NDC MPs condemns planned demonstration by opposition Parties
Rear Admiral Thomas Anna laid to rest
Action plan for food security in Saboba/Chereponi
Rehabilitation of Praso bridge to cost 75.85 million cedis
Police call for review of course contents
NDC MPs condemn planned demonstration by opposition Parties
Accra (Greater Accra) 1 Nov '99
The Majority Group in Parliament on Friday condemned the planned demonstration by a combined team of some opposition parties and ruling groups against the government on 4 November.
The group said under the present constitutional dispensation, more avenues other than street demonstrations are open to individuals or groups to redress their grievances.
"We the Majority Group, therefore, strongly believe that the planned demonstrations are completely uncalled for."
A statement signed by Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, said the demonstration in protest against some concerns the opposition parties have raised against the NDC government, ought to be pursued through the normal competent institutional channels.
"In this connection, we wish to point out that it is general public knowledge that various arms of government, including Parliament itself, are seriously examining and or addressing the issues raised by the opposition parties concerned."
The statement said government's sensitivity and response to the concerns expressed, should at least arouse in it the need to uphold and protect the hard won political stability and peace which constitute the recipe for investment and overall national development and growth.
In another development, the Progressive Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) in the Upper East Region have advised opposition political parties not to carry out their intended anti-government demonstration scheduled for 4 November, 1999.
A press statement issued in Bolgatanga on Friday by the PVOs cautioned organisers of the demonstration about the negative effects it is likely to have on the prevailing peaceful political atmosphere in the country.
"The organisers are aware that the current economic situation in the country is the result of falling prices of gold and cocoa, our major export commodities, coupled with the increasing price of crude oil on the world market," argued the release signed by Miss Zenabu Mohammed, regional secretary of PVOs.
It would be in the interest of opposition political parties to think of how to wrestle power from the ruling government, in order to get the opportunity to implement their own programmes and policies.
The PVOs acknowledged the opposition parties' constitutional right to express themselves through whatever lawful means they may choose, but cautioned that they would be held responsible in the event of any resultant problems.
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Rear Admiral Thomas Anna laid to rest
Accra (Greater Accra) 1 Nov. '99
Rear Admiral Thomas Annan, Ghana's High Commissioner in India, was buried on Friday at the Osu Military Cemetery after a state burial service at the forecourt of the State House.
Rear Admiral Annan, a former Chief of Naval Staff, aged 58, died in New Delhi on September 14 after two years at post.
His funeral attracted several dignitaries including President Jerry John Rawlings, Vice-President John Atta Mills, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, the First Lady, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Service Commanders and diplomats.
Rear Admiral Annan's mother, Madam Esi Manaana, could not hold back her tears as her son laid in state in an open coffin with scores of people filing past to pay their last respects to the man who achieved the highest rank in the Ghana Navy at age 47.
A tribute from the Ghana Armed Forces said of him ''from a purely professional point of view where meticulous planning was vital, Annan was a better man''.
President Rawlings laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, Lt-Gen Ben Akafia, Chief of Defence Staff on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and another by Rear Admiral Owusu Ansah, Chief of Naval Staff.
Others were laid on behalf of the government of India, the Foreign Ministry and retired Chiefs of Naval Staff.
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Action plan for food security in Saboba/Chereponi
Tamale (Northern Region) 1 Nov. '99
Professor Saa Dittoh, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Development Studies (UDS) has called for the promotion of irrigated agriculture, particularly in the Saboba/Chereponi district of the Northern Region, to enhance food production.
He said even though it is expensive, irrigated agriculture remains the best solution to the erratic rainfall pattern in the district.
Prof. Dittoh was addressing a two-day workshop organised by Action Aid Ghana, in Tamale on Friday, which brought together 45 farmers, assembly members, and representatives of cotton companies and non-governmental organisations.
The workshop would discuss and design an action plan for food and nutrition security in the Saboba/Chereponi district.
A steering committee will be set up to implement strategies proposed at the roundtable discussion to address the fragile food situation in the district.
Prof. Dittoh said designing a programme to ensure food and nutrition security in the district had become very critical in view of the challenges facing agriculture.
He asked all stakeholders to contribute their quota in addressing the perennial food and nutrition insecurity in the area, saying that, in the long run, if the lives of people have not improved, then, we have failed".
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Rehabilitation of Praso bridge to cost 75.85 million cedis
Assin Praso (Central Region) 1 Nov. '99
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) is to spend about 75.85 million cedis on current rehabilitation works on a bridge at Assin Praso.
The bridge, which links Central Region with Ashanti was damaged by an articulated truck in April this year.
Mr Peter Dagadu, Director of bridge division of the GHA who led newsmen to the site on Thursday, said 65 per cent of the rehabilitation had been completed and that the bridge would be opened to traffic by the end of next month.
A driver of an articulated truck loaded with cement was said to have run into the 60-year-old bridge in an attempt to avoid paying toll tax.
Mr Dagadu said that when the bridge is completed, GHA would restrict vehicles whose axle load exceeds ten tonnes from crossing the bridge. It would also have a height clearance of five point six metres.
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Police call for review of course contents
Accra (Greater Accra) 1 Nov. '99
The Police Administration has been asked to undertake needs assessment of the Police Service as a matter of urgency to meet current trends in police administration.
Mr Kofi Boakye, Commander of the Police Striking Force, made the call in Accra on Friday at the close of a four-week course for 44 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) organised by the Police Administration in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
It was aimed at sharpening the leadership skills of the officers and prepare them for higher command appointments.
Mr Boakye, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they were taught the same subjects studied by Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) during a similar course for promotion to the rank of DSP.
As a result, most of the DSPs did not benefit much from it, adding: "If this continues, the main purpose of these courses will be defeated".
In this direction, the DSPs called for a liaison between the Police College and GIMPA to run a modular system to make the courses more practical.
He also called for feasibility studies towards the rehabilitation of the Police shooting range which is in a deplorable state.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, said the Police Administration had taken note of the concerns and assured the officers of immediate measures to address their grievances.
He, however, asked them to let their professional skills and the knowledge acquired reflect in their ability to clamp down on the high rate of criminal activities in the country.
"Our ultimate objective and concern as police officers should always be to work towards improving the quality of public safety and orderliness and public peace."
The IGP called on members of the public to furnish the police with valuable information at all times.
"No matter what the Police do, not much will be achieved if we do not earn the co-operation, support and goodwill of the people we serve.
"The menace of crime must be fought collectively in partnership with all and sundry."
Some of the officers interviewed said that, despite the shortfalls in the course content, they deemed it relevant and beneficial in view of the dynamic nature of society.
DSP Angwebutoge Awuni said for the past six years, "we have not had the opportunity to undergo such training and as such it will go a long way to enhance our efficiency and effectiveness in the service".
Mr Kofi Kyei, course co-ordinator, said for the first time participants presented project work on the course and had the opportunity to debate the topic "Bribery and Corruption: Who is to Blame: The Giver or The Receiver."
All the participants were presented with certificates.
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