GRi Newsreel 08 - 11 - 99

NPP worried about chiefs in politics

Akim Swedru (Eastern Region) 8 Nov ’99

The NPP will no longer look on unconcerned for some chiefs to flout the constitution by indulging in partisan politics, Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, MP for Akim Swedru, said at the weekend.

Addressing a congress of the Akim Swedru constituency branch of the party at Akim Swedru on Friday, Mr Owusu-Agyapong said the NPP had noted with concern the activities of some chiefs whose actions tend to violate the constitution.

The MP also expressed concern at the conduct of some District Chief Executives who wear NDC party "Tee" shirts to official functions and urged them to draw a line between party rallies and official functions.

He appealed to party supporters to embrace defectors of other political parties into their fold but cautioned that such people should be monitored for sometime before allowing them to hold sensitive positions.

Mr Kwadwo Ahenkora, Akim Swedru constituency Secretary of the NPP, urged party activists to intensify their campaigns, especially in the rural communities, for the NPP to enable it to win massively in next year's general elections.

All the party executives, comprising Mr H. K. Addae, Chairman, Mr K. Dankwah First Vice-Chairman, Mr J.K. Obeng, Second Vice-Chairman, Mr Kwadwo Ahenkora, Secretary, and Mr Antwi Berko, Treasurer, were returned unopposed for another three-year term of office.

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Tema workers suspend demonstration

Tema (Greater Accra) 8 Nov. ’99

The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) on Saturday announced a temporary suspension of its demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, 9 November, this year, to press for waiver of taxes by the government.

Mr Wilson Agana, chairman of the TDCL, told a press conference at Tema on Saturday that the decision to suspend the demonstration was taken at an emergency Executive Committee meeting of the TDCL held last night in Tema to review the action.

Mr Agana explained that the suspension of the demonstration follows a positive response from government by the presentation of the relevant bill to Parliament.

This was proven with copies of a document signed by Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, which announced new tax waivers on bonuses and overtime payments with effect from July one, this year.

The document signed on 1 November, said every employer shall deduct tax at the rate of five per cent on any bonus paid to an employee where the amount of bonus does not exceed 15 per cent of the employees annual salary.

Taxes on overtime shall be deducted at the rate of 10 per cent on any overtime payment where the amount does not exceed 50 per cent of the employee's salary for the month.

The amendment is in line with the powers conferred on the Minister for Finance under section 73 of the Income Tax Decree, 1975 (SMCD five).

The TDCL took the decision to go on the demonstration on 26 October, to press home their demand for a tax waiver on overtime, bonuses and other incentive payments.

Mr Agana said the TDCL was, however, giving Parliament two weeks to respond positively to the workers request to determine their next line of action.

Meanwhile, all workers unions are to continue hoisting red flags at their workplaces and wear red bands until further notice.

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Hundreds mark B.A. anniversary with candlelight procession

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 8 Nov ’99

Hundreds of people took part in a candlelight procession amidst brassband music through the principal streets of Sunyani on Friday night as part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Led by the Deputy Regional Minister, Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, and the Sunyani District Chief Executive, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the people later converged at Victoria Park where a bonfire prepared for the occasion was lit.

Earlier, a resolution from the Brong Ahafo Youth Association to the government and read at the function was presented to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo.

While commending the government for the efforts to improve the lives of the people, the resolution said there was still more to be done to harness the abundant resources of the region for the benefit of its people and the country as a whole.

It called for a concerted effort by the various religious organisations, traditional councils, the district assemblies and well-meaning citizens to chart a course that would make education a priority to enhance human resource development.

On the environment the resolution said a sustained programme including ways to enforce by-laws to check its environmental degradation through human activities must be evolved.

The resolution also urged the people, especially chiefs and other opinion leaders, to act in a manner that would further enhance peace and harmony among the various ethnic groups in the region since peace is a major prerequisite to development.

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