Queen Elizabeth arrives to warm welcome
British monarch travels down memory lane
Government will consider creating new regions/district-Rawlings
I have attributes of Presidential material - Professor Hagan
Bees, bats invade SNNIT flats at Fuo
Tema launches cleaning exercise
Queen Elizabeth arrives to warm welcome
Accra (Greater Accra), 8th November 99
Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, arrived in Accra this afternoon ten minutes ahead of schedule to begin a three-day state visit to Ghana.
She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, and an entourage of 45, including the British Foreign Secretary of State, Mr. Robin Cook.
The royal visitors were met by President Jerry Rawlings, his wife and ministers of state.
The chartered British Airways Boeing 767, which brought the visitors touched down at 1730 hours amidst drumming and singing by lots of Ghanaians who had thronged the airport to give her a rousing welcome.
As she came down the gangway smiling, the Queen dressed in blue with white stripes, was met by six-year-old Naa Koshi Lamptey and Maame Akosua Yeboah-Poku, both aged 10, who presented her and Prince Philip with bouquets.
President Rawlings, in grey agbada, stepped forward to meet the royal visitor and shook hands with Prince Philip and Mr. Cook.
As she descended, the Commonwealth Standard Flag was hoisted. It signified the presence of the Queen on Ghanaian territory.
Libation was poured to welcome her to her former colony by Numo Tete, the Nai Wulomo.
A 21-gun salute boomed in the background as the Queen inspected a guard of honour mounted by four officers and 102 men of the First Battalion of Infantry under the command of Major Musah Wajah.
In 1961, men and officers from the same battalion were on guard when she arrived for her first visit.
The national anthems of Ghana and Britain were played by a mass band from the Armed Forces.
The queen was introduced to a line of Ministers, members of the Council of State and heads of mission from Commonwealth countries.
Drummers beat out traditional welcoming messages and the flutists from the Ghana Dance Ensemble churned out salutations and which urged her 'to walk gracefully as befits royalty.'
Other cultural groups and brass bands also performed traditional dances.
Also among the welcoming party, estimated at 5,000, were queenmothers from the Greater Accra region and market women dressed in a special cloth, with the portrait of the Queen and President Rawlings, cheering and dancing.
After the exchanges on the tarmac, the Queen, escorted by President Rawlings, waved to the gathering of school children, market women and the public.
She later drove in one of three range rovers procured specially for the occasion with President Rawlings.
At the wheel was Nicholas Otoo, 53-year-old chief driver of the State Protocol who has been at his job for the past 30 years.
The President and his guests drove through some of the principal streets to the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), where she will be the guest of honour at an official reception.
Prince Philip followed in another Range Rover with Nana Konadu.
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British monarch travels down memory lane
Accra (Greater Accra), 8th November 99
Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, rounded up the first day of her three-day visit to Ghana attending a reception at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) hosted by the government.
The reception, attended by the cream of Ghanaian society ranging from politicians to top business executives, diplomats and traditional rulers, took the Queen down memory lane when she met the man who drove her round when she first visited Ghana in 1961.
She shook hands with Mr. R.A Anderson, 86, now paralysed and confined to a wheelchair following a domestic accident. With Mr. Anderson was his wife and son.
Mr. Anderson, through the national newspapers, had expressed the desire to meet the Queen again during her visit and the government arranged for him to meet her.
President Jerry Rawlings, who escorted the Queen round to greet the various personalities, including members of the Council of State, introduced Mr. Anderson to the royal visitor, while Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the First Lady, took Prince Philip round.
The royal couple interacted with about 300 guests, shaking hands with many of them, including Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party.
The Queen was accompanied to the centre by President Jerry Rawlings who drove with her from the airport through some principal streets of the city. Her husband, Prince Philip, followed in another Range Rover with Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
The royal couple were ushered into the foyer of the centre by the African Sound Project, a group of five Ghanaian musicians, blowing big snail shells forming beautiful melodies.
Ace drummer Bernard Woma of the School of Performing Arts accompanied the group on the Antumpan drums.
The Ebenezer Methodist Church Junior Choir, Winneba, sang the National anthems of Ghana and Britain accompanied by the National Symphonic Orchestra led by Mr Armison Dzokoto.
The National Dance Company did a two-minute performance waving the Union Jack and the Ghana national flag.
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Government will consider creating new regions/district-Rawlings
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 8th November 99
The government will consider requests for the creation of new regions and districts, President Jerry John Rawlings, said at Sunyani on Saturday.
He told a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo region at Sunyani that such requests would, however, be considered "if they are based on population, resources and socio-economic factors".
President Rawlings invited Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party to join him on the dais at the durbar, attended by a cross section of the people and all the paramount chiefs, climaxed the 40th anniversary of the creation of the region.
President Rawlings said factors such as ethnic origins or traditional allegiance alone are not adequate basis for creating new regions and districts.
"Indeed, to follow that path would lead to the eventual balkanization of our nation and would rather retard development and broad disunity."
President Rawlings said during the period leading to the creation of the region, the campaign took on certain ethnic and political dimensions. Even today, he said, "these sentiments could still arouse strong feelings.
"However, four decades as a region would be long enough to forge a sense of unity and put behind us any lingering animosities".
President Rawlings said the government has done a lot to improve facilities such as schools, roads, telecommunications and hospitals "but the overall picture of education in the region is bleak since the dropout rate is high especially for the girls."
He therefore appealed to chiefs, parents, opinion leaders and the communities in general to take a close interest in the day-to-day operations of their schools.
President Rawlings said teachers and pupils should also be motivated and encouraged to give of their best and discard their outmoded attitude.
He told the chiefs and people that "as we celebrate today, let us commit ourselves to further positive achievements in the new millennium."
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Donald Adabre, noted that since the creation of the region 40 years ago, it has had "its twists and turns but there is a consolation in the fact that the struggle of its forefathers has not been in vain."
He said the founding fathers deserve the highest honour from the people and added that the anniversary should mark the reawakening of the spirit of the citizens to push their determination forwards.
Mr. Adabre said the anniversary should not be an occasion for vivid memories alone but also an epoch to indicate to the world that the region has come of age.
In a welcoming address, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko, President of the Brong Ahafo
Regional House of Chiefs said the House, which started with 18 paramount chiefs in 1959, now has 45 paramount chiefs.
He said the inclusion of chiefs from the Ahafo section in the House has resolved differences that existed between the Ahafo and the Brong groups and "there is now perfect peace."
Nana Nyarko thanked the government for bringing peace and unity among the people of the region as well as providing schools and other infrastrucutural facilities to enhance the lives of the people of the region.
He supported the view that after 40 years of the creation of the region and recognizing the multi-ethnic nature of its citizens, there is the need for a new name for the region which will reflect peace, stability and unity at all times.
A minute silence was observed in remembrance of the departed founding fathers of the region.
Sixteen people were honoured for their contributions to the economic growth of the region.
They included Prof. Agyewobin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, Acheresuahene, The Right Rev. James Kwadwo Owusu, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Ernest Apraku, an industrialist and Mr. Thomas Ahimah, first national best farmer.
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I have attributes of Presidential material - Professor Hagan
Kumasi (Ashanti), 8th November 99
Professor George Hagan, one of the Presidential aspirants of the Convention Party (CP), has said that he is a capable material because he has the required knowledge, wisdom, humility and good character.
He said that all these attributes have been "graciously bestowed" on him by God, making him a capable Presidential candidate for the party.
Speaking at a meeting with constituency representatives of the party in Kumasi as part of a campaign for election, Professor Hagan said he is a true Nkrumahist who is capable of leading the party to power.
He said a Government of the CP under his leadership would not discriminate in the allocation of amenities based on party affiliation.
This was the able manner with which Nkrumah (Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President) ruled the country for the benefit of all Ghanaians, irrespective of one's tribe, creed or political affiliation.
He said that after the overthrow of Dr. Hilla Limann, the NDC has done everything possible to disintegrate the CPP and the Nkrumaist front, knowing very well the capacity of the party.
Professor Hagan said he would tackle four priorities, namely health, education, agriculture and technology, if he were elected as President.
Four months after my election into office, one of these priorities would be tackled in each district.
He called for a congress of the youth and women at the grassroots to discuss steps to resuscitate the party into a vibrant one since they are the people on the ground and to whom the future belongs.
Professor Hagan charged members and supporters of the party to have faith in God and believe that come the year 2000, the CP will win power again adding that God is going to give the country a new Government under the CP.
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MP says no to increase in VAT
Takoradi (Greater Accra), 8th November 99
Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Member of Parliament for Takoradi, on Saturday urged the government not to increase the level of the Value Added Tax (VAT) because of the present high cost of living.
Mrs. Asmah, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader, made the call at a ward meeting of the NPP in Takoradi.
She was reacting to speculations that the government intends to increase the rate of the VAT from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
Mrs. Asmah said an increase in the VAT would bring untold hardships to the majority of Ghanaians who are already overburdened.
She said the NPP has embarked on grassroots education of polling agents on their responsibilities to prevent vote rigging during the 2000 elections.
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Bees, bats invade SNNIT flats at Fuo
Tamale (Northern Region), 8th November 99
Swarms of bees and bats have occupied the uncompleted 30 units of SSNIT flats at Fuo, near Tamale.
Work on the flats that started in 1995 has experienced several hold-ups on account of shortage of cash or materials.
But this time, the cause of delay is because of the invasion by the pests, which are making it dangerous for work to continue.
About 20 of the units have been occupied by the stinging bees and insect-eating bats, which have apparently been driven out of their natural habitat by people lightening up fire for honey or game.
Most of the buildings have almost been completed with only the sewerage, water and electricity systems left to be connected to the mains.
Mr A. O. Korley, resident consultant of Architects Co-partners, consultants to the project, told the GNA that what started as isolated hives spotted on a couple of buildings a few months age have multiplied into a colony occupying the entire flats.
He said the contractors, on their own initiative, got rid of the bees but in came the bats, which have occupied the staircases and doorways and hop at anybody who approaches at night.
Meanwhile, Mr. Korley said the clients, Social Security and National Insurance Trust, have commissioned a pest control company, Vansaddo Enterprise, to spray the buildings with chemicals.
The company's Managing Director, Mr. Vans Addo, said the exercise would be completed within the next few days.
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Tema launches cleaning exercise
Tema (Greater Accra), 8th November 99
Nii Armah Ashietey, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, on Saturday launched a clean-up exercise dubbed "Cleanafest 2000" for Tema to promote cleanliness in the city.
Launching the exercise after a massive clean-up, Nii Armah said "Cleanafest 2000" calls for the participation of all residents who should refrain from littering the environment.
The exercise was carried out by the security agencies, Assembly Members,
members of the 31st December Women's Movement and youth organisations.
The Chief Executive said Tema, as an industrial and harbour city, experiences pollution from the various companies that must be cleaned.
However, he regretted that the companies do not treat their effluent which discharge into the drains thus killing the Chemu Lagoon, which must be reclaimed at a high cost.
Nii Armah stressed the need for residents to change their negative attitude towards the environment and called on the youth to form clubs in the various communities to see to the cleanliness of the area by organising periodic communal labour for the residents.
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