Accra (Greater Accra) 25 March 2000
Mr. Kwame Pianim, a renowned economist and a former member of the New Patriotic Party has called on politicians and Political parties to form a national government.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Front Page programme in Accra last Friday about his latest campaign for a united government, he said, "there should be a culture of cross party consultation which doesn't exist now.
"I am talking to people who are sympathetic to my course and who would like to adhere to it. Once the idea is crystallised, Ghanaians will be asked if they want it… a system in which there are genuine checks and balances and devoid of fear, where the Judiciary for instance will be fair", Mr. Pianim who recently resigned from the NPP said.
Mr. Pianim who said he believes a National Government will serve as a think tank to push the nation forward, denied that he wants the breakdown of the political system. He said, “some people think that I'm trying to raise a UniGov that will say stop the political system. But I'm saying lets go on with the political process, have an election, let someone win and encourage him to choose his Members of the Counsel of State and his Ministers from anywhere and everywhere".
Refusing to be drawn into whether he owed allegiance to any political party, Mr. Pianim simply said "I have friends across the political divide", adding, " I want to be free to lobby for the formation of a national government no matter who wins the next elections"
Pushed to comment on the ruling of the supreme court in 1996 that he did not qualify to stand for Presidency because of a conviction on a charge of treason, Mr. Pianim said the Supreme Court had a right to review it's decision.
"The case can be raised again for review by me or someone else" he said.
Pressed to tell whether he had plans of doing this, Mr. Pianim said: "No it's not in my plans. I don't want people to think that I'm putting this National Government idea forward as a self serving type of scheme".
On whether he will accept an appointment as a member of the counsel of state, Mr Pianim has this to say, " I insist that no one less than 65 years of age should be appointed to be on the Counsel and I don't qualify."
He said his conviction is that only accomplished people, who don't need a car from the executive and who have a track record over the years and have become sober as a result of their age, should be appointed to that high office.
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A milling crowd gathered at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday for the weeklong grand final funeral rites celebration of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, Asantehene.
This old tradition of celebrating funerals on Thursdays, however, changed over the years, with the advent of colonial rule, when Saturday was declared a day for rest for both civil and public servants.
But last Thursday, Asanteman kept to tradition when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, sat in state to receive homage as donations poured in from institutions, organisations and chiefs for him and the Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
All paramount chiefs, clad in Kobene (red cloth), and their retinue also sat in state with their subjects to witness the celebration.
The traditional belief that any time the Chief of Denkyira came to Kumasi it rained was not this time confirmed.
In fact, the sun was at its hottest peak when the Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boamponsem the third, who is also President of the National House of Chiefs, arrived at the funeral ground.
The Denkyirahene, dressed in his 'batakarikese' (battle dress), and riding in a palanquin, was led by his queenmother, Nana Sarah Ayensua 11, the only queen mother to arrive at the funeral ground in a palanquin.
The milling crowd surged forward as everyone tried to catch a glimpse of them.
The Denkyira people ruled the Asante kingdom for some time until the Battle of Feyiase in 1699.
Another paramount chief who came to express sympathy for the Asantehene was Oyeeman Wireko Ampem 11, Chief of Amanokrom Akuapem.
The wives of the Asantehene and princes of the Golden Stool presented the royal mourners with burial articles and traditional gold necklaces (awisiaado).
Other items presented were sheep, men's cloths, assorted drinks, cola, tobacco, and palm wine.
There was no durbar on Friday but the Asantehene distributed sheep, foodstuffs and firewood to mourners who have been fasting since last Sunday.
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Ho (Volta Region) 25 March 2000.
Dr Margaret Agama, a clinical neuro psychologist of the 37 Military Hospital, has advised soldiers against treating rape cases within their barracks.
Anywhere rape occurs in this country, its a criminal offence and should be treated as such, Dr Agama said whiles addressing soldiers, their wives and the civilian population of the Medium Mortar Regiment at Ho on Thursday on sexual offences and their medical, psychological and legal implications.
It formed part of a country-wide education programme instituted by the military authorities to bring soldiers abreast with current issues of national interest.
Dr Agama therefore asked parents whose children are involved in rape cases in the barracks not to enter into any negotiations and accept any monetary compensation as settlement for the offence.
She said very often such monetary arrangements only benefit parents leaving the victims to "suffer irreparable psychological and medical damage for life which no monetary compensations can rectify."
Dr Agama said the legal position is that a girl below 18 years cannot be said to have had sex with a man even if the offender thought she consented.
Answering questions on legal issues on the interstate succession law and rape, Colonel John Anane-Brobbey, Director of Army Legal Affairs said those who mediate in the settlement of rape offences are as guilty as the offenders.
He reminded the soldiers that the military authorities would not shield any soldier whose conduct will cast a slur on the armed forces.
On the interstate succession law, he said "form 400" which covers the service estate of soldiers does not extend to property owned by soldiers outside their barracks.
He said it is therefore advisable for soldiers to make wills to cover those properties outside the barracks in the absence of which the interstate succession law will apply.
Col. Anane-Brobbey said the military authorities do not want to engage in litigation with family members over property of a soldier who dies in service.
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Asokore,(Eastern Region) 25 March 2000.
The Chiefs and people of Asokore -Koforidua have threatened to boycott the national population and housing census unless attempts to code portions of the town as part of nearby Effiduase-Koforidua were stopped immediately.
To press home their point, angry youth of the town on Thursday went round wiping out numbers on the affected houses at Asokorekuma.
An assemblyman for the town, Mr. Boakye Yiadom, said at a press conference on Thursday that, for five years now, the people of Effiduase have been laying claims to a part of the land belonging to Asokore.
Following the dispute, the New Juabeng Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Adu-Boateng, and a citizen of Effiduase, whose name was not mentioned, allegedly collaborated with the Land Valuation Board two years ago to change the 'A' (Asokore) numbers within the disputed area to 'N' (Neutral) while the traditional council was yet to come out with its verdict.
He said the immediate cause of their threat was the extension last month of the 'N' numbering to houses at Asokorekuma, which was originally outside the disputed area, at the instance of the DCE.
Mr. Yiadom called for immediate steps by the authorities to review the census map, which zoned the disputed areas as part of Effiduase, before the people of Asokore take part in the exercise.
Present at the press conference were Nana Kwadwo Gyimah II, Gyasehene and regent of Asokore, Nana Obeng, an assembly member, and Mr Robert Donkor, convener of the unit committee.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 25 March 2000.
Mr. Alex Asamoah, Jomoro Constituency Branch Chairman of the NDC has denied any involvement in an alleged attack last week on the life of Nana Danyi Kwaw, Jewi Chief.
He described a report to this effect on the local Skyy FM Radio station as " unfounded, malicious and wicked.
He said it is also not true that he went and bailed a number of people arrested by the police in connection with the attack.
At a news conference at Takoradi on Friday, Mr. Asamoah said he heard of the attack and the subsequent arrest of some people through a telephone call.
Mr. Asamoah said at the Police station, he was shocked to see some "upright people in the community put behind bars."
" As a result, I felt obliged to appeal to the police to have them bailed in the interest of justice and fair play".
He said he only facilitated their being bailed but did not bail them personally as claimed by the news report.
The Chairman said Nana Kwaw himself knows why he found himself in such a situation and must therefore come out with the whole truth "because as the Assemblyman of the area, I know Nana Kwaw has a long outstanding dispute between him and his people."
"The rumours are therefore a calculated attempt by my enemies to destroy my image and my reputation," Mr. Asamoah added.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 25 March 2000.
The Convention Party (CP) will hold its national congress on 19 and 20 May in Accra, a statement from the party said on Friday.
The statement said the decision was taken by the Central Committee of the party at a meeting presided over by Mr. Felix Amoah, acting National Chairman, on the basis of recommendations from the Congress Planning Committee.
The meeting approved the appointment of Madam Salifu Dagarti as chairman of a special welfare committee that will have full responsibility for welfare matters relating to the congress including health and feeding.
Dr Gamal Nasser, a CP parliamentary candidate and Dr Adolf Lutterodt, Greater Accra Region Chairman, were mandated to complete arrangements to secure a venue for the congress and accommodation for 2,0000 delegates.
Mr. Kojo Ramah, leader of the party's parliamentary caucus, will preside over a committee to review the party's manifesto.
Mr. Yao Yegbe, Eben Antwi and Prof Mawuse Dake were appointed as the core of an ad hoc committee that will review proposals for amendments or review of the party's constitution for presentation to the national congress.
The statement quoted Mr. Amoah as having appealed to the appointees to approach their assignments with diligence and commitment.
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Accra (Greater Accra}25 March 2000.
African environment ministers attending the Fifth Meeting of the Convention on Co-operation in the Protection and Development of Marine and Coastal Environment of West and Central Africa (WACAF) on Friday expressed concern about the weak financial position of the Region.
They said the Trust Fund set up to finance the drafting and implementation of the convention is drying up due to non-commitment by member-states, adding that this has the potential to undermine the programme.
Speaking at the opening of the Ministerial Meeting of the contracting parties in Accra, Mr. Cletus Avoka, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee, said $41,000 dollars left in the coffers is not enough.
He said the success of the implementation of the Convention would depend on political will and the support member-states give it.
Mr. Avoka said in 1994, it was decided to "wipe clean the slate in relation to our indebtedness to the WACAF Trust Fund".
"It was our hope that, after that date, we would be in a position to restart our contributions to the Fund."
The situation has not yet changed and "we still do not have the resources in the Trust Fund to undertake any meaningful programmes".
The Minister appealed to the countries to contribute their widow's mite to show their commitment to the ideals of the Convention.
He said although a lot was being done to protect sustain marine and coastal environments, there had not been co-ordination among various institutions in the sector.
He suggested that regional economic groupings and financial institutions like ECOWAS and the African Development Bank should be brought into environmental management programmes.
The Ivorian Minister of Environment, Mr. Vincent Essoh Lohoves, called for renewal of efforts and restructuring of the Convention for smooth implementation.
Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, South African Minister of Environment, also spoke against the non-financial commitment to the Trust Fund.
She said the Government of South Africa is committed to hosting the preparatory conference on the Convention in 2002.
Dr. Imeh T. Okopido, Nigerian Federal Minister of Environment, called for the removal of contradictions in the Convention to ensure its smooth implementation.
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