President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Wednesday that the recent moves by some creditor nations to cancel Ghana's external debts have vindicated the government's decision for Ghana to opt for the Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, writes The Ghanaian Times.

That is the result of the sincere stand of the government to lay bare the true state of the nation's economy to the outside world, President Kufuor said when he addressed separate durbars of the chiefs and people of Kitase, Mampong, Akropong and Adukrom in the Akuapem North District, and Koforidua as part of a two-day tour of the Eastern Region.

The tour is to express the government's gratitude to the people of the region for voting massively to bring the NPP to power during the last elections.

President Kufuor, who was given a rousing welcome on arrival in the Koforidua township told the cheering crowd that so far, Britain, Canada, Netherlands and France had already decided to cancel Ghana's debts and lately, Italy had also agreed to cancel the debts owed by Ghana.

Since government assumed office five months ago, it had demonstrated in clear terms to the whole world, that it was a unique and serious government, which meant business to repair the nation's economy, he stated.

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Charles Coffie named in other robberies

The Ghanaian Times says it is now know that Paul Armarh Sabbah who was among the four armed robbers who were arrested at Tema, is the same as Charles Coffie, popularly called "CC", who stole the suitcase containing ¢36.6 million, near Asiakwa, on the Kumasi-Accra road.

He is also believed to be involved in robbery cases at Ernest Chemists, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overhead Bridge, and at Miya Electricals, Kaneshie, both on June 2.

A police statement signed by ASP David Eklu of the police Public Relations Directorate, stated that two out of the four armed robbers whose photographs were published in Tuesday's "Times" were believed to be involved in a series of robberies that occurred in and outside Accra.

It said that information gathered at the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters indicated that the third suspect, Paul Armarh Sabbah, also known as Charles Coffie and "CC", was suspected to be involved in attacks on some petrol filling stations early this year.

The suspects would be brought to Accra and be put on an identification parade for members of the public who have fallen victim to their activities.

Meanwhile, members of the public who have any information regarding the armed robbers are requested to contact the Police Public Relations Directorate at the Police Headquarters.

GRi…/

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The Chronicle

NDC blames Atta Mills

I did not sign contract for Boadu

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), smarting under their painful defeat at the last general elections is still blaming their flagbearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, for his lackluster campaign they say greatly contributed to the defeat.

According to The Chronicle, the party in a document presently circulating on university campuses in the country, blamed the former Vice President for failing to take control of his own electioneering campaign.

The document, which is entitled "Revitalizing the National Democratic Congress Prospects, Tasks and Processes," noted that the inability or unwillingness of the NDC flagbearer, Professor John Atta Mills, to take full control of his own fate, his own campaign and his own message was one of the immediate causes of the NDC's humiliating defeat.

Identifying other weaknesses, it said internal squabbles regarding nominations of the party's Flagbearer and Parliamentary Candidates, the selection of the party's running mate, and the Reform factor also contributed to their defeat.

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I did not sign contract for Boadu

Mr Goerge Afflah Aryeetey, the acting Judicial Secretary and member of the Legal Sector Coordinating Committee, who appeared as a prosecution witness in the on going trial of Mr Victor Selormey, ex-duty Minister of Finance, on Wednesday told the court that he had never recommended any payment or signed any contract for Dr. Fredrick Boadu of Leebda Corporation of Texas, United States, reports The Chronicle in another story.

Mr Aryeetey, who was testifying before the presiding Judge, Justice Sam Baddoo, an Appeal Court judge, sitting as additional High Court judge, told the court that he had never gone behind the Legal Sector Coordinating Committee, to sign any contract, or ordered payment either to Dr. Boadu or Leebda Corporation.

He was led in evidence-in-chief by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Osafo Sampong.

Mr Selormey has pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to defraud and willfully, causing financial loss to the state amounting to $1,297,500.

Under a brief cross examination by counsel for the accused, Mr Barima Manu, Mr Aryeetey told the court that he had seen Dr Boadu before, but had not met him officially.

In a follow-up question, defense counsel asked the prosecution witness to tell the court under what circumstances he met Dr Boadu.

Mr Aryeetey said that he met Dr. Boadu around the court premises and that the later came to his office to introduce himself as someone who lives in Texas in the United States.

Mr Aryeetey explained to the court that he told Dr Boadu that he has a son, who lives in Texas and gave his son's address to him.

Questioned whether Dr. Boadu just came to his office purposely to introduce himself as a man from Texas, Mr Aryeetey insisted, "that was all Dr Boadu came to his office to do."

Defence counsel explained to the witness that Dr Boadu had come to his office and told him that he had a contract with the government of Ghana to put all Ghana's legal materials on CD-rom.

Responding, Mr Aryeetey said that, that was not correct.

Hearing continues today.

GRi…/

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The Daily Graphic

352 files claims

'We didn't recommend payment to Leebda'

The Daily Graphic reports that a total of 352 people are claiming compensations for the land acquired by the government in 1975 for the proposed Olympic Stadium at Abeka, a suburb of Accra.

The claimants include individuals, members of stools, clans and families.

The controversial issue of ownership of the land prompted the NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Mr Joseph Darko-Mensah, to raise the matter in Parliament on Wednesday.

He said successive governments from 1975 to 2000 did not pay any compensation for the acquisition of the land and this has created a problem between interest groups.

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'We didn't recommend payment to Leebda'

The acting Judicial Secretary, Mr George Afflah Aryeetey, on Wednesday told the Fast Track High Court in Accra that neither the Judicial Service nor the Legal Sector Co-ordinating Committee recommended the payment of any money to Leebda Corporation of Texas, USA, in connection with a court computerization programme in Ghana.

According to the Graphic, Mr Aryeetey, who said he is a member of the committee by virtue of his position, said the committee also did not recommend the payment of any money to Dr Frederick Owusu-Boadu to undertake any job for the Judicial Service.

Mr Aryeetey, who was giving evidence for the prosecution in the case in which Mr Victor Selormey, a Deputy Finance Minister in the NDC administration, is being tried for his alleged involvement in the loss of a total of $1,2977,500 to the state, reiterated that neither the committee nor the Judicial Service signed any contract with Leebda Corporation nor Dr Owusu- Boadu.

Mr Selormey is charged on six counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and willfully causing financial loss to the state.

GRi…/

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The Evening News

Seized vehicles fetch ¢4 billion

'NPP cannot deliver on promises'

The Evening News says the government's decision to allow owners of imported over-aged vehicles to clear them at the Tema Port has already borne the expected fruits.

A report on vehicles cleared as at June 12, 2001 indicates that so far 191 vehicles with 1900cc and below have fetched the state ¢1,398,290,214 in duty and penalty.

About 107 vehicles above 1900cc brought in ¢995,612,945 whilst a total of 148 cleared commercial vehicles raised the revenue level of the Custom, Excise and Preventive Service by another ¢1,6477,889.

'Evening News' enquires at CEPS offices in Tema further revealed that so far, a total of 590 of the seized over-aged vehicles have been processed for the owners to pay the duties and penalties to have them cleared, but 447 out of the number have actually been cleared.

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'NPP cannot deliver on promises'

From all indications the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot deliver on its campaign promises and this gives a brighter chance to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to come back to power in 2004, The Evening News reports Mr Rexford Kwasi Dankyi, Eastern Regional Second Vice-Chairman, as saying at a swearing-in ceremonies of NDC's re-organisation Committees for the Upper West Akyem and Lower West Akyem constituencies at Asamankese and Adeiso, respectively.

He said the present economic situation in the country has made it clear to Ghanaians that the NPP was not in a position to improve their conditions and that the NDC should seize the opportunity to win back its supporters.

"We should do away with petty squabbles, mend the fence and push ahead to recapture power, which legitimately belongs to us."

Mr Anthony Gyampo, Member of the Regional Re-organisation team, said the NPP has not been able to contain price increases and the ordinary Ghanaian could not afford two square meals a day.

GRi…/

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The Accra Mail

Minority will support repeal of Criminal Libel

The Accra Mail says Ghanaian journalists must be getting ready to celebrate, Criminal Libel will go, and it will be in style, for the NDC would support the Criminal Libel Law Amendment Bill when it is brought before the House for consideration.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin, told The Accra Mail that they will support "in principle" any move that will allow the media to operate in a free environment in order to effectively play its watchdog role in the country's democratic process.

Mr Bagbin said the group is however of the view that the practice of journalism like any other profession in the country, must be within the confines of the law to ensure that sanity and decorum prevail at all times.

In countries where there is responsible journalism, he said, the media has established for itself, a code of conduct enforceable by a regulatory organisation set up by the media to enforce and apply the necessary sanctions without fear or favour.

GRi…/

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The Independent

MPs expose NDC's ¢23bn waste

Obed picks up mantle from Rawlings

Two members of the majority in parliament have accused the former government of sinking a whooping ¢23 billion into projects that cannot be justified.

According to The Independent on Tuesday, June 19, the NPP MP for Nsuta Kwamang, Hon. Osei-Prempeh in a contribution to a debate on the prevailing food situation in the country disclosed that the former regime supposedly sunk ¢10 billion into a Youth in agriculture Project but there is nothing food-wise to justify that.

Hon. Osei-Prempeh's submission was followed by another bombshell on Wednesday when the member for Old Tafo Suame, Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu also said the previous government spent 13 billion cedis on feasibility studies alone on a new site proposed for an Olympic Stadium at the Motorway area in Accra.

Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu who is the chairman of the parliamentary sub committee on Youth and Sports was contributing to a statement by the Hon. Member for Okaikoi North that the first Olympic Project at North Odorkor was abandoned because it was encroached upon.

According to the Nsuta kwamang MP, the ¢13 billion was only used to assess the site selected for the project although there are compensations to be paid to the landowners.

He said it was based on a similar reason that the former site was encroached upon because the landowners who were not paid their compensation started selling the lands.

But if yesterday's submission by Hon Kyei Bonsu came as a bombshell, then that of Hon. Osei Prempeh was received with the normal heckling from the minority at whom the accusations were directed.

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Obed picks up mantle from Rawlings

The Independent writes that one name that is conspicuously missing from the National Democratic Congress' re-organization committee is the party's founder and leader-former President Jerry John Rawlings.

In the interim however, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr. Obed Asamoah has been charged with the responsibility of re-organizing the party.

The re-organization committee, which is chaired by Dr Asamoah, presented its recommendations to the NDC National Executive Council last Tuesday in Accra.

The recommendations, which, according to an NDC press release was based on suggestions and proposals received from the various structures and affiliate organs of the party, said some aspects of the party's constitutions are to be amended.

Also all affiliated bodies would be incorporated into the party, whilst all elective positions in the party including the flagbearership are to be by open democratic contest.

GRi…/

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Ghanaian Voice

Reconciliation sparks controversy

A cross section of Ghanaians have called on President John Agyekum Kufuor to be circumspect in the establishment of the proposed National Reconciliation Commission in order not to generate acrimony, divisiveness and bad blood into the polity of the nation, reports the Ghanaian Voice.

Initial reaction from opinion leaders, religious and other civil organisations whose thought were sampled on the proposed National Reconciliation Commission point to the fact that though the idea of Reconciliation is laudable, the nature, purpose and manner of the Commission as is currently proposed may further tear the country apart.

Most Ghanaians whose opinion were sought in a Ghanaian Voice survey indicated for example that the starting point of any such Reconciliation exercise must be an acknowledgement of some kind of beginning by the immediate past Government which led to the deconfiscation of assests and the granting of amnesties.

GRi…/

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The Daily Guide

NDC thugs dragged to court for assaulting election monitors

Six persons suspected to be hirelings of the NDC have appeared before a circuit Court at Sogakope for their alleged involvement in wreaking mayhem on a CPP/NPP Volta Regional Electoral Monitoring Team during the last elections, reports The Daily Guide.

Five of the accused are farmers while one, said to be a driver are alleged to have attacked the CPP/NPP December 28 electoral monitors, causing sever bodily harm to them which resulted in the hospitalization of one Major Agbeko Sedziafa (rtd), at the Military Hospital for a period of three months.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing physical harm to innocent persons performing electoral duties on behalf of a registered political party.

GRi../

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The Crusading Guide

Awuni challenges Nanfuri!

Superintendent Angubutoge Awuni of Police Public Relations Directorate in Kumasi has challenged the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Peter Nanfuri, on the reasons he (Nanfuri) gave concerning his transfer to Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.

According to the Crusading Guide, this was in reaction to a story in the 19^th - 25^th of June, 2001, edition of The Crusading Guide headlined, "The Supt. Awuni Transfer Saga; Nanfuri clears the air"

Mr Awuni said "I am now privy to the reasons behind my transfer from the Police Headquarters in Accra".

According to Supt. Awuni, in November 2000, ex-President J.J. Rawlings gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the then IGP (Peter Nanfuri) - now on leave - to combat an alleged violence perpetrated against some National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathizers.

Mr Awuni stated categorically that Peter Nanfuri called an emergency Police Commanders Conference at the Police Headquarters Cafeteria Complex "to strategise and DEAL with Capt. Nkrabea Effa-Darteh (rtd), Honourable Member of Parliament for Berekum and a Deputy Minister of Local government and Rural Development, who was perceived as a trouble shooter then".

It was at the conference, Awuni stated, that Mr Peter Nanfuri stated his intention to meet some selected groups and discuss the surging violence in the country.

Supt. Awuni said it was surprising that most schedule officers, including the then Staff Officer to the IGP, Mr P.A. Wiredu, had not been informed of the intended meeting as at Friday, 17^th November, 2000 whereas the meeting was supposed to have taken place on Monday, 20^th November, 2000.

Awuni said due to that lack of communication, he called for a postponement of the meeting and suggested to Nanfuri to instruct the Staff Officer to communicate in writing to the invites since it was not proper to use the media to invite them.

Continuing, Supt. Awuni said after agreeing to his suggestion, the IGP forgot to instruct the Staff Officer to write the letters, rather he (IGP) wanted to know from him (Awuni) the following morning - Tuesday, 21^st November, 2000 - whether the said invitation letters were distributed. "It was at this stage that I reminded him (IGP) that he was supposed to have informed the Staff Officer to do that assignment", said Awuni.

According to him, Mr Peter Nanfuri felt very disappointed and sacked him (Awuni) from his (IGP's) office in the presence of a female visitor. From that time, "My blood pressure shot up to 190-140", Mr Awuni recounted, adding that "Records are available at the Police Hospital for reference".

He therefore refuted the claim by Peter Nanfuri that a programme was given to him (Awuni) to print, distribute and inform all those concerned before the event. "I was not informed of the programme and if they did, it was at the last hour", he asserted.

GRi…/

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