NDC deny wrong-doing in
payment of ex-gratia awards
Stop
bemoaning the nation's economy, TUC urges gov’t.
Government requested to
restore ESB
Drivers, hawkers clash over
control of Circle Lorry Park
GDP target is attainable if
- Appenteng
Water consumers reject
proposed tariff rise
NADMO officers and
Policeman run for dear life
Don't purchase premix fuel
above 7,550 cedis
Put your knowledge at
disposal of your country - Ohene
Top US military official to
visit Ghana
Ghanaians asked to take
advantage of HIPC initiative
Minister cautions public
about fake ECOWAS reps
NDC deny wrong-doing in
payment of ex-gratia awards
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday denied any wrong- doing in the administration and payment of ex-gratia awards to some specified political appointees including former President Jerry John Rawlings and his vice, Professor John Atta Mills.
"The payments of ex-gratia awards were made in accordance with the laid down procedures after the office of former Chief of staff had submitted to the Auditor-General for pre-audit a list of the specified officials and details of payments to be made," a statement signed by Mr Kwaku Baah, vice Chairman of the party explained in Accra.
The NDC, therefore, deplore the attempt to use payment of ex-gratia awards to drag the name and reputation of the former president and his vice and the party in general into disrepute and to create the necessary atmosphere for public ridicule and 'bash.'
Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister for Media Relations in a statement earlier claimed that the Auditor-General's office have detected some irregularity in the calculations of ex-gratia awards, adding that the affected persons have been asked to refund more than two billion cedis representing the difference in over-payment.
Mr. Baah noted that it was the same Auditor-General whose pre-audit report the ministry of finance based its recommendation for the payment by the Controller and Accountant-General.
He explained that the Accountant-General consequently caused the money to be transferred into the appropriate account at the office of the chief of staff to enable the individual cheques to be issued to the beneficiaries.
The NDC vice chairman said, "it is, therefore, wrong for the NPP administration to blame the former Chief of Staff for an alleged non-payment of tax on payments passed by the Auditor-General who has statutory responsibility to pre-audit all such payments."
There was transparency on the part of the former chief of staff and the appropriate procedures were dully followed and, therefore, question the bases of the so-called errors.
The NDC expressed its apprehension about the procedure adopted by the present Chief of Staff, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and the NPP administration for prosecuting the former administration in the media before allowing it to respond to allegations levelled against it.
The NDC noted that Mr Obetsebi Lamptey last Friday drew the attention of the former Chief of Staff to an alleged error in the calculation of ex-gratia awards, ostensibly to create the opportunity for all the interested parties to discuss the anomalies claimed to have been detected including the list of eligible beneficiaries.
"We are surprised at the statement by the Minister for Media Relations, claiming that there has not been any feedback from those directed to pay back the monies, when none of the beneficiaries has received any formal correspondence on the disputed matter apart from a draft forwarded to the former Chief of Staff for his comments."
The NDC, therefore, view the surreptitiously leak to the media and the sudden directive ordering a refund of the so-called excess payments "as not only arbitrary but one more devious ploy to create an impression of wrong-doing on the part of NDC and thus provide fresh ammunition for orchestrated attack on the party."
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Stop
bemoaning the nation's economy, TUC urges gov’t.
Tamale (Northern Region) 14 March 2001
The Trades Union
Congress (TUC) has called on government to stop bemoaning the state of Ghana's
economy and instead speed up procedures towards revising the current minimum
wage.
"Life must go on
for workers. But with all these increases on the way, we cannot continue to go
on", said Mr Kofi Asamoah, Deputy General Secretary (Operations) of the
TUC.
Mr. Asamoah was
referring to the increase in petroleum prices and the resultant increase in the
prices of other goods and services, which he said, "has eroded the
February salaries of workers".
He was speaking at an
executive committee meeting of the Northern Regional Council Labour of the TUC
in Tamale on Tuesday.
Mr. Asamoah said while
workers are aware of the economic quagmire into which Ghana has sunk, they also
realise that: "it is a fact of life that when one inherits something, he
inherits its liabilities as well."
He therefore, appealed
to government not only to quicken the revision of the minimum wage for workers
but also to de-freeze their end-of-service benefits and re-introduce leave
allowances.
He said if top former
government officials still needed an End-of-Service Benefit (ESB) after their
term of office, "then what can be said of the numerous retired poor
workers, who enjoyed no privileges at all while rendering service to the
country."
Mr. Asamoah said the
standard of living of retired Ghanaian workers has deteriorated because of the
freeze on ESB's while most workers can no longer visit their villages because
of the consolidation of leave allowances.
Mr. James Herbet
Anquandah, Acting Head of Organisation, Department of the TUC, decried the lukewarm
attitude of the youth towards the Congress's activities.
He suggested that the
Union should make deliberate efforts at whipping up their interest.
Mr. Anquandah suggested
that final year students of Polytechnics and the Universities be invited to attend
trade union meetings while lectures should be conducted to educate them on the
TUC.
Mr Freeman Laweh
Daniel, Chairman of the Northern Regional Council of Labour of the TUC, called
on government to take a critical look at the present benefit schemes of the
Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Mr Daniel said it was
necessary to review the benefit schemes because what retired workers take as
lump sum benefits and monthly pension are "nothing good to write home
about."
He assured government
that workers would support any austerity economic policies and programmes that
it would undertake to better the lot of Ghanaians.
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Government requested to
restore ESB
Takoardi (Western Region) 14 March 2001
The Sekondi-Takoradi District Council of Labour (STDCL) on Tuesday called on the government to re-introduce End of Service Benefits (ESB) and also determine a minimum wage for workers.
This followed a consensus reached by members of the association at a meeting at Takoradi.
They said the suggestion if adhered to will assist in reducing the financial constraints facing workers and thereby enabling them to meet the rising cost of living coupled with high cost of transportation.
The meeting again appealed to the government to convene a national conference to critically debate the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, before its acceptance and implementation.
Additionally, " Government should not tell the people about the advantages of HIPC alone, but economic experts should explain its implications."
They called on the security agencies to increase their night patrols and ensure that the crime wave, especially armed robbery and serial killing of women are stopped.
Members also appealed to trustees of the Labour Enterprises Trust (LET) to initiate measures to generate enough capital for investment and thereby create jobs for the youth.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor returned home from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Tuesday after a two-day visit at the invitation of President Blaise Compaore.
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Foreign Minster and some officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied President Kufuor.
Briefing journalists, the Foreign Minister said the two leaders held discussions on matters of mutual concern in the West Africa sub-region, especially economic issues.
The Ghana-Burkina Faso joint commission, which has been dormant, will be resuscitated.
The commission, which is expected to hold its first meeting next month, will dilate on energy, agriculture, scientific research, custom harmonisation, security and border issues.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the two leaders also discussed how to resolve the problems of the Mano River area and proposals for African Union.
He said President Kufuor met with the Ghanaian community where he briefed them on the current situation in Ghana and advised them to be law abiding.
Mr. Abedi Ayew Pele, who was part of the delegation, said he took the opportunity to hold discussion with President Compaore on how best to eradicate polio on the continent.
"As UN goodwill ambassador on polio, I have been soliciting support from African leaders to assist eradicate polio from the continent."
Mr. Ayew said they also discussed sports, especially soccer and how to encourage the younger generation to be committed to their countries in sports.
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Drivers, hawkers clash
over control of Circle Lorry Park
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
A prompt police intervention on Tuesday prevented what could have been a nasty clash between drivers and hawkers at the renovated lorry park of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
Police from the Kaneshie District and the Striking Force responded when they were called in to avert further clashes.
Two people sustained injuries during the fighting, which followed a directive by the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) to the drivers to take charge of the park at the end of the renovation works.
Eyewitnesses told the Ghana News Agency that the hawkers, who had occupied almost the entire station during the renovation, rejected demands by the drivers to remove their wares for them to demarcate the station.
They said the drivers then started destroying the tables and wares of the hawkers and beat up those who resisted.
The hawkers staged a demonstration against the drivers accusing them of trying to deny them their livelihood.
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GDP target is attainable
if - Appenteng
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
Dr George Appenteng, Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Analysis (IEA), on Tuesday said the four per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate set in the 2001 budget could be attained if the government is able to maintain projected growth rate in other sectors.
In an interview with the GNA on the 2001 budget, Dr Appenteng said the projected growth rate is based on certain assumptions, which must be pursued vigorously.
Some of the assumptions, he said, are for the government to develop the agricultural sector, which yields about 36 per cent of the GDP and to ensure that projected inflows in the form of grants come in.
The services sector should grow and undertake more activities in the trade, commerce and tourism sub-sectors as a way of moving the economy forward.
The GDP growth rate for 2000 was 3.7 per cent, which was 1.3 per cent less than the projected five per cent.
This has been attributed to macro economic instability, which saw inflation move from about 13 per cent at close of 1999 to about 40 per cent, one of highest in recent years.
Dr Appenteng said: "This is the first budget by the new government and for the first time, the budget tried to reduce expenditure as against what pertained in last year's expenditure levels.
"This has the possibility to narrow the budget deficit and could have a profound impact on the whole economy by reducing inflation and interest rates."
He said a reduction in expenditure has many implications for the economy, one of which is for the private sector to borrow at lower interest rates to undertake expansion activities.
On the establishment of a Business Investment Institution for small and medium scale business, Dr Appenteng said the budget did not elaborate on how such a body would operate.
He emphasised the need to streamline the National Board for Small Scale Industries under the new establishment to perform better.
Dr Appenteng welcomed the reduction in corporate tax and said it would give a lot of advantages to the business community.
The reduction in tax by 2.5 per cent would enable the business community to have more cash flow to reinvest and expand their businesses.
He lauded the tax break incentive for the low-income bracket but said that this can only be achieved if government is able to generate enough revenue to replace what would be lost.
Mr Ekow Afedzi, Marketing Manager of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), described the reduction in corporate tax as a move in the right direction.
He said the impact of the 2.5 per cent tax reduction for the small business may not be much. However, for the bigger corporate bodies, the reduction would constitute a large margin and would serve as an incentive for both companies listed and those yet to list on the exchange.
Mr. Ato Simpson, a Financial Analyst with Empretec Ghana Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that assists small and medium scale businesses technically and financially, however, said the four per cent GDP target is ambitious.
He said he hoped that efforts would be made to create macro economic stability to achieve the growth.
Mr. Simpson described the budget as "quite comprehensive" and said he hoped the private sector would benefit from the new environment, improved legal system and a co-ordinated effort by the new ministry for private sector development which would be a one-stop shop.
He also expressed the hope that government would pursue measures that would promote a savings culture.
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Water consumers reject
proposed tariff rise
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
Participants at a public forum to discuss proposed increases in water tariffs on Tuesday tasked the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to ensure efficiency in its operations rather than burden the consumers with huge tariffs increases.
They said that the tariff proposals are without merit, considering the poor service delivery.
Participants cited leakage, illegal connections, dry taps and the loss of over 50 per cent of water as some of the inefficiencies. They said when these are removed the company would operate at an optimum level and save the public such huge tariff increases.
GWCL has proposed over 300 per cent increase in water tariffs, citing huge operational costs and the rapid depreciation of the cedi as reasons.
The proposed tariff will raise the price of a bucket of water from 24 cedis to about 100 cedis.
The public hearings organised by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) are a mandatory prerequisite and provide the Commission with the opportunity to receive inputs from various stakeholders before it approves tariffs.
Mr Joseph Atopley, TUC Deputy General Secretary, said while conceding that the GWCL needs to charge economic rates to enable it to provide good and efficient services, consumers are not to blame for the harsh macro-economic instability that is the main cause of the problem.
"It will, therefore, be inappropriate to pass on the full effects of government's fiscal and monetary policies to consumers, more so, when the commodity in question is so essential," he said.
Mr. Atopley said giving the low level of incomes and a large number of the population who do not have access to potable water, the increases in water tariffs from 500 cedis to 5,500 cedis for 0-10,000 litres and 1,400 cedis to 7,750 for 11,000-40,000 litres are unreasonable.
He said the proposed increases are based on the desire of the company to achieve eight per cent rate of returns, based on replacement costs of its re-valued assets.
"We should be realistic in determining the rate of investment especially when we are dealing with a monopoly which provides an essential commodity like water."
Mr. Atopley said under such circumstances and the nature of the commodity a zero rate of return should be the ideal to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to potable water.
He recommended to PURC to approve tariffs that will enable the GWCL to operate at a positive rate of return, saying that the time is not ripe for eight per cent rate of return.
"The eight per cent rate of return can be granted when the social and economic conditions return to normal," Mr Atopley added.
Similar presentations from the Ghana Consumer Association reiterated the need for utility companies to ensure efficiency in their operations, adding that the current rate will be beyond the reach of many consumers and perpetuate poverty, especially in the rural communities.
The Acting Managing Director of GWC, Mr Jonathan Nunoo told the forum that the increases, though short of an economic tariff regime, are necessary to enable the company to improve on its services to meet customers' expectations.
Nana (Dr) S.K.B. Asante, Chairman of PURC, said PURC works to establish a tariff regime that will encourage investment flows.
However, it will also protect the interest of customers so as to ensure that they pay fair prices for services provided without funding waste on the part of GWCL and its future private partners.
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NADMO officers and
Policeman run for dear life
Nkoranza (Brong Ahafo) 14 March 2001
Mr. Jojo Arko-Dontoh, Nkoranza District Director of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and two others fled into the bush for dear life when hunters they had attempted to stop from going on a group hunting expedition threatened to kill them.
Mr. Arko-Dontoh, Mr Roger Gyimah of the District NADMO Office and Police Corporal Obiri Arhin had gone to stop an urvan bus in which about 30 hunters were travelling to Ayerede, an area rich in animals, to hunt for game.
The Police told the Ghana News Agency that the NADMO officers and Corporal Obiri-Arhin went to stop the hunters following a tip-off because the District Assembly had passed a bylaw banning group hunting.
When they spotted the vehicle carrying the hunters they signalled to the driver, who stopped, but the hunters aimed their guns at the three and threatened to shoot them and they had to flee into the bush.
Meanwhile the driver of the bus, Yaw Owusu, for usually carrying group hunters on expeditions has been arrested and is assisting the Police to identify those involved.
Group hunting has been identified as one of the major causes of bush fires that destroy villages and farms in the area annually.
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Don't purchase premix fuel
above 7,550 cedis
Accra (Accra) 14 March 2001
The secretariat of Premix fuel administration and distribution on Tuesday asked fishermen not to purchase the fuel above the stipulated price of 7,550 cedis per gallon.
It also warned retail outlets to stick to the stipulated price saying any retail outlet that flouts the order would be severely dealt with.
A statement signed by Mr. Reginald Niibi Ayi-Bonte, Chairman at the Premix Fuel Secretariat said the government, in pursuance of its policy to promote growth in the fisheries sector, subsidises the product heavily and would not countenance diversion and arbitrary price increases to the detriment of fishermen.
It said defaulters would be severely dealt with, including prosecution, and asked chief fishermen to ensure that the fuel is sold only to fishermen.
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Put your knowledge at
disposal of your country - Ohene
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
Ghanaians who travel outside the country must ensure that the knowledge they acquire is eventually made available to the country, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Media Relations said in Accra on Tuesday.
She said at a press briefing to outline preparations for the "Homecoming Summit" that it is tragic that people feel alienated from the home that made them.
The Summit initiated by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre will be on the theme: "Harnessing the global Ghanaian resource potential for accelerated national development."
She said it is crucial at this time for Ghanaians abroad to come back home and use the knowledge they have acquired.
Ms Ohene said government intends to reverse the trend of Ghanaians going abroad to seek greener pastures, many of who decide to make such places their permanent abode.
"Government will lend its full support to this summit because Ghanaians abroad have a mass of talent and expertise that will benefit the nation," she said.
"It will be a good thing for them to come with their criticisms, ideas and money, of course, to build the country."
She welcomed the programme, saying, "it could not have come at any better time when we have a new atmosphere in the country."
Ghanaians abroad are estimated to contribute about 300 to 400 million dollars into the Ghanaian economy at an informal level to their relatives and creation of businesses. This makes the group the fourth highest foreign exchange resource.
Mr. Emmanuel M. Gyasi, Acting Chief Executive of GIPC, said the Summit is to create a platform that allows for a continuous dialogue and opportunity for Ghanaians abroad to interact with their country in purposeful, productive and mutually beneficial ways.
He said the process is also to initiate a process of renewal of confidence in the country of Ghanaians living abroad.
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Top US military official
to visit Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
United States Airforce General Joseph W. Ralston, Commander-in-Chief of the United States European Command (EUCOM) will visit Ghana on Thursday, March 15.
A statement by the Public Relations Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces on Tuesday, said General Ralston would hold separate talks with key political and military leaders as part of the visit.
General Ralston, who is also the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, will be the highest-ranking officer from the US to visit Ghana.
As part of his duties, General Ralston has responsibility for Africa, as his command. EUCOM is responsible for the activities of all US Army, Navy, Airforce and Marine Corps Forces operating within its area of responsibility in Africa, Europe and the Middles East.
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Ghanaians asked to take
advantage of HIPC initiative
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, on Tuesday defended the government's decision to opt for the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative and urged Ghanaians to take advantage of it so as to derive maximum benefits.
He said government considered all the merits of the initiative before going for it and what Ghanaians need to do is to think about the gains and make it a success.
Dr Nduom was speaking at the opening of a three-day workshop organised for about 40 participants from the ministries, government departments, donor agencies and civil society organisations to harmonise strategies and develop a national document for poverty reduction.
He said HIPC has assumed great significance in developing countries' efforts at debt reduction and its acceptance satisfies in a way the insistence of the countries' development partners to have debt reduction guidelines and strategies.
Dr Nduom said the government consulted a number of people before taking the decision to go HIPC.
Dr Nduom said any strategy to reduce poverty must take into account current critical problems of debt management, fiscal discipline, food production and long-term capital for small and medium-scale enterprises.
He called for concrete steps to be taken to make the private sector a growth agent to promote sustainable economic growth for wealth creation and distribution.
Mr. Nduom underscored the need to provide financial resources to diversify the rural economy. This includes the development of agro-industries and the reformation of land administration.
The Minister urged the participants to consider the cost of the implementation of the strategy as well as how to raise money to pay for it.
Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural
Development, said a lot of duplication of efforts exists in poverty reduction organisations and asked them to co-ordinate their activities and formalise discussions on the issue.
Mr Wiredu said the time has come for the country to move from generalities to specific issues on whether to raise taxes, increase the VAT rate to 15 per cent or to raise more loans to finance development.
Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), said activities such as "galamsey", hunting by bush burning and waste management problems are a result of poverty. Thus, any attempt to address issues of the environment must raise first the economic wealth of the people and reduce poverty.
He said MEST is encouraging the rural folk to process and add value to their products.
MEST is also collaborating with the Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology (GRATIS) in developing a technology to increase cocoa yields.
Prof. Fobih said many of the research findings in science and technology end up on shelves and called for effective collaboration and communication between research institutions and industries. There should also be capacity building and change in attitude to facilitate the adoption of research findings.
Mr. Peter Harrold, World Bank Resident Director in Ghana, said the HIPC initiative reinforces and is fundamentally designed to address a cardinal requirement of the development partners.
He called for consensus building on the initiative and pledged continued support of the donor community to the nation in her efforts at debt reduction.
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Minister cautions public
about fake ECOWAS reps
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 March 2001
Dr. Kwesi Ndoum, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation on Tuesday cautioned the public not to engage in any financial transactions with any group or organisations parading as agents and representatives of ECOWAS.
He further warned that ECOWAS has not authorised any agents to carry out any business on its behalf and therefore their activities are illegal.
A statement signed by Mr. Kofi Nyantakyi, Head of the Public Affairs Directorate, advised the general public to report such persons to the appropriate authorities, should they be approached for any business transactions.
The statement said anyone in doubt about the authenticity of any business transaction connected with the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat could immediately contact the ECOWAS Secretariat at info @ ecowasmail. net
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