Dan Lartey withdraws from Nkrumaist Unity Talks
Disaster fund to be re-focused
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2001 - Justice Edward Kwame Wiredu, Acting Chief Justice, on Friday said his recent comments on the Criminal Libel Law were to remind the government and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to institute mechanisms to cater for the defamed poor who cannot afford legal costs.
Speaking at an Enrolment Ceremony in Accra for 97 lawyers, Mr Justice Wiredu said with the repeal of the Law, it is important to give the National Media Commission the power to offer satisfactory redress to victims of defamation who cannot pursue civil action and sanction offenders when it becomes necessary.
He said: "Recent events have given the impression that I am against the media and further that there are problems between the Attorney-General and myself. "Both impressions are false and inaccurate. My relations with the Attorney-General are excellent and we enjoy very cordial working relations."
Mr Justice Wiredu asked the public, including the new lawyers, to note that judges have taken oaths and have been trained to apply the law "as they find it and not as they would like it to be".
In remarks at the annual meeting of the Ghana Bar Association at Sunyani last Monday Justice Wiredu questioned the justification for the repeal of the criminal libel law, saying it had only given undue liberties to journalists and some members of the public to peddle falsehood.
The remarks have attracted a lot of criticisms in the media, with some labelling him as "anti-media". Mr Justice Wiredu stressed that it was the duty of judges to apply the law even when they held contrary view.
He urged judges and lawyers to be bold to speak their minds and not to look for the popular view always. "Do not be afraid to take unpopular cases and build constructive values there from."
He cited lawyers such as the Mr Adumoa Bossman, Mr Victor Owusu, Mr Joe Reindorf, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey and Mr Akoto Ampaw as models.
Mr Justice Wiredu advised the newly enrolled lawyers to accept cases with merit, pursue good causes and be courageous to reject clients with bad cases. "You should never be blinded by monetary gains to pursue what is a frivolous or mischievous case in court," he said.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2001 - The British High Commissioner, Mr Rod Pullen on Friday said the most important attribute in any anti-corruption fight should be the use of the rule of law.
Every corporation, citizen or government should be subject to the law, he said, adding that it must apply impartially not only to those who are governed but also to those who govern.
"The law that applies to the tro-tro driver should be the same law that applies to the national and international organisation that does business or otherwise operates in Ghana, be they the private or public sector," Mr Pullen said, in an address at a ceremony to present awards to winners of an anti-corruption slogan competition organised by the Ghana Integrity Initiative in Accra.
The three-week competition was designed to involve the public in projecting the problem of corruption and seeking solution through the use of slogans, essays, jingles and posters.
Mr Pullen said the rule of law underpins prosperity and sustains the most acceptable and profitable way of doing business, without which there is no market economy, but a jungle of economy.
Corruption, he said, is a global problem, which undermines standards in public life, the institution of government and the cohesion of society and good management of the economy.
Evidence shows that in countries where the rate of corruption was high, investment rates were as low as 12 per cent and where corruption is low investment rates are high.
Mr Pullen said corruption has often helped the rich and powerful but "only at the expense of much of the rest of the community, but particularly the poor."
He said the promotion of good governance is a key element of the United Kingdom's development co-operation in Ghana. "We have made a commitment to see action against corruption as a necessary basis for government-to-government programmes."
Mr Pullen said there was growing international commitment to take action on corruption wherever it occurs adding: "We can no longer sit back and turn a blind eye to the abuses caused by corruption especially to poor people."
Mr. Emile Short, Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, who chaired the function, said corruption was a worldwide problem that exacts a heavy toll on countries that had weak systems.
He therefore stressed the need to build strong integrity systems to limit opportunities for corruption and to prevent or combat it.
He said measures to deal with the canker should include prevention, punishment and public education. There were 770 entries from all the regions of Ghana and 12 persons received prizes.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 October 2001 - Mr K. B. Asante, a retired Diplomat, on Friday said that national reconciliation could only be meaningful if it were approached with a spirit of sincerity.
He said: "This demands confession of sins but not atonement, which has been done once and for all by Christ."
Mr Asante made the observation at the launching of the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of the Achimota School by the Ashanti Region branch of the Old Achimotan Association (OAA) in Kumasi.
The event would be on the theme: "Achimota: Past, Present and Future-Equipping students for the 21st century. "He called on all odd students of Achimota School to play a meaningful role when the national reconciliation process begins.
Mr Asante said they should persuade persons, who have offended Ghanaians to appreciate their mistakes and accept the basis of reconciliation.
He said though former students of Achimota have played significant roles in nation building, the activities of some have negatively affected national development.
Mr Asante advised the school authorities to avoid bureaucracy in the discharge of their work to facilitate teaching and learning at Achimota.
Mr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, former Minister of Education in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, suggested that the current and future governments should consider revisiting the idea of giving limited autonomy to a selected list of well-endowed schools in the country.
He explained that the policy, if adopted, would enable the government to extend its limited support to less endowed schools.
Mr Spio-Garbrah said the request was made during his tenure of office as Minister of Education to the Ghana Education Service (GES) but "it was not at all treated with the rigorous analysis that it required".
Wing Commander Patrick Sogbodjor (rtd), National President of the OAA, urged all Achimotans to strive to contribute meaningfully towards the development and progress of the school at all times.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Akosombo (Eastern Region) 06 October 2001 - Ghana consumes 1,100 megawatts of electricity daily compared to 550 megawatts by La Cote d'Ivoire, Mr Ken Coffie Plant Manager of the Volta River Authority at Akosombo told this year's winners of the Best Teachers Award on Thursday.
Mr Coffie, who was speaking to the award winners that were on excursion to the Akosombo Dam, said Cote d'Ivoire produces 1,000 mega watts of power a day but its consumption was equivalent to the power consumption of Greater Accra Region and the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) only.
He said Ghana has to buy electricity from Cote d'Ivoire to ensure availability of power to boost investors' confidence in the country.
The consumption of electricity in the country had increased tremendously due to increased investment in the country. Togo and Benin together consume 150 mega watts while Burkina Faso consumes about 30 mega watts.
Mr Coffie explained that though the cost of production of electricity by the thermal plant was expensive due to the cost of fuel, it was relatively cheaper during drought when hydroelectric power from the two dams in the country reduces.
He said the country would have to face power cuts if there were no alternative power source such as the thermal plant.
He said at the moment the Akosombo Plant was wholly managed by Ghanaians and thanked teachers for helping in the training of such high calibre human resource.
Thirty teachers, who won various categories of awards under the scheme, would be presented with their prizes at this year's National Best Teacher Awards Day at the Koforidua Jackson's Park on Friday.
The winner of the National Best Teacher Award receives a house while the runner-up receives a saloon car.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Sekyedumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 October 2001- Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), has repeated the government's determination to achieve substantial reduction in food importation by the end of its first term of office.
In line with this, the ministry would identify heavy agricultural production areas and give them every necessary support, he said.
Maj. Quashigah was speaking during an inspection of the Quality Protein Maize Nutrition Trial at Sekyedumasi in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi district.
It is a joint initiative by the MOFA, Sasakawa Global 2000 and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to promote feeding of infants in some selected communities in the district on the high protein 'obaatanpa' maize variety, developed by Crop Research Institute with a view to assessing its impact on the growth of children.
In all, 820 children at Sekyedumasi, Bonyon, Zabo-line, Kantankani-Dagomba, Bayerenkwanta, Ebuom, Adiembra and Memenaso are benefitting from the initiative, which also incorporates health education and family planning counselling.
Major Quashigah said through equipment supply, financial support and the introduction of simple techniques of water harvesting, rice production in the northern parts of the country is set to go up from last year's 40,000 metric tonnes to 70,000 metric tonnes this year.
He said increasing agricultural commodities exports while reducing rice, yellow maize, tomatoes, frozen fish and meat imports would help the country to save a lot of foreign exchange to stimulate real economic development.
The Minister was happy with the amazing growth rate of children fed on the 'obaatanpa' and encouraged farmers to cultivate the variety.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2001 - The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Thursday said it has withdrawn from the Nkrumaist Unity Talks for lack of commitment from the other parties.
In an interview, Mr Dan Lartey, GCPP Leader, said the three parties have demonstrated bad faith and adopted entrenched positions without due consideration of other interests and modern politics in the country.
"The Convention People's Party (CPP), People's National Convention (PNC) and the National Reform Party (NRP), partners in the talks, have undermined the basic foundation upon which to build common structures for unity," he said.
Mr Lartey said, "GCPP cannot be involved in talks with double faced partners, who pretend and show openly to be interested in uniting the Nkrumaist tradition for elections 2004, but clandestinely adopting strategies to propagate their personal agendas."
The four parties, which contested the 2000 general election and identify with the Nkrumaist tradition, adopted a common front to unite for future elections.
However, the talks have been characterised with accusations and counter accusations by members and low profile representation of some parties.
Mr Lartey claimed that the PNC and NRP officials attended the talks without the mandate of its members and questioned the seriousness and commitment of such parties towards unity.
He said the CPP Chairman have also never attended any of the Steering Committee meetings on the talks, even though, it was organised at the CPP headquarters but has been going round trying to reorganise its structures in the regions.
The GCPP leader noted that PNC and CPP in particular, have demonstrated that they were interested in developing and organising their regional, district and ward structures than the unity of the larger Nkrumaist tradition.
"The only option left for GCPP is to withdraw and re-focus to adopt strategies and programmes that would involve all leftist political parties to unite and wrest power from the rightist."
Mr Lartey stressed that "as the most senior member of the Nkrumaist tradition and leader of the great GCPP, I will draw all under the banner of domestication for leftist's electoral victory in 2004".
He said the concern of Nkrumaists must now be focused on the broader leftist unity and not traditions and dogmatic policies that people have lost confidence in, judging from the 2000 elections result.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
President Kufuor consoles family of Saki
Scheck
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2001 - President John Agyekum Kufuor was among mourners who paid their last respect to the late Mr Saki Scheck, a member of the New
Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders, at his residence at East Cantonments in Accra on Friday.
Accompanied by Mr Haruna Esseku, NPP Chairman, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of Media Relations and Nana Gabby Nsiah Nketsiah, a Presidential Aide, President Kufuor consoled the widow and the family.
Mr Scheck, 76, who died on September 8, left behind a widow, Laura, five children and nine grandchildren.
The NPP said in a tribute that although the Mr Scheck was not well during the latter days of the 2000 elections, he worked hard and made effective contributions to the party's victory.
"His departure to eternal life is a great loss to us and he will forever be remembered by the NPP", it added. Born on October 25,1925 Mr Scheck attended Mfantsipim School, Oxford University and was called to the Bar in England.
He served at the National Headquarters of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1948 as Private Secretary to Dr Kwame Nkrumah, General Secretary of the party who later formed the Convention People's Party and became the first President of Ghana.
Mr Scheck broke away from the CPP and joined others to form the Ghana Congress Party and became its General Secretary. He was a founding member of the NPP and was appointed a member of the Council of Elders.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Takoradi (Western Region) 06 October 2001 - The intended privatisation of the stevedoring section of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) will not involve the retrenchment of permanent workers, Felix Owusu Agyepong, Minister of Transport and Communications said on Friday.
Addressing management and staff of Takoradi Port to round of his two days visit to the Shama-Ahanta metropolis, he said privatisation would be "consciously done in other not to sacrifice the employment of the workers".
He explained, however, that casual workers in the stevedoring section may lose their jobs but before this was done every step would be taken to ensure that they were adequately compensated.
The Takoradi harbour would be rehabilitated to enable it to receive bigger ships and also play its proper role in the economy of the country.
Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs and MP for Takoradi assured the people that she would work relentlessly to ensure that the railway and the Takoradi Port are restored to their past glory to offer employment for the youth in the area.
She called for hard work and the support of the workers in ensuring the success of the railway and the port operations.
At a public forum Mr. Owusu Agyepong appealed to the chiefs of Sekondi/Takoradi to offer land to investors towards the rehabilitation of the railway and the port.
The people called for the expansion of the harbour and the railway system to promote business activities in the twin city.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 06 October 2001 - Mr. Ernest Akubuor Debrah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister said the government cannot employ all unemployed persons immediately because it was in the process of reconstructing the national economy.
Speaking to 60 Ghanaians repatriated from Niger while on their way to Libya, the Minister mentioned that the government was initiating measures and establishing structures to revamp the economy.
He said tree planting and afforestation, cassava and industrial starch projects were some of the pragmatic programmes that government has initiated to create job avenues for the people.
"Though the government is making such efforts, please do not be deceived to believe that there would be instant employment, since job creation is a gradual process," Mr. Debrah cautioned Ghanaians.
He advised those repatriated to take on-going registration exercise of all unemployed in the district capitals seriously and said they should endeavour to contribute to national reconstruction.
Mr. Debrah called on Ghanaians to unite and work hard in order to revamp the economy.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Yamoussoukro (Cote d’Ivoire) 06 October 2001 - Ghana and La Cote d'Ivoire on Friday began bilateral talks at Yamoussoukro to improve relations between the two West African countries.
The talks, which centred on trade, cultural and educational exchange programmes, common border issues and single currency unit form part of President John Agyekum Kufuor's official five-day visit at the invitation of President Laurent Gbagbo.
The Foreign Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, who led the Ghanaian delegation to the talks, said it was a follow-up to discussions begun in May this year, during President Gbagbo's visit to Ghana.
He said it was to ensure that the vision of the two heads of state is given a further boost for the mutual benefit of the two countries. "The goodwill is there and the people are anxious that the two governments make progress to improve upon their living conditions," he said.
Professor Sery Bailly, Minister in Charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who led the Ivoirian delegation, said the talks would further strengthen existing relations between both countries.
He stressed the need to review issues to facilitate the establishment of a single currency unit and to improve trade.
Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Minister for Media Relations and Government Spokesperson, who briefed newsmen after the close-door meeting said it was held in a cordial atmosphere.
Ms Ohene said there was the need to reduce the constant harassment of traders of both countries encountered at the borders to facilitate the free movement of persons and goods.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation said both countries agreed in principles to undertake regular visit to their borders especially the Elubo post.
He said it was also agreed that the border post be open for 24 hours, but noted that there was the need for a re-orientation of the police, immigration and customs officials of both countries.
The talks are expected to continue on Saturday, after which a communiqué would be signed by the two presidents.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 October 2001 - Alhaji Malik Al-hassan Yakubu, Minister of the
Interior on Friday directed that security agencies report to him any act of inhuman treatment that would be meted to any Ghanaian employee by a foreign businessmen.
"Government will soon issue a statement on how to stop foreign business nationals from molesting and ill-treating Ghanaian employees in the country," he said
Alhaji Yakubu who made these remarks when the Lebanese Ambassador, Mr Charbel Aoun called on him cited a recent report in the media that a Ghanaian worker was made to lick the feet of a Korean businessman.
"The Ghana government is very much interested in the protection of the dignity and respect of its citizens and will do everything possible to ensure their safety.
"Nobody is against disciplinary action against a worker, but when it is done to dehumanise, then one cannot sit unconcerned."
The Minister noted that presently the Lebanese community in Ghana has grown in number and there have been inter-marriages with Ghanaians.
Mr Aoun praised Ghana's longstanding political stability and peace saying, "Ghana is a reliable and stable country in Africa that could attract business investors."
He said his embassy is encouraging Lebanese business community to invest in
Ghana.
He called for the re-opening up of Ghana's embassy in Lebanon to better stimulate and strengthen both countries relationship. Mr. Aoun asked the government not to hesitate to call him whenever a problem that could mar the countries relations occurs.
He said Lebanese nationals have lived in Ghana since the early 20th century and some even speak most local languages. "Some Lebanese that were born here have not even migrated to their country before. They consider themselves as Ghanaians. Many have married Ghanaian men and women and this is the reason why we are very much interested in building a solid relationship," the ambassador said.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Brisbane (Australia) 06 October 2001 - Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local
Government and Rural Development, Friday said the Districts Assemblies Disaster Management Fund would soon be converted into a revolving fund and re-focused into creating better living standard for victims of disaster.
He noted that the government has made the proposal for the re-focus of the fund to stakeholders, adding that the proposal is currently under debate pending approval soon.
The minister disclosed this in an interaction with Africans resident in Brisbane, among whom were Ghanaians who have announced their intention to support Ghana's education system with Information Technology (IT) facilities.
The Ghanaians are also planning to organise exchange programmes between students in Ghana and Australia.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu appealed to the Ghanaians in Australia to contribute to the Disaster Management Fund to help the government alleviate poverty in the country.
He said the revolving fund, when started would go a long way to provide better housing facilities for rural dwellers, adding that government intends to use the Habitat for Humanity system to achieve this.
In a brief interaction with the Alabaster Box, Ghana's acappella quartet at the Commonwealth Peoples Festival (CPF), Mr. Baah-Wiredu thanked the group for lifting the flag of Ghana high in Brisbane, saying "I have heard of marvellous performances you have put up so far in this city and I congratulate you for lifting the flag of Ghana high."
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Ho (Volta Region) 06 October 2001 - Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao
Traditional Area, would visit the USA this month at the invitation of the Hampshire College, Massachusetts.
While there, he would deliver a lecture on the Aflao State and her cultural heritage and formalise an exchange programme between Aflao State College and the Hampshire College.
Togbe Fiti said this when he led a delegation of 15 chiefs and opinion leaders to pay a courtesy call on Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister at Ho on Thursday.
The Aflao State College is a private secondary school established in 1998 to provide opportunities in education for the youth of the area.
Togbe Fiti said the school was at present under stress and that sometimes, he paid salaries of tutors from his own resources.
Togbe Fiti said the possibility of a permanent linkage between Massachusetts and Aflao had been raised at meetings but no decision had been taken. Aflao is the eastern gateway to Ghana with the Republic of Togo.
He described Aflao as a microcosm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as every national from its member countries lived there.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com