Accra and Tema to get data acquisition facility
Media Commission should be well funded – forum
Accra (Greater Accra) 27 June 2000
Accra and Tema are to get a new System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) facility to enhance their electronic networks by July 2001, a Parliament Finance committee report said.
The installation of the two million-dollar equipment, would commence in October, this year, Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd), Chairman of the committee said when he read the report in Parliament on Tuesday.
He said the loan for financing the project is being contracted between government and AB Svensk Exportkredit of Sweden.
He said the loan is to be repaid within ten year on 20 equal semi-annual instalments basis after a three-year grace period.
Cdr Obimpeh told the house that major benefits to be derived from the project include faster identification of major faults, quick restoration of power supply after major faults and faster load shedding and restoration times.
"Improvement in voltage regulation, reduction in system losses and data capture for planning purposes would also be realised."
Members adopted the report but called on utility and other organisation who handle strategic areas of national economy to cultivate the culture of maintenance.
The central control and management system, which served the two areas did not see any major rehabilitation since its installation in the sixties.
The system, which relied on an electromechanical sensor and underground pilot cables finally broke down in 1991.
Later in the day, the House adopted the committee's report requesting for the tax exemption of 726,000 dollars on the procurement of goods for Small-scale irrigation development projects under a loan agreement of 20.4 million dollars contracted between Ghana and African Development Bank.
Debate on the adoption of the Auditor-General report on Public Accounts of Ghana on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the period ending 31 December 1996, opened but had to be postponed to enable members contribute meaningfully to the 200 page document.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 27 June 2000
The Speaker's Breakfast Forum on Wednesday threw the searchlight on the National Media Commission (NMC) and the media, exposing the problem of funding facing the two institutions.
Participants were unanimous in their observations that there was the need to adequately fund the two institutions if they are to play their expected roles effectively towards ensuring free, fair and peaceful general elections in December.
Representatives from government, political parties and the media, as well as Parliamentarians, attended the forum, the 13th in the series.
The forum on the theme: "Role of the media in the 2000 general elections", is part of Parliament's outreach programme and seeks to create a peaceful public platform for discussion on issues of national importance in a common endeavour to ensure good governance, transparency and sustainable democracy in the country.
Mr Tim Acquah-Hayford, Chairman of the NMC, who was the main speaker, noted that the media, as the "Fourth Estate of the Realm", has become a force to reckon with in the scheme of governance and the politics of the nation, especially in an election year such as this one.
He noted, however, that the media can only perform its professional, constitutional and legislative roles effectively and responsibly when the resources and protection other government institutions enjoy in the execution of their duties, are extended to the institution.
Mr Acquah-Hayford bemoaned the NMC's funding position and said "our annual budget proposals have not been met since nothing has been released for our programmes under the approved budgetary allocation for the Commission for this year, although the first half of the year is ending this week".
The Chairman said the Commission has a core function of monitoring media performance at all times, especially during this election year, to ensure among other things, fair access to the state media.
He said the functions of ensuring high standards in both the state and private media, insulating state media from governmental control, settling state and private media dispute and offering institutional building must be performed as a matter of routine.
"However, they are particularly relevant, vital and crucial during times like this, the absence of which can perhaps make or break the electoral process despite the huge resources that have gone into the exercise".
Mr Acquah-Hayford told the forum that the NMC considering the importance of its monitoring function especially in this election year sought funding from the "donor club" but without success.
He said, however, that the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is considering funding an initial research to establish the current access to state media to set the tone for an all-media monitoring when funds are made available.
"Mr Speaker, in spite of the difficulty the nation is going through, I believe the Ministry of Finance might find funding this project of extreme national importance for a peaceful election process.
"The donor club may also wish to revisit funding the project, the Commission is set to implement with the least delay", he said.
Mr Acquah-Hayford said the media are poised to ensure fair and responsible reporting of the electoral process that will lead to free, fair and successful polls, adding, "but it is essential that the media are well resourced".
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