More pay last respects to Okyenhene
Chiefs suspend trader for undisciplined behaviour
Mob attack a cop and a bailiff at Mumford
Speaker hosts reception for CPA delegates
Invest in horticultural industry - Konadu
Ho district assembly to receive one billion cedis
New Juaben Assembly to prosecute landlords for not painting houses
Rural bank offers scholarship to students
Okine says collective bargaining answer to salary disparities
Fishermen arrested for allegedly aiding smugglers
District co-ordinator ordered to settle rent arrears or face prosecution
Students in Tamale demonstrate against increase in school fees
Three Organisations to hold forum on Volta Basin
CPA urged to sustain democracy
Ghana urged to initiate Reconciliation Movement
Experts review National population programme
Pass laws to prevent human rights abuses: CPA official
More pay last respects to Okyenhene
Kibi (Eastern Region) 12 Aug. 99
Delegations from Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, the Judicial Service, and the Eastern Regional Lands Commission on Wednesday paid their last respects to the late Okyenhene.
The body of Osagyefo Kuntunkununku II has been lying in state at 'Potosoro', the great hall of the Ofori Panyinfie, since Monday.
The Benkum Division of the Akim Abuakwa Traditional area, led by Begorohene, Osabarima Awua Kotoko, also joined the thousands of mourners to pay its last respects to the late king.
The women had their hands on their heads, while the men lowered their mourning cloths below their shoulders and filed past the body barefooted, a sign of grief and respect.
The Potosoro has been decorated with plants giving an impression of an artificial forest to reflect the accolade of the Okyenhene as 'Kwaebibremhene' (king of the dense forest). Members of the royal family sat around the body.
The Judicial Service delegation, led by a Supreme Court Judge, Mr Justice A. K. B. Ampiah, included Mr Justice K. Omari Sasu, an Appeal Court judge and the judicial secretary, Mr G. A. Ayitey.
They donated a carton of Schnapps and 500,000 cedis after signing the book of condolence.
The two-man delegation from the Upper East Regional House of Chief's led by the Pagapio, Pe Awampaga Awia, its President, gave a donation of three bottles Schnapps and 100,000 cedis.
Oyokohene of New Juaben Traditional area, Nana Kodua Kese II led the Eastern Regional Lands Commission's delegation.
Also present to pay their last respects were Nana Wiafe Akenteng, Offinsohene and Nana Aboagye Adjei II Ejisuhene, both from Ashanti and of the Asona Clan and Kwahu-Nkwatiahene, Nana Atuobi Yiadom. A large retinue of mourners accompanied them.
Osabarima Kena Ampaw, Okyeman Adontenhene, and Acting President of Akim Abuakwa Traditional Council, Nana Darkwa Woe, Kwabenghene, and Akwapim Gyasehene, Oyeeman Wireko Ampem, sat in State at the forecourt of the Ofori Panyinfie to receive homage from mourners on their way to pay their last respects to the Okyenhene.
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Return to top Chiefs suspend trader for undisciplined behaviour
Abeadze Kyeakor (Central Region) 12 Aug. 99
Chiefs in the Abeadze Traditional Area in the Central Region have suspended Madam Esi Donkor of Ekwamase, a trader in foodstuffs, from trading because they claim her activities retard the progress of farmers in the area.
At a meeting of chiefs, assembly and unit committee members and the local branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at Kyeakor, it was alleged that Esi Donkor has adopted a method of driving away other traders who come to the area to buy foodstuffs, in order for her to wield absolute monopoly in the trade.
The meeting alleged that she buys the foodstuffs on credit and at times refuses to pay after selling.
It said her behaviour has not only been a disincentive to farmers in the area, but has also created hardships for them.
The meeting said her wicked activities came to light when a farmer, Madam Emma Aidoo whose son was sacked from school for failing to pay school fees decided to go and sell some head loads of cassava to a trader for cash in view of the urgency of the matter.
It said when Esi heard of Emma's plans, she went and informed the prospective buyer that the cassava Emma had decided to sell to her was not good.
This was reported to Emma and when she approached her for explanation, Esi picked a quarrel with her.
The meeting warned market queens that since Ghana is practising a free market, no impediments should be placed in the way of any trader in transacting business in any part of the country.
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Return to top Mob attack a cop and a bailiff at Mumford
Mumford (Central Region) 12 Aug. 99
A Police Corporal at Apam, Mr Godwin Motey has been admitted at the Apam Catholic Hospital as a result of a mob attack on him and a bailiff of the Apam community tribunal, Mr Hans Appiah Adjei at Mumford.
Mr Adjei was treated and discharged.
The two had gone to the town to effect the arrest of some debtors.
Narrating the incident to newsmen at Apam, Mr Adjei said one Madam Adjoa Korkor filed a suit at Apam community tribunal claiming an amount of 4.5 million cedis owed her by Kweku Monyi, Kwame Kum and Kweku Bentum, all fishermen in Mumford.
The defendants, Monyi, Kum and Bentum failed to attend court although they had been served with a hearing notice.
The bailiff said the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest and Cpl Motey was delegated to assist in effecting the arrest.
He said the defendants resisted arrest and raised an alarm calling them armed robbers. This attracted a mob, which set upon them and beat them up.
He said Monyi, Kum and Bentum are helping the police in their investigations.
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Return to top Speaker hosts reception for CPA delegates
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug 99
Mr Justice D. F. Annan, Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday hosted delegates to the conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) underway in Accra, to a cock tail reception at the State House.
Justice Annan is the new Chairman of the Africa Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
About 150 delegates and observers from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Nigeria, among other Commonwealth African countries are attending the nine-day conference, the 30th to be held by the association.
Some traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps and Parliamentarians were also at the reception.
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Invest in horticultural industry - Konadu
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug. 99
The First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, on Wednesday said the time is ripe for the government to make heavy investments in the horticultural industry since the demand for natural flowers is considerably high.
Cutting a tape to open the second Garden and Flower Fair at the International Trade Fair Site in Accra, Nana Konadu noted that apart from the 1950s when tree planting was made compulsory for children, the past four decades of industrialisation and housing has only seen trees being cut down without replacement.
This, she said, is responsible for the increased soil erosion, desertification, coastal erosion and other environmental problems with their attendant global warming.
The fair, which is under the theme, "Developing and sustaining the flower and garden as an asset to tourism promotion and commerce in the next millennium", is to educate the public about the essence of flowers to life.
Sixty exhibitors comprising 48 from Ghana, 10 from Nigeria and one each from Britain and Holland are showcasing different kinds of flowers, agro and industrial chemicals, garden equipment and seeds among other things.
The emerging sophisticated lifestyles of Ghanaians reflected in the importance attached to occasion as Valentines Day, Mothers' and Fathers' day, all of which make extensive use of flowers would make investment in that sector worthwhile, Nana Konadu said.
"If we want to sustain the environment and our new sophisticated lifestyles, then we must support and encourage the horticulture industry by making tree planting compulsory at all levels."
Nana Konadu suggested that more horticultural clubs should be formed in various communities and schools, adding that these clubs should be made to adopt open spaces and other areas for tree and flower planting under proper monitoring to ensure sustainability.
Nana Konadu said the potential of horticulture as foreign exchange earner was enormous, adding that when properly supported, horticulture would impact positively on eco-tourism and help in the realisation of the tourism goals in the vision 2020 document.
Mr Francis G. Korbieh, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development noted that the combined effect of environmental degradation and deterioration account for four per cent loss in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.
This he said is almost equal to the annual growth rate of the GDP, adding, "this cost is unbearable for our national economy."
He said this impacts negatively on tourism, which is envisaged to be the leading foreign exchange earner under the Ghana's vision 2020.
Mr Korbieh, therefore, called for a multi-sectoral approach towards the promotion of the tourism industry, saying that "one of the most crucial requirements for boosting tourism is to ensure that our built-up environment was beautiful in terms of horticulture.
"We need to embark on massive campaign to promote planting of trees in our communities and the establishment and maintenance of floral gardens in open spaces."
The Deputy Minister assured potential investors of the government's support to develop the horticulture industry into one of the leading foreign exchange earners in the country.
Mr George Owusu-Afriyie, Director of Parks and Gardens urged Ghanaians to make flower planting a lifestyle, saying that flowers express messages of joy, peace, love, care, sadness and impact positively on human health.
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Elubo (Western Region) 12 Aug 99
The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) is being restructured to make it efficient.
Under it, corrupt, lazy and undisciplined officials would be " weeded out".
Nii Okaine Adjei, Commissioner of CEPS, announced this at separate durbars with personnel of the service at Elubo, Jewi Wharf and New Town, and called on such officers to change for the better, saying, "there is no room for them".
He advised the personnel to work hard and be honest, loyal and patriotic.
Mr Eric Totimeh, officer-in-charge of Jewi Wharf, appealed to the commissioner for a boat for effective patrol duties on the Abbey Lagoon.
At New Town, the commissioner inspected offices and barracks under construction for CEPS.
Meanwhile, Nii Adjei has ordered the seizure of two Yamaha outboard motors found in a boat at Nyame Bekyere village, reportedly being used by smugglers.
The village has become an entry point for a car stealing syndicate operating between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
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Return to top Ho district assembly to receive one billion cedis
Ho (Volta Region) 12 Aug. 99
The Ho district assembly is to receive 1.032 billion cedis as its share of the 1999 District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF).
This is an increase of 148.3 million cedis over the 1998 allocation of 883.7 million cedis.
Captain George Kofi Nfodjo (rtd), District Chief Executive announced this at the fourth meeting of the first session of the assembly on Tuesday.
So far 133.6 million cedis has been released to the assembly as part of its first quarter allocation with the subsequent allocations to be made when the 1999 supplementary development budget is submitted.
Capt. Nfodjo said 25 per cent of the fund is to be deducted by the administrator of common fund as the assembly's counterpart funding for market propjets at Kpedze, Ziope, Kpetoe and Jdededo.
The assembly's total indebtedness to contractors between 1994 to 1998 stood at 110.2 million cedis while it has so far paid 16 million cedis as ex-gratia awards to ex-assembly members.
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Return to top New Juaben Assembly to prosecute landlords for not painting houses
Koforidua (Eastern Region) 12 Aug.99
The New Juaben Municipal Assembly is to prosecute landlords in the municipality who refuse to paint their houses.
In addition, the Sanitation and Beautification Task Force of the assembly has been authorised to identify and demolish all structures sited at unauthorised places and on waterways, and prosecute their owners.
The municipal chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Adu Boateng, announced this at the passing-out parade of 22 municipal guards at Koforidua.
The guards are to complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies in the enforcement of law and order, and ensure public safety in the municipality.
They would ensure the standards of discipline required of traders, market women and commercial transport operators.
Mr Adu Boateng said the measures form part of action plans put in place by the assembly to curb the rising trend of lawlessness and indiscipline in the municipality.
A vehicle and road traffic task force has been set up to check traffic abuses, which often lead to traffic congestion in the municipality.
Business enterprises which fail to obtain registration certificates from the assembly would also be closed down.
He charged the guards to be firm and resolute, and strive to be tolerant and impartial in the discharge of their duties.
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Rural bank offers scholarship to students
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo ) 12 Aug. 99
The Nsoatreman Rural Bank is spending nine million cedis this year in financial assistance to brilliant but needy students under a scholarship scheme it has established to improve the quality of education in its catchment area.
Seven point two million cedis of the amount would go to 12 beneficiary students in senior secondary schools, while 1.8 million cedis would be used to pay the school fees of 30 others in junior secondary schools (JSS).
Mr Ignatius Baffuor-Awuah, Deputy Manager of the Bank, announced this at Sunyani on Wednesday when he presented 60,000 cedis to each of the 30 JSS students, benefiting from the scheme this year.
Mr Baffuor-Awuah said this is the first time the Bank was extending the package to the JSS level and advised the beneficiaries to study hard to pass their final examination because the Bank is prepared to sponsor them at the senior secondary school (SSS) level.
He said since the scholarship scheme was set up about three years ago, the Bank has spent about 25 million cedis to assist beneficiaries.
Mr Baffour-Awuah pledged the preparedness of the Bank to continue to live up to its social obligations and urged people in its catchment areas to patronise its shares to strengthen it.
Mr Kofi Agyemang, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank, said the scholarship scheme was instituted to help arrest the declining standard of education in the Brong Ahafo region.
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Okine says collective bargaining answer to salary disparities
Ketan (Western Region) 12 Aug. 99
Mr A T D Okine, Acting General Secretary of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU), on Wednesday said salary disparities can best be corrected through collective bargaining.
Addressing the Western Regional Delegates Conference of the PSWU at Ketan, near Sekondi, Mr Okine said the right of organised labour to collective bargaining as recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been taken away by the new salary administration in the country.
He said the salary policy proposed by the Price WaterHouse report is not good, because it is based on performance.
What this means is that promotion and increment would be based on performance, he explained, adding that that would make it difficult for people without specified qualifications to move to top positions.
Mr Okine also announced that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has set up an insurance company, Unique Insurance Company, which would start operation by October.
Funds for the company were obtained through shares floated by the Labour Enterprise Trust, he said adding that so far, 2.4 billion cedis has been invested in the company.
Mr Okine said1.1 billion cedis has so far been spent on the 80-room PSWU hostel project at Adiembra, Kumasi, and over half a billion cedis more is needed to complete it.
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Fishermen arrested for allegedly aiding smugglers
Anlomatuope (Western Region) 12 Aug. 99
Eight inhabitants from Nyame Bekyere village in the Jomoro district, suspected to be aiding smugglers, have been arrested by Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) personnel at Jewi Wharf.
An official of CEPS said a car-stealing syndicate operating between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire has been using the village as an entry point.
According to the official, last month, a Peugeot 504, using both Ivorian and Ghanaian registration numbers and suspected to have been stolen, was found abandoned behind a house in the village.
The car has since been sent to the CEPS headquarters in Accra.
He said reports indicate that the residents assist the smugglers for a fee, and investigations are going on to establish the involvement of the suspects, who are all fishermen.
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District co-ordinator ordered to settle rent arrears or face prosecution
Wa (Upper West) 12 Aug. 99
Mr David Osei-Wusu, Upper West Regional Minister, has orgered Mr Alfred Kwara, Wa District Co-ordinating Director (DCD), to pay to the state about three million cedis within one week or face prosecution.
The amount is in respect of rent on his official bungalow, which he has refused to pay since 1995.
The order for him to settle his rent arrears formed part of recommendations by a committee set up by the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) this year to investigate him.
Mr Osei-Wusu was briefing newsmen on Mr Kwara's, "continued refusal to abide by the committee's recommendations and his challenge to its legitimacy".
The Regional Minister has also directed Mr Kwara's bankers not to allow him to withdraw more than half of his salary because he was on interdiction.
He said these measures have been taken because the Mr Kwara was behaving arrogantly towards the RCC, adding that as a result of his insubordination, all DCDs in the region have been reshuffled.
Meanwhile, Mr Kwara, in a letter to the Regional Minister dated 4th August, said he has already paid 500,000 cedis into government chest in respect of the rent and has agreed that 138,557.78 cedis be deducted from his salary every month for eighteen months for the same purpose.
Mr Kwara, who was present at the briefing, declined to comment.
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Students in Tamale demonstrate against increase in school fees
Tamale (Northern Region) 12 Aug. 99
Members of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on Wednesday held a street demonstration in Tamale to draw attention to their demand for a review of increases in university fees.
The demonstration, which attracted students from the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale Polytechnic and second cycle schools, was generally peaceful
The students, numbering about 200 and wearing red arm and head bands, carried placards, some of which read: "Oh God, kindly kill J.J. for us", "Spio Garbrah has no direction" "Cost-shifting: An attempt to paralyse the North - A Miscalculated Policy".
They marched to the offices of the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), the Regional House of Chiefs and the Central Administration of the UDS to present a resolution, amid chanting and singing of war songs.
The resolution, read by Mr Bernard Teteh-Duoanya, the local NUGS President, stated that students are not prepared to pay any additional school fees other than what they paid last academic year.
The resolution called on the government to adopt a long-term measure in solving the education problems "instead of the present ad hoc approach".
The students also suggested the establishment of an educational fund, to which, they said they were prepared to contribute 10,000 cedis each.
"Until the total withdrawal of the increase on the charges and the establishment of the educational fund... we are not going back to school and will ensure that the schools are not re-opened for the 1999-2000 academic year", the resolution said.
Receiving the resolution at the RCC, Mr Joshua Alabi, Northern Regional Minister, said it would form the basis for further discussions between the government and the university authorities and students.
He asked the students to exercise restraint and collaborate with the government to find lasting solutions to the problem, adding that "payment or no payment, Ghana belongs to all of us, and we must find a way out."
At the UDS, the student met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Raymond Bagulo Bening and the Registrar, Mr Paul Effah.
Professor Bening expressed the hope that the NUGS would take advantage of the forthcoming national forum on the funding of tertiary education to contribute to the search for solutions.
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Three Organisations to hold forum on Volta Basin
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug. 99 A
Forum to focus on the negative effects of human activity on the Volta Basin is to be held in Accra by the end of August, Mr Clement Wiredu, National Director of PACIPE, a non-governmental organisation dealing with environmental issues, said on Wednesday.
The one-day forum aims at creating public awareness of possible hazards that might result from negative practices such as farming along the riverbanks, dumping of shells in the river and on the banks as well as the destruction of the vegetation cover.
Mr Wiredu, who was speaking at a meeting with journalists, said the European Union would sponsor the Forum to be organised by PACIPE, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) and the Water Resources Commission.
He said those expected to take part would include representatives from district assemblies in the Volta Basin, opinion leaders, establishments that impact on the river and the media.
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CPA urged to sustain democracy
Accra (Greater Accra), 12th August 99
Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of Parliament, on Wednesday appealed to African Commonwealth Parliaments to find means to sustain current efforts at democratisation into the next century.
He said it was imperative that CPA Africa breaks the cycle of setbacks that has thwarted democracy in the past and in doing so, it should take inspiration from the Algiers Declaration of the OAU and put behind factors that led to parliamentary discontinuity in the past.
Mr Justice Annan, Chairman of the CPA Ghana branch, said these in a welcoming address at the 30th CPA African Region conference, which started in Accra on Wednesday.
The conference, which was opened by President Jerry John Rawlings is being attended by some 150 delegates and observers from 19 African countries, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Barbados.
Mr Justice Annan urged African CPA to address concerns for increased representation and participation of women in parliaments and governments as well as find ways of co-operating with civil society.
"These are challenges that we must responded to, not by blind application of blue prints that may well not be relevant or meaningful in our situation but through critical thought, rational deliberations and sharing of experiences..."
Mr Justice Annan noted that the period of the 90s widely acclaimed as "an era of rebirth of multi-party democracy in Africa is drawing to a close.
"Africa like other third world regions has seen the flame of democracy flourish in one decade only to be extinguished in the next.''
These experiences, he said, ''should make all of us cautious but at he same time should not deprive us of the optimism we must nurture for keeping the flame of parliamentary democracy aglow as we enter the next century," he said.
Mr Justice Annan noted that Ghana, like most African countries, had gone through the period of parliamentary democracy and as well as years of discontinuity.
However, he said, out of the totality of these experiences have emerged a conviction and determination to deepen and elevate parliamentary democracy to a height that reflects values and aspirations of both Ghanaians and Africans as a whole.
"We have taken this stance because we believe that Ghana's fledgling democracy can become strong and prosperous only if it is linked to the continuos growth and development of democracy not only in West Africa but also throughout Africa."
Mr Justice Annan said, there was a strong basis for all to face the unknown challenges of the future, together with a fair amount of optimism, given the common history, heritage and shared aspirations.
He urged the Africa CPA to give off their best to make democracy and development jointly achievable in Africa in the 21st century.
CPA is an association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, who irrespective of race or culture, are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms.
CPA conferences are designed to discuss matters of critical importance to the practice of parliamentary democracy.
Topics to be discussed during the conference range from issues of development, peace and security.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, first lady, members of the Council of State, ministers, traditional rulers and members of the Diplomatic Corps were present at the opening.
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Ghana urged to initiate Reconciliation Movement
Accra (Greater Accra), 12th August 99
A group of 20 visiting Africans from the Diaspora on Wednesday called on Ghana to initiate an International Reconciliation Movement, which would seek to unite all Africans in the Diaspora.
This is to draw the "world's conscience" to the harm done to the development of Africa through the slave trade.
It is also to declare an international holiday on which Africans, wherever they may be, would extend the hand of friendship and forgive their peers for the wars they fought among themselves to conquer and sell their neighbours into slavery.
Dr Nancy Dawson, Assistant Professor of Black-American Studies, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, USA, and leader of the group made the call at a colloquium during, which papers and statements by senior citizens of the North, Ga, Krachi, Brong Ahafo and Ewe were presented, at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The group, which is in the country to celebrate the second annual emancipation day has visited Salaga in the North, which is famous for its slave market.
It has also laid wreaths at the Usher and James Forts in Accra.
Speaking with emotion, Dr Dawson said, "nobody wants to remember that he or she is a slave, but slavery has been responsible for the Africans in America.
"The past is painful. We need a day for international reconciliation. Ghana can start that movement.
"There is too much animosity rooted in the slave trade. We don't want the relics and yet they must be preserved. Ethnic conflicts in Africa have roots from the trade."
Professor Kofi Anyidoho, Head of the Department of English, University of Ghana, said 300 years of the slave trade was sufficient to destroy the civilisation of Africa and cause its underdevelopment.
This has led the continent to be begging for leftovers from Europe, the slave masters, who continue to oppress Africa.
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Experts review National population programme
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug. 99
Ghana's population programmes have made significant achievements over the last few years, a population expert said on Wednesday.
Mr Moses Mukasa, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Ghana, said 1998 figures indicate that fertility has declined dramatically over the last decade from 6.4 births per woman in 1988 to 5.5 in 1993 and 4.5 in 1998.
Mr Mukasa, who was addressing the mid-term review meeting of the Ghana/UNFPA third country programme in Accra, said in addition, current use of family planning methods has increased from 13 per cent in 1988 to 20 per cent and 22 per cent in 1993 and 1998 respectively.
There is also an increase in the use of modern contraceptive methods, from five per cent in 1988 to 10 per cent in 1993 and 13 per cent in 1998.
In addition, the proportion of children fully immunised before age one has recently increased from 43 per cent in 1993 to 51 per cent in 1998.
The mid-term population programme, which covers 1996 to 2000, is the third for Ghana.
UNFPA is financing the programme at a cost of 25 million dollars while the government provides a local component of 804 billion cedis.
The four-year programme designed to address population concerns in a holistic manner with a focus on reproductive health and family planning, covers sustainable development, advocacy, population and development strategies and gender analysis.
Mr Mukasa said the review would provide the initial information and direction towards the preparation of the next country programme, which will cover the years 2001 to 2005.
He said it would strengthen UNFPA's input to the UN system's common country assessment and the UN Development assistance framework, which are linked to Ghana's Vision 2020.
Mr Moses Asaga, a Deputy Finance Minister, said a human-centred approach to development is a must for any government desirous of achieving and sustaining its developmental goals and aspirations.
He said finding the right balance between financial resources and population development and sustainability means putting people first and not numbers.
"Any economic development programme which is to be successful, therefore, needs to focus on people and their needs and on expanding the choices available to them to enable them to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives."
Mr Asaga said he was, therefore, happy that the programme addresses those issues through the implementation of projects aimed at providing family life education, reproductive health services and adult literacy classes, among other things.
The Deputy Minister asked implementing agencies to address the factors militating against the effective programme implementation despite the achievement made so far.
Dr Richard Turkson, Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), in an overview said the programme coincided with a number of significant developments on the national, as well as international, scenes which provided an enabling environment for implementation.
Mrs Virginia Ofosu-Amaah, Director, Africa Divion of UNFPA in New York, called on the government to pay attention to meeting the developmental aspirations, especially the reproductive needs, of young people.
"Population programmes as well as other development initiatives of the country should address the threat of HIV particularly among young people," she said.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug. 99
Junior nurses in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday resumed work after a one-month strike to press demands for overtime allowance.
The nurses resumed work after the impasse between them and the Ministry of Health over disparities in their overtime allowance had been solved.
They had complained that their colleagues at the Teaching Hospitals had been paid more and that there were disparities in figures on a master list and what they were given.
At the Ridge Hospital's Out Patient Department (OPD) and some of the wards, junior nurses were attending to patients.
Some of the nurses assured the public of their normal 24-hour service saying that they could attend government hospitals at any time of the day.
At the Adabraka Polyclinic, the OPD was full of patients waiting to be attended to and nurses were also seen briskly going about their duty.
Dr Gyekye Koranteng, Acting Principal Medical Officer of the Clinic, said the doctors and the senior nurses were happy to see their colleagues back at work.
The situation at the Accra Mental hospital was not different from the other hospitals. Nurses were attending to patients.
Mr Augustine Odoom, a senior mental nursing officer, expressed satisfaction at the way his colleagues had fulfilled their promise to return.
"We have sent messages to our colleagues in the regions so I hope they will also follow suit."
He appealed on behalf of the nurses to the Ministry of Health and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to speed up their investigations into their grievances.
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Pass laws to prevent human rights abuses: CPA official
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 Aug. 99
The Reverend Peter Kaleso, Acting Chairperson of Africa Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), on Wednesday appealed to African commonwealth parliaments to complement efforts by regional bodies at conflict prevention and resolution by enacting legislations to prevent human rights abuses.
The CPA Africa region can also help resolve conflicts through the use of preventive diplomacy and setting up of early warning systems based on well established information data.
Rev. Kaleso who is also the first deputy Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, said these at the opening of the 30th CPA Africa Region Conference in Accra.
President Jerry John Rawlings opened the conference, which is the last for this century, and is being attended by 150 delegates and observers from 19 African countries, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Barbados.
Nigeria, which returned to parliamentary democracy in May and will be reinstated into the association next month, is also attending as an observer.
Rev. Kaleso said in playing this role, African commonwealth parliaments should endeavour to be objective and put aside all prejudices and biases.
"The CPA should help develop and foster a common vision for Africa, a vision that would make Africa a significant player in the emerging socio-political and economic systems."
Rev Kaleso stressed the need for CPA to redefine its role at the turn of the century with emphasis on sustainable development and peace.
In doing this, he said, it should not forget women, who should be supported and encouraged, both in political and economic spheres, to enable them to take their rightful place as equal partners.
He underscored the importance of good governance to socio-economic development and stability of Africa and urged governments to strive to achieve it.
"It (good governance) provides the enabling environment for economic transformation and development, as it also gives us the necessary latitude for addressing the scourge of conflicts prevailing on the continent."
Rev. Kaleso said it is regrettable that the continent is riddled with conflicts, violations of human rights, genocide and ethnic clashes adding that these would reverse the modest achievements the continent has made since independence.
He commended efforts being made by African leaders, both individually and collectively through the OAU and regional bodies such as ECOWAS and South African Development Commission (SADC), to bring peace to the conflict zones
President Rawlings said: "Today, there is a growing realisation that democratically-elected Parliaments have a unique role to play in conflict prevention, management and resolution.
"It is for this reason that the CPA should use such periodic conferences to strengthen the conviction of its members in the parliamentary system as an effective tool for good governance and conflict resolution."
He said in upholding and promoting parliamentary traditions, including the norms, procedures and principles of objectivity, the CPA has understandably been looking first to the needs of its members.
"Notwithstanding the justification for this prior commitment, the time has come for this rich culture of deliberative democracy to be extended beyond the walls of Parliaments to the wider society.
"The interest and welfare of the electorate should be given priority consideration since parliamentarians derive their authority from the people, the President said.
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