Press Review Ghana 29 - 09 - 2000
Only
9 present in Parliament
Candidates
can pull out
WAEC
to review SSCE date
Owuraku
Amofa quits govt?
Historic
forum
NDC
Adwane! Mills Adwane!
Fear
not J.J. - Kufuor's soothing promise
Daily
Graphic
Only
9 present in Parliament
The
Daily Graphic reports that Parliament on Thursday registered its poorest
attendance ever with only nine members present at the commencement of the day's
business at 11 a.m., at which the Minister of Health, Professor Kwaku Danso
Boafo answered questions.
The
initial five from the Majority side and four from the Minority, out of the
200-member House, shot up to 41 when others joined during the course of
deliberations.
With
none of those present objecting to the poor attendance, business proceeded as
usual, although Standing Orders of the House requires one-third representation
to make up a quorum.
Prof.
Danso Boafo, in his briefing said although over 90 per cent of Ghanaians are
aware of AIDS they do not practice protective sex and called on all, especially
MPs and ministers, to assist in saving the nation from the spread of the
disease.
More…/
Candidates
can pull out
The
Graphic in another front-page story quotes the Electoral Commission as saying
that any candidate contesting the December presidential and parliamentary
elections could pull out of the race 24 hours before the conduct of the
elections.
Mr.
Kwame Damuah-Agyeman, Chief Director of the Commission, told the paper that
depending on the period of the withdrawal, the affected candidate could forfeit
his or her deposit to the commission.
A
candidate contesting either the presidential or parliamentary elections who
withdraws before the printing of ballot papers would have a refund of the
deposit while the amount shall be forfeited if the withdrawal comes after
printing has been done.
GRi…/
The
Ghanaian Times
WAEC
to review SSCE date
The
Ghanaian Times reports on its front-page that the Ghana Education Service (GES)
has contacted the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust the
timetable for this year's Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The
change has become necessary because the exams date coincides with the December
7 elections.
Prof.
Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Director of the GES, in an interview with the Ghana
News Agency, said: "both programmes are of national importance, hence the
decision to adjust the timetable to enable students and teachers to participate
in them."
He
noted that it will be wrong to deny students, some of whom might be taking part
in the election for the first time, from voting for their representatives.
GRi…/
The
Evening News
Owuraku
Amofa quits govt?
The
Deputy Minister of Communications, Owuraku Amofa, who repeatedly called for a
Mills-Obed ticket for the NDC in the forthcoming elections appears to have
carried out a hint he gave to close confidants that he will "shock some
people" if his choice was not effected, the Evening News has reported.
The
paper says its investigations indicate that soon after the announcement of Mr.
Martin Amidu, as running mate to Professor Mills, he packed bag and baggage and
travelled to London with his family.
Although
the news is yet to be confirmed, staff of the Communications Ministry, were
tight-lipped when contacted of his whereabouts.
"He
has been away for about three weeks but we are not aware as to whether it is on
official duties or not", the paper quoted a source as saying.
Amofa's
departure from the Progressive Alliance, according to the paper, comes as part
of the after shocks and ripples that naturally come with such decisions, given
the passion and emotions that characterised the campaign for the number two
slot.
"The
outspoken chairman of the EGLE Party is one man whose pronouncements over the
choice of the running-mate seemed to have discomfited many within the
Progressive Alliance, least of all the flagbearer, Prof. Mills", the paper
said.
GRi…/
The
Weekend Statesman
Historic
forum
The
Weekend Statesman says the Accra International Conference was on Wednesday
night the venue for the historic public meeting and discussion of ideas by all
but one of the presidential candidates for this year's election.
The
event, put together by the Freedom Forum, the Ghana Journalists Association and
the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, featured Dr Edward Mahama (PNC), Mr Dan
Lartey (GCPP), Prof. George Hagan (CPP), Mr Goosie Tanoh (NRP), Dr Charles
Wereko-Brobby (UGM) and Mr. J.A. Kufuor (NPP).
Prof.
John Atta Mills of the NDC was however not present due to an earlier turn-down
of the invitation by the government and his party, and the audience that
gathered for the occasion taunted: "Mills adwane".
Statesman
reports that the novel event, which was carried live on GTV, CNN and SABC of
South Africa, was remarkable for the sense of camaraderie among the candidates,
as they sat on the dais.
It
writes about the flagbearers: "Resplendent in suits and very formal in
posture were Lartey, Hagan, Tanoh and Kufuor while Mahama spotted his usual
Northern smock with cap to match. Wereko-Brobby, however distracted from the
occasion with his long-sleeved batik shirt over a pair of trousers and
compounded this with a slouching posture which gave the impression of either
nervousness or over-confidence."
The
Statesman said: "Youthful and exuberant with his good poise and
presentation, Goosie Tanoh won frequent applause, but goofed rather badly when
he displayed ignorance of whether June 4 was a public holiday."
Sharp
and witty, Dr Mahama sought to make the best out of the opportunity by seizing
every opportunity to ask the electorate to vote for him.
In
vintage Kufuor appearance, the NPP candidate gave indication of one very
conversant with the issues at stake, though not much of an orator.
Silky
haired Prof. Hagan exposed his ignorance of the legal system with his proposal
to ensure as President, that no case stays in court for more than three weeks.
The
grand old man of the race, 74 year-old Dan Lartey was clearly an embarrassment
to the process, as he cut a pathetic figure of himself.
Statesman
opines that all together the event was an edifying and educative one-stop
location for candidate assessment.
GRi…/
Free
Press
NDC
Adwane! Mills Adwane!
The
Free Press in its banner story says Wednesday September 27, 2000 will go down
in Ghana's political history as the most embarrassing moment for the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC), when the party's presidential candidate,
Prof. John Atta
Mills
refused participation in a historic presidential debate.
The
paper says as the six other presidential aspirants appeared on stage to begin
the debate telecast live on GTV and CNN, the teeming crowd at the public
gallery of the centre shouted uncontrollably "Mills adwane" meaning
"Mills (NDC) has run away" from this all important debate.
The
enthusiastic gathering reportedly cheered their favourite candidates as CNN's
Johannesburg Bureau Chief, Charlagne hunter-Gault, introduced the presidential
candidates.
"But
immediately she explained that the seventh candidate for the NDC did not honour
the invitation, the crowd shouted: "NDC Adwane," "Mills
Adwane."
GRi…/
The
Ghanaian Chronicle
Fear
not J.J. - Kufuor's soothing promise
The
Ghanaian Chronicle writes in its lead story that outgoing President, Jerry John
Rawlings has nothing to fear under a New Patriotic Party (NPP) government
according Mr. J.A. Kufuor, when answering questions at the historic
presidential debate.
Rawlings,
Kufuor said, would be protected and accorded all the respect deserving of a
former President and Head of State.
The
NPP flagbearer however, warned that the outgoing President would only be
accorded the respect he deserves provided he remains within the confines of the
laws of the land and does not seek to subvert the rule of law.
"So
far as President Rawlings stays within the laws of the land, we will advance to
him all the courtesies deserving of a former President and Statesman," Mr.
Kufuour was quoted to have stated.
GRi…/