GRi Newsreel 18-02-99

Accra (Greater Accra) 18 Feb 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started issuing "computer-readable" passports to the public.

A release issued by the Ministry in Accra said the new passport has the same features as the one currently in use except that it has the country code built in to conform to international standards and usage.

The processing fee for the new passport remains unchanged. The statement said those who have hand-written passports can continue to use them since they are still valid.

It stressed that there is no need for anyone holding the old passport to apply for the new type.

Accra (Greater Accra) 18 Feb. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Miss Esther Appiah of the Police Women and Juvenile Unit, yesterday said they are looking for specific policies from the government to resolve cases of sexual harassment of women.

"We are looking forward to clear cut policies from the government so that we can act and prosecute men who harass women at their work places''.

In an interview at Accra she said due to insufficient evidence, cases of sexual harassment are hardly reported by women.

Even if they are reported, the victims are unwilling to go to the open court for fear of public ridicule, she said, adding that they rather want the accused persons to sign bonds of good behaviour.

D.S.P. Appiah also stressed that family relations hinder the work of the police saying ''just as we think we are making a headway in our investigations to prosecute accused persons, relatives come in to withdraw the cases to settle them".

"This is a waste of our time and stationery." DSP Appiah said relatives, who report minor cases of assault and fighting normally want the men to sign bonds rather than be prosecuted.

She said battered wives who want their husbands prosecuted are those who have lost interest in their marriages and those who do not want prosecution do so for the sake of their children.