Arkaah will stay in hospital for sometime -
sources
Consider 20 per cent position of DEC's for
women – FIDA
IEA holds discussion on the 2001 budget
French, US envoys call on Defence Minister
Regional Minister seeks out of court
settlement of disputes
Over 100 irresponsible fathers sent to
Social Welfare
Media Commission expresses concern about
"intemperate language"
Alien herdsmen are
back in their numbers in upper West
Caretakers blame "Asee ho!" for
hike in toilet fees
Ghana needs to find other source of
petroleum – Minister
Resuscitate the Wenchi Tomato Factory -
Adjei-Yeboah
Minority wants portions of budget withdrawn
Mother of triplets appeals for assistance
Ghana has potential to produce sufficient
rice – Researcher
TDCL suggests amendment of draft Labour Bill
Man shot dead in
bulletproof test
Arkaah will stay in hospital for sometime -
sources
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
Former Vice President Kow Nkensen Arkaah, who has been hospitalised following a motor accident, will remain in hospital for sometime,
Sources at the 37 Military Hospital where Mr Arkaah is, said he will remain there even though his condition has stabilised and he is not in danger.
The sources said he has been responding to treatment. He is at the intensive care unit mainly because of his age but gave no more details.
Meanwhile Mr Kwesi Amoah, a 24-year-old shoe dealer, who was knocked down by Mr Arkaah's car, has been discharged from the same hospital.
Mr Arkaah was involved the accident last Monday near his residence at East Cantonment whilst returning from Winneba, his hometown.
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Consider 20 per cent position of DEC's for
women – FIDA
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) on Wednesday called on the NPP government to consider at least 20 per cent of the 110 District Chief Executive (DCE) posts for women.
FIDA "urges President John Agyekum Kufuor to exercise his prerogative under Article 243(1) and 242(d) of the 1992 constitution to appoint more women on merits for the DEC's and as assembly members."
Ms Gloria Ofori-Boadu, FIDA Executive Director told the Ghana News Agency in Accra, that "there exist a large number of competent, qualified and efficient women in the country who have demonstrated considerably leadership in both formal and informal organisations and still have a lot to offer the nation."
She said unless the President exercise a positive action to appoint such women to public offices the nation would continue to lose their contributions because of discriminatory attitudes, negative perceptions and social norms, and the unequal power relations of men and women.
Ms Ofori-Boadu explained that "the appointment of at least 20 percent women DEC's and about 12 percent of the government's 30 percent appointees to the district assemblies would enhance transparency and accountability at the local levels of governance."
This, she believed, would translate into the main stream politics positively as women would be groomed through the district levels to embrace national politics for the development of democracy in the country.
She said "our democracy must develop totally through the involvement of both women and men together, as male or women dominated society cannot be described as democratic."
The FIDA Executive Director stressed that the time to act is now, and called on the ministers of Local Government and Rural Development, and Women Affairs to personally ensure that women are dully represented at the districts assemblies.
Ms Ofori-Boadu stated that "the involvement of women in decision-making and public office is essential for the achievement of both transparent and accountable government and administration for sustainable development in all sphere of life."
Meanwhile the Federation has expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of commitment of the government in the budget statement on issue of maternal mortality even though the NPP manifesto expressed the intention to reduce mortality by 50 percent.
FIDA said complications related to pregnancy and childbirth continue to rank among the leading causes of mortality among women in the country.
"The high incidence of maternal deaths deprives families, communities and the nation of the contribution women in their productive years," the federation noted.
FIDA, therefore, called on the government to support and implement policies aimed at reducing maternal mortality with particular attention to the provision of affordable and high quality maternal and emergency obstetric care services.
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IEA holds discussion on the 2001 budget
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
Ghana needs to fashion its poverty reduction strategy in a manner that will enhance investments in productive activities and reduce the emphasis on the provision of social services so as to encourage growth in the economy.
She must also ensure that loans and grants that accrue to the government are not used to fund recurrent expenditure but are also ploughed back in productive sectors of the economy, participants at a preliminary round table discussion on the year 2001 budget statement presented to Parliament on March 9 have suggested.
This will enable the country to lay a solid foundation for any economic take-off to ensure a sustainable development.
The forum, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs, was to enable the public to make inputs to give direction to discussions on the budget by members of Parliament.
Mr S.K. Apea, a fellow of the Institute said information on certain aspects of the budget was scanty and incomplete, although there are firm indications that it would be revised in six months.
He said the hint on the development of a five-year plan is indicative of the government desire to fashion out a new economic blue print which goals will be more tenable, saying most of the targets of the Vision 2020 document were not attained.
Mr Apea wondered how the government can get the huge grants flow estimated in the budget, when it is aware of donor fatigue and the inability of the past government to attract donor inflows last year.
On the balance of payment, he said it would be difficult for the government to move from a deficit of 194 million dollars to 165.7 million, saying that the figure was an over estimation and much will depend on the goodwill of the donors.
Mr Apea called for the co-operation between the government and the Bank of Ghana to ensure harmony between fiscal and monetary policies to give impetus to the growth of the private sector.
He said there is the need to focus more on the non-traditional export sector through support for the sector, adding that though much was done in the past there was lack of political will to push decisions forward.
Mr Apea feared that the proposed 15 per cent reconstructive tax on the profits of the banks and its component two percent on companies may have a negative impact on the economy and scare away potential investors to the country and endanger employment opportunities.
Professor Benjamin Armah said although the projected growth rate of four per cent it was realistic considering the current economic situations that the country finds itself in at the present.
He wondered if the lowering of the value added tax threshold from 200 million to 100 million cedis would be cost effective since it will mean the commitment of more resources and personnel the cost, which might outweigh the gains.
Mr Armah said the increase in the production of cocoa will in the long-run is counter productive in the view of the falling prices of commodities in the world market.
Mr John Mahama, a former minister of communications, said conscious efforts must be made to ensure the marketing of agriculture produce to reduce cross border trade.
Mrs Grace Coleman, Deputy Finance Minister designate said the 15 per cent tax on banks would not impact negatively on the economy.
She said the lowering of the VAT threshold was to enable more traders who are outside the tax net to begin to pay tax.
Prof. Asenso Okyere said there is the need to re-think the structure of the economy to stop the over-reliance on cocoa, gold and few other commodities for the country's foreign exchange earnings.
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French, US envoys call on Defence Minister
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The Ministry of Defence has called for French assistance to set up an Emergency Ambulance Service at the 37 Military Hospital to serve Accra.
Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, made the request when the French Ambassador, Mr Jean-Michel Derrit paid a courtesy call on him at Burma Camp in Accra.
A statement issued by the Armed Forces Public Relations Directorate, quoted the Minister as saying that the request, based humanitarian grounds, would serve to close the gap between Ghana and her French-speaking neighbours and as a gesture of France's objective at sub-regional integration.
While acknowledging France's assistance in the development of the country, Dr Addo Kufuor called for more French support in the form of infrastructure development.
Mr Derrit commended Ghana's role to bring peace into the West Africa sub-region and her efforts at peace keeping through the establishment of the Kofi Annan International Peace- Keeping Training Centre.
"Ghana and France can therefore co-operate in peace keeping training within the sub-regional framework of stability and peace."
In another development, Mr Dennis Mathieu, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, also called on the minister and discussed bilateral military co-operation between the armed forces of Ghana and United States.
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Regional Minister seeks out of court
settlement of disputes
Ho (Volta Region) 15 March 2001
Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, on Wednesday promised to confer with chiefs to explore ways of settling the numerous chieftaincy and land disputes in the region, out of court.
He said this would prevent the backlash, bitterness and acrimony, which often ensue after court decisions that make only one party victorious.
Mr Owusu-Yeboa was speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, who called at his office to formally welcome him as regional minister.
"I myself have been involved in some of the cases as Counsel and would work with you to see if solution could be found amicably," he said.
He said the role chiefs play in national development is significant and pledged to support them in promoting unity in the region.
"I will do my best to enable you fulfil the statutory functions assigned to you as partners in development. You should see yourselves as an integral part of the administration of the country," Mr Owusu-Yeboa stated.
He said there are bound to be disagreements in methods and procedures in tackling issues but it should not divide the people.
Mr Owusu-Yeboa told the chiefs that "as fathers, we look up to you for uniting all of us".
Togbe Dagadu VII, Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area and President of the Regional House of Chiefs, who led the delegation, asked the minister to pursue policies that would create cordial atmosphere for chiefs and District Chief Executives (DCEs) to work together for the development of the region.
He expressed regret that in the past major decisions affecting certain areas were taken by local government officials without the knowledge of chiefs.
Togbe Dagadu also called on the Regional Minister to help rectify the omission of one of the chiefs proposed for elevation to paramount status.
Other chiefs in the delegation were Togbe Adjatekpor VI, Osie of Avatime, Nana Aburam Akpandja IV, Paramount Chief of Buem Traditional Area, Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area and Togbe Keteku Asamoa, "Asafofia" of Ho-Bankoe.
Nana Akpandja called for the early completion of the Kpando- Dambai- Kete-Krachi road.
Togbe Keteku Asamoa urged the Minister to facilitate the payment of compensation to persons whose buildings have been marked for demolition to pave way for the rehabilitation of roads in the Ho Township.
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Wa (Upper West) 15 March 2001
The Wa Police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Naro, a farming community near Wa, for allegedly clubbing his father to death.
A release from the Upper West Regional Police Command said the suspect, Mr Tizzakye Dakora, who is believed to be a lunatic, on March 5 without any provocation smashed his fathers head with a piece of wood while he was sleeping.
The release said the suspect lived in the same house with his late father Mr Awulee Paalma but sleep in a different room.
It said the deceased in the evening of March 4 decided to sleep in the compound of the house because it was very warm.
While Mr Paalma was sleeping, Dakora came out from his room, took a piece of wood and clubbed the father to death.
Even though the deceased screamed for help the suspect managed to bolt away but he was arrested the next day.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been released for burial after an autopsy at the Wa Regional Hospital. The suspect would be arraigned soon.
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Over 100 irresponsible fathers sent to
Social Welfare
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 15 March 2001
One hundred and nineteen women in the Upper East Region reported their husbands to the Social Welfare Department last year for shirking their paternal responsibilities.
Mr John Ansundem, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, who made this known in an interview with the GNA in Bolgatanga on Wednesday, said 144 of such problems, often referred to as maintenance cases, were reported in 1999.
He explained that many of the men, who refuse to perform their paternal responsibilities are usually involved with other women and spend much of their money and time with mistresses rather than their families.
Others too, he said, get fed up with their wives and leave all their responsibilities to them due to petty marriage problems.
The Regional Director said it was surprising that some educated men think that they have the right to treat their children anyhow they like, such as refusing to pay their school fees, clothing or even feeding them.
Mr Ansundem said 26 out of 31 paternity cases that were reported to his office last year were successfully settled with the couples reconciling, while 20 out of 25 similar cases in 1999 were reconciled.
He said some disputes arise due to ignorance on the part of couples and that with intervention and education they easily reconcile with each other.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
A new International Cocoa Agreement was concluded on March 2, at the end of the second session of the United Nations Cocoa Conference, held under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
The five-year agreement, with the option of extension for two periods not exceeding two cocoa years each, will come into force on January 1, 2002, according to a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday by Mr Sam Appah, Acting Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board.
It will be the successor to the 1993 International Cocoa Agreement that expires at the end of September.
The statement said the agreement, which will promote international co-operation among producing and consuming countries, includes a number of new objectives.
These are promoting cocoa consumption, providing a forum for the private sector, encouraging members to develop a sustainable cocoa economy and preparation of projects to the benefit of the world cocoa economy.
The statement said a new article on promotion establishes a Promotion Committee of all members of the organisation, and with provision for contributions pledged by members, non-members, the private sector, and other interested organisations to finance promotion programmes.
The statement said four new articles formalise the involvement of the private sector in the work of the organisation.
It said participation will take the form of a Consultative Board composed of experts from across the cocoa sector, including trade and industry associations, national and regional cocoa producer and exporter organisations, and cocoa research institutes.
The Consultative Board will serve the ICCO in an advisory capacity, identifying threats to supply and demand, proposing action to meet the challenges, and facilitating the exchange of information on production, consumption and stocks.
The statement said even though the agreement does not have economic mechanisms, such as production quotas, buffer stock, and/or other price support mechanisms, it creates a new market committee, which will monitor market developments, identify market imbalances and obstacles to consumption.
It will also examine annual production and consumption forecasts on the basis of which exporting members may undertake to co-ordinate their national production policies.
The statement said the agreement has an article on substitutes that acknowledges producers' concerns that their use may have negative effects on the expansion of cocoa consumption, and the development of a sustainable cocoa economy.
It said the market committee shall assess the situation and if necessary make recommendations to the council for appropriate decisions.
The statement said the agreement will only enter into force on January 1, 2002 if by that date Governments representing at least five exporting countries accounting for at least 80 per cent of the total exports and governments representing importing countries having at least 60 per cent of total exports have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or have notified the depository that they will apply the agreement provisionally when it enters into force.
The statement said the agreement will be open for signature at the UN Headquarters, which acts as depository, on May 1, 2001.
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Media Commission expresses concern about
"intemperate language"
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The National Media Commission (NMC) said on Wednesday that it is concerned about the "intemperate language" and publication of "unsubstantiated facts and highly exaggerated stories" in the media.
A statement issued in Accra by the chairman of the NMC, Mr Nutifafa Kuenyehia, said members of the commission at a meeting in Accra on Tuesday also noted with concern certain advertisements on radio and television which seem to glorify alcohol and are broadcast at inappropriate times of the day.
"Members expressed concern about this unhealthy situation which is likely to undermine the development of free, responsible and pluralistic mass media," the statement said.
The statement cited no examples.
The NMC members noted that such unprofessional practices have become an embarrassment to the commission and the individuals about whom such false or negative reports are made.
The statement said members indicated that though journalists and the media generally are free to offer any opinions, "they must be circumspect in the use of language and presentation of opinions as facts."
"The media must equally refrain from passing judgement on issues under investigation and, instead, make efforts to thoroughly investigate all stories and contact their subject matter before publication."
The NMC said in certain circumstances, media discussions, especially those involving phone-ins, degenerate into personal attacks while the hosts seem lost and unable to determine the focus of discussions.
"It was felt that hosts of radio and television programmes must be knowledgeable and exert their influence to ensure informed debate on issues.
"Callers or contributors who appear to lack basic knowledge of the topics under discussion must be politely but firmly turned down."
The statement said the NMC also stressed the need for the media to strike a balance between commercialisation and public service in the dissemination of advertisement so as not to pervert the morality of the people.
It asked those in the electronic media to inform themselves about the NMC's Guidelines on the national Media Policy and Broadcasting Standards, which would in due course be passed into legislation.
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Alien herdsmen
are back in their numbers in upper West
Wa (Upper West) 15 March 2001
Barely a year after "Operation
Cow Leg II" was instituted to flush out alien Fulani herdsmen in the Upper
West Region, almost all of them are back in the region and carrying out their
normal destructive activities.
GNA's investigations revealed that
while most of them have returned to the region with their own cattle others
have been hired by Ghanaian cattle owners.
The investigations also revealed
that, towns in the eastern part of the Wa District including Funsi, Buffiama,
Kojokperi and Yala, Sissala and Jirapa/Lambussie districts have experienced an
influx of the alien Fulani herdsmen.
Apart from rustling the cattle of
the indigenous people, the alien Fulanis are allegedly destroying farms,
forests and water sources.
Some of them have allegedly
resumed their normal bad practices of raping women, which led to their
expulsion a year ago.
Confirming the allegations, a
member of the Upper West Regional Operation Cowleg II, who pleaded anonymity,
said the number of Fulani herdsmen currently in the region is more than those
that were expelled during the operation.
The member attributed the
situation to lack of clear-cut policy on alien herdsmen and poor security at
the region's borders with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Cote D'Ivoire.
He called on the government "to
come out with a policy on the alien herdsmen, who have been a thorn in our
flesh over the years".
The member also called on the
government to impose heavy taxes on their cattle to deter others from operating
illegally in the country.
Meanwhile GNA's investigations at
the regional office of the Ghana Immigration Services revealed that no Fulani
has applied to that office for an official resident permit.
Apart from the fact that the
Fulani herdsmen have come back with their families others have even gone ahead
to put up their own structures without any permission, a source close to the
GIS told the GNA.
The source said an oversight task
force has been formed to carry out a mopping up exercise by the end of March.
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Caretakers blame "Asee ho!" for
hike in toilet fees
Wa (Upper West) 15 March 2001
There is public outcry in the Wa township over arbitrary increase in toilet fees from 50 cedis to 100 cedis by private caretakers of public toilets, who are allegedly blaming the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the cause.
Some residents told newsmen on Wednesday that the fees were increased on Sunday and when they complained they were told by the caretakers that it was their reward for the victory of "Asee ho"!
A resident, Mr Ahmed Abu alleged that the behaviour of the caretakers, who he said were all National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathisers and operatives, is an attempt to discredit the new government.
Meanwhile, Mr Clement Dombo, Wa District Co-ordinating Director, has ordered the caretakers to revert to the old fee immediately.
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Ghana needs to find other source of
petroleum – Minister
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy on Wednesday said until Ghana is able to find indigenous sources of petroleum, an expanded consumption of petroleum products would require larger budgetary allocations to the detriment of other sectors.
Launching the Energy and Environmental Conservation (EECO) Clubs in Ghana at the Teachers' Hall in Accra, Mr Kan-Dapaah said: "Whichever form and from whichever source we obtain energy for our development, Ghanaians would have to face two major options."
The first option is the provision of additional generation facilities, more imports of petroleum products and more production of wood fuels with the inevitable implications of foreign exchange commitments, environmental hazards and high cost to the consumer.
The other option, he said, is the adoption of measures that will increase productivity and efficiency of the current energy resources.
EECO Club, initiated by the Energy Foundation, is on a pilot basis in five schools -- Kanda Cluster of Schools, All Saints Anglican Basic school, Tema Saint Paul's Preparatory School, Martyrs of Uganda Basic school and Soul Clinic International School.
The clubs are to raise awareness about energy and environmental conservation in Schools.
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Resuscitate the Wenchi Tomato Factory -
Adjei-Yeboah
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
Mr Andrews Adjei-Yeboah, Member of Parliament for Tano South, on Wednesday called for the resuscitation of the Wenchi Tomato Factory to save farmers from undue exploitation by market queens.
He said farmers in his constituency and other parts of the region are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and the absence of a ready market for their produce is a disincentive to productivity.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah told the GNA in an interview that market queens, who go to the area to buy tomatoes sometime offer ridiculously low prices and this impacts negatively on the life of his people, including their education, health care and even on their spirituality.
"The bad road network in the constituency has deepened the plight of the farmers, who after struggling to cultivate the land with outmoded tools, find it difficult to transport the produce to where they are needed most," he said
The Member appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to rehabilitate the Bechem-Techimantia-Derma and Duayaw Nkwanta-Techimantia-Asooso roads, which he said, run "through the heart of food fields".
He announced plans to get the farmers to form co-operatives so that they could protect their interests and secure funding.
A programme to reforest the banks of streams and rivers in the constituency would soon begin, he said, adding, "the greatest enemy, bush fire would be held in check by the people."
Mr Adjei-Yeboah said the problem of low enrolment in schools in the area is being addressed and promised that he would work with the relevant Ministry to address it, especially that of girls.
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Minority wants portions of budget withdrawn
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The Minority on Wednesday objected to the introduction of the National Reconstruction Levy and the country joining the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
It said the two policies should be deleted from the 2001 budget before Parliament will approve the government's financial policy for this year, which is currently under debate.
These were contained in a notice standing in the name of NDC MPs - Mr Alban Bagbin, Mr Doe Adjaho, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Mr Johnson A. Nketia, Mr Steve Akorli and Mr Amos Buertey seeking to amend the budget.
Mr Adjaho, Minority Chief Whip, explaining the issue to the press, said the introduction of a reconstruction levy of 15 per cent proposed in the budget is seeking retrospective effect from last year.
He said this was unconstitutional because the constitution is against retroactive policies and says that no law is to be passed with retrospective effect.
He explained that the year 2000 is passed and if that law is passed, "it will adversely affect all of us including the private sector".
"And if we agree that the private sector is the engine of growth and we pass laws to stifle it of funds, how can its growth be ensured?
"One of the criticisms against the previous NDC government was that it was competing with the private sector in borrowing and has been crowding out the sector from the market."
Mr Adjaho said it is also unconstitutional to present an interim budget to Parliament because a national financial policy should span one year and nothing less.
He said Article 179 (10) states: "the President may cause to be prepared and laid before Parliament estimates of revenue and expenditure of Ghana for periods of over one year".
Mr Adjaho said, armed with that, Parliament cannot approve any budget of less than 12 months, adding: "and worst still, the budget is titled for 2001 and thus contradicts itself with its description as an interim one".
On the HIPC initiative, Mr Adjaho said the literature on it as it is in the budget is scanty and hazy.
He said the proponents of the initiative are claiming that government would be negotiating with Ghana's development partners and donors on the benefits to be derived from the initiative and asked: "How can you approve of a policy whose terms and conditions are yet to be negotiated?"
Mr Adjaho said the Minority cannot be a party to approve such a policy because "we believe that it has international economic dimensions and therefore the government must send sufficient information on the HIPC to Parliament for ratification or otherwise".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The Odorkor District Police are investigating the death of a 22-year-old man, Mr Eric Appiah, who was allegedly killed by his father last Thursday at Sampaman, near the Weija barrier, in Accra.
Sources at the district crime office told the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday that Eric's father, Yaw Appiah, 54, who lives with his wife Sarah Donkor at Sampaman had a misunderstanding with her during which he assaulted her.
Eric stepped in to rescue his mother but his father stabbed him on the cheek with a sharp object.
The police source said he became unconscious and was taken to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police are yet to retrieve the murder weapon, but have preferred a provisional charge of murder against Yaw Appiah.
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Mother of triplets appeals for assistance
Suhum (Eastern Region) 15 March 2001
A 28-year-old woman, Josephine Offeibea, who gave birth to a set of triplets, all girls, at the Suhum Government Hospital a fortnight ago, has appealed to the general public, benevolent societies, and religious bodies for assistance to care for the babies.
Madam Offeibea, a farmer, who already has six children, says she lives with her husband, a farmhand, at Tetteh-Nkwanta, near Suhum.
She stated that though she underwent a surgical operation during Delivery and had since been discharged, she had not been able to pay her medical bills.
She, therefore, appealed for assistance to enable her to settle the hospital bills and also to care for the children.
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Ghana has potential to produce sufficient
rice – Researcher
Kade (Eastern Region) 15 March 2001
A Senior Research Officer of the University of Ghana Agriculture Research Station at Kade, Dr K. Ofosu-Budu, said on Wednesday that Ghana has the potential to produce
sufficient rice for home consumption and for export.
However, he said, there is the need to put in place the necessary structures before this can be achieved.
Dr. Ofosu-Budu made this observation when Dr Hiroyuki Shimizu, a Japanese International Co-operation Assistance (JICA) expert in seed rice production, paid a visit to the HAMADA rice mill at Kade to acquaint himself with its operations.
The project is a joint venture of JICA and the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Ghana, Legon.
According to Dr Ofosu-Budu, who is also the mills supervisor, there is the need to identify all rice producing areas in the country, know the peculiar problems existing there, take steps to solve them, before embarking on an aggressive nation-wide rice production.
He pointed out, however, that, to achieve positive results in that direction, high-yielding and good variety seed rice should be supplied to farmers.
Dr Ofosu-Budu said the station has started producing the PNA variety, which is of high quality, in addition to the SIKA MO variety already released by the government for supply to farmers.
He identified micro financing as a major obstacle confronting farmers and urged them to form co-operatives to attract loans from financial institutions.
Dr Ofosu-Budu said the mill is capable of milling 100 bags of 50 kilograms of rice daily.
In 1999, he said, 25,000 tones of rice was milled compared to 176,000 tones in 2000, adding that it is capable of milling rice comparable to the US Grade Five variety.
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TDCL suggests amendment of draft Labour
Bill
Tema (Greater Accra) 15 March 2001
The Tema District Council of Labour on Tuesday discussed the Draft Labour Bill and suggested a few amendments to enable it to meet the aspirations of both workers and employers.
At a meeting chaired by Mr Wilson Agana, the council embraced the establishment of a seven-member National Labour Commission and expressed the hope that it will be free from political interference to enable it to function effectively.
The Commission will register trade unions and employers organisations, issue collective bargaining certificates and settle industrial disputes, among others.
The TDCL, however, rejected the proposed fee that will be charged on public employment agencies, saying such centres are known to exploit poor people desperately looking for jobs.
The council expressed reservations about the protection of employment as contained in the proposals and stressed the need for trade unions to be involved in all matters affecting employees since the document was not very clear on that.
The TDCL also kicked against the proposal that only the Minister of Manpower Development and Employment should decide what incentive should be given to employers who employ disabled persons.
It also suggested a sixteen-week maternity leave instead of the 12 weeks proposed in the Bill, while the length of notice for the termination of workers appointment should be three months instead of one month.
The council said it finds nothing wrong with trade union pluralism, but pointed out that under no circumstances should an establishment have more than one registered union for the sake of peace and tranquillity.
The TDCL also supported the TUC call on the government to de-freeze the payment of End of Service Benefits (ESB) stressing that whether it is called ESB or Ex-gratia, workers too deserve it if politicians see the need for it.
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Man shot dead in
bulletproof test
Bawku (Upper East) 15 March 2001
A 23- year-old man met his tragic
death last Friday at Lambu in the Bawku East district when he offered himself
to be shot in the belief that he was bullet-proof.
The man, Aleobiga Aberima, was
said to belong to a group of about 15 young men from the village who brought a
Kokomba 'Jujuman' from the Northern Region to fortify them against gun bullets.
A resident of the village who
pleaded anonymity told the GNA at Bawku that the 'jujuman' first visited to the
area about three weeks ago during which he prepared a concoction of herbs for
members of the group and instructed them to rub their bodies with it for two
weeks.
When the Jujuman man returned last
Friday, he performed some sacrifices to signify the end of the ritual and,
together with the group members, it was agreed that one of them should
volunteer to be tested to ascertain the efficacy of the juju.
The source said Aberima
volunteered and a member of the group brought out a rifle. The jujuman issued a
fire order and Aberima died instantly from the single shot.
Angry residents of the village
allegedly pounced on the jujuman and subjected him to a severe beating before
an elder of the town rescued him.
Police Superintendent William Twumasi,
Bawku District Police Commander said the police have not received any formal
report even though they had heard about the incident.
Meanwhile, the Airborne Force
Detachment on peace keeping duties in the area in the aftermath of the December
8 post-election ethnic clashes are continuing the search for illegal weapons.
GRi…/
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