Eight assemblies exceed expenditure target
Ghanaians urged to join in search for solution to low commodity prices
Committee on broadcasting standards presents report
Human Rights committee lauds Police, opposition parties for peaceful demonstration
Don't dabble in politics - NPP Chairman tells chiefs
Eight assemblies exceed expenditure target
Cape Coast (Central Region), 26th November 99
Eight of the 12 district assemblies in the Central Region have as at the end of the first quarter of this year, exceeded their expenditure by a total of 527.2 million cedis in spite of their own set limits.
They are the Cape Coast municipal assembly (CCMA), which overspent its approved vote by 15.8 million cedis, Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, 12.6 million cedis, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, 80.6 million cedis, Upper Denkyira, 22.9 million cedis, Twifu-Hemang-Lower - Denkyira, 38.5 million cedis, Assin, 52.9 million cedis, Mfantsiman, 62.9 million cedis and Agona district assembly, 103 million cedis.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Agbenaza, Central Regional minister, announced this at a Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) meeting at Cape Coast on Thursday.
The meeting which was attended by the District Chief Executives and their presiding members as well as some regional heads of departments, discussed the award of contracts, security, projects and issues pertaining to the socio-economic development of the region.
The regional minister expressed grave concern about the continued excess expenditure by the assemblies saying his investigations revealed that expenditure control in the districts "has been disappointingly weak".
He reminded the DCEs of the local government act on financial matters saying that they are very crucial instruments regulating their powers and functions.
The Regional Minister emphasised that the RCC will continue to play its monitoring role and will not hesitate in applying the necessary sanction on any assembly which disregards laid down regulations.
He charged the assemblies to take a serious view of their specific roles within the framework of implementing government programmes, maintenance of law and order and the supervision of activities of all departments.
The Regional Minister stressed that in order to prove to sceptics that the NDC government deserves the mandate conferred on it by the people, there is the need for them to improve upon their human relations through periodic public forums and interactions with the press.
The Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Ahmed Bin Salih, asked the DCEs to institute training programmes for their personnel to enable them upgrade their skills to improve their efficiency.
The DCEs took turns to brief the meeting about on-going projects and other issues in their areas.
Ms. Sarah Kuntua-Atta, Upper Denkyira, was unhappy about the fact that out of a total of 302 million cedis disbursed from the poverty alleviation fund, less than five million cedis has been recovered.
She said because of this, the assembly has decided to reduce the amount of money set aside for this purpose pending the recovery of amounts already given out.
The DCE expressed concern about the spread of buruli ulcer in the district and appealed to the ministry of health to act with expediency towards its control.
GRi
Ghanaians urged to join in search for solution to low commodity prices
Jasikan (Volta Region), 26th November 99
Professor Kofi Awoonor, a Presidential Aide, on Thursday urged Ghanaians to join in the search for lasting solutions to the falling prices for cocoa and gold and the rise in that of crude oil on the world market.
They should also support the programme to diversify the export base as part of measures to improve the economy, since the current crisis could not be solved through street demonstrations.
Prof. Awoonor was addressing constituency executives of National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Peki, Kpando, Hohoe and Jasikan, as part of a two-week fact-finding tour of the Volta Region by the National Executives of NDC.
Prof. Awoonor, who is also a National Vice-Chairman of NDC, said the party is still dominant in the Volta region and discounted New Patriotic Party's (NPP) claims that the region has fallen to them.
He said their visit has shown that the party has not lost grounds, "only a few NPP flags have been raised in some places".
Prof. Awoonor said constraints on the treasury, which has been worsened by the global economic situation, has slowed down the pace of development projects being executed in the region.
He assured the people that with the support and confidence of the donor community in the management of the economy, projects such as roads, water and telephones, which have been left out would begin next year.
A task force to re-organise the party at branch and ward levels has been formed alongside the creation of publicity and propaganda units at every constituency.
He advised the party executives to work hard to ensure that the party's "hold" remains intact for next year's elections.
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Committee on broadcasting standards presents report
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th November 99
A committee on Broadcasting Standards appointed by the National Media Commission has presented its report to the commission in Accra.
The committee was under the chairmanship of Mr John Hammond, a veteran broadcaster, with representation from major stakeholders in the industry.
A statement issued on Friday said Mr Tim Acquah-Hayford, Chairman of the commission, commended the committee for the seriousness with which it approached the assignment.
He said another committee appointed by the commission to draw up a general policy for the media has also presented its report, which is being studied by the commission.
He said the two reports would be studied to form the basis for recommendations for legislation to guide media operators in the country as part of the commission's mandate to ensure high journalistic standards.
Mr Hammond thanked the commission for involving them in the development of the guidelines and expressed the hope that the commission and operators would find the report useful.
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Human Rights committee lauds Police and opposition parties for peaceful demonstration
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th November 99
The Ghana Committee on Human and Peoples Rights (GCHPR) on Friday commended the five opposition political parties and the Police for the orderly and peaceful manner they conducted themselves during Thursday's demonstration.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Executive Director of GCHPR, said: "the conduct of the political parties, supporters and the Police is a vindication of the Constitution of Ghana, human rights and Ghana's democratic process.
"It is a demonstration that Ghanaian have a commitment to democracy and have agreed to exercise their rights in a responsible manner."
The statement said the committee was, however, not happy that Policemen on such an official assignment appeared without any name and/or number tags.
The committee urged them to wear tags in future to enable the public to identify them.
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Don't dabble in politics - NPP Chairman tells chiefs
Accra (Greater Accra), 26th November 99
The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Samuel Odoi-Sykes has appealed to traditional rulers not to dabble in partisan politics.
He said the 1992 Constitution debars chiefs from interfering or taking part in party political activities and this must be adhered to.
Speaking to newsmen in Accra on Thursday, Mr Odoi-Sykes said the position of chiefs in society is unique and must be accorded respect.
He said chiefs by their status have traditional ways of addressing and advising people on national issues.
Mr Odoi-Sykes condemned last Wednesday's press conference by the Ga Traditional Council calling on the opposition parties to refrain from demonstrations in Accra.
"Chiefs have no right to toe that line. I am from James Town and my chief can advise me anytime and not call a press conference or engage in issuing public statements."
The NPP Chairman described the action as regrettable and advised chiefs and other traditional rulers to use the appropriate traditional channels in addressing controversial and national issues.
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