GRi Newsreel 22 - 11 - 99

African countries urged to liberalise airwaves

Ada (Greater Accra), 22^nd November 99

Mr. John Mahama, Minister of Communications on Friday urged African countries that are contemplating on the liberalisation of their airwaves to do so because it will help them in their development efforts.

He said they should not fear that the liberalisation would destabilise their countries adding that Ghana liberalised her airwaves five years ago and is still stable.

Mr. Mahama, who was opening a three-day conference at Ada on independent broadcasting in Ghana for those in the private electronic media, however, said if the medium is not judiciously, responsibly and professionally used it could lead to the fanning of ethnic sentiments and misdirected political agitation.

He said Ghanaians have embraced private radio broadcasting and this has generated competition and has even led to improvement in the public broadcaster, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

Mr. Mahama said "radio still is the favoured medium and remains the most popular for transmitting information to the majority of our people" but added "the government has some concerns in respect to recent trends in our broadcasting industry".

He said the quality of personnel, who present programmes at the various radio stations find themselves behind microphones just because they have good voices but they soon begin to set public agenda for discussion and help to shape public opinion.

"While we have a host of excellent presenters, and several people with a natural flair for radio, we do have quite a large number of presenters, who are not on top of their programmes, or who carry out very little research before coming on the air".

This, he said, render them incapable of correcting "misinformation from panellists or from the public during phone-ins and allow very serious gaffes to go uncorrected.

"The personal, political, religious or ethnic prejudices of a presenter often clearly show in the presentation of his or her programme."

The Minister said he regretted that listening to some radio programmes sometimes makes one to think that "Ghana was close to Armageddon and that it is the worst country to live in with grinding poverty".

"Yet this is a country which has consistently achieved growth rates in excess of four per cent".

He said the, "media is engendering too much cynicism in our people", adding that this would lead to distrust for the institutions of the government, as a result of the very unfair and blanket generalisation of wrong doing to smear everybody in position of responsibility".

This makes it to appear "as if when one public official is corrupt then 10 others, who are hard working and honest are also corrupt".

"Eventually when we have our preferred person in the said office, we would find that we have so eroded the faith, confidence and respect of the people for a particular institution, that it is impossible to carry them along on whatever vision we might have".

Mr. Peter Schellschmidt, Resident Director of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) said, "Ghana has only been richer with pluralism in the electronic media, some lapses notwithstanding".

He said, "while controls in all forms may be unwelcome, regulations properly defined and determined in a consultative environment, should help a society move forward".

Mr. Schellschmidt said, "there is no absolute freedom anywhere" and hoped that the conference would address shortcomings of the independent broadcasters to enable policy formulators to improve on the industry.

Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Executive Chairman of Independent Media Corporation of Ghana (IMCG), said with the spirit of co-operation "we can together promote peace, freedom and democracy in our country" with private broadcasting.

"The conference must have a follow up to ensure a better performance in the years ahead".

Mr Abdul Rashid, President, Association of Private Broadcasting Companies (APBC) said with practice the private broadcasting would achieve perfection.

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Chief Executive refuses to accept fishermen's petition

Elmina (Central Region), 22^nd November 99

The Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District Assembly Chief Executive, Mr. Thomas Ankomah, on Friday refused to receive a petition by the Ghana Coastal Fishermen's Association.

The petition, which was to be forwarded to the President, the government and parliament, was on alleged violation of Ghana's territorial waters by foreign vessels.

Mr. Thomas Ankomah refusing to collect the petition said he was not adequately informed that a demonstration had been planned to take place at Elmina and that a petition was to be presented to the President.

" They did not take the right approach. They should have sent the petition to the sector Ministry and direct their grievances to the Regional Minister".

The association in the petition expressed concern about the "invasion" of the country's waters by fishing trawlers that have "been banned from Angola and elsewhere".

The petition was presented during a Fishermen's forum at Elimina as part of activities to mark this year's World Fisheries Day on Sunday, November 21.

The fishermen from Keta, Accra, Manford, Ngelekazo, Ahobre and Moree said the trawlers are rapidly depleting the country's fish stocks, thus rendering the fishing community along coastal communities poorer.

" As fishing communities, we have inherited the business from our forefathers to sustain ourselves and also help achieve a sustainable economy for Ghana as a whole".

The petition said the trawlers "scrape" everything in their way, select what they want and throw the rest of the dead fish into the sea.

They said crew of the trawlers threatening their lives on the high seas when they complain about their presence in the country's waters.

Although the Ghana Navy patrols to arrest foreign vessels violating Ghana's waters, it is an uphill task because it costs the country a great deal of money.

The fishermen said the trawlers have sophisticated equipment, which enable them to sight approaching Navy vessels and bolt away before they get to them.

The petition among other things recommended the total banning of trawl fishing, provision of the right fishing gear and training for fishermen to ensure a sustainable industry.

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Queen mothers advice against anti-government demonstration

Accra (Greater Accra), 22^nd November 99

Queen Mothers in the Ga Traditional Area have appealed to the organisers of the anti-government demonstration planned by the opposition for November 25, to explore alternatives to address their concerns.

"Such street demonstrations could disturb the peace and tranquillity that our nation is currently enjoying and also ward off investor".

A statement signed by Naa Dedei Omrudro the third, Life President of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Queen Mothers Association, called on the opposition to explore available democratic avenues like the district assemblies and Parliament adding that, "they can also use the Electoral process at the appropriate time."

These channels, if properly explored, would address the issues rather than the proposed demonstration which, in the Association's opinion, could lead to chaos, pandemonium, and above all "may derail our positive strides on the democratic front."

According to the opposition, the planned demonstration, slated for Accra, is against "the economic hardships prevailing in the country; the recent increases in user fees at the universities, and the government's mismanagement of the economy."

The Association said although its members do not hold academic degrees in economics, they know, as managers of the finances of the home, that the price of cocoa and other commodities have fallen on the world market while the price of crude oil has more than doubled.

"If we should demonstrate against anything, it should be against the unjust world economic order, which tends to favour the developed countries against the less developed countries, including Ghana."

The Queen mothers commended the "successes chalked by the present government under the able leadership of President Jerry Rawlings, particularly the peace, tranquillity and stability enjoyed by the country over the past few years as a result of which the country has gained so much reputation".

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Chiefs told to recognise role of assembly members

Koforidua (Eastern Region), 22^nd November 99

The Eastern Regional Minister, Ms. Patience Adow, has appealed to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to educate its members on the need to recognise the legitimacy of elected representatives of the people in their communities.

This, she noted, will help to reduce conflicts that often arise between chiefs, assembly and unit committee members.

According to her, the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) had to spend a lot of productive time resolving conflicts between some chiefs, assembly members and Unit Committee members in the region.

This was contained in an address read for her by the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, at the second meeting of the RCC in Koforidua on Friday.

She said some chiefs perceive unit committee and assembly members as opponents bent on usurping their powers and at times even refuse them the gong-gong, which is used to mobilise the people for communal labour and other activities.

Ms Adow further appealed to the Regional House of Chiefs to take steps to dispose of chieftaincy cases pending before its Judicial Committee to ensure peace and security in the region.

On roads, the minister said a total of 120 feeder roads were rehabilitated in the region at a cost of 6.4 million cedis, adding that work was also progressing on the Ekye-Amanfrom-Donkorkrom-Amankwaakrom road.

Ms Adow also expressed concern about the spate of fire outbreaks in the region and called on the district assemblies to support campaigns in their districts to help reduce bushfires during the harmattan period.

A member of the Council of State, Nana Narh Dawutey Ologo V, identified the refusal of some district assemblies to maintain traditional councils as the major cause of the conflicts between them.

According to him, under the decentralisation programme, the district assemblies have taken over the sources of revenue of the traditional councils and are, therefore, expected to use part of the revenue to maintain the councils, which they have refused to do.

Nene Narh Ologo, who is also the paramount chief of Yilo Krobo, called for dialogue between the assemblies and the traditional councils to ensure speedy development in the districts.

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Catholic Church organises civic education seminar at Navrongo

Navrongo, (Upper East) 22^nd November 99

A two-day seminar under the theme "promoting a sustainable democratic society in Ghana and the Catholic Church's social teachings" is underway at Navrongo in the Upper East region.

The seminar, organised by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga diocese of the Catholic Church, seeks to educate participants about their civic and political rights and responsibilities.

About 100 participants drawn from the Navrongo-Bolgatanga diocese are attending the seminar which also aims at raising awareness on the adverse effects of bribery and corruption on the functioning of public structures.

Topics to be discussed include bribery and corruption; effects and remedies and social teaching of the Catholic Church.

In a message read for him, The Right Reverend Lucas Abadamloora, Bishop of the diocese, called on Catholics to seek knowledge that would enlighten them about the social teachings of the church as well as on political issues.

Hajia Fati Seidu, Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, asked Christians not to be indifferent to the governance of the country since such an attitude is likely to enable incompetent people to gain positions of trust and mismanage the affairs of the state.

"Each one of us who desires to see good governance, should not sit on the fence but get actively involved and elect or be elected to any decision-making positions on our unit committees, town councils or district assemblies.

Hajia Fati said the misdeeds of some people had made politics seem a dirty game, adding that God-fearing people who aim at serving the people and not expecting to be served could bring good governance and with it, peace, justice and development.

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Gizo tours TEXPO

Baatsona (Greater Accra), 22^nd November 99

Mr. Mike Gizo, Minister of Tourism, has said that Tema could take advantage of its linkage with the Greenwich Meridian to boost tourism and raise funds for the municipality.

Speaking during a tour of the Tema Exposition Trade Centre at Baatsona to inspect preparations for the Trade Exhibition dubbed TEXPO '99, which opens Thursday, November 25, Mr. Gizo commended TMA for initiating "this laudable trade innovation to promote business in the city and the nation as a whole" and said the centre must be organised in a way that it would make it assume an international dimension.

The Minister expressed the hope that financial institutions would recognise the importance of the centre and assist in development to serve as an impetus to the country's open doors policy.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Tema Municipal Chief Executive who took him round said he was hopeful that the exhibition would be opened as scheduled adding that TMA alone cannot finance the development of the centre, which is estimated to cost 50 billion cedis.

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Bechem gets new Omanhene

Bechem (Brong Ahafo) 22^nd November 99

The Chairman of the National Council on Poultry Farming, Mr. Joseph Opoku Akoto was on Monday installed the new Omanhene of the Bechem Traditional Area under the stool name, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto III.

He succeeded Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi who died about two years ago.

The installation of Nana Akoto, 56, who is also the Chairman of the Management Committee of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, followed a ruling by the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs in his favour in a legal tussle with a rival royal family in the town.

It was, therefore, a moment of joy for the entire people, who drummed, sang and danced as they paraded the new chief through the streets carrying him shoulder high.

The installation went on peacefully and the few security personnel present had hectic time controlling the milling crowd.

Speaking after his installation, Nana Akoto expressed dissatisfaction with the poor academic results in the area and promised to work hard to improve the situation.

He said an educational committee would be formed and a fund established to assist the needy in the area to further their education.

Nana Akoto called for unity and appealed to both his supporters and rivals to rally behind him for the rapid development of the area.

He is expected to swear the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, next week.

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Police recover stolen cab

Ho (Volta Region), 22^nd November 99

The Ho police on Friday afternoon recovered a Hyundai 'Excel' taxicab with registration number VR. 158 Q that was snatched from Mr. Amadu Issaka, after being shot in the right jaw by a male passenger on the Akrofu-Bame road, near Ho.

Mr. Amadu, told reporters at the Regional Hospital where he is receiving treatment that the robber stopped him near the offices of the Regional Co-ordinating Council at about 1 a.m. and told him that he was a tutor at Ho Polytechnic visiting another teacher at Akrofu.

Mr. Amadu said on reaching Akrofu, the robber got down, went to the local junior secondary school and came back to inform him that his friend had left for Bame.

He said a few metres on the way towards Bame, the robber asked him to stop to enable him to attend to nature's call.

On resumption of the journey, the robber again said he had dropped his bunch of keys so he stopped for him to go and search for it during which the robber shot at Amadu's right jaw.

Personnel of the Electricity Company of Ghana who were travelling on the road found Mr. Amadu, lying unconscious by the road side and rushed him to the Ho Regional Hospital.

Mr. Albert K. Acquah, Regional Crime Officer, said the vehicle was retrieved when police was informed about an abandoned taxi on the outskirts of Kpeve with a flat tyre.

He said police are carrying out further investigations and called on communities in the area to organise search parties for the arrest of the robber.

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Community Centre to house Police station after mob action

Barekese (Ashanti), 22^nd November 99

Police personnel in the Atwima District would be temporarily housed at the Community Centre, which is nearing completion, while efforts are made to put up a new Police station for the town while efforts are underway to find residential accommodation for them.

Mr. Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister announced this when he visited the town on Friday to inspect the extent of damage caused to the old Police station following a mob action last Saturday.

The station was vandalised and the personnel and their families had to flee the town following the alleged gunning down of a driver, Iddrissu Mahama by Police Sergeant S. Y. Boadu.

It was alleged that Sergeant Boadu shot Mahama in cold blood when the deceased, who was driving a truck loaded with chain-sawn timber failed to stop at a Police barrier.

Addressing the Chief and people of the town Mr. Nuamah-Donkor called for patience and asked them to exercise restraint for peace to prevail in the town.

He said the Barekese dam which supplies potable water to the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs is a vital installation, that needs to be protected, therefore, new Police personnel would be posted to the town and they need the co-operation of the people to work.

The Regional Minister asked all resident citizens, who fled from the town to return since peace now prevails.

Okofo Kwame Akowiah II, Chief of Barekese pledged the co-operation of his people with the Police at all times as well as the Government.

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Internet provider upgrades network

Accra (Greater Accra), 22^nd November 99

Network Computer Systems (NCS), an Internet service provider in Ghana, says it has upgraded its Internet backbone capacity from 384 KBPS (kilobytes per second) to two MBPS (megabytes per second) transmission speeds.

This is an increment of more than five times the available speed for Internet Protocol (IP) data transmission and becomes the largest single IP pipe out of sub-Saharan Africa with the exception of South Africa.

A release issued in Accra on Friday quoted Dr. Nii Narku Quaynor, Executive Chairman of the NCS, as saying that effective internetworking service requires high bandwidth that is linked to the global Internet community.

The speed of the international link also determines largely the quality of service experienced by subscribers.

"It is, therefore, in fulfilment of NCS's quest to provide better services to its numerous loyal customers at affordable prices that our Internet gateway has been upgraded to 2 MBPS transmission speeds."

Dr. Quaynor said the expansion would bring about opportunities of new applications such as electronic-commerce, tele-medicine, tele-agriculture, tele commuting, distance education and broadcasting services at affordable prices.

Subscribers will also have a direct benefit in noticing faster response for requests from international servers while corporations, including Internet service providers and content providers, would obtain international Internet protocol bandwidth services which hitherto was either unavailable or available at very high costs.

"This is an opportunity for the country to truly leapfrog into the global economy and the facilities should be treasured and used wisely."

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