Ministry orders re-exportation of shoddy and unwholesome goods
Ghana/Togo to re-activate boundary commissions
Ga Traditional Council urges opposition to cancel demonstration
Ministry orders re-exportation of shoddy and unwholesome goods
Accra (Greater Accra), 24th November 99
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has directed that all shoddy and unwholesome goods imported into the country by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and religious bodies should be re-exported to their countries of origin at the expense of the importing agencies.
A statement issued in Accra said a destination inspection carried out by the Food and Drugs Board revealed that large quantities of ''relief goods'' imported by NGOs including some churches are either expired or unwholesome for human consumption.
It said ''in view of the danger that these products pose to Ghanaian consumers and the environment, the Ministry wishes to warn NGOs both local and foreign not to use Ghana as a dumping ground for expired, unwholesome and non-efficacious products".
''Certainly Ghana is not a pauper nation and must be treated with respect and dignity by those who profess to be assisting in its welfare and development programmes''.
The statement said the Ministry is considering tougher sanctions to be imposed in the future if this ''inhuman'' practice should continue.
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Ghana/Togo to re-activate boundary commissions
Lome, (Togo), 24th November 99
The Governments of Togo and Ghana have agreed to reactivate their respective boundary demarcation commissions as a matter of urgency to delve into technical problems and find solutions to boundary related disputes among communities on their common border.
The Togolese government has also decided to extend the opening hours of its border crossing at Aflao from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily instead of 6.a.m to 6.p.m. to ease pressure on travellers and facilitate commerce between the two countries.
Both countries are to work out modalities for the early implementation of the decisions.
These measures were announced by the Interior Ministers of both countries at the end of a three-day tour of border communities in Togo by a joint ministerial team of the two countries as a follow-up to an earlier one undertaken in Ghana last August in the aftermath of clashes among a number of border communities.
General Sizing Walla, Togo's Minister of the Interior and Security said the decisions are practical manifestations of improved relations between the two governments and are meant to give positive signals to citizens of both countries not to harbour any animosities against each other.
General Walla appealed to the feuding border communities to bury their differences and allow their neighbours to have access to their farms across the international boundary as provided in a 1929 agreement following the demarcation of the international boundaries by colonial masters.
He stressed the need for both countries to take practical measures towards implementing terms of the tripartite agreement reached among Ghana, Togo and Benin geared towards tackling cross border crimes including the movement of arms.
Nii Okaidja Adamafio, Ghana's Minister of the Interior commended the new lease of cordial relations between the two countries which, he said, is necessary for orderly development in both countries.
To this end he called on the two governments to mobilise the necessary resources as early as possible to get their border commissions at work by the first quarter of next year.
He commended the Togolese government for its co-operation with Ghana in dealing with a recent tension among peoples of the two countries at the frontier.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi Volta, Regional Minister, impressed on the feuding communities that the two governments have no expansionist ambitions against each other and will therefore not endorse any negative activities along their common frontier.
He therefore charged the communities to explore avenues that would promote and strengthen cordiality among them.
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Ga Traditional Council urges opposition to cancel demonstration
Accra (Greater Accra), 24th November 99
The Ga Traditional Council on Wednesday added its voice to the chorus of appeals by individuals and organisations to opposition parties to call off their joint demonstration slated for Thursday in Accra.
The appeal was made by Oblepon Kojo Ababio V, James Town Mantse, at a press conference organised by the Council at the Ga Mantse's Palace.
Nii Ababio, speaking on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Nii Amugi II, said the Council is not against the demonstration per se.
"It is an undeniable fact , however, that the type of demonstration planned for 25th November has always ended in unnecessary bloodshed on our soil.
"As a peace loving-people, we deplore such violence and ask all aggrieved persons and institutions to resolve their difficulties through peaceful channels."
He said by calling off the demonstration the opposition parties would not only show respect for the traditional custodians of the land and its people, but they would also be demonstrating that they possess the levels of diplomacy and political maturity necessary for governance in the new dispensation.
He said even though the opposition parties are embarking on the demonstration as a means of expressing their concerns about the current economic situation, they should rather seek dialogue with the government in a bid to resolving it.
According to Nii Ababio the Traditional Council is aware that the nation is currently facing difficulties in its attempt to grapple with the negative effects of global economic trends.
"Economic problems call for intelligent solutions, such remedies are typically fashioned in peaceful atmosphere."
He said in tune with this democratic culture and practice, it is necessary at this time to resort to consultation, dialogue and constructive means of problem resolution with a view to invoking our collective ingenuity and God's guidance.
Nii Ababio said the Ga Traditional Council's primary concern is about peace, stability and tranquillity in the capital and as landowners our principal task is to ensure that citizens, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, go about their daily activities without any threat of life and limb.
The Traditional Council's anxiety about the demonstration is about suggestions that plans are afoot to transport people outside Greater Accra Region into the city for the purpose of looting and other illegal activities during the demonstration.
Nii Ababio said threats to peace and tranquillity during demonstrations have a tendency of dislocating the economic life of the city and denying the people a regular means of livelihood.
Economic life, once disrupted, takes a considerable period to return to normalcy.
Nii Ababio said the traditional council is also concerned at the persistent attempts to turn Accra into a political battle ground by holding such contentious demonstrations which are often times uncontrollable and inflammatory.
We must point out that demonstrations per se do not resolve fundamental economic issues; nor do they put food in the stomachs of the poor and hungry."
Present among the chiefs at the press conference was Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru II, La Mantse.
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MP launches election campaign
Bogoso (Western Region), 24th November 99
Mr. Acheampong Bonful, NDC Member of Parliament for Prestea on Saturday launched his electioneering campaign for the 2000 general election at Bogoso.
He called on members of the party to see themselves as fighting for a common goal and not to allow their opponents to break through their ranks.
Mr.Bonful told the people that the MP's common fund is meant for projects in the constituency and not for his personal use adding that he would be held accountable if the fund is misused.
He said the fund is being used for projects in the constituency including construction of markets, schools and the sinking of boreholes.
Mr. Solomon Kwabena Amoah, Wassa West District Chief Executive asked party members not to be swayed by the lies of the opposition saying they should instead defend the party at all times.
Mr. Amoah said the opposition in desperation would create panic and sow seeds of confusion but these should not deter them.
He advised ward executives not to get involved in chieftaincy matters but rather co-operate with the chiefs and assembly members in mobilising the people for development.
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