Gbeho
goes solo / It's a big surprise to me / It contravenes NDC's constitution
Confusion
in NDC
Concerned
citizens of V/R cry foul
Donors
urged to help develop manpower base
NPP
fields 199 candidates
Fuel
crises here now!
Too
many guns - Presby Synod cry aloud
Gbeho
goes solo / It's a big surprise to me / It contravenes NDC's constitution
The
front-page of the Daily Graphic is virtually filled with stories of the
controversy over the contest for the Anlo parliamentary seat, between the
incumbent Squadron Leader Clend Sowu and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. James
Victor Gbeho.
The
paper says the race for the Anlo seat has assumed a complex dimension following
the declaration by Mr. Gbeho of his intention to contest the seat as an
independent candidate after he lost the NDC's nomination to Sq. Ldr. Sowu.
A
statement by Mr Gbeho said his intention to contest the December 7 elections is
to enhance the development of the constituency and also to prevent the party
from losing the seat to the opposition.
Mr.
Gbeho has promised to urge his supporters to vote for Professor John Atta Mills
for the presidency but with regards to the Anlo parliamentary seat, they should
go according to their conviction.
The
Graphic in another story quotes Sq. Ldr. Sowu as saying that the decision by
Mr. Gbeho to vie for the Anlo seat as an independent candidate is a big
surprise to him.
According
to the incumbent, Mr. Gbeho's conduct contravened the letter and spirit of the
NDC constitution, adding that since the leadership of the party has the sole
selection prerogative, the attempt by the Foreign Minister, a senior party
member, undermines the constitution and sets bad precedent for others to
follow.
In
yet another front-page capture, a member of the National Executive Committee
(NEC) of the party, speaking on conditions of anonymity, is reported to have on
behalf of the party issued stern warning to members contravening the party's
position by presenting themselves as independent candidates for the elections.
According
to him, party members were bound by decisions taken by the party's competent organs,
including the NEC, which acted on the issue of parliamentary candidates and
said any action by any member to the contrary constituted indiscipline, which
would not be countenanced.
GRi…/
Confusion
in NDC
The
Dispatch, writing on the Anlo seat controversy in its lead story, says credible
reports from some regions indicate that the filing of nominations for the
December parliamentary elections has exposed the seeming confusion in the
National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The
story carries that all the four NDC members who expressed interest in the Anlo
seat are contesting for it, one, as the party's official candidate, with the
other three running on independent tickets.
The
Dispatch says that while Sq. Ldr. Clend Sowu has taken the parties slot, Mr.
James Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Esther Agbodo-Nyamalor
and Mr. Goyimwole Enukomeko Kpodo would do so independently.
A
high-ranking member of the party is reported to have told the Dispatch that the
incidents surrounding the Anlo seat "is a political nightmare".
GRi…/
Concerned
citizens of V/R cry foul
The
Evening News reports that some concerned citizens in the Volta Region have
expressed displeasure about the choice of Mr. Martin Amidu as the running mate
to Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
They
noted that the choice of Mr. Amidu has occasioned many questions that for many
people in the Volta Region need reassuring, in order for the region to remain a
'World Bank' for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
They
are said to have indicated in a fax sent to the paper that although the choice
may not be a calculated move, the selection of Dr. Obed Asamoah's deputy
appears to many people to be an insult to their son and brother.
Among
those named to have signed the document were Togbe Sasraku V, Kwaku Kyere from
Ho, Christine Ankutse, Women leader, Agate, Michael Gamor, Ho, Victoria Kumfuo,
Kadjebi Ewe Community and Gershon K. Amentor, Ewe Community in Jasikan.
According
to the citizens, until the announcement of Mr. Amidu was made, it was clear
that Dr Asamoah was prefered by the majority of NDC members and indeed, of the
population at large.
The
citizens according to the story stated that in a political spectrum crowded
with candidates from Central and Northern Regions, it would appear un-political
for the region to have been marginalized by the NDC also.
GRi…/
Donors
urged to help develop manpower base
The
Ghanaian Times reports that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has appealed
to donor agencies to offer more technical assistance towards the development of
the country's middle-level manpower needs.
"As
a developing country, Ghana's middle-level manpower development is crucial.
Therefore, assistance from donor agencies should be packaged in a manner that
will help to equip people with the technical know-how to be truly
independent", he was quoted as saying.
Otumfuo
Osei Tutu II, who was speaking to a six-man delegation from the European Union
(EU) reportedly appealed to agencies, organisations and institutions engaged in
community development not to impose projects on the people but to consult them
to know their needs before initiating such programmes.
GRi…/
NPP
fields 199 candidates
The
Weekend Statesman writes in its banner story that nominations for the December
7 parliamentary elections ended last Wednesday with the NPP fielding candidates
in 199 of the 200 constituencies, the only exception being the Ellembelle
Constituency in the Western Region.
The
Second Deputy Speaker in Parliament, Mr. Fredy Blay, is the incumbent for the
left-out seat.
There
were 16 women candidates, including Gladys Asmah, Hawa Yakubu, Christine
Churcher, Theresa Tagoe and Grace Coleman.
Out
of the 61 NPP MPs currently in parliament, four could not secure re-election
while another, F.K. Nyarko, MP for Kade, opted out on health grounds. The paper
names the four as Yaw Baning Darko (Atiwa Constituency), Rev. S.K.K. Kwofie (Ahanta
West), F.K. Buor (Offinso South) and Alex Acheampong (Bekwai).
A
family spokesman for Mr. Fredy Blay, in a reaction to the NPP's decision not to
contest the Ellembelle seat is reported to have described the NPP's action as a
'pleasant surprise' while noting that there was no submission of a candidate by
any of the non-NDC parties.
GRi../
Fuel
crises here now!
The
Ghanaian Chronicle writes on its front-page that the nation is burning under a
major national crisis that is set to explode.
"All
depots of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST) have run out of oil
and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), the national producer, risks imminent
shut-down over its failure to meet 64 per cent of its capacity due to liquidity
problems", says the paper.
The
story said TOR has not been able to raise letters of credit from banks to meet
crude oil imports for production and is facing grave financial crisis as a
result of serious under recovery of ex-refinery prices, currently in the range
of 1100 cedis per litre, below world market prices.
The
Refinery, the paper says, has been under-recovering production-cost since it
resumed production after its massive expansion early this year.
According
to sources within TOR, the Ministry and the mining industry, presently open
letters of credit for TOR only when crude import arrives.
The
paper said as at September 9, all the BOST storage depots at Takoradi, the
Accra Plains, Kumasi and Buipe had run out.
GRi…/
Too
many guns - Presby Synod cry aloud
The
'Free Press' carries a front-page story, which says the Presbyterian Church of
Ghana has added its booming voice to fears being expressed by Ghanaians on the
proliferation of firearms in the country. It has consequently called on the
government to take urgent steps to retrieve arms in unauthorised hands.
A
communique issued by the Church at its 71st synod and quoted by the
paper, said the government should also intensify its search for all
unregistered arms as well as mop up all light firearms.
Rev.
Dr. Sam Prempeh, moderator of the Church, briefing newsmen on its synod
outcome, is reported to have stated among other things that the church was
disturbed by the upsurge in crime and other evil deeds, citing recent robberies
at some banks and filling stations in Greater Accra.
GRi…/