Kwabenya residents still vehemently opposed to landfill project
NDC is committed to good governance
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - The Ministry of Finance and the Auditor General's Department in collaboration with the Police have begun an exercise to expunge from government payroll all ghost names.
The exercise aims to detect, investigate and prosecute any individual or group of persons involved in perpetuating "such dubious acts that have taken a toll on the nation's coffers", Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, Acting Auditor General told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Friday.
The exercise, which is in three phases, started simultaneously last week in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It started with the Police to demonstrate the department's determination to ensure that those who would help make the exercise successful were themselves clean, Mr Dua Agyeman noted.
The first phase would involve headcount of workers and those who might not be at post when the inspection team calls would forfeit their next salary.
"If anyone fails to fill the (headcount) form, the following month's pay would be forfeited. You will be taken to be non-existent, unless you go to rectify it."
Mr Agyeman explained that workers on leave would be deemed uncounted until they report to the Auditor General's Department to fill the appropriate forms.
He said after the exercise the headcount forms would be marked against payrolls of the organisation concerned and names not captured would have their salaries suspended. "If the person is not a ghost he will report."
The second phase of the exercise would be to remove the ghost names from the payroll. "We have to find out how they got onto the payroll and find solution after knowing how they got there''.
Mr Agyeman said with the collaboration of the police, they would then set out to retrieve all monies that the 'ghosts' have banked.
The third phase will be the establishment of a special section to audit payrolls, reporting directly to the Auditor General. Mr Agyeman said this section would, if possible, audit salaries before they were paid every month or immediately after payment.
Meanwhile Mr Ernest Owusu-Poku, Inspector General of Police, has directed police regional and district commanders to give maximum cooperation to the officers from the Auditor General's Department.
He has also asked the police to investigate any anomaly that might be detected in the course of the exercise.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said in spite of the huge economic decay inherited by the government, it had modestly fulfilled 50 per cent of its electoral promises in its first year in office.
"The prudent economic management of government had lead to steady gains in most sectors of the economy, which is commendable of a new government," Mr Kwadwo Afari, the NPP Press Secretary, told newsmen in Accra on the party's assessment of the government's first year in office.
He said the government inherited an economic situation where key indicators showed a very fragile economy characterized by high inflation, mounting domestic and external debt, excessive money growth and a weak currency.
Mr Afari said the government within the short period in office stabilized the macro-economic fundamentals, without which no sustainable economic take-off could be possible.
He explained that the cedi was stable because it depreciated by only 2.5 per cent in the year compared with 37.6 per cent for the same period in 2000.
Others areas were the continuing reduction in the rate of inflation from 41 per cent at the beginning of the year to 25.6 per cent at the end of October, 2001 and keeping expenditures under control of 82 per cent of target.
He said the government kept its domestic borrowing under control and restructured the domestic debt from short-term to medium-term Government of Ghana Indexed Linked Bond of over three trillion cedis.
These initiatives, Mr Afari said, had brought a measure of stability in the economy and presented opportunities and challenges to the business community.
He said the government had also fulfilled its promise to farmers and the agriculture sector in general by paying over 70 billion cedis as bonus to cocoa farmers for the 2000/2001 main crop season, increasing the producer price of cocoa by 35 per cent and undertaking a mass spraying exercise.
The Press Secretary stated that although the promises made cover the four-year term of the government, indicators over the first 12 months were positive signs for total delivery.
Mr Afari said the repeal of the criminal libel law, fight against corruption, peace and security enjoyed by all sections of society, and the general sense of freedom were all manifestations of the electoral promises that had been fulfilled within 12 months.
He said the government's foreign policy of good neighbourliness had improved the country's image among the comity of nations leading to numerous invitations to the government for bilateral discussions on the economy.
"These are all manifestations of a government in firm control of state machinery within 12 months of assumption of power."
On the health sector, Mr Afari said the party's position and promise was that it would review the cash and carry policy, adding that the government had initiated measures for the introduction of a national health insurance scheme.
Mr Afari said government machinery had enforced the policy of free medical care for children and the aged, which was not properly implemented in the past.
The Press Secretary said another major achievement over the period was the transparent and the all-inclusive government. "Never in the history of the country has a government appointed non-party members into the central system of operations without the option of crossing carpet," Mr Afari said.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - The Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs on Friday refuted allegations that the President collects 1,000 dollars per diem when he travels.
It also denied the allegation made by Nana Alex Asamoah of the NDC that ministers and other state officials who usually accompanied the president took 250 dollars a day as against 53 dollars paid to former government officials in the previous administration. "These statements are totally false and without any foundation," a statement signed by Mr Kofi Sekyiamah, Chief Director, said.
"The true state is that the highest amount paid as Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) or per diem is 275.98 dollars for official assignments in The Netherlands Antilles," the statement said.
"DSA or per diem are all-inclusive allowances for personnel attending assignments abroad. This means that hotel accommodation, feeding, transport and other expenses are factored into these amounts."
The statement said the amount payable as per diem was based on the cost of living in the countries concerned. "The current per diem of the President, Vice President, a minister or deputy minister on assignment in the USA is 130.34 dollars a day and 150.29 a day for Nigeria. The existing rates have been in use since 1983."
The statement said based on the current cost of living globally, the former NDC government initiated a process to review the rates. "The existing rates are applicable to foreign travels for all officers," the statement added.
It said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a new list as consolidated DSA rates to be submitted for the consideration of cabinet.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor has sent a message of condolence to his Nigerian counterpart on the assassination of Chief Bola Ige, the Federal Minister of Justice.
The message read: "I have learnt with great shock the news of the assassination of Chief Bola Ige San, Attorney-general of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"This dastardly act deserves the unreserved condemnation of all civilised people the world over. I extend to your Excellency and members of your government, his widow and family, and the people of Nigeria my personal heartfelt condolences as well as those of the government and people of Ghana at the tragic loss of this outstanding personality.
"His untimely death is not only a loss for Nigeria, but also for the entire African continent. May his soul rest in perfect peace."
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - Residents of Agyamankata, a community near Kwabenya, have vowed to continue opposing the sitting of a landfill site in the area, saying they would fight it to death.
"We are resolved not to allow the dumping of waste here," Mr Isaac Amo Smith, who spoke on behalf of the residents, told the Ghana News Agency at Agyamankata at the weekend.
"We will rather die than to allow the project to take over our lands," he said. The Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA), which had struggled for years to have a suitable waste disposal system in the city, was engulfed in a big load of rubbish last year when residents of Mallam, where a landfill site was located, protested against its use.
Waste disposal companies, with tons of rubbish in their trucks, were stuck with nowhere to dump their cargo. The western half of the city was threatened with an epidemic as hills of rubbish quickly formed, flies hovered around, foul stench engulfed the areas and there were threats of diseases.
The AMA chose to develop the Kwabenya landfill site but immediately ran into stiff opposition from the residents. Although the project, which the AMA said, would be the most technologically advanced to be constructed in the country, would eventually cater for waste in Accra for the next 20 years, the residents said it was a threat to their health their land and property and kicked against it.
Mr Smith said AMA should consider relocating the landfill site now and urged the government to consider using the 40 billion cedis meant as compensation, to relocate the whole project. "Most of us are retired civil servants and traders who have come to acquire lands here after our retirement; we cannot therefore relocate at this time of our lives," he said.
Mr Smith, who is also the proprietor of Nana Saah Memorial School, said it would be better for government to stop now than allow the project to continue only to become "a white elephant."
He said the residents were not deterred by what was going on "because no one has till date has been here to value our property. Neither has anyone written to officially inform residents of such a project."
"We are therefore still going on with our projects such as construction, farming and quarrying," he said. While work was proceeding on the landfill site, some private developers were also laying foundations for their buildings along part of the buffer zone earmarked for the project.
Mr Smith said after the visit of Vice President Aliu Mahama to Kwabenya to appeal to residents to allow the project to resume after its closure, the women within the community organised themselves and sent a petition to parliament on the matter. "I do not think they have as yet received any response," he said.
Mr Smith said policemen were deployed to the site after the residents organised a press conference in Accra last November. "The police themselves realised that we are peace loving people so they left without encountering any confrontation."
Mr Smith said the most worrying aspect of the project was that although the place was a valley it had a number of communities especially housing estates bordering the proposed land filled site.
At the north is Agyemankata, the south the ACP Housing Estate, the east Pokuase Township while Volta Investment had acquired the western side for a housing project. "How can all these communities live with that waste for the next 20 years?" he asked.
Mr Smith said if the AMA claimed landfills were not as hazardous as the residents of Agyemankata portrayed it, then the AMA could as well site it at the Tetteh Quarshie round about since there was a vast piece of land still lying fallow there.
He called on the President to extend his zero tolerance for corruption to all segments of the society especially in areas where the health and very existence of residents were being threatened.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Dzodze (Volta Region) 05 January 2002 - The diversion of the proposed Trans- West African Highway through Tadzewu to Dzodze-Denyi in the Ketu district would not lead to the abandonment of Aflao which now serves as the country's major eastern gateway.
On the contrary, the government would tackle all uncompleted projects at Aflao to enhance its international status, President John Agyekum Kufuor said at a durbar held in his honour by the chiefs and people of the Ketu district at Dzodze on Saturday on the last leg of his three-day official visit to the Volta Region.
He explained that the country required another major international entry point in close proximity to Aflao to facilitate trade and development in the sub-region.
News reports in December last year on the diversion of the Accra-Aflao highway at Akatsi through Tadzewu to Dzodze-Penyi sparked off anxiety among the chief and people of Aflao and its environs who feared that the project would adversely affected them economically.
President Kufuor assured the people in the district that his the government would continue with rural electrification in the areas until all villages and towns are hooked to the national grid to promote small-scale industries and generate employment.
He said the government would support the Bio-Water project in the southern sector of the region to ensure that, with time, all rural communities in that part of the region would have potable water to help prevent water-borne diseases.
President Kufuor said more water canals would be constructed on the Afife Rice Irrigation project to assist expansion of the farm area for the cultivation of more rice to feed the domestic market and provide jobs for the people.
President Kufuor gave the assurance that the government would not allow petty politics to mar the efficiency of the district assemblies, saying that the government appointees who are doing well would be maintained while those found to be incapable would be replaced.
The President said the installation and destoolment of chiefs is the prerogative of kingmakers and the government would not interfere in such matters.
He therefore, called on the National House of Chiefs to be up to the task of dealing with chieftaincy matters.
The President said there are positive indications for building a strong economy, now that a firm foundation had been laid last year for a good take-off.
Togbe Dey 11, a chief of Dzodze on behalf of his colleagues praised the government for the work it has done so far to revamp the economy and to improve the lives of the people.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Huni Valley (Western Region) 05 January 2002 - Dr Toni Aubynn, Human Resource Manager of the Aboso Goldfields Limited (AGL) on Thursday advised Ghanaians to stop spending lavishly on funerals and rather invest in their children's education.
"Spending heavily on funerals at the expense of the child's education is a dangerous practice," Dr Aubynn said at the inauguration of the Huni Vally Students Union (HVSU) in the Western Region.
He said education is now paramount in the social, economic and political development of the nation and must not be allowed to suffer.
Dr Aubynn, a citizen of Damang in the Wasa West District and also the National President of the Huni Valley Secondary School Past Students Association noted that though the Western Region was endowed with large deposits of minerals, timber and food crops, it lacks good road network and telecommunication and urged the citizens to work hard and reverse the trend.
He charged the students to be agents of change by being tolerant, respectful and responsible in their relations in the community.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - A six-member German delegation, led by the Speaker of the State of Mecklendurg Western Pomarania, Mr Hinrich Kuessnar arrived in Accra on Friday for a 12-day official visit.
The delegation, which included the Chief Director of Women's Affairs of the State of Mecklendurg, Mrs Dora Staszak would explore areas of co-operation and investment in the country.
They will also visit German projects at Nsawam in the Eastern Region and explore new areas of cooperation with the people of Nsawam.
The State of Mecklendurg is already cooperating with the people of Nsawam in areas of education and also involved in training young women in vocational skills.
While in the country, the delegation would call on Vvice Preside Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Speaker of Parliament and visit places of interest.
The were met on arrival by Mr Isaac Amoo, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and German Ambassador Mr Harald Louschner.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey left Accra on Friday night for Kasane Botwana to attend the 16th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference.
The five-day conference, which begins on Tuesday, would discuss a wide range of issues including the relationship between Parliament and the Judiciary.
Also on agenda is the role of Speakers in administration of parliament and role of Parliament in promoting the youth in political affairs.
He was seen off by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay and the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Ken Tachie.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Peki-Blengo (Greater Accra) 05 January 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday promised to get the Stool Lands Boundary Commission to hasten work towards the settlement of the Kporvi land dispute between the chiefs and people of Peki and Tsito.
The President was responding to concerns from the people of Peki at a durbar held in his honour at Peki-Blengo. The protracted land dispute has brought unimaginable suffering to those involved and it was time a lasting solution was found to it once and for all.
President Kufuor said the government would pursue an alternative route to the North through the Volta Region. On the revamping of the Agbate Settlement farm in the area, he said, the government was interested in getting a private investor who had shown interest in it to reactivate it as soon as the issue of ownership is settled.
President Kufuor praised the landmark achievement of Dr. Ephraim Amu, a renowned musician from the area and said the building of a musical concert hall in the area in his honour would engage the attention of government.
On the call for a district status for Peki, the President said he would refer the issue to the appropriate ministry for further research to determine the government's next course of action on the matter.
Regarding education in the area, he was hopeful that Peki Secondary School would meet the criteria for selection as the second cycle school in the Kpando District for upgrading into a high level secondary school status to match the academic standards of the high flight schools in the country.
Addressing a similar durbar at Anyirawase in the Awudome Traditional Area, President Kufuor announced that the Awudome Adults College of the Institute of Adult Education, would be adopted as a pilot open university project.
President Kufuor, in response to a request asked the chiefs and people of the traditional area to contact the secretariat on his cassava initiative on the modalities for benefiting from the project.
He acknowledged the communal spirit of the chiefs and people of the area, which led to the establishment of the Adult College as far back as the 1950's by women in the area.
The President thanked the chiefs and people for the enthusiastic welcome extended to him and assured them that "I will bring positive change down here".
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Ho (Volta Region) 05 January 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said reconciliation is necessary for the maintenance of peace and promotion of national development.
He said his visit to the Volta Region was in the spirit of reconciliation because the region has not been known to be receptive to the NPP in terms of politics. "I as leader of NPP and President of Ghana, want to say that what has divided the party from the region has been more of suspicion and fear but not of any substance," he added.
He told a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Asogli Traditional Area at Ho, on the second day of his three-day tour of the Volta Region.
He pledged that the government would work to eradicate the suspicion and fear from the society in order that the region and the party would get reconciled with each other.
President Kufuor appealed to the people to support and co-operate with the government to yield positive relationship for the region and NPP. "I feel the appeal for reconciliation is not one-sided because with your cheerful faces and the massive attendance at the durbars so far would be for our mutual benefit," he added.
President Kufuor said under the government's all-inclusive policy, the Volta Region is well represented with some dedicated and competent personalities. "It is our policy not to discriminate in the service of the nation and the Volta Region would get its fair share of national development," he added.
President Kufuor announced that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) would make efforts on the possibility of Ho being made a municipality instead of a separate district from the existing one.
On-going development projects in the region would be pursued, road network improved and water supply system improved, he said.
Togbe Kasa III, Senior Divisional Chief of Ho, on behalf of the Fiaga of Asogli Traditional Area said President Kufuor's visit has made the people more united than before.
He appealed for the establishment of an agro-industry in the area to create job opportunities and generate income for the people.
Togbe Kasa appealed to government to include the area, which produces various varieties of cassava in the President's Special Initiative on the Cassava-Starch Project and more financial assistance to women in the area.
He called for assistance to improve the road network, improved water supply and a separate district for Ho because of the increase in population in the area.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Duusi, (Upper East) 05January 2002 - The Member of Parliament for Talensi constituency, Mr. John Akolgo Tia has reiterated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is committed to ensuring good governance and the rule of law.
"We, the Minority in Parliament owe it a duty to scrutinise, criticise and object to any bills, policies and programmes of the ruling government, which in our view are against the best interest of the vast majority of the people," he said.
Mr Tia stated this on Thursday when he addressed an end-of-year reception organised for the chiefs and people of Tongo East Zone of his constituency at Duusi near Tongo.
The Talensi MP, who is also the Deputy Minority Chief Whip urged Ghanaians to show interest in the workings of Parliament, irrespective of their political inclinations, stressing that it is only through that democracy could take firm roots in the country.
He pointed out that in as much as the Minority side would like to encourage good governance under the due process of the law, it would not also relax in its watchdog role to ensure this.
Mr Tia urged sympathisers and supporters of the NDC to remain committed and steadfast, despite provocations and attempts to disintegrate the party.
GRi.../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com