Govt suspends importation of arms...
Slave dungeons draw tears from Caribbeans
Agor asked to proceed on leave
Agave Youth briefed on development programmes
Exhibit integrity in discharge of duties - women told
British Parliamentary delegation arrives
African-Americans provide 37 two bedroom houses
Govt suspends importation of arms...
Accra (Greater Accra) 2 August ’99
Importation of small arms and ammunition including shotguns and cartridges by licensed arms dealers in Ghana has been suspended with immediate effect.
There is also an immediate freeze on sales of existing stocks pending an inventory of all stocks held by private arms dealers and a review of procedures for their acquisition and registration.
This was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Sunday and signed by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Minister of National Security.
It said further measures to control the possession and use of various types of arms will be announced later.
The statement expressed grave concern over the recently alleged gun running involving some Ghanaians in Nigeria.
The Office of the National Security Council has taken a very serious view of the reported arrest of six Ghanaians for allegedly attempting to smuggle a quantity of arms and ammunition, suspected to be shotguns and cartridges into Nigeria.
It said a team made up of representatives from the security agencies led by Ghana's High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. J. Y. A. Kwoffie is to collect first hand information from the Nigerian authorities on the circumstances surrounding the alleged importation to help with investigations in Ghana.
The statement noted that the information collection would be done within the framework of existing agreements on co-operation aimed at curbing the proliferation of small arms in the sub-region.
GRi../
Slave dungeons draw tears from Caribbeans
Cape Coast (Central Region) 2 August ’99
A large section of the Caribbean community and African Americans attending PANAFEST '99' shared tears as they were taken through the slave dungeons of the Cape Coast Castle during a vigil marking the Emancipation Day on Saturday.
The hostile environment of the dungeons coupled with the narration by the guide of the harrowing treatment meted out to their ancestors were more than they could bear.
The re-enactment of the slave trade was performed by the African Dance Troupe at the Cape Coast Council for National Culture. It portrayed what the slaves went through before their shipment to America.
The performance infused an atmosphere of gloom, which drew tears from the visitors.
This year's Emancipation Day coincided with the fourth edition of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST).
The festival is on the theme "Uniting the African Family youth: the agenda for the new millennium".
It is being attended by more than 5,000 Africans in the Diaspora and from the mother continent.
Declaring the Emancipation Day open, Lt.-Col Charles Agbenaza (rtd), Central Regional Minister, said the lighting of the Emancipation Flame would provide a symbol for African fighters today and tomorrow.
"We shall draw inspiration from this perpetual flame for the struggle of Africa's emancipation.
Lt.-Col. Agbeneza said the flame would reflect the burning desire of Africans to be totally free, not bound by any shackles and that it would signify "our ability to manage and direct our own affairs".
He charged all Africans to remember that the struggle for emancipation is a holy crusade to which they must constantly be dedicated.
Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Federal Minister of Culture and Tourism of Nigeria, reminded oppressive governments in Africa that " the dawn of the next millennium should signal an end to their evil deeds".
He called on European and American businessmen to invest in Africa as a means of paying back what they stole from the continent hundreds of years ago.
Mr Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the International PANAFEST Foundation, said Emancipation Day is a period to celebrate the heroes and heroines of Africa and the Diaspora whose resistance to the slave trade led to its abolition.
To Africans on the continent, "we need to liberate our minds from the false concepts that have separated us from our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.
Prior to mid-night when Lt.-Col Agbenaza declared emancipation open, individuals and artistic groups had kept the people awake with inspirational songs, dances and poetry recitals.
Among the performers were South African's Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Kiki Gyan of Osibisa fame.
The participants had gone on a candle light procession from the famous London Bridge in Cape Coast through the Castle Road and converged at the Castle courtyard for the ceremony.
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Agor asked to proceed on leave
Accra (Greater Accra) 2 August ’99
Mr G.S. Agor, Commissioner of Police CID, has been asked to proceed on leave.
A statement by the Minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio in Accra on Sunday said Mr William Aboah, Deputy Commissioner of Police has been assigned temporary responsibility for the Police Criminal Investigations Division.
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Agave Youth briefed on development programmes
Accra (Greater Accra) 2 August ’99
The South Tongu district has been selected as one of the best 18 performing districts in the country.
The selection was based on the number of projects already completed and those nearing completion, Mr Ken Dzirasah, Member of Parliament for the area, said at a meeting with the Agave Youth Association in Accra on Sunday.
Mr Dzirasah, the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, urged the youth to continue to take interest in the development of the district.
He praised the hard work and dedication of community leaders for helping to achieve this honour of being among the best performing districts.
He spoke of plans to establish a flower industry capable of employing 4,500 people and efforts to initiate irrigation project in the district.
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Exhibit integrity in discharge of duties - women told
Wa (Upper West) 2 Aug ’99
Mrs Kate Bob-Milliar, Regional Director of the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD), has asked women to exhibit a high sense of responsibility and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Inaugurating the Upper West Regional Treasury Ladies Association in Wa on Saturday, she called on women to aspire to the highest level of their professions.
The 20-member association has Mrs Mariama Mohammed as President, Miss Judith Mrs Bob-Milliar deplored the attitude of some women who are content with the least position in any office so long as they are in employment and said they should aim high.
Kpankeri, Vice President with Miss Fati Seidu Tamboro and Miss Grace Saaka as organising secretary and secretary respectively.
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British Parliamentary delegation arrives
Accra (Greater Accra) 2 August ’99
A six-member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation from Britain is in the country to interact with their Ghanaian counterparts.
Speaking to newsmen on arrival on Sunday night, the leader of the group, Mr Drane Abbot, said they are in the country at the invitation of Parliament.
The delegation would find out about the progress of Ghana's parliamentary democracy and discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
The delegation will call on President Jerry John Rawlings, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Head of the Civil Service, Dr Robert Doodo.
They will also have talks with officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and its collaborating agencies, including the Free Zones Board, the Divestiture Implementation committee and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and visit historical sites.
Mr Ken Dzirasa, Deputy Speaker and Clerk of Parliament, Mr Rex Owusu Ansah, met them on arrival.
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African-Americans provide 37 two bedroom houses
Kwamoso(Eastern Region) 2 August ’99
Mr Anthony Gyampoh, Akwapim North district chief executive, has appealed to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, estate developers, to extend its housing projects to cover other micro-economic areas in the district.
He was speaking at a ceremony at which African Americans from the Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated of the United States, sponsors of Habitat for Humanity, Ghana, dedicated 37 two-bedroom houses at Kwamoso in the Akwapim North district at the weekend.
Mr Gyampoh proposed the establishment of a relationship, which would enable the Akwapim North district assembly to channel its rural housing fund through Habitat for Humanity programmes.
This arrangement would ensure the provision of more affordable housing units for rural dwellers in the district.
Mr Gyampoh said the district assembly is establishing land banks to enable it to provide investors with land to offset frustrations faced by investors in the acquisition of land.
Mr K. Opoku, chairman of the Okuapeman Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, Ghana, said since 1995, the Affiliate has constructed 67 two-bedroom houses for rural dwellers in the district.
He thanked members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for their support.
Mrs Mary Scott, President of the Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, said it has 190,000 members made up of college women and graduates who are committed to the provision of social services.
GRi../