Chiefs apologise for role in slave trade
British MP underscores need for fair international trade
MP says his suspension is "undemocratic"
International Youth expedition takes off at Amedzofe
African Americans impressed by Ghana's resources
British Parliamentarian praises Ghana
Bissa Community at Ejisu gets new Chief
Resolve to meet challenges of millennium - Moderator
Nkawkaw to benefit under urban five
Greater Accra Region nurses to resume work on Wednesday
Conference on the food industry opens
Kibi (Eastern Region), 10th Auguat 99
Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday led a government delegation to join the chiefs and people of Akim Abuakwa Traditional area to mourn Osagyefo Kuntunkununku II, Okyenhene, who died on March 17.
The Vice-President was accompanied by, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Chairman of the Council of State as well as other members of the Council, Ministers of State and District Chief Executives in the Eastern Region.
On his arrival at the funeral grounds, Prof. Mills, led by the Tafohene, Nana Adusei Peasah, exchanged greetings with a retinue of chiefs including the Acting President of the Council, Nana Kena Ampaw, Kukurantumihene and Adontenhene.
The Vice-President exchanged greetings and consoled the widow, Florence, as he filed past her husband's body, which was laid in state on Monday to begin seven days of funeral rites.
Prof. Mills signed a book of condolence on behalf of government while Alhaji Bawumia signed on behalf the Council of State. Lieutenant-Colonel E. K. T. Donkoh, Minister of Defence also signed on behalf of the security services. Prof. Mills wrote - " He was a great and wise leader and an accomplished professional. We all need to follow the examples he set for his people."
He asked for God's strength for those he was leaving behind.
In a tribute to the Osagyefo Kuntunkununku, who until his death was a Member of the Council of State, Alhaji Bawumia said his loss was immeasurable to the Council.
He recalled Okyenhene's contribution during the Council's meeting in February, this year and said he proved his worth as a man of wisdom.
Alhaji Bawumia said Okyenhene at the meeting had a fruitful chat with his colleagues and appeared to be healthy without the least thought that that was going to be his last participation.
On behalf of the other members of the Council, Dr Mary Grant presented one carton of schnapps, a carton of beer and 300,000 cedis.
Nana Peasah, who received the donation on behalf of the Traditional Council, expressed the gratitude of the chiefs and people of the area to the government and the Council of State for their support.
He gave the assurance that peace and stability would prevail during the burial.
The late Okyenhene, a medical doctor, was known in private life as Alexander Kwadwo Fredua-Agyemang.
He was enstooled as the 34th occupant of the Ofori Opanin Stool at the age of 34 in 1976 to succeed his late uncle, Nana Ofori Atta III.
He died at the age of 56 and would be buried in the early hours of Monday next week.
According to a funeral spokesman, a new chief would be enstooled 40 days after the burial.
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Chiefs apologise for role in slave trade
Accra (Greater Accra) 10th August 99
The National House of Chiefs on Monday apologised to Africans and people of African descent for the role pre-colonial chiefs and elders played in the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem, Denkyirahene and President of the House, said the body has since 1994 organised and encouraged purification and atonement rites and would continue to "seek forgiveness for the role our fathers played in the brutal and inhuman act."
The Denkyirahene was speaking at the opening of a four-day conference on "Reparation and Repatriation", organised by the Afrikan World Reparations and Repatriation Truth Commission (AWRRTC) in Accra.
Over 50 delegates from the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa would discuss and adopt a blue-print to guide the continent's quest for reparation from the West for plundering the continent and the return of their kinsmen from the Diaspora.
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem said the West should acknowledge the fact that it was responsible for the plight of Africa and atone for the crimes it has committed against her people.
Dr Hamet Maulana, Co-Chairperson of AWRRTC, said the call for reparations and repatriation is not a fantasy but "a call to right a wrong".
He said the slave trade, slavery and colonisation have depopulated and incapacitated the continent to the extent that it needs compensation to make a fresh start.
Dr Maulana, a historian, said 70 per cent of the estimated 200 million black people captured for the Americas "did not even live to taste the white master's whip."
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British MP underscores need for fair international trade
Accra (Greater Accra), 10th August 99, -
Ms Dianne Abbott, leader of the six-member delegation of the United Kingdom branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), on Monday stressed the need for fairness in international trade.
She noted that Africa's economic salvation in the next century lies not in aid from donor communities but on fair trade and investment in the continent.
Ms Abbott, who was addressing a news conference in Accra to round off the delegation's nine-day fact-finding visit, said the primary concern of the group was to foster Parliamentary democracy, adding that ''democracy can only be achieved when the people can obtain the necessities of life".
She said the delegation had learnt at first-hand the economic challenges facing Ghanaians, including the ill effect of gold sale by Britain and the falling price of cocoa.
She gave the assurance that the concerns expressed by both the government and the people would be carried back to the appropriate authorities in Britain for possible action to ameliorate the situation.
Ms Abbott said the delegation was impressed with parliamentary democracy in the Ghana in recent years and expressed optimism about the future prospects of the country's democratic experiment.
A member of the delegation, Lord Monkwell, Labour Member of the House of Lords, noted that Ghana has a great potential in tourism, which could be developed to provide more employment for the people and also enable the country to become a tourist destination.
He praised Ghanaians for their willingness to work under harsh economic conditions and said the delegation would encourage British investment in the country "knowing that there are people here, who should be given the opportunity to enhance their socio-economic development".
Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, described the visit as 'very fruitful' since it had enabled the legislatures of the two countries to learn a lot from each other, since there is no unique model of governance world-wide.
He expressed the hope that the interaction would serve as a stepping-stone to more collaborative efforts at enhancing parliamentary democracy and strengthening ties between the two branches of the CPA.
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MP says his suspension is "undemocratic"
Accra (Greater Accra), 10th August 99
Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East, on Monday described his suspension from the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) saying he has not committed any offence that warrants an apology as is being demanded.
In a statement in Accra in reaction to TMA's decision to suspend him for refusing to apologise, he said: "to my best knowledge, I have not committed any offence, whatsoever to warrant any apology of any kind to any person or institution."
The MP has been suspended for two consecutive sessions for refusing to render the apology.
Mr Ashitey explained that at a press soiree for newsmen in December 1997, he took the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Nii Armah Ashitey to task for several administrative lapses.
These he alleged included diversions, misappropriations and illegalities in the conduct of the TEXPO Project at Baatsona and the administration of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) of the assembly.
"As it is to be expected, the different press houses reported the meeting differently.
"Some rightly referred to the chief executive as the target of my accusations while others merely stated the executive."
Mr Ashitey said TMA's sub-committee on complaints and public relations assigned its secretary to provide the house with all the newspapers that reported the soiree.
This was to enable it to take a decision as to whether he had imputed wrongdoing against the integrity of the chief executive or the executive of the TMA.
"As at this day, the secretary is yet to produce the publications and neither has the TMA approached the two private newspapers, (the Ghanaian Voice and the Ghanaian Chronicle) which reported on the issue.
"What I know has precipitated this undemocratic decision propelled by blackmail and arm-twisting by some interested persons at the TMA is that there have been diversions, misappropriations and illegalities in the conduct of the TEXPO project and the administration of the PAF."
Giving figures to back these allegations, Mr Ashitey said an initial amount of 298 million cedis approved by the Tender Board for construction of the TEXPO wall and gate was doubled from 600 million cedis to 1.2 billion cedis. This was
done without the involvement of or approval by the TMA Board, of which he is a member.
He said neither the chief executive nor the Board has the authority to approve any project worth 1.2 billion cedis, which is a prerogative of the Regional Tender Board.
Mr Ashitey challenged the Chief Executive to provide a document with his (MP's) signature as having deliberated on the 600 million cedis or the 1.2 billion cedis as is the normal practice.
He said in 1997 and 1998, TMA's share of the district assemblies' common fund was 4.456 billion cedis, out of which approximately 900 million cedis was set aside for the PAF.
"Till now, the Chief Executive has not answered questions in which account or bank the money has been lodged since it cannot be traced at the Bank of Ghana."
Mr Ashitey said the Metropolitan Chief Executive must also tell the people of Tema and the country, who the beneficiaries of the amount are, the outstanding balance and produce the full statement of account on PAF from 1997 to date.
He added: "by this statement, I am alerting the Serious Fraud Office and the office of the auditor-general to conduct thorough investigations into the TEXPO project and TMA's PAF.
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International Youth expedition takes off at Amedzofe
Amedzofe (Volta Region) 10 Aug. '99
The first International Gold Award expedition in African involving about 300 youths from nine West and Central African countries has taken off at Amedzofe in the Volta Region.
The participating countries are Senegal, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cote D'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Cameroun, Nigeria and Ghana.
The four-day non-competitive expedition, which is under the auspices of the Head of State Awards Scheme, will cover a distance of 80 kilometres.
The event is meant to expose the participants to unfamiliar and difficult terrain to develope their love for adventure, the environment, endurance, leadership skills, friendship and teamwork.
It is being directed by the Signals Regiments of the Ghana Army, which will provide first aid, guidance and general safety of the participants.
In an opening address read for him, Mr Kwasi Aboagye, deputy Volta Regional Minister called on the youths to play constructive roles in solving the continent's problems.
He said the interaction among them through schemes like this are very vital for promoting understanding, friendship and sharing of views among the continent's future leaders and called on other countries on the continent to support such schemes.
Mr Lawrence Adofoli, National co-ordinator of the Head of State Award Scheme appealed for greater attention, financial and logistic support for youth training and development schemes in the country.
He regretted that not much attention seems to be coming from the appropriate authorities towards constructive youth activities.
Mr Steve Koku Salakpi, Volta Regional co-ordinator of the scheme said the expedition would put to test the ability of the participants in safety measures, route finding, camp craft, endurance skills and teamwork.
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African Americans impressed by Ghana's resources
Tamale (Northern Region) 10 Aug. '99
Madam Collette M. Hopkins, associate Director at the Clark University in Atlanta in the United States has said that their visit to Africa has erased the negative impression that the continent is backward.
Madam Hopkins, who led a five-member team of African Americans from the University to Panafest '99 was speaking during a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Joshua Alabi, in Tamale at the weekend.
She said they were impressed by the opportunities that abound for the development of the region.
"Africa is rich in culture, human resources and traditional technology which means a lot to Africans in the Diaspora".
Madam Hopkins said the team would be back in October to explore the possibility of helping to develop the abundant natural resources with the appropriate expertise.
Mr Alabi said the economy has achieved significant improvement as a result of pragmatic policies undertaken by the government, and urged the team to preach the good news back home.
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British Parliamentarian praises Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Aug.'99
Ms Diane Abbott, leader of the British delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting in Accra has described Ghana's democratic governance as "alive and well".
She said the level of debates and discussions in the House, coupled with the democratic culture in the country, indicates Ghana's giant strides in democratic governance.
Ms Abbott was speaking to newsmen at the airport in a pre-departure interview after leading the delegation to the 30th CPA meeting currently taking place in Accra.
On the issue of the falling price of gold on the world market, Ms Abbott promised that the delegation would take up the matter with the British government.
She said they would ask it to reconsider its decision to release more gold on the market, since such a move would cause more harm to countries like Ghana.
"We are taking our experience here back home and will hold discussions with the British business community on the investment opportunities in Ghana.
"British investors in the country are doing well and there are also more investment opportunities yet to be exploited, especially in the area of tourism", she said.
Ms Abbott urged the government to do more to encourage Ghanaians abroad to invest in the country.
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Bissa Community at Ejisu gets new Chief
Ejisu (Ashanti Region) 10 Aug '99
The Ejisu-Juabeng District Assembly, is to start arresting children of school-going age found idling or hawking during school hours.
Speaking at the enskinment of Alhaji Yakubu Bushim as the new chief of the Bissa (Busanga) community in the district at Ejisu on Sunday, Miss Rose Oteng, District Chief Executive, said the parents of such children would be prosecuted.
Alhaji Bushim succeeds Baba Adamu, who passed away a month ago.
The DCE stated that this has become necessary, because in spite of constitutional guarantees ensuring compulsory education for children and bye-laws by the District Assembly, many parents still do not send their children to school.
She advised the Zongo community to adopt a new attitude towards girl-child education, and not confine their daughters to the kitchen or give them out for early marriage.
Alhaji Osman Tanko, chief of the Bissa community in the Ashanti Region, advised the new chief to ensure peaceful co-existence of all.
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Resolve to meet challenges of millennium - Moderator
Odumase (Ashanti Region) 10 Aug. '99
The Right Reverend (Dr) Sam Prempeh, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has said the present generation would face more demanding challenges than their predecessors.
This, he said, calls for a new resolve on the part of Christians to meet the "evangelistic, financial and social challenges".
Rt Reverend Prempeh was preaching at a thanksgiving service to climax activities marking the centenary celebration of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church at Odumase, near Konongo, on Sunday.
A total of 120 million cedis was raised at the ceremony for the rehabilitation of the oldest Presbyterian basic school in the town, built in 1944.
The moderator charged parents to have time for the upbringing of their children.
He paid tribute to the founding fathers of the church in the country, particularly the Reverend Fritz Ramseyer.
Rt Rev Prempeh noted that one cannot examine the 100 years of "faithful and sacrificial work" without being conscious of the failures.
"A critical evaluation will provide us with the necessary motivation and the determination to make amends where we fell short of the ideal and endeavour to improve upon our performance, all to the glory of God", he added.
Mr Kwaku Kyei, Asante Akim North District Chief Executive, pledged the assembly's support for the rehabilitation of the school.
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Ejisu (Ashanti), 10th August 99
About 105 buruli ulcer cases have been recorded in the Ejisu/Juaben District.
Two of the victims, 13 year-old Azumah Kusasi and Abudulai Yahaya, 12, whose cases are very serious and need immediate attention, have received financial assistance from the District Assembly to enable them to meet the cost of treatment.
Mr Douglas Acheampong, Disease Control Officer of the District Health Management Team, said some of the towns are Yaw Nkrumah, Kofi Adjeikrom, Atia, Krapa Number Three and Abenase.
He told a meeting of the team at Ejisu that most of the victims are very poor and cannot afford treatment at the hospital.
Dr Felicia Owusu-Antwi, District Director of Health Services, appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and philanthropists to come to the aid of the victims.
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Nkawkaw to benefit under urban five
Mpraeso (Eastern Region), 10th August 99,
Nkawkaw has been selected as one of the 25 urban towns to benefit under the urban five project, which would commence next year, Mr Opoku Preko, Kwahu South District Chief Executive (DCE) has announced.
Mr Preko, who was addressing the third session of the district assembly at Mpraeso, therefore, called on assembly members, area, town and urban councils to mobilise adequate revenue to supplement government's effort to develop the community.
He said the assembly is to receive 1.036 billion cedis as its share of the common fund this year while it mobilises 357.2 million cedis from traditional sources, including grants to finance development projects in the district.
A greater part of the assembly's revenue, including the common fund, would be spent on the construction and rehabilitation of roads, school buildings, staff bungalows and electricity to enhance the living standards of the people.
The DCE said 140 million cedis has been disbursed to beneficiary groups and individuals under the poverty alleviation programme, while the three parliamentarians have received 179.6 million cedis as their share of the MPs Contingency's Labour Project Fund in their constituencies.
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Greater Accra Region nurses to resume work on Wednesday
Accra (Greater Accra), 10th August 99
Junior nurses in the Greater Accra region are to resume work on Wednesday, August 11, after a meeting between their representatives, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and the Sector Minister, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor.
Speaking in Accra on Monday Mr Augustine Odoom, a representative of the junior nurses, said the three parties would meet to settle the issue of disparities in the overtime allowance for junior nurses in the regions.
He said though Parliament is on recess, the seriousness of the issue has brought them back to help solve the problem once and for all.
Mr Odoom said the nurses' representatives would meet their colleagues today, Tuesday August 10, after the meeting between the three sides to brief them on developments.
Meantime, the leaders of the nurses have persuaded their members to collect the disputed overtime allowances at their various hospitals and clinics while negotiations continue.
At a meeting held at Ridge Hospital on Monday, some of the nurses complained bitterly that the names of their clinics are not on the master list and they do not, therefore, know their fate.
For example, Dansoman Polyclinic was not on the master list but Amasaman clinic, which was not on the list, has had its share.
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Conference on the food industry opens
Accra (Greater Accra), 10th August 99,
Dr John Abu, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Monday said the only way Ghana could succeed in the global market was by applying competitive technology to her production processes.
He said there was the need to constantly upgrade "our technological capabilities to be able to produce good quality products to meet international standards.
"If we are unable to respond to these challenges, our economy would be marginalised," he said.
Dr Abu was opening the 21st biennial conference of the Ghana Science Association in Accra.
The five-day conference, being attended by policy makers, scientists, technologists and industrial financiers, among others, is under the theme "sustainable food industry in Ghana in the 21st century."
Some of the objectives of the conference are to review the strategic development of the agriculture and food industry sector, identify factors that militate against growth in the sector and to optimise resources in the industry.
Dr Abu noted that industrial competitiveness is now "based less on availability of natural resources and low cost of unskilled labour."
He said it is rather based on the ability of firms and industries to continuously upgrade their products and processing technologies.
Dr Abu said research and development findings had not been transferred to industry adequately because they were not packaged into usable forms.
He, therefore, called for stronger linkages with industry to enhance competitiveness.
Dr Abu noted that through the good infrastructure established by the government, some industries have contributed to the agriculture sub-sector.
He said the sub-sector contributed 19.3 per cent of total earnings from non-traditional exports for 1998, which was an increase of 35.5 per cent over the sub-sector's performance for 1997.
Dr Abu noted, however, that the production bases for these achievements are weak since food production has relied heavily on expansion of farmlands and use of more labour rather than through improved technology.
This has also contributed to deforestation and other environmental problems that threaten food security and the sustainability of the food industry.
Dr Percival Kuranchie, President of the association, said the time was ripe for the packaging and marketing of science and technology for the total development of the nation.
Mr Kwesi Abeasie, Director-General of the Private Enterprise Foundation, who chaired the function, noted that not much attention has been given to the application of science and technology to the economy and this has led to slow progress.
Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Director General of Ghana Education Service, who launched a journal of the association, said the application of knowledge was now very important. It is for this reason that the curriculum of basic education has been reviewed to meet the challenges.
He called on scientists to use the new information technology to make their works known.
The journal is a publication of research findings by members of the association.
Three female university students received cash awards ranging between 100,000 cedis and 250,000 cedis for being the most promising women scientists.
Known as the Bentil award, it was initiated by Prof. Aba Andam, Head of the Physics Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with the support of the association.
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