Esseku takes over from Odoi-Sykes as NPP Chairman
Government determined to serve its tenure of office-Kufuor
No candidate was coerced to withdraw - Odoi-Sykes
Celebrating power and the glory- The NPP way
President proposes debate on state funding of
political parties
We would not use state funds to finance party-Botwe
PNDC did not inherit huge national debt - Osafo Maafo
Utilities must remain state-owned - Quayson
Customes burst four kilos cocaine at AFGO
Reform Party would analyse issues before making comments-Tandoh
Ofori-Atta becomes chairman of VRA board
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Harona Esseku, 67, a minister in the Second Republic, was on Saturday elected the National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at its National Delegates Congress in Accra.
Esseku polled 348 valid votes cast to beat two other contestants Mohammed Musah who had 22, with Samuel Addai-Duah polling 61.
Esseku takes over from Samuel Odoi-Sykes, who is now an ambassador designate.
Stephen Ayensu Ntim, 43, secured 375 votes to become the first National Vice-Chairman. Agnes Adzo Okudzeto, 58, came second with 326 votes, while Edmund Annan, 61, secured 223 for the third place.
Michael Dugan, 69, won the National Treasurer position with 269 votes. He beat three other contestants.
Reminiscent of the last congress in 1998, 32-year-old Lord Oblitey Commey pulled a surprise victory over the highly tipped Alhaji Sulemana Yirimea for the post of national organiser, which was being held Major Courage Quarshigah, now Minister for Agriculture.
Commey secured 210 votes while Alhaji Yirimea pulled 183 votes. During the last congress Major Quarshigah surprised pundits by beating Alhaji Inusah the pre-congress favourite.
Dan Botwe, the General Secretary of the party, maintianed his position unopposed.
In his acceptance speech Esseku pledged his loyalty to the party and called on members to close their ranks and forged ahead for more electoral victories.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday pledged the government's resolve and determination to serve its full constitutional term.
This, he said would establish the principle of the people's power to make or unmake governments through regular elections, President Kufuor told the National Delegates Congress of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra.
The Congress was to review the party's activities after its victory in the December 2000 elections and to elect new officers of the National Executive Committee to steer the affairs of the party for the next three years.
President Kufuor said there have been attempts to distract the government's attention from performing its task of nation building through security scares based on wild allegations.
The best security comes from good governance and since that was what the government was committed to deliver to Ghanaians, they would protect the government, he said.
"Let me entreat you that, it is your responsibility as members of the ruling party to protect the government by being the ears, eyes and even noses of the government. Security is a matter for all of us."
President Kufuor said: "There would be mistakes and even more serious ones in governance and when they occur, the government would deal with them decisively, according to the laws of the land.
"We shall try and eschew hypocrisy and all pretensions, always allowing enlightened humanity to influence our stewardship in government", he added.
The Danquah-Busia tradition believes in "service to the people" and supporters of the party should be grateful for the opportunity given to them to serve, he stated.
President Kufuor cautioned that in whatever position they found themselves, they should remember that they have an obligation to work hard to guide the nation into sustained prosperity.
"This we must do with sincerity and commitment, otherwise we shall undermine the history and faith of our founding fathers".
President Kufuor said the victory of the party, was an opportunity for them to translate their beliefs into practice.
He told party supporters to acknowledge that the private sector as the engine of growth for building basic infrastructure as well as harnessing Information Technology (IT) to make the educational system efficient and relevant to the needs of the country.
"We have the opportunity to put in place a health delivery system that ensures that we have a healthy population, to prove that law and order can be maintained and development can indeed be achieved in an atmosphere of freedom".
On the economy, President Kufuor said government had to take some very difficult decisions with the determination to improve upon the quality of life of Ghanaians and the decisions would soon begin to bear fruits.
"The coffers we inherited were empty in addition to a mountain of debt.
We have tackled these problems head-on and we intend to continue until the economy is restored to good health".
Alhaji Mustapha Abubakr, National Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party
(CPP), said the party, as stakeholders in the country's political dispensation, have a common commitment with the NPP to strengthen democracy, promote the rule of law and to maintain the peace.
He commended the government for the prevailing peace and stability in the country and gave the assurance that CPP would continue to support the government in its national efforts despite the ideological differences between them.
"Although the CPP would not support the government to privatise the utilities we assure you of our support for national reconciliation and the elimination of corruption in the country", he added.
Ahmed Ramadan, National Treasurer of the People's National Convention (PNC), said the party joined the NPP for it to win the 2000 elections and would continue to give its support to the government to bring progress and development.
There were no representatives from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), National Reform Party (NRP) United Ghana Movement (UGM), Democratic People's Party (DPP) and the Egle Party.
The NDC and the NRP said they were not invited, while Dr Wereko-Brobbey’s UGM was said to be on leave.
There were solidarity messages from branches of the party in Israel, the United Kingdom, Botswana, La Cote D'Ivoire and New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles and New York all in the United States (US).
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Samuel Odoi-Sykes, the out-going Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday, denied that some contestants, who wanted to vie for the national executive positions, were coerced or ordered to withdraw from the race.
He said, "I wish to take this opportunity to dismiss the wild rumours and uncharitable allegations of ethnicity and manipulation in today's elections.
"I am not aware of any member of the party, who has been coerced or ordered to withdraw from the elections.”, Odoi-Sykes told the National Delegates' Congress of the party at Legon, where 21 candidates contested for various executive positions.
Thirty-eight applicants who initially filed they application to compete for the positions were screened and cut down to 21.
He said some of those disqualified were genuine party members, whose nomination papers were not in order and there were some, who were infiltrators because they have no previous association with the party and were coming in now that it was in power.
Any serious and dedicated candidate, who was desirous to participate in the election, could politely decline a suggestion to withdraw, he said.
It was during the three-year tenure of Odoi-Sykes that the NPP won political power to form the current government. His term of office expires on Monday August 27 and he has decided not to seek re-election.
"The NPP is a national party and embraces all and sundry, regardless of ethnic affiliations, creed or colour. We are ready to welcome men and women young and old, who are genuinely interested in politicking with us for democratic advancement of this country".
"The NPP wrested power from the incumbent government in free and fair elections. All Party members and supporters all over the country must share in the pride and joy of that victory."
Odoi-Sykes said the party, apart from being in power for only eight months, could not satisfy all the expectation of Ghanaians although it was doing well despite problems inherited from the previous government.
"The Kufuor administration inherited a country with a badly battered and stagnant economy, a collapsing national currency, widespread poverty and rampant corruption".
He said he government "is effectively tackling the problems with a laudable sense of realism and courage. The evidence is there for all impartial observers to see."
"Whatever the cynics are saying now, we are confident that at the end of the four years, Ghanaians will have enough evidence and reason to give President Kufuor and the NPP another term to continue the good work".
In another development Odoi-Sykes told the party's delegates congress on Saturday that the decision not to seek re-election was his own.
“I did not want to stretch my luck too far. If one stays too long in the gambling house one might lose all the wins."
The Outgoing Chairman was reacting to reports that he had been made to step down because of political horse-trading.
He said he decided to follow the footsteps of his predecessors B.J Da
Rocha and Peter Ala Adjetey, who did not seek re-election.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Enthusiastic supporters of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday swarmed the Auditorium of School of Administration, University of Ghana, Legon to hold their first congress since they came to power eight months ago.
They were clad in party colours displaying party paraphernalia and kept the main Accra-Aburi road too busy for a restful Saturday morning.
Vehicles streamed at snail-paced in a procession, amidst the tooting of horns with their occupants singing party songs, to the venue where an election victory was predicted three years ago.
The electrifying atmosphere ably sustained by a host of brass bands brought to mind the party's first election victory in the Fourth Republic.
Ecstasy was the master and the people present dared not question its authority.
Although it took relatively, a long time before the congress at which 21 candidates are vying for executive positions commenced, the party members expressed no concern, boredom or disappointment, since they could afford to wait.
"The joy of victory is sweet", a member said.
They strict security arrangement did not also frustrate them. Their portion was just ecstatic.
The President, John Agyekum Kufuor and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Presidential Affairs did not arrive early as expected but the supporters did not complain and continued to celebrate.
"I am yet to know who to vote for. I guess I'm still celebrating the election victory," a delegate said.
The crescendo was to come when Obetsebi-Lamptey strolled in. A spontaneous and thunderous applause met him.
Beaming with smiles, the Presidential Affairs Minister struggled to wade through the milling crowd clustered outside the main hall.
Old faces including those of Naa Morkor Busia, wife of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, one of the party's ancestors, B.J. da Rocha, the first Chairman of the party were there, drowned in thoughts behind the high table in the main hall.
They were like many men and women, who struggled to achieve the political gem in their summer but destiny dictated otherwise and were compelled to guide the young to achieve glory in winter.
Naa Morkor's frail countenance still radiated hope and conviction. She fell in love with a man dreaming of all the niceties and the bliss any woman would expect in marriage but destiny made her a widow of a freedom fighter, abandoning everything for the sake of her beliefs.
Samuel Odoi-Sykes, the outgoing Chairman, making his last speech, courageously said he was not contesting again and had opted for the diplomatic service.
"If you are a gambler, you do not stay long in the gambling hall after wining a lot of money lest you lose everything. In the gambler's world, destiny is the most noted creator", he added.
"Politicians, gamble everyday with their lives. Some stay for long while others do not wait for the bell to toll. In the world of the ordinary party faithful, the fun goes on as long as someone to associate with occupies the biggest stool of the land.
"As to how the gambler gets away without a scratch still remains a secret to those, who join him in his spending spree."
In the unfading sounds of the merry making, the Old, who have had some brushes with destiny sat in silence. They have seen it all", the former NPP Chairman declared.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday called for a national debate on whether the state should devise a formula for the funding of qualified political parties to enhance multi-party democracy in the country.
He invited political parties to take part in a public debate so that all could agree on an enactment of a law needed to achieve that.
President Kufuor, who was speaking at the National Delegates' Congress of the NPP, said there was the need "to find a practical formula whereby the state will support qualified parties in accordance with agreed criteria.
"This will be the best guarantee for multi-party system to be sustained as prescribed in the Constitution for democratic governance".
President Kufuor said: "For more than 40 years out of 44 years of Independence, it was the lot of my tradition and Party to be in opposition.
"We know the deprivation, the trials, tribulations and frustrations of being in opposition in a poor country.
"We have been at the receiving end, of the evil practice of the winner takes it all tendency, where anybody not carrying the winning party's membership card is denied the right to pursue his or her legitimate concerns. We know what it is like and we don't like it".
President Kufuor declared: "That must be discontinued because it was an inimical practice and no party should suffer those indignities any longer".
Turning to his party members, President Kufuor said: "We have a great opportunity to transform our party and our country. Let us resolve to leave a reputable legacy"
He urged them to work hard and win more members from the regions, where the party lost and demonstrate to them that NPP represents their interest.
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We would not use state funds to finance
party-Botwe
Accra (Greater Accra) 26August 2001
Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday urged members to contribute regularly into party coffers since the government would not use state money for that purpose.
"We should firmly resolve that as faithful party members, even though, we are in government, we shall avoid the temptation of using government resources to finance party activities," Botwe told the party's national delegates' conference in Accra.
Twenty-one persons contested for all the seven executive positions, which were vacant due to the expiration of the terms of office.
He said: "We should be determined as a party to survive from our own resources. We should, therefore, come out with strategies for raising funds at the constituency, regional and national levels."
The Party's chief scribe suggested that office holders at all levels must be remunerated.
"We cannot continue to expect that some people will continue to sit at the party's office without being remunerated and at the same time expect them to be very efficient.
"It is time for us to be appropriately remunerated to enhance efficient services".
Botwe advised members to unite with various organs of the party and submit suggestions for preparation of its manifesto for the 2004 elections.
The party would hold congresses for the youth and women wings to reactivate their zeal and commitment to the ideals of the NPP, he noted.
"Our women and youth have been at the forefront of our struggle to win political power. We, however, still have a lot to do with regards to the efficient organisation of the youth and women wings."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
The Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo- Maafo on Saturday said the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) did not inherit a huge national debt when it seized power in December 1981 as it was being alleged in some circles.
He told the National Delegates' Congress of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra, that the national external debt stood at 198.5 million dollars on December 31, 1981 when the PNDC came into power but this rose to 5.9 billion dollars in December 2000.
This showed that the PNDC and National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments, both under Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, increased the national debt by 2,856 per cent.
Osafo-Maafo said the National Economic Team was working towards a sustainable national economic growth and already the indicators were showing signs of progress, adding: "The Economy is on track."
He said the cedi has stabilised and those, who assert that the stability was artificial, might be reading the wrong signals, explaining that the decline of the cedi by 1.7 per cent since the NPP came into power was as a result of prudent economic management.
"Only few international currencies are able to perform so well against the dollar," he asserted, adding that the government attained that by controlling the release of cedis into the system.
"The Economic Management Team is working towards a single digit inflation by the end of the first term of President John Agyekum Kufuor."
He said one of the ailments of the economy was revenue generation and expenditure ratio, explaining that 98 per cent of revenue was used to service debts and pay wages leaving only two per cent for investment.
The Minister urged the delegates to assist in revenue collection at the district level and also to ensure the prudent management of resources.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Andrew Quayson, a member of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) said on Friday that the utility service companies should remain state-owned in view of the strategic role they play in economic development.
Quayson said the companies could operate close to efficiency levels, if political influence was removed and incentives provided to minimise cost.
He told a forum organised by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration on the theme: "The case of the Effect of Pricing of Public Utility Services on the Socio-economic Development of the Country."
The forum was the first in a series that GIMPA is organising to create a platform for public discussion on topical national issues.
Quayson said although private sector participation in the running of utility services in developing countries may be the best option, such participation should be limited to service and management contracts or lease or concession.
The Commissioner said the weak financial position of the state-run utilities, due to years of under pricing of tariffs, had contributed to their inability to maintain and rehabilitate existing systems to improve on their operations.
Quayson said tariffs granted the electricity and water companies in May were only about 60 per cent of the economic and efficient rates for their services.
The PURC did not want to accept a one steep increase as demanded by the utilities but rather adopted a gradual approach to move the rates to economic and efficient rates in tandem with a transitional plan to ensure improved service by the end of 2003.
The transitional framework called for a reduction in operational losses of electricity from 27 to 18 per cent and power outages not exceeding 30 customer-hours lost per annum for industrial consumers and 100 customers-hours per annum for residential consumers.
However, Quayson, said the utilities would only be able to provide these improved services if the government financed the gap between current tariff levels and economic rates and also funded key systems improvement projects over the transitional period.
He said the current subsidised tariff structure did no benefit the poor, especially those who live in compound houses, and who do not have access to water and electricity.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
The staff of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) at AFGO on Friday intercepted four kilograms of cocaine concealed underneath four black enamel saucepans that arrived from Bangkok, Thailand.
The cocaine, contained in white polythene bags with red and white inscriptions, was concealed under the saucepans labelled ''Cook 'N' Look''.
The drug was covered with aluminium sheets cut to size and held in place with fillers and glue and painted black.
Ms Aku Brown, CEPS Chief Collector at AFGO, told journalists that the saucepans, sent among other items by one Paa Quesi Essien, a Ghanaian resident in Japan, arrived via Egypt Air on August 20 and cleared.
She said documents showed the items were originally shipped from Japan then to Thailand where they were put on Egypt Air for Ghana.
"We suspected something fishy because it came from Thailand."
Ms Brown said on the date of arrival one Charles Yaw Akom, claiming to be a co-tenant of the sender, reported at AFGO to collect the items but was asked to come on August 24 since the items were under investigation.
"After careful scrutiny we realised the saucepans, covered with glass lids, were too heavy and the bottom looked different from the inner layer," she said.
"We therefore chiselled off the bottom layer and discovered that cocaine was concealed underneath."
Akom, 44, resident at Ashaiman, was arrested when he reported to collect the items.
Akom later told journalists that Paa Quesi Essien was his co-tenant for 10 years before he left for Japan.
He said Essien sent the items, which included wax prints, microwave oven, rice cooker, blender and other items, to be used for his daughter's engagement.
Akom said Essien's daughter was on admission at the hospital so she could not collect the items herself. Essien, therefore, asked him to do so on her behalf and that, he, Essien would arrive in the country soon for the engagement.
Akom is assisting CEPS in investigations.
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Tema (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Goosie Tandoh, Leader of the National Reformed Party (NRP) on Saturday, said the party has been silent on national issues because it wanted to make "critical analysis" before it could comment.
"Our view is that we want to analyse the national situation and speak when we have to speak".
Tandoh was speaking at a get-together organised by the Tema East constituency of the party to mark the second anniversary of the NRP.
He said many people ask the executives why they are silent on national issues adding, "we can not stand by and make empty statements on issues which are not well analysed. The party symbolises hope, courage and practical deeds".
Tanoh reminded members that political actions must be commenced from the community level and asked each of them to work hard to transform the country.
Kyeretwie Opoku, the General Secretary said the party is concerned about the issue of casual labour, restoration of the End of Service Benefit (ESB), the cash and carry system of the health sector and housing problems.
He hoped the NRP activists would address those matters at the grass-root level, instead of waiting for the leadership to do so.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Dr Jones Ofori-Atta, an economist was on Friday appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Volta River Authority (VRA).
He takes over from Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, who has been appointed as he
Chief Executive Officer, a statement from the office of the President, signed by Deputy Government Spokesman, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, said.
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