AMA to demolish 400 structures along Odaw channel
Respect land laws or face the consequences - Minister
Film on Jesus translated into local language
Togolese helicopters cause a stirl in Hohoe
"Avoid professional negligence", Mr Justice Anin advises lawyers
Rotary club hands over resource centre
Preparations for Information Technology fair underway
Ghana to celebrate Africa scientific day
Parents urged to send children to school
Ageing policy to be presented to cabinet
Land Valuation Board delegates conference opens
AMA to demolish 400 structures along Odaw channel
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
Four hundred structures along the Odaw river are to be demolished by Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) next way to make for the unimpeded passage of the river.
The 1,500 occupants of the structures, which are mainly factories, kiosks and residential accommodation, have been asked to relocate within the time frame or face forceful ejection to allow the demolition to go on.
Some of the structures to be pulled down include the Kpehe Methodist Church and the Danafco Engineering Company Limited. Many of the structures are scattered along the Odaw drain between the Korle Lagoon and the Apenkwa Bridge on the Motorway extension, a distance of about 7.2 kilometres.
The structures have been built within the 'danger zone' of the river as the developers have failed to observe the regulations which stipulate that there should be no development along the Odaw River for a distance of 100 feet from either bank.
Also there should be no development for a distance of about 60 feet from the banks of the Onyasia River, near Alajo, which flows into the Odaw.
At a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Issac T.Adjovu, the Coordinating Director of AMA, said the assembly is taking these measures safeguard the interest of the people leaving along the river and also safe their lives which have been in danger anytime the Odaw overflows its banks.
The Co-ordinating Director said affected structures are to be removed by their owners within a week of being marked and persons with development permits covering any of these structures are to present them to the AMA sub-Metro offices for advice.
Mr Albert Djandoh, in charge of the "Urban Four Project", said the government has a programme to build permanent drainage structures for the Odaw river and other streams in the metropolis.
"It requires substantial investments, mostly from foreign credits to implement this programme. While waiting for the funding for this programme, the least we can do as residents in Accra is to avoid placing structures within the drain reserve and prevent flood disasters."
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It’s a holiday
Accra (Greater Accra) 30th June 99 -
Republic Day, Thursday, July one is a statutory Holiday and should be observed as such, a statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior said on Tuesday.
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Respect land laws or face the consequences - Minister
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
The Ministry of Lands and Forestry and its related agencies on Tuesday said the spate of land disputes in the country could be curtailed if the various land laws are respected.
They also identified inadequate public information on land data and in most cases, ignorance of the various laws and legislation relating to land management as the major cause of disputes in the country.
The Ministry and six departments and agencies under it made this known at the meet-the-press series held in Accra on Tuesday.
The land related bodies were the Survey department, Land Title Registry, Stool Lands, Land Commission, Lands Valuation Board and Stool Lands Boundary Settlement Commission.
After taking-turns to present their mission statements, the common constraint to the various bodies was the delay in adjudicating land disputes in the courts.
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry, Mr Richard Dornu Nartey underscored the difficulty in managing land in the country, in spite of the numerous laws and regulations provided by the Constitution.
"The public outcry and numerous land disputes testify that an area, which hitherto was left to float has now become the bane of society."
He said land disputes raise the challenges confronting the various land bodies in translating the laws into action on the ground.
Perhaps, the spate of disputes could also be indications of the existence of inherent weakness and fundamental flaws in some of the legislation.
But, the Minister said, strong co-ordination among the various land bodies would give meaning to the laws and ensure discipline in land management.
Mr Nartey said attempts are being made to mobilise resources for public education on land laws and other constitutional provisions.
"We are also going to ensure that these laws are respected or people would be held responsible for their actions in breaking these laws."
Of particular reference was the rampant encroachment on public lands, which the Minister said would no more be tolerated "even if compensation to such public property has not been paid."
The Commissioner of Stool Lands Boundary Settlement, Mr J. A. Osei explained that long disputes, some of which drag on for more than 20 years, is the reason behind the use of land guards to protect stool lands.
"These guards are simply engaged by the stools to ensure that the stool property is not encroached pending the determination of a case before a law court."
To him quick disposal of land cases in the courts is the key to the land guard issues.
Mr Osei said although the commission was established to handle disputes of stool lands, lack of personnel and logistics have impaired its ability to be effective with its mission.
However, the Commissioner said, a proposal to repeal parts of the NRC decree, which established the Commission is underway, adding that, the new law would expand the scope of land settlement.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Director of Survey Department, Kumbun-Naa Yiri II, Alhaji Iddrisu Abu, who attributed the problems of land disputes to improper mapping and surveying.
This, he said, would be dealt with through a World Bank supported programme of automation of the mapping of all parcels of land and setting up of public complaints unit within the department to deal promptly with public grievances.
While concerns were expressed about the overlapping functions and ineptitude of some of the statutory land agencies, inadequate resources, including personnel were some of the excuses given to justify their non-performance.
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Film on Jesus translated into local language
Bolgatanga (Upper East), 30th June 99 -
The Great Commission Movement (GCM), a Christian non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched the Gurune version of the Jesus Film (JF) in Bolgatanga.
The film, which cost 25,000 dollars forms part of its evangelical crusade to win more souls for Christ, is funded by the World Vision International (WVI).
The JF has been translated into 5,000 languages since 1956 and it is estimated that over 400,000 people watch it daily throughout the world.
Mr Emmanuel Obeeku, Northern Regional Co-ordinator of the GCM, giving a brief history of the film, said in 1956 Dr Bill Bright, a Christian evangelist produced the film at historical sites in Egypt.
He said the film was first translated into Twi 17 years ago and now has its Dagbane and Gurune versions for the northern sector.
Mr Eugene Asante, Northern sector co-ordinator of WVI said the translation of the JF into Gurune is in the right direction considering the positive impact it would have on the people.
He said, "it is a step in the direction to fulfil Jesus Christ's commission".
He said the translation of the film into Dagbane facilitated the establishment of 29 churches in the Gushiegu-Karaga district in the Northern Region, where there were no churches before.
"More churches are needed to match the growing population of Christian converts", he added.
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Togolese helicopters cause a stirl in Hohoe
Hohoe (Volta Region), 30th June 99 --
Two Togolese air force helicopters on Monday landed at Wli-Afegame in the Hohoe district of the Volta region which shares a common border with Togo and has the biggest waterfall in West Africa.
One of them landed at the Local Roman Catholic primary school park, while the second one landed near the Wli Waterfalls.
Mr Dennis Jordor, assembly member for the Wli electoral area, said when the aircraft landed at the school park at about 9 a.m., the teachers, pupils and a lot of people rushed to the spot, thinking it was President Jerry John Rawlings who was visiting the waterfalls.
He said they were surprised to see that it was a Togolese air force plane, and the occupants were two whites and three blacks, all except one black, wore military uniforms.
Mr Jordor said one of the whitemen, on seeing the crowd ordered the pilot to take off, heading towards the waterfalls. The second helicopter almost simultaneously took off from the side of the waterfalls, and both returned to Togo.
Mr Jordor said Togolese helicopters have been sighted along the Ghanaian side of the border on four occasions but they have never landed.
He noted that tourism has become a major foreign exchange earner world wide, and called for the security of the waterfalls.
Meanwhile, the Hohoe District Chief Executive, Mr Obed Kissiedu and members of the Hohoe district security committee have visited the town after receiving a report from Mr Nat Aduajoe, Member of Parliament for Hohoe North who was touring the area.
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"Avoid professional negligence", Mr Justice Anin advises lawyers
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
Mr Justice Patrick D. Anin, a retired judge of the Supreme Court has advised lawyers to exhibit accurate legal construction within their professional competence and conscience.
He stressed that anything less would be a disservice and would be tantamount to "culpable professional negligence", for which they could be sanctioned or penalised".
Mr Justice Anin said this in the second and last of this years' "Sarkodie, Koranteng-Addow and Agyepong Memorial Lectures, organised by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).
His topic was "The need for legal advisers/advocates/judges to adopt a generous purposive construction, and not a literal or grammatical or restrictive construction, which overlooks relevant context and meaning".
The annual lectures were instituted by the GBA in memory of three high court judges, Mrs. Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Mr Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee and Mr Justice Kwadwo A. Agyepong, who were abducted and killed in June, 1982.
The theme for the two-day lectures was, "The need for the GBA and the Bench to develop Human Rights Jurisprudence and the Rule of Law through Legal or Judicial Activism and Creativity".
The retired judge emphasised that lawyers need not play to the political gallery and that if the relevant law has not been violated, "it is unpardonable for a legal adviser to recommend a prosecution to the detriment of the innocent accused person.
'If an "untutored" policeman in criminal law and procedure adopts this position, he could be sympathised with and forgiven for his ignorance.
"But for a learned public lawyer to adopt this strategy is indeed unfortunate, for it is his responsibility and duty to offer the correct professional advice".
Touching on the interpretation of the constitution, the retired judge advised Supreme Court judges to avoid the method of sticking to the literal, grammatical or dictionary meaning of isolated words in the constitution
without reference to the context in which the words are used.
He explained that "such a literal method, divorced from a generous and purposive construction, cannot attain the grand objects and commitments of freedom and justice, rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms".
Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, a legal practitioner, who presided, urged lawyers and judges to help ensure that democracy thrive in the country.
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Rotary club hands over resource centre
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
The Rotary Club of Accra - Achimota on Tuesday, handed over a refurbished assessment and resource centre for children to the Department of Social Welfare.
Mr Yaw Kusi Abebrese, President of the club, said it undertook the redecoration of the centre at a cost of 2.5 million cedis, as it's children's project.
He said Rotary would provide the centre with the necessary equipment to enable children with disabilities to benefit under the second phase of the project.
Mr Abebrese urged parents to send their children with disabilities for early screening and discard superstitious ideas.
"Parents should not be ashamed of such children but accept them and seek medical intervention for them"
Miss Theresa Treve, Assistant Director in charge of the centre said it was established for the early detection, detailed diagnosis and evaluation of children with learning difficulties, mental retardation, hearing and vision impairment.
She said the centre has been able to place children in the appropriate schools according to the degree of their disabilities and their special needs.
Miss Treve said some of the children with disabilities have been treated and have been able to overcome their handicap.
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Preparations for Information Technology fair underway
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
Commander Pius Griffiths (rtd), Deputy Minister of Communications, on Monday called on service providers to open up to new technologies that are "breaking up distances and putting the world at our doorsteps".
Commander Griffiths, who was speaking at the launch of the fourth information technology fair (INFOTECH), said the computer industry has evolved rapidly with technological convergence between the computer and telecommunications.
The fair, which is scheduled to take place in November, is under the theme: "Information and Communication Technology, Prospects in the Next Millennium".
Commander Griffiths said information technology is helping to generate a huge store of knowledge, which cuts across all subjects, cultures and international boundaries.
He noted that electronic commerce is currently taking over the traditional ways of doing business.
The Internet is helping in speeding up the country's developmental efforts through techniques like telemedicine, distance education and teleconferencing.
The Deputy Minister said technology has posed as a mother of all challenges to both users and service providers and called on all to put these challenges to good use adding that there will be a massive improvement in the provision of telephone lines by March 2000.
He said a national Y2K Web site, with a tracking system for the status of Y2K conversion for ministries, departments and agencies of government and other critical sectors of the economy, have been completed and would be published by the middle of July.
The strategy and document on guidelines for national contingency planning and training would start by next month and completed by the end of October.
Mr Lionel Arthur Ankrah, President of the Computer Association, who chaired the function, called on exhibitors to take control of the challenges that would enable the public access information.
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Ghana to celebrate Africa scientific day
Accra (Greater Accra) 30 June '99
Ghana will join the rest of Africa to celebrate the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA) on Wednesday. The focal point for the national celebration is the Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology Industrial Service (GRATIS).
The Intermediate Technology Transfer Units (ITTUs) would co-ordinate the celebration in all the regional capitals, according to a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST).
The celebration would be on the national theme "Science and Technology in Propelling Private Sector Development".
The day was instituted by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1988 to create awareness of the importance of science and technology in the development of the continent.
Ghana has over the past decade observed the day to create awareness about the need to resort more to the use of science and technology in daily activities, and educate Ghanaians about the importance of science and technology in national development.
The statement said the involvement of the private sector in the aggregation of activities commemorating the day is intended to elicit the contributions of the sector institutions in articulating national development initiatives, especially in the realisation of the goals and objectives of Vision 2020.
The Ministry said it has recognised GRATIS' unique role for transferring science and technology to private sector institutions.
GRATIS, it said, has over the years offered technical expertise in the fields of engineering design, textiles, wood technology and food processing.
Activities organised to mark the day include a technology fair, expositions of research findings, demonstrations of applicable scientific methods and seminars on science education.
Key clients of GRATIS will mount exhibitions and demonstrations in engineering, food processing, wood and textile technology.
Some selected industrial organisations in Tema and some second cycle schools will also take part in the celebration.
The statement urged all Scientific Institutions, the Universities and District Assemblies to feature prominently in the regional celebrations.
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Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
A group of six members of the German Bundestag, the German Lower House of Parliament, begins a four-day visit to Ghana on July three to gather information on issues of common interest on immigration and fighting drug-related crimes.
A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday said the group led by Mr Peter Enders would meet President Jerry Rawlings, the Minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio and members of parliament.
The Ghana visit is part of a three-nation West African tour that will also take them to Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal.
The statement said this is the first high-ranking visit of German MPs since 1996 and emphasises once more the excellent relations between the two countries.
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Parents urged to send children to school
Nasana (Brong Ahafo), 30th June 99 -
The Ghana Education Service and the Wenchi District Assembly have jointly organised a forum at Nasana, near Seikwa, to encourage parents to send their children, especially the girls-child to school.
Addressing the forum, Miss Comfort Manu, the assemblyman, called for equal opportunity for the education of both male and female children stressing that good education is the best investment parents could make for their children.
Miss Manu urged parents to encourage their wards to study hard by providing their basic needs such as books, pocket money and clothing.
She said the Wenchi District Assembly has instituted a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy children and asked children to work hard to benefit from the scheme.
The headmaster of Nasana Junior Secondary School, Mr Peter Boampong, advised school children to be law-abiding and to take their studies more seriously.
He called on GES and youth organisations to provide facilities needed to enhance effective teaching.
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Ageing policy to be presented to cabinet
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
A policy on the development of the aged by HelpAge Ghana (HAG) and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare will be presented to cabinet for approval by the close of this year.
The policy, which will address the needs of the aged on issues such as housing, recreational facilities, health and income security, is to promote "positive ageing".
Mr John Mensah, Director of HAG, who said this on Tuesday in Accra during a press briefing on global ageing, said the policy, when fully implemented, will be the first in Africa.
HAG has over the years advocated appropriate policies and programmes with government and non-governmental organisations to improve the living conditions of older persons.
"We are very fortunate that through the Ministry of Health, our advocacy for free medical care for the aged has been approved but it is yet to be implemented."
Mr Todd Petterson, Chief Executive of HelpAge International (HAI), who is the country to familiarise himself with the aged situation and meet government on the issue, spoke on global ageing.
He said globally, older persons are likely to live in poverty because of their limited resources and governments' priorities which often do not factor in the requirements of the aged.
Mr Petterson said he is happy that the government of Ghana has great interest in the development of the aged adding that the aged are now the fastest growing population in the world and urged governments to always support them.
"Ageing is something that everybody will grow to meet. It is about time we find ways to help the aged and make them supportive since their immense contribution to the development of the communities have been overlooked by some countries.
"I think they have made significant contribution which should be acknowledged."
Mrs Alberta Ollennu, President of HAG, appealed to parents to take good care of their children so that when they are old the children will also take care of them.
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Land Valuation Board delegates conference open
Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -
A three-day divisional delegates conference of the Trades Union of the Land Valuation Board opened in Accra on Tuesday with a call on Parliament to enact appropriate legislation that will set the framework for the existence and operations of the board.
Mr Kwesi Adu-Amankwah, Deputy Secretary-General in charge of operations of Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the union is concerned about the inability of Parliament to pass the necessary law to make the board to stand on its own.
He appealed to the sector ministry to take measures for the enactment of the legislation.
The conference is aimed at reviewing the performances of the divisional union, draw up programmes of activity to cover the next fours year, elect new divisional union officers and adopt resolutions to help enhance the future of the board.
Mr Adu-Amankwa stressed the need to conduct reviews regularly in order not to be left behind in the developmental processes.
"Change occurs at a tremendously fast pace and if we do not want to be left behind we need to conduct our reviews regularly."
He said it has come to their notice that even though the union has concluded a collective agreement for the staff of the board, management is not implementing the provisions of the agreement.
"We would like to stress that both the divisional and national unions have the responsibility of mounting pressure on management to perform its duties."
Mr Adu-Amankwah re-affirmed the TUC's commitment to collective bargaining in both the private and public sectors and cautioned authorities of the public sector against disregard for collective bargaining rights in their determination to implement the Price Waterhouse policy.
Mr A.T.D. Okine, Acting General Secretary of Public Services Workers Union, said although the board will face stiff competition from the private sector to capture the valuation market, it should market itself properly to withstand the competition.
The board, he said, must also motivate staff to ensure their maximum performance and productivity and avoid losing them to the private sector.
Mr Okine appealed to the sector minister to liaise with the Ministry of Finance to pay the 17 months' arrears of workers of the Urban III Project.
He said demand for the payment of the arrears covering the period of August 1997 to December 1998 is bringing friction between management, union and those who worked on the project.
"If nothing is done about this, it will undermine future urban projects to be embarked upon."
Mr E.D.Nuotuo, Executive Secretary of Land Valuation Board, in a speech read on his behalf, said certain policies have been initiated to iron out anomalies in order not to repeat previous mistakes.
He said the main basis of promotion would be on merit, ability, performance and seniority, adding that opportunity would be given to all staff to reach the highest grades.
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