Rescue teams swing into action as rains wreck havoc
Metro: Rain is highest so far his season
Survivors for Change frees 2,800 trokosis
Doors and windows fall off after one-month use
Government asks workers to close early
Police Chief discharged from hospital
Police to step up patrol to check looters because of floods
200 rendered homeless in rainstorm
NADMO cautions public on effects of floods
IGP order interdiction of three police officers
Civil Servants to enjoy new salaries in July
Monday to be observed as a public holiday
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Several hours of a heavy rain in the Accra-Tema metropolis have caused serious floods that have destroyed properties and threatened lives.
Yesterday, rescue teams were deployed in the badly affected areas, which include Odawna, Madina, Abelenkpe, Akweteman, Lashibi, Airport residential area, Nii Boye Town, Graphic Road, Achimota, Tema and Legon.
Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) say the sporadic rains, which began on Tuesday in the eastern part of Accra, washed away vehicles, metal containers and trapped several people either in their homes or in offices.
The teams comprise NADMO and its supporting agencies such as the Navy, Field Engineers' Regiment, Fire Service, Air Force and police.
Reports say five people have so far perished.
A survey by the Ghana News Agency showed that the rescue teams are providing assistance to the victims.
"People have been trapped behind the floods and in buildings. Our immediate attention is to get to them," Mrs Eunice Asamani Osae, Director of Administration at NADMO told the GNA.
She said through the Office of the President, her outfit got swift access to some supporting agencies, which have provided the needed tools such as water pumps.
"We have had a tremendous support from all the agencies," she said, citing the Air Force, which rescued an old man who was trapped by the floods at Achimota.
The police, Mrs Osae added, were on the field with towing and lifting trucks to take out the many vehicles that have plunged into trenches.
At Alsyd Academy in the Airport residential area, the rescuers had to break down a wall in order to have access to trapped residents.
Gutters are chocked and streets are flooded. People were wading in waters up to the waist level. Power was cut in several parts of the city during the rains to avoid electricity related disasters.
Traffic lights were not functioning leading to heavy traffic jams, which have been compounded by inpatient drivers.
At the Ministries, the Office of the Auditor-general, which is an annex of the Ministry of Finance, was flooded.
Nana Opoku Agyemang, external auditor, told the GNA that very important documents could be destroyed if immediate assistance were not obtained.
He said workers of the Treasury Department, which is on the top floor of the building, were evacuated.
Meanwhile, cases at the Cocoa Affairs Court in Accra were adjourned because of the downpour, which flooded parts of the courts.
The only cell at the courts was flooded and policemen found it difficult to escort prisoners out of it.
The roofs of the dilapidated court building were leaking and judges and prosecutors had to vacate their chambers to seek refuge at other places.
Cars parked in the court premises got stuck in the floodwaters.
Motorists from Accra to Madina and those on their way to Koforidua got stuck in traffic because a bridge near the Gulf House had been covered by the floodwaters.
This resulted in a huge traffic jam from Shangri-La Hotel through the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout to Secaps Hotel.
At the Gulf House area, floodwaters were gushing into the Secaps Hotel, which is close to the bridge. Parts of the wall around the hotel have been damaged.
Workers had assembled at the reception, near the main entrance to the hotel, but could not come out due the force of the water.
A green Nissan Urvan bus had plunged into the drain while other vehicles were stuck on the flooded road.
Some parts of the airport residential area around President Kufuor's house were also flooded. Some residents and workers were seen on the streets because their houses and offices were under waters.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The Metrological Service Department has described Wednesday's downpour in Accra as the highest so far this season but added that it is following the normal rainfall pattern during this period of the year.
It said the six-hour rain, which measured 91.4 millimetres by noon at the Airport, developed over the northern part of Accra and extended to the southern area.
Speaking to the GNA, Mr Amos Narh, Senior Meteorologist at the Airport Station, said June is a monsoon period and such occurrences are bound to happen.
He said the Wednesday morning's rain was anticipated because it is the rainy season.
"Every year's rain pattern is unique although there could be similarities over the years."
Mr Narh said the pattern of each downpour depends on many forces especially the atmospheric conditions.
"When you have favourable conditions in Europe it enhances rainfall activities over our West African Region. However, if we have high pressure over Europe it turns to suppress rainfall activities and their effects are opposite.
Mr Narh said it is possible to have a reoccurrence of Wednesday morning's downpour because the season is at its peak.
He therefore advised motorists and pedestrians to take precautionary measures during this period.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
A bridge on the Spintex Road, a crucial link between residents at Batsonaa, Sakumono, Lashibi and parts of Tema, collapsed on Wednesday during the downpour.
Concerned citizens told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the situation is dangerous and advised motorists not to use the road until it is repaired. Motorists should either use the Motorway or the Beach Road.
They said some young men have made a wooden bridge over which they are leading passengers at a fee.
They asked the Urban Roads Department and Police to move to the area to help motorists and passengers.
Several areas of the city have been flooded and the full extend of the damage is not yet clear.
The Metrological Service Department has described the downpour as the highest so far this season but added that it is following the normal rainfall pattern during this period of the year.
It said the six-hour rain, which measured 91.4 millimetres by noon at the Airport, developed over the northern part of Accra and extended to the southern area.
Speaking to the GNA, Mr Amos Narh, Senior Meteorologist at the Airport Station, said June is a monsoon period and such occurrences are bound to happen.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Two thousand eight hundred Trokosis out of the total of 5,000 have been freed from the various shrines in the country by the Survivors For Change, a human rights movement.
Mr Vincent Azumah, Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the movement, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday that the oldest among them is 85 years whilst the youngest are aged between four and five years.
The women who were released from the 25 major and 200 minor shrines are currently being given vocational training and taught to read and write English at Adidome in the Volta Region.
Mr Azumah said the 2,200 Trokosis who are yet to be freed are in the shrines of the Afrikania Missions. He mentioned some of the shrines as Klikor, Kpota, Ada and Afife.
In a related development, the movement has in a letter to President J.A. Kufuor appealed to the government to enforce the law banning ritual servitude and call to order groups that are openly inciting traditional rulers and trokosi practitioners against the law.
The letter jointly singed by Ms Juliana Dogbadzi President and Mr Azumah, said: "We also call on you as a matter of urgency to extend your zero tolerance policy to all cultural practices that do not only infringe on the civil, social, economic and cultural rights of women and children but also retards development."
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Aboadze(Western Region) 28 June 2001
Almost all the doors and windows of four school blocks constructed by the Volta River Authority (VRA) for the Aboadze community have fallen off after one months' use.
The blocks, which were constructed by the VRA as compensation for the location of the Aboadze Thermal Plant, were handed over to the Ghana Education Service (GES) in May.
This came to light when members of the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly Education Oversight Committee visited the school.
The committee members, who were led by Mr Joseph C. Quansah, Metropolitan Director of Education, discovered that the contractor had used inferior hinges and the screeding of the floor had also been poorly done. There were many cracks on the floor.
The blocks had no aprons and gutters so surface run-off enter one of the classrooms anytime it rains. The classroom has been abandoned.
The committee appealed to the VRA to order the contractor back to site to carry out the necessary repairs and construct aprons and gutters around the blocks.
It expressed dissatisfaction about the apathetic attitude shown by parents in the community to the education of their children.
The committee advised the community not to use the school as a thoroughfare.
A source at the Thermal Plant told the Ghana News Agency that their attention has been drawn to the situation and were awaiting funds to get the blocks repaired.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The government on Wednesday asked workers to leave for home early so as to ease traffic congestion.
A statement from the office of the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs said there was the possibility of more rain on Wednesday afternoon.
It said the Spintex Road has been closed because a bridge near Schweppes has collapsed. Half of the road to Legon from Tetteh Quarshie has also been closed down because a bridge at Gulf House has also collapsed.
The statement advised drivers using the Korle Gonno Road to make sure the bridge on the road is clear before crossing.
Several areas of the city were flooded following heavy rains on Wednesday and the full extend of the damage is not yet clear.
The Metrological Service Department has described the downpour as the highest in Accra so far this season but added that it is following the normal rainfall pattern during this period of the year.
It said the six-hour rain, which measured 91.4 millimetres by noon at the Airport, developed over the northern part of Accra and extended to the southern area.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Mr Ernest Owusu-Poku, Acting Inspector General of Police, was on Wednesday discharged from the Police Hospital where he was admitted following an accident on Saturday morning.
Mr Yaw Adu-Gyimah, Commissioner of Police in Charge of Special Duties, told the Ghana News Agency that the Police Chief was discharged at 1030 hours on Wednesday.
"He has no problems and he is in his house now," he said.
The vehicle of the acting IGP was involved in an accident last Saturday between Teacher Mante and Nsawam in the Eastern Region while returning to Accra from a tour of the Brong Ahafo region.
The IGP and his Aide-de-Camp were admitted, but his driver was treated and discharged.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The Police said on Wednesday that they would step up their patrols and mount special barriers to check criminals who would want to loot because of the floods.
Mr Peter Acheampong, Commissioner of Police in Charge of CID, in an interview with the GNA called for public cooperation in the exercise.
One person was killed and property worth millions of cedis were destroyed when Accra had its heaviest rain on Wednesday. The Meteorological Services Department said the Airport Area had 91.4 millimetres of rain by noon.
Many areas in the capital were flooded; bridges and roads were washed away causing huge traffic jams and long queues at lorry stations.
The government asked workers to close early.
At Osu, residents said they lost property including electrical appliances, furniture and clothing.
At the Manhean and Osu Castle areas, residents punched holes in their walls to allow the floodwaters in their rooms to subside to prevent further damage to property.
A sobbing Madam Mary Quaye told GNA that all her belongings were destroyed and blamed the floods on "the irresponsible manner in which walls have been built" which impedes the flow of water into the gutters.
She said even though the place has experienced flooding before, it has not been as serious as this.
Madam Quaye called on the authorities to enlarge the drainage in the area and also ensure that all structures that impede the free flow of water are pulled down.
An ex-serviceman George Amarlai said his sister was evacuated from the house to avoid her being trapped by the flood since she was too old.
He appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation to come to the aid of the victims.
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200 rendered homeless in rainstorm
Adeiso (Eastern Region) 28 June 2001
Rainstorm at three farming communities near Adeiso in the West Akim district has caused considerable damage to property.
The roofs of 15 houses were blown off and about 200 people rendered homeless.
The affected areas are Obengyaw, Kpanikrom and Afabeng.
Mr Samson Okyere Afrifa, a member of the Unit Committee and a town councillor told the GNA that the displaced persons are putting up with friends and relatives.
Mmrantehene Okai Yaw, Chief of Afabeng said this is the second time the area has experienced rainstorm this year and appealed to the district assembly and NADMO for assistance.
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Sogakope (Volta Region) 28 June 2001
The Government's relationship with the Volta Region will be based on a strong development partnership rather than on politics, Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama told durbars of chiefs and people of Sogakope, the Agave and Aflao traditional areas on the first day of his three-day duty tour of the Volta region.
The government is in for business with the Volta Region and not to play politics with its people" he said adding, "this region deserves more than we are seeing".
The Vice-President said his visit is therefore meant to obtain a first hand knowledge of ongoing projects in the region, problems associated with them and determine the way forward.
Alhaji Mahama inspected work on the Sogakope-Adidome portion of the 88 kilometre Sogakope-Adidome-Ho-Fume road, the Keta sea defence, Afife irrigation project, the Aflao border complex and the South East districts water supply projects at Agordome.
He said events of the last elections must not be allowed to divide the country and divert attention from the task of national development.
He promised to pay frequent visits to the region to constantly appraise the ongoing projects.
Major Courage Quarshigah (RTD), Minister for Food and Agriculture (MOFA) said the government will give a major boost to agriculture by transforming it into a lucrative sector and tackle poverty in the rural areas.
He appealed to chiefs and landowners to make the region a major beneficiary of investments in the sector by making land available to investors.
Togbi Soga I, Dufia of Sogakope said the people appreciate the steps so far taken by the government in resolving the financial problems of the country.
He called on the government to share the benefits to be derived from the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative fairly.
Togbi Dzahi Degenu III Paramount Chief of the Agave Traditional area called for the extension of electricity and water from the South East Water project to more communities and districts in the southern sector of the region.
The Vice-President was accompanied by the Minister of Works and Housing Mr Kwamena Bartels, officials of the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Members of Parliament (MPs) for North-Tongu and Ketu-North Mr Joe Gidisu and Mr Modestus
Ahiable respectively.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on Wednesday cautioned the public especially those in areas affected by the Accra floods against drinking the floodwaters or swimming in it.
"Food should be eaten warm and water boiled before drinking to prevent water borne diseases especially diarrhoea, Mr James Owusu-Amoah, Chief Disaster Control Officer of NADMO said in a release in Accra on Wednesday.
He said affected homes and utensils should also be well cleaned and disinfected while clothing should be washed before it is put into use.
Mr Owusu-Amoah advised people not walk, play nor stay near weakened walls and poles and drivers should be careful when driving on damaged roads to avoid destroyed bridges.
He said in case of emergency, the public could call 192 - Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) or any of the following telephone numbers, 012 - 511182, 020 - 812664/5, 020 - 8126912 and 024 - 281852.
Meanwhile the NADMO officials have appealed to the Military to assist in the evacuation of people who were marooned in the floods at Kasoa, Nsawam and other areas.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu visited the headquarters of NADMO to assess its resources to assist flood victims.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Three Police officers of the Armoured Squadron Unit were on Wednesday interdicted for negligence on the orders of Mr. Ernest Owusu-Poku, acting Inspector General of Police.
The officers whose names are being withheld were accused of failing to act upon a complaint from a member of the public on two suspicious characters who boarded a passenger vehicle from Ada.
Their negligence is believed to have caused the escape of two suspected armed robbers last Wednesday morning at the Kpong barrier near Tema.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Yaw Adu-Gyimah, Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Operations said investigations would be conducted to ascertain the extent of guilt of the three officers.
He said the complainant boarded a passenger vehicle from Ada to Accra while the two suspects boarded at Bedeku near Kassei with a heavy black bag.
An elderly man and the driver of the vehicle became suspicious of the two new passengers due to their behaviour, which they described as odd.
Mr Adu-Gyimah said at the Kpong barrier the driver and the elderly passenger alighted from the vehicle and informed the Policemen on duty of their suspicion.
The Police officers told the complainants that they had closed from duty and were waiting for a vehicle to convey them home. They asked the complainants to wait for the incoming duty policemen to look into their complaint.
He said at this juncture a constable on duty reported for work and they asked him to take over the case.
Meanwhile the two men, suspicious of the argument between the complainants and the police, jumped out of the vehicle and took to their heels.
When their bag was searched one Russian-made Pump Action Gun which has been dismantled, one Sten gun, two Sten gun magazines loaded with 21 and 16 rounds of ammunition respectively, two torch lights, one black hood (mask) a black pair of trousers, two shirts and a cash of 305,000 cedis were found.
Mr Adu-Gyimah said the two men are believed to be part of five suspected armed robbers who have been rounded up in a raid at Ada, adding that they could be a front team.
He called on the public not to be discouraged by the behaviour of the three interdicted officers and should continue to co-operate with the police against criminals.
He commended the driver and the passenger for their vigilance saying, "that way the police can serve the public better."
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Wa (Upper West) 28 June 2001
Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, National President of the Civil Servants Association (CSA), on Wednesday said new salaries together with arrears based on the new minimum wage, would be paid to civil servants at the end of July.
Payment could not be effected in June because negotiations were not completed in time for it to be computerised by the Controller and Accountant-General's Department, Alhaji Yakubu explained during a meeting with civil servants in the Upper West Region at Wa.
He however did not disclose the level of increase, saying that it would not be in their interest to always make such increases public.
The National President said the association would fight for the restoration of CAP 30 or the institution of a parallel pension scheme to take care of civil servants.
Alhaji Yakubu said the government has increased the civil servants medical fund from 3.2 billion cedis to 5.5 billion cedis and the Upper West Region's share has been adjusted from 114 million to 190 million cedis.
Mr Smart Chigabatia, Executive Secretary of the CSA called on the government to abolish the payment of rent based on percentage of salary on government residential units and decentralise payment to enable district assemblies to maintain the units.
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Sovie (Volta Region) 28 June 2001
The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Prince Kofi Kludjeson, has expressed the expectation of industry that the government's economic policies would be pragmatic and steadfastly pursued to bring about the promised "Golden age of business".
He said that in its desire to co-operate towards the early resuscitation of the economy, the AGI had presented memoranda to both the Executive and Parliament on the policies and strategies required to boost industrial growth.
Mr Kludjeson, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sovie, near Kpandu, on the impact of the government's economic policies on industry, remarked that the increases in the prices of petroleum products and utility tariffs "have really hit us hard but we are trying to bear them".
He said it was the expectation of industry that any positive responses from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative would be brought to bear on industry, noting that heavy domestic borrowing by the government to meet its commitments had negatively affected the viability of industry due to the scarce and high interest rate on loans.
Mr Kludjeson suggested that in the medium-to-long-term, the government should refocus more attention towards the growth of the manufacturing and agro-processing sectors of the economy "unlike in the recent past when emphasis shifted more to the mining and timber sectors".
This, he explained, would enable industry to promote more capacity building, expansion of plant and creation of more jobs for the growing youth population.
On the telecommunication sector, Mr Kludjeson, who is also the Chief Executive of Celltell, a mobile phone operating concern, and chairman of the Ghana Mobilephone Network Operators Association (GHAMNOA), described the sector as requiring much improvement in making the services more accessible and affordable throughout the country.
He, therefore, called on the government to expedite action in the reconstitution of the board of the National Communication Authority (NCA) dissolved earlier this year, to enable it to fashion out the much-needed policies to move the sector forward.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Monday July 2 has been declared a public holiday, a statement signed by Alhaji Malik Al-hassan Yakubu, Minister of the Interior, on Wednesday said.
"In view of the fact that July 1, which is a Republic Day falls on Sunday, the President by Executive Instrument has declared Monday as a holiday and it should be observed as such," the statement said.
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