GRi Newsreel Ghana 19 - 02

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, has warned all those who used their political positions to loot the nation's coffers under the former administration that they would be made to account for them.

He stressed that the Kufuor administration would ensure that probity, accountability and transparency in governance would not be "mere slogans but would be implemented to the letter during its tenure of office".

Mr. Owusu Agyeman, who is the MP for New Juaben North, was addressing New Patriotic Party (NPP) victory rallies at Effiduase, Asokore, Oyoko, Akwadum, Jumapo and Suhyen on Saturday.

He thanked the people for voting massively for the party to clinch victory in last December's elections, and pledged government's determination to strive to bring their desire for 'positive change' into reality during its four-year tenure of office.

Mr. Owusu Agyeman assured the people that, in spite of the national debt of 41 trillion cedis inherited by the Kufuor administration, it would pursue its development programme and support all firms and entrepreneurs to improve production without discrimination.

He told the people that, by voting for the NPP, they had removed the "fear mentality" brought about by the NDC administration and replaced it with "genuine freedom and the rule of law", and urged them to pray for and bear with the government to enable it to deliver on its manifesto.

The NPP Constituency Chairman, Nana Agyei Boateng, urged the people to be steadfast in their support for the government while it takes time to provide sustainable solutions to the problems confronting the nation.

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President Kufuor joins in Akwasidae celebrations

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor accompanied by his wife, Theresa, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and some Ministers of State participated in the 'Akwasidae' celebrations of Asanteman at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi at the weekend.

This was to round off his three-day official visit to Kumasi that coincided with Akwasidae, the 40-day celebration on the Akan calendar where libation is poured for the ancestors and mashed yam prepared for the departed in the stool room.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, looked elegant in a rich kente cloth and adorned with gold bracelets on the arms, hands fingers and ankles with a gold-plated native sandals and gold plated headgear to match.

As Asantehene sat in state, all the paramount chiefs present paid homage to him and after President Kufuor and his entourage arrived, they exchanged greetings with Asantehene and the chiefs and Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.

Asantehene presented 'Adae' drinks of six bottles of schnapps, two bottles whisky to them while Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister on behalf of the government, presented a sheep, a carton of aromatic schnapps and two bottles each of gin and whisky.

Addressing the gathering, President Kufuor, overwhelmed by the scene, said the government should adopt the traditional setting in the administration of democracy.

He said in the past, chiefs used the power vested in them to develop before the arrival of the colonial masters, therefore the knowledge and advice of chiefs should be used as the resource base to put the country on a sound footing.

President Kufuor said the task ahead is enormous and the government and cabinet alone cannot solve them.

"This needs the co-operation of all Ghanaians in humility, unity among all ethnic groups but not division."

Nana Aboagye Agyei, Ejisuhene, on behalf of the Asantehene, thanked the government delegation for their participation in the Akwasidae celebrations.

He said now that a new government is in place it needs the co-operation of all and sundry to succeed in socio-economic development.

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Man shoots and kills friend

Tamale (Northern Region) 19 February 2001

Harruna Issahaku, 36, was shot and killed by his friend during the early hours of Sunday near his home at Baayen-waya, a Tamale suburb.

An eyewitness told the GNA that the victim and his friend, whose name was given only as Acheampong, had a misunderstanding on Saturday afternoon at the Tamale Aboabo market.

Acheampong was said to have chased Harruna to his house at mid night and invited him to come out.

The eyewitness said Harruna did not suspect anything, because the two were friends and were usually seen together.

The two were later heard quarrelling outside the house during which Acheampong allegedly shot Harruna in the chest with a locally manufactured pistol and took to his heels.

Acheampong was said to have run to one Alhassan with the pistol to inform him of the incident. Alhassan made a report to police and Acheampong was arrested.

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Nana Akwasi Agyeman escapes lynching at Manhyia

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

Police had to use teargas to disperse a mob that nearly lynched Nana Akwasi Agyeman, former Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, when he decided to force his way into the Manhyia Palace to participate in a durbar to welcome President John Agyekum Kufuor and his entourage to the Kumasi Metropolis on Friday.

Dr Kofi Kesse Manfo, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that Nana Agyemang arrived from his maternal home near the palace and decided to enter the palace through the museum gate.

He said the teeming supporters of the New Patriotic Party at the precincts of the palace prevented him from entering and a struggle ensued, resulting in a damage to the windscreen of his Toyota Landcruiser.

Dr Manfo said police personnel around had to use teargas to disperse the mob as they attacked Nana Agyeman.

He said the police, who went to his rescue, had to whisk him away from the scene to safety, and proceeding continued after calm had been restored.

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Tema Port to accommodate bigger vessels in April

Tema (Greater Accra) 19 February 2001

The on-going dredging works at the Tema Port, which will provide deeper berths to accommodate fully loaded 30,000-tonne dead weight vessels is to be completed in April, this year.

The project is costing 13 million US dollars with 35 per cent of the funding coming from the Dutch ORET Grant, with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) bearing the remaining cost.

Mr. Richard Anamoo, GPHA's Projects Manager, told newsmen during an inspection of works that the dredging, when completed, would minimise the queuing of bigger vessels at the anchorage since the Tema Port will now have two deep berths.

The project, which is being undertaken by Boskalis International, a Dutch dredging Company, is meant to dredge Berths One and Two of the port from the limited 9.5 metres to 11.5 metres.

Mr. Anamoo said the dredging is being carried out from the ocean channel into the harbour basin to provide an access channel of about 125 metres wide and a turning basin of 225 metres radius for ships.

Boskalis, which would dredge a total area of 430,000 cubic metres, has so far dredged 91,000 metres since the project began on February 4, this year.

This includes very hard rock sections of approximately 53,000 square metres in the access channel and turning basin.

The project also intends to reclaim 225,000 cubic metres of the dredge material for use as refill for the proposed quay extension works for the Tema Port.

Mr. Anamoo said that, to increase the stability of the quay, the GPHA is reinforcing the quay with anchor rods.

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Cocoa smuggling on increase in Juabeso-Bia

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

The Juabeso-Bia constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region has expressed disgust at the alarming rate cocoa and fuel are being smuggled to Cote d'Ivoire and called on the government to act swiftly to halt the situation.

Mr Matthew Kofi Ahenkorah, constituency chairman of the party, told the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi last Saturday that, for sometime now, there has been an increase in smuggling activities in the area and cited Osei Kwadwokrom, Yamatwa, Kaase-Nkwanta, Juabeso, Akatiso and Dadieso as areas where this criminal activity is rampant.

Mr Ahenkorah said that, two weeks ago, vigilant members of the youth wing of the party at Bonsu-Nkwanta spotted a vehicle with registration number AS 8490 P loaded with 30 bags of cocoa driving towards the border.

The driver and its occupants who saw the youth bolted and abandoned the vehicle, which was driven to the Bonsu-Nkwanta police station where the cocoa was off-loaded and the vehicle sent to Asawinso police station while police investigations continue on the matter.

He said the NPP youth have formed watch committees in the constituency to check the activities of the smugglers.

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President Kufuor calls for public understanding

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday asked for public understanding and support for tough economic measures to restore hope and confidence in the country's economy.

He said the government would have to "administer the bitter pill" to salvage the economy from its present disturbing state and put it back on the path of real growth.

President Kufuor made the call when he joined a large congregation of worshippers at a thanksgiving mass at the Saint Peter's Catholic Cathedral on the final day of his three-day official visit to Kumasi.

He was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, Mr Yaw Osafo-Marfo, Minister of Finance; Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence; Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Mines, Lands and Forestry; Madam Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism; Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy; and Mr Sampson K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister.

President Kufuor gave the assurance that whatever decisions taken would be done in the best interest of the nation and expressed the hope that, through prayers and God's guidance, the problems facing the country would be surmounted.

The Right Reverend Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Catholic Bishop of Kumasi, who said the mass, noted that all authority comes from God but pointed out that "God establishes authority not for purposes of intimidation and oppression".

He said people in authority should therefore see themselves as "servants of God to serve the common good of the people".

Bishop Sarpong observed that Ghana has many woes and this is known to all except those who want to deceive themselves and for that matter the government would require the support, goodwill, counselling and prayers of all.

"We may be disappointed in our expectations, that is natural, but that should be no reason to turn against the government.

Remember that it is the Lord that has chosen his servant to liberate the people like he chose his son Jesus to liberate mankind from the shackles of sin."

Bishop Sarpong said any motive other than quality of life, peace, security and prosperity of the nation should be forbidden.

He counselled the President never to try to please human beings but to try and help his compatriots by pleasing God.

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Government will ensure completion of projects- Bartels

Assin Fosu (Central Region) 19 February 2001

Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing on Saturday said all on-going projects under his ministry and those abandoned by previous governments would be completed before new contracts are awarded.

"It is a total waste of national resources and deceit of the public for projects to be started only to be left at the mercy of the whether."

Mr. Bartels made the point after inspecting an abandoned community water project at Assin Fosu.

He said while the project is abandoned, government will have to pay the loan for the contract, plus interest.

The project, started in 1972, was abandoned until 1992 when it was re-awarded to Messrs Biwater International Limited under the government's 'Four Towns water Project.'

Export Credit Guarantee Department of the United Kingdom funded the completion of part of the project, which include the Ray water pumping station, transmission pipelines, treatment plant and treated water reservoir of the 500,000 capacity project.

Other projects yet to be completed are the construction of the weir, laying of treated water and distribution pipelines.

Mr. Bartels deplored the attitude of the staff of the Ghana Water Company for "leaving the whole investment to go waste in the bush, after taking over from Biwater in 1998."

The Minister charged Mr Wisdom Bortier, Project Engineer of the GWC to take inventory of the facilities and ensure that any defects are rectified immediately.

Mr Bartels assured the 20 communities in the area that the project would be completed in 2004.

Nana Asare Afful chief of Assin Dawumano expressed the people's gratitude for the Minister's interest in the project.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Environment Science and Technology and MP for the area accompanied Mr Bartels. They also visited a community market at Assin Fosu.

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President Kufuor inspects Kejetia project

Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

Supporters of the NPP mainly the youth virtually stampeded the Kejetia lorry terminal under construction when President John Agyekum Kufuor inspected the project on Saturday as part of his three-day visit to Kumasi.

Shouting "Asseho, Asseho", they attempted to mob the President as the police and other security personnel had a hard time keeping the supporters at bay.

President Kufuor arrived at the project site at about 1445 hours at which time the place had been besieged by a large crowd including officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Department of Urban Roads, assembly members and enthusiastic NPP supporters.

The 7.2 billion cedi World Bank sponsored project is to give the Kejetia terminal a new look to make for easy flow of traffic and decongest the Lorry Park.

The project involves the construction of passenger sheds, offices for the management, a mosque, restaurant and shops.

The first phase of the project which cost 4.3 billion cedis was completed in April last year, while the second phase, which will cost 2.9 billion cedis will be completed in March this year.

According to an official of the Department of Urban Roads, funds are being released regularly and the contractor, Messrs G.K. Appiah and Sons have been asked to employ more workers and increase their working hours for the work to be completed on schedule.

President Kufuor had earlier visited his family house, the "Apagyafiem" at Manhyia to greet the Apagyahene, Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, his nephew.

President Kufuor told the family members and his sympathisers that the task ahead of him and his government is enormous and needs the prayers of all religious groups.

The Apagyahene on behalf of the family welcomed the President home and assured him that they would continue to pray for him to steer the affairs of state.

President Kufuor presented a ram, four bottles of schnapps and one million cedis to the Apagyahene to signify his visit to the family, as tradition demands.

The leader of a delegation representing the late Alhaji Umoru Sunguni, Yeri-Na of Wa, presented a smock to President Kufuor in fulfilment of a promise the Chief made when President Kufuor visited Wa during the campaign.

The Yeri-Na had assured President Kufuor that he would win the presidential elections, however, the chief died before the election was held.

President Kufuor thanked the delegation for the gift.

The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, accompanied him.

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Patient commits suicide at hospital

Koforidua, (Eastern Region) 19 February 2001

Freeman Koranteng, a 23-year-old patient on admission at the Koforidua Central Hospital, was found hanging on a tree at the hospital premises in the early hours of Saturday.

Koranteng, a cocoa farmer at Aowin-Dadieso in the Western Region, was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago with abdominal problems.

The body was found hanging with one end of a net sponge tied around his neck and the other to a branch of the tree behind the hospital's laundry, while his clothes and sandals were lying under the tree.

Mr Kwaku Koranteng, the deceased's father told the Ghana News Agency that on Friday night Freeman asked for some food for breakfast the next day, but when he brought the food he did not find him in the ward.

Mr Koranteng said he and the night duty nurses searched the hospital compound until dawn when they found the body hanging.

Mr Koranteng said Freeman fell ill at Aowin Dadieso and was brought to the Koforidua hospital, where he was admitted on February 5.

Sources close to the hospital told the GNA that Mr Koranteng had written to the Medical Officer in-charge requesting that his son be discharged for herbal treatment.

The sources said the deceased was subsequently discharged on Friday evening and was to leave the following morning when he was found hanging. The police are investigating.

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We will make soldiers proud of their profession --Kufuor

Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday gave an assurance of the government's commitment to enhance professionalism within the Ghana Armed Forces.

He said "we would do everything possible to make our soldiers proud of their profession."

President Kufuor, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed forces, was addressing officers and men of the Fourth Battalion of Infantry, on the second day of his three-day official visit to Kumasi.

He was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Miss

Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State in-charge of Media Relations, Dr Kwaku

Afriyie, Minister of Mines, Lands and Forestry, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister

of Defence and Lieutenant-General Joshua Hamidu (rtd.), National Advisor on Security.

President Kufuor asked the military to continue to be loyal to the state and obey the high command.

The President and his entourage later joined worshippers at the Amakom Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, where he asked the congregation to pray unceasingly to God to lead the country out of its present economic mess that has brought about widespread suffering.

"Let us all pray to God so that under this administration Ghana would enjoy real peace, progress and prosperity."

President Kufuor said it has always been his prayer that he becomes an instrument to serve humanity and expressed thanks to God for answering that prayer.

Pastor Israel Nana Tuffour, President of the South Central Ghana Conference of the SDA, described the President's visit to the church as historic.

He said the church through the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) has been supporting the development of the country and gave the assurance that they would continue with the services.

Pastor Tuffour announced that the church constructed 100 classrooms throughout the country within the last two years and said 30 new ones would be built this year.

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African youths exhorted to break barriers of division.

Ho (Volta Region) 19 February 2001

The African youth have been exhorted to rise above national prejudices and work towards breaking national barriers for a better future for the continent.

Mr Tom Valentine, Associate Director of International Group of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of the United States of America, made the call at the end of the second West African Training Workshop for 20 YMCA representatives from Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Togo at Ho on Friday.

The workshop, which was under the theme: "New choices for a new Africa", was on Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH). The USA based Packard Foundation, YMCA - USA, and the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) of Ghana sponsored it.

Mr Valentine called for regular interaction and communication among the youth in Africa towards forging a long-term Pan-African strategy for the benefit of young people.

He commended the Ghana branch of the YMCA for designing and developing innovative youth programmes.

Mr Valentine expressed optimism about the ability of YMCAs in West Africa to play leading roles in forging closer interactions among young people in the sub-region to address their common problems.

He urged YMCAs to exert positive influences on their governments to increase investments in youth development and improve social conditions to unearth and develop their leadership potentials.

Mr Kwame Gyimah-Akwafo, National Chairman of YMCA-Ghana, pledged the support of the association to youth programmes.

He lamented that youth activities do not elicit the positive support and response from leaders because of their apprehension of their youthful zeal and leadership potentials.

Mr Gyimah-Akwafo urged YMCAs to reach out to the larger society with their adolescent and reproductive health programmes to stem the risks the youth face daily from the threats of HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Gifty Alema-Mensah, Country Director of CEDPA, said adolescent reproductive problems transcend national boundaries and called for co-operation among countries and institutions to address them.

"Young people are the assets of every nation. Bypassing them means bypassing our very survival." Mrs Alema-Mensah pledged CEDPA's collaboration with the YMCAs,

and urged them to do their utmost to make a difference in the lives of the populace.

Dr Elizabeth Kwaku, Hohoe District Director of Health, said adolescents face serious risks from reproductive health problems.

She said ten per cent of pregnancies recorded in the district last year was among teenage girls, which increases their risk of becoming victims of sexually transmitted diseases and other pregnancy related problems.

Dr Kwaku said educational programmes need to be intensified because of the increasing exposure of the youth to HIV/AIDS.

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Chief urges FDB to publish approved herbal drugs

Ekwamase (Central Region), 19 February 2001

The Abontsindomhene of Abeadze Traditional Area, Nana Nketiah Afful, has called on the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) to publish the names of herbal products, which have been registered with it in the newspapers.

Nana Afful said this measure would make the public know which of the products are safe for use in the wake of the proliferation of herbal drugs on the local market.

He was reacting to a publication in the February 15 issue of the 'Daily Graphic' in which the FDB stated that only 31 herbal products out of the lot on the market had been registered.

Nana Afful said the situation is very alarming and poses serious danger to the health of the people, considering the number of such products, which are being sold openly in commercial vehicles, markets and other public places.

He appealed to traditional healers associations in the country to take immediate measures to prevent their members who have not had their products certified and registered from selling them to the public.

Nana Afful urged the media, especially the electronic ones, to ensure that they carry advertisements on only registered herbal products.

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DCEs to be elected

Accra, (Greater Accra) 19 February 2001

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, on Friday reiterated that the government will ultimately ensure that District Chief Executives (DCEs) are elected as enshrined in the manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A statement issued in Accra on Saturday said he made the statement when the British High Commissioner in Ghana, Dr Rod Pullen, called on him at his office.

In the run-up to the December elections, President John Agyekum Kufuor promised to make the position of DCEs an elective one to make them more responsible and accountable to the people and not to a political party.

In fulfilment of his campaign promise, the President has revoked the appointments of DCEs in accordance with Article 243 of the 1992 constitution.

Mr Baah-Wiredu, however, said that the 30 per cent government appointees to the District Assemblies (DAs), which is distributed among the traditional authorities (30 per cent), women (30 per cent) and professional bodies (40 per cent), will continue.

This, he said, is to ensure the DAs do not only reflect a fair representation of all stakeholders in society but also have a good number of experts and professionals on board.

"The NPP will work to strengthen the district assemblies to ensure that the concept of decentralisation becomes a reality," he said.

"The sub-district structures will also be enhanced to make more people

participate in the decentralisation process."

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the ministry would work with all sector ministries to ensure success, adding that the government will do everything possible to actively involve every stakeholder in the decentralisation process.

Mr Baah-Wiredu assured the British High Commissioner that the government would work to eliminate corruption to ensure that the country can get value for money in its transactions on the international market.

Dr. Pullen assured the minister of his government's support saying "we will continue to assist the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the agricultural sector in Ghana".

He noted that many issues were raised by President Kufuor in his sessional address, and said his visit was to discuss how his country could co-operate with the ministry to assist in achieving the set goals of the new government.

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Togolese government acts to stop harassment of travellers

Aflao (Volta Region) 19 February 2001

The Togolese government has ordered its border personnel to stop forthwith all acts of extortion and harassment of travellers along the country's borders.

A government communiqué read on the Togolese National Television and Radio and monitored by the Ghana News Agency at Aflao on Tuesday, February 13, said the reported acts contravened the ECOWAS Charter and protocol on the free movement of goods and people in the West Africa sub-region.

The communique noted that such practices bring government machinery into disrepute and public ridicule and constitutes a drawback to sub-regional efforts towards promoting common understanding among the peoples of the sub-region for peace, economic growth and poverty eradication.

"Those who flout the order risk dismissal, arrest and prosecution and imprisonment," the communiqué said.

It called on travellers to immediately report any acts of extortion and harassment against them.

Following the directive, travellers are now able to go through arrival and departure formalities without being heckled and whipped to force them to pay between 1,000 CFA and 2,000 CFA as inducements to border officials.

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Kufuor urges Ghanaians to accept harsh economic policies

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday appealed to Ghanaians to accept harsh economic policies to be introduced by his government in good faith. This, he said, is the only way the huge debts it has inherited from the erstwhile NDC government could be repaid to resuscitate the country's economy.

President Kufuor was addressing Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace when he began a three-day official visit to Kumasi, which is in appreciation of the massive votes cast for the NPP in both the parliamentary and presidential elections last December, which were won by the party.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, and Mr Alex Kwaku Korankye, MP for Asante-Akim South, met the President by mid-morning at Dadieso, a boundary town between the Eastern and Ashanti Regions.

Schoolchildren with miniature Ghana flags waved as they lined up the street to welcome President Kufuor as he rode in an open Landcruiser and waved to the teeming crowd of party supporters who cheered all the way to Kumasi.

The crowd was so thick that a long convoy, including Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice-President, and some ministers of state and members of the executive council of the party was forced to move at snail pace.

The convoy made whistle stops at Asankare, Juaso Junction, Konongo and Ejisu where President Kufuor and his entourage exchanged greetings with the chiefs and people at a durbar held in his honour.

The crowd from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Junction to Anloga Junction was overwhelming and security personnel had a hectic time controlling them.

At the Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, said chiefs must complement government's efforts at accelerating the socio-economic development of the country.

He said the numerous problems facing the country in education, health, housing, provision of potable water, electricity and employment, especially for the youth, required the collective efforts of all and sundry.

The Asantehene said this called for honesty, patience, truth, unity and co-operation from all Ghanaians. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said for peace to prevail to enable the government

to perform better required a positive change in the attitude of the people, who must also be law-abiding.

He said chiefs have a unique role to ensure that the numerous chieftaincy and land disputes within their jurisdiction are resolved to enable them to make land available to the people to undertake cottage industries and other businesses.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu asked ministers of state to avoid tendencies that would bring the government into disrepute and be more humble and truthful to the people and the government.

"The people are looking up to you and President Kufuor on how best the power given to you could be utilised for their benefit to improve their standard of living."

President Kufuor ended the first day of his visit to Kumasi with a visit to his family house at Apagyafiem.

He will attend a thanksgiving service at the Saint Peter's Catholic Cathedral on Sunday and participate in the Akwasidae festival celebration.

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Kufuor says clearing of Ghana's debt priority

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 February 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor has stated that the government will give greater priority to instituting workable measures to facilitate the clearing of the huge financial debts his

government came to inherit.

He explained that addressing the debt problem is crucial since it is only when the debt burden is drastically reduced that international agencies and the donor community will be poised to fully assist in redeeming the country from its present socio-economic woes.

Mr Kufuor was addressing a durbar of the Muslim and Zongo communities at the forecourt of the Kumasi Central Mosque on Friday as part of his three-day official visit to Kumasi.

The visit was to create avenue for him to thank the Muslim and Zongo communities for the support they gave the NPP during the December elections and to re-assure them of the commitment of his government to bring positive changes to bear on their lives.

President Kufuor admitted that even though the NPP was aware that the country was indebted to the international community, it did not know that the financial debt was that huge until it assumed the reigns of power.

He therefore appealed to Ghanaians to co-operate with the NPP government when it comes out with any measures to address the financial crisis, saying "even though some of them may be harsh, it is only prudent for all and sundry to accept and embrace them for the sake of development".

"The measures, whether harsh or moderate, should not be misconstrued as failure of the government to deliver on its pledges nor should it be interpreted to mean that the government is insensitive to the plight of ordinary Ghanaians," the president stressed. President Kufuor disabused the minds of the people of the notion being peddled in certain circles that the NPP might embark on an exercise to repatriate aliens and Zongo residents back to their home countries.

He called on the people to ignore such speculations since they were mere propaganda to set the Zongo community against the NPP, adding "we are now far advanced with initiatives designed to see all citizens of the West Africa sub-region as one people and no longer as separate people".

Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama urged the Muslim and Zongo communities to be patient with the NPP government and have absolute confidence in its ability to permanently address their social and developmental problems.

In his welcoming address, Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Chiromah, Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, assured the President and his government of the continuous support of the Muslim community but asked him to strive at all times to remember God in all decisions and policies he evolves.

Earlier, Alhaji Mahama had joined the Muslims at the Kumasi Central Mosque in their Friday prayers.

The Islamic clerics later recited the verses of the Holy Koran and supported it with prayers for wisdom for President Kufuor and his NPP government to enable him to steer the country out of its social and economic doldrums into prosperity.

The President was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr S.K. Boafo, and other ministers of state.

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Eight to contest Council of State membership

Ho (Volta Region) 19 February 2001

Eight persons have filed their nominations to contest the Volta Region seat on the Council of State to be held on Tuesday February 27, according to the Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission.

They are Very Reverend Professor Noah Komla Dzobo, former Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church, Ghana, Nana Obrimpong Kanya the second, Bejamsehene in the Kete-Krachi District and Nana Aburam Akpandja the fourth, Paramount Chief of the Buem Traditional Area.

The others are Frederick Collingwood Okyere-Henaku, a retired educationist, Nana Kwaku Boateng the second, Tapahene in the Jasikan district, and Nene Adartey Wletu the fifth, of Kpetoe.

The rest are Nana Ogyeabour Akompi Finam the second Kadjebihene and Togbe Avudzega Soga the first.

Mr Innocent Akoto Deputy Regional Director of the EC told the Ghana News Agency on Thursday that the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State would be elected by a simple majority of a 24 member electoral college comprising two representatives each from the twelve District Assemblies in the region.

GRi…/

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Chamber of Mines meets Environment Minister

Accra (Greater Region) 19 February 2001

District assemblies have been urged to set aside stipulated percentages of royalties from mining concessions for the development of mining areas to avert hostilities with communities.

Professor Dominic B. Fobih, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, made the call on Friday when a six-member delegation from the Chamber of Mines, led by its President, Mr James Kwamena Anaman, called on him in Accra.

He advised mining companies to consider the impact of their activities on the environment saying mining, if not properly managed, has serious consequences of removing resources, which are not renewable.

Prof. Fobih said recent studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that the water quality in a number of mining areas is not up to the standard recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He described water pollution as a very serious environmental threat and said the EPA has written to the companies concerned for them to address the problem.

He promised to follow up the issue and called on the Chamber to take it up as well.

Prof. Fobih noted that the challenge facing the chamber is how to balance the economic benefits from mining with the social and environmental issues associated with them.

He promised to study the relevant document on the payment of one per cent development fee for environmental permit set out in the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652), which has created a conflict between the EPA and the Chamber,

Mr Anaman said export earnings from the mining sector amounted to more that 7 billion dollars in 1999, representing 40 per cent of Ghana's total exports.

He said the chamber has since 1997 embarked on an initiative to enforce environmental standards and promote healthy relations between mining communities and the public.

He outlined a number of issues for the MEST to consider under the "reclamation cost" policy.

Among them are the objectives for reclamation of mining operations, including goals and measurement of achievement, assessment of a full range of options from corporate guarantees of good behaviour and risks and disincentives for mining companies.

GRi…/

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Opposition swears to defend labour laws

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 February 2001

The Opposition on Friday said it would not allowed violations and subversion of the Labour Law of the country with the sole aim of exploiting workers.

In a statement Mr Abraham Kofi Asante, NDC-MP for Amenfi West and Minority spokesman on Mines and Energy drew the attention of the government to the abuse of labour laws at the Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) Limited, Obuasi.

The statement said on January 19, this year, Ashanti Miners Club an association of contract workers petitioned President J.A. Kufuor seeking the redress for several grievances.

It said the workers complained of unlawful termination, payment of half salary to permanent and contract workers and the use of the district labour officer's stamp to endorse the new conditions of services for contract workers by the AGC management without the knowledge of the District Labour Officer.

The statement said Mr Asante had earlier raised an intended strike by the workers in Parliament, but the situation still persists and could degenerate into an industrial action.

"All that the workers are demanding is equal work, equal pay and also for the labour laws of the country to be complied with by the management of AGC-Obuasi," it explained.

It said it has become necessary to once again draw the attention to the plight of workers of AGC-Obuasi the single richest goldmine in the world.

The statement said "we have sworn to defend the constitution of the Republic of Ghana and we will fail in our duty if we do not ensure that prompt action is taken to save our number one foreign exchange earning company to enjoy the industrial harmony it deserves for increased productivity and growth."

GRi…/

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