Civil Aviation Authority is not for sale- Deputy Minister declares.
GSB officer cautions fuel managers against adulteration
UNICEF to supply 18 motorbikes in fight against guinea worm
Veterans appeals for patronage of poppy sales
Police/ Military arrest 120 in joint operation
Ashanti chief executives Confer
Teen-girls hold press conference
Civil Aviation Authority is not for sale- Deputy Minister declares.
Accra (Greater Accra), 21st October 99
Mr. Steve Akorli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, on Wednesday said the rehabilitation programme currently going on at Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is in no way preparing it for divestiture.
He described a report in an Accra private weekly that the GCAA is for sale as mischievous, stressing that the restructuring of GCAA under the government Gateway Programme should be seen as conforming to international civil aviation norms.
Mr. Akorli said this at day's seminar marking the International Air Traffic Controllers Day, organised by the Ghana's air traffic controllers association (GHATCA) in Accra.
The theme for the day, instituted in 1980 to educate the public about the functions of air traffic controllers was under the theme "Liberalised Skies and Air Traffic Control in the next Millennium".
The Deputy Minister noted that the government's efforts at engaging the private sector in these restructuring programmes is to strengthen the relation between the two, with the view to enhance job opportunities.
He cited the example of Malaysia, whose new ultra modern airport was constructed by the private sector, adding, "Kuala Lumpur's rail system costing about 1.5 billion dollars was undertaken by the private sector".
Mr. Akorli said the adoption of the liberalised skies by government could only get the desired impact if it is done within a safe conduct of flights in the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR).
He said Air Traffic Controllers have crucial role to play in co-ordinating and ensuring the safe conduct of flights in the FIR.
"You are to co-ordinate flights with adjacent FIRs for search and rescue purposes in conjunction with the appropriate military sectors".
Mr. Akorli said GCAA has made significant strides over the past few years in streamlining and updating its own safety oversight programmes efficiency and effectiveness with the support of government.
"GCAA both in terms of its air traffic services and terminal facilities has completed its remedial action on the Y2K Compliance and has rehearsed and tested its contingency plan".
He was of the hope that the forum will come out with fruitful suggestions that will enhance the Air Traffic Management System and service delivery capacity of the aviation sector in the next millennium.
Wing Commander Andy Mensah, Director-General of GCAA reiterated that the national security aspect of GCAA and the airport does not lend it for sale.
"There is no where in the world where civil aviation has been sold- not even in the poorest countries of the world".
Mr. Ben Eshun President of GHATCA commended management of GCAA for improving navigational facilities at the airport stressing that this increased traffic growth an indication of the impact of improvement in tourism.
Six Somali Air Traffic Controllers currently on an attachment programme with GHATCA attended the seminar.
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GSB officer cautions fuel managers against adulteration
Ho (Volta Region) 21 Oct. '99
Mr Godwin K. Ocloo, Volta Regional Manager of the Ghana Standards Board, has cautioned petroleum dealers to refrain from adulterating their products.
There have complaints about adulteration of fuel, he said adding that this is criminal.
Addressing 35 oil marketing companies and service/filling station managers in the Volta Region at a day's seminar in Ho on Tuesday, Mr Ocloo said every manager should be prepared to face the consequences of his action.
The seminar, which was under the theme "technical and legal procedures on weights and measures for the petroleum industry", aimed at upgrading the knowledge and skills of the station managers.
It was to educate them on the organisation and administration of weights and measures in the country and the provisions of weight and measures decree of 1975 NRCD 326, which have a bearing on the fuel industry.
Topics treated include administration of weights and measures in Ghana and verification procedures.
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UNICEF to supply 18 motorbikes in fight against guinea worm
Tamale (Northern Region), 21st October 99
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is providing the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) in the Northern Region with 18 motorbikes and 83 bicycles costing over 100 million cedis to facilitate the fight against the water-borne disease.
The fund is also undertaking a huge capital investment in the improvement of water supply in guinea worm endemic communities in the Saboba-Chereponi, Zabzugu-Tatale, Nanumba and East Gonja Districts.
Mr. Patrick Apoya, Regional Guinea Worm Eradication Officer, told the GNA in Tamale on Wednesday that all broken down boreholes in the four districts would be maintained and provided with Village Level Operation and Maintenance Pumps (VLOM).
UNICEF is assisting the Community Water and Sanitation Agency with funds and logistics to train communities to manage their water facilities.
Mr. Apoya announced plans by UNICEF to initiate an emergency intervention programme on guinea worm in 324 communities through the district assemblies and the Ministry of Health.
He said it has also placed at the disposal of the GWEP a 100 million-cedi operational fund to provide continuous support for the eradication efforts.
Mr. Apoya expressed the hope that the massive intervention would help eradicate the worm by the end of the year, adding: "these are signs that things are getting better".
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Yendi (Northern Region), 21st October 99 -
An acute shortage of kerosene has hit the Yendi district for the past two weeks, leading to a hike in its price.
Traders have taken advantage of the situation and are selling a gallon of kerosene for 6,500 instead of the approved price of 3,400 cedis.
The traders allegedly cart the commodity from Damako in the Volta Region to Yendi to sell to the desperate customers.
Briefing the GNA at the two fuel stations in Yendi on Tuesday, the station attendants said they ran short of kerosene about two weeks ago and placed orders from Tema but no consignment had yet been received.
On Monday, hundreds of villagers converged at the fuel stations with their empty gallons in search of kerosene but none was available.
Some of the villagers said they have been sleeping in darkness due to the shortage of kerosene for the past week.
As a result, some of them have resorted to the use of diesel oil and shea butter oil as fuel for their lanterns and local lamps.
The situation is so serious that the residents have appealed to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to urgently dispatch tankers to Yendi to save the situation.
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Veterans appeals for patronage of poppy sales
Accra (Greater Accra) 21 Oct. '99
The Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) have appealed to the public to make generous contributions towards this year's ceremonial poppy sale to enable the association build a solid financial base to establish revenue generating ventures.
This would enable the association to shoulder responsibilities such as medical care and general welfare needs of aged veterans.
A release issued in Accra by Wing Cdr. P. Abrokwah, Public Relations Officer, recounted brave acts of Ghanaian "valiant warriors," who risked their lives to uphold the good name of the country in general and the wellbeing of humanity during the two world wars.
It said these veterans are now too weak to pursue the various vocations that gave them their livelihood.
"Some are poor and maimed, others are bed-ridden whilst a good number of them now carry some disabilities."
It said the proliferation of games of chance has resulted in the thinning out of revenue derived from the operations of the VAG Special Raffle used to support its members.
"Our appeal, therefore, is to each and every one of you good people of this country to make generous contributions towards the usual ceremonial poppy that will be offered for the season."
The poppy day appeal known as the Armistice Day falls on November 11 each year.
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Police/ Military arrest 120 in joint operation
Tema (Greater Accra) 21 Oct. '99
The Police and the Military on Wednesday arrested about 120 people in a joint operation to rid Tema of criminals.
The exercise was carried out at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Tema Main Harbour and Fishing Harbour and was joined by security personnel of TOR, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA).
Mr Joe Danquah, Tema Regional Police Commander, who briefed newsmen after the exercise, said officials of the TMA also used bulldozers to break down suspected hideouts of criminals.
He said cases involving criminals robbing innocent citizens at knife-point and rape around the harbour is one the increase.
Mr Danquah said the exercise at TOR was also to rid the area of people, who have been siphoning fuel and adulterating it to sell to unsuspecting members of the public.
Tanker drivers embarked on a strike action alleging that the Police and military brutalised some of their colleagues and mates during the exercise.
Mr Danquah said places like the harbour and the refinery are restricted areas and it was wrong for people to be loitering around there.
The negative activities of unauthorised people at the refinery could result in a major fire disaster.
On complaints about excessive force used during the exercise, which resulted in confrontation between the security agencies and the tanker drivers at the TOR, the DCOP said, "the Police is authorised to arrest with minimum force."
He, however, explained that the level of resistance put up by suspects could determine the mode of arrest or the force used.
He cited an instance at the main harbour area, where some of the suspects attacked the Police with knives while another also broke the butt of a Policeman's gun, adding, "under such circumstances, maximum force could be applied".
Those arrested are being screened.
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Ashanti chief executives Confer
Obuasi (Ashanti), 21st October 99
District chief executives in Ashanti are holding a two-day conference at Obuasi to discuss issues that would accelerate the decentralisation process in the region.
Issues to engage the attention of the chief executives include the utilisation of the 50 per cent of the Common Fund Contingency factor allocation to Members of Parliament and the operations of town and area councils.
The conference would also consider the emerging issues and challenges arising out of the implementation of the policy for the promotion of employment generation, income and productivity improvement.
Opening it on behalf of the Ashanti regional Minister, Mr. Kwame De Graft Agyei, District Chief Executive of Sekyere East, expressed the hope that the conference would come out with far-reaching recommendations that would help shape national policies.
He said the government considered conferences of district chief executives as vital for the growth and development of district assemblies.
Mr. DeGraft Agyei, who is also the chairman of the association of DCES in Ashanti noted with concern the difficulties the assemblies are facing in obtaining the necessary logistics to support town and area councils.
Welcoming the participants, the host DCE, Mr. George Adu-Mensah urged his colleagues to give the conference the attention it deserved.
Nana Ofori Agyeman II, Adansihene, who presided, called on the government to ensure the early completion of Obuasi town roads.
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Teen-girls hold press conference.
Accra (Greater Accra) 21 Oct. '99
Dr Ken Attafuah of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), on Wednesday called on Ghanaians to have faith in the country's criminal justice process.
He said it is wrong for the people to develop hatred for criminals such as rapists and murderers, since this would not help heal wounds.
Rather "we must be sensitive and conscious of how to protect ourselves," he said.
Dr. Attafuah was speaking in Accra at the "All Teen Girls" Conference for girls from some selected second cycle schools in Accra on the topic "How Safe Are We?"
The schools are Labone, Achimota, Soul Clinic and Christian Methodist Secondary Schools.
Miss Francisca Dennis, Ghana's Most Talented Teen Representative at the Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Contest in the United States Virgin islands, last July convened the conference.
It was to express concern about the recent murders of women at Dansoman, Matahieko and Adabraka, in Accra and to draw national attention to the plight of women and girls.
Dr. Attafuah stressed the need to find a solution to the mystery behind the murders. Miss Dennis observed that "growing up in a society that cares so little and where rape, sexual harassment, domestic battery and discrimination against women are the daily norm cannot be described as a place for equal opportunity".
"If our mothers are being murdered and battered and women are constantly living in fear, I am afraid that we the teenage girls are also not safe enough to live a full life to serve our country".
She called on the Police Service, CHRAG, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Church and civil society to help crack down the criminals.
Mrs Angela Dwamena-Aboagye of FIDA, called on government to create a national platform to address the issue on violence and to strengthen the Police Service.
She entreated the youth, especially girls to be more active and to start Clubs on issues affecting them.
Rev. Emily Buabasah of Christ Foundation Family at Tema, noted that about 80 per cent of the cartoons shown on television and watched by the youth contain some form of violence.
She called on parents and guardians to be mindful of what their children watch.
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