Ghanaians must vote NDC out if they want
change - MP-elect
NDC will be victorious in run-off
Security Council reviews Bawku curfew hours
Media Commission condemns attack on TV3 crew
"I'll support Kufuor in election
run-off" –Lartey
Times driver arrested
for fuel smuggling
Ghana committed to democratic governance –
TUC
MP elect smells rat and calls for recount
Police warn public of fake visa contractors
International PEN condemns attack on media
men
NPP: We support call for independent inquest
Gas Pipeline
Project holds awareness seminar
NPP, CPP discuss
conditions in the country ahead of run-off
Ghanaians must vote NDC out if they want
change - MP-elect
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 14 December 2000
Mr Ignatius Kofi Poku-Adusei, NPP Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for Asante-Bekwai, has appealed to all eligible voters to vote massively for Mr John Agyekum Kufuor in the presidential run-off slated for December 28 for a change of government.
"There should be no room for either complacency or relaxation. Let us ensure that the final crushing blow is dealt to the NDC."
Mr. Poku-Adusei, who made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Wednesday, commended Ghanaians for the peaceful, clean and transparent manner they voted in the December 7 elections.
He denied rumours that NPP supporters were intimidating and harassing NDC sympathisers in some parts of the Ashanti Region, describing it as "a political gimmick cleverly crafted to create disaffection for the NPP, particularly among people in the Zongo communities".
The MP-elect said the "NPP abhors acts of indiscipline, irresponsible conduct and lawlessness", and called on all the people to be vigilant and "help to expose those spreading those mischievous rumours". He expressed his appreciation to his constituents for massively voting for the NPP in the just-ended election.
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NDC will be victorious in run-off
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Wednesday said it is entering the run-off elections being confident that its presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills will win.
The party said, "we have recognised our mistakes and we are humble enough to accept them", as a vital step towards getting our aggrieved supporters on board this time around. It said the NDC is now engaged in concerted preparations for the run-off elections.
A statement signed by its press secretary, Mr Vincent Asiseh, said, "any attempt by the media or any group of people to fore-close the electoral process is not only preposterous but also a deliberate attempt to subvert the constitution".
The statement said the government has agreed to put out the 15 billion cedis the Electoral Commission needs for the run-off. "It is important to realise that the 15 billion cedis to be used in holding the election is nothing compared with the need to build a vibrant and formidable democracy".
It cost the country three times as much money to issue photo ID cards for voters as against thumb-print ID cards and that the 15 billion cedis constitutes a fraction of the cost of the elections just held.
The statement said no one complained because they are useful expenditures for a good course, adding that the NDC finds it now strange for a section of the media and opposition political class to call on Prof Mills to concede defeat because the money involved could be spent for other purposes.
It said, "the NDC wishes to state categorically that Prof Mills has no intention whatsoever of conceding a non-existent defeat".
The constitution requires a candidate to get at least 50 per cent plus one vote to be elected as President of the Republic and since none of the contestants attained that the next logical step is a run-off to determine a winner.
It called on the media to be more professional and circumspect in its coverage of the run-off election because every Ghanaian is entitled to his or her opinion concerning the choice of party candidate.
"The media owes our society a responsibility not to allow this bias to show up in its coverage of the actual electoral process itself, since this can create unnecessary tensions and indeed, subvert the spirit of the process" the statement added.
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Security Council reviews Bawku curfew hours
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 14 December 2000
The Upper East regional Security Council (REGSEC) on Tuesday reviewed the curfew hours in the Bawku area to operate from 1900 hours to 0600 hours instead of 1800 hours to 0600 hours.
This followed appeals by opinion leaders of the two feuding factions in the town, Mamprusis and Kusasis, when the vice president, professor J.E.A. Mills paid a working visit there on Monday.
A statement issued by REGSEC at Bolgatanga said the review is to enable the Muslim community to procure food and other essential supplies for the ramadan fasting.
The Regional Minister, Mr. David Osei-Wusu, who is chairman of REGSEC, urged residents of the town to abide by the curfew hours and to co-operate with the security personnel to restore peace.
Meanwhile, life in the Bawku township is returning to normal with he resumption of brisk commercial activity.
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Media Commission condemns attack on TV3
crew
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The National Media Commission (NMC) on Wednesday condemned the attack on a TV3 crew and a Joy FM reporter who covered the press conference organised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Sunday by supporters of the party.
It has also commended the forbearance of the TV3 team and the professional manner the crew subjected their professional safety and comfort to their professional duties by covering the event, despite the way they were treated.
This was contained in a statement issued in Accra by the commission and signed by its executive secretary, Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh.
The statement said at a general meeting convened on Tuesday, members unanimously expressed "shock" and "dismay" at the unwarranted attack. Members, therefore, asked political parties to educate their supporters to refrain from intimidating journalists.
The NMC appealed to political parties and their supporters to inform themselves about the "Guidelines on Political Reporting", which require parties to provide security and protection for journalists covering their events and the fact that news conferences are restricted to journalists.
The statement said the NMC took note of the intervention of the General Secretary of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya and other party officials, which saved the crew from further brutality.
The commission, however, said that it would be better if the party comes out formally to condemn the attack, to send signals to its supporters that the party does not support such acts.
The NMC assured the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Association of Private Broadcasters, concerned groups and the public that it will conduct thorough investigations into the incident to stem such acts.
It also commended the GJA and the media for the comprehensive and professional manner they covered the December 7 elections, and expressed the hope that the same level of professionalism will be displayed during the run-off.
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"I'll support Kufuor in election
run-off" –Lartey
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
Mr Daniel Augustus Lartey, presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), said Wednesday he will urge his supporters to vote for New Patriotic Party presidential candidate J.A. Kufuor in the December 28 presidential run-off.
The NPP now has the support of all the opposition parties, who polled 6.8 per cent of the total valid vote cast in last Thursday's presidential election.
Mr. Lartey told the GNA that he was supporting Mr Kufuor because his "message of government of national unity is synonymous with the policy of 'domestication'."
The theme of Mr Lartey's campaign was domestication: "growing what we eat and wear, eating what we grow and stockpiling the surplus for export."
Mr. Lartey, who polled one per cent of the total votes, had said earlier that he would only support the candidate who agrees to implement his domestication policy.
"I have held discussions with the highest in the hierarchy of the NPP, the chairman of the Council of Elders, on three occasions and I am convinced we share the same principles," he said.
Asked why he would not support the NDC, Mr Lartey said: "They are a spent force, their knowledge is gone and they would not be able to move the country ahead.
"I spoke with Mr Kwaku Baah, first vice-chairman of NDC, and Mr Dan Markin, leader of DPP, and my decision is that they are hollow. They do not know what to do, except to continue with what I call neo-colonialism."
Mr. Lartey defined neo-colonialism as a "white-man- painted-black government," which he said must be replaced with "a government of the black man for the black man."
Mr. Lartey said his decision is in the interest of national development and not based on partisan considerations.
Asked whether he expects any appointment should the NPP win, Mr Lartey said: "I am only interested in the progress of our nation and the situation where everybody becomes useful to the nation. I am above ministerial positions and I don't want any."
He said his decision reflects that of his supporters who have called him from across the country to discuss the issues. The supporters, he said, will consequently campaign for Mr Kufuor. The other opposition parties the PNC, CPP, UGM, and NRP have already pledged to support the NPP.
In the presidential election the NPP won 48.3 percent and NDC won 44.9 per cent of the vote. Neither party obtained more than 50 per cent, thus necessitating a run-off.
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Times driver
arrested for fuel smuggling
Ho (Volta Region) 14 December 2000
Customs Excise and Preventive
Service (CEPS) personnel at Leklebi-Dafor, on the Ghana Togo border, on Tuesday
intercepted a Mitsubishi Pick-Up with registration number GR 7090J belonging to
the New Times Corporation, with 566 litres of petrol, allegedly being smuggled
out of the country.
Yaw Asiamah, the driver, who
absconded initially, however, reported to CEPS officials at Ho on Wednesday. He
was arrested and placed in police custody.
Mr. Emmanuel Buaben, Collector in
-charge of Preventive, at the Leklebi-Dafor Post told the Ghana News Agency
that at about 20 hours on Tuesday, he received a tip-off that a vehicle was
discharging fuel at Leklebi-Duga, a few kilometres from the border with Togo.
He said eight officers were
detailed to verify the report, but when they got to the scene, the vehicle,
loaded with three drums of petrol had been abandoned.
Mr. Buaben said the officers
sought the help of a mechanic at Ve-Golokwati to move the vehicle to the CEPS
border post at Leklebi-Dafor.
Miss Endurance Moncar, Acting
Assistant Commissioner, CEPS, in- charge of Ho sector said it is the
responsibility of every citizen to help check smuggling.
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Ghana committed to democratic governance –
TUC
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday said the peaceful nature of the elections last Thursday is a clear indication of the confidence and commitment Ghanaians have in democratic governance.
Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary General of TUC, in a statement expressed appreciation for the maturity that characterised the poll. "It is considered as a mark of maturity the acceptance of the December 7 elections by the two front-runners and their preparedness and commitment to the run-off," the statement noted.
The TUC commended the media for their role in creating the peaceful, orderly and transparent atmosphere that characterised the conduct of the elections and the declaration of the results.
Mr Adu-Amankwah also commended the electoral commission and the security agencies and called on them to maintain the same commitment during the run-off.
The TUC, however, expressed regret about the unfortunate incident at Bawku Central and the assault on the crew of TV3 and a reporter from Joy FM at the NDC headquarters.
Mr Adu-Amankwah called for tolerance from all sections of society, even in the face of provocation in order to sustain the relative peace in the country during the preparation for the run-off and after.
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Yendi (Northern Region) 14 December 2000
The Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount chief of the Dagomba traditional area, on Wednesday commended the security agencies, the people of Dagbon and the Northern Region as a whole for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during and after the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Ya-Na made the commendation when the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace to express appreciation for the role he played to ensure peace during and after the elections. He congratulated Alhaji Yakubu, on retaining his seat and wished his party, the NPP, well in the task ahead.
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MP elect smells rat and calls for recount
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The Gomoa West Member of Parliament elect, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe on Wednesday petitioned the Electoral commission against the "unusually high number of rejected ballot papers in the constituency in the December 7, elections".
In a petition addressed to the Returning Officer at Apam, she said out of a total of 31,331 votes cast for the parliamentary elections, 3,242 were rejected while there were 960 rejected presidential votes out of 28,925.
"It is for this reason that I wish to call for a recount of the votes to enable me satisfy myself with the validity of the results and to determine the basis for the rejection to prevent future occurrence".
Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe who won the seat for the NDC said "it is worthy of note that the same electorate cast the votes for both the presidential and parliamentary elections and therefore the difference in the number of votes cast between the presidential and parliamentary elections as well as those rejected is very alarming".
Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe said reports she received from her party chairman were indicative of under-dealings on the part of the electoral officers.
She said when the ballot boxes were assembled at 11:30pm, the officials by a special strategy left one after another leaving their boss Mr. Nunoo alone.
Mr. Nunoo then told the agents that he could not tabulate the results alone and therefore asked them to come back the following morning.
She said foot-dragging tricks adopted by the officials made her to believe that the electoral officers have a clandestine objective to mark her down by rejecting votes cast in her favour and the vice president.
"Even though I have won, I want the records to be set straight and I have a right to see the rejected ballot papers to serve as a guide in the future".
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Police warn public of fake visa contractors
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The Police on Wednesday warned prospective visa applicants to beware of con men posing as travel agents who promise to obtain cut-rate visas for them.
In a release from the Regional Police Headquarters, Inspector Jordan Quaye of the Public Relations Unit said criminals are issuing fake or stolen passports with visa stamps already in them.
Travelling with another person's passport is a criminal offence, Inspector Quaye said, and advised people to report fake travel agents to the police.
The police spokesman said the proper place to obtain a visa is the visa section of the embassy of the country where the applicant intends to travel.
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International PEN condemns attack on media
men
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The Ghanaian Centre of International Pen has expressed its displeasure at the attack on TV3 crew and a Joy FM reporter who covered the press conference of the National Democratic Congress on December 11.
A press release signed by the President, Mr Frank Mackay Anim Appiah, condemned the treatment saying, "whilst the media excelled in its coverage of the 2000 presidential and parliamentary elections and won local and international admiration, opponents of the press as usual see nothing good in us."
The release urged journalists to resist "those who hate free expression in our God given country."
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NPP: We support call for independent
inquest
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December 2000
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday supported the call for an independent inquest into the death of Daniel Chakitey, the driver whose vehicle was alleged to have caused the accident of the presidential convoy on October 29, 2000.
"This in our view should be part of an independent public inquiry to establish the full facts of his shocking death," the party said in a statement signed by Mr Dan Botwe, general secretary.
The NPP said having followed with keen interest events after Chakitey's arrest, the party finds the circumstances surrounding his death bizarre.
"This raises a lot of questions which can be answered only by a body, independent of the police in particular and the Executive as whole."
The party extended its condolences to the bereaved family and called for a joint effort to ensure justice for Chakitey. The driver died at the police hospital earlier this week.
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Gas Pipeline
Project holds awareness seminar
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December
2000
The external affairs department of
the West African Gas Pipeline Project on Wednesday started a series of seminars
to create awareness about its operations for key institutions and organisations
on the dynamics of the project and to solicit their support.
The organisations and institutions
are public relation officials of ministries, agencies and departments (MDA's),
journalists and Internet service providers.
The seminars are also meant to
bring to public notice the various dimensions and extent to which the
consortium will go to bring the project into fruition.
Presenting an overview of the
project, Ms Esther Cobbah, a public relations practitioner said things have
moved from the conceptual phase where the governments of Ghana, Togo, Benin and
Nigeria agreed to have a cross-border power plant, to a definition phase where
discussions are firmed on specific plans and procedures.
Ms Cobbah said these processes
must be looked at since they are important for the overall success of the
entire project.
She said ministries, agencies and
departments are being involved in the project since they are in constant
contact with institutions, organisations and individuals on whom the project
will impact.
"By this they will be able to
explain in full what the project is about, how it will benefit the four
countries, increase investment opportunities and reduce greenhouse
emissions."
Ms Cobbah said similar programmes
have been held in Togo and Benin, adding, "it has enhanced co-operation
between the peoples of the three countries and this will be extended when the
project is in full swing."
Ghana stands to be the highest
beneficiary of the project since she will use about 90 per cent of the gas
produced, she said.
Ms Cobbah said the Akosombo dam
has played its role in securing electricity for the last 30 years but can no
longer sustain the new demands of power for development. The project gives a
definite meaning to the integration efforts of ECOWAS governments.
"The project is a direct
expression of the efforts of ECOWAS governments to bring the peoples of the
region together and give meaning to the talk about integration."
Mr Clement Oke, Engineer and
Construction Manager of the Project said the pipelines that will be constructed
from Nigeria to Ghana will take into consideration, safety and health reasons,
"that will ensure that people along the route will not tamper with
it."
The project is designed to create
more jobs at each stage for the people of the sub-region, h said, adding that
it would help the partners achieve their goals for economic growth by providing
a long-term supply of energy.
Estimated to cost 400 million
dollars the project will run from the Western Niger Delta in Nigeria across 600
miles through Benin, Togo to Effasu in Ghana. About 10,000 to 20,000 new jobs
would be created in the sub-region as a direct result of the project.
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NPP, CPP discuss
conditions in the country ahead of run-off
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 December
2000
The leadership of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP) and Convention People's Party (CPP) on Wednesday said the economy
is in "deep crisis" and its resuscitation requires the collective
effort of all "democratic institutions".
They said in a joint statement in
Accra that after two hours of discussions, they agreed on certain measures to
be taken to put it back under control. They did not elaborate.
Mr. Samuel A. Odoi-Sykes, National
Chairman of the NPP, and Dr. Abubakar Al-Hassan, National Chairman and leader
of the CPP, signed the statement.
Several high-ranking members of
the two parties, including Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, presidential candidate of
the NPP, and Professor George Hagan, presidential candidate of the CPP,
attended the meeting.
The CPP has said it will support
Mr Kufuor in the run-off with vice President John Atta Mills of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC).
The statement said the two parties
agreed to take unspecified "positive steps" to effect genuine and
lasting national reconciliation.
The two parties said education is
the key to the advancement of society and a means of preparing the people to
assume their social and other responsibilities. Access to it must, therefore,
be free.
It said subsidies would be made
available to the agricultural sector in order to achieve self-sufficiency in
food production for local consumption and for export as well as production of
raw materials for agro-industrialisation.
They said they would pay
"realistic and fair" prices to cocoa farmers.
"The parties agreed that the
working and living conditions of Ghanaian workers are deplorable and saw the
need to work towards the payment of a realistic living wage," the
statement said.
The parties said they also agreed
to make corruption unattractive adding that all persons who engage in corrupt
practices should face the full rigours of the law.
On health, the parties said they
agreed on the abolition of the cash and carry system. They also agreed on the
creation of conditions under which every citizen shall have the right to
adequate health care and quality treatment, irrespective of economic or social
status.
The parties said the judiciary has
been so manipulated that its independence as envisaged in the 1992 constitution
has been compromised.
"It was, therefore, agreed
that certain measures should be put in place to reverse this trend," the
statement said.
The statement said the parties
condemned the poor management of human rights and safety of Ghanaians "as
manifested in the inability of the security agencies to unearth the mystery of
the serial killings."
Twenty-nine women have been killed
under mysterious circumstances in Accra over the past two years or so but no
arrests have been made. They said they agreed to take certain immediate steps
to solve the problem.
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