Enquiry into murdered judges' case not
feasible – Mills
There's no tension between my wife and 31st
Women - Mills
NDC has mismanaged Ghana's economy - Hagan
Rawlings launches NDC electoral campaign
Cabinet approves plan to assist graduates in agriculture
Annan calls for
speedy resolution of electoral disputes
Mahama says Limann administration set excellent record
Commission condemns
intimidation of the media
Enquiry into murdered judges' case not
feasible – Mills
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 October 2000
Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, on Tuesday said an independent judicial enquiry into the 1982 murder of three high court judges and a retired army major would not be possible since some of the principal characters are dead.
Prof. Mills, gunning for president on the NDC's ticket in the December 7 general election said at his first press conference in Accra that findings under such circumstances would not fully reflect the actual events that took place.
Answering a question from a journalist on whether his government would conduct such an enquiry, he said it would needlessly re-open past political wounds and hinder the nation's progress.
"I want to lead a nation that does not want to look backwards. "People have been hurt, and painful as it is, let us move forward and not allow ourselves to return to the situation that led to it.
"I want to be a reconciler. I want us to move forward, I don't want us to open up old wounds," the NDC presidential candidate said.
Prof. Mills said losing a loved one through natural causes is not pleasant but to lose a loved one under circumstances like what happened in 1982 is traumatic, "my heart bleeds for them."
He, however, reminded the journalist that the then Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) did something about the murders, including the setting up of a commission of enquiry and the execution of the murderers.
The three judges and an ex-military officer were abducted from their homes at gunpoint and their partly burnt bodies later found at the Accra Plains.
Many Ghanaians, including a son of one of the judges, have called for an independent judicial enquiry, saying the one conducted under the PNDC was not far reaching.
On his remark at Ho that he would consult President Jerry John Rawlings "day and night" for advice, Prof. Mills said it would be physically impossible to go and sit at the Rawlings' door.
"Ruling a nation is not easy and does not take one person to do it, so where you don't know do not feel proud to admit it," Mills said.
"It doesn't matter what time of day or night, I would consult him (Rawlings)."
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There's no tension between my wife and 31st
Women - Mills
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 October 2000
The National Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate for the December election, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, said on Tuesday that no tension exists between his wife and the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM) as has been speculated.
He said the DWM is registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation and so long as it remains and operates within the laws, he would have no problem with its existence under his government.
In an encounter with the media, Prof. Mills responded to a journalist's question about simmering tension between his wife, Naadu, and DWM, headed by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings.
The journalist asked Prof. Mills if he will change the name of the Movement to keep it from reminding people of the 31st December era, whether he will maintain the structures as they presently exist, and if he will ask his wife to join the organisation.
"My wife does not have any problem with the leadership of the 31st December Women's Movement or with any other person," Mills said.
He also answered questions on his absence from last month's presidential candidates' forum, the media, corruption, reconciliation and Ghana's future relationship with the international finance institutions.
The session presided over by Mr. A.A. Munufie, co-chairman of the NDC and moderated by Dr Charles Mensah, resident director of the Volta Aluminium Company, had a packed attendance of journalists representing private and state-owned media, ministers of state, and NDC party functionaries.
Prof. Mills, whose absence from the forum was widely criticised, said in as much as he would have attended, his responsibilities as Vice President and as acting President at the time made it impossible for him to do so.
He said considering his workload, he communicated to the sponsors that he would be unable to honour their invitation.
This was done early, he said, and expressed surprise that the organisation did not even mention that it had received any such response from him.
He said he regarded his responsibilities to Ghanaians as Vice President and acting president at the time more important than his presidential ambitions.
"Even though I want to be president, I will never allow my ambition to take precedent over my functions as Vice President or the acting President," he said.
Vice President Mills acknowledged the vital contributions made by the Press over the years and said he intends to appoint a media policy adviser to bridge the gap between his government and the people.
He said the adviser, with the rank of a Minister of State, will replace the present Public Affairs Secretariat at the presidency.
The adviser will work together with a presidential press secretary to co-ordinate activities between his office and the Media, he said.
If elected to power, Vice President Mills said he would formalise regular briefing sessions with both state-owned and the independent press as part of his routine agenda.
Asked about his concerns to cut down the current high number of Ministers of State, Prof. Mills said the issue has been a critical one for the current administration, adding that very little would be achieved if the current constitutional provisions on the appointment of ministers remain unchanged.
The constitution states that majority of ministers should come from Parliament. Vice President Mills said it is not enough to appoint only ministers from Parliament adding that Government needs people outside Parliament too to offer their services.
"In doing this, the numbers will go up, unless we do something about the provision in the constitution," he said.
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NDC has mismanaged Ghana's economy - Hagan
Esiama (Western Region) 10 October 2000
The Presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Professor George Payin Hagan, said on Monday that the hardships Ghanaians are going through are the result of gross mismanagement of the country's economy by the NDC.
He said the high cost of living and abject poverty indicate that the NDC has no ideas to enable it to manage the affairs of the country.
Prof. Hagan was speaking at the launch of the party's Western Regional campaign at a rally organised by the Ellembelle Constituency branch of the party at Esiama. It formed part of his three-day tour of the Southern part of the Western Region.
Prof. Hagan said the CPP would initiate measures to improve the education, health, and agricultural sectors.
He said it would revive some of the abandoned factories established by Ghana's First President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to provide employment for the youth.
Prof. Hagan therefore asked Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to vote massively for the CPP to enable it to "save Ghana now". He urged Ghanaians to be vigilant during the elections to enable them to prevent any possible rigging.
Mr. Freddie Blay, Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, said the country's educational system does not require cost sharing but cost recovery and promised Ghanaians that a CPP government would not burden parents with high school fees.
He said students would be given academic loan, which would be repaid after the completion of their education and when they are employed.
Mr. Kwesi Agble, a leading member of the Volta Region branch of the CPP, said the NDC could not develop the very place it describes as the World Bank after winning their votes in the previous two elections.
He, therefore, advised the people in the Nzema area not to allow themselves to be swayed away by the NDC.
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Rawlings launches NDC electoral campaign
Wa (Upper West Region) 10 October 2000
President Jerry John Rawlings on Sunday formally launched the start of the nation-wide campaign of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the December presidential and parliamentary elections at a mammoth rally at Wa.
The rally, attended by thousands of party supporters and activists throughout the Upper West Region, was addressed by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Vice President Atta Mills, who is also the NDC presidential candidate, and Mr. Martin Amidu, his running mate.
President Rawlings called on all registered voters supporting the party to make sure they change their thumb printed voter identity cards for the photo ones to enable them to exercise their franchise on voting day.
The president also asked party supporters who have lost their voter identity cards to make efforts to obtain replacements before December.
President Rawlings further asked supporters who, for unforeseen circumstances, happen to lose their voter identity cards to get their names checked from the voters register.
While condemning the recent dumping of human waste at the offices of the "Crusading Guide" newspaper in Accra recently, as filthy and uncivilised, he also deplored the kind of things published by the tabloids and private radio stations as "filthier than the faeces splashed at the Crusading Guide offices.
Touching on the alleged throwing of stones at the First Lady and Mr. Martin Amidu recently, the President was of the view that this was the work of elements within the opposition parties meant to give the impression that people of the areas visited were against the NDC.
The President therefore warned opposition elements who indulge in such behaviour to put a stop to it, and asked NDC supporters to come together to prevent such occurrences.
Nana Konadu gave many instances of jobs created under the NDC, particularly in the informal sector, saying that 28,000 distribution jobs had been created by Coca Cola Company.
Nana Konadu asked Ghanaian voters not to make the mistake of voting for any opposition party, as they have nothing to offer them.
Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the NDC, introduced the eight parliamentary candidates in the region to the people.
Professor Mills said unlike the other parties, the NDC has a good track record, pointing out that under the export free zone, more than 5,500 jobs have so far been created, which yield millions in foreign exchange annually.
He asked Ghanaians not to risk entrusting the destiny of the nation into the hands of people building castles in the air, as they have no experience in running a nation.
The NDC has reviewed its programme, Prof. Mills said, adding that priority would be given to agriculture.
He said the government has provided the foundation on which to build a sound economy for the country and appealed to Ghanaians to renew its mandate in the December elections.
Mr. Amidu expressed his gratitude to the chiefs and people for the rousing welcome given him during his visit to the region from October 2-4. This, he said, was proof of the massive support for the party in the region.
Mr. Amidu said his choice as NDC presidential running mate embodies the sovereign mass of the people of the country.
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Cabinet approves plan to assist graduates
in agriculture
Ohawu (Volta Region) 10 October 2000
Cabinet has approved a plan to assist graduates from the country's universities and agricultural institutions with seed money to start agricultural ventures.
Mr. Francis Aidoo, A Director of the Human Resource Development and Management Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), who announced this at the weekend, said government is making efforts to entice the youth to go into agriculture.
He said the difficulty in land acquisition and access to credit facilities are matters of great concern to the government as they affect the work of stakeholders in making agriculture the mainstay of the economy.
Speaking at the fourth Hall Week and 35th Anniversary celebration of the Ohawu Agricultural College, Mr. Aidoo said everything is being made to encourage the youth to take over from the ageing farmers.
The Director said though farmers form just about four per cent of the population in countries such as the USA and Germany, they are able to feed their people, because of the conducive environment coupled with the availability of land, ready market and mechanised production facilities.
"Though 60 per cent of our population is in agriculture, we cannot feed ourselves adequately, because of the many bottlenecks that hamper the growth of the sector."
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Annan calls for
speedy resolution of electoral disputes
Sogakope (Volta Region) 10 October
2000
Mr. Justice Daniel F. Annan,
Speaker of Parliament, on Monday called for a speedy resolution of electoral
disputes to ensure that the true representatives of the people become MPs and
members of the district assemblies.
He was speaking at the opening of
a two-day workshop for superior court judges as part of the continuing judicial
education.
It was organised by the Electoral
Commission (EC) and the Frederich Ebert Foundation (FEF), under the theme,
"Electoral Dispute Adjudication and the New Legal System in the country.
It was to keep lawyers and judges
abreast with changes in the law and to evolve more effective and efficient ways
of addressing electoral disputes. About 80 judges and chairmen of regional
tribunals are attending.
Justice Annan noted that four
years after the 1996 elections several electoral disputes from that period are
still pending in the courts due to delays and unnecessary adjournment.
"There should be a fast-track
approach to the hearing of election disputes given the sensitivity of election
related disputes and the level of rivalry among political parties in the
country.
"I make bold to say that in
the formulation of electoral laws in particular, simplicity, clarity and
objectivity should be the guidelines."
Such an approach, he said, would
reduce disputes and focus on the interpretation of such rules, which normally
delay the process.
Justice Annan suggested that
priority should be given to the processing and hearing of election disputes by
or under the authority of the supervising judge or the Chief Justice so that
such cases would not join the "never ending queue in the courts".
Justice Annan said laws on
electoral issues seek to ensure high standards of fairness, justice, and
morally acceptable levels of conduct that would under-pin the legitimacy of the
right of the citizen to choose their preferred representatives.
"It is therefore absolutely
necessary to make these laws straight forward and simple and as detailed as
possible to make it easy to apply."
He called on the participants to
evolve a new system of speedy adjudication of electoral disputes to restore
confidence in the judicial system.
Dr Kwadwo Afari-Djan, Chairman of
the Electoral Commission, said the quick resolution of electoral disputes is
critical to determining the people's choice among competing candidates.
He noted that Parliament has a
limited time and if the election of an MP is disputed over a long period it
becomes useless when the term of that MP is over.
Dr Afari-Djan urged judges to
adopt a faster way of clearing such issues adding that there are mechanisms to
address disputes speedily in the forthcoming election.
Mr. Justice I. K. Abban, Chief
Justice, said "judges should not relent on time for performing any
function under the new rules dubbed C.I 30, by refusing the grant of
unnecessary adjournment with the view to remove lazy and prevaricating counsel
from the conduct of cases".
Mr. Justice Hayfron-Benjamin,
Director of the Continuing Judicial Education Directorate, noted that delays of
cases might be due to the unfamiliarity with the function of the EC by judges.
He asked them to adopt a close
working relationship with the EC adding "we must deal with electoral
disputes in a free and fair manner without fear nor favour to ensure public
confidence in the judicial system.
The workshop is discussing issues
such as Ghana's electoral system, electoral dispute adjudication and expending
the process, among other topics.
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Mahama says Limann administration set
excellent record
Kpembe (Northern Region) 10 October 2000
The presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama, at the weekend stressed the need for Ghanaians to show appreciation to the Limann administration for its uncorrupted governance during the Third Republic.
He said for the 27 months that the Limann administration was in power, none of its members was found to be corrupt, thus setting an excellent record in Ghana's political history.
Dr. Mahama who was addressing a meeting of the chiefs and people of Kpembe, near Salaga, said Ghanaians should feel proud of such an achievement.
He said there was no way the current government could challenge what the Limann administration did, stressing that the PNC would, with its calibre of leaders, continue from where the Limann administration left off.
Dr. Mahama said for the 20 years that the PNDC/NDC government had been in power, after pushing out the Limann government, it had totally failed the people through its corrupt practices and that it was now time for them to be voted out of office.
Dr. Mahama later told a rally at Salaga that he sympathised with Ghanaians because, for the past 20 years, they had been denied quality health due to the Cash and Carry system, adding, it is a shame that 43 years after independence, schoolchildren, especially those in the north, still lie on their stomachs to write or sit under trees and on stones to learn.
Dr. Mahama said the PNC government, when it assumes power, would give priority attention to education, health and rural development.
The PNC parliamentary candidate for the Salaga constituency, Mr. Kingsley Karimu Musah, was introduced to the enthusiastic crowd amid shouts "Two Direct, Two Sure".
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Commission
condemns intimidation of the media
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 October
2000
The Ghana-based African Commission
for Human Rights and Health Promoters (CAPSDH) on Monday condemned the pouring
of night soil at the offices of a private newspaper, The Crusading Guide, a
week ago.
The Free Press and the Ghanaian
Chronicle were the first victims of this type of senseless intimidation in
1992.
A statement signed by CAPSDH
President, Dr. Edmund N. Delle, said "Ghana at the age of 40 years
certainly cannot go back to those primitive days when it is now aspiring to
become a middle level country".
Dr. Delle, who is also the
Managing Director of Rabito Chains of Clinics, said the Commission was appalled
by these nasty incidents, which infringed human rights and good health.
He said in the Commission's view,
the Media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, has been playing a very vital
role in consolidating the country's young democracy and should not be
intimidated by non-democrats or people who want to punish a perceived enemy.
The Commission therefore urged all
Ghanaians to give unflinching support to the media to enable them to discharge
their constitutional responsibilities.
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