Newsreel 28 -12 -99 a

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday kicked off its campaign for next year's elections with a call on its stalwarts to intensify the campaign in the Volta Region, the 'Zongo' and the rural communities.

Mr John Agyekum Kufour, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Stressed that for the party to win the next elections convincingly, "it must concentrate and intensify its campaign in the Volta Region, the 'Zongo' and rural communities".

He, therefore, directed its campaign teams and supporters to "storm these areas with the party's message of hope and redemption" to enable it to gather the necessary votes to win the 2000 elections.

Mr Kufour was addressing a rally organised by the Sunyani East constituency branch of the party at Sunyani on Monday to kick-off its campaign for next year's general elections.

He accused the government of worsening the plight of Ghanaians through mismanagement and asked the electorate to vote the NPP into power for "better standards of living".

The Member of Parliament for the constituency, Mr J.H. Mensah, said Ghanaians celebrated one of the most depressing Christmases because of the poor handling of the economy by the government.

Mr Mensah, who is also the Minority Leader in Parliament, said the government's attempts at increasing the rate of the Value Added Tax (VAT) "is unjustified because it has not been able to manage judiciously the increased revenue that the new tax system has generated".

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Member of Parliament for Afigya Sekyere west and minority spokesman on mines and energy, described the economic growth recorded by the National Democratic Congress as "bogus" in so far as this has not reflected in the pockets of Ghanaians.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to Ghanaians as they celebrate this year's Christmas, which marks the end of the 20th century and the second millennium.

In a Christmas and New Year message, the Asantehene noted that "the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one has always been regarded as a most propitious occasion for peoples everywhere".

"It is time for them to take stock of the past and rededicate themselves to the promotion of a peaceful, prosperous and contended future for themselves and their children".

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, therefore, asked Ghanaians to join him to give thanks to God for his blessings and pray that the New Year will benefit from the wisdom and lessons of the past as this year draws to a close.

He expressed the hope that Ghanaians, would in unity, dedication and diligence, use the resources, with which nature has so bountifully blessed the country, to enrich and uplift their lives as a people.

The Asantehene said "after the joy and merriment of Christmas and its message of peace and goodwill to all mankind, I extend to all the people of Ghana best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year".

Contrary to the statement issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry banning the importation, sale, possession and use of firecrackers, most people in the Wa township defied the warning and fired the crackers at moving vehicles and processions during the Christmas festivities.

On Friday 24 December, and Christmas day, 25 December, a group of boys moved from place to place firing the crackers at moving vehicles, people at drinking spots and worshippers, who were in a procession to the Wa Catholic Cathedral.

The few soldiers of the Airborne Force, based at Wa, had to be called in to disperse the culprits and seize the firecrackers.

At drinking spots and dance halls, the situation was not different. Master Kodwo Ampofo, a 25-year-old second-hand clothes seller who, in an attempt to stop the boys from firing the crackers, was assaulted and had his bicycle damaged.

Reacting to the issue in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Inspector Daniel Dorkpoh, Upper West Regional Police Public Relations Officer, said the situation was not only disgusting but posed a security risk in the Wa township.

He said most of the firecrackers sounded like the "AK 47" rifle and explained that the Regional Police could not detail personnel to monitor the activities of the boys due to the conflicting statements issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament concerning the sale, possession and use of firecrackers.

He, therefore, called on both the Ministry and Parliament to clear the air on the sale, possession and use of firecrackers to enable the police to act accordingly.

"Right now we are all confused because of the two statements and until they come out clearly we cannot act,'' he said.

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), has been called upon to ensure the re-opening of "Macbay," a popular club at the La Pleasure Beach Resort, which has been closed down as a result of an alleged misunderstanding between the owners.

Some holidaymakers, who visited the club during the Yuletide, made the call in an interview with GNA on Monday.

They said the closure was robbing them of the pleasure, which had come to be associated with the club for sometime now.

The La Beach is an important tourist attraction in Accra and it is important for the GTB to ensure that facilities and standards are maintained and improved to boost tourism, they said.

"The Ghana Tourist Board must make efforts to restore sanity in the operations at the resort to win the confidence of potential investors in the tourism industry," Ms Susana Appiah, a caterer, who sells food nearby said.

Mr. Robin Angel, a British and Mr. George Poskia, a Greek, the owners were not available to comment.

Ghana on Tuesday said she is ready to give audience to ousted Ivorian President Henri Konan Bedie as a means of helping restore democratic rule in Cote d'Ivoire.

Speaking in an interview with JOY FM in Accra, Mr Victor James Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said there has not been any contact with the ousted leader.

But, he said, Bedie is known to have gone to Nigeria to have talks with President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Bedie, who is living in a hotel in Lome, has had talks with Togolese leader, General Gnasyingbe Eyadema.

Foreign ministers of ECOWAS would be meeting in an emergency session tomorrow in the Malian capital, Bamako, to decide on a collective response.

"The foreign ministers are going to the meeting tomorrow in Bamako to find out how to relate to the military leaders in Abidjan and also how to restore democracy", Mr Gbeho said.

General Robert Guei, a former Ivorian Defence Minister, took over the government in a bloodless coup on Thursday 23 December.

He has promised to return the country to civilian rule after putting in place a broad-based government. He has however, not fixed any timetable for it.

Mr Gbeho said the military government would not enjoy any support from Ghana nor from any West African state.

He said the tactics used in Sierra Leone and Niger recently would definitely come to bear in their approach to the case in Abidjan to ensure a quick and smooth return to democracy.

On whether he thought President Bedie caused the problem himself, Mr Gbeho said his (Bedie's) concept of "Ivorianism polarised the country and created this abnormal situation".

Mr Gbeho said Ghana is concerned about events in her western neighbourhood since it does not only have a bearing on security of Ghanaian citizens but also that of other nationals.

On Mauritania's decision to quit the 16-member community due to talks of an ultimate shift to a single currency unit for the sub-region, the foreign minister said it did not come as a surprise.

"This is because Mauritania's attendance at meetings have been very erratic" adding that, " she has also not paid her dues for sometime now. This will not stop us from our mission to state the case of a single currency to them."

He said Mauritania was known to be leading UEMOA countries to kick against the idea of a single currency, as they believe they might lose out in such a process.

ECOWAS giants, Ghana and Nigeria have however, taken what they call a "fast track " approach towards a single currency earlier than the ECOWAS date of 2004.

The Apostles Revelation Society at Tadzewu in the Ketu District, has celebrated its 60th anniversary and held the first remembrance and thanksgiving service for the late founder and leader of the church, Prophet C.K.N. Wovenu.

The church, which formed in 1939 at Tadzewu, started with a handful of followers, and now has branches in all the 10 regions.

Apart from its current following, the church has also established schools and townships.

The Ketu District Chief Executive Mr Henry Kwadzo Ametefe, who was the guest speaker, advised Ghanaians to be honest and work harder to contribute effectively towards the nation's development.

Turning to over three million followers who congregated at the service, Mr Ametefe advised them not to do anything to upset the structures of the late founder and leader.

He described Prophet Wovenu as "Saint", who must be emulated by Christians irrespective of their religious denominations.

He called on the apostles to be transparent in their dealings with the congregation so as to remove suspicion, which he said, has destroyed many churches.

Mr Ametefe advised the church not to concentrate only on the spiritual needs of their members but must also address their material needs as well .

He called on women to enter into politics and make their voices heard at the decision-making level.

Mr Ametefe urged the celebrants to respect governments, rulers, parents, children and all persons in leadership and supervisory positions.

Earlier in a sermon, Senior Pastor Peter W.D. Nutornutsi, asked the members to remain steadfast and faithful to the ideals and principles of the late leader to sustain the church.

The Most Senior Pastor, Apostle James Klu Amega, who worked closely with Prophet Wovenu for 50 years, succeeded the late leader and founder of the church.

The Western Regional Secretariat of the June Four Movement has congratulated President Jerry John Rawlings and his government for successfully handling the affairs of the state.

In an end-of-year message, the Movement said the skilful handling of the problem over the university user fees and the military and the police take-over of some hospitals.

The message, which was signed by Mr Herbert Henry Hans, Regional Co-ordinating Secretary of the Movement, called on all Ghanaians, churches and the minority political parties to help sustain the country's democracy.

The Movement also congratulated the military, the police and para-military organisations for maintaining law and order.

The Movement asked the government to make every effort to ensure that corruption is eliminated from the society.

It said it hoped that the year 2000 would bring improvement in the living standards of Ghanaians.

The Assemblyman for Anaji Electoral Area, Mr John S. Davis, has called on Christians, Muslims and other religious bodies to intensify their prayers for peace and harmony in the country in the coming year.

He said the year 2000 poses a great challenge to Christians, Muslims and other religions to pray fervently to ensure absolute peace and bring down the high cost of living facing Ghanaians.

Mr Davis made the call at a four-day Christmas convention of the Effiakuma District of the Church of Pentecost at Anaji Estates, on Sunday.

He advised religious leaders to use their pulpits to educate their members to register during the forthcoming population census.

He reminded them that the year 2000 is also an election year which calls for serious prayers and tolerance of other people's views.

More parties, he said, would soon emerge on the political front but explained that the 1992 Constitution empowers every registered voter to belong to any party of his or her choice.

Mr Davis said every political party aims at enhancing the development of the country and, therefore, urged members of political parties not to regard their opponents as enemies.

The Reverend T. C. Amoah, Area Apostle of the Church, in his sermon, said Ghanaians need a great change in their lives in the next millennium.

That change, he pointed out, could only be realised if Ghanaians committed themselves to God, prayed regularly and changed their attitude to work.

The Vice-President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, will open the 51st New Year School of the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, at Winneba on Tuesday.

The main theme of the School is "Consolidating democracy in Ghana: the year 2000 elections and beyond."

There will be lectures on sub-themes including, "the year 2000 elections: Issues before the nation," "Preparations for a free and fair election," and "National pluralism and national integration."

There will be panel discussions on the national economy and democratic sustenance, and law, order and human rights.

The chief of Otumi in the Kwaebibirem District, Barima Abrokwa Gyampim II, has advised his people to avoid acts likely to fan litigation.

Barima Gyampim expressed the sentiments during the outdooring of Nana Osei Yeboah I, as Krontihene of Otumi.

He said in an era when people are thinking about the growth of their communities, it will be unacceptable to waste time to undermine, back-bite and adopt a "pull-him-down" attitude.

Nana Yeboah, 53, who is a farmer and an assemblyman, appealed to his people for their support, pledging to serve them as best as he can.

He said his doors are open for suggestions as to how best they can collectively accelerate the development of the town.

The Malian President, Alpha Konare, arrived in Accra on Tuesday to hold discussions with President Jerry John Rawlings.

Other dignitaries at the airport were the Inspector General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Ben Akafia and some members of the African Diplomatic Corps.

The Government has been urged as a matter of urgency to call for a national debate on the state of the economy.

This is contained in a resolution adopted by the National Executive Council of the Ghana Mineworkers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) at the end of a meeting in Accra on December 20.

The resolution, released to the press on Monday, stressed that the state of the economy "is seriously affecting the total well-being of the ordinary Ghanaian."

The Union deliberated on issues affecting mineworkers, the role they play in the mining industry and the socio-economic development of the country.

"The government should call a national debate on the economy to allow for consensus building in respect of reversing the poor performance of the economy."

The workers maintained that given the magnitude of the problems that confront the mining industry, with its attendant repercussion on the nation's socio-economic development, the mining industry requires the urgent attention of the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Minerals Commission.

"We call on the President to, as a matter of urgency, appoint without any further delay, a substantive Minister of Mines and Energy, a Deputy Minister of Mines and a Chief Executive Officer for the Minerals Commission."

The Union urged the government to take necessary and appropriate measures to bring efficiency and effectiveness into the operation of the Ghana Railways Company Limited.

"This will enable the company to meet its obligations in respect of the haulage of manganese and bauxite from Nsuta and Awaso respectively, to avert the possible premature closure of the two mines."

The resolution urged the government to publish the full report of the Anyidoho Committee that investigated the causes of the strike at the Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited at Obuasi earlier in the year.

It urged the Union and the Ghana Chamber of Mines to engage in "constructive dialogue in employment relations in order to promote growth in the sector".

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), has been called upon to ensure the re-opening of "Macbay," a popular club at the La Pleasure Beach Resort.

Many holidaymakers said the closure was robbing them of the fun that has been associated with the beach for sometime now.

This was the outcome of investigations by newsmen on Monday when large numbers of people thronged the beach for their holiday.

They said La Beach is an important tourist attraction in Accra and called on GTB to ensure that facilities and standards are maintained and improved to boost tourism to earn more revenue for the state.

"The Ghana Tourist Board must make efforts to restore sanity in operations at the resort to win the confidence of potential investors in the tourism industry," Ms Susana Appiah, a caterer said.

Investigations revealed that Macbay's closure, was the result of an impasse between two foreign partners operating it.

The partners, Mr. Robin Angel, a British and Mr. George Poskia, a Greek were not available to comment but a source said the partners seem to have fallen out with each other on how to run the popular club.

People who claimed to be regular patrons had to make do with other bars and joints around.