GRi Newsreel - Ghana
14-07-2000
NPP selects
parliamentary candidate for Agona West
Presidential Adviser bemoans corruption in society
Women groups present petition to Attorney General
Two Bimoba clans
clash displacing 4,500
Military must not use
its resources to settle personal scores - Minister
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 July 2000
Alhaji Issaka Inusah, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Thursday described the party as dictatorial, which cannot form a government.
Announcing his defection to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a news conference in Accra, he said that the NPP has no future, survives on arrogance and lacked fellow feeling and leadership.
Alhaji Inusah explained that the conference started late because some members of the NPP besieged his house in the morning and held him hostage for several hours to prevent him from announcing his defection.
He said just as he arrived at the Royal Ravico Hotel where the news conference took place, Mr. John Agyekum Kufour, flagbearer of the NPP, rang him from London pleading with him to rescind his decision.
Alhaji Inusah, who was the 1996 National Campaign Manager of the NPP, said the party lacked sincerity from the top to the bottom.
"The party has double standards, preaches one thing and practices another.
"A few people at the top along with their cronies and favourites have trampled on inner party democracy and transparency."
Alhaji Inusah said there was dictatorship and marginalization in the NPP, which rather accuses others of being undemocratic.
"And to avert the danger and national catastrophe should that party come to power, I have decided to join NDC as the viable alternative where I can offer my services to the development of the country".
He said he was resigning on moral and principled grounds based "on attempts to marginalized and discriminate against me because I am a northerner".
Alhaji Inusah said knowing that he played a role in the political development of the country after spending 46 years with the Danquah-Busia tradition, he decided to throw his weight behind Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC flagbearer.
"I shall actively campaign to ensure his election as the President of Ghana."
He said Prof Mills is a man respected greatly for his humility and personal achievement and has been seen as "an embodiment of peace, stability and continuous development that the country must continue to have after President Rawlings."
Alhaji Issifu Ali and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, NDC National Chairman and General Secretary respectively welcomed him to the NDC, which they said is a caring and a human-centred party.
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NPP selects
parliamentary candidate for Agona West
Agona Abodom (Central Region) 14
July 2000
Mr. Samuel Obodae, a 40-year-old
Quality Control Manager of the Major & Co. Manufacturing Limited (GH) has
been elected unopposed as the Agona West constituency parliamentary candidate
of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the December elections.
In his acceptance speech at the delegates'
congress at Agona Abodom, Mr. Obodae appealed to members of the party to join
hands and conduct their campaigns peacefully, devoid of insults and other acts
that might trigger of violence.
He expressed his gratitude to the
delegates for the confidence reposed in him and called on all the citizens of
Agona to vote for him on December 8.
Mr. Albert Essumang, Central
Regional Secretary of NPP, called on the followers of the party to exhibit what
he termed as "matured politics" from now till December.
Nana Fekwaw VIII, Mankrado of the
town advised the party officials, who paid a courtesy call on him at his
palace, not to use provocative language during their campaigns.
He advised them not to talk about
the mistakes of others but to come out with their policies that could be of
benefit to the nation.
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Presidential Adviser bemoans corruption in
society
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 July 2000
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Adviser on Government Affairs, on Thursday bemoaned corruption in the Ghanaian society and said the canker has the potential of "limiting and weakening the ability and effectiveness of our leadership".
He noted that the serious socio-economic and political implications of corruption suggest that the leaders - political, business, community, media and civil society organisations, among other bodies, must play their part in curbing the problem.
Alhaji Iddrisu, who was speaking at the fourth national governance workshop in Accra, called on the National Institutional Renewal Programme (NIRP) to sufficiently integrate anti-corruption measures into the new design and organisation.
He said government structures that create "veto points of administrative power" must be softened, adding, "this has a vast potential of limiting corruption by making it less profitable for both officials and bribe-payers".
The two-day workshop under the theme: "Effective leadership for good governance", is organised by the Parliament of Ghana and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Participants are drawn from the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, political parties, civil society, labour unions, the private sector, community leadership, including chiefs and opinion leaders, religious bodies, students, youth organisations and the donor community.
Alhaji Iddrisu said he was aware that serious discussions are taking place among the anti-corruption coalition on the effective measures for combating the problem.
He said while the government will continue to support the effort of the coalition to proactively persist in its search for effective anti-corruption measures.
"Government will support all credible measures designed to fight corruption in this country", he declared.
Alhaji Iddrisu noted the importance of women and the family as "pillars of leadership", that must never be under utilised or underestimated.
"It is quite obvious and well-documented in Ghanaian literature that women continue to be marginalised and disadvantaged in our society.
"But leadership is not simply a male phenomenon. As men, we must give due recognition to our women and provide the opportunity for them to complement our efforts as partners in development".
"Let us all resolve to be more proactive in fighting for the cause of women improvement".
The Presidential Adviser said the 1992 Constitution entrenches gender equality and makes adequate provisions for their involvement in the national development process.
"But the fundamental problem is with our traditional prejudice, which relegates women to an inferior status.
"What is required are specific educational, legislative and other positive proactive initiatives such as the implementation of affirmative action to fulfil the objective of gender equality", he said.
Alhaji Iddrisu announced that a draft gender policy document that focuses on gender mainstreaming is under consideration and expressed the hope that it will lead to the enhancement of the role of Ghanaian women in public life.
Alhaji Iddrisu in a 44-page delivery, which touched on all aspects of national life, emphasised that the legacy of a leadership process is a society changed for the better.
"The most lasting tangible act of leadership is the creation of viable, democratic institutions and the provision of leadership that fosters need change over the long-term". he said.
The Presidential Adviser noted that the new socio-political paradigm presupposes that new core values will be imbibed alongside the new partnership between the public sector, private sector and civil society.
He said the redefinition of the functions and role of the state, decentralisation and devolution of power to the grassroots, the role of the private sector and the empowerment of women and the disadvantaged are critical national issues of concern.
Furthermore, he said, the issues of globalisation, information technology highway, democratisation, peace-building, poverty reduction, anti-corruption, environment and HIV/AIDS pose their own challenges and call for a new crop of leaders with a vision of how to move the country forward in peace and unity.
"Our societies are now homogenous and pluralistic and our leadership must foster freedom with responsibility within the framework of our constitution and social organisation.
"What we really need now as a people with a common destiny is effective leadership, which builds trust, engenders positive interactive growth and development, leadership which brings mutual benefit to all".
Alhaji Iddrisu said the crux of the problem is empowering people to become achievers by sharing knowledge and power, adding, "this is what will lead us to attain our Vision 2020 goals and objectives".
Alhaji Iddrisu noted that the Executive is a key factor in good governance and development and said exemplary and inspired leadership, together with commitment to the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability is a precondition for moving the nation forward.
"We all expect that policy formulation should maximise the use of scarce resources. I am happy to mention that government has take some bold steps in this direction"
He said President Jerry John Rawlings has already established the policy management group with an oversight responsibility for the policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation process in the country.
The Cabinet system is also being restructured to enhance available capacity for improved decision-making, he added.
Alhaji Iddrisu said that Parliament, being the people's representatives, must become a check on the executive to promote transparency and accountability.
Equally, Parliament should be mindful of its watchdog role the control of the public purse in such a way that sufficient funds are devoted to key sectors of social concern.
He noted with gratitude Parliament's collaboration with the National Institutional Renewal Programme (NIRP), towards the implementation of its capacity-building modernisation programme.
On the Judiciary, Alhaji Iddrisu said the independence of the institution must be strictly maintained to ensure fair and objective dispensation of justice.
"The effectiveness and impartiality of our judicial system must encourage prospective investors to support our development efforts".
He urged the judiciary to pursue its programme of automation assuring it of the support of the national overview committee to ensure that the courts are fully modernised and computerised.
Turning to the political parties, Alhaji Iddrisu, he noted the significant role they play in promoting political pluralism and said the full commitment of their leadership to the national vision is, therefore, an important key for good governance and stability.
"This being an election year, the leadership of political parties are expected to show maturity, mutual respect and tolerance towards each other to facilitate peaceful and credible elections".
He said it is absolutely necessary that the internal process of parties must be transparent and their leadership made accountable to their members, adding, "this is one sure way of ensuring the viability of political parties and their contribution to the democratic process".
Alhaji Iddrisu told the forum that the attainment of the objectives of Vision 2020 is strategically dependent on the enhancement of the private sector as the engine for the generation of wealth and employment through increased productivity.
But, he said, productivity is still low and many businesses are not within the mainstream of modern trends of globalisation and information technology, and are, therefore unable to take advantage of the new financial markets, venture equity and stock exchange arrangements that will determine the destiny of nations this century.
"I wish to entreat the leadership of the private sector organisations to work towards the promotion of corporate governance and corporate citizenship".
Alhaji Iddrisu said that the current restructuring of the public sector must encourage the private sector also to reconstitute its boards and management to ensure commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability.
The Presidential Adviser said the government's efforts at ensuring a healthy public/private sector interface need to be strengthened.
He informed the forum that the government through the NIRP's public sector management reforms would soon introduce a comprehensive public/private sector partnership programme.
He said the government is collaborating with the private sector to address the present economic difficulties.
The Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) and industrial and trade business associations, he said, are working together to increase the foreign exchange inflows through alternative sources and also to boost production of local industries through regulatory and tax reforms.
"Currently, government and the PEF are exploiting the possibility of crafting a financial scheme that will facilitate development of the agricultural sector, make it more competitive and significantly increase productivity, particularly in the export sector.
Mr. Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of Parliament, who chaired the workshop, said Parliament seeks through these workshops to establish a regular forum for deliberation on issues of good governance to promote democratic principles in the political culture of the country.
Mr. Justice Annan who was welcoming the participants, said as the legislative arm of government, Parliament recognises that "our role in the good governance process should not end with debates and law-making within the Chamber where we are protected by ancient privileges and immunities".
"We have accordingly reached out to people beyond the precincts of Parliament in a number of outreach programmes, principal among which is the annual national governance workshop".
The Speaker noted that the achievement of good governance, one of the pre-requisites for social and economic advancement, like any other human endeavour, requires effective leadership.
"The workshop, coming as it does at the beginning of the 21st century, offers us a unique opportunity to objectively identify and boldly confront critical perspectives on progress problems and prospects for national development.
Mr. Justice Annan noted that concepts and practices, which are fast gaining global currency "could pose threats to the realisation of the political, economic and social aspirations of our people".
Mr. Justice Annan said internally, there are acute and seemingly endemic problems of financial mismanagement in public and private establishments, including outright fraud, embezzlement and corruption.
"Socially, our precious reputation as law-abiding people living in an atmosphere of peace, stability and freedom,...now stands threatened by criminal disregard for law and order manifested at its worst in the brutal disregard for the sanctity of life, especially of innocent and defenceless women.
"Clearly our commitment to the principle of good governance should continue undeterred by these worrisome scenarios. We need, however, to formulate appropriate answers to these problems".
Mr. Justice Annan said among its objectives, the workshop seeks to identify the core values and characteristics of leadership, which are required for the promotion of good governance and development in Ghana.
The forum also aims at identifying existing challenges for building effective leadership capacity for good governance and development, as well as recommending specific actions for overcoming identified leadership problems and challenges.
In a review of progress of the national governance programme, Dr Appiah Koranteng, National Co-ordinator of NIRP, said since Vice-President John Atta Mills took over the chairmanship of the NIRP in 1997,"our effort at re-inventing and modernisation of government has recorded tremendous success".
He mentioned the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), which he said, is operating as part of the public financial, management reforms to introduce improvements in budgeting and public expenditure management, among other objectives.
There is also the Gateway and Free Zones projects, which he said, have also helped in the revamping of institutions of first contact into the country and the promotion of direct foreign and local investment in Ghana.
Mr. Innocent Kayihura, the Acting UNDP Resident Representative, in his remarks, said recalled the formulation of the national governance programme with wisdom, guidance and effective leadership of the Speaker and said, "we can now look back to the palpable results, which have been worth the effort".
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Women groups present petition to Attorney
General
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 July 2000
Women's groups in the Accra Metropolis will on Monday present a petition to the Attorney General over the killing of women in Accra in the past two years.
The executives of the Women's Wing of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced this at a meeting in Accra on Thursday.
They called on women workers around the ministries, market women and other women's organisations to be in mourning cloth for the presentation.
The march would be under the theme "Sister's Keeper" and a Guide to Safety Planning".
The women said they think that they are not being adequately protected by the state security agencies. "It is important that we take steps to ensure our safety".
They appealed to women to always travel with someone they know especially at night, avoid taking taxis alone especially at night, to know their surroundings and avoid unfamiliar areas.
Those on shift and close work at night or early morning should find a co-worker to walk with and should let a friend or family member know their movements.
The executives noted that women should know that they have a constitutional right to be protected.
Some men interviewed by the GNA were of the view that women should learn to protect themselves before they could be protected.
"We totally support women in their march to present the petition to the Attorney-General but they should also try as much as possible to observe some personal security measures," a public servant said.
He said it is frightening to see women standing by the roadside at night asking for lift. "You should learn to protect yourself. One lift can prove fatal," he said.
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Two Bimoba clans
clash displacing 4,500
Bimbagu (Northern Region) 14 July
2000
Two Bimoba clans at Puli and
Tamong, near Bimbagu, in the East Mamprusi District have clashed, burning down
56 compound houses, foodstuffs and other property and displacing about 4,500
people in a chieftaincy dispute.
Two people from Tamong, who were
allegedly kidnapped, have still not been seen.
A police reinforcements from
Tamale and Gambaga have restored order.
Some of those who fled into the
nearby hills are gradually returning to their villages while others have sought
refuge in nearby villages and towns.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Northern
Regional Minister, accompanied by the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive,
Hajia Barikesu Adams and the Regional Co-ordinator of National Disaster
Management Organisation (NADMO), Ali Yakubu has visited the area.
Mr. Laar Evans Dramani, Assembly
Member of Bimbagu said the Chief of Kambago, near Bunkpurugu enskinned one
Basomin Duut as the Kambon-Naba (chief warrior) of the Puli's which did not go
down well with the Tamongs.
Bunkpurugu chief settled the case
but was later taken to the Nayire, Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional
Area, who found the Kambago Chief guilty and made him to pay a penalty.
This infuriated the youth and
resulted in the clash.
Hajia Adams said the district
assembly has so far sent food relief to the victims and appealed for tents and
blankets for them.
Alhaji Iddi commended the police
for bringing the situation under control and advised the people to keep the
peace and co-operate with them.
He said he was sad because the two
clans are of the same ethnic group and added that such situations undermine
development and peaceful co-existence.
Alhaji Iddi advised the warring
factions to learn to solve their differences amicably and to tolerate each
other.
Officials of the Northern Regional
Secretariat of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) have
initiated dialogue between the two clans.
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Military must not
use its resources to settle personal scores - Minister
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 14
July 2000
Dr Tony Aidoo, Deputy Minister of
Defence, has exhorted members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to safeguard the
military's integrity and international fame for discipline by refraining from
using its powers and resources to settle personal scores.
"The military has been very
instrumental in the maintenance of peace in the country but you cannot continue
to claim the moral right to law enforcement if you use guns and other resources
at your disposal to settle personal scores."
Dr Aidoo was addressing a durbar
of soldiers at the Sunyani Three Garrison, when he paid a day's visit to the
Sunyani Liberation Barracks as part of a civic education programme instituted
by the Office of the Forces Sergeant Major.
The programme is meant to broaden
the outlook of the members of the Armed Forces about current national and
international issues and enhance interaction among them.
Dr Aidoo said there is the need
for the military to "keep the sanctity of their moral right to assist the
police in maintaining internal peace."
He said like other security
agencies, there was no way the military could enforce law and order when its
members are not law-abiding themselves.
He urged any soldier, who is wronged
by any member of the public to go to the military police for redress instead of
taking the law into their own hands.
On the impending elections, Dr.
Aidoo said the military must get itself ready to assist their police
counterparts to maintain law and order to enable the electorate vote peacefully
come December.
Dr Aidoo commended the military
for its contribution to national stability and the development of democracy but
condemned the recent demonstration by members of the Prisons Service.
He announced that the Armed Forces
Staff College would soon introduce a degree programme to enhance the calibre of
its products adding that the proposed Kofi Annan Peace Keeping School is billed
to take off soon.
On the performance of the media,
Dr Aidoo said some Journalists have allowed themselves to be used by people
with partisan and unpatriotic interests.
"I will be the first to admit
that the media have a crucial role to play in the democratisation of the
country but a lot of them particularly the private media have allowed certain
interests to use them as weapons of terrorism".
The Forces Sergeant Major, WO1
James Cole stressed the need for members of the Armed Forces to discharge their
duties with professionalism to enable them to continue to enjoy international
recognition.
He urged the military to put its
intelligence resources at the disposal of the Police "to ensure the
capture of the perpetrators of the shameful and criminal act" of murdering
women in Accra.
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