Experts remain optimistic despite slow rice production
Ghana Police to focus all energies on internal security
CHRAJ disposes off 142 cases in Upper East
Shift focus to Economic Diplomacy – Hackman tells Ghana’s envoys
President names board members for two institutions
Help government to establish modern manufacturing standards
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyemang on Tuesday received three new envoys accredited to Ghana and asked them to collaborate in the revival of socio-economic links between Ghana and their respective countries.
He also asked them to work together to move the common agenda of developing their people forward.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang was welcoming the Iranian ambassador, Mr Majid izmark,
Dr Machivenyika Tobias Mapuranga, the Zimbabwean High Commissioner and Dr Melville O. George, World Health Organization representative to Ghana.
He said the time has come to foster a symbiotic relationship to further the third world agenda regarding collaborative projects in agricultural development, increasing import and export in addition to the provision of health (food), shelter and education.
Mr Bizmark and Mr Mapuranga called at the Foreign Ministry to present Open Letters of Credentials from their heads of state, officially appointing them as head of missions before making their final presentation to the President. In attendance was the deputy Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Idris.
President John Agyekum Kufuor will formally acknowledge the envoys' credentials on August 7 at the State House.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
When it comes to rice production in the Northern Region, experts have divulged several ideas on what should be done to increase output, market it and consequently, reduce the national poverty level.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture's research reveals that total rice production has decreased from a high of 281.1 metric tonnes in 1998 to 248.7 metric tonnes in 2000.
The Northern Region, the largest in the country, encompasses nearly 30 per cent of land and also produces the largest percentage of the nation's rice at 30 per cent.
Acting Northern Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr Sylvester Adongo attributes the loss so far this year to the draught that some areas have experienced because the seeds have not received enough water to sprout.
Since the harvest season is not yet over, Mr Adam Kaleem, a Tamale-based irrigation agronomist and President of the Rice Growers and Marketers Association, cautions that analysts should wait until the end of it in September to determine if the harvest is better or worse.
"The early planters have suffered because the rains did not come early in the season, but we have been getting some rain, so maybe the late planters will have better results."
No matter the amount of rice produced, however, the problem of its consumption remains.
"The big restaurants and people in the cities prefer the imported rice because it looks cleaner," said Mr Adongo. "But the local rice is more nutritious, it is just the handling that causes problems."
To make locally-produced rice more appealing, the Ministry has hired women to partially boil the rice, separate the various grains by colour and size, dry and package it for the markets and storage.
Discouraged by the failure of various programmes aimed at increasing rice production in the region, Mr Adongo is turning his staff's attention towards developing alternative sources of producing nutritious food.
Among the projects Mr Adongo supports are increased fish production and the marketing of husbandry to farmers who use their cattle as status symbols.
"There have been a lot of efforts to increase animal production," said Mr Adongo, citing the establishment of the Animal Breeding Production Centre at Tamale, the importation of fertilized eggs from other countries and introducing new breeds.
According to the regional Husbandry Director, Mr J.C. Asumah it is difficult to convince cattle owners to part with their livestock because they prefer collecting them as status symbols instead of selling them to feed their families.
The Ministry's regional staff has also tried to provide fresh-water fish, which most of the population consumes daily, by building dams and putting fingerlings [tiny fish] in them so that they might reproduce.
"So far, it has been working well," said Fisheries Regional Officer, Mr Emmanuel Owusu. Two fish put in one square meter of water has yielded as much as 100 table-sized fish between four and six months.
However, even that project has problems because the region's many irrigation ponds, aged 25 to 30 years, have dried up. Of the 15 ponds at Bontanga, for example, only eight of them have water.
Instead of forgetting completely about rice, however, some experts advocate different policies, methods and techniques that would yield better harvests.
"Our frequency of contact with farmers has decreased drastically," said Mr Adongo.
"The government has to listen to the local farmer. We are not doing that," said Mr Kaleem. "It is again the policy of the government that can solve this problem."
According to Mr Kaleem, when rice importation was at zero percent in 1975 under General Ignatius Acheampong's "Operation Feed Yourself," it was government policies such as making it mandatory for banks to invest at least 25 per cent of their money in agriculture that made it work.
"You have to sensitise the farmers to methods like contour bounding to protect their farms," advised Mr Kaleem, referring to a soil and water conservation method that collects water, to be used when the rains do not come.
A local rice producer in Chereponi said that the weather is not the main problem, but the farming methods are. "It is about technique," said the farmer. "How are you growing your rice?
The key is to start small; a little here, a little there- that is how to feed your family."
Mr Kaleem concurs, saying farmers should use the valleys and land to cultivate small plots of 10 to 20 acres.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) is taking steps to bring on board all its men and women in full-time vocational activities to the security network to assist in stemming the rising crime wave.
Police personnel who serve as tailors, dressmakers, carpenters, musicians and others who were not performing the traditional police functions, would be re-assigned to security roles.
Mr. Sam Awortwe, Director of the Legal Department of the GPS announced this at a round-table discussion organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Accra.
The forum, under the theme: Maintaining internal security in a constitutional democracy," was attended by over 30 participants from the police, military, media, private security agencies, NGOs, parliament and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Mr. Awortwe said the current crime wave presents "an extraordinary situation, which calls for an extraordinary response from the security service," to combat it.
He said the participation of the military in joint patrols and operations with the police, is only temporary, as the military would soon return to their traditional role of maintaining external security.
"We have therefore been forced under the prevailing circumstances to make use of all the 16,000 police men and women in the security service and hire out the various vocational service to the public," he said.
Mr. Awortwe said in 1964, when Ghana's population was 7.5 million, the police population was 21,000, adding that the present strength of the police service is 16,000 and the country's population is about 18.5 million.
"The strength of the police service is woefully inadequate for any effective and efficient policing," he said. "There is the need to increase the strength of the service through rapid and massive recruitment as being done."
Mr. Awortwe appealed to the government, individuals and private organisations to support the police with logistics and called on the public to volunteer information to the police, saying that about 90 per cent of the police success depends on public co-operation.
Chief Superintendent Kofi Boakye, Acting Police Regional Commander appealed to the parliamentary committee on security and interior to urge parliament to provide the police service with computers and other equipment to collect intelligence data on criminals and criminal activities.
This, he said was necessary to keep track with the activities and location of suspected criminals.
He said the Accra command needs at least 53 vehicles, but has only four at the moment, adding that this inadequacy of logistics is largely responsible for the delayed response to public calls for assistance.
Dr. Ken Attafuah, Director of Investigation and Operations, CHRAJ, urged the police to mind their language, saying, "it is unfortunate to hear the Inspector General of Police himself make statements like 'we would deal drastically with the criminals."
He said such statement suggests that even crime suspects are likely to be subjected to brutality even before they are convicted, adding that when such threats are issued by the police, it can only lead to more killings as robbers would not want to leave any possible witnesses alive.
Dr. Attafuah said there was the need to retool the police mentally to uphold liberal ways of stemming crime through due process as against crime control methods in order to raise public confidence.
He blamed the increased crime wave on what he called "our unfortunate past of military government and its resultant proliferation of arms and the wanton manufacture of arms in the country."
He said: "It is important that the police focus more on these areas other than placing too much emphasis on the migration of refugees into the country as the cause of increased crime."
Dr. Attafuah said; "as we blame foreigners for invading our country with crime, we must not forget that the people we trust most, such as the police, teachers, doctors and even parents are currently some of the most disappointing characters in public. This is a sign that Ghanaians are not as peaceful as we want to believe."
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 01 Aug 2001
Mr Joseph Whittal, the Upper East Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday said it has disposed of 142 out of 229 case reported to it, last year.
In an interview with the GNA in Bolgatanga, he noted that non-maintenance of women and children and sexual harassment topped the list of complaints, followed by 41 labour related cases.
The CHRAJ, he said, has educated the public on its role, adding that many people now regard the Commission as a suitable alternative for settlement of disputes instead of going to court.
Mr Whittal said other human rights related cases reported to the Commission include, delays of cases at the courts and the inaction of the police.
He, however, commended the new police administration in the region for co-operating with the Commission in resolving cases.
The Regional Director said the Commission's work is being hampered by transportation, financial and inadequate staff problems and appealed to individuals, organisation and the government to assist in cash or kind.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang on Wednesday tasked newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to promote Ghana's trade and investment agenda abroad to give meaning to the government's 'Golden Age of Business'.
"The days of champagne diplomacy are over, the catch word now should be economic diplomacy and meritocracy is the key," Mr Owusu-Agyemang told the first batch of 22 envoys.
He was opening a 10-day induction seminar organised by the Foreign Ministry to re-orient the appointees to refocus the responsibilities of their respective missions in line with the foreign policy of the government.
Among them are, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, a journalist, Mr Samuel Odoi-Sykes, NPP Chairman, Lt-Gen Ben Akafia, former Chief of Defence Staff, Col. George Minyila (rtd), and Ms Maureen Amematekpor, a Caterer.
Their accreditations are yet to be announced.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang urged them to project Ghana's image as a peaceful country, as a safe haven for investment and as a country where the rule of law truly operates.
He urged them to give of their best to ensure that Ghana achieves economic development so that she can quickly come out of the unenviable HIPC category.
Citing discussions at the Homecoming summit, which ended last week, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the Foreign Ministry took severe bashing from Ghanaians abroad for poor delivery of consular services and tasked them to improve on that negative image.
"The consular needs of our citizens must be satisfied speedily, courteously, fairly and humanely," he stated.
The Minister suggested to the Heads of Missions to organise trade and investment seminars, encourage trade and business delegations to visit Ghana, examine target markets for exports and imports and recommend strategies in the face of producer competition.
They should also adopt the use of communication as an effective tool in their home dispatches and safeguard the sovereignty and security of the nation by developing early warning systems.
During the period, experienced diplomats and top government officials would take the new envoys through such topics as 'Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations', 'Use and Abuse of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities', 'Challenges and Techniques in Running the Foreign Ministry' and 'Comportment and Etiquette'.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
Twenty-seven African Americans were at the weekend made honourary citizens of Mamfe-Akuapem, in the Eastern Region.
They were "renamed and outdoored" in the typical Guan/Akan traditional style at a durbar of chiefs and people of Mamfe. The chief linguist, Akyeamehene Opare Dabietey, performed the ceremony.
Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III, Kyidomhene of Akuapem and chief of Mamfe, later decorated them with sashes signifying their citizenship of the town.
The group, who were in the country to attend the Home-Coming Summit and the Pan-African Festival of Arts and Culture (PANAFEST), donated computers and books to the Methodist Junior Secondary School and clothing to children in the town.
The Rev. Jesse E. Mayes, leader, and other members promised to raise funds in the United States to assist in the development of the town. The people of Mamfe uggested the twining of the town with any town/city in the US. The group is expected leave on Saturday.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 Aug 2001
Mr Daniel Bartels-Kodwo has been appointed acting Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company and Mr Osei Banahene as Chairman of its Board.
An official statement on Wednesday said President John Agyekum Kufuor named other board members as Mr Adjei Mensah, a former General Manager of the Company, Mr Darko Mensah, MP for Okaikoi North, Miss Joyce Thompson, a businesswoman and Mr Sammy Tsahey, a Chartered Accountant.
A seven-member board for the Ghana Export Promotion Council has also been constituted with Mr Stephen Abankwa, Managing Director of Prudential Bank, as chairman.
Other members are Mr Edward Collins Boateng, a Financial Consultant, Prof Mike Ocquaye, of the University of Ghana and Mr Alex Brukus, a businessman.
The rest are Nana Asante Frimpong, MP for Kwabre, Mr Paul Okoh, MP for Asutifi North, Nana Ofei Nkansah (Mrs), Managing Director of Fresh and Green Foods and a representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 01 August 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday swore in Papa Owusu-Ankomah, former Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament as the new Minister of Youth and Sports and urged him to make youth development a priority.
"I want you to ensure the intellectual and moral development of the youth so that the future of the country does not become bleak. Please, rise to the occasion" The President told the 43 year-old Lawyer and Member of Parliament for Sekondi.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah who succeeds jailed Mallam Yusif Isa was presented with an instrument of appointment draped in the national colours, after taking the oaths of secrecy and allegiance at a short ceremony at the State House.
President Kufuor expressed the hope that the new minister would use his immense experience to transform the ministry that has been bedevilled by problems for so many years.
"When I appointed you as minister your colleagues in parliament wanted you to decline the offer because of your commitment as Deputy Majority Leader. I want you to continue with such commitment."
Papa Owusu-Ankomah thanked the President for the confidence he has reposed in him and pledged to approach his duty with diligence.
Outlining his vision for the Ministry to the media, Papa Owusu-Ankomah promised to ensure that youth development that has suffered years of neglect is placed on the national agenda.
"I will also develop lesser known sports like table tennis and badminton and solicit the support of corporate bodies to improve on sports infrastructure.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah expressed the hope that his tenure of office would witness the revival of Ghana's sports to ensure improved performance in international tournaments. Present were the Vice-President Aliu Mahama and other Ministers.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 01 August 2001
A two-day leadership management skills workshop for 45 representatives of sector trade associations in Ashanti has ended in Kumasi, with a call on participants to assist the government in establishing new standards for manufacturing of goods.
Mr. Yakubu Alhassan, Ashanti Regional Officer for the Ghana Standards Board
(GSB), who made the call, said this could eliminate waste of resources and also ensure uniformity in the manufacturing of goods.
He urged participants at the closing session of the workshop organised by the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI) and the Association of Small-Scale Industries (ASSI), to co-operate with the government in reviving the economy.
Mr. Saeed Owusu-Brobbey, Ashanti Regional Manager of NBSSI, said training of small scale industrialists has become necessary as persons in that field lack adequate knowledge about their work and advised them to update their skills regularly to keep tune with modern trends of the profession.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com