GRi NEWSREEL 14-01-99

Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 14 Jan. 

Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, has asked the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, to come out with a reliable data on annual revenue estimates. KMA should also to identify other revenue sources and strengthen its revenue collection base to finance more development.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the assembly in Kumasi yesterday Mr Yankah said in October, 1998, KMA targeted about 10 billion cedis revenue but realised only 4.9 billion cedis representing 49 per cent of the revenue expected from traditional sources. He noted that while the assembly is not meeting its revenue targets, it made excess expenditure in areas such as entertainment and donations and said ''this is irregular and unacceptable''.

The Regional Minister expressed concern about undue delays in the processing and award of contracts and said this leads to unsatisfactory work on projects for which funding have been approved.

He complained about the slow utilisation of common fund allocations and delays in payment for contracts duly executed and said ''some contracts executed as far back as 1995 have not be paid'' and directed that all sub-district structures should be inaugurated by February 16, 1999, to lessen the work on the assembly.

Mr Yankah described the dumping of liquid waste into the Subin river ''as disturbing and unacceptable'' and directed the assembly to start using its new disposal site by the end of this month.

The Kumasi Planning Committee will soon meet to discuss and develop a strategy for the orderly development of the metropolis, he said adding that, ''the spectre of disorderly, haphazard and unauthorised structures and development in the metropolis is alarming".

He said a regional clean-up and tree planting exercise will be launched on Wednesday, February 17, 1999, after which assembly members will be expected to sustain the campaign in their electoral areas.

Assembly members and Members of Parliament should observe strictly the guidelines for the application of the MP's allocation of the assemblies common fund, he said.

Assembly members should promote an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and harmony with the electorate to ensure peace and security in the region.

"You need to develop the right relationships and act in such a way as to earn the confidence of the people in your electoral areas, among yourselves and the entire officials of the assembly," he added.

Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Metropolitan Chief Executive, complained about the contravention of the guidelines on the utilisation of the MP's allocation of the common fund.

He said some MPs unilaterally select projects to fund without consulting the assembly adding that this is affecting its development programme and called on the relevant organisations to assist the assembly's electrification programme.

Koforidua, (Eastern Region) 14 Jan. 

Francis Asatey, a farmer at Bomase near Asesewa, who allegedly stabbed one Tetteh Kwabla, in a scuffle leading to his death was on Monday remanded in prison custody by the Koforidua circuit tribunal.

His plea was not taken and he is to re-appear on February 25, 1999.

The tribunal chaired by Mr Senyo Dzamefe, was told by Police Superintendent Rose Atinga, that the deceased, a terrazzo apprentice in Accra, visited his parents at Plekunesi near Asesewa, during the Christmas holidays.

On December 30, 1998, the deceased in the company of a brother, went for a musical entertainment at Sekesua, at about 9:30 p.m..

She said Kwabla met his girlfriend, one Akuma, in the company of the accused at the place of entertainment and a fight ensued between the two men which was stopped by those around.

Supt. Atinga said the deceased left to buy food but the accused followed him, attacked and stabbed him at the back. He then threatened to stab anyone who came near him.

Kwabla was rushed to a clinic for first aid but died while being conveyed to the Koforidua government hospital.

Supt. Atinga said the accused was arrested on January 4, 1999 , at a hide out.

Takoradi, (Western Region) 14 Jan.

 The Takoradi plant of the Ghana Cement Works (GHACEM), produced 600,000 tonnes of cement in 1998, representing an increase of about 12 percent over the 550,000 tonnes produced in1997.

Mr. Knut Tiseth, Acting Works Manager, said this yesterday when Mr. Arun Kumar Banerjee, Indian High Commissioner in Ghana, visited the plant at the end of a two-day familiarisation tour of the Western Region. Mr Tiseth said production has been increasing at an annual rate of about 20 percent since 1986, adding that 20 percent of the cement produced last year was purchased by the mining companies. The company has put in place health, safety and environmental awareness programme for its workers in addition to measures to minimise pollution.

At the Pioneer Tobacco Company, Mr. Jimmy Idun-Ogle, Managing Director, appealed to the Government to reduce the excise duty being paid by the Company to discourage the smuggling of cigarettes into the country. He said the Company pays six billion cedis a month in excise duties adding that 53 percent of its revenue goes into taxes.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 14 Jan.  

Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, Minister of Works and Housing, said yesterday that one of six firms short-listed to dredge the Korle Lagoon in Accra to check pollution will begin work this year.

Mr Adjei-Mensah was responding to a question from the floor at the sixth forum of Parliament held at the National Theatre on the theme: "Parliament on the threshold of the 21st century".

Other ministers who answered questions were Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a deputy Minister of Education, and Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare.

Mr Peprah said there would be no reversal on pension operations, adding that those who have earned the right to enjoy the pension scheme known as "Cap 30" would not be denied their right.

He said the ministry is working out modalities for a unified pension for all categories of workers under the Social Security scheme which would be more attractive to beneficiaries.

Reacting to the care for the disabled and the disadvantaged, Alhaji Mumuni appealed to the private sector and public-spirited individuals to support the caring of the weak on charitable basis.

He said Ghanaians by nature are known to be charitable and that they should translate this charity into real terms by providing funds for the rehabilitation of the disabled.

Mr Kwaku Acheampong Bonful, deputy Minister of the Interior, told a questioner who wanted the clergy, the press and the public to preach love for the police to maintain peace and protect life and property, that it was sad that society and even parliament consider development projects more important than their security.

He said there was the need to recruit more policemen and provide them with logistics but parliamentarians would prefer good drinking water and schools in their constituencies.

Mr Bonful appealed to the public to sympathise with and support the police to provide efficient services. On education, Dr Chambas said the senior secondary school certificate is internationally recognised and some of those holding it have gained admission into universities outside the country.

Tamale, (Northern Region) 14 Jan.  

The Northern regional minister, Mr Joshua Alabi, today called for more stringent laws to prohibit any form of discrimination and violence against women.

In a speech read for him to open a day's seminar on violence against women at Tamale, Mr Alabi said the enforcement of such laws, coupled with affirmative action, would discourage acts of violence against women.

The seminar, organised by the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD), brought together 90 participants from religious organisations and women's groups such as the Wives Association of the Security Services, Federation of Business and Professional Women, market women, GNAT Ladies Society and GES Ladies.

It was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme.

Topics discussed included female genital mutilation, the existence of a witches' home and strategies to minimise or stop violence against women.

Mr Alabi suggested that district assemblies should allocate part of the common fund to support the empowerment of women.

He said it is imperative that something positive must be done to eradicate discrimination and violence against women, adding that society is taking "undue advantage" of women's attributes of gentility and mildness to suppress them.

Hajia Alima Mahama, a member of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), regretted that various other forms of violence are not covered in the Criminal Code.

She said violence against women takes the form of physical, sexual psychological abuse, adding that a lot of misconceptions are placed on religion or culture as a basis for such violence.

"Violence against women is deeply rooted in the gender power relationship and has assumed a complexity in nature in various societies," she observed.

Hajia Mahama called on women to organise back-up groups to support victims of violence and seek their constitutional and legal rights to remedy the wrongs of society.

Tamale (Northern Region), 14 Jan.

The Department of Animal Science of the University for Development Studies (UDS) is conducting a research into how to improve the reproductive capacity of the local guinea fowl.

The study, which started last April, is funded by the Small Holder Agricultural Development Project for the next four to six years.

The guinea fowl has traditionally been a delicacy of the people of Northern Ghana but in recent times it has become popular nation-wide for its low fat content and most people enjoy it, especially when it is barbecued.

A current issue of the university's quarterly newsletter said a four-member research team comprising Mr Gabriel Ayum Teye, leader, Professor Peter Gyawu, Mr Emmanuel Acquah, and Mr Richard Yeboah, is working with the Pong-Tamale Veterinary School on the project.

The main focus of the research is to find solutions to problems facing farmers in feeding, housing and health management and to develop a cross of local and exotic types that will become a commercially productive breed in the country.

The team hopes to establish guidelines on the management of guinea fowls from day old to maturity including nutrient, health and management requirements that will be ideal for the birds.

The study will also recommend suitable housing system for the fowls.

Accra (Greater Accra), 14 Jan.

The Muslim Ramadhan fast which is being observed by Muslims throughout the country is to end at sunset on Monday, January 18.

The fast, which takes 30 days to complete, began in Ghana on Sunday, December 20, 1998.

A statement issued in Accra yesterday by the National Hilal Committee said the committee on the authority of the national Chief Imam and the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has declared Sunday for the search for the new moon ( Crescent) of Shawal in Ghana.

The statement said if the crescent is sighted on Sunday, January 17, then Monday, January 18, shall be Eid-ul-fitr day.

If , however, the crescent is not sighted on Sunday, then Monday should be reckoned as the 30th day of Ramadhan in which case, Tuesday, January 19, shall be the day for Eid-Ul-Fitr in Ghana, it added.

Tamale (Northerrn Region), 14 Jan.

Only about 50 per cent of Ghanaians have access to safe drinking water while the rest depend on unhygienic natural sources, Dr Nsiiri Agana, Tamale municipal director of health services, said yesterday at a workshop on water hygiene in Tamale.

Dr Agana, who addressed the opening session of the workshop, said only about 20 per cent of the people have access to toilet facilities, a problem he described as ''much more acute''.

The ratio of public toilets to the population is one to 2,000 which ''accounts for widespread incidence of defecation by people in open places''.

The three-day workshop sponsored by Water Aid, a British Non-Governmental Organisation, is being attended by 26 representatives of nine NGO's engaged in water and sanitation programmes in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Ashanti, Greater Accra and Eastern regions.

It is aimed at equipping the participants with the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes to gather relevant baseline data for effective hygiene promotion.

Dr Agana said because of the inadequacy of the existing system of solid and liquid waste disposal, people dump their refuse at places that pollute water bodies.

He called for a multi-sectoral approach to address such problems, saying the Ministry of Health will support Water Aid and all other stakeholders in this regard.

The Chairman of New Energy, a local NGO, Mr Amadu Mahama, lauded Water Aid for financing the construction of 2,500 boreholes and 1,600 latrines in the six participating regions during the last 12 years.

Mr Mahama said Water Aid makes available about three billion cedis every year to fund projects in its operational areas.

The presiding member of the Tamale Municipal Assembly, Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, commended New Energy for assisting to improve the water delivery system in the municipality.

New Energy has rehabilitated eight wells fitted with handpumps in Tamale and constructed 52 hand-dug wells in the West Mamprusi and Gushegu/Karaga districts.

Alhaji Bukari appealed to the beneficiary communities to take good care of the pumps to sustain their sources of safe water and tasked the participants to come out with strategies to ensure that water sources remain clean and safe all year round.

Accra (Greater Accra), 13 Jan

Ghana today advocated the establishment of a West African Parliament to complement diplomatic initiatives for sub-regional integration.

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker, said today that, as a first step, Ghana will host the first ever West African Speakers Conference in May, this year.

He was addressing the Sixth Public Forum of Parliament under the theme: ''Parliament at the threshold of the 21st Century'' which, among other things, aimed at bringing parliament closer to the doorstep of the people.

"It is the belief of Ghana that, to complement diplomatic initiatives aimed at enhancing sub-regional integration, the legislatures of the various countries in the sub-region need to initiate moves to bring the parliamentary institutions of West Africa together while retaining their individual and separate identities''.

Mr Justice Annan said the conference, to be attended by 16 Speakers in the region, will deliberate on general issues relating to the parliamentary process and seek to establish an annual forum for West Africa Speakers as a prelude to the ultimate establishment of a West African Parliament.

''It is our hope that by the time of the conference, Nigeria would be a fully fledged parliamentary democracy and could take its rightful place, '' he added.

Mr Justice Annan said countries in the sub-region are in one way or the other linked with each other through historical, cultural, ethnic and linguistic ties.

In addition to this, there is a large volume of informal trade and other transactions across each other's borders.

''There are more factors that unite us than separate us. The need is becoming increasingly imperative for us, therefore, to come together to pursue goals that are mutually beneficial to all''.

On international relations, Mr Justice Annan said the house, through various delegations to international parliamentary conferences, has been able to foster co-operation and goodwill with other parliaments.

''These developments are a clear evidence of the increasing recognition of the institution of parliament as a critical partner in the sustenance of our new democratic culture''.

He expressed his appreciation to the donor community, diplomatic missions, UN organs and various local and international organisations for their sponsorship .

Mr Kofi Attor, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress [NDC], today described moves by the Reform Movement [RM] to form a political party as ''a gamble''.

"We are not in the least moved by their activities and claims of inroads into the NDC. We only hear of their presence in Accra and we have alerted our members in the regions against any reformist influences."

Mr Attor, who is also MP for Ho Central, told the GNA in an interview that ''the RM is bound to lose the gamble since our members have expressed commitment to the mainstream.''

He described the RM's current line of action as ''unfortunate'', explaining that there have been negotiations between leaders of the mainstream and those of the RM since July last year and that the issue of forming a new political party is uncalled for.

''A special committee, chaired by Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has since July been meeting with the leaders of the RM on a regular basis to strike a compromise and the party has no intention of suspending the negotiations''.

On future moves of the party in relation to the RM, Mr Attor said "we are waiting to see the fruition of that political party before we know the next steps to take."

Mr Attor discounted the claim that some NDC big shots are clandestinely behind the RM, saying "there is no evidence to support that claim."

He admitted, however, that when the RM succeeds in forming a political party, the mainstream would lose some votes in the next general elections, but not as much as would affect the NDC's position as the "all-time leading political party in this country''.

He recalled that the RM caused some stir in the Volta Region at its wake, but said the situation has been arrested and the region still remains the stronghold of the party.

He, therefore, assured party members that ''in spite of the threats and vain promises by the RM, NDC is sure to win the next general elections with a landslide victory''.

Nyamebekyere (Western Region) 14 Jan.

The Jomoro District Assembly has earmarked 100 million cedis for disbursement under the poverty alleviation programme expected to take off by the end of this month.

Mr Thomas Kwesi, District Chief Executive, announced this at a New Year party organised by Mr Ackah Ebamgbe, 1994 National Best Coconut farmer at Nyamebekyere , near Half-Assini.

Mr Kwesi said the Assembly has completed arrangements with the Jomoro Rural Bank at Atibo Number One to undertake an early distribution of the fund to qualified applicants.

Under the village infrustrature programme, the road to Nyamebekyere village will be rehabilitated to facilitate the evacuation of food, copra and fish, he said.

Dr Darlington Owusu, of the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, advised fishermen to stop using chemicals and undersized nets to fish in the Abbey Lagoon.

Under the fisheries law, it is an offence to fish with these in the Lagoon.

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 Jan.

Rapists sent to the Ministries Police Station will undergo AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) tests at their own cost.

''This is to ascertain whether their victims have been infected with any of these diseases'', Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mrs Gifty Anin-Botwe, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview today.

The renovated Ministries police station specialises in cases involving juveniles, rape, assault and child neglect and provides sanctuary for battered women.

Mrs Anin-Botwe said the decision has been taken because some rape victims get infected unknowingly. The station which opened three months ago, has so far handled 48 cases.

She advised parents to open up to their children to enable them confide in them when they are sexually abused.

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 14 Jan.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, has asked the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), to come out with a reliable data on annual revenue estimates.

The KMA was also asked to identify other revenue sources and to strengthen its revenue collection base to finance more development.

At an emergency meeting of the assembly in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Yankah said in October, 1998, KMA targeted about 10 billion cedis revenue.

As at the end of the month, out of about 4.9 billion cedis representing 49 per cent of the revenue expected from traditional sources, only about 2.4 billion cedis was collected, Mr Yankah said adding that, "this is woefully disappointing and should be addressed by the assembly".

Mr Yankah noted that while the assembly is not meeting its revenue targets, it made excess expenditure in areas such as entertainment and donations and said ''this is irregular and unacceptable''.

The Regional Minister expressed concern about undue delays in the processing and award of contracts and said this leads to unsatisfactory work on projects for which funding have been approved.

He complained about the slow utilisation of common fund allocations and delays in payment for contracts duly executed and said ''some contracts executed as far back as 1995 have not been paid''.

Mr Yankah directed the assembly to inaugurate all sub-district structures by February 16, 1999, to lessen the work on the assembly. He described the dumping of liquid waste into the Subin river ''as disturbing and unacceptable'' and directed the assembly to start using its new disposal site by the end of this month.

The Kumasi Planning Committee will soon meet to discuss and develop a strategy for the orderly development of the metropolis, he said adding that, ''the spectre of disorderly, haphazard and unauthorised structures and development in the metropolis is alarming".

He said a regional clean-up and tree planting exercise will be launched on Wednesday, February 17, 1999, after which assembly members will be expected to sustain the campaign in their electoral areas.

Assembly members and Members of Parliament should observe strictly the guidelines for the application of the MP's allocation of the assemblies common fund, he said.

They should promote an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and harmony with the electorate to ensure peace and security in the region.

"You need to develop the right relationships and act in such a way as to earn the confidence of the people in your electoral areas, among yourselves and the entire officials of the assembly," he added.

The Regional Minister asked them to support the Value Added Tax education campaign to ensure the success of the tax system.

Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Metropolitan Chief Executive, complained about the contravention of the guidelines on the utilisation of the MP's allocation of the common fund.

He said some MPs unilaterally select projects to fund without consulting the assembly adding that this is affecting its development programme.

Accra (Greater Accra), 14 Jan.

Mr Lawrence Clocuh, Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, today asked heads of second cycle institutions not to organise internal examinations or interviews to select students for their schools.

He said the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results which had both internal and external assessment components, have been used to select those who qualify to attend senior secondary, technical and vocational schools.

Mr Clocuh said this in Accra at the placement of Junior Secondary School graduates in Senior Secondary Schools.

The schools have projected to admit 10,827 pupils out of the 20,266 successful candidates which represents an increase of 13.4 per cent over last year's number.

This means the fate of more than over 9,000 successful candidates with aggregates between six and 30 who have been listed as eligible for admission in public schools in the region will be in the balance.

Mr Clocuh said the task of the heads is to place the successful candidates in schools and in accordance with the programmes which they have chosen to pursue.

''The Ghana Education Service will not recognise any internal examinations or interviews for that purpose,'' he warned.

The Regional Director said the criteria in placing candidates should be on merit, aptitude, ability, number of vacancies available and requirements for the various programmes.

Mr Clocuh appealed to heads of private institutions to select some of the successful candidates who may not gain admission into the public sector.

''Just as last year, I hope and I am confident that the private sector will fully complement the efforts of the public schools by offering admission to as many successful candidates as possible''. Mrs Elizabeth Joyce Sowah, Chairperson of Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), cautioned the heads to avoid over-enrolment in order not to disturb the teacher-student ratio.

''Don't please anybody by over enrolling your school because that will one day affect the facilities in your schools."

She said the Conference had tried to postpone the exercise to allow members more time to re-arrange the cards for easy recording of the programmes, but was not successful.

''We are appealing that our concerns should be taken into consideration to avoid putting pressure on us''.

Mrs Charllote Brew-Greeves, Headmistress of Achimota School, advised parents not to choose subjects for their wards because they do not know the particular subjects that a school offers.

She called for massive education on selection of subjects through printing out the courses offered at various schools to avoid disappointing prospective candidates.

To qualify for consideration for admission into Senior Secondary School, a candidate should obtain at least grade six in English and minimum qualifying grades for key subject areas should be grade five instead of six.

This year, the minimum qualifying aggregate for admission into SSS have been made stiffer. It is now aggregate 30 instead of 36 representing an average of grade five in six subjects.