GRi Newsreel Ghana 29 - 09 - 2000
Crusading
Guide Editor speaks to the press on arrest of reporter
Ghana
is in crisis - Dan Lartey
CCP
will make assemblies productive - Delle
Independent
candidate explains her position.
Vice
President advises on evacuation
Ghana cannot continue to be consumers - Abodakpi
Mahama
cautions against recriminations
Candidates' Forum goes to enhance our democracy -
Public
Politicians
urged to co-operate with PR practitioners
Ameyibor
calls for Media Development Fund
Crusading Guide Editor speaks to the press on
arrest of reporter
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September 2000
Mr. Kwaku Baako, Editor of the Crusading Guide
newspaper on Wednesday said journalists would not retreat or surrender in their
resolve to stand up to challenges of media pluralism.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra in
connection with a recent incident in which the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dr
Tony Aidoo allegedly led Military Police personnel to arrest a reporter of the
paper, Mr. Baako said journalists would not be intimidated into abandoning the
cause of their profession.
The Editor read a transcript from an audiotape,
which contradicted earlier statements by Dr Aidoo on the incident, which
involved one Mr. James Adayuga.
The transcript said that Dr Aidoo allegedly
pulled a gun threatening to shoot Mr. Adayuga if he continued disobeying his
orders.
It also said that the complainant is a Gerrock
Ranger and not a Ranger from the Castle.
Dr Aidoo had in statements on various FM radio
stations denied pulling out a gun and this has been corroborated in a police
statement allegedly signed by Mr. Adayuga to the effect that Dr Aidoo rather
held his mobile phone and not a gun.
Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere, President of the West
African Journalists Association, who chaired the conference, stressed the need
for solidarity among the press "to kick against such acts of intimidation
and betrayal of journalists".
The President of the Private Newspaper
Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Mr. Kofi Coomson said PRINPAG in
collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association would spare no effort in
ensuring that free press thrives in Ghana.
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Ghana is in crisis - Dan Lartey
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September
2000
Mr. Dan Lartey, leader of the Great
Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Wednesday said Ghana is in crisis because
of continued neo-colonialism in the form of unbridled trade liberalisation
policy by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
He therefore called for a new
direction for the domestication of the economy through the increase of local
production of food and raw materials to feed industries.
Mr. Lartey who was very repetitive
and sometimes seemed to have lost his thoughts, said this in an answer to a
questions during his turn at the first-ever presidential candidate's forum in
Accra aimed at giving the personalities vying for Ghana's presidency a platform
to air their views about how they would govern when they come to power.
The landmark event was organised by
the Ghana Journalist's Association, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation with
sponsorship from the Freedom Forum, a US-based non-partisan international
organisation dedicated to free press.
It was under the theme: "
Press, Power and Politics Africa".
The forum was attended by six of
the seven presidential aspirants.
The National Democratic Congress
(NDC) did not participate, citing disagreement over the format and undue
foreign interference in the country's internal politics.
Mr. Lartey said, amidst jeers and
whistles, that Ghana needs a leader with a clear understanding of issues, but
failed to demonstrate this on the platform provided as he time and again failed
to answer questions put to him fully, except to say " the concept of neo-colonialism
must give way for the domestication of the economy".
Mr. Lartey, 74, the oldest among
the six candidates present at the forum made such a poor showing that Charlayne
Hunter-Gault, the main moderator had to often ask the vociferous audience,
notably supporters of the New Patriotic Party to give him the chance to talk.
Asked why he wanted to be
President, Mr. Lartey said it was because the society is in crisis and the
economy had gone to the woods.
This he said was because the
government had no programme to develop the country, adding that government was
relying too much on colonial practices to rule the country.
Mr. Lartey, whose GCPP has fielded
only three candidates for the upcoming parliamentary election, said he has
enough men to form a cabinet and rule the country.
"If we win in December, we
have enough people to form the government. The present situation of about 88
ministers is too big. We do not need 88 ministers. This is a great waste."
"We will reduce it. This was
done in the first republic when Kwame Nkrumah had only 17 ministers. We will
scale down the ministers to make it work."
In his closing remarks, which was
again met with jeers and calls of "domestication",
"domestication," Mr. Lartey said Ghana is in economic crisis and
needs to get out of the cycle of neo-colonial practices.
He called for a departure from the
style of import substitution to a local grown economy in order to store foreign
exchange for the strategic sectors of the economy.
Mr. Lartey suggested the amendment
of the constitution to give traders, chiefs and notable members of the society
to be part of a second chamber of parliament.
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CCP will make assemblies productive
- Delle
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September
2000
A government of the CPP would
demand a working plan from district assemblies to make them productive.
Speaking to the GNA in Accra on the
Local Government programme of the Party when elected into office in the
December election, Dr Edmund Delle, Member of the Central Committee of the
Party said it would take into consideration the development of the economic
potential of each area.
He said sectors to be developed
would be identified in consultation with the chiefs and people adding that with
expert guidance efforts would be made to avoid duplication to ensure that
community plans fall in line with national programmes.
Dr Delle said that it would be
based on agricultural development, processing and export since the country has
the comparative advantage.
The CPP Central Committee Member
said that the Party would ensure that government grants get to the assemblies
on time adding that, it would ensure that they employ qualified staff and
promote their activities since local government would be the basis of
grass-roots participation.
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Independent candidate explains her position.
Ho (Volta Region) 29 September 2000
Mrs. Esther Agbodo Nyamalor, an Independent
candidate for the Anlo constituency has stated her regret that the National
Democratic Party (NDC), did not give her the opportunity to contest for the
parliamentary elections on its ticket.
She said this is contrary to the party's policy
on affirmative action for women and announced that she has applied for
"leave of absence" from the party.
Mrs. Nyamalor was speaking to the GNA at Ho on
Thursday, where she is attending a workshop to discuss a report on a mapping
exercise on gender activities in the country.
She said she decided to suspend her outreach
programme in the constituency in order to attend the workshop where important
issues concerning women are being discussed.
The independent candidate explained that she
was motivated to contest the elections because there are no women from the
Volta Region in parliament.
A statement issued by the National Executive of
the NDC called on its members, who have decided to contest this year's
parliamentary elections as independent candidates or on the ticket of other
parties to rescind their decision within seven days or face sanctions.
She said she has an overwhelming support in the
constituency and is sure to defeat the incumbent, MP for the party Squadron
Leader Clend Sowu and Mr. Victor Gbeho, Foreign Minister, who is also standing
as an independent candidate.
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Vice President advises on evacuation
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September 2000
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on
Thursday a multi-sectoral team is being dispatched to Tripoli, Libya to carry
out on-the-spot assessment of reported clashes between some Libyans and other
nationals including Ghanaians in that country.
In view of this, Vice President Professor John
Evans Atta Mills, has directed the sector Ministry, the security agencies,
immigration and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to
prepare for possible evacuation of those affected, especially, women, children
and the injured.
A statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said the report of the assessment team would determine the
action government proposes to take.
It said the action follows recent reports of
clashes between some Libyan nationals and nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Niger
and Chad among others.
It noted that government has actively been
monitoring the situation with regard to Ghanaian migrant workers and their
families in that country.
As at now there are about 1,500 Ghanaians, who
have fled their homes and a number of them originally sought refuge in the
Ghana embassy in Tripoli.
They have all now, however, been transferred to
a refugee camp in the outskirts of Tripoli.
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Ghana cannot continue to be
consumers - Abodakpi
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 29
September 2000
Mr. Dan Abodakpi, Minister for
Trade and Industries said Thursday said trade between Ghana and her neighbours
weigh heavily on the country.
He said analysis indicated that
Ghanaians import more consumer goods from neighbouring countries than they
export.
"If we are only going to be
consumers and not exporters, then a time will come when the country will grind
to a halt."
Mr. Abodakpi was speaking at a
workshop on "ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme" in Kumasi for the
private sector, officials of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS)
and agencies of the Ministry of Trade and Industries.
It was the second to be organised
by the Ministry of Trade and Industries and the Ministry of Planning, Regional
Co-operation and Integration, CEPS and to the Ghana Export Promotion Council
(GEPO).
The Trade Minister said in 1999,
Ghana imported 3 billion Dollars worth of goods and registered a negative trade
balance due to the excessive importation of consumer goods, which could be
manufactured in the country.
Mr. Abodakpi said the policy of
government is to develop a globally competitive private sector to take
advantage of overseas markets.
"We have targeted the
improvement of conditions for doing business and are currently managing
inflation, interest rates and the value of the cedi to ensure stability in the
business environment."
He said the Free Zones and Gateway
Project are designed to remove constraints to business development adding that,
the government is ensuring the implementation of the mandatory purchase of
made-in-Ghana goods by all public institutions.
Government recognises the private
sector as the leader in moving the economy forward, the Trade Minister said.
Mr. Abodakpi said the workshop was
part of efforts to provide the sector with information on what to do.
Nana Aboagye Agyei II, Ejisuhene,
urged Ghanaian businessmen to embrace the efforts to export and expressed the
hope that the workshop would enable the participants to meet the challenge.
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Mahama cautions against recriminations
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September 2000
Mr. John Mahama, Minister of Communications, on
Thursday said it is unnecessary for Ghanaians to engage in recriminations in
the wake of Vice President John Evans Atta Mills' refusal to take part in the
forum for presidential candidates for the December election.
"I think it should serve as part of our
experience in terms of growing our young democracy."
Mr. Mahama said this at the opening of the
two-day media forum on "Press, power and politics" which opened in
Accra on Wednesday evening with the presidential forum.
It was organised by the Freedom Forum of the
US, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Mr. Mahama said the government had raised
objections to the format and structure of the programme, adding that since
Ghana abounded in free speech, he had suggested to the organisers to hold it in
some neighbouring countries that stood to benefit more.
He said democracy is not new to Ghana where
centuries of traditional system of governance had incorporated consensus in
decision-making and ensured broad social participation in community matters.
"Internationally accepted democratic norms
can and must accommodate our social and historic realities so that our
democracy is not a mere superficial carbon copy of the outward forms of
Westminster or Washington."
It should be "a deep-rooted and lasting
instrument for freedom from poverty, ignorance and marginalisation. Our views
must shape the solutions that would make our world a truly free and just place
for every nation and every people."
Mr. Mahama appealed to the forum to address
issues about HIV/AIDS, poverty and freedom for the people in the face of
adverse global economic conditions.
He said power should be seen as the authority
to carry out a mandate on behalf of and for the benefit of all the people.
A free and independent press, Mr. Mahama added,
wields power in terms of using it to promote national unity and stability,
educate the public on social and economic issues and support national
productivity, tolerance and progress.
"It can also use that power to vilify
individuals, to fan ethnic conflicts, promote chieftaincy or religious disputes
and to create instability."
Mr. Mahama said the incidence of illiteracy and
the need for acceptable standards of education in Ghana placed an onerous
responsibility on the media to exercise its functions "with the utmost
sense of responsibility".
He said it is easy to whip up antagonistic
sentiments but much harder to cultivate critical but level-headed analysis, yet
this is the task which a responsible media must set itself.
Describing the plurality of Ghana's media
landscape as a "very positive development", Mr. Mahama cautioned that
the volume of information the public is bombarded with could lead to a lack of
in-depth analysis.
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No bodies recovered yet
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September
2000
A search and retrieve operation by
the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Navy to
recover the bodies of the 12 fishermen feared dead has so far yielded no
result.
Although efforts are continuing
with the naval ship GNS Yogaga still on the high seas, there are fears that the
bodies of the victims could be washed ashore beyond Ghana's borders.
Dubbed "Operation Dela
2000," the search operation was conducted along the coast of Tema, Keta,
Ada and Aflao.
Briefing newsmen, Mr. Kofi
Portuphy, National Co-ordinator of NADMO, said villages along the coast have
been put on the alert to report any floating body to the police.
Mr. Portuphy said similar messages
would be sent to countries bordering Ghana, especially Togo.
He said this was necessary to
enable the people to provide information and to help in speeding up the rate of
the operation.
Mr. Portuphy said the fishermen at
the Tema harbour had agreed to mount a search for their counterparts on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Vice-President
Professor John Evans Atta Mills has expressed sympathy to the family of the
victims and pledged government support to support fishermen.
The boat with a 22-member crew on a
fishing expedition sank off the coast of Prampram last Sunday. Ten of the crew
survived and the remaining 12 feared dead.
GRi…/
Candidates' Forum goes to enhance our democracy
- Public
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September 2000
The first-ever Presidential Candidates' Forum,
which was held in Accra on Wednesday is a ground-breaking event with the
potential of not only enhancing
Ghana's democracy, but also reducing tension.
The event was meant to provide a platform for
the presidential candidates to tell the public how they would run the country
should they win the December elections.
It was organised by the Ghana Journalists
Association (GJA), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Freedom Forum, a
non-partisan international foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and
free spirit.
Mr. John Mahama of the People's National
Convention (PNC), Mr. Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party
(GCPP), Professor George Haga of Convention People's Party (CPP) and Mr. Goosie
Tanoh of National Reform Party (NRP).
The others were Mr. John Agykum Kufuor of New
Patriotic Party (NPP) and Dr Charles Yves Wereko-Brobby of the United Ghana
Movement (UGM).
Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC) did not participate citing, "undue foreign
interference" in the country's internal politics.
Mr. Kwamena Bartels, MP for Ablekuma North,
told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) immediately after the forum that the event is
a milestone in the history of Ghana.
He said it was a delight to see presidential
candidates sitting down under the spotlight to address national issues.
"It does a lot of credit to our democracy
and shows that we are coming of age. Apart from Mr. Dan Lartey, Ghanaians had
the chance to look at and make up their minds, one way or the other, who should
be their president for the next four years.
"It is very unfortunate that the NDC did
not show up to provide that alternative view. However, I must say it is a big
milestone we have come to and must move on from."
He described the candidates' performance as
splendid except that of Mr. Lartey, whom he said was 'a disaster'. "I
believe that was the general consensus in the hall," he added.
Squadron Leader (Rtd) Clend Sowu, MP for Anlo,
said the concept is a good beginning and innovative.
He discounted views that sought to discredit
Prof. Mills for not attending, saying if certain laid down arrangements were
not followed or if he felt it was not appropriate, he (Mills) had the right to
speak his mind.
Squadron Leader Sowu said he was present at the
forum in his capacity as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Science
and Technology.
Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Campaign Manager of
the NPP candidate, said the event shows that Ghana's political system was
growing.
"I am rather glad that it did take place
and it also showed that Ghanaian leaders had the solution to solve their own
problems."
On the absence of the NDC, he said: "They
can ran but cannot hide. Indeed, the reasons they gave for not being here are
not enough and show clearly that they were frightened."
Others who spoke to the GNA expressed
satisfaction and noted that even though Ghana's political system is not mature
enough to be swayed by political statements, it was worth the effort.
A group of students from the University of
Ghana, Legon, said they were disappointed Prof. Mills failed to show up since
"it could be described as a sign of weakness".
There were chants of "NDC adwane"
meaning "NDC has ran away" in the hall.
GRi…/
Politicians urged to co-operate
with PR practitioners
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September
2000
Mr. K. Osei Bimpong, President of
the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), on Thursday stressed the need for
politicians to co-operate with public relations practitioners for the
development of the nation.
Launching the ninth anniversary
celebration of the institute in Accra, Mr. Bimpong said it is their belief that
the profession has a place in the development of the country since their
energies are directed at promoting good public relations practices.
The celebration is under the theme:
"Maintaining Competitive Edge, the PR Factor."
Programme of activities lined up
for the occasion include a two-day seminar and a roundtable session with
selected seasoned chief executives of business organisations.
Mr. Bimpong said the extent to
which competitive edge is exploited for the benefit of any nation or enterprise
depends largely on how it is perceived by the economic forces and stakeholders.
It is in this area of perception
that PR becomes critical for survival.
Mr. Bimpong said the nation has
enjoyed a reasonable degree of political stability and appealed to political
parties and activists to be guided by this national asset and uphold practices
that would help maintain it.
He said he was optimistic that a
large number of political miscarriages could be avoided in the days ahead of
the elections if decision-makers would take advantage of this offer of
consulting the institute on their activities.
Dr Bonnah Koomson, a member of the
National Media Commission, said every human institution recognises the need for
dialogue with its community and the people who can and will influence its
future.
GRi…/
Ameyibor calls for Media Development Fund
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 September 2000
Mr. Edward Ameyibor, Supervising Chief Editor
of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on Thursday called for a Media Development Fund
to help both public and private media fulfill their social responsibilities to
the people.
This is because in their attempt to
commercialise their operations there is the tendency for the media to sacrifice
national cohesion and unity by publishing only stories considered commercially
viable and ignoring those useful for development.
Mr. Ameyibor was contributing to a panel
discussion on the topic: "Ghana's presidential campaign, are the print
media doing their job?" as part of the two-day media forum on the general
theme: "Press, power and politics".
It was organised by the Freedom Forum of the
US, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Other panellists were Mr. Elvis Aryeh, Editor
of the Daily Graphic, Mr. Kweku Baako Jr., Editor of the Crusading Guide, Mr.
Ben Ephson, Editor of the Dispatch and Mr. Adama Gaye, Editor of West Africa
Magazine.
Mr. Ameyibor suggested that parameters for the
Fund, to be drawn from the Consolidated Fund and administered by the National
Media Commission, should be subjected to parliamentary debate.
He cited examples of similar systems like the
Commonwealth Media Development Fund, and others in Germany, France, Spain and
the USA.
Mr. Ameyibor said despite the fact that it has
correspondents all over the country, the GNA is constrained by inadequate
facilities like computers and vehicles making it difficult to reach out to its
subscribers on time.
Describing election periods as "bumper
harvests" for the GNA, Mr. Ameyibor said it is a matter of regret that there
is a glut of stories as most of them go unpublished due to lack of space in the
publications of its subscribers.
The discussion brought to the fore the problems
of access to information by journalists and lack of logistics which cut across
both the state-owned and private media.
The panelists took turns to narrate the
challenges they encounter in getting information, providing balanced reports
and expanding coverage in the face of limited facilities.
Mr. Baako said, even though Ghana had a long
history of private media practice, that sector had not been able to develop
because of numerous political interventions.
He said difficulties in accessing information
sometimes compel the private media to engage in speculative stories, but added
that the private media are important to the growth of democracy because they
give room for people to hear "the other side of the story".
He said reactions to speculative stories,
including court actions, "frighten up-and-coming journalists who lose the
initiative and the ability to be critical".
In his contribution Mr. Ephson said journalists
are not afraid of being charged for libel but "we want to protect our
sources".
He said if journalists can be taken to court
just for not disclosing their sources of information, "then the official
who embezzles public funds meant to provide water for the people should also be
made to go to court".
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