NDC says publication of ESB is sinister
Govt's decision to
repeal Criminal Libel Law commendable - Ayeboafoh
Reconciliation may be difficult if .. - Adjaho
President Kufuor pays three-day visit to Kumasi
Kufuor pays homage to Ga chiefs
Asantehene commended for intervening on inland port dispute
GaDangbe Council demands compensation for Ga
lands
British Minister to
visit Ghana
Only one weapon returned to police at Wa
We'll improve capabilities of security services: Kufuor
It's unacceptable for Ghana to import food – Kufuor
NDC says publication of ESB is sinister
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February 2001
NDC members of parliament said the publication of the End of Service Benefits (ESB) to out-gone members of government officials was done with a sinister motive to run the party down.
Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader and Mr Doe Adzaho, Minority Chief Whip said payment of ESB was a constitutional right and if the public found it repulsive "then they should call for amendment of that portion of the constitution that provides for it."
They said Article 71 that deals with retiring benefits of former state functionaries states, "the salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities available to the President, the Vice President, the Chairman and other members of the Council of State; Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, being expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund shall be determined by Parliament on the recommendations of the Committee referred to Clause (1) in this Article" Clause 1 lists all those who qualify to benefit from the constitutional provision.
Interacting with the parliamentary press corps at a soiree organised by the minority, the MPs said the publication was done with the blessing of the NPP government to make those who took their rightful entitlements appear as if they were callous, greedy and looted the state coffers.
Mr Adzaho said this was far from it and that the Committee of Whole (Parliament) had met and taken decisions on ESB for various categories of public and civil servants, including MPs, the Judiciary and the Executive.
He said the Accountant-General's Department approved the payment done on the calculations prescribed by the Constitution.
He said workers of State Owned Enterprises were paid ESB in 1992 when the PNDC cancelled it on the basis of those organisations which could generate sufficient incomes could continue to pay their workers.
"It was not the NDC that cancelled workers ESB. Workers who were covered with bargaining collective agreements were paid ESB in 1992, which was used as a cut off period" he explained.
Mr Adzaho said it was almost the same cut-off period that the 1992 Constitution was being drafted and which has restored those benefits.
As to whether any worker has ever benefited from that constitutional provision Mr Adzaho said, former members of government, PP, PNP and some of their spouses and former members of parliament including the NPP and NDC were paid Ex-Gratia awards.
"Even as far back as 1969 the NLC regime paid Ex-Gratia awards to its members before handing over to Dr Abrefa Busia'. he said
Mr Adzaho said: "If my memory serves me right, I remember Mrs Akufo-Addo, the mother of Nana Akufo-Addo, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was paid together with other spouses of former Presidents.
Mr Bagbin said the ESB issue was also part of decisions taken by the joint transitional team that saw the transfer of power from the out-going NDC government and the incoming administration of the NPP.
He said the ESB issue was being politicised by Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs to divert public attention from the real issues at hand.
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Govt's decision
to repeal Criminal Libel Law commendable - Ayeboafoh
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February
2001
Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, Executive
Secretary of National Media Commission, on Thursday said the government's
decision to repeal the Criminal Libel Law is commendable and hoped that this
would not lead to the anarchy and dictatorship of the media.
"This is a demonstration of
the government's ability to reconcile its campaign promise with deeds and the
fulfillment of aspirations of the large populace," he said.
Mr. Ayeboafoh was reacting to President
John Agyekum Kufuor's maiden Sessional Address to Parliament with particular
reference to his statement that the government would repeal the controversial
law.
President Kufuor said repealing
laws that criminalise speech and expression would expand the boundaries of
freedom of expression. "The Criminal Libel Law would be repealed as a mark
of confidence in a responsible media," he said.
Mr. Ayeboafoh stressed that the
media's desire for the repeal of the law should not be misconstrued as a call
for irresponsible journalism.
He said the repeal of the law
would place added responsibility and discipline on the media for healthy
development of journalism.
Mr. Ayeboafoh said the media
should not be controlled or checked by outsiders adding that their own internal
operations and practices should be enough measures to ensure healthy practice.
He noted that the constitutional
provision on the right of the media is not limited to Article 162, pointing out
that there is also freedom of expression in Article 33 (5).
Article 33 (5) says: "The
rights, duties, declaration and guarantees relating to the fundamental human
rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this chapter shall not be
regarded as excluding others not specifically mentioned which are considered to
be inherent in a democracy and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of
man."
Mr. Ayeboafoh said other arms of
government - the executive, legislature and judiciary - enjoy immunity under
the constitution yet are not perceived as irresponsible.
The Executive Secretary dismissed
the contention of some people that the media, which is the Fourth Estate, might
abuse such a legal protection.
Miss Yaa Oforiwah Acquah, National
Treasurer of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), told the GNA that the repeal
of the law is long over due and the government's intention to scrap it from the
statute books is heart warming.
She said this would enable the
media to discharge its duties without fear or favour and invariably ensure the
development of the country.
Miss Acquah advised journalists
not to take advantage of the repeal of the law to trample on the rights of
individuals and public officials in the name of freedom of the press.
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Reconciliation may be difficult if -
Adjaho
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February 2001
Mr. Doe Adjaho, minority chief whip, on Thursday said reconciliation, which the country needs at this time of political power shuffling through the ballot box, may be scuttled if the government resorts to witch-hunting to settle scores with the opposition.
Speaking to the GNA after President Kufuor's maiden sessional address to Parliament, the minority chief whip said it was out of place for the president to say in the same speech that he would punish those who erred when he was not in office and at the same time propagate reconciliation.
He intimated that he, as the minority leader and as any other well meaning Ghanaian, would not condone any criminal acts and would expect the police to act if any crime is committed in any sphere of national life.
Mr. Adjaho said reconciliation should not be seen as a two-way issue between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDC) but it must transcend all strata of political cleaves from the first republic to date.
Touching on health, he said President Kufuor should have told Ghanaians how the premium on the proposed insurance scheme, which would replace the cash and carry system, would be paid by the ordinary man.
Mr Adjaho deplored the president's silence on the mining sector, which is the wheel and oil of the national economy.
On the deplorable condition of the Castle and Flagstaff House, which the president said were not fit to accommodate him, the minority chief whip said President Kufuor should have congratulated former president Rawlings for working so hard from such an environment.
Mr Adjaho, however, praised the president for promising to strengthen the legislature, which in his estimation will help solidify the foundation of democracy and make it flourish.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 16 - 02 - 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor and Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama will begin a three-day official visit to Kumasi on Friday, February 16, 2001.
A release from the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (ARCC) signed by Mr Joe D. Issachar, Regional Co-ordinating Director, in Kumasi on Thursday, said President Kufuor and his entourage will pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
They will join the Muslim Community at the Central Mosque for Friday prayers, inspect the Kejetia re-development project after a ride through the principal streets of Kumasi.
President Kufuor and Alhaji Mahama will also attend a durbar at Apagyafiem, the Royal Household of President Kufuor, on Saturday.
The release said a reception will be held in his honour at the residency in the evening of Saturday before he attends a church service at the Saint Peter's Cathedral on Sunday in the morning, and attend an Akwasidae festival at the Manhyia Palace in the afternoon.
It said President Kufuor will inspect a guard of honour at the residency before he departs to Accra in the evening.
The release said President Kufuor and his entourage will arrive in Kumasi by road, and urged residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its peri-urban communities to come out in their numbers to give him a rousing welcome for his maiden visit to the region after his assumption of office on January 7.
It said Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, will arrive in the region on Thursday and pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene after which he will address a rally at Abbey Park.
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Kufuor pays homage to Ga chiefs
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday assured Chiefs in GaDangbe area that government will find solution to their age-long unresolved land problems.
He said the government's doors are open to the Ga Traditional Council and other recognised groups in the region to submit proposals towards the resolution of such problems and other pertinent issues.
President Kufuor said this when he called on chiefs of the Ga Traditional Area at the Ga Mantse's palace to interact with them and also thank the people for their support in last December's general election.
"I came to thank you for your support that has converted my party from opposition status to government," Mr Kufuor told them and the mammoth gathering that included hundreds of New Patriotic Party (NPP) activists.
In the President's entourage were Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing, Nii Armah Ashitey Minister of State for Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister.
Leading members of the NPP including National Chairman Samuel Odoi-Sykes and Vice-Chairperson Ama Busia were also present.
President Kufuor said his government will give the Metropolitan Authority a special consideration in the allocation of resources to enable it cope with the degradation caused to the metropolis as a result of human influx into the city.
He appealed to the people to be ready to make sacrifices in order to revive the ailing economy, adding, "we've come into government at a fairly difficult time."
He asked the people to be ready to pay a commercial price for fuel to make up for the loss suffered by the refinery over the years.
Nii Adote Obuor, Sempe Mantse and Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, asked the government to look into the misuse of GaDangme lands, urging for the repeal of some land laws where necessary, to ensure a more equitable use of property.
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Asantehene
commended for intervening on inland port dispute
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 16
February 2001
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene,
was on Wednesday commended for moving in swiftly to seek amicable resolution of
the impasse between the Apradehemaa and the Ghana Shippers Council over the
acquisition of land for the establishment of the Inland Port at Fumesua near
Kumasi.
Mr Samuel Ferguson Laing, Ashanti
Regional Representative of the Ghana Shippers Council, who made the
commendation, acknowledged that the intervention of the Asantehene has brought
relief to the council since that will bring about a permanent solution to the
fracas and consequently pave the way for uninterrupted development of the port.
Mr Laing who was briefing the
Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on measures instituted to resolve the dispute over
the lands acquired for the construction of the Inland Port and the extent of
works already carried out at the site.
He said the dispute had put the
completion of the project far behind schedule but he is optimistic that once
the Asantehene has intervened, the matter would be settled in good time to
enable work re-commence.
Mr Laing recalled that just as the
inland port site was cleared early in 1999, fenced and physical work was about
to start, a legal action was instituted at a Kumasi High Court by the
Apradehemaa which brought the entire project to a standstill.
"Fortunately however, in June
1999, the Asantehene facilitated the withdrawal of the case from the court in
line with his traditional land policy for amicable settlement at his
palace", he added.
Mr Laing said the Asantehene's
intervention practically demonstrates his determination to open up the region
and help create job opportunities for the youth.
He assured all developers who will
be affected by the establishment of the inland port that the council would
ensure that the appropriate compensation is paid them without any delays.
Mr Laing therefore appealed to
them and all stakeholders to sacrifice a little more for the creation of the
port since apart from generating revenue to the nation, it will also help boost
existing businesses, create new ones and open up more employment avenues for
Ghanaians.
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GaDangbe Council demands compensation for
Ga lands
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February 2001
The GaDangbe Council on Wednesday said not a pesewa of the annual rent ordered by the High Court in 1956 to be paid to Tema, Kpone and Nungua Stools for the acquisition of their land for the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) has been paid.
The Council also said currently 1,104 cedis annuity is paid for the acquisition of land for the building of the Tema Port and objected to the demarcation of portions of the 125 years leased lands by the TDC as "Serviced Plots" for sale, saying that was not part of the agreement for the transfer of the lands.
At a meeting to introduce a booklet titled "Burning Issues on GaDangbe Lands", the council stressed that all lands acquired compulsorily "in the public interest" and have now been misapplied and given to private entrepreneurs should be restored to their original custodians.
It also said the past 32 years, nothing has been paid as the yearly peppercorn rent per one house for the land granted to the State Housing Corporation by the Government to construct the Teshie-Nungua Estates because the peppercorn rent has not been determined.
The council has therefore asked for an immediate payment of all moneys which should have been paid annually for lands acquired for stated "public purposes" as well as subsequent ones to be paid regularly.
The 20-page booklet, prepared after a two- year period of investigation of land issues in the GaDangbe state makes an 18-point demand for compensation, and a halt of the sale of further lands.
"All lands advertised for sale with the Lands Commission acting as Landlord and which have been purchased should be declared null and void. Such transactions should be reversed and all on-going sale should halt immediately. GaDangbe lands are not saleable", the council declared. There must also be a review of clauses that determine compensation for lands.
Mr Bright Akwetey, a legal practitioner and a council member gave an overview of the legal basis of the demands and called for the repeal of the Protection of Purchasers Act, Act 2 which guarantees that anybody who develops a building to lintel level in Accra and its environs becomes an automatic owner of the plot on which the building stands.
Mr Akwetey mentioned some of the areas which were hitherto acquired for public purposes or in the interest of the state, but have now been re-allocated to private companies and individuals for commercial purposes as Star Hotel, Labadi Beach Hotel, Airport, Airport City and the Government Bungalows on 4th and 5th Circular Roads in Cantonments, the Ridge Area Bungalows, expired leases in Accra Central, Osu, Roman Ridge, Airport, Ringway Independence Avenue and Accra Railway Station.
He argued that the application of the law to only Accra and its environs is discriminatory, obnoxious and repugnant to good conscience.
Mr Akwetey therefore called for the repeal of the law and the adoption of a new one that would make it clear that building on someone's land does not give title of the land to the person trespassing.
He also called for the repeal of the Ada Songhor Lagoon Law, PNDC Law 287 which vested in the Government 41,640 acres of the salt bearing and land area of the Ada Songhor Lagoon, thereby vesting in Government the entire salt winning surface area of the lagoon and adjoining lands.
This, he said led to the formation of the Salt Development Task Force to take over the mining of salt in the acquired area and a further formation of a company called Ada Songhor Salts Limited.
Out of a total sale of 305 billion cedis from salt from the Songhor Lagoon under the control of the National Task Force/Ada Songhor Salts Limited, it was said that the expected royalties have not been paid to the people of Ada, thus making them not to benefit in any way from the exploitation of their natural resources.
Mr Akwetey further called for the review of the Lands Administration Act 1962 (123) and the State Lands Act 1962 (Act 125) and the Mining Act 1986 (PNDC Law 153).
Mr Kwaku B. Asante, a retired diplomat and Chairman of the council urged sons and daughters of GaDangbe to be united and solve all chieftaincy disputes so that tenants on Ghana lands would not use the disputes as a cover up to evade the payment of compensation and royalties.
Other speakers at the meeting were Professor Jerome S Djangmah, former Director General of Education, and Mr Atukwei Okai, Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 February
2001
The British Secretary of State for
International Development, Mr Clare Short, will pay a four-day visit to Ghana
from February 19 to 22.
A statement issued in Accra on
Thursday said he ill review with the government current macro-economic and
social issues, discuss links between planning for poverty eradication and its
impact and assess how the United Kingdom could help.
The statement said Mr Short hopes
to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor and ministers.
Mr. Short last visited Ghana in
1998.
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Only one weapon returned to police at Wa
Wa (Upper West) 16 February 2001
Only a former minister of state has so far surrendered an AK 47 rifle with 19 rounds of ammunition to Wa Police since the nation-wide exercise to retrieve all illegally acquired weapons began nearly two weeks ago.
A statement issued by the Upper West Regional Police Command at Wa on Thursday reminded the public that the ultimatum for the return of the weapons ends on Monday, February 19.
After that date, the police would conduct a house-to-house search to retrieve all unlicensed weapons from their owners and prosecute them for illegal possession.
The statement, signed by Inspector Daniel Dorkpoh, Regional Police Public Relations Officer, said the police believed that there were such weapons in the hands of unauthorised persons.
They should therefore take advantage of the ultimatum and comply with the directive in their own interest.
The regional police command also appealed to anyone with information on illegal firearms or location of any secret armoury to volunteer information to the police for a handsome reward.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 16 February 2001
The Asafo-Abrotia branch of the Young Elephant Movement (YEM), a youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been inaugurated in Kumasi with a call on the youth to engage in viable productive ventures to earn decent living.
Alhaji Kwasi Yeboah, National Chairman of the movement, who made the call, said the NPP government recognises the selfless effort by the youth to wrestle political power from the NDC and will create more job opportunities to absorb the numerous unemployed youth.
Alhaji Yeboah urged the youth not to hide behind the movement to undermine other structures of the party but evolve mechanisms and strategies to win the confidence of the youth in other political parties to build a prosperous and peaceful country.
Nana Nsiah Awuah, assemblyman for Dadiesoaba and NPP Vice-Chairman of the area, advised party functionaries not to allow petty squabbles, selfishness, rumour-mongering and monetary gains to divide them but to uphold the aims and objectives of the movement.
"Ghanaians are keenly watching the trust and responsibility entrusted to the NPP to resuscitate the shattered economy and you are therefore expected to initiate programmes to complement the efforts of the government to build a vibrant and prosperous economy for the future generation".
Mr Sampson Adjei Sarfoh, branch chairman of the movement, said with the startling revelation of economic and financial mismanagement and corruption by the NDC government, Ghanaians should exercise patience and allow the NPP government to plan and initiate pragmatic policies to revive the economy.
Other members of the executive include Mr Justice Kusi-Boateng, Vice-chairman, Miss Abena Konadu, Secretary, Mr Isaac Awuah, Treasurer and Mr Ernest Osei Darko, Organiser.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on
Thursday presented his maiden state-of-the-nation address, saying he would
establish a National Reconciliation Committee, promulgate a code of conduct for
government officials, promote the rule of law and usher in a Golden Age of
Business.
President Kufuor also called for
joint efforts to mend the ailing economy, reinforce democracy for justice and
reduce crime.
"My government will support
the continued modernisation of the process of administration of justice,
enabling the judiciary to be fearless and independent," he said.
"This is the anchor of the Rule of Law," he said, in the nation-wide
televised address to parliament.
In attendance were Vice President
Aliu Mahama and other top members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP),
opposition parties, diplomats as well as veteran politicians who intermittently
applauded the speech.
Mr Kufuor painted a bleak picture
of the economy and said hard decisions will have to be taken to put it back in
track.
"Mismanagement, mass
unemployment, low wages, high cost of living, rapidly depreciating currency, a
colossal national debt, high dependency on foreign aid as well as declining
educational and health opportunities, extensive corruption in public life, a
cowed and demoralised private sector, hopelessness and despair."
He said provisional figures
indicate that the growth of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for year 2000 was
3.7 per cent, far lower than the projected five per cent in last year's budget.
The country's total debt stock
stood at 41.1 trillion cedis at the end of December 2000. Out of this amount,
31.7 trillion, or 5.8 billion dollars, was external and 9.4 trillion cedis or,
1.7 billion dollars, was domestic.
He said government would issue a
definitive policy statement regarding the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
debt relief initiative. The policy, he said, will be guided by the best
interest of Ghana.
President Kufuor said pricing of petroleum products poses a major economic problem that must be urgently addressed.
He blamed the previous government for not dealing with the problem because of political reasons.
"The options open to us are either to continue as we have been doing and the country grinds to a complete halt, or we bite the bullet and charge realistic prices for petroleum products."
He said government would take the appropriate action to move towards full cost recovery and implement a plan to reduce the debt stock of the Tema Oil Refinery.
President Kufuor said his government intends to restore the urban bus and other mass transportation systems in order to mitigate the impact of rising petroleum prices on family budgets.
He restated that his team would aggressively set out to tackle the huge budget deficit with the aim of balancing the budget by the end of its first term in office.
"My government believes that the private sector must be the engine of growth of the national economy," he said.
He added that it is in the pursuit of this goal that he appointed a minister specifically for private sector development whose duty is to remove bureaucratic obstacles to entrepreneurship and free enterprise.
President Kufuor said small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs would be encouraged with government guaranteed credits to help them.
He reiterated his commitment to transparent policies and creation of the necessary framework for the protection of property and business contracts.
President Kufuor said government would review and broaden the coverage of the Investment Promotion Act saying the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre would become a one-stop agency for both local and foreign investors.
He said his government would work hard to improve on food production and make Ghana a leading agro-based industrial country in Africa by 2010.
President Kufuor said he is committed to national unity and explained that the reconciliation committee is to provide a forum to aggrieved persons to air their grievances in order to promote the goal of national reconciliation.
He said he would accelerate the process of restoring confiscated assets to their owners.
"It is time to bring this whole sorry chapter of confiscation to an end," he stated, adding that he has instructed the Attorney General to put before Cabinet guidelines for the rapid de-confiscation of assets.
President Kufuor said while the country needs to move forward as a united people, "it does not mean that we should forget about the many abuses that have taken place and we should not give the impression that we endorse a culture of impunity.
"Those who have been wronged need to be acknowledged and where it is beyond the human capability that those wrongs can be reversed as in the loss of dear ones, for example, the least we can do is to publicly apologise and help in whatever way we can, with their rehabilitation."
President Kufuor said the success or failure of his administration depends on the people believing that their government is fair and behaves in an even-handed manner.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor said
on Thursday that the Criminal Libel Law will be repealed as a mark of
confidence in a responsible media.
"Set free, I have no doubt
our media will play their honourable role with a heightened sense of
responsibility," he said in his maiden state of the nation address to
Parliament.
"We shall expand the
boundaries of freedom of speech by repealing that law which criminalises speech
and expression," he said.
The Ghana Journalists Association
has fought for several years for the repeal of the law, which, it said, is
outmoded. Several journalists had been jailed under the previous government.
President Kufuor said his
government does not expect that Ghanaians would suddenly be transformed into
saints, and there would still be miscreants in the country.
He said the police, who are
charged with upholding law and order, would be strengthened to protect the
ordinary citizen and bring wrongdoers to book.
The president said already, the
police have stepped up their patrols in the cities, bringing crime and armed
robberies under greater control.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on
Thursday reiterated the government's determination to improve the capabilities
of the security services.
He said: "Our goal is to
build security services that are professional, well-trained, well equipped,
politically neutral and capable of protecting citizens of a free society and above
all, loyal to the state."
The President, who said this in
his maiden Sessional Address to Parliament, said the rehabilitation of barracks
of the Armed Forces would receive urgent attention.
He said barracks of the security
services have been neglected over a long period and assured them that work on
the project would start this year.
On the Police Service, President
Kufuor said it would be strengthened and equipped to enable police officers to
discharge their responsibilities and protect the ordinary citizen.
He said, "already the Police
have stepped up their patrols in our cities, bringing crime and armed robberies
under great control."
The President said the numbers of
the Police Service have dropped to a "dangerous level" and their
training has also not been equal to the needs of a democratic country.
He said the government would
empower the service to meet modern trend in policing a free state.
President Kufuor gave the
assurance that the government would not hesitate to seek foreign assistance for
problems that seem to be beyond the immediate capabilities of the service.
On the killings of women, the
President assured the nation that the government is seeking foreign assistance
to unmask the "authors of the dastardly serial killings that have plagued
our womenfolk these last few years."
"Nothing will be spared to
bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said it is unacceptable for Ghana to spend massive foreign exchange to import food and promised to reverse the trend.
In his maiden Sessional Address to Parliament, President Kufuor said Ghana could produce sufficient food to even export to less endowed countries instead of importing what it can grow from countries in the desert. "We shall grow what we eat, eat what we can grow..."
President Kufuor said the ultimate objective is that Ghana becomes a leading agro-based industrial country in Africa by the year 2010.
"We shall start laying the foundations from this year by increasing production of our staples, like rice, maize, roots and tubers."
The President said obstacles arising from inappropriate land tenure in some areas and poor land utilisation policies have bedevilled investment in both agriculture and industrial production.
The government, he said, would embark on the reform of land laws and administration, to make it easier for would-be entrepreneurs to acquire land for their businesses.
"This necessary reform of our land laws will be sensitive to the rights of local communities and traditional authorities," he added.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday announced that he would visit Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria soon to strengthen good neighbourly relations.
"We consider it imperative that we have the most peaceful and harmonious relations with our neighbours," he said, in his maiden Sessional address to parliament.
President Kufuor said Ghana would pursue a foreign policy aimed at restoring the dignity of the African people.
"Our sub-region is still in turmoil, our continent racked by interminable disputes and many of our peoples reduced to abject poverty," he said.
Ghana, he said, would make alliance with those who share in "our beliefs in democratic freedom" and will support those who aspire to achieve these goals.
The president assured Ghanaians that the country would continue with its membership of ECOWAS, OAU, UN and other continental and international organisations and strive to infuse humanity in all the country's international dealings.
President Kufuor said: "We should all be embarrassed that our continent still produces so many refugees and is the theatre of many wars."
The peaceful elections and the transfer of power in Ghana, he said, are causes for hope and place a particular responsibility on the people to make sure they hold on to the stability that the country has.
He warned against disturbing the peace that the country now enjoys saying "we shall not let them kill our dream."
The President said to keep this dream alive, the government proposes to extend and strengthen democratic institutions at the local level.
"We aim to make District Chief Executives truly accountable to the district electorate and also deepen the decentralisation process," he said.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 Feb. 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor said
on Thursday that his government will ensure that the presidency of Ghana is
properly housed as the hub of good governance.
He said the Castle that has served
over the years as the seat of government "is in a state of gloomy
disrepair."
"The President has no
official residence and there are no offices for the presidency," President
Kufuor said when he delivered his maiden Sessional Address to Parliament.
President Kufuor said the
Flagstaff House, home of the first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has been
abandoned to rats and looks like the ruins of a bygone era.
He said lack of a befitting
presidency in an era of executive presidential government is ironic, adding
that Ghana deserves better.
President Kufuor said government
would finish the refurbishment of the State House tower block, called Job 600,
to enable it to serve its purpose as offices for parliamentarians and
supporting staff.
He said the edifice, as it stands
presently, remains an eyesore and a disgrace to all. President Kufuor said the
World Bank provided 25 million dollars to support the completion of the project
but part of the money was misapplied drawing back progress of work.
"The honourable members,
therefore, continue to be deprived of offices and support services required to
make them effective."
President Kufuor repeated that
good governance requires the reinforcement of the institution of the
Presidency, the independence and effectiveness of the Judiciary and enlarging
the capacity of Parliament.
In line with this, the President
said, his government would support the continued mordenisation of the process
of administration of justice, enabling the judiciary to be fearless and
independent.
Properly equipping the main organs
of state, he said, is a challenge that must be met in order to defuse tensions
and inspire confidence in the institutions involved.
GRi../
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