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NDC urges supporter not to interfere in Opposition but warns that …
Journalists go to the polls on December 14
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Russian envoy defends war in Chechnya
Ghanaian professionals trained in Japan inaugurate association
Nuamah-Donkor calls for peace and unity for development
NDC urges supporter not to interfere in Opposition but warns that …
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd November 99
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday called on its members and supporters not to do anything that will interfere with the planned demonstration of opposition political parties on Thursday, November 25.
It, however, urged them to ensure the safety of all NDC offices and properties as well as those of its political affiliates.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra to clarify the party's position on the intended demonstration, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary, gave the assurance to the security agencies and the nation that members and supporters of the NDC will do nothing to disrupt the march.
He said however that should there by any attempt to harass or molest any members or supporters or cause damage to NDC property or those of its affiliates, members of the party will "defend themselves in the most resolute manner".
Alhaji Yahaya said the party will "react in the most appropriate manner and firmly too at any attempt on, or threat to life and property of any member or supporter of our party or the property of the party by demonstrators.
"It must be noted that the leadership of the opposition parties should be held accountable for any unlawful behaviour by their members or breakdown of law and order arising from this unnecessary demonstration."
Mr. Vincent Asiseh, National Press Secretary of the NDC, urged the opposition parties not to do anything that will provoke or incite people into violence on the demonstration day.
He said issues on the economy must be passionately handled, adding that demonstrations will not force the price of oil down or improve on the price of cocoa.
Mr. Asiseh stressed the need to draw a clear distinction between political party and national issues adding "corruption is a societal issue that needs societal approach" to eliminate.
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Journalists go to the polls on December 14
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd November 99
Journalists will vote on December 14 in bye-elections to fill the vacant positions of vice-president and treasurer.
A statement issued in Accra on Monday by Mr. Mawusi Afele, GJA Elections Officer, said the vote follows the resignation of Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo and Mrs. Eunice Osei-Bonsu as vice-president and treasurer respectively.
Mr. Boadu-Ayeboafo is now the Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission and Mrs. Osei-Bonsu is the Public Relations Manager of the Co-operative Bankers Association.
The statement said filing of nominations would be from 0900 hours on Tuesday, November 23 to 1600 hours on Tuesday December seven.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Elections Officer. Completed forms should be accompanied with two passport-size photographs and a fee of 80,000 cedis for vice-president and 60,000 cedis for treasurer.
The applicant, proposer and seconder should be fully paid-up GJA members.
The seconder should not come from the same media organisation as the applicant.
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Man dies before he could be questioned by police
Koforidua (Eastern Region), 23rd November 99
A 30-year old unemployed, Cyrus Frimpong, who was arrested by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) at Koforidua for suspected impersonation, died two hours after he had been handed over to the Effiduase police for investigations.
A police source told reporters that while Frimpong was awaiting police interrogation, he began to sweat profusely and complained of sickness.
He was therefore rushed to the Koforidua Central Hospital where he died while being attended to.
Meanwhile the Eastern Regional Police Public relations unit has appealed to relatives of Frimpong who claimed to be a citizen of Mim in Brong Ahafo to contact it for further information.
A press statement signed by Chief Inspector Jonathan Kwame Abban, Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer on Monday said, last Friday, November 19, the Reverend Nii Nmai Ollennu, controller of WAEC at Koforidua reported that
Frimpong was among candidates who took part in the November to December 1995 School Certificate/General Certificate Examination "O" level conducted by WAEC and choose Eastern region as his centre.
According to the statement, Frimpong, who performed creditably submitted a signed application form witnessed by Mr Emmanuel Gibson Senya Amoah, an Accountant of Balko Industries, Kumasi, on November 16 to collect his 1995 "O" level certificate.
However, Rev Ollennu said he detected that the photograph on Frimpong's registration form with WAEC was different from the picture on the form he presented to collect the certificate.
Rev Ollennu who was not pleased with answers Frimpong gave during interrogation handed him over to the Effiduase police for further investigations.
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Russian envoy defends war in Chechnya
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd November 99
Mr. Pavel D. Pavlov, Russian Ambassador in Ghana, on Monday echoed Moscow's statement that the campaign in the land-locked Republic of Chechnya is not against its government but rather to crush terrorist activities.
At a Press Conference in Accra to throw light on the current situation in Chechnya, Mr. Pavel said a series of bomb blasts in Russia by terrorists over the last three months killed a total of 1,500 people.
He repeated that the Chechnya issue is an "internal problem" and gave the assurance that Russia can deal with the problem on its own.
Asked how the Russian troops can ensure that innocent citizens do not suffer from the attacks, Mr. Pavel said: "when using aircraft and artillery, it is very difficult to separate local people from attackers.
"We cherish the lives of our soldiers and those of the entire populace and are, therefore, trying to protect our own people from the terrorists."
When asked when the attack on Chechnya would come to an end, Mr. Pavlov retorted: "it will only be after the base of the terrorists is annihilated and the terrorists brought to book".
He said the militants aim at setting up an Islamic Republic in Chechnya through mass murders, bombings, and other terrorist acts and to have Degastan, which borders on the Caspian Sea, to become an Islamist state.
The Russian Ambassador deplored foreign military assistance to Chechnya and appealed to the international community not only to adopt a unified stance against terrorist activities in the Caucuses region of the former Soviet Union, but to also bring pressure to bear on the Chechen government to drive the terrorists away from the territory.
In 1996, a similar war fought in an attempt to keep the rebel Republic within the Russian Federation caused heavy toll on Chechnya's civilian population and the Russian Army.
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Ghanaian professionals trained in Japan inaugurate association
Kumasi (Ashanti), 23rd November 99
The JICA Alumni Association of Ghana (JAAGHA) made up of Ghanaians who have benefited from the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) fellowship to study in Japan has inaugurated its branch in Kumasi.
The inauguration of the Kumasi branch forms part of the JAAGHA's decentralisation programme aimed at bringing together all ex-participants of JICA in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, and the two Upper Regions to facilitate JAAGHA's activities at the grassroots level to enhance the objective of promoting friendship and understanding between Ghana and Japan.
Formed in Accra in 1991, the Association has the overall objective of maintaining contacts with JICA offices both in Ghana and Japan with a view of exchanging information and materials on topical issues to promote cultural ties and economic co-operation.
In his inaugural address, Oheneba Agyeman Abeyie, Somehene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, praised Ghana and Japan for promoting sound bi-lateral co-operation.
He called on Ghanaian professionals who have benefited from the co-operation to extend their expertise to benefit people in the regions now that JAAGHA has been inaugurated in Kumasi.
Mr. Shira Nabeya, Resident Representative of JICA in Ghana said it will continue to extend refresher and professional courses to Ghanaians in all disciplines to assist them to acquire new knowledge.
He said the agency has accepted more than one 1,200 Ghanaians to Japan for various courses this year and urged JAAGHA to endeavour to mobilise all ex-participants to be actively involved in its activities to foster more co-operation between the two countries.
"Your activities should continue to reflect the promotion of friendship between Ghana and Japan," he urged.
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Nuamah-Donkor calls for peace and unity for development
Kumasi (Ashanti), 23rd November 99
Mr. Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister today said he would do everything possible to patch the differences between Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) and some members of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
This is necessary in order to enhance the effective and systematic development of the Metropolis as well as bring peace to the Region Mr. Nuamah-Donkor said when he joined Muslims in Kumasi to pray at the Central Mosque and to introduce himself to them as the newly appointed Regional Minister.
He observed that the city needed street lights at vantage points saying he would team up with the Metropolitan Chief Executive to see how best to address the situation.
The Regional Minister asked the Muslims to be wary of activities that lead to violence and disturbances saying that Islam stands for peace which should be their guiding principle in whatever they do.
Nana Akwasi Agyeman, MCE who introduced the Regional Minister to the congregation called for their support to move the nation forward adding that there is a lot to be done towards the socio-economic development of the Metropolis.
Alhaji Abubakar Ali III, Sarinkyi Zongo of Kumasi appealed to the Regional Minister to help them to complete an English and Arabic Primary School started about three years ago but which has been abandoned because of lack of funds.
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