Census officials fail to reach hotels in time
Moro Naba to call on Asantehene
Liberated Nkrumaists support Dr. Asamoah as NDC running mate
Asokore-Koforidua insist on boycott of census
Enumerators cautious as they count lunatics, vagrants
Acting Govt. Statistician says "so far, so good"
President Rawlings returns home
"No rigging, no second round", Akrasi-Sarpong
Farmers threaten to interrupt road construction
INTERPOL to help unravel mystery of serial
killings
Contractor paid whereas work is not completed
Rainstorm renders 50 farmers homeless
Census
officials fail to reach hotels in time
Accra{Greater
Accra} 28 March 2000
Census
officials assigned to hotels in the Accra Metropolis, especially the big ones,
did not show up in time.
Between
2320 hours and midnight on Sunday, officials assigned the task of enumerating
guests at the Golden Tulip, Granada and Shangri-La Hotels had not reported.
A
visit to the hotels show no sign of the officials visiting the hotels to carry
out the population and housing census, which started officially at midnight on
Sunday.
The
irony of it was that some officials of the hotels said they did not know the
census night was 26 March, 2000.
Those
interviewed by the Ghana News Agency said they had not been given prior notice
that census enumerators were going to visit the hotels.
Nana
A. O. Awuku, an official of the Golden Tulip Hotel, said "no census official
has come here to do any work".
As
at 0025 hours on Monday, there was no indication of census officials turning up
at the Golden Tulip Hotel although there was a good number of guests.
At
Shangri La Hotel, the officials said they were not aware of the census night.
Mr.
Andy Amarteifio said: "we have not got any information from census
officials and we do not know them".
He
said as at 2320 hours on Sunday, no census official had come to the hotel where
about 50 visitors were lodging.
Mr.
Amarteifio said the majority of them were foreigners, some of whom might be
leaving for their home countries on Monday.
The
official on duty at the Granada Hotel, who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed
that the enumerators had failed to call at the hotel as at 2310 hours on
Sunday.
She
said there were a few visitors lodging at the hotel at the time the GNA called
there.
"We
are expecting the enumerators, any way," she said.
Mr.
Lawrence Clocuh, Field Supervisor of the Census Secretariat, in an interview,
said officers had been assigned to cover all the hotels, and gave the assurance
that they were going to cover them.
He
said on Monday morning, officials from the Secretariat would crosscheck the
work of the enumerators at the hotels.
Dr.
Kweku Twum-Baah, Acting Government Statistician, said the enumeration was
smooth at hotels he personally visited in the Achimota area.
He
told the GNA that the dwon pour in Accra had not affected the counting.
GRi../
Moro Naba to call on Asantehene
Kumasi,
{Ahanti Region}28 March 2000.
The
Moro Naba of Burkina Faso will lead a delegation of the Mosi Community to
Kumasi on Thursday, 30 March to join the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to celebrate
the grand final funeral rites of his predecessor, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
This
was contained in a statement issued by the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday
and signed by Mr. Collins Adusei, Secretary to the Asantehene Funeral Planning
Committee.
The
statement said no activity would take place at Manhyia Dwabrem on Monday, March
27, because the day has been declared a public holiday for the national
population and housing census.
It
said, however, that the Asantehene would sit in state on Tuesday, March 28, to
bid farewell to chiefs and other sympathisers.
The
statement said all programmes for the week remain unchanged and the Palace will
continue to receive donations from sympathisers, institutions and
organisations.
GRi.../
Liberated Nkrumaists support Dr. Asamoah as NDC running mate
Kumasi,
{Ashanti Region} 28 March 2000.
The
Ashanti Regional branch of the Liberated Nkrumaist Brigade of the NDC have
declared their unflinching support for Dr. Obed Asamoah and called for his
endorsement as the running mate to Professor John Atta Mills in this year's
general elections.
The
Brigade made the declaration at an emergency meeting in Kumasi on Saturday to
discuss the forthcoming NDC national delegates congress scheduled for Ho in
April.
The
meeting said the choice of Dr. Asamoah was based on the fact that he is a
politician with vast national and international experience.
It
also observed that Dr. Asamoah's efficient handling of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the successes chalked so far at the Ministry of Justice were ample
indication that "he is the right choice and a good material".
Addressing
the meeting, Alhaji Mohamadu Sidique Gentleman, National Vice-chairman of the
Brigade, advised NDC members to be guided by objectivity and considerations
that are devoid of tribalistic tendencies in their search for a running mate to
Prof. Mills.
Alhaji
Gentleman dispelled speculations in certain quarters that, with the exit of
President Rawlings from the presidency, the NDC would be faced with
disintegration.
He
assured them that though President Rawlings would be quitting the presidency,
he would still remain the father of the party and continue to guide the party.
Alhaji
Mohammed Ali, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Brigade, commended the members
for their support for Dr. Asamoah, whom he described as "a good material
with great wisdom" and who could help the party win the elections
with
ease.
GRi.
Asokore-Koforidua insist on boycott of census
Koforidua
{Eastern Region) 28 March 2000.
The
chiefs and people of Asokore-Koforidua still insist on boycotting the national
population and housing census unless the census map, which zoned their disputed
land with Effiduase, was reviewed.
This
is in spite of intervention by officials of the Regional Census Secretariat to
allow the exercise to take off.
The
regent and Gyasehene of the two towns, Nana Kwadwo Gyema, made this known on Sunday
when the Assistant Eastern Regional Officer, Mr. Kwame Djangba, and Mr. Eric
Okrah, Eastern Zonal Census Co-ordinator, met the Chief and elders at Asokore
on Sunday to discuss the issue.
The
meeting was prompted by the threat to boycott the census issued by the chiefs
and people on Thursday on realising that the census map for enumeration of
Effiduase also covered a disputed land between the two suburbs of Koforidua.
Nana
Gyema said they would only review their stance when they meet the Paramount Chief
of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Dasebre Dr. Oti Boateng, the Eastern
Regional Minister, Ms Patience Adow, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive,
Mr. Emmanuel Adu Boateng, and the Regional Lands Officer to thrash out the
issue.
Mr.
Djangba, who pleaded with the people to rescind their decision and allow the
counting to go ahead, explained that there would be a "post- enumeration
survey", which would place all census figures in disputed areas in their
appropriate localities.
"The
census Secretariat does not rule on land dispute but is out to discharge a
national duty to find out the population and housing stock in the
country," he stressed
Reacting
to demands by the people for an assurance that figures obtained from the
disputed area would not be added to those of Effiduase, Mr. Djangba said he
would report their sentiments to the appropriate quarters.
The
Kyidomhene of Asokore, Nana Asenso, blamed the dispute on "the reluctance
of public officials to tell the truth", saying the dispute had been allowed
to drag on over the past five years without any verdict.
"Once
the MP and the Municipal Chief Executive hail from Effiduase, the matter would
die a natural death if we allow the counting to go on," he asserted.
An
assembly member for the town, Nana Kwabena Obeng, appealed to the New
Jauben
Traditional Council to come out with its ruling on the disputed land as early
as possible to help calm down tension and allow the census to take off.
Last
Thursday, angry youth of Asokore went round canceling out enumeration numbers
written on houses in the Asokore Kuma by officials of the Census Secretariat,
claiming the area was included in the Effiduase enumeration area.
GRi../
Enumerators cautious as they count lunatics, vagrants
Accra, {Greater Accra} 28 March 2000.
Census
enumerators closely followed instructions on how to handle lunatics and
vagrants when the Population and Housing Census started officially at midnight
on Sunday.
No
incident of confrontation or intimidation by lunatics and vagrants was reported
by any of the enumerators two hours after midnight when the exercise was
heralded by the General Post Office siren, that was too faint for some of them
to hear.
Some
of the lunatics and floating population were spotted sleeping in obscure
places. When some vagrants were asked whether any census official had counted
them, they replied in the negative even though they were expecting them.
One
lunatic being approached by an enumerator at the Kaneshie Market area in the
Okaikoi Sub-metro area quickly turned back on seeing the enumerator.
The
enumerator, following instructions not to question or go too close to mad men,
therefore, decided to guess his age and do his work.
Some
call girls the GNA spoke to said they would not co-operate with the exercise
because it would interrupt their business.
They
said, however, that they would co-operate with census officials the following
day provided business went well for them.
One
major setback for enumerators, apart from logistical problems, was the
unexpected rain that set in, forcing some of the floating population to leave
their usual sleeping places to obscure corners.
Some
enumerators acknowledged this fact but said it would be dealt with later.
Unconfirmed
reports by some census officials from the Agbogbloshie Market said the people,
mostly foreigners, refused to co-operate with officials, fearing that the
exercise was meant to repatriate them.
Most
of the people did not appear ready for the exercise, thinking that it would
start in the morning of 27 March instead of midnight as was advertised.
Their
countenance was, therefore, one of confusion when they were approached by the
GNA. Most enumerators were satisfied with the co-operation of the populace
except for a few logistical problems they faced.
Significant
among their complaints were the shortage of enumeration certificates,
Wellington boots and raincoats that were provided for "places where necessary",
according to census officials.
Other
enumerators appeared to have lost track of their colleagues and were found
making frantic efforts to locate them after they had failed to appear at
convergence points for instructions prior to the start exercise.
GRi../
Acting Govt. Statistician says "so far, so good"
Accra,
{Greater Accra} 28 March 2000.
The
Acting Government Statistician, Dr. Kweku Twum-Baah, on Monday morning
expressed satisfaction at the work rate of enumerators of the National
Population and Housing Census, which began shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Speaking
to the GNA during his rounds, he said but for the rain, which was though
anticipated, things were working fine.
The
rain, from Sunday night through to dawn on Monday, disrupted enumerators'
ability to locate some outdoor and floating population at their usual
locations.
Most
of them had relocated at new places such as parked vehicles and in kiosks.
At
New Achimota, enumerators had it tough waking drivers, their mates and other
persons up for enumeration.
Some
of them would have turned away initially but for the timely arrival of Dr.
Twum-Baah on the scene to explain that their co-operation was needed to make
the exercise successful.
The
drivers, their mates and other people around the place, numbering about 20,
thereafter gathered around the enumerators to be counted.
At
Tetteh Quarshie, Shiashie, Madina, Dodowa, Somanya, and parts of Communities
Eight and Seven, Tema, a downpour prevented the enumerators from going round.
A
number of them at Achimota complained that they had no raincoats or files but
Dr. Twum-Baah said these would be supplied during the week.
He
told the GNA that the enumerators would have to go back to their areas and make
sure they count the people after the rains instead of just going home.
Dr.
Twum-Baah appealed to all Ghanaians to co-operate with census officials and
help government arrive at a realistic number of the population to provide the
required facilities for development.
GRi../
President Rawlings returns home
Accra
{Greater Accra}28 March 2000.
President
Jerry John Rawlings returned home on Monday after a seven-day official visit to
Brunei Darusalam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
Nana
Konadau Agyeman Rawlings, First Lady, Mr. Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Ohene Agyekum, Minister in charge of Protocol and Adviser on
Chieftaincy Affairs accompanied President Rawlings.
Briefing
newsmen on arrival, Mr. Gbeho said, the visit, which was at the invitation of
the Sultan of Brunei, was to explore ways of bringing the two countries
together for economic co-operation and development.
He
said President Rawlings toured two Shell oil fields, where he expressed
admiration for the workforce at the rig, which was manned mainly by citizens of
Brunei
President
Rawlings also visited Brunei's new housing estate as well as their traditional
settlement.
Mr.
Gbeho said the Sultan of Brunei has agreed to visit Ghana within the year.
In
Malaysia the President held bilateral discussions with his Malaysian
counterpart on how to strengthen Malaysian investments in Ghana.
He
was briefed about how Malaysia was able to overcome the economic problems that
hit south East Asian countries two years ago.
The
President made a stopover at Colombo, Sri Lanka and paid a courtesy call on the
Prime Minister.
Their
discussions centered on economic co-operation and the possibility of re-opening
Ghana's High Commission in that country.
In
Mauritius President Rawlings held discussions with his counterpart and they
agreed to develop partnership to enhance the co-operation of their private
sectors.
At
the airport to meet the President were Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential
Adviser on Governmental Affairs, Ministers of State, some members of the
African Diplomatic Corps, Service Commanders and the Inspector General of
Police.
GRi../
"No rigging, no second round", Akrasi-Sarpong
Tema,
{Greater Accra}28 March 2000.
Mr.
Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong, National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress says
the party would win at the first ballot, unless the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
rigs the December 2000 presidential elections.
He
alleged that the NPP rigged the 1996 elections in the Ashanti Region citing
that a critical analysis of the Bantama Constituency results showed that two
people voted per minute, which was impossible because the process of checking
names alone on the Voters' Register takes time.
Mr.
Akrasi-Sarpong was speaking at a Special Delegates' Conference of the Tema West
Constituency of the party on Sunday, which adopted a resolution to support the
Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills declaration to seek nomination as the
party's Presidential candidate for this year's elections.
"Everything
they say about us, it is they who want to do it. They are the people, who rig
elections. We would make sure they do not rig the elections in the Ashanti
Region and they should also make sure that we do not rig anywhere", Mr.
Akrasi-Sarpong said.
He
said he suspected that as part of the plans to rig the impending elections, the
NPP is training 100,000 thugs, which they claim are polling agent because they
have an inordinate desire to be in power by hook or crook.
"We
would open our eyes in the Ashanti Region because they have sworn they will
increase their numbers there."
Mr.
Akrasi-Sarpong said that as a party in government the NDC has the most
consistent interest in peaceful elections since it is the government, which
would take the credit when the presidential and parliamentary elections are
conducted peacefully.
The
National Organiser also called on the supporters of the party to be wary of
"tactical maneuvers of the highest political order" by Mr. Kwame
Pianim, a former NPP presidential aspirant to exploit and confuse them.
He
said, even though, the position taken by Mr. Pianim looks very respectable, NDC
members must be cautious since "it is an attempt to take a political moral
authority from the NDC to a supposedly neutral grounds."
Mr.
Akrasi-Sarpong, however, stated that this does not mean that whatever Mr.
Pianim says must be ignored, but in his personal opinion, it must be critically
analysed to find out what political moves he is making.
The
resolution, which was read by Mr. David Daitey, the Constituency Secretary of
the party congratulated Prof. Mills on his good intention to seek nomination as
the party's flag bearer for the 2000 general elections.
It
said the choice of Prof. Mills is a clear manifestation of the NDC aim of
bringing together individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and political
philosophies to build a just and democratic society.
Dr
Debora Cubagee, Tema Municipal Director of Health Services, chaired the
function.
GRi../
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 28 March 2000
Cocoa
farmers at Sahoma near Bibiani in the Western Region, whose farms have been
destroyed during the construction of a trunk road have threatened to interrupt
the project because of the delay in paying their compensation.
Mr
Mieza Kyi and Mr Thomas Anokye Dwomo, spokesmen for the farmers, told newsmen
in Kumasi that their farms were destroyed last year with a promise by the contractor,
Mota Construction Company that they would be paid full compensation.
They
said receipts confirming this were issued to them.
However,
the spokesmen said the project, which started from Abofrem and Tanodumasi
Junction to Sahoma, is nearing completion but there has been no attempt to pay
them in spite of the numerous appeals they made to the contractor and the Ghana
Highway Authority (GHA).
The
farmers who said they were told that the destruction of their crops was going
to be done in phases, said they were surprise when the crops were destroyed within a few days.
This, they said has put them in serious
financial hardships.
They made a special appeal to the President
Jerry John Rawlings to prevail upon the
Ghana Highway Authority to pay them their full compensation.
"Most
of us are old men and women, who can no longer work. We do not have any other
farms apart from what have been destroyed, hence the longer the payment delays,
the worst our situation will be," the farmers added.
GRi../
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 28 March 2000
The
National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the behaviour of a group of
New patriotic Party (NPP) supporters, when the Vice-President, Professor John
Evans Atta Mills, led a government's delegation to attend the final funeral
rites of Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, last Monday.
A
press statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Executive of the NDC and signed
by its chairman, Mr P. E. K. Antwi, said the "impolitic and shameful
conduct" was disheartening and a sad display of political immaturity to
"attempt hijacking" a supposed solemn occasion of the funeral for
partisan politics.
The
statement was in re-action to the shouts of party slogans jeering and flying of
NPP flags by its supporters apparently to cause embarrassment to the Vice
President at the funeral grounds.
The
vice President was at the head of the delegation to mourn with Otumfuo Osei
Tutu II, Asantehene, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaah Ampem, Asantehemaa, and the entire
Asante nation.
It
asked what would have unfolded if the NDC had responded to the taunts and
provocation of their opponents?
The
statement noted that "organised mischief making, aberrant and irresponsible
political conduct would not help to advance the cause of peace and democracy in
the country".
It
reminded the NPP and its leadership that Otumfuo Opoku Ware firmly stood for
peace and for that matter, it was pertinent for all to ensure that his final
royal funeral rites is carried through with decency and honour.
The
statement said Otumfuo Osei Tutu's vision for unity, peace and progress should
be made the guidepost for the conduct of all politicians in the region to
ensure peaceful electioneering campaign this year.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 March 2000
Mr
Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Friday said the Police is
liaising with neighbouring countries through the INTERPOL network in the
exchange of information on common criminal activities to help unravel the
mystery surrounding the killings in Accra.
This
is against the background of suspicions and speculations that some of the
perpetrators of these crimes might have come from neighbouring countries.
Mr
Nanfuri was speaking at the opening of 34th Cadet Officers' Course for 120
officers in Accra, the largest to be trained at the college since its
establishment in 1959.
The
IGP said the Mataheko and Dansoman serial murders for the past two years have
given the Police ''severe headaches'' and he assured the public that the Police
are working around the clock to get to the roots of these murders.
"We
have not given up in despair and no matter how long it takes we will use all
the professional skills and expertise at our disposal to ferret pieces of
valuable clues, which will lead to the identification, arrest and prosecution
of the culprits."
Mr
Nanfuri said the Police have started the necessary operational and logistic
planning towards the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections and
cautioned police officers and men against any form of partisan political
activities.
"Any
police officer, who desires to go into active politics is advised to resign his
appointment and pursue that ambition. Objectivity, fairness and neutrality
should be the hallmarks and guiding principles of all we do."
He
said any officer, who identifies himself with any political party or partisan
group compromises his professional neutrality and may be jeopardising his
career as a Police officer.
The
Course consists of two main categories. The first is made up of 68 regular long
service personnel, who had performed excellently in the April 1999 Selection Entrance
Examination.
The
second is the younger crop of serving personnel, who gained entry based on
their academic and professional qualifications in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Policy Guidelines on Appointments and Promotions.
During
the nine months training, the officers would be taken through criminal law,
modern investigations and crime detection skills, social psychology and a
special certificate course in administration at GIMPA.
The aim of the course is to groom the officers to be efficient and effective and to manage and control inspectors, non-commissioned officers and other ranks under their command for positive results.
GRi../
Contractor
paid whereas work is not completed
Kwaso (Ashanti Region) 28 March 2000
A
contractor engaged to construct classrooms, student hostels and staff
accommodation at Rural Department College at Kwaso in the Ejisu-Juaben District
of Ashanti has not completed the work but has already been paid.
A
report presented by a task force set up by the Director of Department of
Community Development (DCD) in Accra on the institutional strengthening of the
College said.
Presenting
the report, Baffour Anane, Vice-Principal of the College and Mr Peter Obuor, a
representative of Ricerca and Corparazione (R and C), an Italian
non-governmental organisation (NGO), asked the DCD to follow up to ensure that
the contractor completes the work.
The
report called for the improvement of the access road from the College to the main
road leading to the town, which is less than 500 kilometres away and the
provision of security lighting system on the compound.
It
stressed the need for the recruitment of permanent and full time teachers to
ensure effective teaching and learning.
It
called for a review of syllabus to make it more responsive to the needs of the
country.
Mr
Addai Kyeremeh, Director, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development,
receiving the report, commended members of the task force for completing their
work on schedule.
GRi../
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 March 2000
The
Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) has appealed to the government and
financial institutions in the country for support to develop local technology.
Speaking
to newsmen in Accra, as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the
institution, Professor Kwesi Andam, President of GhIE noted that local
engineers have invented several technologies, but do not have the necessary
funding to make them available for public use.
"If
our financial institutions would be willing to give us credit to expand on our
innovations, then we would be in the position to prevent the wastage of farm
produce, which usually occur during bumper harvest periods."
This,
he said, would go a long way to enhance the poverty alleviation efforts of the
government, adding, "the sole aim of our profession is to create wealth
and bring our beneficiaries to the level of affluence."
Prof.
Andam noted that, though engineers in the country contribute immensely to
sectors such as water, electricity, roads, industry, agriculture, health and
communication among other things, they are not well recognised.
He
bemoaned the situation where, "no engineer was given an award during the
recent presentation of national honours by President Jerry John Rawlings."
Prof.
Andam said, the GhIE is usually not consulted in the implementation of
programmes, which fall within their scope, adding that currently, the
institution is facing serious political impediments, with regards to some
initiatives its members have taken.
He
said the GhIE has, therefore, put measures in place to celebrate its own
heroes, with the view to making the public appreciate the immense contribution
of engineers to national development.
''Measures
have also been put in place to mobilise financial assistance from local and
foreign sources to expand on locally invented technologies.
Prof.
Andam said that as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, the institution
would embark on public awareness campaigns through the media, seminars and
other forums.
He
expressed the hope that by the close of the year, the public, financial
institution and the government would appreciate engineers better.
GRi../
Ankasa (Western Region) 28 March 2000
The
Ankara National Park , one of the last virgin forests in the country is being shaped
into a multi purpose entity to provide Eco-tourism services.
The
project, to be undertaken with emphasis on community involvement, will cost six
million dollars and will be funded the European Union.
Known
as the Nini-Subien National Park and Ankasa Resource Reserve, the twin wildlife
resource, will undergo conversion under the Protected Areas Development
Programme initiated by the government.
Mr
Moses Kofi Sam, Project co-ordinator, speaking with the Ghana News Agency on
Saturday explained that the project would enable Ghana to fully protect her
last stock of flora and fauna.
He
said the first phase of the programme, expected to end this March, will enable
people who live at the periphery of the park to acquire basic skills as well as
give training to the staff of the wildlife division.
He
said staffing would be strengthened at the Park to prevent poaching.
A
Senior Wildlife Officer, Mr Michael Abedi-Lartey who is in-charge of the Ankasa
Reserve, complained of poaching by established timber firms and individuals
saying " as timber contractors try to log from the forest, individuals
also want to hunt for animals."
GRi../
Nsawam
(Eastern Region) 28 March 2000
A severe
rainstorm hit Akwamu Numbers One and Two, two predominantly farming
communities, near Nsawam, in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, rendering 50
people homeless.
The
storm also destroyed 10 houses and more than 20 hectares of food and cash crop
farms.
Mr
Samuel Odoi, Unit Committee Chairman of the two communities, who disclosed this
to the GNA, said, there were no casualties but put the damage to property at
about 40 million cedis.
Meanwhile,
the victims are staying with their friends and relatives.
GRi../
/