Elections will be successful - Kanga
Head of Civil Service says staff can attend parade
Parents asked to protect girls from early marriages
Obscenity on television criticised
Two High Commissioners and three ambassadors present credentials
CEPS personnel at airport improve revenue collection
Youth body congratulates gov't, Ghanaians
Fire destroys 270 million cedis worth of seed cotton
Ministry of Mines and Energy acts against poles
Ghana marks seventh anniversary of democracy
"I have been a scapegoat", says suspended ICU Official
Media practitioners asked to promote stability
Economic integration should come via expanded trade-Ambassador
Two factions sign peace agreement
GUNSA congratulates gov't, Ghanaians
Elections will be successful - Kanga
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday said this year's general elections would be transparent and successful.
Mr. David Kanga, Deputy Chairman in-charge of operations, told the GNA that the Commission has drawn up a comprehensive programme that would address the concerns of both the parties and the electorate.
"Way back in 1997, we started preparing for the 2000 elections but since the crucial date is near, we decided to go all out to straighten all rough edges."
Mr Kanga said a revision of the election register would take place in March.
" From May to July, the Commission would replace all thumbprint Voter's Identity Cards with Photo identity cards, followed by a nation wide exhibition of the voter's register which ends in August."
He said the recruitment and training of returning and other part time electoral officers and the nomination of candidates are likely to end in September.
Mr. Kanga said provisional estimates for the revision of the register stands at 15 billion cedis.
On dormant political parties, he said, the Commission has been hesitant to strike out their names from the list "because we are yet to study the new Political Parties' Law and see how we can relate to it properly.
" We have the mandate to strike out the name of any party we think is not active and cannot justify its continuous presence. All parties are supposed to communicate to the Commission by way of submitting income and expenditure returns and playing useful roles in the general electoral process."
He said the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the five minority parties has not communicated any of their concerns to the Commission.
" They are part of the IPAC (Inter-Party Advisory Committee) and I think they have many avenues to transmit their concerns to the Commission."
JAC embarked on a peaceful demonstration in Accra last year to press home their concerns about the economic situation in the country.
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Head of Civil Service says staff can attend parade
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Head of Civil Service on Thursday asked all heads of public institutions to allow their staff to attend the parade marking the seventh anniversary of the Fourth Republic at the Independence Square today, January Seven.
A press statement issued in Accra by Mr. Kofi Sekyiamah, Director, Information Services Department, however, emphasised that the day is not a holiday.
Public servants are, therefore, expected to return to their offices after the parade.
On Saturday, January eight, Moslems in Accra would offer prayers and thanksgiving for the nation at the Independence Square, while similar prayers would be offered throughout the country.
On Wednesday January 12, a parliamentary national forum and photo exhibition would be held at the National Theatre in Accra.
The statement said the climax of the end-of-year activities would be the state opening of Parliament on Thursday January 13.
On Sunday, January 16 there would be a non-denominational Church Service at the Independence Square.
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Social centre for seamen
Tema (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
Seamen, irrespective of their nationality, who call at the Tema port will soon have access to a five million dollar social centre.
The centre, which is to be built in line with demands of the International Transport Federation (ITF), would be sited at the present location of the Mariners Club, which would be demolished to give way for the project to take off.
The Reverend Cadman Sekyi-Appiah, Chaplain of the Seamen's Christian Friend Society (SCFS), announced this at the inauguration of a committee of corporate bodies that would see to the construction of the project.
He said the project followed a visit to Tema in May, last year, by a delegation from the ITF to finalise plans for its implementation.
The centre will have a conference hall, library, offices, chapel, places for indoor and outdoor games, restaurants and a communication centre.
Rev Sekyi-Appiah said the centre is to be ''a safe haven, a home away from home for men and the increasing number of women, who work on ships''.
The facility would also enable foreign seamen to have a feel of the Ghanaian culture and hospitality.
Mr Kofi Asamoah, General Secretary of the Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU) of the Trades Union Congress TUC), asked members of the committee to work hard to ensure the successful execution of the project.
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Parents asked to protect girls from early marriages
Kumasi (Ashanti), 7th January 00
Muslim parents have been urged to avoid giving their teenage daughters out for early marriages.
They should instead, invest in their education to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Umaru Farooq Gado, Unit Committee Chairman of Nima-Adukrom, explained that giving teenage girls out for early marriage jeopardises their future development and impedes their chances of ever becoming assets to their nation or community.
Mr. Gado made the call at the closing ceremony of a Koranic commentary and translation programme held by Muslims at Nima-Adukrom, a suburb of Kumasi to mark the end of the Ramadan, on Wednesday.
He disagreed with the notion that the woman's place is in the kitchen, and that her role should be confined to domestic activities.
He said that perception should give way to a more constructive and productive attribute to the feminine gender.
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Obscenity on television criticised
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Reverend Kwaku Duah, Head of the Youth Department of the Calvary Methodist Church, on Thursday criticised the showing of "obscene materials on the nation's television".
He said it has contributed to the weakening of the country's moral fibre making the youth aliens in their own land and warned that "if this is not checked it will bring disgrace to all".
Churches should provide the needed counselling on moral values so that the youth would be able to choose between the right and the wrong.
Rev Duah urged the church to involve the youth in leadership training programmes to equip them well enough to face the realities and uncertainties of the future.
He asked the church to intensify its evangelism and other outreach programmes as a way of influencing the youth to lead godly lives.
"Ghana is a country which respects culture and traditions but this has been invaded by foreign cultures."
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Two High Commissioners and three ambassadors present credentials
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
Two High Commissioners and three ambassadors on Thursday presented their credentials to President Jerry John Rawlings at the State House, Accra.
The High Commissioners were those of Nigeria and Pakistan. The ambassadors were from China, Austria and Norway.
Receiving the High Commissioners and the Chinese Ambassador, President Rawlings stressed the need for South - South co-operation to increase their chances of success in the global economy.
President Rawlings urged the ambassadors of Austria and Norway to get their private sectors to enter into joint ventures in Ghana and assist in opening up European Union markets to Ghanaian businesses.
The High Commissioners and Ambassadors promised to work to improve relations and economic ties between their countries and Ghana.
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CEPS personnel at airport improve revenue collection
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) at the Arrival Hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) collected 8.5 billion cedis revenue for 1999.
The figure represents an improvement over the 1998 collection of 4.1 billion cedis.
The Chief Collector in charge of the Hall, Mr. James Tchokpa, announced this at an end-of-year and send-off party for over 30 officers transferred from the KIA to the regions.
Mr. Tchokpa thanked the officers for co-operating with him to establish good working relations with their clients and other stakeholders.
He said as a result of the goodwill and government's Gateway Programme, the preventive section of the CEPS has received an additional x-ray machine to facilitate its work.
He commended the staff for their dedication and commitment to work, which enabled them to make a number of arrests including drug traffickers and the interception of prohibited goods entering the county.
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Youth body congratulates gov't, Ghanaians
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA) has congratulated the government and all Ghanaians for sustaining the democratic drive embarked upon in 1992.
In a statement issued on Thursday on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the Fourth Republic, the youth association noted the willingness of the government to sustain democracy, media pluralism, popular participation as well as upholding human rights values.
"We further note the compromising stand of the opposition parties, which indicate their preparedness to uphold our democratic principles and to safeguard the basic tenets of the 1992 constitution".
GUNSA recognised the significant contributions of all stakeholders, and commended the media, religious institutions, the Bench and the Bar, security agencies, Parliament, the academia, students and youth, for the various roles "in getting the nation this far."
The statement urged the opposition parties to continue to use dialogue in all their dealings with the government, and called on all Ghanaians to ensure that all democratic reforms and the general target of Vision 2020 are achieved.
To students and the youth, GUNSA urged them to refrain from negative practices such as drug abuse, armed robbery and sexual promiscuity, bearing in mind that AIDS is real.
On the current price hikes on the market, the statement urged the government to take a critical look at the situation and find a lasting solution to the problem.
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Fire destroys 270 million cedis worth of seed cotton
Tamale (Northern Region), 7th January 00
Fire gutted a warehouse at the Ghana Cotton Company ginnery at Tamale on Wednesday, destroying 340 tonnes (340,000 kilogrammes) of seed cotton estimated at 270 million cedis.
The aluminium roofing of the warehouse was completely destroyed.
Mr Yaw Owusu Adomah, Production Manager, told newsmen on Thursday that the company hopes to recover about 30 per cent of the produce, which might not have been affected by the fire.
He could not tell the cause of the fire, which started during the lunch break, but ruled out a probable electrical fault, "since the shed does not have any electrical wiring."
Mr. Adomah did not accept any speculation of sabotage likely caused by opposers to the company's decision to decentralise its ginnery operations but said an internal inquiry into the incident has been instituted.
He acknowledged that the impasse over the objection raised by the Concerned Citizens Association of Tamale and other groups about the establishment of a bigger ginnery at Bolgatanga, has created undue pressure on the Tamale plant.
This is because the company has not carted any seed cotton to the new 25,000-tonne ginnery as intended, to decongest the much smaller Tamale plant.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Joshua Alabi, has also announced a probe into the fire outbreak.
He said a committee comprising representatives of the Ghana National Fire Service, Police, Air force, Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, is being constituted to find the cause of the fire.
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Ministry of Mines and Energy acts against poles
Accra (Greater Accra), 7th January 00
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has directed the Electricity Company of Ghana to send a wood treatment specialist to examine the quality of electrical poles at the 70 billion cedis housing project site at Dunkonaa, near Weija.
The Company should also take immediate steps to ensure that all the poles at the site without certification from the two wood treatment companies in the country and any other certified companies abroad are removed.
The directives were contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Mr. Simon Abingya, acting Minister, upon the study of a report on the poles by a technical committee of the Ministry.
According to the statement, the measures are meant "to protect life and property and to ensure that standards are strictly maintained."
President Jerry John Rawlings on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of poles erected at the site during the sod-cutting ceremony of the project.
The Ministry further directed that any contractor found to have used sub-standard poles for the project is sanctioned.
"That all these notwithstanding, the Energy Commission should apply the necessary sanctions with respect to standards of performance in accordance with Act 541 of 1997."
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Ghana marks seventh anniversary of democracy
Accra (Greater Accra) 7 Jan. 2000
Ghana on Friday marked the seventh anniversary of her 4th Republic with a colourful parade by the security services and voluntary organisations at the Independence Square.
The parade, which formed part of the national millennium celebrations, saw the security pledging loyalty to the nation.
This year's parade lasted for a shorter time as compared to previous ones, with a reduction in the number of marchers, drawn from the armed forces, police, prisons, customs, immigration, fire, party and voluntary organisations.
Also on parade were the national and army colours as well as military armaments and police riot control equipment under the general command of Col Dan Frimpong.
President Jerry John Rawlings, sporting an immaculate dark suit and his trade mark shades, took the salute as the mass band played martial and patriotic songs.
Sharing the dais with him were, the Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills, Mrs Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Mrs Naadu Mills, Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of Parliament and Chief Justice Isaac Abban.
There were also members of the Council of State, ministers of state and politicians from the ruling and opposition parties as well as military and traditional chiefs.
Just behind the dais, the independence tower was draped in the national and ruling party colours, with 2000 boldly written in gold perched on top of it.
On the forefront of the Square, the statue of the unknown soldier was also draped with white banners bearing the inscription 2000.
As he usually does in recent times, President Rawlings nominated some personnel among the armed forces to light the perpetual flame on his behalf at the cenotaph amid the sounding of the fanfare.
Tradition took its turn with a performance by a cultural group from Cape Coast followed by a drum appellation welcoming the President to the microphones.
The 15-minute address was heralded by a 21-gun salute and a fly-past of three military choppers as the national anthem sounded in the background.
Three air force jets shrieked past as the ceremony drew to a close and this, coupled with the release of balloons into the sky, kept the heads of spectators in the stands tilted upwards for some time.
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Rawlings calls for patriotism
Accra (Greater Accra) 7 Jan 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Friday called for unity in all spheres of national life and said party politics should not be allowed to divide the nation.
"The clarion call to the nation on the dawn of the new millennium is for us to see ourselves first as Ghanaians before we think of ourselves as belonging to political parties."
President Rawlings was addressing a parade by the security services and some voluntary organisations at the Independence Square to mark the seventh anniversary of the Fourth Republic.
The President, who is completing his second term of office as the first President of the Fourth Republic, said too often, some Ghanaians allow political partisanship to get the better part of them.
"Thus, they do not see anything good in what the government or other political groupings do.
"We have to restore our sense of balance and objectivity. We need to rediscover our national sense of purpose and direction in order to achieve our vision to become a middle income country within the next two decades."
President Rawlings said democratic practices are taking root in the country and everywhere people are asserting their rights and privileges.
"But there are others who seek to abuse these rights and privileges in the pursuit of their narrow interests even when such actions threaten national peace and security."
He said it is important that individuals or political groupings refrain from using these freedoms to insult others.
"When we fail to exercise self-discipline, we create an atmosphere of tension and acrimony which needlessly sap our energies rather than focusing these energies on those things that unite us and make us a purposeful and respected nation."
President Rawlings added: "our energies should be directed to productive efforts. Success for any nation does not come on a silver platter. We have to work for it. And we can work for it together".
On this year's presidential and parliamentary elections, President Rawlings said the world would be looking to Ghana "to see if we will continue along the path of democracy and good governance or whether we will slip back into chaos and disorder".
He said the role of the security services in creating a stable and peaceful atmosphere for the orderly campaign and conduct of the elections is very crucial.
"If we cross over smoothly, as I believe we shall, Ghana will truly be bound for prosperity in the coming century.
"We owe it to the next generation to leave them a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation and we cannot do this without reviving our passion for national, political, economic, social, collective and individual justice."
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"I have been a scapegoat", says suspended ICU Official
Tema (Greater Accra) 7 Jan. 2000
Mr E. N. Quaye, former Deputy General Secretary (Operations) of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has reacted to his suspension from office, saying "it is a ploy to cover up mismanagement of the union's funds.
"This is another evidence of the ill motivated attempt to use me as a scapegoat to cover up fraud, criminal conduct and mismanagement of the union's funds.''
Mr Quaye was reacting to a letter signed by Mr Kwame Amoa-Bosompem, National Chairman of the ICU, suspending him (Mr Quaye) from office with effect from December 15, 1999 for an alleged "violation of his oath of office" through newspaper publications attributed to him.
Mr Quaye said the National Chairman and the General Secretary of the Union, Mr Napoleon Kpoh are not competent to preside over a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which suspended him.
He said there was clear evidence of manipulation of the NEC to divert attention from the real problem undermining the aims and aspirations of the ICU.
The former Deputy General Secretary denied the allegations levelled against him and said he has lived up to the aims and aspirations of the union during his four-year tenure of office.
He said he had never under any circumstances divulged any official secrets of the union, betrayed a colleague, show disloyalty or used the union for his selfish interest.
Mr Quaye, however, said his oath of office does not restrain him from answering questions from union members bordering on alleged criminal misconduct which the general membership and the public are already aware.
He said the trade union is a democratic institution and the arbitrariness being displayed by the NEC undermines the noble mission of the working class and compromises the right of workers to demand for fair deal from employers.
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Media practitioners asked to promote stability
Ho (Volta Region) 7 Jan 2000
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta Regional Minister, has called on media practitioners to help sustain the unity and stability of the country during the forthcoming voters registration exercise and electioneering campaign.
He called for positive neutrality from journalists to prevent the polarisation of the society.
Alhaji Iddi was speaking at a reception organised by the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC) for media practitioners at Ho on Thursday.
He said the challenge, therefore, is to "whip up public enthusiasm and participation and ensure that reports are geared towards giving prominence to positive events that unite us as a nation".
Alhaji Iddi commended the level of co-operation between the VRCC and media practitioners as a manifestation of mutual trust.
Mr Geoffrey S.Y. Ayer, Volta Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, on behalf of the practitioners, assured the VRCC of their co-operation.
He appealed to the VRCC to include private media practitioners in its programmes.
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Economic integration should come via expanded trade-Ambassador
Ho (Volta Region) 7 Jan 2000
West African economies can achieve faster and stronger integration through expanded and efficient trade relations than monetary unions.
It is at this level where integration has to begin and where dialogue between neighbours respecting economic integration can begin.
Dr. Peter A. Schweizer, Swiss Ambassador in Ghana, said this at a lecture on "Globalisation and Regional Integration" as part of the Swiss Embassy's Cultural programme at Ho on Thursday, that also featured a photo exhibition.
Dr. Schweizer called for the improvement of infrastructure and efficiency at border crossing points in the sub-region as a confidence building measure among countries in the region.
He observed that actual border trade in Africa was much higher than it is statistically borne out because of inefficient border controls.
Dr. Schweizer discounted the notion that only countries with complementary economies can integrate, saying no two economies are exactly parallel.
He asserted that the adoption of a common currency cannot achieve the goals of economic integration when physical and administrative obstacles hamper the movement of people, goods and services across borders.
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Two factions sign peace agreement
Akim Oda (Eastern Region) 7 JAN. 2000
Representatives of the two families engaged in a chieftaincy dispute over the installation of the new Omanhene of the Akim Kotoku Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso IV, have finally signed a peace agreement at Akim Oda.
This followed peace moves initiated by the Birim South District Security Committee (DISEC), which involved series of meetings between opinion leaders including the youth, from both the Frempong Manso and Attafuah houses.
Obrempong Afum Afronteng IV, the acting President of the Akim Kotoku Traditional Area and Baafuor Okyere Boama I, representing chiefs supporting the Frempong Manso house, signed the agreement on behalf of their factions while Baafuor Tannor Ampah I and Baafuor Kwaku Mensah, signed for the Attafuah house.
Mr Alex Awomeu and Mr Isaac Amoako, representing the youth supporting the Frempong Manso house signed on their behalf while Mr Kojo Nyamekye and Mr Kwabena Frempong signed for the youth supporting the Attafuah house.
They resolved in the agreement to keep peace within the Akim Oda Township and its environs and not to be involved in any disturbances that may occur in the township.
They further resolved that failure to adhere to the peace agreement would amount to breach of trust.
For the first time since the dispute started last year, some chiefs and supporters from both factions sat together sang and embraced each other.
In appreciation of the agreement, the Birim South District Chief Executive, Mr John Effa-Boadi, donated 500,000 cedis towards defraying medical bills of victims of clashes between the two factions.
He appealed to all to forget the past and co-operate for a speedy development of the area.
Mr Effa-Boadi cautioned personalities behind the disputants to change their attitude saying that the law is no respecter of persons.
A chieftaincy dispute erupted in the traditional area last year, when Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso IV was installed as the new Omanhene to replace Okofrobuor Agyeman Attafuah IV.
The Attafuah house which was not happy with this situation filed an injunction at the court to restrain the new Omanhene from ascending the stool but the suit was dismissed on grounds that the court had no jurisdiction to deal with the case, which was sent to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs at Koforidua.
While the case was still pending, there had been series of clashes between the youth and elders from both houses at Akim Oda.
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GUNSA congratulates gov't, Ghanaians
Accra (Greater Accra) 7 Jan. 2000
The Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA) has congratulated the government and Ghanaians for sustaining the democratic drive embarked upon in 1992.
In a statement issued on Thursday on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the Fourth Republic, the youth association noted the willingness of the government to sustain democracy, media pluralism, popular participation as well as upholding human rights values.
Mr Myra Togobo, general secretary and his deputy, Mr Emmanuel Arthur, signed the statement.
They noted the co-operative attitude of the opposition parties, "which indicate their preparedness to uphold our democratic principles and to safeguard the basic tenets of the 1992 constitution".
The GUNSA said it recognised the significant contributions of all stakeholders, and commended the media, religious institutions, the Bench and the Bar, security agencies, Parliament, the academia, students and youth, for the various roles "in getting the nation this far."
The statement urged the opposition parties to continue to use dialogue in all their dealings with the government and called on all Ghanaians to ensure that all democratic reforms and the general target of Vision 2020 are achieved.
The association urged students and the youth to refrain from negative practices such as drug abuse, armed robbery and sexual promiscuity, bearing in mind that AIDS is real.
On the current price hikes on the market, the statement urged the government to take a critical look at the situation and find a lasting solution to it.
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