Draft Protected Public Interest Disclosure bill released
Annual New Year School slated for December 28
Bartels threatens to sue Free Press for 100m cedis
President Kufuor swears-in four new Ministers
President Kufuor accepts invitation to visit France
NDC can win the 2004 elections
Justice Wiredu 22nd Chief
Justice of Ghana
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday swore Mr Justice Edward Kwame Wiredu into office as the 22nd Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana at the Castle, Osu.
The 67-year-old jurist would hold the position for the next three years when he attains the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. He swore the judicial oath, the oath of allegiance and was presented with the instrument of appointment by President Kufuor.
President Kufuor said it is the responsibility of the new Chief Justice to cleanse the image of the judiciary, which had come under suspicion and criticism on allegations of corruption.
"You should ensure the judiciary and its administration are managed without cause for suspicion by the people," the President told the new CJ.
President Kufuor asked him to ensure that the judiciary dispense justice without fear or favour and do justice to all manner of people.
He reminded the judiciary of its special attributes to understand the nature of politics in order that with their interpretation of the law, the people would understand and accept their verdicts in a practical and functional manner that would not endanger the security of the country.
Mr Justice Wiredu pledged to make the judiciary a vibrant one with efficiency, effectiveness, probity and transparency in its administration and make it truly independent.
"I would not let the country down but ensure a vibrant judiciary of which everyone would be proud and with this foundation Ghanaians would be proud of me as one of the best Chief Justices," he added.
Earlier in the day, Members of Parliament unanimously endorsed his nomination as Chief Justice of Ghana.
After his two and half hours screening by the Appointments Committee of the House on Wednesday, he was described as "principled and well-seasoned for the job".
Mr Freddy Wosemewu Blay, Chairman of the Committee, told the house that his colleagues found in Mr Wiredu an excellent material and "has the requisite qualification and capability to effectively discharge his duties as Chief Justice."
In a report, he said: "Mr Justice Wiredu convinced the committee that he is his own man, with strong religious convictions, resilient, ready and prepared to do justice to all, even if it meant the sky falling on him."
He said Mr Justice Wiredu, having been a justice of the superior court for 33 years was sober, knowledgeable and experienced enough to hold the office of the Chief Justice of Ghana.
Alhaji Mohamed Mumuni, NDC-Kumbumgu, lauded Mr Justice Wiredu for sticking to his beliefs and defending them. "We do not easily come across such men of courage and conviction in a country where many seem to follow whatever government does or approves of. He has been consistent and principled."
Mr Cletus Avoka, NDC-Bawku West, said the massive support for the nominee was a test case for the house and accused members of the majority, including Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, Attorney-General of playing double standards.
The member said when they were in the majority they fought against the elevation of certain Judges of the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court merely on grounds of their legal philosophies especially, their endorsement of the criminal Libel Law. Mr Justice Wiredu shares that belief.
Nana Akufo-Addo said he made that statement at a time when the criminal libel law was operational, adding that the nominee's views on the law was not very relevant now that the law has been repealed.
"I know that Mr Justice Wiredu will be at the measure of his task," he added. Mr Justice Wiredu has to be sworn in by the President before he assumes office.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - The Executive has released a draft Protected Public Interest Disclosure Bill as part of efforts to stamp out corruption and other unlawful conduct in the society.
The bill provides for the manner in which individuals may disclose information relating to unlawful, corrupt and other illegal practices in both private and public sectors without victimisation.
A memorandum accompanying the bill said this was based on recognition that information leading to the detection of such irregular practices has become a matter of great importance in combating unlawful conduct.
"Such disclosure must necessarily come from persons who know the inside workings of the department, institution or organisation involved; and these are invariably the employees."
For instance, an employee may be dismissed for a number of reasons. One reason may be that the employee has become aware of some illegal or irregular conduct of the employer and is considered a danger or at least a nuisance who must be got rid of.
By the provisions of the proposed bill, an employee can disclose specific wrongdoings of the employer and any victimisation that is suffered as a result would be actionable.
The bill is divided into three parts - the category of information required under the bill, procedures for disclosure, and protection of persons who make the disclosure against victimisation.
As part of public education on the proposed legislation, the Institute of Economic Affairs in collaboration with the Serious Fraud Office would hold a forum on Wednesday, November 14 to collate views on the draft bill.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - The annual New Year School of the Institute of Adult Education, Legon opens on Friday, December 28 to discuss the theme: "Good governance and sustainable national development."
The school will bring together people from all walks of life, including parliamentarians, trade unionists, politicians, members of government, chiefs and civil society organisations.
Topics to be discussed during the weeklong school include Good governance and sustainable development: The Imperatives; Zero tolerance for corruption: Myth or Reality, An appraisal of the decentralization programme and Majority and Minority relations in Parliament: Prescriptions for good governance.
Speaking to the media at Legon on Friday, Mrs Kate Addo-Adeku, Director of the School, said there would never be development without having in place good governance.
She said contributions by callers to FM Radio Stations pointed to the fact that there was now a general awakening amongst Ghanaians about their political, social and other rights.
Such contributions, she said, should be harnessed for national growth and it was with this in view that the School was being organized to afford people the opportunity to provide ideas for the country's political and economic advancement.
Mrs Addo-Adeku, also a Senior Lecturer at the Institute, appealed for sponsors for the school's programmes because the Institute lacked the resources to bear the full cost of running them single-handedly.
She said the School's proposals on the theme would be documented for the government and other stakeholders.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development, on Friday threatened to sue the Free Press newspaper for 100 million cedis damages for defaming him.
The alleged defamatory statement was published in the November 9 edition of the paper headlined: "Where is the 2.3 billion cedis refund from Pentax? Kwamena Bartels' unnatural silence."
The GNA reports sources close to the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Works and Housing as saying that the Minister considered the story as injurious to his image. He was consulting with his lawyers to file the suit.
The sources said the Minister considered the publication as "lowering him in the estimation of the right thinking members of society" and wished to redeem his image through the intended court action.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday asked Ministers of State to be sensitive and responsive servants of the people.
He said they should be modest in their duties both in the office and in public and eschew ostentatious living to win the confidence of the people.
President Kufuor gave the advice when he swore-in four new Ministers approved by Parliament earlier in the day, at the Castle, Osu. The Ministers swore the official oath, the oath of secrecy and allegiance and received their instruments of appointment.
The new ministers were Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku for Youth and Sports, Mr Yaw Barimah for Works and Housing, Professor Kasim Kasanga, Lands and Forestry and Prince Imoro Andani, Northern Region.
President Kufuor said the Ministers are joining a very active and committed team of Ministers and government. They should therefore not forget the difficulties the country is passing through and be modest in their lifestyles.
He asked them not to be daunted by the suspicion and criticisms of bribery and corruption perceived by the people, but rather focus on the goals set by the government to achieve results.
"If you are not able to discipline yourselves but show tendencies that are likely to mar the joint efforts of the team, government would not protect you and you would have yourself to blame," he added.
Mr Osei-Kwaku on behalf of his colleagues pledged their support to assist the government to achieve its set goals, adding that with faith and commitment they would truly manage the affairs of the various ministries.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 November 2001 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday accepted an invitation to undertake a state visit to France this month.
He said the government appreciates the important role France has played in Ghana "being an island in the Francophone countries in the West Africa Sub-region.
Mr Jean-Michel Berrit, Ambassador of France made the invitation when he paid a courtesy call on President Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.
President Kufuor said the visit would further enhance the government's policy of good neighbourliness it embarked upon since assumption of office.
Although Ghana shares borders with Francophone countries the artificial boundaries created by the colonialists have not separated citizens of these countries, but has brought them together to develop their common interests, he observed.
Mr Berrit said the visit by President Kufuor would strengthen French support for Ghana and in enhance relations with her Francophone neighbours.
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Agona Swedru (Central region) 10 November 2001 - John Kojo Tsiboe, Central Regional Vice Chairman of the NDC has assured supporters that the party has a bright chance to regain power in the 2004 election.
He said the re-organisation of the party is on course and indications are that the party is regaining some lost ground. Mr Tsiboe who is also Chairman of the Agona West constituency of the party said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, at Agona Swedru.
On the on going trial of some ex-ministers and appointees of the NDC, he said the NPP government has no evidence to convict them and described the charges as false.
"We do not know how they are doing their investigation, if they have the real facts it should not take them more than six months to jail some of the ex-ministers", Mr Tsiboe said.
The Regional vice-Chairman said the move by ruling party was a calculated attempt to frustrate and sabotage the re-organisation programme of the NDC. This, he noted was intentional to discourage the supporters of the party, especially, the youth.
On the break away of Democratic Peoples' Party (DPP) from the alliance, Mr Tsiboe said it would not affect the organisational work of the party at the ward, constituency, regional and national levels.
The Vice chairman said the Agona West constituency branch of the party would elect new executives in the next two weeks and urged members to work harder than before to enable them win more supporters for the party.
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