Govt. says judgement on media appointments is "victory for democracy

Talensi MP dispels rumours about NDC candidates

Farmer killed others injured in rainstorm

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 Jan. 2000

The government said on Friday that it will respect the verdict of the Supreme Court on the appointment of Managing Directors of state-owned media houses as "a victory for democracy and the rule of law."

In a statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of Communications, the government said it would accordingly consult the National Media Commission to resolve matters arising from the ruling.

This would be in a manner that would leave no vacuum in the smooth administration of the affected institutions and thereby ensure a stable-working environment for the staff.

The government said it notes that the ruling does not affect the composition of the current Board of Directors appointed by the NMC in consultation with the government in accordance with the Constitution.

The Supreme Court last Wednesday ruled that it is the NMC that should appoint the Managing Directors and Editors of state-owned media houses.

GRi../

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Tongo (Upper East) 29 Jan. 2000

Mr John Akologu Tia, Member of Parliament (MP) for Talensi, has described as baseless, rumours that the leadership of the NDC has given the green light for the nomination of the constituency's parliamentary candidate for the 2000 elections.

He stated emphatically that the "high command" of the party neither issued any directive to that effect nor gave its backing to any individual to solicit support from the electorate to contest the forth coming elections.

The MP was addressing members of his constituency branch of the progressive alliance, cadres of the revolution and opinion leaders at Tongo, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on Thursday.

He explained that as a disciplined party, the NDC has a command structure which guides its dealings on issues such as the nomination, selection and confirmation of its parliamentary candidates for elections.

"Until that is done in accordance with the provisions of the party's manifesto and guidelines, even I, as an incumbent MP, cannot present myself as a candidate", he said.

Mr Tia appealed to the supporters of the Progressive Alliance to watch out and expose activities of self-seeking politicians who have resorted to using lies, falsehood and smear campaign in a desperate attempt to outwit their opponents for the race for the party's parliamentary slots.

Mr Tia also used the occasion to explain some misconceptions in the use of the MPs share of the common fund, the NDC's policies, parliamentary procedures and the tenure of office of parliamentarians.

The MP stressed that without unity, peace, solidarity and total support for the NDC in the forthcoming elections, on-going projects in the area would suffer set-backs.

He advised people in the constituency to close their ranks and not to allow self-seekers to divert their attention from the task of consolidating development projects that are taking place in the area.

GRi../

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Madam Akua Akyaa, a 65-year-old farmer was killed and Masters Kwame Owusu and Kwaku Basare aged 17 and 13 respectively were seriously injured in a rainstorm, which hit Abofour, a farming community in the Offinso district.

Five others who were injured were treated and discharged at the Abofour Health Centre and Offinso Saint Patrick's Hospital.

Mr Joseph Akwasi-Kumah, Offinso District Chief Executive told Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister during an inspection tour that 17 out of the 123 buildings affected had all their roofs ripped-off and some of their walls collapsed.

Five basic schools including Dumasua and Abofour junior secondary schools (JSS) were also affected.

Out of the 685 displaced persons, 366 are children below 18 years. The displaced are staying with friends and relatives.

Property destroyed was estimated at more than 67 million cedis. Mr Nuamah-Donkor expressed sympathy to the victims and relatives of the dead.

He directed that the contractor, who constructed Abofour and Dumasua JSS blocks, should re-construct them.

The Regional Minister expressed concern about shoddy work on projects and said incompetent contractors would not be tolerated.

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