Ghana to co-operate with South Africa in opposing gold sales

Mills receives Israeli investment group

Asunafo district records more buruli ulcer cases

District Chief worried about teenage marriages

Extension officers asked t help farmers replant crops

Small-Scale Industrialists asked to repay government loans

Accra (Greater Accra) 16 July ’99

Ghana says it will co-operate with South Africa and other gold producing countries on the continent to mount a firm opposition to the proposed International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current British gold sale, which has thrown gold prices down to a 20-year low.

This is because of the devastating effect it will have on their emerging gold mines, economies and workers.

Mr Fred Ohene Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy, noted that with the globalisation of the world, the fate of one country quickly affects the other.

He said Ghana cannot sit down unconcerned about the effects of the gold sales by mostly European nations on the economies of producing countries.

"We condemn this move in no uncertain terms. We need to be very vociferous in letting the international community know what this means to our economies".

Mr Ohene Kena was speaking in Accra at a meeting with a six-member South African delegation, led by Ms Susam Shabangu, Deputy South African Minister of Minerals and Energy.

The delegation is in the country to drum up support for a concerted effort to stop the British gold sales and intended sales by the IMF, World Bank and five other Central Banks in Europe.

Mr Ohene Kena said even though some mines have started cutting costs to stay in line with production targets, "this is going to throw gold production out of gear, create small operators in the form of galamsey, which has destructive effects on the environment as well.

"We cannot let this continue, as before long, such mines cannot cope and will have to resort to mass lay-offs, not counting the multiplier effect it will have on highly indebted poor countries," Mr Ohene Kena added.

The price of gold, which before the British sale was about 261 dollars an ounce, is now at about 255 dollars, a figure that is far below the 278 dollars an ounce at the beginning of the year.

Ms Shabangu said she appreciated Ghana's initial overtures concerning the issue and hoped that a solid proposal would be found to solve the problem of gold prices and thereby those of the numerous households and communities whose life would be thrown into jeopardy as a result of the sales.

"We are excited about the minister's response, especially as he believes in our stand and proposals. He agrees with our strategies and proposals".

She said the current state of the gold industry is critical and of major concern to gold producing nations as well as investors seeking to invest on the continent.

"This is of major concern to investors who may want to invest in our countries. Indeed, given the present unstable conditions, investors may not want to come and invest at all.

"Already, the support of the entire South African Development Community has been sought following a series of meetings that have been held and we thought it wise to contact some other major gold mining nations in other parts of the

African continent, hence our decision to come to Ghana."

Ms Shabangu condemned speculators on the gold market and questioned their role in the industry, which she described as "negative".

She said if the inevitable happens and Africa's plea is snubbed, it may be necessary for African leaders of gold mining countries to meet again to fashion out other alternatives to stop it.

Ms Shabangu noted that it was pathetic that the highly indebted poor countries, which are expected to benefit from the IMF and World Bank gold sales, were never part of the proposals or talks towards them.

On whether the sale was a plot to cripple rising economies such as Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Mali, Ms Shabangu said:

"This cannot be confirmed until the facts are out. It is, however, clear that the intention is to help third world countries, but these countries must have been part of the initial discussions on it."

GRi../

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Accra (Greater Accra) 16 July ’99

Vice-President John Atta Mills on Friday received a six-member investment group from Israel and assured them that conditions are favourable for genuine investment in the country.

Government has over the years restructured the economy and has removed distortions with the promulgation of appropriate laws and regulations to ensure good returns on investments, he said.

The Israeli group, Bold Spiritual Initiatives International, is in the country to explore and establish businesses. Their target sectors include communication, agriculture and tourism.

Prof. Mills said he was happy that the group, made up of experts and Executive Officers of various business concerns, has recognised government's goodwill and considered Ghana for investment.

He urged them to give priority attention to agriculture because that sector is government's top priority.

Besides, they should evenly spread their investments across the country and guard against the tendency of restricting themselves to a particular area.

Prof. Mills said government on its part would play the role of a facilitator towards the realisation of their dreams.

Prince Asiel Ben-Israel, who led the group, said it is encouraged by the government's desire to lift Ghana up and pledged the members' commitment to attracting businesses from other parts of the world to Ghana.

GRi

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Goaso, (Brong Ahafo) 16 July ’99

A total of 100 Buruli ulcer cases have been recorded in the Asunafo district of the Brong Ahafo region.

The disease has affected age groups between six years and above and majority of the affected are school children, Dr Peter Asare, acting district medical officer, disclosed at Goaso on Thursday.

Dr Asare mentioned Kukuom, Tanoso and Noberkaw as the endemic areas.

A team from the district disease control unit has embarked on educational campaigns in the district.

"We need funds for transport and dressing materials like gauze, cotton wool, plaster and bandage", he added.

Dr Asare, therefore, appealed to the Asunafo district assembly, individuals and non-governmental organisations to assist the disease control team to achieve its objectives.

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Jirapa (Upper East) 16 July ’99

Mr Jacob Boon, Jirapa-Lambussie District Chief Executive, has expressed concern about the high rate at which young men are luring school girls into marriage in the district.

This attitude, he said, does not only disrupt the education of the girls but also increases the risk of teenage motherhood.

Mr Boon who was addressing the third ordinary sitting of the district assembly at Jirapa on Thursday appealed to assembly and unit committee members to educate people in their communities against the practice.

GRi../

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Jawia (Upper West) 16 July ’99

Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minster of Food and Agriculture, on Thursday directed that extension staff of the ministry should assist farmers whose crops have been devastated by the army worms to replant early maturing crops.

"Time is not with us at all and due to erratic rainfall pattern in the north, we need to assist them with early maturing seeds such as cowpea and groundnut to make up for the damage caused by the worms".

Mr Owusu-Acheampong who is on a two-day tour of the Upper West Region to ascertain the extent of damage caused to farms by the worms, gave this directive at Jawia in the Sisala District where he inspected a number of affected farms.

He said he was happy that most of the affected farmers have already started re-ploughing and replanting crops like local yellow corn, cowpea and groundnuts.

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Wa (Upper West) 16 July ’99

Small-Scale Industrialists who benefit from government loans have once again been advised to repay them quickly to enable others to enjoy the facility.

They should also be innovative in their production methods to meet international standards in the world competitive market.

Alhaji Ali Seidu Pelpuo, Wa District Chief Executive, was speaking during the celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa at Wa.

The day is celebrated to create awareness of science and technology development on the continent. Artisans from schools, identifiable groups and individuals took part in the celebration.

Alhaji Pelpuo advised industrialists to use good quality materials for their production in order to get tourists and local customers.

He commended the Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology Industrial Service

(GRATIS) for setting up Intermediate Technology Transfer Units (ITTUs) throughout the country to train and assist individuals and groups to be gainfully employed.

GRi../

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