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Create Educational Fund for Zongos
Kidnapping Denial The chief of Oyoko-Breman in the Ashanti Region, Nana Asaman Kwao, has said that the four people he sent to Adugyama, near Bechem, on Wednesday to look for Oscar Ofori-Attah, who was wanted by the Mamponteng police, did not rpt not have any evil intentions. He said the four, branded as kidnappers, were led by his chief linguist, Nana Dwamena Fosu, and acting on his orders to locate the whereabouts of Ofori-Attah, with whom he is embroiled in a long-standing dispute over illegal sale of stool lands at Fawade, also in the Ashanti Region. Nana Kwao who was speaking to newsmen in Sunyani, circumstances leading to the the arrest and detention of Kwame Bawah, Kwaku Agbeko, Yaw Bawah, and Samuel Ackom at Bechem for allegedly attempting to kidnap Ofori-Attah at Adugyama produced warrant issued by the Mamponteng Community Tribunal for the arrest of Ofori-Attah, which was handed over to him by the police. Nana Kwao said this was the result of the persistent failure of Ofori-Attah to appear before the tribunal to continue with the case. He said when Ofori-Atta was spotted at Adugyama last Wednesday and shown the bench warrant, he readily joined three of the people sent to go to th= e police at Bechem, while the fourth, Nana Fosu, left to report this to the police at Mamponteng. However, according to Nana Kwao, a brother of Ofori-Attah, managed to trick security personnel at Bechem Junction into believing that the four were kidnappers. Meanwhile, the suspected kidnappers have been granted bail in the sum of 500,000 cedis with one surety each to report to the Bechem police on Monday, January 18. Mr G.H.K. Gbedjoh, Bechem District police commander, said investigations are continuing. Mr Gbedjoh showed newsmen a fake 3BN identity card bearing the name and picture of one of the suspects, Kwame Bawah, as well as a picture of President Rawl;ings.
Upper West students cannot trace their names
MP commends Al-Sunna and Al-Tijani sects in Kumasi
More development projects for Fanteakwa
Book on Clinical Examination launched
Two organisations to collaborate with KMA
Ruling party to ensure victory in Ajumako ********************************** Ajumako (Central Region), 18 Jan. Mr Musa Biney, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Chief Executive, has stressed the determination of the constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress, to work for the victory of the party in the year 2000 elections. He was addressing a meeting of cadres of the Progressive Voluntary Organisations in the district at Ajumako to map out strategies for the elections last Friday. The DCE said that as ''Ambassadors'' of the NDC, they should remain solidly behind the leadership and to win more supporters for the party. You should not wait for the D-day to start campaigning , the time is now, he said. Mr I.K. Sam, district chairman of the PVOs, appealed to the cadres to defend the party at all times and to be wary of detractors and commended the DCE for his efforts in ensuring the development of the area. Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, constituency secretary of the party, appealed to the people especially the youth to form co-operatives to enable them to benefit from the government's poverty alleviation programme. He urged those who have benefited under the scheme to pay back the loans to enable others to enjoy the facility.
Chiefs and people of Essiam install street lights ************************************** Breman Essiam (Central Region), 18 Jan. The Electricity Company of Ghana has started the trial run of the street lights installed by the Chiefs and= people of Breman Essiam estimated at seven million cedis. Funds for the project were realised through voluntary contribution by the people . Mr James Koranteng, Assembly member for the Twafo electoral area told newsmen that the traditional council and the district assembly will rehabilitate school structures and provide facilities and two places of convenience for the community. Meanwhile, Nana Atta Amanafo Poku the second, President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the area, has appealed to non resident citizens to contribute towards the development of the area. He commended the assembly and unit committee members for their efforts to ensure the development of the area. African/American summit preparatory delegation arrives ********************************************** Accra (Greater Accra), 18 Jan. A four-member African American preparatory group for the fifth African/African American summit has arrived in Accra by air for a pre-conference state visit. The group, led by Mr Ralph A. Perkins, Summit Manager, comprised Dr. Charles Finch, Director of International Health Programmes, Mrs Thonafenia Cotton, Business Co-ordinator and Mr Luddy Hayden, Corporate Resource Advisor. Mr Perkins told newsmen at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, that the delegation would work with Ghana's preparatory committee for the summit headed by Mr Kwesi Ahwoi on the preparations towards the hosting of the conference slated for May 16, this year. The summit will discuss business, trade and investments with workshops on democracy and governance, education, health and agriculture. Mr Perkins said the summit would open up new investment opportunities for Ghana in particular, and the sub-region as a whole. The group expects the summit t to realise the vision of the Rev. Leon Sullivan of bringing Africans and African-Americans together to bring economic and business development on the continent. About, 5,000 delegations are expected to attend the summit with Rev. Sullivan leading a 600-strong delegation from the United States. Mr. Perkins commended President J.J. Rawlings and Vice-President , Prof. J.E. Atta Mills for accepting to host the conference in Ghana. They were met on arrival by the Deputy Director of Information Services, Mr Devine A. Kwapong. MP institutes scholarship, housing scheme ********************************** Accra (Greater Accra), 18 Jan. Mr David Lamptey, Member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, has instituted an initial seven million cedi scholarship scheme for the benefit of 14 ''excellent but needy basic school pupils in my constituency beginning from this academic term''. Additionally, Mr Lamptey has established an undisclosed revolving sum to enable teachers in his constituency to own houses. Teachers will be given loans from the revolving sum to rent decent accommodation. Mr Lamptey unfolded his scholarship scheme in a New Year message delivered at a mini durbar to interact with basic school teachers in his constituency yesterday. A seven-member committee formed to discuss the modalities for the disbursement of the scholarship/bursary told the press that seven pupils each shall be selected on the basis of merit from the primary and JSS level from the seven electoral areas in the constituency. Mr Lamptey pledged to sponsor an annual award scheme for the teachers in the constituency beginning from December this year. "This is my own contribution aside of the common fund which I receive from the government and which I have given out as loans to petty traders and other small-scale business operators to expand their operations.'' The MP said that teachers would always give of their best when they are well motivated, adding that ''the problem of education in this country is so great that it calls for an integrated effort between the government and the various MPs to address it''. Mr Lamptey assured the teachers that the government is working out attractive packages for them through the Parliamentary Finance Committee which would soon be implemented now that the Value Added Tax has taken off. He noted that most of the basic schools in the constituency lack proper textbooks as well as exercise books, desks, and other facilities t= o enhance learning and asked all head teachers to take inventory of what they lacked so that the situation could be addressed soon. Mr Lamptey noted that while government is spending its meagre resources to provide text books for schools, book suppliers use inferior materials to manufacture them, resulting in their early destruction. The MP warned parents who antagonise teachers in defence of their recalcitrant wards, saying "this year is a year of action and any parent who antagonises any teacher in my constituency will have to face me." At an open forum, various speakers appealed for changes in the education reform programme, stressing that the Ministry of Education should stop the policy of wholesale promotion from JSS to SSS, saying ''it is demeaning the quality of education." They said schools usually offer only one out of the sixteen vocational skills subjects, limiting pupils to only one option, which may not even be the area of interest to some pupils. They mentioned the lack of vocational skills workshops and even personnel to man those available and suggested that big workshops should be constructed for a cluster of schools instead of building workshops for each school. The teachers appealed for the lifting of the ban on extra classes in government schools, saying it ''enables us to complete the syllabuses and earn a little more to make ends meet." Climbing of bamboo poles banned *************************** Breman-Essiam (Central Region), 18 Jan. The Breman-Essiam Traditional Council has banned climbing of bamboo poles by masqueraders during festivals with immediate effect. The vice-president of the Central Region House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the area, Nana Atta Amanafo Poku the second, said this at the weekend at Breman-Essiam. Nana Poku expressed concern over the rampant falling of masqueraders from bamboo poles during such occasions. He recalled that two years ago, one Mr Yaw Yakubu fell from a bamboo pole and sustained severe injuries. Nana Poku said much as he appreciated the important role played by masqueraders in promoting culture, tourism and entertainment, the traditional council would not sit down unconcerned for the loss of human lives during festive occasions. It would be recalled that on the boxing day last year, a 27-year-old masquerade, Mr Kwesi Gyedu, fell from a 36-foot bamboo pole while entertaining the public. Mr Gyedu, who fractured his right leg and is receiving herbal treatment, is reported doing well. Fuel tanker owners threaten strike *************************** Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 18 Jan. Members of the Association of Fuel Tanker Owners Association have threatened to embark on a strike action if arbitrary policies of some oil marketing companies are not redressed by the appropriate authorities. They said their desire to operate freely and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians has been constrained by the oil marketing companies which are declaring some particular vehicles as ''unsuitable'' for petroleum haulage. A release signed by the executive secretary of the association, Mr Ignatius Doe, and made available to the press at Sunyani last Saturday , specifically mentioned Shell Oil Ghana Limited for opposing the use of Mercedes Benz trucks owned mostly by the association's members. "Those oil companies which prefer Daf Trucks to Mercedes Benz are refusing to do business with those of our members who own Benz trucks which means that those without DAF trucks are entirely out of the oil haulage business'.' ''The association finds this position and action of the oil marketing companies as too demanding and will therefore start to look up to itself for solutions''. The release noted that the power which the Ministry of Roads and Transport has vested in the Vehicle Examinations and Licence Division (VELD), are not being respected by the oil marketing companies. It said some of the oil marketing companies have now taken over the powers vested in the VELD and are now deciding which trucks should be used in carting fuel to various parts of the country. The purchase and use of a particular truck should remain the sole prerogative of individual Ghanaians, adding that "Fuel tanker operators have seen a lot of problems most of which are the direct imposition of undesirable and difficult laws". It said oil companies should not be allowed to overstep their bounds to deal with areas not assigned to them. Ashanti REGSEC commended by Muslim leadership ******************************************* Kumasi (Ashanti), 18 Jan. The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has been commended for the "tactful and diplomatic" means it employed in resolving the differences between the Al-Suna and the Al-Tijania Muslim sects in Kumasi. Sheikh Ibrahim Tafiq, Ashanti Regional Chief Imam of the Al-Suna sect, said the swift intervention by the REGSEC in the conflict has not only made the two sects smoke the peace pipe but has also instilled in Muslims a "genuine affection and respect for each other's views on Islam". Sheikh Tafiq made the commendation at the closing session of the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Koran held in Kumasi yesterday. It was attended by Muslim elders and youths. He called on the Muslim leadership and followers of the two sects to reciprocate the efforts of the REGSEC by avoiding all acts that could lead to the breach of the peace. Sheikh Tafiq advised Muslims to strive to come out of the fasting period as changed people by not only forgiving but also forgetting wrongs against them and learning to co-exist with people of other religions. He prayed for long life and divine wisdom for the president, parliamentarians, religious leaders and traditional authorities to help steer the nation to peace, stability and development. Alhaji Dan Sofo, Co-ordinator of the Council of Ulama and Zongo Chief, asked the leadership and Muslim youths to be law- abiding since religion cannot thrive in a society engulfed in lawlessness and insecurity. Ghana and Japan sign agreement on Noguchi Institute ******************************************* Accra (Greater Accra), 18 Jan. Ghana and Japan have signed a 6.8 million dollar agreement for the second phase of the expansion programme of the Noguchi Memorial Research Institute in Accra. The programme involves the construction of an experiment facility, a conference hall, equipment supply and installation of an electronic microscope as well as the rehabilitation of existing facilities, Mr Kwabena Kyere, deputy Minister of Education, told newsmen yesterday in Accra, after leading a three-man Ghana delegation to Japan. He said the completion of the project will create a more congenial research and training environment and strengthen the capabilities of the Institute . Mr. Kyere praised the Japanese government for providing funds and support under its aid programme to expand and modernise the Institute. The first phase of a 3.6 million dollar rehabilitation of the institute funded by the Japanese government involving the construction of a second laboratory and the installation of scientific equipment is in its final stage The whole rehabilitation programme is scheduled to be completed next year. While in Japan, the delegation held discussions with Japanese officials on the possibility for further support for the Institute and the Free Compulsory Basic Education (FCUBE) programme.
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