Rawlings cuts short Botswana visit due to attack on former aide
BNI says attack on WO Kuntor not assassination attempt
Vice President throws a challenge to African leaders
Searche without warrant, NDC ask government to stop security agencies
"We need our salary now" - OSA Workers
House cautions security agencies over installation of new chiefs
Interpol asks two persons to report
"Bag snatchers in town" – Police caution
Calls for improvement in safety in air travels
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - Former President Jerry John Rawlings returned home on Wednesday after cutting short his visit to Botswana where he was invited to participate in an international conference organised by Global Coalition for
Africa.
This follows reports of an attempt on the life of his former aide-de-camp in Accra. A statement from the office of the former President expressed concern about the unexplained attack on Ex WO 1 Patrick Kuntor last Tuesday October 23.
It said the attack followed a series of other incidents of "intimidation against the Ex-President, his bodyguards and other close colleagues."
According to the statement, "The ex-President's return was due to persistent harassment of his bodyguards which now appeared to have taken a dangerous turn with an attack on Kuntor on October 23," said the statement signed by Dr Tony Aidoo, former Deputy Defence Minister.
The statement said Ex-President Rawlings left the country on October 22 and was scheduled to participate in the conference on October 25, and return on October 29. He cut short the visit due to the attack on Kuntoh.
The statement cited eight cases of arrest and detention of former and current bodyguards of the former President by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI).
The cases involved Kuntor who, according to the statement, has been arrested twice and detained without charges. Ex WO Daniel Budu, was arrested twice and detained without formal charges and Ex WO Samuel Mensah was arrested and detained once without formal charges.
The statement said the residences of Ex Sergeant Amanor and Mensah were searched by the BNI on October 17 without a warrant while Ex-WO Albert Gbafa has been compelled to report to the BNI for the past three months without any charges being preferred against him.
The statement also noted that Mensah was arrested and detained overnight by the BNI two days before he was due to travel with the ex-President to Botswana.
"The October 23 attack on Kuntor clearly highlights the vulnerability of the bodyguards of the former President Rawlings to the apparent threat of their physical elimination.
''Whereas Mr Kuntor was very fortunate indeed to have had a licensed personal weapon with which he not only defended himself but caused his assailants to escape with their wounded colleagues, other bodyguards who by the nature of their duties may face attempts on their lives are unarmed''
The statement called on the appropriate state agents responsible for security to ensure the safety of the Ex-President and his personal bodyguards.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Thursday denied that the attempted armed robbery at the house of Ex-Warrant Officer Patrick Kuntor, former Aide de Camp of former President Rawlings, was an assassination attempt.
The CID was reacting to assertions by aides to the former president that he cut short his visit to Botswana because of reports of an attempt on the life of his bodyguard in Accra.
The Ghana News Agency quotes sources at the CID as saying that investigations so far showed that it was " an ordinary armed robbery"
The sources said the robbers had wanted to take advantage of Mr Kuntor's long absence from home on his farm at Wenchi, but were surprised when he fired into the air to scare them off and wounded one of them in a subsequent exchange of fire.
Mr Kuntor's house at Haatso, near Madina, was on early Tuesday invaded by armed men who, after an exchange of fire fled. Mr Kuntor told the GNA on Wednesday that the armed men came to his house shortly after he returned home from his farm at Wenchi.
A statement from the Office of the former President said he returned home on Wednesday after cutting short his visit to Botswana following report of an attempt on the life of his bodyguard in Accra.
In the meantime the Police have appealed to all health centres and hospitals to inform them when anybody with gunshot wounds report for treatment.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday urged African governments to implement policies that would change the continent from its low level of development to a prosperous one that reflects in the daily lives of the citizens.
Opening the second Africa regional meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Accra, Alhaji Mahama asked the organisation to make input to these development policies to ensure economic growth through private sector development.
"The role of ICC in collaborating with government in setting rules, laws and regulations for trade and investment cannot be over-emphasised," he said.
"You have to contribute towards shaping government policies to support and streamline business operations and wealth creation for the advancement of the continent."
The ICC is a world business organisation, which promotes an open international trade and investment system and market economy, among other business activities.
Alhaji Mahama said the private sector would flourish if the rule of law were upheld, with the creation of legal system that gives confidence to business operators in the settlement of trade.
It was important for Africa o take advantage of the huge markets in Asia and America as well as the sources of capital and technology in the international market place for accelerated growth, he said.
Alhaji Mahama expressed regret that Africa's growth had been slow in spite of the abundant natural resources of the continent, saying that, Africa should learn from the experiences of successful countries and propel the private sector to positively transform her fortunes.
In Ghana, Alhaji Mahama said, government had recognised the potential of the private sector and had, therefore, created a Golden Age of Business, under which it would be strengthened to support public sector development.
"The government will initiate development programmes to expand the productive base of the Ghanaian economy to provide opportunities for private sector participation in national development," he said.
In addition the government would pursue liberal economic policies and fiscal monetary discipline and political stability to ensure that investments are safe.
He, however, said the vision of the Golden Age would become an illusion unless business operators took up the challenge to be globally competitive.
Alhaji Mahama urged the over 100 delegates from various African countries to identify factors which impede the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Africa and suggest strategies for improving it.
FDI flows in Africa declined from 10.5 billion dollars in 1999 to 9.1 billion dollars last year. Africa's FDI flow represents 10 per cent of the global flow.
Mrs Maria Livanos Cattaui, Secretary General of ICC, said in spite of the numerous efforts by African governments, Africa still did not have access to rich markets.
She attributed the situation to negative perception of the risk associated with investing in Africa, the payment of subsidies to farmers in developed countries to their farmers and the dumping of imports on African markets.
"For instance, the annual agricultural subsidies to these farmers is 300 billion dollars, which is equal to the entire GDP of Africa," he said.
But Africa, she said, should not be written off as a hopeless case, adding that with the right policies, the continent's vast untapped resources could be developed for the benefit of the people.
"Africa deserves the investment risk that must be taken. She does not deserve exploitative investment but that which would bring jobs, know-how and create wealth, she said"
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Takoradi (Western Region) 26 October 2001 - The government has been called upon to stop the security agencies from searching, without warrant, the premises of persons suspected to be in possession of arms without authority.
Former Jomoro District Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Alex Asamoah, who made the call, said such acts violate the human rights of the citizens concerned.
Addressing an NDC reorganisation forum organised by the Effia/Kwesimintsim constituency at Effia-Kuma, near Takoradi on Wednesday, Mr. Asamoah cited the recent incident in which security personnel ransacked the palace of the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area on suspicion that he was keeping illegal arms.
However, it turned out that the operation was rather to be conducted at the palace at Sefwi Anhwiaso. This communication error, which embarrassed the Omanhene, could have been avoided if the security agents had done their homework well, he said.
Mr. Asamoah said the NPP has failed to fulfil its major campaign promises of abolishing the cash and carry system, creating thousands of jobs, reducing the tax burden, reducing the size of the executive and making the position of district chief executive elective.
Former Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Ms Tabitha Quaye, called on Ghanaians not to believe in the promises of the NPP government because it has a track record of not keeping its word.
She said the large number of workers being retrenched and dismissed in many establishments these days contradicts the NPP's campaign promise to create thousands of jobs.
Ms Quaye said the failure of the fast-track court to dispose of even one case, involving former NDC Ministers and functionaries arraigned before it six months after its establishment, is an indication of the court's inability to achieve its purpose.
She called on the government not to waste so much time and resources in fruitless efforts to incriminate people just because they happen to be political enemies of the NPP.
The NDC candidate for the Effia/Kwesimintsim parliamentary seat in the last general election, Mr. Mike Abban, called on party members to stop brooding over the past failures but to correct their mistakes and reorganise the party to win the next elections.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - Workers of Omnibus Service Authority (OSA) on Thursday called on management to pay them their salary arrears immediately.
At a demonstration to back their demand, a spokesman for the workers who wants to be anonymous told the Ghana News Agency that management has been insensitive to their plight and demanded payment of all outstanding bills and salaries.
For the past two months Accra staff have not received their salaries while those in the regions have not been paid for over eight months.
Their hospital bills, overnight allowances and other entitlements have not been paid but management and board members continue to enjoy all their benefits.
The spokesman also claimed that management, over the years, has borrowed about 500 million cedis from the Workers Welfare Fund but has not shown any sign of repaying.
Mr E. A. Opoku, General Manager for Operations, confirmed the allegations and appealed to the government to clarify its position on the company's divestiture to save OSA from financial difficulties.
He said the company has been on the divestiture list since 1995 and this has affected its operations and grounded its ability to generate revenue. ''We urge the government to either continue with the intended divestiture or re-inject capital to revitalise our operations''.
Mr Opoku said the company now operates with only 50 buses with a work force of 897, and this is draining its finances. He said management has been depending on financial institutions for its re-capitalisation but recent media publications on the company's activities have had adverse effect on its operations.
''Management faces both internal and external pressures from its creditors and negotiations with some have not been going on well. We appeal to the workers to exercise restraint''.
Mr Opoku said the plight of the workers is of major concern to management and all avenues would be explored to find solution to the difficulties. “Management will work out strategies to mobilise funds to cushion the harsh financial problem of workers. Actual salaries will be paid within the shortest possible time''.
He commended the workers for their support and cooperation in the past and assured them of management's determination to lift the company from the doldrums.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 26 October 2001 - The Central Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday urged District and Regional Security Councils to thoroughly investigate all applications for the installation of new chiefs before allowing such ceremonies to proceed.
The House also urged them to seek advice from it before permitting the law enforcement agencies to cover such occasions, particularly in areas plagued with chieftaincy disputes.
These were contained in a statement signed by the President, Nana Atta Amanafo Poku II, when a delegation of the House met the Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, and the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, at Cape Coast to deliberate on some problems facing the chieftaincy institution in the region.
The statement said the House appreciated the efforts of District and District Security Councils in helping to maintain the peace but it advised them against taking sides in such matters.
Referring to the Gomoa Fetteh Chieftaincy problem, the House expressed concern about the manner some law enforcement agents colluded with a section of the people to create confusion in the town even when they were quite aware that Nana Abor Yamoah II is the recognised chief.
The statement said such developments only create tension and disorder and impede the development of the communities. It said Nana Yamoah has his name in the national register of chiefs as the recognised chief of Fetteh, adding that records at Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, the Central Regional and National Houses of Chiefs also attest to this fact.
The House therefore appealed to the feuding factions to desist from disturbing the peace in the town.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - The Ghana Police Service on Thursday asked two persons to contact the Superintendent of Police in Charge of Interpol for an important discussion.
A statement in Accra named them as Gladys Adomah who was born on January 1, 1959 and Steve Adomah who was born on March 10, 1993.
It said anyone with information on the whereabouts of the two persons should contact the Superintendent in Charge of Interpol.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - The police on Thursday cautioned the public of criminals going round Accra in vehicles snatching bags and other personal belongings from unsuspecting victims.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Directorate in Accra identified the vehicles as a dark blue Mazda saloon car with registration number GW 4869 P, a dark green Opel Ascona with registration number RT 2082 B and an ash Hundai Excel saloon with registration number AS 8411 Q.
The police therefore cautioned the public to be on the lookout for these vehicles and their occupants.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, on Thursday called for concerted efforts to improve and sustain the safety of the global civil aviation industry in the wake of recent terrorists acts in which civil aircraft were misused as weapons of destruction.
He said such acts pose a challenge and threat to air traffic transportation and the whole industry, which has been recognised as the fastest means of promoting trade and industry.
Dr Anane said this at the opening ceremony of the 12th African and Middle East Regional meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA) in Accra.
He said the global and annual regional meetings of air traffic controllers to sensitise members to new operational and technical developments in safety issues in air space are most appropriate.
The Minister said the government of Ghana through the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has embarked on a programme to rehabilitate and improve the physical and technical facilities at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to enhance safety.
Dr Anane said the project, which is progressing steadily and expected to be completed next year, has already seen the installation of new communication, navigation and surveillance equipment.
He said the runway extension and new parking bays are virtually completed. "Ghana has adopted a liberalised policy aimed at making KIA the gateway and hub within the sub-region among other objectives.
"Towards this end, the national airline, Ghana Airways, is being prepared for privatisation, while GCAA, is being restructured to make it more efficient."
Dr Anane said the government would gladly welcome suggestions from IFATCA to improve the industry in Africa and air traffic service in general.
Captain Joe Boachie, acting Director-General of GCAA, said the outcome of the meeting would help identify and address some of the vexing human-factor issues that inhibit the effective performance of air traffic controllers and the safety of air navigation.
He said the GCAA is aware of the delicate balance that needs to be maintained between the provision of up-to-date equipment and training and motivation of personnel.
"We are, therefore, taking steps to achieve and maintain this balance. The GCAA has also been pursuing aggressive training policies locally and externally for air traffic control staff."
He said it is the hope of management that the meeting would not only help address safety objectives but also help visitors appreciate the modest strides that Ghana is making.
Professionals, managers, planners and other stakeholders are attending the two-day meeting, which has the theme, "The challenge of enhancing the human factor needs of air traffic control operation in Africa and the Middle East".
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