Demonstrators urge Parliament to censure
Rawlings
USAID provides Parliament with Website
Centre
Government using ECOWAS to check invasion of
alien herdsmen
Demonstrators urge Parliament to censure
Rawlings
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 June 2001
Leaders of a pressure group that organised a demonstration against ex-President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to "debate the relevant threats made by the former President and censure him for undermining efforts at the unity and reconciliation of the country".
In a petition presented to Parliament through the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, the group said it: "Condemns the former President for bringing the hallowed institution of the Presidency into disrepute and contempt."
The group called the Coalition for the Defence of Democracy (CDD) said, "its march was against the ex-President who threatened national unity, peace and stability in his speech on June 4".
The petition also urged Parliament to "initiate the necessary moves to withdraw the honour bestowed on the Ex-President as an eminent person of the UN, since his conduct is a bad example and has nothing eminent to show".
It also asked Parliament to "ensure that the law enforcement agencies take the necessary action to protect the constitutional order against the clear threats to the security of the state posed by the former President's incitement to treason and incitement against the Fourth Republican Constitution".
Mr Adjetey commended the group for demonstrating their displeasure in a peaceful manner, saying, "this is a free country and people have the right to protest but it must be done peacefully".
He said the action of the coalition is in line with the country's present democratic principles, adding that as lawmakers of the country they would study the petition and decide appropriately.
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, the Majority Leader, said the demonstration would send right signals to the outside world about the democratic achievements of the country and show that Ghana is ready to do business with the outside world.
He said in a democracy people have the right to free speech to allow for the truth to come out.
Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader, said that there could only be development when there was peace.
He said although people have the right to free speech and demonstration, it must be exercised in accordance with the law.
Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker, said the Constitution must be protected and urged the public to work together towards democracy.
Thousands of people took part in the march, which began from the Holy Gardens at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle at 10:55 hours.
They went through the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Kinbu Road to the back of the Osu Stand of the Accra Sports Stadium, where they were addressed by the organisers.
The number of demonstrators, some wearing red bands, swelled as they went along singing and dancing to brass band, Kolomashie and recorded music.
At Tudu most of the traders left their wares to join in the dancing and merry-making.
Scores of Policemen, some in helmets and clutching batons and protective shields and others on horseback provided cover for the demonstrators.
The leaders of the CDD said it comprises 12 civil organisations and their action was aimed at the promotion of peace and democracy.
A number of Senior Police Officers the Ghana News Agency spoke to described the demonstration as very peaceful.
Ex-President Rawlings on the 22nd anniversary of the June 4 Uprising lashed out at his successor, President John Agyekum Kufuor's Administration on several issues, including the withdrawal of his military guards, outlawing of June 4 as a holiday and the arrest of members of his party and warned that there could be an explosion if the trend continued.
Some of the demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions: "Let us live by the rule of law", "Welcome democracy" and "J. J. leave Kufuor alone".
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
USAID provides Parliament with Website
Centre
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 June 2001
A 1.1 billion cedi Parliamentary Website and Research Centre for the use of Ghana's Parliament was launched on Tuesday as a means of using information technology in promoting citizens' access to public policy making and institutions of government.
The project is being sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with funds from the Education for Democracy and Development Initiative (EDDI).
The system comprises 14 computers, a central server, two printers, a state of the art Internet connection using radio wave technology.
Mr Frank Young, Ghana Mission Director of USAID, said the EDDI was started following former US President Clinton's visit to Ghana three years ago.
Mr Young said discussions for the project showed that information technology could be used to enhance legislative and oversight functions of Parliament.
The Director said the Research Centre offers opportunities not only to the Members of Parliament but to all those interested in finding out about HIPC, Ghana's economic statistics and the proceedings of the United Kingdom and Canadian Parliaments and the United States Congress.
Mr Young said as at yesterday, Parliament's Website had already received 4,426 hits (the number of visits to the website) and said USAID remains committed to strengthening the capabilities of Parliament to perform its Constitutional duties
Ms Kathryn Dee Robinson, US Ambassador, said she hoped the Website and research centre would act as a catalyst to help further transform the Ghanaian Parliament into an even more accessible and transparent democratic institution.
She said with the facility, Parliament is better equipped to fulfil its legislative responsibilities because members and parliamentary staff are now on the information superhighway.
Ms Robinson expressed the hope that the average Ghanaian's access to and knowledge of how Parliament conducts its legislative business would remove some of the mysteries about democratic practice through greater transparency.
Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker of Parliament, thanked the US Government for enhancing the work of Ghana's Parliament, saying the centre would enable MPs to discharge their duties more effectively and to interact with their constituents to make informed decisions.
He said the centre is opportune since it would offer the MPs the opportunity of being informed about the emerging Information Technology.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com
Government using ECOWAS to check invasion
of alien herdsmen
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 June 2001
Government is taking steps to solve the influx of alien herdsmen and their cattle into the country through local authorities and within the Transhumance Regulation framework of the ECOWAS.
Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Food and Agriculture on Tuesday told Parliament that the activities of the herdsmen and their cattle in the country are a serious threat not only to food production but also to Ghana's vegetation.
He said the livelihood of Ghanaian farmers in the north "was under severe stress due to the strange behaviour of the alien pastoralist, their unfriendly attitude, their resort to violence and rape".
Major Quashigah, who was answering questions in Parliament on the destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen said: "The migratory herds, in the wake of their movement, destroyed vegetation of all kinds including food crops and economic trees."
The question stood in the name of Mr Kwakye Addo, NDC-Afram Plains South, which sought to know from the Minister what was being done to contain the recalcitrant Fulani herdsmen, who have been a threat to Ghanaian farmers.
The Minister said, "in addition, rivers and lakes and other water bodies are polluted leading to extensive land degradation wherever the cattle visited".
Major Quashigah said the ministry realising the difficulties involved in flushing out the herdsmen during the Operations Cowleg I and II, referred the problem to the ECOWAS in line with the organisation's protocol on ensuring effective application of the Transhumance Regulation.
He said the agreement, which was signed in 1998, required the Executive Secretariat to deal with the situation to ensure good neighbourliness.
Major Quashigah said: "Notwithstanding, the ratification of the protocol, the influx of alien cattle into Ghana has continued unabated.
"On April 12, this year, Cabinet decided that the Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation should emphasise Ghana's resolve to enforce the country's quarantine regulations to prevent the introduction of animal diseases into the country".
He said in response to the move, Dr Aubin D. Sawadogo, Senior Animal Resources Officer of the ECOWAS came to Ghana about two weeks ago to discuss the issue and it was agreed that a general meeting to resolve the problem be organised in July, this year.
Major Quashigah expressed regret that there were some Ghanaian chiefs and landowners who accept gifts from the alien herdsmen to allow them to graze their cattle in their areas.
He appealed to opinion leaders and the district assemblies to contribute to finding solution to the problem.
The Minister said the Eastern Regional Director of Agriculture has been requested to liaise with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to extend a three-phase line to the Silo at Forifori in the Afram Plains.
Major Quashigah said the Silo is earmarked for divestiture to ensure its efficient operation so that farmers with grains to store in the area would have their problem solved.
GRi…/
Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com