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
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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