Olympio unhappy about
Kufuor's visit to Togo
Kufuor
urges public to restrict courtesy calls
Police warn against
Europe-Africa frauds
Bar Association condemns
lynching of driver
Police arrest woman, three
daughters for assault
Police hunt for murder
suspect
NPP not amused by
accusations of arson
TUC on NPP Government’s
labour policy
Do not link appointment to
political affiliation -GBA
Chief appeals for check on
destruction on forest
Olympio unhappy about
Kufuor's visit to Togo
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
Mr. Gilchrist Olympio, the exiled Togolese main opposition leader on Monday expressed reservations about President John Agyekum Kufuor's visit to Togo to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the coup that brought President Gnassingbe Eyadema to power.
The anniversary, dubbed National Liberation Day, was marked last Saturday.
"President Kufuor was ill-advised" (to undertake such a trip), he said in an interview with the BBC monitored in Accra.
Mr. Olympio, who heads the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) in Togo, said the opposition is very puzzled at Mr. Kufuor's action, coming just a few days after his inauguration as President in a fair and transparent democratic election.
"We are very puzzled that President Kufuor's first visit outside Ghana should be to a political dinosaur called Mr. Eyadema who has been in power for 38 years after assassinating the first President of Togo..."
Mr. Olympio is the son of the late President Sylvanus Olympio who has been living in exile in Ghana and has, over the past 20 years, been championing democratic change in Togo.
The anniversary ceremony, attended by the Central Band of the Ghana Armed Forces, took place at the Presidential Palace in Lome as one of the high points in celebrations.
The visit, the first foreign trip by Mr Kufuor since his inauguration on January 7, as Ghana's sixth elected President, was at the invitation of President Eyadema.
Mr Olympio said he has the highest regard for President Kufuor, whom he has known since their university years at Oxford.
He said they (opposition) would not want to blame President Kufuor for going to Togo. "All that we are saying is that he should have had better advice. He should have been a little circumspect before going to Togo.
"What we want to bring to his attention is that Togo, unlike Ghana is not ready for democratic change and peaceful change," Mr Olympio said. "I do not feel betrayed by the visit. I just feel that President Kufuor should have been more circumspect."
He recalled that last year, former President Jerry Rawlings sent a military band to the celebration, which the Togolese opposition protested against.
Mr Olympio said; "what President Kufuor is preoccupied about is good neighbourliness, having good relations with Togo, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso."
However, Mr Olympio said, it is significant that no other president showed up at the ceremony, except President Kufuor.
"It is also significant that the ambassadors of the European Union, the United States and Canada were not present. It is clear that it is a ceremony that nobody accepts either locally or outside."
He said President Kufuor could be excused because he has been in power for only a week and needs time to settle down and make up his mind.
He said the President was taken in by the presence of Presidents Eyadema and Obasanjo at his inauguration and wanted to pay back courtesies.
"However, let us say it was not a very appropriate thing to do."
Mr Olympio said he did not fear going to Ghana or feel he might not get support from President Kufuor: "Let's put it this way. I go to Ghana because I have family, friends and business there. We do not depend on Ghana for political support. We have never had it.
"Since the EU began sponsoring discussions between the opposition and government in Togo, the position of Ghana particularly in the last two years has not been in our favour".
He said he comes to Ghana to see family and friends and not for political purposes.
Mr Olympio said his party would, in the next few days, protest formally to the Ghana Embassy in Togo.
Requiem masses and Muslim prayers were held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of January all over Togo in the churches and mosques to remember what happened on 13th of January 1963.
"That was when Eyadema then a 26 year-old sergeant freshly back from French colonial war in Indo-China and Algeria shot down the President and proclaimed himself president", Mr Olympio said.
President Eyadema, the longest serving leader in Africa will complete a second five-year term in 2003, which he has indicated, will be his final.
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Kufuor
urges public to restrict courtesy calls
Accra (Greater Accra)
16 January 2001
The Office of the
President on Monday thanked members of the public for their messages of
congratulations and appealed to them to restrict courtesy calls to the most
urgent ones for the next three weeks.
A statement signed in
Accra by Ms Elizabeth Ohene, government spokesperson, said President John
Agyekum Kufuor has been working overtime to put his ministers and other
officials in place within the next three weeks.
It said many members
have been calling on him and many more want to call on him. Invariably, these
calls take a lot of time.
"He is therefore
appealing to the public to restrict their courtesy calls to the most urgent
ones for the next three weeks. Thereafter, a schedule of specific times for the
public to call on the president will be announced," it said.
The statement said the
sheer volume of the phone calls, telegrams, cards, flowers, letter and personal
calls have overwhelmed the first family.
"The president
will like to express his gratitude to all and emphasis that he will continue to
count on the prayers of all to help him do the job he has been elected to
do."
The president also
thanked those who have written papers and other documents and asked that for
the moment, such papers be directed to the ministers as they take their posts.
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Police warn against
Europe-Africa frauds
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
The police on Monday warned members of the general public, especially pharmaceutical companies to be wary of a humanitarian aid fraud being perpetuated by a group operating between Europe and Africa.
A statement from the Public Relations Directorate signed by the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr David S. Eklu in Accra, quoted a report from Interpol-Ghana, as saying the group operate under the disguise of a Catholic Mission Society.
It goes by contacting Pharmaceutical companies and requesting for humanitarian aid for Sierra Leone.
The statement said the group's mode of operation includes enclosing a cheque as initial payment for the pharmaceuticals they solicit and once a favourable response is received from the company in question, group requests that the invoice and freight shipping documents be faxed to them.
However, when they receive confirmation that the shipment is in Sierra Leone, they stop payment on the cheque sent as initial payment.
The statement mentioned a Catholic Mission in London and a Christian Youth Organisation in Freetown Sierra Leone as being involved.
The police, therefore, called on the general public and especially Pharmaceutical companies, to be on the alert and to report any such activity to the commissioner CID at the Police Headquarters.
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Bar Association condemns
lynching of driver
Takoradi (Western Region) 16 January 2001
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Monday condemned the alleged lynching of Joseph Saah, a 45-year-old tipper truck driver, at Fumso in the Adansi East District.
A statement signed by Mr. J. Ebow Quashie, President of the GBA, also condemned the attack on Fumso Police Station, adding: "this conduct will bring mayhem and anarchy".
It noted that the act is "barbaric and a violation of the human rights of the lynched driver".
The GBA therefore cautioned the public not to take the law into their own hands but leave such matters to the police.
It called on the police to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book in order to "stem this inhumanly behaviour".
On January 11, this year, the deceased was driving a tipper truck towards Obuasi when he lost control and ran into a procession of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters who were celebrating the party's electoral success at Fumso. Two women were instantly killed as a result of the incident.
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Police arrest woman, three
daughters for assault
Benim (Ashanti Region) 16 January 2001
A 48-year-old woman, Madam Akua Afriyie and two daughters, who allegedly ambushed and assaulted a 52-year-old farmer at Benim near Asante-Mampong, over political differences have been arrested by police.
A third daughter involved in the incident is on the run. Madam Afriyie and the two daughters, Akua Kyei 28,and Janet Konadu, 19 were said to have assaulted Madam Amma Yia on January 9, this year.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Mampong at the weekend, a police spokesman said Madam Yia an NPP supporter teased the suspects who are staunch supporters of the NDC after the December 28 presidential run-off.
According to the police, last Tuesday, Madam Afriyie and her daughters ambushed Madam Yia while she was on her way to farm and beat her up as a result of which she lost three of her teeth.
The police said a woman who came upon the scene tried in vain to rescue the victim and had to rush to Benim to make a report.
However when people got to the scene, the suspects had fled leaving Madam Yia writhing in pain.
The police said a section of the people got so incensed that they set ablaze the kitchen of the suspects and destroyed their backyard garden.
Three persons, Kwame Appeadu, Kwasi Odame and Kwame Peprah were arrested for interrogation in connection with the burning.
Meanwhile Madam Afriyie and her daughters have been given police enquiry bail.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
A nation-wide survey on child labour started on Monday with a call on parents and guardians to co-operate with field workers deployed for the four-week exercise.
The survey, being conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service(GSS)in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, will gather information on children aged between five and 17 years in 500 enumeration areas.
Nana Akwasi Ango II, a Senior Statistician of the GSS said in an interview with the GNA that the information would be treated as highly confidential.
It will determine children engaged in economic and non-economic activities, the characteristics of parents and guardians and their perception of the use of children's time.
Nana Ango said the way the data would be published, would in on way identify the provider.
"It will be disseminated in statistical aggregate, with no reference to any specific area or persons," he said.
Nana Ango said most of the 300 field workers who were recruited from the regional and district capitals were deployed over the weekend to begin the exercise on Monday in teams of 20 and 25.
"A team of five each will be expected to cover 20 enumeration area on the average. In each area, the team will be expected to interview about 20 households," he said.
Nana Ango asked the public, not associate the exercise with any political party adding, "this is strictly a non- partisan exercise which needs to be carried out for use by policy makers and international bodies for Ghana's benefit."
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Nkoranza (Brong Aahfo)
16 January 2001
Mr Hayford
Francis-Amoako, MP for Nkoranza, has pledged to serve the people, irrespective
of their political or ethnic affiliations.
Mr Amoako, who stood on
an NDC ticket, said: "we are one people, and we need to bury our political
differences and forge ahead for the development of the district".
He said the people are
welcome to share ideas with him in the promotion of the development of the
district.
The MP called on them
to advise and guide him where necessary to enable him to carry out his
activities to meet their expectations.
Mr Amoako commended the
NPP youth of Nkoranza for organising a clean-up exercise in the area at the
weekend and urged members of the NDC to join hands during such exercises.
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Police hunt for murder
suspect
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
The Police have mounted a search for William Kwame Huletey a 30 year old Togolese plumber, suspected of murdering his girl friend, Paulina Soga, 25, also a Togolese.
Paulina, a trader was last Monday found with multiple cutlass wounds near a hotel at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra.
She died at the 37 Military Hospital where neighbours had sent her.
A police notice in Accra on Monday said Huletey and Paulina lived together for about two years at Musuko near Ashongman although they were not married.
About a month ago, while Huletey was away from home, Paulina left with her belongings to stay with her elder sister, Beatrice Soga at Darkuman Junction.
Police said Huletey made several fruitless attempts to persuade Paulina to return.
On January 4, Huletey together with a friend went to Beatrice's house to forcibly take Paulina back to his house but was prevented by the husband of Beatrice.
The following day, Huletey together with Paulina approached her father to perform the marriage rites but he turned them away.
The notice said, on the day of the murder Paulina left her sister's house for her Aunt's at Abelemkpe to collect cowhide (wele) to sell at the Kasoa market as she normally did but never returned.
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NPP not amused by
accusations of arson
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
The Northern Region Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday called on the government to set a committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the burning down of the house of Alhaji Ayarna, Deputy Regional organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This is to establish the true identity of those behind the act.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by the Mr Armiyao Harruna, NPP Regional Secretary, said "indeed the NDC Regional Chairman has openly pointed an accusing finger at the NPP."
The statement said that even before the fire incident Alhaji Ayarna, a Hajj agent, has been avoiding pilgrims who daily flood his house and office for a refund of their monies deposited to him after learning that he was heavily in debt and fear that they might be duped.
" Indeed the Hajj committee is said to have called on Alhaji Ayarna last year to settle a debt of $87,000 dollars, a figure he contested " it said.
The statement said the NPP "is not amused by activities of the NDC to purport in a section of the media that the arson was politically motivated".
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TUC on NPP Government’s
labour policy
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Monday describe the NPP policy on labour as very positive in view of the NPP traditional background as capitalist.
''For a government whose predecessor had been insensitive and antagonistic towards labour during the second republic to resurrect in the fourth republic with seemingly labour friendly policy is remarkable.''
Mr Adu-Amankwah said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on the NPP manifesto on labour relations and trade union issues.
He said the union categorises the NPP manifesto on labour into two main components; job creation, and workers and union interest.
The NPP manifesto states: "the labour market requires the provision of 250,000 jobs annually which means that the economy needs to grow at a rate of 6-8 per cent; it has however been growing at barely 4 per cent."
The manifesto also states the NPP government will provide incentives for the self employed and will, particularly, support the informal sector and encourage non governmental charitable organisations which have expertise and experience in training and retraining.
Mr Adu-Amankwah noted that the content of the manifesto is seen as a declaration of intent and expressed the hope that the government will be able to deliver.
He said employment is fundamental to the self-worth of a person and urged the new government to mobilise all resources to provide the enabling environment for the creation of new jobs and to motivate workers.
The TUC boss said Ghana abounds in untapped human resources and what is needed is ''the mobilisation, motivation and linkages of the resources to the rightful labour.''
On the expected role of civil society in the new government, Mr Adu-Amankwah said there is the need for complement and goodwill on the part of all stakeholders for the realisation of a harmonious working environment.
He said a lot would depend on the government to provide the channel of communication that will enhance the relationship.
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Do not link appointment to
political affiliation -GBA
Accra (Greater Accra) 16 January 2001
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Monday called on President Kufour's administration to make promotions and appointments to the bench based purely on merit, hard work and integrity.
"Promotions and appointments to the Bench should not be based on political affiliation as hitherto been the practice in some cases", the association said.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President Mr Ebow Quarshie and Secretary Mr Ayikoi Otoo, the GBA reiterated its call for government's support for the judiciary to make it independent.
It further called for a repeal of all obnoxious laws that impede freedom of expression.
It said democratic institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Serious Fraud Office and the National Commission on Civic Education should be strengthened to enhance probity and accountability and to prevent human rights abuses.
The GBA urged the new administration to study, for implementation, past resolutions of its annual conferences, at which far-reaching decisions touching on the nation, the legal profession, and the judiciary among others, were taken.
It condemned the practice where Council of State Members shirked their constitutional duty as advisers to the President and became "so politically biased as to even run errands for the President as well as to don party colours and speak on party platforms."
The statement said although the GBA "does not believe in witch-hunting, the general mood in Ghana presently, is for accountability on the part of the outgoing NDC administration. "We call on President Kufuor to listen to the voice of the people".
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Chief appeals for check on
destruction on forest
Congo (Brong Ahafo) 16 January 2001
Nana Tawiah Yeboah, Odikro of Congo in the Wenchi district, at the weekend appealed to the government to take immediate steps to check the encroachment and continued destruction of the Nsamire, Yaya and Torya forest reserves in the district.
The measures, he told the Ghana News Agency, should include strict enforcement of the law banning farming and other activities in these forests.
He accused some chiefs and forestry officials of conniving with the encroachers.
Nana Tawiah said the chiefs have abused the arrangement under which the forestry division released parts of the forests for the cultivation of food crops, other than maize by allowing people to cultivate maize.
He explained that maize cultivation is not allowed because it involves the felling of trees, which contributes to the rapid depletion of the forests. Nana Tawiah said the Brong Ahafo region, a transitional zone, is threatened by desertification and all efforts must be made to check any deliberate activities that contribute to the destruction of the ecology.
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