“I would not have forgiven him”
UN Security Council mission heading to West
Africa
VRA Staff Groups react to media publications
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - The Boards of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the embattled state airline, Ghana Airways have been dissolved and new boards reconstituted. The Ministry of Roads and Transport says the appointment of the new boards takes immediate effect.
The reconstitution of the Ghana Airways board is in apparent response to recent demands by the workers of the airline for the dissolution of the old board. The new board of Ghana Airways has E.R.K Dwemoh, Aviation Consultant as Chairman.
Other members are William Panford Bray, Banker; Adusei Sarkodie, MP; Vesta Adu Gyamfi, Senior Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Albert Osei, Financial Expert.
The rest are Hadjia Khaldi, Businesswoman; K. Seidu, Businessman; Cudjoe Fuseini, Ex-pilot; Nick Adi Darko, Managing Director, Prestige Motors and Nii Laryea Sowah a journalist representing the Private Newspaper Publishers Association (PRINPAG).
Dr. Kobina Richardson, a retired industrialist, chairs the nine-member reconstituted GCAA Board. Other members are Oboshie Sai Coffie, of President’s Office; Alhassan Abdul-Rahman, Managing Director of Yimpex Ghana Limited and Group Captain J.A. Obeng, Pilot, Ministry of Defence.
The rest are F.F. Antoh, Businessman; Eric Djamson, Former Ambassador to the European Union; E. Atta-Agyapong, MP; J. Osei Asamoah, Chief Director, Roads and Transport Ministry and Captain Joe Boachie, Director, GCAA.
William Panford Bray, who is now a member of the reconstituted board while Dr Amoako Tuffuor headed that of GCAA, chaired the dissolved board of Ghana Airways.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - It has emerged from The Independent’s continuing study of the forensic review of the internal control systems of Ghana Airways that some Accra-based hotels took advantage of the laxity at the airline to dupe it of several millions of cedis.
According to the forensic review, two hotels out of the lot that have become ‘culprit’, M-Plaza Hotel and Crystal Palm Hotel are to refund ¢85,374,231 and ¢66,084,125 respectively.
In the case of M-Plaza, it is to make an additional refund of US$5,758 to the airline. The forensic auditors state in their report of the review of the airline’s internal control system that “We observed that the airline had a policy to accommodate passengers whenever flights were cancelled, delayed for long hours or when they had to connect flights in Accra to continue their journeys to their destinations.
The airline has agreement with some hotels, which they use to accommodate these passengers.” The forensic auditors continue thus “Our review of the system in place revealed that it had been so relaxed that some of the hotels had taken advantage of the airline. The Officers-in-charge of booking passengers into the hotels had also taken advantage of the relaxed system.
The hotels were presenting very ridiculous bills to the company but these had been approved for payment by the Reservations Officer and the bills had been paid.”
With specific reference to Crystal Palm Hotel, the forensic auditors state that in some instances where the airline had stopped for short hours (sometimes between three to four hours) and in one instance, for only one hour, Crystal Palm Hotel had sent bills charging for accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“In the situation where there was only one hour time lapse between the arrival of the flight and the departure, a ¢408,500 for one passenger covering accommodation, lunch and dinner was presented to the airline. This bill has been settled.” For the period 1 September 2001 to 30 April 2002, the forensic auditors said “We also related the date of flight to the date passengers were sent to the hotel.
Our verification established that there were No Flights on some of the days.” Interestingly, Crystal Palm Hotel submitted a bill of ¢35,500,750 representing accommodation, lunch and dinner to Ghanair for the sample period stated. According to the forensic audit report, “What was disturbing was that all these bills had been authorised by the Officer-In-Charge of reserving accommodation at hotels for passengers and had been paid.
We feel strongly that Ghana Airways should take a second look at the bills submitted, and those submitted against “no-flight” days, should be refunded by the Hotel.”
The forensic auditors recommend that Crystal Palm Hotel should be informed of the wrong billing and they should be made to refund ¢66,084,125 to Ghanair whilst the airline’s management should also hold all Supervisors who were in charge of hotel reservations at the time these illegitimate payments were made responsible.
In the case of M-Plaza Hotel, the forensic auditors state that they undertook the same exercise executed on Crystal Palm and found out that for a sample period for 1 September 2001 to 30 April 2002 and 1 January to 31 December 2000, wrong billing emanating from charges on no flight days resulted in payments of ¢85,374,231 and US$5,758.
The forensic auditors also drew attention to the fact that from their findings, “a through 100 per cent check for the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 will definitely reveal an astonishing amount of wrongful billing by the chain of hotels used by the airline.
A rather shocking link to the abuse of hotel reservations at Ghanair as contained in the forensic review report is that of “expatriate accommodation” which also represents a reckless disregard for prudence.
The reports state that Ghana Airways rented six buildings in Accra’s Tesano suburb known as Halabel Villas for a period of two years at a rent of US$800 a month. Ghanair had paid rent of US$800 a month. Ghanair had paid rent of US$91,200 as at May 2002 and also contracted Anibok Guest House to manage the facilities at a fee of US$2,700 per month. “Even though Ghana Airways had rented Halabel Villas for its crew members, it was still putting its expatriate crew and Million Air Crew in the M-Plaza Hotel while Halabel Villas rooms were not being utilised” the forensic audit stated.
The report also adds that Ghana Airways was being billed by M-Plaza for accommodation, even when the expatriate crew was not in the country. These acts, according to the forensic audit cost Ghana Airways a whooping US$310,814 over a period in spite of the fact that its Support Services Manager had in December, 2001 written the Head of Administration on the need for part of Halabel Villas to be used as transit quarters for Managers or for use as accommodation for the expatriate staff.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 May 2003 - A 15-foot bronze statue of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic would be unveiled at Suame roundabout in Kumasi on 9August. Vice Chairman of the Busia Foundation, Dr Owusu Akoto disclosed this while announcing activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the commemoration of the life of Dr Busia.
Dr Akoto said it was Dr Busia who advocated multiparty democracy, rule of law, freedom of the individual and free market economy. He said although Dr Busia was criticized for the ideals that he stood for, time has proved his critics wrong, especially on the need for multi-party democracy.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Former President Rawlings is comfortable with Dr Obed Asamoah’s position as Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He is of the view that media reports about the perceived misunderstanding in the party were orchestrated by the ruling NPP as the NDC works towards winning the 2004 elections.
An aide to the former President, Victor Smith told the ''Voice'' that ''all attempts and manufacturing to frustrate us have been exposed''.
Speaking on behalf of the ex-President and Founder of the NDC, Smith said Obed has been a trusted brother for long. ''We have put the past behind us and we are convinced that we shall remain united''.
He noted that ex-President Rawlings is pleased with the total unity exhibited during the ''March for Survival'' and believes that the party would build on this healthy development.
Smith also noted that the success of the March puts a big question mark on the six by-elections that the NPP has won so far. ''The people have shown that they are not happy with the NPP administration and are disappointed in the government.''
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Pretoria (South Africa) 13 May 2003 - President John Kufuor on Sunday reiterated that the government's major concern was to unite the country for progress in its socio-economic development efforts.
He said: "Our concern is to unite our country for progress. This is the only way to develop and make Ghana a true gateway to the West African Sub-Region."
President Kufuor was addressing the Ghanaian community in Pretoria, South Africa, where he made a stopover on his way back home after a four-day state visit to Mauritius. He gave the assurance that the government would play its role as expected of a true democratic government.
Dr Samuel Yaw Annor, President of the association of Ghanaians resident in Pretoria, appealed to the government to prove sceptics who perceive the NPP administration as that of vindictiveness and vengeance wrong. He, however, said, reports received from Ghana indicated that there has not been much tension in the country since the government assumed office.
He commended the government for the achievements made so far, and told President Kufuor that, "as 'Father' of the nation, we hope you will lead Ghanaians to a prosperous nation."
President Kufuor is expected back home on Monday with his entourage, who included Yaw Osafo Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade, Industry and Special Presidential Initiatives.
The rest were Akwasi Osei Adjei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Kufuor Osei, Secretary to the President, Kwabena Agyepong, Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman and the First Lady Mrs. Theresah Kufuor.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Monday said it was crucial to integrate the skills and experiences of women in the processes of preventing conflicts, managing them and rebuilding societies to ensure lasting peace and development.
He said it was unacceptable that women, who constituted more than half of the population and were deliberately used as instruments of war through rape, sexual slavery, assault and other atrocities, were sidelined in conflict resolution and peace build efforts.
The Vice President said these when he launched a report of the Independent Expert's Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women's Role in Peace-building.
The report, commissioned by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), catalogues the experiences of women from different countries affected by war and makes recommendations for improving their situations.
The 153-page report has some moving Elisabeth Rehn and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf authored pictures. Vice President Mahama commended women for highlighting their plight and ensuring that their concerns were addressed, saying; "without equal and fair participation of women in conflict management and decision-making we will never achieve the vision of a world-free from the scourge of war, poverty and gender discrimination.
"Accordingly," he said, "participatory programmes that prioritise the public provision of food, water, sanitation, health and energy - the key sectors in which women provide labour in peace and war - should be built into post-conflict reconstruction."
Vice President Mahama acknowledged the crucial role of women in spreading the culture of peace, continuing to show leadership and providing for families in the absence of men during wars, saying it was disturbing that governments and those involved in post conflict reconstruction failed to involve women in the process.
Commenting on the report, The Vice President described it "as serious as its authors," and urged political, traditional and religious leaders to read it and draw lessons that would promote peace and development.
He said: "The heart of this multifaceted and multidisciplinary assessment is focused on the very issue of women in distressful conditions. The heart of this subject is really the state of the woman and how she copes with man-made conflict situations around the world. Their sorrows in armed conflict situation are about the breakdown of the law and practice of impunity."
The Vice President expressed concern about chieftaincy and land disputes as well as political and religious intolerance in Ghana, saying efforts to resolve them had consumed so much resources and energy.
Ms Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM, commended the political will of the government of Ghana for its commitment to make women partners in development and said it was important to have that will to address women's concerns at all levels of the social and political structure.
"We need to build the synergy of partnership to be able to make a difference in our world. The bird of humanity can only move forward when both of its wings - men and women- are strong," she said.
Ms Heyzer, who has doubled UNIFEM's resources to Africa since she assumed office in 1995, commended African women for their resilience, strength and spirit of forgiveness, saying she had learnt a lot from them.
She said in her tour of South Africa and Rwanda women, who had been victims of apartheid and genocide, respectively, resolved to leave the past behind them and push forward toward rebuilding their societies and progress.
"They did no want to know who killed who or who was responsible for what atrocities, they only cared about developing their communities," she said.
Ms Heyzer said in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which reaffirmed the effective role of women in settling conflicts and consolidating peace, issues of new constitutions, legal framework, social justice systems and peace and reconciliation must be reviewed to enable women to contribute effectively to peace-building.
She called for the revival of the ECOWAS Council of Women Ministers so that they could provide information on early warning signals of conflicts in their countries.
Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister Women and Children's Affairs, said political and religious leaders and civil society institutions should meet the desires of justice, fairness and equity, which were attributes of good governance, to promote peace.
She condemned those who benefited from conflict situations through the exploitation of resources and child trafficking and called for the integration of women in development efforts.
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Half Assini (Western Region) 13 May 2003 -Child maintenance cases are on the increase in the Jomoro District of the Western Region. Benjamin Amanfi Jr., District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Half Assini over the weekend.
He said, whereas parental irresponsibility is high, children are forced to fend for themselves at a very tender age. Amanfi attributed the problem to broken marriages, poverty, death of either or both parents and ignorance about children rights and relevant provisions on child maintenance, care and protection.
He said as a result, most of these children resort to truck-pushing, fishing, sand winning and truancy, among others. Amanfi said the Commission records between three and four child maintenance cases every month.
He hinted that between January and March this year, the Commission received a total of 23 cases with child maintenance topping with nine cases. Amanfi said nine cases were settled amicably while two were dismissed for lack of merit and another three dismissed for lack of prosecution.
He called on the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) fighting for child rights and other relevant organisations to extend their activities to the district, since "the rights of many innocent children are being jeopardised".
He stressed that human rights issues are not foreign or alien to the Ghanaian culture," we need to see human rights as part of everyday life". Amanfi regretted that many parents do not accord their children respect and dignity due to vulnerability and dependence on adults and stressed that, "such attitudes towards the child should be changed and replaced with love, compassion and respect".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport on Monday said Civil Aviation Authorities in Africa (CAAA) were beginning to properly restructure and resource their safety outfits to fall in line with International Aviation Standards (IAS).
He noted that the attacks on the World Trade Centre (WTC) had heightened stringent regulatory requirements of safety and security in the airline industry. The Minister was speaking in Accra at the opening of an International Civil Aviation (ICA) regional seminar on the implementation of safety oversight.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) are organizing the nine-day conference. About 70 participants from over 10 Western and Central African countries made up of stakeholders in the aviation industry as well as officials from ICAO and the US Federal Aviation Administration are attending it.
The Minister noted that the actions of civil aviation authorities in Africa, to restructure their safety regulations geared towards positioning civil aviation authorities to perform their safety oversight functions more effectively, would make the continent more competitive.
Dr Anane said the government of Ghana was aware of the vital linkage between civil aviation and economic development and would, therefore, do everything in its power to encourage the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to give priority to safety issues.
Captain Joe Afriye Boachie, Director General of GCAA, said Ghana had accepted to site ICAO Regional Training centre in Accra to harmonize and improve upon the safety standards in the West and Central African Region.
He said Ghana's acceptance to host the seminar was in consonance with the Authority's resolve to constantly seek ways of improving upon its safety oversight capacity.
"We also see the event as important in our collective effort towards the achievement of harmonization of safety oversight practice in the Africa and the Indian Ocean Region."
In a message read on his behalf, Amadou Theiffou, Regional Director of ICAO, said such a seminar would improve the awareness of their sovereign responsibilities regarding safety and aviation security and reduce the alarming safety and security issues that hitherto existed in Africa.
"Indeed the aviation community cannot afford any tragic accident when air traffic has fallen drastically to the extent that well developed airlines have been compelled to fold up", he said.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 May 2003 - Major rehabilitation works on the country's railway lines will soon begin to ensure efficient operation of the rail transport system in the country.
Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, who announced this, also said extension of the railway lines to the North and other parts of the country would begin by the end of the year.
Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi was addressing a durbar of staff of the Ghana Railway Company as part of his visit to the company's facilities in Kumasi on Monday.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Sampson Kwaku Boafo and the acting Managing Director of the Company, Emmanuel Opoku, inspected portions of the railway line in the metropolis, which passed through the main central market.
He also inspected portions of the Kumasi-Kaase lines where floodwater from the Kumasi drainage works at Kaase always overflow the lines whenever it rained, forcing the trains to delay for several hours to allow the floods to subside.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said new coaches would also be procured under the rehabilitation programme to increase passenger and goods intake.
He expressed concern about the activities of traders in the central market, who had displayed their wares on the railway lines and said their activities hampered the smooth passage of the trains and often caused accidents in the area.
The Minister urged the management of the company to mobilise all forces to check the activities of galamsey operators who were destroying the Western railway lines.
He also advised workers to always think about how to improve the fortunes of the company and desist from negative acts that had contributed to the problems facing the company.
Opoku, the Managing Director, said the Company was currently having discussions with Bulk Oil Transport Company (BOST), Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), Ghana Shippers Council and Ghana Cocoa Board on the reactivation of the operations of the Eastern line through the implementation of the eastern line rehabilitation project.
He called for the completion of the Kumasi drainage works which stoppage was creating problems for the Kumasi-Kaase line. Opoku explained that anytime it rained, departing or arriving in Kumasi on the Western line had to be delayed for several hours to allow the floods to subside.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Workers of the Ghana Highway Authority on Monday demonstrated for improved Salary, End-of Service-Benefits, Severance awards and other related labour issues.
The workers wore red bands and carrying gong-gong and placards gathered at the Ministry of Roads and Transport to present their case. Some of the placards read, "Highway needs a saviour, not a killer", "the downfall of GHA, the prosperity of Chief Executive and his Directors".
John K. Anafo, the union chairman told the Ghana News Agency that negotiations with the management started as far as last year, but the management had still not given them any attention.
He said the workers could no longer hold their patients, hence the demonstration. Speaking to the GNA, Albert K Hammond, the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Roads and Transport said the workers demanded an 80 per cent increase in salary, which was directed to the Board of Directors for consideration.
He said the workers operate under the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS), making the request difficult to meet.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Abubakari Bibilazu, Acting Director for Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) on Monday told an Accra Fast Track Court that a feasibility study on the Science and Technology Park
Valley by a local consultant would cost $75,000.
Stating his findings on the Science and Technology Park Valley, a project under the Trade and Investment Project (TIP) Bibilizu said in the case of an "off shore consultant," the study would cost $150,000, to include consultant's air ticket, hotel bills among other things.
Bibilazu said this when he was led in evidence by Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney in the case in which Daniel Abodakpi, ex-Minister of Trade and Industry and Victor Selormey, deputy Minister of Finance, are being tried on seven counts of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and wilfully causing a total loss of ¢2.73bn to the State.
They have denied all the charges and are currently on self-recognisance bail in the sum of ¢3bn each. The Acting Director told the court that the government established the MDPI to research, provide management consultancy, and capacity development for both public and private sectors.
Bibilazu, who is also a management consultant, said on 30 May 2001, at about 4:30pm, he received a letter attached with a document from the Police Special Task Force. According to him, the letter was asking the Director of MDPI to study whether the attached document had qualities of a feasibility report and it's cost.
Bibilazu said the title of the document read: Proposal on Science and Technology Park Valley that seeks to promote private sector partnership. When he received the letter and the document, a three-member team was set up and they studied the terms of reference of the letter.
He mentioned that he was the leader of the team that studied the report. According to Bibilazu two weeks after the team had finished its work, they presented a letter and two copies of its findings to the Police Special Task Force.
Charles Hayibor, counsel for Abodakpi objected to the tendering of the letter attached to the document saying the document had no signature and had no seal on it. Replying, prosecution said defence arguments were unfounded, as the document could not have been signed with a covering letter from the Police Special Task Force.
Stephen T. Farkye, an Appeal court Judge who is sitting as an additional High Court judge, however, overruled the objection and the court admitted the letter and the document into evidence.
In cross-examination by Hayibor, witness agreed that the document forwarded to him was a feasibility report. When counsel demanded to know the difference between a proposal and feasibility report, witness said, proposals normally may not look at the viability of a project where as feasibility study may look at the viability of a project. Hearing continues on May 19.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Monday said information and communication technologies should be used to bridge the digital divide and accelerate progress in the poorest corners of the world.
He said free and informative media were also a cornerstone of the information society and essential to helping all of the world's people to communicate.
"At the same time, the content divide between developed and developing countries must be addressed, encouraging media organisations and individuals in developing countries to promote local content, in line with the local culture, and in the local language," he said.
Annan, who said this in a statement to commemorate this year's World Telecommunications Day under the theme, "Helping all of the world's people to communicate", said press freedom and pluralism of content should go together in the information society.
"The terms information society, digital era, or the information age, have all been used to describe this age. Whatever term we use, the society we build must be an open and pluralistic-one in which all people, in all countries, have access to information and knowledge."
This, he said, was the primary goal of the World Summit on the Information Society, the first phase of which would take place this December in Geneva. The Summit would serve as a unique platform to galvanise the international community working in concert with governments, private business and civil society to narrow the digital divide and delay the foundations of a truly inclusive global information society.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Prof Simon B. Naaeder, Deputy Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, on Monday cautioned that the Department of basic Science of the Medical School would close down within the next 10 years if new graduates were not recruited into the area of basic health sciences.
He said not a single doctor has opted for that career in many years after the first batch of doctors were recruited in the colonial days and warned that if serious measures were not taken to address the issue it would be like "killing the tree at its roots".
Prof. Naaeder gave the caution when he briefed the media after the opening of the 10th international conference of Anatomical Society of West Africa (ASWA) in Accra.
The conference, which brought together 40 participants from Ghana and Nigeria under the theme: "Relevance of Anatomy to Good Health", would among other objectives, discuss how to encourage and promote the development of anatomy in West Africa.
Prof. Naaeder noted that conditions of service for basic science teachers were not attractive enough to entice young doctors into the career and this had virtually stopped the continuous training of new graduates.
He said the present crop of basic science lecturers were those who resisted to join the exodus of doctors to seek greener pastures abroad, adding that most of them were nearing retirement with no hope of replacement.
"This, together with the inadequate and unsatisfactory, physical and academic infrastructure clearly put medical education and postgraduate training in the sub-region in the danger of collapse".
Prof Seth Ayettey, Provost of the College of Health Sciences later in an interview, said many lives have been lost due to poor basic health knowledge of the anatomy, which includes the functions of the various parts of the body.
He said poor knowledge would give room for quack doctors and destroy every aspect of health from the basic to its entirety. According to the Provost, the anatomy department had six lecturers serving the whole country and would in the next five to six years go on retirement and to "save the nation and the health care of the people, immediate action should be taken to replace these lecturers".
He suggested that government puts up a new solid basic science institute at its original site at the University of Ghana, Legon, to accommodate at least 400 medical students and train 100 post graduates every year.
Prof. Ayettey called for the involvement of the old quality basic science tutors to train the new ones considering their level of expertise in the field instead of them going abroad taking into consideration the high cost involved.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 May 2003 - An ex-police officer has told the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) that he had nursed so much pain, anger and hatred for one Army Sergeant Twumasi that if he had by chance met him anywhere, he would not have forgiven him.
Ex-Inspector Kofi Antwi said the soldier publicly flogged him, the wife and some other people at the Tamale taxi rank in June 1979. He stated that the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Sergeant Twumasi and a group of soldiers then at the Kamina Barracks compelled him to voluntarily retire from the Police Service in August 1980.
He was testifying before the Commission on the second week of its public hearing at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall in Kumasi on Monday. Ex-Inspector Antwi noted that the Police Service was a respectable institution and for a police officer to be cruelly caned in the full glare of children and adults was something he "found very embarrassing".
Narrating the incident to the Commission, he said, his wife with whom he was staying at the Tamale police barracks started trading in textiles in 1972.
She used to receive her supplies from the UAC and the GNTC Department Stores in Tamale. Ex-Police Inspector Antwi said on 14 June 1979, the then Inspector-General of Police (IGP), C.O. Lamptey telephoned him to come down to Accra.
He therefore, set off but when he reached Kumasi he had information that some soldiers had invaded his quarters and collected textiles, calico, school khaki and other materials the wife was selling.
He said he decided to immediately return to Tamale and met an empty house on his return as the wife and children had fled into hiding. Ex-Inspector Antwi told the Commission that he reported himself to the Kamina barracks where he was detained in guardroom by Sergeant Twumasi, who led the soldiers to seize his wife's goods.
He said whilst there, he was taken to see one Major, who after listening to his case said he did not see his offence but Sergeant Twumasi would not agree and insisted that, "my wife was engaged in hoarding".
He pointed out that whilst in detention, his wife was also brought there, tortured and detained. The soldiers later took her to town and auctioned all her goods and realised ¢48,000, which they paid into AFRC Account Number 48 at the Ghana Commercial Bank.
Ex-Inspector Antwi said after the auction sales, they bundled him, the wife and other "revolutionary offenders" into a military truck and sent to the Tamale taxi rank where they laid them on tables and gave each of them 24 strokes of the cane. The soldiers, he said, later brought them back to the barracks for continued detention.
The new born baby the wife was nursing whilst in military custody became sick and had convulsion and received treatment at the Kamina hospital. He said their eldest daughter, who was at the Tamale Secondary School (TAMASCO) collapsed from the shock of the treatment meted out to them.
Ex-Inspector Antwi said the wife was then released to go and take care of the sick children. He said he spent 47 days in military detention and regained his freedom based on the instruction of a three-member military screening team composed of one Captain Kukumba, WO 1 Adjei-Boadi and another soldier.
He pleaded with the Commission to assist them get back the ¢48,000 realised from the auction sales that was lodged in the AFRC Account Number 48 at the Tamale Commercial Bank Ex-Inspector Antwi admitted that he was more than relieved for having had the opportunity to tell the story of his torture.
His wife, Madam Afua Serwaah, who also mounted the witness box corroborated the narration of the husband. She said the brutal torture and kicking of her waist with boots by the soldiers affected her womb and had to undergo surgical operation.
Noah de-Santos Aggrey, a farmer, told the commission that he was arrested, severely beaten and detained for 30 days by soldiers and Swedru police in 1984. He said he was at different periods punched, kicked and slapped at the Swedru police station and Gondar barracks.
His Peugeot car was also seized by Police Sergeant Kofi Nkansah, the Police CDR chairman at Swedru, who damaged the engine following an accident. Aggrey said some soldiers had gone to Swedru to swindle a Zabrama man, one Arabia of 65,000 CFA.
He said he was arrested by the police for having given the soldiers a "lift" from a restaurant in the town to a point near the lorry terminal. Police Sergeant Nkansah, according to the witness, sent him in a police Jeep to the Gondar barracks and asked "the soldiers to beat me to death".
He said eight soldiers at the barracks severely tortured him and at a point told "Lance Corporal Ceasar to see me off". Aggrey said he was saved by one Corporal Eduaful who happened to be his mate in school and was later transferred to the airport police station.
Here he met a suspect in police cells who after listening to his case told him he knew the names of the soldiers who went to Swedru to swindle the Zabrama man and went ahead to give their names.
Witness said he consequently asked the police to take him to the office of Major Courage Quashigah and said after telling his story, he was taken to the 37 Military Hospital where the swindlers were working.
He said the soldiers, Corporal Darbo and Corporal Francis, the culprits openly confessed to the crime when Major Bankas, the then administrator of the Military Hospital sent for them.
Aggrey said he and the soldiers were taken to the Swedru police station where they were all detained. "Even after the soldiers had been granted bail and promised to refund the money they took away from Arabia, I was still kept in detention".
He said, he was later released and was never charged with any offence. Two other witnesses, who suffered military brutalities following the disturbances at the 'The Lord Is My Shepherd Church' in February 1982, also testified.
They were Madam Yaa Nyarko, a farmer and Kwaku Nyame, a carpenter. Madam Nyarko recounted how she was mercilessly beaten by soldiers as blood oozed freely from the ears.
"They also mixed dust with gari and ordered us to eat". She said the sight of soldiers scared her so much so that when she saw a uniformed soldier whilst undergoing medical treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, she collapsed.
Madam Nyarko, who said she now suffers from hypertension and severe waist pains, wants the state to assist her get on with her life. Nyame also said soldiers used hammer to hit his chest and tied him to a military truck and pulled him along for about 50 metres. Sitting continues on Tuesday.
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UN Security Council mission heading to West
Africa
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Keen to explore new opportunities for progress towards peace and stability in West Africa, the United Nations Security Council on Monday said it would send a mission to the sub-region to examine prospects for peace.
A statement from the UN Office in Accra said the Mission would visit seven countries in the conflict-plagued sub-region. Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom would lead it quoted a letter from the Council’s President, Munir Akram of Pakistan, as saying the Mission from 15 to 23 May.
The team's terms of reference include overall regional as well as specific objectives for the countries to be visited. Among other things, the Mission would aim to encourage more co-operation among the countries of the sub-region and to assess progress towards UN Security Council objectives on the protection of civilians and children affected by armed conflict.
The mission is slated to travel to Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. "Council members will examine country-specific issues and developments at each stop. In Liberia, for instance the mission will urge the Government and various rebel factions to engage in ceasefire negotiations."
The statement said Guinea-Bissau's leadership would be urged to ensure that the upcoming elections are fair and credible. "The Mission expects to assess the transition from peacekeeping to longer-term development in Sierra Leone, and will urge Ivorian parties to fully implement a recently signed power-sharing peace accord."
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President Kufuor arrives home from
Mauritius
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - President John Kufuor returned home on Monday night after a state visit to the island of Mauritius. Governments of both countries tried to established a permanent investment forum and facilitate activities of the private sector of both countries in a ten points communiqué issued at the end of the visit.
President Kufuor visited some industrial establishments, tourists' centres, and the Mauritius Ports Authority. He was accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister Finance and Economics Planning, Alan Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade, Industry and Presidential Special Initiative.
The rest were Akwasi Osei Adjei, Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs, Daniel Kufuor, Private Secretary to the President and Kwabena Agyepong, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman.
The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and some Ministers of state met the President on arrival. On board the flight from Johannesburg was Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - Workers of the Volta River Authority (VRA) on Monday said they have submitted petitions on their operations to the appropriate quarters for redress and expressed concern about negative media reports.
"The leadership and entire membership of the Staff Groups wish to assure the good people of Ghana that our concerns/petitions, which have to do with the operations of the Authority have been submitted to the appropriate quarters for redress," a statement signed for the Staff Groups by Kwasi Aniagyei, National Vice Chairman of the Senior Staff Association, said.
The statement said the National Executives of the Authority's Senior and Unionised Staff have noted with dismay media publications and reports that sought to portray "the dedicated and hardworking" employees of VRA as "reckless and non-considerate, thereby, exposing them to public ridicule an contempt".
"It is rather unfortunate that the media did not contact the Staff Groups before coming out with such negative assertions on staff. "Due to the respect we have for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana, we will not allow ourselves to be drawn into any media war now. We will remain steadfast and diligent to our work with high morals and integrity."
The workers said nothing would be done to damage such a great asset as the VRA, which "we have worked so hard over the years to build for the benefit of Ghanaians". The Staff Group said they would at the appropriate time come out "with the full facts for Ghanaians to judge for themselves".
Demonstrating workers of the Authority last Friday, called for the removal of its Chief Executive, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby saying they had lost faith in him. However, the Management sprung to the defence of Dr Wereko-Brobby, saying his initiatives had kept the Authority in business.
"His (CEO's) initiatives have enabled the Authority to continue to produce power when VRA's financial resources are severely strained," the Management said in a statement to the press. "The revisions that he brought to the technical departments, the introduction of the Decentralisation and Devolution (D and D) and the linking of bonus payment to performance are very positive actions to successfully manage the Authority," it said.
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Bill against laundering in the offing
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 May 2003 - A draft bill that seeks to address the devastating economic, security and social consequences of money laundering is soon to be submitted to the Minister of Finance for processing.
The anti-money laundering bill, which is the brainchild of the Bank of Ghana, the Committee for Co-operation between Law Enforcement Agencies and Banking Communities (COCLAB) and some local institutions was prepared with input from the US State Department, the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority and the International Monetary Fund.
Dr Paul Acquah, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana disclosed this at a two-day seminar on Economic and Financial Fraud and Computer Crime in Accra on Monday.
About forty participants drawn from the banks, security services and financial institutions in the country are attending the seminar organized by the National Banking College and AITEC to sharpen their awareness in investigating and preventing white-collar crime.
Dr Acquah said white-collar crime was a major challenge to the economic development efforts since it increased a country's risk profile, translating into higher costs of doing business with various institutions in the international community.
It as well has security implications, which influenced needed foreign exchange inflows through the tourism business. The Governor said because of the serious implications of economic and financial crime on a nation, efforts should be made to stem them before they go beyond control.
He called for inter-institutional support and co-operation, particularly among institutions in areas of compliance, monitoring, investigation, prosecution and enforcement.
Dr Paul Acquah said the BOG as part of measures to ensure the safety, soundness and stability in the banking and financial system, had directed all banks to put in place adequate policies, practices and procedures to prevent the banking system from being used for international economic crimes.
All the banks, according to the Central Bank directive were to put in place, "know your customer programmes with focus on customer acceptance policy, customer identification, risk management and on-going monitoring of high risk accounts.
Besides, the banks were also required to report cases of fraud and other financial crimes to the Banking Supervision Department of the BOG for action. Dr Acquah suggested the importance for individuals to channel all transactions through accredited financial institutions, and avoid using informal sector operations as a vehicle as well as collaborate with security agencies to ensure successful arrest and prosecution of fraudsters.
Mrs. Adelaide Benneh, Director of the National Banking College, said growth in the use of the Internet was making it easier for cyber fraudsters to dupe people, necessitating aggressive policies to protect consumers. She urged participants to take the seminar seriously and design innovative strategies to fight the menace.
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