KMA passes vote of no confidence in MCE
Five-day conference on reforestation and food preservation opens at Sunyani
Give information on armed robbers and get ¢ 5m
Tain divisional council offers land for cashew cultivation
Denkyirahene elected President of National House of Chiefs
Consultants and specialists of Korle-Bu still on strike
GNFS benefits from 12.8 million-dollar loan
NDC expresses concern over sale of gold reserves by IMF and UK
Bargaining Certificate for ICU
Akuoko Sarpong calls for the establishment of association of African traditional rulers
ICU members defy executives' call not to demonstrate
EPA to Prosecute Environmental Offenders
KMA passes vote of no confidence in MCE
Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 21 July '99,
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence in Nana Akwasi Agyemang, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE).
Fifty out of the 52 assemblymen present at the meeting adopted the resolution seeking to remove the MCE from office at a meeting called by Nana Osei Owusu Banahene, Presiding Member.
The Presiding Member then read a resolution prepared by the 46 members in May this year that called for the removal of Nana Akwasi Agyemang as the MCE.
Charges levelled against him included misappropriation of funds, non-compliance with the guidelines on the sub-metro, area and unit committees, absence of a budget and low revenue generation due to lack of supervision.
With the adoption of the resolution the stage is now set for a secret ballot within 21 days.
The MCE can only be removed by two-thirds of the 87-member assembly.
GRi./
Five-day conference on reforestation and food preservation opens at Sunyani
Sunyani, (Brong Ahafo) 21 July '99,
A five-day conference at which participants would discuss indigenous knowledge in reforestation, organic farming and traditional methods of food preservation began in Sunyani on Tuesday.
More than 40 farmers, agriculturists, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the crop unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and foresters are attending the workshop.
The conference will give the participants the opportunity to discuss and assess the roles of indigenous knowledge in reforestation and organic farming. It is being sponsored by the World Bank in collaboration with Environmental
Protection Association of Ghana (EPAG).
Opening it, the Brong Ahafo regional minister, Mr Donald Adabre called on farmers to "re-examine some of the old indigenous practices that enabled our ancestors to preserve the environment and refine it for posterity"..
Mr Adabre expressed the hope that NGOs in the country would use their expertise to make a more positive impact on Ghana's environment and in the development process.
The Regional Minister said that problems of ecological degradation, deforestation, soil erosion and the use of harmful agro chemicals, are being studied by specialists for solutions.
Mr Adabre encouraged farmers to use organic instead of inorganic methods, which is dangerous the health of consumers.
The project manager of EPAG, Mr John Kwaku Owusu said that an estimated 1.2 million cubic metres of timber is taken from the forest and this had contributed to the fast degradation of the environment.
He said about 115,000 hectares of land in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions have been degraded over the year and called for sustainable measures to halt the continuous abuse of land.
GRi
Give information on armed robbers and get ¢ 5m
Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 20 July '99,
The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has instituted a five million cedis reward for any person, who provides information that would lead to the arrest of any member of the gang, that broke into the Amansie West Rural Bank at Antoakrom in the Amansie West district.
The gang broke into the bank in the early hours of Sunday.
In addition, the REGSEC would reward any neighbourhood or watchdog committee through whose vigilance armed robbers would be arrested.
A statement issued in Kumasi on Tuesday and signed by Mr Kojo Yankah,
Ashanti Regional Minister, said these were among decisions taken at an extraordinary meeting of the REGSEC, which was attended by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Minister of National Security.
The REGSEC appealed to the public to bear with the joint military and police exercise in parts of the region.
It said the exercise, which entered its second phase on Tuesday is part of an operation to flush out armed robbers and criminals.
About 50 armed-robbers allegedly raided the Bank and took away the Bank's generator and several millions of cedis.
The robbers armed with pistols and other weapons, fired several warning shots to scare off the residents and held Policemen on duty at the Antoakrom Police Station under siege before breaking into the bank during a heavy downpour.
The Manager of the Bank, Mr George Osei Mensah, told newsmen in Kumasi that the exact amount of money stolen is yet to be ascertained.
GRi../
Tain divisional council offers land for cashew cultivation
Menji (Brong Ahafo), 21 July '99,
The Tain divisional council in the Wenchi district of the Brong-Ahafo region has decided to release up to five acres of its stool lands to every citizen, particularly the youth interested in establishing cashew plantations.
The council's decision is part of strategies adopted to help create employment in the agricultural sector, and thus halt the urban drift in the area.
Nana Gbetu Ampem 11, chief of Nsana and president of the council, announced this at the general meeting of the council in Menji at the weekend.
He explained that cashew is a major cash crop that has high export value and potential, and the council is promoting its production.
Nana Ampem 11 decried the poor state of roads in the area and appealed to the government to place the rehabilitation of the Wenchi-Sampa main road on its priority list. It takes five hours to travel on the 48 kilometre- road, he said.
GRi../
Accra, (Greater Accra) 20 July '99,
The Women and Juvenile Unit of the Ghana Police service has mounted a search for Mary Afoley, a trader, for deforming her niece.
Alex Yartey Tawiah, Station Officer of the unit, told the GNA that Afoley hit Cynthia Ohene in the head with an aluminium pot, causing a deep cut.
The police said when Afoley took the victim to the hospital, he asked her to say she fell on some stones.
After the treatment, Afoley did not allow Cynthia, who is living with her, to go back for further treatment.
After a while, she removed the stitches herself exposing a big sore on Cynthia's head.
As a result of this and persistent maltreatment and starvation, Cynthia behaves abnormally.
A pale and feeble Cynthia was shown to the GNA by the police. Cynthia now lives in Tema Community Four with her mother.
GRi ../
Denkyirahene elected President of National House of Chiefs
Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 20 July '99,
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, Denkyirahene and President of the Central Region House of Chiefs, was on Tuesday elected unopposed as the new President of the National House of Chiefs at an emergency meeting in Kumasi.
He succeeds Osagyefo Kuntunkununku III, Okyehene, who went to the village on Wednesday, March 17, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
Before the meeting, Naa (Dr) Puoure Puobe Chiir VII, Nandom-Naa and acting President of the House, asked members to observe a minute silence in honour of the late President of the House.
Mr David A. Kanga, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in-charge of operations who supervised the election told the meeting that at the close of nominations for the position on July six, Odeefuo Amponsem was the only candidate and declared him the new President of the House.
The Denkyirahene, 66, known in private life as John Kwame Amofa Appiah, is a product of Saint Augustine's College, Cape Coast and holds a diploma in public administration from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, United States.
He was enstooled Denkyirahene on February seven, 1955 to succeed Nana Owusu Bori II.
Miss Justice Rose Owusu, Supervising High Court judge of Ashanti swore the new President of the House into office, and the other chiefs swore to him.
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem called for the co-operation and advice of the members and said he would live up to the confidence reposed in him adding that together " we can build a strong and forward-looking House ready for the challenges facing the chieftaincy institution.
He expressed his appreciation to the maturity and solidarity shown in his election.
Naa Puobe Chiir, Vice President of the House said chiefs in Ghana have made history by adopting consensus in the face of diverse interest and ethnic groups and expressed the hope that the concept would stay to serve as an example for politicians.
The Nandom-Naa observed that chieftaincy has a unique role in grassroots participation because it provides an indispensable source of leadership at the community level.
Chiefs, he said, have also served as disseminators of information on agriculture, education and a source of peace, tranquillity and progress in their communities.
"It is within the communities that lies the constant expectation that chieftaincy should serve as one of the most cherished institutions", he added.
He stressed the importance of justice and accountability and asked chiefs to ensure that justice is not delayed either because judicial committee members do not turn up regularly to hear cases or as a result of vested interests.
"When these are eliminated it would help reduce litigation; chieftaincy disputes and prevent some chiefs from being dragged to the courts", he said.
The Nandom-Naa appealed to the government to help chiefs in the performance of their judicial functions by increasing their allowances and said "100 cedis per kilometre is too low and night allowances should be paid to encourage members".
GRi../
Consultants and specialists of Korle-Bu still on strike
Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,
Striking medical consultants and specialists of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital may resume work tomorrow, "if the director of administration proceeds on leave as expected".
A letter from the Minister of Health, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, asking the administrator, Dr Sylvia Annie-Akwetey to proceed on leave to ensure industrial peace has been received at the nation premier teaching hospital, but it is yet to be delivered Dr Annie- Akwetey.
The doctors began the strike action on Monday, demanding that the administrator, who is at the centre of controversy over hospital purchases, leave the hospital.
Dr Alhassan Abudulai, spokesman for the doctors, in an interview in Accra on Tuesday said they have received a copy of the letter signed by the minister and Professor Rev. Seth Ayettey, acting chairman of the board of the hospital.
" We have received a copy of that letter just this evening. There will be an emergency meeting tomorrow morning to let other colleagues know of the letter. Then we will know what action to take next.
"I promise you we will go back to work as soon as we finish with the meeting''.
Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor on Monday issued a statement asking Dr Annie-Akwetey to proceed on leave to ensure peace at the hospital.
The Minister said he is studying the Serious Fraud Office and Justice Osei Committee reports on investigations into alleged fraudulent deals in the supply of medical consumables at the hospital.
"I need to study the two reports and reconcile the contents and various recommendations to ensure fairness to all concerned".
When contacted, Dr Henry Holdbrook-Smith, chief executive of the hospital, said the absence of the consultants is being deeply felt, and the hospital cannot do without them.
"Hopefully, the consultants will resume work tomorrow after the administrator has received a copy of the letter asking her to proceed on leave for the hospital to be back on track''.
Dr Annie-Akwetey, speaking on one of the private radio stations earlier in the day, said she is seen as an "obstacle" by the purchasing committee and the consultants, "because she always queries anything she suspects to be fishy".
She said it is her duty as the administrator of the hospital to fight for the interest and safety of the patients, "and I have been doing just that".
She said she was waiting for a letter signed by her employers, Ministry of Health, asking her to proceed on leave before she vacates her post.
GRi../
Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,
Ms Mavis Rough, wife of Rough Flash Bay, a Ghanaian resident in Dubai, is requested to contact the Legal and Consular Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an mportant discussion.
A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday said Mr Bay, Alias Asiedu, was found dead on December 26, last year, in his hotel room in Addis Ababa while on transit to Accra.
GRi
GNFS benefits from 12.8 million-dollar loan
Accra, (Greater Accra) 20 July '99,
A U.S.-based company, W.S. Darley and Company, is to provide the Ghana National Fire Service with 40 fire-fighting trucks, spare parts and services under a 12.8 million-dollar low-cost, long-term loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The trucks include 14 dual purpose tenders with monitors and spare parts, 23 dual purpose tenders with spare parts, and three water tenders. The component also includes training and logistic services.
A statement issued by EX-IM Bank in Accra on Tuesday said the trucks are equipped for use as rescue vehicles, hose tenders and carriers in city and rural environments.
It said Mr Peter Addo, President of Universal Marketing and Development Agency Incorporated, arranged the transaction and introduced the Ghana Government to W.S. Darley's Cutting Edge Technology and Ex-Im Bank financing.
The contract will benefit W.S. Darley's three plants and other sub-contractors, since they will need to increase their workforce in Melrose Park, Illinois, in the US in order to handle the order.
"It is our first substantial order in Ghana. We see it as opening doors for US products for sub-Saharan Africa," said Peter Darley, Chief Operating Officer.
GRi../
NDC expresses concern over sale of gold reserves by IMF and UK
Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" over the sale of gold reserves by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Kingdom (UK) and some developed countries.
A statement signed by Mr Kofi Attor, Deputy General Secretary of NDC, said the decision would affect the economic survival of people in gold- producing countries.
"For a country like Ghana with gold as its leading foreign exchange earner, this is a matter of genuine and serious concern as it affects the very survival of the people."
The statement noted that the British Government plans to dispose of over 400 tonnes of gold, while the IMF plans to sell off 10 per cent of its gold, which will amount to 10 million ounces.
"This has resulted in the sharp fall in the price of gold to about 256 per ounce, the lowest in 20 years."
The statement said while NDC supports the debt relief initiative of the IMF, the party is of the view that "using gold sales to fund such an initiative amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul".
It said already in Ghana, Ashanti Goldfields Company has given an indication that 2,000 workers may have to be laid off as a result of the slump in gold prices.
Such a situation undoubtedly leads to the worsening of the unemployment situation, which does not augur well for the development of the nation.
The NDC proposed a forum of all stake-holders, including the TUC, to urgently assess the situation and consider ways of conveying collective concerns to the IMF and British Government.
GRi../
Bargaining Certificate for ICU
Accra, (Greater Accra) 20 July '99,
The National Tripartite Committee on Monday directed that a new Bargaining Certificate should be issued immediately to the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU) of the TUC to represent workers of the Wire Weaving Industries Limited who have opted to join the union.
It also asked police to investigate all complaints of alleged criminal acts committed at African Automobile Limited (AAL), with a view to bringing the suspects to face the law.
A statement issued in Accra said the direction follows a meeting called by the committee to discuss the impending nation-wide demonstration by all members of the ICU.
It asked the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to set in motion the necessary machinery to ensure that there is no vacuum in trade union representation at any workplace in respect of which a bargaining certificate has been applied.
It said a sub-committee of the National Tripartite Committee has been set up to investigate the issues raised by the ICU, including the mass dismissal of workers of AAL and unionisation problems at Akosombo Textiles Limited, and submit its report to the plenary to August 10, 1999.
"In the light of the foregoing, the National Tripartite Committee agreed that the ICU should call off their impending demonstration."
GRi../
Akuoko Sarpong calls for the establishment of association of African traditional rulers
Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 20 July '99,
Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, Agogohene and Presidential Staffer for Chieftaincy Affairs, on Tuesday advocated the establishment of an organisation of African traditional rulers and authorities to assist in the governance of the continent.
He said such a body would help in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
Nana Akuoko-Sarpong was addressing a meeting of the National House of Chiefs (NHC) during which Odeefuo Boa Amponsem, Denkyirahene and President of the Central Region House of Chiefs, was elected unopposed as its President in Kumasi.
He succeeds Osagyefo Kuntunkununku III, Okyehene, who went to the village on March 17 after a short illness.
The Agogohene, who is also the Chairman of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), said the institution would continue to enjoy the honour, dignity and respect which has been accorded it from time immemorial.
He said African countries should learn from the success stories of Korea, Taiwan and Japan, whose strong reliance on culture and its application in modern governance has made them what they are today.
Nana Akuoko-Sarpong said the establishment of the organisation could begin with the setting up of sub-regional groupings of traditional rulers.
He stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of the traditional councils, regional and national houses of chiefs by providing them with the requisite resources.
GRi../
Offinso (Ashanti Region), 21 July '99,
The Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has said the wrong use of pesticides was destroying foodcrops, the environment and human beings in Akomadan and its environs in the Offinso district.
These findings were based on a CSIR research.
Mr William Joseph Ntow, Scientific Officer of WRI, made this known at a day's training of trainers workshop on "Safe pesticides management" for 42 participants selected from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA),the Ministry of Health, Offinso District Assembly and other related organisations in the district.
Jointly organised by the CSIR and the Offinso District Assembly, the workshop discussed topics like classification of pesticides, effective use of pesticides, integrated pest management, prevention of accidents, recognition of poisoning and management of poisoning.
Mr Ntow said the research was in response to allegations of impotency, high youth mortality and other environmental problems prevalent in the Akomadan area.
The study revealed that a wide range of pesticides was used in tomato production while its application was not regulated.
GRi../
ICU members defy executives' call not to demonstrate
Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,
Hundreds of workers of the Greater Accra branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trades Union Congress on Tuesday defied advice by the national executive to defer their planned demonstration.
The angry placard-bearing workers ignored the advice given by Mr Napoleon Kpoh, General Secretary of ICU, who told them that majority of the grievances of the workers had been met by the National Tripartite Committee.
Some of the placards read "We want investors and not shooters", "Deport Hijazi", "We Want Better Pay", "Workers Rights are human rights", "TUC try to advise them", "Sintex workers are suffering", "Rawlings arise" and "Autin Gamey is a liar".
The workers also carried a miniature coffin with the inscriptions R.I.P Hijazi and the names J. J. Rawlings and Austin Gamey at the sides.
Mr Kpoh told the demonstrators that the arrest of Mr Mohamed Hijazi, Managing Director of African Automobile Limited (AAL) and International Automobile Limited vindicates the ICU. Mr Hijazi is alleged to have pulled a pistol on his workers on two occasions during a misunderstanding.
There is also a directive for full scale investigations into the alleged brutality and criminal acts at AAL and an agreement on the issuance of certificate for the ICU to represent workers of Wire Weaving Industries who have opted to join ICU.
Mr Kpoh said the ICU is call for a solution to the mass dismissals at AAL and unionisation problems at Akosombo Textiles limited.
At this stage the workers shouted "no, no, no, ..." amidst dancing and chanting of patriotic songs.
Mr Kpoh expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the unfair manner in which the Ministry of mployment and Social handles issues involving ICU member organisations.
He said the ICU would no longer sit down for the rights of workers to be trampled upon by the government, employers and individuals.
The ICU boss said although the union does not encourage violence, the proper procedures must be followed when dismissing workers adding that Ghana has good employers and the ICU will co-operate with them.
The leadership of the ICU would follow the trail of Mr Hijazi to ensure that the law takes its course.
After his speech, the workers marched to the office of the Regional Co-ordinating Council where they presented a five-point resolution to Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Greater Accra regional Minister.
The resolution called for an unconditional reinstatement of the four dismissed local union executives of IKAM.
It demanded that an urgent action be taken to restore the confidence of workers in the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Labour Department in their handling of labour issues, among others.
Mr Ohene Agyekum said the government is doing its best to ensure industrial peace to enhance productivity.
He said strikes and demonstration cost the nation a lot of money and appealed to the workers to go back to work.
Mr Ohene Agyekum assured them that appropriate measures would be taken on issues they raised.
GRi../
EPA to Prosecute Environmental Offenders
Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,
With the coming into force of Executive Instrument (EI.9), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can now prosecute persons who degrade the environment.
The legislation mandates the EPA to take legal action against environmental offenders.
Under the instrument, signed by the Attorney General, the prosecution can be initiated by lawyers in the employment of EPA, Senior Programme Officers of the Agency or Environmental Protection Inspectors.
Dr.Peter C. Acquah, Executive Director of EPA, stated these when he reconvened the Compliance and Enforcement Network (CEN) of the Agency in Accra on Tuesday.
The reactivation of CEN, which is to ensure full compliance of the executive instrument, is made up of representatives of the Media, Ghana National Fire Service, Town and Country Planning, Mines Department and Ministry of Environment Science and Technology.
Other members are officials of the Ministry of Health (Environmental Health Division), Ghana Standards Board, Forestry Department and Department of Factory Inspectorate.
The rest are from the Attorney-General's Department, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police Service.
CEN has two Sub-Committees - Legal and enforcement - which handle legal matters and enforce the law on noise levels, mining and manufacturing degradation.
GRi../