Leading NPP member comments on lawlessness
Parents asked to give their children the best of education
Farmer found dead on farm... Police suspects foul play
Chiefs appeal for protection against land-guards
Eleven people asked to appear before Commission on stadium tragedy
Chiefs in C/R console families of victims Accra stadium disaster
Government to establish efficient transport service
Resist attempts to privatise state media - Experts
Sisala citizens asked to accept President’s political appointments
Amansie East assembly confirms President's
nominee.
Protest against DCE’s nomination
NDC congratulates newly appointed DCE
Re-open Brofoyedru Police station - residents
Regional Inter-faith memorial service for stadium victims
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 17 May 2001
The youth wing of the NPP has described as "ill-conceived" the decision of the NDC minority to boycott Parliament in protest against the recent detention of Mr Enoch Teye Mensah for his alleged role in last Friday's violence at Nima in Accra.
It said the basis of the decision "is flimsy and infantile" because the arrest of Mr Mensah, MP for Ningo/Prampram, was never unconstitutional since the offence for which he was detained is not covered by parliamentary privileges and immunities.
"The constitutional privileges and immunities that our MPs enjoy when going to and taking part in parliamentary proceedings do not cover criminal acts and cannot, therefore, be used for the perpetuation of mayhem".
These were contained in a statement issued in Sunyani on Wednesday by Mr. Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, Acting National Youth Organiser of the NPP in reaction to the NDC MPs’ decision to boycott Parliament for four days beginning on Tuesday.
The boycott, the NDC explained, is to demonstrate their displeasure over the BNI's detention of Mr. Mensah, who is the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, for allegedly inciting the youth of Nima to riot in the aftermath of the Accra Stadium disaster.
Mr Twumasi-Awuah said it is on record that the law is supreme and that all citizens are equal before it irrespective of social status.
The youth wing of the NPP, he said, will, therefore, resist any attempt by any group of people to use parliament as "a safe haven for criminals and saboteurs".
The National Youth Organiser called on Ghanaians to oppose any move to cheaply accord dignity and martyrdom to those who do not deserve them.
"The arrest of E. T. Mensah as an ordinary citizen of Ghana was perfectly constitutional and no breaches of the law or his rights were occasioned because there was nothing parliamentary about his alleged conduct".
Mr Twumasi-Awuah observed that the security agencies have every right to arrest and question people in the normal course of their work, irrespective of the background of such people.
He said the National Youth Wing of the NPP fully supports the security agencies in their on-going investigations of Mr Mensah and other elements of the former government suspected of corruption and malfeasance.
"The record of the NDC while in government strips it of any moral authority to make so much noise about so-called human rights abuses of its members", he added.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday pledged his readiness to work with the next government of Italy to strengthen the existing ties of co-operation and friendship between the two countries.
This was contained in a letter to congratulate Mr Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister-elect of Italy on his victory at last Sunday’s general election.
President Kufuor said: "I have been gratified to learn of the resounding victory at the recent polls of your Centre Right Coalition and have much pleasure in sending you warmest congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Ghana and in my own name."
Your success at the polls is a clear manifestation of the confidence that the people of Italy place in you. I have no doubt that with your past noble experience in the administration of your country, Italy, under your government, will continue to prosper and increase its role and influence in the comity of nations.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
Dr N Nyaho-Tamakloe, a leading member of the NPP, Wednesday said although the loss of lives at the stadium disaster is most painful, people must not take the law into their own hands in expressing their grief.
Dr Tamakloe who was addressing party members of the Odododiodoo constituency in Accra, commended the government for the swift manner in which it reacted to the situation.
He said the presence of the military at Nima to curb rioting youth, shows the commitment government has for the country.
Touching on the serial killings, Dr Tamakloe said the arrest of a suspect shows that "we have a Police Force which can perform well when given the chance".
He said the security services, for the past two decades, have not been free to perform their professional duties adding, "the military now feel free, discipline is restored in the armed forces, and military commanders are fully in control of their men".
Dr. Tamakloe said instead of accusing the NPP of trying to dismember them, the NDC should go back to the drawing board and organise the party for the next general election.
"I must warn them that the only way Ghanaians would allow any one to rule them is through the ballot box. Whoever wants political power in future will have to go through the ballot box," he stressed.
He said that is the only way by which the country could progress in our present political dispensation.
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Asikasu (Eastern Region) 17 May 2001
Parents have been advised to give the best form of education to their children to enable them to become useful citizens in future.
Baffour Ogyensu Lomo known in private life as Mr Christian Anum Lomo gave the advice in his maiden speech after he has been outdoored as the new Kyidomhene of Asikasu during the celebration of the Akwasidae festival of the chiefs and people of the town.
Baffour Lomo, a Chief Accountant at the Ministry of the Interior swore the oath of allegiance to Barima Kwabena Tannor, Chief of Asikasu.
He promised to do his best in the effort to raise the living standards of the people and identified education and health as his priority and called on the people to help provide support for development projects.
Nana Tannor also called on citizens living outside the town to visit home and contribute towards its development since the government alone could not provide all of the needs of the people.
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Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 17 May 2001
The police are investigating the death of a 32-year-old farmer, Isaac Owusu alias "Yawole", whose body was found on his tomato farm at Buoyem, near Techiman last week Wednesday.
A police source told the GNA at Techiman on Wednesday that they do not rule out foul play and have placed a suspect under guard at the Techiman Holy Family Hospital, following an attempt by an angry mob to lynch him.
The source said the deceased, who constantly complained of stealing of tomatoes from his farm, decided to lay ambush to arrest the thief.
At about 7.30 p.m. when his father, Mr Thomas Owusu Takyi realised that his son had not returned home he organised a group to search for him.
The search party including a policeman and the assemblyman found Owusu's dead body near Boibye stream at Buoyem.
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Odupong-Ofaakor (Central Region) 17 May 2001
The chiefs and people of Odupong-Ofaakor, near Kasoa in the Central Region, have appealed to the government for protection against harassment by land-guards.
At an emergency meeting with Mr James Sarpong-Dam, Deputy District Co-ordinating Director for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, on Wednesday, they warned that any delay in tackling the issue might result in bloodshed because their patience was running out.
A spokesman for the chief and his elders, Nai Otsor Adawu, told the meeting that investigations have shown that the land-guards who have been harassing the people at Ofaakor were allegedly hired by the people of Amanfrom in the Greater Accra Region.
The people of Ofaakor and Ngleshi Amanfrom have been litigating over a piece of land being occupied by the people of Amanfrom.
According to Nai Adawu, the Amanfrom people whom they (Ofaakor people) consider them as strangers, were resettled there by the late former Head of State Gen. I.K. Acheampong, without the knowledge of the Ofaakor people who are the custodians of the Amanfrom lands.
Nai Adawu said the people of Amanfrom were driven from their orginal places of abode due to expansion of the Weija Dam.
Okyeame Kojo-Nai, chief linguist of Ofaakor, said the land being occupied by the people of Amanfrom belongs to the Ofaakor stool, adding that judgements given on the dispute bordering the land had always been in favour of the Ofaakor people.
He alleged that people of Amanfrom arrested some citizens of Ofaakor with the assistance of police and urged the Interior Minister to call for a probe into the matter.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Sarpong-Dam asked the Ofaakor people to exercise restraint, adding that the authorities of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district administration would send their request to the appropriate authorities for redress.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
The Presidential Commission on the Accra Sports Stadium tragedy on Wednesday asked 11 officials to appear before it at 0900 on Thursday.
A statement signed by Mrs Regina Apotsi, Secretary t the Commission, named them as Brigadier George Brock, Executive Director of the National Sports Council (NSC), Mr Richard Quarshie, Chairman of the Central Co-ordinating Committee and Mr Hammah Hamid Issaka, PRO of the NSC.
The others are Mr Geraldo de-Souza, match commissioner for the Hearts/Kotoko match on May 9. The match officials - Mr J. Wilson Fey of Takoradi, Central Referee, Mr F. B. Arthur of Cape Coast, Assistant Referee I, Mr M. D. Arthur of Cape Coast, Assistant Referee II and Mr Henry Nettey of Accra, Assistant Referee III.
The chairmen of the two clubs, Mr Harry Zakour for Hearts and Herbert Mensah of Kotoko and the Chief Stadium Security, Mr Seth Dwamena are also to appear before the Commission.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 17 May 2001
Members of the Central Region House of Chiefs, on Wednesday expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of the 126 victims of the May 9 disaster at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In a message signed by the Acting President of the House, Nana Atta Amanafo Poku II, the chiefs said they sincerely share the grief of families "whose innocent and loved ones lost their precious lives" in the incident "which has no doubt brought a period of intense stress and sorrow to the nation".
The message, commended the government for the steps it has taken so far in dealing with the situation, and prayed for the speedy recovery of those, who were injured.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, Minister of Transport and Communication, on Monday said government is to establish an efficient and integrated transportation network for the movement of people and goods at a minimal cost within the country and internationally.
The minister said transportation is vital to the socio-economic development of a nation as it is closely linked to economic growth.
Mr Owusu-Agyapong said this at the flag-raising ceremony and photo exhibition as part of the 15th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) at the airport.
He said the main objective of the government's liberalised civil aviation policy is to provide greater access to and from the country for people and goods.
"For example air transportation supports tourism, which although a young industry in the country, already runs as the third highest foreign exchange earner.
"Returns from the industry for the year 2000 alone were 300 million dollars."
Mr Owusu-Agyapong said his ministry is glad to observe that the GCAA has over the past 15 years been actively contributing to the economy and that the development at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is an ample testimony.
"Through this project, as well as good management practices, the GCAA attracts more airlines, passengers and cargo to Ghana thereby helping to improve the national economy."
The minister said the government, as the sole shareholder in the GCAA, expects that the more successful it becomes, the greater it will contribute to the national coffers through the payment of higher dividends.
Mr Owusu-Agyapong said government is so far satisfied with GCAA's role as a very vital component in the engine of national development and is prepared to assist it in any way possible.
The minister said in pursuance of its assigned role, the GCAA will have to help resolve the problems created by the apparent monopoly of services enjoyed by African Ground Operations (AFGO) Limited at the airport.
He said a section of the community has not been happy with the operation of AFGO and has submitted papers to government, which are being studied.
Captain Joe Boachie, Acting Director-General of the GCAA, gave a detailed history of the development of civil aviation in Ghana from 1918.
He said the attainment of corporate status by the GCAA in 1986 marks the beginning of an upturn in her performance especially in the area of operation and finance.
He said within a short period, aircraft movement grew from 6,385 in 1995 to 10,414 last year, and that a growth rate of 17.6 per cent is expected for the period 2001 to 2005.
"Passengers arriving at and departing from the KIA grew from 368,202 in 1995 to 592,276 in 2000 representing a growth of 10 per cent and projected to increase to 17.5 per cent between now and 2005."
Captain Boachie said similarly freight to and from KIA also grew from 37,817 tonnes in 1995 to 46,826 tonnes last year representing a growth of 5.5 per cent making KIA the top cargo airport in West Africa.
"The GCAA did not forget its responsibility to the Central government and since 1993 has paid annual dividends to the government while at the same time bearing the heavy responsibility of upgrading and developing facilities in a highly capital intensive industry."
Captain Boachie said the authority is in the process of restructuring to enable it to focus on its core responsibility of regulating the Ghana civil aviation industry and facilitating air navigation. It will opt out from airport management for private management.
This, he said, is the modern trend in the civil aviation world, adding, "it is sad to say that Ghana lags behind neighbouring states like Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire in this regard."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
Mr Suuribatayibiin Soyiri, a retired Director of Cultural Administration and Alhaji Abdulai Bawa, Upper East Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, were on Wednesday named members of the National Commission on Culture.
This was contained in a statement signed by Ms Elizabeth Ohene, government spokesperson on Wednesday in Accra.
The statement said their names were inadvertently left out of the list of members of the Commission, which was published on Tuesday.
President appoints members of National Commission on Culture.
This brings the total membership to 15 with Professor George Atta Panyin Hagan, an anthropologist and flag-bearer of the CPP in the 2000 election, as chairman and Mr Nkrumah Gyima MP as vice chairman.
Other members are Prof. Kwabena Nketsia, the first Ghanaian Director of the Institute of African Studies, Mrs Esi Sutherland-Addy, Senior Research Fellow of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Kwaw Ansah, a filmmaker and Mr Haruna Atta, Journalist and Filmmaker.
The rest are Dr Nii Moi Thompson, an Economist, the Rev. Dr. Mensah Otabil, General Overseer, International Central Gospel Church, Prof. Kofi Anyidoho, Poet and Head of English Department, University of Ghana, Ms Goldie Akuffo-Addo, an
Artist, Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, Apagyahene of Asanteman, Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III, Denkyirahemaa and Mr Mark Tontoh, a musician.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 17 May 2001
Two prominent media experts on Wednesday kicked against the privatisation of the state media saying rather, they should be supported to become truly independent institutions that are accountable to the public.
Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere, President of the West African Journalists Association and Prof. Kwame Karikari, Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, expressed the hope that the state-owned media have a critical role in the evolving democratic dispensation by objectively projecting the views of the people.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra, the two men and other participants disagreed with a report by the International Press Institute that Ghana's press is not free at all.
They were of the view that the media landscape has improved tremendously over the last half-decade and gave credit to institutions such as the GJA, National Media Commission, PRINPAG and the Judiciary for their commitment to democratic principles.
However, they said, there is much more room for improvement.
The forum, presided over by Prof. Kofi Kumado, Director of the Legon Centre of International Affairs (LECIA), looked at "the media in retrospect and the way forward in Ghana's democratic dispensation" and attended by public and private media heads, academia, top and middle level journalists and diplomats.
Areas covered were Government press relations, the legal regime under which the media operate, journalism education, the level of professionalism in the media, role of institutions such as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC), and the role of donor agencies.
Mr. Blay-Amihere, Publisher of the "Independent" newspaper, shared his 25 years of journalism experience, saying, former President Jerry Rawlings' regime saw the worst government-press relations out of the six heads of States he has worked under.
"Rawlings did not only use the Ministry of Information to appoint, dismiss or transfer editors and senior journalists but also used the Ministry to manage news through weekly meeting of senior editors supervised by the Minister of Information.
"It was Rawlings who created what has come to be called a culture of silence in our history.
He did not only stop there but throughout his regime, particularly in the first 11 years detained and arrested journalists without trial," Mr. Blay-Amihere, also a former GJA President told the gathering, adding that even when he became a constitutional leader, Flt-Lt Rawlings continued to arrest and detain till his last year.
Mr. Blay-Amihere commended President John Kufuor's government for its indications to boost free press in the country by removing restrictive laws.
He said while he trusted the new regime would do well to keep to its promise, he still holds the view that the press should be even more vigilant when governments show such benevolence.
"President Kufuor may mean well and truly understand the dynamics of positive change but we need to remain vigilant in our watchdog role," he said, adding that he thinks a major problem facing the future of the press is how to remain independent.
He expressed optimism that press freedom has come to stay in Ghana " for as long as Ghanaians say that democracy or constitutional rule must be the order of the day."
Mr. Blay-Amihere called on donor agencies and private companies to support training institutions to enable them develop the curricula and staff to train new generation of journalists on sound intellectual basis.
He proposed the establishment of a special training institution for broadcast journalism.
More importantly, there is the need for "a new wave of private investment in the media, particularly in the private sector, he said and suggested that media professionals or publishers consider merger schemes that would reduce quantity and promote quality journalism.
For Prof. Karikari who was Director of the University of Ghana School of Communication Studies said a major challenge that faces the media now is improving the intellectual and professional capacity to provide the enlightened and critical leadership.
He said for their own effectiveness, the media must conform to the basic intellectual and professional demands and expectations the people make of them irrespective of their ideological persuasion.
"There is no more excuse for poor intellectual quality and shoddy professional and technical quality in our newspapers and on our airwaves," Prof. Karikari said, expressing regret that the media has been taking the public for granted in ways that are unacceptable.
He cited "stations without programme schedules; studios open to everyone and all; poor news reading; no programme production; no features; no magazines; few own news; little analysis; talk shows, poorly produced with little research; music presentation without direction," as some of the numerous lapses needed to be addressed by the media.
Other contributors also called for a more balanced reporting by the media to make the industry credible.
Mr. Fritz Andoh, Managing Editor of the Catholic Standard and Chairman of the GJA Ethics Committee suggested that respective media institutions adopt the ethics for their members so that they become conversant with the provisions.
Mr. Craig Murray, Deputy British High Commissioner urged practitioners to broaden their know-how in the basic economics of marketing their products in order to attract the much needed investment.
Mr. S.K. Apea, Senior Fellow of the IEA called for a debate on the merits or otherwise, of the privatization of the state media.
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Ekumfi-Essarkyir (Central Region) 17 May 2001
An educationist, Mr Mumuni Dimbie has appealed to Sisala citizens throughout the country to accept in good faith President J. A. Kufuor's nominees, for political positions in the Upper West Region.
This, he said, could assist in fostering peace and unity and ensure the socio-cultural and political development of the region.
Mr Dimbie, a former national executive member of the tertiary institutions branch of the Sisala Students Union (SSU), was reacting to remarks made by some Sisala citizens, over President Kufuor's inability to appoint any person from the Upper West region, to his Cabinet.
He noted that President Kufuor appointed qualified citizens from the region as Deputy Ministers, adding that it is wrong for critics of the government to argue that the people from the Upper West have been denied ministerial appointments.
He contended that since ministerial positions are subject to periodic reshuffles, the President might consider the region in the appointment of members to his Cabinet in course of time.
Mr Dimbie advised the people in the region to co-operate with the government to ensure the speedy development of the nation.
He reminded them that the development of the region would not depend on the number of Cabinet Ministers appointed from there.
Mr Dimbie said they should rather co-operate with district chief executives, assembly members and other political authorities to ensure that their standards of living are improved.
He expressed the hope that institutions charged with educating the public on their freedoms and constitutional obligations would intensify their activities to promote unity and development.
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Amansie East assembly confirms President's
nominee.
Bekwai (Ashanti Region) 17 May 2001
The Amansie East District Assembly has by a 100 per cent vote confirmed the President's nominee, Mr Richard Aboagye, as District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area.
All 73 members of the assembly voted to approve his nomination in an election supervised by the Electoral Commission.
The voting was witnessed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Mr Kofi Poku Adusei and the Paramount Chief of the Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Kaakari Appau 11.
Mr Boafo thanked the assembly for the vote and said the government would ensure that DCEs are accountable to the people.
He was emphatic that they would not compromise the situation where the DCEs either dabble in chieftaincy disputes or show complete disregard for the very people they are supposed to serve.
Mr Aboagye said he was overwhelmed by the massive show of support and told the members that he would not disappoint them.
He reminded them about the need to stand and work together to confront the myriad of socio-economic problems facing the district.
He said with the varied experience and expertise of members of the assembly, they could succeed in speeding up the development of the area and reduce the high level of poverty among the people.
Mr Aboagye, aged 39, is a product of the University of Ghana and until his appointment was the Programme Supervisor of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in charge of the Northern Sector.
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Akyem Oda (Eastern Region) 17 May 2001
Executive members of the Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru Constituencies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have protested against the nomination of Mr Yaw Amprofi as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Birim South.
They preferred that the post should be given to Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko, a tutor of the Akim Oda Attafuah Secondary/Technical School, who they claimed, "toiled for the party in the 1980's and 90's."
The protest was contained in a petition signed by ten Executive Members of the two constituencies and addressed to President John Agyekum Kufuor and copied to Mr Samuel Odoi-Skyes, Chairman of the party.
The signatories included Mr K. A. Dankwa, first Vice-Chairman, Mr K. Obeng, Second Vice-Chairman, Mr Kwadwo Ahenkora, Secretary, Miss Christina Oppong, Women's Organiser and Mr Henry K. Addei, Chairman, all from the Akyem Swedru constituency.
Others were Mr G. A. Quancy, Mr Alexander Obeng-Darkwa, Mr Kwasi Acheampong, Mr Yaw Ernest and Mr Kwadwo Attafua, all Executive members of the
Akyem Oda constituency.
The party members claimed in the protest that Mr Amprofi "is not known politically and socially in the district", adding that during the 1992 to 1996 and the 2000 elections, he was not "seen anywhere in the district".
"The appointment of Mr Akrofi will ruin the party as he is not known in any town, hamlet or village in the Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru constituencies", they stressed.
The petitioners said, Mr Antwi-Berko, who hails from Akyem-Anamase in the Akyem Swedru constituency, has been resident at Akyem Oda since 1957 and has immovable property there, one of which houses the Akyem Oda NPP constituency
office.
Mr Antwi-Berko was a “founding member of the Danquah-Busia club in the district and was our Parliamentary candidate in 1992”.
The petition said Mr Amprofi's nomination was engineered to "satisfy some vested interests" and noted that "it will prove disastrous to the party in future and we wonder why an unknown man should be brought to head such a sensitive post."
"We state again that Mr Antwi-Berko is the choice of both constituencies for the post of DCE", the petition concluded.
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Ho (Volta Region) 17 May 2001
The Akatsi District Assembly has failed to elect its Presiding Member (PM) after six ballots at two sittings.
A Presiding Member must be elected before balloting on the President's nominee for the position of a District Chief Executive could be held.
Mr Sammy-Longman Attakumah, District Co-ordinating Director, told the Ghana News Agency at Ho on Wednesday said the assembly has, therefore, constituted a joint committee of government appointees and elected members of the House to select a candidate from among the elected members for the position.
Mr Attakumah said the difficulty in electing the PM was over differences between the elected members and the appointees as to whether the PM should be an elected member or an appointee.
He explained that it has been the tradition of the Assembly to always elect a government appointee as PM.
However, with the new composition of the House comprising New Patriotic Party (NPP) government appointees and elected members from the previous assembly this tradition could not be applied.
Mr Attakumah said at its first meeting on April 19, Mr W. B. K Atimu, an elected member and Togbe Doklo Akumsa, VI an appointee, failed to obtain the mandatory two-thirds majority after three rounds of voting.
Togbe Akumsa withdrew but Atimu could not poll the two-thirds majority as the only candidate in the fourth round.
On May 9 the stalemate could still not be broken after two rounds of voting involving Mr Atimu and Togbe Akumsa when Togbe Dzeamedzi Nyakpo, III a third candidate was dropped after the first round of the day's voting.
Mr Attakumah said the assembly would reconvene on Thursday, May 17 to receive the nominee of the joint committee for the office of the PM and also consider the approval of Mr Coffie Negbley the President's nominee for the office of the DCE.
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Bimbilla (Northern Region) 17 May 2001
A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Adam Adu Marshall, has appealed to party supporters to co-operate with the new Nanumba District Chief Executive (DCE), Alhaji Muhammed Faami Iddi in his efforts at developing the area.
Mr Marshall made the call when he led executives of the party, including the former District Chief Executive, Mr Amidu Seidu, to congratulate Alhaji Iddi on his confirmation as the DCE.
He said the district is deprived and, therefore, needed the efforts of all to enhance its rapid development.
Mr Marshall noted that any disunity among the people would affect the progress of the district.
Alhaji Iddi assured them of a transparent administration and urged them to bury their political and ethnic differences.
He promised to sustain the prevailing peace in the area and to ensure that enough revenue is mobilised for the development of the area.
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Brofoyedru (Ashanti Region) 17 May 2001
Residents of Ahenema-Kokoben electoral area in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District have appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to re-open the Police station at Brofoyedru, which serves the area.
The Police station, which was accommodated in a private house, was removed because the landlord ejected them.
Mr Kofi Nti, an assembly member and a native of the area, who made the appeal, said the absence of a Police station has made the residents unsafe and insecure.
Mr Nti said an abandoned district assembly building in the town could be used to accommodate the police and urged the assembly to renovate it.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 17 May 2001
The Ashanti Regional Planning Committee charged with the responsibility to co-ordinate all activities relating to the Accra Sports Stadium disaster has announced that 14 people from the region including one female have been identified among those who died in the stampede.
A release signed by Mr Edward Afari-Gyem, Secretary of the planning committee said four others who were injured are recuperating at various hospitals in Accra.
The release said that Saturday May 19, has been set aside for the regional inter-faith memorial service in honour of soccer fans from the region, who died in the incident.
It appealed to the general public to attend the memorial service, which would take place at the Kumasi sports stadium adding, "the committee advises that sympathisers should not attend the service in any football club's colours to forestall any unpleasant development at the solemn service.
The release said the committee would also be grateful for any contributions in cash or in kind from individuals and organisations towards the successful organisation of the memorial service.
Representative of all the bereaved families are requested to meet the committee for important discussion on Thursday, May 17 at 10:00 hours.
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Hohoe (Volta Region) 17 May 2001
Ghana Telecom telephone lines in Volta Region would increase from 4,800 to about 10,000 when the 5,000 line exchange at Hohoe is completed by mid-August.
Mr Douglas Wagba, Volta Regional Manager of Ghana Telecom, disclosed this during a visit by Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister to ascertain the progress of work on the project.
Mr Wagba said the project, which was scheduled to be completed by the end of last year, delayed because the 2,000-line exchange originally planned to be installed at Hohoe was increased to 5,000 lines.
Mr Albert Enninful, Project Manager of Ghana Telecom, said that because of differences in the installation mechanism for the equipment a new set of materials were ordered and are expected in June for the completion of the Project on schedule.
The 500,000 dollars exchange would provide telecommunication facilities to all towns and villages 30 to 40 kilometres radius of Hohoe through radio links.
The exchange would also make it possible for the Ghana Telecom "One Touch" mobile phones to be accessed in the area.
Mr Owusu-Yeboa said there is genuine concern among the chiefs and people of the area about the delay in the completion of the project.
Ghana Telecom services to Hohoe have been out of operation for the past three months.
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