Concerned polytechnic students urge colleagues to return to campus
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002 - It is said that life begins at 40. If this were really true, then Ghana, which celebrates its 45th anniversary of independence on March 6, must be on the road to a dynamic socio-political and economic stardom.
At least, this has been the ardent wish of most Ghanaians since the nation attained independence on March 6, 1957. But wishes are certainly not horses! Four decades of constitutional and military rule have not succeeded in making Ghana live up to this dream.
The decision by government to embrace the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) is sufficient indication that all has not been well with our economy. The harsh policies dictated by the Breton Woods institutions and unfair international trade order have had significant impact on Ghana's economy, which is largely dependent on agriculture.
A better trade deal with the rich north; more vigorous south-south trade and better opportunities through HIPC should see Ghana brave through the economic quicksand that threatens to wreak havoc on many third world countries.
Ghana, however, takes consolation in the fact that it has survived the political chaos that has gripped some of our sister African nations and brought untold hardships to their peoples.
But history teaches humanity a very useful lesson when it beckons to us to learn from both the mistakes of the past and the present and from there try to make amends. This is the time to unite in a spirit of true national reconciliation.
This year's anniversary, which is under the theme: "Discipline - An Essential Tool for National Development", depicts growing concern over increasing indiscipline in the society.
Discipline is, indeed, an indispensable tool in governance and orderly social behaviour and must of necessity permeate every home, ministry, department agency and organisation or business enterprise.
We have entered an era of Positive Change and it is the wish of all that Ghana chalks greater successes in the years ahead. As usual, this grand occasion will be marked all over the country with prayers by religious bodies and parades by schoolchildren, the security services, youth groups and various organisations.
Ministers of State, District Chief Executives and other state functionaries would deliver speeches, highlighting on President John Agyekum Kufuor's message to the nation.
There would also be messages of congratulations and goodwill from world leaders and friendly nations to President Kufuor and the entire nation on the occasion of our independence anniversary.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- More than 10 Presidents and Heads of State have so far sent congratulatory messages to President John Agyekum Kufuor on the occasion of Ghana's 45th Independence anniversary celebration falls today, March 6.
A statement signed on Tuesday by Mr E. Kojo Acquah, Acting Director, Information Culture and Linguistic of the Minister Foreign Affairs said Right Reverend Dr. Peter Hollingworth, Governor General of Australia called for a stronger relation that would prosper and strengthened the two countries in the coming year.
President Jiang Zemin of the Peoples Republic of China noted that the government and people of Ghana had been committed to vigorously exploring a development suited for Ghana's national conditions.
He said Ghana had scored commendable achievements in the cause of nation building, adding that the co-operation between Ghana and China in various fields enjoyed great potentials and expressed his readiness to work together with President Kufuor to expand new phases of development in the new century.
Indian's President, K. R Narayanan expressed confidence that the existing close relationship between Ghana and India would further progress in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of the People of both countries.
President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea noted with satisfaction that the significant friendly relation between his country and Ghana would further be strengthened for mutual benefit.
President Fidel Castro of Cuba, President Seyyed Mohammed Khatami of Iran, Girma Wolde-Giorgis of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic all underscored the need for deeper sisterly relations to be develop in the years ahead and wish President Kufuor good health and success.
The Libyan Leader, Colonel Muammar Al Qadahfi's message said "best wishes of good health and happiness to the friendly people of Ghana, further progress and prosperity." There were similar messages from the Presidents of the Swiss Confederation, Kasper Villiger and the Republic of Maldives.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- Dr. Adolf Luterodt, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP), on Tuesday said the significance of Ghana's independence also meant the adoption of a reasonable level of self- reliance in her development efforts.
He said even though it was on the bases of self-reliance that Ghana could vindicate its political status as a truly independent and sovereign state, "that reference is seemingly disappearing from Ghana's political dictionary."
Dr. Luterodt was speaking in Accra at a get-together organised by the CPP for parties of the "Nkrumaist Family" in commemoration of the 45th anniversary celebrations of Ghana's independence day which falls on Wednesday.
He said, no nation could have any meaningful and sustainable development without being knitted together with a common vision of its capacity and resource potential for self-reliance. "We are over-dependent on foreign investors as if they have the magic to our salvation."
He said Ghanaian workers were the main driving force behind national development, adding that it was imperative for government to create conditions that would enable workers to give of their best in national reconstruction efforts.
Dr. Luterodt noted that after 45 years of independence, Ghana had still not been able to emancipate itself from the influences of western culture and mentality. He said legitimate socio-economic needs such as food, shelter and clothing for which independence was fought were being denied most of her citizens.
"While some in the rural areas are forced to drink water from ponds and streams infected with guineaworm disease, others in some areas of Accra are buying a bucket of water for 500 cedis."
Dr. Luterodt said the CPP considered the struggle to develop the country today in an era of neo-colonialism as being equal in importance to the struggle for independence.
He noted that the resolve and sacrifices, which characterised the pre-independence of the CPP were missing today saying, "we must learn from our predecessors and use their experiences to transform our party into a united Nkrumaist front with a clear focus, commitment and dedication."
Dr. Luterodt said it was the believe of the party that given the right leadership and attitude to work, as well as a resolute will by the people to overcome the odds, Ghana was bound to emerge prosperous.
Dr. Mamshie Bawa Ali, Nattional Organiser of the Peoples National Convention, said there was the need for members of the Nkrumaist parties to get rid of a certain level of egoism.
He said this is important to the effect unification of the parties into one strong body. The other political parties present were the National Reform Party and the People's National Convention. Present were party executives and followers.
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Tema (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- The Greater Accra Regional Council of Labour (GARCL) on Tuesday called on the Tripartite Committee to expedite action in determining a new national minimum wage as soon as possible.
In a resolution passed at its first quarterly meeting at Tema, the Council recalled that last year the tripartite committee agreed that minimum wages would be fixed before the reading of the national budget.
It said, however, while the determination of the minimum wage has been unduly delayed, the government had gone out to announce the budget in breach of the agreement reached last year.
The resolution signed by Mr Wilson Agana, GARCL Chairman and Mr Harry F. Pieterson, Regional Secretary called on the Committee to act swiftly to maintain workers confidence in the government's socio-economic programme of Golden Age of Business and productivity.
"The Council wants to believe that the Golden age of Business equally means a fair golden reward for labour", it added. On the restoration of End of Service Benefits (ESB), the resolution recalled that in November last year, the Council issued directives for the hoisting of red flags to back its demands for the restoration of the ESB.
It said the government, however, intervened by requesting the Committee to handle the issue but "we want to express our dissatisfaction at the pace at which the issue is being handled and want to call on the government to act swiftly before it is too late".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- Vice President Aliu Mahama, saluting Ghanaians on the 45th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, sounded a clarion call to fight indiscipline that threatened national efforts at achieving total political and economic independence.
Alhaji Mahama reiterated his personal commitment to the crusade against indiscipline and announced that he would soon hold meetings with pastors, Muslim clerics, traditional rulers, professionals and the media to support him to effect a change in behaviour.
Addressing a parade of security services and school children at the Independence Square in Accra, Alhaji Mahama condemned indiscipline, which he described as "a monster", saying it had permeated many spheres of society.
"Today, intolerance, impatience and violence, which are the offspring of indiscipline, have taken hold of many Ghanaians." The Vice President said: "Everywhere you go one is bound to notice some acts of indiscipline; in schools, universities, in the hospitals, on our roads, at our workplaces, in the markets and even in the forests.
"Reckless driving, with its resultant accidents is now the norm rather than the exception. Students no longer want to be under authority. "They want to regulate their behaviour on the campuses. Developers put up structures anywhere without regard to town and country planning regulations. People litter the streets, degrade the forests and do whatever pleases them."
Alhaji Mahama noted that democracy thrived on the rule of law, saying that the democratic dispensation enjoined all to put their faith in the hands of the law and those mandated to interpret it.
He acknowledged that people and even government, on some occasions, became inconvenienced or had their rights violated. However, he said, demanding justice
was no justification for resorting to indiscipline.
"So it does not matter how strong or influential you are, it is the law that must prevail. Your ability to submit to the law irrespective of your physical strength or area of influence is a mark of discipline and your democratic inclination."
He described the theme for the anniversary: "Discipline, an Essential Tool for National Development," as appropriate and timely. The parade, under the command of Colonel Carl C. Modey, was formed up of a contingent of 48 officers, 900 men and women from the security services and 1,200 teachers and school chidden from private and public institutions.
Members of the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Diplomatic Corps and a cross section of the public witnessed it. Reflecting on the achievement of political independence 45 years ago, Alhaji Mahama said it was a feat that had to be cherished with a sense of pride by every Ghanaian irrespective of one's background or political inclination.
He paid tribute to those who were at the forefront of the independence struggle, particularly the Big Six, and called for a peaceful rest for Dr Ebenezer Ako Adjei, one of them, who died recently.
"This day constitutes our national heritage and is a source of pride for us all as Ghanaians. The day reminds us of the enormous and priceless sacrifices that our forefathers made to achieve freedom."
Alhaji Mahama also saluted ex-servicemen, traditional rulers, farmers and the youth, who participated in diverse ways toward the achievement of independence. He called for the respect of the ideals of discipline, hard work, peace and unity that were held by the founding fathers to make Ghana a modern and happy state.
The Vice President, however, noted that Ghana, in spite of her abundant natural and human resources, had been unable to achieve economic prosperity and an appreciable standard of living for her people.
He attributed this to poor management of resources; poor maintenance culture; greed, selfishness and abuse of power; saying these had made the nation underdeveloped and poor.
He pledged the government's commitment to work towards the achievement of economic success and a decent living for all Ghanaians and appealed for the support of all to make this possible.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- A Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond on Tuesday described as disappointing the contribution of solar power to the country's energy requirements.
Addressing a seminar on solar water heaters, he said despite Ghana's huge solar energy resources and interest, especially in the areas of research and development, little progress had been made in moving the sector forward in the last 20 years.
The Ghana Solar Energy Society (GHASES) organised the seminar to discuss solar water heating technology and the savings it could make towards power consumption as part of programmes at the Eighth Ghana International Trade Fair in Accra.
Mr Hammond attributed the negligible contribution of the sector to a number of factors including the absence of a clear government policy on renewable energy technologies, unfavourable fiscal and pricing policy, inadequate financing, infrastructure as well as lack of a regulatory framework.
These factors, the Deputy Minister said, had combined to constrain the wider development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies in the country. Mr Hammond called for an incentive mechanism to create opportunities and to overcome the barriers through an effective partnership among industry, private sector investors, government agencies and consumers.
He mentioned subsidies and the local manufacture of strategic components and assembly, removal of import duties on all components of the system and expansion in existing fiscal incentive to cover all renewable energy technologies as some of the most promising mechanisms for dealing with the problem. Mr Hammond stressed the need for a system of certification and standardisation to minimise or eliminate the installation of poor quality systems.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- Israel is to establish a trauma centre in Ghana to manage trauma cases during accidents. The centre would be set up at the Okomfo Anokye Hospital, Kumasi, Dr Baratt Yosef, head of Special Projects of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday during a meeting with the Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, in Accra.
He said the Israeli government would bear the full cost that would include materials, equipment and 25 technical officers. Dr Yosef said the project was a donation from Israel to Ghana as a sign of goodwill to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The country has for sometime now been experiencing trauma cases out of the numerous accidents on the roads. Trauma, an emotional shock one experiences out of an accident, produces a lasting harmful effect.
Dr Yosef called on the Ministry of Health to assist in the waiving of taxes on the materials and equipment to be used for the projects. Dr Afriyie, Minister of Health, commended Israel for the initiative and pledged the government's support in ensuring that the project succeeded
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- Nana Aburam Akanjah IV, Chief of Buem Traditional Area in the Volta Region, on Tuesday said the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II should have showed courtesies to him when he entered his domain, earlier this year, since he is the overlord there.
He, however, blamed Nana Asare Baah, Chief of Worawora, who invited the Otumfuo to a function at Worawora early this year claiming that he misled the
Asantehene.
"This has no doubt emboldened the Woraworahene to be arrogant to the Buemhene and to go to the extent of declaring war on the people of Buem," he said at a press conference in Accra, in reaction to statements made by the Woraworahene.
"The Woraworahene (rejected) my suggestion for the postponement of the Asantehene's visit to allow for better co-ordination and went ahead and referred to me as merely Ohene of Borada on the invitation card he (sent) to me."
The Worawworahene told a press conference in Accra earlier this year that he owed allegiance to the Asantehene and not the Buemhene. He added that Worawora land could not have belonged to Buems as the Buems had migrated from Kolongbanze in Togo.
The Woraworahene was quoted as saying among other things that the Worawora land and its occupants were all Asantes, who fought and won the land from its original occupants, the Chokosis.
Nana Akpanjah described Nana Baah's claims as "misleading, fallacious, blatant lies and figments of his imagination", saying that there was more than enough historical records and evidence to prove that the Buems were the original occupants of the land.
He explained that Worawora comprised of the people of Gyamerakrom, who are of Kwahu descent and the first to be given that portion of the land by the Buems 300 years ago, ahead of the people of Kotomase, who claimed to have migrated from Kuntanase in the Ashanti Region.
"It is therefore a blatant lie and mischievous for the learned Woraworahene to claim that all occupants of Worawora are Asantes," he said. Nana Akpanjah said before the coming of the Worawora people, Buem had common boundaries with Tapa and Otiso to the West, Akposo and Krachi to the north, Gbi (Hohoe) to the south and Togo to the east.
"When their Kuntanase group arrived in the forest their footsteps sounded wora..wora..wora. When they were found by Kudjehene, they were given land to occupy in the mountain forest upon the instructions of the Buemhene."
Nana Akpanjah said the Woraworahene is a member of the Buem Traditional Council, of which the Buemhene is the head, adding that for the past 300 years, the predecessors of Nana Baah have sworn allegiance to the Buemhene through the Kudjehene, who is the Nifahene of Buem.
"It is also on record that it was the Buemhene and not the Asantehene, who recommended to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC) the possible elevation of the Woraworahene to paramount status, which is yet to be gazetted," he said.
"Until then the Woraworahene attended VRHC meetings on rotational basis." He appealed to the Woraworahene to cultivate the principles of honesty, humility and respect for duly constituted authority as his predecessors.
Nana Kwabena Mensah, a citizen of Buem, told newsmen that efforts were underway behind closed doors to amicably settle the misunderstanding between them and the Woraworahene.
"We are not ready for war and violence. We only want to set the records straight in the minds of the public and ease any tension in the minds of the Buem people as we set the stage for amicable settlement."
The Woraworahene had challenged the Buemhene to provide any documentary or other proof to back his claims. He gave the Buemhene one week to prove his ownership of the land -the period had since elapsed.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was invited of Worawora during the celebration of their "Akwantutenten Festival".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- Government was on Tuesday urged to budget for and support educational programmes for women to protect them and children from all forms of violence and abuse which have assumed alarming rates.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Good Governance Coalition said government must respect fully the norms of international human rights instruments on violence against women and to promptly investigate and punish such acts.
At a press conference in Accra to discuss the increasing reports of domestic violence Ms. Angelina Baiden Amissah, MP for Shama and Chairperson of the Committee on Gender and Children, said it was important to step up education on causes of violence against women, their prevention, legal rights and remedies to stem the menace.
Domestic violence is the term given to acts of violence committed by an offender upon a person or persons to whom the offender is related by blood, legal custody, marriage and adoption.
It could also be against a person with whom the offender shares or has shared a mutual residence or with whom the offender maintains or maintained a romantic relationship, not necessarily including a sexual relationship.
Ms Baiden Amissah said the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, Women in Parliament and the Attorney General's Department would collaborate to fine-tune and enact the Domestic Violence Bill.
She said the shooting of women by their spouses and ex-spouses were horrifying and called for a temporary period of news blackout on spousal shootings to prevent any copycat syndrome. "This copy-cat syndrome appears to be replicating such forms of violence against women within the past month" she said.
Cases of violence against women reported in the media this year are: February 9 - A Takoradi-based businessman Joseph Tetteh Quaynor shot and killed his wife Svetlana Acquah, an employee of Ecobank Ghana Ltd and later committed suicide.
February 19 - A 57-year-old spectacle repairer Kwaku Omari was reported to have shot dead his wife Jane Abena Boatemaa, aged 35 and her sister Yaa Yaa, 28.he attempted to kill himself but the bullet grazed his jaw.
February 23 - The media reported that one Samuel Ampofo, 60, of Poase-Cement in the Kadjebi District, shot and killed his wife Madam Mawunyo Teka for failing to cook soup with all the rat meat he brought home for the preparation of the meal.
March 5 - The media reported the murder of a 22-year-old petty trader, Emelia Dzaga by her husband, Godson Nyador, 35, at Tema, Manhean. Ms Baiden Amissah noted that contrary to common perception, most violent men are not mentally ill; many merely exerted what they saw as their natural rights to dominate women.
"Instead of cultivating a relationship of equality that is based on mutual respect and support, the perpetrators thrive in a relationship based on power and control, the use of coercion, threats intimidation and emotional abuse."
Mrs Baiden Amissah said to promote effective law enforcement, government should finance training programmes for judicial, legal and law enforcement personnel to sensitise them on the nature of gender-based acts of violence.
She noted that since the Police station was likely to be the first place a victim would go, the Police should incorporate in their educational programmes issues concerning domestic violence.
She called on couples to seek redress through the country's legal system rather than resorting to violence adding that all sections of society including artists, law enforcement agencies, teachers, students and counselling support services must be gender sensitive.
Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, called on the media to launch a campaign to curb domestic violence by educating the populace on such issues.
She said a lot of women go through such violence without coming out to talk about it. "It is not a shame to expose the wickedness of your spouse. Let us talk about it as we talk politics."
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 March 2002- The Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Chairman of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian says Ghana is afraid of changing the way it dispensed justice.
He said it was a matter of regret that the establishment of the Fast Track Courts that was bringing change in the dispensation of justice has been seen as a monster. Rev Frimpong-Manso said though it was difficult to do away with tradition, people, should accept the fact that change was inevitable and must come from within.
He was preaching the sermon during the induction into office of the National Officers of the Presbyterian Men's Fellowship at the Presbyterian chapel at the
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Sunday.
"Even in our judicial system, change has become a big animal", Rev Frimpong-Manso said, and admonished the new executive not to be afraid to introduce changes into the fellowship.
He charged them to be firm and fair and be the persons that God wanted them to be. "In times of extreme hunger and frustration, we don't even remember that the Lord is there", he pointed out, and charged the executive to call unto the Lord in times of need. Rev Frimpong-Manso asked them to go to the elders, take them with them as well as seek advice from them.
He said they had been given the authority to win more souls but told them that they should not let the power they have been given corrupt them absolutely and that they must always strategise and plan ahead, reminding them that a leader was the one who had a following and that if they lacked ideas, the people would desert them.
Mr Kofi Asante Agyarko, National Chairman of the Fellowship, said they were taking office at a time the church had embarked on charting new approaches to handling issues and that the emerging situation had brought in its wake challenges and constraints.
It is, however, pertinent to comment that change was inevitable in any situation or society and if the church did not accept to change now it would be overtaken by change agents since change did not wait for the procrastinator.
Other members of the executive include Mr J. A. E. Fosu, First National Chairman, Mr David Aboagye Mensah, Second National Chairman, Mr Yaw Oyirifi Akrofi, Third National Chairman.
The rest are the Reverend E.T. Tekpetey, Chaplain, Mr S. T. Akuamoah, Treasurer, Mr G. Kumi-Brobbey, Financial Secretary, Mr K. La-Opare, National Secretary, Mr Stephen Borquaye, Publicity Officer and Mr H. Newman, Music Director.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 06 March 2002- A group calling itself Concerned Polytechnic Students on Tuesday urged their colleagues in the various polytechnics to reconsider their decision not to attend lectures. They claimed that the current leadership of GNUPS had hijacked the interest of the student body to satisfy their own parochial motives.
"There is also an undercurrent of certain political interests that are bent on using the student front to unnecessarily confront government and disturb the peace in this country," Mr. Samuel Okoka, spokesperson for the group, told a press conference in Accra.
Students of the polytechnics have been boycotting lectures since January to press demands for a review of their grading system. Mr Okoka, who is a student of the Koforidua Polytechnic, said government had responded positively to some of the demands of the students and would improve infrastructure in the institutions. "There is evidence of serious efforts by government at improving infrastructure in all the polytechnics," he said.
The group which, is made up of representatives from the Koforidua, Accra and Cape Coast polytechnics, criticised the President of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS,) Mr Rashid Yakubu, for his uncompromising position saying he has declared that all issues, including the grading system, should be resolved before they returned to campus.
He said the call by civil society; religious bodies and Parliament to return to school so that the student leadership and government would dialogue must be heeded. The group also called on the student body to call off their intended demonstration on Thursday so as not to disturb the Independence celebration.
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