Police won't indict
weapon surrenders
AGC Branch Secretary interdiction still stands, until.....
Botsios family
clarifies funeral report.
GaDangmes issue stiff
conditions for land acquisition
Tema clearing agent
vomits stolen import duties
Ministry will bring
parliament closer to grassroots - Baah-Wiredu
Botsio's death, blow
to Nkrumaist revivalist movement – CPP
President Kufuor mourns Botsio
ADB to fund livestock
project in Ghana
Kufuor swears in four more ministers
Co-operate with Women's Ministry-Agyeiwa
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday said Ghana would draw capital from within the sub-region and overseas if it tackles the devaluation characteristics of the currency successfully.
"We need to work on our currency and if we can tackle that problem successfully, we will be drawing capital from within the sub-region and overseas." President Kufuor said in an interview with CNN International's 'Inside Africa' programme in Accra, which covered a wide range of issues including Ghana's legal system, the economy, education and health.
The interview is the first ever since he took office as Ghana's new resident.
On achievements after his term, President Kufuor said "at the end of four years, we'd have introduced sanity into the money unit of government, which is a rare commodity, people haven't seen it within the forty three years of government since independence.
"But at the end of four years we'd have achieved that and we'd have helped to establish the legal system and the judiciary in such a way that people will begin to feel that truly, justice is delivered without fear or favour in this country."
The President said the private sector would be put on course within the same period because his government subscribes to the market economy and believes in the individual initiative.
"We would also put quality back into education...and make health affordable among other things we expect to deliver," he added.
On the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), President Kufuor advocated education as the best way to combat the deadly disease saying: "Education should be the key and of course having access to the new scientific discoveries to spread about and make it affordable to people generally.
"But above all education in the sense that when you succeed in making the people aware that their lives and the future of whole communities is at stake...they will be careful as to how to live because as far as we know, there's as yet no cure for this deadly disease."
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Police won't
indict weapon surrenders
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
The Police Administration Friday
assured the general public that no criminal or other action would be taken
against persons who surrender weapons to the Service or the Ghana Armed Forces
within the specified two-week moratorium period.
A statement signed by Yaw
Adu-Gyimah, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations said the
Police administration re-states its position as contained in the ministerial
directive on February 5, that all personas in possession of unlicensed weapons
to surrender them to the Police or the Armed Forces.
"It is the hope of the Police
Administration that all members of the public will accord the Police and the
Armed Forces, their maximum co-operation to make this all-important national
security exercise a success," the statement said.
The ministerial directive said all
weapons stored in locations outside the strict control of the Ghana Armed
Forces or the Police Service must be turned over to the Armed Forces or the
Police Service to be stored in their authorised armouries.
These are part of measures by
government to tackle and bust the heinous crimes of women killings and armed
robberies in some parts of the country, especially the Accra Metropolis.
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AGC Branch Secretary interdiction still
stands, until.....
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February 2001
The Ghana Mineworkers Union has noted that the interdiction of the Branch Union secretary of Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) Miss Adelaide Borden, still stands, until a committee is formed to deal with the issue.
This was announced during an emergency meeting held at Tarkwa last Thursday to "consider the Obuasi development."
A statement signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Robert K. Cole, advised Miss Borden to co-operate with the Union and appear before the committee that would be set up, in her own interest.
It said the Union Executive Council, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), "has noted with concern the misconception which has arisen due to the interdiction."
The statement said, the Union is, "committed to upholding internal democracy within the tenets of its constitution and will not submit to any form of pressure, intimidation, or threats in the pursuits of its democracy."
The Executive Council, it stated, "is conscious of the importance of industrial peace and harmony and will, therefore, not involve itself in acts that could derail the government's pledge and commitment to create wealth for the good people of this country.
"No individual or group of individuals therefore should play politics with AGC particularly its Obuasi mine through the spread of false and baseless propaganda among the workforce to further their political interest," the statement added.
Other members who have any grievance related to the issue under reference, it said are at liberty to appear before the committee when it starts sitting.
The statement warned members not to engage in any activity that will disrupt production and their fortunes since the issue at hand has nothing to do with management, adding, "the behaviour of some workers not to go to work was unjustifiable and should not be repeated."
It described the sentiments raised by some members of Parliament that sought to create the impression that, the Union is attempting to victimise the Branch Secretary as very unfortunate.
The statement further warned the leadership of the Ashanti Miners Club to be wary about the series of threats they have issued to burn down the Branch Union Office at Obuasi.
It assured the international and local investment communities that their investment in AGC, Obuasi in particular will not be in jeopardy.
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Botsios family
clarifies funeral report.
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
The family of the late Mr Kojo
Botsio has issued a statement to clarify media reports, regarding the visit by
the Botsio family delegation to President J.A. Kufuor on Friday, February 9 to
inform him of his death.
The statement said,
"regrettably, the reports have given the erroneous impression, though
inadvertently, that it was the wish of the late Mr Botsio that he should be buried
in the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and that the Botsio family requested that the
President should permit this.
It said: "we wish to correct
this misleading impression.
We would like to clarify that the
late Mr Kojo Botsio never expressed such a wish. The request to President
Kufuor, by the Apamhene, Nana Effrim, was premised on a request - apparently
made by the late Mr Komla A. Gbedemah to the effect that he and Mr Botsio be
buried in the premises of the Old Polo Grounds, where the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
is situated."
This symbolic location is where
the late Osagyefo made the historic declaration of Ghana's independence on
March 6, 1957, with Mr Gbedemah and Mr Botsio by his side.
The statement said the request to
President Kufuor from the family delegation was that, "if feasible, Mr
Kojo Botsio be buried at the Old Polo Grounds, alongside his colleague and
independence comrade the late Mr Gbedemah, and near their cherished comrade,
the late Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah - and not that he should be buried in the mausoleum
itself, with Osagyefo."
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GaDangmes issue
stiff conditions for land acquisition
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
The GaDangme Council on Sunday
called for the repeal or review of several acts on land in their area saying
their lands are not for sale and measures should be taken to stop such sales.
It noted that the lands of Greater
Accra have been compulsorily acquired for public use and purposes, at times
through discriminatory laws.
At a meeting with GaDangme chiefs
and Parliamentarians, the Council said it wants the immediate repeal of the
Protection of Purchasers Act and the Ada-Songhor Lagoon site for salt industry
act.
A statement issued in Accra said
they also decided at a meeting held at Dodowa on February 8, to demand the
immediate review of the Administration of Lands Act
(1962).
The statement said they were
demanding payment for all monies, which should have been paid annually for
lands acquired for public purposes, but were not honoured.
It said all lands acquired
compulsorily in the public interest but have been misapplied and given to
private entrepreneurs should revert to the owners.
The statement said the GaDangmes
were also calling for "the restitution of all lands on which leases have
expired and for which some authorities have arrogated to themselves the right
to re-allocate to other people or companies without reference to the
owners."
It said rents and unpaid compensation
for the Teshie-Nungua Estate 32 years ago must be paid immediately and the land
reverted to the original owners.
"All lands which were
acquired for industrial areas and public corporations and which have now been
illegally passed on to private companies after divestiture should be given back
to the owners."
The statement said the Tema
Development Corporation should immediately pay to the Tema, Kpone and Nungua
stools rent since 1956.
"The Ada people have
irrevocably taken over the Songhor Salt Project and the government's
entitlement to 10 per cent share of the salt won is guaranteed."
The statement said the further
acquisition of lands in Yilo and Manya Krobo areas should cease forthwith.
It said their research shows that
the nature and extent of acquisition and misuse of GaDangme lands and the
non-use of their language was making the people "an endangered
species"
"These developments are
affecting the development of GaDangmes and making the youth restive."
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Tema clearing
agent vomits stolen import duties
Tema (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
Mr William Wusah, a Tema clearing
agent, who pocketed 35.1 million cedis in import duties belonging to the
Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), has been forced to
"vomit" the amount.
Mr. Wusah's company, Anchor
Clearing and Forwarding Agency, has also been suspended indefinitely by CEPS
pending full investigations into the case.
Mr. Fredua-Agyeman Boakye,
Assistant Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Tema Collection, who disclosed this
to newsmen, said that Miss Margaret An, alias "Lady Jane", imported
assorted commercial goods which attracted customs duties to the tune of 43.1
million cedis.
The importer paid the full amount
and other clearing charges totalling 46 million cedis to Mr. Wusah but because
he wanted to cheat both the CEPS and the importer, he paid only eight million
cedis to CEPS as duties and pocketed the rest of the money.
Mr. Boakye said during the
clearing of the goods, CEPS, which had put in place an effective monitoring
machine, refused to release the goods to Miss An but she protested, saying that
she had paid 46 million cedis to Anchor Clearing and Forwarding Agency.
Based upon this information, CEPS
caused the arrest of Mr. Wusah and took him to his house under armed escort
where he brought out the money.
Mr. Boakye said CEPS has been
trying to avoid personal contacts with importers to reduce overcrowding at the
Customs Long Room but due to such criminal practices by some clearing agents,
most importers insist that they want to pay the duties themselves.
Meanwhile, three customs officers
whose signatures appeared on the clearing documents have been suspended by CEPS
until full investigations are conducted to establish whether or not they
connived with Mr. Wusah to commit the offence.
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Ministry will
bring parliament closer to grassroots - Baah-Wiredu
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister
Local Government and Rural Development, at the weekend said his ministry is to
embark on a programme to bring parliament closer to the people to enhance participatory
democracy.
He said that, under the plan,
district chief executives are to meet their parliamentarians together with top
officials of the ministry once a week on Wednesday in parliament to discuss
issues pertaining to their districts.
Speaking in an interview with the
Ghana News Agency on plans he has for his ministry, the minister said the
programme would enable MPs and the ministry to formulate realistic policies for
the development of the rural areas.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said "when the
meetings become formalised, it will enable the ministry to appraise issues
prevailing in the districts, adding that if a new law is being made, the MPs
will also find it easier in making the right inputs.
He said that, having been MP in
opposition for four years, he knows the difficulties parliamentarians face in
dealing with their constituencies and the ministry, adding: "this must be
reduced. We want the ministry to be close to the parliamentarians as much as
possible".
The Minister said the local
government training schools in Tamale and Madina, near Accra, will be well
equipped to give sufficient training to local government workers to increase
their productivity.
On the District Assemblies Common
Fund, Mr Baah-Wiredu said his claim that the Fund will be increased from its
current five per cent of total national revenue to 7.5 per cent is contained in
the NPP's manifesto.
He said transferring more money to
the districts for development would involve the training of district bureaucrats
to be more efficient in handling such huge national finances.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said it is
seriously considering appointing professionals like engineers, economists and
accountants to the districts as assembly members to help in the developmental exercise.
The Ministry will concentrate on
equipping existing clinics in the rural areas instead of building new ones,
adding that if all roads are motorable, it
would be easier for patients to be rushed to the clinics.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said all existing
roads would also be made roadworthy instead of embarking on the construction of
new ones to make it easy for farmers to transport their foodstuff to the
marketing centres.
He said his visit to the
Asuogyaman, Yilo-Krobo, Manya-Krobo and Dangme districts during the week showed
that the district assemblies were performing creditably and that disturbances
at Asutsuare were brought under control.
He said it was regrettable that
the palace of the Chief, Nene Ablor II, was destroyed, adding "political
opponents are not enemies. We are all concerned about the development of this
country".
Mr Baah-Wiredu said it is the
President who appoints district chief executives and hoped that those
appointments would be made.
He appealed to those willing and
capable of implementing the NPP manifesto to apply for the post, adding that if
some did not get appointed, they could at least get other jobs close to that.
The minister said traditional
authorities and the people should also make inputs in the appointment of
district chief executives.
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Asamankese (Eastern Region) 12
February 2001
Fifty-seven persons were rendered
homeless and property worth several millions of cedis was destroyed when fire
engulfed two semi-detached houses at Asamankese Sabon Zongo on Friday.
Among items destroyed were
television sets, refrigerators, furniture and cash of about 10 million cedis.
When personnel of the Ghana National
Fire Service at Asamankese were called, they complained there was no fire
tender and informed the Regional Fire Office at Koforidua for assistance.
Fire volunteers at Asamankese,
however, helped in bringing the fire under control before personnel of the
Koforidua Fire Service arrived on the scene.
Speaking to the Ghana News agency
(GNA), Mr Baba Amadu Saabiru, one of the victims, said he was outside the house
when he saw smoke coming out of a section of the block.
He said he raised the alarm but
before the volunteers could mobilise buckets of water and sand, the fire had
caused considerable damage.
Mr Saabiru said it took the
volunteers three hours to put off the fire.
Other inmates were said to be out
of home during the outbreak.
The Fire Service is investigating
the cause of the outbreak, while the displaced persons are putting up with
friends and relatives.
Meanwhile, Mr Amoako Larbi,
District co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO),
has visited the scene to assess the extent of damage for possible assistance.
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Botsio's death,
blow to Nkrumaist revivalist movement – CPP
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
The Convention People's Party
(CPP) said on Saturday that the death of Mr Kojo Botsio, a founding member of
the party, is a blow to the Nkrumaist revivalist movement and attempts to
re-introduce prudent social policies of the past.
"His death has robbed the CPP
of a personality who was an embodiment of Nkrumaist ideals," the party
said in a statement in Accra.
It said while the party joins the
bereaved family and the nation to mourn a great son, "it is significant
that comrade Botsio died at a time when all the social and political forces in
Ghana have come to accept that unhindered access to education and health for
all citizens is a pre-condition for accelerated national development."
This, the party said, has
vindicated Mr Botsio and other leaders of the CPP who held the strong belief
that a free and compulsory education and unhindered access to health care are
essential for the advancements in the other fields of science and technology,
agriculture, finance and business.
The party said recalling the role
of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in the fight against de-colonisation, racism and
world peace is incomplete "without reference to the enormous sacrifices
made by Mr Kojo Botsio."
It recalled the efforts of Mr
Botsio and Osagyefo in the United Kingdom in advocating an end to colonial
exploitation and the fight for the emergence of a Pan-African Movement which
was to unite black people everywhere.
"The participation of these
two giants of African politics in the struggle so increased its tempo that the
Gold Coast became partially independent in only three years," the party
said.
Mr Botsio and some radical
elements broke away from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to form the
CPP in 1949 to quicken the pace of national liberation struggle.
He was appointed first as a
Minister of Education in the first cabinet of Dr Nkrumah and helped introduce
the accelerated education development plan and was instrumental in the
establishment of the Ghana Education Trust under which several secondary
schools were built.
As Chairman of the Commission for
Higher Education, Mr Botsio worked for the autonomy status of the University of
Ghana and also the establishment of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology and the University of Cape Coast.
He also served as Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, Agriculture, Trade and
Development, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and
Chairman of the Ghana Football Association.
Mr Botsio carried the fight to
unite the Nkrumaist political family and was instrumental in the signing of the
Unity Accord by the PNC, NCP and PCP, leading to the birth of the Convention
Party of which he was the interim national chairman.
Mr Botsio was until his death
Chairman of the Council of Elders of the CPP.
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President Kufuor mourns Botsio
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said his government would accord distinguished statesmen who died with a befitting funeral in recognition of their services to the nation.
In line with this, President Kufuor declared that Mr Kojo Botsio, an elderly statesman and a founding member of the Convention People's Party (CPP) who died last week would be given a state funeral. "It is the last honour Ghana must do him," he said.
President Kufuor, however, could not immediately grant a request by the family that Mr Botsio should be buried beside the remains of Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the Accra mausoleum.
He told a large delegation of the bereaved relatives, friends and veteran politicians of the CPP tradition that called on him at the State House that he wanted to undertake a wide range of consultations on the request before giving a definite response.
In a tribute, President Kufuor described Mr Botsio, a minister in the first republic, as a "great man who served his country well and never got tired of serving the nation even into his ages".
President Kufuor said Mr Botsio worshiped together with him at the 'Christ the King' Parish adding that even though he did not fall into his political line, they always exchanged whispers.
"He distinguished himself in many streets as a Minister and outstanding statesman.
It is now the responsibility of the state to see him off befittingly." the President declared.
"Any country that does not recognise the value of its sons and elders is not worth sacrificing for". he added.
The delegation, led by Nana Edu-Effrim, Apamhene, was at the Presidency to inform the Government of the death and a proposal that Mr Botsio, one of the pioneers in Ghana's struggle for independence, should be buried on March three at the mausoleum.
Others included Professor George Hagan, presidential candidate for the CPP in last December's elections and Mr Kwesi Armah, a close pal of Botsio and also a founding member of the party.
Mr Armah, who was Ghana's High Commissioner to Britain in the First Republic, said Mr Botsio reached out not only to his party functionaries but a greater segment of society.
The delegation presented customary drinks to the President.
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ADB to fund
livestock project in Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February
2001
A four-member technical delegation
from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Investment centre in Rome and
the African Development Bank (ADB) in Abidjan is in the country at the
invitation of the Government to prepare a project in the livestock sector.
The project is to be funded by the
ADB.
A statement from the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture said the delegation, led by Mrs Esther Kasalu-Coffin of
Ghana Desk (ADB), held discussion with Maj. Courage Quashigah (Rtd.), Minister
of Agriculture on Friday.
The statement said the Minister
emphasised the government's desire for the Mission to focus on the need to
support small-scale livestock farmers in the country to raise productivity.
"It is understood that the
Mission has tentatively committed an amount of 13 million US dollars to support
the project," the statement said.
Other members of the delegation
are Mr Trevor Wilson, Dr Len Reynolds, both consultant, and Ms S Veronica, of
the FAO Investment Centre, Rome.
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Kufuor swears in four more ministers
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said his government faces a difficult challenge of rebuilding the nation and asked his ministers to show that they are equal to the task.
He said he expects the ministers to work hard with humility in achieving the goals.
"You should not let the power and pomp of office overtake you," he said. "A minister means a servant," President Kufuor told four new ministers shortly after swearing them into office.
They are Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, Minister of Transport and Communications, Ms Christine Churcher, Minister of State for primary, secondary and girl-child education, Mrs Cecilia Ladze Bannerman, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment and Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Minister of State for fisheries.
They took the oaths of Allegiance, secrecy and that of a minister of state, pledging to preserve, uphold and defend the constitution.
President Kufuor charged them to take responsibility for their actions.
Mrs Bannerman thanked the President and assured him that they would work hard to bring honour to the government and the country.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 12 February 2001
Mr Emmanuel Quartey Jnr, Chief Executive of Ghana Airways Limited, has resigned, officials of the national carrier said on Friday.
A source told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Mr Quartey cited "personal reasons" for his decision.
"We do not have any internal information on the matter. I have contacted him and asked him reasons for his action, but he has refused to comment on the matter," the source said.
Officials at Ghana Airways are tight-lipped over the matter saying Mr Quartey has three months within which to inform the board of his decision.
"The entire board is not in the country and this would take time to be effected."
GNA made several attempts to contact Mr Quartey without success.
The national carrier has had a high turnover of Chief Executives in the recent past including the contract between Speedwing of the UK and Ghanair five years ago.
Many industry analysts saw the contract as a drain on the national economy and supported its cancellation.
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Co-operate with Women's Ministry-Agyeiwa
Mampong (Ashanti Region) 12 February 2001
The Mampong Constituency Women's Organiser of the NPP, has called on all women to co-operate with the newly created Ministry for Women's Affairs, to enable it tackle the numerous problems they face.
Madam Comfort Agyeiwaa, however said as an infant Ministry the public should not expect much from it yet.
She was addressing an NPP rally, organised by the Mampong constituency to express gratitude to sympartisers of the party, for voting the party into power in the last general elections.
Madam Agyeiwaa advised NPP supporters to unite behind the executives to establish a formidable party.
Mr J.K. Dwomoh, the Constituency Chairman, advised women not to condone criminal activities such as armed robbery.
Rather, they should co-operate with the security agents in arresting suspicious persons to ensure peace and stability.
Mr Dwomoh urged women to sustain their contributions towards the socio-economic and political development of the country.
The Constituency Executive, led by Mr Dwomoh, visited victims of last Sunday's rainstorm at Monpong.
It caused considerable damage to buildings including the house of Mr S.K. Sarfo, Member of Parliament for Mampong, the S.D.A. Primary school block, the Ghana Water Company offices and the offices of the Nasara Club of the NPP.
Mr Dwomoh appealed to Non-Governmental individuals, Organisations (NGOs), philanthropists and organisations to assist the victims.
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