Rawlings calls for a more active ECOWAS
Brong Ahafo Chiefs call on Rawlings
Rawlings calls for a more active ECOWAS
Accra (Greater Accra) 22 Dec '99
President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday urged West African countries to shake off the over-reliance on their colonial masters and work towards promoting the economic integration of the sub-region.
"Some of us are trapped in over-reliance on our relations with our colonial masters, placing more emphasis on their perceptions. Even if they mean well, it should be to complement our efforts".
The President said this when a Nigerian Trade delegation led by Professor Jerry Gana, Minister of Co-operation and Integration, called on him at the Castle, Osu.
The delegation is concluding two days of talks with their Ghanaian counterparts on measures to adopt to make the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) more functional in the light of developments in the sub-region.
The 16-nation sub-regional economic grouping formed 15 years ago to spearhead
West Africa's economic integration, is facing serious challenges from UEMOA, a monetary union formed by French-speaking ECOWAS members.
Ghana and Nigeria have, therefore, decided to pursue programmes that would rejuvenate ECOWAS and make it respond to the needs of member countries.
President Rawlings said UEMOA has made advances because of the support it receives from some outside countries.
"Some of us have to rely on ourselves. If we do what we need to do, we will achieve more".
He said West Africa should not allow itself to be balkanised economically and praised the initiative being taken by Ghana and Nigeria to make ECOWAS move at a faster rate.
"Let us not leave it at the level of words. Whatever we achieve, is neither for Rawlings nor for Obasanjo. It is for the people of the sub-region".
Prof. Gana said concrete decisions have been taken regarding co-operation between Ghana and Nigeria in terms of a common currency and free movement of goods and people.
"We are talking about a rail link between Accra and Lagos. We are moving fast because time is not on our side", he said.
Mr. Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said although ECOWAS has been having problems in terms of implementing its programmes, some successes have been chalked.
GRi../
Brong Ahafo Chiefs call on Rawlings
Accra (Greater Accra) 22 Dec '99
A delegation from the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs led by its President, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, on Tuesday called on President Jerry John Rawlings at the Castle, Osu.
They were there to thank him for attending the celebrations, which climaxed activities marking the 40th anniversary of the region's creation.
The delegation also discussed with the President issues affecting the region as well as the country.
With President Rawlings were Mr. J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Isaac Adjei-Mensah, Minister of Works and Housing, Lt-Col E. K. T. Donkor, Minister of Defence and Mr. Donald Adabre, Minister for Brong Ahafo.
President Rawlings appealed to chiefs to influence the way politics is being played in the country.
He said at the moment, as the next elections draw near, there have been too much insults on the radios and in the newspapers and this sometimes create tension.
"You have to talk to us. Call us and advise us'', the President told the chiefs some of whom are Council of State members.
Nana Nyarku enumerated some of Brong Ahafo's development projects and said the government has done so much for the region. "Brong Ahafo Region can now boast of good roads, schools, health institutions and electricity".
Osahene Kwaku Anterkyi, Kukuomhene, complained of problems cocoa farmers in the region are facing.
He said cocoa farmers are grateful to the government for keeping the producer price at the present high level despite the fall in the world market price.
However, Osahene Anterkyi went on to say that farmers are not being paid by the buyers. He said purchasing clerks "keep on telling them the money has not yet come. We appeal to the government to do something about this".
Some of the chiefs also complained about the inability of the farmers to market maize and tomatoes, which they have produced in excess.
Mr Owusu-Acheampong said the government, initially intended to export some of the maize to Angola but had to stop because it is anticipated there would be food shortages in some parts of northern Ghana because of the recent floods.
The excess maize would be bought by the government and stored for distribution in the north when the need arises.
GRi../