Residents of Bolgatanga wants alien herdsmen out
Bolgatanga community not happy about delay of market project
Rawlings appeals to Muslims to help Kosovo refugees
Conference on water and sanitation opens in Accra
NDC sends congratulatory message to Asantehene
Treat AIDS patients with love, official
Speakers of Parliament must be absolutely impartial - Darkwa
Goaso traditional council condemns attack at Manhyia Palace
Mob attacks suspected ritual murderer
Residents demonstrate over removal of electricity transformer
NDC activists advised to stop chain saw operation
New Juabeng to Enjoy Metropolitan Status - Dasebre
Residents of Bolgatanga wants alien herdsmen out
Pwalugu (Upper East) 5 May 99
The chiefs and people of Pwalugu, Balungu and Datoko in the Bolgatanga District have appealed to the government to flush out alien herdsmen because their activities are destroying vegetation and farmlands in the district.
The appeal was made when Mr John Tia, Member of Parliament (MP) for Talensi Constituency toured the area to interact with the people and acquaint himself with their problems.
The alien herdsmen do not only cut down economic trees like Shea and Dawadawa to feed their animals, but they also steal cattle belonging to the local people and rape their women, the people said.
They explained that all attempts to get the herdsmen out of the area have proved futile because there are some "powerful local people" behind them.
Mr Tia expressed regret over the situation and added his voice to earlier appeals to the Bolgatanga District Assembly and the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to join hands in addressing the concerns of the people before they take the law into their own hands.
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Bolgatanga community not happy about delay of market project
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 5 May 99
Work on the Bolgatanga Central Market has come to a standstill due to the inability of the contractor, messrs Lawaaba Limited, to deliver.
The 178 million cedi project is part of a World Bank-sponsored urban three project, which involves the construction of drainage systems, walkways and urinals.
It was awarded in July 1997 and should have been completed and handed over in May 1999.
The market site has now turned into a place of convenience for some residents and harbours criminals and drug addicts.
The delay in the construction of the market has affected business in the community because sales have reduced drastically following the demolition of the market for reconstruction.
Mr Henry Atiah, a spokesman for traders and store operators who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga said efforts to get the district assembly to put pressure on the contractor to resume work has failed.
Mr Atiah condemned the bureaucracy existing in the assembly and said the situation discourages the business community from effectively interacting with the assembly, adding that "this does not augur well for development of the district."
Meanwhile, an official of the District Assembly who pleaded anonymity dismissed as false speculation that the project was due for handing over this month.
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Rawlings appeals to Muslims to help Kosovo refugees
Accra (Greater Accra), 5th May 99
President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday reaffirmed his opposition to NATO bombings in Yugoslavia and said he wondered why wealthy Muslim nations were not assisting Kosovo refugees.
He said some nations have come out with aid packages for the refugees, who are Muslims, but nothing has been heard from Muslims either in condemnation of the bombings or assistance to the refugees.
President Rawlings said this when Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Sherif, Secretary-General of the World Islamic Call Society, called on him at the Castle, Osu.
Dr. Sherif, who arrived last weekend, commissioned a multi-purpose education centre on Monday. The centre has computer, vocational and medical wings and was built by the Society, which is a Libya-based non-governmental organisation.
"The silence over what is happening in Yugoslavia is disturbing some of us.
Yugoslavia was given "a shock treatment" in 1995 during the war in Bosnia but now it is not being given a breathing space.
"Why is the voice of the Muslim world not being heard?"
President Rawlings said if Muslim nations would not condemn the bombings in Yugoslavia then they should offer to take in some of the refugees as some western nations are doing.
"The refugees are human. You do not have to be a Muslim before you do your duty. The silence of the world is not right."
He spoke about efforts being made to end the crisis through diplomatic channel; "let us pray a solution is found. Let us create room for dialogue."
The President thanked Libya for its past assistance to Ghana and said "that is why we remain loyal friends but our loyalty is based on principles."
Dr. Sherif said the society, which was set up by the Libyan leader Colonel Muamar Gaddafi, strives to ''bring dignity to all mankind''.
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Conference on water and sanitation opens in Accra
Accra (Greater Accra), 5th May 99
Key players and service providers in the water industry were on Tuesday urged to lead the sector towards universal access to water and sanitation facilities as large portions of the rural areas remain deprived of these services.
Mr I. K Adjei Mensah, Minister of Works and Housing, said this is important because many people in the rural areas still have limited access to water and even fewer have access to adequate sanitation facilities.
The Minister was opening the 10th Mole Conference on rural water and sanitation in Accra, which is being attended by stakeholders and actors drawn from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and international bodies.
The three-day conference, which is under the broad theme "Mole into the next millennium" is being organised by ProNet, a non-profit organisation in collaboration with WaterAid, an NGO, and the British Department For International Development.
The first Mole conference held in 1989 at the Mole Game Reserve in Damongo in the Northern Region gave birth to the Mole series which takes place annually to provide a forum for reviewing and refining policies, among other issues.
Mr Adjei-Mensah noted that delivery of sanitation facilities has been slow and education on hygiene as a component of water and sanitation delivery is more recent phenomenon.
He called for more work on the issue adding "adequate water and sanitation are the cornerstones of our health and thus the foundation for the prosperity and development of the nation."
Mr Peter Sackey, acting managing director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, said the agency was created to spearhead the implementation of a national policy and strategy in line with the government's decentralisation policy.
Mr Sackey said some of the current programmes of the agency include to ensure adequate capacity building for both the private and public sectors to enhance the rate of implementation of the national strategy.
"The private sector lacks the requisite training, equipment and personnel and a lot has to be done in the sector."
Mr Sackey said community ownership and management of water and sanitation facilities are crucial for sustainability of investments but the agency has to study legal issues and other complexities involved with the issue of ownership of facilities.
He called on non-governmental organisations in the sector to furnish the agency with data on their activities, including progress of work, to ensure effective networking and co-ordination.
Mr Sackey announced that Ghana has been included in a global conference that involves a one world think-tank on water and sanitation on the web site saying this would help in accessing information to formulate practical policies in the sector.
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NDC sends congratulatory message to Asantehene
Kumasi (Ashanti), 5th May 99
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sent a message of congratulations to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, on the occasion of his enstoolment as the 16th King of Asante.
The message, which was contained in a statement issued and signed by Mr Philip Edward Kwabena Antwi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, wished the Asantehene long life, good luck and a successful reign.
The statement acknowledged that the task ahead of Otumfuo Osei Tutu is not an easy one; it is demanding but expressed optimism that he would prove equal to the task and bring greater honour to Asanteman.
They prayed that the Otumfuo would ensure that "perfect peace prevails in the region as and when party politics vis-a-vis electioneering campaign starts".
The statement added that "Asanteman should no more be a region of political violence starters or campaigners".
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Wa (Upper West), 5th May 99
The New Patriotic Party is to mobilise all human and material resources at its disposal to fight and win the forth coming by-election at Lambussie, Mr Daniel Botwe General secretary of the Party has stated.
" The result of the 1996 election in the constituency does not frighten us. We have accepted the challenge to contest and win and not just for contesting sake".
Mr Botwe was addressing a news conference at Wa on Monday before he embarked on a tour of the Lambussie constituency to access the situation on the ground.
The Lambussie seat became vacant when its MP Mr. Luka Koo died on April 20, after a short illness.
He said post 1996 election analysis on the party's strength and weaknesses in the constituency indicates that it could win the seat this time round.
" From what we have gathered the Party has the good will of the people which has been fuelled by the NDC's failure throughout these years to improve their lives.
"They now look to the NPP as the only hope for salvation from their economic woes ".
The general secretary appealed to the Electoral Commission, the security agencies and the NDC to ensure that the elections are held in a free and fair environment.
" Our party's organisation is now polling station-driven and we are therefore serving notice that we will under no circumstance allow our polling agents to be intimidated to move one metre away from the polling stations during voting day", he warned.
Due to lack of photograph on the identity card of voters in the rural areas, he said, the NPP would insist that names of voters are mentioned, identified and ticked in the register in front of the polling agent before they are allowed to cast their vote.
Mr. Botwe appealed to the media to give adequate and equitable coverage to all contesting parties and assured Ghanaians that any resourceful minority MP can lease with government and its agencies to bring development to his people.
He therefore asked the electorate to dismiss the propaganda that only sitting government MPs can bring development projects to their areas. NPP elects candidate for Lambussie by-election
Meanwhile, Mr Anthony Balooro, a 46-year-old farmer, has been elected unopposed as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for the by-election.
Mr Balooro stood on the NPP ticket in the last election but lost to Luke Koo whose death on April 20 this year has created the vacancy for the by-election.
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Treat AIDS patients with love, official
Aprede-Akwapim (Eastern Region), 5th May 99
A project assistant of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Mr Elvis Billa has advised Ghanaians to treat HIV/AIDS patients with love and care to enable them to live longer.
He explained that very often the attitude of people towards HIV/AIDS patients rushed them to death because it gives them more stress and pain than the disease does.
Mr Billa gave the advice at a lecture and film show on HIV/AIDS organised by the Aprede Billion Club, a social club, at Aprede-Akwapim at the weekend.
He advised hairdressers to use gloves when styling the hair of their clients to avoid contracting the HIV virus from infected clients and sterilise their towels in boiling water for about 20 minutes before using them on their next clients.
Mr Alex Asare, a peer Educator of PPAG said AIDS could be contracted by anybody irrespective of the person's status or material resources and asked for compassion towards victims.
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Speakers of Parliament must be absolutely impartial - Darkwa
Accra (Greater Accra) 5 May 99
Mr Samuel Ntim Darkwa, former Clerk of Parliament, on Tuesday stated that the hallmark of a Speaker of Parliament is absolute impartiality when in the Chair.
The Speaker must not only be impartial, but must also be seen to be impartial, he said.
Mr Darkwa made the point in a paper he presented at the First Conference of Speakers of West African Parliaments in Accra.
The Speaker must remove the party tag, "which must be seen to have been removed, and to stay removed as soon as he or she is appointed to this high office."
The three-day conference under the theme "ECOWAS-The Parliamentary Dimension", aims at strengthening Parliamentary Democracy and fostering Inter-Regional and Sub-Regional Co-operation between member-countries.
It is being attended by delegates from 12 out of the 16 ECOWAS member-states namely, Ghana, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Guinea and the Cape Verde.
The rest are Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali and The Gambia.
There are observers from the Secretariat of ECOWAS and Union of African Parliaments (UAP).
Mr Darkwa said the Speaker must always enforce consistently the rules and established practices of Parliament.
Without the correct application of the rules of the House, debates could degenerate into chaotic scenes.
The former Clerk said the Speaker has an important duty to ensure that the point of view of the minority groups are canvassed so that their frustrations do not find an outlet in walk-outs and press statements.
As the defender of the rights of the institution of Parliament, and its members, it is indeed the Speaker's role to essentially ensure that the integrity of the Legislature in a multi-party democracy is preserved, Mr Darkwa said.
"The hallmark of a vibrant and effective Parliament is its capacity to scrutinise government activities and to hold the Executive to account."
Mr Darkwa traced the history of the office of the Speaker to 1258, saying it was first created in Britain when Peter de Monford was in that year appointed to the chair.
The first Speaker to be so styled was Sir Thomas Hungerfield in 1377, he said.
The former Clerk said the Speaker's office was created in the then Gold Coast in 1949 when the colonial Governor-General ceased to be an ex-official President of the Legislative Council.
The creation of this office marked a significant step in the history of colonial legislature, because in 1951, the legislature under the 1950 Constitution, elected a Ghanaian Speaker, Sir Emmanuel Quist, the first African to preside over a British colonial legislature.
Professor Robert Dossou, Speaker of the Parliament of Benin, stressed the need for governments in West Africa to become financially committed to the task of establishing an ECOWAS Parliament.
Prof. Dossou, whose topic was, "Towards a West African Parliament", urged people in the sub-region to remain united since they all have important roles to play in the creation of the ECOWAS Parliament.
During general discussions, most of the Speakers were of the view that an ECOWAS Parliament was long overdue.
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Goaso traditional council condemns attack at Manhyia Palace
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 5 May 99
The Goaso Traditional Council has condemned the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) accusing it of conspiring with the ex-queen mother of Goaso, Nana Yaa Akyaa to attack and drag into disrepute the good name of the Paramount Chief of the area, Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo.
The Council warned that it might be forced to advise itself if Goaso chiefs, particularly the paramount chief, would be made the target of harassment and assault when they visit the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
This was contained in a statement read on behalf of the Council by the Krontihene of Goaso, Nana Yaahyira Poku at a news conference at Sunyani on Tuesday.
The conference was a reaction to recent media reports about an alleged clash between the ex-queen mother and Kotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo, at an oath swearing ceremony in honour of the new Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on April 26.
Nana Poku said Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo's strong and principled resistance to attempts by the KTC to extend its jurisdiction to the Goaso Traditional area has made him unpopular to some of the members of KTC.
It is for this reason that after conspiring with Nana Akyaa to prevent Krotwimansa Adjei Ampofo from swearing his oath of allegiance to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, some members of the council caused a false publication that the Goaso Paramount chief had assaulted the ex-queen mother.
Nana Akyaa alias Yaa Mabre is not the queen mother of Goaso as she was destooled about six years ago by her own family members, the occupants of the Goaso Krontire stool, Nana Opoku stated.
The Goaso traditional council questioned the rationale for giving official permission for an ex-queen mother to invoke the Great Oath of Asante at Manhyia to prevent the Goasohene from swearing his oath of allegiance.
Nana Opoku denied that the Goasohene had been disrespectful to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II by refusing to heed his summons on three occasions, arguing that if that was the case, then, some of the Kumasi chiefs would have been the first to disclose it and not Nana Akyaa.
He said the attack on Krotwiamansa Adjei Ampofo by thugs hired by Nana Akyaa was not the first of its kind as some other chiefs from Goaso have suffered a similar fate during visits to Manhyia.
Nana Opoku, on behalf of the Goaso Traditional Council apologised to the
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the "disgraceful behaviour of Nana Akyaa, which nearly marred his colourful installation".
The chiefs and people of Goaso would continue to remain solidly behind their Omanhene, Krontwiamansa Adjei Ampofo, because he has "proved to be a strong and progressive leader in spite of attempts to muddy his reputation", Nana Opoku said.
Nana Opoku on behalf of the traditional council wished Otumfuo Osei Tutu II a peaceful and successful reign, and expressed the hope that his rule would mark a watershed in the chieftaincy institution, where traditions and customs would be cherished by all.
Present at the news conference were the Adontehene, Nana Opoku Agyemang and the queen mother of Goaso, Nana Kusi Boadum Akyeampomaa, who expressed her displeasure about the media falsely implicating her in the alleged brawl at Manhyia.
Nana Opoku, Nana Opoku Agyekum, Adontenhene, Nana Owusu Akyaw, Nifahene and Nana Adu Poku, Twafohene signed the statement.
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Mob attacks suspected ritual murderer
Sunyani (Western Region) 5 May 99
A mob at Drobo in the Brong Ahafo has vandalised and looted the property of a prominent local businessman on suspicion that he has murdered his watchman for ritual purposes.
A cargo truck belonging to Mr Issah Kramo, the businessman, was set ablaze while his pick-up truck was vandalised beyond repairs.
In addition, his house and four stores in the town were looted by the angry mob, which claimed that the Police was dealing "softly" with Mr Kramo, in spite of strong incriminating evidence against him.
The deceased, Mr Mumuni Sissala, a 74-year-old watchman, was found dead in front of one of the shops belonging to Mr Kramo, on April 25 this year with a deep knife cut behind his left ear.
Among the items looted by the mob were television sets, sewing machines, mattresses and other electronic gadgets valued at millions of cedis.
The deputy regional crime officer, Mr Moses Zida, confirmed the incident in an interview at Sunyani on Tuesday.
Mr Kramo and the deceaseds son, Mr K. Adjei, has been placed in prison custody in connection with the case and would be arraigned before the Berekum community tribunal on Wednesday on a provisional charge of murder, Mr Zida said.
He said 13 other people have so far been arrested for their alleged involvement in the destruction and looting of Mr Kramos property.
Four of the suspected looters are in prison custody, while eight others arrested on Monday, by a regional Police Task Force, were being screened.
Also to be arraigned before the tribunal on Wednesday is one Aboagye, who is suspected to have stolen 11 million cedis from Mr Kramo's shop during the mob attack.
The mob accused Mr Kramo of conspiring with Adjei to kill his father for ritual purposes so that he would reward him with a car.
The police said they were still investigating and could, therefore, not confirm or deny the accusation against Adjei.
Mr Zida appealed to members of the public, who have information on both the murder and the looting to assist the Police in their investigations.
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Residents demonstrate over removal of electricity transformer
Dodowa (Greater Accra) 5 May 99
A decision by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Legon Branch to remove a transformer installed in Dodowa since 1986 has sparked off demonstration in the town since Monday.
The demonstrators, made up of both the young and the old have started keeping vigil around the transformer to make sure it is not removed.
According to them, members of the community paid for the cost of installation and as such found no reason why they should be deprived of the use of the transformer.
Mr Torgbor Johnson a member of the Dodowa town council said the youth in the town have vowed to prevent the removal of the transformer" even at the cost of their lives".
Meanwhile the District Chief Executive Mr Teiko Mensah is reported to be in touch with the company to see how best the matter could be resolved.
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NDC activists advised to stop chain saw operation
Suhum (Eastern Region) 5 May 99
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Suhum, Mr Solomon Akwetey has advised activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who are involved in illegal chainsaw operations and felling of trees to stop and learn new trade.
He warned that, the party would not interfere when any party functionary is arrested for illegal felling of trees and the law would be allowed to take its course.
Mr Akweteh was addressing party functionaries in the Suhum/Kraboa/Coaltar district at a day's seminar organised for them by the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the NDC at Suhum at the weekend.
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New Juabeng to Enjoy Metropolitan Status - Dasebre
Koforidua, (Eastern Region) 5 May 99
Dasebre Dr. Oti Boateng, paramount chief of New Juabeng traditional area, said on Monday that measures are being taken to elevate the New Juabeng Municipality to the status of a metropolis.
At a durbar of chiefs and people of New Juabeng to mark the climax of the Akwantukese festival, which symbolises the migration of the ancestors of that state from Ashanti to their present location in the 1870s, Dasebre Boateng noted that New Juabeng is endowed with a rich culture and facilities that mandate its elevation from a municipality to a metropolis.
The nine-day long festival, jointly organised by the New Juabeng Traditional Municipal Assembly and the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council, was also used to mark the host nation day of the on-going WTO/ATA Africa conference and the convocation of African ministers of tourism.
Dasebre Boateng said, in addition to these features, the Lands, Town and Country Planning Departments had been taxed to demarcate land for heavy and light industries under the government's free zone's project.
He called for investments in the region's tourism, saying land acquisition for development projects had been made less cumbersome for investors.
The festival, he said, is used as an occasion to forge unity among the people for development and growth.
"It is the cherished hope of the chiefs and people of New Juabeng that its use as the host day celebration will open a big window of opportunity for sustainable development in this area."
Mr Mike Gizo, minister of Tourism, said: "I am glad to note that you spent over three million cedis to rehabilitate the site of the festival, Jackson Park, and the chief's palace to make the occasion grand".
He expressed the hope that the investment made would lead to sustainable development in tourism and attract foreign investment to the area.
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