GRi Newsreel Ghana 20 -07 - 2000
Police intensifies patrol of Cape Coast
Municipality
Kouyate calls for change in UNAMSIL mandate
EGLE endorses Obed Asamoah for running mate
Mills: NDC remains symbol of peace
Northern NDC proposes Alhaji Iddrisu for
running mate
Ministry warns against
quoting prices in dollars
ECOWAS Defence Meeting Opens in Accra
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
The Executive members of the
Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana in reaction to a news report
contained in the 17th-23rd July 2000 edition of the Dispatch, have denied
threatening to go on strike.
In a release by the association,
the members expressed their dismay at what they described as the newspaper's
failure to ensure the truthfulness of the allegation before having it
published.
They further dissociated
themselves from the language attributed to a former member of the association,
which, was published.
The association maintained that
they are conversant with their responsibilities saying, "we consider it
dangerous, therefore, for an intimation to be made that we, the protectors of
the law and defenders of the Constitution could resort to such a disruptive and
mundane action as a strike."
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Peg daily wage to the dollar - Workers
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 20 July 2000
Members of the Bolgatanga District Council of Labour (DCL) have called on the government to peg the daily minimum wage to the dollar and to make it subject to the fluctuations with respect to the cedi.
They contended that such a measure would cushion the Ghanaian worker against the hardships caused by the rapid depreciation of the cedi.
The call was made at a meeting convened in Bolgatanga on Tuesday by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to inform workers about the impending nation-wide demonstration scheduled for July 25.
The demonstration is meant to press home their demand for an increase in the daily minimum wage from 3,000 to 5,000 cedis.
The regional secretary of the TUC, Alhaji Abdulai Bawa said the demonstration will be the next step after the wearing of red bands and that might be followed by a nation-wide strike if the government fails to address the situation promptly.
Alhaji Bawa said several attempts have been made by organised labour to sit down with the government and to convene a tripartite meeting to resolve the issue but to no avail.
He added that the TUC also wrote a letter to the President on the matter but never received any response from him.
"Organised labour cannot sit down to be undermined, but would urge its members to press home the message by all means".
He urged workers in all parts of the country to make it a point to turn up for the July 25 demonstration, irrespective of their political affiliation because the TUC relies very much on their support.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 20 July 2000
The Central Regional Police Command on Wednesday said it has intensified foot and mobile patrol in the Cape Coast municipality and other district capitals to check criminal activities, including serial murders of women.
A statement signed by Chief Inspector Jonathan Kwame Abban of the Public Relations Unit of the Central Region said the Cape Coast Municipality has now been divided into three zones, adding that checkpoints have been mounted to search vehicles plying the municipality between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
According to the statement, the measures were taken during a recent regional commanders conference aimed at combating crimes as well as dealing with the serial killing of women.
It noted that the serial killing of women in Accra without apparent reasons had also attracted much criticism of the police, and appealed to the public to co-operate fully to maintain law and order.
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Kouyate calls for change in UNAMSIL mandate
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
Executive Secretary of ECOWAS Lansana Kouyate has called for a change in the mandate of the United Nations' Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from peacekeeping to peace enforcement as requested by ECOWAS heads of state and government in their anniversary summit in May.
Mr Kouyate made the call when an eight-man delegation from the United States (US) visited the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja to discuss matters relating to the Sierra Leonean civil war, according to a statement received by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday. The visit was also to further strengthen the co-operation between ECOWAS and the U.S.
US Under-secretary of State Tom Pickering led the delegation, which included the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Bill Twaddel, White House National Security Council representative Matthew McLean and Mr Robert Orr, representative of the
U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
The statement said Mr Kouyate briefed the American delegation on ECOWAS' achievements and challenges in the Sierra Leonean crisis.
Mr. Pickering acknowledged the contribution of ECOWAS to the peace process and pledged U.S. assistance to the regional organisation.
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EGLE endorses Obed Asamoah for running mate
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
The EGLE Party on Wednesday endorsed Dr Obed Asamoah, Attorney - General and Minister of Justice, as its choice for running mate for the Progressive Alliance in this year's elections.
Should the choice hold, Dr Asamoah would be gunning for the vice presidency, with Vice President John Evans Atta Mills as the flagbearer.
At a news conference in Accra, Owuraku Amofa, Co-Chairman of EGLE, said the decision was taken to "sustain the strength and unity of the Progressive Alliance."
"We believe that the running-mate must be one, who cannot only work harmoniously with the flagbearer but subsequently strengthen the presidency and the Alliance's front."
The issue of a running mate was to have been discussed by the National Consultative Committee of the Alliance before any decision was taken. However, EGLE says it took that step "as the pacesetter within the Alliance.
"We played this leading role in 1992, 1996 and were also the first party to have confirmed Prof. Mills as the flagbearer during our National Delegates' Conference in Koforidua in December, 1998."
Owuraku Amofa said Dr Asamoah, who is also the life patron of EGLE, represents the various interests of the Alliance, ready to listen to all sections without fear or favour and "has in depth of experience in the politics of this nation."
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Mills: NDC remains symbol of peace
Tamale (Northern Region) 20 July 2000
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) remains a symbol of peace and a vote for the party in the coming elections means a vote for unity, stability and development, Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills said on Wednesday.
"A vote for Atta Mills, a vote for the NDC and a vote for NDC parliamentary candidates all mean victory for peace, stability and development," he said.
He was speaking when he called on the Gulkpe-Na, Alhaji Abdulai Ziblim at his palace in Tamale at the start of a week's tour of the Northern Region.
Accompanying him are many leading members of the party, including Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Secretary-General of the NDC, Mrs Shirley Ayittey, national vice-co-chairperson, Hajia Fati Jawulah, a member of the Council of State, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Deputy Minister of Education, Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Regional Minister.
Prof. Mills asked the people to recognise the fact that the NDC has been able to guarantee peace over the years.
He said peace, is crucial to the West African sub-region at this time adding, "once you have peace, you have everything."
The Vice-President said it is true that the country is currently facing some economic problems and explained that it was not because of the government's incompetence, but external problems that have also affected other countries.
However, he said, these economic hardships are temporary and asked the people never to give up on the party but rather support it to work as one people with a common destiny. Prof. Mills told the chiefs and people that he always regards Tamale as his home.
"This is where I was introduced as the running mate of President (Jerry John) Rawlings and I also made my acceptance speech declaring my intention to contest the coming elections as the successor to President Rawlings."
He recalled the campaign period in 1996 when, he said, the chiefs told him that he would win and true to their word, the NDC won a massive victory.
Prof. Mills thanked them for "the goodness of heart" for the party and expressed the hope that they will give him the same support, if not more support, this time round.
Welcoming the Vice-President's entourage, the chiefs thanked the government for various development projects, especially the resurfacing of the road in the municipality.
They expressed the hope that the needy areas would be addressed to enhance their socio-economic development.
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Northern NDC proposes Alhaji Iddrisu for
running mate
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 20 July 2000
Constituency executives and opinion leaders together with founding members of northern descent of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ashanti region have proposed Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs as the running mate to Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flagbearer of the NDC.
They asserted that with his northern background coupled with his unblemished political and social record, Alhaji Iddrisu would be the right choice, who could effectively team up with Prof. Mills to ensure victory for the NDC in the coming elections.
The proposal was contained in a press release issued by the NDC constituency executives and founding members of northern descent after an emergency meeting in Kumasi on Tuesday to state their position on the agitation currently going on in connection with the running mate slot.
They fervently appealed to the leader of the party, President Rawlings, Prof. Mills and the entire party hierarchy, therefore, to reflect soberly on the running mate issue, and in all fairness to northerners consider assigning the position to Alhaji Iddrisu to ensure total victory.
The release explained that at this crucial stage of the country's democratic dispensation, it has become imperative for a man of unblemished record from the northern sector of the country to pair with Prof. Mills to ensure a balance.
"We need to at this juncture emphasis here that we are now tired of always carrying the drum for some people to be beating and its now time for us to also have a feel of the drum", the release added.
It stated that it is an indisputable fact that people of northern descent constitute the majority in the NDC and that this was manifested in the overwhelming victory of the NDC in the three northern regions and settler communities in the south.
The release said their unflinching support for the NDC has made them to suffer humiliation and intimidation while being branded all sorts of names by their political opponents in Ashanti, yet still they have remained unshakeable and undaunted to the course of the NDC.
"All these, notwithstanding, we continue to be marginalised by our own NDC when it comes to the issue of appointments and nominations through the use of all foul means and machinations as being done now by Dr Obed Asamoah and his agents", the release said.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
The ECOWAS Executive Secretary on
Wednesday announced that ECOMOG, a West African intervention force, has been
given a lifeline saying the days of its ad-hoc nature are over.
Mr Lansana Kouyate said following
a security protocol signed by Heads of
States in Lome on December 10, 1999, ECOMOG is now a fully formed and
legally established body in the mechanism for conflict prevention, management,
resolution and peace.
This forms part of the
re-organisation and restructuring of ECOMOG within the framework of the United
Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).
This is especially so considering
the financial constraints EECOMOG faced in Liberia, Sierra Leone and
Giunea-Bissau and the disparity in orientation due to differences in training,
equipment and the question of command.
Mr Kouyate was speaking at the
inaugural meeting of the Defence and Security Commission, one of the
requirements in the mechanism, in Accra.
The meeting is expected to
rationalise the various roles currently played by different bodies and
institutions that are most often replicated in other parts of the sub-region.
It would look at the new role of
member states in the new ECOMOG, organise standby composite units and outline
how ECOMOG, under UNAMSIL will be funded. It is under the theme:
"Enhancing Sub-Regional Security".
Mr Kouyate said ECOMOG would now
consist of earmarked stand-by units comprised of the army, navy, air force,
gendarmerie, police and all other military, paramilitary or civil formations. He
said financing of the group would now be done centrally at the Executive Secretariat
out of the proceeds of the Community Levy.
"The troops will be jointly
trained and adequately prepared for their missions. Common training programmes
and instructional manuals will be developed and used".
The Executive Secretary said two
training centres so far, in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire have been earmarked for
this purpose.
Innovations in the Mechanism
provide the creation of not only the Defence and
Security Commission but also new
institutions and organs such as the Mediation and Security Council and the
Council of Elders.
"They are part of the general
framework of the fast-track approach to integration adopted and vigorously
being pursued by our heads of state and government." ECOMOG was
established in 1990 following the outbreak of civil war in Liberia in 1989.
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Ministry warns
against quoting prices in dollars
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
The Ministry of Trade and Industry
on Wednesday warned manufacturers to stop quoting the prices of the their
products and selling them in dollars.
A statement issued by the Ministry
in Accra said the practice puts undue pressure on the cedi, thereby devaluing
it against other major currencies.
The Ministry called for strict
adherence, adding, "it is in the overall interest of the economy,
producers and distributors".
It directed that all-local sale,
irrespective of the quantities and purpose should always be in cedis.
A random survey by the Ghana News
Agency (GNA) confirmed the Ministry 's assertion that some items have been
priced in dollars.
Some boutiques quote the prices of
their shirts, shoes, suits, ladies handbags and dresses in dollars. They were,
however, to be paid in the cedi equivalent.
Asked why they had their ware in
foreign currencies, the shopkeepers said the items were purchased in foreign
currencies from the manufacturers. Besides, they were not ready to bear the
difference if the exchange rate of the cedi changed.
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ECOWAS Defence Meeting Opens
in Accra
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000
A two-day meeting of the Defence and Security Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has opened in Accra.
Representatives from all members states, except Cape Verde are expected to attend. Mauritania backed out of the 16-member organisation after years of non-payment of dues and problem of language suitability.
The meeting which, is being held behind closed doors is a follow up to a similar one held by the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS last month in Abuja, Nigeria.
It is expected to rationalise the various roles currently played by different bodies and institutions, which are most often, replicated in other parts of the sub-region.
It will also discuss the new role of member states in the new ECOMOG, organisation of standby composite units and how ECOMOG under the United Nations Armed Forces in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) will be funded. It is under the theme: "Enhancing Sub-Regional Security".
Lieutenant-General Ben K. Akafia, Chief of Defence Staff welcoming the participants said the bold initiative to establish ECOMOG nearly 10 years ago has proved very fruitful - bringing peace to Liberia and now Sierra Leone.
He said what the sub-region faces now, is to sign the protocol relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peace and security.
Lt.-General Akafia said with the nature of globalisation going on in Europe, Africa needs to move forward, quickly on all fronts or be left marginalised.
"We must not neglect these major requirements of development otherwise the future of the sub-region will be jeopardised and posterity will not forgive us."
He, therefore, urged the meeting to ensure that the factors that militate against peaceful development especially during military situations are well articulated and rationalised.
Mr Lansana Kouyate, Executive Secretary of ECOWAS expressed happiness at the meeting saying it was an opportunity for the sub-region to move forward in the art of integration.
He praised the significant role played by President Jerry John Rawlings during his chairmanship of ECOWAS saying his commitment to the continued peace and stability in the sub-region is equally commendable.
Mr Kouyate said the mechanism creates several institutions and organs, each charged with specific functions to make the sub-regional body strong.
The central organ for the implementation of the mechanism is the Mediation and Security Committee, which operates at the levels of Heads of States and Governments, Ministers and Ambassadors.
"Present members, who will serve for a two-year term", he said, "are Ghana, The Gambia, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Togo.
Colonel Pangassy Sangare, Chief of Defence Staff, Mali, currently chairs the Council.
Mr Kouyate stressed that the concept of an African Union reached at the just-ended summit of Heads of State and Governments can only be achieved when the sub-regional organisations are viable.
"There is the need to focus more on the sub-regions, strengthen them and thereafter merge their common efforts to make a better, united and forceful continent.
"We must not dissipate or efforts by creating new organisations. Instead, we need to rationalise them. That is why we are bringing up, for your attention and consideration the issue of ANAD and the need to integrate its activities with those of ECOWAS".
Colonel Sangare urged the various components of the Defence and Security Commission to ensure that they work efficiently to make their mandate recognised.
He promised his country's support for the Commission and said they would do everything to facilitate its mandate. Mali's President Alpha Oumar Konare is the current chairman of ECOWAS.
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