Ghana's UN peacekeeping account to be
audited
Kufuor calls for a shorter tenure for
Electoral Commissioners
Review rates in the construction sector -
Bartels
TUC assures working women of support
Government will make S&T bedrock of
development - Minister
British Minister
to visit Ghana
Victor Owusu sent to his hometown
Swiss government to establish plastic
recycling plant in Ghana
Serve nation by ensuring rule of law -
Quashie
UNILEVER presents award to best journalist
Meteo forecasts normal-to-above-normal rains
Ghana's UN peacekeeping account to be
audited
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Ministry of Defence has commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), an international auditing firm to audit the accounts of Ghana's peacekeeping operations within the UN system.
Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, the Minister who announced this at a meeting with military chiefs on Thursday said the exercise is one in a series to inject confidence and transparency into the operation of UN peacekeeping funds.
A statement issued in Accra said the minister would use the report of the audit as a guide to determine the degree of adjustment of Ghanaian soldiers on UN duty.
He assured the PWC of the co-operation of relevant bodies and individuals in the exercise.
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Kufuor calls for a shorter tenure for
Electoral Commissioners
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday suggested a shorter tenure for the top officers of the Electoral Commission (EC) saying, they are prone to corruption and external influence if they stay longer.
He expressed his reservations about the current indefinite tenure of the Commissioners and said it is not the best. It could blur the evolving democratic dispensation.
President Kufuor made the observation when he received the President of the International Federation of Electoral Systems, Mr Richard Soudriette at the State House.
He said adherence to democratic principles is very dear to his administration and he would ensure that they thrive.
President Kufuor said decentralisation through the district assembly concept would be strengthened to make it more meaningful.
District Chief Executives will also be made more accountable to the people than before.
Mr Soudriette, who is in Ghana to familiarise with the operations of his organisation, commended Ghanaians for the successful and peaceful elections.
"Ghana has once again led the way for others to follow," he said.
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Review rates in the construction sector -
Bartels
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kwamena Bartels, on Friday called for a comprehensive review in the build-up rates in all aspects of the construction industry.
He said in a speech read on his behalf by Alhaji Alhassan Dawuni, Chief Technical Adviser of the ministry, at the 32nd annual conference of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GIS) in Accra that government has noticed that Ghana is no longer getting "value for money" in the construction sector.
He said it costs 600,000 dollars to construct one kilometre of certain specifications of roads in Ghana, while that same kind of road costs 450,000 dollars per kilometre to construct in Nigeria.
"In Togo, the rate is even lower, that is, 400,000 dollars for the same specification of road," he said.
The conference is under the theme: "Project development: The key to infrastructure development."
The Minister charged the GIS to collaborate with other professional bodies in the sector to ensure that construction rates are reduced.
Mr Bartels said government's efforts to hasten economic growth and alleviate poverty would not yield results if the indiscipline, which characterises the land market, were not brought under control.
"Land disputes, intractable court cases, multiple sales of land and nefarious acts of so-called land guards, are all common features of the land market today," he said.
Mr Bartels attributed land disputes and litigation to the practice where unqualified draughtsmen, surveyor assistants and outright quacks draw site plans and give them to licensed surveyors to sign.
"All these fraud and mediocre practices need to be wiped out from your mist, "he said.
The Minister urged GIS President, Mr. K. Owusu-Sekyere, to initiate steps towards the establishment of a council to help in checking indiscipline in the industry.
He appealed to the members of GIS not to demarcate, survey or register title to land, where the layout is not approved by the appropriate authority.
Mr Bartels appealed to members of the GIS to show interest in the business of the district assemblies.
"Members of your institution could be of invaluable service in the areas of project implementation, reducing the cost of projects and property rate assessments."
He commended the institution for setting up the voluntary services scheme, saying, "its is a good venture that has to be recommended for the benefit of the poor and needy in society."
Sod was cut to begin work on the construction of a GIS complex.
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TUC assures working women of support
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday urged women to aspire for higher positions irrespective of societal discriminations.
Mr Kwesi Adu-Amankwah, the secretary-general said: "The TUC has identified and appreciated the difficulties facing women and would collaborate with other groups to improve the lives of women in general."
Mr Adu-Amankwah made the remarks at a seminar on the theme, "Women Uniting for Peace: Effecting Fundamental Change in Ghana," as part of activities marking this year's International women's day in Accra.
The seminar, which was organised by the Women's Desk of the TUC was aimed at giving women the opportunity to take stock of progress made over the years and to map out strategies for the future.
He said TUC has put up structures to ensure that women fully participate in the activities of the labour movement and aspire to leadership positions without any hindrance.
Mr Adu-Amankwah, therefore, challenged working women to make good use of opportunities available within their establishments for any leadership positions and not to look for favours.
Mrs. Alberta Laryea-Djan, Head of the Women's Desk, commended the President for establishing the Ministry of Women's Affairs to enhance the rights and responsibilities of women.
She appealed to women to stop maltreating their house-helps and make them part of their family.
In a related development, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Thursday urged media heads to continue to give female journalists the chance to reach their efficiency equilibrium.
"Female journalists and other women in responsible positions do not deserve ordinary honour and respect. Rather they deserve fulsome praise and encouragement to attain greater heights," she said.
A statement issued and signed in Accra by Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie in connection with the International Women's Day celebration described female journalists as the focus of media attention as they take control of the essential gamut of newsgathering, processing and presentation.
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Government will make S&T bedrock of
development - Minister
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Professor Dominic K. Fobih, on Thursday stressed government's determination to make Science and Technology (S&T) the bedrock of the country's development, saying a solid foundation will be laid within the next four years.
In a speech read for him by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Edwin Barnes, the minister said the absence of a national policy document has over the years hampered the nation's drive in using science and technology to support development efforts.
"Now that we have evolved such a document, it is the intention of the present administration to ensure that the country moves forward using science and technology," he said.
The minister gave the assurance at a flag-raising ceremony at the stand of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as part of the on-going Indutech fair.
The ceremony was to expose to the public the research findings of the faculties, institutes, departments and schools of the KNUST.
Prof. Fobih said countries that have invested heavily in science and technology are enjoying a higher standard of living than others, which failed to do so.
"At the moment, Ghana can be described as one of the countries in the latter group with low level of investment in science and technology," he said.
Prof. Fobih lauded the university's decision to integrate herbal medicine in its academic programmes and expressed the hope that much more would be done to bring science and technology to bear on the life of the average Ghanaian.
He mentioned the inability of science and technology institutions to get the private sector to patronise their research findings as a major problem confronting them.
The Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, Professor John Sefa Ayim, said the university emphasises research and development and places a high premium on innovation and product development, which are key to the nation's industrialisation and economic survival.
"KNUST will continue to play this role in the industrialisation and economic survival of Ghana and its industries in the new competitive global market," he assured.
Prof. Ayim called for a greater collaboration between industries and the university so as to tap the knowledge and expertise of the professional researcher who can help to improve on the quality of their products and develop new ones at cheaper costs.
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British Minister
to visit Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March
2001
Mr Brian Wilson, British Minister
of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will pay a two-day visit to
Ghana from March 11-12, a statement from the British High Commission in Accra
said on Thursday.
The statement said he would meet
President John Agyekum Kufuor, members of the government and representatives
from the British Business Community.
Mr Wilson will also attend an
event to be held at the British Council to mark Commonwealth Day on March 12.
The statement said this would be
his first visit to Ghana and his second overseas visit as Minister of State at
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since his appointment in January this year.
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Victor Owusu sent to his hometown
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 March 2001
Mr Victor Owusu, 77, a veteran politician and statesman was on Thursday, sent from Kumasi to his hometown, Agona in the Afigya-Sekyere District of Ashanti for private interment at the Royal Nyaduam Mausoleum.
Thousands of mourners last night filled past the body, which was laid in state in a wine coloured casket placed on an erected platform decorated with national colours at the Prempeh Assembly Hall.
The body draped in a colourful rich Kente with a gold nugget stuck in his mouth to depict his stature as a member of the Royal Asinie Household of Agona Okomfo Anokye Amoampong.
The platform was surrounded with wreaths of all sizes from the government, New Patriotic Party (NPP), family, children, friends and two giant-size portraits of Mr Owusu.
Four officers of the Ghana Armed Forces formed the quarter guard while the Army and Ghana Police Service bands and a mass choir of the Kumasi Metropolis Christian Council of churches provided music.
Among the mourners was a government delegation led by Mr Samuel A. Odoi-Sykes, National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Akufo Addo, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The rest were Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Joseph B. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister and Mr Kwesi Akomea Kyeremateng, Member of Parliament for Afigya-Sekyere East.
Mr Odoi-Sykes in a tribute said Mr Owusu remained one of the pillars of the Danquah-Busia Tradition who campaigned against undemocratic and military dictatorship in the country.
He described him as a brilliant lawyer and a successful politician, who has been the brain behind most of the actions taken by the NPP.
The NPP National Chairman noted that Mr Owusu was not arrogant but had little patience for charlatans and cheats in society, adding that even when he was in
Britain he displayed exemplary excellence as a former MP for Agona-Kwabere and Minister of State.
Mr Boafo said Mr Owusu opposed and resisted all forms of dictatorial and tyrannical tendencies and believed in participatory democracy.
"It was, therefore, no wonder that he suffered and endured many political trials, detentions and persecutions when he became a player on the political arena in Ghana".
The Regional Minister observed that although Mr Owusu was no more, many young Ghanaians and posterity will look up to him as a model in the various roles he played in bringing about the present democratic dispensation Ghanaians are enjoying.
In a sermon, Right Reverend Daniel Yinka Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, said a legacy which the Mr Owusu left for Ghanaians was the sacrifice he made for the country's young democracy and Ghanaians yet unborn.
The body, which arrived in Kumasi by an Airforce plane in the afternoon of Wednesday, was sent to his private residence at Mbrom before being conveyed to the Prempeh Assembly Hall.
The final funeral rites are scheduled for Saturday, March 10 at the Kumasi Jackson's Park.
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Swiss government to establish plastic
recycling plant in Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Swiss government has donated a 10,000-dollar plastic recycling plant to Ghana for the conversion of plastic waste into rubber sandals.
The project, code-named "Plastic Free Accra", is to be undertaken in co-operation with the Wastes Management Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The Swiss Ambassador, Dr Peter A. Schweizer, announced this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in Accra.
"People, especially schoolchildren, would be encouraged to collect plastic waste for a fee for use by the plant," Dr Schweizer said, adding "every one kilogram of plastic waste brought would be adequately rewarded". Dr Schweizer said his government is also interested in a re-afforestation programme in Ghana.
This programme, he said, would involve the planting of trees by schoolchildren who would own it as their private property.
Prof. Fobih praised the Swiss government for these laudable projects, saying plastic waste has become a nuisance in recent years.
He said once some use has been found for this waste, it would no longer be a nuisance.
The Minister said when the re-afforestation programme takes off, adults and, especially the unemployed youth, would be encouraged to take part since they would end up owning some property, which could give them some monetary gains.
Prof. Fobih urged the ambassador to liase more frequently with his ministry since there are lots of areas where they two governments can co-operate.
"Ghana has a lot to learn from Switzerland, especially in environmental management practices," he stated.
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Serve nation by ensuring rule of law -
Quashie
Takoradi (Western Region) 09 March 2001
The national president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mr. Joseph Ebow Quashie, on Thursday urged lawyers to strive to serve the nation with renewed effort by ensuring that the rule of law and democracy are sustained in the country.
"Lawyers can make a better impact on the society and improve their image if they render selfless services to the society without necessarily thinking of the monetary gains," he added.
Mr. Quashie made these remarks at a meeting held with members of the Western Regional branch of the GBA by the national executives as part of their familiarisation tour of the regions.
He admonished the members to provide legal aid for clients who cannot afford their services as part of their community service.
"A tactical approach to issues, dedication and the desire to assist the poor in the administration of justice should be the primary goal in the years ahead," he added.
Mr Quashie appealed to lawyers to make the GBA strong by working hard and abiding by the ethics of the profession.
He hinted that the association had acquired a premises and asked members to contribute towards its upgrading and renovation by paying their dues and other financial commitments regularly.
He also disclosed that several committees had been introduced to promote efficiency in the legal profession to ward off intruders and impersonators.
Mr. Willie Ofori Boafo, Vice-President, Mr. Ayikoi Otoo, Secretary, Mr. Kwesi Cab-Addae, Public Relations Officer, Mr. Benson Nutsupki, Assistant Secretary, and Mr. Ishmael Tetteh, Assistant National PRO, accompanied Mr Quashie.
The delegation paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Mr. Justice S. K. Asiamah, and discussed issues relating to the administration of justice in the region.
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UNILEVER presents award to best journalist
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), on Thursday said the media and the private sector should work together for the effective development of the country.
"The media should work closely with the private sector in the golden age of private sector development," she said.
Mrs. Affenyi-Dadzie was speaking at ceremony at which UNILEVER Ghana limited presented a sponsorship package, valued at 54 million cedis to Mr Kweku Baako Junior, the GJA Best Journalist of 1999.
Under the package Mr Baako would undertake a four-week Advance Journalism Course at the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom.
The package is also made of a personal computer with complete accessories, a return ticket to the UK, accommodation, tuition and living allowance.
The GJA president also called for the repeal of laws inimical to the growth of the media.
Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the media should inform government and industry on issues so as to help them make informed decisions on current industrial and economic issues, such joining of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
She expressed appreciation to UNILEVER for the package and Expressed the hope that the course would sharpen he skills of the recipient.
Mr Norman Swanepoel, Human Resource Director of UNILEVER, said the company was proud to have been given the opportunity by the GJA to reward the best journalist.
He said the presentation is the company's mark of respect and appreciation for the role that the Ghanaian media is playing in the development of democracy.
Mr Swanepoel said although there have been excesses by journalists, the awareness they have created has generated debate to advance democracy.
He called on companies to cherish the quality in people and encourage the development of potentials adding that given the resources, exposure and encouragement the Ghanaian media would see a tremendous improvement.
Mr Kweku Baako, who thanked UNILEVER for the award, leaves for the United Kingdom on Saturday.
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Meteo forecasts normal-to-above-normal
rains
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 March 2001
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said on Thursday that it expects normal-to-above-normal rains this season.
The major rainy season for agricultural production will begin from March 9 to 16, the acting Director, Mr Franklin P. Mote, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
He said the first major rains are expected in the Zone "A", comprising Western, Central, Ashanti and Eastern regions. Parts of Volta region, from Ho south to Akatsi are also included in this zone, he said.
The seasonal forecast for the zone is normal to above normal.
Mr Mote said the onset of rains for Zone "B", the south-eastern part, starting from Cape Coast through Accra Plains to Keta, should be expected from March 16 to 28. The seasonal forecast should be normal.
He said farmers around the middle belt, or the area called the Zone "C" will have rains around the same time as the Accra Plains but the forecast in the zone is normal to above normal.
The northern part of the country in Zone " D", comprising the three northern regions should expect rains for planting to start between April 22 and 29, he said. The forecast is normal.
Mr Mote said all the rainfall onset dates could be plus or minus 10 days.
He added: "there would be some precipitation before these periods, which cannot be used for planting."
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