Ghana is good news for Africa - UN Rep
Another boat accident the Volta … Four drown
Convention Party ] For Congress On Saturday
Join campaign for cancellation of debts, Catholics urge
Bishop Herman holds Speech and Prize-Giving Day
Benevolent club presents mini-bus to hospital
Public warned about new computer virus
Suspend gold sale, Asantehene tells IMF
German MPs meet Vice-President Mills, others
Bongo District Chief Executive takes office
Catholic Bishops conference opens in Tamale
Labour groups to meet on Price Water
Instil morality into youth- Boateng
Ghana is good news for Africa - UN Rep
Accra (Greater Accra), 6th July 99 -
The UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr Abdoulie Janneh, has said that Ghana is "good news for Africa" where things are working and she is worth emulating by other countries on the continent.
Ghana's success proves that Africa can make it, he said in a country report at the first meeting of six UNDP Resident Representatives from Africa with senior officials of the UN Industrial Development Organisation in Vienna.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the other Representatives came from Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Guinea and Ethiopia.
The statement quoted Mr Janneh as saying UN agencies in Ghana are operating at optimum level and their cooperation was setting the pace for other countries.
UNIDO, he said, has been instrumental in the formulation of Ghana's programme on poverty alleviation and could assist other countries with its service modules in small and medium enterprise development and women entrepreneurs, among others.
"Against the background of bold economic policy reforms, Ghana has enjoyed a healthy economic growth of five per cent and was aiming at double-digit rates."
Mr Janneh said in addition to its traditional exports of cocoa and gold, Ghana is exploring new non-traditional exports and becoming the gateway to West Africa.
He said due to constant consultation between government and development partners through the Consultative Group process, almost every agency is prepared to aasist Ghana in its development programme.
The UNDP, for instance, is assisting Ghana in the area of poverty reduction and governance with 30 million dollars for 1998-2000.
In addition, the UN Country Team is working with the government to produce the second Ghana Common Country Assessment/UN Development Assistance Framework in tandem with the World Bank Comprehensive Development Framework.
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Accra ( Greater Accra), 5th July, 99 --
On June, 17, 1999, the CNN splashed on its network a disquieting report that the US government had uncovered plans by Osam bin Laden, the Saudi billionaire to bomb US installations in Ghana. Bin Laden was said to have master-minded the bombing of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the CNN report, denying any link between Ghana and the terrorists who have threatened to attack US facilities across the world. A statement issued by the Ministry on June 19, expressed Ghana's displeasure at the US government's failure to relay to it any information that suggested a possible terrorist attack on US facilities in Ghana.
Ghanaians, however, breathed a sigh of relief when the US, on June, 25 said it was temporarily closing its Embassies in the Gambia, Liberia, Madagascar, Namibia, Senegal and Togo with effect from June 27. GRi correspondent, JAMES AMOAK had a chat with the US Ambassador in Ghana, Mrs. KATHRYN DEE ROBINSON on Ghana-US relations against the background of western media reports of plans by terrorists to bomb the Embassy.
GRi: Well, Madam, you have assumed duty at a time that Ghana-US relations have taken a turn for the better. You know, when your President visited Ghana last year, there was great enthusiasm and he did indicate that America was going to open a new chapter in its relations with Ghana and Africa in general . But you know, quite recently there were reports that some Islamic elements were planning to attack some US Embassies and facilities in some African countries. Ghanaians got worried when initial reports indicated that Ghana was going to be among six countries whose Embassies were to be closed down to avert these attacks. But now the air has been cleared with your government saying that Ghana is not among the six countries that have been named. Will you say this is a sign of the trust that America has in Ghana?
KDR: Well, let me just say a couple of things. Even before last August when our Embassies in Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam were bombed, the United States had been the victim of terrorist actions that resulted in the deaths of some American citizens as well as citizens of the nations where those attacks took place. But since last August, the attacks in Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam brought home to all of us that Africa is not immune from the terrorist organisations that are seeking to have a hustle at the United States. And since August our Embassy in Accra as well as US Embassies around the world, for that matter, have been very vigilant about checking anything that might suggest that there was something on the way of a hustle nature. And so, far as what we have seen of late has been, a pattern of activities that suggest that some of the terrorist organisations continue to plan acts against US facilities. And as you pointed out, there were some media reports that mentioned Ghana. All I can say at this point is that I can't, I don't comment on speculation in the media and there has been no specific information that I am aware of that indicates our facilities here in Ghana have been targeted.
But certainly we take seriously any suggestion that something may be amiss.
I also want to say that we are very pleased with the attention and assistance that the Ghanaian government gives to our security concerns and so we are very, very pleased about that, because our desire here is to be able to maintain normal activities and services. And thus far, we have been able to do that.
GRi: Well, but how do you see US-Ghana relations in future?
KDR: Infact, I think that our relations are strong or perhaps stronger than they have ever been before. And I feel very fortunate to be in Ghana at the time when our relations are so good. Ah, our relations are expanding in so many areas. And I think there is a lot of opportunity for both countries to achieve mutual benefits from our expanded engagements.
GRI: What assurance will you give to Ghanaians that those media speculations are not things that should mar relations between the two countries?
KDR: I think they have nothing to do with the people who might be planning terrorist attacks on US government facilities around the world. I mean they have nothing to do with US-Ghana relations. And so that, eh, I don't think it will mar, in any way, our bilateral relationship.
GRI: Thank you very much.
KDR: You're welcome.
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Another boat accident the Volta … Four drown
Kudikope (Eastern Region) 5th July 99 --
Four people from Kudikope in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region were drowned on Sunday when a canoe on which they were returning from the Gyemeni market in the Kpando District capsized.
The dead are Agbasi Narki, 35, Mama Kabuki 23, Okahoaoye Abena, 37 and Narteh Siawu aged one and half years.
At the time of the incident, the canoe, with a capacity of four persons and built solely for fishing, was carrying 11 passengers in addition to two maxi bags of potatoes, one bag of salt and unspecified quantities of goods.
According to the Asuogyaman District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Dwamema Bekoe, who together with the Assembly member for Gyakiti, K. Nketia, and the NDC Constituency Chairman Elom Djokoto, went to Kudikope to console the community, the canoe operator, Daniel Bosi said they were confronted by a heavy storm in the Middle of the lake accompanied by a down pour which caused the canoe to capsize.
The operator said, with the support of his assistant, they managed to save five people including a four-month old baby boy whose mother unfortunately got drowned. He said, but for the timely intervention of a larger boat, the remaining seven persons would have got drowned.
Madam Korkor Tei, one of the survivors told the District Chief Executive that she had to snatch the baby form behind the his drowning mother and swim with one hand from a distance of 20 metres to safety. She said one of the boat operators came to their rescue with a local mattress and she held onto it with the baby until the rescue boat came.
Mr. Dwamena Bekoe, on behalf of the District Assembly expressed their condolence to the bereaved family and the entire community. The DCE cautioned against the use of unauthorised canoes and boats for passenger service on the lake.
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Convention Party For Congress On Saturday
Accra (Greater Accra), 6Th July 99 --
Five persons, including a member of the defunct PNDC will contest the National Chairmanship of the Convention Party (CP) when it goes to congress to elect its national officers at the University of Ghana, next Saturday, July 10.
According to a programme released by the Party's secretariat in Accra to the GRi on Tuseday, the positions National Chairman, National Vice-Chairman, General Secretary and National Treasurer, will be open for election for officer who will steer the party into the next millennium.
Vying for the post of National Chairman are Mr Ebo Tawiah, a former member of the PNDC, and the octagenerian Professor Mawusi Dake, also a former PNDC Secretary. The others are Dr E .N Delle, a skin disease specialist, Dr Abubakar Alhassan, of the University of Ghana and Supi Bentsi Enchil a businessman.
The three positions of National Vice-Chairman has drawn six spirants in the persons of Messrs Felix Amoah, a Minister in Third Republic, P.K Donkor Aryifli, a former acting national Chairman of the People's Convention Party which merged with the National Convention Party to form the CP, and hotellier and former broadcaster, Mike Eghan.
The rest are Mr Kwesi Prempeh, Owusu Sekyere and Major Agbeko Sedziafa all stalwarts of the Convention Peoples Party from which the CP claims its roots.
The position of General Secretary, is a straight fight between the incumbent Dr Nii Noi Dowuona and Mr Kwasi Badoo, while Mr Martin Donkor and Mr Kwadwo Danquah sort it out for the post of National Treasurer.
The congress which will be preceded by an Executive Council meeting on Friday, July 9 at the University of Ghana, will pave the way for the election of the Party's presidential candidate and Members of Parliament for the 2000 elections.
About a month ago the CP had to cancel the Congress because it was challenged at the courts by some of its members who claimed that the party had not completed the election of officers in all the regions and therefore could not go hold a national delegates congress since it will contravene its constitution.
That action was thrown out of court thus paving the way for next Saturday's elections
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Join campaign for cancellation of debts, Catholics urge
Kumasi (Ashanti), 6th July 99 -
Participants at a seminar on the social teachings of the Catholic church in Kumasi, have called for the active participation of Catholics in the international campaign for the cancellation of debts owed by poor countries in 2000.
They also called on Ghanaians to ensure that multinational institutions undertaking economic ventures in Ghana do so without exploiting "our resources to the disadvantage of the people".
This was contained in a 11-point resolution adopted at the end of the seminar organised by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican and attended by 200 participants from all the 17 dioceses of the church.
The resolution was signed by the President of the council, the Most Rev. Francois Kavier Nguyen Van Thuan and the Council's Secretary General, the Most Rev. Diamund Martin.
The resolution called on Catholics to work closely with the Churches; agencies and institutions involved in the promotion of justice and peace and make their voices heard whenever the "dignity of a person is compromised".
It called on Catholics to commit themselves to justice and peace in their dealings with their fellow citizens and play active roles in conscientising the people to check against mismanagement of the country's resources through bribery and corruption.
The resolution urged political authorities to regard the citizenry as partners in development and that all development projects must be undertaken with consultation and openness in accordance with the directive principles of the constitution.
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Bishop Herman holds Speech and Prize-Giving Day
Kpando (Volta Region), 6th July 99 --
Professor Patrick Addy, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, has called on the youth to join the government to create an enabling environment for peace and stability to enhance the country's development.
The youth have to develop character traits of diligence, honesty and integrity to be part of the decision making process of the country.
Prof Addy was speaking at the 47th Speech and Prize-Giving Day of Bishop Herman College at Kpando on Saturday on the theme:"The relevance of education of the youth in nation building".
He said through various educational reforms at both the formal and non-formal sectors, "a sound foundation has now been laid to build an educational system that can support the technological advancement of the country into the 21st century."
Prof Addy decried the upsurge of drug and substance abuse, misuse and abuse of adolescent sexuality among the youth saying this can militate against their being prepared to take up leadership positions in the future.
Miss Akua Sena Dansua, Kpando District Chief Executive, who deputised for the Volta Regional Minister, commended the school for its enviable academic achievements as well as the discipline prevailing in the school.
She asked the school's authorities not to be complacent but to aim at greater achievements.
She said the Kpando District Assembly has since 1995 spent about 75 million cedis to renovate the school's assembly hall complex and a master's bungalow and pledged "more support and assistance whenever the need arises".
Mrs Jane Aidam, Acting Volta Regional Director of Education, called on teachers and heads of institutions to involve parents in tackling indiscipline in their schools.
She asked them to enforce rules and regulations governing discipline in schools to promote effective teaching and learning.
Mr Theodore Dzavor, the Headmaster, and Master Ammet Dapaa, school prefect, recounted some of the current achievements of the school in academic, music and sports disciplines.
They appealed to the government to provide accommodation for the 42 tutors of the school and to give them a means of transport.
In all, 120 prizes were presented to deserving students. Master Emmanuel Dorleku, 16- year-old form three science student, received the overall best student award.
An appeal for funds in aid of a bungalow yielded seven million cedis.
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Benevolent club presents mini-bus to hospital
Atua (Eastern Region), 6th July 99 -
The Manya Krobo Philanthropic Club, a benevolent club of Krobo citizens resident in Tema, has presented a 12-seater bus worth 20 million cedis to the Atua Government Hospital.
The bus will be used in conveying hospital staff and other workers to and from the hospital.
Mr Christopher Teye Sackey, secretary of the club, said Krobo citizens resident at Tema were touched by the lack transport for both patients and staff particularly during periods of emergency.
He hoped the club's gesture would relieve both patients and staff of this problem and called on all Krobo citizens to help improve the living standards in the district.
The Acting District Chief Executive for Manya Krobo, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, who received the bus for the hospital, commended the club for the initiative.
He said health care delivery is a shared responsibility for all Ghanaians, adding that with unity of purpose, Krobo citizens could do more to improve conditions in the district.
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Public warned about new computer virus
Accra (Greater Accra), 6th July 99 -
A new computer virus that destroys Macintosh and IBM compatible computers have found its way onto the internet.
A statement by the Ghana Consumer Association said the virus is very dangerous and there is no remedy for it.
A message received by the association from its counterpart in South Africa cautioned computer users that the virus, Wobbler, is more dangerous than the "Melissa" virus.
It said "if you receive a file called "California" do not open the file.
The file contains the 'WOBBLER' virus".
Another report released by IBM last Sunday said " a very sick individual has succeeded in using the reformat function from Norton Utilities causing it to completely erase all documents on the hard drive".
It said it has been designed to work with Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
The report describes the virus as a "new, very malicious virus" adding that not many people know about it at this time.
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Suspend gold sale, Asantehene tells IMF
Kumasi (Greater Accra) 6th July ’99
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, on Monday appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through the Canadian government to suspend the intended sale of its accumulated gold to support deprived communities.
The Asantehene made the appeal through the Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, Mrs. Janet Graham, when she paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The Asantehene said Ghana as a gold producing country stands to lose when the market is glutted with gold.
He said being a traditional ruler of Ashanti, where gold is produced in large quantities, he has the moral responsibility to ensure industrial peace and the welfare of the people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said Ghana is proud of the trade links between her and Canada and in the fields of technical education and cultural development.
He expressed the hope that the cordial relations would grow from strength to strength.
Mrs. Graham expressed her appreciation for the warm reception accorded her and commended the Asantehene and the Asanteman for the way and manner the burial of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II was organised and the peaceful installation of the new Asantehene.
The High Commissioner said her government would continue to assist Ghana especially in its socio-economic and educational programmes, stressing that she would do well to sustain the relations existing between the two countries.
Touching on the gold issue, Mrs. Graham said the issue is under discussion and said she hoped a solution would be found to the problem.
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German MPs meet Vice-President Mills, others
Accra (Greater Accra) 6th July ’99
Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday expressed concern about the inhuman treatment of illegal immigrants and other Africans, who infringe the laws in Europe, particularly Germany, and urged the governments to take a second look at the situation.
He said as much as he agrees that those, who infringe the laws must face the law, it would be more appropriate if the countries of origin are contacted to help in dealing with the culprits.
"The authorities must not take the law into their own hands and brutalise those unfortunate ones," Vice-President Mills told members of a delegation from the German Lower House of Parliament, Bundestag, who called at the Castle, Osu.
The Vice-President recalled cases of inhuman treatment of some Ghanaian immigrants in Germany and tasked members of the delegation to assist in addressing the problem.
The six-member delegation representing the Committee of the Interior in the German Parliament was at the Castle to hold discussions with government officials on issues of Ghanaian and German domestic interest.
Vice-President Mills and Mr Peter Enders, head of the German delegation and a member of the coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), led the discussions that also covered the fight against drug-related crimes as well as migration.
The German MPs are on a fact-finding tour of three West African countries.
Besides Ghana, they would also visit Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal.
Vice-President Mills expressed appreciation for Germany's contributions to Ghana's stride towards economic growth and democracy.
He said the issues of drug and other related problems are of great importance to Ghana.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the meeting would come out with candid and practical solutions.
Prof. Mills pledged the government's commitment to implement decisions that would come out of the discussions.
Mr Enders, who said the committee would look at the reports of inhuman treatment of immigrants, said the problem of illegal immigrants has been of a major concern to his country, which is now exploring partnerships with governments towards "a better way of doing things".
He said his country is encouraged by Ghana's strides particularly in her evolving democratic dispensation as well as the economy.
Mr Enders said Germany is very much interested in enhancing Ghana's steady progress, especially in the areas of education, health and human resource development.
He urged members of the delegation to explore Ghana's investment opportunities, while in the country to serve as a beacon for other German investors, who do not know of the country's potentials.
Opening the discussions, Mr James Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said it was gratifying that the two sides had finally found time to talk about some "thorny issues" that have been sources of worry to both the people and governments.
Mr Gbeho recalled relations between Ghana and Germany saying it has been "long-standing and quite warm".
He said Germany has contributed a lot to the development of Ghana and the people.
What needs to be done to enhance the present relationship is to explore new methods to reduce obstacles to economic trade as well as social problems like drug and other criminal activities.
Others who participated in the talks included Mr Kofi Quantson, Director of Narcotics Control, and Mr William Abuah Director of Ghana Imigration Service.
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Bongo District Chief Executive takes office
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 6th July ’99
The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, has sworn-in Mr Clement Akugre, former district co-ordinating director for Jirapa-Lambussie, as District Chief Executive for Bongo.
He reminded the DCE of upheavals in the area and charged him to make efforts to unite the people.
Alhaji Sulemana stressed that the district's resources, including the common fund, belong to the people, adding that the DCE should let transparency prevail in his dealings.
Hajia Fati Seidu, Deputy Regional Minister, advised the DCE not to act on "hear-say", but should take pains to investigate all allegations before taking decisions.
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Catholic Bishops conference opens in Tamale
Tamale (Northern Region) 6th July ’99
The creation of a new Catholic diocese for Yendi would help heal the wounds of the 1994 ethnic conflict in the region and speed up the peace process, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Alabi, has said.
The new diocese is expected to become operational on Saturday, July 10, with the installation of Reverend Monsignor Vincent Boi Nai as Bishop of Yendi.
In a speech read on his behalf at the plenary assembly of the annual Catholic Bishops Conference at Tamale on Monday, Mr Alabi said the establishment of the diocese would enhance the participation church in efforts to re-establish confidence among the ethnic groups in the area.
Sixteen bishops are attending the conference, which is under the theme "the Catholic Church in Ghana at the threshold of the third millennium".
It would consider the role of the church in issues pertaining to Africa and the world while at the same time ensuring its primary objective of evangelisation and charity.
Mr Alabi said people of the region are conscious of the fact that the Church is one institution besides government that has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the people.
"We believe that it is only through peace, unity and stability that any meaningful development, be it physical, mental or moral, can take place and we enjoin you to use this conference to echo the fight for peace.
He commended the church for translating its mission into practical terms by participating in education, health and agricultural activities, "to provide nourishment for the mind, body and soul".
The Archbishop of Tamale, Most Reverend Gregory Kpiebaya, welcoming the Bishops, said the church believes in uplifting and preserving the dignity of the human being as designed by God hence its involvement in social activities.
Since the creation of the Tamale Archdiocese in 1950, it has established 27 kindergartens and nurseries, 130 primary schools, 33 junior secondary schools, a senior secondary, technical and a vocational school.
The church has also established six health centres, one centre for pastoral formation and a major seminary with three campuses in the region.
Archbishop Kpiebaya said because Northern Region is bedevilled with perennial water shortages, the church has played an active role in the provision of potable water especially in the "horseshoe" area of the region where it has constructed 28 dams and wells.
The president of the conference, the Archbishop of Cape Coast, His Grace Peter Turkson, said the conference is an exercise of prayerful and humble consultation and deliberation to promote co-operation in the ministry.
He called for a "sankofa" attitude for the church at the threshold of the third millennium, saying, "we should revert to our origin and beginnings as a church in this country to be able to launch into the new millennium".
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Labour groups to meet on Price Water
Accra (Greater Accra) 6th July ’99
Representatives of the Civil Servants Association, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana and Ghana Registered Nurses Association and allied groups within the health sector are to meet on Tuesday 6th July at the Civil Servants Association Conference Room.
A statement in Accra on Monday signed by the Minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama, said the meeting would discuss steps to be taken to ensure that no groups of workers are left worse off following the implementation of the new salary structure
The statement said this follows a meeting on Monday between the Ministers of Finance, Employment and Social Welfare, Controller and Accountant General and representatives of the Central Management Board to address concerns of various categories of workers arising from the implementation of the Pricewaterhouse report.
The meeting was the result of directives by President Rawlings that anomalies detected in implementing the new incomes and wages policy should be corrected.
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Instil morality into youth- Boateng
Begoro (Eastern Region), 6th July 99 -
Mr David S. Boateng, a presidential aid, has urged churches and missions to promote disciplinary codes in their schools to redeem their image as advocates of morality adding that the government is concerned about the recent spate of youth violence and criminality by students from such schools.
Speaking at the fourth graduation and open day of the Presbyterian Women's Vocational Institute at Begoro on Saturday, Mr. Boateng said "It behoves on the clergy, traditional rulers and parents to put their feet firmly on the ground to stem the tide of rising youth criminality in the country."
He said the government attaches great importance to vocational and technical education, adding that plans are far advanced to procure equipment for all vocational schools.
Mr Boateng indicated that a national education forum is slated for September this year to review the performance of the educational reform programme.
The forum will bring together all stakeholders in education to discuss the 12 years of the implementation of the educational reform programme and find ways of sustaining it.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, commended the institute for training women to acquire skills and advised the graduands to let the proverbial Presbyterian discipline be their guiding principle to enable them to become responsible citizens.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, also the Member of Parliament for Begoro, appealed to the Fanteakwa District Assembly and the District Directorate of Ghana Education Service to set up an investigation team to probe the alleged pregnancy of eight girls in junior secondary schools by some students in Begoro.
Mrs. Agnes Ansah Anim, principal of the institute, said the institute had trained about 4,000 women in dressmaking, hairdressing, catering, batik/ tie/dye since its elevation to an intermediary level in 1985.
She said advanced courses would be introduced next year while a new garment factory would be opened soon and appealed to individuals and organisations for financial assistance.
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