Obed awaits Mills' decision
NPP denies access - to Dela Cathedral
Govt to decongest courts
Shortage of diesel in Kumasi
Alhaji Inusah's protest over election day - Dec 8 is Kufuor's birthday
Jerry spilled blood in vain - buyers have no cash
Atta Mills promises jobs for rejects
Foday Sankoh's blood money for NPP congress
Ghana's Stock Exchange experiences slump in activity
Obed awaits Mills' decision
The Ghanaian Times reports that the issue of Dr Obed Asmoah becoming the running mate of Professor John Evans Atta Mills for the Presidential candidacy of the NDC for the 2000 elections was up again on Tuesday when Dr Asamoah interacted with journalists at a "Meet-the-Press" series in Accra.
The paper says Dr Asamoah, answering a question whether he was interested in the running mate post for the NDC or not, stated that it was not an issue of one being interested but rather the interest of the presidential candidate who designates the Veep slot.
The paper recalls President Rawlings stating during the launching of the party's manifesto in Accra last week that no choice had as yet been made, adding that time was rife that the unproductive speculation ended since it served only to create antagonism.
He reportedly referred to the convention that governs the party in choosing its vice-presidential candidate as well as the time for its announcement, and said that the decision is the prerogative of the flagbearer, in consultation with the National Executive Council of the party.
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NPP denies access - to Dela Cathedral
The Evening News writes in its lead story that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will definitely hold its national delegates congress at Ho on September 2, but what is not certain is whether they would have access to the Dela Cathedral of the EP Church, which they have applied for.
The leadership of the church, according to the paper, are rumoured to be unwilling to release the hall that was used in April by the NDC for a similar function, to the NPP for its congress.
The EP leadership allegedly, not wanting to anger their benefactor (NDC), has programmed to hold a joint synod session at the venue at the same time that the NPP needs the place and has alternatively offered, the Mawuko chapel.
The synod with the sister church, Eglise Evangelique Presbyterrience du Togo reportedly takes place from August 30 to September 3.
Rev. L.J.K. Dzakpasu, synod clerk of EP Church, Ghana is quoted as having said, "we will use here (Dela Cathedral) and facilities at Mawuli School for the Synod, so we have directed them (NPP) to Mawuko (Chapel).
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Govt to decongest courts
The Daily Graphic reports that the government has accepted Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods as a viable strategy to decongest the courts and enhance the effectiveness of the judicial system.
The Ministry of Justice is reported to have, as a result, taken a number of initiatives, making it possible for the Legislative Drafting Section to prepare a draft bill on the ADR.
Dr Obed Asamoah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, stated during a "Meet the Press" series in Accra that the thrust of the bill is to provide mechanisms for the voluntary settlement of disputes through arbitration and other disputes resolution methods.
The draft, he said, was subjected to thorough discussions on the underlying policies and their implications, at a two-day stakeholders workshop and will soon be submitted to Parliament.
To further decongest the courts, measures are being pursued under the legal sector reform programmes, he said.
These include the re-issuing to judges guidelines on time limits for writing judgements, orders and rulings on cases, motions and applications, by the Chief Justice.
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Shortage of diesel in Kumasi
The Graphic in back-page story reports on the acute shortage of diesel in the Kumasi metropolis and some parts of the Ashanti Region.
The situation, according to the paper is so acute that it has compelled some drivers to park their vehicles for more than a week now, while others stay in long queues at various filling stations in search of the fuel.
Most of the stations are said to be without the commodity although they had placed orders some three weeks ago.
While some dealers are said to be blaming the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST) for allegedly withholding supply in anticipation of a possible price increase, others believe the shortage is real due to lack of funds for imports by the government.
Mr. Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy is reported as saying that the petroleum situation in the country is good and should ordinarily not give any cause for alarm.
Mr. Abingya attributed the problem to the fact that the bulk of the supplies were being clandestinely ferried across the border for sale in our neighbouring states.
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Alhaji Inusah's protest over election day - Dec 8 is Kufuor's birthday
The saying that Ghanaians live politics, drink politics, eat politics and celebrate politics seem to be true, reports the Guide in a front-page banner.
The paper says the impression has strongly been reinforced with the assertion by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that a suggestion by a political defector for a change in the fixed election date for the December election, is ‘playing politics’ because the day falls on the birthday of one of the major flagbearers.
The party, according to the paper, has disclosed that the election date, Friday December 8, 2000, is the 64th birthday of Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, whose traditional name is 'Kofi Deawuo'.
"To the party therefore a massive majority for Kufuor by Ghanaians who are yearning for a change will be a happy birthday gift."
Party spokesman, Alhaji Wayo Seini was reacting to a suggestion by Alhaji Issaka Inusah's for a change in the election date based on the claim that it coincides with a Holy Friday in the fasting month of Ramadan and would impact negatively Muslims.
Alhaji Seini, reportedly wonder why Alhaji Inusah never found anything wrong with the date until he joined the NDC, since it was decided and announced several months ago by EC.
"Perhaps it is because he has suddenly realised this year's election date coincides with the birthday of his former pal, J.A. Kufuor, and that a majority of Ghanaians who are yearning for a change will be trooping to the polling stations to hand him a Happy birthday gift", Alhaji Seini was quoted.
The NPP is reported as saying that Inusah's suggestion is characteristic of most defectors to do everything possible to impress their new colleagues and thereby assure them of their loyalty in order to gain trust.
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Jerry spilled blood in vain - buyers have no cash
The Dispatch says in-depth investigations that it conducted have revealed shocking news that those who made high bids to buy the auctioned manifestos did not have the money.
"They were asked by a Minister and known confidant of President Rawlings to mention some huge amounts but the game got out of hand. Now there have been calls for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate the sort of Business those who bought the manifestos are into", the paper said.
The bidders reportedly were made to deceive the President, the First Lady and the Vice-President into thinking that the party was indeed going to get those kinds of monies into their kitty.
Dispatch says it was told by sources within the NDC that following the successful five-day REFORM Congress, the party decided to give the manifesto launch a high profile, "to show that the NDC spirit is still on course."
A Minister of state was to stage-manage the amounts with the highest bid for the 76-page as 50 million cedis to show how the party could also openly mobilise funds from its supporters. The enthusiasm of party members, according to the paper shot the price for first copy to 100 million cedis.
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Atta Mills promises jobs for rejects
The Free Press writes that Professor John Evans Atta Mills, NDC flagbearer for the December elections, in a characteristic style of the party, told its rejected Members of Parliament (MPs) at a meeting that he would give them jobs if he wins the elections.
Twenty-six out of 35 affected MPs present at the meeting, said to be sceptical about Prof. Mills' promise, reportedly grumbled among themselves amidst demands from the Veep whether he was sure of winning the elections.
The Free Press says information that it gathered indicates that the meeting was held to persuade the rejected MPs all over the country to accept the decision of the party, apparently to forestall a perceived rebellion.
Prof. Mills’ promise reportedly follows his desire not to see any of the rejected MPs defecting to the opposition front.
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Foday Sankoh's blood money for NPP congress
The Ghana Palaver says its investigations have confirmed that the missing dollars dished out to two emissaries of a Ghanaian political party delegation to Burkina Faso by an aide to President Blaise Campaore was indeed blood money from Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary United Front.
The paper recalls an earlier publication in which it reports on the opposition party delegation’s visit to the neighbouring country, where the aide handed them the money.
The Palaver says recent developments in the party, with regard to the selection of the running mate has exposed the party and those who are beneficiaries of the blood-stained funds.
The paper says the diamond money that was fetched through shedding of innocent blood, is now the live-wire dictating the pace as to why those in possession of it have to be selected for the slot. The cash-strapped party and its leadership are reportedly hoodwinked to bow to the 'powerful' who are in control of the blood money, the paper said.
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Ghana's Stock Exchange experiences slump in activity
The High Street Journal (HSJ) reports that the slump in activity on the Ghana Stock Exchange continued last week, with few shares being demanded, and even fewer actually being traded.
The result, according to the story was that GSE all-share index remained firmly stock at 620.41 points throughout the week, as no price changes were recorded in any of the 22 listed stocks.
Supply reportedly remained far above demand throughout the week with 5,567,5000 shares being offered, but only 1,012,800 shares being bid for, during the three trading sessions for the week. This is said to translate into a bid-offer ratio of 1:5:5
There was however only 843,000 shares were actually traded during the week.
HSJ reports that altogether, the GSE index has risen by 11.44% since the beginning of the year, but for foreign investors this has translated sharply into negative returns in real terms because of the steep depreciation of the cedi against leading currencies.
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