Stop teaching Christianity in schools - Afrikania

Social Welfare advocates Association of Parents of Physically Disabled

Remove practice that dehumanise others - Afrikan Mission told

True Christians should not fear AIDS scare - Minister

Ghanaians advised to join parties based on ideology

Avoid cheating in next century - Rev. Loius

State-owned Media need assistance - Participants

Sunyani District Assembly honours Ahwoi

Kumasi churches pray for a breakthrough in the economic crisis

We will not spare armed robbers and serial killers - Rawlings

Accra (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

The Afrikan Renaissance Mission on Saturday, urged the government to stop the "Christian indoctrination of children in all government funded schools".

It said that, "Christianity has totally failed to instil honesty, morality, disciplines, probity and accountability in the Ghanaian society," which have led to moral decadence, indiscipline and high crime wave.

This was contained in a petition to the government through Professor Kofi Awornor, a Presidential Staffer, at the national convention of the Mission in Accra.

The petition said teachers must stop forcing children to learn and say Christian prayers because it makes them wayward and pre-disposed to crime and immorality.

It asked government to introduce the teaching and learning of African traditional religion as a separate discipline.

The petition said imposing Christianity on children in school discriminates against traditional religion, which does not augur well for freedom of worship.

It called on government to pay reparation to all shrines vandalised during and after colonialism and that traditional priests must be accorded the same recognition it gives to other priests.

"Government must make funds available to the appropriate divine priests and divine priestesses to regroup, re-site or rehabilitate sacred groves and or forests, which were destroyed or desecrated during and after colonial rule in any part of Ghana", the petition added.

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Jachie (Ashanti Region) 13 Dec. '99

Mr Stephen T. Adongo, Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare has called for the formation of Association of Parents of the Physically Disabled.

He said such an association would ensure the proper development and survival of the children and people with disabilities.

Mr Adongo was opening the three-day 11th National Delegates Conference of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled at Jachie in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District.

The Regional Director urged members to ensure that the association became self-reliant instead of relying solely on the government.

The executive should also work to address the problems of non-members and to initiate income-generating ventures to raise funds to finance its programmes.

Mr Charles Appiagyei, National President, appealed to corporate bodies, institutions and individuals to help fund the Association as their social responsibility and to get tax rebate.

Baffour Kwaku Amoateng III, Jachiehene, commended the executive for retaining their post saying it is an indication of good work done.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

Professor Kofi Awornor, Presidential Staffer on Saturday, urged members of the Afrikan Renaissance Mission to remove practices or rituals that dehumanises others, particularly women and children.

He said "our gods do not condone operations of any kind, nor was any shrine built on oppressing others prosper".

Prof. Awornor was addressing the national convention of Afrikanians at the Independence Square in Accra on the theme "uniting the shrines to uplift humanity for the next millennium".

He said our religions are built on morality and that we are the people of moral and ethical uprightness.

"We are the people of communal living and fellow feeling and we are the race that open our hearts and homes to others only to be abused and enslaved".

He said it was because of this virtue that we became oppressed and dehumanised as Africans and became the only race without voice.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), in a speech read for him said the government supports the development of herbal medicine.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

The Reverend E. K. Amegbletor, Youth Co-ordinator of the West Volta Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church, Ghana, has said that the AIDS scare should not be a problem for the Christian.

Preaching the sermon at the Ablenkpe EP Church in Accra to mark the end of the annual Delegates Conference of the Christian Youth Builders, on Sunday, he called on Christians to kick against sins such as unlawful sex and other social vices and to follow the teachings of their faith.

Reverend Amegbletor said Christians should rely and put their problems before God because He is ever ready to sustain, strengthen and heal them.

Mr. Emmanuel Danku, President of CYB urged the youth to help expose evil doers such as murderers and armed robbers to the security agencies.

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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 Dec, '99

Ghanaians have been advised to join political parties not just for the affection they have for certain personalities or the leadership, but on the basis of the ideology of the party.

Mr F. A. Jantuah, education secretary of the Ashanti Region branch of the Convention Party (CP), stressed that "it is only when one believes in what the party stands for in its ideology that a member can go all out to work for victory and success for the party".

He gave the advice when he addressed the first review meeting of the Ashanti region executive committee of the party in Kumasi.

The veteran politician said that unlike the CP, which has an ideology that is geared towards the welfare of the people through state ownership and enterprises, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) seem to virtually have similar ideologies that are capitalist-inclined.

The CP ideology could be the better option to stimulate growth and development of the Ghanaian economy, since the Government will have control over profits from the state enterprises, and will plough them back into the sustenance of the economy, he said.

Mr Jantuah described the government's Vision 2020 document as a "sham", since it would have no meaningful impact on the growth and proper development of the economy.

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Tema (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

The Reverend Father John Louis of the Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church at Tema, said on Sunday that as the second century comes to an end, Ghanaians must live according to the teachings of Christ Jesus.

Ghanaians must be committed to the society and pray unceasingly for peace and prosperity of the nation as a whole.

Rev. Father Louis was preaching the sermon to inaugurate a new branch of the Catholic Church at Community Eleven in Tema.

He called on Ghanaians to enter the next millennium determined to work for unity and joy and be prepared to avoid cheating while helping one another in time of need.

He asked Ghanaians to do away with all negative attitudes and to enter the 21st century with positive behaviour to ensure peace.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

Participants at a two-day workshop on Political reporting on Saturday, urged the government and donor agencies to support the state owned media through the National Media Commission (NMC) to discharge their duties more effectively.

They noted that the state owned media especially Television must be adequately supported to provide comprehensive coverage of activities of parties.

A statement in Accra signed by Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Executive Secretary of NMC said that the participants stressed that since the state owned media have a responsibility to provide equal access to all parties, they must be supported.

The workshop was organised by NMC in collaboration with the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) and the Electoral Commission with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Representatives from the media and political parties attended it.

They stressed the need for the media to provide fair, balanced and objective reports and to ensure access to all the parties.

The participants urged NMC to update its guidelines on political reporting and called on journalists to respect the guidelines and code of ethics of GJA.

Mr David Kanga, Deputy Chairman of EC, stressed the need for objectivity, fairness and balance in media work and commended the participants for recognising the need to respect the ethics of their profession and the guidelines on political reporting.

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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 13 Dec. '99

The Sunyani District Assembly has honoured the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, for his pioneering role in the decentralisation process and meritorious services to local government administration.

A citation accompanying it and signed by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo stated that Mr Ahwoi's vision and exploits as the sector minister has brought an unprecedented level of development.

"As the architect of PNDC Law 207, which gave birth to the district assembly concept culminating in the establishment of the district assemblies common fund, you have helped in the execution of numerous projects, which have enhanced the people's standard of living".

The Minister was honoured at a special awards reception in his honour at Sunyani on Friday.

The citation said as a result of his innovation and wise guidance, Mr Ahwoi has been the Minister for that sector for 11 years making him the longest serving Minister of the Ministry since its creation in 1959.

It mentioned the establishment of 45 new districts in 1988 and two institutes of local government studies as some of the specific things he has done to improve local government administration.

"The numerous water projects, clinics, classrooms and places of convenience which are scattered all over the country were executed as a result of the efforts of this doyen of local government," it stated.

Mr. Ahwoi was particularly commended for his efforts at reducing rural poverty through the poverty alleviation fund scheme, which has further enhanced the welfare of Ghanaians.

"Your Achievement as a Minister and contribution to local governance have been legendary and attracted international recognition no wonder you received the 1999 United Nation's Habitat Scroll of honour awards last October," it added.

Also honoured by the assembly were the two Deputy Ministers of the Ministry, Mr Francis Korbieh and Mrs Cecilia Johnson.

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said the Minister and the two deputies deserve the commendation of all Ghanaians for ensuring devolution of power to the grassroots through the district assembly concept.

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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 Dec '99

Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, on Friday called on the Christian

community to pray for divine intervention to salvage the country from its present economic crisis.

He said the nation is in difficult times and needs the prayer of all since "it is only God who can work miracles."

Mr Nuamah-Donkor was speaking at a day of prayer and thanksgiving organised by churches in Kumasi at the Wesley Methodist church, under the theme, "The peace, development and stability of the nation".

"God has a purpose for everyone and it is appropriate that we all trust in Him to solve the nation's problems, for without faith no one can please God."

The Regional Minister recalled the civil strife in Sierra Leone and other African countries and noted that Ghana has been spared such calamities because of the constant prayers of Christians.

He expressed regret, that families and communities have been torn apart over political differences, and said: "we should stand united as a country to be able to move Ghana forward."

"The nation's welfare does not rest on the shoulders of President Rawlings alone; it needs the collective effort of all, since no group of people or party has all the answers to Ghana's problems."

Mr Nuamah-Donkor commended the churches for their unity and co-operation and gave the assurance that there are bright prospects for Ghana.

Rt. Rev Kwaku Asamoah-Okyere, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, said the idea to hold the day was mooted by the Regional Minister, who appointed a planning committee.

The day is aimed at bringing the churches together to pray for continued peace, stability and economic prosperity in the country, he said.

"Ghana has remained stable because of unity of purpose, and the prayers of churches."

Rev. Asamoah-Okyere expressed the hope that God would shower blessings on the nation for a breakthrough in the current economic crisis.

Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, expressed concern about the spread of AIDS and buruli ulcer, but hoped that every effort would be made to save the situation.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 Dec. '99

President Jerry John Rawlings on Saturday declared total war on armed robbers and serial killers of women in the country.

These couldn't continue, he said, adding that he would not hesitate to sign any sentence passed on perpetrators of such nefarious and gruesome acts.

President Rawlings was speaking at a massive rally of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Kawokudi Junction in Accra.

He said the battle to flush out armed robbers, murderers and other criminals should not be left in the hands of the police alone, and urged all Ghanaians to assist the Service.

The President said the year 2000 would be a busy one, but gave the assurance that it would not deter the government from spending more time on important national assignments that would help to improve the lives of the people.

"We are not going to spend time on rallies at the expense of the state next year. We will concentrate on development."

President Rawlings said the NDC government has survived because of honesty and accountability, and that the strength of the government is in the truth.

He denounced the use of negative propaganda strategies and media campaigns aimed at soiling the hard won reputation of the country "in the eyes" of the outside world and investors.

President Rawlings said; "the best the opposition can do is NDC's minimum" and advised supporters of the Progressive Alliance to remain vigilant.

He said Ghana is in the process of building a solidified nation state like America. "We will all have to work towards it and I hope it will be Professor Mills or somebody else from the Progressive Alliance to lead the process."

The President cautioned supporters of the NDC and all Ghanaians not to gamble with the process, saying "if we make a mistake of putting the wrong party in power they will turn the clock."

Vice President Prof. Mills said it is only the NDC government that has shown determination to solve the problems of the country.

"NDC has been given the mandate to rule and will have no time to concentrate on useless things."

Prof. Mills said the politics of arrogance, lies and deceit would not help the country and advised NDC supporters not to allow themselves to be deceived by anybody.

He said the government needs peace and unity to accelerate the development of the country.

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the provision of good roads and other infrastructural facilities are manifestations of the good works of the government.

Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the NDC appealed to members and supporters of the NDC not to be complacent but should rather work hard.

He said about 66 executives and members of the Ga South Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have defected to the NDC.

Nineteen executives and 240 members of the Peoples National Party in Ashaiman Constituency have also joined the NDC.

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