Why we snubbed New Nkrumaist party - Dr Mahama
Aides say J.J. will quit if Obed is elected
Mike Gizo supports single chairmanship
NDC - To Survive or not survive?
Night life in Dagbon creeps to a halt
'Probe accidents on Volta Lake'
Woman pours hot water on hubby
Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - The Minister of Energy, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah
has stated that the government will not allow utility services to pass on their
inefficiencies in the form of higher tariffs to consumers.
He said
while it is imperative for utility companies to provide efficient services at
economic rates, the government also has a social obligation to reduce the
financial burden that a reckless imposition of rates can cause. Mr Kan-Dapaah
was speaking at the launching of a national energy efficiency awareness
campaign in Accra on Wednesday. The launching ceremony was performed by the
Vice- President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
The
minister pointed out that, "under no circumstance shall we permit the
passing on of the inefficiencies of the utilities to consumers." He
explained that it was for this reason "that we opposed the demand for over
300 per cent increases last year. And that is why I find it preposterous the
ridiculous demand for about 250 - 300 per cent being bandied around by the
utilities today."
He,
however, made it clear that economic rates for utility services are inevitable.
"Without economic rates, we will continue to live with the present poor
and unacceptable standard of service," the minister said. Me Kan-Dapaah
said although it is essential that the utilities cover all costs, failing which
they will be forced to "cut corners" and in the process compromise
efficiency, the payment of economic rates must not be inflated by wastes and
inefficiencies," he added.
He
described the current electricity supply in the country as "simply not
good enough for both residential and industrial customers. He said production
has been curtailed from the hydro sources from about 1,100 MW to 600 MW. The
minister attributed the situation to mismanagement of the Akosombo and Kpong
dams over the years, antiquated infrastructure, disregard for good engineering
practices, years of neglect and lack of maintenance and waste in production and
transmission.
He
regretted that even with the complementation of 600MW from the Aboadze Thermal
Plant and Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana is not able to enjoy sustained and continuous
supply of power. Mr Kan-Dapaah disclosed that one of the units of the Takoradi
plant has never worked effectively since its installation, thus losing 165MW of
the plant's capacity of 550MW.
He said
the distribution system has virtually broken down such that "even if the
Volta River Authority supplied ECG with all the power in the world, ECG would
be unable to distribute the power." He said major cities such as Kumasi
and Takoradi, have only one Bulk Supply points while transformers are overloaded
and cables are also undersized.
He said
the inefficiencies and wastage in the system are phenomenal and unless "we
put a stop to them, we cannot fix the problems." Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed
optimism that the government will overcome the problems, but cautioned that the
solution cannot be prompt and immediate.
In his
address, Vice-President Mahama directed government ministries, departments and
agencies (MDAs) to ensure that in future air-conditioners and other energy
consuming equipment purchased meet the minimum energy efficiency standards. He
described as disturbing the fact that about 30 per cent of electrical power
produced in the country is wasted through inefficient practices. - Daily
Graphic.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - It is because the Convention People's Party
(CPP) and the National Reform Party (NRP) campaigned for the New Patriotic
Party (NRP) in the Bimbilla bye-election that the People's National Convention
(PNC) will not merge with those self-professed Nkrumaist parties.
Dr Edward
Mahama, leader of the PNC who made the disclosure to Chronicle in a telephone
interview cited the acceptance of positions in the NPP government by Prof
George Penyin Hagan and Dr Kwesi Nduom who are CPPists as a further proof that
the CPP is serving the agenda of its opponent, and compromising Nkrumah's
ideology.
Dr Mahama
had been reached on Wednesday to explain his withdrawal from the unity talks at
the countdown to the planned merger of the Nkrumahist splinter groups.
Eventually, the CPP and the NRP joined to form the New Convention People's
Party (NCPP) with the PNC and Dan Lartey's Great Consolidated Popular Party
withdrawing.
Contrary
to Dr Mahama's reasons, the acting Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the
NCPP, J.A. Attoh intimated to Chronicle that the exclusion of the PNC in the
new arrangement was due to its failure to meet the inter-party coordination
committee, a coalition of the leaders and the flagbearers of the three parties,
when the time was due for them to propose a name for the united party.
However,
he said efforts are being made by the committee to make PNC join forces with
them so as to present a united front to be able to contest fro the 2004
elections.
Asked why
they maintained CPP as part of the proposed name, he told Chronicle that the
CPP, since its inception, has a unique tradition compared to the other parties
as it is noted worldwide. "Maintaining the name CPP will enable us
retrieve the properties which were seized by the Afrifa administration after
the overthrow of Nkrumah's government," he asserted.
In an
analysis of the ruling NPP, Mr Attoh argued that it is "not a traditional
party," but a coalition of tribal youth movement in those days until when
Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared that political party should not be formed on the
basis of ethnic background. This, he said, facilitated the youth movement to
come together as a United Party (UP). He noted that the augment that the name
CPP is not relevant in the modern politics as such they should do away with it
does not hold. - The Chronicle.
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Koforidua
(Eastern Region) 25 April 2002 - Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, the founder
and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will quit the party and
damn the consequences if delegates ignore his preferences to elect his
adversary, Dr Obed Asamoah.
This was
said at a meeting of the party's regional executives, MPs and other officials
in the Eastern Region at Koforidua on Wednesday. The man who delivered the
message was no less a person than the regional chairman, Mr Ohene Kena. He told
the stunned meeting that if Asamoah wins they should forget about having the
'old man' in their fold.
Sources
who attended the meeting said for whatever purpose it was disclosed, the news
did not move the meeting to take any dramatic decision that would jeopardise
the chances of Dr Asamoah. Rather, "both of them are important pillars
behind our party: they should sit and smoke the peace pipe before we meet at
congress, we told them," a source who preferred anonymity told the
Chronicle on the line. He explained that the meeting deliberately
"abstained" from taking sides.
Three of
such meetings that had been held earlier, one in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, opted
for a single chairmanship, something Mr Rawlings least wants to hear. Another
held at Ho, the Volta Regional capital, did not only opt for a single
chairmanship, but openly declared the delegates support en bloc for Dr Asamoah.
Congress will at the weekend collate all the views of the regional branches and
various aspects of the NDC Constitution that are no longer popular would be
amended, it was learnt.
When
contacted on phone, the General Secretary, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, denied
knowledge of such a rumour that if Asamoah won, Mr Rawlings would leave the
party. On another rumour that there would be moves to get Dr Obed Asamoah
suspended from the party at the Congress so he cannot contest for the
chairmanship, he assured that the National Executives had not thought of such a
thing.
As for the
accredited delegates, he explained it would be difficult to know if any had
such motives. At any rate, he said whoever intended to table a motion would
have to comply with the NDC Congress standing orders.
With a few
days left for the NDC to go to the National delegates congress on 27 April in
Accra, die-hard supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continues
to express their views and opinions on how to make it a successful. Although
the Eastern Regional executives continues to remain tight-lipped over their
choices to hold national positions, muffled discussions among them show that
they are highly rooting for Mr Yao Obed Asamoah and not J.H. Owusu Acheampong
or Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu.
A ward
women's organiser, Mrs Ewurafua Nyampong, speaking to the Chronicle opted for
the abolition of the propaganda secretaryship in the party. According to her,
propaganda means information, that is often inaccurate or biased which an
organisation, publishers, broadcasts in order to influence people.
"Therefore, propaganda secretaries seek to persuade people to support a
particular idea, or group, often by giving them false misleading or biased
information." She opined that it has never helped the party but rather
creates hatred.
Although
some other regional executives are calling for the abolition of the national
co-chairmanship concept, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, the Eastern Regional Secretary,
made it clear that they are going to the congress to assess the contestants,
their views and their qualifications as well before giving their mandate. The
regional secretary urged other delegates to do the same. - The Chronicle.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - Two days after openly declaring his opposition
to the idea of co-chairmanship for the NDC, Dr Obed Asamoah, one of the
contestants to the position, appears to be gaining support for his stand from
some prominent NDC members.
One such
member who strongly supports the single chairmanship concept is Mr Mike Gizo,
MP for Osudoku constituency. In a chat with the Evening News in Accra on
Tuesday, Mr Gizo gave a spiritual dimension to the whole discussion. In his
view, God does not use two leaders at the same time.
He
recounted the Biblical story when God chose only Moses to lead his people
Israelites from Egypt even though there were equally good people. "After
Moses, God chose Joshua to take the people to Canaan and that is what it goes.
"In fact, if God had formed a committee to plan the journey, perhaps the
Israelites would still be in Egypt by now," he emphasised.
Mr Gizo,
generally regarded as one of the few moderates in the NDC, therefore cautioned
against the adoption of the co-chairmanship idea. He said it could generate an
unhealthy rivalry between the two co-chairmen and asked why the idea was not
implemented at the ward, constituency and regional levels if it was good.
The former
Greater Accra Regional Minister said the NDC should learn from the experience
of the ruling NPP, where after their national delegates congress, all other
contestants submitted to Mr J.A. Kufuor who emerged the winner. "That
spirit of submission was spiritual and it greatly helped the NPP to win the
last general election," he explained.
Mr Gizo
wondered why the NDC, after so much political experience, should be bogged down
by such issues and said the party should have grown by now. He urged members
not to allow their personal interests to over-ride that of the party stressing
that party was supreme. - The Evening News.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - Dr Obed Asamoah, former Attorney General and
Minister of Justice, and one of three candidates contesting for the Chairmanship
slot of the NDC, has sharply debunked Mr Ekwow Spio Gabrah's assertion that the
role of the Chairman of the NDC amounts to only merely chairing meetings of the
National Executive Committee and National Congress.
"To
simply say that all the Chairman does is to chair meetings, I am afraid, is a
little simplistic and we can forgive those who perhaps have not read all the
Constitution and have come to that conclusion, you have to look at the
provision in the context of others. It is not true that the function is only
that." Obed Asamoah said referring to Spio Garbrah's assertion made on
GTV's Big Breakfast Show (BBFS) last Saturday.
The former
Attorney General who was reacting to a question posed by the Editor-in-Chief of
The Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr., added that the Chairman chairs the
National Executive Committee Meeting, which is the management body of the
party.
"The
Chairman chairs the meetings of the National Executive Committee, now the next
question is what does the National Executive Committee do? It is like saying a chairman of the Board of
Directors in a company only chairing the meetings of the Board of Directors,
but the Board of Directors is the management body of the company. The Executive
Committee is the Management body of the party, they are indeed the ones
in-charge of the management of the party. He (Spio Garbrah) has to read the
Article that he was referring to in conjunction with other articles,"
underscored Obed Asamoah.
He
submitted that there are other provisions within the NDC Constitution that
stipulate that the chairman of party is a member of the National Executive
Committee. Reacting to Dr. Tony Aidoo's statement that he (Obed) had used State
resources to fund the activities (both in Ghana and the UK) of the pro-NDC Varandah
Boys and Girls Club (VBGC), the former Attorney General said it was a wild
allegation.
He
challenged Dr Aidoo to come out and state the Ministry whose resources were
used for such activities. "There are audits, so if somebody says that, he
should be able to say which Ministry did that", insisted Obed at the well
attended Press Conference held at the Teachers Hall in Accra. - The Crusading
Guide.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - In an interview with the Ghanaian Voice Prof
Mills insists that all who are seeking office in the party must ask themselves
all this important question. - "How can I in my own small way contribute
to equip the party with the right skills in order to enable me to play any
leadership role?"
In this
respect, Prof. Mills believes that in spite of the differences in the party,
which he considers normal to all human institutions, it is his wish and fervent
hope that the NDC would emerge from the Congress a more united and a better
focused party.
He advised
all that in spite of the differences, what must motivate each and everyone is
what is in the best interest of the party.
To him, people are not to vote for people just because they have
expressed interest in holding these offices. The Party must ensure that people
seeking offices have the right background and the requisite qualification and
determination to contribute to the reactivation of the objectives of the party.
Probably to Prof Mills, party members must consider what they can do for the
party than what the party can do for them. - The Ghanaian Voice.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - The much awaited Fifth National Delegates
Congress of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) comes on at
the Trade Fair Site on 27 April 2002. It is clear that the battle lines have
been drawn. It even looks like a game of intrigues masquerading or clothed in
the garbs of the fight for inner party democracy.
On the
surface, it appears that history is about to repeat itself. Forces that have
even sworn to ensure the total disintegration of the NDC have all come on board
in support of the National Chairmanship candidature of Dr Obed Asamoah
presently the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Party as well as the
National Re-Organization Committee.
Probably
this is good news for the party since it appears to point to the fact that,
after all, it is not the NDC, which is hated but probably its Founder and
Leader. Whatever be the fortunes of the candidates vying for the various
positions it must be made clear to all that beyond the personalities there is
the party whose interest must take precedence over any other considerations.
The party
must be aware that like what happens to old products, the task of giving the
NDC a new image is a daunting one. And
this includes the ability to produce programmes and policies, which will focus
on the ordinary people. What is happening to the NDC is not news.
It has
happened to many parties in Ghana before but such parties eventually came out
victorious. To survive or not survive is the question, which must be answered
by the assembled delegates. The country waits for an answer. - The Ghanaian
Voice.
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Tamale
(Northern Region) 25 April 2002 - Night business and social activities in
Dagbon, particularly, in Tamale, have been paralysed as a result of the curfew
that has been imposed in the area. In this regard, business that used to be
brisk during the night in the municipality is no more, thereby, putting a lot
of people out of work.
Food
sellers, vendors, taxi drivers, hotels, restaurants, night clubs and other
social and business centres are forced to now close during the curfew hours.
The dusk-to-down curfew that was imposed in the area over three weeks ago under
the state of emergency following the killing of the Ya-Na has now been relaxed
to cover only the night (7 pm to 5 am).
According
to Hajia Alhassan, a rice seller near the Transport Yard in Tamale, since the
imposition of the curfew, she has not been able to cook. "As at now, we
are eating into our capital," she revealed adding, "all the eleven
people who used to assist me cook and sell my rice are at home doing
nothing."
Hajia
Muniratu therefore, appealed to the people to remain calm, put the past behind
them by cooperating with the government to apprehend the perpetrators of the
killing so that the curfew could be lifted to put them back to business. A
63-year old retiree, Albert K. Samuel, who owns a taxi, said he used to make a
lot of money during the night but since the imposition of the curfew,
"things have changed for me and my family."
A 32-year
old bachelor, Tanko Abdallah told the Showbiz that, "I am now forced to
buy my evening meals earlier than before. And my brother, at night, I feel very
bored as I am living alone with no one around to keep my company."
Meanwhile,
most women in the area who also spoke to the Showbiz condemned the events that
led to the killing of the Ya-Na and described the action as barbaric. They
however, expressed joy over the imposition of the curfew. They said as a result
of the curfew their husbands are now forced to stay with them at home.
A 34-year
old married woman in Tamale, Azaratu Mahama, said before the curfew her husband
usually came home from work around 6.30 pm and left immediately after listening
to the 7 pm television news. She added, "My brother, the earliest time
this man used to come back home was about 12.30 am after the whole house was
asleep, but now, when he comes home at 6.30 pm he doesn't go out again.
Another
woman, 28-year old Ramatu Saani, said she had always suspected her husband of
having extra-marital affairs since he doesn't stay at home to keep her company
at night, which the husband always denied. "But now, I am a very happy
woman because I enjoy my husband's company throughout the night," she stated.
While some
single men have agreed to the fact that they spend most part of the night with
their girlfriends, others said they spend the time chatting away with their
friends and acquaintances. As for "concerts," which used to be a
regular feature in Tamale, especially, at the end of every month, they just do
not exist. - Graphic Showbiz.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 25 April 2002 - The people of Tapa Abotoase, in the Volta
Region have called on the government to investigate the circumstances that led
to the boat accident on the Volta Lake last week which claimed 50 lives
including 36 school children.
Making the
appeal on behalf of the people in a press statement in Accra on Wednesday, the
Nkosuohene of Tapa Abotoase, Nana Kofi Ofosu Bekoe further called on the
government as a a matter of urgency, to dispatch a team of naval experts to
Abotoase to assess the safety of river transportation on the Volta Lake.
It said
the government should also mandate the experts to determine if it is safe for
boats to continue plying the lake to Abotoase on market days. The statement
again called for the suspension of boat transportation on the lake to Abotoase
until the assessment has been undertaken to establish among others, whether or
not the boats have insurance policies.
According
to the statement, accidents on the Volta Lake, especially at Abotoase, are on
the increase and that the authorities must ensure that the boats are insured
for safe travel. It said most of the boats are leaking as the wood used in
manufacturing them are rotten and yet the owners continue to use them on the
lake.
The
statement recalled a similar accident last year in which more than 75 people
lost their lives and nothing was done when the people called for government
intervention. It said the issue of safety on the Volta Lake is important and,
therefore, essential that the government should be seen to be paying attention
to travels on the lake and bring to book all "irresponsible boat owners
who, for the sake of money, do not care about the life and safety of human
beings, especially children."
Fifty
bodies, including those of school children, were recovered from the Volta Lake
after a boat accident, which occurred near Amevlovikope Island last week
Thursday. Divers rescued 34 others while a search for more bodies was underway.
Among the bodies so far recovered were those of 36 pupils and students from the
Jasikan district. The boat was said to be carrying more than 90 bags of salt,
quantities of maize, cement and sugar. - Daly Graphic.
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Maakro
(Ashanti Region) 25 April 2002 - The recent spate of spousal murders in some
parts of the country took a different turn last Sunday when a woman, suspecting
her husband of infidelity, poured hot water on him while he was fast asleep at
their Maakro home near Kumasi.
The
victim, Kwasi Oduro, 45, was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
(KATH) with severe burns and in critical condition. His wife, Akua Amponsah,
38, was arrested by the Suame Police and placed in custody.
According
to police sources, three days prior to the incident, Oduro left home for town
without giving the wife the "chop-money" and did not return till the
next morning. On his return, Oduro told the wife that he attended a friend's
party and got so drunk that he had to spend the night there and pleaded for
forgiveness.
The
following day, Oduro again went to town but this time he left the "chop
money" at the usual place and returned home later in the evening to
realise that no food had been left for him. Having slept on an empty stomach
throughout the night, Oduro, apparently angry, was said to have left for town
and did not return.
He
returned home the next day and went straight to bed at about 10 pm without
saying a word to the wife. Suspecting that her husband was seeing another woman
somewhere she quickly boiled some water and poured it on the man who was lying
prostrate. His screams attracted a co-tenant who rushed him to KATH. - The
Ghanaian Times.
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