Do not look down on other tribes - Asantehene
Face-lift for four communities in Kumasi on course
Larteh offers Methodist Church land for proposed university
Mills assures farmers affected by armyworm invasion
President Rawlings off to attend OAU summit
GPRTU appoints Asantehene as adviser
Greater Accra honours 25-plus tourism players
Loan to reconstruct Accra-Yamoransa road
International voluntary workcamp at Senya
Botsio blames government for poor state of the country
Catholic bishops express concern about falling education standards
Catholic Bishops call for cancellation of Third World debts
Sandema water board increases tariffs by 50 per cent
C.P National Delegates Congress Ends without a National Chairman
More students enroll at Dorma Vocational centre
All set for Convention Party congress
Unit committee accused of extortion
Ghana Airways honours Travel Agents.
Do not look down on other tribes - Asantehene
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 12 July '99
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on Asantes not to claim superiority over other ethnic groups.
He said their pronouncements and actions should be geared towards national unity.
The Asantehene made the call when the "Asantefour Kuo", a benevolent society embracing Asantes resident at Madina near Accra called on him at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday.
He said Asantes leaving outside the region should strive to gain good name for themselves and the region by joining the people in areas they find themselves in their development projects.
"If Asanteman and for that matter Ghana is to move forward, it needs the services of every body including all Asantes," he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu congratulated them for coming together but asked them not to use the Union for only funerals and other social activities but also use it to assist the less endowed among them to educate their children.
The group which was led by its Chairman, Baffour Osei Tufour, Mr Osei Kofi, Vice-Chairman and Nana Amma Serwaah, Queenmother of Kayera to Manhyia, congratulated Otumfuo Osei Tutu on his enthronement and noted that the peaceful atmosphere surrounding his nomination and enstoolment has become the envy of many areas both in and outside the country.
GRi../
Face-lift for four communities in Kumasi on course
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 12 July '99
Work on the eight-billion-cedi face-lift project for four communities within the Kumasi metropolis which began last year is progressing steadily.
The project, being sponsored by the World Bank under the Urban Four Project, are at Anloga, Aboabo Numbers One and Two and Oforikrom, all suburbs of Kumasi.
Briefing newsmen at Anloga, Mr Alidu Gariba, assemblyman, said the project includes the rehabilitation of roads, electrification, streetlights, potable water supply and places of convenience.
Mr Gariba, however, appealed to the government to include the construction of a new bridge over River Sasakyi to link Sasakyi and Anloga. He said the existing one is in a deplorable state and prevents people from crossing over when it rains because the river overflows its bank.
He said to assist in the effective mobilisation of the people for the project and other programmes in the area, a 33-member Council of Elders, has been formed. It comprises 11 prominent people from each of the major ethnic groups in the area, namely, Akan, Ewe and Northerners.
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Larteh offers Methodist Church land for proposed university
Larteh-Akuapem (Eastern Region) 12 July '99
The President of the Methodist Conference, the Right Reverend Dr. Samuel Asante-Antwi, on Friday received documents on a piece of land offered by the people of Larteh-Akuapem for the proposed Methodist University-Ghana from the Omanhene of Akuapem Guan at a ceremony at Larteh.
The two-mile-square land would house the administrative headquarters of the university, which is to start operating as from next academic year temporarily at Wesley Grammar High School in Accra.
Presenting the documents at a durbar of the chiefs and people attended by the hierarchy of the Methodist church, Nana Asiedu Okoo Ababio the third noted that since the church was established in the town in 1879, it had contributed immensely towards raising the town's image through the education of its citizens, some of whom now hold responsible positions.
He commended the church for selecting the town as the siting of the main campus of the university which, he noted, was in recognition of the services the people of Larteh have rendered to the church over the years.
Nana Ababio assured the church that he and his people would place their resources at its disposal to ensure the implementation of the project and to enable the university become a top-class educational institution for both the town and the country.
Rt. Reverend Asante-Antwi thanked the people for offering the land for the establishment of the university.
He noted, that the project fall in line with the government's call for the involvement of communities in the provision of educational facilities for the youth.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
"Mr Registrar", a book written by Mr Ebow Daniels, registrar of the University of Ghana, was launched at the weekend in Accra.
The launch marked the 60th birthday of Mr Daniels, who announced his retirement from the university come October One, after serving for more than 30 years.
The first copy of "Mr Registrar" was auctioned at 500,000.00 cedis.
"Mr Registrar" tells the story of Mr Daniels childhood school days at Cape Coast, where he lived with his parents, his entry into Legon as an undergraduate, and his life at the office of the registrar after graduation and as a registrar himself in later years.
Mrs. Esi Sutherland-Addy, a lecturer at Legon, described the book as compulsory reading material, of a campus life, written and told by an "insider".
It describes the scenes behind admissions, award of degrees, and promotion into positions in halls of residence, faculties and departments.
Professor Alex Akwapong, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, recommended it to all those who "love Legon and have passed through it as students".
He said the book, based on human drama and told in a humorous and unique blend of style, is very assertive on the management of the academic programmes of the university.
Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of Legon who chaired the function, described the -author of "Mr Registrar" as a good working partner full of understanding, saying his absence would be felt very much.
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Mills assures farmers affected by armyworm invasion
Bawku (Upper East) 12 July '99
Vice President John Atta Mills on Sunday assured farmers in the Upper East region, especially those whose farms were invaded by army worms, that government will assist them to re-crop their fields.
He said seeds and other needed inputs will be made available to them through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture MOFA and the district assemblies for replanting to enable them to recoup losses incurred.
Professor Mills gave the assurance when he toured farms at Zebilla, Magonori Bawku and Zawse to assess the extent of damage caused by the army worm invasion.
About 277,000 hectares of cereals, comprising early millet or nara, maize, rice, and sorghum, have been affected by the invasion, which was first detected three weeks ago. Out of the number, 8,300 hectares have so far been brought under control through spraying by agricultural extension workers.
Professor Mills told the people at Zebilla that catastrophes, such as the army worm invasion, were a direct consequence of environmental degradation and called on them to adopt good farming practices to prevent similar occurrences in future.
He commended the staff of MOFA for responding promptly to the situation and urged them to educate farmers constantly on the causes of army worm invasion.
Professor Mills also urged the people to plant trees which could serve as windbreaks to protect their houses from rainstorms.
He reiterated government's commitment to the people's welfare in times of need. "We will never abandon you. We cannot call ourselves leaders unless we have people to lead," he said.
The chief of Zebilla, Naba Aboya Ndago, said he and his people will always be grateful to the government for its "concern and prompt response" to their plight.
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President Rawlings off to attend OAU summit
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra today for Algiers, Algeria, to attend the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of OAU Heads of State, which opens on July 12.
Dr John Abu, Minister of Trade and Industry and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied him. Already in Algiers is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Victor Gbeho.
Mr Joseph Laryea, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told newsmen at the airport that the three-day summit, which is the last in the millennium, was crucial - it is hoped to prepare the way for the launching of an economically integrated Africa devoid of conflicts.
He said the Assembly was preceded by the 9th Session of the Committee of Ambassadors and other government envoys from July six to 7, and the 70th Session of the Council of Ministers from 8-10.
The deputy Minister said the summit would examine the OAU Secretary-General's report on the conflict situation in Africa, the restructuring of the administrative, financial and economic matters of the organisation, and issues on gender and HIV/AIDS in Africa.
"The session will deliberate on how to combat terrorism and desertification, the development of Africa's marine environment, as well as the West African States' 3-year moratorium on the exportation, importation and manufacture of small arms and light weapons".
The Heads of State would discuss the causes of the present limitations to the collective, sustained and effective African action on protracted conflicts on the continent.
They would also take a critical look at the impact of globalisation and liberalisation of international trade on Africa, and how best to mitigate its negative effects.
An advisory panel of experts to support Africa's diplomatic representation at the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP)/European Union, and World Trade Organisation negotiations would be established.
"Most members states will be called on to ratify and accede to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) and also co-ordinate and harmonise the activities of regional groupings like ECOWAS, which serve as foundation blocks for the AEC Treaty, Mr Laryea said.
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GPRTU appoints Asantehene as adviser
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 12 July '99
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has been appointed as life Chief Adviser of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) by the National Executive.
The Asantehene has also been made a member of the Neoplan branch of the GPRTU in Kumasi.
Mr Aaron Osei Boakye, Ashanti Regional Vice-Chairman, announced this when he presented a VIP card of the Union and membership card of the Neoplan branch to the Asantehene during a courtesy call on him by the regional and Neoplan Executives at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi on Saturday.
Mr Kwaku Asiedu, secretary of the Neoplan branch commended the Asantehene for his keen interest in the transport sector and said the union cherished his wise counselling and advice.
On behalf of the Union, he wished the Asantehene long Life and a successful reign.
The Asantehene called for probity and accountability by the Executives, and urged them to exhibit transparency in all their activities to win the confidence of their members.
He noted that the GPRTU had played immense role in the transport sector, and this had had significant impact on commercial activities, health, education and various sectors of national life.
The Asantehene advised members of the Union to be cautious, avoid reckless driving, and maintain their vehicles to minimise the spate of accidents.
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Greater Accra honours 25-plus tourism players
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
More than 25 players in the tourism industry were on Saturday night honoured at the third Greater Accra regional tourism awards ceremony for their contributions to the growth and sustenance of the sector.
In all, 19 individuals and institutions were presented with certificates of recognition in the competitive awards category, while two honorary awards went to the Ga Traditional Council and the Dangme-West Pottery and Bee-keeping projects.
Vicma Car Rental Company, Ga Dangme Society, Stable Travel and Tours, Traffix Restaurant, Domaben Restaurant and Tema Municipal Assembly received citations of appreciation.
A special award, dubbed "Primus inter-pares" (First among equals), instituted for the first time, went to Expertravel and Tours company for its consistency in the provision of excellent travel and tour services.
Mrs. Doreen Owusu Fianko, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), emphasised that the current increase in tourist arrivals in Africa demanded that Ghana strengthened her competitiveness as an international tourism destination.
Mr Charles Osei Bonsu, Regional Manager of GTB, called on tourist operators to avoid complacency, and appealed to stakeholders in the industry to support.
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Loan to reconstruct Accra-Yamoransa road
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
The Government of Ghana has received a loan of 10.287 billion Japanese yen (about 86 million US dollars) from the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund (OECF) of Japan for the reconstruction of the 115-kilometre Accra-Yamoransa Road to asphaltic concrete surface.
A statement released in Accra by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) said work is expected to commence around June 2000.
It said the scope of work includes the construction of a 17-kilometre dual carriageway from Mallam in the Greater Accra Region to Kasoa in the Central Region, with the rest being single carriageway.
The drainage structures and the alignment of the road will also be improved upon.
Currently, consultants for the review and supervision of the work have been appointed, and the review of the design drawings of the road is in progress.
Meanwhile, the GHA has engaged two local contractors to repair "bad sections" of the road, especially between Mallam and Winneba, until the actual reconstruction work begins next year.
The Authority also expressed concern over the practice where people block sections of the side drains along the road with debris to create access to their property.
The GHA cautioned that the practice leads to "ponding" along the road and eventually to the seepage of water into the road structure, which consequently becomes soft and weakens.
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International voluntary workcamp at Senya
Senya-Beraku (Central Region) 12 July '99
A 10 member team from the Scottish Girl Guide Association (SGA), are taking part in a two-week international voluntary work camp at Senya-Beraku in the Central Region.
The team led by Miss Jane Stuart and Miss Susan Taylor and local volunteers are helping to build a nursery at the camp organised by the Ghana Girl Guide Association (GGA) and the management of Mother Theresa Memorial Day Care Centre at Senya-Beraku.
According to Mr Kwesi Essel-Koomson, proprietor of the Centre, four Australian insurance brokers and companies, have donated about 25 Million Cedis towards the project.
The proprietor, who is also the Managing Director of KEK Insurance Brokers Limited said he was motivated by the good works of the late Mother Theresa which led to the discovery of the academic and vocational talents of many brilliant girls from poor homes to establish the centre.
Launching the programme on Saturday, Lieutenant Daniel William Osardu, District Chief Executive for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, commended the Scottish Girl Guide team for the love and concern they have shown for the people of Senya-Beraku and Ghana.
He also extended appreciation to the insurance brokers and companies in Australia for contributing substantially towards the development of the Senya-Beraku Mother Theresa Memorial Day Nursery School and urged local companies and NGO's to emulate them.
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Botsio blames government for poor state of the country
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
The National Interim Chairman of the Convention Party (CP), Mr Kojo Botsio, on Saturday lashed out at the government for the "state in which the country is today, 33 years after the overthrow of the Convention People's Party", and said the CP would ease the suffering of the people when voted into power.
He said the CP would pursue human-centred policies, and the people will no more suffer.
Mr Botsio was opening the first congress of the party at the University of Ghana, Legon.
He said the internal national debt of four trillion cedis and external debt of six billion dollars are not good for the country, adding that unemployment, poverty and poor agriculture policy are indications of the poor state of the economy, despite the country's natural resources.
Mr Botsio said irrigation projects started by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and General I.K. Acheampong have been virtually abandoned, and water resources are in danger as a result of a combination of factors.
These include the negligence of government, deforestation and pollution of water bodies by business houses, most of which are of foreign origin.
Mr Botsio said the new local government structures in place are the brain-child Dr Nkrumah, but its implementation is directly opposite what he conceived.
The partisan nature of district assemblies is not good for the new local government structure and advocated that political parties should be allowed to sponsor candidates in district level elections.
This is because the power vested in the president to appoint one-third of the assemblies and the District Chief Executive makes the assemblies partisan.
Mr Botsio called for measures to make local government institutions and structures capable of serving the interest of the masses rather than the narrow political ends of the regimes.
Currently, tertiary education, he said, is becoming a preserve for only the wards of the "money bags" and high officials.
He condemned proposals by the authorities of the University of Ghana to increase registration and facility user fees, saying they are unacceptable.
Mr Botsio called on African leaders to implement measures that will insulate their development efforts from the effects of unpredictable weather patterns and hiccups of the world financial system.
The opening ceremony was attended by all five MPs of the CP and officials of the opposition parties.
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Catholic bishops express concern about falling education standards
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has noted with concern that in spite of the enormous financial resources that the government is putting into education, standards continue to fall.
It also noted the inability of parents, particularly in the rural areas and the low-income bracket, to educate their children due to rising cost of education.
This is contained in a communiqué issued in Accra after its annual Plenary Assembly held in Tamale from July five to nine, signed by 16 bishops.
The bishops said it appears Ghana is moving fast towards an elitist society, in which only a few rich people can afford good education, even by sending them abroad.
"We want to reiterate that the Church is ever committed to assisting in the provision of education, especially for the poor and deprived."
The bishops called on the government to improve upon its commitment and efforts in the education sector and enhance the involvement of the Church and civil society in the educational enterprise.
On crime, the bishops said the rising rate of indiscipline, lawlessness, murders, armed robbery and violence gives great cause for alarm.
They said the proliferation of arms has made matters worse, and the inability of the security services to arrest the situation leads some citizens to take the law into their hands to exact instant justice.
"This situation is not helped by the image of some judges, legal personnel and security agents, who are allegedly corrupt and take bribes and refuse to administer true justice."
The bishops observed that the recent influx of violent and immoral films and video programmes in the country have had adverse effects on the life-style and cultural and moral values of the youth.
They appealed to all media houses and video centres to be circumspect and selective in their desire to provide entertainment, and urged parents and teachers to take responsibility for programmes that children watch.
The communiqué also dealt with women's issues, the youth, the aged and the family.
On women, the bishops noted that women continue to experience great hardships in the society and too many of them are becoming victims of domestic violence, rape and ritual murder.
"The Church and State cannot be indifferent to the plight of women, and more effective ways have to be found to empower them so that they can live dignified lives."
The bishops said as a result of familial poverty, and social and cultural transformations, the young are becoming increasingly impatient and disillusioned and, at times, rebellious.
The Conference noted that many youths drift to the urban centres, where they swell up the numbers of the unemployed. "This poses a challenge to the State and Church."
The bishops also noted that families live in abject poverty, saying poor pay and increasing unemployment make the future of these families bleak.
"The crisis of the family is threatening the peace and stability of the nation. Looking into the future, we would encourage the youth to prepare adequately for married life and accept the discipline of responsible parenthood".
The Conference expressed regret that while in the past old age was a blessing, it is now becoming a burden, as most of the aged are denied the necessary support to live a dignified life.
It commended the government for instituting a day for Senior Citizens and deplored frustrations that retired persons go through to get their pensions.
The Conference called for the removal of "unnecessary administrative bottlenecks" that delay the prompt and full payment of pensions and retirement befits.
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Catholic Bishops call for cancellation of Third World debts
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 July '99
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has expressed concern about the debt burden of poor nations and unfair terms of trade and called for total cancellation of debts of Third World countries on humanitarian grounds.
It also called on rich nations to review trade terms in order to ease the sufferings of the peoples of poor countries who produce the bulk of the raw materials for industrial development.
"This gesture of debt cancellation, and the review of terms of trade, would be concrete gestures of solidarity of the international community with the poorer nations," it said.
The appeal is contained in a communiqué issued in Accra on Saturday on its Plenary Assembly, that took place in Tamale from July 5-9.
The communiqué said debt remission should afford Ghana an opportunity to make a fresh start in respect of good governance and judicious use of its national resources for the common good.
"We urge government that in line with its commitment to poverty alleviation, it should use the benefits of debt cancellation to enhance the quality of life of the urban and rural poor by providing basic amenities, especially educational and health facilities, throughout the country."
It said "emphasis should be placed on the needs of the youth and women to enable the largest number of people to escape the agony of self-perpetuating poverty."
The communiqué noted that the disparity between the rich and the poor is ever-increasing.
"The nation's quest for social justice, as embodied in our constitution, demands that the government act decisively and firmly to address the poverty situation to enable Ghanaians to live in dignity."
It said the Church would continue to make "a radical and preferred option for the poor" and assist the people in the fight against poverty, hunger, diseases and ignorance.
The communiqué expressed the hope that the peace in the Northern Region would be sustained.
It, however, appealed to traditional rulers, district assemblies and government to put in place a mechanism to study and recommend ways of addressing the issue of land in Northern Ghana.
"The present situation, which renders many ethnic groups homeless and landless in their own country, is not only unacceptable but remains a latent source of conflict.
The communiqué noted that this year is the 119th year of the birth of the Catholic Church in Ghana and said it will continue with its pastoral work.
GRi../
Sandema water board increases tariffs by 50 per cent
Sandema, (Upper East) 12 July '99
The Sandema Water and Sanitation Development Board has increased tariffs on potable water supplied to its customers by 50 per cent to meet its operational and maintenance costs.
Consequently, an unmetered house with more than 16 tenants, which previously paid 13,350 cedis a month, would now pay 39,950 cedis. Communities operating hand pumps would be required to pay 15,000 cedis, instead of the previous 4,000 cedis, while a private residence without a meter would attract 12,500 cedis.
The board also intends to install meters for institutions and organisations which have no meters in order to maximise its collection to meet maintenance cost.
Mr. Daniel Syme, Builsa district chief executive, announced this at the second ordinary session of the assembly at Sandema.
He said since the board took over operations from the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) in 1997, it has never reviewed tariffs on water, even though the GWSC has done so three times since 1997.
Mr Syme said a meeting, held between the assembly and water consumers, stakeholders and the board to deliberate on how to sustain the board's operation, agreed on the 50 per cent increase.
GRi./
C.P National Delegates Congress Ends without a National Chairman
The first National Delegates Congress of the Convention Party (CP) ended in the early hours of Sunday, July 11th without any of the four contestants vying for the position of National Chairman emerging as winner.
None of the four contestants, Dr. E.N. Delle, a medical practitioner, Dr. Abubakar Alhassan, lecturer at the University for Development Studies, Prof. Mawuse Dake and Mr. Ebo Tawiah, both former functionaries of the erstwhile PNDC could gain the 51% or more of the votes required to win.
After about four hours of collation of results, the Electoral Commission released the results which saw Dr. Alhassan leading with 419 votes (37.5%) followed by Dr. Delle with 399 votes (35.3%) Mr. Ebo Tawiah came third with 268 votes (19.8%) and Prof. Mawuse Dake fourth with 49 votes (4%). 33 votes were rejected.
Supi Bentsi-Enchill who had earlier declared his intention to contest the national chairmanship withdrew at the last minute.
After the release of the results, the national executive committee decided to nullify the results and call for fresh elections in September when the party elects its flagbearer for election 2000.
Mr Felix Amoah, member of the Central committee, Mr P.K. Donkor Ayifli, fromer national vice-chairman, and Mr Mike Eghan chairman of the publicity committee, polled 840, 637 and 592 votes respectively to be elected First, Second and Third National Vice Chaiamend in that order. They won from a field of six which included Major Agbeko Sedziafa, Mr Kwasi Prempeh, and Mr Owusu Sekyere.
Dr Nii Noi Duwuona, incumbent General Secretary, retained his position when he beat Mr Kwasi Baidoo by 872 votes to 214 in a two-cornered contest.
The Position of National Treasurer saw Mr. Martin Donkor winning with 741 votes, followed by Mr. Kwadwo Danquah with 344.
Nana Kwesi Buckman took the bottom position with 25 votes whiles 25 votes were rejected.
In the General Secretary’s report, Dr. Nii Noi Dowuona said the agreement signed between PCP, NCP and PNC on August 11, 1998 is still hallowed, even with the withdrawal of some elements of the PNC.
He said, cited the regional task force concept which charged people from each region to organise regional branches of the party as one concept which has accounted for the success of the CP so far.
Dr. Dowuona described logistics as one of the major obstacles confronting the forward march of the party as it makes it difficult for the execution of plans that had drawn to ensure the effective mobilisation of supporters.
The Interim chairman, Mr. Kojo Botsio, earlier in his welcoming address said the first national Delegates conference should not be seen as an idle exercise fuelled only by nostalgia, but a giant step in the Nkrumahist revivalist movement with a commitment to eliminate the economic, social and political crisis into which Ghana has plunged.
He said the congress must be seen as a glowing signal from those whose sweat and toil liberated Ghana from the clutches of oppression and exploitation, that they will not allow any force on earth to destroy their achievements.
Mr. Botsio said one of the areas of major concern to the Convention Party is the new local government structures being put in place by the Rawlings administration.
"While the Convention Party fully endorses the policy of decentralisation, the CP will not accept any manouvre which makes local government structures appendages of the ruling government.
"The CP is considering the view that District Chief Executives also ought to be elected like the Presiding Members by the Assemblies.
"We should do everything possible to make local government institutions and structures serve the interests of the masses rather than the narrow political ends of failing regimes" he added.
Mr. Botsio appealed to all Nkrumaist outside the Convention Party (CP) framework to join it to help form a formidable party to take over the reigns of government.
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More students enroll at Dorma Vocational centre
Dormaa-Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo), 10th July 99 --
The Dormaa Vocational Training Centre enrolled 170 students this year as against 153 students last year.
The increase in the enrolment is due to the desire of the youth to acquire vocational skills towards self-reliance, Mr Asamoah Yortoe, manager of the centre told the GNA in an interview at Dormaa-Ahenkro on Thursday.
He said the vocational centre, which offers courses in masonry, carpentry and electrical installations, has a total enrolment of 360 students with 17 teachers.
Mr Tortoe appealed to the Dormaa District Assembly for building materials towards the construction of four additional classroom blocks and urged the assembly to award contracts to the centre to enable it to get funds to be self-supporting.
The Vocational Centre has through its own efforts raised some funds to construct a security post and to rehabilitate some of its classrooms and workshops.
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All set for Convention Party congress
Accra (Greater Accra), 10th July 99, --
Delegates attending the national congress of the Convention Party (CP) scheduled to commence at 1700 Hours at the Central Cafeteria of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Friday, have started arriving.
Over 200 out of the 1,200 delegates, mostly from the northern regions, are already in Accra.
"Everything is on course," Mr Kweku Yiborku, Deputy General Secretary of CP, said in an interview with GRi on Friday.
He said activities for the congress would formally begin at 1700 Hours with a meeting of the National Executive Council.
Although he did touch on the agenda for the Executive Council Meeting, it is believed that leading members of the party will discuss the conduct of the congress, the draft constitution and other pertinent issues affecting the party.
The delegates will elect national party officials and adopt the draft constitution of the CP.
Positions being contested for include national chairman, three national vice chairmen, Treasurer and General Secretary.
Mr Yiborku said Professor Mawuse Dake, Dr Edmund Delle, Dr Abubakar Alhassan, Mr Ebo Tawiah and Mr Supi Benti-Enchill are vying for the post of chairman.
Dr Nii Noi Dowuona, the incumbent General Secretary, and Mr Kwesi Baidoo are contesting the position of General Secretary.
He said the posts of National Organiser, two Deputy General Secretaries, Youth and Women's Organisers would be appointed by the Central Executive Council of the Party.
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Unit committee accused of extortion
Kumasi (Ashanti), 10th July 99, --
Madam Essi Panin, a baker at Asawasi in Kumasi, has accused the Asawasi "G" line unit committee of extorting 370,000 cedis from her under the pretext of allocating her a piece of land, but which they have failed to do.
She mentioned Mr Collins Ofosu, the assemblyman for the Seven Up electoral area at Asawasi who referred her to the committee, as an accomplice.
In a complaint to the Asawasihene and copied to the Asawasi community association, Madam Panin said she approached the assemblyman for a piece of land to erect a temporary structure for her flour mill.
She said the assemblyman referred her to the unit committee who interviewed her and told her that they would allocate the land to her.
However, the unit committee members asked her to pay 300,000 cedis into its accounts, 50,000 cedis to the members who would supervise the construction of the structure, and 20,000 cedis for the purchase of papers.
She said the whole amount of 370,000 cedis was collected by one Dan Adams alias "Ake", but in spite of the committee's promise to ensure that she would not face any obstacles, residents of "G" line have stopped her from erecting the structure and her money has not been refunded.
Madam Panin has therefore appealed to the Asawasihene to intervene.
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Akim Oda (Eastern Region), 10th July 99, --
Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso IV, Omanhene of the Akim Kotoku traditional area, has called on his people to forget the past and to unite for the speedy development of the area.
He said the traditional area requires a number of social amenities which could only be developed if the people are united and live in peace.
Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of the traditional area at Akim Oda on Wednesday after the chiefs had sworn the oath of allegiance to him.
The Omanhene extended an olive branch to all those who initially opposed his nomination and enstoolment and gave the assurance that he would not victimise any of them.
He pledged his co-operation and that of his chiefs and people to the government and appealed for support for the development of the area.
The chiefs pledged their loyalty to the Omanhene and promised to assist him to woo investors into the area to create job avenues for the youth.
Among the chiefs who swore the oath of allegiance were Nana Dwamena Akenten the second, Oda-Nkwantahene and acting Krontihene of the traditional area, Nana Nketia Tenadu II, Kusihene, Baffour Adjei Appiah the second, chief of Akim Asuboa North and Nana Okyere Boamah, Ekoanahene.
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Ghana Airways honours Travel Agents.
Accra (Greater Accra) 10th July 99 -
Ghana Airways has presented awards to 10 travel agents at the fourth annual Travel Agents Awards night in Accra.
ELNENTAL Travel and Tours was adjudged the best travel agent for the airline. The second and third prizes went to DIVINE and JOURNEYMAX Travel and Tour.
The Managing directors of the companies were each given tickets for overseas trips with their spouses.
They each also received unspecified sums of money, a television set, a video deck and a certificate.
A statement signed in Accra by Mr Sam Bannerman-Bruce, Public Relations Manager of Ghana Airways, said
the 10 beneficiaries were Phoenix Travel, F & A Travel, Jaidos Travel, Graceland Travel and Jet Travel.
Others were Kumasi Travel, Tours Tropicana, Sky Life Travel and Expert Travel and Tours.
The statement said the destination of the award winners would be announced later.
It said the Chief Executive, Mr E. L. Quartey, jnr was grateful to the travel agents for their efforts in helping the airline to achieve significant results.
"There is still room for improvement and that the airline will still open its doors to the agents who provided a remarkable 65 percent of the airline's sales revenue", Mr Quartey added.
The statement quoted Mr Quartey as saying that for the first time in the history of the airline, its sales crossed the 100 million-dollar mark in 1998.
He said with the successful completion of negotiations for co-operation agreements with South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, Ghana Airways is looking for partners outside the African continent for a "globalised approach to its business strategy."
The Chief Executive announced that under the airlines fleet expansion programme, a DC 9 aircraft, the first of three to be purchased, has been procured and would arrive in Accra within the next fortnight.
The second aircraft, a DC 10, is due in by the end of July and the third, also a DC 10, would follow shortly.
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