GRi Newsreel Ghana 23 - 03 – 2001

He said most people of goodwill have failed because of corruption and abuse of power, hence the need for divine intervention to endow members of his administration with wisdom, a feeling for one another and good leadership qualities.

President Kufuor made the call during this year's National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana at Ashongman in Accra.

The theme for the conference is " prospects and challenges of the new millennium; the moral factor."

Mr. Kufuor, whose address centred on the theme, said lack of moral values has always been a hindrance to good governance and expressed the hope that religious leaders would help promote the right social virtues.

"Not until we strive to be Godlike and utilise all programmes and policies with human feeling, life will not be as lovely as it should be."

The President called for discipline in all spheres of life to ensure technological advancement and meeting other challenges of the millennium.

Observers from the US, Britain, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo were among over 40,000 delegates attending the three-day conference.

Topics to be discussed include "Development of Education in Ghana-the Ahmadiyya's contribution; the need and importance of religion; family life education; the Islamic perspective and Islam and good governance.

Maulvi Wahab Adam, Ameer (Head) and Missionary in charge of the Mission in Ghana, read a letter from the world leader of the Mission, Hazrat Mirza Tahir

Ahmed congratulating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its recent election victory.

"Ahmadis world over have a special place for Ghana and may Allah bless the Government and people of Ghana", the letter said.

Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama was among important dignitaries at the function.

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GHACEM permanent employees urged to resume work

Tema (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

The Management of the Ghana Cement Works (GHACEM) has expressed concern about the disruption of work at the factory and called for the unconditional resumption of work by all permanent staff, with immediate effect.

A statement signed by Mr Axel Endresen, the Managing Director, said that management considers its relationship with the permanent staff as cordial.

The workers embarked on a strike action on Thursday, in protest against the replacement of the company's 37 security men with personnel from a private security company after they were forced out by armed policemen.

GHACEM on Thursday, announced that stiff competition from West African Cement (WACEM), a free trade zone company based in Togo which exports cement to the country, has broken its monopoly on the local market.

This has resulted in GHACEM's loss of 30 per cent market shares, which translates into 200,000 tones of cement, while its market prices in dollar terms have dropped by 20 per cent.

GHACEM which has agreed to pay severance awards said the private security agency, Sec-Point would offer employment to all the 37 affected security men who were previously employed on contract if they are willing to work with Sec-Point.

The workers have rejected that decision, saying the company was gradually extending the system to all sections of the factory in a ploy to reduce its workforce by 50 per cent.

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Angry mob lynches killer

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

An angry mob on Thursday evening lynched a mechanic who allegedly slashed the throat of an 18-year-old securityman at Kwashieman in Accra.

The incident, which occurred near the main Kwashieman Motorway at about 1730 hours during the Africa Under-20 soccer match between Ghana's Black Satellites and the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in Ethiopia on television, caused a two-hour traffic jam on the motorway, forcing some passengers to walk to their homes.

Hundreds of people thronged the scene of the incident to catch a glimpse of the securityman and the mechanic who lay separately around the motorway and the Christ Mission School.

Eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency that the mechanic, who was identified as Oko, earlier in the day had a scuffle with his victim, Yaw Martin, of Top Shine Security.

The eyewitness said as the securityman was getting ready to go to work, he met Oko who allegedly had a mental problem and asked him why he (Oko) had been threatening to kill him.

The eyewitnesses said as they exchanged words, Oko pulled out a jack knife that was tied to Martin's waist and accidentally inflicted a deep cut on his stomach from which he bled profusely.

Oko later attacked Martin as he attended to his wound, slashed his neck and took to his heels.

Someone, however, alerted the crowd watching the football match and some of them chased Oko and lynched him.

A sister of Martin, who gave her name only as Vida, on Friday denied knowledge of any scuffle between her brother and the mechanic.

"I was only informed of my brother's death at work on Thursday evening," she said as she sobbed.

The Police have conveyed both bodies to the Police Hospital while investigations continue.

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France offers HIPC assistance to Ghana

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

France on Friday offered to provide extra funding to Ghana under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

"We will continue to expand our assistance to Ghana and, in addition, provide extra funding under the HIPC initiative," Mr Jean-Michel Berrit, French ambassador in Ghana, said.

He did not state how much would be made available or how the decision would affect the nature of France loan and grant portfolio with Ghana.

Mr Berrit was speaking in Accra when he witnessed the signing of a loan and grant agreement between Ghana and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), a French aid agency.

The loan of 52 billion cedis (eight million euros) is to be used for the Urban Five Project while the grant of 6.5 billion cedis (one million euros) falls under a project preparation fund agreement.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance, signed for Ghana while Mr Laurent Duriez, Residence Manager of AFD, signed for his agency.

The minister told the GNA that discussions on how much the French government was ready to provide would start on Friday.

There has been a mixed reaction from the public since the government opted for the HIPC initiative nearly a month ago.

France had been mentioned as one of the countries that might lower or withdraw their level of development assistance if Ghana opted for the Initiative.

Mr Osafo-Maafo said the nation is in "dire straits" and urgently needs financial relief in order to manage her debt situation.

"We took the HIPC decision in the interest of Ghana looking at the fact that we spend about 43 per cent of GDP servicing the nation's debt.

"One per cent of GDP is 180 billion cedis and if this adds up to what salaries take, we are left with virtually nothing to develop the country," Mr Osafo-Maafo said.

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70 per cent of corrupt practices done through procurement-report

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

About 70 per cent of corrupt practices are effected through the purchasing and supply of basic items for some ministries, departments and government agencies, a report by the Auditor General and the Serious Fraud Office has said.

The report said total procurement costs represent 50 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), constituting a serious drain on the nation's economy.

Mr Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, President of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, who announced this at a press conference in Accra on Thursday recommended the establishment of a central procurement audit office to examine and review policies and procedures in government organisations.

He said the office should also conduct post-procurement auditing to ensure compliance with procedures to prevent such heavy financial losses.

This measure, he said is to counteract malpractices in the procurement of goods and services to help the government to achieve the "zero tolerance for corruption."

Mr. Andoh-Kwofie said the reports showed that contracts were awarded to non-existent companies and that there had been deliberate non-compliance to rules in the disbursement of donor funds and payments made for unexecuted contracts.

Most of these malpractices, he said occurred either directly or indirectly through people with no acumen in purchasing and supply,adding that "this has inhibited the arbitrary upward revision of contract prices."

He said the Institute is educating its members on the need to strictly abide by the ethics of the profession and ensure that those who infringe on them are appropriately sanctioned.

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Government to strengthen National Population council

Ho (Volta Region) 23 March 2001

The Government is to strengthen the National Population Council (NPC), in order to make it a more effective co-ordinating body in population advocacy, as part of its development strategy.

Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, announced this on Thursday, at a two-day dissemination seminar on information education and communication in respect of the National Population Communication Strategic Framework (NPSF).

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the John Hopkins University is sponsoring the seminar.

Sixty public and private sector population advocacy and implementing institutions from the Volta and Eastern regions are attending the seminar, that is expected to discuss the (NPSF) and the Strategic Framework Companion documents developed by the NPC.

The documents address issues relating to Child Health, Reproductive Health and Population and Development.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the government is very much concerned about the country's rapid population growth rate of three per cent per annum, compared with a weak economy and its impact on education, health and the environment.

He therefore asked the NPC to formulate pragmatic policies, to promote effective family planning and safe motherhood, and anti -HIV/AIDS campaigns.

He also called for the inclusion of family life education into school curriculum, with special attention on adolescent reproductive health and awareness on the consequences of population explosion.

Mr George Abbots, Deputy Volta Regional Director of the NPC, said difficulty in sustaining population communication programmes, the multilingual and diverse cultural practices and the limited number of population related non-governmental organisations ,

are the major limitations to population education in the region.

He therefore appealed to district assemblies to support population related programmes, to help the people re-shape the conduct of their lives, including reproductive life.

Mr Ben Hayford Quarshie, resident tutor of the Awudome Adult Education College, said the alarming rate at which HIV is spreading and other worsening population related developmental issues must be tackled to ensure sustainable development of the country.

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CPP to elect flagbearer at 2002 congress

Tamale (Northern Region) 23 March 2001

The Convention People's Party (CPP) will go to congress in the middle of 2002 to elect its flagbearer to contest the 2004 presidential election.

The party is also being re-organised at the ward and constituency levels to enable it to put up a better performance in the next polls.

Dr. Abubakar Al-hassan, Chairman and Leader of the CPP, announced this at a meeting of the party attended by the Northern Regional and all executives of the 23 constituencies of the party in Tamale on Wednesday.

The meeting was however nearly marred when certain members of the party took exception to criticisms by Mr. Kwasi Pratt, Chairman of the CPP Publicity Committee, of the leadership style of the party in the region.

Mr. Pratt talked about the undemocratic nature of the party in the region and said, for the party to move forward, it is necessary for the executive members at all levels and parliamentary candidates to be elected at a congress.

This did not go down well with some supporters of the party in Tamale who walked out of the meeting in protest amid shouting and calling of names.

Calm was, however, restored and the meeting proceeded and ended successfully.

On the CPP's relationship with the NPP, Dr. Al-hassan said there was no alliance between the two parties, adding: "we only gave them an electoral support during the run-off and they won".

Mr Mike Eghan, third national Vice-Chairman of the party, called for unity and discipline among the rank and file of the party.

He said the CPP can form the next government if it is united and focused "because we have the party capable of solving Ghana's numerous problems".

Mr Ebenezer Adams, a former Northern Regional Minister in the Kwame Nkrumah government, traced the history of the CPP and said it is now time for the youth to play an active part in the re-organisation of the party.

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Media Relations Ministry urged to set up Quick Response Department

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

The African-American Association of Ghana (AAAG) on Wednesday urged the new Ministry of Media Relations to establish a Quick Response Department (QRD) to ensure prompt response to derogatory local and foreign media reports and articles about Ghana.

Mr Akbar Muhammed, spokesman for the AAAG, made the call at a press conference organised by the Nation of Islam to counteract what he described as a derogatory article on the front page of the March 14, 2001 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a US-based business daily.

The article, written by G. Pascal Zachary, under the headline: "Tangled roots, for African-Americans in Ghana, the Grass isn't always greener," said African-Americans are ill-treated and are not welcome in Ghana.

Mr Muhammed said such derogatory articles threaten the 42 years relationship between Ghana and African-Americans, adding that it has become imperative for the government of Ghana to expedite action to correct the erroneous impression the article has created.

He said information reaching the AAAG from the African-American community in the US indicates that people who have read the article dread coming to Ghana this year.

This, he said, poses a threat on the tourist traffic and revenue to Ghana this year.

"Such articles also pose a threat to African-American investor confidence in Ghana," he said. "Americans are terrified by anything that takes their comfort away."

"I would, therefore, like to recommend a QRD to monitor the Internet to know what is being said about Ghana in the foreign media and give a prompt response where necessary," he said.

Mr Muhammed suggested that such a department should comprise both local and African-American media experts who know the mindset of their respective nationals and can give appropriate response to derogatory articles.

He noted that the Wall Street Journal article has come at a time when thousands of African-Americans are preparing to come to Africa to spend the summer and to attend the Pan-African Festival (PANAFEST).

"It is a calculated attempt to put fear in African-Americans about what to expert in Ghana," he said. "It is simply an old neo-colonial modus operandi to frustrate attempts by Africans to unite."

Mr Muhammed said the other reason for the article was to discourage the decision by the 40 million African-Americans to shift a large chunk of their over 500 billion dollar annual investments in the US to Africa.

Mrs Victoria Cooper, Head of the African-American Association in Ghana and Rabbi Kohain Halevi took turns to deny statement attributed to them in the article.

Mrs Cooper said she has asked the publishers of the Wall Street Journal to retract the statement attributed to her.

She said it is the right of the government to ask the publishers to retract the entire article, and take them to court if they do not.

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Establish audit office on purchasing – Institute

Accra Greater Accra 23 March 2001

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) on Thursday recommended the establishment of a central procurement audit office to examine and review procurement policies and procedures in government organisations.

The central audit office would also conduct post-procurement auditing to ensure compliance with procedures, Mr Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, Acting President of the Institute told a press conference in Accra.

He said the aim of the CIPS is to assist the government to achieve the "zero tolerance for corruption."

It has become imperative he said, to put in place a machinery which could counteract malpractices in the procurement of goods and services as contained in reports of the Auditor-General and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on the operations of some ministries, departments and government agencies.

Mr. Andoh-Kwofie said the reports showed that contracts were awarded to non-existent companies and that there had been deliberate non-compliance to the rules in the disbursement of donor funds and payments for unexecuted contracts.

Most of these malpractices, he said, occurred either directly or indirectly through people who have no acumen in purchasing and supply, adding that "this has inhibited the arbitrary upward revision of contract prices."

"Admittedly, very few professionals get involved because of the loopholes in the existing procedures generally supervised by non-professionals," he added.

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Government to launch poverty reduction strategy - Ndoum

Dodowa (Greater Region) 23 March 2001

The Government is to launch a major poverty reduction strategy with focus on achieving set targets in some specific areas, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum said on Thursday.

He said the strategy will be fashioned out in a way as to enable the country determine how poverty levels could be controlled and also to emphasise the provision of social services to food growing areas to boost production.

"We are preparing what we can call our own and when presented to the international community would enable them to see the areas that we want to focus. We do not want something that will be handed over to us," the Minister said.

Dr Ndoum was speaking to journalists, after a closed-door meeting with the steering committee of the National Poverty Reduction Programme (NPRP), at Dodowa.

The committee, a major policy group of the NPRP, meets quarterly to review activities on poverty reduction and adopt measures to achieve set targets.

He said government is equally placing emphasis on manpower development, especially in the acquisition of technical skills to enhance the opportunity of Ghanaians in the job market.

Dr Ndoum said the new strategy would involve a review of all current poverty reduction programmes, with a view to subjecting them to stringent financial order to ensure value for money.

"The government is studying the success or failure of the on-going programme to make an informed decision on areas that needed support," the Minister said.

Programmes to be reviewed include UNDP supported NPRP, the Social Investment Fund, the Poverty Reduction Unit of the National Development Planing

Commission, the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme and the Village Infrastructure Programme.

Mr Kofi Asante-Frimpong, Programme Manager of NPRP said the pilot phase of the programme would end in December this year, after an evaluation in July and expressed the hope that it would be continued, adding however, that its current focus may change.

The committee later visited various poverty reduction project sites in the Dangbe West District. They included the Agomeda Workshop for the Physically Handicapped, the Agomeda Women's Pottery Association Workshop and the Kordiabe Model Apiary and Resource Centre.

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President Kufuor woos Italian investment

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday commended Italy for playing the advocacy role for less advantaged states and urged the European country to continue to harmonise forces towards improved conditions for Africa.

President Kufuor who was receiving letters of credence from the Italian Ambassador, Mr Giancarlo Izzo at the Castle, Osu, assured the country of Ghana's continued support and co-operation in its efforts to assist Africa, particularly Ghana.

He said Ghana is currently facing economic difficulties that need to be met straight on.

"In order to set a sound footing, government has had to take some tough economic measures to pave the way for a bright future," he said, citing more than 60 per cent hike in fuel prices as one of those bold steps which were inevitable.

"We're happy to do it because we believe that's the way to do it," Mr Kufuor said and asked for the understanding and co-operation from friends of Ghana towards the realisation of government's development goals.

Mr. Kufuor said relations between Ghana and Italy need a boost in favour of economic benefits for both countries.

He said as Ghana's commitment to this, government is working to provide the legal framework to promote and protect Italian investment in Ghana.

President Kufuor expressed gratitude to Italy for her financial assistance to Ghana towards the last general election saying the assistance has helped a lot.

"Ghana is now at the threshold of a truly democratic era in which every Ghanaian citizen would feel part."

He restated his government's determination to provide a transparent and democratic government, which would usher in a golden age for the private sector business development.

Mr. Izzo said his home government is very confident that Mr Kufuor's government will face the difficult challenges of the dawning millennium.

Italy, he said, is committed to finding new approaches in the global challenge of under development, a major issue in the forthcoming meeting of the Group of Seven or Eight to be held next summer in Genoa, Italy.

Mr. Izzo said his country, alongside other member states of the European Union, supports the principles of sustainable, equitable and participatory human and social development.

"The promotion of human rights, the rule of law, empowerment of women and good governance are an integral part of the development and strengthening of democracy."

The Ambassador lauded Ghana for playing a prominent role over the years in peacekeeping and conflict prevention in Africa.

Ghana and Italy have enjoyed fruitful bilateral co-operation.

The Hydro-Electric dam at Akosombo and the Kpong and Weija water works are some areas where Italy has contributed expertise as part of the technical co-operation between the two countries.

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President Kufuor pledges commitment to peace

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Thursday Ghana will continue to strive within international organisations for the strengthening of peace and security as well as an equitable international economic order for all nations.

"Economic growth and prosperity thrive under conditions of peace, stability and individual liberty," he said and restated his government's commitment to good governance and good neighbourliness in the West Africa sub-region.

President Kufuor said this shortly after he received letters of credence from the Ambassador of Jamaica, Mr Carl O'neil Marshal, at the Castle, Osu.

He noted that relations between Ghana and Jamaica have grown in cordiality in recent years, as is evidenced by the introduction of Emancipation Day celebrations in Ghana.

"As developing countries we share the same concerns on topical global issues of economic development, and we need to constantly consult each other in the spirit of South-South co-operation in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

President Kufuor said his government welcomes an agreement on Economic, Scientific and Technical co-operation, which the two countries signed in 1997 in an effort to expand and consolidate bonds.

He congratulated Mr Marshal for his "homecoming" and expressed the hope that his government would work to further close the existing ties.

For Ambassador Marshal, "there had never been any opportunity than coming to serve in Ghana.

"I really feel very much at home. a feeling that we are unable to explain. We will come and keep coming."

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Canadian government spends 155 million dollars on water projects

Tamale (Northern Region) 23 March 2001

The Canadian government has disbursed 155 million dollars on 17 water projects in the Northern, Upper East and West Regions.

The projects, located in rural and urban areas, are meant to improve the health and productivity of the people through the provision of potable water.

Mr. Baljit Nagpal, First Secretary of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), announced this at this year's World Water Day celebration at Tamale on Thursday.

The day, which has the theme "Water and Health", is set aside by the United Nations to highlight matters affecting the provision of potable water and sanitation, especially in the developing world.

Mr. Nagpal said 630 boreholes and 70 hand-dug wells have been provided for 200,000 residents in seven districts in the Northern Region, which helped to eradicate guinea worm and other water-borne diseases in those communities.

He said CIDA has shifted its water sector programmes from the provision of technical services to capacity building.

Mr Ben Bukari Salifu, Northern Regional Minister, called on the people to take water preservation and conservation seriously and protect the environment of facilities that provide water.

He appealed to agencies that are involved in the provision of potable water to work wit unit committees and the district assemblies in the region to avoid duplication.

Mr. Francis Awindaogo, Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), said the water situation in the region is being worsened by indiscriminate bush burning, deforestation activities, and pollution of fresh water bodies by the people.

He called on all agencies involved in the water sector to educate the people against such acts so that policy objectives of the sector could be achieved.

Deserving communities and individuals who contributed immensely to water and sanitation delivery in their areas were presented with awards.

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Include farmers in price determination – Quashigah

Wa (Upper West) 23 March 2001

Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said on Thursday that the government would ensure the inclusion of cotton farmers in price decision meetings to come out with prices that would be acceptable to all stakeholders in the cotton industry.

The Minister, who said this at a meeting in Wa on Thursday with a cross-section of farmers and staff of the ministry, said the decision was taken in reaction to public outcries that farmers in most of the cotton producing areas are not adequately represented in the determination of prices.

Maj. Quashigah is on a two-day tour of the Upper West Region to interact with farmers, staff of the MOFA and to learn at first hand some of the major problems confronting the people in the region.

On rice production, the minister said the government would stop the importation of rice by the year 2004 but added that this could be achieved by revamping the rice producing areas with frequent loans, machinery and subsidies to enable them to increase production.

Maj. Quashigah said the government spends over 100 million dollars on the importation of rice and would therefore channel this amount towards resuscitating the agricultural sector to become independent.

He called on contractors who have machinery like bulldozers and tractors to assist farmers to increase their yield instead of concentrating on only construction.

The minister said the new zoning system spelt out for cotton farmers is meant to stem corruption, poaching and malpractices that have besieged the cotton industry.

Earlier, Kuoro Bamie Iddrisu, a chief at Lambussie, who is the Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen, called on the government to establish an agricultural development fund to assist poor farmers to increase production.

He also called on the government to create marketing avenues for crops so as to alleviate the poverty level of farmers in the country.

The Director of Crop Services, Acting Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank and other officials of the MOFA accompanied the minister.

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Rainstorm renders 40 persons homeless

Kenyasi (Brong Ahafo) 23 March 2001

A severe rainstorm hit Kenyasi in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Thursday, causing extensive damage to property and rendering 40 people homeless.

There were no casualties but damage caused to property was estimated at more than 44 million cedis.

Five houses, including a self-contained block occupied by four tutors of Ola Girls Secondary School, had their roofs ripped off while several other houses developed massive cracks and leakages.

Victims of the storm have since been putting up with friends and relatives.

In a consolatory message to the victims, the Asutifi District Co-ordinating Director, Mr P.K. Kuupol, blamed the disaster partially on poor construction techniques.

He, therefore, urged contractors in disaster prone areas to design cost-effective architecture that can stand the test of time.

Mr Kuupol pledged the assembly's readiness to assist in resettling the victims and appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) NGOs, groups and philanthropists to come to the aid of the victims.

Mr. Kwadwo Asare Bediako, Asutifi District Officer of NADMO, and presiding member of the district assembly, called on communities to embrace the tree planting campaign and grow more trees to offset the recurrence of such disasters.

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Gen. Smith calls for discipline, loyalty from soldiers

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 2001

Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith, outgoing Army Commander, on Thursday called on officers and men of the military to exhibit a high sense of discipline, loyalty and

professionalism in the performance of their duties.

"No army that is indisciplined is worth a cent of the taxpayer's money. An indisciplined army becomes a gang and a public menace in itself.

"The tradition of discipline should therefore be deeply ingrained in the mind and heart of every man in uniform since discipline constitutes the bedrock of success and every successful army thrives on it."

Lt. Gen. Smith was speaking at a farewell parade formed by 11 officers and 137 men of the Fifth Battalion of Infantry at Burma Camp.

He said at the brink of a new century, any severe gap between the military and civilian culture would bode ill for Ghana's newly won democracy.

He, therefore, called on the army to see itself as partners in national building with its civilian counterparts, adding: "it is dangerous for a profession like the military to differ sharply from the society it defends since a military that holds civil society in contempt might cease to behave as its servants".

Lt. Gen. Smith also called on the ranks and file of the outfit to accord Brigadier Clayton Yaachie, the new commander, the necessary prerequisites to enable him to cope with the challenges ahead.

Lt. Gen. Smith was born on January 9, 1945, in Takoradi in the Western Region. He had his West African School Certificate at the Achimota School in 1959.

Gen. Smith entered the Military Academy on October 16, 1965, and was commissioned into the Armed Forces as Second Lt. on October 16, 1965. He held the Army Commander's position for four years.

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Shippers Council identify site for inland ports

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 23 March 2001

Mr Samuel Ferguson Laing, Northern sector manager of the Ghana Shippers Council, on Thursday identified the Fumesua site, near Kumasi, as the most ideal in terms of international standards for the location of an inland port.

This is because of the intersection of railway and roads at the site, he said.

Besides, Mr Laing said, there is availability of utility facilities and services such as water, electricity, telephone and hotels in the area.

The manager was speaking at a meeting of the newly formed Brong Ahafo Region shipping committee in Sunyani, comprising importers and exporters.

The meeting was to enable the shippers to discuss their related problems and come out with suggestions and resolutions for onward transmission to the appropriate quarters for solutions.

He emphasised that, had it not been the ideal nature of the location, the Council would have tried alternative places like Boankra or Ejisu, which are all less suitable.

Mr Laing noted that the shippers Council, in pursuance of its aim to open Ghana's corridors for neighbouring landlocked countries has sited a memorandum of understanding with Burkina Faso and Niger, and would soon be the turn of Mali.

The manager said that the interests of landlocked neighbouring countries are very high in the project.

He said these countries which are using Abidjan, Lome, Coutonou, Tema and Takoradi ports, would find the Fumesua port more convenient in terms of cost.

The manager expressed regret that although the response and interests of investors all over the world in the project is very high, the dispute on the land is drawing the project back.

He hoped that with the intervention of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, and the Ashanti regional co-ordinating council, the matter would be settled amicably for the project to take off in earnest.

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