Volta chiefs congratulate Asantehene
Submit documents on land to appropriate authorities, Minister advises chiefs
One candidate withdraws from Lambussue by-election
Canada praised for contribution to development
Technical committee on education fund inaugurated
Duty on solar energy goes down
PNC supports efforts at national reconciliation
Ghanaians in Holland complain of discrimination
Varsity students want gov’t , educational workers to settle differences
Ministry promises incentive schemes for nurses
Manya Krobo chief executive relieved on his post
Asantehene cautions police not to dabble in chieftaincy affairs
NDC welcomes Asantehene's statement on unity
Volta chiefs congratulate Asantehene
Ho (Volta Region), 13th May ‘99 –
The Volta Region House of Chiefs has congratulated Otumfuo Osei Tutu the second on his ascension to the Golden Stool as the 19th Asantehene.
The house also commended the Asanteman Council for the "peaceful and matured manner" in which the nomination, election and installation of the new Asantehene took place.
This was contained in a welcome address to members of the house read by Okpekpewuokpe Togbe Dagadu the seventh, President of the house and member of the Council of State at its first meeting at Ho on Tuesday.
He said the installation of the new Asantehene was without any outside interference because of his legitimacy stressing this should be an "eye opener for all who have a role to play in the chieftaincy institution".
Togbe Dagadu however deplored the manner in which chieftaincy issues are being reported in the media and called on media practitioners to "refrain from publishing derogatory stories about the institution.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, the Regional Minister and Dr Christine Amoako-Nuamah, Minister of Lands and Forestry addressed the meeting.
GRi…/
Submit documents on land to appropriate authorities, Minister advices chiefs
Ho (Volta Region), 13th May ‘99 –
Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister for Lands and Forestry has called on chiefs and landowners to submit their proprietary plans and other land documents to the Lands Commission and the Land Title Registry to make for easy administrative resolution of land disputes.
Dr Amoako-Nuamah told a meeting of the Volta region House of chiefs that despite elaborate administrative machinery to ensure effective land delivery service to satisfy the demands of the general public, the land market in Ghana is still plagued with indiscipline.
She said there is lack of consultation, coordination and cooperation among land development agencies making lands acquired for commercial activities insecure.
She said the ministry will concentrate its efforts at implementing the National Land Policy, the Forestry Development Medium Term Plan and the National Resource Management Programme to ensure sustainable management of lands and forests.
Dr Amoako-Nuamah therefore called on traditional rulers, chiefs and landowners to desist from selling trees on their lands to chainsaw operators without the consent of forestry officers.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta Regional Minister said counter claims to lands earmarked for development projects are retarding the region's development.
"These negative tendencies would only retard our progress as a region. We must therefore eschew these tendencies in order to move forward", he advised.
GRi…/
One candidate withdraws from Lambussue by-election
Wa (Upper West), 13th May ’99 –
Mr Nuhu Wieni Baloroo a 37 year-old businessman who filed his nomination papers to contest the May 26 Lambussie constituency by-elections on the ticket of the Great Consolidated Popular Party(GCPP) has withdrawn his candidature.
In a letter dated May 11 and addressed to the returning officer of the Lambussie constituency and copied to the Regional and the Jirapa district electoral officers, Mr Baloroo assigned no reason for his withdrawal.
He wrote "I wish to inform you that I, have after sober reflection withdrawn as candidate for the GCPP in the Lambusie constituency by-election for May 26."
With his withdrawal,.candidates of the NDC, NPP and PNC are left in the race for the seat which became vacant following the death of the incumbent NDC Member of Parliament, Mr Luke Koo.
GRi…/
Canada praised for contribution to development
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ’99 -
Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, on Wednesday commended Canada for her assistance towards Ghana's development saying this makes "Canadians partners in our
socio-economic development."
Alhaji Mumuni said this when Madam Janet Graham, Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him.
He noted that Canada's assistance programmes have come through the Canadian International Development Programme (CIDA) and urged her to assist in crucial areas that need help such as youth unemployment, poverty among women, child labour and street children.
Alhaji Mumuni said the growth rate of unemployed youth is 3.1 per cent yearly adding that every year there are about 230,000 new entrants to the labour market.
He noted that most of these people are without employable skills and they need support through training to become self-employed.
Out of the estimated 250 million children working throughout the world, 80 per cent are in Africa with 230,000 being in Ghana.
The Minister said there is the need for basic research to find out what type of training they would need so that they can contribute to nation building.
Alhaji Mumuni said the labour front is being liberalised with groups being allowed to set up their own labour unions in consonance with International Labour Conventions that recognise the right of association.
Madam Graham said the Canadian government is willing to help, particularly in rural development.
GRi…/
Canada praised for contribution to development
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ‘99 –
A group of high-level officials and technical managers from African and selected world organisations on Wednesday converged in Accra to begin a three-day conference on the effects of the millennium bug, or Y2K, on the region.
The Conference, which is part of a global awareness campaign with emphasis on contingency planning, is organised under the auspices of the African Regional Y2K steering committee and funded by the World Bank.
It is aimed at focusing on regional and sector risk assessments, continuity planning for high risk cross-border concerns, and sector and global emergency response scenarios.
The Accra meeting will help the continent to identify and empower an African Y2K Co-ordinating body, produce an action plan and develop contingency plans that will harmonise efforts of the region and draw on best practices.
In a keynote address, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs, stressed the need for the region to be serious about the Y2K problem since it cannot be solved in isolation.
"The supply-chain ordered by the production cycle has woven a network of complex linkages and inter-dependencies that transcend national and regional boundaries," he said.
Indeed, Alhaji Iddrisu said, Y2K-related failure in one sector may have adverse repercussions on business and industrial activity in another country.
Y2K, is a computer programming flaw that could cause computer systems and other electronic devices programmed to record date information in two digits instead of four to malfunction or completely shut down at the turn of year 2000.
Alhaji Mahama urged participants to take the opportunity of the forum to forge stronger collaboration and the necessary co-operation to facilitate the exchange of ideas on common problems pertaining to Y2K remediation.
"There is no doubt that this conference will stand out not only as a turning point in the resolution of the Y2K problem in Africa but is also another evidence of fraternal regional co-operation in Africa as we enter the new millennium," he said.
As a region of developing nations, he said, Africa should be concerned with the prevalence of systems which will have to be identified and replaced immediately if widespread disruption in basic services is to be averted.
Y2K highlights how all nations depend on each other for economic life and, for most nations in Africa, areas to be hit are the embedded chips found in a wide range of electronic devices.
These include security and hospital equipment, power generation systems, office and domestic appliances, electronic financial transactions, traffic lights, elevators, and aviation communication.
"In view of the fact that Y2K remediation programmes in most African countries have just taken off, and for that matter might not be able to meet the inescapable deadline, it would be desirable for this conference to focus on evolving contingency plans to deal with the situation," Alhaji Mahama said.
A representative of the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Dr Charles Chintunya dwelled on the need for Africa to draw on its practices or experiences in attempting to find solution to the problem.
He said the increasing free movement of labour, capital and investments among African states make it imperative for the region to look for a common solution.
"Although, this is a global problem which has the potential to slow down growth, collective efforts within Africa can help mitigate the effects on our economies," Dr Chitunya said.
ECOWAS, COMESA and South African Development Community (SADC) were represented at the conference.
GRi…/
Technical committee on education fund inaugurated
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ’99 –
A 17-member technical committee to assist the Ministry of Education to work out proposals for the establishment of an Educational Trust Fund and restructuring of the Students Loans Scheme was inaugurated in Accra on Wednesday.
The idea, proposed by President Jerry Rawlings during his sessional address, would open the way for companies and other stakeholders to make regular annual voluntary contributions to enhance education.
The committee with the deputy minister of education, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas as chairman, is to propose legal, financial as well as administrative and management structures for the fund.
It is also to look at options for mobilising resources for the fund, modalities for payment into the fund and identify potential beneficiaries, application procedures and disbursement criteria.
The committee is to recommend criteria and nominations for appointments of qualified individuals as trustees, measures to restructure the students loan scheme by expanding possible sources of loan funding.
It is also to propose periodic reporting requirements of fund trustees to the ministry for the benefit of Parliament and the Auditor-General.
The Minister of Education, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, said "the function is another manifestation of the Government's relentless efforts to put in place an educational system capable of enhancing the nation's competitiveness as well as meeting the challenges of a millennium where knowledge will replace capital as a major factor of production."
He said currently, only between 35 and 40 per cent of JSS graduates gain admission to the senior secondary schools and about 60 per cent of qualified applicants are denied admission into tertiary institutions because of lack of adequate facilities.
It is projected that if the country's population growth rate stays at the current rate of three per cent a year and primary enrollment grows at the high rate of six per cent per annum, it would take the nation another 10 years to provide education for all children at the primary level and 20 years more to give access to all who qualify to attend the JSS.
On the students loan scheme, the Minister said it is saddled with a debt of over 72 billion cedis in arrears and interest that past students and government owe SSNIT.
"The high cost of running tertiary institutions is worsened by accumulated utility bills running into billions of cedis has become a major problem to the Ministry."
Members of the committee include Professor George Benneh, fomer Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, Mr Chris Nartey, Managing Director of Merchant Bank, Mr D.K. Mensah of Merchant Bank, Mr Oko-Nikoi Dzani, Managing Director of NDK Service, Mr Sam Tettey, managing Director of City Investment Limited, Mr V. Ate Ofosu-Armah of Ghana Commercial Bank and Mr E. Amartey Vondey of Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
GRi…/
Duty on solar energy goes down
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ’99 –
Mr Fred Ohene-Kena, Minister for Mines and Energy, on Wednesday announced that the government has reduced import duties on solar energy equipment from 27 per cent to five per cent.
He said this was to address the problem of the initial high cost solar energy technology which is mostly imported and encourage its application.
Mr Ohene-Kane made the announcement in Accra at the opening of a day's seminar on the theme "Solar Energy Applications for Economic Growth" organised by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and Danafco Engineering Limited.
Issues to be addressed at the seminar include incorporation of solar systems into new building development codes and standards for solar applications.
Others are incentives that can be used to accelerate the adoption of solar technologies and strategies that will encourage financial institutions to provide credit facilities to finance solar energy projects.
Mr Ohene-Kena said for Ghana to achieve the level of development target set in Vision 2020, the country has to increase her energy supply nine times the present capacity.
The Minister said in the document, it is envisaged that there would be uninterrupted supply of energy to all regions adding that "government has committed itself to extending electricity to all parts of the country by the end of the programme".
He said the ministry has drawn up further strategies and action plans aimed at rehabilitating deteriorated infrastructure, restoration of effective maintenance of generating plants, transmission and distribution equipment.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of solar energy technologies, the ministry has installed "solar photovoltaics" for the provision of electricity to 10 villages in the Volta, Eastern and Upper West regions.
Thirteen villages in the East Mamprusi District have been earmarked for electrification under a global environment facility and the United Nations Development Programme.
Mr Ole Blicher-Olsen, Danish Ambassador to Ghana, said sufficient energy supply is a vital necessity for the development of all countries.
He said his government, through the Danish International Development Aid (DANIDA), will submit to the Ghanaian energy authorities a proposal for a long-term energy programme support based on principles and strategies for DANIDA's support.
GRi…/
PNC supports efforts at national reconciliation
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May 99 –
The leadership and some functionaries of the People's National Convention (PNC) on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra to express its support for the commission's efforts at national reconciliation.
Dr Edward Mahama, flagbearer of the party who led the delegation, said the PNC shares the same vision and will do all it can to sensitise its supporters on the need for reconciliation.
He, however, expressed doubt about the ruling government's sincerity to the reconciliation programme, saying the government continues to victimise people who are outside its party.
"The recent pulling down of a 65-room hotel is a typical example that shows that the current government does not believe in the court system," he said.
Dr Mahama said the PNC would want to see total reconciliation reflecting in government policies and programmes, adding that the opposition must be involved in the award of contracts.
He called for a halt in the celebration of the June Four uprising and other days associated with coups saying "the government must first start reconciling with people before it extends it hands to others."
Mr Larry Bimi, Chairman of NCCE who received the delegation, thanked them for the visit and assured Ghanaians that the commission is set on organising a public forum to address all possible mistakes of the past to ensure that they are not repeated.
He said to achieve total reconciliation, the commission sees the need for the past to be uncovered and dealt with before the country can face a peaceful future.
"This will open wounds, but it will be the best for those who were hurt and an opportunity for the offenders to make peace with those they had hurt in the cause of the struggle for national freedom".
GRi…/
Ghanaians in Holland complain of discrimination
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ‘99 –
Some Ghanaians living in the Netherlands on Wednesday said the Dutch government had adopted a policy that make conditions difficult for nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, India and the Dominican Republic living in that country.
According to them this policy had made it difficult for them to legalise and process their documents because their countries have been singled out as "problem countries."
Mr. Sam Owusu, Vice-chairman of Sikaman Foundation and co-ordinator of the Ghana-Nigeria Platform who made these known to newsmen at a press conference in Accra, appealed to President Jerry Rawlings to come to the aid of Ghanaians living in that country.
The Platform that serves as a forum to fight for the rights of nationals of Ghana and Nigeria is made up of the Council of Churches and non-governmental organisations.
Mr Owusu said they have contacted Amnesty International, the Dutch Justice Ministry and Ombudsman for redress.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana had failed to step in to save the situation despite numerous complaints made by Ghanaians living in the Netherlands to the government of Ghana to take the matter up with the Dutch embassy in Accra.
Mr Owusu said Ghanaian or Nigerian applicants are subjected to hardships, inhuman and unacceptable conditions by the Dutch police.
He said applicants are forced to sign and agree to verifications as part of their requirements for legalisation. This verification sometimes includes interrogating relatives back home.
Mr Owusu recounted the many instances where Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals have suffered a brutalities which sometimes result in deaths.
GRi…/
Varsity students want gov’t , educational workers to settle differences
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ‘99 –
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on Wednesday urged the government to take steps to rectify all nagging problems on the labour front.
It also urged the government and the Teachers and Educational Worker's Union (TEWU) to resolve their differences for the immediate restoration of the academic calendar.
The call was made at a press conference in Accra organised by NUGS to throw light on the effects of the strike actions by TEWU and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) on students.
Mr Joseph Adongo, President of NUGS, said that signals showing that the situation is receiving attention should be sustained otherwise the students would be compelled "to join Parliament at its meeting to present our plight to the Speaker.
"We passionately appeal to TEWU to consider the plight of students. In the same vein we expect government to show more seriousness and commitment to the problem at hand."
Mr Adongo said NUGS does not think the solution lies in the formation of more committees, adding that the important thing is that both partners must talk in the true spirit of wanting the problem solved.
He noted that this is the second major disruption of academic work of all the universities in just about four years.
"More pathetic is the case of final year students, most of whom have already spent five years pursuing a four-year course... Most of such students are unable to work on their thesis due to the closure of our libraries and
laboratories…
"We passionately appeal to TEWU to consider the plight of students, especially final year and foreign students."
GRi…/
Ministry promises incentive schemes for nurses
Accra (Greater |Accra) 13 May ’99
Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, Minister of Health, on Wednesday launched the 1999 National Nurses' Week in Accra, pledging incentive schemes to motivate nurses and other health workers to give of their best.
He said nurses and health professionals cannot be dedicated to their work when there are no incentive schemes to help motivate them.
The week is being celebrated under the theme "Celebrating Nursing's Past: Claiming the Future."
It was attended by representatives of nurses throughout the country, retired nurses and some stakeholders in the health profession.
The same theme has been chosen for this year's International Council for Nurses' Centennial Conference to be held in London in June.
Mr Nuamah Donkor said because there are not enough schemes to motivate nurses and other health professionals, most of them leave the country for "greener pastures."
He called for a system that will have a "combined curriculum" to enrol senior secondary school leavers into community health programmes.
Mr Nuamah Donkor said the National Health Scheme (NHS), which was to have taken off in December last year, could not come on due to the strike actions by doctors and the nurses.
He expressed the hope that the strike action by the nurses would be the last so as to enable the scheme to take off peacefully this year.
The minister said future health care demand is expected to increase, as more people become better educated.
"They will demand services that are more economical, while expectations about quality and responsiveness are likely to rise."
Mr Nuamah Donkor advised the nurses to acquire a wide range of managerial and technical skills to broaden their skills.
Mrs Emma Banga, President of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA), said the week's celebrations is to reflect on nursing achievement, draw lessons from failures and decide what directions to take for the advancement of the profession in the country.
She called on the ministry of health to help retain more nurses, saying the shortage of nurses has reached a crisis point due to low levels of salary for the skills needed in the profession.
"At present, there are under 11,000 trained nurses. This works out to a ratio of about one to 1,600 people."
The nurses appealed to the minister to help change some of the negative views held by nurses generally by developing programmes to improve their communication skills and inter-personal relationships with patients and other health professionals.
GRi../
Manya Krobo chief executive relieved on his post
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May ’99
The District Chief Executive of Manya Krobo, Captain Henry Hammond (Rtd), has been relieved of his position and is to be reassigned.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the President, Mr Jimmy Amissah, in Accra on Wednesday said the Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Patience Adow, is to assume temporary responsibility for the district.
GRi../
Asantehene cautions police not to dabble in chieftaincy affairs
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 May ’99
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has suggested quarterly meetings between Manhyia Palace and the Ashanti Regional Police Administration to see how best chiefs can assist the police to combat armed robbery, stealing and other crimes in the Kumasi metropolis.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said such meetings would help to involve traditional rulers in combating crime in the metropolis.
The Asantehene made the suggestion when police officers from the Regional Police Administration, led by the commander, Mr Yaw Adu-Gyimah, called on him at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi yesterday to congratulate him on his ascension to the Golden Stool.
He advised the police not to handle chieftaincy matters but refer them to Manhyia for settlement and exhorted Asantehene exhorted corrupt police officers to turn over a new leaf to enjoy his full support.
Otumfuo Osie Tutu expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to the police for their good work during the events leading to his coronation, in spite of their limited resources.
The regional commander wished the Asantehene a successful reign and assured him and Asanteman of the full support and co-operation of the Ashanti regional police command in the day-to-day administration of Asanteman.
GRi../
NDC welcomes Asantehene's statement on unity
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 May ’99
The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has welcomed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene’s declaration that he is committed to the cause of unity among all Ghanaians.
A press release signed by the Regional Chairman of the party, Mr P.E.K. Antwi, and issued in Kumasi on Wednesday described it as "timely" and expressed the hope that the path chosen by the Asantehene would "provide a guide to all citizens of the region".
The statement was critical of recent pronouncements by some contributors to radio programmes "that carried a potential danger of arousing unnecessary ethnic animosity, mistrust and suspicion, especially against people from the region".
This, it noted, did not augur well for social cohesion and nation building. "It certainly does not promote peaceful co-existence," it added.
The statement asked all and sundry to desist from pronouncements that seek to make "one ethnic group more deserving than others."
GRi../