Transport unions dissociate themselves from driver's action

Seminar on sustainable democratic society held at Obuasi

NGO launches 500 million-cedi millennium fund

Agric Dev. Bank rewards 14 raffle winners

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 21 Dec '99

The three main transport operators in the Ashanti region have dissociated themselves from the strike action undertaken by a section of drivers in the Kumasi metropolis on December 14 to 20.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union of the Trades Union Congress, the Progressive Transport owners Association and the Co-operative Transport Union described the action as acts of "hooligans."

They said the blockade of streets and entry points in the city, the harassment of drivers and the travelling public and burning of tyres on roads were illegal and unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued after a meeting with the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, the executive of the three unions said they took a very serious view of the "actions by the hooligans as drawing the names of our recognised unions into disrepute".

The communiqué signed by Mr Aaron Boakye, Regional vice-chairman of GPRTU,

Mr Micheal Ambrose Appiah, Regional chairman of PROTOA and Nana Kwakye Ababio, Regional chairman of CTU, warned that "any group of hooligans who will take the law into its own hands should be dealt with by the security agencies according to the laws of the land".

The three unions therefore assured the general public that their members will continue to render uninterrupted services and that they should therefore go about their duties without fear.

They also assured their members that consultations were going on with the relevant agencies to resolve any outstanding issues arising out of the recent increases in fuel prices.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Nuamah-Donkor said the government regarded the

various transport unions as partners because about 98 per cent of the people depend on public transport.

He said although drivers were free to express themselves in accordance with the Constitution, what was happening in Kumasi was unacceptable since it retarded progress and the "government will not allow lawlessness to reign."

Mr Nuamah-Donkor asked the unions to set up their own spare parts, tyres, batteries and other accessories shops and pledged the support of the Regional Co-ordinating Council in this direction.

He said with the present free market economy, it would be very difficult for the government to regulate prices.

He asked the three unions to work in close collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and to use its stickers as well as badges of the various unions for easy identification.

The Regional Minister warned that with immediate effect, any driver "who spills oil on the streets will be surcharged for the destruction of the road."

He warned drivers not to repair faults on their vehicles on the roads.

GRi../

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Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 21 Dec '99

A three-day seminar on promoting sustainable democratic society in Ghana has ended at Obuasi Organised by the Obuasi Catholic Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission, it dealt with preparations towards 2000 general elections.

Topics discussed included human rights in a democratic society and the criteria for free and fair elections.

The Right Reverend Thomas Mensah, Catholic Bishop of Obuasi, in his presentation, called on Christians to work in harmony with the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a free and fair elections.

The Bishop said as agents of peace and justice, Christians should be inspired by the tenets of solidarity and love to cater for the poor in the society.

Bishop Mensah prayed that the new millennium would make Ghanaians develop new attitudes for them to accept responsibilities that would help "our young democracy to survive."

Rev Father Clement Anthony Amofah, acting chancellor of the Obuasi Diocese, said Christians should avoid issues that hindered the achievement of peace and encouraged the society to prevent situations that will create unnecessary tension and suspicion.

GRi../

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Cape Coast (Central Region) 21 Dec '99

The Christian Rural Aid Network (CRAN), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has launched a fund raising campaign for 500 million cedis to support its activities throughout the country.

Mrs Doris Agbesinyale, Deputy Director of CRAN, launched the fund at a meeting with the press at Cape Coast on Monday, saying the fund was necessary since foreign donor sources of funding for NGO's projects had dried up.

She asked government to encourage firms and businesses to donate to charity by extending tax relief to them in return, adding that this would encourage NGO's to be accountable to the donors and the government.

She said CRAN is assisting a number of communities in the Central and Western regions with a number of ongoing projects, including the construction of a Junior Secondary School block and a library at Abakam fishing village in the Central Region.

GRi../

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Nkoranza (Brong Ahafo) 21 Dec '99

Fourteen winners of the Agricultural Development Bank's 'Akuafo Abasabo' raffle have received their prizes at a ceremony at the Nkoranza branch of the bank.

The items valued at millions of cedis comprised bundles of roofing sheets, gas lamps and stoves, knapsack sprayers, 't' shirts and caps, bags of fertiliser and wax prints.

Presenting the items, the branch manager, Mr. Kweku Kyeremeh, urged farmers to patronise the raffle to enable them to improve their lot.

He said their deposits towards the raffle could serve as a security, which would enable them to enjoy credit facilities to enhance their economic activities.

Mr Kyeremeh stressed that any participant in the raffle would not lose anything whether "one wins or not" and therefore urged them to lead in the campaign for more people to patronise it.

Mr. Amatus Domobong Eelawula, who spoke on behalf of the winners, commended ABD for launching the programme.

GRi../

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