GRi Newsreel Ghana 26 - 04 - 2001
Cotton farmers call for more assistance from
companies
NDC government
paid only 10 per cent of cost of vehicles
Ghana Irrigation Development Project
launched
High cost of housing blamed on haphazard
settlement
President Kufuor leaves for Nigeria
French minister to visit Ghana
Population of elephants diminishing -
Wildlife
Bright picture for agriculture for Volta Region
Ban on drumming, noisemaking goes into force
on May 7
Quality Grain Project was a scam -
Akufo-Addo
SFO to investigate five former top public
officials
"Job 600" project grinding to a
halt
Women organisations told to fight social
practices against women
CPP celebrates 29th anniversary of Nkrumah's
death
Reseal trenches properly - Ghana Telecom
told
Airlink crash victims would be paid claims
soon - SIC
Police patrol team in accident, girl killed
Okyere-Henaku qualifies to contest Council
of State Seat-EC
French Minister
arrives for official visit
Queen Elizabeth's birthday observed
Guidelines for police participation in UN peace missions
Cotton farmers call for more assistance
from companies
Tumu (Upper West) 26 April 2001
The Sissau Cotton Farmers Association on Monday called on cotton companies to assist cotton farmers to grow cashew or other economic trees to rehabilitate degraded lands caused by prolonged use of synthetic fertiliser and pesticides.
The companies should also assist in the provision of dams, dugouts and other social amenities in their areas of operation for the benefit of the communities and their livestock, a resolution passed by the association at the end of an extra-ordinary general meeting held at Tumu said.
The meeting deliberated on problems affecting cotton production in the district and discussed ways of addressing them before the start of the farming season.
The association observed that cotton farmers have been spraying insecticides without protective clothing as required by law, and urged the companies to provide them with protective gear.
The resolution, signed by Kuoru Kuri-Bukte Limann, Paramount chief of Gwollu Traditional Area, who is Chairman of the Association, commended the government for the measures being taken to increase the production of cotton, rice and other cash crops to move the nation's economy forward.
They urged the companies to pay royalties to traditional authorities for the extensive use of their land for cotton cultivation in the district.
The association appealed to the government to prevail on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to encourage the use of organic fertilisers and insecticides as an alternative to synthetic ones to rejuvenate their lands.
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NDC government paid
only 10 per cent of cost of vehicles
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April
2001
The government of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC) paid only 10 per cent of the cost of 200 vehicles it
intended to order for the Ministry of Health, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa,
President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) told the Ghana News Agency in
Accra on Wednesday.
So far 70 of the vehicles have
arrived out of which 48 were given to the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to
distribute to its members.
Prof. Akosa was reacting to a
statement by Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, at a press
conference in Wa, where he charged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of
diverting the 200 vehicles meant for doctors.
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.
He said the rest was shared among
ministers of state and challenged the government to confirm or deny the claim.
Prof. Akosa said the Executive
members of the GMA were shocked to learn from Vodi Technik Motors, Limited, the
company asked to order the vehicles, that the previous government paid only 10
per cent of the cost.
He said the NPP government has now
paid for the second batch of vehicles, which Vodi is making arrangements to
bring into the country.
Prof. Akosa said GMA is anxiously
waiting for the second batch of cars, adding that the assertion by Mr Bagbin,
"is not true."
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 26 April 2001
Ms Comfort Boateng, Superintendent of Police, on Monday deplored the attitude of persons who plead for suspects believed to have committed crimes against women and children and are under investigations.
It obstructs the dispensation of justice, she said and advised the public to desist from that practice and assist in the promotion of the rights of women and children.
Speaking to the GNA, in Kumasi, Ms. Boateng, who is in-charge of the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU), of the Police service in the Ashanti region, said the cases, especially those of defilement, were on the increase in the region.
A total of 31 defilement, 10 rape and 21 physical assault cases, were reported to the Unit, in Ashanti region, between January and March.
Ms Boateng called on the public to assist WAJU in stemming such crimes, since they infringe on the rights of women and children.
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Ghana Irrigation Development Project
launched
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001,
The Ghana Irrigation Development Project (GIDP) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) on Wednesday launched the second phase of the Small Scale Irrigation Development Project (SSIDP) following the successful implementation of feasibility studies.
The project is expected to develop at least a total of 100,000 hectares of land by the year 2020, making use of a consistent yearly investment of about 20 million dollars in developing infrastructure.
The African Development Bank (AfDB), the Ghana government and the World Food Programme (WFP) are funding the project while beneficiaries will provide five per cent of the total cost in either cash or in kind.
The main objective of the project is to increase on a sustainable basis food and cash crop production, improve living standards and food security to small-scale farmers and local communities.
This is expected to reduce dependency on rain-fed production in the beneficiary areas in parts of the southern and northern sectors of the country.
If the project succeeds, Ghana's agriculture will support its industrial development.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Effie Simpson, a representative of the AfDB at the Ministry of Finance, charged all participants to effectively monitor and evaluate resources pumped into the project and its management.
"These should reflect in the preparation of regular quarterly and audit reports in accordance with the rules of our development partners and also in consonance with the requirements of efficient management practice of the government," she said.
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High cost of housing blamed on haphazard
settlement
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001,
An official of the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD) on Wednesday said the high cost of housing and the gradual depletion of rental accommodation is due to the springing up of haphazard settlements in the capital.
In an interview with the GNA in Accra, Mr Ignatius B. Williams, Town Planning Officer in charge of operations, also blamed the situation on the rural-urban drift.
Statistics indicate that the Accra Metropolitan Area had a housing deficit of 19,135 in 1990.
The figure is expected to shoot up to 130,000 by the year 2010 at an annual growth rate of 10 per cent.
Mr Williams said though there is a law regulating building and development in general, its enforcement has been relegated to the background.
"This has led to the general indiscipline and lawlessness that characterise development and the general failure of enforcement mechanism in the district assemblies," he said.
He called on the general public to co-operate to ensure that the city is planned well.
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President Kufuor leaves for Nigeria
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001,
President John Agyekum Kufuor left Accra on Wednesday morning with visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for Abuja, Nigeria, to attend the OAU special heads of state summit on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
The Ghanaian delegation to the summit includes Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Professor Fred T Sai, an expert on public health.
Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister for Media Relations, who briefed the press about the trip, said the president has special interest in the summit because he acknowledges the task in dealing with the AIDS pandemic.
She said the president is of the view that all cultural barriers must be removed to check the spread of the disease.
Ms Ohene said the main challenge facing Ghana now is how to get the message to the rural and urban poor who are still not well informed about the disease.
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French minister to visit Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001,
The French Minister in charge of Government Affairs, Mr Michel Sapin, arrives in Ghana on Thursday for a visit during which he will meet Vice-President Aliu Mahama and several ministers.
A statement from the French Embassy in Accra said the visit illustrates the resolve of France to co-operate closely with Anglophone countries in Africa and to demonstrate France's full support to policies of President John Agyekum Kufuor.
It will also be an occasion for both countries to strengthen their political dialogue and express their common approach to economic and political issues concerning the sub-region and the continent.
Born on April 9, 1952, Mr Sapin has also served as Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister of Economy and Finance.
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Population of elephants diminishing -
Wildlife
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (WDFC) on Tuesday expressed concern about the degradation and contraction of elephant habitats as well as the decline in the population of the animal.
Currently, the official number of elephants in the country is estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,500, and are scattered over the country.
Mr Moses Sam, Wildlife Specialist of the WDFC, in an interview with the GNA in Accra, said available statistics indicate that six elephants were poached from 1990 to 1996. The figure shot up to 32 from 1997-1999, representing a 500 per cent jump.
"Wildlife officers on their normal routines in the forest come across elephant carcasses. They cannot readily tell whether they were hunted or died naturally."
Mr Sam said the increase in poaching is not only for consumption but also for the ivory, which is taken abroad to be refined and used for jewellery.
There is scanty information on elephants because "such studies are quite technical and sometimes expensive".
Mr Sam appealed to universities, non-governmental organisations and other researchers to help conduct studies to make information available to the public.
There are 11 different elephant populations in the country. The forest zone has five, which are found at the Kakum forest in the Central Region, among other areas, while there are six in the savannah areas like the Mole National Park, the biggest park in the country.
Elephant poaching is particularly rife at the Mole National Park where a number of arrests have been made.
The poachers, who are armed, attack wildlife officers while some neighbouring communities, which thrive on these businesses, are also unfriendly to the officers.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001,
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday nominated eight people for approval as District Chief Executives (DCEs) by their respective district assemblies in the Western Region.
They are Mr E. Tawiah-Amprofi (Mpohor Wassa East); Mr Benjamin Armah (Juabeso-Bia); Mr Christopher Addae (Bibiani Anwiaso-Bewai); Mr S. Alberto Tekyi (Wassa Amenfi); and Mr K.Ofori Asante (Aowin Suaman).
The rest are Mr Kwesi Biney (Ahanta West); Mr E. Kwesi Ayensu (Wassa West); and Mr Kofi Ahenkorah (Sefwi Wiawso).
A statement signed by Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in Accra said the nominations are in accordance with the constitution.
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Ho (Volta Region) 26 April 2001,
The production of six staples and
vegetables in the Volta Region is to go up by between 10 and 20 per cent this
year.
Figures made available to the
Ghana News Agency in Ho by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) on
Tuesday indicate that maize production is to increase from 82,357 metric tonnes
in 2000 to 94,710 metric tonnes, a rise of 15 per cent.
Cassava production is expected to
go up by 20 per cent from 1,555,344 metric tonnes in 2000 to 1,866,412 metric
tonnes in 2001.
The MOFA said yam production would
increase by 20 per cent from 279,360 metric tonnes to 335,232 metric tonnes,
while that of plantain would increase by 10 per cent from 34,295 metric tonnes
to 38,055 metric tonnes.
Vegetable production would shoot
up by 15 per cent from 81,844 metric tonnes in 2000 to 94,121 metric tonnes.
Production targets for rice this
year is set at 46,454 metric tonnes as against 40,308 last year, a rise of 15
per cent, with cocoyam going go up by 10 per cent from 30,855 metric tonnes to
30, 951 metric tonnes.
Mr Sylvester Nani Kartey, Senior
Agricultural Economist of MOFA, Told the GNA that apart from yam, there were
shortfalls for all crops in the region last year.
He said the increase in the
production of the crop was as a result of the increasing demand and the tubers'
ability to thrive under low rainfall condition.
Mr Kartey said the MOFA would
encourage farmers to adopt improved production techniques, including planting
at the right time, using animal traction where applicable and reduce
post-harvest losses.
He cited erratic rainfall last
year as being responsible for shortfalls in production targets.
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Ban on drumming, noisemaking goes into
force on May 7
Accra Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The Ga Traditional Council on Thursday announced that the traditional annual ban on drumming and noise making, which is a prelude to the Homowo celebrations, will begin on May 7.
A statement issued in Accra by Mr E.A. Armah, Registrar, said the month-long ban will end on June 7.
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Quality Grain Project was a scam -
Akufo-Addo
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The government on Wednesday described the Quality Grain Project in Aveyime in the Volta Region as a scam designed to rip off the nation of millions of dollars.
Briefing journalists in Accra, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney General, said his ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), is examining documents and evidence at the project site.
This is intended to establish whether there was any wrongdoing on the part of the various public officials who were associated with the project.
He mentioned the official as former President Jerry Rawlings, former Vice-President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Minister of Finance, Mr Kwame Peprah, Chief Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Dapaah and former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Ibrahim Adam.
Several loans were granted on the orders or by the empowerment of senior officials of the Ministry of Finance or MOFA without parliamentary approval as indicated in Article 181 of the Constitution on how loans could be contracted by, for or on behalf of government, he said.
He said the first external loan of 6,196,330 dollars was guaranteed by the previous government to finance supplies of farm materials in November 1996, followed by another 12 million dollars for purchase of capital equipment and related engineering services in July 1997.
"The third loan was guaranteed by the government on July 22, 1997 for 1,274,305.25 dollars."
Nana Akufo-Addo said internal loans were also contracted. In February, the Minister of Finance authorised the Controller and Accountant-General to release two million dollars to the company.
He said 1.450 million dollars of this was to be transferred to the account of Quality Grain at the First Tennessee Bank, USA, to enable the company meet obligations for goods and services in the USA.
The remainder of the sum was to be released to the company to meet payment obligation for goods and services in Ghana.
Another loan of 150 million cedis under the Gateway Trade and Investment Programme was arranged by Dr George Yankey of the Ministry of Finance and paid by Ecobank.
"In October 2000, a loan of 259 million cedis was granted by Ecobank while another 346 million cedis was guaranteed by the Ministry of Finance in May as cost of fuel purchased by the company from Elf Oil Ghana Limited," Nana Akufo-Addo said.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the Ministry of Finance in May again guaranteed another loan of 34,500 dollars for fertiliser bought from Wienco Ghana Limited, adding that "there are other facilities centred at the Ghana Commercial Bank whose details are not yet at hand, but are being sought."
He said all the loans in favour of the company fall within the purview of the Constitution and that apart from the first external loan in November 1996 for 6,196,330 dollars, none of the other loans and guarantees extended to the company was approved by parliament.
"These loans, therefore, violate the constitution, violations which may carry legal consequences for the public officials who acted to effect them," Nana Akufo-Addo said.
He was, however, happy that the government could take over the company.
"Fortunately for the state, there is a direct legal way to cut some of the losses and attempt to gain some value from this entire sorry saga."
He said on November 13th, 1996, the company executed in favour of the ministry of finance a deed of indemnity and a floating change on its assets to provide security for the guarantees effected by the ministry.
The deed was to operate if the ministry was called upon to make good the default of the company.
"When that happened, the indemnity naturally was worthless. The Ministry has been paying on the default since September 1998 up to April 2001 approximately 20 million dollars without any hope of under indemnification. The only solution left is to enforce the floating change on the assets."
Nana Akufo-Addo said since 1998 when the deed was executed, no attempt has been made to register the charge, noting that it was yet another link in the chain of extraordinary negligence that has characterised management of this transaction by the "highest officials of the republic."
Nana Akufo-Addo said he has requested the application by Friday of an ex-parte for an order of the High Court to extend time for the registration of the charge.
"I am hopeful that the application would succeed. If so, we shall then make a formal application early next week for the formal take-over of the assets of the company including the farm and all its equipment."
He said the government is not in favour of anything like state farms since the practice failed in the past
The MOFA has been directed to submit to cabinet proposals for the full development of the enterprise once the government has taken over.
Nana Akufo-Addo said Ms Renee Woodard the African-American in the middle of the scam, first met President Rawlings at an investment drive in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and was later introduced in Ghana to Mr Peprah as a rice production expert.
The Ministry of Finance was then asked to finance the project.
He said Ms Woodard then incorporated a Ghanaian company of the same name as that of its Tennessee-based parent company - Quality Grain Company Ghana Limited - that owned all its shares.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the only document of the company's objective is a feasibility report on the production of rice under irrigation in Ghana by QGC.
"It did not contain a detailed plan and design, including full cost and the responsibilities of government under the financing arrangement proposed," he said.
"The feasibility report did not mention any problems with land acquisition or squatters... In fact this was not the case and the company had to spend two years getting squatters off the land before cultivation."
He said the report, "at the very least is misleading, if not fraudulent, made only to induce the granting of the loan facility."
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SFO to investigate five former top public
officials
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice on Wednesday said the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is focusing investigations on five former top public officials for their involvement in the Quality Grain Project which led to the loss of millions of cedis to the nation.
The former officials are Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Samuel Dapaah, Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, Dr George Sikpah-Yankey, Legal adviser in the Ministry of Finance and Nana Ato Dadzie, Chief of Staff.
Nana Akufo-Addo said Alhaji Adam who introduced Renee Woodard to the MOFA, assisted her to form the company, introduced her to the ministry of finance and promoted her as an accomplished rice producer on commercial scale, although she had not produced a proper proposal for the project.
She also did not have any established record as a rice producer, and used the resources of MOFA to acquire loans in the Aveyime rice farm.
He said Dr Dapaah at all material times assisted Alhaji Adam in the acts and in the grant of loans guaranteed by the government to the company, when he knew or ought to have known that the grant of these loans was contrary to the laws of the republic.
Mr Peprah is also to be questioned because he approved and executed loan agreements and guarantees in favour of QGC without seeking parliamentary approval in violation of the constitution.
Dr Yankey is being cited because it was he who prepared and executed agreements for the loans and guarantees in favour of QGC without parliamentary approval and executed transfers of loan funds into personal bank accounts of Renee Woodard, Chief Executive of QGC.
"It appears that he was also the trustee of the Ministry of Finance's shares in another company of the same name as QGC," Nana Akufo-Addo said. "The reasons for this duplication of companies are not clear from the records. It appears however, that it was this company that in November 1999 belatedly received a certificate of registration as an investment project."
He said Nana Ato Dadzie would be investigated for supervising the granting of the loans.
Although the meeting found that the loans granted without parliamentary approval had been lost to the state as a result of the fraud and incompetence of the contractor and some government officers, it nevertheless supervised the granting of further loans to the contractor.
The Attorney General named former President Jerry Rawlings and former Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills as others whose involvement in "the tale of negligence and recklessness" in the defence of the public interest has not been the focus of SFO attention, but whose roles certainly raise significant questions.
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"Job 600" project grinding to a
halt
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
Work on the World Bank sponsored 12-storey tower block of the State House, popularly called "Job 600", is grinding to a halt due to lack of funds.
The 25 million-dollar project started in 1996, involves the conversion of the tower block into committee rooms, a library, canteen and offices for members of parliament.
Consultants and engineers undertaking the project told Vice-President Aliu Mahama who inspected the progress of work on Wednesday that part payment of 12.5 million-dollar grant the World Bank released to the previous government was misapplied.
Although the World Bank is ready to release the remaining 12.5 million dollars, government is now faced with the task of looking for extra money to complete the project which is the second phase of the expansion of facilities at the Parliament House.
The first phase, completed in 1995, comprised refurbishment of the debating chamber, the speaker's block and the banquet hall.
Alhaji Mahama, accompanied by Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing, also inspected work on the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project and the expansion of the Weija Water Treatment Plant.
The Korle Lagoon project, which involves the dredging of the lagoon, will be completed in December 2002.
Kuwait F und, Standard Chartered Bank and Arab bank for Economic Development of Africa are funding the project at the cost of 65 million dollars.
He asked the Ministry of Finance to set up a monitoring department at the project site to scrutinise work completed before payment is effected.
At the Weija Project site, Alhaji Mahama tasked the contractors to redouble their effort to complete the work on schedule.
The project to be completed in September will expand the volume of treated water from 42 million to 82 million gallons a day.
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Women organisations told to fight social
practices against women
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 26 April 2001
Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on women organisations to work assiduously to eliminate some of the socio-cultural practices that impede the progress of women.
He said the high rate of illiteracy resulting from an inter-play of social, cultural and economic factors, make women one of the most vulnerable groups in society.
The Regional Minister was addressing the 70th anniversary and annual conference of the Kumasi Diocesan Women's Fellowship of the Methodist Church at the Cambridge International School in Kumasi, under the theme "The Christian woman and national development".
He said available statistics on school enrolments indicate that there is a low enrolment rate for the girls in formal education and vocational training institutions.
Mr Boafo said the enhancement of the quality of human resource should be a priority if the nation is to achieve its development objective.
The Regional Minister said the old-time notion that women should play second fiddle to men and always confined to the kitchen and fringes of society in the decision-making process must be forgotten.
Mr Boafo said for three decades efforts have been made on the local and international fronts to establish appropriate machinery to give full recognition and support to the role of women in national development.
The Rt-Rev Kwaku Asamoah Okyere, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, said women play indispensable role in society and, therefore, much attention need to be given to their needs and concerns.
He said it is the need for such recognition, attention and support that the government has created a Ministry of Women Affairs.
Bishop Asamoah Okyere said the Methodist church can pride itself with three unique female educational institutions like Wesley Girls High School, Kwadaso Women's Training Centre and Mmofraturo Girls School.
He said the church has decided to expand the vision of Mmofraturo into the Mmofraturo complex by adding junior and senior secondary schools.
Miss Beatrice Serwaa Derkyi, Ashanti Region Women Organiser of the NPP, who deputised for Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women's Affairs, commended the fellowship for its achievements in 70 years of existence.
She stressed the importance of girls' education and urged them to take active part in the fight against drug-abuse, teenage pregnancy and other social vices.
Barfour Awuah the IV, Bantamahene, said the Methodist church has played a unique role in education and that this was achieved with the support and contribution of the women.
Miss Comfort Kusi, Kumasi Diocesan President of the fellowship, said it has had a chequered history in its 70 years of existence.
She said three new branches were inaugurated in the diocese last year while 200 new members were enrolled.
Nana Akosua Akyaama III, Juabenhemaa assisted by the Regional Minister cut a cake to mark the celebration.
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CPP celebrates 29th anniversary of Nkrumah's
death
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The Convention People's Party (CPP) and other Nkrumaist parties will celebrate the 29th anniversary of the death of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on Friday April 27, at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.
To commemorate the occasion, leading members of the Nkrumaist political family would lay wreaths.
A statement signed by Nii Noi Dowuona, General Secretary of the party, said April 27 should be a day of remembrance of Nkrumah's ideas and those who are living witnesses to the world order, which continues to impoverish the people of Africa.
"The unity of Africa vigorously championed by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the basis of a coherent economic development is still eluding us," it said.
"The OAU of which Kwame Nkrumah was one of the founding architects is still dormant and has not pursued any enhancement of structures which will make Africa
competitive economically."
The statement noted that the noble cause he pursued with crusading zeal has recently been given greater impetus by the Sirte Declaration, after almost three decades of his death.
It called on all Ghanaians to commit themselves to Dr. Nkrumah's policy of Pan Africanism and emancipation and struggle to build a better and prosperous Ghana.
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Reseal trenches properly - Ghana Telecom
told
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 26 April 2001
Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has directed Ghana Telecom Company to ensure that trenches it cuts across roads to lay cables are well sealed.
He observed that the poor sealing of portions of the road by contractors engaged by the company to lay the cables has become a major source of inconvenience to motorists.
He was speaking during a familiarisation tour of facilities at the regional headquarters of the Ghana Telecom in Kumasi on Tuesday.
The Regional Minister said the contractors should also be made to serve adequate public notices through erection of signboards, to direct traffic when it becomes necessary to work on the roads pointing out that "things must not be done without due regard to the public".
Mr Boafo reminded the company of its strategic role in bringing to fruition the government's vision of creating a "Golden Age of Business", saying, it should render efficient services.
"You should not only provide services but take a critical look at going into joint ventures", he said, adding, "Ghana should take the lead in the establishment of an ECOWAS network".
Another area of concern to Mr Boafo was the company's billing system, citing a personal experience where a wrong bill was passed on to him.
Ing. Yaw Mensah Adja, Ashanti Regional Director of the company, told the Regional Minister of plans to increase the exchange capacities in the region with additional 30,000 lines.
The region presently has nine exchanges with a total of 30,160 direct exchange lines.
Ing. Adja disclosed that the company has introduced data services into its line of products and that a data switch has been installed in Kumasi to cater for Ashanti and the northern sector.
It has also introduced a new customer-management billing system for the Kumasi and Obuasi exchange areas.
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Airlink crash victims would be paid claims
soon - SIC
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
Management of the State Insurance Company (SIC) on Wednesday assured victims of the Ghana Airforce Plane, Airlink, that crashed in June last year that all passengers on the flight were duly covered under the passenger liability policy and that their claims would be paid soon.
A statement issued on Wednesday said the SIC had received 15 claim applications all of which have been passed on to AON, SIC's Insurance Brokers in London.
It said the Executive Director of AON had met with representatives of SIC and the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces to discuss speedy settlement of the claims adding that all outstanding issues have been resolved.
Meanwhile, management of SIC has commended the crash victims for their co-operation with Airlink and SIC under the prevailing circumstances.
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Police patrol team in accident, girl killed
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 26 April 2001
A 12-year old girl known only as Damata died on the way to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) when a police patrol vehicle skidded off the road at Abrepo junction and hit her on Saturday.
Madam Rebecca Azu, aged 43, who was also hit by the vehicle is responding to treatment at KATH.
According to a Police statement, the five-man patrol team from the striking force started patrol duties at about 21:00 hours on Friday night and at about 02:00 hours on Saturday it headed towards Suame Roundabout where armed robbers have been terrorising travellers to Yeji from Sofoline.
The statement said on reaching a spot near the Abrepo Junction the vehicle skidded off the road and hit Madam Azu and Damata, who were preparing food on the pavement.
The victims were rushed to KATH but Damata was pronounced dead on arrival. Members of the patrol team, who sustained minor injuries, were treated and discharged.
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Okyere-Henaku qualifies to contest Council
of State Seat-EC
Ho (Volta Region) 26 April 2001
Mr Mohammed Adoquaye, Volta Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) says Mr Frederick Okyere-Henaku one of the eight candidates, who was earlier reported to be disqualified from contesting the Volta Region seat on the Council of State is qualified to contest the election.
Mr Adoquaye said there was an error in his earlier interpretation of "Article 2 section (C) of Constitutional Instrument (CI) (Election), Regional Representation on the Council of State."
Article 2 section (C) states that "No person is qualified to be elected as a regional representative of the Council of State, who is not resident in or does not hail from the region for which he seeks representation."
Mr. Adoquaye said Mr Okyere-Henaku has been "ordinarily" resident in the Volta region for more than 20 years, even though, he does not hail from the region and is therefore qualified to contest the Volta Region seat.
Other contestants are: Nana Obrimpong Kanya II of Bejamse in the Kete-Krachi District, Nana Aburam Akpandja IV, Buemhene in the Jasikan District, Nana Kwaku Boateng II, of Tapa-Abotoase also in the Jasikan District.
Others are Nene Narte Wletu V, of Agotime in the Ho District, Nana Ogyeabuor Akompi II, Kadjebihene, Togbe Avudzega Soga I, of Tongu and Very Reverend Professor Noah Komla Dzobo, former Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church, Ghana.
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French Minister
arrives for official visit
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April
2001
The French Minister of State
in-charge of Government Affairs, Michel Sapin, arrived in Accra on Wednesday
night for a two-day official visit.
Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey,
Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the French Ambassador in Ghana, Mr. Jean
Berrit met him on arrival.
Whilst in the country, Mr. Sapin
will hold discussions with the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama and some
ministers of state.
The Minister said his visit is in
line with France's resolve to co-operate closely with Anglophone countries to
adopt a common approach to tackle political and economic issues in the West
African sub-region and Africa as a whole.
It also demonstrates France's
support for the policies of President John Agyekum Kufuor.
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Queen Elizabeth's birthday observed
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The British High Commission on Wednesday observed the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth the II, ceremonial head of the United Kingdom.
At a reception to mark the occasion, the British High Commissioner, Dr Rod Bullen and Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Nana Akuffo Addo expressed the hope that relations between Ghana and Britain would continue to flourish.
The Queen's actual birthday falls on April 21 but the official birthday is celebrated any day within about 15 days thereafter.
The Queen is celebrating her 75 birthday.
The reception was graced with the presence of dignitaries made up of ministers of state, ambassadors, parliamentarians and managers of private and state owned companies.
Invited guests were entertained with music by the Ghana Armed Forces.
Proposing the toast, Dr Rod Bullen said Ghana and the UK share a common heritage.
"Both countries have changed greatly in the 40 plus years since the former
(Ghana) became independent, but the close links between us remain," he said.
Dr Bullen said the links are not just between governments or simply about trade or development assistance.
"Rather, they cover all aspects of human activity and involve people at all levels within society," he added and expressed the hope that there would be many contacts and areas of co-operation.
Nana Akuffo Addo said Ghana treasures the opportunity offered by the celebration to renew relations with Britain.
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Guidelines for police participation in UN
peace missions
Tema (Greater Accra) 26 April 2001
The Police Administration has said that guidelines for the selection of police personnel for United Nations International Peace- Keeping operations would be adhered to strictly.
Those seeking for selection should have served for between five to eight years, hold a driving licence for not less than two years, pass a written examination, driving as well as shooting target test and should not be above 50 years.
Mr Enerst Owusu-Poku, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Tema explained that the selection has been decentralised, for District Commanders to make the initial picking and send the list to the Regional Commanders to compile.
The Regional Commanders would then forward the list to the Police Headquarters to ensure that all the guidelines for the selection have been complied with before those, who qualify would be invited to take the examination, which would be conducted by officials from the UN.
Mr. Owusu-Poku said there would be enough transparency in the selection.
He declined to comment on what pertained in the past saying he was not in office then.
There had been complaints about the system of selection of officers and men for international peace keeping operations and a survey which GNA conducted in January, this year, revealed that while some personnel had benefited on two or three occasions, others had not been invited for interview.
Police personnel interviewed compared the military tradition of selection for such international peace keeping operations and pointed out that soldiers go in batches, so they know that it would reach their turn and suggested to the police administration to adopt the system.
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