GRi Newsreel Ghana
06 - 09 - 2000
NPP
says corruption and economy must determine how electorate vote
KMA
could not elect Presiding Member
Serious Fraud Office recovers 781,5 m cedis for state
Concentrate
on career development - Associations urged
Abuakwa
observes funeral of late Okyenhene and Queemother
Civil
Aviation assures public of normal service
Show good faith to peace process - Mills DRC factions
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Balloting
by political parties for positions on the ballot papers for the December
general election took place on Tuesday revealing sharply contrasting results.
The
GCPP, one of the weakest parties, took the first position while the NPP, among
the strongest contenders, got the last position.
The
final positions are, GCPP first, NDC second, EGLE third, CPP fourth, PNC fifth,
DPP sixth, UGM seventh, NRP eighth and NPP ninth.
Dr
Afari-Gyan, Electoral Commissioner, said, however, that "winning the
election does not depend on a party's position on the ballot box".
He
explained that the positions apply to both presidential and parliamentary
candidates, but should a party fail to field a candidate the party next below
it would be moved up to fill the vacancy.
Parties
in alliance that decide to field one candidate would also have to use one of
the symbols of the parties forming the alliance.
Dr
Afari-Gyan said the names of independent candidates would follow those of party
candidates in alphabetical order, using their surnames.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
The Serious
Fraud Office (SFO) said on Tuesday that it did not see any criminal element in
the transactions in a company in which Mr. Augustine "Goosie" Tanoh,
flag-bearer of the National Reform Party, has majority shares, and could not
therefore probe it.
Mr. B.A.
Sapati, acting Executive Director of SFO, told journalists at the Meet the
Press series in Accra that, "the SFO has formed an opinion that the
Transport and Commodity General Limited (TC&GL) affair is a pure banking
transaction."
Mr. Tanoh
has come under fire recently for allegedly using his political influence when
he was with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to obtain a huge loan for
the company that produces and exports cassava chips.
Mr. Sapati
mentioned a number of cases his outfit has completed and forwarded to the
Attorney-General's Office for a fiat.
They
include one case of misappropriation of government funds at Hohoe Government
Hospital and two cases of embezzlement of poverty alleviation funds at the
Afram Plains District Assembly and the Keta District Assembly.
He said the
SFO continues to face human resource and logistics problems in addition to late
releases of approved votes for service activities.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
A scuffle
between representatives of two factions of the Democratic People's Party (DPP)
nearly marred a meeting called by the Electoral Commission (EC) for registered
political parties to ballot for positions of their symbols on the ballot paper
for the December elections.
The
controversy arose when it came to the turn of the DPP to pick the piece of
paper that would determine its turn in the balloting process.
Without waiting
to be called by Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Theophilus
Fiifi Nkansah, who bore a DPP complimentary card with "National Liaison
Officer" embossed on it, immediately went to pick the paper.
Not
satisfied, Mr. Isaac Obeng, who claimed to be the DPP's Propaganda Secretary
with the mandate of the Founder, Mr. Thomas Ward Brew, challenged Dr Afari-Gyan
for allowing the other faction's representative to pick the paper.
Claiming at
the top of his voice that a March 2000 decision by the courts makes his faction
the legal custodians of the DPP. He proceeded to Dr Afari-Gyan's seat, but the
representatives of the other parties prevailed upon him to sit down.
At the
second ballot, Mr. Obeng got up to go and pick the paper for the DPP but he was
stopped by a member of the opposing faction, a step that almost resulted in a
fight.
Mr. Obeng
described himself as David in the Bible, who was ready to defeat Goliath,
apparently referring to the burly man, who was preventing him.
He
declared, "I am representing the original DPP, not the kangaroo DPP"
by which time Mr. Nkansah had again picked for the DPP.
Mr. Obeng
then decided to cause mayhem, heckling members of the opposing faction amidst
offensive rhetoric against them and shouts of "aluta continua".
Upon
various interventions by the other party representatives, Dr Afari-Gyan
maintained that the position chosen by Mr. Nkansah holds pending "very
good reasons to decide otherwise."
He advised
the opposing factions to resolve the matter after which the winner would occupy
the position on September 12 and 13, dates for the filing of nominations.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Vice-President
John Evans Atta Mills, flag bearer of the NDC on Tuesday formally introduced
Mr. Martin Alamsi Amidu as his running-mate for the December elections, saying
he chose him on merit.
He told a
press conference in Accra that the choice of Mr. Amidu, Deputy Attorney
General, was not without "much prayer and heart-searching."
Prof Mills
said with the naming of the running mate, "our team is now complete, and
we must close ranks and focus on the task ahead of us to win the 2000 elections
convincingly in the first round."
The
Vice-President said given his own "newness" in Ghanaian politics one
consideration was for a person whose loyalty to the party, its history, its
heritage and especially its revolutionary origins and process was
unquestionable.
He said he
also looked for somebody who would be acceptable to the various tendencies
within the party, given the polarisation that has been whipped up on
speculations about his choice.
"I
needed a reconciler who would not have been perceived as having identified with
any of the factions supporting particular undeclared candidates."
He said
although he considered the need for both ethnic and regional balance in his
search, his choice was not at the expense of merit and competence.
Prof Mills
described Mr. Amidu as somebody who shared his personal values, adding that his
nominee has character, integrity, experience and sound judgement.
Apart from
being a team player, Mr. Amidu is also bold and fearless, and a fighter when
necessary, he said.
Prof Mills
said he saw in his former student, "someone who will work for the ordinary
people of this country, not the powerful, a person with a high sense of social
justice, fairness and above all truthfulness."
He said Mr.
Amidu's emergence is a testimony to the possibilities and opportunities which
exist within the NDC, adding that it should serve as a source of encouragement
to the many cadres and activists as well as unsung heroes of the party's
tradition.
Prof Mills
thanked President Jerry Rawlings, Dr Obed Asamoah Attorney General and Minister
of Justice and Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu Presidential Adviser on Governmental
Affairs, for their support and understanding in the choice of Mr. Amidu.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Ms Ama
Busia First National Vice Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party on Tuesday
urged the electorate to take a close look at corruption and the state of the
economy when they vote in December.
"As we
prepare ourselves to go to yet another election we should not miss the
opportunity as a betrayed nation to choose the right candidates who would serve
the people effectively and selflessly as we march purposely to rebuild our
shattered nation," she said in a statement released in Accra.
Ms Busia
said voters should not forget that the country is not poor, adding, "in
fact, this country is almost made of gold, bauxite, diamond and good forests.
"We
are dejected as a nation because the NDC is not good. We are demoralised,
ignored and hungry now because the NDC would want us to be enslaved to their
policy of divide and rule."
Ms Busia
said Ghanaians should not allow themselves to be deceived, "but rather
reflect on our recent past and our pathetic present, and make the decisions
that would bring about positive change, liberty, accountability and a life
worth living."
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Mr. Martin
Amidu, NDC Vice Presidential candidate in the December elections on Tuesday
stressed the need for all Ghanaians to pursue goals of reconciliation to bring
the nation together and heal the wounds of the past.
"I
hold the view that we must see the future of our nation not only through our
own eyes but through the eyes of others as well."
Mr. Amidu
was speaking at a press conference shortly after Prof Mills, the party's flag
bearer introduced him as his running mate.
He said as
a government and a party, the NDC has to build on the strong foundation that
has been laid for both democracy and the economy to flourish to ensure a better
life for Ghanaians.
"We
need to put our people to work by creating more employment opportunities for
them to earn a decent income. We need to build on establishing and improving
the social and economic infrastructure to which the contribution of the
PNDC/NDC is unparalleled in the history of the country."
Mr. Amidu
said the opposition has contributed to nurture democratic traditions in the
country, saying they still have a significant role to play in Ghana's budding
constitutional democracy.
He asked
all NDC functionaries and activists to heed Prof Mills' call to bury their
differences and focus on winning the elections to renew their mandate with the
people and to continue with the good work already started by the party.
Mr. Amidu
said he recognised the immense contribution of women in the building of the
party, especially the untiring efforts of the First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman
Rawlings in mobilising and empowering Ghanaian women.
He said he
has come to this position with no personal agenda but with absolute loyalty and
support for Prof Mills in implementing the party's political and economic
programmes contained in the manifesto.
"I
stand for the principles forged by our revolutionary past and tempered by our
commitment to democracy, justice and the creation of a better life for the
majority of our people, especially the common man and woman," Amidu said.
Meanwhile,
the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has
expressed support for the choice of Mr. Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney-General
as the running mate to Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the party's flag-bearer
for the 2000 general election.
This was
contained in a press statement issued and signed by Mr. Philip Edward Kwabena
Antwi, the Regional Chairman on Tuesday.
The
statement described Mr. Amidu as a compromise choice, adding that his selection
is a big welcome relief to the NDC.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
The
President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Tuesday at the
head of an 18-member delegation to the millennium summit of the United Nations
(UN) in New York beginning September 6th to 8th.
President
Rawlings' entourage included the first Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Mr.
Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister for Planning, Regional Economic Co-operation and
Integration, and Mr. Ohene Agyekum, Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs and State
Protocol.
Nana Effah
Appenteng Ghana's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN and
officials of the Ghana mission and the Foreign Ministry would join them.
The summit,
which has the theme, "The role of the UN in the 21st century” will
immediately precede the 55th session of the UN General Assembly.
It will be
the largest gathering of heads of state and governments and will provide a
historic occasion for the 188 member states to address the challenges of the
new century.
Mr. Joseph
Laryea, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who briefed newsmen before the
President's departure said a formal declaration would be adopted at the end of
the summit.
Mr. Kofi
Annan, UN Secretary General, said it is essential that the millennium summit
provide an opportunity for a "moral recommitment" to the principles
of the UN charter and a new political momentum for international co-operation.
Mr. Laryea
said while in New York, President Rawlings would hold bilateral and other
discussions with a number of world leaders.
After the
summit, the President and the First Lady, will travel to the United Kingdom
(UK) to participate in the launching of the Greenwich-Tema Foundation (Partnership
for development) and address the Scottish Parliament on September 13.
Mr. Laryea
said President Rawlings would also hold talks with the Right Honourable Claire
Short, Head of the Department for International Development (DFID).
President
Rawlings will receive an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow on
September 12, 2000 for his services to peace, stability and democratic
governance and visit the Royal Airforce Station in Wallingford in the County of
Oxfordshire.
The
President is also expected to visit the Scottish National War Memorial, where
he will lay a wreath at a sanctuary and later be the guest of honour at a
luncheon to be hosted by Mr. Eric Milligan, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
The
President will hold further hold discussions with Scottish and UK companies in
the energy, gold and diamond mining, oil exploration and other sectors
interested in investing in Ghana.
Nana Konadu
will also visit various art and graphic institutions in Glasgow and later
receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Sunderland for her
sterling work on global development and gender issues.
According
to Mr. Laryea, President Rawlings will undergo a medical review in Switzerland
after his visit to the UK upon the advice of his doctors.
GRi…/
Tema
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
The Tema
Oil Refinery (TOR) on Tuesday attributed the current shortage of fuel to
speculations by retailers, who are anticipating an increase in prices.
A source
close to the refinery told newsmen that, even though, TOR's Accra Plains Depot
was shut down for nearly three months for routine maintenance, provision was
made to cater for any shortfalls.
The source
said maintenance works at the Accra Plains Depot has been completed and it
resumed full operations on Tuesday morning, thereby easing the pressure on the
refinery.
Tankers
were busily loading when newsmen visited the refinery.
Mr.
Ignatius Doe, Executive Secretary of the Association of Tanker Owners, which
loads about 200 tankers a day from the refinery, said the association has also
been doing its best to distribute whatever quantity is given them.
He said it
is only when there is pressure on a particular product that loading becomes
slow, adding that of late the pressure has been on diesel due to its high
demand.
Mr. Doe,
however, said this pressure has been easing since last week.
Most of the
top officials of the refinery were not available. They were said to be
attending a meeting in Accra.
GRi…/
Kumasi
(Ashanti Region) 06 September 2000
The Kumasi
Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), on Monday could not elect a Presiding Member after
two rounds of voting.
The
contestants, Mr. James Kofi Kyeadea, a government appointee and Nana Nsiah
Awuah, Assemblyman for Dadiasoaba, were not able to secure the required
two-thirds votes.
In the
first round of balloting, Mr. Kyeadea polled 45 votes as against 42 votes cast
for Nana Awuah of the 88-member Assembly.
Mr. Kyeadea
increased his votes to 47, instead of the 59 required as against 41 votes by
Nana Awuah in the second round.
In view of
the stalemate, Mr. Samuel Nuamah Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister and Acting
Metropolitan Chief Executive, in consultation with Nana Osei Banahene, the
out-going Presiding Member and the Assembly, fixed the next round of voting for
September 18.
GRi…/
Serious Fraud Office recovers 781,5 m cedis for state
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
The
Serious Fraud Office, (SFO) recovered 781.5 million cedis for the state from
January to August.
The
amount represented monies paid back to the state after investigation into 30
fraud cases over the period, Mr. B. A. Sapati, Acting Executive Director of SFO
told Journalists at the "Meet the Press Series" on Tuesday.
He
said to minimise the commission of fraud in the public sector, SFO in
collaboration with the Ministry of Finance is monitoring all government
contracts before payments are effected.
"Some
public organisations and bodies are in close contact with SFO for a number of
collaborative activities."
He
mentioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ),
Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)
as some of its partners in the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC).
Mr.
Sapati said GACC aims at preventing and reducing corruption in the public and
private sectors.
He
said the SFO has of late succeeded to a large measure in creating a high level
of awareness of its role as a public safety institution.
"SFO
has plans to organise a series of seminars for allied institutions such as the
Audit Service, Police Service, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs, Excise
and Preventive Service (CEPS), Controller and Accountant-General's Department
and the CHRAJ before the year comes to a close."
Mr.
Sapati said, the purpose of these seminars is to bring public institutions
together to discuss collaboration, co-ordination and strategies to reduce fraud
and corruption.
The
SFO would assist the Registrar-General's Department in enforcing the filing of
annual returns by all registered businesses.
He
said it is a legal obligation for all businesses to file returns at the
Department annually but some business refuse to do so.
"This
is a serious offence and any non-registered business caught will be made to
face the full rigours of the law"
The
SFO was created by an Act of Parliament, the SFO Act, 1993(Act 466) to monitor,
investigate and on the authority of the Attorney-General, prosecute any
offences involving serious financial or economic loss to the state.
GRi…/
Wa
(Upper West Region) 06 September 2000
Mr.
Emmanuel Acquaye, Director of the Basic Education Division of the Ghana
Education Service (GES), has urged professional associations to concentrate
more on the career development of their members instead of always agitating for
improvement in their service conditions.
In
a speech read on his behalf at the inauguration of the Upper West Regional
Branch of the Headteachers Association at Wa on Tuesday, Mr. Acquaye said the
GES and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) would continue to
provide the necessary training for teachers to upgrade their skills.
He
urged members of the Association to take active interest in national issues to
enable them to help in the formulation and implementation of policies.
GRi…/
Kibi
(Eastern Region) 06 September 2000
The
Chiefs and people of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area have began a 10-day
final funeral rites for the late Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II and the
Okyenhemaa (Queenmother), Abrerewa Nana Sekyiraa II, at Kibi.
The
Funeral rites known as "Odupon ayie", which began on Friday involve
traditional drumming, blowing of horns and firing of musketry. It ends on
Sunday.
The
five divisions of Okyeman, Adonten, Nifa, Benkum, Oseawuo and Gyaase, led by
their Divisional Chiefs, have been assigned a day each between Monday and
Friday to mourn.
They
would fire musketry and pour libation as the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori
Panin and Okyenhemaa, Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua, sit in state.
The
late Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku, who was the 33rd Okyenhene, died in March last
year after a 23-year reign and was buried in August while Nana Sekyiraa, died
in 1997.
On
Monday, the Adontehene, Osabarima Kena Ampaw, dressed in batakari (battle
dress) and riding in a palanquin, led a large retinue of Chiefs and mourners to
the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Fie (the Okyenhene's palace) to pour libation
and fire musketry.
Women
wailed and sang dirges in remembrance of the late Okyenhene and Okyenhemaa.
Osabarima
Agyemang III, the traditional father of the Okyenhene, who led Chiefs and
mourners from Asiakwa and the 61 towns and villages from the Nifa Division also
arrived in a palanquin on Tuesday to mourn while the Okyenhene and the
Okyenhemaa sat in state to receive sympathies and donations.
Accompanied
by the Gyaasehene of Okyeman, Osabarima Dakwa Woe II, the Okyenhene had earlier
exchanged greetings with the other Divisional Chiefs and hundreds of mourners.
An
exhibition of pictures on the life of the two has been mounted at the State
Council Hall (Patosoro).
On
Saturday, Osagyefuo Ofori Panin would don the "feared Okyem-batakari",
which would be the third time in living memory to be exposed.
According
to Okyeman chronology, he would be following Osagyefuo Bediatuo Ofori Panin,
who wore it to war against the Asantes in 1717 and Beyeeman Nana Sir Ofori
Atta, in 1927 at the Odwira festival.
GRi…/
African governments urged to ensure food security
Cape Coast
(Central Region) 06 September 2000
African
governments were on Tuesday urged to ensure food security on the continent by
providing the requisite resources and policy framework to enable universities
and colleges contribute effectively to the development of agriculture.
Dr Deola
Naibakelao, Director of the Sasakawa Africa Fund for Education (SAFE), of the
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), made the call when he opened the second
session of the workshop on " Bringing African universities and colleges
more into agricultural development", at the Sasakawa Centre of the
University of Cape Coast.
He was delivering
a paper on " the safe initiative in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and
opportunities."
The two-day
workshop, which is being organised for stakeholders in the mid-career manpower
development in agricultural extension, has brought together participants from
countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe and
representatives of donor agencies.
GRi…/
Wa
(Upper West Region) 06 September 2000
Alhaji
Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister on Tuesday urged workers to shed
off the negative work-culture of "African punctuality," which he said
impacts adversely on productivity.
The
Regional Minister gave the advice when he addressed the opening session of the
17th meeting of the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) at Wa.
He
said reporting for duty or going to functions late send the wrong signals about
how serious one is and urged workers to apply themselves assiduously to their
duties to improve the living conditions of the people.
The
two-day meeting is being attended by District Chief Executives, District Co
-ordinating Directors, and Presiding Members of all the five districts in the
region as well as regional heads of decentralised departments.
They
are discussing the Second Medium-Term Development Plans of the assemblies as
well as briefs by the DCEs on modalities to give financial assistance to
tertiary students from the region.
GRi…/
Dorimon
(Upper West) 06 September 2000
The Upper
West Regional Police Commander, Mr. Francis Agyeman has appealed to the
government to equip the police to facilitate the detection of illicit drug manufacturing
by traffickers.
He said
drug traffickers are becoming sophisticated thus making their apprehension more
difficult without the necessary gadgets.
At the
regional launching of this year's international day against drug abuse and
illicit trafficking, which is being held under the theme, "facing reality,
denial, corruption and violence", Mr. Agyeman urged the government to come
out with legislation on the importation of drugs.
Alhaji
Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister appealed to the public to
co-operate with the security agencies by exposing those, who cultivate Indian
hemp (wee) as well as users of illicit drugs.
He called
for the collaborative efforts by government and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) in the fight against drug abuse.
Dr Daniel
Yayemain, Medical Superintendent of the Wa Hospital, said the most abused drug
in the region is akpeteshie, local gin, followed by ephedrine, commonly called
blue -blue.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Mr. Steve
Akorli, Acting Minister of Road and Transport announced on Tuesday that,
Cabinet has approved a proposal for the establishment of a Ghana Maritime
Authority to advise the government on maritime matters.
The
authority would also formulate policies, regulate and co-ordinate the
activities of the various sub-sectors to ensure harmony and provision of safe
and efficient water transport services in the country.
"All
these are aimed at creating an enabling environment to make Ghana a Maritime
Hub within the West African sub-region".
Mr. Akorli,
who was addressing a three-day mid year review conference of the Ministry and
its affiliated agencies in Accra, said under the road infrastructure sub-sector,
a development programme would be implemented between the year 2001 and 2003 at
a cost of 1,144 million dollars.
This, he
explained, forms part of the ministry's medium term programme, which comprises
an annual routine maintenance of about 27, 250 kilometres and reconstruction of
890 kilometres of roads.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Mr. B. A.
Sapati, Acting Executive Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on Tuesday
said a "Right to Information Act" will help his outfit a lot to
unearth fraud in the country.
Answering a
question at a "Meet the Press" series in Accra, he said most people
hide behind the "Official Secrecy Act" to impede the accessing of
vital information on fraudulent activities.
Mr. Sapati
said his outfit would continue to impress on public officials to make their
activities as transparent as possible and keep the public constantly informed
on their operations.
He advised
informants to always endeavour to keep a low profile as certain gestures or
conversations could expose them to the perpetrators.
"Some
give themselves away by openly boasting about what they have done and when this
happens it might spell danger for the informant."
He appealed
to the Chief Justice to create specialised courts to handle fraud cases as the
normal courts are always too choked to give speedy trials.
Mr. Sapati
called for the modernisation of the Law courts for justice to be delivered on
time.
He said SFO
would continue to engage in activities that would enhance public accountability
in the utilisation and management of the country's financial and economic
resources.
"Collaborative
efforts with other agencies and the public would continue to be pursued in the
fight against fraud and corruption."
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
The Ghana
Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Tuesday assured the travelling public that
arrangements are being made to ensure that the ongoing rehabilitation of the
Kotoka International Airport does not inconvenience their travelling
procedures.
Mr. Osei
Ansah, Director of Projects (GCAA) told newsmen at the airport that the 74
million -dollar project includes, a runway extension, construction of a new
apron and a dedicated freight terminal as well as the expansion of the
departure terminal.
He said as
from November 1, the road in front of the airport terminal building would be
blocked and restricted to the travelling public only.
This is to
give the contractor executing the project enough room to operate.
Mr. Osei
Ansah said the project, which would take 15 months to complete would also
involve the construction separation of arrivals and departures through the
Kotoka Statue Square as well as shops and restaurants.
He
explained that the Kotoka statue would be repaired and relocated at a more
suitable place within the airport.
Mr. Chris
Quaye, Director of Airport Management (GCAA), said that as part of the civil
works going on, vehicular and pedestrian traffic would change drastically and
advised visitors to look out for signs and notices to guide them.
He advised
transport owners to use the designated car park, which is currently being put
in place, adding that security would be beefed up to ensure that the change of
walkways and driveways do not attract criminals.
GRi…/
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 September 2000
Ghana on
Tuesday urged the parties in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) to show good faith and willingness to co-operate towards lasting peace in
the region.
The Vice
President Professor John Evans Atta Mills who stated Ghana's position said the
conflict in the Great Lakes region has not only caused major setbacks to only
the people there, but also the entire continent.
"We
are concerned about instability in Africa because it is detracting development
efforts. The earlier we get serious and put an end to these conflicts, the
better," Vice President Mills told a delegation from the DRC that called
at the Castle, Osu.
The
three-man delegation, led by Justice Minister Mwenze Kongolo, was at the Castle
to deliver a special message from Congolese President Laurent Kabila.
It is
believed to have contained views of the Congolese government on the peace
process with special focus on the Lusaka Agreement.
Vice
President Mills commended the commitment of the various facilitating agencies
in the peace process and asked the factions to be sincere in their efforts to
end the conflict.
He also
thanked President Kabila for having confidence in Ghana as one of those
countries willing to help.
GRi…/