Syndicate using fake passports in clearing goods busted
NPP: "We have been our own worst enemy"
Gomoa Ajumako chiefs declared support for Omanhene
All must take part in democratic process - Bimi
China presents fireworks for millennium celebrations
Agona District Assembly in debt
Road closed to protect First Family - Ministry
NDC national co-chairman debunks notion
Electoral Commissioner speaks on elections
Deposed Ivorian President calls for his restoration
All must take part in democratic process - Bimi
Ghanaians told not to reject AIDS patients
Ghana Journalists Association issues New Year message
Alabi inaugurates three-member riots committee
MP wants special monitoring desks in assemblies
Bushfire destroys 150 acre maize farm
Kuapa Kokoo donates to three institutions
Indian government donates to flood victims
Syndicate using fake passports in clearing goods busted
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 Dec. '99
The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) at a press briefing on Wednesday said it has busted a syndicate responsible for printing fake passports used in clearing goods from the country's ports.
Ms Cecilia Sowah, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Investigations of CEPS, said five members of the syndicate were arrested on 30 November and 18 December with the fake passports.
They are Mr Kwame Danso and Mr. Peter Basoah, both clearing officers of Auriche Company Limited, a Clearing and Forwarding Agency and Miss Mina Sulemana of Care Two Shipping Agency who were arrested on 30 November.
Ms. Sowah said on 30 November two trucks loaded with goods were intercepted within the Tema Harbour and examination of documents covering goods on them revealed that one of the four passports used in clearing the goods was fake.
On the 18 December another vehicle was intercepted because the clearing agent, Auriche Company Limited, used a fake passport.
She said investigations led to the arrest of Mr. Kofi Ayettey, a loader at Abosse Okai and Mr. Alexander Awushie, a footballer, who are believed to be the brains behind the syndicate.
Ms Sowah said a search at the house of Ayettey and Awushie uncovered 36 fake passports.
She said some of the passports have fake foreign visas and disembarkation stamps adding that the suspects will be put before court soon.
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NPP: "We have been our own worst enemy"
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 Dec. '99
Mr S.A. Odoi-Sykes, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said on Thursday that members of the party have been their worst enemy in 1999 and urged them to conduct their affairs next year with greater circumspection.
In a New Year message he noted: "We have carried to unaccepted degree our traditional freedom of speech and dissent.
"Let us exercise our traditional freedom of speech and dissent with greater sense of responsibility."
Mr Odoi-Sykes said the party has been unable to take full advantage of the time and opportunities available to it due to logistic constraints.
Consequently, many of their supporters and members have become "restive and harshly critical."
"They are rightly demanding sustained political action that can assure them of victory."
The NPP chairman said the "silent majority" of Ghanaians are hoping that the party would deliver them from their long period of suffering.
He said in spite of everything, the NPP is entering the year 2000 as a party, which enjoys the most popular genuine support and tremendous goodwill.
"The greatest challenge facing the party today is whether we shall be able to translate the overwhelming support and goodwill of Ghanaians into an electoral victory in the year 2000."
He reminded them that to achieve this objective would require hard work, discipline and unity of all members.
Mr Odoi-Sykes said the NPP would launch an "all-out non-stop" campaign for the 2000 elections in the first quarter of the year adding that adequate logistics shall be provided to enable the party campaign effectively throughout the country.
"Ghanaians are yearning for a change from the intolerable hardship, poverty, unprecedented corruption and general economic mismanagement under 18 years of (P)NDC rule. The Rawlings era shall go down as the most controversial."
Mr Odoi-Sykes said it is "extraordinary" that President Jerry Rawlings should personally appeal to the Queen of Britain and the World Bank to come to Ghana's aid in checking corruption.
He commended NPP parliamentarians for their "brilliant performance in the year."
"In spite of their overwhelming disadvantage in numbers, they have performed very creditably as a patriotic opposition."
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Gomoa Ajumako chiefs declared support for Omanhene
Gomoa Obuasi (Central Region) 30 Dec. '99
Chiefs from 39 out of the 45 communities in the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council have declared their support for Okatakyi Nyanful Krampah IV, Omanhene of the area.
This was at an emergency meeting at Gomoa Obuasi on Tuesday to deliberate on destoolment charges preferred against the Omanhene.
They appealed to their colleagues to withdraw the charges for amicable settlement.
A resolution signed by the chiefs and queenmothers said; "We do not support the alleged destoolment charges preferred against the President of the Council and Omanhene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council by some disgruntled chiefs".
Last week some chiefs led by Nana Acquah, the Omanhene's Abuasuapanyin attempted to prevent Okatakyi Nyanful Krampah from swearing before the Central Regional House of Chiefs at Cape Coast.
The Gomoa District Chief Executive, Mr Kow Anyanful, appealed to the Chiefs to let peace prevail in the area.
He stressed the importance of chieftaincy in mobilising the people for development to complement the efforts of the government and said they could not discharge their duties when there is no unity among them.
The DCE urged them not waste their resources over litigation at the expense of the education of their children and development.
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All must take part in democratic process - Bimi
Winneba (Central Region) 30 Dec. '99
The Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Larry Bimi, has called for the full participation of citizens in the country's democratic process.
He said it is only when the Constitution is made a living document, with the citizens participating fully in governance that, "we can say, we are in a true democratic dispensation".
Mr. Bimi was speaking on "education for participatory governance at the cross roads" at the Annual New Year School at the University College of Education, Winneba.
He assured the nation that NCCE would continue to educate the people on their constitutional rights and responsibilities to enable them to contribute to nation-building.
NCCE in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service has instituted a pilot programme to educate children in Basic schools in the Central Region on their constitutional rights.
Mr. Bimi said the time has come for the nation to produce what he called, "Good democratic citizens" imbued with honesty, integrity, a high sense of patriotism and commitment.
There is no point producing the best calibre and highly educated people who cannot live in harmony with their neighbours or cannot be fair to their neighbours and the state.
He said NCCE envisages that the process of political and civic education should begin at home through the school system to adulthood.
Parents, he said, should be encouraged to promote fairness, truthfulness, integrity and tolerance and fellow feeling in their children.
He said children in school should be encouraged to draw up their own regulations with mechanisms for imposing and enforcing sanctions for violations, elect their class prefects and school leaders.
"If we can develop these attitudes in children and the youth, get them to participate in governance while they are young we shall be marching towards the culture of democracy for the leaders of tomorrow".
Mr. Bimi said NCCE would appreciate a recommendation from the participants for civics and the teaching of the constitution to be included in the curriculum of schools.
He urged Ghanaians to regard the President as the embodiment of the spirit of the nation and accord him the support and respect he deserves.
"Have we, in our actions, utterances and so on, laid the foundations for raising the Presidency to that pedestal where it becomes the spirit of the nation"? Mr. Bimi asked.
He said "the present trend of confusion, sometimes gross disrespect for the President, is dangerous for the political culture of democracy we are trying to construct."
This, he said, does not augur well for the nation since the Executive would be apprehensive of persons of other political parties because of their mutual distrust as a result of the failure to distinguish between party and government.
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China presents fireworks for millennium celebrations
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 Dec. '99
The Chinese government on Thursday presented fireworks worth about 22,000 dollars to the government for the millennium celebrations.
The consignment contains 300 different explosives. The fireworks displays would be held at the Independence Square in Accra and the TEXPO grounds.
Mr Lin Zhi-Yu, Assistant Manager of the China State Construction Engineering (Ghana) Limited, said the fireworks prepared about five months ago were presented to Ghana for fruitful celebrations of the millennium.
He said the millennium celebrations form an important occasion in the live of every nation.
Commodore (Rtd) Steve Obimpeh, Chairman of the Millennium Celebration Commission, received the items and handed them over to Brigadier Edward Lord Attivor, Acting Commandant of Military Academy and Training School at Teshie in Accra.
He thanked China for the gift and said the fireworks would enable Ghana to join other countries to celebrate the birth of the new millennium.
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Agona District Assembly in debt
Agona Swedru (Central region) 30 Dec '99
The Agona District Assembly is owing a number of contractors a total of 824.67 million cedis for on-going and completed projects.
Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, the District Chief Executive, announcing this at the assembly's last session of the year at Agona Swedru, blamed the situation on the delay in the release of the assembly's share of the common fund.
"As at now, we have received two quarterly allocations, but we endeavour to service our debtors as and when the funds are released to us", he said.
Mr Adu-Yeboah lamented that effective revenue mobilisation still constitutes a formidable problem to the revenue staff, saying that market and lorry parks tolls, which are the main source of revenue, continue to elude the assembly.
He noted that this has compelled the assembly to reshuffle its revenue staff from time to time while putting appropriate checks and balances in the revenue machinery.
The DCE said the assembly expects to realise more than 120 million cedis from the new property rates under the "Urban Three" Project next year.
The DCE expressed concern about the recent communal violence that threatened the peace in the area and urged the members to help resolve the issue.
He noted that a few months ago, there was a conflict in Agona Duakwa between the indigenous population and the Zongo community while similar communal violence occurred at Agona Nyakrom between the youth and the Zongo community.
He, therefore, called on the assembly members to educate their electorate on the need for peaceful co-existence and harmony in the district.
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Road closed to protect First Family - Ministry
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th December 99
The closure of the road at Ridge, which runs in front of the residence of the First Lady, is temporary and will last until adequate security guarantees are provided to ensure the safety of the President and his family.
A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday by the Ministry of Communications, explained that the road has been temporarily closed as a result of several security incidents that have posed a potential threat to the safety of the First Family.
It said that on many occasions, security men have had to leave their duty post to help motorists to clear their vehicles from the front of the house.
The Ministry said it has noted the public concern expressed recently in a private Accra weekly in respect of the closure of the road.
"Several security incidents recorded in respect of members of the First Family on that road have made it necessary for the closure," the statement said, adding that the safety of the President and his family in any country is of extreme public concern.
The statement noted that the headline in the weekly, 'First Lady seizes public road', "is grossly misleading and calculated to cause public disaffection against the person of the First Lady."
It said the road was closed during the reconstruction work carried out by Construction Pioneers (CP) on the main Liberation Road early this year.
Following the completion of work, it was decided that the road should be temporarily closed for security reasons.
"Not too long ago, a passenger mini bus suffered a breakdown in front of the residence, severely restricting access into and out of the premises for several hours, thereby causing serious security concerns."
The Ministry hoped that the "understanding of the public could be counted upon in this matter.
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NDC national co-chairman debunks notion
Wa (Upper West), 30th December 99
Mr Issifu Ali, National Co-chairman of the National Democratic Congress, has debunked the notion that the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, "is vying for the vice presidential slot".
He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Wa on Tuesday that "it is all sensationalism well orchestrated by the private newspapers to know the position of the National Democratic Congress and its leaders."
He said choosing a presidential running mate in the NDC will continue to be the prerogative of the presidential candidate in consultation with party leaders.
Mr Ali said at the appropriate time, "the party will come out with an elaborate programme which will include holding constituency primaries, election of district and regional executives".
He said "the holding of such primaries and choosing leaders at all levels will pave the way for the National Congress where the presidential candidate will be officially named".
Reacting to allegations of how much the NDC spent on their rally at Kawokudi junction rally in Accra recently, Mr Ali, said the party is not accountable to any group of persons or individuals apart from the Electoral Commission.
He said the National Reform Party which came out with a figure of 900 million cedis "has no basis and challenged them to give ample evidence to support its stand.
"I wonder why people are interested in knowing how much we spent. No party has ever done that and why are they worrying us", Mr Ali queried.
He said the NDC has workable strategies to win all the seats they lost to the opposition parties in the 1996 general elections.
The Co-Chairman equated the NDC to the Oak tree, saying it "has come to grow and serve many generations and so the opponents of the tree will find it very difficult to uproot it".
"Rural electrification, infrastructural development and the provision of good drinking water in the rural areas are ample exhibits for people to continue voting for us".
Mr Ali said the NDC presidential candidate, Prof. J.E.A. Mills, was already known to the whole country and does not need any introduction.
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Electoral Commissioner speaks on elections
Winneba (Central Region), 30th December 99
Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, assured the nation on Wednesday that all eligible voters will be in possession of photo identification cards for next year's elections.
He said most of the planning for the elections had been completed and what could disrupt the scheduled event "might be delay in the release of funds by the government".
Dr Afari-Gyan told the 51st annual New Year School at Winneba that the major task of the Commission was to revise or clean and update the voter's registration books in readiness for the 2000 elections.
He said the names of dead people would be removed from the Register and replaced with names of persons who have recently attained the 18 year age or who are older but have not registered for one reason or the other.
He said the Electoral Commission would replace all thumbprints voter identity cards with photo identification cards with the assistance of donors adding that voters who have moved residence would be allowed to change their polling stations.
Dr Afari-Gyan said achieving free and fair elections should be considered the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians including political parties, candidates, and the electorate, and the media, security the general public including the security agencies.
He suggested the setting up of a special tribunal after every major elections to settle disputes arising out of the elections.
The tribunal should be established within a specified time frame and without undue resort to legal technicalities, bearing in mind the singular importance of the peoples' choice in a democratic situation.
He called for sustained publicity to get people well informed about the electoral system, their rights and their responsibilities towards the attainment of clean elections.
Dr Afari-Gyan said the publicity should start earlier than waiting until a few months to every elections, saying that "often times, insufficient funding prevents publicity on a sustained basis".
Dr Afari-Gyan called for the active involvement of organised groups including the Churches in educating people on the electoral system and asked religious leaders to use part of their worshipping time to talk about the elections.
He, however, cautioned that voter education should not be turned into an electioneering campaign for a party or a candidate and asked Ghanaians to ensure that aliens do not register for next year's elections.
He denied allegations of military involvement in the running of past elections, adding that the presence of security personnel such as the police, prison and fire service personnel at polling stations "is to ensure the success of the elections".
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Deposed Ivorian President calls for his restoration
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th December 99
Deposed Cote d'Ivoire President, Henri Konan Bedie on Wednesday asked the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to implement its decision on non-recognition of coup d'etat and the restoration of the deposed leader.
He said the international community has condemned the military take-over in his country and that ECOWAS should help restore democracy and the rule of law to prevent an escalation of the crisis.
Mr. Bedie was speaking at a press conference at the Airport after consultations with President Jerry John Rawlings on the situation in his country.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Bedie regretted that Cote d'Ivoire's 40 years of democratic governance should be dented by military insurgence 10 months before general elections, which has disrupted its development process and the rule of law.
"As you are aware, Cote d'Ivoire has suffered an eclipse 10 months before elections which would have allowed all parties to show their strength through the ballot box.
"However, a group of anti-democratic forces has disrupted the progress, throwing all procedure for peace overboard".
He said the junta at the moment has been intimidating the people of Cote d'Ivoire through arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of some prominent people.
Mr Bedie said the junta is the same group of people who in 1995, tried to
disrupt the democratic process during the rule of his predecessor, the late President Felix Houpouet-Boigny.
On the issue of the former premier, Alhassan Ouatarra, he said the issue of his nationality was before the court and judgement is to be given today, adding "we have been the victims of our own open-handedness of receiving foreigners into our country".
He said Cote d'Ivoire had allowed other nationals to hold positions in government without discrimination since 35 per cent of Ivorians are foreigners.
However, this could not be extended to the highest post of the land, which is reserved for full-blooded Ivorians.
President Bedie noted that since he took over the presidency, he granted citizenship to 11,000 foreigners and personally initiated a change in the Constitution to allow citizens with one Ivorian parent to become nationals but "this was rejected by the national assembly".
President Rawlings expressed the hope that the situation in Cote d'Ivoire would not deteriorate and appealed to parties involved to allow reason to prevail.
He said the former Ivorian leader made it known to him that he would not advocate a military intervention in Cote d'Ivoire's crisis.
President Rawlings said a reconciliatory gesture by the military junta in Cote d'Ivoire would be better and that any process towards democracy should involve the deposed leader and his party.
Mr Bedie flew out of Ghana to an undisclosed location after the conference.
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All must take part in democratic process - Bimi
Winneba (Central Region), 30th December 99
The Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Larry Bimi, has called for the full participation of Ghanaians in the democratic process.
He said it is only when the Constitution is made a living document, with the citizens participating fully in governance that, "we can say, we are in a true democratic dispensation".
Mr. Bimi was speaking on "education for participatory governance at the cross roads" at the Annual New Year School at the University College of Education, Winneba.
He assured the nation that NCCE would continue to educate the people on their constitutional rights and responsibilities to enable them to contribute to nation building.
NCCE in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service has instituted a pilot programme to educate children in basic schools in the Central region on their constitutional rights.
Mr. Bimi said the time has come for the nation to produce what he called, "Good democratic citizens" imbued with honesty, integrity, a high sense of patriotism and commitment.
There is no point producing the best calibre and highly educated people who can not live in harmony with their neighbours or cannot be fair to their neighbours and the state.
He said NCCE envisages that the process of political and civic education should begin at home through the school system to adulthood.
Parents he said should be encouraged to promote fairness, truthfulness, integrity and tolerance and fellow feeling in their children.
He said children in school should be encouraged to draw up their own regulations with mechanisms for imposing and enforcing sanctions for violations, elect their class prefect and school leaders.
"If we can develop these attitude in children and the youth, get them to participate in governance while they are young we shall be marching towards the culture of democracy for the leaders of tomorrow".
Mr. Bimi said NCCE would appreciate a recommendation from the participants for civics and the teaching of the constitution to be included in the curriculum of schools.
He urged Ghanaians to regard the President as the embodiment of the spirit of the nation and accord him the support and respect he deserves.
"Have we, in our actions, utterances and so on, laid the foundations for raising the Presidency to that pedestal where it becomes the spirit of the nation?", Mr. Bimi asked.
He said, "the present trend of confusion, sometimes gross disrespect for the President, is dangerous for the political culture of democracy we are trying to construct."
This he said does not augur well since the Executive would be apprehensive of persons of other political parties because of their mutual distrust as a result of the failure to distinguish between party and government.
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Ghanaians told not to reject AIDS patients
Winneba (Central Region), 30th December 99
Panellists at a symposium at the 51st Annual New Year School of the Institute of Adult Education going on at the University College of Education at Winneba, on Wednesday stressed the need for society to develop a strong humanitarian feeling for AIDS patients.
They warned against indiscriminate sex saying that any attempt to under rate the spread of the disease would cost the nation a great deal.
The panellists made up of Dr William Ampofo of the Noguchi Memorial Institute, Dr Kofi Awusabo-Asare, of the University of Cape Coast and Dr Kweku Yeboah, Co-ordinator National AIDS Control Programme were discussing "the challanges of HIV/AIDS and STDs in Ghana".
They attributed the causes of AIDS to a number of factors, including the social, economic and environmental pattern of the country.
They called for the transformation of cultural practices that are detrimental to the effective and orderly administration of the society.
The panellists said it was wrong for parents, relatives, and friends to shun the company of AIDS patients.
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Ghana Journalists Association issues New Year message
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th December 99
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Wednesday called on Ghanaians to make consultation, dialogue and tolerance a permanent feature of Ghana's political culture.
In a New Year Message, the GJA urged Ghanaians "to continue to accommodate the concept of press freedom and to see the media as one of the vital pillars upon which to build our democracy".
It similarly advised the media to guard against their being used "as agents to provoke tension.
"Instead, we should through our reportage present accurate, fair and balanced information to the people to enable them to make informed choices"
It said at the dawn of a New Year and the beginning of a new century, "let us be guided by the lessons of the previous century, when the press championed the anti-colonial and independence struggle, on the mantle of freedom and justice for the people".
The message asked journalists to strengthen their watchdog role "to help fortify our democracy, promote good governance and spearhead Ghana's struggle to overcome economic insufficiency, hunger, poverty and disease".
Journalists can only discharge this duty if they themselves are "humble, honest, investigative, fair and incorruptible, in their profession".
It called on journalists to respect the GJA Code of Ethics to maintain the dignity and integrity of the profession.
"We request journalists to enter the New Year, which is also an election year, with a resolve to pay special attention to the ethics of the profession.
"The media's role will be crucial in ensuring free and fair elections, by helping to create an atmosphere of political tolerance, peace and stability".
The message wished all journalists a happy and prosperous New Year.
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Alabi inaugurates three-member riots committee
Tamale (Northern Region), 30th December 99
Mr. Joshua Alabi, Northern Regional Minister, has noted with concern the upsurge of various forms of misunderstanding in the region which has resulted in conflicts of varying proportions.
He has, therefore, called on politicians, administrators, chiefs and opinion leaders to consider conflict prevention as an important part of their programme of activities.
Mr Alabi said this at the inauguration of a three-member committee to investigate circumstances leading to the demonstrations and riots in Zabzugu against the District Chief Executive, Alhaji Mahama Shamrock early this month.
The committee, which is to present its findings within five days, is under the chairmanship of Dr Karbo Naaminong of the Animal Research Institute, Nyankpala.
The other members are Chief F. Y. Wari, Chief Local Government Inspector and Mr. Peter Bitie Bayubie, Principal Auditor, Tamale.
Mr. Issaka Sagito, acting Regional Economic Planning Officer, is the Secretary.
Mr Alabi stressed the need for the leaders to identify early warning signs of conflicts in order that they could institute measures to resolve them.
He recalled that the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in March this year had to appoint a committee to investigate allegations against three district chief executives and it has proved that the causes are similar in nature.
Some of the causes of these problems, he said, include lack of transparency in the management of affairs, poor communication and the absence of consultations with other stakeholders.
Mr Alabi said that although the youth may have some valid reasons in demonstrating, "the RCC will not sit down and allow the breakdown of law and order and indiscipline".
The terms of reference of the committee include investigating the remote causes of the breakdown in discipline, peace and tranquillity in the Zabzugu township, and the immediate causes of the recent demonstration by some concerned youth in the town.
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MP wants special monitoring desks in assemblies
Akropong-Akuapem (Eastern Region), 30th December 99
Mr. Fuzzy Torbay, Member of Parliament for Okere, has called for the establishment of special desks within the District Assemblies to monitor the use of the MP's common fund and rationalise projects being undertaken by the assemblies to eliminate waste.
Addressing the second ordinary meeting of the Akuapem North District Assembly at Akropong Akuapem on Tuesday, Mr. Torbay said that the MPs common fund was "woefully inadequate" to meet the number of projects expected by the electorate from their MPs.
Ms Patience Adow, Eastern Regional Minister, regretted that the implementation of the Poverty Alleviation Fund was being abused.
She appealed to committees responsible for the approval of loans to be fair, honest and transparent in their operations to ensure that the revolving nature of the fund was assured for others to benefit.
Miss Adow regretted that the assembly could realise only 64 per cent of revenue from its traditional sources as at the end of September this year and urged the members to do more next year.
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Bushfire destroys 150 acre maize farm
Savelugu (Northern Region), 30th December 99
Bushfire on Monday destroyed a 150-acre maize farm belonging to the 1999 National Best Maize Farmer, Alhaji Yakubu Fuseini, at Nyong near Savelugu.
A tearful Alhaji Fuseini told the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) officials that his farm helpers told him that bushfires came from afar and suddenly engulfed the eastern portion of his farm.
He said although he has other maize farms, "the destruction of the 150-acre farm will make it difficult if not impossible for me to repay my loans".
Alhaji Fuseini recalled the loss of his 30 acre yam farm through the recent floods and appealed to MOFA and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other agencies to come to his aid.
Dr Samson Asihene, Savelugu/Nanton District Director of Agriculture, said "the loss will affect the estimated target for maize production in the district".
He has therefore advised the chiefs, assembly and unit committee members to intensify their education on the hazards of bushfires to save especially crops such as the late millet which are yet to be harvested.
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Kuapa Kokoo donates to three institutions
Kumasi (Ashanti), 30th December 99
Kuapa Kokoo Limited, a private cocoa buying company, on Wednesday presented cheques totalling seven million cedis to three institutions in Kumasi.
The Asantehene Education Fund received two million cedis while one million cedis and some customary drinks was given to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on his
enstoolment of the Golden Stool.
Saint Louis Training College received two million cedis towards the fire outbreak in the college earlier on the year and the Kumasi Children's Home received two million cedis for the upkeep of its inmates.
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Indian government donates to flood victims
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th December 99
India on Wednesday donated assorted drugs worth 96.34 million cedis to flood victims in Ghana's three northern regions.
The donation is in response to an appeal by the government for assistance to help alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.
Mr. A.K.Banerjee, the Indian High Commissioner, said his "government is moved by the plight of the victims", adding that "my country has also had her share of disasters and thus knows how painful it is.
"We know what it means to suffer and what it means to lend a helping hand".
Mr. Kofi Porturphy, National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation, who received the drugs which could cure waterborne diseases, said "these types of medicines are urgently needed" and promised to dispatch them quickly to the flood victims.
He said the donation would further strengthen the existing cordial relations between Ghana and India.
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