

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 25 April 2001

A day's workshop to sensitise engineers in the Brong Ahafo Region on effective co-ordination among infrastructure and utility agencies was held in Sunyani on Tuesday.

It brought together officials of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Municipal and District Assemblies, to work out a better management scheme for roads and housing.

The workshop, under the theme, "towards a better management of our roads reservation", was organised and sponsored by the National Engineering Co-ordinating Team.

Fifty-one participants attended it from Brong, Ashanti and Eastern Regions.

Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Roads and Highways, in a speech read for him, said "the encroachment of utility agencies had led to the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure and the shortening of the life span of roads in urban areas."

Mr Adjei-Darko expressed concern about the activities of members of the public who take the law into their own hands to build speed rumps on roads.

"Others construct shops close to roads, thus creating problems for road agencies to get rid of them for road expansion".

The Minister stressed that road construction and other agencies under the Ministry of Roads and Highways have responsibilities for the development, construction and maintenance of the country's three classes of roads, which consist of trunk, urban and feeder roads.

"It is my hope that this workshop will dwell on the practical issues and try to get all stakeholders involved, so that at the end of the day, whatever issues and recommendations made, will be accepted and implemented by all stakeholders".

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Ghana has the potentials to develop - Yebma

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Ghana has the potentials to develop as the gateway to the West African Sub-Region and Africa, Mr Gerrit Yebma, Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs said in Accra on Tuesday.

He said the Netherlands government would therefore, provide all the needed assistance to the government and the business community to utilise the potentials to develop.

Mr Yebma made the observation when he led a 35-member trade delegation on a five-day tour, to pay a courtesy call on President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He said his country has already assisted in the development of the transport, agricultural, fisheries, agro-processing and tourism sectors of the economy and was determined to improve on its performance.

Mr Yebma said he was impressed about the government's policy to develop the economy based on the private sector, adding; "that is the only way to sustain economic development".

President Kufuor expressed optimism that within a year the investment climate would improve to attract more investors into the country.

He pledged the government's determination to collaborate for the success of the celebration of the 300 years of partnership between the two countries.

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Dutch to invest in Mole Game Park

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

The Dutch government is to invest about 20 million guilders in the Mole Game Park as part of its contribution to stimulate Eco-tourism in Ghana, the visiting Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade, Mr Gerrit Yebma said on Tuesday.

Addressing a news conference on the last day of his visit to the country, Mr Yebma said the amount would be granted under The Netherlands bilateral environment programme.

"We will continue to offer assistance to Ghana under the terms of existing bilateral relations and there are chances to further deepen such assistance," he said.

Mr Yebma said, in view of the special relationship between the two countries, the Netherlands was the first country to offer Ghana a Balance of Payment support of 122 million Dutch Guilders ($55.6 million) in January to enable her meet its immediate economic problems.

He also mentioned the support in the field of medical, water and textbooks supply under the development related export transaction of which the Netherlands government spent 40 million guilders.

Mr. Yebma described the injection of the 122 million guilders as crucial to the economic survival of the country, considering the critical economic difficulties at the time.

He said although the economy cannot be said to be in the best shape at the moment, there is every hope that the country will come out of its predicament, adding, "the tough decisions of the government will go a long way to reverse the situation."

Mr. Yebma said, the successful transition from one civilian government to another had inspired confidence and trust in the country business community all over the world as "the safest haven for investment."

"The interest of the government in the private sector and the concept of a golden age of business is an added impetus," he said.

Mr. Yebma said his visit to Ghana, with the largest trade mission ever to Africa is an ample demonstration of the faith the Netherlands business community has in doing business in the country.

He mentioned Transport, infrastructure development, Ports, Agriculture and tourism as some promising areas for further economic co-operation, saying the Netherlands have a lot of expertise and technical support to offer in these areas.

The country has also made investment in the energy and other sectors.

He said his government is satisfied with all on-going projects in different sectors under the bilateral co-operation and there is hope of other future commitment.

The Dutch Minister arrived in the country last Friday with a 45-man business delegation to explore investment opportunities in the country.

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Policeman killed in course of duty

Koforidua (Eastern Region) 25 April 2001

Police Constable Godwin Quarcoo was at the weekend shot dead by Darkey Adzomani, whom he and others had been detailed to arrest at Nyafienya, near Asutuare.

Miss Martha Blay, Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, told the GNA that the Constable Issifu Kwabena was also injured.

She said a platoon of Policemen was dispatched to arrest Adzomani, who had ran amok on April 20, during which he shot and wounded a 17-year old junior secondary school pupil, Grace Tetteh and burnt down four thatch-roofed houses.

The next day, five men from the village reported to the Asutuare Police that Adzomani was going around with a single barrelled-gun threatening to shoot anybody on sight.

As a result, she said, 10 Policemen were dispatched to the village to arrest Adzomani but he fired on the Police from a room in which he was hiding and latter shot and killed himself.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Quarcoo and Adzomani have been deposited at the Akuse Government Hospital Mortuary, whilst Constable Kwabena is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Accra.

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Non-partisan nature of assemblies ridiculed at Kintampo

Kintampo (Brong Ahafo) 25 April 2001

The non-partisan nature of district assemblies was on Tuesday brought into ridicule at Kintampo when one political party sent a propaganda van to canvass for the rejection of any candidate for the position of Presiding Member, who was not from that party.

So divided was the district assembly along party lines that the first set of two contestants were both rejected with the second set meeting a similar fate.

Eventually a compromise candidate, Mr A. B. Mohammed, a teacher and a government appointee, was elected.

The assembly, which was divided into New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) camps, rejected Mr Ishmael Abdalia and Mr Seth Tawiah in two rounds of balloting.

The second set of Mr Gabriel Gyinde Mensah and Mr James Manu suffered the same fate as none obtained the two-thirds of the votes cast.

The District Co-ordinating Director, Ms Sarah Alebna had to plead with the members to use their maturity and good sense of judgement in the supreme interest of the nation, to elect a presiding member on non-partisan considerations.

She also asked the members to dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect for one another, no matter their political, tribal, religious or educational backgrounds.

Nana Fei and Madam Cecilia Sumarah, were elected to represent the assembly at the Electoral College to elect a regional representative to the Council of State.

The District Tribunal Chairman, Mr Michael Kwasi Aboagye had earlier sworn in 21 government appointees made up of 16 males and five females.

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NDC organises forum on 100 days of NPP in Tamale

Tamale (Northern Region) 25 April 2001

Speakers at an NDC forum in Tamale have described the first 100 days of the NPP rule as a disappointment and a betrayal of its electoral promises.

They said the NPP has not been able to implement any of its electoral promises that they had said would improve the lives of the people. It has rather increased the prices of petroleum products and tariffs of utility services.

The forum was organised to discuss the 100 days of the NPP rule, the achievement of NDC parliamentarians and reasons for the NDC electoral defeat.

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, MP for Kumbungu described the NDC as a dominant force in Parliament, which wins the intellectual debate in the House.

Although the NDC has decided as a policy to co-operate with the NPP to rule the country, this gesture should not be taken for granted, he said.

Alhaji Mumuni said the government's unilateral decision to join the HIPC initiative was "misconceived, ill informed and a tragedy" for the economic development of the country.

The budget was a fraud on the electorate because it has failed to address the unemployment problem, the alternative to the cash and carry system and school fees, he said.

Alhaji B.A. Fuseini, former Ambassador to Libya attributed the electoral defeat of the NDC to lack of unity, which culminated in some of its supporters working spiritually against the party.

He entreated supporters to cultivate the friendship of the media describing the media as a powerful tool the NDC cannot ignore if it is to make an impact on the electorate.

Alhaji Abdulai Salifu, MP for Tolon accused the NPP of acting in bad faith by distorting the conditions of service of former ministers and other government appointees.

He said the end-of-service benefits and the cars sold to the former ministers were part of their conditions of service and the NDC never acted ultra vires.

The MP for Yunyoo, Nanbruk Berrick said the reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) threshold from 200 million cedis to 100 millions would have a disastrous consequence especially on the poor. He said kenkey sellers and other petty traders would be forced to pay VAT.

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Qualified Northerners asked to come forward

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Madam Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism, has challenged northerners who are qualified to be considered for public service appointment to come forward.

She also asked the northern leadership to help others whenever they could so that they would have their share of the national cake.

Madam Hawa Yakubu was speaking at a meeting of the Northern Ghana Education Trust Fund (NETFUND) at the weekend, a statement issued on Tuesday said.

She paid tribute to the founders of the fund and called on all northerners, especially politicians, to contribute to the fund.

Alhaji Rahim Gbadamosi, a former Director General of the Ghana Education Service and Chairman of the Fund, said it was established in 1998 with a target of four billion cedis and with 100 fully subscribed founding members.

He said at the moment, the fund has only 53 million cedis and appealed to northerners and corporate bodies to contribute generously when it is launched in June.

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Ministry to acquire helicopter to monitor pollution by fishermen

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Mr Kwamina Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing, on Wednesday said his ministry is seeking support for the acquisition of a helicopter to patrol River Volta and River Oti to monitor and check pollution caused by fishermen and farmers.

Addressing the opening of the national water policy forum for the southern sector, he said his ministry has initiated plans to purchase four speedboats that will patrol the rivers to check fishermen who use DDT and dynamite.

"The patrols will stop farmers from farming along the riverbanks and slopes of hills to stop siltation of our water bodies," he said.

Mr Bartels said his ministry is committed to ensuring that upstream development does not harm Ghana's interest downstream.

The World Bank sponsored forum was organised by the Water Resource Commission under the auspices of the Ministry of Works and Housing. Participants shared ideas towards the finalisation of the draft national water policy, which is to guide future development in the water sector.

Over 100 participants including water managers, policy makers, NGOs, district assemblies and research practitioners attended.

Mr Bartels said the government recognises that access to safe water is a fundamental human right that protects health, increases the sense of wellbeing and improves economic and social productivity.

"We are, therefore, committed to the implementation of the concept of integrated water resource management to ensure proper management of the available water resources to prevent its misuse, over exploitation, and pollution."

Mr. Bartels said the water resources commission in this regard would be given the necessary support to perform its primary task.

He said it is important to note that there is a global awareness of the growing demand for freshwater resources and the increasing scarcity of freshwater in both quantity and quality.

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Government to assist GJA with permanent press centre

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

The government is considering the provision of a permanent secretariat for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), President John Agyekum Kufuo said on Tuesday and called for healthy co-operation between the government and the mass media towards the establishment of true democracy.

President Kufuor was speaking to a delegation of the National Executive Committee of the GJA and some senior editors of both the state and private media who, paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.

The government is committed to the proper evolution of all the arms of government -executive, legislature, judiciary and the media, he said.

The media has to play its watchdog role effectively to enable the other institutions to function as expected of them.

President Kufuor said the NPP from its tradition is committed to freedom of speech and respect for the media because the people should have the right to free expression of what they think and feel.

He lauded the assurance from the GJA to be self-critical with the power it wields, and urged journalists to exercise that power responsibly and properly for the development of society.

"The media should have conscience and not behave as agencies for commerce and in the process be injurious to society and not show concern for the people who are injured."

President Kufuor said media practitioners should be responsible for the conduct of their pursuits since the constitution is designed to work on checks and balances for effective governance.

"We must all live within the law, no one should be above the law.

"We will ensure that we do not act outside the law and when your members operate outside the law we will come out against them".

He said the media is being fair with his government because "you appreciate the need for positive change and allow people to express their views without fear."

President Kufuor said the friendship and partnership being established between the GJA and the government is welcomed.

Mrs. Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the GJA, welcomed the President's assurance of assistance to the association to have a permanent secretariat.

She called for a review of the taxes on importation of newsprint, which is affecting the production of newspapers and posing a threat to press freedom.

Mrs. Affenyi-Dadzie said the association has formed a regulatory body made up of senior journalists to deal with members who violate the ethics of the profession.

Nana Akufo-Addo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice commended the media for their role in the evolution of democracy in Ghana to ensure that all institutions are free to operate effectively.

He said cabinet is working on the repeal of the criminal libel law, while the freedom of information bill is being discussed.

"Government in its desire to be open want to develop a co-operative relationship with the media for Ghanaians whose development is paramount."

Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Media Relations said it is important for the association to see themselves as having a voice at the heart of government.

She said most of the equipment used by journalists are obsolete and it is the government's determination to ensure that journalists are well equipped and properly skilled to compete on equal terms with their counterparts everywhere.

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Ghanaians repatriated from Bulgaria

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Seven Ghanaian seafarers who were stranded for three years in Bulgaria have been repatriated back home by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) based in France.

The seven are Emmanuel Ansah Duodu, Chief Engineer, Francis Koomson, Ato Blankson and Ransford Eshun. The rest are Felix Dwamena, Ernest Amoabeng and Barnabas Atcherkum.

The seven men who worked on board a Greek vessel, Olga-J, were abandoned by the ship owner when it docked in Bulgaria for re-fuelling.

Narrating their story at the airport, Mr Duodu said they boarded the vessel, which was originally called M. V. Remvi in Dakar, Senegal, where it was sold to a Greek who changed the name to Olga-J.

He said the new owner decided to maintain the crew made up of 13 Ghanaians and other African nationals and set sail for Greece and then to Bulgaria.

According to Mr Duodu, berthing in Bulgaria was expensive so the captain decided to move to Israel for fuel and logistics.

They sailed back to Bulgaria where they demanded their salary and the captain gave them a cheque, which bounced.

Later, the Greek captain agreed to pay them off and send them home in batches.

Mr Duodu said the first batch of Ghanaians out of the 13 was fully paid and sent home leaving behind the seven of them.

However, in September 1998, the Captain abandoned them without paying their accrued salaries.

"Life became very difficult for us in Bulgaria and we had to beg for our daily bread from other seafarers before the ITF came to our rescue," Mr Doudo said.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Merchant Navy Officers Association, Mr Sigis Buckman, appealed to the government and parliament to speed up the passage of the Ghana Maritime Authority and the Ghana Shipping bills to help regulate and check the abuse of Ghanaian seafarers.

He also urged the government to sign bilateral agreements with countries that employ the services of Ghanaians so that they can be helped when they get stranded.

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Ghana to study Egypt's hotel security

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Nana Akomeah, Deputy Minister of Tourism-designate, on Tuesday said Ghana is studying the Egyptian system of hotel security for adoption to improve safety in the industry.

He explained that Egyptians have a special police force in charge of hotels and the tourism industry, Nana Akomeah said this in Accra during a call on the Minister of Tourism, Madam Hawa Yakubu by the executives of the Ghana National Hoteliers Association to discuss security measures affecting the industry.

The hoteliers were particularly worried about last Saturday's dawn robbery at the Oak Royal Hotel at Tema Community six. The eight robbers, using AK 47 rifles, made away with large sums of money.

The delegation said at about 0100 hours on Saturday, the robbers handcuffed Mr Christopher Aboagye, an attendant of the hotel and ordered him to lead them to the room of Mr Riveira Olando, a Colombian. Mr Olando had arrived in the country on Saturday night to pursue a course at the Regional Maritime Academy (RMA). The thieves took away his 4,000 dollars.

They also attacked two Nigerian seamen, Mr Dominic Okoronkwo and Mr Amos Oluodesoro taking 40,000 Naira from Mr Okoronkwo and 30,000 Naira from Mr Oluodesoro.

The hoteliers appealed to the Minister to institute immediate investigation into the robbery "as we find it very difficult to understand how the robbers got accurate information about the victim."

Nana Ama Serwaah, President of the association, stressed that the investigation should include all those involved in the processing of entry requirements and declaration of documents at the airport.

Madam Yakubu expressed disappointment about the handicap of the police in responding to the situation and assured the association that the government would put all measures in place to ensure the security of tourists and the hospitality industry.

The guests and workers at the Oak Royal Hotel said it took the Police Panthers unit 45 minutes to arrive at the hotel because they complained they had no vehicle.

The robberies come less than a week after Mr Ernest Owusu-Poku, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) visited the Tema Region, during which the police appealed to him for vehicles to enhance their patrol duties.

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Ghana to study Egypt's hotel security

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Kofi Annan commends Ghanaians for smooth transition

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Mr Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, on Tuesday commended Ghanaians for the smooth and peaceful change of government, which is being admired all over the world.

He said there is goodwill from the international community to assist the government in its policies and programmes for democracy to triumph.

Mr Annan made the commendation when he called on President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle in Accra.

He is on his way to attend the OAU Special Heads of State Conference on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in Abuja, Nigeria.

The UN Secretary-General said all UN agencies in the country are working extremely well with the government and, the IMF and World Bank are anxious to co-operate with it.

"I am extremely happy to be at home to extend my support and congratulate you on assumption of office and wish your government every success as you take on the path of development for the country."

President Kufuor said Ghana is proud of how the UN Secretariat has been modernised under his stewardship and the manner tension in many areas, which would have blown many countries apart, have been defused.

Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President, said the first term of Mr Annan's tenure of office has been excellent and the world looks up to him during the second term to consolidate the efforts he has made.

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Dutch Foreign Trade Minister unveils Logo

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

The visiting Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade, Mr Gerrit Ybema, on Tuesday unveiled the logo of Explainer DC Ghana, a Dutch company dedicated to the development of e-commerce in the country.

The round logo, with three horizontal stripes of the Ghana national colours in the middle, was designed by a Ghanaian craftsman. It depicts the existing level of mutual co-operation between the Netherlands and Ghana.

The Minister, who is leading a group of Dutch businessmen to the country to explore investment opportunities, expressed optimism about the deepening of bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

He said Explainer DC's operations would mark a new stage in the development of Information Technology (IT) in Ghana, adding, "a special movement of economic relations with the Netherlands has began."

Mr. Tjalling Wiarda Mba, General Manager of Explainer DC, said the investment in the e-business agency, especially in the areas of on-line marketing, consultancy and web designs in Ghana, is the first outside the Netherlands and on the African continent.

Ms Desiree Van Kollenburg, Explainer's Corporate Development Manager, said the company would in the long run build a steady relationship with its clientele to expand the use of the Internet in the development of business.

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Provide incentives for inventions

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Dr Edmund N. Delle, Member of the Central Committee of the Convention People's Party (CPP), on Tuesday appealed to the government to promote inventions by providing material and financial incentives for people with the know-how.

He said the time had come when resources had to be marshalled to trigger the economy and one way to do it is to sound a clarion call to people with creative ability to help bail the country out of the doldrums.

Speaking to the press on the topic "Ghana the way forward" in Accra, Dr Delle said it is necessary to look for such endowed people internally first before casting "our eyes beyond our shores because that recognition would give unimaginable impetus to the undiscovered gems to come forward".

The universities should also be given the necessary encouragement and support to come out with alternative solutions to the country's economic woes.

Dr Delle said the vision now should be "achieving economic independence for a better Ghana" and it demands all to forget at the moment about their political stance and offer suggestions for the growth of the country.

Agriculture production should aim at achieving food sufficiency, adding that development should begin at the rural level so that a congenial atmosphere would be created for the youth to refrain from migrating to the urban centres.

Dr Delle further said public institutions such as the libraries should be strengthened to offer the required services to communities.

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Aliu meets Danish delegation

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 April 2001

Ghana is among 11 countries benefiting from a 100 million-dollar Private Sector Development Programme instituted by Denmark to support the establishment of joint ventures between Danish entrepreneurs and the beneficiary countries.

The programme, which was initiated by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) in 1996, has supported over 70 Ghanaian entrepreneurs with soft loans totalling 20 million dollars to facilitate the transfer of technology from their business associates in Denmark, improve on manpower development and expand their production base.

Mr Jorgen Calson, Programme Co-ordinator of the programme in Ghana, said this when he led a four-member delegation to call on Vice-President Aliu Mahama at the State House on Tuesday.

Other members of the delegation included Mr Brian Hansen, Managing Director of Japo Rubber Factory in Denmark and his Ghanaian counterpart, Mr Peter Mac Manu, Director of Macal Tyre and Rubber Company Limited.

He said the other beneficiary countries include Egypt, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Nepal, Nicaragua and Vietnam.

The business co-operation includes agro and wood processing with emphasis on value-added products.

Mr Manu who testified to the success of the joint venture said he has developed the labour base and welfare of his workers and expanded production.

Alhaji Mahama said the relationship between the two countries dates back to the 17th Century when Danish companies traded with people of the then Gold Coast.

He said Danish support is evident especially in Northern Ghana where about 51 million dollars is being spent to construct labour intensive road project. There is also Danish support for the government's poverty alleviation programme.

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