British trade delegation to visit Ghana
The choice Amidu is good – Chairman
There has been no interference in our work -
SFO Boss
Vice President at late Okyehene's final funeral rites
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 September 2000
Mr. Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said on Wednesday that the Police Service is not a "gold mine" and any police officer harbouring such a notion is at the wrong place.
"Such perceptions must be jettisoned before they manifest in criminal acts which will place you on the wrong side of the law", he said at the opening of a three-month under-cadet course at the Police College in Accra.
Twenty-nine officer cadets including two women and two Imams who have been appointed to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police are attending the course.
He said the police administration is of the view that people decided to join the service out of genuine desire to contribute their quota to protect life, property and maintain law and order.
"You should see your enlistment as a challenging opportunity to serve your country, but not to regard it as a conduit pipe to get rich quick."
Mr. Nanfuri said he hoped none of them had come in as a last resort because all other avenues of securing a job after graduating from the university had failed.
"If this were so, then I will exhort you to quickly recondition and re-adjust your minds in order to make the best out of the opportunity that has come your way."
Under the Police Service scheme of training, the graduate entrants will spend the first three months of under-cadet training to acquire fundamental skills of policing such as criminal law, criminal procedure, the law of evidence, criminal investigations, Acts, Decrees and laws, among other things.
The second phase will involve a six-month practical attachment to District Police Headquarters throughout the country where they would be exposed to practical police duties including patrol, motor traffic and transport, court, station records keeping and criminal investigation.
The final stage is a nine-month training at the Police College under the cadet officers' course.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 September 2000
The Electoral Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday that filing of nominations for the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections will take place on September 12 and 13 and said chiefs and staffs of government institutions were not qualified to contest the vote.
A statement signed by Dr K. Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Commission, said the nominations would take place between 0900 hours and 12 noon and 1400 hours and 1700 hours on each day.
It said a presidential nomination form must be delivered to the Chairman of the EC, along with a deposit of five million cedis in bankers' draft.
Parliamentary nominations must be delivered to the returning officer of the constituency in which the candidate is seeking election, along with a deposit of 200,000 cedis in bankers' draft.
It said a prospective candidate must not be a member of the Police Service, Prison Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.
Workers of other institutions who are disqualified are: the Judicial Service, Civil Service, Audit Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Parliamentary Service, Statistical Service, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service Immigration Service and Internal Revenue Service. The elections would be held on December 7.
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Koforidua (Eastern Region) 07 September 2000
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman has called on the Christian youth to think of the country's economic situation and decide whether they would wish to continue in the same condition or want a change for the better.
"The time is now to change the fortunes of this country for the better", he declared.
Mr. Owusu-Agyeman was speaking at the closing ceremony of the annual national youth conference of Christ Resurrection Church at Koforidua.
The four-day conference under the theme: "the time is now", was attended by over 500 youths from branches of the church all over the country.
He urged the youth to vote wisely and pray for the nation to have a peaceful election.
The Reverend Charles Soso, National President of the church said the church shares the view that the government, political parties and the Electoral Commission have the joint responsibility to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections.
He gave the assurance that the church would continue to pray for peace and the economic growth of the country so that the living conditions of the people would improve.
Rev. Soso called on the youth to take up the challenge of evangelisation to win more souls for Christ.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 September 2000
A British trade mission from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) will visit the country from September 15 to 19, to offer a wide range of trading opportunities that will help boost the economy.
The delegation made up of representatives of 12 British companies will be led by Mr. David Frost, the Mission Director who is also the chamber's export manager to Africa and South Asia.
A statement by the British High Commission in Accra on Wednesday said the mission would be promoting a wide range of products and services ranging from agricultural irrigation systems, tractor spare parts and gas detection equipment to household, personal care and cosmetic products in addition to consultancy services.
Some of the participating organisations and companies include the Association of Business Executives, McBride International, Knak Design limited, Sparex limited, Wright Rain International, Ever Crop Irrigation limited and Essel and Company.
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Discipline
trouble- makers - NDC urged
Apam (Central Region) 07 September
2000
The Gomoa West Constituency
Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prince John Baidoo, has
urged the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to institute stringent
measures to discipline members, who "want to hold the party to
ransom".
He deplored the situation where
any member could arrogate to himself or herself the authority to issue
statements on behalf of the party without the knowledge of the executives.
Speaking to the GNA at Apam on
Tuesday, Prince Baidoo expressed disgust at the spate of press statements and
demonstrations being held all over the country to express disapproval for the
nomination of candidates.
The situation, if not checked
could turn the party into a lawless one, which could affect its fortunes, he
said.
"Any member who has the party
at heart would refrain from acts which could cause its disintegration"
Prince Baidoo debunked the
assertion that the strength of the party has dwindled in the Gomoa West
Constituency and said petty differences have been resolved and is "very
solid on the ground".
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Foso (Central Region) 07 September 2000
Cocoa Farmers in the country are being introduced to a hi-tech cocoa maintenance scheme to increase yields, Mr. J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of food and Agriculture, disclosed on Tuesday.
He said the scheme would enable farmers to increase yields from 250 kilograms (kgs), per acre to about 800 kgs in one season, without having to clear virgin forest to expand their farms.
Mr. Owusu-Acheampong who launched the scheme at Foso in the Central Region, said the excess cocoa will be processed for local consumption and also for the sub-region, saying that it will not be sold on the international market.
The scheme, which was initiated by Cashpro Company Limited, a local cocoa buying company (LBC), and evolved by the Cocoa Research Institute, involves the provision of farm inputs such as fertilizer, fungicides and pesticides to enable farmers maintain their farms.
The provision of the inputs is being financed by the Social Security Bank, (SSB) and the Agriculture Development Bank, (ADB), which are also providing a loan of 1.4 million cedis to each farmer.
Mr. Owusu-Acheampong said the scheme, will offer jobs to about 3,000 youths in terms of fertiliser application, and the maintenance of the farms.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 07 September 2000
A one-day seminar on the documentation of activities of women in local communities for a credible database, to promote effective planning, monitoring and implementation of gender development activities in Ghana was held in Kumasi on Wednesday.
Dubbed "Dissemination of the mapping exercise on Gender activities", the seminar is aimed at strengthening networking among individuals and institutions involved in gender activities for enhanced development.
Organised by the Advocates of Gender Equity (AGE) and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) health sector programme, the seminar is the first of the dissemination exercises currently being undertaken in five regions namely Ashanti, Greater Accra, Upper East, Volta and Northern.
Miss Esther Offei-Agyemang, Chairperson of AGE, said to ensure optimum use of resources "it is important to know who is doing what, where and how, so that we can co-ordinate, share and benefit from each other's experience".
She said in the past two decades, a lot of attention had been drawn to the participation of women in development.
Lately however, in the pursuit of sustainable development, the focus has shifted from women to examining how development can be made equitable, responsive and empowering for all.
She said, for women to play a meaningful role in sustainable development, government must ensure that they are involved in all programmes at the grassroots.
The seminar was attended by women groups in the communities, district assemblies and representatives of the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council.
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Sekondi (Western Region) 07 September 2000
Mr. Felix Archibold Asamoah, Western Regional Chairman of National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday said the selection of Mr. Martin Amidu as the running mate of Professor John Evans Atta Mills is a good decision.
"The choice of Mr. Amidu would surely unite the party for the task ahead", Mr. Asamoah said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Sekondi.
He described Amidu as an efficient, honest and humble person, who would form a good team with Professor Atta Mills to lead the country.
Mr. Asamoah urged those who nursed the ambition for the position, to pick up the pieces and work for the NDC since there are numerous opportunities within the party for them to contribute their quota.
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Veep pledges new vision for the nation
Tema Manhean (Greater Accra) 07 September 2000
Vice-President John Evans Attah Mills has pledged a new vision inspired by a stable and solid foundation that promotes national unity and equal opportunities for all people.
"The vision is a united people, working together to overcome the challenges to achieve national prosperity", he said.
The pledge was contained in a new campaign pamphlet, which bears his signature and distributed at a rally organised by the Tema East constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Tema Manhean on Wednesday.
The pamphlet which begins "I am Atta Mills, this is my pledge", promised a new team of change and continuity embracing both the experienced and new faces reflecting all major groups and skills.
Various sectors of the economy such as industry, health, agriculture, security, education, women's progress, human rights and good governance would be improved.
Others are a home for every one, access to safe water for every community, transportation and information technology to further promote Ghana's growth internationally.
Prof. Mills said industry would be restructured, increased, diversified, to add value while measures would be instituted to improve quality and enhance competitiveness of locally produced goods.
Prof. Mills promised that the NDC government would increase agricultural production, improve productivity, enhance distribution and reduce the large portion of income that Ghanaians tend to spend on food.
It would also ensure quality health care delivery by promoting preventive and curative services, which would be made accessible, available and affordable.
On security, he said his government would invest in the security agencies to enhance their capacity to fight crimes, protect Ghana's territorial integrity and to maintain peace and order.
Prof. Mills said the priority in education would be to develop and maximise the human resource potential in all sectors, in all forms and at all levels.
In recognition of the brilliant and tireless efforts of women in nation building, a higher proportion of positions, than currently allotted, would go to women with necessary skills and qualifications.
On information technology, he said, the government would develop an information technology infrastructure to enhance the country's information resource and facilitate business and learning opportunities in the new global economy.
In the transport sector Prof. Mills said the government would continue to support the mass transit organisations to provide better services on an increasingly better and rational road, rail, water and air network.
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Ho (Volta Region) 07 September
2000
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is
giving a face-lift to the Mawuko Girls Secondary School's Assembly Hall, venue
for the party's emergency annual delegates congress at Ho on Saturday.
Mr. James Dogbe, Volta Regional
Chairman of the party, put the cost of work, which is mainly painting of the
hall at about 15 million cedis.
"That is our widow's mite to
our host, which will relieve it of at least painting, which the school was
mobilising resources to do, when the hall was released to the party", he
told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
Mr. Dogbe added that "Indeed
the NPP is tight financially and cannot match the National Democratic Congress
(NDC), in terms of resources, so we are making judicious use of available
resources".
He explained that the change of
venue from the "Dela" Cathedral to Mawuko Girls is due to the fact
that the original date for the congress coincided with the joint Synod of the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana and that of Togo.
Mr. Dogbe said the alternative
venue offered by the out-going Moderator, Right Reverend Japhet Yao Ledo is
equally spacious as the Dela Cathedral.
The Congress under the theme
"NPP victory 2000 for positive change" will be attended by all
sitting Members of Parliament, founding members and Patrons from the regions,
representatives from overseas branches and two delegates each from the 200
constituencies.
Mr. Dogbe said delegates from the
Upper East and West, Northern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Western regions will
arrive on Friday for the congress, adding that the party will launch its
Manifesto and adopt a campaign strategy at the congress.
He said Ho was chosen for the
congress, because of the shift in political loyalty in the region, which voted
en-block for the NDC in the 1992 and '96 elections.
"We want everybody to know
and see during the congress and the rally that the foundation of the NDC in the
Volta Region has indeed been shaken", Mr. Dogbe stated.
He said the NPP boycotted the 1992
elections, and lost all the 19 seats in the region, but it hopes to take at
least six seats in the region in the December elections.
Mr. Van Seshie Torblu, Ho Central
Constituency Chairman of the party said if many party banners, posters and
flags are not seen in and around Ho to reflect the reality of the party's
strength on the ground, it is because they have been destroyed by some members
of the communities.
He, however, said plans are far
advanced to decorate the streets of Ho with NPP colours to herald the congress.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 September
2000
Mr. Brian Anku Sapati, Acting
Executive Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), says none of the arms of
government - executive, legislature or the judiciary - has ever tried to
influence the way it conducts its investigations.
Speaking in an interview with the
Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, he said the SFO has a definite outline for
conducting its investigations and once the process starts nothing can halt it.
The body, which is charged with
curbing and eventually stamping out all manner of economic crime, came into
existence with the passage of the SFO Act, 1993 (Act 466) by Parliament.
The SFO, on the authority of the
Attorney - General, prosecutes offences involving serious financial or economic
loss to the state.
Mr. Sapati said since assuming
office, he has instituted a definite plan that guarantees the conclusion of
investigations.
No case of arm-twisting or
intimidation has ever been recorded in the short life span of the SFO, he
stated, adding that he would resign if there were pressure on him to toe a
particular line in any investigation.
"Our work is in the interest
of the public. It is to bring to book all persons, group of persons or
institutions that have in any way defrauded the state.
"Therefore, if anyone
interferes with our work or try to get us to toe a certain line, we would not
do it and I am prepared to resign if necessary."
Asked if SFO staff could be
influenced to conduct investigations in a particular way, Mr. Sapati said the
office has a supervising unit that monitors the activities of the
investigators.
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Vice President at late Okyehene's final
funeral rites.
Kyebi (Eastern Region) 07 September 2000
Vice President John Atta Mills on Wednesday joined the chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa to begin a week-long final funeral rites for Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II, former Okyehene and the Okyehemaa Aberewa Nana Sekyiraa II.
Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku who was the President of the National House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State died in March last year while Nana Sekyiraa died in 1997. Enstooled in 1976 the late Okyehene ruled for 23 years.
The Vice President's entourage comprised the Minister of Defence, Col E K T Donkor, the Minister of Communications, Mr. John Mahama, Mr. Fred Ohene Kena, former Minister of Mines and Energy, Ms Patience Addow, Eastern Regional Minister and her deputy, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and Mr. D.S. Boateng of the Office of the President.
The delegation presented customary drinks and One million cedis towards the funeral. On arrival at the packed forecourt of the Oforipaninfie, the Vice President's delegation exchanged greetings with the Okyehene Osagyefuo Amoatia Oforipanin and other chiefs and people.
Also in attendance was the Benkumhene Osabarima Aiwa Kotoko whose day it was to mourn the Okyehene.
Osabarima Kotoko who is also Begrohene and member of the Council of State rode in a palanquin at the head of a large retinue of chiefs and elders under his division through the streets of Kyebi amid firing of musketry.
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