GRi Newsreel 26-02-99 

 Koforidua, (Eastern Region) 25 Feb.

The Police administration would not condone the misuse of firearms by police officers, Mr Peter Nanfuri, nspector General Police (IGP) has warned.

He said the administration would not tolerate the use of firearms to terrorise innocent citizens instead of using them to maintain law and order, adding that any policeman, who infringes the law and regulations governing the handling of firearms as spelt out in the service rules or those who indulge in acts like drunkenness, writing of anonymous letters would be sanctioned.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Joe Mprah, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Technical and General Services, during the passing out ceremony of 70 general police recruits at Koforidua on Monday.

The IGP said the reckless and careless use of firearms by policemen in recent times had brought the service "under a barrage of adverse criticism," noting that, any policeman "who infringes these regulations will face the full rigours and sanctions of the law".

Mr Nanfuri was critical of "young men and women who enlist into the service with false motives of becoming rich overnight, who often resort to bribery and extortion of money".

"These negative tendencies often find expression in the mounting of unauthorised road blocks and barriers, meddling in civil matters such as land cases, chieftaincy disputes and debt collection".

The IGP said the service was embarking upon a massive recruitment drive that would enable it attain the bjectives set for itself for the year 2001."

He urged the government to release the budgetary allocation in time for the service to meet its most pressing resource needs.

Efforts were being made to infuse the service with high quality human resource material capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century which could include the acquisition of vehicles and operational equipment to enable personnel perform efficiently and effectively.

He called on the public to work in partnership with the Police to prevent crime.

General Recruit Charles Obiri-Yeboah grabbed both the best recruit and best academic performance award while Kamal Kwakye and Benjamin Asiedu won the good conduct and best marksman awards, respectively.

Takoradi, (Western Region) 25 Feb.

Mr. Benjamin Botchway, Principal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board, today called on media houses in the country not to carry any food and drugs advertisement unless the Board has given prior approval.

The advertising agent and the media or organisation which carries unapproved food and drug advertisement would be jointly liable and shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the 1992 Food and Drugs Law, he said.

Mr. Botchway was speaking at a one-day seminar on Food and Drugs Advertisement in Takoradi aimed at sensitising the public on the use of unproved foods and drugs on the market.

He said no advertisement claiming that a drug is "most effective", "drug of choice" or "best tolerated", among others, should not be used unless the claims can be adequately substantiated.

Mr. Botchway reminded manufacturers, distributors and pharmacists, who use claims and quotations from scientific literature concerning efficacy, safety and adverse reactions of drugs to indicate the source of the information.

He cautioned that labelling of drugs should not contain any statements, which are false, misleading and exaggerated, adding that it should rather contain the name of the product, the forms in which the drug is available, and the name and addresses of the manufacturer and distributors.

Langbinsi (Northern Region), 26 Feb.

The out-going District Chief Executive for East Mamprusi, Mr Issaka Bawa, has appealed to people in the district to embrace family planning to help reverse the district's high population growth rate of about 3.5 per cent.

He said if this growth rate is viewed against the background of an economy, made up of mainly subsistence farmers with poor earnings, then it becomes clear that family planning is a must in the district.

Launching the family planning campaign in the district at Langbinsi, Mr Bawa said even though the message of family planning is always being drummed into the ears of the people, only a meagre 12 per cent acceptance rate has been achieved.

Mr Bawa observed that, while many women pay heed to family planning, some men vehemently kick against it because to them, it promotes unfaithfulness on the part of their wives.

He appealed to men to get involved in family planning and population control crusade, saying, while in the past the population was comfortably supported by the land because the size of the population was small, today, all that has faded away due to the pressure of an ever increasing population.

The District Director of Health Services, Mr Zakaria Seidu, explained that family planning services are designed to assist couples and individuals in their reproductive ages to fulfil their objectives.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday introduced Mr Victor Okuley Nortey as its candidate for next month's by-election at Ablekuma Central Constituency and urged voters to support him at the polls for the party to maintain the seat.

Mr S. A. Odoi Sykes, National Chairman of the NPP, said it would be wise and fair for voters in the constituency to return the NPP to ensure continuity in the development of the area. The vote scheduled for March 26 follows the death of Mr Sam C. Crabbe.

Mr Odoi Sykes praised Mr Crabbe for his commitment to the development of the constituency, saying that it was during his time that the area saw most development.

"Mr Crabbe's commitment to the area's development is a sign of the NPP's commitment to the welfare of the masses and it would only be wise for the electorate to give back the seat to the party to continue what our colleague started".

The late Mr Crabbe, who was affectionately called Makola MP, had to his credit a market project under construction, which would possibly be named after him, public toilets and drainage systems.

Mr Odoi Sykes said Mr Nortey, who was chosen by consensus, is the most competent person to continue the good work of Mr Crabbe because they worked closely together.

Touching on the recent increases in electricity tariffs, Mr Odoi Sykes said the timing and percentage of the hike are not right, pointing out that they are imposing a burden on the population.

He, therefore, called on the government to reconsider the tariffs and ensure that consumers do not become victims of bad ambitious policies and strategies.

Mr Nortey pledged his commitment to the programmes and projects initiated by Mr Crabbe saying, he will "ensure peace, safety and stability in the area."

Bunso (Eastern Region), 25 Feb.

Vice-President John Atta Mills on Thursday urged leaders and other activists of the Progressive Alliance to work hard as a team and treat one another with respect to win massively in the next elections.

"We must look on the good side of each other rather than the usual human frailties that we all have."

Addressing NDC functionaries at Bunso, Professor Mills said victory can only come through hard work and tasked them to intensify their mobilisation efforts.

They should also sharpen their propaganda machinery to reach women and the youth who constitute the bulk of the voter population.

Prof. Mills said this when he opened a two-day seminar for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) functional executives and other party activists in the Eastern region.

The seminar, which was on the theme: "Unity and Renewal for the Year 2000 and Beyond", was organised by the re-constituted regional secretariat of the NDC to brief party operatives on pertinent issues regarding the organisation and management of the party in the region.

Participants include some deputy ministers, District Chief Executives, National, Regional and Constituency Executives and other activists of the Progressive Alliance.

Prof. Mills said the seminar was crucial and timely and congratulated the organisers for their initiative to re-establish the party's strength, unity and dynamism, saying unlike its political opponents, the Progressive Alliance is realistic.

"We are realistic people so we know that it is only a strong, united and dynamic party that can win an election," he stated.

Prof. Mills said the Eastern region is particularly important to the NDC because it occupies a strategic position in the political landscape, being ethnically diverse in nature with a high voter population second only to Ashanti.

He made reference to the party's showing in the 1992 and 1996 parliamentary elections and cautioned against complacency which, he said, can rob the party of victory.

The party won 15 out of 26 seats in 1996 as against 22 seats in 1992. This, he said, is not good enough and charged "the Akatamanso family" to link up strongly with other organisations wishing to join hands with them.

Prof. Mills urged them to acknowledge the existence of past office holders and commend them for their contribution towards the development of the party.

"Of course, we must not forget our cadres and foot soldiers in the ACDR's for they are important constituents of the party whose contributions are still very much needed."

Many of them have made sacrifices in the past and some of them still continue to make more sacrifices in the supreme interest of the party.

"However, their efforts sometimes does not seem to be recognised ... let us all be mindful of such people among us so as to make them feel that they are part and parcel of the NDC family."

He cautioned, however, that extreme care needs to be exercised in order not to harbour people with dubious intentions and agenda aimed at destabilising the peace and unity within the party.

"The party needs peace, unity and stability to progress into the next millennium," he declared.

In her welcoming address, Ms Patience Adow, Eastern regional minister, urged the party leadership to put in more efforts at membership drive.

"We should aim at breaking the stronghold of the opposition in the region and, indeed, all parts of the country. We should show to the whole world that we are a formidable and unconquerable party."

Ms Adow said it was important for the functionaries to work together as a strong and united force not allowing any agitation to distract their focus.

"Let the people understand that the NDC does not make empty and vain promises and that even if it takes us two or more years than promised, we do perform and that we shall always deliver the goods."

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) yesterday called for an amendment of its enabling statute to specifically give it powers of seizure and prosecution to fight corruption in the society.

Dr Kenneth Attafuah, Chief Investigator of CHRAJ, made the call when he spoke on "Corruption and the Challenges of National Development" at a Garden Discussion with media practitioners in Accra.

The "Media and Society" programme, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), aims at stimulating discussions on a wide array of issues of national importance.

Thursday's encounter focused on "corruption as a cancer in the quest for socio-economic development, good governance and political stability".

Dr Attafua identified corruption as constituting a violation of individual's economic and social life.

The socio-economic costs of corruption, he noted, is enormous because it fosters public loss of confidence in systems and institutions, distorts reality, nourishes mediocrity and undermines the merit system of rewards, appointments and entitlements.

He regretted, however, that CHRAJ lacks powers of seizure and prosecution even where there is clear evidence of corruption.

"CHRAJ is currently loaded with the functions of both an Ombudsman and a Human Rights Commission and, as a result, cannot effectively carry its anti-corruption mandate."

Dr Attafua called for a "real governmental readiness and leadership to grapple with the problem", saying: "government must live by example and commit adequate resources to the CHRAJ to investigate corruption, educate the public against corruption and to prosecute corruption cases".

He also called for a well resourced special anti-corruption unit within the CHRAJ to enable it to perform its constitutional and statutory duties of preventing and investigating corruption."

Dr Attafua cited the cases of Hong Kong and Botswana where corruption once ruled supreme but they were able to effectively bring it under control, adding: "perhaps what succeeded there could be helpful elsewhere".

"While acknowledging our diverse socio-cultural traditions, we at the CHRAJ believe that the experiences of these two countries can provide us with the vital inspiration and critical insights necessary to fashioning our own system of national integrity and anti-corruption strategies."

Dr Attafuah called for "living wages" for workers to insulate them against corruption.

Dr George A. Apenteng, Executive Director of IEA, in his welcoming address, said the Garden Discussion will be done once every month to treat topics on various issues that will lead to the development of the nation.

Miss Margaret Insaidoo, lecturer at Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon, urged journalists to wage a relentless war on corruption.

She said the role of the media cannot be downplayed in the fight against corruption and other social vices.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 26 Feb.

The Burkinabe National Airline, "Air Burkinabe", today resumed flight operations to Ghana after a decade's absence.

The airline will operate two flights a week to Ghana which is its first and only anglophone destination.

A Forker 28 airbus belonging to the airline today touched down at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to climax an inaugural ceremony which was witnessed by government officials, traditional rulers and their Burkinabe counterparts.

Mr Mike Hammah, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, said government, in realising the important role aviation plays in national development, liberalised the skies to enhance its quest to make KIA an aviation hub of West Africa.

He said the resumption of the Burkinabe air services is coming at a time that the government of Ghana is pursuing its gateway programme.

The strategy is aimed at using Ghana as fertile ground to attract investments in industry, trade and tourism into the sub-region. Mr Hammah said there already exists cordial bilateral co-operation between the two countries in the areas of trade and, especially shipping, as Burkina Faso as a landlocked country using Ghana's corridors for its transit cargo.

He said without regional and sub-regional co-operation, efforts at expanding African markets, making it survive the competition imposed by modern global trends, will be fruitless.

Mr Cyrille Goungounke, the Burkinabe Parliamentary Minister, who led his country's delegation, said the resumption of "Air Burkinabe" to Ghana will stimulate sub-regional integration.

He was optimistic that the air services will facilitate trade between the two countries and serve well the needs of the business community.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

Mr Tim Acquah-Hayford, Chairman of the National Media Commission, today urged media women to strive to attain heights that would enable them to rub shoulders with their male counterparts.

He said in spite of the socio-cultural hindrances to the growth of women in the media profession, there are no legal limitations to the height that they can attain.

Mr Acquah-Hayford was speaking in Accra during activities to mark this year's observance of the International Day of Women in the Media.

The day marked the launch of a 'study of women in the media in Ghana' undertaken by PANOS Institute in co-operation with the West Africa Media Network, Association of Women in the Media, and Women in Broadcasting.

Mr Acquah-Hayford said, often times, women in the media have taken for granted the socio-cultural hindrances or have either compromised their existence and are unwilling to live up to the challenges. He and urged women journalists to strive to improve their journalistic practice as a first step to improving the status of Ghanaian women as a whole.

Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, said gender imbalances in the media as characterised by the low representation of women in media management and decision making positions has been a major contributory factor to the poor reflection of women in the media.

She, therefore, called on the Ministry of Communications to facilitate the process of affirmative action to all media houses and training institutions"that GJA strongly believes in affirmative action as a positive step to increase the current small number of media women at the top and bring in more women into the profession."

Ms Margaret A. Novicki, Director, United Nations Information Centre, said for women in the media to be able to rise up to desirable heights, they first and foremost need to network among themselves.

"We can take strength in our numbers and, as a group, put pressure on our bosses and other colleagues in the newsroom to see to it that we are represented in a positive fashion."

She said media women should also remember to lay down the ladder for other women to climb after they are at the top.

Mrs Eunice Osei-Bonsu, acting head, Information and Documentation Department of the Ghana News Agency, urged women in the media to start identifying women role models in the field and emulate them.

They should also support fully, through coverage and interviews, campaigns to uplift women and promote their human rights.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

The 12th Session of the Commission for Agrometeorology ended in Accra on today with an appeal to donor agencies to assist developing countries to improve their network of agrometeorological stations to provide timely and efficient services to agriculture.

The Commission noted with concern the reducing number of agrometeorological observation stations, saying that 13 out of the 54 countries which reported on their activities at the session had reduced their number of stations as compared to 1995.

It noted that with increasing swing in the weather and climate, farmers in developing countries which are more vulnerable to climate-related change and natural disaster, need accurate predictions and forecast to plan their activities.

Under the theme: "Weather, Climate and Agriculture", the session attended by over 100 delegates from all over the world to, among other things, draw up a programme for the Commission for 1999-2002.

The Commission emphasised the need to diffuse information and technology on the weather and climate to the farmer-level in developing countries for the effective management of crop production.

Delegates expressed their commitment to promote "agrometeorological applications for efficient, sustainable food, fodder and fibre production for an increasing world population in rapidly changing environments".

They also called for the implementation of United Nations Conventions which protect the environment.

In an address, Mr Ben C. Eghan, Chief Director of the Ministry of Communications, assured the delegates of Ghana's determination to contribute its quota towards the achievement of global food security.

"As I followed the proceedings of the 12th Session of the Commission, I could not fail to notice that your mission is laudable and well focused, and approach to its realisation is excellent.

"I, therefore, pledge the support of the government of Ghana to your Commission and urge all countries to do likewise in the Commission's principal task aimed at improving agricultural production to meet the needs of the ever increasing global population against the background of predicted negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production".

Ghana is the first country in Africa to host the conference.

Slovenia and Bolivia have proposed to host the 13th Session in 2003.

The Commission for Agrometeorology is responsible for the application of meteorology to agricultural farming systems, forestry, livestock management and agricultural land use.

It takes into consideration meteorology and agricultural development in both the scientific and practical fields.

It also develops agricultural meteorology services of member-countries by the transfer of knowledge and methodology through advice on a wide range of issues.

The eight-day session was originally scheduled to close on Friday, February 26.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 26 Feb.

The biggest sub-regional trade exposition organised by the ECOWAS Secretariat showcasing products from the 16-member states and the international business community, dubbed "Second ECOWAS Trade Fair", opens in Accra today, February 26.

It will be opened jointly by Vice-President Professor Evans John Atta Mills and President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.

The fair, which is under the theme "Integration Through Trade", is also expected to be attended by other heads of states of the sub-region or their representatives.

It has attracted about 600 exhibitors from the 16 member-states of ECOWAS, Europe, America and the Far East.

The highlights of the fair include a regional conference on economic co-operation through trade, workshops on ECOWAS industrialisation strategy, co-operation in the field of transport, and inter-regional trade.

There will also be a fashion show by the West African Women's Association.

A statement from the Secretariat said countries will celebrate their national days during which their exhibits and information on them will be highlighted.

Ghana's day falls on March seven.

Colonel Seth Kwawu (Rtd), Chief Executive of the Ghana Trade Fair Authority, told a press briefing on Thursday that the International Trade Fair Centre is ready for the 10-day fair.

He said even though some finishing touches have to be done, the facilities needed for the fair activities itself are in place, adding that every exhibitor and country will have an enjoyable fair.

The first five days of the fair are purely meant for business activities during which exhibitors will be meeting their partners for business transactions and export links.

The fair grounds will be opened for such activity daily from 8.00 a.m. to 14.000 hours and thereafter for other category of visitors till 10 p.m.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 26 Feb.

Mr.Andy Appiah-Kubi, an executive member of the national youth wing of the New Patriotic Party, today called for a review of of the country's educational system to become industry specific and prepare the youth for employment opportunities in the next millennium.

Mr Appiah-Kubi, said this at the inauguration and swearing in of a 15-member executive of the Accra Polytechnic chapter of the NPP youth wing.

He said industry and academia should collaborate to design the curricula that are required to help equip students with requisite skills.

''This calls for interactive management and review of our tertiary institutions as well''.

Mr Appiah - Kubi said a review of the educational system, should include job placement centres in the academic institutions to provide linkages between students and job opportunities.

''The alumni offices should not only target the development of data on alumni for collection of dues, but should also build up networks and link ages that will place graduating students into employment.

''Successful integration of the youth into the economic development process requires a sustained socio- economic growth that provides opportunities and challenges as well''.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, MP for Takoradi and deputy minority leader, described the nations's educational policy "as full of confusion and double standards".

She said ''following the haphazardly implemented educational reform programme students seeking admission into the universities now have to sit a special entrance examination.''

Mr. Abeeku Dickson, an executive member of the NPP national youth wing, who chaired the function said the reformation of the branches is a landmark of programmes of membership drive and youth mobilization.

He described the NPP as a ''growing family'' adding that while other parties are losing supporters, the NPP is gaining supporters.

Kade (Eastern Region), 26 Feb.

Akwatia is being considered as one of the 25 urban towns in 22 districts in the country to benefit under the Urban Five Project, otherwise known as Local Government Development Project.

Mr Korankye Ababio, Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, told the first ordinary meeting of the first session of the district assembly that the project is aimed, specifically, at supporting and strengthening local government institutions.

It would involve rehabilitation of basic infrastructure and urban services by focusing on the improvement of roads and storm drainages, markets and lorry parks and waste management.

The project would also provide technical assistance and training to strengthen central and district administrations, financial and resource management and capacity building.

Mr Ababio said 12 out of the 25 proposed urban towns will be selected to participate in the first phase.

Projects proposed for Akwatia include provision of mechanised boreholes, rehabilitation of existing pipe network and extension of pipe lines to newly developed areas and improvement of existing street lighting as well as the extension of this facility to other areas.

The others are rehabilitation of Akwatia market, tarring of the lorry park and construction of drains and gutters, rehabilitation of selected roads, including the construction of concrete and earth gutters.

The rest of the projects are the construction of a slaughter house and treatment plants for refuse and liquid waste.

In this connection, consultants assigned to the district have visited Akwatia to conduct engineering studies.

The consultants said the World Bank would make about 1.8 million dollars available for the Akwatia project instead of the required 2.6 million dollars and so the town should prioritise its needs.