TUC condemns sudden closure of banks
TUC condemns WAJA President's arrest
Ghana Water Company presents computer to UST
Bantama NPP elects new officers
Farmers to enjoy insurance/pension scheme in 2002
British Minister concludes tour of West Africa
Kpando district delivers on promise
Brong Ahafo to establish website
35 per cent of Ghana under desertification threat
Move beyond Amu in 21st century - Musicians told
TUC condemns sudden closure of banks
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th January 2000
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday expressed concern about the liquidation of the Bank for Housing and Construction and the Ghana Co-operative Bank and urged the government to consider a proposal for the Management-Worker Buy out.
A statement signed by Mr. Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, acting Secretary-general, said the "Executive Committee of the Trades Union Congress expresses its total dismay at the irregular manner in which the Bank for Housing and Construction and the Co-operative Bank are purported to have been liquidated.
"The TUC has learnt that union leaders and management were invited on Friday January 14, at 1600 hours to the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, only to be informed that the workers of the two banks were not to consider themselves as employees by Monday, January 17 in view of the liquidation of the banks.
The statement said to prove what they were told, Police were sent to the premises of the banks to prevent the workers from entering them on Monday.
" The TUC registers its strong disapproval of the disregard for the due process exhibited and the indecent manner in which the purported liquidation has been carried out".
It said the TUC is committed to safeguarding the rights of the two Banks.
GRi
TUC condemns WAJA President's arrest
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th January 2000
The Executive Committee of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has added its voice to the condemnation of the arrest and detention of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) President, Mr. Kabral Blay Amihere on the night of Thursday, January 13.
A statement issued on Tuesday said the TUC found it unacceptable, the explanation by the Ghana Armed Forces Public Relations Directorate that the arrest of the WAJA President was due to his failure to respond to their earlier invitation.
The Executive Committee takes the opportunity to remind the Military of their duty to defend the Constitution and therefore "deplores the capricious use of power exhibited by the night arrest of Mr. Blay Amihere".
The TUC wishes to draw the attention of the military authorities that soldiers as citizens of the nation also benefit from stability and the rule of law.
It therefore urged the military to call itself to order by acting in ways that strengthen rather than undermining the very Constitution they are to defend.
It will be recalled that Mr. Blay- Amihere who was picked up by Army personnel in mufti on Thursday night while visiting his sister at Kasoa in the Central Region was released from detention on Friday, January 13.
GRi
Ghana Water Company presents computer to UST
Kumasi (Ashanti), 19th January 2000
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) on Tuesday donated one computer valued at 6.5 million cedis to the Department of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
Mr. Charles Adjei, Managing Director of GWLC, said the gift is to foster collaborative links that have been recently reactivated through consultancy and training.
He said the company has benefited from manpower trained by the university since the early '60s, and that the core of GWCL staff are products from the civil, electrical and mechanical engineering departments of the KNUST.
Mr. Adjei said the GWCL has sponsored three officers for the recently resumed Master of Science programme in water supply and sanitation, adding that the programme would surely provide a steady avenue for young engineers to pursue postgraduate studies locally.
The Managing Director promised to donate a second computer soon to the university on learning that 400 students currently use one computer.
He called on the university to run short courses to broaden the horizon of engineering and non-engineering staff working in the water sector.
Professor John Sefa Ayim, Vice Chancellor, who received the computer, said the university is uniquely placed to provide highly trained science and technology manpower for the Ghanaian industrialisation process.
He called for links between the KNUST and local industries to provide avenues for research.
GRi
Bantama NPP elects new officers
Kumasi (Ashanti), 19th January 2000
The Bantama constituency delegate's conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has elected Mr. Stephen Owusu as its chairman with Mr. Osafo Kantanka as the first vice-chairman and Mr. Ben Atakora as the second vice-chairman.
Mr. Kofi Amankwaa Konadu was elected secretary with Mr Kwame Adjei-Amoah, as the assistant secretary while the post of treasurer went to Mr. Etwi Ampofo-Yeboah.
Mr. Osei Amponsah-Darko was elected Organiser, Madam Philomena Prempeh, Women Organiser and Mr Eric Jojo Enchil as Youth Organiser.
Dr. Robert W. Anane, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, congratulated the members and called on the new executives to stretch out their arms to embrace all members to bring peace and stability into the party.
Dr Anane, who presented some gifts to some of the members, urged the supporters to campaign intensively for the party to win the presidential seat in this year's general elections.
Mr Owusu thanked the delegates for electing them into leadership positions and appealed to members to rally behind them to win more people to vote for the NPP in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
GRi
Farmers to enjoy insurance/pension scheme in 2002
Tuna (Northern Region), 19th January 2000
The Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanuts Farmers Association has proposed a health insurance and pension scheme for its members by 2002.
Modalities for the establishment of the scheme were being worked out by the association's consultants to benefit 950,000 registered cocoa, coffee and sheanut farmers.
Nana Ehuma Kpanyinli VI, National President, said this at a farmers' durbar organised by the Northern Regional branch of the association at Tuna in the Bole District to educate them on the Produce Buying Company (PBC) share offer.
He advised them to patronise the offer in order to benefit from 9.4 billion cedis expected as annual dividends from the farmer's 20 per cent stake in the company.
He said while the general public is expected to pay for their shares by the end of this month, farmers have up to December 2001 to buy shares at a reduced price of 400 cedis a share.
A representative of the brokers, Mr. Edward Aboagye, told the farmers that apart from dividends, which would accrue to them, they would also have their grievances articulated by their representatives on the board.
"You would be shooting yourselves in the foot, if you don't buy the 20 per cent stake allocated to you at 3.84 billion cedis, because non-farmers would buy the shares and take decisions which may not favour farmers."
The Chief of Bole, Bolewura Amankwa Gbedease, said even though the farmers were willing to buy the shares, the natural disasters which befell them last year would adversely affect their patronage.
He regretted that in the past, sheanut farmers were marginalized and simply termed as "pickers", saying, "all this has changed since sheanuts are now being cultivated alongside cashew".
Hajia Ajana Bulcani, Bole District Chief Executive, who presided, called on the farmers to patronise the shares because the share price could rise in future to more than 2,000 cedis a share.
GRi
British Minister concludes tour of West Africa
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th January 2000
Britain will ensure that democracy is sustained in West Africa, Mr. Peter Hain, British Foreign Office Minister said at the end of a tour of three countries in the sub-region.
A statement by the British High Commission in Accra after Mr. Hain's tour of Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone pledged the United Kingdom's support for the restoration of democracy in Sierra Leone.
The statement said Britain is helping the people of Sierra Leone to put the war behind them, implement the Lome Peace Agreement, and prepare for a democratic and prosperous future.
"We are providing more help than any other country outside the region, and will continue to help as best as we can."
Mr Hain, however, noted that "the key is with the people of Sierra Leone", and said that all the terms of the Agreement must be implemented, including disarmament.
The statement noted that Mr Hain was impressed with the situation in Ghana after holding discussions with the Vice-President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Foreign Minister Victor Gbeho, Justice Emile Short, Commissioner for
Human Rights and Administrative Justice and other members of the Ghanaian government and opposition.
He said Britain and others in the international community are impressed with the "more and more economic and democratic successes being achieved by Ghana.
"Successful election, good governance, action against corruption and economic progress will all help to boost foreign investor confidence in Ghana."
He said Ghana would be a role model for Africa if human rights are upheld and freedom of the press is guaranteed.
"Britain is keen to help, but l look to the Ghanaian government and people to make it happen.
"It is important that the success is continued by ensuring that this year's elections are free and fair."
He expressed concern about the arrest and detention of Kabral Blay-Amihere, Editor of the "Independent" newspaper, which the government promised to investigate, adding that "the press must be responsible in their reporting but they must also be able to operate, free from fear and persecution".
GRi
Kpando district delivers on promise
Kpando (Volta Region), 19th January 2000
A total of 10 infrastructural projects started in the Kpando district of the Volta region last year have been completed at a cost of 313.3 million cedis.
They were financed by the Volta River Authority (VRA) Trust Fund and the Kpando District Assembly.
Fourteen other projects, costing more than 2.2 billion cedis being financed under the Public Investment Project (PIP) in second-cycle schools in the district are nearing completion.
Madam Akua Sena Dansua, Kpando District Chief Executive, disclosed this in her second sessional address to the first ordinary meeting of the Kpando district assembly on Tuesday.
She expressed the hope that shortfalls in the assembly's budget for 1999, which were prompted by the "unfriendly" external factors of the economy would see much improvement and progress this year.
Madam Dansua said the assembly has so far received 493.8 million cedis, being the first and second quarter shares of its common fund allocation of 1.1 billion cedis.
The assembly has disbursed 157 million cedis under its poverty alleviation fund, she said, but expressed regret that the low recovery rate is undermining the sustainability of the scheme.
Madam Dansua appealed to beneficiaries to pay back their loans promptly to enable others to benefit from the facility.
On local revenue, she said the assembly was able to collect 240 million cedis out of an estimated 318 million cedis in 1999, as against 131 million cedis collected in 1998.
Madam Dansua's address also touched on water and sanitation, rural housing, agriculture, health, road and telecommunication.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the response of heads of decentralised departments to issues pertaining to the effective functioning of the assembly, the DCE called for co-operation and support from all stakeholders towards the realisation of the assembly's development programmes for the year.
Mr Lawrance K. Degbor, presiding member of the assembly, in a welcoming address, appealed to urban, town and area council members to continue to educate the electorate on the importance of the impending national census and voter registration exercises.
GRi
Brong Ahafo to establish website
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 19th January 2000
The Brong Ahafo region is to establish a website on the internet this year as part of efforts to market the region's investment potential and to attract investment.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam said this when the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Peter Schweizer called on him at Sunyani.
Alhaji Adam said the region has vast potentials in agriculture, tourism, mining, and real estate that could be exploited for the benefit of the people.
The establishment of the website is one of the measures by the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), to attract the right managerial, financial and technological know-how needed to transform these resources.
With its vast land, forest, mineral deposits, tourist attractions and hospitable people, "the region is a safe haven for investors," he said.
The deputy minister pledged the preparedness of the RCC to assist genuine investors whom he urged to take advantage of the region's good roads network, electricity, and telecommunication facilities as well as the peaceful nature of the people.
Dr Schweizer stressed the need for Ghana to protect the environment and the heritage of the people for posterity and the promotion of tourism.
He said every school child should be made to plant and care for trees to help inculcate in them the need to protect the environment.
The Swiss government is funding a study on how to improve trade between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
GRi
35 per cent of Ghana under desertification threat
Tamale (Northern Region), 19th January 2000
About 35 per cent of Ghana's landmass is under threat of desertification because of the continued degradation of the environment through farming, Alhaji (Dr) Farouk Brimah, deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology said in Tamale on Tuesday.
He said the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions are the worst affected and called for international support to address the situation.
Alhaji Brimah was speaking at a workshop organised by the National Desertification Committee for district assemblies, chiefs, opinion groups, non-governmental organisation and other stakeholders.
It discussed the modalities for the establishment of a National Desertification Fund to combat the threat.
He said the Committee has already established a National Action Programme for the effective tackling of issues relating to desertification and that the agricultural research institutes are ready to assist farmers with environmentally friendly technologies.
"The fight against desertification can never be won if we do not work as a team. Farmers need information on new and environmentally friendly technologies to enable the country, to cope with the pressure of rapidly increasing population on natural resources", he stressed.
Mr. San Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, called for sanctions against "the few selfish people who set bushfires and degrade the flora and fauna".
Mr. Eddie Telly, Regional Programmes Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the National Desertification Committee would tour Saboba-Chereponi, East Mamprusi and Bawku districts to assess the extent of degradation.
The Nandom Na (Dr) Puori Puobe Chiir IV, Member of the Council of State who chaired the function, noted that Bawku and Hamile are about one degree North of the Sahara.
It is about time practical efforts were made to stem the threat.
GRi
Move beyond Amu in 21st century - Musicians told
Accra (Greater Accra), 19th January 2000
The greatest tribute the nation can pay to the memory of Dr Ephraim Amu is to ensure that his humility, yet strong character and presence of mind, patriotic spirit and ingenuity are passed on to the future generation.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), said on Tuesday that Dr Amu's contribution and works deserves "more than a token memorabilia".
Nana Akuoko Sarpong was speaking at the second "Ephraim Amu Memorial Lectures" organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra to throw more light on Dr Amu's life, career and legacy.
It was also to explain the nature and significance of his music to enable composers to draw lessons from his rich experience.
The NCC Chairman said the Commission is prepared to work with private organisations to immortalise his name and all those who make outstanding contributions.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong said even though he fought gallantly to emphasise his thoughts and strong belief in his African values and aspirations, Dr Amu was the greatest lover of peace in his time.
Professor Kofi Agawu, Professor of Music Princeton University, USA, said the music of Dr Amu should propel Ghanaian musicians to compose songs promote peace and harmony.
He said his songs transcended tribal boundaries and promoted peace, culture and upheld the Ghanaian identity.
He said Dr Amu's musical works started at an early age adding that all his great works were composed during this period.
"This must guide us to invest in the youth as they have the potential of making us competitive in the international music scene," Prof. Agawu said adding that his death in 1995, robbed of a leading figure among the first generation of composers.
Nana Dr S. K. B. Asante, Vice Chairman of the Academy who chaired the lecture described Dr Amu as "a towering intellect, a profound thinker, a perceptive social critic and a powerful motivator whose lyrics, poetry, vision, pronouncements and personal example at once challenged and inspired us in many areas".
GRi