Ghana/Togo human rights bosses meet in Accra
Nuamah-Donkor calls on Asantehene
Create violence free environment for women - Okutupong
Discussions at education forum narrow to funding
Offinso chiefs woo American investors
Ghana/Togo human rights bosses meet in Accra
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th November 99
The Ghanaian and Togolese Commissions on Human Rights and Administrative Justice are collaborating to overcome human rights abuses in West Africa.
Mr. Komi Gnondoli, President of the Togolese National Commission of Human Rights said in an interview in Accra on Thursday that human rights problems are similar all over Africa, especially after the introduction of constitutional rule, and stressed the need for maximum collaboration in order to overcome them.
The visit is also to exchange ideas and experiences with their Ghanaian counterparts who have a wider jurisdiction over human rights issues. The Togolese human rights commission does not deal with civil suits or land matters.
He extended an invitation to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to pay a working visit to Togo as a way of strengthening the bonds between the two institutions and the fight against human rights abuses.
Mr. Gnondoli said that since the creation of the human rights office in Togo 12 years ago, it has made efforts to create awareness on the issue, especially on why and how they must be respected.
He said last year, his commission received a total of 107 cases and have so far dealt with over 70 of them.
He said there are no political prisoners in Togo adding that anyone in jail today is there for very justifiable reason through the due process of law.
"In my estimation, and as far as I know, there are no persons classified as political prisoners in Togo."
On freedom of the media, Mr. Gnondoli said with the introduction of democracy, the media in Togo in the last 10 years have had a relatively high level of freedom.
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Nuamah-Donkor calls on Asantehene
Kumasi (Ashanti), 19th November 99
Mr. Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, the new Ashanti Regional Minister, on Wednesday called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace on his assumption of duty.
He pledged to continue with the good works of his predecessor and asked for co-operation from his staff and the chiefs of the region to ensure an effective development of Asanteman and the nation.
Mr. Kojo Yankah, out-going Ashanti Regional Minister, who introduced Mr Nuamah-Donkor thanked the chiefs and people of Asanteman for their co-operation during his tenure of office.
Mr. Yankah reiterated that whatever he did during his tenure of office was done in good faith and he has no ill-feeling against anybody and pledged to put his ideas and knowledge at the disposal of Asanteman, whenever called upon to do so.
Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, denied media reports that there was a conflict between him and Mr. Yankah and said they co-operated on a lot of issues.
Nana Agyeman told the Asantehene that being a royal of the Golden Stool "he will never do anything to tarnish the image of the Stool or its Occupant".
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the government has the prerogative to appoint and transfer a Minister of State and that Manhyia Palace will give due recognition to any representative of the government in the Ashanti region.
He advised the new Regional Minister to continue with the good works of his predecessor, who although was in the region for a short period, endeared himself to the Chiefs and people of the region because of his hard work, humility and dedication to duty.
"Mr. Yankah will always be remembered by the people of Asanteman for the ideas and knowledge he put at their disposal for the development of the Ashanti Region".
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Create violence free environment for women - Okutupong
Pomadze (Central Region) 19th November 99
The former paramount chief of Gomoa -Ajumako Traditional Area, Okutupong Apata Kofi, has called on Ghanaians to help create a violence free environment for females in the country.
It is the cardinal responsibility of all average male citizens to assist the government to protect females against all forms of violence he said and described the law on violence against women as a step in the right direction.
Speaking at a forum at Winneba, Okutupong Apata Kofi called on the residents of Accra and Tema to help the police to smoke out syndicates behind the recent killing of women in Accra.
The ex-chief said the spate of mystery murders of women in Accra is a serious indictment on men adding that all efforts should be made to bring the perpetrators to book.
The ex-Omanhene appealed to churches, chiefs and grassroots political organs, to educate men regularly on the need to preserve the dignity of women at all times.
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Discussions at education forum narrow to funding
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th November 99
The national forum on education entered its second day on Wednesday with group discussions focusing on core issues confronting more than a decade of educational reforms.
The forum, organised by the Ministry of Education, is under the broad theme "towards sustaining an effective national education system."
It aims at reviewing the reforms, which started in 1987, by examining the past performance, achievements and failures in order to map out new strategies for the future.
After the opening ceremony by President Jerry J. Rawlings on Tuesday, the forum broke into four group sessions to discuss issues like gender and equity, science and technology education in Ghana, the role of the private sector in education and strategic issues in tertiary education among others.
By mid-day of the second day discussions of the groups seemed to be narrowing down to funding and the duration of second cycle education.
The reforms have left a yawning gap between funding and the provision of equipment as well as teaching and learning materials, especially at the secondary and tertiary levels.
Even at the primary level where education is supposed to be free and compulsory, lack of funding has rendered most schools to run without the necessary school materials.
The government spends about 35 per cent of the nation's re-current expenditure on that sector, but with time it has proved to be inadequate to sustain the kind of change anticipated in the reforms and the private sector was asked to play a prominent role in funding education.
For instance, in Group Four where topics of science and technology and tertiary education reforms were discussed, participants were of the view that little could be achieved in the area of science and technology without improving the vocational and technical training.
"The stigmatisation of these institutions must be removed if we really want to advance into the area of science and technology," a contributor said.
He said public perception about vocational and technical training centres must be changed from that of "a bunch of low grade students who could not make it to the tertiary level," to a vital link in the chain of education for national development."
The common view of the group was that in this era of private sector driven growth the nation should begin to explore the important role the private sector can play in the development of education.
Equally worth considering are the roles of non-governmental organisations, parents, religious bodies, communities and district assemblies.
The issue of extending the duration of second cycle schooling from three to four years is also under consideration.
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Offinso chiefs woo American investors
Offinso (Ashanti), November 99
The Offinso Traditional Council in conjunction with the District Assembly has held a durbar of the Chiefs and people of the area for a three-member investment team from Detroit, USA.
The team, led by Mr. Harold Gyamfi Ampofo, a Ghanaian and President of the Sika Group of Companies based in the USA, included Mr. Tyrone Rashid, Vice-President of the Company and Mr. John Denha, President of Transworld Company.
The team's visit is in response to an invitation extended to them by Nana Wiafe Akenten III, Offinsohene, when he led a delegation from Offinso on an investment promotion tour of the USA and Canada in October this year to market the enormous investment potentials in the district.
Addressing the durbar, Nana Wiafe Akenten gave the assurance that, the Council and Assembly will offer the needed guidance, assistance and encouragement to any person or group of persons, that want to invest in the district.
He said, the American investors are interested in agro-based industries such as tomato cannery, cassava processing, large-scale cultivation of okro, cashew, and teak as well as estate development and mining.
Nana Wiafe Akenten advised Offinso citizens to undertake large-scale food and cash crop production to serve as raw materials for the industries to ensure their sustainability and growth.
Mr. Joseph Akwasi-Kumah, Offinso District Chief Executive said the Assembly has established an Investment Promotion Advisory Board and a modern Data Bank to promote investment in the district.
He said the Assembly and the Council aim at alleviating poverty and unemployment in the district, hence their joint investment promotion programmes.
Mr. Akwasi-Kumah reiterated that no country or community could develop without unity, peace and stability and stressed the need for the people to bury their political differences to ensure the total development of the district.
"The development of the nation rests with the youth and every available human and material resources will be harnessed for the benefit of the people and generation unborn".
Mr Gyamfi Ampofo expressed delight and satisfaction with the wide range of investment potentials in the district and said, the team would return in January next year and plunge into serious agro-based industrial production.
On behalf of Offinso Traditional Council and the Assembly, Nana Amma Serwaa Nyarko, Queenmother of Offinso Traditional area presented three Asipim chairs to the team and a carved stool to be sent to the mother of Mr. Denha.
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