GRi Newsreel Ghana 20 –03 - 2001

Police on Monday started investigations into the missing 46,000 dollars in the custody of Mallam Yusif Isa, the dismissed Minister of Youth and Sports about three weeks ago.

The money, which was meant as bonus for members of the national senior football team, in their world cup qualifying match against Sudan, was reported missing by Mallam Isa who said it was in his suit case which was put in the luggage compartment of the aircraft.

A source at the Police Headquarters said a team of three investigators, headed by Mr Sam Awortwi, Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal and Prosecutions Division, was appointed at the initiative of the Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Ernest Owusu-Poku.

Other members are Superintendent Nene Sasraku, Chief Internal Auditor and Superintendent S. Issaka of the Economic Crime Bureau of the Police Administration.

The source said the investigations are expected to involve other officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the objective of establishing any criminal misconduct in the matter.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Proposed salary adjustment is inadequate, says Youth Forum

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The proposed provision of 13 per cent upward adjustment of salaries in this year's budget statement against a 64 per cent increase in the price of petroleum products is inadequate, the NDC Youth Forum said on Monday.

It said the proposed increase is disappointing in the wake of threatening hikes in electricity and water tariffs and asked the government to give workers a better deal.

"In the face of the rising cost of living which has been exacerbated by the 64 per cent increase in the price of petroleum products, we of the NDC Youth Forum think that the workers deserve a better deal," Mr Harruna Iddrisu, spokesman for the Forum told a press conference in Accra.

He said the description of the budget statement as 'interim', reflects the state of ill preparedness of the government to deal with the real economic issues of the country.

The forum decried the lack of national debate on the issue of Ghana joining the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, before its adoption.

Mr Iddrisu said by its action the NPP administration "has not only declared Ghana bankrupt, but also betrayed the trust of the majority of Ghanaians who voted for the party in the hope of being provided with an alternative to the harsh conditions of the structural adjustment programme.

The Forum debunked the promise of debt reduction for joining HIPC, saying the process by which HIPC countries achieve debt forgiveness remains inadequate.

"The process is as arbitrary as the President's directive. Going by the records available we can confidently say that only a handful of countries, which embraced it have realised actual relief."

The forum said less than 20 per cent of HIPC countries have been considered for relief. To the forum, this emphasises the fact that Ghana is not automatically qualified for debt forgiveness and questioned the extent to which Ghana could meet the conditions of HIPC without hurting the social needs of the people.

It complained about the 46,000 dollar scandal involving the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Yisif Isah and said it finds it intriguing and disturbing the manner and style in which the information was made known to Ghanaians.

On Ghana's debt situation, the forum asked the Kufuor administration to make known to Ghanaians how much of the debt is due or repayable within its four-year term of office.

It said it finds disheartening the Finance Minister's accusation of the NDC government's indulging in 'irresponsible and inflationary expenditure' to the tune of 900 billion cedis, and said such accusations should be balanced with the social investment the NDC has made over the years.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Fishermen against divestiture of boatyard

Tema (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association (GIFA) has protested against the sale of the GIHOC Boatyard at the Tema Fishing Harbour to an investor for conversion into a cold store.

It said what the fishing harbour needs is an efficient and effective shipbuilding and repair facility and that the idea of a cold store will not in any way support the industry since there are numerous cold storage facilities at the harbour.

Mr Seth Edzia, President of the GIFA, expressed these sentiments when Mr Ishmael Ashietey, Minister of State responsible for Fisheries, paid a familiarisation visit to the Tema Fishing harbour on Monday to interact with fishermen and fishmongers.

Mr Edzia did not mention who bought the boatyard where wooden fishing boats were built and repaired in the past.

He, however, said they were told that the buyer would rehabilitate its slipway only to realise that they had been deceived.

The GIFA, however, praised the past government for providing modern fishing port facilities at Tema and Sekondi, and good institutions to train manpower to man the industry.

Mr Edzia called on the government to invest more in research to produce maps to assist operators to know where they can fish at a particular time instead of steaming between Aflao and Half Assini burning precious fuel.

He also called for a new Fisheries Commission staffed with people who know the industry and ensure that political affiliations to the Commission are secondary.

On illegal fishing methods raised by the GIFA, the minister said it was an issue that was disturbing the government since it had contributed to the depletion of the country's fish stocks.

He particularly mentioned fishing with banned nets, dynamites and poisonous substances and warned that any fishing vessel caught in such acts would be banned.

Mr Ashietey assured the fishermen that the government was determined to let them obtain good prices for their fish and encourage the processing of fish to add value to their produce, adding that a number of investors had shown interest in this area.

Other issues raised by the fishermen related to the scarcity and high cost of fishing inputs and spare parts and it was suggested that the Agricultural Development Bank should assist the fishermen with inputs at cheaper cost.

The canoe fishermen also called for the regular supply of pre-mix fuel since what is given them is not enough for their numbers.

The fishmongers also appealed to the fishing harbour authorities to stop charging a gate fee of 1,000 per trader who buys fish from the fish market to enable them to get more customers.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Police Disperse GTMC workers with rubber bullets

Tema (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The Police on Monday used rubber bullets to disperse a group of Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company (GTMC) workers who mounted a blockade to prevent other workers from entering the factory.

The workers, who are members of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) faction, said while the GTMC crisis was still being resolved with the Ministry of Manpower and Human Resource Development, the GTMC management had issued green cards to others to go back to their jobs.

The police drove away the workers from the Tema Technical Institute and the Super Paper Products Company area before some management personnel and a busload of workers were able to enter the factory.

Mr Ishmael Ashietey, MP for Tema East, who visited the factory after the incident, called on the management of the company to try to quickly resolve the crisis at the factory for the workers to return to work.

He said the GTMC issue, which has left the workers home since November 28, last year, could be resolved to alleviate the economic hardships the workers are facing. The workers have not been paid for the past four months.

Mr. Ashietey, who is also the Minister of State responsible for Fisheries, held discussions with Mr Joseph Djani, Personnel Manager of the factory, before addressing the workers at Community Eight.

The management of GTMC said it was determined to institute disciplinary measures against organisers of the illegal strike action, which led to the closure to avoid the reoccurrence of such strikes.

It has also been holding regular discussions with the Ministry of Manpower and Human Resource Development to resolve the four-year-old intra-union conflict between the Textile Garment and Leather Employees Union (TEGLEU) and the ICU.

The workers, who left ICU to join TEGLEU, now want to return to the ICU but TEGLEU, which is in possession of their collective bargaining certificate, has refused to budge despite a series conflicts between TEGLEU and the workers.

Mr Ashietey said most of the workers felt that the GTMC management was siding with the TEGLEU faction and people had read political meanings into the issue.

He expressed regret that the GTMC crisis had been carried over from the NDC government to the NPP administration due to its complexities.

He told the workers that, in tackling the issue, they should try to differentiate between the ICU/TEGLEU problem and their dealings with management in order not to confuse matters.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Audit Service Union expresses views on the Audit Service Bill

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The Audit Service Divisional Union (ASDU) of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) has hailed the passing of the Audit Service Bill by Parliament.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its second national Delegates' conference, which ended at Winneba at the weekend, the union criticised the practice of contracting external auditors to audit the accounts of some public service institutions, saying it is "at variance with Article 187(2) of the constitution in respect of the functions and responsibilities of the Auditor-General.

It said by the constitution, this is supposed to be the sole responsibility of the Auditor General.

The communiqué said the practice of contracting external Auditors also costs the state extra money.

It therefore appealed to the Audit Service Board to exercise its authority as provided under the 1992 constitution.

The communiqué also called on the Board and the Management to ensure that the Service becomes self-accounting to make it more effective. It further called on all stakeholders to help the service in fighting corruption.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Single Mothers Association commends Ministry of Women Affairs

Bolgatanga (Upper East) 20 March 2001

The Single Mothers Association in the Upper East Region, at the weekend commended President J. A. Kufuor for establishing the Ministry of Women's Affairs.

It called for the opening of regional and district offices of the ministry since there is a lot of work to be done in the rural areas.

Madam Stella Abagre, Chairperson of the association made the commendation at a meeting of the association at Zuarungu, near Bolgatanga.

Members of the association who are made up of divorcees and single mothers expressed the hope that the ministry will help find solution to their problems to empower them economically to enable them to look after and educate their children.

Madam Abagre said members are being taught some skills including tie and dye, dress making and weaving and appealed to NGOs, for financial support to make venture viable.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Ghanaian Times to render apology to Dr. Bart-Plange

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The National Media Commission (NMC) has asked the Ghanaian Times to render unqualified apology to Dr. F. Bart-Plange, Principal Medical Officer of the La Polyclinic for publishing a story against her.

A statement by the commission on Monday said the story was in respect of allegations that the polyclinic had lost more than 30 millions cedis due to improper awards of contracts for the clinic's projects.

The story captioned "300 Million Cedis Deal at La Polyclinic" and published on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 cited Dr. Bart-Plange at the centre of the allegations.

"The headline was suggestive of wrongdoing whereas there were only allegations made against Bart-Plange", the statement said adding that where allegations are made, they should not be put out as statements of fact.

The statement said the reporter assigned to investigate the allegations failed to honour an agreed interview with Dr. Bart-Plange to address the allegations.

It said although Mr. Tom Dorkenoo, Editor of the Ghanaian Times acted correctly by sending a reporter to investigate, he must take ultimate responsibility for the story.

The NMC directed the Paper to publish the statement in full in one of its editions and expressed its appreciation to both parties for their utmost co-operation.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Take advantage of foreign assistance to move forward – Ambassador

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

Dr Peter A. Schweizer, Swiss Ambassador in Ghana, on Monday said countries that require donor assistance must also take advantage of what they have and what has been provided them to move forward in their development efforts.

He said the request for international assistance by needy countries is becoming alarming and highly competitive and the level of response by donor countries depends on many factors.

The ambassador said this when he paid a courtesy call on Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Health, at his office in Accra.

Dr Schweizer, however, admitted that some of the assistance that goes to the beneficiary countries is to their disadvantage due to the way it is packaged, citing Eritrea, which in recent times rejected some form of assistance that came to them packaged to their disadvantage.

The ambassador said Switzerland would continue to advocate that aid is targeted to areas of national interest.

Dr Anane called for a deeper relationship between the two countries saying "now that we have shown our way in the political dispensation, we are also ready to move in other areas as well."

He said his Ministry would need assistance in its three areas of concern this year - health accessibility, the high exodus of nurses and doctors, and overcoming some communicable diseases.

The Minister said the government's programme this year is to put in place motivational schemes for nurses and doctors and put in structures that would train health professionals. He said the National Health Insurance Scheme would replace the cash-and-carry system.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Review stand on HIPC - Dr Delle

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

A member of the Central Committee of the Convention People's Party (CPP), on Monday appealed to the government to review its stand on joining the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiatives.

Instead, he said, the government should declare economic war by calling on Ghanaians to make sacrifices and with the goodwill it is enjoying from the masses, they would give positive response to save "this debt ridden country" from further decay.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra, the member, Dr Edmund Delle said the government should in addition challenge the universities and research institutions to come out with innovative ideas that would help the resuscitation of the economy.

He said nations have sacrificed during war time and Ghanaians would have done the same if called upon to do so, adding that Ghanaians would not like to be tagged "poor" because it humiliates and mars their image.

"That being so God did not create us poor why should we say we are poor, it is demoralising, its negative".

Dr Delle said there had been several economic options offered by donor countries that had been commending Ghana for good economic performance but these people are today branding the country as poor.

Dr Delle said there cannot be a positive change without sacrifices which means cutting down extravagance, adopting measures that would enhance productivity including good public transportation system, encouraging people to pay taxes and with incentives to those who consistently pay voluntarily.

Dr Delle said, "our fathers brought us political independence for that matters we should fight for economic independence and President Kufour being a positive thinking man we are prepared to go with him".

"All is not lost, the black man is capable of managing his own affairs, die for the present and future generation," he said.

Dr Delle said, "all is not lost the only thing is to take the destiny of the country into our own hands".

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Assemblyman pleads for lower tariffs for water, electricity

Agona Nyakrom (Central Region) 20 March 2001

The assemblyman for Agona Nyakrom Odumase Zongo Electoral Area, Mr Benjamin Seidu, on Monday pleaded with government to subsidise water and electricity rates for rural communities to save them from water-borne diseases.

He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that most rural dwellers cannot afford high water tariffs and therefore prefer untreated water collected from pools and other sources to pipe-borne water.

This, Mr Seidu noted, exposes the people to water-borne diseases such as cholera and guinea worm, and, therefore, pleaded with the government to subsidise water rates to make them affordable.

He called for the extension of communication facilities to Agona Nyakrom post office to link the people to other parts of the country in view of the increasing commercial activities in the fast growing commercial town.

He also urged the government to extend credit facilities and other incentive packages to the youth to entice them to take to agriculture and cottage industries and thereby stem their drift to the urban centres and cities.

Mr Seidu, who later met with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the Agona Nyakrom Roman Catholic Junior Secondary School, advised parents to send their children, especially the girl-child, to school.

He cautioned the students to stay away from drugs, video shows and dances and rather concentrate on their books.

The Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Mercy Tawiah, advised the parents to assist teachers of the school to provide quality education for their wards.

She appealed to government to connect the school's water pipeline, which has just been completed, to the main supply lines, saying it cannot afford the 500,000 cedis the Ghana water Company Limited is charging to undertake the task.

In another development, Mr Seidu met with the youth of the Zongo community and advised them to refrain from drug abuse and respect their elders and traditional rulers.

The leader of the Zongo Youth Association, Mr Mohammed Kassim, thanked the assemblyman for showing concern for their welfare as he had demonstrated by his

regular visits to them.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Ghanaians must accept HIPC - NGO Director

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 20 March 2001

Ghanaians have been urged to fully support the government in its acceptance of the HIPC initiative to relieve the nation of its crushing debt burden.

Mr Alex Adu-Appiah, Executive Director of the African Peace Network (APNET), an international NGO, said it would be "the height of hypocrisy" for people to say that the country does not need HIPC because it is not poor.

"With a per capita income of only 390 dollars and with more than half of the population earning less than one dollar a day, there is little doubt that ours is a poor country that must avail itself of the relief that go with the HIPC initiative."

Mr Adu-Appiah noted that a section of the public is opposing the HIPC initiative on the basis of national pride and partisanship, and not on realities.

"Some people even erroneously think that the acceptance of the HIPC initiative constitutes a disgrace to our country because it is a dramatic admission of our own failures; but the time has now come to allow reality to take precedence over national pride."

He said that, with the country having to use a greater part of its resources on debt servicing, leaving virtually nothing for development, "it has become pertinent for other sustainable ways of dealing with the problem to be explored, and HIPC provides just that".

Mr Adu-Appiah maintained that avoiding HIPC would only worsen the debt problem of the country "as it will have to go on borrowing to make up for the hole that is created in the national coffers by our debt servicing obligations".

He said with the country being allowed to use the money that would have otherwise gone into debt servicing on human-centred projects that alleviate poverty and create wealth, the country is bound to record an appreciable rate of development under HIPC.

"One thing we must also realise is that the government's acceptance of HIPC does not constitute a perpetual commitment to the initiative as the country can withdraw from it any time it feels its economy has its health."

Mr Adu-Appiah said that, with the United Nations endorsing debt reducing initiatives like HIPC, APNET, as an affiliate of the world body, is preparing to use its 4,000-membership strength to educate the public on the issue.

"We are also in the same breath appealing to the government to intensify its public education of the merits of HIPC to clear any lingering misconceptions about the concept and forestall the possibility of its being twisted for political gains," he added.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

No efficient monitoring of NGOs

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are flouting the existing laws because the Department of Social Welfare lacks efficient and effective monitoring system to supervise their activities.

Mr Sampson Adjei, NGO Desk Officer at the Department, who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday said, "though NGOs in the country are supposed to be independent they are to work within the confines of laws."

He attributed the main problem to inadequate logistics, which has made it very difficult for the office to carry out investigations into improprieties that are reported to them.

He said offending NGOs could have their licences revoked. "Cases that are not within our confinement are referred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for investigations," Mr. Adjei added.

He said so far a total of 1,300 NGOs have registered with the Department and are performing diverse services in the fields of agriculture, community and rural development, health, human rights and environment among other spheres.

Mr Adjei said the concept of NGOs is not for profit making and, therefore, any profit generated must be used for the benefit of society at large.

He said, through the healthy partnership that has been created between the government and NGOs, the Department would soon come out with a national policy to govern NGO activities.

Mr Adjei further said the department of social welfare is also in the process of updating the records of NGOs to assess and better enhance their activities in the country.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

"We mean business," Kufuor tells ADB head

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday urged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to remain the supporting pillar for the development of the people of West Africa.

He observed that the bank's target areas of support are "custom made" for the needs of most developing countries, particularly Ghana, which is poised now than ever to alleviate poverty.

President Kufuor, who was speaking at a meeting in Accra with AfDB President, Omar Kabbaj, assured him of his government's fullest co-operation in the realisation of its goals.

Mr Kabbaj is on a three-day fact-finding visit during which he would inspect projects funded by the bank and discuss with the economic management team its role in calming the micro-economic turbulence buffeting Ghana.

President Kufuor recapped his new vision of ushering Ghana into a "Golden Age of Business" and said the government remains committed to it.

"We mean business," he said, and appealed for the AfDB's continued support, especially in infrastructure development.

He declared: "We're not going to allow complacency, mismanagement and inefficiency to distort our movement towards the Golden Age.

"There will be no room for waste."

Mr Kabbaj said he was pleased that Ghana opted for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, adding that it would provide urgent and substantial debt relief for the country.

He said the AfDB would participate fully in granting Ghana the special package as a HIPC country towards poverty alleviation.

In addition to poverty alleviation, the bank will support Ghana in the areas of education and health.

Among those present at the meeting were some members of the economic management team, who took turns to brief the AfDB President on areas they expected the bank to make meaningful contribution.

Prominent among them is the recovery of the private sector, small-scale industries, manpower development, roads and agriculture.

GRi.../

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Ghana Wildlife Society warns of threat to bats

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

Migratory bats, which hang on trees in and around the 37 Military Hospital, are threatened with extinction because of indiscriminate slaughter, the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) warned on Monday.

It said the fruit bats move down south to escape the severe harmattan conditions in the northern sector each year, adding that wherever they are, they help to disperse seeds for the growth of trees such as neem.

GWS has, therefore, called on the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to take immediate steps to end the indiscriminate slaughter.

An official at the Ghana Wildlife Society, who spoke to the GNA in Accra, said the manner in which members of the public hunt the bats could amount to "cruelty to animals".

Mr Gerard Osei Boakye, spokesman for GWS, said: "It is very distasteful to tourists to see children and adults twisting the necks of bats, beating and using very cruel methods to kill these animals."

They also "pack them (bats) into sacks and sell as if there are no wildlife laws in Ghana."

He said by the laws of Ghana, the Wildlife Division is the only institution that has the mandate to cull wildlife.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

UK govt increases programme aid to Ghana

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The United Kingdom (UK) government on Monday raised its total programme aid to Ghana from 40 million pounds sterling to 55 million pounds sterling.

The 15 million pounds sterling increase is the UK government's demonstration of its commitment to providing Ghana with additional funding for the health and educational sectors and to help cushion balance of payment difficulties, Mr Rod Pullen, British High Commissioner who signed an amendment to the Ghana/UK Programme Aid Agreement for 2001, in Accra said. Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance signed for Ghana.

The additional funding is the second of four tranches that are yet to come. The grant agreement was signed between the two countries in September last year.

Under the agreement, the UK promised to provide Ghana with 40 million pounds sterling, the first of 18 million pounds, was disbursed soon after the agreement was signed.

Mr Osafo-Maafo said the timing of the amendment was appropriate since it demonstrates the British governments' faith in the Ghanaian government.

"This is especially so as it comes soon after a hectic debate and public interest in our first budget, especially after our declaration to take advantage of the HIPC initiative," Mr Osafo-Maafo said.

He said the sectors for which the funds have been earmarked are very critical to the country's poverty reduction programme.

"These funds would, therefore, not only provide the much needed support in these sectors but will help in our balance of payment support."

He said, " we also hope this will send a strong signal to our development partners and advocates of the HIPC initiative.

Mr. Pullen said the funding provided by the British Department of International Development (DFID) comes from funds set aside to support developing countries that have been particularly affected by high world oil prices.

He said the amendment increases the value of current UK budgetary support to 55 million pounds, available in four tranches.

"This increase means the second tranche will be worth 22 million pounds instead of seven million pounds. A further 15 million pounds will be available later this year."

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Property owners petition President

Ngleshie Amanfro (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

Seventeen property owners at Galelia in the Ngleshie Amanfro Electoral Area of the Ga District have petitioned President John Agyekum Kufuor for assistance to ensure that they are compensated by the Volta River Authority (VRA), following the confiscation of their land by the Authority for the construction of pylons.

Representatives of the group, Mr Jordan Huago, Mr Samuel Huago and Mr John Chri Agbokah, made the appeal on Sunday when the GNA wanted to know why some people are still living dangerously under the pylons in spite of a quit order from the VRA.

"Some of us were holding title to our property acquired from the chiefs as far back as the 1970s. But the VRA demolished our houses and took over our land for the high voltage transmission lines in 1994 without compensating us," Mr Huago said.

He explained that "some of the people are living under the death trap because they are still waiting for their compensation to construct new houses and to re-locate".

The group said the VRA directed them to a company, Valuation Development Service VDS, in 1996 to prepare a valuation of the affected property, which was submitted in 1997.

Mr Huago said the Authority's surveyors also valued their property but all efforts to get it to compensate them have not been successful, making them homeless and exposing them to danger.

Mr Agbokah said they were directed to the Real Estate Department of the VRA and, after several contacts had failed, they petitioned the Chief Executive, adding "up till now we have not even got a reply".

He said they also petitioned the former MP for the area and the then District Chief Executive for assistance and asked: "For how long do we have to wait?"

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Forestry Service warns against illegal timber operation

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 March 2001

The Forestry Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission on Monday said the upsurge in illegal timber operation and transactions are causing considerable damage to the economy and the environment.

A statement issued by FSD in Accra by its Executive Officer, Mr A. S. K. Boachie-Dapaah, said the illegal deals are also "whittling away gains made in the sustainable management of the forest and wildlife resources".

The FSD cautioned the general public, particularly chainsaw operators, vehicle owners, sellers of timber products and carriers that a number of stringent measures are being taken to curb these illegal activities.

"The public is, therefore, advised to refrain from selling or buying timber products which have been manufactured with chainsaw," it said.

The statement said it is estimated that some 2.7 million cubic metres of wood valued at billions of cedis may have been lost last year alone through the activities of timber men and chainsaw operators.

The statement also reminded the public that the law prohibits carrying out timber operations or the transportation of timber products, including teak, between 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours and at weekends.

It said timber products should be covered by conveyance certificates and other relevant documents when being conveyed.

It warned dealers to desist from the violation of the law, as all offenders would be made to face the full rigours of the law.

The statement said to give bite to measures being taken to arrest the situation, 29 managers of the FSD are to be reshuffled, adding that all movements would be completed by April 30.

The FSD said officers found and proved guilty of any malfeasance in the discharge of their duties would be dealt with.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Prophetess denies encroaching on OKESS land

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 20 March 2001

Prophetess Elizabeth Oppong of the Emmanuel Prayer Camp of the Church of Pentecost, has denied encroaching on the land of the Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS) at its Tafo new site in Kumasi.

She dismissed the allegation by the Headmaster, Mr Fredrick Achampong that she has engaged a surveyor to demarcate the school's land into building plots for sale to estate developers as totally untrue and unfounded.

Re-acting to the Headmaster's allegation, Prophetess Oppong said the church acquired a parcel of land from Nana Boadu Kwadwo III, the late Tafohene in 1972.

The land, she said, was for the construction of a chapel, a manse and a vocational training complex with hostel facilities.

She said that the land "does not even share a fence wall with that of the school" and wondered how "the church could be said to have strayed into OKESS land".

Prophetess Oppong said it was only recently that the church started moves to develop the land and insisted that they have not sold any portion of it.

She said it has rather come to their notice that three plots of the church's legally acquired land had been given out to some estate developers by the Busumuruhene and vowed that they would use every legitimate means to take them back.

It may be recalled that Mr Achampong recently appealed to the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to help stop encroachment on OKESS land.

He claimed that Prophetess Oppong was spearheading the encroachment.

GRi…/

Send your comments to news@ghanareview.com

Return to top