Report on coverage of election 2000 launched
Blay lauds support for Reconciliation Bill
¢1.25 billion spent monthly on premix fuel subsidy
The Deputy Government Whip, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has said that the National Reconciliation Bill currently under debate in Parliament was restricted to the unconstitutional regimes because human rights records ratings then were negative.
He mentioned these regimes as the National Liberation Council (NLC), Supreme Redemption Council (NRC), Supreme Military Council (SMC) I&II, Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to him, a Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, which embarked upon a fact-finding tour of the country recently established the need for reconciliation.
Quoting from a report of a survey by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Mensah-Bonsu (MP for Old Tafo-Suame in Kumasi) said 89 per cent of the public believed that serious human rights abuses were committed during the said regime, which needed some form of national reconciliation.
Referring to the CDD report, the MP said the human rights records of all the Rawlings’ associated regimes are rated negative by seven out of the 10 regions.
“Only the Volta (42 per cent) and Upper East (36 Per cent) regions rated somewhat positively. The Upper West Region gave it mixed rating”. He explained further that “the civilian regimes received positive ratings. PNP (76 per cent), PP (63 per cent) and CPP (60 per cent). It is for these reasons that the bill was restricted to the unconstitutional regimes.”
He said the debate as to the extent of the time frame to the date of independence and the need for any reconciliation at all are diversionary to render the commission ineffective before it is born.
Mensah-Bonsu assured, however, that Parliament would be receptive to the idea of extending the time to March 1957 if that will serve a better cause and in the interest of the generality of the people.
The MP described the NDC’s attitude towards the President’s authority to appoint members of the proposed National Reconciliation Commission as double standards. “Why should the NDC distrust Prez Kufuor when Presidents of other countries like Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Peru, Panama and the Philippines are embarking on similar truth and reconciliation.
In these cases, the commissioners are said to be working well and entreated the NDC to trust the impartiality of Prez Kufuor as they did the Presidency of Rawlings when they were confronted with such matters.
“President Kufuor is the father of the entire nation and not President of the NPP”, Mensah-Bonsu advised by inference.
Briefing his constituents on the National Reconciliation Bill, the MP explained that the purpose of the commission is to establish the truth behind actions and omission, which inflicted pain, hurt, anguish, suffering and even death on some people by the state and agents of the state.
He said the intent is not to seek vengeance but to provide a window of hope to Ghanaians who have bee wronged but cannot seek redress in any court or tribunal to ensure national tranquillity and yield real national development.
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The Chief Executive of the Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC), Mr Sam Jonah, has suggested the removal of the "golden share" which the government holds in the company because it has become depressant to the company's growth.
Briefing senior journalists on the performance of Ashanti, Mr Jonah noted that in all other countries on the African continent there exists nowhere the golden share, which empowers the government to veto decisions about the company.
This means, the golden share is limited only to Ashanti and no other mining firm or company. In effect, it is a discriminatory provision. He explained that the golden share provision was created when Obuasi was the major source of Ashanti's mainstay of operations, and said the situation has now changed.
The chief executive submitted that it is only when the golden share is removed that investors would do business with Ashanti on the stock market or "play the game" with Ashanti.
Another factor which supports the removal of the golden share, which has become an albatross, is that prospective investors do not see the justification in the case where a a shareholder with 20 per cent including all other Ghanaian shareholders, exercises that power. Analysts all over the world have said the golden share must go for the good of the company.
The good news is that there are enough existing regulations to protect government’s interest, instead of the golden share, which is not helping the operations of the company. The gold industry, which had total capitalisation of $65 billion in 1996, now stands at$26 billion.
Even when Ashanti wants to go synergeric, it is hampered by the golden share but in the gold mining industry, consolidation is the order of the day. Already, the industry has suffered a downward trend so much so that the average is about two-thirds.
The situation is compounded by the fact that Africa has a bad address, meaning the impression some have about Africa is that it cannot be trusted when it comes to legal issues.
Mr Jonah said the company, after sinking $400 million, is restructuring its debt of about $219 million in bonds and $65million in revolving credit facility is due in next two years. The company, he said, has established enough confidence in its creditors and when the various depressants are removed, it will see tremendous growth.
He indicated that Ashanti's problem with the hedge book is over.
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The Western Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Peter Mac Manu, has advised members of the party to avoid complacency and work hard to ensure that the government retains political power in the next general elections.
He also called on them to assist the government to address the manifold socio-economic problems it inherited from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Mr Mac Manu was speaking at the inauguration of a branch of the NPP Women’s Wing at New Site Ward 14 of the Effia-Kwesimintsim Constituency at the weekend.
He stressed the need for members to educate Ghanaians on the present state of the economy and the efforts the government is making to improve the living standards of the people.
The regional chairman said the party appreciates the mandate given to it by the people to manage the nation and is working around the clock to meet their expectations.
He called on Ghanaians to change their work ethics and exploit time and opportunities that come their way to improve their lot and that of the country.
Mr Mac Manu said the regional branch of the party has outlined an educational programme for party activists in all the constituencies to appreciate the policies and programmes of the government.
He said the branch will team up with EMPRETEC Foundation to organise workshops to sensitise communities on ways of attracting investment.
The Chief Executive of the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA), Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, assured women that the government will provide opportunities which they can access to raise their quality of life.
He said the creation of a women’s ministry testifies the government’s commitment to the development of women in the country. The Regional Organiser of the NPP, Mr Kojo Acquah called on members of the party to encourage more people to join its ranks.
Ms Abena Kwallah, Regional Women’s Organiser, urged women to rally behind the party since it represents their best hope. The Chairperson of Ward 14, Mrs Margaret Asante, on behalf of the executive, pledged to increase the membership of the wing to ensure the party’s victory at the next polls.
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The Atebubu District Assembly has initiated action to retrieve a total of ¢160.8 million from a number of beneficiaries of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) who have defaulted in repayment.
According to the District Chief Executive, Mr Cassius Osei-Poku the Yapra Rural Bank, which is managing the fund, has issued demand notices to the individual defaulters and a second one would follow soon, after which court action would commence against the defaulters to retrieve the monies.
Mr Osei-Poku, who was delivering his sessional address to the assembly at Atebubu therefore appealed to the defaulters to pay back immediately to avoid any inconvenience or embarrassment.
He announced that the assembly has with the assistance of the German Government, prepared a draft development plan for the district covering 2001-2005. He said the draft plan when completed, would serve as the basis for selecting all development projects in the district.
The DCE urged assembly members to strive to improve the development process of their communities; “We can only command public confidence and respect through our determined demonstration to promote development of our communities.”
Mr Osei-Poku said he has held discussions with revenue collectors in the district who gave the assurance to do everything possible to increase their weekly collections by 100 per cent.
He said the estimated revenue target for 2001 was ¢2.8 billion, out of which about 67 per cent had been achieved as of June.
On expenditure, the DCE said it has reduced considerably this year. He said whereas the district used 15.5 per cent of revenue collected in 2000 to cover expenditure for the first half of the year, it has used 33 per cent of its revenue to cover expenditure within the same period this year. He said this development is a step towards using the limited resources to improve on the district’s development.
Mr Osei-Poku urged the people to bury their political differences and unite to move the district forward.
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A total of 124 cases, mostly of child neglect have been lodged at the Upper West Regional office of the Commission on Human Rights Administration Justice (CHRAJ) at Wa, this year.
Child and spouse maintenance cases lodged by women against their husbands totalled 49, while cases such as elopement and witchcraft accusations followed with 46 cases.
Mr Felix Naa Sabie, Regional Director of CHRAJ, said in an interview that the commission also received eight complaints from workers against private organisations for failing to pay their salaries to them.
He said out of the total number of 124 cases recorded by the commission this year, about 73 of the cases have been amicably settled through mediation.
He said three cases of child neglect were, however, sent to court because the parties involved failed to settle their cases through mediation.
The regional director said apart from educating people on human rights issues, the commission is forging collaboration with general public in caring out human rights activities in the region.
He said already, a series of human rights seminars have been held in the Nadowli and Jirapa/Lambussie districts with financial assistance from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation (KAF).
He said presently, a programme is underway in the Nadowli District, where the communities are being educated on human rights issues with support from World Vision International (WVI).
Mr Sabie explained that one of the challenges facing the commission is inadequate funding for CHRAJ activities as well as means of transport to assist their investigations.
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Report on coverage of election 2000 launched
A report pm the study of media coverage of political parties during election 2000 by the National Media Commission (NMC) was launched at a ceremony in Accra on Tuesday.
Launching the report, the Chairman of the Media Commission, Mr Nutifafa Kuenyehia said the media performance in the year 2000 was better than the previous years. He therefore, called on journalists not to relent in their efforts but strive to improve on their performance during future elections.
Mr Kuenyehia expressed the hope that the report would serve as a source and reference material in guiding all future coverage of elections. He said the study involved all the state-owned print and electronic media based in Accra and the regional capitals, and added that it covered the period from October 1, 2000 to January 15, 2001.
The report recommend, among others, that the NMC should endeavour to encourage all media houses, especially the state-owned media, to provide balanced coverage for all political parties.
According to the report, with the help of the NMC, media houses should be able to determine the clear-cut distinction between state and party functions to dispel any wrong notions about incumbency manipulation of press houses by the government in power.
It said the Constitution requires that “equal access to the state-owned media” be provided for all political parties to present their programmes. “The state-media is, therefore, expected to grant equal attention for all political parties as stipulated in Article 55 (12) of the Constitution, especially during elections,” it added.
Findings on broadcast enhancement, according to the report, stated that, “throughout the period of monitoring, Radio GAR, and Hoy FM, and to some extent Radio One, were the only radio stations interested in recording the voices of newsmakers for their news presentations.
It, therefore, recommended that radio stations attached some importance to the use of actuality in their news presentations to make them credible.
The report suggested that technical quality in terms of sound, camera angle and lighting should be taken very seriously by all TV stations in the course of their coverage in order to avoid any perception of bias.
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Blay lauds support for Reconciliation Bill
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie W. A. Blay has praised public support and input into the National Reconciliation Bill presently before the House, saying, "It has been overwhelming".
"I, therefore, plead that, until the last clause of the Bill is approved by Parliament, members of the public particularly organisations should continue to make their voices heard".
Mr Blay made the appeal on the occasion of the Charter presentation of the Tema Meridian Rotary Club, here over the weekend. The occasion also marked a banquet night meant to raise funds for a community library project in Tema.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the Bill seeks to reconcile the nation and individuals who have been victims of injustice in the past.
He noted that both sides of the political divide in Parliament have unanimously applauded the principle of the Bill especially so, as it will offer a window of opportunity through which people perceived to be enemies could shake hands with each other.
He said, even though it is late for individuals to provide input by appearing before the subject matter committee, individual Members of Parliament can still be lobbied on particular issues.
Mr. Blay lauded Rotarians for their contribution towards the provision of health services and facilities, especially in the eradication of polio in the Ghanaian society.
He further urged them to take advantage of the government's declaration of a golden age for business by exploring the opportunity to offer various ideas on how government should address developmental issues.
He stressed, "The Rotary Club may not be a profit-making organization, yet, many of your membership possess enormous expertise in business, science, technology and administration".
According to the First Deputy Speaker, the dynamics of development, the ever changing trends of world trade and business require that to succeed, development countries such as Ghana must take advantage of emerging opportunities as they arise.
He, therefore, called for a concerted approached in problem solving, the very reason for which government has opened its doors to all respectable bodies and organisations such as the Rotary Club.
In an address, Assistant District Governor, Charles Quist said "service being the product of Rotary, is heart warming and a great delight when a new Rotary and strengthens the team of volunteers.
The Charter President, Mr Kingsley Dista said as a club that have members who 'blow' their cast, rather, it is one which seeks avenue to help the under privileged in society.
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A year-long discussion by the Nkrumaist forum, comprising the CPP, PNC, the Reform Party and the GCPP has culminated in an agreement to form one formidable party for the four parties of the Nkrumaist tradition.
A manifesto for the new party has been drawn up while finishing touches are being put to its constitution to be ready within one week. Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, CPP Presidential running mate in last year's elections announced at Wa at the weekend.
Addressing a meeting of CPP supporters and activists in the Upper West Region. Alhaji Mahama said after the last general election, the leadership of the four parties after a thorough post-mortem of their performance attributed their poor showing partly to the splinter nature of the Nkrumaist parties, hence the need for them to merge into one formidable party ready for the 2004 elections.
He said although the GCPP had decided to pull out of the merger talks, the doors of the forum were still open for the party to join any time it wished. Alhaji Mahama said after the constitution had been drawn up it would be put before a congress of the parties under the forum for approval.
At the meeting, Alhaji Mahama inaugurated a seven-member regional re-organisation committee of the CPP, under the Chairmanship of Mr Saasu Bakura.
Inaugurating the committee, Alhaji Mahama said following the party's poor performance in the last elections, it has become necessary for the CPP to reorganize for the 2004 elections. He, therefore, charged the committee to work hard to improve the level of support for the party in the region.
Alhaji Mahama welcomed the government's proposal for state funding of political parties as a step in the right direction.
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Relatives of a five-year-old girl who was defiled in 1998 when she was two years old, have appealed to the Attorney General to intervene in the case for justice to be done.
While the culprit, Sackitey, now 20 years walks free the little girl is still discharging from her vagina, according to a medical report issued on October 23, 2001 by Dr B.K.Forkuoh, Medical Officer at the Tema General Hospital.
Meanwhile, the case which was originally handled by the Tema Community 8 Police, was moved to Accra, then to the Cocoa Affairs Court in Accra, then to the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue Family Tribunal and later to the James Town Community Court where it has been pending since February.
The relatives who spoke to the ‘Times’ on Tuesday, decried the attitude of the court, which according them, ‘is unduly prolonging the case.’
A copy of the first medical report shown to the ‘Times’ dated October 29, 1998, said that “the hymen was broken and confirmed the little finger was inserted into the vagina indicating the girl had been sexually abused and therefore raped.” The relatives of the girl are therefore at a loss as to the cause of the delays by the courts.
They said that Mrs Wood, who was initially handling the case, told them that they do not to employ the services of a lawyer, “but from the look of things, we realized that we needed somebody to help us because the case does not seem to be in our favour. We are confused.”
An uncle of the girl narrated how on August 17, the tribunal chairman asked the accuser’s father how much he was prepared to pay for compensation. “He said ¢300,000 and the judge then asked me how much I wanted, but I was dumb founded.” The victim’s father confirmed in a telephone conversation.
The family alleged that Sackitey had earlier raped two girls, aged 17 and four and “these cases were settled at home. We can prove it with witnesses.” They are appealing to the Attorney General to intervene in the matter for the “little girl to see some justice.”
The statement of the victim’s father in the presence of Nicholas Azamati, then the officer in charge of the Community 8 Police station, said that on October 19, 1998, the victim’s mother together with her sister and Sackitey’s mother were listening a radio programme.
As the little girl was disturbing them, Sackitey’s mother asked him to carry her away “so they could listen to the programme well.” Sackitey was then asked by his mother to prepare and go to purchase gas for her since there was none for cooking.
After waiting for sometime the boy was still not coming for the money to buy the gas and would also not respond to several calls. The victim’s auntie then decided to follow up and found out why he was delaying. Sackitey was met at the door and he claimed that the little girl was crying. Asked why she was crying, he did not give any answer.
The victim was brought out of the room by her auntie who spotted sperm on her hands. The girl was examined and rushed to a nearby clinic for first aid and four days later, to the Tema General Hospital where it was confirmed that she had been defiled.
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The authorities of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are refusing to treat a young woman with renal failure even though the Ministry of Health is prepared to pay the bill.
The young woman, Eva Boadu, a former student of Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School, in Kumasi, was diagnosed of chronic renal failure and is currently on admission at the Female Ward of the Hospital.
According to the doctor’s report, she had to undergo long-term dialysis at the at the cost of 25 million cedis after every three months. But due to financial problems, the hospital discontinued with her treatment since the beginning of last month after she had undergone 10diaysis.
With her life in danger and nowhere to turn to, her relatives approached the Ministry which gave her a letter to the Chief
Executive of Korle Bu to continue treatment. The letter, dated November 6 said that ‘the Ministry has examined the appeal
and decided that the young lady be treated in the first instance and the bill sent to the Ministry for settlement.’
The letter was signed by Mr E.O. Marfo, Director (1) of the Ministry. Madam Comfort Bio, the girl’s mother, who has
become a daily visitor to the ‘Times’ office to help her appeal for funds, expressed regret that the hospital staff had refused to
do as the letter requested. Eva is now lying on the hospital bed, just waiting for death to come.
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¢1.25 billion spent monthly on premix fuel subsidy
Government spends 1.25 billion monthly to subsidize premix fuel. What is more worrying to government is the fact certain criminals are taking advantage of the subsidy to smuggle the fuel. This means that the 1.25 billion subsidies go into the pockets of the smugglers.
The chairman of the National Committee on Premix Fuel, Mr Reginald Ayi-Bonte has therefore urged fishermen to use the fuel judiciously for the growth of the economy. He said that the amount, which could have been used for development projects, would be waste if premix fuel meant for fishermen were diverted and smuggled.
Speaking at the inauguration of a five-member Volta Regional Committee on Premix Fuel at Ho, he said that while a gallon of petrol was sold at ex-pump price of ¢10,500 premix, formulated only for two stroke engines, sold at ¢7,552.
Mr Ayi-Bonte said the Axim area of the Western Region depots for the product, which had 10 parts petrol and one part marine gas oil, were moved about 18 kilometres from the border to avoid smuggling. He called on the Volta Regional; Committee to explore the possibility of collaborating with authorities in Togo to thwart activities of smugglers.
Mr Ayi-Bonte said since both fishermen and operators of lake transport use the product the national committee had given the latitude to the regional committee to plan opts operations to ensure fairness.
Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, who is the chairman of the committee, said that efforts would be made to tackle problems associated with the sale of premix fuel in the region so that the objectives of government could be achieved.
Present at the inauguration include Mr Victor Okuley-Nortey, MP for Ablekumah Central and member of the National Committee and Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Deputy Volta Regional Minister.
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