Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-The NDC Minority in Parliament on Tuesday called for a "full-scale independent" inquiry into the 25,000 dollars given to Mr Ben Koufie, GFA Chairman by the Governor of Nigeria's River State after the World Cup qualifier between the Black Stars and Super Eagles.
In a statement issued by Mr Abuga Pele, Minority Spokesman on Youth and Sports, the Minority said the acceptance of the money was "unethical and an act of corruption" and contrary to the government's policy of zero tolerance for corruption.
The minority called for the immediate interdiction of Mr Koufie and the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Joe Aggrey for the incident, "which has become a blot on Ghana's international reputation, to allow for a fair and balanced inquiry."
The statement also called on the Vice President, who at the time had responsibility for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to clarify whether he was briefed about the scandal and what steps he took.
The Evening News said on Monday said the Governor gave the money to Mr Koufie at a reception after the match, which the Black Stars lost 3-0. The result gave Nigeria the ticket to Japan/Korea 2002 and snuffed out Liberia's hopes.
The statement said Ghana was shocked at the poor performance of the Black Stars in the match and there were allegations that the Black Stars had been bribed to pay below form.
"The present revelation of the 25,000-dollar scandal will appear to confirm these allegations and gives much cause for worry," the Minority said, and expressed concern about the possibility of Ghana coming under sanctions from the Confederation of Africa Football and the world football governing body, FIFA, over the incident.
"(The Minority) is concerned about a worrying trend where bribes offered and accepted by public officials are described as gifts. We call on the government to muster courage to fully implement its zero tolerance for corruption."
The statement said earlier calls for probes and inquiry into the Sahara oil deal and Castle renovation have been ignored by the government and the minority would take all legitimate and lawful means to ensure that the matter was fully investigated.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-Dr Charles Y. Brempong-Yeboah, NPP - Atiwa on Tuesday expressed concern about the lack of respect for time in the country and called for instilling of some discipline into "our accepted norms of time management".
He said it was unfortunate that it was gradually becoming accepted that there was something called "Ghana Mean Time (GMT) and that people attend meetings and functions late always with the excuse that one thing or the other had happened thus their inability to get to the venue on time.
Dr Brempong-Yeboah said it was about time "we as a nation began to learn to understand that saying "I am sorry" does not solve the problem. Let us constantly ask ourselves and the other party if by simply saying I am sorry, cleans the mess we have created".
He said official functions as well as Parliamentary Sittings that were supposed to start at 10:00 hours sometimes start at 11:30 hours for various reasons and do not seem to start at the right time.
Dr Brempong-Yeboah said it was about time " we recognised that we are in leadership positions and our people are looking up to us. In this era of Positive Change, I think it is about time we resolved to change our individual attitudes to report promptly to functions and meetings".
He said there was the need for all organisations in their own ways to find and implement modalities to discourage lateness and encourage punctuality. Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC - Hohoe South, said not keeping to time and punctuality was a chronic disease in Ghana.
He said as a people, "we are notorious for not keeping to time and those making the statement in the House are the most guilty since most often sittings start as late as 12 noon instead 10 am".
Mr Kedem said the question was what should be done about the inability to keep to time and wondered whether the Statement would make any impact on the society to change its ways.
He said other issues of national concern were the ability to describe and identify objects and locations, practising of simple courtesies and observing simple traditional norms and virtues.
Mr Alex Kwaku Korankye, NPP - Asante-Akim South, said the practice was deeply engraved in the people and it would take a lot of convincing to change peoples' perceptions about time.
Mr Berrick Namburr, NDC - Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, said there were certain conditions that create the situation of people not observing time.
He said it was necessary that facilities were made available to all categories of workers so that they could be punctual to offer their services.
Mr Akomea Kwasi Kyeremanteng, NPP - Afigya-Sekyere East, said development in Africa has delayed because the people have not taken time management seriously.
Dr Kwame Addo - Kufuor, NPP - Manhyia, however, disagreed that lateness was an African disease since Africans working in some organisations owned by Europeans do so under strict time limits.
He said that to address the problem, he would suggest that people who report to work late should be locked out or sanctioned.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said it needed the political will to sanction especially leaders, who were perpetual later comers and called on the Speaker of Parliament to set an example by sanctioning all Members of the House who report late for sittings.
Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, NDC - Gomoa West, said the issue of lateness should not be put on women since they were normally engaged in household chores and if the situation were to improve then the men should be prepared to help.
Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, NPP - Gukpegu/Sabongida, said respect for time was of essence to development especially during this period of "Golden Age of Business".
He said well managed human resources would ensure that there was adequate time management in the socio-economic development of the country.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Tuesday began considering four ministers-designate for appointment as Ministers following the government's recent Cabinet reshuffle being the first in President Kufuor's ten month-old administration.
They were: Mr Yaw Barimah, a former Deputy Minister of the Interior, who was being quizzed for elevation to a full ministerial position of Works and Housing while Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, former Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs was vetted to get the nod to become the Minister of Youth and Sports.
The rest two were Mr Prince Imoro Andani nominated as the Northern Regional Minister and Professor Kasim Kasanga nominated as Minister for Lands and Forestry.
Mr Barimah, 52, a lawyer told the Committee chaired by Mr Eddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, that if he became a Minister he would hold consultants and contractors to their responsibilities to ensure that the tax-payers' money did not go down the drain.
"It is time consultants and contractors woke up to the realities of the times to do their work well so that we have value for our money".
Mr Barimah said unauthorised structures would be demolished if that action was in the interest of the nation although the displeasure of the victim could not be ruled out.
He said he would see to the completion of abandoned housing projects to ensure that money sank into them were not lost. Mr Barimah said he would study the thorny issue of private sector participation in urban water distribution to ensure that the interest of the majority prevailed.
"There is no need adopting an antagonistic stance on the issue which might not serve the interest of anyone." He said with lessons from the destruction of Keta by the sea, he would be guided by the saying that a stitch in time saves nine.
"We should adopt early solution to problems and I will ensure that the coastal degradation was arrested early enough before it caused any havoc. I will not wait till the situation gets out of hand before taking action." He said he would enforce the existing policy direction instead of formulating a new one.
He said he would support the water and sanitation programme to ensure that potable water was extended to the rural areas to ensure eradication of water-borne diseases such as guinea worm.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001 - Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister-designate for the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Tuesday told the Parliamentary Appointments Committee that he would not encourage female boxing as sports in the country.
"I hate to see women fight either outside or inside the ring. I enjoy boxing of men in the ring but not outside the ring. I will not see women who are vulnerable box in the ring".
Mr Osei-Kwaku, 59, a lawyer who was being vetted for appointment as minister said by that he was not being chauvinistic. "I admit women are doing more than what men were capable of doing. Even in this Parliament there are women performing very well. But I do not, as a minister, see how I can promote boxing of women".
Mr Osei-Kwaku who served as a Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs less than four months in the current government said he would give equal attention to youth and sports and that every district would have to establish a youth training centre.
He said the youth needed to be trained and have employable skills that would make them productive instead of selling dog-chains.
Mr Osei-Kwaku who said he was a member of the Board of Directors of Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the time President J.A. Kufuor was the board Chairman would not show bias towards any other football club.
"The moment you are appointed to such a sensitive position you must cut all your links with whichever club you were affiliated to. If you want to succeed you have to be fair and adopt reasonable and equitable approach to all issues".
The Minister-designate said if he became the minister he would, within six months, rehabilitate the Kaladan Sport Stadium at Tamale. He said the country's resources now could not allow it to engage a foreign coach for the national teams.
He said he would give equal attention to all sports and remove the perception that people had about football as if it was the only interesting game. "All sports are interesting. I will ensure that table tennis, athletics, volleyball and lesser known games are equally developed to make them as equally interesting as football".
He said he would be sincere, honest and discipline to raise the dented image of the ministry.
Mr Osei-Kwaku said he could not make any concrete pronouncement on the alleged 25,000 dollars given by a Nigerian governor to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after the Black Stars/ Green Eagles world qualifier. He said he had not got sufficient information on the issue.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001 - Members of Parliament on Tuesday stressed the need for intensification of efforts towards livestock production to increase nutritional requirements and for a collective non-partisan commitment to the Livestock Development Programme.
"Certainly we need to improve and expand the breeds of livestock in the country, strengthen disease control and surveillance, reduce mortality rate of all types of livestock as a major requirement on our agenda for food production".
Prince Oduro- Mensah, (NPP) - Techiman South, who issued a statement in Parliament "on the crucial role of the livestock development programme in Ghana" was supported by members from both the majority and minority sides of the House.
He said one component of agriculture that is very crucial to Ghana's quest for agro-based development is livestock production, however as at now the country imports large quantities of meat, fish and other dairy products from abroad and her close neighbours.
Mr Oduro-Mensah said it was clear that the nation's production in livestock was far below the expected levels.
He said it was time heart warming and timely that the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a 25.23 million dollar loan for the financing of livestock development programmes in 25 districts.
The loan is to assist small holding livestock and diary farming to help nutrition and employment in the Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions which have comparative advantage in livestock production.
Mr Oduro -Mensah said the removal of bottlenecks that had kept livestock below eight per cent and meat production below 25 per cent would facilitate increased production and poverty reduction.
He urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strive to boost interest in livestock production not only in the savannah areas but also in the food growing South.
"Investment in livestock development would not only reduce rural poverty and rural - urban drift, but also give meaning to the potential of land as the most significant productive assets of the rural sector", he added.
Mr Modestus Ahiable NDC - Ketu North said numerous problems such as high cost drugs, lack of dug- outs, expensive storage of meat products calls for the revamping of the Bolgatanga Meat factory to can meat products.
Mr John Kwekucher, NDC - Aowin-Suaman said there was the need to make conscious efforts at raising animals instead of the over-dependence on bush meat.
He said the Guinea savannah belt was an ideal place for livestock production and called for partnership with neighbouring countries to improve productivity and also to import meat products.
Other contributors included David Yaw Mensah, NDC - Atebubu North, Dr Edward Bonne Baffoe, NPP - Asokwa East, Mr Edward Salia, NDC - Jirapa, Dr William Boakye Akoto, NPP-Birim North and Dr Alfred Sugri Tia, NDC - Nalerigu.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001 - Prof. Kasim Kasanga, Minister of Lands and Forestry-designate, on Tuesday said the government owed 100 billion cedis as compensation for parcels of land it took over the years.
The sooner a decision was taken on the issue, the better it would be for national development and harmony, Prof. Kasanga, who is a Land Economist, was answering questions at a public hearing of the Appointment Committee of Parliament, which is vetting him for the post.
"The options are many, we could return unused land to owners, we could give out shares in some projects which stand on such lands and others", he said.
He said the lack of a potent land policy had brought about near anarchy in land sale and use. "We need to sit down as a people and look at the various options available to us and decide on a viable one to stem the confusion, lack of confidence and trust in the land delivery system.
"The immediate step I intend to take when I am approved is to harmonise the various laws and regulations on land sale and use with the realities, thoughts, wishes and aspirations of Ghanaians."
Prof. Kasanga said the old land policy introduced by the former government would serve as the foundation for a more vibrant policy. He defended the government's afforestation programme, saying such initiatives would yield fruits in future.
He said he opted for a new life in politics rather than continue teaching, because, "As a citizen of Ghana I could not have turned down the President's offer. I also believe that it is better for someone who knows the terrain well to travel the road.
"When I was given the offer, my friends said, 'you have been criticising government policies over the years, go take the offer. It is now our turn to criticise you."
He said nationalisation of lands had never worked in the country because it was against the principle of the customs and traditions of the people and the spirit of the constitution.
Prof. Kasanga hails from Issa in the Upper West Region and is married with three children. He gained full professorial status in Land Economy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology last year.
The Committee also vetted Mr Prince Imoro Andani, Northern Regional Minister designate. Mr Andani told the committee that he would encourage dialogue among the ethnic groups in the region to erase the mistrust that led to clashes. He called for more resources for the region to turn around its fortunes.
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Bolgatanga (Upper East) 07 November 2001-Mr. Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister, on Monday urged countries in the West Africa Sub-region to work together in the search for solutions to problems posed by rapid population growth.
This, he said, was essential because uncontrolled population growth militated against socio-economic development.
Mr. Salifu made the call when a 14-member visiting a delegation of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and Path Finding International paid a courtesy call on him at Bolgatanga.
The team, which included 10 Nigerian senators and two members of the Ghanaian parliamentary caucus on population and development, was in the region on a day's familiarisation tour to the Navrongo Health Research Centre.
The Regional Minister cited poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and rural-urban migration as some of the problems facing countries of the sub-region, stating that they had a correlation with uncontrolled population growth.
Mr. Salifu said since its assumption of office last January, the government of Ghana had intensified efforts towards sub-regional co-operation and integration. He said: "Integration calls for collaboration on all fronts, including matters on population and development"
The regional minister noted that in spite of the artificial boundaries that separated them, Ghana and Nigeria had a lot in common historically, culturally and socially.
He expressed the hope that the outcome of the collaboration between the Nigerian senators and the Ghanaian parliamentarians would be of benefit to the people of the two countries.
Senator Haruna Zego Aziz of Kaduma South, who spoke on behalf of the Nigerian group, acknowledged the threat posed by a soaring population to peace and development in the face of limited national resources. "Having identified this problem, it is our duty as parliamentarians to help our governments find a lasting solution'' he added.
The senator said the reception accorded the group on its arrival in the region was enough testimony of the bond of friendship existing between Ghana and Nigeria and thanked the Regional Co-ordinating Council for the hospitality. The team had visited the Navrongo Health Research Centre to acquaint themselves with its activities.
Dr. Cornelius Debpuur, Acting Director of the Centre told the visitors that it was one of three established in the country by the Ministry of Health to study health problems facing the people of Northern Ghana and to come out with findings that could influence policies for the district, regional and national levels.
Dr Debpuur mentioned malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia, communicable diseases and reproductive health as major areas that the centre would work on.
Two other members of staff of the centre, Miss Rofina Asuru and Mr. Denis Chirawurah, briefed the visitors on the community health and family planning project and the Navrongo Demographic Surveillance System respectively.
Alhaji Abdullah Salifu, MP for Tolon and chairman of the parliamentary caucus, who led the team from Accra expressed their appreciation to the authorities of the Navrongo Research Centre for giving the group an insight into their operations.
He said the visitors were impressed by the work at the centre, and suggested that projects being undertaken there should be replicated in other parts of Ghana. The team has since returned to Accra.
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