Ghana music awards - several cheers, few jeers
Accra (Greater Accra)
11 April 2002 - Ghana has been certified as the first West African country to
receive the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) visa. With the certification,
the country is among one of the 11 African countries to achieve textile
certification.
Mr Ferdinand Ayim,
the Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs,
who made this known at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said a ceremony
will be held today at the Castle, Osu, in Accra, to formally announce Ghana’s
certification to export textiles to the United States under the Act.
AGOA is a US-Government initiative to offer a duty-free and quota-free market
for textiles from qualifying African countries into the US market until October
1, 2007. To qualify, the African country should adopt an effective visa system
for monitoring local production capacity as well as collaboration with the US
Customs Service on data reporting and inspection requirements. Prospective
producers and exporters must also maintain complete production and export
records for at least two years.
Mr Ayim said Ghana has satisfied all the modalities and so qualifies to enjoy a
duty-free and quota-free status on virtually all exports to the US. He,
however, said guarantees will have to be provided in the case of textiles to
establish that they are made from Africa. Mr Ayim described the certification
as a major boost to the President's Special Initiative (PSI) launched by the
President last year.
He said currently, African textiles export to the US totals $350 million a year
and this figure has a potential to grow to $4.2 billion over the next eight
years. Mr Ayim said Ghana is poised to take advantage of the AGOA to turn the
economy round and improve the living conditions of the people. – Daily Graphic.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - The Ghana Cocoa Board
(COCOBOD) is to stop offering financial support to private cocoa buying
companies to purchase cocoa. Consequently, the board is looking for private
buyers, who have the financial capacity to buy cocoa from farmers without
financial support from the board.
The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Kwame Sarpong, who made
this known at the ongoing Ashanti Economic Forum at the Prempeh Assembly Hall
in Kumasi, said the private sector must be seen to be playing a proper role in
moving the cocoa industry forward. The three-day economic forum, being
organised under the patronage of the Manhyia Palace and the Ashanti Regional
Coordinating Council, is under the theme, "Maximising Ashanti's
contribution to the Economic Development of Ghana."
Mr Sarpong, who spoke on problems and solutions within the cocoa industry,
expressed concern about some private buyers who are undermining the very
purpose for which the Akuafo Cheque system was instituted. He noted that some
unscrupulous persons in the industry are perpetrating the very fraud for which
the Akuafo Cheque system was expected to eliminate.
Mr Sarpong stated that this has encouraged smuggling of
cocoa to the detriment of the nation. He said all these problems have contributed
to the cocoa industry not being accorded its pride of place in the country
despite its long existence.
The Chief executive also expressed concern about the non-availability of land
for new farms and said this could break down the industry if not addressed.
However, Mr Sarpong said the Cocoa Research Institute (CRI) at Tafo has
developed a new technology that will enable farmers to increase yield on
available lands.
The CRI, he said, has also developed a technology that will enable by-products
of cocoa to be developed into valuable products. He said this will help prevent
the movement of the youth from the rural areas to the urban centres, as it will
improve employment generation.
He also spoke about the ageing farmers in the industry and encouraged the youth
to go into cocoa farming to help sustain the industry, and also improve their
living conditions. He said the COCOBOD would continue to focus on the
development of the industry in the Ashanti Region, as it remains one of the
biggest producing regions in the country.
In another presentation, the Executive Chairman of Darko Farms Company Limited,
Mr Kwabena Darko, noted that agriculture can no more remain centred on
small-scale producers. He said it is about time agriculture is seen as a
business venture.
Mr Atta Nyamekye, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI),
who spoke at the function said that the AGI needs to look beyond the West
African market, but noted that this could materialise if proper marketing
information strategies are put in place. - Daily Graphic
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Ajumako (Central Region) 11 April 2002 - The Ministry of Education has presented a cheque for ¢150 million to the 2001 Best Teacher, Mr Joseph Yaw Nyarko of the Ochiso Methodist JSS in the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam District of the Central Region.
Presenting the cheque, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Christian Adu
Atiemo, congratulated him for his hard work and dedication to duty. He said the
ministry attaches great importance to the award, and said the award scheme
serves as a source of inspiration to dedicated teachers in the country. He
apologised to the Best Teacher for the delay in presenting the cheque to him
and assured teachers that every effort would be put in place to forestall this
embarrassing situation in future.
Mr Nyarko expressed his appreciation to the ministry for delivering on its
promise and said the award will spur him on to achieve greater laurels. He
urged his colleagues to offer their best to ensure that they benefit from the
award scheme in the ensuing years.
Mr Nyarko said he has acquired a plot at his hometown, Agona Swedru, in the
Central Region and expressed the hope to complete the building by the end of
the year. On his future plans, Mr Nyarko said he would use part of the money to
further his education at the University of Cape Coast. - Daily Graphic.
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Sherry, Awoonor join hot race for NDC posts
Accra
(Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - Two of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
National Executive officers have bowed out of the elections scheduled for the
party’s congress on 27 April in Accra.
Mr Akrasi
Sarpong, National Organiser who will always be remembered for the ruthless
manner in which he flogged women for trivial offences in the heady days of the
PNDC, has made clear his intentions to bow out. Kofi Attor, deputy General
Secretary of the party has similarly decided not to seek re-election or contest
any national executive position.
Others have
given indications but are yet to officially inform the national secretariat
while a third person who has officially declared he will not contest his
position as deputy Propaganda Secretary, Mr William Aggrey, now vies for the
seat of National Organiser.
Mr Bede
Ziedeng, who is currently handling publicity at the national secretariat of the
NDC made this know in an interview on Wednesday. As at Chronicle’s visit to the
party’s office, only three persons have officially applied for re-election.
They are Professor Kofi Awoonor, Kwaku Baah and Miss Sherry Aryitey, who all
seeking re-election as deputy national chairpersons.
Some of the
leading executives including Hon Enoch Teye Mensah are yet to pick nomination
forms, thus raising doubts about their keenness to contest, even though the NDC
constitution allows for nomination twelve hours before the election, meaning
some could still file their nominations at congress.
The
position of National Chairman will be fiercely contested amongst Dr Obed
Asamoah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Nii Okaidja
Adamafio, all former ministers of State. New contestants are expected to join
the race for national executive positions.
These
include eight of them who have already indicated the positions they intend
contesting with some including, Mr Jerry Akwei Thompson, former Ga District
Chief Executive and a right hand man of E.T. Mensah who is yet to indicate the
slot he intends competing.
Other new
entrants are Mrs Margaret Clarke Kwesie and Tabitha Quaye, all former members
of Parliament who are contesting the positions of National Treasurer and
Women’s Organiser, respectively. Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, MP for Fanteakwa is
competing for the position of National Organiser while Alhaji Abubakari Sumani
contests the position of General Secretary.
Alhaji
Issah Boateng is contesting for deputy Propaganda Secretary, Alhaji Awudu for
deputy National Organizer, Fiifi Kweetey for Propaganda Secretary and Hon Alice
Boon contesting for Women’s Organiser.
According
to Mr Bede Ziedeng, who was once the deputy Upper West Regional Minister, some
portions of the NDC constitution could be amended at congress. He said for
instance the current constitution provides for co-chairmanship but that could
be amended at congress before voting to give way for only one chairman. Also he
noted that the party intends proposing the amendment of a portion of the
constitution that makes way for the election of six vice-chairmen so as to
reduce the number to three.
He
explained that in the past the party’s national vice-chairmen were given
regional portfolios but that could change with the amendment of the
constitution. The NDC national congress was originally scheduled for 27
December 2002 but Mr Ziedeng explained that the postponement of the congress
was occasioned by delays of some regional congresses while certain internal
issues also had to be addressed to pave way for a smooth congress.
And from
Koforidua, Chronicle has gathered that the Youth Forum of the NDC has called
for the retention of the co-chairmanship arrangement at the 27 April congress.
Baba Jamal, the Forum spokesman told the Chronicle that those who emerge as the
best two in the race for chairmanship should both be allowed to bring their
immense experience and knowledge to bear on the rebuilding of the party.
Supporters
of the NDC interviewed in the Eastern Region capital showed lack of knowledge
about whom to root for. “Everyday we hear aspirants declaring their intention
to contest executive positions, yet up till now the list of contenders has not
been released,” he said. Nonetheless, Dr Obed Asamoah’s name topped choices
made by some 50 people regarding who should be national chairman, with Alhaji
Iddrisu Mahama trailing him at a distant second.
The stance
taken by the NDC branch of the Western Region, regarding the candidates, look
remarkably different, according to sources at Takoradi. The Regional Chairman,
Nana Alex Asamoah has made it clear that the Western Region will not look at
“personalities” but “issues and those whose messages would convince congress
that they will enhance party cohesion and project its ideas even after
congress.
So far, the
only person who has filed for a position from the region is Ms Tabitha Quaye,
former MP for Takoradi, for Women’s Organiser. He claimed all issues have been
resolved for a successful congress. Positions that are up for grabs at the
impending congress are national chairman or co-chairman, general secretary and
two of his deputies, national organiser and his deputy, national treasurer and
his deputy, national propaganda secretary and his two deputies and members of
the national executive committee who would be expected to hold no portfolios. –
The Chronicle.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - The struggle for positions and power within the NDC hierarchy is beginning to witness twists and turns, very much out of character with the party as observed in the past. In the run-up to the party’s 27 April congress, intrigues, mudslinging and name-calling appear to be the order of the day as individuals and groups are doing everything within their means to gain advantage over their opponents.
Reacting to one such allegation on Tuesday, supporters of Dr Obed Asamoah denied that his bid for the party’s chairmanship was orchestrated to frustrate the ambitions of Professor Mills, the party’s flagbearer in the 2000 elections.
The group said those peddling the rumour are the people who still believe that candidates for the impending congress should be handpicked. They said Dr Asamoah had had enemies in the party because of his insistence that those seeking executive positions in the party must submit themselves to the people at the congress to be elected.
Their spokesman, who preferred anonymity, disclosing this to “The Evening News” in an interview said the party must be grateful to a man like Dr Asamoah who is committed to ensuring that the party deviates from its mentality of picking and imposing candidates on the electorate.
“We have done this more than once and it did not succeed and it would be suicidal if we should repeat it at the congress,” they said. According to them, those kicking against Dr Asamoah’s candidature are those who have been assured of certain positions in the national executive and feel that their positions are threatened.
“Only a democrat like Dr Asamoah can bring the once mighty party back to its glorious days and seeking to destroy him must stop. We know that Dr Asamoah and Prof Mills do not belong to the same camp but we are aware that they share ideas on the future of the party”, the group said. When the Evening News contacted Dr Obed Asamoah on telephone for his comment, he declined any comments saying he did not wish to talk at this time. – The Evening News.
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Kyebi (Eastern Region) 11 April 2002 - A seven-member government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor on Tuesday called on Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to thank Okyeman for their efforts in the search of the Ghana Air Force helicopter, which crashed in the Atiwa Forest last month, killing all seven people on board.
The delegation comprised the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshall Edmund Mante, the General Officer Commanding the Southern Command, Brigadier J.B. Danquah, Chief Director of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Frank Mpare, the Member of Parliament for Atiwa Constituency, Dr Yaw Brempong Yeboah, and other senior military officers.
They were joined by the Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for East Akyem, Mr Emmanuel Asihene. The delegation was also at New Tafo to console the family of the late Victor Adu Nyarko, the nurse from the Holy family Hospital, who was also involved in the crash. Dr Addo Kufuor presented ¢2 million to the family towards the funeral arrangements while the government provided all other things for Friday’s State burial for him.
Earlier at Kyebi, Dr Addo Kufuor presented a plaque of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and six bottles of schnapps to the Okyehene. The entourage also called on the chiefs and people of Segyimase, Asiakwa, Kwabeng and Bomaa. They were also at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital, the late Adu Nyarko’s workplace. The Minister presented a GAF plaque each with bottles of schnapps and cash ranging between ¢500,000 to ¢1 million to the chiefs of the various towns. – The Ghanaian Times.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - Office equipment valued at about ¢282 million ($36,000) were on Wednesday donated to Parliament by the National People’s Congress of China at a short handling over ceremony in Accra. They included five Konka colour T.V Sets, 10 sets of Legend-Luna, 2000 computers, five units of konka DVD player, one set of spare-parts for computers, 20 pieces of toner and 10 pieces of catridge.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Lu Yongshou, presented the equipment to Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker of Parliament at his conference room. The two also signed handing over notes to signify the presentation and receipt of the equipment.
Mr Yongshou said that the equipment were in fulfilment of a promise by the standing committee of the Chinese Congress in May 2001, when its members led by Mr Xu Jialu, Vice-chairman, visited Ghana. He noted that the Friendship between China and Ghana was profound and long-standing and under the careful cultivation of the tenders of the two countries, that traditional friendship was being strengthened from day to day.
The ambassador stated that the Chinese government and people highly valued the friendly relations between China and Ghana and therefore, attached great importance to the enhancement of the economic and technical cooperation with Ghana. “We believe with the joint efforts made by both sides, the existing friendly cooperation between the two governments and the two people of China and Ghana would be further consolidated”, he stressed.
According to Mr Yongshou, the visit to Ghana last year by the congress delegation had further deepened the mutual understanding and friendship between it and the Parliament of Ghana.
Mr Adjetey expressed gratitude to the Chinese congress for the gifts, and the Chinese Ambassador and his staff, for their role in ensuring the delivery of the equipment as promised. He said that the equipment would go a long way to ameliorate some of the critical office automation conditions they had been grappling with in their offices. – Ghanaian Times.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - The Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Excise
and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr J.K. Oklu, has ordered the immediate
suspension of the escort fees, being charged at the country’s sea ports
following the protest lodged by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA),
ship owners association and other stakeholders.
According
to information available to The Chronicle in Takoradi, the assistant
commissioner has instead directed that a daily flat rate of ¢50,000 be paid per
escort for goods that entered in transit through Ghana’s seaports. Chronicle
learnt that the transit fees of the equivalent in cedis of $200 would, however,
continue to apply at the seaports.
The
marketing and customer service manager of the Takoradi Port, Mr Paul Asare
Ansah, has confirmed the order given by the assistant commissioner and copied
to all transitors, importers and their agents when the paper contacted him at
his office last Wednesday.
The escort
fee of $65 was introduced at the country’s seaports on 18 March, this year, by
CEPS as a charge payable on an officer for a day to undertake escort of transit
cargo. The GPHA, Ghana Shippers Council, Institute of Freight Forwarders, Ship
Owners Association and other stakeholders at their meeting held in Tema
recently protested against the new tax since it could collapse maritime
business at the seaports.
As reported
earlier by the Chronicle, two vessels – MV Wilking and MV Gtg of London –
carrying a total cargo of 18,000 metric tones left the Tema Port somewhere last
week on hearing of the $65 order from CEPS. This, among others, led to the
losing of 10 per cent of total cargo that passes through Tema Port alone by
GPHA.
The
aforementioned associations subsequently sent a petition to the Minister of
Finance, the Vice-President and other sector ministers to do something to
salvage the situation, an action, which has now resulted in the suspension of
the tax.
Meanwhile,
some businessmen in the maritime industry have appealed to the government to do
something about the bad nature of the Yamouransa-Kumasi road, especially from
Fomena to Kumasi. According to them, efforts being made to resuscitate the
Takoradi Port would come to nothing if the government did not see to the
immediate reconstruction of the road that is going to be used by importers from
Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali to cart their goods.
In its
attempt to promote more business at the Takoradi Port, the authorities have
embarked upon vigorous public awareness campaign at the three aforementioned
countries to entice them to use the Takoradi Port, which can also be reached
easily from Kumasi by rail. – The Chronicle.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 11 April 2002 - After finding him guilty of perpetrating acts
that constituted corruption, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative
Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended that Mr Samuel Appiah-Ampofo, former National
Insurance Commissioner (NIC), be banned from holding any public office.
Giving the
ruling last Friday, 5 April, the Chairman of CHRAJ, Mr Francis Emile Short,
noted that by his admission on 27 November 2001 that he received $96,500 from
Mr Edward Grant Whytock, a broker working as a consultant to the Aviation
division of Nicholson Leslie Ltd.- which is part of the Aon Group that
Appiah-Ampofo brought in to replace Ghana Airways’ insurance brokers - The
ex-Commissioner acted in an unethical manner.
At the time
of the hearing of the corruption case brought against Appiah-Amposfo by Mr
Kweku Baako Jnr., Editor-in-Chief of The Crusading Guide, who acted on behalf
of the paper, CHRAJ discovered that out of the $96,500 that was paid into the
former Commissioner’s London account as kick-back, only $11,243 was left.
The CHRAJ
therefore, recommended that the outstanding amount of money be paid into
government chest. Other recommendations were that Appiah-Ampofo should be banned
from membership of any insurance institution and also criminal prosecution be
instituted against him by the Attorney-General.
In addition
to these, CHRAJ said all future National Insurance Commissioners should be
registered Insurance Practitioners subject to the recommendation and discipline
of the appropriate regulatory bodies.
In the
presence of the former Insurance Commissioner, his lawyer, his wife and Kweku
Baako Jner., Mr Emile Short bluntly observed that he (Appiah-Ampofo) had abused
his office as a public officer and that his behaviour constituted a criminal
offence. According to him, the implementation of the recommendations above
would go a long way in giving real meaning to the Government’s policy of ‘zero
tolerance for corruption.’
Mr
Appiah-Ampofo was stripped naked in a series of publications by The Crusading
Guide in respect of a deal that was struck between him and Aon, the insurance
brokers that he brought in to replace Bowring, Ghanair’s former insurance
brokers, although there were no complaints of inefficiency against them. – The
Crusading Guide.
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Koforidua (Eastern Region) 11 April 2002 - The Eastern Regional office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), had dismissed a complaint of unfair treatment lodged against Nana Kena Ampaw, chief of Kukurantumi by a citizen of the town, Esther Asieduwaa.
Madam Asieduwaa had complained that the chief on 04 August 2001, deployed some police officers to the town following a misunderstanding there. The police, according to Madam Asieduwaa, fired gunshots injuring her 12-year-old son who was hit in the back with a bullet, which passed through his armpit in the process.
The complaint claimed that the boy was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra where the bullet was successfully removed. She alleged that although she had reported the incident to the elders of the town, neither they nor Nana Kena Ampaw assisted in footing the medical bills and caring for the boy.
Nana Kena Ampaw, on his part, denied deploying the police to the town and explained that they (police) were in the town on the said day to maintain order at a durbar, which ended without an incident.
He said that it was after the durbar and the departure of all invited guests that a group of youth in the town started misbehaving and throwing stones into the palace. “The situation was so intense that the policemen could not withstand it and therefore requested for reinforcement from Koforidua. It was during this confrontation at about 10 pm that the complainant’s son and others were hit by gunshots,” Nana Kena was quoted as saying in his response to the allegation to CHRAJ.
The Regional Police commander confirmed the chief’s contention of the youth’s misbehaviour and the resultant police action and alleged that after the police had stopped firing the warning shots, some shots were heard from where the mob had gathered. – Ghanaian Times.
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Accra (Greater Accra)
11 April 2002 - The publicity that had come with it was massive, the package
was similarly attractive; it was therefore not surprising to see the large
audience that converged at the National Theatre to be part of the third edition
of the Ghana Music Awards.
To call it an exciting
show will definitely be correct for most of the live audience as well as the
millions who watched it on television. Perhaps for a show that big, one could
not expect anything less.
The late start of the
show (seems to be an accepted thing now) was made up for with a spectacular
performance by the Showtime Dancers who warmed the audience with very flexible
body movements.
The presentation of
awards to deserving artistes itself went smoothly, a feather in the cap of the
organisers for ensuring that all the winning artistes were present to take
their awards, Rex Omar being an exception. It was great having all the members
making up the Gospel All Stars present and treating the audience to the favourite
W’Aseda Nie, which grabbed the Gospel Song of the Year award. And wasn’t Amy
Newman funky with her dance?
Other impressive
performances came from the wonderful gospel duo of Jane and Bernice, Okomfuo
Kwadee, Omanhene Pozo and Alhaji K Frimpong, with Alhaji stealing the show
singing and combining with some very good steps. Nana Quame, Nana Fynn and
Shasha Marley also gave good account of themselves.
And weren’t VIP
daring? Wow, it seems there is a new dimension to entertainment in this country
and people better watch out. The guys did not only make their presence felt
with their nice outfits but shook the theatre with their performance and
display of rides on motorbikes. That was cool.
Kontihene is
undoubtedly a hot favourite but would have been better off without all those
people who came up to back him, that took a lot of attention from him and made
his turn a bit clumsy. Perhaps artistes will do well to desist from crowding
the stage with hangers-on whenever they have to perform.
Indecency reared its
ugly head when Ofori Amponsah took his turn on stage, his female dancer’s
outfit and dance were so embarrassing; one could even say it was disgusting.
Not a bad idea to have international guest artistes on shows of such calibre
but the audience would certainly not have lost much if Daddy Showkey had not
been brought all the way from Nigeria. He didn’t add much to the programme as
it were.
The set design was
beautiful and relevant, and people were on cue. MC Kwami Sefa Kayi as usual was
very smooth and in control of affairs. His co-MC, Juliet Asante, however, was
not up to the job, try as she did. She could not match the skill and ease with
which the more confident and experienced Kwami steered affairs.
It was a long night
and maybe hiplife maestro and Artiste of the Year, Lord Kenya should have gone
straight ahead to do the Song of the Year, Medo though the Children of Africa
was not bad. Everyone was waiting for “Medo” and time did not allow him to give
off the best of that.
To the organisers and sponsors, one will say Ayekoo for another good work done. No doubt the situation where they (organisers) are seen adding finishing touches to the set at the last minute right in front of the audience should be avoided in future.
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