Union calls for national debate on state of the economy
Closure of bar deprives beach fans of fun, pleasure
Union calls for national debate on state of the economy
Accra (Greater Accra), 28th December 99
The Government has been urged as a matter of urgency to call for a national debate on the state of the economy.
This is contained in a resolution adopted by the National Executive Council of the Ghana Mineworkers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) at the end of a meeting in Accra on December 20.
The resolution, released to the press on Monday, stressed that the state of the economy "is seriously affecting the total well-being of the ordinary Ghanaian."
The Union deliberated on issues affecting mineworkers, the role they play in the mining industry and the socio-economic development of the country.
"The government should call a national debate on the economy to allow for consensus building in respect of reversing the poor performance of the economy."
The workers maintained that given the magnitude of the problems that confront the mining industry, with its attendant repercussion on the nation's socio-economic development, the mining industry requires the urgent attention of the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Minerals Commission.
"We call on the President to, as a matter of urgency, appoint without any further delay, a substantive Minister of Mines and Energy, a Deputy Minister of Mines and a Chief Executive Officer for the Minerals Commission."
The Union urged the government to take necessary and appropriate measures to bring efficiency and effectiveness into the operation of the Ghana Railways Company Limited.
"This will enable the company to meet its obligations in respect of the haulage of manganese and bauxite from Nsuta and Awaso respectively, to avert the possible premature closure of the two mines."
The resolution urged the government to publish the full report of the Anyidoho Committee that investigated the causes of the strike at the Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited at Obuasi earlier in the year.
It urged the Union and the Ghana Chamber of Mines to engage in "constructive dialogue in employment relations in order to promote growth in the sector".
GRi
Closure of bar deprives beach fans of fun, pleasure
Accra (Greater Accra), 28th December 99
The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), has been called upon to ensure the re-opening of "Macbay," a popular club at the La Pleasure Beach Resort.
Many holidaymakers said the closure was robbing them of the fun that has been associated with the beach for sometime now.
This was the outcome of investigations by newsmen on Monday when large numbers of people thronged the beach for their holiday.
They said La Beach is an important tourist attraction in Accra and called on GTB to ensure that facilities and standards are maintained and improved to boost tourism to earn more revenue for the state.
"The Ghana Tourist Board must make efforts to restore sanity in operations at the resort to win the confidence of potential investors in the tourism industry," Ms Susana Appiah, a caterer said.
Investigations revealed that Macbay's closure, was the result of an impasse between two foreign partners operating it.
The partners, Mr. Robin Angel, a British and Mr. George Poskia, a Greek were not available to comment but a source said the partners seem to have fallen out with each other on how to run the popular club.
People who claimed to be regular patrons had to make do with other bars and joints around.
GRi