GRi Newsreel 24-03-99

Kumasi (Greater Accra) 23 March 

Life in Kumasi is gradually coming back to normal after yesterday's calm and quietness in the principal streets and commercial areas of the city. Life in Kumasi was never the same since Sunday, when Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene, has been laying in-state. Economic activities were virtually brought to a standstill. The usual hustle and bustle of the city came to an end as the central parts of Kumasi-Kejetia, Central Market and Adum areas, were deserted and most stores closed.

Today life is springing up anew with the opening of stores.

Economic activities have started and people are streaming in to the commercial centres and principal streets to do business. As economic activities have started picking up, it is expected that the trend will continue till Thursday, the climax of the burial ceremony, when Kumasi is expected to come to a standstill once again.

Awutu-Bawjiase(Central Region) 24 March 

The Awutu-Bawjiase Rural Bank has within the past four years embarked on a computerisation programme to promote its operations. According to the Senior Manager of the bank, Mr L. A. K. Eduful, the programme is designed to better communication networks between the headquarters of the bank at Bawjiase and its agencies.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Awutu-Bawjiase yesterday, he said the project, would enable the bank to provide more efficient services to its customers and other banking institutions. The bank intends to keep abreast with modern technology, he said adding: "we are poised to set the pace for others to emulate.

Mr Eduful expressed the bank's appreciation to the Association of Rural Banks and the Danish International Development Agency for their encouragement and support and hoped that they would fulfil their promise to assist the bank with a data machine.

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March 

President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Tuesday for Paris on a three-day official visit at the invitation of the French government. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman- Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr John Abu, minister of Trade and Industry, and Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, minister of Lands and Forestry.

Others are the minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama, the deputy minister of Finance, Mr Moses Asaga, and the Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi.

Briefing newsmen, Mr Annan Cato, Chief Director at the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the trip will enable the two presidents to discuss issues of international interest, with particular reference to Africa and the sub-region. He said the visit is expected to develop close working relations between the two countries, as well as increase French support for the sub-region and Africa as a whole.

The two leaders will also discuss the issue of stability in the sub-region as well as bilateral Cupertino.

He said France's willingness to assist West African countries is fast growing and her support for ECOMOG is a clear indication of her commitment to the sub-region. Despite the potential of the sub-region and ECOWAS protocols, they have not been able to harness its resources due to the so-called division between Anglophone and Francophone countries Mr Cato said.

France and the UK are keen on developing a partnership between them and their former colonies to help integrate the economies of countries in the sub-region.

The President and his delegation were seen off by Vice-President Evans Atta-Mills, ministers of state, the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police and the Charge d'Affaires of the French embassy in Ghana, Mr Terrence Wills.

Kibi(Eastern Region) 24 March

Four persons died on the spot and four others later at the Kibi Government Hospital when a Benz bus on which they were travelling skidded off the road and crashed at Potroase, near Kibi, in the early hours of Monday.

Thirty other passengers, including five children aged between six months and six years, who sustained various degrees of injuries have also been admitted at the hospital. Fifteen of the injured, including the driver, Haridu Mohamed, 30, are said to be in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses who briefed newsmen at Potroase said the accident occurred around 3.30 a.m. They said the 38-seater bus, which was travelling from Tamale to Accra, veered off the road when the driver tried to negotiate a bend and somersaulted before landing on its side.

When newsmen later contacted the Kibi district commander of police, Deputy Superintendent of Police Robert Ayetey, he refused to give out any information on the accident. He said he had been instructed not to talk to the press on the issue and rather directed them to contact the regional commander at Koforidua to whom he said he had already sent his report.

A medical officer at the Kibi Government Hospital, Dr Aref Rahman, who led newsmen to visit the victims, said the hospital Management was catering for the five children whose parents were yet to be identified.

The hospital's administration has also sent a message to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at Tamale to help trace the relatives of the children and the other victims on admission.The dead are yet to be identified.

Derma (Brong Ahafo) 24 March 

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Alhaji Sheik Inusah has called on the party's functionaries to close their ranks, forge ahead and plan for a total victory in 2000 elections. Divisive tendencies and squabbles caused the party previous elections, he said.

Alhaji Inusah was speaking at a party rally at Derma in the Tano district during which the area's parliamentary candidate for the 2000 elections, Mr Gabriel Nsiah Nketia (alias Gabby) was introduced to the electorate. Majority of the masses, especially the youth, have lost confidence in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration hence the need for a change of government, he stated. "A change in government through the ballot box in the next elections is needed to alleviate the suffering of the masses".

Mr Kwadwo Yeboah Fordjour, Brong Ahafo regional chairman of the party assured the people that, "come the year 2000 the party will be in power". He therefore called on the party's supporters and sympathises to rally behind the party for a landslide victory.

Mr Nketia assured the electorate that he has come to win the constituency for the NPP and see to the welfare of the unemployed youth and the aged. He later presented 12 bicycles valued at 1.8 million cedis to the constituency to enhance effective campaigning for the forthcoming elections.

Tamale (Northern Region) 24 March 

Cabinet is considering a national land policy aimed at streamlining land use and management and guarding against land disputes. As part of the policy, the Lands Commission is documenting national boundaries as well as all paramount and divisional areas and preparing digital maps of state lands to avoid encroachment.

Mr Alhassan Sumaila, a member of the commission made this known to the GNA in Tamale on Tuesday. He said without a land policy, "it will be difficult for government to woo investors or carry out any meaningful development". Government would create land banks for investments, he said, adding that compensation would be paid to communities whose lands are acquired by the state.

Mr Sumaila said the programme is not to make chiefs and custodians of land, landless and asked them to disabused their minds of that notion. He said a number of chiefs have received approval by the Lands Commission for the release of state lands to them but warned against the tendency of selling "any land earmarked for development". The commission is also considering a number of applications by members of the public for land leases and consent.

Mr Sumaila appealed to the Ministry of Defence to release part of its vast undeveloped lands in the Tamale municipality for development. He said the lands, which are centrally placed, are hampering the development plans of government to give the municipality a face-lift to befit its status.

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March 

The Chinese Embassy on Wednesday presented computers and accessories worth 54 million cedis to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra as emergency relief.

The equipment is made up of six computers, five printers, two UPS (uninterruptible power supplies), five air conditioners and five television sets.

The computer system of the GNA, the first news media to be computerised in the country, broke down in November 1997 making its operations very slow and cumbersome.

Mrs Rebecca Adotey, a Deputy Minister of Communications, in her first public assignment since her appointment this month, received the equipment on behalf of the agency, from Mr Li Zupei, the Chinese Ambassador.

Mrs Adotey thanked the Chinese for their timely intervention and said government will continue to assist the agency to maintain its pinnacle role as the nation's leading news gatherer and disseminator.

Mrs Adotey congratulated members of staff who have kept the agency going in spite of the ageing equipment and high staff turn-over."You need to be recognised and congratulated for your loyalty and dedication. Some of you have worked hard and the GNA has made its mark."

"You will soon see some slight improvement especially in terms of your condition of service for those of you who have worked hard. "Communication has become global, and there is the need to give efficient, accurate and impartial news to the outside world, and we believe GNA would continue to play its role as the overall information disseminator for Ghana."Mrs Adotey said.

Mr Li said Ghana and China have enjoyed a long tradition of friendship in politics, economics, culture and now in news and information. He noted that last year the GNA and Xinhua news agency of China signed a news exchange agreement and said this co-operation will be strengthened.

Mr Sam Quaicoe, General Manager, GNA, said the donation marks another milestone in the bid to rescue organisation from collapse. The equipment will help to accelerate work at the agency by curbing delays caused by reporters and sub-editors queuing for work stations. "Our operations will go up by a substantial margin".

Mr Quaicoe said the agency urgently needs a communication server to be able to receive and reach its subscribers on time. "With enhanced working tools, we can assure you that we shall be able to stand on our own in no time. We shall not die on our feet." One of the strategies adopted by the agency to make it viable was a website to ensure that GNA becomes a one stop site where all relevant news and information for the Ghanaian public can be found, he said.

The General Manager called on all subscribers to show appreciation by crediting the agency with all stories used. "It is a condition for the sale of our product and also a requirement of the ethics of our profession."

Wamanafo (Brong Ahafo) 24 March

Poor enrolment is a major factor hindering the development of Wamanafo secondary technical school in the Dormaa district, Mr James Odame-Lartey, headmaster of the school had said. The problem could be largely attributed to the people =92s lack of interest to educate their children, he noted.

Speaking to newsmen at Wamanafo on Tuesday, Mr Odame-Lartey said the school has only 78 students out of which 30 are first year students. He said in spite of efforts by the town's youth association to raise the standard of education by awarding scholarships to some students, the problem still persists.

Gbungbaliga (Northern Region) 24 March

Alhaji Ibrahim Alabira, Member of Parliament for Mion, has expressed dissatisfaction over the administration of the poverty alleviation fund in the Yendi district.

The fund, he said should be administered in a manner that would bring improvement in the lives of people in the district.

Alhaji Alabira was reacting to complaints of opinion leaders in the constituency at a forum at Gbungbaliga that the disbursement of the fund had not been transparent enough.

The forum discussed strategies for the development of the area, the welfare of the people and how to administer the districts share of the poverty alleviation fund fairly.

Alhaji Alabira said the Yendi district is supposed to have disbursed 172 million cedis of the poverty alleviation fund in 1998, "but the mode of distribution is still a mystery".

He called on the district assembly to evolve strategies to enable the fund to benefit as many people as possible irrespective of their political affiliation.

Alhaji Alabira said he and the MP for Yendi, Alhaji Al-Hassan Malik, will discuss the issue with the Yendi district chief executive.

The people expressed their reservations about a rehabilitation programme for communities that were affected by the 1994 ethnic conflict.

They said several years after the programme was launched, many communities in the Mion constituency are yet to benefit from the package.

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March 

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday said everything is set for a smooth poll in the bye-election in Ablekuma Central on Friday, March 26. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr David Kanga, Deputy Commissioner of the EC, and Mr Henry Okyne, Public Affairs Director, said security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth election.

The Ablekuma Central seat became vacant following the death of the New Patriotic Party's Clement Samuel Crabbe last month. The constituency has 93,995 registered voters including one newly transferred, and 106 polling stations.

The last elections in the area saw the NPP candidate polling 40 per cent of the votes cast to win the seat. The ruling National Democratic Congress came second with 38.8 per cent, while an independent candidate came third with a 9.5 per cent of the votes cast. The People's National Convention (PNC) had 8.8 per cent and the People's Convention Party (PCP) came last with 2.4 per cent.

Ablekuma Central has five electoral areas, namely, Abossey Okai, which has 19 polling stations, Mataheko, 22 polling stations, Gbortui, 34, Laterbiokoshie, 15, and Nmemnette, 16 polling stations.

The bye-election is deemed very significant, as it is considered a measuring rod to determine the stand of the various political parties. It will reinforce the effective dominance of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament or the power of the breakaway force from the NDC known as the Reform Movement, which is fielding an independent candidate. The bye-election will also show whether the NPP won the seat by chance or whether it is still an effective force in the constituency.

Mr Kanga said the electoral commission has taken delivery of all the ballot papers which, are in the custody of the Odorkor Police. "Currently, we have briefed all polling staff, presiding officers, and are in the process of briefing polling assistants on their specific duties. "We have in addition had two mobile police security patrol teams, which will be on hand for any disturbances that might occur", Mr Kanga said Mr Okyne said they, however, expect everything to be peaceful and normal.

The EC denied any knowledge of the arrest of the NPP candidate in Accra this week, adding that it will not have any effect on his contest for the Ablekuma Central seat.

Mr Kanga explained that "it is when there is a court order against him, or when he has been jailed that we can come in to disqualify him. As of now, it does not affect him in any way".

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 24 March

The Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), who presented 10 bottles of Schnapps, six cartons of beer, six cartons of minerals and a cheque for three million cedis.

The Company also gave the Asantehemaa two bottles Schnapps and 500,000 cedis.

The Standard Chartered Ghana Limited, donated two cartons of Schnapps, and five million cedis to Asanteman and two cartons of Schnapps and 500,000 cedis to the Asantehemaa.

Mr Vishnu Mohan, Managing Director of the Bank who led the delegation to present the items said there has been a long-standing relationship between the Bank and Asanteman.

Mr Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, presented one carton Schnapps and 200,000 cedis on behalf of the Commission to Asanteman.

The Ghana Institute of Surveyors also donated four bottles of Schnapps and 100,000 cedis to Asantehemaa, while Poly Group of Companies and Somotex Ghana, donated two cartons of Schnapps and one Poly tank worth 700,000 cedis to Asanteman.

Mr Musah B. Adam, Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), led a 20-man delegation to donate two cartons of Guinness and two cartons of minerals and two million cedis to Asanteman.

The Company also donated one million cedis to the Asantehemaa and another one million cedis to the Gyaase Division of the Kumasi Traditional Council.

Mr Adam said the Company has re-enforced Electricity supply to Manhyia Palace and surrounding areas to ensure reliable supply and that alternative services of power to augment existing supply facilities have been provided.

He said additional transformers and distribution lines to sub-stations at Manhyia, Asawasi and Abbey's Park, have been injected into the transformers and distribution lines at a cost of 35 million cedis.

Odeneho Oduro Numapau, Essumejahene, who received the items on behalf of Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu the Second, thanked all the donors for their concern and sympathy and hoped that they will be forthcoming when the actual funeral comes off.

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 24 March

Thousands of people from all walks of life continue to pour in at the Manhyia Palace to pay their last respects to Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the late Asantehene, as he lies in state.

Long winding and unending queues had been formed as early as 0600 hours this morning as preparations towards the burial of the Asantehene draws closer.

Europeans and Americans clad in black mourning cloths and traditional sandals determined not to be left out in any aspect of the cultural beauty of the Asantes' way of mourning their dead Kings, are occasionally seen making body jerks to respond to "Fontomfrom" and "Kete" drumming.

The body of the Asantehene that has been lying in state at the executive lounge of Manhyia Palace since last Sunday, will this evening be moved to "Patokrom", where paramount chiefs and Abrempong in Ashanti will swear to him and esoteric rituals performed.

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 24 March

The Asante Congress and Asante Kotoko Society (AKS) have denied that they are supporting a particular candidate to occupy the Golden Stool following the death of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second.

In a statement jointly signed by Dr Baffour Asafo-Adjei, Chairman of the Asante Congress Organising Committee and Mr M.Y. Asare-Bediako, President of AKS and issued in Kumasi on Wednesday, they said the "Ghanaian Voice" on the front page of the March 22-28 edition of the newspaper alleged that the two organisations were supporting one of the candidates for the Golden Stool.

The statement explained that the Congress is made up of Asantes throughout the world therefore it would be ridiculous to give its support to any of the candidates who are all royals of the stool.

It said it has faith in the traditional and constitutional procedures by which an Asantehene is nominated, elected and installed and re-affirms its faith and confidence in the time honoured procedures which served the best interest of Asantes throughout the ages.

"The Congress wish that Nananom will use these procedures and give Asanteman a successor who will meet the hopes and aspirations of Asanteman and Ghana as a whole", it added.

The Congress appealed to the mass media to contact its secretariat for clarifications and verifications on any issue pertaining to it and its component groups such as AKS, Asante Students Union Alumni (ASUA) and others.

"This way the Congress and the media would be saved from the embarrassment that invariably comes with the publication of such falsehoods", the statement added.

As the burial rites of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, Asantehene gets to the climax many important dignitaries continue to pay their last respects to the departed King. Yesterday three aspiring presidents took their turn at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay their last respects.

They are Mr J.A. Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. John Mahama of People's National Convention (PNC) and Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby of the United Ghana Movement (UGM).

Other important personalities who paid their lasts respects included the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), Dr Kwabena Duffour, Justice A.K. Ampiah, Supreme Court Judge, and Mr D.S. Quarcoopone, a family friend of Otumfuo. Each of them had a message for Otumfuo and signed the book of condolence.

Mr Kufuor wrote: "Ohene Kese, Damirifa Due. God bless you", while Dr Mahama said: "Great King, we miss you. Your exemplary life is a legacy for all Africa". Dr Wereko-Brobby also wrote that "a great father, friend and colleague has left. May he rest in peace".

To Mr S.A. Odoi-Sykes, Chairman of NPP, "the funeral of the late Asantehene has been a highly efficient and impressive ceremony, whose arrangement testifies the efficiency and success of his long administration. May his soul rest in peaceful arms of the Lord".

The Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of Administration and Finance, Mr Safo Kantanka, wrote: "A great democrat, a believer in peace and respecter of all people, irrespective of their social class".

Mr Ben Adoo, President, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Accra, said: "The mining community wishes Nana a peaceful rest".

Mr K.B. Boakye-Boateng, chief Administrator, Forestry Commission, "Nana was an adviser, inspirer and father; may his soul rest in perfect peace".

Mr Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi, acting managing Director, Pioneer Aluminium Factory, wrote that "Nana had been a symbol of peace to Asante and Ghana generally. May the Almighty God give a replacement so that the good works of Nana will continue".

Mr J.K. Ayekpa, a retired worker of State Transport Company wrote "... the oldman ... called me big brother; may he rest in peace".

To Mr R.R. Amponsah, a minister in the second republic, Otumfuo was a "kind and humane father of all".

Also at the Manhyia Palace yesterday to pay their last respects were Mrs Naa Morkor Busia, wife of Professor K.A. Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana and Mr David Hampshire, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guinness Ghana Limited who led some directors of the company including Mr Steve Wilkinson, Managing Director, Professor G.W. Acheampong and Mr Paul Victor Obeng, a former Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs.

A source close to the Funeral Planning Committee told the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi that a delegation from the family of the late Felix Houphouet Boigny, former President of Cote d'Ivoire, is also expected in Kumasi the same day.

Other groups from Cote d'Ivoire expected are the Baoule, Sanwi and Brong, the source said.