Compensation for information on murders now
300 million cedis
CHRAJ orders re-instatement of civil servant
Transparent election would be a legacy – Envoy
Impostor arrested for using fraudulent means to
gain job
Businessman to contest presidential polls
Be wary of visas to EU through Romania and
Bulgaria – Ministry
Parties told to create environment for peaceful
elections
Yeji NDC members call for change of incumbent
MP
Fitting honour for
Yaa Asantewaa assured
Compensation for information on murders now
300 million cedis
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 July 2000
Following agitation this week by women’s groups and other civic associations against the inaction of the government and security agencies concerning the serial killings in Accra, the National Security Council on Tuesday added 300 million cedis to the amount to be paid for information that might lead to the arrest of the murderers of women in Accra.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Minister Responsible for National Security after a meeting of the Council. The government had earlier promised to pay 50 million cedis and 10,000 dollars.
The Council noted that the murders pose a threat to the country's security interests hence the need to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
Mr Quakyi said the measures agreed upon at the meeting include the expansion of the Inter-Agency Task Force set up in the wake of the killings to co-ordinate the investigations.
It named the membership of the expanded Task Force, headed by Mr Kofi Quantson, National Security Co-ordinator as Mr Peter Nanfuri, Inspector-General of Police, Mr William Aboah, Commissioner of CID, Mr Johnson Abudu, Commissioner of Police Operations and Nii Okai Adjei, Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service.
The others are Mr Yaw Donkor, Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Brigadier Francis Adu Amanfo, Director-General, Department of Defence Intelligence, Mr J. A. Adams, a retired Commissioner of Police, as well as Representatives of Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and religious bodies.
The statement said it has also been arranged for the Task Force to be provided with the required logistics to facilitate its work.
The Council has also directed that representatives of identified groups, which can assist the Task Force in its work should be co-opted to help as and when necessary.
The Task Force will remain the focal point for collecting and assessing all available information towards the identification of the possible suspects.
The Council, however, reiterated that the Task Force could not achieve the desired results without the support and co-operation of the general public.
"The criminals live among us and, therefore, each one has a role to play if we are to succeed in the unravelling of the mystery surrounding these killings."
It called upon neighbourhood watchdog committees as well as unit committees of the district assemblies to be extra vigilant and to report the movements of any suspicious characters in the neighbourhoods.
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 05 July 2000
The Commission on Human Rights and
Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the Brong Ahafo Region, has ordered the Dormaa
District Assembly to re-instate a Postal Agent, Mr. James Owusu Druye, who was
sacked for allegedly vacating his post.
According to the Commission, the
dismissal of Mr. Druye from the Civil Service for allegedly refusing to report
for duty was not justified and must be reversed immediately.
In a letter to the Assembly
through the District Chief Executive, the Commission said that after going
through the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Mr. Druye, it is
convinced that it was wrong.
The letter signed by the Regional
Operations Officer said that the Commission received a complaint from Mr. Druye
on June 9 that the Assembly had wrongly dismissed him.
It said when the Commission met
the two parties, it was realised that the Assembly dismissed the complainant
because he allegedly failed to report for duty when he was posted to Dormaa
Akwamu.
The Commission said oral and
documentary evidence by Mr. Druye proved that he did not report for duty as
expected because the building, which was to serve as his office and residence
was undergoing renovation.
It said since the Ghana Postal
Service also stated it could not give out materials for Mr. Druye to work with
until his office is ready, he could not be blamed for not being at post.
"Indeed, it is the responsibility
of all employers to create a conducive working conditions for their employers
and since the Assembly has failed to do this, it is wrong and unjustified to
sack Mr. Druye," the letter said.
Mr. Kumi Acheaw, a Senior
Executive Officer, represented the Assembly.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 05 July 2000
The United States (US) Ambassador
to Ghana, Madam Kathryn Dee Robinson, on Tuesday said that a transparent
election in December would be a meaningful legacy for the country.
"It would be a proud model
for the African continent and indeed for people throughout the world who seek
to establish a democratic government," she said.
Speaking at a reception to mark
the 224th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence in
Accra, Madam Dee Robinson said that the December election would be a milestone
in the history of Ghana because it would be the first transition from an
elected president to another elected president.
"No matter who wins the
presidency, the real winner in a free and fair election in December would be
the people of Ghana, for they would have had the opportunity to exercise their
political rights freely".
She said a free and fair election
would place the country firmly on the path of democratic consolidation and
create the condition for Ghanaians to improve their lives and realise their
potentials.
On July 4, 1776 representatives of
the original 13 American colonies declared their independence from the British
Monarchy.
She paid tribute to its principal
author, President Thomas Jefferson and his colleagues, who signed the
Declaration.
The Declaration states that
"Americans would not be denied their inalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness and that legitimate government must originate in
the consent of the people".
Madam Dee Robinson wished
President Jerry John Rawlings good health and best wishes to Ghanaians.
The Minister of Communications, Mr
John Mahama, wished President William Jefferson Clinton continued health and
strengthened bilateral relations between Ghana and the United States.
He noted that Ghana has enjoyed
cordial relations with the US and said there has been increased American
assistance especially, in the areas of energy, education, transport and
investment promotion.
The Minister said Ghana is
preparing to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act adopted
by the US Congress to open the American market to more African products.
Mr. Mahama expressed the
government's gratitude for US support in peacekeeping especially in West
Africa.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 05 July 2000
The Ghana Education Service (GES)
on Tuesday arrested a man for using the certificate of his dead brother to gain
employment in the service.
Mr Adam I. Sheini was nabbed for
using the certificate of Mr Adam I. Sheini, also known as Mr Emmanuel Adam I.
Sheini, who died in August, 1989.
The impostor also used the same
Certificate "A" (four-year Post-Middle School Teacher's Certificate)
to gain admission to the University of Cape Coast as a mature student.
Professor Christopher
Ameyaw-Akumfi, GES Director-General, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in
Accra.
He said the GES received an
anonymous letter from the Northern Region, which stated that Mr Sheini was
using the certificate of his deceased brother to teach in the area.
A second letter came from the
University of Cape Coast complaining about Mr Sheini's poor performance, which,
according to the university, was far below standards. It said his whole year's
aggregate was 0.79 and his admission had, therefore, been withdrawn.
The university, Prof.
Ameyaw-Akumfi said, reported the case to Cape Coast police who arrested Mr Sheini
but managed he to escape after being given police bail. At the moment, the
university is investigating how he managed to gain admission.
The Director-General said the
impostor, after escaping from police bail, came to the GES headquarters to
inquire about his salary and denied ever being withdrawn form the university.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said he was
surprised that when Mr Sheini was interrogated, he could not even say a
complete sentence in English correctly.
"He is a criminal and must be
put before court and prosecuted for using fraudulent means to gain employment
at the GES and admission at the University of Cape Coast."
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 05 July 2000
A businessman, Mr Owusu Ankomah on Tuesday announced that he will contest the presidential polls scheduled for December eight as an independent candidate.
Mr Ankomah, 57, who was speaking at a press conference in Kumasi said he decided to go it alone because of the realisation that partisan politics tend to breed disunity and fanatic allegiance to political parties thereby making the popular aspirations of the people to suffer.
He expressed regret that while those on the side of the ruling party may see nothing wrong with the government, those in the opposing parties perceive everything about the government as wrong.
The Presidential aspirant said that he is of the strong conviction that it is only a president selected on his personal appeal rather than one elected from a political party that can fully steer Ghana out of its pitfalls and promote a genuine sense of national unity and reconciliation.
He said it is in acknowledgement of these merits of independent candidature that he was moved to vie for the presidency and, therefore, appealed to all Ghanaians to give him their mandate to enable him bring the country out of its present doldrums and economic woes.
Mr Ankomah said he will provide a more honest, dedicated and transparent political leadership and tackle the canker of corruption from a more aggressive angle with the view to completely eliminating it from the midst of Ghanaians.
More pragmatic measures will also be instituted to tighten and control government expenditure while drastically cutting down waste in the system, he stressed.
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Be wary of visas to EU through Romania and
Bulgaria – Ministry
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 July 2000
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday warned the public to be wary of "unscrupulous" people who have been arranging visas for Ghanaians to travel through Bulgaria and Romania in the hope that they would easily get access to European Union countries, particularly Germany and Italy.
In a statement issued in Accra, the ministry said there is no guarantee that travelling through these countries would ensure their arrival in EU countries.
"Besides, the location of Romania and Bulgaria is such that gaining access to the EU countries, particularly Germany and Italy, even through legal means, is extremely difficult and fraught with danger."
It said since Ghana has no mission in Sofia and Bucharest, Ghanaians travelling through these countries should not expect to be given any assistance if they encounter any difficulties.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Regio) 05 July 2000
Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the electoral Commission (EC), on Tuesday asked political parties and their candidates to assist in creating a general atmosphere conducive for peaceful elections.
He said that both the electorate and political parties have a role to play in promoting the country's young democracy to ensure national development.
Dr Afari-Gyan was speaking at a day's seminar on election reporting organised for journalists and the representatives of political parties in Kumasi.
It was jointly organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National Media Commission (NMC), Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and the EC. He said achieving free and fair elections is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders in the current democratic dispensation adding, "anybody who thinks the EC could do it alone is a dreamer".
Dr Afari-Gyan advised people, who would be appointed as party agents, to be vigilant at the various polling stations to ensure a free and fair elections.
He also appealed to the police to provide all political parties with the necessary protection to enable them to carry out their campaigns.
Dr.Afari-Djan noted that the judiciary is a vital institution in the country's democratic process, and urged the courts to avoid delays in the settlement of electoral disputes.
Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, Executive Secretary of the NMC, called on journalists to be accurate and objective in reporting political activities to win the confidence of the political parties.
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Political parties reminded of Public Order
Act
Tema (Greater Accra) 05 July 2000
The Community One District Commander of Police on Tuesday urged the leadership of political parties to ensure trouble free elections by observing the Public Order Act, when organising party rallies in their communities.
Under the Public Order Act 491, any political party is obliged to inform the police five days before the holding of a rally.
Mr Robert Mark Azu, Superintendent of Police in-charge of Community One was contributing to a forum organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Tema for representatives of political parties, religious groups and Civic Society.
It was under the theme "the role of political parties in national integration, especially in an election year".
He explained that the essence of the Act is to avoid the situation whereby political parties would organise rallies on the same day and venue or area.
Superintendent Azu pointed out that when the police are informed, "we make investigations to find out how safe the area earmarked for the political rally is", adding, "when another political party has already applied for the area, we will make this known to the applicant."
He said the police would also be interested in the number of people at a rally so that "we know the men to send to the rally", stressing that if it is a big rally, we will request for more men from the headquarters. Supt. Azu cautioned that failure to comply with the Act could lead to disorder and clashes.
"This is an election year, and it behoves all political parties to comply with the rule of law, so that Ghana can once again conduct a trouble free elections".
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Yeji (Brong Ahafo) 05 July 2000
The Yeji branch of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Atebubu North constituency has called for
transparency in the selection of a candidate to contest the forthcoming
parliamentary elections on the party's ticket.
It indicated that it would resist
any attempts by the party's national hierarchy to impose the incumbent Member
of Parliament for the constituency, Mr D. Y. Mensah, as parliamentary candidate
on the people in this year's general elections.
This position was stated by Mr
Abubakar Sadik, vice-chairman of the Yeji ward at a press conference at Yeji at
the weekend.
He proposed the holding of
primaries to enable the party come out with an acceptable parliamentary
candidate rather than maintaining the sitting MP.
Mr Sadik further stated that there
was need for a new person, who could better meet the developmental aspirations
of the people and to ensure a landslide victory for the NDC in the
constituency.
He said the decision was the
consensus of the members of the party at the constituency, the Verandah Boys
and Girls Club, the youth wing of the party and the 31st December Women's
Movement.
He alleged that the incumbent MP
has not been able to assist in the development of the constituency in spite of
the fact that he has been in parliament for two terms.
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Fitting honour
for Yaa Asantewaa assured
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 05 July
2000
The National Planning Committee of
the Nana Yaa Asantewaa Centenary celebrations has assured the public that it
would organise a fitting celebration in her honour.
"After the sponsorship launch
last Friday, some funds have began steadily flowing into the committee's
coffers to enable us successfully organise a memorable centenary
celebration", a statement issued in Kumasi on Wednesday and signed by Mr
Wilberforce Otchere-Darko, member of the committee in reaction to a publication
in last Tuesday's issue of the Pioneer newspaper said.
In the publication, Mr Asirifi
Danquah, secretary to the committee alleged that the committee is on the verge
of collapse as a result of financial constraints and appealed to the
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for assistance.
Mr Danquah said out of an
estimated amount of 300 million cedis for the celebrations only 10 million
cedis was realised at the sponsorship launch held last Friday.
The statement said that Mr Danquah
was invited by the committee to a meeting last Tuesday after the publication to
explain the motive behind the publication.
He said his aim was to court the
sympathy of the public with a view to motivating them to donate towards the
celebration.
Mr. Danquah apologised to Nana
Aboagye Agyei II, Ejisuhene and chairman of the committee and the other members
for any embarrassment caused. The committee said it therefore disassociates
itself from the publication because Mr Danquah did not have its consent.
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