Newsreel

Mr J.A. Kufuor, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, on Monday urged the Electoral Commission to adhere to its directive on voter photo identification cards and ensure that only voters with such cards are allowed to exercise their franchise on

December 7.

Any change of the procedure would bring inconsistencies in the electoral process, negate the importance of the photo ID cards and put to waste the huge amount that went into providing the cards, Mr Kufuor told a mammoth rally organised by the NPP at Nkoranza.

He appealed to the electorate to give their mandate to the NPP "to taste a change of government through the ballot box."

The NPP flag bearer reminded the people that voting is a civic right and a responsibility at the same time and asked them not to sell their conscience by receiving gifts to vote for other parties.

The NPP will do all it can to bring improvement in the living conditions of the people, he stressed. Mr Kufuor expressed the hope that the election would be free, fair and transparent.

"Any attempt by any party to steal or rig the election could spark off violence that will disturb the peace and stability of the country." he cautioned

GRi…/

Return to top

Scrapping Criminal Libel Law demands debate – Mahama

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

Scrapping the Criminal Libel Law would demand further debate by stakeholders, and would not be abolished simply because it is "archaic", Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, said on Tuesday.

Speaking at his Ministry's turn of the "Meet the press" series, Mr Mahama said "laws are taken out of statute books only if they lose their relevance to the purposes for which they were passed."

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), political parties and other concerned bodies have made numerous calls for the Law to be scrapped arguing that it was passed in the colonial era and poses a threat to press freedom and as inconsistent of the 1992 Constitution.

They also maintain that public officials use the Law to intimidate journalists when there are other avenues of redress for aggrieved officials, including rejoinders and the National Media Commission (NMC).

Mr Mahama said in view of certain inflammatory media reports, especially in the private media, the Law is needed to infuse responsibility in the reportage of journalists.

He said for journalists to operate freely and public officials to be spared unfair media reports, the Ministry would strike a balance between what is acceptable practice by both parties, while checks would be put in place to stop the media from going to extremes.

Mr Mahama identified "poor reading habits among the population, especially the emerging middle class, and quack journalists as some drawbacks to the industry."

He assured the NMC and the GJA of the Ministry's willingness to assist them in weeding out misfits in the profession.

The Minister expressed regret that at the high incidence of violence and sex scenes in local and foreign films, and videos and announced that the Ministry has set up a committee to review the Cinematography Act "for subsequent re-legislation."

"In the meantime, classification symbols have been introduced to help parents determine films that are suitable for viewing by their children," Mr Mahama added.

He said the Ministry is in touch with the police and the respective agencies to root out obscene and pornographic films, including one on an Ivorian dance form called "Mapuka", illegally imported into the country.

Mr Mahama said the recent boom witnessed in local film production is dwindling with the influx of foreign films, especially from the sub-region.

Ghanaian film directors, he suggested, should explore new themes and veer from the recurring themes on superstition, which he said, were "over-flogged."

Mr Mahama said themes on crime, economy and employment stand the chance of capturing cinema goers in the sub-region.

He mentioned the storage of historical documentaries as the challenge facing the Ministry, saying most of such films are being stored at places outside the Ministry due to lack of a modern archive.

In this regard, he disclosed that UNESCO has approved a grant (did not state figure) to employ the services of a consultant to arrest the deterioration and upgrade the quality of old films.

GRi…/

Return to top

TUC urges EC to remain firm against criticisms

Tema (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

Mr. Kwesi Adu-Amankwa, Trade Union Congress (TUC) General secretary, on Tuesday urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to be firm in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility and ensure that democracy prevails.

He said the TUC is concerned about the independence of the EC in the face of mounting criticisms and pressures from interest groups in the run-up to the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Mr Adu-Amankwa was speaking at an education forum for the Greater Accra Regional Council of Labour on the election processes.

He said the TUC is not happy about the hot air being blown on the political scene and called on the political parties to stop beating the "war drums" as the election day draws nearer.

He said there are many sides to democracy and the parties should be the first to realise this and learn to use the due process to settle disputes.

Mr Adu-Amankwa said the EC must be encouraged to fulfil its duty to the nation, adding: "where there is confusion, the political parties should take a cue from how the dispute in the United States of America is being resolved".

He said beyond the power game is the lives of the people who suffer the consequences of political violence.

"We the people must also take appropriate lessons from this and act responsibly, to bring our influence to bear on our families and communities," Mr Adu-Amankwa said.

He urged workers to strive to meet the requirements of the electoral process so that they can vote.

Mr. Adu-Amankwa lauded the decision by the Chief Justice to appoint special judges to oversee electoral disputes, saying the effectiveness of the judiciary is important in the electoral process.

"We cannot afford the effect of instability if people decide to take the law into their own hands."

The two-day conference will also review the regional council's activities over the last year and the sixth quadrennial delegates' conference of the TUC held in Kumasi in September.

GRi…/

Return to top

Some BA Chiefs misappropriate revenue - Stool Lands Officer

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 29 November 2000

Some paramount chiefs in the Brong Ahafo, are misappropriating stool lands revenue meant for their divisional chiefs.

Mr Patrick Amoah, Regional Stool Lands Officer, said by law, the Stool Lands Administration deals with paramount chiefs and pays revenue due traditional authorities through them.

"It is the loophole inherent in this administrative arrangement that some paramount chiefs in the region are exploiting to the detriment of the divisional chiefs under them."

Mr Amoah was addressing members of the Regional House of Chiefs at Sunyani, as part of a programme by the Regional Lands Commission to interact with stakeholders to enhance land administration in the region.

He said a cheque meant for a traditional authority and paid through a paramount chief since last February had not reached the recipient as at last week.

"It is important that paramount chiefs reciprocate the trust reposed in them by the Administrator of Stool Lands by forwarding the share of the stool lands revenue to deserving chiefs to forestall recriminations."

Mr Charles Boapong, Chairman of the Regional Lands Commission, said a new policy has been formulated to ensure that chiefs derive greater benefit from lands vested in the state.

He said persons granted vested land would be made to pay a specified amount to the stool, in addition to annual rents. "Capital sum payments on land granted by the Commission in vested land areas have been instituted in addition to annual rents", he added.

Mr Boapong expressed the hope that the new policy would assist in improving the financial position of stools with vested lands.

GRi…/

Return to top

Diamond Club supports development in Ashanti

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

Diamond Club, a development-oriented association of Ashanti citizens at home and abroad at the week-end presented six million cedis to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to support the development of Ashanti.

Half of the amount will go into the Asantehene's education endowment fund, while the remaining is to be channelled into the "Asanteman" development fund.

Mr Charles Sarfo, Kumasi branch chairman of the club, made the presentation when he led members of Tema, Accra and Kumasi branches to join Otumfuo Osei Tutu in celebrating the "Akwasidae" festival at Manhyia Palace, in Kumasi, at the weekend.

He said the association was inspired by the Asantehene's drive towards the promotion of education and improvement in the socio-economic lives of the people.

"We feel proud to be associated with the noble objective of raising the standards of education and the quality of life of our people".

Mr Sarfo said the club formed 16 years ago, in London, had already contributed to the Heart Foundation and assisted the Kumasi Children's Home and the Akropong School for the Blind in diverse ways.

GRi…/

Return to top

Narcotics Board holds seminar for NGOs

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

Mr. Iddrisu Koray, Principal Narcotic Control Officer on Monday urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help combat drug abuse, in the face of the rising incidence of addiction and illicit trafficking.

Addressing a one-day seminar organised by the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) for NGOs in Accra, Mr. Koray said NGOs link government and the public in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He therefore called on them to educate the people, especially at the grassroots where they operate, on the negative health consequences of drug abuse.

"Knowledge and attitudes are the foundation necessary for fighting drug abuse," Mr Koray said. "To achieve these objectives, society must be made to focus on the persistence of the drug problem and create a national consensus leading to public awareness and pressure for change."

Mr. Koray said the key role of NGOs in drug abuse control has been widely acknowledged, particularly in drug abuse prevention activities and in efforts to ensure proper treatment and rehabilitation of abusers.

Additional areas relating to drug control that need NGO assistance include, identifying high-risk groups and measures to help them, developing alternative means of livelihood in rural areas where drugs are produced and public information campaigns.

Mr. Oppong Boanuh, Superintendent of Police/CID, said the manufacturer, the importer and the user of drugs are equally guilty of drug offences and are liable to prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years.

He said Ghana is no longer just a drug transit country; Ghana has become a drug consumer. As a signatory to the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline (CMO), Ghana is obligated to act against illicit drug trafficking.

The CMO is a practical action document for government, signed in Vienna in 1987.

Mr. Kofi Quantson, NACOB Executive Secretary, said illicit drug trafficking has social and economic implications; for instance increased hospital admissions, especially at the psychiatric hospitals and pressure on hospital budgets.

GRi…/

Return to top

Suspected murderer of Lebanese arrested in Kumasi

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

The Kumasi Police on Tuesday arrested Derek George Mensah, 30, a former employee of MBC Trading Company suspected to have murdered Mr. Talal Bou-Chedid, Chief Executive of the company in Accra on Friday.

Dr Kofi Kesse Manfo, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, briefing newsmen said following a tip-off, Mensah was arrested at Bantama.

Dr Manfo said Mensah, who was employed in 1992 was retrenched last year, but not satisfied with the amount given to him, decided to meet the Chief Executive to discuss the matter.

The Police Commander said last Friday, Mensah entered the house of the deceased unlawfully in the night but did not meet him.

He however waited for the deceased and when the late Bou-Chedid wanted to know how he entered the house, an argument ensued during which the Chief Executive slapped Mensah.

In retaliation, the suspect hit the deceased several times on the head with a stick and Mr Bou-Chedid collapsed and died.

Dr Manfo said Mensah managed to get the keys to the company offices at Tudu in Accra and went there, ransacked the office and took away some money.

An amount of 6,095 Pounds Sterling, 1,904 Dollars, 7.2 million Cedis and a mobile phone, were found on him when he was arrested. The suspect is to be sent to Accra for further investigations.

GRi…/

Return to top

Government will resource GNA—Mahama

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, on Tuesday said Government would ensure that the Ghana News Agency (GNA), is well equipped in the interest of the nation to make it a major player in the African World News gathering in the new millennium.

"The GNA, the only media house with correspondents in the remotest corners of the country, plays a commendable role in collecting and disseminating news on a wide range of issues," Mr Mahama said.

The Minister said, "such news items are then made available to other institutions, including financial, educational, as well as diplomatic missions and foreign news agencies."

Mr. Mahama announced this at his Ministry's turn at the "Meet the press" series in Accra.

The GNA has a news exchange agreement with news agencies like Reuters, Deutsche Press Agenthur, Pan-African News Agency, Middle East News Agency, Berhama of Malaysia and News Agency of Nigeria, among others.

Mr Mahama said the GNA, by its Instrument of Incorporation, is basically information services provider.

However, with its increasing clientele through emerging FM radio stations throughout the country, "Government placed the Agency under the National Institutional Renewal Programme (NIRP) to restructure it to cope with current demands."

He said GNA, whose computers broke down in 1997, is currently consulting with a Canadian firm, Wayne Dun and Associates to ensure a proper commercialisation strategy and implementation based on a report submitted by the Agency in November, last year.

GRi…/

Return to top

NPP candidate given 24 hours ultimatum

Manso Atwere (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

The NPP candidate for Amansie West, Mr Stephen Cobbina Obuor-Karikari, has been given 24 hours to show where he did his National Service after graduation in 1981.

The Amansie West District branch of the Veranda Boys and Girls Club (VBGC), which gave the ultimatum, accused Mr Obuor-Karikari of dodging National Service.

Mr Owusu Yeboah, Secretary of the Club, said it has a copy of Mr Obuor-Karikari's Curriculum Vitae, which did not indicate where he did his National Service after leaving the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in 1981, before taking up an appointment in Nigeria in 1982.

He warned that failure to confirm or deny that he dodged National Service would compel the club to take legal action against him.

Mr Obuor-Karikari, who is a Lecturer at the UCC, could not be reached for his reaction.

GRi…/

Return to top

TV3 extends transmission to Ashanti

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

TV3, a private television station in Accra, has installed a five-kilowatt transmitter in Kumasi to extend transmission to Ashanti Region. Transmission, which began this month, covers a 60-kilometre radius.

Mr Shamsul Khalid Ismail, Managing Director of TV3, during a call on Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the station is committed to providing the best news and programmes.

"For the three years that we have been in operation, we have chalked a lot of success", he said, citing several awards won both locally and internationally by the station.

Mr Ismail said, "the success story of TV3 should be a source of pride to the Ghanaian media".

The station currently transmits between 30 and 40 locally produced programmes, which would be increased to 70 by next year, he said.

Mr Nuamah-Donkor commended the TV3 crew in Kumasi for their good coverage of the region.

GRi…/

Return to top

Election materials for Ashanti Region arrive in Kumasi

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

Ballot papers and other voting materials for the December 7 elections have arrived in Kumasi, Mr Isaac K. Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday.

They would be dispatched to the 33 constituencies in the Region by Monday, December 4, for the special voting exercise.

A total of 1.9 million voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 3,482 polling stations.

Mr Boateng said the materials, which arrived at the weekend, were checked by officials of the EC and Agents of the political parties.

He said the EC has not encountered any difficulty in the run-off to the elections in the region and he has toured the constituencies to brief Polling Assistants, Returning Officers and the Polling Agents on the need to ensure free and fair elections.

"Every thing is on course for peaceful elections in the region", Mr Boateng said.

GRi…/

Return to top

Foreigners allegedly acquiring Photo ID cards

Nkrankwanta (Brong Ahafo) 29 November 2000

Nationals of neighbouring countries living along the country's borders have been warned to desist from procuring Ghanaian photo identity cards with the intention of voting in the general election on December 7.

Mr Chou-en-lai Paul Ankomah, National Reform Party (NRP) parliamentary candidate for Dormaa West, who gave the warning, called on the government to take adequate measures to discourage such foreigners from dabbling in Ghana's politics.

"Reports during my campaign tour of some border towns in the constituency speak of foreigners being encouraged by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the area to procure photo ID cards.

"Even though many of them have no thumb printed ID cards, these foreigners manage to procure photo ID cards," Mr Ankomah alleged

He said nobody should blame the people when they prevent such foreigners from voting on election day.

GRi…/

Return to top

EC should show good judgement in election

Bogyawe (Ashanti Region) 29 November 2000

Mr Ignatius Kofi Poku-Adusei, New Patriotic Party (NPP), parliamentary candidate for Bekwai, at the weekend urged chiefs and other opinion leaders to exert their influence on the Electoral Commission (EC) to show good judgement, firmness and transparency in the electoral process.

This, he said is necessary to assist in maintaining and sustaining peace in the run-up to and during voting. " Our chiefs, religious leaders and other members of society, who wield tremendous authority should impress upon the EC to ensure free and fair election."

Mr Poku-Adusei was addressing political rallies at Bogyawe, Abodom and Amoafo, all in his constituency at the weekend, to drum up support for the party.

Mr Poku-Adusei said his party remains uncompromising in its position of not accepting the use of thumb-printed voters' ID cards in the December 7 general polls.

The parliamentary candidate asked NPP agents to be extra vigilant at the polling stations to avert any possible rigging.

Miss Vera Amoateng, constituency women's organiser, advised supporters of the NPP to be disciplined, adding that "you should not allow yourselves to be provoked or play into the hands of those who want to unleash mayhem."

She told the people that the power to unseat the NDC government "is in your thumbs" and asked them to turn out in their numbers to vote for the NPP to restore hope and confidence in the economy.

Mr Amoah Owusu of the constituency campaign team, called on people not to be deceived by "gifts of matches and money from the NDC". He also cautioned them against exchanging their voter cards for money.

GRi…/

Return to top

Fifty women in parliament will change economy - Dr Ocloo

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

The Chairperson of the Ghanaian Women Initiative Foundation (GAWIF), Dr. Esther Ocloo on Tuesday said if 50 out of the 100 women candidates are voted into parliament there will be a real change in the economy.

She said GAWIF has put in place a strong political committee headed by Mrs. Emma Mitchell, a member of GAWIT to help those women who will make it to parliament."

Dr Ocloo was speaking at a ceremony at which GAWIF made cash donation of ten million cedis to the women parliamentary candidates in the December 7 elections in Accra.

The women are going to parliament at a time their contributions "are very much needed to address the problems of women and children."

Dr Ocloo said, the money, though small, is meant to help them buy fuel for at least a day for their campaigning activities, adding that GAWIF has a lot of good things in stock for them as they head to parliament.

She called on all men who are concerned about women's sufferings to vote massively for the aspirants because a fair number of them in Parliament will create the right environment for making the right policies.

Mrs. Emelia Dzand, the convenor of the education committee of GAWIF said the Foundation formed in February last year has chalked a number of successes in advocating for women's welfare.

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr.Kwadwo Afari Gyan received the donation on behalf of the candidates and said that he wished this kind of cordiality among the women would be extended to the men as well.

Eight of the women, who were at the presentation, received their share of 100,000 cedis each. Five of them were from the Peoples National Convention, one each from the Convention Peoples' Party, National Reform Party and the United Ghana Movement.

GRi…/

Return to top

Issuance of photo identity cards on course - Director

Ho (Volta Region) 29 November 2000

Mr. Muhammed Adoquaye, Volta Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Monday said apart from some communities in the Ho and Sogakope districts, the photo identity (ID) card replacement exercise is on course.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Ho, Mr Adoquaye said all qualified voters would be given photo ID cards to enable them to exercise their franchise on December 7.

Mr Adoquaye expressed concern about pressure being exerted by some political parties and cautioned them to refrain from interfering with the work of the EC.

He said the Commission's staff, at Sogakope for instance have issued photo ID cards to many people under the auspices of political parties.

Mr Adoquaye said if "this enthusiasm by the political parties had been exhibited during the replacement exercise, in October, the current high demand for the photo ID cards would have been avoided."

He said in order to ensure transparency in the exercise representatives of political parties have been invited to observe the process.

Ghanaians should take such national exercises serious to avoid tension and anxiety, when they are nearing completion, he said.

Mr. Robert Atama, Ho District Electoral Officer, said photo ID cards were issued in 1995, except Agotive, Wukpo, Sebekope, Avetakpo all in the Ho-West constituency and two centres in Ashanti-Kpoeta.

He said 200 out of the 296 centres in the district were covered with photo identity cards in 1995 while, 75 of the remaining centres were covered in October, this year.

Mr Atama explained that centres, which are still not covered, are remote and inaccessible especially during the raining season.

He said out of 23,623 voters on the 1995 register with thumb print cards, 18,360 (77.7 percent) were issued with photo ID cards while, 2,882 (90.4 percent) out of 3,186 newly registered voters were also issued during the revision exercise.

Mr Atama said EC's investigations in areas complaints have been received indicate that some of the people are either dead or have migrated to other communities.

"Officials from the Commission have been sent to remote areas to provide the photo ID cards to those who do not have them," he added.

Mr Atama said people who report for replacement of lost cards are first required to lodge a complaint with the police who would later issue an "extract" form to the voter before new ones are issued.

Meanwhile, the regional election score board is being erected at Ho, by the Public Works Department (PWD).

GRi…/

Return to top

First Lady canvasses votes for NDC

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

The NDC train is on course it is only the driver that has been changed, the first lady,

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings told a rally organised by the Korle-Klotey Constituency branch of the NDC at Osu Ashanti on Monday.

Nana Konadu who is also President of the 31st December Women's Movement said there has been tremendous improvement in all sectors of the economy since the NDC assumed the reigns of government and with this track record, Ghanaians should vote massively for the NDC to continue with its good work.

She described as very disturbing, opposition claims that the NDC government was spending too much money on road construction and other development projects.

What they (the opposition) tend to forget is that without good roads, Hospitals, good schools, Universities and Polytechnics the nation can not develop and no one would like to invest in the country.

Nana Konadu said town roads and other development programmes in the country will come under focus in the coming years, because these programmes have all been outlined and will begin soon.

"That is why you have to vote for the NDC to enable us complete them. A vote for the opposition will be a reversal of all these noble plans we have for you."

She said loans that the NDC government contracted were spent on development projects nation-wide; the construction of roads, financing education and health and the provision of good drinking water.

Nana Konadu urged 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.

The first lady also took time to educate the electorate on voting procedures and urged them to make sure that their ballot papers have the initials of the returning officer stamped on the back.

GRi…/

Return to top

Kufuor will not participate in presidential debate

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says its flag bearer, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, will not participate in the presidential candidates debate slated for today, Wednesday, November 29, 2000, due to his campaign schedule.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the NPP headquarters in Accra, to notify the public on Mr Kufuor's inability to attend the debate.

It said the party's election campaign manager had sent a letter to the Institute of Public Affairs on Friday, November 24, to this effect.

"Much as we appreciate the importance of debates between candidates in these elections to enable the people get a proper insight into the issues, the campaign schedule means that Mr. Kufuor can not get to Accra until the weekend, at the very earliest," the statement said.

The presidential forum is being organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Civil Society Voter Education Project and sponsored by the European Union.

GRi…/

Return to top

Government to build clinic at Agona Nsaba

Agona Nsaba (Central Region) 29 November 2000

The government has approved the construction of a 555 million-cedi clinic at Agona Nsaba under the Saudi Fund.

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Vice President and presidential candidate of the NDC, disclosed this at a meeting with the chief and people of Agona Nsaba on Tuesday.

He said the necessary arrangements have been completed for the smooth takeoff of the project next year, giving the assurance that the government will continue to provide the basic needs of the people and appealed to the electorate to return it to power.

He said the NDC has laid a strong foundation for the development of the country adding, "whether the nation will move forward or backwards will be determined by the result of the elections in next month."

The Vice President said the government would pursue the establishment of Agro-processing industries to create more jobs for the youth.

Prof. Mills asked supporters of the NDC not to destroy the posters of other parties and to refrain from the use of provocative and abusive language to ensure peaceful election in December.

GRi…/

Return to top

We will leave lorry station by December 4, if... - Odawna drivers

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 November 2000

Drivers at Odawna lorry park which is under renovation on Tuesday threatened to leave the temporary station behind the New Times Corporation by December 4, whether work on the park has been completed or not.

"If the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) fails to release funds for the project, then we will move back to the site, even if the work has not been completed.

"We are not prepared to spend Christmas holidays here," Mr William Oppong Addo, Chairman of Odawna local union of GPRTU, said.

Speaking to the GNA he said the Nii Ankrah family, owners of the land, have sued the union for using their land. Mr Addo, flanked by some union executives said the recent rain has also rendered parts of the park, un-motorable.

"We pay about 100,000 cedis as electricity bills every two week, this is quite unbearable".

Mr Addo said the renovation of the Odawna park which began on October 2, is scheduled to be completed by December 2. However it is still in its first phase and no work is going on.

The executive said they believe the AMA has not released money to the contractor to continue work. "We are therefore appealing to the AMA to release funds as soon as possible to enable the contractor to complete the project." There was no AMA official to comment.

GRi…/

Return to top