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Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, on Saturday said electoral complaints must be resolved expeditiously for the country to enjoy peace before and after the elections.

He said a quick and impartial resolution of such cases would forestall such aggrieved persons from seeking "self-help justice" through vengeance and attributed the recent political clashes to the inability of the police to treat complaints with dispatch.

"If the police and indeed the Electoral Commission will promptly deal with all electoral complaints without any impartiality, aggrieved persons will have no need to seek illegal and alternative means to have their grievances resolved."

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo was addressing the annual reception/awards night of the Brong Ahafo branch of the Ghana Journalists Association in Sunyani under the theme: "Free and Fair Elections, a Shared Responsibility."

It was also to promote interaction among representatives of political parties and members of the Association.

The Right-Reverend James Kwadwo Owusu, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani and Madam Adwoa Afrah, a peasant farmer and a philanthropist from Dormaa-Ahenkro, were honoured at the ceremony.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo said that if those tasked with the responsibility of upholding their rights and law and order fail to perform as expected, people lose confidence in them and resort to settle scores.

"It is for this reason that I will like to appeal to all those who have a role to play in ensuring a peaceful, orderly and fair elections on December 7 to discharge their duties with dispatch and impartiality, since justice delayed is justice denied."

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A vote for Mills would be for Rawlings – Veep

Takoradi (Western Africa) 27 November 2000

Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills said on Sunday that a vote for him in the forthcoming elections would be for President Rawlings, the NDC and the country.

Prof. Atta Mills, who is the presidential candidate of the NDC, said the country would take a different turn when he is given the mandate, adding he would lead a new crop of ministers, prepared to do their best to implement development programmes to move the nation ahead.

Prof. Atta Mills said every registered voter should be allowed to vote and that the election should not be used as a source of confusion and conflict.

Mr Sam Pee Yalley, General Secretary of the EGLE Party, threatened that the party would take the Electoral Commission (EC) to court if it does not allow registered voters with thumb printed voters identity cards to vote.

Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Education, said the country's illiteracy rate has dropped from 70 percent to almost 50 percent and asked the opposition to substantiate accusations of corruption against the NDC and its functionaries.

Alhaji Isaaka Inusah, a member of the NDC campaign team, denied that he took part in an NPP rigging scheme last year. "I was a member of the NPP at the time of the incident but did not take part in the act" he added.

He said many people misunderstood his statement and interpreted it as if he was part of the rigging machinery within the NPP.

Alhaji Inusah, a former campaign manager of the NPP presidential candidate, told a rally at Cape Coast that the rigging team procured extra ballot papers, which enabled a large number of NPP members to vote more than once in the Ablekuma Central by-election.

"I know what I am saying because I was in the centre of it," he said, adding that he would pursue the case and asked the police to arrest the top hierarchy of the NPP for fraud.

He alleged that the NPP has set up another rigging machinery for the pending elections.

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Release used mines concessions to small-scale operators – Minister

Tarkwa (Wastern Region) 27 November 2000

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Dr. John Abu on Saturday called on Mining Companies to release some of their prospected concessions which they find to be uneconomical for use by small-scale miners (Galamsey) who may find them profitable.

He made the call at the National Mines Safety Day celebration held at Tarkwa on the theme: "Talk and Practice Safety".

He said Government is very much concerned about the lingering issue of small-scale mining in the mining communities, adding that the release of old mines would enhance government's efforts to stem the tide of galamsey activities.

Dr. Abu thanked the Management of Goldfields Ghana Limited at Tarkwa for taking the initiative to hand over some of its used concessions back to the Government to be given to small scale miners.

He expressed the hope that more of such gestures would be received from other mining companies.

Dr. Abu said one of such old mines given out to small scale operators has offered jobs to about 5,000 people and earned the nation 740 million dollars last year.

In an address read on her behalf, Mrs. Esther Lily Nkansah, Western Regional Minister, asked the Mines Department, the mining companies and employees to collaborate to strengthen measures to prevent accidents, injuries, occupational illness. She said developing safe attitude is the surest way to manage accidents.

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NDC used loans judiciously-Palmer

Tema (Greater Accra) 27 November 2000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has utilised foreign loans judiciously for the benefit of all Ghanaians, Mr Eddie Palmer, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party said at Tema on Saturday.

Addressing a mini-rally at community two in the Tema West constituency, he said the loans were spent on development projects nation-wide, like the construction of roads, educational institutions, hospitals and provision of good drinking water.

Mr Palmer, therefore, asked Ghanaians to ignore critics who say that NDC has contracted more loans than any other government in the country's history but has done little with it.

He said the electorate would not be deceived by such lies, adding that they would vote on the basis of the party's track record of achievements. ''You cannot vote for uncertainties when you know the certainty''.

Mr Palmer asked NDC supporters in the constituency to vote for the party's parliamentary candidate, Flight Lieutenant Miltiades Tackie (rtd) to enable the NDC regain the seat it lost to the NPP.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Tema Municipal Chief Executive said the thumb printed and photo ID cards only enhance the electoral process and urged the Electoral Commission to allow those whose names appear in the voters register but do not have the ID cards, to vote to avoid any possible confusion.

Nii Ashietey said it is clear that an eligible voter is one whose name appears in the voters' register prepared by the Electoral Commission.

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Northern Volta Chiefs plead for separate region

Dodo-Amanfrom, (Volta Region) 27 November 2000

The Government says it will pursue demands by the chiefs and people of the northern part of the Volta Region for the creation of a separate region, but noted that the move will require difficult constitutional amendments.

"We will have to go through a referendum to ascertain the possibility, that is, an agreement by all the people of the region, to effect such a change, Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Charles Agbenaza, the regional minister, said at the weekend at Dodo-Amanfrom in the Nkwanta District.

It was one of the last towns visited by Vice President John Evans Atta Mills during his five-day campaign tour of that part of the region.

The tour took the NDC flag bearer to the Krachi, Nkwanta and Kadjebi Districts. Some of the towns and villages visited were Borae, Bandai, Chindere, Ehiamankyene, Oti-Damanko, Krachi, Dambai, Tutukpene, Brewaniase, Dodo Papase and Poase Cement.

The last time a region was split into two was during the PNDC era when President Rawlings saw to the creation of the Upper West and Upper East regions from what was then known as Upper Region.

The chiefs at all the towns and villages pleaded with the government to consider splitting the region into two for efficient and effective administration and supervision because of its vast nature.

This, they said, is compounded by the deplorable nature of the roads, which was on the lips of every chief, district chief executive and representatives as they spoke at the various rally grounds.

The chiefs, notably Nana Daasebre Seebewie of Dodo-Amanfrom, Nana Kwesi

Omankumintey, Bandahene and Nana Kudiabor Ekumpi Fram of Kadjebi, were all emphatic in their demands. They said the separation is the surest way for development in the Krachi, Nkwanta and Kadjebi districts and link them up to the rest of the country in a fairer manner.

They said the deplorable state of the roads, lack of communication and adequate health facilities are serious disincentives to investors who plan to invest in their towns, but abandon the idea when they learn that they do not have the basic infrastructure required for any serious investment.

Most of the towns and villages have however, been connected to the national electricity grid, but lacked industries that could add value to products from the area - yams, cocoa, beans, maize, rice and groundnuts.

Prof. Mills told the separate rallies to return the NDC to power since it is the only contesting party with experience in governance.

"We have the pedigree and the numerous development projects all over the country are a manifestation of our ability to deliver on our promises," Prof. Mills added.

He said a vote for the NDC, "is one for development and progress, while that for the opposition is a complete reversal of the gains made in the last eight years."

Prof. Mills urged the chiefs and their people to vote the NDC parliamentary candidates to ensure that their representative does not go mute on their demands as he might not have the urge to work with the NDC government, which he indicated was poised to win the December 7 elections.

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Death of Adukrom Chief announced

Adukrom-Akuapem (Eastern Region) 27 November 2000

The death is reported of Nana Otutu Ababio IV Chief of Adukrom-Akuapem.

Nana Ababio, who was also the President of the Council of Chiefs of Akuapem Anafo, Guan and Okere, died on September 13, at the age of 93.

He reigned for 45 years and left behind three wives and 27 children.

Nana Asare Brempong, Acting Chief for Okere announced this at the Joint Consultative Council meeting of the chiefs and people of Akuapem Anafo,Guan and Okere at Adukrom on Saturday.

The meeting also marked the handing over of the Presidency of the council to Otobour Djan Kwasi II, Chief of Akuapem Anafo.

He succeeds the late Nana Otutu Ababio who occupied the seat for six years.

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Investigate allegations of rigging at Ablekuma Central - President

Jasikan (Volta Region) 27 November 2000

President Jerry Rawlings on Saturday asked for thorough investigations into allegations by Alhaji Issaka Inusah, a former member of the New Patriotic Party, that the NPP rigged the Ablekuma Central bye-elections.

He said such acts had gone on for some time and must be halted to bring legitimacy and respect to the electoral process.

President Rawlings addressing a Volta Regional NDC rally at Jasikan, said all those involved must be arrested and made to face the law for the whole truth to be known.

President Rawlings charged the courts not to make mockery of the country's judicial system, but to ensure that those who infringe on others' rights are made to face the full rigours of the law.

He referred to the case where a 35-year old man subjected his 90-year-old-father to inhuman treatment, and fined "just 400,000 cedis", saying; "this must not be allowed".

Last week Alhaji Inusah, now with the NDC, caused a stir when he alleged that the NPP rigged the Ablekuma Central bye-elections by carrying people from Awoshie, in Ablekuma North, to vote in Ablekuma Central.

Alhaji Inusah who spoke at the Jasikan rally, said even though he was in the party, "I never took part in the plot to rig the elections."

"They came to me to do the dirty work of seeing to the bailing of the boys after they had been arrested and taken to the central police station," Alhaji Inusah said.

"Mr Samuel Odoi-Sykes and Kwamena Bartels, NPP Chairman and MP were those who came to tell me to help them bail the boys."

He said he (Alhaji Inusah), only wanted the NPP leadership to shut-up and stop peddling lies about the NDC hence his disclosure.

"I did not want to cause anybody pain. But now that they want my blood and have asked for my arrest, I will ensure that they are all arrested and put behind bars," Alhaji Inusah said. "I am afraid I will imprison them."

The Electoral Commission said Inusah’s allegation is not possible.

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A-G clashes with EC over voter qualification

Jasikan (Volta Region) 27 November 2000

Dr Obed Asamoah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has challenged the Electoral Commission’s (EC) rule that only photo identity card holders can vote in the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Quoting Article 42 of the 1992 constitution, Dr Asamoah said any Ghanaian who is 18 years and has his or her name in the voters' register, qualifies to vote.

He noted that the EC cannot use administrative instructions and procedures to amend the constitution and by that disenfranchise the numerous Ghanaians who through no fault of theirs could not secure the photo identity

Dr Asamoah was reacting to what he called conflicting signals from the EC on the validity of thumb printed identity cards at a National Democratic Congress (NDC) Volta Regional rally at Jasikan.

The rally was the culmination of a five-day campaign tour of the Krachi, Nkwanta and Kadjebi districts of the region by Vice President John Atta Mills, the party's flag bearer.

He said it is wrong for the Chairman of the EC to say only photo identity card holders can vote, especially when it (EC) had earlier said thumb printed identity card holders can vote.

"Besides, it is not everyone who has the photo identity card or can have it before December 7, he said, adding: "When the Commissioner carries out this order, he will be going against the law."

Dr Asamoah said: "When he does it he will be jeopardising the legitimacy of the election and we will hold him personally responsible for whatever happens."

He asked party supporters to remain vigilant in the run-up to the elections and even during the elections to ensure that the trickery being employed by the opposition is exposed.

Dr Asamoah told the teaming NDC supporters who started trooping to the rally grounds very early in the morning, that development is surely on its way to the region and they should not jettison it by voting for the opposition.

"We admit that development in terms of roads, health and communications and educational facilities has not been as in other places, but I must say that these are surely coming to the Volta region when Professor John Atta Mills assumes the mantle of government," Dr Asamoah said.

The rally was also attended by some chiefs from the region. Prof. Mills added his voice to calls for the EC to ensure that no Ghanaian is disenfranchised in anyway by the use of cards in the elections.

"The constitution is very clear on who qualifies to vote in this country," he said. The Vice President reassured the people that the NDC will not ignore the region but will ensure that amenities provided in other parts of the country that make life comfortable and increases the pace of development are brought to them.

"We cannot turn our backs on you. No, not when we consider what you did for us in 1992 and 1996. It is for this reason that we are asking you to vote for the NDC for these things to be done. Development happens to be in phases and the region will be covered in due course," he said

He said the government would not be doing them any good if it builds offices and factories.

What will be done, Prof. Mills said, will be for the government to empower them economically by increasing their agricultural investment capacity through the youth-in-agriculture programme and the agricultural sector improvement programme.

Prof. Mills decried the high taste for foreign goods at the expense of equally good locally manufactured ones and said Ghanaians must change this attitude in order to sustain local industries.

Earlier, Mr Steve Akorlie, acting Minister of Roads and Transport said the government has awarded the Yendi-Damanko, Kadjebi- Brewaniase and Krachi-Nkwanta roads on contract to Taysec and Wass and Freytag, saying work will soon begin.

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Nsoatre residents quiz candidates

Nsoatre (Brong Ahafo) 27 November 2000

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), on Friday organised a political forum at Nsoatre, near Sunyani, to educate the public on the electoral process and to enable them to interact with the parliamentary candidates contesting the Sunyani West seat.

Mr Kwabena Adjei-Darko, the NPP candidate, urged the people to vote for the party, which he said would adopt effective measures to raise the standard of education and assist brilliant but needy students.

He said an award scheme would be instituted for Junior Secondary School students who will perform well in the final examinations and urged parents to encourage their children to further their education.

Mr Kwame Twumasi Ankrah of the CPP said the party would solve youth unemployment and make agriculture it's priority when it is voted into power.

Mrs Monica Kyei Mensah of the NRP asked women to vote for the party, saying it would ensure the protection of the rights of women.

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Second chamber would check bad laws – Lartey

Wa (Upper West) 27 November 2000

The second chamber of parliament comprising mainly of chiefs proposed by the Great Consolidated People's Party (GCPP) is to check the passing of bad laws.

It would also serve as a check on the influence of powerful lobby groups and individuals on the work of parliament, Mr Dan Lartey, presidential candidate of the GCCP, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa at the end of a two-day tour of the Upper West Region.

The presidential hopeful met the party's regional executive, who briefed him on their campaign efforts in spite of logistical constraints.

As an alternative to the holding of a rally, Mr Lartey addressed the electorate on Radio Upper West, a local FM station and explained his concept of "domestication".

He said under the concept, "Ghanaians would do what is good for them as opposed to the present neo-colonialist economic system, which benefits only a few privileged ones".

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Give CPP mandate to form government – Hagan

Aboso (Western Region) 27 November 2000

The flagbearer of the CPP, Professor George Panyin Hagan, has called on Ghanaians to give the party the mandate to form the next government.

Speaking at a rally of the Prestea, Huni-Valley constituency at Aboso to introduce the candidate for the area, Mr Mubashir Tamimu Dari, a 43 year-old legal practitioner, he denied that the CPP has entered into alliance with another party.

He said CPP is the only party that can turn the fortunes of the nation round, improve upon the policies of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President and manage the economy better.

Professor Hagan said he would give priority to education, health and agriculture and expressed regret that Ghana continues to import rice and other raw material for industry, which could be obtained locally.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, said the CPP would improve the financial standing of the country through good governance.

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NPP government will be accountable to Ghanaians

Asiakwa (Eastern Region) 27 November 2000

The MP for Abuakwa, Nana Akuffo-Addo, has assured Ghanaians that if voted into power the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will ensure public accountability and uphold the constitution.

Nana Akuffo- Addo, who was speaking at a rally at Asiakwa on Thursday, said the NPP is poised to take over the reins of government by winning the December 7 elections.

Nana Akuffo-Addo, who is seeking re-election to parliament, said the PNDC/NDC, has failed the nation even though it is the longest serving regime in the country's history.

"If they did good work they will not have been going round doling out cutlasses and essential commodities for the votes of the electorate", he added.

Nana Akuffo-Addo dispelled rumours that non-Akyems would be expelled from the area if the NPP wins the polls.

"The people of Okyeman would continue to live in peace with all ethnic groups as it has been since time immemorial", he said.

He asked the people to replace their thumb-printed voter identity cards with the photo ones so that they could exercise their franchise on the polling day.

Nana Akuffo-Addo commended the people for their loyalty to the party and urged them to vote overwhelmingly for it on December 7.

He said the party would overhaul the educational, health and other essential sectors of the economy within its first four-year tenure if it comes to power.

The constituency chairman, Mr Douglas Asare, said the NPP has majority of the town's registered voters on its side and therefore urged them to turn out to cast their vote for the party as an expression of loyalty to the party.

Mr Atta Aboagye, a member of the NDC who said he has defected to the NPP told the crowd that he would bring along other NDC members in the town to ensure a 100 per cent vote for NPP.

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Armed robber snatches cab from driver

Abura Dunkwa (Western Region) 27 November 2000

A Toyota Corolla taxi with registration number GT. 9409 G was on Monday snatched from its driver at gun-point at Taido-Atwereboanda, on the Kumasi-Yamoransa road.

The driver told Abura-Dunkwa Police that the robber hired the cab driven by Mr Kwesi Mensah from Tarkwa to Edumfa in the Central Region.

He left Tarkwa at about 0900 hours and on reaching Taido, the passenger asked him to wait so that he could talk to the priest of the Twelve Apostle Church in the town.

The robber came back and asked the driver to continue the journey to Edumfa and on the way again asked the driver to see the Pastor of the Edumfa Healing Camp.

Some few miles to Edumfa, the passenger once more asked the driver to turn round and take him to Taido-Atwereboanda.

Police said while on their way, the passenger pulled out a pistol and asked the unsuspecting driver to get out of the car and surrender the key.

The robber drove off and the driver ran to a nearby communication centre from where he reported the matter to Police in Cape Coast.

The driver described the armed robber as tall, stout and black in complexion.

At the time of going to Press, no arrest had been made.

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Researcher calls for exchange of techniques in rice production

Vane (Volta Region) 27 November 2000

Mr. Roger Blench, a researcher at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London on Friday called for a mechanism through which rice-producing communities could exchange their techniques for increased production of the crop.

Mr Blench who is heading a team in a rice research project at the university of Development Studies (UDS), in Tamale, was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Vane, to climax their annual rice festival.

Mr Blench said Ghana has rich varieties of rice, which could make her self-sufficient and ensure a reliable source of income and employment for the people.

Mr Blench who headed a team of students on a field trip to Vane was enthused by the varieties of rice produced in the area which he said is worth researching into.

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Uphold non-partisan status of district assemblies -DCE

Bawku (Upper East) 27 November 2000

Mr Dominic Akudago, Bawku East District Chief Executive (DCE) has urged members of the assembly to let its non-partisan status continue to guide them in their deliberations.

He said members might have their political leanings but it is important for them to accept decisions of the house as a collective responsibility.

"It is a very dangerous practice for some of us to disassociate ourselves from some decisions of the house in a bid to achieve cheap popularity among our electorate'', he said.

Mr Akudago expressed these concerns when he addressed the first ordinary meeting of the third session of the assembly at Bawku.

The DCE stressed the need for members to allow the sense of unity that has kept the assembly together over the years, grow even stronger in all their deliberations.

Mr Akudago pointed out that as opinion leaders, they should advise the people to go about their political campaigns devoid of rancour and hatred.

"We should all be seen as one people with a common destiny and must not allow politics to divide our ranks', he said, adding that victory for any party or candidate is victory for democracy and the country.

The DCE further urged members to co-operate with traditional authorities, and avoid the temptation to usurp the powers of chiefs in an attempt to perform their statutory duties.

In a welcoming address read on his behalf, the presiding member, Mr Francis Awindaogo, announced that out of the assembly's anticipated revenue target of 644.7 million cedis for this year, it was able to collect 403.6 million cedis as at the end of September.

He attributed the shortfall to the failure of the people in urban/town/area councils to live up to expectation in terms of revenue mobilisation.

"Some of the councils seldom hold meetings, and even where meetings are held, reports are not submitted to the assembly for co-ordination,'' he added.

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Seventy-one per cent issued with photo IDs in WR

Takoradi (Western Region) 27 November 2000

Seventy-one percent of the registered voters in the Western Region have been issued with photo identification cards, Mr Samuel Yorke Aidoo, Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said at a workshop on "Election 2000" by the Regional Council of Labour in Takoradi.

A total of 54 participants from the 11 districts attended the workshop, the ninth a series by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Mr Aidoo said the figure, may go up after the mopping up exercise in progress.

He praised the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for making valuable contribution towards improving the electoral system and hinted that apart from stamping ballot papers, Presiding Officers would be made to sign the back to check "dumping and stuffing of ballot boxes," adding that unlike in the 1996 elections, Party Agents would have the freedom "to patrol the polling station to check any fishy deals."

Madam Elizabeth Solomon, Member of the EC responsible for the Region, said voting is a constitutional right of every registered voter and as such "nobody with his or her name in the Voters' Register will be denied the right to vote."

She said, however, people without Photo Identification cards but have their names in the Register would be made to prove their identity.

Mr Kwesi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary-General of the TUC, called on union leaders and workers to ensure the success of the election.

He said democracy does not end with voting and asked the people to take active interest in National affairs.

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