Tema NPP jubilates over President's nominee as MCE
President Kufuor leaves for Spain
African dishes served at a reception to mark
Africa day
Ex President Rawlings off to Cairo
Low turnout for OAU celebration
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
Mr Kwamina Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing, on Friday urged members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) to build rental units instead of putting up houses for outright purchase.
At a meeting with members of the association in Accra, he said: "You have to bear in mind that it is not every one who would be able to afford to buy or build a house in his or her lifetime no matter how low the price."
Mr Bartels said for this reason, some American investors will soon be in the country to put up two and three bedroom flats to be rented out.
The two bedroom flats would cost about 7,000 to 8,000 dollars while the three bedroom houses would each cost 8,500 and 10,000 dollars. These houses would eventually become the property of sitting tenants.
"With investors in housing units, the market price would determine the terms hence the need for you to work hard to remain in business," he said.
Mr Bartels urged members of GREDA to link up with Ghana Institute of Architects, Planners and Engineers, to be able to put up affordable houses, with little or no defects, for rental purposes.
He said the government is seeking a 100 million-dollar loan from the Slovakian Republic for developers in real estate business out of which 50 million dollars would be for members of GREDA
This facility to be paid by the government in 15 years would be disbursed to members of the association at between five and six per cent interest.
"We expect you to use at least 45 per cent of this money for rental units with the remaining for outright sale," he said.
Mr Bartels said the disbursement would be done through a bank of government's choice to members with good banking standards.
He urged the members not to abuse this opportunity adding that in the past some members abused similar facilities that were made available to them through the Ministry of Works and Housing.
"A member of ours was given a three-million pound sterling loan eight years ago, but has till date not paid a Cedi," he said.
"Let us not abuse this opportunity by buying new Mercedes Benz, marrying new women and building plush houses for ourselves."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 201
The Greater Accra Region Permanent Committee for Conflict Resolution and Prevention said on Friday that all religious bodies have agreed to confine crusades and usual forms of worship to their premises and avoid excessive noise during the period of a ban on drumming and noisemaking.
Drumming and noisemaking beyond the levels prescribed by AMA byelaws shall be monitored by a joint committee comprising representatives of the religious bodies, the Ga Traditional Council, AMA and the committee.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra
Regional Minister and Professor Mike Ocquaye, Chairman of the Committee.
The statement said all reports of infractions and infringements of the prescribed noise levels during the stated period of the ban shall be referred to the standing committee, which shall have powers to facilitate compliance.
The statement comes against the background of persistent clashes between Christians and youths of the Ga Traditional Council determined to enforce a total ban on drumming and noisemaking.
The Christ Apostolic Church at Osu and vehicles of worshipers and the Ghana News Agency were damaged when the two sides clashed about a fortnight ago.
Last Sunday, police arrested several youths who had gone to churches at Cantonment and Labonne after they clashed with worshippers.
The statement said in view of the unfortunate incidents that have occurred, the committee has directed that all parties "should adopt a give-and-take, accommodating and compromising approach as all rational people seek a permanent solution."
It said in any modern state, nobody or group of persons can be allowed to be their own peace enforcers.
"No one can take the law into his/her own hands. Any religious person or traditionalist who attempts to do so will be dealt with according to law."
The statement said in this connection, the monitoring group shall have the police to effect arrest whenever an infringement is noticed or reported.
"Every citizen who observes any infringement should report this to the Monitoring Team, Regional Administration or the nearest Police station.
"We ask all the churches to pursue peace like their Master Jesus Christ, abate every noise for the next two weeks and for the traditionalists not to attempt to take the law into their own hands."
The statement said in terms of modalities to enforce peace, the committee is inviting representatives of all stakeholders or interested groups to meet at the Office of the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council at 0800 hours on Saturday, May 26, Sunday, May 27, Saturday June 2 and Sunday June 3.
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Tema (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
Supporters of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday paraded the principal streets of Tema to jubilate over the nomination of Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh as the Municipal Chief Executive for Tema.
Mr Narh, a 58 year-old mechanical engineer and contractor was the former Production Manager of Ghana Cement Works Limited (GHACEM).
The supporters, some of who carried placards, which read, "No more divisiveness, unity all the way," "Municipal development under Narh is sure," "God bless our President" and "TMA-you have a God chosen man" finally converged at the forecourt of the Tema Municipal Assembly.
Addressing the supporters, Mr Kwesi Kyei, Tema East Constituency Organiser of the NPP said the demonstration is purely in support of President John Agyekum Kufuor's choice after a long anxiety over who would be the mayor of Tema.
The race for the position has been a stiff contest between Mr Narh and Mr David Ashong of Kpone.
Mr Kyei said all the four constituencies in Tema met and decided that whoever is appointed the mayor would be respected and supported by all of them.
The jubilation should, therefore, not be seen as a victory for Mr Narh alone but the entire NPP and expressed the hoped that the Assembly would approve the President's nomination when the time comes.
The election of a Presiding member of the 79 member-assembly has been postponed twice due to the failure of the contesting candidates to obtain the mandatory two-thirds majority of the votes.
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Denu (Volta Region) 28 May 2001
The Aflao Traditional Council is to place an embargo on the formation of new cultural and drumming groups in the area to forestall their proliferation as a result of factional squabbles among members that lead to breakaways,
There are currently about 50 such groups in the area.
Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, announced this at the weekend, when he addressed the fifth anniversary celebration of the "Agbeyeye Haborbor" at Denu, in the Volta Region.
The association also out-doored its five million cedis musical instruments at the ceremony.
Togbe Fiti noted that the laudable objectives of these groups to support members during illnesses, death and bereavement are defeated by frequent disagreements.
Some people promote discontent in the groups and then take part of the membership out to form rival associations, which they could lead.
Others also leave to join other groups after collecting benefits from their mother associations.
Togbe Fiti urged the groups to re-direct their programmes to supporting their members when they are alive through business promotion credits rather than investing everything in death benefits.
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President Kufuor leaves for Spain
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday night left for Valencia, Spain to attend the 36th annual board of Governors meeting of the African Development Bank and the 27th Session of the African Development Fund.
He was accompanied by Mr Hackman Owusu- Agyeman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Kwesi Ndoum, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration.
He was seen off at the airport by Vice-President Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Mr Ibrahim Omar and the acting Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ernest Owusu Poku.
Already in Spain for the meeting are Mr J.H. Mensah. Minister of State and Parliamentary Business and the Minister of Finance, Mr Yaw Osarfo Marfo.
Briefing newsmen before departure, the deputy government spokesman, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, said President Kufuor would address a symposium which will preceed the meeting, under the theme "Partnership for African development"
Also to address the symposium are, President Joachim Chisano of Mozambique and the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Michael Camdessous.
Mr Agyepong said President Kufuor would take the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions on trade and economics with the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Zamar.
He said Spain has express interest in Ghana's economy, especially in the area of tourism, mining and solar energy.
Currently, the two countries have nine joint ventures and four Spanish-owned businesses are in Ghana.
Mr Agyepong said Ghana would use the visit to explore avenues to boost her export to Spain, which has declined from 76 million US dollars in 1997 to 35 million US dollars last year.
Spain's annual economic aid to Ghana totals 16 million US dollars.
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Kyebi (Eastern Region) 28 May 2001
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, Okyenhene, at the weekend called for the rotation of National Day celebrations among the 10 regions.
This, he said, would help speed up the provision of the needed infrastructure in the regions.
The Okyenhene, who made the call at the second session of the Okyeman Council at Kyebi on Friday, noted that, in preparation for the day, the government puts the necessary structures in place for the host region, thereby improving its infrastructure.
Osagyefuo Ofori-Panin urged politicians to desist from politicising women and children's issues because they are serious matters that deserve national attention.
He also called for the imposition stiffer punishment on people who defile, rape or impregnate teenagers.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr. Francis Osafo-Mensah, urged traditional authorities who give lands to Fulani herdsmen to ensure that they fence their ranches to prevent their cattle from destroying other people's farms.
Mr. Francois Reuter, Forest Adviser, said the British Department for International Development (DFID) had selected the East Akim and Dormaa Districts for a pilot project in forestry management using local voluntary Forest Committees.
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African dishes served at a reception to
mark Africa day
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
Guests at a reception held at the Banquet Hall of the State House on Friday to climax activities marking Africa Day were treated to a variety of typical African dishes.
These came from Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso and Benin.
President John Agyekum Kufuor exchanged greetings with the guests who included members of the diplomatic corps, ministers of state and a cross-section of Ghanaians.
The Ghana Police Service Central Band provided melodious music at the reception to mark the 38th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25,1963, which has been replaced by the African Union.
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Wa (Upper West) 28 May 2001
Alhaji Abudulai Issahaque, Upper West Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described Alhaji Issaka Inusah as a political spy who cannot be trusted.
He said to re-admit him now into the NPP would not be in the interest of the party.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Wa on Friday, Alhaji Issahaque said: "We actually need to probe, scrutinise and find out how genuine he is before we can consider accepting him into our fold"
Een though Alhaji Inusah is behaving like the Biblical prodigal son, he cannot be trusted and his coming back would be detrimental to the growth of the party, he said.
Alhaji Issahaque said even if the national executive would accept him back for any reason, he should be put on probation for over three years to ascertain the real motive of his decision.
He said Alhaji Inusah's desire to come back to the NPP was because NDC lost the general election and not because he is committed to the NPP.
The Regional Chairman asked Alhaji Inusah to retract the defamatory and derogatory statements he made against the NPP on defecting to the NDC and apologise to the NPP and people of Ghana.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
Former President Jerry Rawlings left Accra on Friday night for Cairo to participate in a Pan African Forum on the future of children.
It is being held under the auspices of UNESCO from May 28 to 31.
A release from the Office of the Former President said he would chair a planning session on "Leadership and Accountability".
Also at the forum to make presentations will be the Former President of Mali, General Amadou Toure.
The release said Ex-President Rawlings would use the occasion to increase political support for the campaign against HIV/AIDS by stressing the role that national governments could play in handling the HIV/AIDS problem.
It said he would also advocate for preventive measures through information, education, communication and counseling.
"Ex-President Rawlings will make submissions on HIV/AIDS and child development as well as the need for voluntarism to protect children from conflicts including child soldiers, exploitation and abuse of children in such situations".
Dr Moses Adibo, his Special Assistant for Health accompanied him.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
President John Agyekum Kufuor has made more nominations of District Chief Executives to be approved by their district assemblies.
A statement issued by Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said Mr Ben Adeefe Kwakye has been nominated as DCE for Amansie West in the Ashanti Region.
Dr Lord Justice Gyamfi-Fenteng has been nominated for Asante-Akim South, also in the Ashanti Region.
The statement said the earlier nomination of Mr Solomon Asante Manu has been withdrawn. He is to be reassigned.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
The flag-raising ceremony in connection with the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Accra was poorly attended with most of the seats at the forecourt of the State House not occupied.
Conspicuously absent were Chiefs and Queen mothers whose places remained empty throughout the over two-hour programme, while less than 20 per cent of Parliamentarians were present.
But for the presence of students from Osu Presbyterian Secondary, Holy Trinity, Social Advance and O'Reilly Secondary Schools the venue would have been virtually empty.
However, the Airforce Band and a contingent of three officers and 60 men under the command of Ft. Lt. Issah Sadique, added some colour to the occasion.
The beautiful turnout of the military and at the precise time, was nearly marred when three of the men on parade and a Military Police Officer guarding the ceremonial dais fell off under the scorching sun.
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Mr Elwood Greaves of Liberia and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman raised the OAU and the Ghana flags respectively amid the playing of Anthems.
The Nigerian High Commissioner, Mr Sam Okechukwu, read the anniversary message by the Chairman of the OAU President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo.
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Agona Swedru (Central Region) 28 May 2001
Dr Albert Bowe, Agona District Medical Officer has made a passionate appeal to corporate bodies, NGOs, foreign missions or individuals to assist the hospital with an ambulance and a refrigerator for the blood bank.
Speaking to the GNA at Agona Swedru, Dr Bowe said the hospital needs these facilities "very urgently to help us save lives".
The hospital's old ambulance broke down more than seven years ago and has since not been replaced.
This, he said, has made it extremely difficult for the hospital to refer emergency cases to Accra or Winneba hospitals.
The blood bank unit was gutted by fire last year, destroying the fridge and other equipment.
The Agona Swedru district hospital serves about 165,000 people from Swedru as well as neighbouring Gomoa, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa and Awutu-Effutu-Senya districts.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May 2001
The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (WDFC) on Monday said over 90 per cent of hunters throughout the country are operating illegally.
"Almost all of these hunters do not have licence, which is required by the Wildlife Conservation Regulations permitting them to operate in their respective areas," Mrs Vivian Nunoo, Wildlife Education Officer of the WDFC told the GNA in an interview on Monday.
She attributed this to the procedure of acquisition of the permit.
She said some people also say animals are free resources and for that matter there is no need to obtain any permit before embarking on a hunting expedition
"The law requires that applicants indicate the type of apparatus to be used. If it is by gun then there is the need to show its licence and if it is by trap it must be demonstrated to the Executive Director of the WDFC before a permit is issued," the education officer explained.
She said the permit is important because it is prohibited to hunt in some places such as the parks and forest reserves.
"In acquiring the permit one is educated on which kind of animals to hunt. This is because some species are protected by law and are not to be hunted, collected or captured," she said.
Mrs Nunoo explained that though one could argue that the animals are free resources they could be extinct if care was not taken to minimise their capture.
Officers of the WDFC, in their efforts to educate hunters, are sometimes met with hostility, she said, but added: "We shall not relent on our oars until the right thing is done."
She reminded hunters that the closed season period when they are not allowed to hunt for game starts from August and ends in December.
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