Ashanti: "We appreciate help of government in resolving crisis

Ghana Airways expands Hajj operations to The Gambia

Tema port to get container X-ray scanner

Accra (Greater Accra), 21 February 2000

Ashanti Goldfields Company (Ashanti) said on Friday that it appreciates the support that President Jerry John Rawlings, Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills and the government provided in helping the Company resolve its recent problems.

In a statement issued in Accra, it said the Management of the company has also noted with satisfaction the President's statement on the difficulties.

"Ashanti wishes to place on record its appreciation for the encouragement and support of the President and the government over the years, which assisted in no small measure in Ashanti's phenomenal growth.

The company also welcomes government's willingness to review the status of its "Golden Share" and considers it a most positive development for Ashanti's shareholders."

The statement said Ashanti intends to work strenuously toward the realisation of the full potential of the company for the benefit of the government and people of Ghana and all stakeholders.

President Rawlings said on Thursday, that he welcomed with satisfaction and keen interest the positive developments at Ashanti and changes in the composition of its Board after negotiations between AGC and stakeholders.

A statement issued in Accra said: "as a significant shareholder, the government of Ghana has been very supportive of the company and has played a constructive role in efforts to resolve the problems, which arguably should never have arisen.

"The government sincerely hopes that the calibre of the proposed new Board of Directors will ensure that such problems will indeed not arise again.

"The government in common with other shareholders is keen to see AGC overcome its problems and restore its financial health."

On the issue of the Government's "Golden Shareholding" in AGC, the President assured all shareholders and potential investors that it is a facilitator and not an impediment to the corporate development of AGC.

"Accordingly, the government of Ghana is prepared to give consideration to reviewing the status of the 'Golden Share' at the appropriate time."

The statement said the government will continue to give all the necessary support and assistance to ensure that it survives these difficult times and achieves stability and future prosperity.

Ashanti said on Thursday that an Accra High Court had with immediate effect vacated the order restraining the company from entering into any further financing arrangements.

According to a statement issued in Accra the court also vacated the order compelling the company to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting on March three.

Meanwhile, it said an agreement has been reached to save the company from collapse.

The deal, which was reached after two days of talks in Accra, also resulted in a board shake-up but the Chief Executive Mr Sam Jonah retained his position.

Five directors will lose their positions in addition to the Chief Financial Officer, who resigned earlier.

With the agreement, Ashanti can now gain access to a 100-million-dollar loan to develop its Geita Mine in Tanzania.

GRi

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Accra (Greater Accra), 21 February 2000

Ghana Airways said on Friday that it has expanded its Hajj operations this year to the Gambia as part of its efforts to promote regional integration and co-operation.

Accordingly, two flights for Gambian pilgrims will be operated from the capital, Banjul, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on February 23 and 24.

A statement issued in Accra said these flights will be in addition to the four planned for Ghanaian pilgrims between February 25 and February 29 and a fifth one on March nine.

About 100 pilgrims from Freetown, Sierra Leone will be expected to join the flights from Accra.

Ghana Airways said the total of seven flights is the biggest number of flights for a Hajj operation by the airline in a single year.

The statement said the regional Hajj operations have been programmed for expansion in the future.

It said a special Hajj Task Force established within Ghana Airways has, in conjunction with the Ghana National Hajj Committee, worked to ensure a happy pilgrimage.

Arrangements have also been concluded with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for a comfortable check-in at the Kotoka International Airport.

Specially assembled video programmes for the education of Pilgrims will be shown on board all the flights.

The Airline said the procurement of these contracts is a manifestation of the confidence it enjoys.

It recently signed an agreement with the Liberian government to operate flights between the US and Liberia and vice versa.

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Tema (Greater Accra), 21 February 2000

The Tema Port is to get a container X-ray scanning system in June, as part of measures to eliminate physical examination of goods and to reduce congestion.

The system uses X-ray technology to verify the contents of containers to detect undeclared cargo, especially high valued goods, which are often hidden to avoid duty and other taxes.

Mr Bismark Okutu, Chief Port Engineer said on Friday that a mobile scanner would be provided by the Cotecna Inspection S.A, until a permanent one is installed in December.

The mobile one would then be transferred to the Takoradi Port.

He was speaking on the new Destination Inspection Scheme (DIS), to be introduced in April to facilitate the clearance of goods at the ports.

It was organised by the Ministry of Trade for Customs officers, importers, clearing agents and shipping companies.

Mr Okutu said to complement the X-ray verification system, there would be physical inspection of selected shipments, specifically high risk goods like chemicals, food items and electrical appliances using professional inspection techniques.

The mobile scanner, which is about the size of a mobile crane, would be located on a platform while containers would be placed on a truck and the scanning machine moved over it in a process, which takes five minutes.

He said companies like Maersk Lines, Atlas and Roro-Antrak are preparing sites as bonded areas where containers would be sent to decongest the port.

Mr Samuel K. Denu, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said the government has contracted two companies to inspect imports.

They are the Ghana Standard and Bureau Viratas (GSVB), which would be responsible for imports by air and land and physical examination of high-risk goods and Gateway Services Limited (GSL) for sea imports.

To ensure a smooth change over, all orders covered by Import Declaration Forms (IDFs) submitted to the current designated inspection companies on or before March 31, 2000 would be subjected to pre-shipment inspection if they are shipped before June 30, this year.

Mr Denu said from April one, Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) companies would not accept IDFs from importers and agents. They are to be processed through the Destination Inspection Scheme.

Mrs Comfort Boohene Osafo, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service in charge of Research, Monitoring and Planning, said the CEPS Commissioner's Value would be out soon for the establishment of a Value Data Bank with entries from all over the world to compare values brought by importers.

She explained that transhipment of goods would not be subjected to destination inspection unless the country of final destination requires it.

GRi

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