NPP ordained to lead the nation this year – Kufuor
Asantehene honours KMA boss and six bodies
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 July 2000
The Ministry of Communications on Monday named the three companies involved in the illegal communications operations in the country.
A statement signed by Mr Ben C. Eghan identified them as Mac telecommunications Ghana Limited, Box GP 18220, Accra, Intercom Data Networks, Box AT 77, Achimota market, Accra and TIN-LFA Ghana Limited, Box 897, Kaneshie, Accra.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) said on Monday that it had taken action to stop the operations of the three companies in Accra from carrying out illegal telecommunications operations.
The Minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama said action had been taken against the companies for establishing, installing and operating equipment for illegally terminating international telephone calls in Ghana, and fraudulently keeping the moneys generated by such activity in foreign countries, contrary to Ghanaian laws.
"These companies, contrary to the conditions of the licences given to them by the NCA, to operate Internet Data Services, have linked up with foreign companies to install Voice over IP (Internet Protocol) equipment."
This "makes international calls appear as local calls to the switches of Ghanaian telephone companies such as Ghana Telecom and Westel.
"By so doing, the companies unlawfully earn and keep foreign exchange abroad for illegally terminating international traffic in Ghana."
The statement said in addition, the companies evade paying taxes on revenues generated this way because they do not reflect in their accounts in Ghana.
The Ministry warned any company or individual involved in, or intending to operate any illegal communication activity that the NCA has the technology and expertise to detect and locate such illegal operations and offenders would be prosecuted.
The statement said standards for voice telephony are set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) International.
"The quality of Voice over IP calls currently does not meet the standard set by the ITU and for this reason the position of the ministry is that internet telephony is free for individual use but illegal when offered as a commercial product."
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 July 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Monday opened the 19th congress of the International Federation of Home Economics and said the principles of managing a home and a nation are the same.
"Governments and home economists are equally aware of the importance of careful budgeting, prudent use of available resources, thrift and innovation in providing the material needs of the people, in their care."
He said governments and home economists are also aware that there is more to the wellbeing of a nation or a household than the provision of basic material needs.
The maintenance of peace and orderliness, education, good health, the resolution of conflicts and other social dimensions are equally essential ingredients.
"The main difference between our concerns, therefore, is one of scale rather than content," the President said.
The six-day conference has brought together delegates from 41 countries to deliberate on issues relating to the "improvement in the quality of life of the individual and the family."
This is the first time the congress is being held in Africa in the 92-year history of the federation. The last congress was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1996.
President Rawlings welcomed the attention, which the congress intends to give to the development of human resources, the fostering of human rights and the role of the family.
GRi../
Bibiani (Ashanti Region) 25 July 2000
Mr Daniel Owiredu, Managing Director of Ashanti Goldfields Bibiani Limited (AGBL), has said that the company will continue to implement programmes to enhance the socio-economic development of communities in its catchment areas.
He said the recent mob attack on workers of the mines by illegal "galamsey" operators, which resulted in damage to its property, would not deter the company from fulfilling its obligation to the people.
Mr Owiredu was speaking to newsmen after a delegation of Bibiani Local Churches and the Unit Committee apologised to the management of the company for the recent acts of vandalism at the mine by the "galamsey" operators.
Mr Thomas Nyarko-Danquah, manager in-charge of administration of AGBL, advised the delegation to educate the people on the need to verify any allegation and to seek redress at the appropriate quarters.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 July 2000
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has recommended to government to expand the specialist outreach programmes and intramural private practice instituted to promote access to quality health care delivery.
The recommendation was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association's representative board meeting held at Bolgatanga over the weekend, a copy of which was made available to the GNA in Accra on Monday.
The communique signed by Dr. J. Plange Rhule and Dr. K.S. Jehu- Appiah, Vice President and Assistant Secretary respectively, urged the government to improve the salaries and the conditions of service of health workers to prevent the internal migration and potential collapse of the public health delivery services.
The communique encouraged the government and the National Postgraduate Medical College Task Force to continue the good work they have started and see to the earliest establishment of the college.
The GMA urged the government to hasten the process of acquisition of cars for doctors and other health workers "to curb their rising anxiety and frustration as well as stem the tide of the acute brain drain in the health sector".
The doctors implored the government and the security agencies to continue the steps they are taking to arrest the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of innocent women.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 July 2000
The University of Ghana will confer an honorary doctorate degree on the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan in August this year.
A statement by the university on Monday said the award is in recognition of his role in the development of world peace and "the honour done this nation by his distinguished career"
It said the conferment ceremony would be held at the Great Hall of the University on August 2.
It was initially to have been made during the Golden Jubilee Special Congregation when 18 other distinguished personalities were honoured.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Region) 25 June 2000
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday advised the public to ignore all media reports and rumours concerning the running mate of the party's presidential candidate Professor John Atta Mills, describing them as speculative and unofficial.
A release signed by Mr Vincent Asiseh, National Press Secretary, said the NDC finds it particularly alarming that such speculation has been presented as the truth in the "Daily Graphic" front page lead story of Wednesday, July 12, 2000.
"The NDC wishes to make it clear that no decision has yet been made on who the party's running mate will be. This will only be decided after due process has been completed."
It said that the process would only commence after the selection of parliamentary candidates has been completed.
The release explained that the process for selecting a running mate in line with the NDC's constitution, involves a nomination by the party's presidential candidate in consultation with its national consultative committee and its partners in the progressive alliance.
"When the process is duly completed and a final decision has been taken on who becomes the running mate, the decision would be communicated to the media and the general public", it added.
GRi../
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 July 2000
Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, on Sunday said God has ordained that the NPP comes to power this year.
He, however, stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is putting some impediments in the party’s way towards the realisation of this objective.
Mr Kufuor, who was inaugurating the Ashanti regional branch of Nasara Club, a wing of the party based in the Zongo communities, in Kumasi, said Ghanaians should test the NPP for at least two years and see positive changes in their lives.
He said the NDC government for the past 20 years has not done anything positive to solve the economic hardships the people face but only trades in lies, intimidation and cheating.
The NPP flagbearer said the Progress Party's aliens compliance order being used by the NDC against his party is not valid today and called on the Zongo communities to disabuse their minds of the notion and vote for the NPP.
The Progress Party, an antecedent of the NPP passed the order, which saw many West Africans being sent to their home countries in the early 70s.
"I was born and bred in a Zongo community and, therefore, one of you and will not sack anybody," he added.
Nana Akuffo Addo, a leading member of the party and Member of Parliament for Abuakwa, said Ghanaians need a positive change and not a continuation of hardships and suffering.
He stressed the need for all to bury their political differences and vote for Mr Kufuor in the December elections since Professor John Atta Mills has come to continue the work of President Rawlings.
Nana Akuffo Addo said the NPP would resist any attempt or move by the incumbency to rig or cheat during the elections.
Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, National Campaign manager of the NPP was happy that Ghanaians have come to realise the vain promises and lies the NDC government used to deceive them for the past 20 years.
He called on both christians and muslims to join hands and vote the NDC out.of power.
Alhaji S.M. Shariff, chairman of the Nasara Club, pledged members support and co-operation for the leadership of the NPP and gave the assurance that members would mobilise more people to vote the party to power.
GRi../
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 July 2000
Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, six corporate bodies and institutions were on Sunday honoured by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, in recognition of their tremendous contributions towards the success of the last Asante Congress held two years ago in Kumasi.
They included Guinness Ghana Limited, Ghana Breweries Limited, Home Finance Company, Mobil Oil Ghana Limited, Kumasi Traditional Council and the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs.
They were each presented with a citation by the Asantehene at a ceremony that coincided with the "Akwasidae" festival held at the Manhyia Palace.
It was attended by Chiefs, tourists - mostly from the United States of America and people from all walks of life.
Nana Akwasi Agyeman's donation of 10 million cedis towards the organisation of the congress was the highest by an individual.
The citation expressed appreciation for the big financial donation and his active personal interest and participation in the congress.
It expressed the hope that as a royal of the Golden Stool he could always be counted upon to help in the development of Asanteman and Ghana as a whole.
Nana Agyeman thanked Otumfuo Osei Tutu for the honour done him. He presented two cartons of schnapps to the Asantehene towards the celebration of the "Akwasidae" festival.
GRi../