GRi Newsreel Ghana 31 - 01 - 2001
Esaase youth
demand compensation from mining company
US and World Bank pledge support for
Parliament
Farmer killed by tree, body burnt by
bushfire
Port Workers want
looting investigated
South African President Mbeki stops over
Tanker drivers accused of fuel siphoning
Kufuor nominates Regional Ministers
Benin Ambassador bids farewell to President
Kufuor
Defence Ministry justifies Addo Kufuor's
visit
Sissala delegation informs Kufuor of Chief's
death
Cocoa Farmers in Central region threaten
legal action against PBC
Berekum (Brong Ahafo) 31 January 2001
There was pandemonium at the Omanhene's palace at Berekum on Monday when armed supporters of two of the four contestants of the paramount stool clashed during a traditional council meeting.
The timely intervention by the police saved the situation from degenerating into a blood bath as the factions supporting Dr Leo Ofori of the Cape Coast Regional Hospital and Mr Felix Kyere, Ashanti regional accountant of Ghana Cocobod came to the meeting wielding guns, cudgels and other offensive weapons.
Among the scores of people who were caught in the melee was the Krontihene of the traditional area, Nana Ofori Appiah, who had to be whisked to safety by the police.
The two factions were ostensibly there to witness the outcome of the traditional council meeting convened to discuss the impasse over the succession to the paramount stool.
Before the meeting could end, however, violence broke out when each of the factions carried their candidate in jubilation in anticipation of being pronounced the victor.
As they traded punches and missiles, members of the council dashed for cover and it took several rounds of warning shots and tear gas by the police to restore order.
Nana Appiah told the GNA that since the queenmother of Berekum, Nana Akua Ameyaahene, had been mandated by the Regional House of Chiefs to resolve the matter, the council asked her to brief the meeting on progress made.
He said the queenmother, who is a sister to Dr Ofori, declared that she could not resolve the impasse because the other contestants failed to attend a meeting she convened.
He said she therefore requested that her brother should be introduced to the council but the meeting objected because it was uncustomary.
The council's refusal, he said, infuriated Dr Ofori's supporters, who besieged the hall where the meeting was being held and demanded that the council should recognise him as Omanhene-elect or they would not be allowed to leave the palace.
"We were forced to remain in the hall for one hour 15 minutes until the urge to pass water forced me to leave for the urinal."
Nana Appiah said as soon as he got out, Dr Ofori's faction grabbed him and demanded that he greeted the doctor.
He said the mob manhandled him when he refused to comply with their demand, compelling him to retreat to the hall.
He said the supporters then carried Dr Ofori shoulder high and declared him the paramount chief-elect. Soon after, supporters of Mr Kyere also carried him, sprinkled powder over him and conferred a similar status on him.
It was at this stage that the two factions clashed and the police had to use force to separate them before members of the council could be taken to safety.
Nana Appiah said the Berekum stool is still vacant and nobody would be allowed to use uncustomary means to occupy it. The stool became vacant when Nana Yiadom Boakye 11 died in 1999.
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Esaase youth
demand compensation from mining company
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January
2001
The Esaase Youth Association in
Accra has called on a private mining company operating in the area to pay
adequate compensation to the inhabitants.
A statement signed by the Chairman
of the association, Mr Samuel Kwasi Ahenkorah, said as a result of the
operations of Siam Mining Company, the inhabitants of Esaase in the Kwahu South
district of the Eastern Region have been relocated to a new site where there is
no water or land for farming activities.
It said farms and lands belonging
to the inhabitants of the town have been destroyed but the company has refused
to heed numerous calls by the people for suitable compensation.
"The people are now living in
these hard times without any suitable means of livelihood," the statement
said.
It alleged that the Obohene, Nana
Adai Boagyan, who released parcels of land to the company, whose operations
have seriously affected the entire township of Esaase, has shown no serious concern
about the plight of the people.
The association has, therefore
called on the government and the Environmental Protection Agency to step in and
resolve their problem.
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Suhum (Eastern Region) 31 January 2001
Armed robbers attacked two persons in separate operations and made away with personal effects and cash totalling more than 3.3 million cedis at Suhum in the Eastern Region at dawn on Tuesday.
In the first incident, a 46-year-old fishmonger, Madam Carl Abam, was attacked with a gun, believed to be an AK 47, by the robbers near a GOIL petrol filling station and robbed her of 3.1 million cedis she was taking to Accra to buy fish.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Detective Inspector Victor Kafitey said the two-man gang suddenly emerged from their hideout and attacked Madam Abam as she walked alone towards the lorry station.
He said one of the robbers slapped the victim who fell into a gutter and as he struggled with her in a bid to rob her of the money, the other robber started shooting indiscriminately to scare off people from coming near the scene.
Inspector Kafitey said that, in the process, the robbers stabbed their victim on her chest before bolting with the money as she wailed in vain for help.
Madam Abam was later rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital where she was admitted.
The second incident, according to Inspector Kafitey, occurred at about the same time when a 41-year-old mason, Mr Alex Goka, popularly called "Togbe", was attacked at the Suhum roundabout and robbed of 250,000 cedis while he was on his way to board a vehicle to Kumasi.
He said the police are investigating both incidents.
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US and World Bank pledge support for
Parliament
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January 2001
The US and the World Bank on Tuesday said they will help strengthen the capacity of Ghanaian parliamentarians to deepen democratic practice.
Mr Peter Harrold, World Bank Country Director for Ghana and Ms Cathrine Dee Robinson, US ambassador in Ghana said this when they separately called on the Speaker to congratulate him on his election.
Ambassador Robinson, who led a six-member USAID delegation said the US will look into the possibility of establishing a research unit as well as a web-site network for parliament within the next six months.
She said this is to demonstrate the commitment of her country to Ghana's democracy, which is taking root following the recent peaceful elections.
Mr Harrold said the World Bank will be involved in training programmes for parliamentarians that will make them more effective in their oversight responsibilities on accountability and budgetary control.
He said he would have wished that any assistance that will come to parliament from the Bank through the Ministry of Finance should be monitored by the parliamentarians themselves.
Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, the Speaker, commended the bank for a loan of 25 million dollars last year for the rehabilitation of the State House complex, which will be used as offices for parliamentarians.
He said the work is on-going but was meeting setbacks following the Ministry of Finance inability to release all the money to the contractor for the work to progress steadily.
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Farmer killed by tree, body burnt by
bushfire
Dormaa-Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo) 31 January 2001
A 38-year-old farmer was trapped to death by a falling tree at Anyinasu, near Dormaa-Ahenkro and his body burnt by raging bushfire at the weekend, police have reported.
Chief Inspector Christian Tetteh of Dormaa-Ahenkro police said a passer-by who saw the charred body of the victim, Kwesi Kumi, reported the incident to neighbours who informed the police.
In another development a 32-year-old palm-wine tapper, Anthony Frimpong, was electrocuted and five others suffered serious burns when they attempted to cut power supply to their homes to prevent them from catching fire at Nerebehi in the Atwima District of the Ashanti Region.
The injured, who were named as Bob, Kwasi Boateng, Opanin Kwabena Donkor, Solomon Asa and Miss Yaa Badu, have been hospitalised.
The accident was said to have occurred when the victims attempted to save their homes from burning as the electricity distribution lines of the town caught fire.
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Port Workers want
looting investigated
Tema (Greater Accra) 31 January
2001
A number of workers at the Tema
Port have called on the Office of the Chief of Staff to help trace a number of
items and cars that were confiscated by a special military detachment formerly
stationed at the port.
They suggested that it should be
investigated whether the items, which included cars and electrical gadgets,
were properly acquired by the soldiers before taking them away when they were
ordered to leave the port by January 8, this year.
However, when the GNA contacted WO
1 Yaw Nkwantabisa, head of the detachment, he denied any looting on the part of
his men and said items that they took away were personal effects they acquired
during their 17 and-a-half years stay at the port.
He also denied allegations that
his men broke into the offices of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI)
at the port where he was formerly occupying and stole a telephone receiver and
a fan.
WO 1 Nkwantabisa said when the
commander of the 64 Battalion ordered them to quit the port by January 8, they
took away the telephone receivers in their own offices but did not break into
the BNI offices.
He said they took their telephone
receivers away because they were supplied to them from the Castle and not by
the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
WO1 Nkwantabisa said when a survey
was conducted to extend phone lines to the port, his outfit was the first among
the list but they were left out during the installation of the phones.
When contacted, Mr Samuel Akuamoah
Boateng, Principal Public Relations Manager of the Tema Port, confirmed that
the BNI had reported about the burglary of its office in the Port and the case
was being investigated.
He also confirmed that the GPHA
did not supply the military detachment with any telephones.
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South African President Mbeki stops over
Accra (Greater Region) 31 January 2001
South African President Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday stopped over in Accra on his way home from Davos, Switzerland, where he attended the world economic forum.
He was met at the airport by President John Agyekum Kufuor and his wife Theresa, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Foreign Minister-designate and Dr Kofi Apraku, Trade and Industry Minister-designate.
President Mbeki is expected to make another stop in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo where he will hold discussions with President Joseph Kabila on restoring lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
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Tanker drivers accused of fuel siphoning
Takoradi (Western Region) 31 January 2001
Managers of most petrol filling stations in the Takoradi Metropolis have appealed to the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) as a matter of urgency to smash a syndicate dealing in illegal sale of fuel to fishermen at 6,000 cedis a gallon.
The appeal followed their re-action to reports of siphoning of fuel by tanker drivers to their agents who in turn sell to the fishermen.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Takoradi on Tuesday, Mr B. B. Nartey, manager at Apremdo market Elf station, said sometimes he experiences shortage between 100 litres and 600 litres from a supply received from the Goil installation centre at Takoradi.
The managers, when contacted, confirmed the illegal fuel activities that have made them incur heavy debts.
They said fishermen were compelled to buy from the illegal dealers because they find it difficult to get premix fuel for their fishing activities from the government.
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Kufuor nominates Regional Ministers
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday submitted to parliament the names of 10 nominees to serve as regional ministers, according to a statement issued by Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Government Spokesperson.
They are Sheik I. C. Quaye, MP for Ayawaso Central, Greater Accra; Dr Osafo Mensah, MP for Mpraeso, Eastern; Mr Isaac Edumadze, Central; Mr S. K. Boafo, Ashanti; and Mr Joseph Boahene Aidoo, Western Region.
The rest are Mr Ernest K. Debrah, Chief Manager of Social Security Bank, Brong Ahafo; Mr Salifu Mahami, lawyer, Upper East; Mr Ben Salifu, Northern; Mr Owusu-Yeboah, Volta; and Mr Moktar Sahanoon of the Ghana Education Service, Upper East Region.
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Benin Ambassador bids farewell to President
Kufuor
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday received the outgoing Benin Ambassador and congratulated him for doing his best to bring Ghana closer to his country.
Mr Sedjro Theophile Houssinon is leaving after a four-year duty tour and is retiring from public service after 55 years.
President Kufuor said he had known Mr Houssinon some years back and was always impressed about his 'naturalness', adding: "He has never missed the opportunity to declare his pride as an African".
Mr Kufuor also lauded Mr Houssinon for being "an-all-round" diplomat who mixed with all sections of the community, including the media and the academia.
He congratulated the outgoing ambassador and presented him with a stool, saying: "Ghana will remember you".
Mr Houssinon said he enjoyed his stay in Ghana and expressed the belief that the country's future prospects are bright.
"Ghana is dear to all Pan-Africanists," he said, and congratulated the nation for a successful election and a smooth transition.
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Defence Ministry justifies Addo Kufuor's
visit
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January 2001
The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said it has no problem with the visit of Dr Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence-designate, to troops at Burma Camp as a representative of the President.
This was in reaction to comments raised by a section of the media and the public on the issue.
The comments centred on the validity of Dr Addo Kufuor's visit when he has not yet been vetted by Parliament and confirmed as the Minister of Defence.
A release signed by Lieutenant Colonel E. Awuah, Deputy Director of Public Relations, said Dr Addo Kufuor was there as the president's representative.
"We wish to state that Dr Addo Kufuor specifically told officials of the ministry and the commanders that he was in Burma Camp as a representative of the president," the release added.
According to the release, troops of the 64 Infantry Regiment were also made aware of the fact that Dr Addo Kufuor was not visiting in his own capacity but as a representative of the President.
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Sissala delegation informs Kufuor of
Chief's death
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 January 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday expressed his condolence to the chiefs and people of Tumu Traditional Area in the Sissala District of the Upper West Region on the death of their paramount chief, Alhaji Luriwie Kanton IV.
Speaking to a delegation from the traditional area, President Kufuor said he shared the grief and sorrow of the people over the loss of Alhaji Kanton, who, he said, "always displayed a deep sense of statecraft".
"He was so philosophical," the President told the nine-member delegation. The chief reigned for 26 years and died at the age of 81.
President Kufuor said he had personally met Alhaji Kanton more than once and, therefore, understood the magnitude of the loss to an "important" community like Tumu.
Colonel George Bayorbor, spokesman for the delegation, said final funeral rites for the paramount chief would be announced later and invited the government to participate in it.
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Cocoa Farmers in Central region threaten
legal action against PBC
Breman Asikuma (Central Region) 31 January 2001
Cocoa farmers in 19 societies in the Central region have called on the Cocobod and the Produce Buying Company (PBC) to ensure that they are paid the difference between the old producer price and the new price for the current main crop season.
They have threatened to take legal action against the PBC if by Friday February 2, their appeal has not been heeded.
Addressing an emergency meeting at Breman Asikuma, Opanyin Kwesi Dadzie, spokesman for the farmers said the PBC promised to pay them the difference when the government announced the new producer price.
He said the farmers are shocked and dismayed by the way the management of PBC has persistently refused to address the issue after the new price was announced, adding that every year the company pays the difference if there is an increase of cocoa price.
The price for the main crop season was increased from 151,000 cedis to 217,187 cedis per bag of 30 kilograms.
Opanyin Dadzie said upon the assurance given them by the PBC, they have credited farming inputs and collected advances from the purchasing clerks which they now find difficult to pay back.
Some of the purchasing clerks GNA spoke to confirmed that the farmers have been harassing them for the non-payment of the difference.
They appealed to the new government to intervene on behalf of the farmers.
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