Registration fees at University Ghana goes up
Smugglers vent anger on Akpafleto residents Population/Housing Census to cost 30 billion cedis100 fire disasters recorded in Kumasi
Upper East dry season farmers get good yield
300 Teachers in Ketu district apply for study leave or retirement
Establish textiles factory in Ashanti -- Asantehene urges
Tourist Board informs Asantehene about confab on Bosomtwe
Yankah gets tough with contractors
UN to continue search for solution to desertificationStudents protest against unhealthy environment
Two bodies to screen applicants to training schools
Rawlings arrives home from Mbeki's inauguration
Burial place of 100 drowned persons for tourist site
CEPS re-opens SAGA for full Operations
African Coastal Shipping not Feasible Yet - Mbiah
Registration fees at University Ghana goes up
Accra (Greater Accra), 18th June 99 -
Fresh science students entering the University of Ghana for the 1999/2000 academic year will pay 900,000 cedis as registration fee as compared to last year's 166,500 cedis.
Students opting for humanities are to pay 800,000 cedis as against 136,500 while postgraduate students are paying between 2.4 million and 2.7 million cedis from the previous 166,500 cedis.
This was contained in an official notice pasted in the various halls and made available to the GNA in Accra on Thursday.
Fresh students are to pay residential facilities user fee of 250,000 cedis while non-resident students are to pay attachment fee of 50,000 cedis.
According to the notice, continuing students offering courses in humanities are paying 740,000 instead of 105,500 cedis paid last year.
Science/Agriculture students will pay 840,000 cedis as against 135,500 cedis while the medical and dental students are paying 1,660,000 from the previous 135,500 cedis.
The continuing students are paying 150,000 as residential facilities user fees while non -residential students are to pay 30,000 cedis as attachment fee.
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Smugglers vent anger on Akpafleto residents
Sogakope (Volta Region) 18 June ’99
The South Tongu District Security Committee has appealed to the police and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to arrest smugglers who recently attacked people in Akpafleto village in the district for allegedly exposing their nefarious smuggling activities.
Mr Christian Sackley, South Tongu district chief executive, said on Wednesday at Sogakope that the smugglers who were using unapproved routes, took revenge on the people for allegedly reporting their activities which enabled CEPS to seize their goods.
He was speaking at the first of the series of "meet the press forum" organised by the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council.
Mr Sackley said although the district is not a border district, smugglers usually find it very convenient using numerous unauthorised routes to transport uncustomed goods into the country.
He recalled that about one month ago, an unspecified number of smugglers descended on the town to beat up the people indiscriminately when CEPS seized goods being smuggled into the country.
He said the district security committee is holding consultations with the CEPS commander at Aflao in order to introduce measures to combat the activities of smugglers in the district.
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Population/Housing Census to cost 30 billion cedis
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 June ’99
The 2000 Population and Housing Census to be conducted in the country is estimated to cost 30 billion cedis and would be held between March and April next year.
Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng, Government Statistician, told a news conference in Accra on Thursday that the cost would be met from a government input of 76.6 per cent and a donor component of 23.4 per cent.
Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, announced the holding of the census when he presented this year's budget to Parliament, last March.
Dr Oti Boateng said the trial census, which begins on the night of July 11, would give the service a basis to compute the exact amount that the census would cost.
He explained that, even though, the census have been tentatively fixed for between March-April, the President, who is vested with that prerogative, would determine the actual dates.
"Field work will begin next year, but the period for the census by law is given by the President on the advice of the technical staff at the Statistical Service".
He said there are three stages in the conduct of census. These are pre-enumeration, enumeration and post enumeration periods.
"All these processes including other well laid out procedures will be followed to ensure an efficient population and housing, census for Ghana".
Nine censuses have been conducted in Ghana since 1891. Three of these have been in the post independence era, 1960,1970 and 1984.
Dr Oti Boateng said a population and housing census is important since it would provide facts essential to governmental policy-making, planning and administration.
Information on the size, distribution and characteristics of a country's population is essential in describing and assessing its economic, social and demographic circumstance.
The Government Statistician said one of the basic administrative uses of census data is the demarcation of constituencies and the allocation of representation on government bodies.
"It also provides indispensable data for scientific analysis and appraisal of the composition, distribution and prospective growth of the population", as well as " for the development of bench-mark housing statistics and formulation of housing policy and programmes".
Dr Oti Boateng said the population and housing censuses are being put together because they are closely related.
On the problems associated with the political demarcation of some districts, he "we will not be involved with any legalities of demarcation going on in some of the districts.
"Though they are important determinants, we are ensuring that the census is done according to statistical boundaries. We will not dabble in those problems".
He said, "if we decide to wait till these demarcation problems are solved, there will be no census in Ghana".
He said everybody in the country, including foreigners would be counted, adding that the upcoming census is a de jure type, in which the number of foreigners must be known for fertility and demographic reasons.
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100 fire disasters recorded in Kumasi
Kumasi (Ashanti), 18th June 99 -
More than 100 domestic fire outbreaks leading to the loss of property estimated at more than two billion cedis have been recorded in the Kumasi Metropolis since the beginning of the year.
Mr Frederick Loglo, Disaster Control Officer of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in charge of the Kumasi Metropolis, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday said most of them were caused by electrical faults.
This alarming situation, he said, called for the collective effort of all, since it could happen to anyone anytime, adding that, "Fire does not respect persons".
He, therefore, called on landlords to acquire fire extinguishers and other fire fighting devices in their homes to reduce the effect of such outbreaks.
Mr Loglo also appealed to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to intensify its public education on immediate steps to be taken to fight fire before their men get to the scene.
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Tasoale, (Northern Region) 18th June 99 -
A 36-year-old farmer from Chana in the West Gonja district is helping the Tamale Police in their investigation into the shooting of his nephew last month.
Chief Inspector Emmanuel Kofi Ahiavor, Police Public Relations Officer in-charge of the Northern Region, told the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Thursday that the farmer, Mahmudu Dramani, became worried when he detected persistent stealing of yams from his farm.
He laid ambush at the farm in the early hours of May 25 and saw someone coming to the farm.
The person started packing his yams into a sack and Dramani allegedly shot the thief in his left leg and he fell.
When he rushed to arrest the victim, he realised it was his own nephew, Issah Braima, 30 year-old unemployed.
Dramani took him to the hospital, where his leg was later amputated.
Mr Ahiavor said Dramani went into hiding until Wednesday when he surrendered to the Police.
Dramani has been granted Police enquiry bail and would be put before court when investigations are completed.
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Upper East dry season farmers get good yield
Gowrie (Upper East) 18 June '99
Farmers in the Tono and Vea irrigation area in the Upper East Region, who went into dry season farming, this year, have had a good harvest.
The rice farmers said they harvested an average of 12 maxi bags of rice from their quarter hectare plots, as against the four to five bags they made in previous years.
The farmers, who were trained under the Integrated Pest Management and Farmers Field Schools (IPM/FFS) programme said they used the new techniques of land preparation, sowing and organic method of controlling pests on their farms.
They were speaking at a forum in Gowrie, near Bolgatanga after the inauguration of a 12-member (IPM/FSS) Regional Oversight Committee by Mr J.
Asiedu Nketiah, a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture.
The farmers, however, complained of lack of market and low prices, and appealed to the Ministry to help.
Mr Nketiah advised the farmers to form co-operatives to enable them attract loans from the banks and district assemblies.
He told them that farm equipment like rice thrashers and tractors are available in Accra and could be purchased on credit.
Professor Anthony Youdeowei, IPM Specialist, with the African Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) advised farmers to co-operate with MOFA and work hard to improve their income.
He said by reducing the use of chemicals agriculture would become environmentally friendly and the crops more nourishing.
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300 Teachers in Ketu district apply for study leave or retirement
Sogakope (Volta Region) 18 June '99
Three hundred out of the 1,428 basic school teachers in the Ketu district have applied for study leave or want to proceed on voluntary retirement.
Mr Henry Ametepe, Ketu District Chief Executive, announced this at the first in the series of decentralised meet-the-press forums at Sogakope in the South Tongu district on Wednesday.
Already the staffing situation in most schools is poor and the expected reduction in the number of teachers will worsen the situation, he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to allow the Ghana Education Service to recruit "A" level holders and graduates from the polytechnics to fill the vacancies to be created.
Mr Ametepe said the Ketu district has a total enrolment of 45,647 pupils at the basic level, distributed among 31 pre-schools, 115 primary schools and 81 junior secondary schools.
He said the assembly has established an endowment fund to boost the enrolment of girls in second cycle schools where they form only 25 per cent of the total enrolment of 2,075.
Mr Ametepe announced that 42 students in the region are benefiting from a scholarship scheme instituted by Korpeyia-Ghana Fund International based in New Jersey, United States.
The Ketu district has established five community libraries to inculcate the reading habit in the youths, he added.
He appealed to organisations and individuals to help stock the libraries with books.
Ketu was among five districts which presented their programmes and plans at the forum attended by chiefs, heads of departments and assembly members.
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Establish textiles factory in Ashanti -- Asantehene urges
Kumasi (Ashanti), 18th June 99 --
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has appealed to the Vlisco group of companies, a textiles manufacturing company, to establish a textile factory in Ashanti since the region patronises a greater percentage of textiles and wax prints produced in the country adding that acquiring land for the project will not be a problem.
He said since cloth wearing is synonymous with chiefs and Ashanti is the cradle of this institution, it would be in the right direction if a textile factory is established in the region.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu was receiving Mr Gilles Moisan, managing director and other officials of Vlisco who paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Wednesday.
The Otumfuo recalled the long-standing relationship between Manhyia and the former United Africa Company Limited (UAC), now a member of Vlisco, and hoped that this relationship will continue.
He expressed appreciation to Vlisco for providing employment for many Ghanaians in the textiles and cocoa purchasing fields.
Mr Moisan explained that Vlisco which comprises Juapong Textiles Company Limited (JTL), Ghana Textiles Printing Limited (GTP) and UAC Textiles has its headquarters in Holland.
He said the company now produces wax prints comparable to imported Hollandais since it is the same technology it uses in manufacturing wax prints.
Mr Moisan wished the Asantehene a long and peaceful reign, adding "I have taken note of your request for the establishment of a textiles factory in Ashanti".
The company donated 50 pieces of wax prints made up of 30 pieces of Hollandais and 20 pieces of GTP to the Asantehene.
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Tourist Board informs Asantehene about confab on Bosomtwe
Kumasi (Ashanti), 18th June 99 --
The Board and management of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) on Wednesday called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to inform him about a special conference on tourism development potentials of Lake Bosomtwe at Abono in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwamwoma district.
The participants, the board said, would include stakeholders such as investors, financial institutions, tour operators, architects, environmentalists and traditional leaders.
Nana Amma Serwaah, a director of GTB, said telephone facilities have now been extended to Abono, adding that other important facilities such as good drinking water would be provided.
Mrs. Doreen Owusu-Finako, Executive Director of GTB told the Asantehene that a Tourism Development Plan for Ashanti has been drawn up which includes the development of Lake Bosomtwe area and hoped that chiefs in the region would get involved.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said chiefs in the region were prepared to help develop other potential tourist attractions in the region to bring in more tourists.
He said the development of Lake Bosomtwe will benefit people living along the lake and the region as a whole and therefore called on the chiefs to support the board's tourism development programme.
The Asantehene said there has been a bond of friendship and co-operation between GTB and the chiefs and hoped this would continue to grow.
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Yankah gets tough with contractors
Mampong (Ashanti), 18th June 99 -
Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister has warned contractors on government projects in the region to ensure that they work within the contract sum and periods allowed for the completion of the projects.
He said the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) will no longer allow for variations or payment for any additional cost on projects which extend beyond the contract period.
Mr Yankah gave the warning when he inspected projects in the Sekyere West district as part of a familiarisation tour of the district on Wednesday.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of work by Richway Contractors who are constructing the 525 million-cedi administrative block for the district assembly as well as the market complex for Mampong.
The Regional Minister gave Hansas Contractors, undertaking the construction of the five-kilometre Mampong-Nsuta road, six months to complete the project or it would be taken away from them.
The Regional Tender Board awarded the project in 1996 and it was expected to be completed within 18 months.
Mr Joseph Anokye, Highways Project Supervisor at the site, told the Regional Minister that the road was to be tarred and new culverts and drains were to be constructed.
Some of the culverts and drains have been completed, he said, adding, "we are not working today because the starter of the grader has broken down and is being repaired".
Mr Yankah and Nana Osei Bonsu II, Asante-Mamponghene jointly laid cement blocks for work to begin on a 228 million cedi library complex for the district being financed from the common fund.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Asante-Mampong and Nsuta, Mr Yankah said the government with assistance from the World Bank is undertaking the Urban Five project to improve conditions in some of the district capitals.
He said the government does not discriminate in the allocation of the common fund for the districts but based on a formula which takes into consideration the population, basic infrastructure available and the ability of the assemblies to generate their own sources of revenue.
The Regional Minister said the region abounds in potentials, which could be developed for the benefit of the people. They should, therefore, not allow partisan politics to take much of their time but endeavour to unite and co-operate with each other for the development of their communities, districts and the region.
Nana Osei Bonsu said the people of Asante-Mampong are now united and co-operate with each other for development and hoped the assembly will help the people to rehabilitate the deplorable roads, build a new place of convenience and complete the abandoned market before the end of the year.
Nana Adu Agyei Bonsafo II, Nsutahene, appealed to the government to upgrade the polyclinic in the town to a hospital, to rehabilitate access roads from Nsuta to other communities and to complete the infrastructure at the Nsutaman secondary school to accommodate more students and tutors.
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UN to continue search for solution to desertification
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 June ’99
The UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, said on Thursday that the United Nations system will not lag behind in its search for concrete solutions to combat desertification.
Mr Annan said this in a statement released to the media in Accra by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to mark the celebration of the Fifth World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
The Day commemorates the adoption in 1994 of the UN convention to combat desertification.
He said: "today, June 17, we have an opportunity to reaffirm our support for all initiatives taken to combat desertification at all levels as well as our commitment to join forces to overcome the obstacles to sustainable development for all, including the degrading of arid lands and all its consequences, environment, social and political".
The secretariat of the convention will continue to encourage all organisations concerned to join in the search for concrete solutions worked out not only with governments but also with civil society as provided for under the convention.
Mr Annan said more than 110 countries are affected by desertification and it would be a big mistake to think that this is a problem that concerns only developing countries.
He said North America and several countries in the European Union are also affected, adding that desertification has repercussions on biological diversity, climate and fresh water supplies against which no country in any part of the world can protect itself.
Mr Annan said desertification leads directly to the loss of fertile lands and a decline in agricultural productivity which in turn is reflected in famine, population displacement, social and political conflicts.
He said ecology and the well being of populations, environment and sustainable development are linked.
The number of parties to the convention last year rose from 125 to 151, showing how committed the international community is to a process that specifically addressed the commitments made at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
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Students protest against unhealthy environment
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 18 June '99
Students of Sunyani Polytechnic on Thursday boycotted lectures to protest against insanitary conditions on campus, which they said had exposed them to snake bites and other health hazards.
Chanting war songs and wearing red armbands, the students swore that they would never go back to lectures until the polytechnic administration gave them firm assurance that the situation would be rectified.
A student, who pleaded anonymity, told the GNA that for some time now, the surroundings of the boys' hostel in particular had become so weedy that students virtually walked through "a forest" before reaching their lecture halls.
The KVIP and cesspit of the water closet systems of both the boys' and girls' hostels have also been full for months but the administration has failed to get them emptied.
The spokesman said, this semester alone, five students have been attacked by snakes on their way to the mice-filled KVIP or lecture halls.
The spokesman noted that it is not proper for the administration to maintain clean surroundings around the administration block and the lecture halls of the school while the sleeping places of the students are weedy and unsightly.
When contacted, the principal of the polytechnic, Dr Nsiah Gyabaah, denied that the administration had been insensitive to the concerns of the students.
He said the polytechnic administration has already contacted the Ministry of Health, which has procured chemicals to spray the surroundings of the hostels to get rid of the snakes.
Dr Gyabaah said the Sunyani district assembly has also been contacted for a cesspit emptier but due to their tight schedule, one has not been made available to the polytechnic.
On the weedy nature of the hostel surroundings, he said a mower hired by the administration to do the weeding had broken down and the polytechnic was arranging for the services of inmates of the Sunyani Prisons to clear the bushes.
The principal said everything had been explained to the student leadership at a meeting yet they decided to boycott lectures.
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Two bodies to screen applicants to training schools
Bimbilla (Northern Region), 18th June --
The Ghana Education Service (GES), in conjunction with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is in the process of developing an aptitude test for all applicants to teacher training institutions.
The test is to enable the service to screen and retain only applicants who are likely to undertake the full teacher-training course and remain in the teaching field.
Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Director-General of the GES, announced this at Bimbilla on Tuesday when he addressed the staff and students of Bimbilla Training College.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Deputy Minister of Education, were in the Nanumba district as part of a tour of six former conflict areas of the Northern region to see how schools there are recovering from the adverse effects of the 1994 ethnic conflict.
They are East Gonja, Nanumba, Saboba-Chereponi, Zabzugu-Tatale, Yendi and Gushegu-Karaga.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said the screening exercise had become necessary to stop trainee teachers from abandoning their courses mid-stream.
"We will no longer allow our training colleges to be used as stepping stones by people who have no interest in the teaching profession and we shall all ensure that bonds are signed."
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi also announced that the GES would embark on the "general expansion" of training colleges since the 6,000 teachers turned out annually are inadequate.
Mr Marshall Adam, Principal of Bimbilla Training College, said the school, with a population of 617 students, has only 18 teachers which does not augur well for effective teaching.
He attributed the inadequate staffing position to lack of accommodation and the state of insecurity engendered by the ethnic conflict.
But the good news is that six teachers' bungalows will be constructed as part of a sponsored programme to rehabilitate and expand existing facilities in all the 38 training colleges in the country.
In addition to the staff bungalows, a new boys' dormitory, three additional classrooms, a laboratory block, bathhouse and two KVIPs will be provided.
Mr Adam commended the district assembly for putting up a demonstration school for the college.
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Rawlings arrives home from Mbeki's inauguration
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 June '99
President Jerry John Rawlings returned home on Thursday from South Africa, where he attended the installation of Mr Thabo Mbeki as the new president of that country.
President Rawlings was accompanied by Nana Konadu, Mr James Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms Rebecca Damte, of the Brong Ahafo regional administration.
The President was welcomed at the airport by Vice-President Professor John Atta Mills, Aljhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Chairman of the Council of State, Mr Peter Nanfuri, the IGP, service commanders and the Acting South African High Commissioner in Ghana, Mr Phillip Reilley.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Gbeho said the people of South Africa paid a tribute to their hero and leader, Mr Nelson Mandela, for serving his nation for five years as president.
South Africans are also fond of Mr Mandela's successor, President Mbeki, and it is no wonder that he was unanimously elected to the position, he said.
Mr Gbeho said President Mbeki's address touched on many issues, especially the difficulties confronting them as a nation, and echoed the feelings of South Africans that the challenges must be surmounted.
He said a significant number of African leaders attended the ceremony alongside other senior government officials from Europe and other parts of the world.
"This proves that South Africa's fortunes lie with the continent of Africa and confirms what President Mbeki said during his address that South Africa should no longer be considered as an extension of Europe but rather as an African state."
On the question of President Rawlings stepping down in the year 2000, Mr Gbeho said a change in political leadership is good for all countries and cited the example of South Africa, saying, "this should please every African".
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Suhum, (Eastern Region) 18 June '99
A 32-year-old businesswoman has been installed as the Ankobeahemaa of Suhum under the stool name Nana Abena Kwasima Lazzlo.
Known in private life as Rose Thompson, Nana Lasslo is the first Ankobeahemaa of Suhum.
She pledged to co-operate with other traditional rulers in the area for the development of the town and appealed to citizens to help the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar district assembly.
Nana Lasslo expressed concern about poor sanitation in the area and urged the assembly to enact by-laws to deal with offenders.
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Burial place of 100 drowned persons for tourist site
Donkorkrom (Eastern Region) 18 June '99
The burial site of the 100 people who drowned on the Volta Lake in 1995 at Amankwaa-Tornu in the Afram Plains is to be turned into a tourist spot.
The 100 were mainly market women who were returning to the villages when their boat, which was said to be overloaded, capsized.
Lt.Col. Lord Sarfo, Afram Plains district Chief Executive, speaking to newsmen at Donkorkrom said other historic and tourist sites to be developed include Obour Abodwese at Atonso, Obour Akroman at Kyemfre and Koranteng Abotan or Lion's den near Maame Krobo.
THE DCE said the easiest way to enter the Digya National Park at Kwagyady Aban in the Brong Ahafo region is through the Afram Plains.
He said the District Assembly is to build chalets near the park, which shares border with the Plains.
The Assembly has plans to turn the Bubi, Obour-akroma and Fah into monkey sanctuaries to attract tourists.
It has developed a blue print to promote tourism and invited investors to put up hotels and provide other services in the district.
Lt. Col. Sarfo said the three kilometre wide Afram River between Adawso in the Kwahu South District and Ekye-Amanfrom in the Afram Plains and the 32-kilometre stretch of water between Kpando-Torkor in the Volta Region and the Afram Plains could be developed for water sports.
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CEPS re-opens SAGA for full Operations
Tema (Greater Accra) 18 June '99
The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on Thursday re-opened Saga Ghana Limited, private shipping company in Tema, for full operations after three weeks of investigations into its operations.
The CEPS handed over the company's keys to its management on Wednesday after it allowed the company to operate for two weeks on a limited basis.
A letter issued by the CEPS said the decision to re-open the company followed a meeting held last Tuesday between the Commissioner of CEPS, Bureau of National Investigations, the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and Saga management.
The letter, signed by Mr Robert Kwami, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Tema, said, notwithstanding the lifting of the restrictions, Saga must comply with all customs obligations under the laws.
These are the timely submission of Uncleared Cargo Lists, timely delivery to the State Warehouse of all overtime cargo while all amendments to Cargo Manifests submitted to customs should be done by competent management personnel.
The letter, however, stated that customs officers will continue to keep watch at the company's premises.
It said while waiting for the outcome of the on-going investigations, CEPS still looks forward to enhanced good working relations and mutual co-operation with Saga.
The CEPS, acting on instructions of the Minister for National Security, shut the company for investigations after seven kilograms of cocaine was detected among 400 bags of rice shipped into the country from Surinam.
The investigations also covered the alleged importation of stolen cars from the United States and Canada through ships for which Saga served as local agents.
During the restrictions, Saga was not allowed to handle shipping, clearing and forwarding operations.
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African Coastal Shipping not Feasible Yet - Mbiah
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 June '99
Mr Kofi Mbiah, Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Council, on Thursday said it is not feasible to operate African Coastal Shipping Lines now.
He said structures and resources necessary for the smooth operation of African Coastal Shipping Lines are not available for the success of such a venture.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra at the African Shippers conference, Mr Mbiah said only three per cent of the world's shipping tonnage comes to Africa.
"This is insignificant for the running of an African shipping line," he said, adding that before the project can take off, shipping traffic rights must also be conferred on Africa.
"To succeed, African shippers must come together and pool their resources from within. If we do not start from within, then there is very little chance of success".
He said the African shipping base must also be fully developed.
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