Obed Asamoah takes two NDC Action Forum members to
court
Poly teachers condemn strike threat by
members
Asantehene to address forum at Winneba
University College
Kumasi (Ahanti Region) 15 April 2002- Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), aspiring to become its national chairman, has filed a writ in a Kumasi High Court against Messrs A.K. Mensah and Asamoah Atuahene of the NDC Action Forum for libel.
He is seeking a claim for damages and perpetual injunction restraining the two, their agents, servants or otherwise from further libellous publication against him. Dr. Asamoah is also asking the court to give any further order or relief as shall be deemed just. The writ was filed on his behalf by his solicitors, Mattias Gollo and Company, a Kumasi-based legal firm.
In his statement of claim, Dr. Asamoah said as a seasoned and tested politician who was a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and also held the Foreign Affairs portfolio, his reputation stands unblemished in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities.
He said consequent upon the defeat of the NDC in the 2000 general elections, he became chairman of a Re-organisation Committee was established by the party. Dr. Asamoah said he is also the chairman of the finance committee of the NDC and won the admiration of all for his honesty, handwork, dedication and simple lifestyle.
Dr Asamoah said Messrs Mensah and Atuahene have for a about one year now be launching sustained attacks on his reputation, accusing him of acts and omissions criminal in nature and that they know patently well that those attacks are untrue and yet they persisted their action.
He said pseudonyms and fictitious names supported by accompanying signatures are normally used by Mensah and Atuahene in carrying out their unjustifiable attacks on his reputation by way of press releases and articles in the media.
One of such libellous invasions of his reputation, he said, is a press statement headed "Suspend Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah for the missing 100 million cedis dated 7 January, 2002 which was circulated to media houses and was published in the Wednesday, 9 January, 2002 edition of the Daily Guide newspaper under the banner headline 'Rumpus in NDC: Obed faces action".
He indicated that the two used fictitious names and signatures of members of the Action Forum allegedly from the Sekyere West constituency of the NDC, a constituency which also does not exist. Dr. Asamoah stated that he would demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court at the trail that the said press statement was authored and published by Mensah and Atuahene. He said he has suffered great damage to his hard won reputation and has been greatly lowered in the estimation of right thinking members of society.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 April 2002 - Police on Sunday arrested Dr. Ram Beckley, an occultist for abducting two teenage girls, one aged 13 to his residence at New Gbawe on Friday evening. The girls, said to be selling tomatoes were allegedly contacted by Dr. Beckley, who offered to buy all of their wares if they would follow him to his residence in his car.
Dr Kofi Kesse Manfo, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Sunday said the children eventually joined Dr Beckley to his residence.
Dr Manfo said on arrival at the occultist's residence, he was said to have tied one of the girls to a tree in the house and then dragged the other into a room in the house. He said on Saturday, 13-year old girl, whose name was being withheld for security reasons, heard the noise of a passer-by and shouted for help. According to Dr. Manfo the passer-by, who happened to be an old man entered the house and approached the girl.
He said the old man, who after seeing the girl's plight untied her from the tree. The Police Commander said after the girl had been set free by the old man, she rewarded him with one thousand cedis for his help. Dr Manfo said the girl then left for home and narrated her and the other girl's ordeal to her parents.
He said the parents then reported the matter to the police, who later went to Beckley's house and arrested him. A police search at his residence has however, failed to produce the other girl, who was dragged into one of the rooms of the house. Meanwhile police have mounted a 24-hour guard at Dr. Beckley's residence to prevent angry youth in the area from attacking and setting the house on fire.
But despite that, latest reports have it that the house has eventually been set on fire by the angry youths and are preventing the Fire Service from reaching the house to quench the fire. Hundreds of people have as the time of writing this story besieged the resident and are stoning police and Fire Service personnel at the site.
Police are still investigating the matter. Dr Beckley, a few years ago came in the news when human parts were found in his residence after which the angry youths in the New Fadama area set his house on fire.
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Netherlands Crown Prince calls on President
Kufuor
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 April 2002- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday described the Netherlands as one of the foremost supporters of Ghana's socio-economic development since independence. He said the Netherlands had assisted Ghana in many fields including education, health, infrastructure such as roads and the provision of potable water.
President Kufuor was speaking when the Crown Prince of the Netherlands, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima called on him shortly on arrival to begin a four-day official visit to Ghana to mark the 300 years of relations between the two countries.
President Kufuor said ties between them had grown from strength to strength adding, "the royal visit to Ghana was truly an icing on the cake for Ghana. We hope you will enjoy your stay with us".
He said with the participation of the Crown Prince in the International Water Conference in Accra, which begins on Monday, Ghana would benefit from his personal expertise in the field of water resources management. Prince Willem-Alexander said the visit would provide an opportunity to review diplomatic relations between the two countries over the past years and chart links for the future.
He said the visit was the first official one outside the Netherlands with the Princess. Present at the Castle, were Vice President Aliu Mahama, ministers and the Dutch Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Alex Heldring
Apart from participating in the International Conference on Water Management, he would attend the opening of the City Consultation meeting at the Elmina Castle. The Netherlands and the Ghana government are participating in "Project Elmina" to restore the Castle.
The royal couple would visit Kumasi on Tuesday to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, meet representatives of the African Women Forum and be the guest at a state banquet to be hosted by the Vice-President. Prince Willem-Alexander was born on 27 April 1967 and is the first child of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 15 April 2002- A suggestion has been made to the government to consider establishing a ministry solely responsible for chieftaincy affairs in the country. This is contained in a release issued and signed by Mr Evans Kwabla Ablordeppey, the Asokwa-West constituency organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The release said because the chieftaincy institution was unique, delicate and complex and characterised with a host of problems, it should be handled by a separate ministry. It attributed the numerous chieftaincy and land disputes to the non-existence of a ministry to look into such developments.
The release also appealed to government to provide adequate security for the protection of chiefs. It, however, advised kingmakers to adhere to the right procedures for the enstoolment or enskinment of chiefs to avoid disputes and violence.
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Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 15 April 2002- Mr S.K. Boafo, the Ashanti Regional Minister, gave the assurance that the government would do everything possible to salvage majority of the people from abject poverty.
The minister who was addressing a durbar at Boete, a suburb of Obuasi reminded the people that the government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the district assemblies is implementing the Village Infrastructure Project (VIP) to enhance the quality of life of the rural poor.
Mr Boafo said the project would ensure increased transfer of technical and financial resources for the development of basic village-level infrastructure. He, however, said that poverty alleviation programme should go beyond assisting vulnerable groups with loans, to include the provision of storage facilities among others to avoid post-harvest waste.
Mr Boafo said under the Corporate Village Enterprise (COVE) scheme, farmers in the rural area that would embrace the President Special Initiative on 'Agribusiness' would not just be shareholders but core of the company's workforce.
He noted, "it is the conviction of the NPP government to improve the quality of life of the people through the two-pronged approach of fighting poverty by creating wealth and supporting the private sector to flourish and be the engine of growth for the economy." The Regional Minister reiterated government's concern for the welfare of women and advised them to take advantage of programmes aimed at improving their lot.
The Adansi West District Chief Executive, Mr Joe Boampong explained that the assembly's determination to remove kiosks and other unauthorised structures was not intended to make businesses of individuals collapse but it was aimed at decongesting the Obuasi township. Okofo Tabiri Agyei III, Dompoasehene, called on the government to assist the security agencies so that they could curb the spate of armed robbery and other crimes.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 15 April 2002-The National Secretariat of the Polytechnic Teachers' Association of Ghana (POTAG), which is based in Takoradi has condemned the threat of strike action by some members of the association.
A communiqué issued by the secretariat in reaction to threats of strike action by some Polytechnic teachers said it condemns the move " in no uncertain terms on the basis that it is rather premature, uncalled for, highly disapprobative and unacceptable ".
The communiqué, signed by the General Secretary, Mr. P.F.Y. McApreko, said the action lacks moral and ethical credibility and undermines and contravenes the memorandum of understanding with the government, which has paved the way for the current negotiations on the improvement of condition of service.
It said it is unfortunate that teachers of some Polytechnics have sent waves of panic and confusion across the country at a time when majority of Ghanaians frown on strike actions. The National Secretariat of POTAG assured all Ghanaians that the threat of strike action has no national character and that the situation is under control. It urged Polytechnics to remain calm and pursue academic work while negotiations go on.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 15 April 2002-The Reverend Bernard Atta-Boateng, General Overseer of the Finger of God Ministries on Saturday observed that the sidelining of women has resulted in the increasing cases of street children and other social vices in the society. This, he said, could be reduced if women are educated and empowered to contribute to the upkeep of their families.
Rev. Atta-Boateng, was speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration and passing out ceremony of the Ghana Congress on Evangelisation (GHACOE) Women's Ministry at Takoradi. He said most women are abused and deprived of some rights by their families, due to their low educational backgrounds and called on parents to give their uneducated young women vocational and technical education.
Rev. Atta-Boateng urged women, who acquire basic skills entrepreneurial skills, to impart their knowledge and expertise to other unfortunate persons in their areas. "An educated woman could bring about hope, transformation and economic stability to any institution," he stressed.
Mrs Gifty Quansah, Western Regional president of GHACOE, advised members to ensure that whatever they learn, was imparted to their households. She asked them to combine the upbringing of their children with the preaching of the word of God, to transform other lives.
Twenty young women, were presented with entrepreneurial and productivity certificates after completing a five-week training in batik tie and dye, soap making and pastries. Other activities of the week-long celebration include visits to hospitals and schools, talks on HIV/AIDS, walk Aid, and open air crusades.
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Religious groups stage peace march in
Bolgatanga.
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 15 April 2002- Thousands of people in Bolgatanga on Saturday went on a peace march to pray and call for peace in the country and the world as a whole. The march, which was organised by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese in collaboration with the Muslim community and the Christian Council, was aimed at creating public awareness for all to co-exist and to pray for peace in Bawku, Dagbon and Bimbago, where there have been conflicts.
The two-hour march covered about two-and-half kilometres within the township and attracted people of different faith, the youth, civil servants, women's group, religious leaders, many of whom carried placards calling for peace and unity.
Speaking to the people at the end of the march, the Very Rev. Simon Asafo, vicar-general of the diocese, said ''we felt that as people of God, we cannot sit by and observe the government and the NGO’s battle alone the crises in Bawku and Dagbon, it is for this reason, to be in solidarity with the people of the conflict areas, that we your religious leaders have come out with the idea of this peace march and prayers for peace, hoping that God will again listen to our collective cry for peace."
He urged all to continue with the peace process in their homes and their relationship with others. Rev Emmanuel Dickson Dei, district pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, appealed to all conflicting parties in the three areas to forgive one another and smoke the peace pipe.
"Forgiveness is a miracle of fresh start, a new beginning, a second chance, because of God's or Allah's compassion, love, grace and mercy", he added. Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister, who took part in the march, urged all to show concern for others and eschew discrimination, cheating and violence.
He said since a majority of the people are poor, much of their time should be used in finding ways of making life better for themselves instead of destroying the little they have. Mr, Salifu said conflicts retard development and scare away investors.
Some of the placards they carried during the march, read, "there is no development without peace", "let us have a peaceful neighbourhood", love thy neighbour", and "give peace a chance". The march was preceded by a joint workshop among Christians and Muslims the previous Sunday and Friday respectively.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 April 2002- Three students from schools in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Upper-East regions, on Saturday emerged winners of the National Final of the Business Plan competition in Accra. They emerged winners from seven other competitors, who also represented each of the seven other regions of the country.
Master John Owiredu, a 19-year-old student of the Odorgonno Secondary School in Accra (Greater Accra), emerged the overall winner with a proposal on snail farming. Miss Agnes Adwoa Arthur, a 17- year old student of the St. Louis Secondary School in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region came second with her proposal on a waste management company.
The third place was taken by Amanda Sebigbon, a 17-year old student of Bolgatanga Secondary School in the Upper East Region. All three winners would receive full scholarship for higher education in the country, while their communities would be provided with educational centres valued at 60,000 dollars. The competition, which was under the theme, "A Lasting Impact," was held within all the 110 districts in the country.
Ten winners, with each from a region qualified to participate in the national final. In a speech read on her behalf, Ms. Christine Churcher, Minister of Secondary, Primary and Girl-Child Education, said the event, which was organised by the Ghana Netherlands Business Association (GNBA), had opened another window of opportunity, which sought to usher the two countries into co-operation in the field of education.
She urged the Netherlands Embassy and the Ghana Netherlands Association to liase with her ministry to map out specific and strategic areas of co-operation between the two countries in the area of education, especially, at the pre-tertiary level.
Mr. Alexander Heldring, Ambassador of the Netherlands, said the competition is an indication of the fact that several years of relations between the two countries were not only commemorated by the respective governments, but also by the private sector.
He said the Netherlands is fully committed to helping Ghana meet its developing challenges, adding that Ghana is one of the 19 countries, which receive structural development assistance from the Netherlands.
"Our country is not only an important trade partner but a partner in development as well." He expressed his embassy's support for the GNBA and said although it is an independent body, the embassy would support it, "where we can". The Ambassador said the programme is to help develop the skills and understanding of the youth of Ghana for a better future.
The competition was to commemorate 300 years of diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Netherlands and also formed part of the Holland Week celebration activities, which started on 13 April and ends on 23 April.
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Prampram (Greater Accra) 15 April 2002- Mr. Kwame Ahwoi, former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development said on Saturday that the national leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears dazed as to the direction of the party and urged the leaders to offer opportunities for new face to emerge.
"In the NDC anybody can become somebody," he said. Mr Ahwoi was speaking at the National Youth Delegates Congress of the party at which Mr Haruna Idrissu, a former President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) was elected as the new National Youth Organiser.
Mr Idrissu polled 76 votes to beat Mr Bismarck Agbemenule, who had 17. Mr Ludwig Hlodzie was elected First Deputy Youth Organiser with 58 votes, while Mr Kelly Forson polled 29 to become the Second Deputy Organiser.
Mr Ahwoi, whose speech received wild cheers from the delegates, noted that while former government office holders remained quiet and appear to be overwhelmed by the harassment and intimidation of the NPP government, the party leadership had restricted itself to a few press conferences and occasional press statements.
He said the new NDC must be all embracing with a goal of wining back its grassroots support base, noting that the party's philosophy of social democracy and discipline must be the guiding principle of all members.
"Inner party democracy requires that we sort out our internal differences among ourselves through vigorous debates, democratic dialogue and agreeing to disagree, where we cannot resolve our differences," he said.
On the NDC's role as the leading opposition party, Mr Ahwoi said it was taking too long to come to terms with the party's electoral defeat. Mr Ahwoi accused the media of entering into an unholy alliance with the NPP government saying, "suddenly the Ghanaian media has lost its power of criticism and forgotten its watchdog role."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 15 April 2002- The Crown Prince of the Netherlands, Prince Willem-Alexander and the wife Princess Maxima arrived in Accra on Sunday to begin a four-day official visit to Ghana. The visit forms part of the commemoration of the 300 years celebration of diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Netherlands.
Vice President Aliu Mahama, ministers and the Dutch Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Alex Heldring, met the couple on arrival. The La Kpaa Wulomo, Nii Yemote Odoi, poured libation for the safe arrival of the couple.
Prince Willem-Alexander would call on President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, attend the opening and closing sessions of the International Conference on Water Management as well as the opening ceremony of the City Consultation meeting at the Elmina Castle. The Netherlands and the Ghana government together participate in "Project Elmina" which is aimed at restoring the Castle.
The royal couple would visit Kumasi to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, meet representatives of the African Women Forum and be guest at a state banquet to be hosted by the Vice-President Aliu Mahama. Prince Willem-Alexander was born on 27 April 1967 and is the first child of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands.
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Winneba (Central Region) 15 April 2002- The University College of Education branch of the Asanteman Students Union (ASU) would on April 20 organise a forum at which the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would give a talk on: "Preserving our cultural heritage amidst globalisation".
The forum forms part of the union's weeklong activities to mark ASU Day that kicked off with a clean up exercise at the Winneba Government Hospital on Saturday. A programme the union released indicated that Mr S. K. Boafo, the Ashanti Region Minister, would also talk on: "Development in Ashanti, the way forward".
Addressing union members after the clean up exercise Mr Osei Kwadwo, President of the union, said ASU would undertake the exercise periodically to augment the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly's efforts at keeping the Winneba clean at all times.
Mr Osei Kwadwo reminded organisations and people in the area to contribute to the improvement of their communities. ''The government alone cannot shoulder all the problems confronting the nation, hence the need for all hands to be on the deck''.
The Obaahemaa of the union, Mrs Boasi Barnie appealed to the women's societies in the Effutu Traditional Area to organise women in the area to get involved in communal activities to improve sanitation.
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