Murdered judge's son accuses J.J Rawlings
Benneh jailed 20 years
Government warns industrial concerns
Obed favours arbitration
2 youths sold for ¢40m each
Maame Dokono’s nomination being processed
RIP OFF, Malaysian Company opts for secret deal
Mahama calls for opposition's blood
Johnny Hansen declares support for Hagan
Why & how the judges were murdered
Murdered judge's son accuses J.J Rawlings
The Guide reports that Mr Kwabena Agyepong son of Justice Agyepong one of the judges abducted and murdered in cold blood about 18 years ago has accused President Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Rawlings of instigating and ordering the killings.
The paper states that at a press conference to mark the 18th anniversary of the gruesome murder of his father and three others, Kwabena Agyepong revealed that the late Amartey Kwei in his confession recorded on the eve of his execution at the prisons chapel of the Ussher Fort, confirmed the involvement of Mr and Mrs Rawlings.
He dared Rawlings and his wife to go to court over this matter if they think it is not true.
According to the paper he disclosed that even more significant is the startling revelation that in the course of enquiry into the murders, the Chairman of the Special Investigation Board (SIB) Justice Azu Crabbe and the Chairman of the PNDC Flt Lt Rawlings held a secret meeting at a house in Tesano in the presence of two other persons.
The paper further states that the entire proceedings of the SIB, including its conclusions could easily be vitiated by evidence of this meeting between Rawlings and Justice Azu Crabbe.
According to paper, the press statement also disclosed that other aspects of Rawlings involvement not known to many people came from his wife, Nana Konadu. It states that when Mrs Rawlings saw the statement issued by the June Four Movement (JFM) she was alarmed and surprised. Nana Konadu then called some JFM leaders and berated them for issuing statements condemning the killing because those killed were reactionaries, a term commonly used for those opposed to the revolution. She also told them that Rawlings had rejoiced and drank champagne when he heard the news.
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Benneh jailed 20 years
The Daily Graphic under a front-page banner headline reports that Frank Benneh, 48 -year-old former Minister Counsellor attached to Ghana’s Permanent Mission at the United Nations in Switzerland has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for dealing in narcotic drugs.
An Accra Regional Tribunal on Tuesday imposed the sentence on him based on a majority decision. Two panel members, Messrs S.Y. Kuamoah and Andrew Dartey, found him guilty with the chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Justice G. Wright Mensah dissenting.
Benneh, the Graphic says, was found guilty on all the five counts of possessing narcotic drugs, undertaking activities relating to narcotic drugs, supplying narcotic drugs, buying narcotic drugs and abetment of buying drugs.
According to the report, Benneh has however been granted bail, pending hearing of an appeal filed by his counsel, Mr. Ray Kakrabah-Quarshie.
His counsel had argued that under the laws of the country, a defendant who gives notice of appeal to the trial court after a judgement trial obliges the tribunal to grant him bail.
He had, according to the Graphic, contended that section 23 sub section 1-3 of Act 459 of 1993 indicates that an accused must be granted bail if the decision of the court did not include that of the chairman of the panel.
Benneh, was reported to have been granted bail in the sum of ¢10million or a land property with two sureties to be justified. He has been ordered to surrender his passport to the police and report himself to the police every Monday.
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Government warns industrial concerns
In another front-page coverage the Graphic says the Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Lee Ocran, has warned that the government will not hesitate to apply the full sanctions of the law against industrial concerns, especially mining companies, that degrade the environment.
Mr. Ocran, who the paper says was speaking at the opening of the fourth West Africa Industrial Week, is reported to have reminded mining companies that most communities are now conscious of environment dangers and stated that the government will support their actions of protection.
The story has it that Mr. Ocran was not particularly happy that issues concerning the environment were not included on the programme for the weeklong exhibition, especially since the activities of the exhibitors impact negatively on the environment.
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Obed favours arbitration
The Ghanaian Times in its lead story says Dr. Obed Asamoah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Monday stressed, at an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Draft Bill meeting at Elmina, the need for ADR mechanism to enhance private sector investment.
This, Dr Asamoah reportedly said, is because of complaints from the business community that the court process takes too long and is expensive and that with increasing economic activity in the private sector the courts cannot cope with the expected rise in commercial disputes.
Dr Asamoah mentioned dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration under Act 38, of the 1961 Arbitration Act, the Industrial Relations Act and through CHRAJ but expressed regret that despite these arrangements ADR is not used as expected.
Dr Asamoah according to the story said that it was in that regard that the government had been giving serious consideration to the establishment of a more valuable ADR.
“It is necessary to have them, build confidence in them and have them accepted as an effective alternative to the court system,” he is quoted to have said, enumerating several benefits that it hold. The bill is expected to replace the Arbitration Act of 1961, according to the Times.
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2 youths sold for ¢40m each
On the front-page of the Times is another story in which two friends, Frederick Frimpong, 50, a well digger, and Owusu 42, a mason are reported to have appeared before a circuit tribunal at Kumasi for offering two youngmen for sale at ¢40million each.
The paper says, the two however pleaded not guilty to charges of slave dealing involving their son and nephew and were granted ¢150m bail with two sureties to appear again on July 7.
According to the paper, Police Chief Inspector, Lucy Taylor told the tribunal that on May 14, Frimpong met a friend, Seidu Ramadan, a spare parts dealer at Suame Magazine in Kumasi and told him of his desire to see a ‘jujuman’ who could help him become rich.
Frimpong, according to the story, proposed to offer his eldest son, Richard Yaw-Kyei, 25, carpenter, for the necessary ritual.
Seidu, the story says feigned interest in buying Kyei and after bargaining, they settled for ¢40m.
The story says Frimpong revealed the deal to his close pal, Sekyere, who also decided to offer his nephew, Kennedy Adu-Mensah, 25, a mason for the same price.
According to the story, on May 24, the accused persons went to Seidu at his shop and demanded money for transportation to bring along the victims and he gave them 5,000 cedis each.
The accused are reported to have demanded ¢100million then for the deal and Seidu asked them to wait while he cash some money, only for him to reappear with the police to effect an arrest.
Frimpong and Owusu-Sekyere are reported to have told the police that they were selling the boys because they were fed up with poverty.
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Seven sitting MPs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region have been given the nod to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections, says the Evening News.
The paper gave their names as Nana Akufo Addo, MP for Buakwa, Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyeman, New Juaben North, Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Akim Oda, Okerchire Adusa, Nkawkaw, Mr. Felix Owusu Agyepong, Akim Swedru, Mr. George Atta Agyepong, Abetifi and Dr Osafo Mensah, Mpraeso.
The story also lists some 1996 party candidates who lost but who have been re-elected as Mr. Ransford Agyepong, Suhum, Mr. Seth Wiafe Dankwa, Nsawam, and Dr. J.W.K. Siaw, Asuogyaman.
Newly elected candidates, according to the paper are: Mr. Henry Dema-Narh, Lower Manya Krobo, Mr. Ofoe Caesar, Fanteakwa, Mr. Peter Amoabeng, Asamankese, Mr. Ofosu Asamoah, Kade, Mr. Kinston Kissi, Akwatia, Mr. Plaha, Afram Plains North, Mr. Addo Amponsah, Afram Plains South and Mr. B.D.K. Adu, alias Adu Awet, Okere constituency.
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Maame Dokono’s nomination being processed
The Evening News, in another front-page coverage says the nomination papers of Madam Grace Omaboe, popularly known, as Maame Dokono is one of the new names that have been sent to the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the NDC for processing.
Mr. Joseph Adu-Boahene, Birim North constituency chairman of the party is reported to have told the paper that the party has not rejected Maame Dokono’s candidature as contained in a newspaper report, stating that the executives have no mandate to do that.
The story says that the publication was a calculated attempt by a candidate ‘to outwit Maame Dokono’ in the impending parliamentary elections.
The candidate, according to the story, had prepared a resolution and pleaded with the constituency executives to sign in support of his candidature as against others, especially, Maame Dokono.
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RIP OFF, Malaysian Company opts for secret deal
The Weekly Insight says it appears the Ghanaian taxpayer is just about to be ripped off again by the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) and a Malaysian company.
According to the paper, the company, Telecom Malaysia (TMB) is currently negotiating with the DIC to buy 15% additional shares in Ghana Telecom. TMB already owns 30% shares in Ghana Telecom and the Government of Ghana has 70%.
According to the paper under the draft agreement, which is currently under discussion, the purchase price is to be paid in three instalments of $50 million, $30 million and $20 million. An aspect of the agreement, which has raised eyebrows, is confidentiality clause, which commits both the DIC and the TMB to strict secrecy.
The paper states that this clause is particularly shocking in view of the fact that Ghana Telecom is a public asset and its sale must necessarily be transparent
The paper continues that although TMB is offering to buy 15% additional shares, the agreement is crafted that it can end up with more than 50% shares.
It concludes that some industry experts insist that if the government has to off load 15% of its shares in the company, then it has to go to a third party to avoid a situation in which TMB will monopolise the telecommunications industry.
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Mahama calls for opposition's blood
Reminiscent of the days US president, Richard Nixon when dirty tricks against political opponents were the order of the day, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears to find wisdom in that practise, reports the Free Press.
According to the paper, spearheading this practice of mudslinging is the Minister of Communication, Mr. John Mahama, who is said to have charged NDC supporters to dig into the inner cores of the opposition and bring out their shortfalls.
The paper states that at a seminar on party campaign strategy for the 2000 elections for NDC activists at the VRA Club House in Tamale on June 13, 2000, Mr. Mahama asked the party supporters to always be on the offensive to stop "lies and insinuations" cast at the NDC and its leadership.
The paper adds that the Communication Minister who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole Constituency, stated that Ghana's economy was on excellent footing and that it was only members of the opposition who were twisting realities to score political points.
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Johnny Hansen declares support for Hagan
The Free Press discloses that Mr. Johnny Francis Hansen, one of the four contestants for the presidential slot in the just ended national congress of the Convention People' Party (CPP) has pledged his support for Prof. Hagan, the flagbearer and Dr Abubakar Alhassan, the national chairman of the party.
According to the paper, Mr. Hansen disclosed to the paper that he would give his foremost support for the two gentlemen who have assumed leadership of the great party and congratulated them on their success.
Mr. Hansen was optimistic that victory for the party was possible. He, however, observed that it was necessary for all the supporters to make adequate resources available to enable the party mobilise the total population to give their full support to the party.
He asserted that the track record of the CPP during the Fist Republic led by Dr Kwame Nkrumah would certainly be revived by the CPP when voted in to power.
"We should not forget the socialist orientation of the first republic. This will certainly guide us into formulating programmes that will make life comfortable for all Ghanaians", Mr. Hassen stated.
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Why & how the judges were murdered
The Dispatch reports that on June 30, 1982, between the hours of 9.00pm and 10.30pm, four peace-loving and illustrious Ghanaian citizens were abducted and callously murdered.
According to the paper, the four, Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justices F.P Sarkodee and K.A Agyepong and Major Sam Acquah (rtd) were abducted by five people and murdered at Bundase.
The paper states that courtesy of a 282-page book, "The Judges' Murder Trial of 1983" Ghanaians have been given an insight to how the four were murdered. The paper revealed that the book stated that the Major as Director of Personnel at GIHOC was instrumental in the dismissal of workers who demonstrated against injustices based on which they were sacked. Mrs. Justice Koranteng Addow dismissed the writ filed by the dismissed workers who were asking for an interim injunction against their employers.
The paper further discloses that all five accuse persons Joachim Amartey Kwei, L/Cpl Samuel Amedeka, L/Cpl Michael Senya, Johnny Dzandu and Tony Tekpor were tried and sentenced to death by firing squad, except L/Cpl Amedeka who was tried in absentia.
It continues that Amedeka, Senya, Dzandu and Tekpor "collected" Mrs. Ceclia Koranteng Addow, Justices Sakodee and Agyepong and Major Sam Acquah (rtd), drove them to Budase Military Range, sat them on blocks and shot them from behind. Petrol was then poured on the bodies and burnt.
The paper adds that a Specialist Pathologist, Dr Eric Boye’s report stated that their death was unnatural and was caused by shock and multiple gunshots.
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