Sam Jonah to deliver Public Relations Week Lecture
Police mount barriers to check robbery
Policeman killed at police barrier
Edumadze calls for accountability
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - The responsibilities of J.H. Mensah as the Leader of Government Business should not be viewed as interference in the affairs of other ministers, Kwabena Agyapong, Deputy Government Spokesman, said on Monday in Accra.
Reacting to a publication captioned "J. H. Causing Ripples in Government," in the Monday's edition of the Independent, Agyapong said as leader of Government Business it was Mr Mensah's duty to ensure that all issues concerning the government were addressed effectively.
"Mr Mensah's rank is higher than all other ministers. He is also the Majority Leader and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and he has responsibilities in all these roles."
The publication in the newspaper said: "There is growing agitation amongst some ministers of state and other parliamentarians on the proper designation of Mr Joseph Henry Mensah....
The Independent claimed that the government sources had hinted it that Mr Mensah was overstepping his bounds as leader of Government Business in Parliament and virtually usurping the functions of some ministers.
It further alleged that Mr Mensah's arrogated role was causing discomfort to President John Agykum Kufuor while some ministers had expressed reservations about the conduct of Mr Mensah at the last Cabinet meeting.
Agyapong said there was no ambiguity about the functions of Mr Mensah, who has been assigned by the President. "The publication talked about the discussion of Mr Mensah at a Cabinet meeting, but we are unaware of any such meeting," said Agyapong.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - Sir John Kerr, the visiting British Permanent Under Secretary of State, on Monday lauded Ghana's decision to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and pledged his country's support.
Sir John, who was holding bilateral discussions with Vice President Aliu Mahama at the State House, said it was not right for Ghana to have spent more on debt servicing annually than on health and education.
Ghana is to save between 231 million dollars and 257 dollars in debt servicing this year by joining HIPC, which provides resources to be used in investment in poverty reduction programmes.
The discussions covered several issues, including economic growth, education, peacekeeping and the stamping of passports by the British High Commission.
Sir John said London had closely followed events in Ghana since the transition and was impressed with the "economic numbers" so far. The economic success of a country depended largely on reliable, predictable and stable indices, which create investor confidence, he observed, adding that "London will invest in Ghana's success as a model in West Africa."
Britain is currently Ghana's largest bilateral development partner with support of about 55 million pounds a year. The support is to increase to 65 million pounds over the next three years.
Sir John commended Ghana's military personnel for their impressive performance in peacekeeping operations and expressed the hope that the Kofi Annan Centre for Training would be used to further strengthen the capability of United Nations forces.
Reacting to an appeal by Alhaji Mahama to the British High Commission to stop stamping the passports of Ghanaians whose visa applications are rejected, Sir John, who is head of the Diplomatic Service, said he had "taken notice of the issue." Alhaji Mahama said Ghana was losing a lot of passports because of the practice.
Sir John later commission the Visa and Consular Building of the British High Commission as part of his two-day visit.
He will meet political figures and business people. The Vice President thanked Britain for its financial support to Ghana, especially in the provision of water and roads.
"Britain has given us a lot of support for which we are grateful. We hope that the assistance will continue for us to build a good foundation for our economy."
Alhaji Mahama said the government would pursue programmes to promote good governance, the rule of law and economic growth.
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Cape Coast (Central Region) 10 September 2001 - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the government to take appropriate measures to halt the harassment of perceived opponents of the government by the security agencies.
Members also expressed concern about continuing unlawful arrest and detention of the party's activists and sympathisers.
In an eight-point resolution at a meeting of the Central Region Youth and Women Wings and the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) of the NDC at Cape Coast, it said such acts infringed on the constitutional rights of the people and asked the government to apologise to all victims.
The resolution called for a probe into a scandal at CEDECOM, involving a Minister of State to be in line with the government's own declaration of "Zero Tolerance for Corruption".
It also called for an immediate stop to the "Proceed-On-Leave Syndrome", which the government was using to dismiss people of different political persuasions from office.
The resolution condemned discrimination in the recruitment for jobs and disbursement of funds under the poverty reduction intervention, citing recent recruitment of the youth for the cocoa spraying exercise, undertaken by NPP constituency and regional executives.
The resolution called on the government to address the high cost of living due to the astronomical hike in the tariffs of the utility services and petroleum products to enable Ghanaians to enjoy a good standard of living.
It asked the government to make education affordable through the judicious utilisation of the Education Fund established by the NDC government through the Value Added Tax, which the NPP vehemently opposed.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Monday submitted its audited accounts for the year ending December 31, 2000 to the Electoral Commission.
Mr Daniel Lartey, GCPP Presidential Candidate for the 2000 elections, said in an interview that it submitted the audited accounts late because of a technical problem in collating the accounts from its regional offices.
"As a party aspiring to form the next government in 2004, we will not in any way undermine democratic principles and laws."
The GCPP Presidential candidate reiterated his earlier position on the law, saying: "You demand accountability from the one you have funded. Without any support from the state it is morally incorrect for the Electoral Commission (EC) to compel the parties for an audited account."
The electoral law specifies that a political party shall within six months from December 31st of each year file with the EC returns indicating the state of its accounts, the source of its funds and membership dues paid or risk cancellation of its registration.
"Without prejudice to any other penalty prescribed by the Act or any other enactment, where a political party refuses or neglects to comply with the provision or submits a declaration that is false in any material, the Commission may cancel its registration," it said.
The electoral law also compels political parties to inform the EC about other sources of funding including contributions or donations in cash or kind, property and time of acquisition and audited accounts for the year.
These are constitutional and statutory provisions that the parties are required to meet and make available to the Commission for verification.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - The La Youth Association (LAYA) on Monday explained that it took over the management of the La Pleasure Beach Resort so as to halt its deterioration.
Vincent Sowah Odotei, LAYA President, said the Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC) had operated the beach resort without licence from the Ghana Tourist Board since 1991.
Explaining the rationale behind last Saturday's takeover of the resort to reporters, the LAYA President also called for a probe into its operations since 1991.
He stressed that the action of the association was also to reverse the bad publicity and negative reports of pick-pocketing, criminal attacks on tourists, open prostitution, drug peddling and other social vices at the beach.
He said the poor image of the beach had also affected the reputation of the La Palm Royal and the La Beach Hotels.
Odotei alleged that GTDC had since 1991 failed to provide efficient supervision of the beach resort leading to corruption, mismanagement, under declaration of accounts, illegal collection of rent and tolls from unregistered hawkers and vendors.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday left Accra for La Cote d'Ivoire to attend a day's mini-summit of select heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deliberate on issues confronting the sub-region.
Also expected at the meeting are the Presidents of Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Cape Verde. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Foreign Minister, Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum, Minister of Regional Integration and Economic Co-operation, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister for Media Relations and Amon Tanoe, the Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana,
accompanied President Kufuor.
The Foreign Minister told newsmen that the meeting would discuss peace and stability, monetary, economic and sub-regional integration issues. Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama was at the airport to see President Kufuor off.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - Dr Sam Jonah, Chief Executive of Ashanti Goldfields Company, would deliver this year's Public Relations (PR) Week Lecture at the British Council Hall on October 23 at 17:00 hours.
He would be speaking on the theme: "Public Relations-Vital Link for Good Governance," a statement issued by the Institute of Public Relations said on Monday.
The official launching of the week would be held on Friday, October 19, at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Guest House. This year's PR week being organised by the Institute of Public Relations, would also spotlight a round-table discussion on the theme: "Bringing Together Teams from the Majority and Minority in Parliament."
Other highlights of the week include a seminar for PR professionals, the Annual General Meeting and the annual dinner and awards night.
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Police mount barriers to check robbery
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - The Police administration on Saturday begun a special nation-wide operation to flush out harden criminals especially on the highways.
There has been an increase in the number of highway robberies throughout the country in recent times. The exercise would include snap checks, mounting of roadblocks in all big towns and cities.
David Eklu, Acting Director of the Police Public Relations said other activities involved in the exercise would not be disclosed for security reasons.
He urged the public to co-operate to make the exercise a success by complying with instructions of personnel mounting the operations. Eklu cautioned police officers, who may be involved to show courtesy and respect and avoid unnecessary delays that may irritate motorists.
"Regional, Divisional and District commanders are expected to ensure that the personnel they used for the exercise do not harass members of the public." He warned that any officer found to have violated this directive would be sanctioned.
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Depressed districts get 700 billion
cedis
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - The Emergency Social Relief Programme (ESRP) is the government's effort to reduced poverty in the rural communities, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development sa8id on Sunday.
The 700 billion-cedi relief programme launched recently was aimed at creating employment and income generation opportunities for the poor in the most depressed districts, he said.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said in an interview that the programme is also to ensure food security by increasing food production, raise incomes of small-scale food crop producers and improve access to quality basic health infrastructure and services.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are funding the three-year programme. Other packages included in the programme are to ensure increased accesses of poor children to pre-school, primary and secondary education in targeted districts, enhance the sanitation and dwelling conditions of the poor in urban and peri-urban slums, rehabilitate street hawkers, female porters (kayayee), vagrants and increase awareness on HIV/AIDS and control and treatment services.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said the programme is also to ensure that beneficiaries are provided with the basic inputs and good atmosphere to work during the peak and lean seasons in the fishing or farming communities in order to repay the loans.
The Minister, who is also the chairman of the national committee on ESRP implementation said the committee had already toured the beneficiary communities to have first hand information of their problems and the assistance they would require.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said efforts would be made to provide access roads, an all-year round availability of food and fish and improvement in the sanitary conditions in the communities.
He said the Agricultural Development Bank has been mandated to receive and process applications from those who need assistance from August 1.
The ESRP Committee has expressed interest in revamping an abandoned bakery at Nima and discussions are far advanced to lease the bakery.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Abu Marga, owner of the abandoned bakery dismissed rumours that he is hindering the smooth transfer of the bakery for the ESRP.
He said, "although we objected to an initial 30 million cedis offer for ten years lease based on the rental conditions, we have made our counter conditions known to all concerned without demanding any good will."
He said, "our family has made its intentions known to the committee for their response... we are willing to offer the place for the benefit of the entire community and beyond".
Mr. Ahmed Sadat Awudu, the government appointee in the Ayawaso Sub Metro Assembly noted that through the ESRP, the Labour Department has registered over 630 youths, waiting to be recruited for the project.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 September 2001 - Ms. Joanne Oliva, a United Nations (UN) official in Ghana, who was involved in an accident near the police headquarters last Friday, and suffered a pelvic fracture, has refused to be treated in Ghana.
Sources at the Police Hospital, on Saturday told the Ghana News Agency that Ms. Oliva demanded to be taken abroad for treatment after she had refused to be treated there or the 37 Military Hospital.
Ms. Oliva who was in the country with other UN officials to recruit Ghanaian security personnel for peace keeping duties in Kosovo and East Timor, had injuries on the mouth and teeth, the source said.
The accident occurred when the UN team, was taking Ghanaian police personnel through a driving drill exercise, one of the selection programmes, behind the police headquarters.
The source said Ms. Oliva and a Ghanaian policewoman were on a Nissan pick-up belonging to the Police, conducting the test when the vehicle skidded off the road and run into a nearby tree.
The policewoman, who also sustained some injuries, was treated and discharged at the police hospital.
Ms. Oliva is said to be at the guest house of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), waiting to be flown to the United States (US). The Cantonments Police confirmed the incident when contacted them.
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Juaso (Ashanti Region) 10 September 2001 - A Police Sergeant on night duty at the Kantanso Police barrier, near Juaso in the Asante-Akim South District was killed instantly when an articulator truck crashed into the barrier and the Charge Office building.
According to eyewitnesses, Sgt. K. Frempong had his head severed when the articulator (with registration number GR 5562 B) knocked him down.
The driver of the vehicle vanished from the scene of the accident before other policemen and residents of the area arrived. However, it was learnt later that the driver, whose name was not immediately known, is on admission at the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw.
The eyewitnesses said the articulator truck, which was from Kumasi, was descending the slope towards the barrier during a rainfall, smashed the barrier and crashed into the police charge office. The front axle of the vehicle was dismantled on impact.
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Edumadze calls for accountability
Ajumako(Central Region) 10 September 2001 - The Central Regional Minister, Isaac E. Edumadze, has expressed concern about the rate at which chieftaincy disputes, rumour mongering, back biting, and other social vices is spreading in the region.
He has therefore, appealed to the people to remain united to pave the way for the development of the region.
The Regional Minister was addressing the chiefs and people of Ajumako at a special fund-raising harvest organised as part of activities marking this year's annual Akwambo festival at Ajumako.
He announced that the Ajumako and Dunkwa-on-Offin Training Colleges would be re-opened next year to train more teachers.
Mr Edumadze called on people in authority to exhibit transparency and accountability in administration to win the trust of the people.
Mr Kenneth K. Obimpong, District Chief Executive for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, said plans were far advanced for the construction of 12 semi-detached bungalows for workers.
The Very Rev. John A. Crentsil, Superintendent Minister in-charge of the Methodist Church, led the people to say special prayers for the nation and the government at a non-denominational service organised to crown the festival.
Rev. Crentsil called for unity and reconciliation among all the citizens. An appeal for funds yielded 4.2 million cedis.
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