GRi Newsreel Ghana
26 -07 - 2000
TUC carries out three-hour nationwide demonstration
Mills urges Ga Chiefs to offer guidance for peaceful elections
Rawlings receives message from Equatorial Guinea President
Nana Konadu asks Ghanaians to reflect on the past
Withdraw recognition of Omanhene - Faction
Investors express interest in Brenu beach
OATUU backs African Union idea
There is need for active public participation in legislation
Concerned women to embark on peaceful demonstration
TUC carries out three-hour nationwide demonstration
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
Hundreds
of placard bearing workers on Tuesday took to the streets of Accra and other
regional capitals in a demonstration against the government's failure to come
up with an acceptable minimum wage.
Led
by the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr.Christian
Appiah Agyei the workers wearing red armbands and headgear chanted war songs
and blew trumpets in the three- hour demonstration.
They
left the TUC offices at about 9.00 a.m. went through Liberty Avenue, Kwame
Nkrumah Circle, Ringway Central to the Sankara Inter-Change and then to the
Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare where they presented a petition to
the Minister.
The
peaceful demonstration organised nation-wide was nearly marred when the police
opened hot water cannons on the workers following what the police said was a
negation of the approved route by a section of the workers.
Some
of the placards read "JJ why have you disappointed us so soon?"
"Stop the development of mass poverty in Ghana", "FCUBE plus high fees equals to no
education", "What a great disappointment NDC?" and "No
increment, no vote".
At
the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr. Agyei said notwithstanding
the agreements reached at the Tripartite Committee meeting on Monday the
demonstration was not called off because the people are appalled by the
worsening economic conditions.
He
said the TUC will keep its side of the bargain as reached at the meeting and
assured the Minister that the position of the Congress would be made known next
Monday. He urged the other social partners to do likewise.
The
demonstration, according to TUC sources, was a result of declining salaries of
workers in the face of the falling value of the cedi against the country's
major trading currencies in recent months.
Mr.
Agyei protested against "the mood
and spirit" of the statement released by Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni after the
Tripartite Committee Meeting which he said failed to capture the entire
proceedings especially the position of the TUC on the determination of a new
minimum wage for workers.
"The
statement did not include our side of the appeal to (the) government on the
matter on hand". Mr.Agyei complained about the behaviour of the police
during the demonstration saying, but for the tact and discipline of the
workers, the peaceful event would have been marred.
He
said he hoped next Monday's meeting of the Tripartite Committee would come on
without any of the social partners taking a predetermined stand on the core issue.
At
Kumasi, workers responsed to the call by the leadership of the Trades Union
Congress (TUC), to embark on a three-hour demonstration.
The
placard-bearing demonstrators, wearing red bands and some clad in black
mourning cloth, started gathering in front of the regional TUC office at Mbrom
as early as 0730 hours.
The
demonstrating workers danced to music from brass band on the streets and
chanted slogans, amidst cheers from a crowd of onlookers, causing a heavy
traffic hold up.
They
ended up at the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council, where Ms. Dorcas
Amuquandoh, Regional Secretary of TUC, presented a resolution to Mr. Joe D.
Issachar, the Regional Co-ordinating Director, as both the Regional Minister
and his deputy were not immediately available.
At
Bolgatanga, the demonstrators carried placards some of which read, "no
increase in minimum wage, no work, no vote," "stop playing politics
with workers," "TUC is no enemy of the government," and
"cost of living is very high".
They later
presented a petition to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. David Osei-Wusu,
at the Regional Co-ordinating Council Offices.
At Ho in
the Volta Region, the TUC called on the government to give workers a national
minimum wage to reflect current economic conditions without delay and
pre-conditions.
This is
because the congress is resolved to sustain its struggle for a national minimum
wage established through the tripartite mechanism.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
Two
soldiers from the detachment of the 64 Infantry Regiment at Asutsuare have been
arrested following their involvement in an incident, which nearly led to the
loss of life and property at the weekend.
The in-laws
of the two soldiers, whose names are being withheld were alleged to have
influenced them to resolve a family dispute, an Armed Forces Statement said on
Tuesday.
It said
instead of assuming an objective stand in the matter, the soldiers took sides
and displayed gross misconduct and put up highly unprofessional behaviour
towards the opposing faction.
The
statement signed by Lt Col Blood Dzraku, in charge of the Public Relations
Directorate, said upon receiving reports of the incident, the Military
authorities despatched a platoon of troops to the Asutsuare area and put the
situation under control.
The two
soldiers and their civilian counterparts were subsequently arrested.
The
military authorities appeal to the public to desist from either using
individual soldiers or involving the military in solving personal disputes.
Meanwhile,
a board has been set up by the military high command to investigate the
incident and those found guilty shall be severely punished, the statement
added.
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Mills urges Ga Chiefs to offer guidance for peaceful elections
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
Vice
President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday appealed to traditional leaders
within the Ga Traditional area to ensure peace in the coming elections through
prayers and good guidance to the political process.
He said the
government's number one priority is to protect the current peace and expressed
the hope that others would also be encouraged by the traditional rulers to do
the same.
"As
the embodiment of the souls of the ancestors, you should not hesitate to advise
us if you think we (politicians) are going astray. You should be able to guide
us as to where we should go," Professor Mills said when he met with
chiefs, queenmothers and leaders of the various Muslim communities in Accra.
"We
need your prayers not only as NDC but the entire nation in its quest for peace,
stability, unity and development," the Vice President said, adding that
the December elections are very crucial because they would determine the
direction to which the country would move.
The meeting
attended by some Ministers of State and MPs from the Greater Accra Region,
provided a platform to introduce the Vice President and his wife, Naadu, to the
traditional leaders.
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Rawlings receives message from Equatorial Guinea
President
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
President
Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday appealed to oil companies not to take undue
advantage of Equatorial Guinea's small size to illegally exploit its oil
resources.
He
said a few years ago, some multi-national oil companies based in Nigeria were
virtually stealing Equatorial Guinea's oil and he (President Rawlings) had to
speak to the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sanni Abacha, about it,
adding: "General Abacha intervened and the practice stopped".
President
Rawlings said this when an envoy from President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial
Guinea delivered a special message to him at a meeting at the Castle, Osu.
Foreign
Ministry sources said the message centred on bilateral and multilateral issues.
"It
is our hope that proceeds from the oil would be used to enhance the living
conditions of the people of Equatorial Guinea," President told the envoy.
Mr
Victor Gbeho, Foreign Affairs Minister, said Equatorial Guinea and Ghana have
enjoyed good relations over the years and it was unfortunate that Ghana had to
close its embassy there for economic reasons.
"But
the closure has not affected our relations and this is demonstrated by the
large number of Ghanaians who work in Equatorial Guinea."
Mr
Lucas Nguema Esona, Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, who delivered
the message, said collaboration between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana is getting
stronger.
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Nana Konadu asks Ghanaians to reflect on the past
Bawku
(Upper East) 26 July 2000
The
First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has called on Ghanaians to reflect
over the country's situation during the late 1970's when many people left the
country because of economic hardships.
She
said they should compare that period with the present era in which commodities
are abundant and the living conditions has improved.
This
would enable them to judge for themselves whether the government of the
National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lived up to expectation or not.
Addressing
a rally of the party at Bawku in the Upper East Region, she called on the
people to bury their differences and unite to ensure a resounding victory for
the party in the December elections.
The
Regional Minister, Mr David Osei-Wusu, said the government has the people at
heart and would always ensure the protection of their lives and property.
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Withdraw recognition of Omanhene - Faction
Cape
Coast (Central Region) 26 July 2000
A
group of 30 presons alleged to be members of a faction of the 'Kona Ebiradze'
royal family of Cape Coast, on Tuesday called for the withdrawal of the Oguaahene,
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II.
Wearing
red arm and headbands they besieged the offices of the Regional Co-ordinating
Council (RCC) to press home their demand.
They
also asked the Central Regional Security Council (CRSEC) to place a ban on this
year's celebration of the Fetu Afahye festival until a suit challenging the
nomination and installation of the Chief has been resolved.
The
group presented a 13-point petition to President Jerry John Rawlings through
the Central Regional Minister, Mr Jacob Authur.
The
petition signed by 34 leaders of the faction was copied to the media, the
CRSEC, the Regional Police Commander and the Ghana Bar Association.
It
noted that the lineage of the Omanhene, which is the prime qualification for
instalment is in question and said that his nomination and installation has
been challenged and has been pending before the Regional House Of Chiefs for
the past two years.
The
petition noted that even though a motion for injunction restraining Osabarima
Kwesi Atta from holding himself as Omanhene has also been filed, he continues
to attend functions in that capacity.
According
to them, the Omanhene is facing three contempt suits at a Cape Coast High Court
and expressed regret that although they have for the past two years sought a
peaceful resolution of the case they have met with "inferences, pressures
and influences from political and judicial sectors".
They
alleged that the issue is being politicised with the involvement of the
National Democratic Congress and warned that the situation could generate into
violence if not checked.
They
urged the President to use his good offices to have the issue resolved
expediently to ensure peace in the area.
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Investors express interest in Brenu beach
Cape
Coast (Central Region) 26 July 2000
More
than 20 foreign and local investors have expressed the desire to invest in the
development of a beach resort at Brenu Akyenim in the Central Region.
Mr
Jacob Arthur Central Regional Minister announced this at the inauguration of a
13-member Oversight Committee for the proposed resort at Cape Coast on Tuesday.
Brenu
Akyenim, which is located in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafu-Abrem (KEEA) District,
has a beautiful stretch of beach, which is a major attraction for tourists.
The
Minister said that the interest in the resort was heightened following the
placement of the proposed project on the INTERNET through the Central Region
Development Commission (CEDECOM) website.
He
described the project as an integral part of the region's development programme
and stressed the importance of investment to economic growth and employment
creation.
The
minister noted that an adequate allocation of public investment to ensure the
full utilisation of resources in rural areas for accelerated development forms
part of the Vision 2020 Development programme.
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OATUU backs African Union idea
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
The
Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) has welcomed the signing of
the Constitutive Act of African Union by African Heads of State and Governments
in Lome, Togo.
OATUU said
it believes that the sovereignty of African countries that has been partly
hijacked by the international financial and trading institutions would be fully
restored by African Union.
This was
contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Hassan A. Summonu, Secretary
General of OATUU.
It said the
"historic" event of July 12 took place at the end of the 36th
Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and governments of the Organisation of
African Unity (OAU).
OATUU is an
organisation that represents African workers and trades unions, throughout the
53 African countries and Western Sahara.
The African labour movement said as a result of the signing of the Act
all the African Heads of state and governments as well as parliaments and
National Assemblies must ratify the Act of the African Union.
The
statement said OATUU would organise Pan-African, sub-regional and national
seminars and workshops for African workers and trade union leaders as part of
efforts to popularise and promote the Act.
The
statement said that OATUU is also calling on other African civil society
organisations to support the African Union.
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There is need for active public participation in legislation
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 July 2000
Mr. Emile
Francis Short, Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ),
on Tuesday said the public should be empowered to participate meaningfully in
the legislation process.
This, he
said, could be done through sustained public education to enable the citizenry
to appreciate the need for their contribution to the law- making process. He
noted that a law undermines its legitimacy if the people reject it.
Mr. Short,
who was speaking at a day's seminar on ensuring good governance, said the civil
society has a role to play in influencing legislation to ensure the attainment
of this objective.
He said
that the citizens have responsibility to participate in the decision-making
process but most of them appear not to see this as their civil obligation.
He said
CHRAJ had taken initiative to undertake public education in this direction to
help empower the civil society to meaningfully participate in the law enactment
process.
The
Commissioner said the public could then influence legislation for good
governance by lobbying their members of Parliament and the district assemblies.
The seminar
was the dissemination phase of a survey on "Alternative institutions for
promoting accountability, transparency and openness in government behaviour in
Ghana".
It was
organised by MayaTech Corporation of Maryland, United States and sponsored by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The final
report of the survey is authored by Dr. Fred Boadu of Texas A and M University
and Prof. Victor Nyanteng, of the Institute of Statistics, Social and Economic
Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
The others
are Mr. Seth Y. Bimpong-Buta, Director, Ghana School of Law and Dr. Mark Nadler
of Ashland University, Ohio, United States.
The study
covers Parliament, business entities, civil society, including the media, and
independent regulatory agencies.
On the media's
role in governance, Mr. Short noted the constraints facing the sector and said
journalists need training in specialised fields to be able to understand the
process and report accurately to enable the public to make informed decisions.
He called
for a coalition among the various civil society organisations to complement
each other to create a greater force in ensuring good governance, influence
legislation and protect and promote human rights.
Mr. Short
noted that although the religious bodies have the capacity to influence the
law-making process, they have not done much in this direction.
Mr. Kwesi
Abeasi, Executive Director of the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF), who
represented the private sector, noted that until recently Ghana's development had
been public sector-led.
He said the
new paradigm of development insists, however, that there should be a
partnership among the public sector, private sector and civil society.
The main
constraint of the private sector has been the crowding out of the sector by the
government, he noted, citing the high interest rates of the banks as an
example.
Mr. Abeasi,
therefore, expressed the need for a cohesive lobbying system in Parliament to
influence legislation to favour the private sector to be able to play its
expected role as the engine of growth of the economy.
Although he
acknowledged the regular meetings between the Vice-President and the private
sector, he was of the view that the partnership arrangement could be improved
if there were such meetings with the President.
Mr. Abeasi
said, "we tend to give more lip-service to the private sector than what is
seen on the ground", and called for adequate funding from both the
government and donor sources to enable the sector to effectively play its
expected role in enhancing economic growth.
In a
presentation on: "Two proposals for institutional change in support of
efficient public-private sector interaction", Dr. Fred Boadu, called for
the improvement of the information processing and dissemination capabilities within
Parliament, independent regulatory agencies and business organisations.
He
explained that this would promote the use of transparent economic impact
analysis in the legislative or regulatory process in the country.
Dr. Boadu
said the enforcement of existing laws on access to government information
should be strengthen to enhance accountability and transparency through
expanded monitoring of government behaviour by the media and private entities.
He
suggested the adoption of a formal lobbying to promote openness in government
and prevent potential "regulatory capture."
There
should also be business impact analysis legislation as a means of promoting the
involvement of the public in the legislative/regulatory process.
"The
business community, donors, multilateral agencies and the public at large are
demanding greater accountability, transparency and informational openness of
government to promote equitable distribution of the benefits of economic growth
and reduce inefficiencies in the public sector," he said.
Dr. Boadu
told the forum that the greatest consequence in such openness is to
dramatically increase the participation of non-state actors in the process of
government.
"Such
participation is the most effective way to eliminate the culture of reciprocal
mistrust and suspicion on the part of business and government and build
credibility in government policy", he said.
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Concerned women to embark on peaceful demonstration
Kumasi
(Ashanti Region) 26 July 2000
Concerned
women of Kumasi would embark on a peaceful protest march through some principal
streets in the Metropolis on Thursday, July 27 to show their disgust at the
serial killings of women in Accra and other places in the country.
The planned
march is also to associate themselves with their Accra counterparts, who have
called on the Inspector - General of Police (IGP), to curb the murders.
A statement
released by the Women's group with copies to the Ashanti Regional Police
Commander and the press in Kumasi said they would converge at Pampaso at Adum
in mourning clothes.
The group
would march through the principal streets to the regional police
administration, where they will present a copy of a resolution to the IGP
through the Regional Police commander.
The
statement said from there, the members would proceed to the Regional
Co-ordinating Council for another presentation to the President and the
Minister of Interior through the Regional Minister.
It said the
march would end at the Post Office Square, after an address.The statement
called on all women in the region to join the march.
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