One dead, two arrested in robbery attempt
Kensington group calls on Asantehene
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August
2000
Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General
Secretary of the NDC, on Tuesday called on the minority political parties to
stop their supporters from engaging in acts of intimidation and provocation to
preserve peace and stability.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency
in Accra in reaction to the jeers, boos and hooting meted out to Vice-President
John Evans Atta Mills' convoy by some supporters of the minority parties during
his recent tour of the Ashanti Region, Alhaji Yahaya noted a similar incident
in the presence of the Vice-President at the funeral of the late Akrofrom chief
at which a group of NPP supporters openly distributed posters, banners and
flags of their party.
The incidents were said to have
taken place at Maakro Junction, Kumasi Suame Roundabout and at Obuasi Junction
in the Adansi West District.
"This is uncalled for and
must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians as the price to pay for such
actions will not be in the interest of any political party or individual."
Alhaji Yahaya stressed that
Professor Mills is not only the flagbearer of the NDC but also the
Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana and must be given the due respect.
"For people to have the
courage to jeer, boo and hoot at the convoy of the Vice-President on an
official tour is beyond the limits of tolerance by any government.
"Where is the Ghanaian
cultural respect for the elderly, which we share as a nation, particularly in
our traditional areas?" he asked.
He, therefore, challenged the
leadership of the minority parties to openly condemn and reprimand its supporters
to show their willingness to see democracy grow in the country.
Alhaji Yahaya stressed that going
by the 1996 electoral results and the current position on the ground, the NDC
is still the strongest political party and will not therefore sit down for acts
of violence to erupt in any part of the country.
"As a party and government,
we have a mandate to protect and defend the citizenry from both internal and
external aggression and will not sacrifice this on the altar of political
expedience."
Alhaji Yahaya said the NDC stands
for the people of this nation and will not allow the social-economic gains to
be destroyed through avoidable acts.
"Statistics indicate that
over 57.4 per cent of the electorate support the NDC while nine out of 10
regions root for the party.
Additionally, 133 out of the 200
constituencies in the country are our strongholds; we love them and will not do
anything to inflict pains and agony on them," he said.
He recalled acts of vandalism
during both the campaign period and Election Day in some parts of the country
in 1996, which led to the death of a political activist and the destruction of
property.
He said some government-owned
vehicles, especially four-wheel drives, and GPRTU buses were vandalised at the
time, adding that this must not be repeated this year.
Alhaji Yahaya called on
traditional rulers and the majority of Ghanaians, who stand for peace, not to
allow the few deviants in the community to "destroy the good image of our
towns and villages in the interest of any political party".
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 30 August
2000
The Ashanti Regional Police
Command on Tuesday warned the general public, particularly persons intending to
cause disorder during the coming general election to put an end to such
negative plans.
A statement signed by Dr. Kofi
Kesse Manfo, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, in Kumasi, said persons who
resort to intimidation, insults, booing and jeering or any other acts of lawlessness
would be arrested and prosecuted.
"This command wishes to
remind the public that these negative practices and others, such as stone
throwing, assault and use of offensive weapons, generally on political
opponents, constitute an offence under the Criminal Code Act 29/60 and other
Acts, laws and decrees of the country and should thus be avoided."
The statement said even though the
country desires a trouble-free general election and the need to achieve this
goal, the regional police command still notes with grave concern certain
negative practices on the part of some political party supporters.
It warned that such practices have
the potential of creating chaos during the general election if not quickly
stopped.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday hosted a reception at the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre for Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, who arrived yesterday morning at the head of a 23-member delegation on a two-day official visit.
Vice-President John Atta Mills, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the First Lady, as well as several dignitaries including Council of State members, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Service Commanders, diplomats and chiefs were at the reception at which only soft drinks were served.
An official of the State Protocol Department told the Ghana News Agency that the department decided not to serve alcoholic beverages as a mark of respect for the Sultan, the 55-year-old supreme ruler of oil-rich Brunei.
Brunei, a south-east Asian island country, has a population of less than 400,000 with a per capita income of 17,000 dollars.
In 1996 its exports of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and other petroleum products amounted to 2.62 billion dollars.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
President Jerry Rawlings will pay a six-day visit to the United Kingdom from September 9th to 14th after attending the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in New York.
The purpose of the visit is to enable the President to participate in the formal commemoration of the Greenwich/Tema partnership for Development Foundation at a durbar of Ghanaian chiefs, queenmothers and cultural troupes at the Greenwich Royal Artillery Garrison on September 9, 2000.
A press release on Tuesday from the Office of the Ghana High Commissioner in London said the launch of the Foundation is a follow-up to a twinning arrangement inaugurated last year between the Borough of Greenwich in the UK and the Tema Municipality.
President Rawlings who will be accompanied by the first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings will visit Edinburgh, Glasgow and Sunderland.
While in Edinburgh, he will be hosted by the Lord Advocate of Scotland, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and the Speaker of the Scottish Parliament. He will also hold discussions with civil and government leaders.
In Glasgow, President Rawlings will be hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow and would receive an honorary doctorate of law degree from the University of Glasgow.
The release said Nana Konadu, who would be engaged in other social activities, would also receive an honorary doctorate of letters at the University of Sunderland for her contribution to equal opportunities and global development issues.
It said the Duke of Edinburgh, as a Baron of Greenwich, has agreed to be a patron of the UK side of the Foundation while President Rawlings has also agreed to be the patron of the Ghana side.
The release said since the signing of the agreement, the Borough of Greenwich has donated 100 computers for the establishment of a computer- training centre in Tema.
The Borough has also pledged 500,000 Pounds Sterling to establish a polytechnic for Tema and its surrounding towns and villages.
"President Rawlings' visit is therefore aimed at consolidating the partnership and further enhancing the already cordial relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
Visiting Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of the South East Asian country of Brunei, on Tuesday laid a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra in memory of Ghana's first President.
Haji Bolkiah, who was performing his first official engagement, was accompanied by some of the 22 members of the delegation who arrived with him in Accra this morning for a two-day official visit.
The Sultan, arrived at the Mausoleum in a limousine shortly before 1600 hours amidst drumming, cheering and waving of miniature flags of Ghana and Brunei by admirers.
Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Minister in Charge of Protocol, Professor Patrick Twumasi, of the office of the President and some State Protocol officials were on hand to receive him.
Dr Eric Don-Arthur, architect of the Mausoleum, conducted Haji Bolkiah round and explained the significance of the Mausoleum to the evidently appreciative Sultan.
Haji Bolkiah, is on a reciprocal visit after President Jerry Rawlings visited Brunei last March.
On Wednesday, he will hold discussions with President Rawlings, attend a mini-durbar and visit the Military Academy and Training School. His two wives, Raja and Pangiran also have scheduled engagements.
Haji Bolkiah also went to the museum, which houses personal effects and publications of the late first president as well as pictures depicting his life history and signed a book of condolence.
Dr Nkrumah was re-interred in July 1992 on the grounds, where he proclaimed Ghana's Independence on March 6, 1957.
Dr Don-Arthur told the Sultan that when the leaders of the nation decided to give Dr Nkrumah a fitting burial, they found the site where he declared the liberation of Ghana and the entire continent most suitable.
The interment took place 20 years after his death in Bucharest, Romania, in 1972. The body is buried under a catafalque raised in the centre of the park.
Dr Nkrumah had lived in exile in Guinea after his overthrow on 24th February 1966, after being in power for nine years.
Dr Don-Arthur said symbols, which reflect Ghana's culture and history were used to portray Nkrumah's vision to promote the African personality.
The full statue of Dr Nkrumah in bronze is sited at the Mausoleum with a line-up of fountains and springs in the forecourt.
The main way leading to the mausoleum is flanked on either side by two springs.
In each are seven statuettes of "mmensoun" (horn) blowers, who seem to herald the arrival of the visitor and sound the clarion call for the total emancipation of Africa.
Dr Don-Arthur said the design of the mausoleum, which is portrayed by swords turned upside down, symbolises peace.
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who succeeded his father, Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin at age 22, has ruled the oil-rich country, which is a constitutional monarchy, since 1967.
He is thought to be the second richest person in the world after Microsoft's Bill Gates. Brunei has an area of 5,770 square kilometres sandwiched inside Malaysia.
It has a population of about 336,000 who speak Malay, the official language, Chinese and English. The Malay constitute 64 per cent of the population, the Chinese 20 per cent while other ethnic groups constitute 16 per cent.
The official religion is Islam (64 per cent). Other religions are Buddhists (12 per cent), Christians (nine per cent) other beliefs (12 per cent).
The capital city is Bandar Seri Begawan.
Its major exports are crude oil, liquefied natural gas and petroleum products.
Brunei's per capita income is 17,000 dollars from an annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 5.4 billion dollars. The literacy rate is 88.2 per cent.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
The government has approved a comprehensive National Co-operative Development policy to clearly define the direction of co-operative development, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare announced on Tuesday.
He said the document identifies areas that will need government support to enable the co-operatives to develop the needed capacity to play the roles assigned them in the Vision 2020 development plan, government's blueprint to make the country a middle income country by 2020.
These include savings mobilisation, community development, employment generation and poverty reduction.
Alhaji Mumuni was speaking at the seventh quadrennial congress of the Ghana Co-operatives Council in Accra. Fifty delegates from all the 10 regions, drawn from the agricultural, industrial, services and financial sub-sectors are attending the congress, which coincides with the sixth United Nations Day of Co-operatives and the 78th International Co-operative Alliance Day.
Delegates will discuss the review of the term of office from three to four years and report on the activities of the movement over the last three years. The theme for the day is "Co-operatives and Employment Promotion."
Alhaji Mumuni said with the approval of the policy, the way was now open for the review of the Co-operative Law, which has been regulating co-operatives since 1968.
The review would ensure that the Law becomes pro-active, developmental and less regulatory.
Alhaji Mumuni said the exposure of co-operatives, combined with economic reforms, which reduce the role of the state, and the process of political pluralism and democratisation open up the opportunity for the co-operatives to develop as private sector businesses with capacity to compete and be able to survive.
He said the update of the Co-operative register, which began in 1998, was to get rid of all inactive societies so as to build up formidable co-operatives.
The minister said at the beginning of the exercise in 1998, there were 11,154 societies, but as at June, only 1,296 had been registered.
The Industrial Co-operatives account for 51.3 per cent, Service Co-operatives (8.1 per cent), Financial Co-operatives (12.6 per cent) and Agricultural Co-operatives (28 per cent.)
Alhaji Mumuni said although the government looks forward to being a major contributor to employment because of its potential, available data in 1996 indicated that the sector represented only 2.6 per cent of the population.
He said it is the intention of government to assist the co-operative sector to increase the percentage to an appreciable level.
He announced that government intends to de-confiscate assets of the defunct Co-operative Bank provided that they would be used profitably.
Additionally, a Co-operative Development Fund will be established under the restructuring of the sector to cushion the financial difficulties in that sector.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was not happy that the co-operatives have lost their presence in the internal marketing of cocoa and stressed the need to re-establish the co-operative as an active participant in cocoa purchasing.
"In this regard, full encouragement will be given to the Kuapa Koko Limited, which intends to convert to co-operatives."
He said the ministry has allocated 450 million cedis this year to continue with the construction of a permanent building for the Ghana Co-operative College.
In a welcoming address read on his behalf the president of the Co-operatives Council, Mr. E. H. Boohene, stressed the role of co-operatives in the creation of jobs, but regretted that their activities have been saddled with problems some of which are politically motivated.
He appealed to governments of developing countries to give co-operatives their goodwill and support.
Mr. Roberto Rodrigues, President of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), said he was happy at the high level of participation of women and the youth in co-operatives in the country.
He also commended the government on her efforts at giving co-operatives the needed assistance.
In a message, Mr. Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General, noted that co-operatives are not only major sources of employment in large-scale enterprises providing foodstuffs, services to consumers and financial services, but are also an important source of job creation by providing enhanced employment opportunities.
He said the goal of full employment requires that the state, the social partners and civil society create conditions that would enable everyone to participate in and benefit from productive and decent work.
Mr. Annan called on governments to understand that a supportive policy towards co-operatives will bring economic and social progress.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 30 August 2000
The Central Region branch of the June Four Movement (JFM), on Monday said Dr Obed Asamoah, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, should be the running mate of the Vice -President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
A statement signed by Mr. Abeku Aggrey, Regional Chairman in Cape Coast, said it associates itself with the proposal of the EGLE Party at its recent delegates conference that Dr Obed Asamoah should be the running mate.
The branch noted that Dr Asamoah is legally and politically knowledgeable on regional, national and international issues relating to good governance.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
The Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA), on Tuesday called for the creation of a separate Ministry of Youth to enhance youth development in the country.
The organisation said the present Ministry of Youth and Sports has developed sports at the expense of the youth, which does not augur well for the total development of the country.
These were contained in a ten-point communiqué, issued by the association at the end its five-day national conference, which ended in Accra on Tuesday.
The communiqué, read by the President of the association, Mr. Ebenezer Malcom, said "we do not think it is a matter of incompetence on the part of the ministry but that, the youth needs more time and space to develop."
The 37th annual conference, which was attended by over fifty delegates drawn from all the ten regions, discussed social, economic and political issues.
GUNSA suggested the provision of more educational facilities and sustain the "teacher awards scheme" and other incentives to motivate teachers.
Commenting on the political scene, the association appealed to politicians to desist from the use of abusive language before, during and after the elections.
GUNSA asked chiefs to stay out of active politics adding that "except when they have complied with the constitutional requirement to vacate their stools and skins."
"The media as much as possible should give equal access to all political parties in the electioneering campaign"
On the economy, the communiqué called for an enabling environment for local businesses to grow and appealed to Ghanaians to patronise "made in Ghana" goods.
"GUNSA views the setting up of more youth centres to cater for the health needs of young people and the whipping up of awareness on population and other health related issues as very appropriate for national development."
The killing of women caught the attention of the association as it appealed to all segments of the population to assist in the provision of logistics for the security agencies especially, the police in combating crime.
Members gave their support for the affirmative action and urged all employers to give equal attention to women in their endeavours.
At the continental level, they urged all warring factions in Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to go to the negotiating table.
"GUNSA welcomes the decision by the United Nations to set up a special court or tribunals to bring to trial cases of human rights abuses by warlords with special reference to Foday Sankoh"
The communiqué urged African leaders to expedite action on the proposed African Union and asked the G8 to scrap debts owed them by developing countries to speed up their developmental process.
On the Middle East peace process, GUNSA said Jerusalem should be declared an independent international city belonging to all parties involved.
GUNSA reaffirmed its commitment to the vision of the United Nations "which is a vision of better life for all mankind."
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Tema (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) has expressed shock at the minimum wage of 3,480 cedis an increase of 20 percent proposed by the government for workers.
The TDCL said it does not understand why the government should publish its proposal without first presenting it officially to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and said this constitutes an attempt to stab the TUC in the back.
A statement signed by Mr. Wilson Agana, Chairman of the TDCL and Mr. Mohammed Baba-Tairo, Secretary, recalled that the TDCL in a resolution adopted on July 20, this year demanded at least a daily minimum wage of 7,000 cedis.
Later, its apex body, the TUC demanded a meagre minimum wage of 5,500 cedis and it did not therefore anticipate that the government will come out with a proposal of 3,480 cedis.
The statement said in view of that the Council considers government to be insensitive to the plight of workers since students' daily feeding fee has now been pegged at 3,000 cedis.
It noted that galloping of the exchange rate, increase in VAT rate, frequent fuel price increases and the resultant high cost of living make the TUC proposal justifiable even though it fell below expectation.
The TDCL therefore considered as unacceptable, the government's proposals and its justification and therefore urged the TUC to be steadfast in its position, adding that TDCL is ever ready to support it in the fight for a meaningful minimum wage for workers.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 August 2000
One suspected robber died and two of his accomplices were arrested by the police after an attempted robbery at an Osu filling station in Accra at dawn on Tuesday.
Police said the unidentified man died from injuries he sustained when he tried to join a speeding get-away car but fell off.
The body has been sent to the Police Hospital mortuary whilst the two others, Kofi Quartey and Charles Aryee, have been detained at the Osu police station for interrogation.
A source at the Police Public Relations Directorate told the GNA that at about 0200 hours on Tuesday, the deceased entered the office of the filling station after removing two louvre blades and opening the door.
"He pulled out an object, which could not be identified by the station attendant on duty, and demanded to be given the night's sales, which were about 500,000 cedis." The police said the filling station attendant obliged.
"A vulcanizer who saw the deceased running away with his booty apprehended him and raised the alarm, attracting a crowd. The deceased then dropped his booty and dashed for a car, which was in motion, but he fell off."
The source said as the crowd waited for the deceased to get up, Aryee and Quartey suddenly appeared on a motor cycle and requested to take the deceased to a hospital.
However, the station attendant identified them as having been in the get-away car and caused their arrest," the source said.
The filling station supervisor, Mr. Adu Mante, confirmed the story when the Ghana News Agency went there.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 30 August 2000
A 10-member team from the Kensington group, an international offshore investment specialists based in Thailand, has called on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi.
Mr. David K. Cordova, leader and Managing Director of the Group, said the company is extending its scope of operations to Ghana, especially the Ashanti Region.
He praised Ghanaians for their hard work and said that the team is especially interested in the Otumfuo's Education Fund, into which the team would contribute.
Mrs. Tamara Cordova, a member of the team, said educational policies must always be pursued along side the promotion of cultural values to attain high level of development.
She said there is no difference in the educational system in Europe and Africa except that Africa faces financial problems that impede the implementation of programmes.
Mr. Osei Owusu Atta, a member of the Team, said the visit is to enable the Group to assist in the development of the Region.
He said the Group is especially interested in education, agro-based ventures and information technology.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the Region has many resources and said all genuine investors would be welcomed.
Mr. Cordova on behalf of the group contributed 10 million cedis in the Fund and promised a further donation of 75 million dollars, which would be released in phases as from 2001.
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