Paul Osei-Tutu in Accra, reviews the Ghanaian press. The stories have not been verified and therefore we cannot vouch for their accuracy.
One of the stories on the front page of the paper reads 'Our Resources are stretched' According to the story, President Rawlings said he would be inclined to send troops to Democratic Republic of Congo, if there could be an internationally recognized agreement to that effect.
According to the story, President Rawlings made this known at a joint news conference with President Clinton during his recent visit to Washington when asked if Ghana will send troops to serve in any type of peace keeping effort there.
The paper added that President Rawlings admitted that much as Ghana has enjoyed some form of assistance from some Western allies, the assistance provided has not been adequate.
The paper concluded that, Rawlings' meeting with Clinton makes it quite clear that everything possible will be done to assist Ghana to deal with some of the problems of Africa.
'Kwesi Botchwey exposes Jerry' runs a headline in the Weeklu Insight. The story says that, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey Ghana's longest serving Finance Minister who is now the Director of African Research and Programmes at the Centre for International Development, Havard University in the US is reported to have blamed the decay in the Ghanaian educational system on the poor leadership qualities of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
According to the story, Dr. Botchwey made this known in his keynote address at the African Business Conference held at the University.
The paper reported Dr. Botchwey as saying that, had the Ghanaian peasant been educated all along 'they would have known better than those in government.'
The paper added that, Dr. Botchwey also attributed the causes of globalisation, perilous state of research, high incidence of disease and political instability to bad leadership.
The paper concluded that, some Nkrumaist forces see Dr. Botchwey as the presidential candidate of a future united Nkrumaist party in spite of his association with the NDC.
The Daily Graphic banner story: 'I'll uphold Africa's cause', quotes, President Jerry Rawlings as saying African countries pursuing individual development agenda will fail unless there is a co-ordinated effort by all in that direction.
The President, the paper says, promised to continue advocating for intra-Africa co-operation and will 'champion this cause where ever he goes.'
President Rawlings, who was hosting Ivorian President Konan Bedie through his ambassador Amon T. Emmanuel, said he stressed the need for support to end conflicts in Africa and de-mine Angola during his recent visit to the United States.
He commended the Ivorian President for recently initiating a summit on the buruli ulcer scourge and his efforts towards Africa integration.
In a centre page story, the Graphic reports that Constable Kwamena Quartey refuted in a Sunyani Court, the assertion by his wife that his step-son, Nathaniel Kojo Quartey died as a result of suitcases falling on him.
'My wife is a liar', says Quartey who said there had not been any quarrel between him and Rosemary, his wife as alleged by her, on the night before the incident.
Rosemary has been charged for murdering Nathaniel when she used a hammer belonging to the husband to hit her step child several times on the head.
Mr. P. K. Gyaeseyor is presiding over the case at Sunyani high court.
'External debts swallow Ghanaians. Each Ghanaian owes $1.2 million,' the Free Press says in its banner headline. The story reports Mrs Gladys Asamah, deputy minority leader in Parliament as saying that Ghana owes an external debt of 7 billion US dollars which when broken down leaves each Ghanaian with a debt of about $400 US dollars (1.2 million cedis).
The MP for Takoradi who was reported to be speaking to the New Patroitre Party (NPP) Youth Wing at Accra Polythechnic, said if the youth of Ghana wish to be economically emancipated in the next millennium then they should identify themselves with the NPP.
According to the paper Mrs. Asmah stated that the programme of an NPP government which believes in the supreme dignity of man, and in common brotherhood of all Ghanaians to freedom of conscience, association and expression.
She said the NPP will put in place a free and truly democratic system of government under which all citizens will be able to contribute to the welfare, peace and prosperity of our nation and keep its people free from dictatorship and oppression.
In another fornt page story, the reports : 'Obasanjo's capture of the oil throne'. The story has it that the victory declared of former military head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo in last Saturdays general elections in Nigeria is unlikely to ensure a smooth return from military to civilian rule.
The paper asserted that this follows rival contestant Chief Olu Falae's accusation that there were several election mal-practices and that he was going to challenge the results in the courts.
Meanwhile Nigeria's military leader General Abudsalami Abubakar has promised to return Nigeria to civilian rule towards the end of may this year.
According to the paper, Former US President Jimmy Carter who led a team of International monitors has admitted that members of the monitoring group 'witnesed serious irregularities and overt electoral fraud including ballot stuffing, inflated votes and manupulation of results.
The group is said to have reported that 'if appeared that many of these electoral abuses were a result of collusion between polling officials, party agents and operatives.
The President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, is reported by the 'Times' as having sent a message of congratulations to General Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday, for what was called, 'his impressive election as President and Commander in Chief ' of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The message said 'your election is a clear demonstration of the confidence which the people of Nigeria have in your leadership, especially towards peace, stability and prosperity'.
The message continued, Ghanaians have followed with understanding and admiration the short and difficult transition to constitutional rule in Nigeria and would like also to congratulate all Nigerians for making success of the process.
'We will continue to be associated with developments in your great country in keeping our common history and close cultural ties.
'I wish to assure you that our two countries and peoples will cooperate even more closely together as well as with other member states of ECOWAS, for our mutual prosperity in a stable and peaceful West Africa,' The Times quotes the message as saying.
'ATTORNEY-GENERAL SUES PENTRAXX' to recover $3.3bn Keta Sea Defence Project money' is the headline in today' of anothere front page story in Wednesday's Times.
The story has it that Pentraxx Ghana Ltd has been issued a writ of sumons from the Attorney General's (AG's) office for the recovery of 3.326 billion cedis said to be over-payment for work done on the Keta Sea Defence Project.
Pentraxx is also reported to be charged with paying a further amount of 1.796 billion cedis being 15 percent down payment for ECGD Line of Credit made by the Ministry of Works and Housing.
These were disclosed yesterday by Mr. I.K. Adjei-Mensah Minister of Works and Housing when he answered questions on his sector.
The Minister also confirmed that another firm, Bascom Works Ltd. is to refund 396.3 million cedis down payment for ECGD line of credit by the Ministry.
Mr. Adjei-Mensah said that these directives were contained in a release of the Keta Defence Project issued February 16, 1998 and were referred to the office of the Atorney General to initiate legal action against messrs Pentraxx Bascom and individuals against whom adverse findings had been made.