Government
welcomes OPEC's decision to increase oil production
Environmentally friendly way of processing tobacco introduced
Land degradation threatens Vision 2020
Consider 180 months qualification for pension benefits
Rains threatened census in Tamale
Novotel to host 'Wente California Wine and Food Fest'
Ministry won’t pay for unapproved contracts- Salia
Ashanti NDC declares support for Prof. Mills
Agona Nsaba
(Central Region) 29 March 2000
Mr Kojo
Yankah, former Ashanti Regional Minister and MP for Agona East, says he is
quitting active politics.
He told
delegates at the Agona East Delegates Congress of the National Democratic
Congress (NDC) at Agona Nsaba on Tuesday that he would not contest the 2000
parliamentary election.
Mr Yankah
said he had discussed his decision with the National Executives of the NDC and
thanked the National, Central Regional and Agona East executives of the party
for their support during his eight years as minister and MP.
The MP
urged ward and constituency executives to work hard and rally behind the person
who would take over from him to contest the parliamentary seat.
He also
urged them to support Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills to ensure victory
for the party in the 2000 general elections.
Mr Yankah
added his voice to the NDC’s position that the country is facing economic
hardships due to the falling prices of cocoa, gold and other commodities, which
have eroded the living standards of the people.
Mr Samuel
Adu-Yeboah, District Chief Executive for Agona, urged party members to exercise
restraint in their demands.
Mr
Adu-Yeboah, who is also Central Regional Secretary of the party, said the National
Congress of the party scheduled for Ho would give its backing to Professor
Mills as flag bearer of the party in this year's presidential elections.
He urged
Ghanaians to appreciate the work of the NDC and return it to power to continue
its policies and programmes.
GRi../
Accra
(Greater Accra) 29 March 2000
The
government on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Organisation of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase supply and ease high crude oil prices.
“The
government welcomes the news of an extra 1.7 million barrels a day," Mr
Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, told the Ghana News Agency
(GNA) in an interview in Accra.
The
government would want to see the translation of the decision into action, he
said but cautioned that the OPEC deal to increase supply might not necessarily
bring down the price of petroleum products in the country.
Mr Abingya
said apart from the changes in the international price of oil, the exchange
rate of the cedi is taken into consideration, adding that the stability of the
cedi is an essential factor even though people do not emphasise this point.
"The
fluctuation of the cedi is a very important determinant because the refineries
buy the oil in foreign currency."
Mr Abingya
said the deal by OPEC members "does not state when they are going to
increase supply and production of oil or the effective date" for the implementation.
OPEC took
the decision at a crucial meeting in Vienna on Tuesday night.
Nine out of
the 11-member cartel agreed to increase production to bring down the high
prices, which have led to the overheating of economies of many countries,
especially those in the developing world.
Iran and
Iraq opted out of the deal but Iran said later that it would increase supply on
its own terms.
Mr Abingya
said as at Tuesday, the price of crude oil was as high as between 25 to 27
dollars per barrel.
Economic
analysts have speculated that the OPEC decision to increase oil supply would
ease high crude oil prices and avert the danger of an economic downturn among
oil importing nations, including Ghana.
Ghana has
since June 1999 increased the price of oil and petroleum products five times
due to the increasing high price of the commodity in the international market.
This has
resulted in more than 30 per cent increase in transport fares and prices of
foodstuff, goods and services.
GRi../
Environmentally friendly way of processing tobacco introduced
Nkoranza
(Brong Ahafo) 29 March 2000
The British
America Tobacco Company has introduced a more environmentally friendly way of
processing tobacco to farmers in the Nkoranza District of Brong Ahafo Region,
as part of efforts to stem the depletion of the Savannah Woodland.
With the
new technology, farmers use sawdust to cure the leaves instead of fuel wood,
thereby stopping the old practice of cutting down trees for the purpose, the
District Manager of the Company, Mr Emmanuel Ofori-Gyamo said when he briefed
the District Assembly's Development Planning Sub-Committee at Nkoranza on
Monday.
Mr Gyamo
said the company would soon plant trees along the banks of rivers Bonsu and
Sonka to prevent them from drying up during the dry season.
GRi…/
Land degradation threatens Vision 2020
Tamale
{Northern Region} 29 March 2000
Mr David
Nyankamawu, Northern Regional Co-ordinating Director of Administration warned
on Tuesday that the continuous degradation of the environment through bad
farming practices could undermine the Vision 2020 programme.
He said
farmlands are being degraded at an alarming rate, leading to crop losses and
hunger, especially in the rural communities.
This
situation he said, would impact negatively on the programme.
Mr
Nyankamawu was addressing the 12th annual review workshop of the Collaborative
Community Forestry Initiative (CCFI) being implemented by the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) with other stakeholders to promote
agro-forestry.
He
commended the CCFI project for training over 14,000 farmers, nation-wide in
modern farming methods to conserve the environment.
Mr George
Baiden, Director of ADRA said the project has established 103 nurseries to
promote community interest in tree growing.
The
three-day workshop under the theme: "CCFI, challenges ahead in the new
millennium", is being attended by 120 representatives from ADRA, Ministry
of Food and Agriculture, Forestry Department, Department of Co-operatives and
the US Peace Corps from Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Northern, Upper East and
Upper West regions.
They would
discuss financial management, innovations in establishing tree nurseries and
seedling production and distribution.
GRi…/
Consider 180 months qualification for pension benefits
Bolgatanga
{Upper East} 29 March 2000
Workers in
Bolgatanga have suggested to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust
(SSNIT) to reduce the period for qualification for pension from 240 months of
contribution to 180 months.
This would
make it possible for those who had to break their service as a result of
redeployment to benefit.
The workers
made the suggestion at a forum in Bolgatanga to afford workers the opportunity
to make proposals for the review of the Social Security LI PNDC Law 247 of
1991.
The workers
also proposed that SSNIT Pensioners Association should elect their
representative on the Board of Directors of SSNIT.
Mr Emmanuel
Pessey, Regional Public Affairs Officer of SSNIT, said that SSNIT could meet
the workers demand if they were prepared to increase their contributions to the
fund.
GRi../
Rains threatened census in Tamale
Tamale
{Northern Region} 29 March 2000.
Continuous
rain, accompanied by storm after midnight, threatened to disrupt the Population
and Housing Census in and around Tamale soon after midnight on Sunday.
Enumerators,
however, went ahead with the exercise, concentrating on mainly the floating
population.
At the
police checkpoint on the Tamale-Kumasi Highway, for example, enumerators
initially had a hectic time dealing with a long line of vehicles with
passengers mainly from the Brong-Ahafo Region travelling up north.
Additional
staff had to be brought in to help. Mr Nkansah Marfo, Northern Region
Statistician, explained that the initial pressure was caused by the inability
of census officials in the Brong Ahafo Region to certify the passengers as
having been countered.
In down
town Tamale, the counting started with outdoor sleepers, many of whom were
found around the Rivoli Cinema Hall and the lorry stations, especially at
Aboabi.
A number of
travelers in transit at the State Transport Company terminal were also
countered.
House to
house counting started in earnest after dawn and so far no incidence of
violence or any bad occurrence have been reported.
GRi…/
Novotel to host 'Wente California Wine and Food Fest'
Accra
{Greater Accra} 29 March 2000.
Novotel
Hotel in Accra will host this year's "Wente California Wine and Food
Fest", which is celebrated world-wide each year to introduce the public to
the pleasures of wine drinking and good food.
The
weeklong festival, which is being jointly sponsored by Novotel and Swissair,
will be officially launched on 4 April. It will treat the public to good local
and continental dishes to be prepared by world-class chefs.
Mr Yao Van
Landewijk, Managing Director of Weitnauer, who addressed a press
conference,
said his company first formed a partnership with the Ghana Tourist Development
Company (GTDC) in April 1997 to help boost tourism.
He said the
companies, in collaboration with Wente Vineyards, manufacturers of Wente Wine,
have now opened a wine bar at Kotoka International Airport.
"This
step is in line with the tourism gateway programme because the country receives
numerous diplomats as well as tourists each year through the airport who need
the best of service to make them feel comfortable and welcome."
The company
has also invested in the running of duty-free shops where a variety of wines
and other items can easily be bought.
GRi…/
Ministry won’t pay for unapproved contracts- Salia
Kumasi
{Ashanti Region} 29 March 2000
Regional
and District Tender Boards will have to find money themselves to pay
contractors for unapproved road contracts, Mr. Edward Salia, Minister of Roads
and Transport, said on Tuesday.
He said his
ministry will not recommend payments for works it has not given approval to and
budgeted for.
He was
addressing a forum for members of the Regional Advisory Tender Boards and Metropolitan
and District Assemblies in Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo in Kumasi.
The
Minister warned that technical people from his ministry who mislead the Tender
Boards into awarding such unapproved jobs would be severely sanctioned.
He
reiterated that "all projects awarded must be within the approved annual
budget of the Ministry of Roads and Transport as presented to Parliament by the
Ministry of Finance".
Strict
adherence to this, Mr. Salia noted, would curtail the situation of giving false
hopes to local communities and serve as a caveat to contractors who execute
contracts when they are not budgeted for.
The
Minister told them to recognise that from inception to completion of projects,
they are responsible and must accept monitoring and supervision as a routine function
of the awarding authority.
They should
also strive for reasonable district and local balance in the choice of
projects.
Mr. Samuel
Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, said in spite of the existence of the
Tender Boards, road contracts and administration are bedeviled with problems.
One of the
major problems, he said, has to do with classification of contractors and
strict adherence to pre and post-qualification guidelines which ensure that
jobs are awarded to capable bidders.
He observed
that some contractors who are classified into certain categories do not possess
the required qualifications and equipment commensurate with the class.
GRi…/
Ashanti NDC declares support for Prof. Mills
Kumasi
{Ashanti Region} 29 March 2000
All 22
Ashanti constituencies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that have held
delegates conferences have declared their support for Vice-President John Evans
Atta Mills, who has decided to contest as flag-bearer of the NDC in this year's
elections.
A statement
issued on Tuesday by the Regional Secretariat of the NDC in Kumasi and signed
by the Chairman, Mr. P.E.K. Antwi, said the declaration of support was
contained in separate resolutions adopted by the constituencies.
It said the
delegates cited the Vice-President's unblemished character, proven competence,
dedication and loyalty as the basis for their decision to back his candidature.
These
qualities, together with his high academic stature, the statement noted makes
him "not only an obvious winner for the presidential seat but also a
capable Head of State".
It said the constituencies also recognised
Prof. Mills' diligence and effective co-operation with President Jerry John
Rawlings.
The
statement spoke of the resolve by NDC constituencies in the region to put in
more effort, strengthen the political education campaign and support
mobilisation drive to ensure a resounding victory for the party.
It said all
the remaining 11 constituencies would hold their special conferences by the
close of the month.
GRi…/
Govt re-doubles effort at meaningful energy integration
Kumasi
{Ashanti Region} 29 March 2000.
Dr. John
Abu, Minister of Mines and Energy, on Tuesday said the government has
re-doubled its effort to secure a more meaningful degree of regional energy
integration, which may in the long-run reduce the country's vulnerability to
energy supply shocks.
To this
end, the government will launch a major initiative to establish a more
strategic and environmentally sustainable strategy for energy sector
development this year.
Dr. Abu was
opening a weeklong workshop of the Fifth Kumasi International College on Energy
organised by the Energy Research Group (ERP), Ghana, at the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
The
workshop, with the theme "Energy for Sustainable Development in the Third
Millennium", is being attended by both local and international energy
researchers, economists, planners, policy-makers and graduate students from the
West Africa sub-region.
Dr. Abu
said to promote unity of purpose with neighbouring countries, Ghana is playing
a leading role in establishing the required legal, regulatory and institutional
frameworks to support regional energy projects.
He said
traditional energy sources such as wood still accounts for the largest share of
energy consumption in Ghana, being about 69 per cent of total energy
consumption.
The
Minister indicated that, in contrast, modern forms such as electricity and
petroleum account for only 11 per cent and 20 per cent of total consumption
respectively.
He stressed
that in terms of end-use, the residential segment of the market accounts for 50
per cent while industry accounts for 44 per cent.
Dr. Abu
pointed out that Ghana's goal to transform its economy into a middle income one
by 2020 cannot be based on such an under-developed energy consumption profile.
There is,
therefore, the need to diversify from hydropower to complementary sources of
thermal power, he said, adding that options to alleviate the high cost of
petroleum products are not many.
He said
since the country has not yet harnessed its potential natural gas resources,
the government is keen to promote sub-regional energy trade to let it have
access to clean natural gas.
The
Minister commended the energy Research Group for their efforts to bring
together at the College a cross-section of policy-makers, researchers,
utilities, consumers and businessmen to deliberate on issues concerning the
sustainability of energy development strategies in the country.
In a
welcoming address, Professor Ebenezer Yeboah Safo, Pro-Vice Chancellor of
KNUST, noted that the Ministry of Mines and Energy has established a record of
collaboration and achievement in energy research and development with both
individuals and departments in the university.
He said he
was happy that the university, through its members of the energy Research
Group, was contributing effectively to the exchange of ideas and experiences on
energy issues within the context of sustainable socio-economic development.
The
workshop was dedicated to the memory of Dr. John Kofi Turkson, who was a
lecturer in the Department of Planning at the KNUST and one of Ghana's leading
experts in energy and environmental issues.
GRi…/
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../
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.
GRi../