‘NDC is an auctioned property’
Olympio loses glass factory as government decides takeover
Assets declaration should cover public officers spouses, children - Akoto Ampaw
Review ‘dead’ Central Region. factories - Methodist Bishop
Awudome Secondary School student stabbed to death
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - Even before the 5th National Delegates Congress (NDC) would end, a leading member of the party swiped at the party leaders, accusing them of handling it as an auctioned property that only benefits the wealthy few within its ranks.
Fuming with rage in an informal interaction on Sunday dawn with a section of the delegates that attended the congress, Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC Member for Biakoye constituency, bemoaned what he perceives as attempt by a few individuals to use money to influence decisions in the party, instead of abiding by democratic principles of transparency.
“The party has been sold as though it was an auctioned property. It’s been sold and that’s what we are going through,” he said at the time voting was still ongoing, much to the surprise of some delegates and an independent newspaper reporter, who was also paying attention to get a scoop.
His comments was taken seriously by the few delegates he was chatting with, most of them women who also threatened to advise themselves, should things continue to go the money laundering way.
Continuing, Hon Adjei complained that some people were being favoured in the party to the disadvantage of others who, after all, might have toiled for the success of the NDC more than those being favoured, citing himself as an example of those that have been discriminated against as far as benefiting from the party was concerned.
Explaining, he said someone was brought from nowhere into the fold of the now absorbed Verandah Boys and Girls Club of the NDC and a beautiful house built for him/her, while he, as the then leader in Parliament and a leading member of the party, forcing him to borrow money and buy a second hand vehicle which he sends to the workshop everyday to ensure it is road worthy.
“Me, Kwabena Adjei, as the Leader of the House, they took all my cars from me and I nearly walked. I had to borrow money and buy a second-hand car I’ve been repairing everyday. What nonsense!” He lamented in mixed tones of fluent Akan and corrupted English. He made it emphatically clear that he was fed up with the negative nuances going on in his own party and threatened to quit.
“They can do whatever they think they can. They can remove me from Parliament and go further to my Biakoye constituency and take over. They should go. I don’t fear anyone,” he intoned, adding that he and his fellow NDC Parliamentarians did a no-thank-you job by going to Parliament and, arguing on the party’s position to the anguish of their political opponents who even could have hit them on the head if they had their way but unfortunately they were discriminated against when it came to the sharing of the booty.
The other delegates who were listening keenly to what might have come as a surprise statement from a leading member of the their party also expressed concerns about Hon Kwabena Adjei’s comments and told him they would advise themselves accordingly.
The congress itself was a historic one for the NDC, not only because it was the first to be held by the opposition NDC but also it was a day that the role of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings was determined, this time not by the ex-President himself with mere endorsement from his followers but by congress via popular acclamation.
As early as 6.00 am the Accra Trade Fair Centre, venue for congress, was almost full of NDC faithfuls from all over the country, singing with joy and praise, most of insinuations directed at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Kufuor. At 11.37 am when ex-Vice President John Evans Atta Mills arrived at the Pavilion E of the fair site the auditorium was filled to capacity, with those even on the first floor showing signs of being uncomfortable as a result of the huge crowd.
The arrival of Professor Mills was heralded by party hymns led by the party’s unofficial choirmaster and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon Enoch Teye Mensah. In his usual gentlemen style, the former Vice President responded by waving at the enthused crowd.
The founder of the party, ex-President Rawlings, followed Mills some five minutes later accompanied by his special aide, Victor Smith, who has been mentioned as being among some NDC leading members who were planning to eliminate some journalists.
The whole auditorium burst into ecstasy when Rawlings entered amid singing of the party’s anthem. In a characteristic manner, once on the dais and in the view of invited guests, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, ex-President Dr Rawlings jokingly threw some uppercut punches, comparable with those of legendary Azumah Nelson, into the air before waving to the crowd and taking his seat.
His presence alone overshadowed everyone else, as the youth and the women especially danced in his honour and showered praises onto him just as it befits a small-god. – The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - Thousands of members and sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) thronged the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre at La in Accra on Saturday to either participate in or witness the fifth national delegates congress of the party, which marked its rebirth. The marathon congress, which was initially scheduled to be a day’s affair, ran through the night to as late as 3 pm on Sunday.
As early as 8 am, the party members and supporters, clad in party ‘T’-shirts, caps and other paraphernalia, had started converging at the Trade Fair Centre in buses, cars, motor bikes, bicycles and even on foot. The scene was a marked contrast to previous congresses where vehicles were made readily available to convey members and supporters to congress.
This time, most members and supporters, in a classic display of their affection for the NDC, came to the venue at their own expense, stayed throughout the long period it lasted and participated actively in the issues brought before it.
The congress, which was the first of the party since it lost political power to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2000 general elections, was also to review the progress of the party since the last election, elect a national executive council (NEC) and to chart a new course for the future of the party in the run-up to the 2004 elections.
Mr Enoch T. Mensah and Mr A.A. Munufie, both leading members of the party led members to chant new slogans, which sought to demonstrate the party’s resolve to recapture power in the 2004 elections. Mr Munufie set the ball rolling when he asked the party supporters to respond, “Sankofa,” which literally means “go back for it” instead of “Ehe edzo” meaning “it is easy”, to the call “NDC”.
He said the party must re-direct its efforts at wresting power back, adding that, “wresting power is not easy and has to be done in the sankofa spirit.” Mr Mensah, on his part, asked the party members to respond “Emashi kpen,” “it is still stable” and again, “Wommba ekoon,” which also means “we are coming again”.
Beyond the brief chanting of the new slogans, there was colour and pomp at the congress as supporters from all the 10 regions, dressed in party colours, wielding party flags and carrying placards saluted functionaries when they arrived at the congress.
Professor John E.A. Mills, NDC flagbearer in the 2000 elections, Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, and some few others were greeted with thunderous roars when they entered the venue. Their speeches were similarly applauded.
But the most electrifying moment came when the former President entered the main congress hall. There were deafening roars and chants of “J.J, J.J, we love you; J.J, you are a champion,” etc. The standing ovation given for over 15 minutes and the applause to his fatherly speech, set the tone for a harmonious congress devoid of the acrimony and hard language preceding it.
Former President Rawlings invited the three persons vying for the chairmanship and presented them to the people by lifting their right hands one after the other, beginning with Dr Asamoah. “I thought I was coming to witness a congress full of tension and antagonism against factions, but I can see that the atmosphere is already charged with the spirit of unity and brotherliness,” the former President said. After the formalities, he left the congress in what was seen as efforts not to use his presence to influence the delegates.
Addressing the gathering earlier, Alhadji Issifu Ali, a co-chairman of the party described the congress as historic. He decried what he called “the media war” between factions of the party before the congress, saying such practices were not helpful and helped the party’s opponents to capitalise on its weaknesses.
“The NPP and its media allies are already propagating falsehood that the two decades of the PNDC-NDC rule did not bring any development to this country,” he said. “There is no need giving them another opportunity to trade in their ill tactics to deceive Ghanaians.”
Alhaji Ali said that contrary to the falsehood the NPP was preaching about the NDC, Ghanaians could see the progress of the nation in the past two decades as against the “fumbling” of the NPP in just one year in government. “We need a sense of unity and maturity to handle issues that concern us in such a manner as would not compromise our efforts at wresting power in the coming elections,” he said.
Mr Joshua Alabi, Greater Accra Regional Chairman, said contrary to the expectations of some sections of the public, the NDC was bound to emerge from the congress more united than ever. He assured party members that the congress would provide the necessary direction, guidance, encouragement and unity needed for the people to contribute their quota to the progress of the party.
“Let us demonstrate to Ghanaians that the NDC has not only come to stay but would also emerge more united from this congress and reclaim power in 2004 to redeem Ghanaians from the NPP governments unfavourable economic policies.”
In a solidarity message read on his behalf, Mr Haruna Esseku, the Chairman of the NPP, acknowledged that the 5th congress had demonstrated that the NDC was truly a democratic party. He said it was important for the NDC to position itself so that it would not be left behind in the path of political liberalism. “May whatever decisions the congress takes buttress the efforts that all our people are making to move Ghana into a prosperous, happy and truly democratic nation,” he said.
Mr Kyeretwie Opoku, the General Secretary of the National Reform Party, said in electing leaders and charting the course of the party’s future, the NDC must remember to take the aspirations of the people into consideration to ensure that the party’s focus would go to better the lot of the people.
Alhaji Ahmed Ramadhan, the National Treasurer of the PNC, congratulated the NDC for holding the congress and indicated that the PNC was watching with keen interest and expressed the hope that it would further enrich democracy and bring relief to the suffering people of the country.
Mr John Amekah, the General Sectary of the Great Consolidated Popular Party, said the party was ready to cooperate with the NDC to entrench democracy and bring relief to the suffering people of the country.
Mr Alex Segbefia and Mr Eddy Commey, chairmen of the United Kingdom and North American branches of the party, respectively, called on the leadership to apologise to persons who have been wronged and to learn to listen more to the opinions of party members in taking decisions. - Daily Graphic.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - There was the multiplicity of screeching headlines of the various newspapers each trying to outbid the other. The following are but a few of them. “NDC at the crossroads”; “Who leads NDC to the war?”
And more ominous ones were: “Is Sri Beckley involved in this. Rawlings Jaw Locks,” “NDC Congress: make or break”; “Dr Obed Asamoah, a life-line for NDC”, “Tug of war over NDC’S destiny…”; “The clash of the titans’, “Spio warns-we want Transparency in NDC”, “Aides say: J.J. will quit if Obed is elected”, “Obed is a Dictator”, “Plot to Oust Obed”,.
The picture painted was gloomy, to say the least. For a moment it appeared that the wishes of the real enemies of democracy-that is those who dream and see the total disintegration of the main opposition party would be fulfilled. Indeed many were those who thought that even violence would break out on the floor of the congress.
But thank God and the maturity displayed by the leaders and the rank and file alike, the NDC certainly has had one of the most successful congresses. The ability to freely choose national officers, make changes in the party’s constitution, adopt a new ideological line for the party and a number of resolution goes to establish the NDC as a formidable party which is preparing itself for future battles. – The Ghanaian Voice.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - Mr Allotey Jacobs, the Central Regional NDC Propaganda Secretary, was the third person to resign, and that was barely minutes after two major pillars of the NDC, Hon Ato Quarshie, three times winner of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) parliamentary seat, and the doyen of Western Region NDC, Nana Alexander Asamoah resigned on principle, indicating that they cannot work with the vindictive Obed Asamoah.
With the demeanor of Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, it is unlikely that any member of the party would have resigned, but the downside is that the Rawlings factor may still loom. But there may be something to gain from that as the NDC is said to be financially weak and Obed is not personally wealthy, having relied on state funds and money from contractors and businessmen.
Personally, he has no entrepreneurial skills and no solid business, save a cattle ranch at Bala Likpe, a couple of houses, including one at Tesano, usually used by his friend and counsellor, Kojo Tsikata, and another at McCarthy Hill, Accra. Actual dough may be found in the Rawlings camp, which may be reluctant to open their purse for an Obed-led party, unless they elect a flagbearer after his heart. And that should not be Obed. – The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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Abosso (Western Region) 29 April 2002 - After persistent pressure, backed by series of petitions to almost all the ministries in Accra by the people of Abosso, the government has finally decided to take over the Tropical Glass Factory, formerly Abosso Glass Factory, from Mr Gilchrist Olympio, Togolese opposition leader who until recently, was resident in the country.
Chronicle sources have revealed that immediately the government takeover decision was communicated to Mr Olympio, now resident in Paris, he also responded quickly by withdrawing the services of the security men at the factory, thus exposing recently installed heavy machines at the mercy of armed robbers.
The decision by the government to take over the company was based on the fact that the company had accumulated electricity bill to the tune of ¢1.5 billion since 1992 when the company was handed over to Olympio on ‘a silver platter.’ When the electricity authorities realised that Olympio was not prepared to pay the huge debt, they were compelled to cut off power supply to the company.
Unable to get power to work again, Chronicle gathered, the Togolese opposition leader went and collected all the bottles that had already been produced by the company and sold them. He did not send even a pesewa to ECG to defray part of the debt. The ECG, who are now itching to increase the electricity tariff, did not also deem it fit to bring any legal action against him to reclaim their money.
Chronicle learnt that sometime in 1992, when Olympio took over the management of the company, he allegedly borrowed 200,000 pounds sterling from the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), a London-based organisation, to rehabilitate the company, but has up to date failed to pay the money back to his creditors.
After running out of patience, CDC also went to an Accra High Court and reportedly succeeded in getting judgement in their favour to liquidate the company to enable them get their 408,000 pounds which is the original amount plus the interest that has accrued on it.
Meanwhile, the NDC regime, which handed over the company to him in the name of divestiture, had also negotiated and succeeded in getting a Japanese grant of $2.5 million, which was handed over to Olympio to reportedly import machinery to equip the company, commissioned by the late President Kwame Nkrumah in 1965 to produce bottles for the local breweries and also for export.
Chronicle learnt that though the machines were indeed imported and installed at the factory to boost production, the cutting off of electricity supply to the company that employed over 300 people mostly from the area defeated the whole idea.
Investigations further established that the board of directors of the company was packed with Olympio’s men only, without any representative from the then NDC government, thus giving Olympio a free hand to manage the company. Already, a credit account house based in Accra, which also claimed the company owed them that had also stormed the factory site at Abosso, near Tarkwa, and forcibly removed air-conditioners, deep freezers and other electrical equipment to defray part of the debt.
It was based on all these problems that Olympio had bequeathed to the company that the people welcomed, as good news, the government decision to take over the company, but surprisingly, the problem is now running from bad to worse after the takeover.
Chronicle gathered from reliable sources that no government official, not even those from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which has the company under their jurisdiction, has ever visited the factory to even take stock of the modern sophisticated machines that were installed with the help of the Japanese Grant.
Chronicle gathered that it was rather the workers of the company who were asked to go home without any severance package. Some of them had worked for the company since its inception, others providing a 24-hour security at the company and still others seeing to the clearing of weeds on the compound.
Chronicle, which managed to outwit the hungry-looking security men and sneaked into the factory was shocked to see heavy modern equipment and heaps of raw materials that are going waste when people are struggling to get work to do in the country. It was gathered that an investor had shown interest to bail out the company but the liquidation ruling has put him off. But nothing is being heard from the government, even though the heavy machines at the factory are deteriorating. – The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - The role of the wife in corruption of public officers was highlighted at the Second Annual Conference of the Transparency International in Accra, when renowned human rights and anti-corruption campaigner, Akoto Ampaw, came to the dispatch box and invited authorities to include spouses and children in the declaration of assets.
He thought it was an “astonishing contradiction in Ghana’s efforts at combating corruption in political office and public life” that spouses were never made to be part of the accountability process. The second conference of Transparency International African affiliates opened in Accra on Friday 26 April. It was under the theme: “Deepening and sustaining the African anti-corruption agenda: Implementing the Nyanga declaration,” and drew African Chapters of Transparency International (TI) from over 35 countries.
Essentially, the forum sought to build upon the 1st meeting last year at Nyanga, Zimbabwe, which drew up the Nyanga Declaration calling for the repatriation of Africa’s stolen wealth worth between 20-40 billion dollars. Under Chapter 24, Clause 286 (I) of the Constitution, “a person who holds a public office…shall submit to the Auditor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by, him whether directly or indirectly…”
In one of the most contentions issues to come before Parliament in this country, the legislature decided in the second session of the Fourth Republic that only office holders and not their wives and children were mandated to declare their assets.
The ruling did not please a number of Ghanaians who expressed the view that contemporary Ghanaian experience on corruption indicated that most office holders hide their assets in the name of their spouses and children. “When this constitutional provision came for elaboration in a statute by our Parliament, Ghanaians watched with growing incredulity as Parliament refused to include the need for spouses of high public figures also to declare their assets,” Ampaw recalled.
Asking for the re-opening of the debate, Ampaw said the inclusion of spouses and children in the asset declaration of public servants was fundamental to the successful war on corruption. The government could only be taken seriously on its war on corruption only if it was made more difficult for office holders to hold assets they do not wish to declare in the names of their spouses and children.
In his inaugural address on 7 January 2001 President John Kufuor declared a “zero tolerance for corruption” crusade buttressed by the 1992 Constitution, which requires all members of Parliament and Ministers of State to declare their assets on assuming office. The Constitution, though, did not include spouses and children.
Ampaw, who is a member of Jubilee 2000 Campaign, pressing for the cancellation of Africa debts, told his audience that if the Ghanaian government could only be taken seriously in the fight against corruption, only when it broadens the law to include spouses and children of politicians and other public servants.
Taking a swipe at the Transitional Provisions in the Constitution, Ampaw said: “We must also wage a relentless struggle against the evil culture, which goes by way of indemnity provisions in our various constitutions as an integral part of the struggle against corruption of political life…”
The unfortunate incidence of stolen monies stashed in Western Banks is undeniable in the fact that these monies are lodged in the name of third, fourth or even fifth parties.”
The social activist pointed out that Africa is still fighting basic problems for human survival to “unaccountable rulers, who are at their ingenious best in brutalizing their people, looting national treasuries and lining their bottomless pockets with public funds in an attempt to fill their insatiable craving for unearned money and riches.”
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Robin Gwynn applauded Ghana as one of the countries where “concrete steps against corruption are being taken.” The issues of corruption, he noted, “go to the heart of development in Africa.”
Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs affirmed the government’s avowed commitment to “zero tolerance for corruption,” saying “corruption is anti-development, corruption hampers good governance and is anti-democracy. The government of President Kufuor will have none of it.”
The Minister spoke of the government’s support for formulation, of international judiciable instruments to confront the increase of corruption at home,” said Obetsebi-Lamptey, and appropriate international instruments and the denial of safe havens for illegally acquired wealth and money laundering in developed countries would facilitate this. An encouraging sign of progress is that Switzerland recently agreed to return the money embezzled by the dictator, General Sani Abacha to Nigeria. – Public Agenda.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - Bidding opened last week for Ghana’s merchant and commercial banks interested in using the Mastrex Trading System to grow their foreign exchange (FX) business.
Prospective banks have been invited to bid for two available licenses to permit banks trade on this system. Purchase of bidding documents ends this week. Already, there are signs that bidding will be very aggressive as banks are poised to grow their FX business using this inward remittance processing system offered by Mastrex.
The High Street Journal learnt last week that at least seven banks have already indicated their willingness to bid. Two successful bidders stand to gain enormously, given the fast growing remittance market. The Mastrex Trading System is a Business-to-Business (B2B0 platform that connects “upstream” Money Transfer Operators {MTOs}) all round the worked to “downstream” partner banks.
It uses technology that facilitates the near real-time transfer of remittance funds. Consequently, these four successful banks will gains access to thousands of MTOs around the world, but importantly will retain the independence of their treasury functions, in terms of pricing of the remitted foreign exchange, when selling it to the beneficiaries.
Considering that inward remittances into Ghana from workers abroad account for possibly up to $650 million annually, inclusive of both formal and informal transfers, this is a very important market for commercial and merchant banks. Importantly, Mastrex provides an efficient and affordable means of remitting money back home, which is required as developing nations try to harness the full potential of remitted funds.
Mastrex, has taken a look at the big picture and has reinvented the remittance transfer process, making sure that there is a win-win situation for all stake holders, which include Banks, money transfer operator, remitters, receivers and regulatory bodies.
The Mastrex Trading System represents the growing sophistication of one of the Ghanaian financial industry’s most lucrative markets, allowing partner banks to set their own prices and control a significant part of the supply chain themselves. More and more, MTOs around the world are scrambling to be part of the system because it is highly favoured by Central Banks and other financial sector regulatory authorities, because of its transparency.
Indeed, since the terrorist attacks against United States on 11 September last year, international funds transfer regulations have been significantly tightened to prevent money laundering. Mastrex has become a solution in the legitimate operations in the industry because it involves trading with duly licensed and registered banks of good standing in developing countries in a traceable and transparent manner.
Mastrex is restricting licenses to only four banks, because it wants to ensure that the FX needs of participating banks are substantially serviced. Importantly, bank partners will not be asked to sign any exclusive clause, which means that even those already operating with other Money Transfer Companies are still eligible to be part of the system.
According to Kofi Kwakwa, Mastrex, in allocating licenses will consider not only bid prices, but very importantly banks that will demonstrate a commitment to growing their FX business, as well as demonstrate innovativeness in developing a remittance brand powered by Mastrex.
Financial analysts anticipate that the Mastrex Trading System will significantly revolutionise Ghana’s inward remittance industry and this here at a critical time where banks are seeking other sources of revenue. – High Street Journal.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 29 April 2002 - The
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, has
said that the country needs to formulate policies that would propel growth in
domestic trade. He said women dominate in domestic trade, therefore any effort
to improve the sector will increase their ability to accumulate capital for
increased production.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said this in a speech read on his behalf at a sub-regional
consultation on ‘reducing the gender dimension of poverty-micro finance
policies and process’, which opened in Accra on Sunday. The seminar, which is
being hosted by the Ministry for Women’s and Children Affairs, is being
attended by 40 participants from 11
countries.
Mr Baah-Wiredu noted that ‘women are dominant in the domestic trade, yet there
are hardly any policy direction in the matter of domestic trade’.
According to him, the various linkages and initiatives to foster growth in
domestic trade have not yet been tackled seriously from a policy perspective.
Mr Baah-Wiredu mentioned lack of access to market, post harvest losses, and
poor roads as some of the factors that have worked against the development and
growth of domestic trade.
He said other areas requiring policy intervention to address the gender
disparity gaps are land reform to provide equal access, facilitation of
registration of title deeds to confer property rights, opportunities for
training and skills acquisition and access to financial and material resources
for start up as well as expansion of business.
Mr Baah-Wiredu, said micro financing has, of late, become one of the modes of
reaching the poor adding that the rise and popularity of micro-financing stems
from the weakness of the orthodox banking system to reach the poor who are in
the rural areas. He said, if well planned, micro financing, with the
appropriate targeting mechanisms and the supporting capacity building and
policy environment can lead to poverty reduction among women as well as all
segments of the country.
Mr J.H Mensah, Senior Minister of State, who chaired the function said micro
financing has immense benefits and can also have huge economic and social
multiplier effect. He said micro finance schemes run for women have the highest
recovery rate.
Mrs Gladys Asmah,
Minister for Women’s and Children Affairs in her speech stated that the growing
consensus that specific programmes and policies are needed to address the
‘feminisation of poverty’ has resulted in a focus on micro-credit as one of the
means through which to reduce poverty and ensure sustainable livelihoods among
women.
Madam Fathia Serour, Chief, Gender Advisory Services Section, United Nations
Division for the Advancement of Women (UNDAW) also noted that without financial
independence, women will always remain at the receiving end. – Daily Graphic
Cape Coast (Central Region) 29 April 2002 - The Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, the Rt Rev Justice K.A. Danso, has called on the government to resuscitate abandoned factories in the Central Region as a matter of urgency to bring life and development to the region.
He said some years ago, industries like the Komenda Sugar Factory, Saltpond Ceramics, Asebu Two Rose Company, Cape Coast Citrus at Anomabo, and Ajumako WAAF Limited, all located in the region, offered gainful employment to the youth, ‘But now all these are not existing”.
Rev Dadson made the call at the 41st Annual Synod of the Cape Coast Diocese at Enyan-Abaasa in Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam District. The Synod besides marking the end of his six-year tenure of office and election of his successor is also to take stock of the activities of the church over the past year.
It was under the theme, “Consolidating our gains: The way forward”. He said as of now, the region could only boast of schools and colleges but after education people must work and earn a living. Due to the lack of work in th4e region, the Bishop noted that many educated youth in the region had left to seek greener pastures elsewhere. He highlighted some of the gains in the Diocese and how to consolidate them and urged the members to support his successor.
The Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, expressed the need for mankind to respect the views of those of different religious persuasions to ensure peaceful co-existence. He called on traditionalists and religious bodies to support the government in its bid to resolve the issue on the ban on drumming and noise-making.
“Times have changed, and the economic needs of man can not be ignored,” he said and charged the churches to go into income generating, manufacturing and merchandising to complement the government’s efforts in job and wealth creation as well as poverty reduction. - The Ghanaian Times.
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Ho (Volta Region) 29 April 2002 - A first year student of Awudome Secondary School, 18, was in the early hours of Sunday stabbed to death with a broken bottle and a knife during a misunderstanding between him and a group of boys at a crowded jam organised for Junior Secondary School (JSS) leavers at the Ho Pleasure Gardens.
He bled profusely and died when he was being conveyed to the Regional Hospital. The body has been deposited pending autopsy. Briefing newsmen on telephone at Ho on Sunday, the Ho District Chief Executive, Mr Mawutor Goh, who rushed to the scene of the accident, gathered that during the crowded jam, a group of boys attacked the victim for no apparent reason and he complained about their attitudes to some of his friends. That infuriated the boys and a fight ensured during which the student was stabbed with a knife and a broken bottle.
Mr Goh said when he rushed to the scene, there was no security to forestall any nasty accident and the only policeman who accompanied him had a hectic time dispersing the crowd. He said the programme at the Pleasure Gardens was unknown to the District Assembly as opposed to a similar one that took place at the Woezor Hotel on Saturday night.
Mr Goh said that the assembly would not have sanctioned the jam at Pleasure Gardens because there was no advertisement and the assembly had not been notified of it. When the Police was contacted on the issue, they confirmed the incident and said the matter was under investigations. Meanwhile, the perpetrators of the crime are yet to be apprehended. – The Ghanaian Times.
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