AFC criticises World Bank's position on
state of the economy
Rawlings calls for comprehensive peace in
Middle East
Experts discuss Ghana's Environmental Impact
Assessment
Regional minister urges EC to consider flood
victims
Society of Physically Disabled congratulate
Asantehene on birthday
Government has not shown commitment to eliminate corruption
National Education Trust Fund launched in Tamale
MP expresses concern about conduct of
registration exercise
AFC criticises World Bank's position on
state of the economy
Accra, (Greater Accra) 16 May 2000
The Alliance for Change (AFC) on Thursday described the World Bank's position that the economic crisis the country is going through is due to external factors as improper, saying, "it constitutes external interference in our internal matters".
Nana Akufo-Addo, spokesman for the AFC, made the remark at a press conference in Accra, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the May 11 1995 "Kumepreko" march, which saw thousands of Ghanaians march against high prices, following the introduction of the Valued Added Tax (VAT) and demanded its withdrawal.
"It was improper for Mr. (Peter) Harrold, (World Bank Country Director) to have attributed the country's economic crisis to external shocks."
Mr. Harrold commenting on the economic crisis, attributed it to external shocks, particularly the fall in the price of cocoa and the increase in the price of crude oil.
His position tallies with the government's explanation of why there was an acute shortage of foreign currency. The cedi took a big plunge to an all-time low just before the Easter with the dollar being bought at between 5,500 and 6,000 cedis.
The opposition said the economy has deteriorated because of mismanagement and lack of vision by the government, a charge dismissed by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Kwame Peprah.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who is also a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), described Mr. Harrold's statement as a confession and apologia for the failure of the World Bank's induced Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which the government is pursuing.
"Since the initiation of the SAP, billions of dollars have been pumped from the international community into the Ghanaian economy, but the living standards of our people are no better than those who lived in the colonial era."
This, he said, is a sign that the SAP is misleading and shallow, adding that the current state of the economy only amplifies the failure of the SAP and the fact that it is not in our interest.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the time has therefore come for Ghanaians to reject the SAP and demand more from the government and the international community than such statements that would create the impression that the economy is at the mercy of external factors.
He appealed to diplomats in the country to desist from internal politics and concentrate on their civic duty to the state and to the world community.
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Rawlings calls for comprehensive peace in
Middle East
Accra, (Greater Accra) 16 May 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday called on Israelis and Palestinians to make the necessary compromises to achieve peace in the Middle East, saying this is the best opportunity to bring to an end years of conflict.
He said a few years ago, the two sides had an opportunity to achieve peace but this was lost following the assassination in November 1995 of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was doggedly pursuing the peace process.
"A unique opportunity has presented itself again and it should not be lost," the President said, when he granted audience to Prof. Naomi Chazan, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), at the Castle, Osu.
Prof. Chazan had briefed President Rawlings about current Middle East negotiations and Israeli proposals to withdraw from some of the occupied territories including South Lebanon.
President Rawlings called for compromises from both sides and said he believes there are many Israelis and Arabs who are desirous to co-exist peacefully. He, however, warned that there are interested parties who would want peace to be achieved "on their terms" and these might not be in the interest of both parties.
He told his guest: "listening to you, it is clear your country is committed to peace but it will not be easy. Ghana is ready to make its contribution towards the achievement of peace."
Mr. Victor Gbeho, Foreign Affairs Minister, recalled past Israeli co-operation with Ghana and said the Jewish State assisted Ghana to establish the Black Star Line, the Accra sewerage system and granted scholarships to people to study in Israel.
"Ghana has gone through some turbulent times but we know those who stood by us. We hope our relations will go beyond what we already have," he said.
Prof. Chazan, who lectured in the University of Ghana 30 years ago, said "our relations with Africa started in Accra when we opened a consulate in 1956 because we correctly anticipated Ghana would achieve independence."
She said Israel has reached the "moment of truth" in its negotiations with the Palestinians when it must take some hard decisions to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East "or we condemn our children to perpetual conflict."
These decisions include Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon in July and the possibility of giving up the Golan Heights it captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in June 1967.
"We also have to reach an agreement with the Palestinians for a State," Prof. Chazan said.
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Experts discuss Ghana's Environmental
Impact Assessment
Akosombo (Eastern Region), 12 May 2000
A high level seminar to make Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) an integral aspect of sustainable development in Ghana has started at Akosombo.
The two-day seminar is being attended by more than 70 participants from key government institutions, the private sector, NGO's and donor organisations. Organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Netherlands government, the seminar will secure institutional commitment to participate in the Ghana Environmental Assessment Capacity Development Programme (GEACAP).
It would also help to create environmental desks within ministries and institutions. Institutions taking part include the Energy Commission, Ministries of Lands and Forestry, the Interior, Trade and Industry, Youth and Sports, Defence, Food and Agriculture, Health and Justice as well as the Ghana Journalists Association.
The GEACAP is a five-year strategic plan to improve the capacity of Ghana with regard to EIA implementation.
Speaking at the technical session on Wednesday, Dr Peter Acquah, Executive Director of EPA called for networking among the institutions to enhance sustainable development.
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Regional minister urges EC to consider
flood victims
Bolgatanga (Northern Region) 12 May 2000
Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, has appealed to the electoral commission (EC) to dispatch registration officials to flood affected communities in the three northern regions to re-issue the people with new voters identity cards.
He said the E.C's directive that individuals who have lost their identity cards should go to the district regional offices for replacement is not tenable in those communities, which suffered from last year's floods.
"People in these communities lost their homes and property, including the I.D. cards," explained the regional minister at a press briefing in Bolgatanga on Thursday.
He added that since it would not be convenient for a whole village to move to the EC's district office, the logical option would be for the commission to send its staff to the affected areas to issue new cards to people who have lost theirs. "This is crucial if we are to have successful elections in this region", he emphasised.
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Society of Physically Disabled congratulate
Asantehene on birthday
Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 12 May 2000
The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled on Thursday called for God's guidance and blessing for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on his 50th birthday and first anniversary celebration of his enstoolment.
A statement issued in Kumasi and signed by Mr. Francis Opoku, Regional Secretary of the society, stated: "May all your visions come into reality, especially the improvement in the standard of education in Asante and Ghana".
It said members of the society would continue to pray for him and the progress and development of Asanteman.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 May 2000
Vice President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday invited the media, particularly the private press, to put the past behind it and work together with government to offer hope, opportunity and peace of mind to Ghanaians.
He said a new partnership between the media and government was necessary for reconciliation and healing, so that the country could move together as a united and mature people playing their full part in the global village.
Speaking at the inauguration of new executives of Private Newspapers Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) in Accra, Prof. Mills said: "We must learn from our past, but put it behind us. We will acknowledge our mistakes and if necessary put things right."
He said it is his wish that government, business and the media should be at the very least "partners of vision", conscious of the challenges of the nation.
Calling for partnership, does not mean that the media should give up or tone down its role as the public watchdog, but it should carry it out impartially and with integrity and enthusiasm, he said.
"It should also recognise that not everything is political." He drew laughter from the hall when he said he had already had a few insults from the press and has taken a cue from the words of an American journalist, Russell Lynes.
"The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it. If you can't ignore it, top it, If you can't top it, laugh at it. And if you can't laugh at it, it's probably deserved," he quoted Lynes as saying.
He, however, described as essential, the role of the media to challenge and stimulate politicians to continue to improve their standards of governance and behaviour.
"I welcome this role. It is right that all of us, who hold national office are held accountable both to Parliament and to the people," Prof Mills said to a prolonged applause from the audience.
Prof. Mills commended the efforts of some FM stations in promoting the culture of "healthy debate" but said there was the need to do more to ensure that the public receives truthful and accurate information at all times.
"Exaggerated and sensational reporting, out of context, especially when it becomes routine, may sell a few extra copies but it plays no part in responsible journalism."
However, he said the government would continue to ensure a conducive environment for the media to operate freely, responsibly and in a constructive manner.
"By all means let's fight for the protection of our freedoms. But freedom without responsibility leads to chaos, anarchy and instability, Prof. Mills cautioned, adding that government and Media must both be seen to respect the rule of law.
The Media should take cognisance of the fact that Ghana does not stand alone but have a significant position in the West African sub-region, adding that it behoves it to promote the country as an attractive destination for investment and tourism.
Vice President Mills made reference to the disturbing report by the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS to the just ended conference on war affected children that some 16,000 Liberian children and 6,000 others in Sierra Leone were forcibly conscripted into fighting civil wars in the two countries.
Majority of these children were subjected to sex, alcohol or drug abuse, he said, adding that these constituted serious vices that needed to be prevented by governments working with the media.
Prof Mills touched on this year's presidential and parliamentary elections and said Ghanaians would be watching to see how the media, particularly the private press would help maintain freedom, justice and peaceful stable democratic society.
Nana Kofi Coomson, Editor-in-Chief of the 'Ghanaian Chronicle' and President of PRINPAG, spoke about problems facing the newspaper industry, especially the high cost of materials.
He appealed for collective efforts from the business community and government to assist the private press to sustain its role in developing the evolving democracy.
For instance, he said, the cost of newsprint has shot up by nearly 300 per cent and if not addressed the continued rise would threaten the foundations of the industry.
He cited Burkina Faso and some Scandinavian states where governments provide subsidies on newsprint, a policy, he believes, could be adopted by the government.
Nana Coomson also appealed to the business community to place adverts in the private newspapers.
He outlined his administration's programme for the 2000-2003 period, saying it will devote most of the time to training and education of its members.
"We will be seeking jaw-jaw with related bodies like the bench on some of the laws and their interpretations."
He also called for a relentless fight against obnoxious legislation including the criminal libel law that was inimical to the development of a vibrant press.
There were solidarity messages from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, the National Media Commission, Advertiser's Association and the Association of Private Broadcasting Companies.
They called for the removal of oppressive laws against the media and also urged journalists to be more circumspect, truthful and responsible in their reportage.
Other Members of the new Executives are Mr John Hanson, Vice President, Nii Laryea Sowah, Executive Secretary, and Douglas Dogor Ligay is treasurer. Mr Oscar Bruce and Mr Daniel Kwabena Ansah are trustees.
They took the oath of office administered by Mr Justice Francis Emile Short Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice.
In attendance were a cream of media practitioners, veteran and active, as well as aspiring politicians, Chief Executive Officers of Private and State Organisations, Diplomats and representatives of professional bodies.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 May 2000
Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary-general of the United Nations, has called for the creation of conditions that would help families to develop their full potential.
This was contained in a message to commemorate International Day of Families, which falls on Monday.
Stressing the crucial role of families in society, Mr Annan noted that conditions such as underdevelopment, conflicts and instability impede the progress of families.
"While families are engines of development, they are also its beneficiaries. Where development is slow or absent, a family's ability to meet the needs of its members will be impaired.
"And where development is undermined by conflict and instability prevails, families are undermined as well, robbing societies of an essential building block for peace and prosperity."
The theme for this year's celebration is "Families: Agents and Beneficiaries of Development and Social Progress".
This emphasises the crucial role of families as the unit of social cohesion and co-existence.
Mr Annan said a strong family structure is conducive to the wellbeing of its members and of society at large.
"It is within the family that children can learn positive values that will guide them for the rest of their lives, and it is within the family that people can learn key lessons about equality, tolerance and shared responsibility.
"There is no single view or universal consensus on what makes up a family....Yet in any culture, the family provides a natural framework in which individuals, especially children, can receive the emotional, financial and material nourishment and support that is indispensable to their development."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 May 2000
The Reverend Edwin Donkor, General Secretary of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), on Sunday said motherhood is not just giving birth but the ability to nurture the child to be of responsible service to the nation.
"The qualities and virtues of a mother are different from a woman who just brings forth a child without being prepared for its upbringing," he stated.
Rev. Donkor said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra in connection with activities marking the celebration of 'Mothers' Day'.
"The role of motherhood is a unique one; society must, therefore, recognise it and accord mothers the necessary respect they deserve. We need to cherish and understand this role."
He asked women to be patient and understand the responsibilities of motherhood before they assume their duties as mothers since this is the only way they can play their roles effectively for the benefit of children and society.
Mothers are to create an environment of love, care and command respect for the home by the upbringing of the child. Anything short of this creates children who only understand the act of violence as the means for survival.
Rev. Donkor said men have not accorded mothers the dignity they deserve and urged them to be more co-operative, understanding and help women to develop their self-esteem.
He said in spite of the economic difficulties men face, they have no justifiable excuse for neglecting their responsibilities in the home.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 May 2000
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene,
left Accra on Sunday at the head of a three-member delegation for the United
Kingdom.
It is Otumfuo's first trip outside
Ghana since he ascended the Golden Stool in April, 1999. The three-week visit,
which is at the invitation of the British Government, is expected to attract
investment into the country.
According to an official of the
Asanteman Council, Otumfuo Osei Tutu will call on the British monarch at
Buckingham Palace.
He will also visit the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development (DFID), British
Council, Guinness and Standard Chartered Bank and interact with the British
Chamber of Commerce.
The Asantehene is also expected to
publicise the Education Fund he launched last year in aid of children of Asante
descent and visit a community project he helped to initiate at Brent in 1998.
Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkoh, Ashanti
Regional Minister, Mr Ian Mackley, British High Commissioner, the Mamponghene,
Nana Osei Bonsu II, the Asokorehene, Nana Dr. S. K. B. Asante, as well as a
large number of Ashantis resident in Accra saw off Otumfuo Osei Tutu and his
entourage at Kotoka International Airport.
Meanwhile, a statement from the
British High Commission in Accra said the Ashanti Kingdom is said to have links
with the British royal family, which will be reinforced by Otumfuo's call on
the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II and her
husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, paid a second visit in three decades
to Ghana, a former British colony, last year.
Earlier, on Saturday Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called on President Jerry John Rawlings at the Castle, Osu, to inform him about his trip.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu told President Rawlings that, while in Britain, he would call on Queen Elizabeth and hold talks with some top functionaries of the British government.
"Whatever I do in Britain, I will do it in the name of Ghana. The benefits, which will come out of the trip, will be for the whole of Ghana and not Ashantis or the Ashanti Region alone."
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who was accompanied to the Castle by some of his divisional chiefs, said he would do his best to contribute to the development of Ghana by assisting the government.
He said it is for this reason why he set up the Education Fund to take the "burden a little off the government", adding that his desire to solve protracted chieftaincy disputes in Ashanti is to ensure that the country continues to enjoy peace and stability.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said while in Britain, he would also hold talks with investors and talk to them about investment opportunities in Ghana.
President Rawlings assured Otumfuo Osei Tutu that the government, through the Ghana High Commission in London, would ensure that his trip is successful.
Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the Education Fund set up by Otumfuo was laudable, and pleaded that attention be given to girls in the award of scholarships.
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Berabedze (Central Region) 15 May
2000
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP), Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, on Saturday accused the government of
doing nothing concrete to stamp out corruption.
According to him, the government
continues to decry the high level of corruption in the society without doing
much to ensure that ministers of state who have been found to be involved in
corrupt practices are brought to book.
Mr Kufuor said this when he
addressed the people of Berabedze in the Cape Coast Municipality as part of his
tour of the Central Region.
He said this attitude of the
government, coupled with its inability to inject discipline in the overall
management of the economy, as well as the falling value of the cedi, had led to
the present economic crisis.
The NPP flagbearer said the
situation could be saved only when the NPP was given the mandate to rule the
country, adding that an NPP government would ensure a more stable currency.
Mr Kufuor said an NPP government
would also re-introduce the rural development policy embarked upon by the Busia
regime and make it a priority to establish agro-processing factories to curb
post-harvest losses and ensure food security.
This will help solve unemployment
and halt the rural-urban drift by the youth, he said, adding that an NPP
government would make sure that electrification projects are actually used to
improve the socio-economic standard of the people.
Mr Kufuor said the NPP is
determined to improve education by motivating teachers and providing them with
the requisite facilities to enhance teaching and learning.
He urged the people to re-elect Ms
Christine Churcher, MP for the Cape Coast, during the parliamentary election.
Ms Churcher urged them not to vote
on tribal lines, adding that returning the NDC to power will spell disaster for
the country since it has nothing to offer. Mr Kufuor addressed rallies at
Koforidua, Nyinasin, Effutu, Essuekyir, Deria and Abora.
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Tamale (Greater Accra) 15 May 2000
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Seidu Iddi on Friday urged the people of the region to contribute generously to the National Education Trust Fund to help eliminate the high illiteracy rate in the area.
He said the low enrolment levels in schools coupled with the high dropout rate, especially among girls, are drawbacks to the socio-economic development of the region.
The only way to arrest the situation is through a concerted effort to make education attractive to all.
Alhaji Iddi, who was launching the regional programme for the fund in Tamale said the additional money, expected to be generated by this new initiative would complement government's efforts to boost the education drive in the region.
The ceremony was preceded by a route march by students of second cycle schools in Tamale, who carried placards calling for public support for the fund.
Alhaji Iddi called on the managers of the fund to ensure probity and transparency in order to elicit public confidence in the programme.
Alhaji Iddi commended the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for advocating the establishment of the fund.
The International Relations Officer of NUGS, Mr Abdulai Suleimana-White appealed to the government to ensure the non-partisan management and disbursement of the fund.
He reiterated the commitment of NUGS to contribute 10,000 cedis per student towards the fund.
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 15 May 2000
The MP for Sunyani West, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, has expressed concern about the conduct of the current voters' registration exercise in the Sunyani East and West constituencies, and called for an extension of the period.
He said the mode of distribution of registration forms gives room for suspicion that the Electoral Commission "is deliberately creating administrative lapses for the National Democratic Congress to exploit the situation".
Mr Adjei-Darko was commenting on alleged malpractices in the voters' registration exercise at a press conference in Sunyani on Saturday.
For instance, he said, no accounting sheets for the recording of the number of people registered daily had been made available to any of the registration centres in the two constituencies as demanded by registration procedures.
The MP said the inadequate supply of materials, including registration forms, batteries and films had left a lot of eligible and prospective voters frustrated.
"Many people, especially the youth, who have been frequenting the registration centres may not be registered because of this situation which is suspected to be deliberate.
"It is our belief that this is nation-wide and a loophole being created for more names to be added after the official exercise," he said.
Mr Adjei-Darko reiterated that, in order to give credibility to the registration exercise and the voters' register, the Electoral Commission should supply the daily accounting sheets and other important materials to all registration centres before the close of the exercise.
In a related development, the NDC agent at the Tata Restaurant registration centre in Sunyani has officially challenged the registration of Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Sunyani East.
A statement issued by the Veranda Boys and Girls Club also said it suspects Mr Mensah of having registered twice.
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