GRi Newsreel 03 – 04 - 2003

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an application brought before it by Mallam Ali Yusif Isa, former Minister of Youth and Sports, against his conviction and sentence by an Accra Fast Track Court.

In a unanimous decision, the five-member panel of the court re-affirmed and upheld the earlier decisions on the matter by the courts below and consequently dismissed the application.

Justice Edward Kwame Wiredu, Chief Justice, chaired the panel, which had Justices George Kingsley Acquah, Sophia Akuffo, Dixon Kwame Afreh and Dr Seth Twum as members. Ms Justice Akuffo read the ruling of the court.

On 20 July 2001, the government's policy of "Zero Tolerance For Corruption" was tested for the first time when the Fast Track Court convicted Mallam Isa on two counts of stealing and fraudulently causing financial loss to the State.

Justice Julius Ansah, Appeal Court Judge with an additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, sentenced Mallam Isa to four years' imprisonment each on both counts, with both sentences running concurrently.

Additionally, the former Youth and Sports Minister was fined 10 million cedis or in default serve a 12-month jail term. The court further ordered Mallam Isa to refund the 46,000 dollars he stole within one month or serve additional two years' imprisonment.

The money was meant as an imprest and payment of bonuses of the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars, during a World Cup qualifying encounter in Sudan on 25 February 2001.

On 18 August 2001, a special Court of Appeal dismissed an application for bail for the Ex-Minister pending the final determination of an appeal he filed against his sentence. Two months later, on 23 October the Court of Appeal dismissed a petition brought before it by Mallam Isa against his conviction and sentence.

The three-member panel chaired by Justice Omari Sasu, with Justices Sophia Adinyira and Sule Gbadegbe, contended that the convict's grounds of appeal failed and could not be entertained.

The court, however, quashed an order by the trial court that compelled Mallam Isa to serve additional two years in jail if he failed to refund the 46,000 dollars he stole. The court found this consequential order to be harsh since, in its view, the order contravened the provisions of the Criminal Code.

Mallam Isa late last year took the matter up at the Supreme Court. In his nine-point ground of appeal, counsel for the convicted Minister, Ambrose Dery, now nominated by President John Agyekum Kufuor as a Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney - General, submitted that his client's conviction for stealing and fraudulently causing financial loss to the state could not be supported in law, having regard to the evidence adduced.

Dery further submitted that the trial court erred in law when it held that there was direct evidence that his client dishonestly appropriated the 46,000 dollars, and fraudulently caused financial loss to the state when there was no direct evidence whatsoever to that effect.

He said it was also wrong for the trial court to have held that Mallam Isa's ex-body guard, who is a serving Police Officer, and who was present at his office on 23 February 2001 when his client left for Sudan, was not a vital witness in the case. By losing his appeal at the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, Mallam Isa, who looked smart and cheerful in court, is to complete his four-year jail term.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Greater Accra NPP hails bye-election victories

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The Greater Accra Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday lauded the national executives for three successive bye-election victories, saying they were testimonies of the party's good policies.

He said the victories at Bimbilla, Wulensi and Navrongo Central constituencies were significant and that Gomoa East and Amenfi West would also fall to the party. The statement signed by Mr Eric Kwatia, Deputy Regional Secretary said the victories were indications that results of next year's presidential and parliamentary elections would not be different.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Help me retrieve my seven cars

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- A witness at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) on Wednesday petitioned the Commission to retrieve seven cars he brought from the United States to sell in Ghana but which the police seized in 1992.

Nana Kwasi Sayon, a Rastafarian, said though he was made to give a statement at the Police Headquarters where the police sent him after the cars were seized, he was not told the reason for his arrest.

He said when he contacted Naval Captain Baffuor Assasie-Gyimah (Rtd) to help him retrieve his cars, the Captain asked whether he was dealing in drugs in the US. He added that Interpol might have sent a report to effect his arrest.

Sayon said he never dealt in drugs, adding that the seven cars were among 10 that he bought together with his seven brothers in the US out of hard work. He said he and his brothers bought the cars that include three pickups at 300,000 US dollars excluding 15,000 dollars duty he paid on the seven cars, adding that he was allowed to clear the pickups for free.

Sayon said he agreed with his brothers to use the proceeds from the sale of the cars to put up buildings for them in Ghana. He said when Captain Assasie-Gyimah gave him a note to the Police Headquarters to claim his cars he saw only the three pickups.

He added that the police informed him that the seven luxury cars had been given to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) because it was short of vehicles for its operations.

Sayon said the police at the Headquarters promised him that the operations would be completed in three weeks after which the cars would be given back to him. However, since that encounter in 1992, he had not heard a word about the cars.

He said he had become a pauper living on charity and pleaded with the Commission to help him secure his cars. Sayon who had earlier been implicated by his former girlfriend, alleged that she conspired with the military to arrest and torture him when he severed relationship with her after their return from Germany in 1982.

He said he sojourned to Germany in 1976 and brought three cars back home in 1982, which he sold, but spent a greater part of the proceeds extravagantly. Sayon said he fell in love with the lady and he bought a ticket for her and they both travelled to Germany.

However, the lady refused to work in the restaurant where he secured a job for her. According to Sayon he worked hard on a potato farm and within one Year, bought an almost brand new Toyota Corolla car. The lady pestered him to sell the car and travel with her back home.

After much hesitation he brought the lady back home but severed relationship with her when they returned in 1982. The lady had relations with an army officer and used that influence to arrange with some soldiers who picked him up and sent him to the Recce Regiment where he spent about one week.

Sayon said he was stabbed at the back with knives, given 50 lashes of the cane on the orders of one Achiana, a soldier and friend of Sgt Alolga Akatapore, a PNDC member. He said at various times, soldiers burned his face with cigarette butts.

Sayon said the soldiers put him in a room, which contained a bag of the late general Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa. He said he was scared and could not sleep as strange noise emanated from the bag. He said that he was sent to a military tribunal set up in the late General Acheampong's house and during interrogations, soldiers slapped him.

Sayon said he fell ill and was admitted at the 37 Military Hospital. When he recovered, he was made to join a refuse collection squad in markets in the Accra metropolis. He was also made to join a team to thresh maize that the soldiers had looted from nearby villages.

According to Sayon, Major Courage Quashigah ordered his release when he came on rounds at the Burma Camp and he explained the circumstances that led to his detention to him. Hearing on the case continues on Thursday.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

MPCI Forces to take their place

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- Representatives of the New Forces have agreed to take their place in the Government of National Reconciliation in La Cote d'Ivoire and will attend a Cabinet meeting scheduled for 3 April at Yamoussoukro.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this followed a meeting with President J. a. Kufuor, Chairman of ECOWAS with Ivorian Prime Minister Seidu Diarra, Prof. Albert Tevoedjere, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and representatives of the MPCI led by the Secretary General Guillaume Soro, in Accra on Tuesday.

Diarra appealed to President Kufuor to use his good offices to help resolve the outstanding issues regarding the implementation of the Marcoussis Agreement. The MPCI delegation drew attention to issues related to the decree on transfer of powers to the Prime Minister, disarmament, amnesty and issues of security as provided for in the Agreement. It was agreed that issues deserved urgent attention if the peace process is to succeed.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Adjei-Boadi denies killing six men

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- Warrant Officer Class One(rtd) Joseph Kwabena Adjei-Boadi, former member of the defunct Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), on Wednesday denied killing six persons detained in the guardroom of the Border Guard Headquarters in June 1983 after an abortive coup attempt

He, however, admitted liability for their killing saying he ordered his men to execute them. "It was a justifiable action," he added. W. O. Adjei-Boadi was giving evidence at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) on Wednesday in reaction to earlier evidence by the Reverend Apostle Brigadier (rtd) Albert Tehn-Addy, former Border Guards Commander.

Brigadier Tehn-Addy had told the Commission that he invited W. O. Adjei-Boadi to his office and scolded him when the duty guard told him he had killed the six men. In his evidence and cross-examination, which lasted more than two-and-a-half hours, W. O. Adjei Boadi expressed regret for having had the men killed in what he said was in the defence of the country.

He said he wished the actions of dissidents had been successful for Ghanaians to appreciate the essence of his action. "As a man of absolute peace, the action I took was collective ...," he said.

He added that there was the need for "resolute measures" to be taken to restore law and order after the 19 June 1983 insurrection. W. O. Adjei-Baodi said he wished people who had wanted to take the realms of power in the coups would have been allowed for two or three months for Ghanaians to see their real tendencies, adding that Ghana would have slipped into crisis long before the Liberian crisis.

He said the execution of the six men was part of "Operation Search and Destroy" declared by the hierarchy of the PNDC. He said the names of 30 people were put on a wanted list and published in the Daily Graphic newspaper.

He said he was, however, not sure if Kofi Agyima and Gyimah whose names were on the list were among the people who were killed in that operation. He said his men had carried the order to shoot the six, left their bodies and he informed PNDC Chairman and Head of State Flt. Lt. (rtd) Jerry Rawlings about the execution.

W. O. Boadi spoke of his exploits in quelling insurrections to overthrow the PNDC government. He said he once took centre stage and brought a situation under control when soldiers grew riotous at Burma Camp during a meeting between them and Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo for which the General made special mention of him for appreciation in the media.

He cited the Weekly Insight newspaper as leading a media conspiracy to tarnish his image and alleged that its editor, Kwesi Pratt Junior, had supported the cause of the PNDC. He said Pratt was at one time behind the arrest of Kweku Baako Jnr, editor of the Crusading Guide newspaper, who would have been killed, but for his intervention.

W. O. Adjei-Boadi said he had constantly been receiving divine Messages, adding that one such message said the leaders should stop depending on juju and rituals and start living in humble fellowship with God's moral authority.

W.O. Adjei-Boadi said former dissidents were back in the country and had infiltrated the security system. He said that he saw it very strange that they were holding very good positions in the country.

"They are at the airport, the President's House, the Castle and even here," W.O. Adjei- Boadi said, adding some were holding ministerial positions. "I have my regrets to say it." All the eight commissioners asked W. O. Adjei-Boadi some questions on his evidence which dealt with the 4 June 1979 and 31 December 1981 coups, discipline in the army, Operation Search and Destroy and his general feeling on the country's return to constitutional rule, among others.

The Most Rev Charles Palmer Buckle said W.O. Adjei-Boadi would be a key figure in the reconciliation process, to right the records of the history of the country. Commissioners Maulvi Wahab Adam and Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu said W. O. Adjei Boadi should identify the six detainees whose executions he ordered for they might not have been part of the people declared wanted.

W. O. Adjei Boadi under cross-examination by his counsel, Agyare Koi Larbi, insisted that under the circumstance at the time it would not have been prudent to seek identities. General Emmanuel Alexander Erskine, another Commissioner, said W. O. Adjei Boadi had to reconcile himself with the past. Two petitioners who were called to tell their stories were absent. They were Ruth Delali Agbana and Valessie Yawa. Hearings continue.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

NRC says it has received death threats

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) on Wednesday said it had received an anonymous letter issuing threats to assassinate Lieutenant General Emmanuel Alexander Erskine, a member of the Commission, Kweku Baako Junior, Editor of the Crusading Guide newspaper, and Baby Ansabah of the Daily Guide newspaper.

The NRC said the letter postmarked 28 March 2003, which it received on 1 April 2003, was not signed, bore no address and was purported to come from a training camp. A release from the Commission on Wednesday signed by its Public Affairs Director, Ms. Annie Anipa, said the letter warned, among other Things, that the three and many others would be assassinated by slashing their throats, Algerian style.

A similar letter was received in March threatening the Chairman and other members of the Commission, it said. The NRC said it had referred the matter to the security agencies for investigation and appropriate action.

The Commission stated that it was undeterred by threats and assured the public that it was committed to the reconciliation process and would undertake its functions without fear or favour.

Below is the text of the said letter the Commission made available to the press on Wednesday:

"You are all talking of Rawlings but he knew nothing but we have to die for him because he brought us from Liberia when the situation was worst. After all people die for OSAMA BIN LADEN.

"We are training with modern heavy riffles

"Your security is weak, is like from Buduburam to Circle for woman

"When we strike it will be worst than JUNE 4TH SO GO ON TALKING NONSENSE

"WE WILL DO IT OPENLY

"FOR US TO COME TO NEWS TV &

"GRAPHIC. WE WANT TO DIE FOR JERRY."

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Help trace the whereabouts of my brother

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The brother of an army officer who disappeared in 1983 on Wednesday appealed to the NRC to enquire about his brother's whereabouts and cause his release to the family if he is still alive.

Dr. David Ansah Asiedu, a gynaecologist, said his brother Captain Asiedu disappeared after soldiers arrested him in 1983. "If he was, however, murdered, then the due process of the law must take its course and the perpetrators must be dealt with," he said, adding that the family was still waiting for the state to declare him dead before it could perform any funeral rites.

Dr Asiedu said various petitions to the then Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the Interior, among others, to search for his brother yielded no results. He prayed the Commission to compensate the wife and children of Captain Asiedu for the hardship they had gone through after his disappearance.

Giving evidence to the NRC, Dr. Asiedu expressed regret that some members of the public were trying to trivialise the work of the Commission saying it was an important agenda the government was pursuing to assuage the pain of those who suffered atrocities under the various regimes.

He said his brother, whom investigations revealed was arrested for making derogatory remarks about the then Head of State, was brutally assaulted at the Castle where he was taken after he was picked up at his office on 23 March 1983.

"His head was hit with an object that I got to know was a piece of a plank, resulting in the removal of his teeth. He bled from his mouth and other parts of his body due to the beatings. "These I got to know after I came down from Kumasi to enquire about his whereabouts and the reasons for his arrest."

Dr Asiedu said the soldiers also seized his brother's car and the family could not locate it until one of them saw somebody using it as a taxi. He said when Captain Pattington, then at Burma Camp, finally released the car to the family, they found the Identification Card of Lance Corporal Kodi under the front seat though nobody claimed responsibility for the seizure.

Carl Tay, a spare parts dealer and a friend of Captain Asiedu, told the NRC that he was arrested together with Captain Asiedu and two ladies on that day. He said RSM Tetteh interviewed him when they were taken to the Castle, adding that all the questions gave no clue as to why they were arrested.

He said as he was being interviewed, somebody was also slapping him from behind. A soldier also kicked him in the groin. This, he said, resulted in the perforation of his eardrum and the swelling of his hand since he was using his hand to shield his manhood when he was being kicked.

Tay said the soldiers gave them rags to clean Captain Asiedu's blood after his head had been hit with a plank resulting in the removal of his teeth and he collapsed. He said he and the others were released later in the day with the exception of Captain Asiedu, adding that on their way to the Castle gate they saw him lying on the ground bleeding. "That was the last time I saw him," Tay said.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Ministry criticises Free Press on April Fool prank

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The government on Tuesday expressed concern about an April Fool prank by the Free Press newspaper which claimed that Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, out-going Minister of Local Government and Rural Government, had resigned.

A statement signed by Frank Agyekum, Assistant Government Spokesman (Governance), said the publication tended to create the impression that Baah-Wiredu, who had been sent to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports following last week's reshuffle had resigned because of the President's action.

"Mr Baah-Wiredu remains a member of the government and is the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports as per the reshuffle." It advised that in future, such pranks should be explained elsewhere in the newspaper.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Ivorian Prime Minister appeals to ECOWAS Chairman

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003-Seidu Diarra, Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, on Thursday appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of ECOWAS, to help to resolve outstanding issues regarding the implementation of the Marcoussis and Accra Accords.

Prime Minister Diarra made the appeal at a meeting with representatives of the New Forces led by Mr Guillaume Soro, Secretary General of the Patriotic Movement of Cote D'Ivoire (MPCI), in the presence of President Kufuor and Professor Albert Tevoedjere, Special Representative of Dr Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the MPCI delegation drew attention to the issues relating to the decree on transfer of powers to the Prime Minister, disarmament, amnesty and issues of security as provided for in the Marcoussis Agreement.

The statement said it was agreed at the meeting that the issues mentioned by both the Ivorian Prime Minister and the MPCI delegation deserved urgent attention if the peace process was to succeed.

It said President Kufuor undertook with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Follow-up Committee to bring the issues to the attention of President Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d' Ivoire in order to speed up the peace process. The New Forces agreed to take their place in the Government of National Reconciliation and would attend the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, 3 April 2003 at Yamoussukro, the statement said.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Government to come out soon on invasion of Iraq

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- Ghana would soon come out with a statement on the American and British invasion of Iraq to protect and defend the integrity of the nation, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs said in Accra on Wednesday.

Owusu-Agyeman, who was speaking when he received letters of protest from about 5,000 demonstrators against the invasion, said Ghana had no secret agreement with any country to wage war against Iraq.

The Outgoing Minister's was reacting to the contents of one of the letters presented to him through Kyeretwie Opoku of the National Reform Party (NRP). The protest letter which was addressed to the President of Ghana said:

"We of the 'Anti-War Campaign' protest at the ambivalent position of the government of Ghana in connection with the illegal war unleashed on the Iraqi people by the United States of America and Great Britain."

It said an overwhelming number of people of the world were opposed to the war as manifested in the numerous protest marches taking place around the world. It stated that the war had no basis in legality and international morality, and that its objective was to promote the parochial interests of the America Oil Oligopoly (small number of suppliers that control a commodity in the market place).

It reminded the government of the provisions of the Constitution under Directive Principles of State Policy. These are to promote and protect the interest of Ghana, seek the establishment of just and equitable international and social order and adhere to the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and the African Union. The letters demanded complete closure of the military and intelligence relations that Ghana currently has with the United States.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Anti-war campaigners demonstrate

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- Some 5,000 people on Wednesday staged a five-hour demonstration against the "illegal invasion" of Iraq by the United States and Britain. The demonstrators, under anthe umbrella organisation, "Anti-War Campaign", marched in four different groups from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle at 0830 hours through the principal streets to the Parliament House, US Embassy and the British High Commission.

They finally converged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they presented protest letters to the Outgoing Sector Minister, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman. One each of the protest letters signed by T. Akoto-Ampaw were for US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The third signed by Kyeretwie Opoku of the NRP, was to protest against "the ambivalent position of the government of Ghana in connection with the illegal war against Iraq."

The Socialist Forum; National Reform Party, International Socialists Organisation and Association of Pan-Islamic Co-operation and members of the public took part in the demonstration.

The demonstrators carried placards, some of which read: "Stop The War"; "Bush Go Back To The Bush"; "United Snakes of America" and "Oil Not Democracy". Others are "UN Is A Disaster"; "Bush God Will Turn You Into A Forest Not Bush"; "Hear The Words Of Kwame Nkrumah"; "The World Needs Peace" and "Stop The War In Iraq".

Opoku, who presented the letter to Owusu-Agyeman, said there was a growing belief that the government of Ghana had a secret arrangement with the US government to support the war in Iraq.

The protest letter to the President of Ghana said: "We of the Anti-War Campaign protest at the ambivalent position of the government of Ghana in connection with the illegal war unleashed on the Iraqi people by the United States of America and Great Britain."

It said an overwhelming number of people of the world were opposed to the war as manifested in the numerous protest marches taking place around the word. It stated that the war had no basis in legality and international morality, and that its objective was to promote the parochial interests of the America Oil Oligopoly (small number of suppliers that control a commodity in the market place).

The letters demanded complete closure of the military and intelligence relations that Ghana currently has with the United States. The letters to the Prime Minister of Britain and US President described the war as reckless and unjust saying it was not being fought in self-defence and called for the immediate cessation of the "Imperialists' Aggression".

It said after the Gulf War Iraq had suffered 12 years of sanctions and contained US/U.K bombing, adding that there was no evidence of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction that the UN weapons inspection system could not deal with.

The letters said the war was likely to plunge the whole West Asia Region into chaos and that it would provoke desperate terrorist counter-attacks, which would put millions of innocent lives of US and UK citizens at risk.

Owusu-Agyemang thanked the marchers for organising a matured and a peaceful demonstration and said he would personally hand over the letters to the two embassies. He said the Ghana government had no secret agreement with any country to wage war against Iraq.

He said Ghana was sad about the invasion and the government would soon come out with a statement on the issue to protect and defend the integrity of the nation.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Government approves 26 billion Cedis

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The government has approved for 26 billion cedis from the HIPC funds to implementation a project for the provision of safe water sources in guinea worm endemic areas.

An official statement signed by S. Owusu-Agyei, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, said this is part of efforts to eradicate the disease from the Northern, Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.

The statement said the Ministries of Health and Works and Housing would jointly implement the project. It said as part of the project implementation plan, the two ministries would prepare and submit periodic reports on the implementation of the project.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Specialised medical programmes to take off

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- A paediatric nursing programme aimed at encouraging specialisation and career development among nurses is expected to take off before the end of the year.

The National Post-Graduate Medical College is also expected to begin a residency post-graduate programme for medical officers this year following the passage of a bill by parliament.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Health Minister, said this on Tuesday at separate meetings with health workers during a two-day tour of health facilities in the Greater Accra Region. The tour took the Minister to the Pantang Hospital, Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ashaiman Health Centre and Tema General Hospital.

Career development, the exodus of health workers, better remuneration and shortage of specialised health professionals were at the centre of discussions during the Minister's interaction with staff of the various health facilities.

Touching on the acute shortage of some categories of specialists, Dr Afriyie said more programmes for all categories of health workers were being established to enhance career progression and check the mass exodus of health workers.

The Health Minister said brain drain was a "moral one" and it was up to health workers to give serious consideration to the effects of their action before embarking on any search for greener pastures.

The past few years has witnessed a massive exodus of health personnel, especially doctors. Despite the production of over 100 doctors each year by the University Of Ghana Medical School, the health system is suffering from an acute shortage of doctors.

Between 1969 when the Medical School was opened and 1994, 1,280 doctors were trained in Ghana. A review of records by the Medical and Dental Council in 1998 showed that less than 430 of this number were left in the country.

Dr Afriyie said the Ministry was focusing on initiating scholarships for certain categories of health workers interested in specialising in areas considered less glamorous, such as psychiatry.

He said the College of Allied Health was also focusing on producing professionals for the supply of personnel in support services such as laboratory technology. The Health Minister said a policy directive had been given to all nursing training schools to double their intake as part of measures to solve the brain drain problem.

During the Minister's meeting with staff of the Pantang Hospital, Dr Sam Allotey, Medical Officer in-charge, expressed concern about the acute shortage of water and accommodation at the hospital.

He said a national rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in the hospital was not functioning because there were no logistics and staff to run the place. Health workers at the Tema General Hospital and the Ashaiman Health Centre also called on the Minster to upgrade their facilities into a Regional Hospital and Polyclinic respectively.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Catholic University takes off at Sunyani

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 03 April 2003- The Catholic University of Ghana (CUG) to be sited at Fiapre, in the Brong Ahafo Region began serious academic work last month in makeshift facilities at Sunyani with five professors, teaching assistants and a first intake of 50 students.

Reverend Dr. Michael J. Schultheis, the American President/Vice Chancellor, who has worked in Africa for more than 20 years, told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani on Tuesday that all the lecturers are Ghanaians.

He said the students are studying basic computer science, mathematics, study skills, social ethics, language and communication skills and social analysis of Ghana. "The ground has not yet been broken for the commencement of construction work on accommodation at Fiapre, but a lot of planning is being done to ensure that the buildings will be ready for use at the beginning of the fourth academic year in mid-2005."

The University is using facilities at the Sunyani Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Centre, a few kilometres away from Sunyani. Dr Schultheis expressed the hope that the University would complete its first academic session in October this year and begin the second academic year in November 2003, to be completed before the end of July 2004.

The third academic year would commence in September 2004, he added and explained that the arrangement was to enable the institution to catch up with and fit into the mainstream academic calendar of other Universities in the country.

The Vice-Chancellor said despite the challenges that the University faced in the development of the Fiapre site, the institution was on course as academic work for instance was progressing steadily.

In another interview, the Very Reverend Father Samuel Batsa, Head of Public Relations and Development (PRD) Office of the University indicated that the 50 students were part of 90 candidates who were offered admission, adding that 70 per cent of the 50 students were Catholic by faith, whilst 40 of them were residential with only ten as non-resident students.

Rev. Batsa explained that the Catholic dominance was not due to preferential treatment in the admission process, but that the advertisement for candidates to apply for admission was made mostly in Catholic communities.

The announcement to the general public in that regard through media organizations went out late because of some delays prior to the commencement of the operations of the university, he added.

Rev. Batsa stressed: "The University is open to all qualified persons notwithstanding one's religious inclination or nationality, as two male students are nationals of Nigeria and La Cote D'Ivoire."

He said there were 19 females, forming 38 percent of the total student population. The first two faculties of Information and Communication, Science and Technology (ICST), Economics and Business Administration, have equal number of students, excluding two reverend ministers who are reading Religious Studies.

Rev. Batsa said although it is a church-established institution, Religious Studies and the course structure of the University were not designed for those preparing for priesthood in particular.

He explained that Religious Studies was being taught from a holistic point of view and the University administration had intended to add Education as soon as possible since there was the need for more teachers to teach religious and moral education in secondary schools.

The Head of the PRD Office gave the assurance that the church would not renege on its effort to ensure the rapid progress of the University, saying effective planning and organization was being pursued to develop the Fiapre site to befit a tertiary institutional campus of international standard.

Rev. Batsa indicated that the University had acquired 10 SSNIT bungalows, at Kato, near Berekum, for the staff. The University, he said, had no problem with academic staff, as there were a lot of applications from qualified persons including Catholic priests.

Master Joseph Abban, an ICST student and Ms. Azekyun Abisa, who is pursuing a course in Banking and Finance, expressed satisfaction about studying at the University "because besides being Catholics, we are pursuing courses of our choice, which otherwise would not have been possible in other Universities in the country." They indicated that facilities at the University were "exceptional" while students receive a lot of attention from the lecturers.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Judge congratulates witness for information

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003-Justice Yaw Appau, an Accra High Court Judge, trying six Police Officers for their alleged involvement in the "May Nine" Stadium Disaster, on Wednesday congratulated a witness in the case, for volunteering information.

Justice Appau told the witness, Mark Heizah Quow, an auditor of the Ghana Cocoa Board that the court appreciated his effort for coming out boldly to assist to find the truth in the case, which was of national concern.

He said like other citizens, Quow could have sat on the fence, without contributing his quota towards the dispensation of justice in the country. The Judge stressed, "the court is grateful to you. Thank you."

Quow received the commendation in the witness box when he testified in the case when he was led in evidence by Anthony Gyambiby, a Principal State Attorney. The witness, on his own accord, earlier gave evidence in the Okudzeto Commission that sat on the Stadium Disaster.

The officers on trial are, John Asare Naami, Faakyi Kumi, Frank Awuah, Francis Aryee, Benjamin B. Bakomora, all Assistant Superintendents of Police and Chief Superintendent of Police, Koranteng Mintah.

They have pleaded not guilty to 127 counts of manslaughter and are on 20 million cedis bail each with two sureties. In his evidence, Quow said on May nine he went to the Accra Sports Stadium to watch the match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko on May Nine.

He said he was at the Ade Coker stand, now "May Nine" stand, when he saw the spectators throwing plastic chairs. He said he saw some police officers who made signs, while they spoke to their subordinates who were holding shields and guns and were lined-up at the May Nine gate, in front of the dressing room.

Witness said later he heard volleys of guns and tear gas, adding, "I saw a whitish smoke evolving from something and spreading." Witness stressed that he saw some of the fans who ran to where he was, the popular stand, but unfortunately, there was a thick smoke as a result of a tear gas and could therefore, not inhale, saying, "It was at this juncture that I realised that something was happening."

Quow said the small gates at the stadium were opened, while the bigger ones were closed and that he saw that some fans were pinned to the gate. He also heard faint voices. He said he saw people lying on the ground, but he could not immediately identify whether they were dead or not.

According to him, two days after the incident, he heard that a commission was set up to find the truth of the matter and so he decided to appear before it to tell what he saw at the stadium, hence he wrote to the commission who invited him.

During cross-examination by Yonny Kulendi, counsel for Naami, the first accused, witness replied that though he did not have any specialised knowledge on tear gas, he did chemistry in school at both Ordinary and Advanced level.

When counsel asked witness to tell some of the characteristics of gas, witness said when the weather is hot, the gas expands and therefore, would rise, whereas in the cooled weather, the gas becomes dense at certain level, but would not move upwards.

Witness said the gate was closed and he saw people pinned to the gate, because they wanted to get outside the stadium. When Ellis Owusu-Fordjour, counsel for second, third and fifth accused persons asked the number of policemen who wore black up and down, apart from the officers who wore grey khaki-like uniforms, witness said it was difficult for him to tell.

William Ofori Boafo asked Quow if that was the first evidence that he was giving in respect of the stadium disaster. Quow replied that he had earlier appeared before the Okudzeto Commission.

When counsel asked if witness remembered that he had told the Commission that three ordinary policemen waved to the crowd to stop throwing the chairs, witness replied, "if that was the recording, then that was correct."

According to him, he just wanted to forget about the May Nine incident, because of what he went through. Counsel reminded witness that he showed some pictures to the Commission and that he identified an officer in the photograph, when a name was mentioned and requested that he mentioned the name, but Quow told the court that he could not recollect the name.

The court last week Friday asked the prosecution to re-call Police Constable Sergeant Mark Sam Atulesi, a prosecution witness to court. This followed a submission by Boafo, counsel for Chief Superintendent Mintah Koranteng, that at the last sitting, his attention was drawn to some events, which took place at the Okudjeto Commission and that he wanted to cross-examine the witness further on some of the events, which also occurred when the Commission visited the Accra Sports Stadium to have first hand information after the incident

Hearing continues tomorrow.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Government determined to make Accra a show-piece

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City was in line with government's policy to make the City of Accra a showpiece in the West African Sub-Region.

President John Agyekum Kufuor, who announced this on Wednesday, said "Accra must be developed into a unique position for the entire nation to a standard befitting a capital city and a gateway to the Sub-Region".

President Kufuor said this when a delegation from the Asere Stool of the Ga Traditional Council paid a courtesy call on him to officially inform the government of the death of Nii Teiko Akotia Oworsika III, Asere Mantse at the Castle, Osu.

He said government was not only concerned with the management of the city of Accra but would undertake some specific projects to befit its status as a gateway, adding, some measures have already been taken to give impetus to the modernization programme.

Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo II, Ga Akwashong Mantse, who led the delegation said the late Nii Oworsika, 73, died on September 22, last year after a short illness. He said the late 13th Asere Mantse before his enstoolment in 1974 was a public servant at the Public Works Department (PWD), the Architectural and Engineering Services Corporation (AESC) and the Geological Survey Department and had assisted in the provision of the country's major infrastructural development. The Ga Akwashong Mantse said the body would be laid in state on Friday, 4 April at Kaneshie, Accra and Burial at the Royal Mausoleum on Saturday, 5 April.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

TAYSEC donates to Otumfuo Education Fund

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 03 April 2003- TAYSEC Construction Company on Tuesday donated 50 million cedis to the Otumfuo Education Fund as the company's appreciation of the Asantehene's effort in education.

Andrews Holmes, Country Director of Taylor Woodrow, who made the donation on behalf of the company, lauded the Asantehene's concern for education, culminating in establishing the fund and said its disbursement so far had shown that it was not parochial, considering the fact that the beneficiaries cut across the country.

He said the company had also been offering assistance to needy students in tertiary institutions. Holmes said the company had identified itself with the Otumfuo Education Fund because it catered for the needy and for the deplorable situation in the educational system.

"Our company is no stranger in Ghana and Kumasi in particular, having built the Shoe and Jute factories as well as the Kumasi Brewery Company Limited and Guinness Ghana Limited." Otumfuo Osei Tutu expressed his appreciation to the company for the gesture and recounted its "good works" since its establishment in the country.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

I was invited by Police to give statement

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- Madam Georgina Okaiteye, the Seventh Prosecution Witness in the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) divestiture case, said on Wednesday that the Police invited her to give a statement in connection with the case.

Giving evidence under cross-examination, Madam Okaiteye disagreed with a suggestion by counsel that the Police arrested her because of her involvement in the case. Those being tried are Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of the 31^st December Women's Movement, Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee, Ralph Casely-Hayford, a Businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, a Housewife.

The four persons are standing trial at an Accra Fast Track Court for their alleged involvement in bribery and corrupt activities in connection with the privatisation of GREL, have pleaded not guilty to their various charges and each of them is on a self-recognisance bail.

Continuing with her evidence under further cross-examination by David Lamptey, counsel for Ayittey, witness disagreed with a suggestion that as a result of the irregular manner in which monies were withdrawn from GREL's accounts, the Police arrested her together with its former Managing Director (MD) and consultant.

Witness said to the best of her knowledge, Etienne Marie Arthur Popeler, former MD of GREL and Dr Albert Owusu-Barnafo, the company's consultant, were not arrested by the Police.

Madam Okaiteye told the court that the three were invited by the Police to give statements. Witness said it was not true that as a result of the irregular manner in which Popeler caused monies to be withdrawn from GREL's coffers, he was dismissed as MD of the company. The case has been adjourned to Thursday, 17 April.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Smith's case adjourned

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- The trial of Victor Emmanuel Smith, an aide to Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings was on Wednesday adjourned to 2 May by an Accra Circuit Court. The trial was put on hold following the transfer of the Judge presiding over the case.

When sitting resumed at the court, Emmanuel Ankamah, the new Judge enquired from the Prosecution whether the two parties were going to adopt the former proceedings of the circuit tribunal or to restart the trial.

The court, therefore, adjourned the matter for parties in the case to decide and inform the court on the next adjourned date. Dr Benjamin Kumbour represented Smith while Miss Barbara Sackey represented the State.

Smith, on 12 April appeared before a circuit tribunal for allegedly issuing threats of death to two Journalists. He pleaded not guilty and was granted 50 million cedis bail by Imoru Ziblim, the former trial Judge.

On 18 March the accused and Abrampah Mensah, Interim President of the Action Forum of the National Democratic Congress, wrote a correspondence to be handed over to Kweku Baako Junior, Editor of "The Crusading Guide" newspaper and Mrs Margaret Amoakohene, a Social Commentator and Lecturer at the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon that they would not sit down unconcerned over their criticism of the Former President.

The accused also warned that if the victims failed to stop their criticisms after receiving the letters, members of the Action Forum would be given pick-up vehicles to track them down and crash them.

Smith further stated that should these steps to silence the two fail they would devise other means to kill them. Mensah, who is a witness in the case, was alarmed and revealed the plot to a friend and handed the letter to him. This friend in turn gave it to Baako Jnr, who informed Mrs Amoakohene. Smith was arrested and he admitted being the author of the threatening letter.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

Vice visits rural communities

Gomoa Nyanyano (Central Region) 03 April 2003- The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Wednesday assured people in the rural areas of government's continued interaction on regular basis to assess their needs to enable it meet their aspirations.

To this end, Alhaji Aliu said Ministers, District Chief Executives, and other key state functionaries would not sit in their offices but make constant contacts with the people to discuss with them matters affecting their social and economic requirements.

This way, the Vice President contended, would help the government obtain the accurate information, suggestions and ideas that would propel it in its overall planning and sharing of national wealth to ensure equity distribution and acceleration of development projects at all levels.

Alhaji Aliu was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people Gomoa-Nyanyano as part of his three-day working visit to the Central Region. He said the government will not wait until the election period before it would come to the people to solicit for their votes through such interactions, adding that it is the cardinal responsibility of those at the helm of affairs to make their presence constantly felt by the people to enable them know the problems confronting them and seek their views to ensure national cohesion and progress.

Alhaji Aliu assured the chiefs and people of Nyanyano of the government's support for the implementation of the salt industry in the area to create employment opportunities for the jobless in and around the town.

Commenting on the recent increases in petroleum prices, Alhaji Aliu said the move was to generate adequate funds for the implementation of development projects like, health, education, water, electricity and roads throughout the country.

It would also assist the government to create more avenues for small-scale industries and thereby afford many people the much needed jobs. He asked people in the area to send their children to school, saying that education holds the key to development and elimination of poverty in the society.

The Vice President also charged people in the Gomoa District to fully embrace the Ayensu Cassava Project initiated by the President to help alleviate their economic plight. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, the out-going Minister of Mines announced that the government has approved 17.2 billion cedis to promote small-scale winning projects in the country.

He said currently the request for 6.1 billion cedis to support 100 small-scale salt winners at Nyanyano had been forwarded to the Minerals Commission for final consideration and approval and appealed to the would-be beneficiaries of the loan to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, a total of 3.2 billion cedis had been released for disbursement to small-scale salt winners in the Alimena area through the Kakum Rural Bank. Dr Nyaho Tamakloe, a leading member of the NPP assured Ghanaians that the party would deliver on its promises to maintain the trust and confidence they have in the government.

Dr. Tamakloe said the NDC had, however, had its fair chance in the administration of the country, and there is the need for other opposition parties like, the CPP to take over the administration of the country after NPP.

On his part, the MP for Odododiodoo, Niibi Ayi-Bonte, who is also the Chairman of the Premixed Fuel Committee said government subsidises the sale of premixed fuel to the tune of 1.2 billion cedis every month, adding that it costs the nation 4,000 cedis on each gallon of pre-mixed fuel supplied to the various fishing communities.

Miss Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive, said several development projects have been initiated to better the lot of the people. This include, clinics, schools, markets, gari processing projects and KVIPs.

Nana Obeng Wiabo V, Gomoa-Nyanyanohene, called for financial and material support from the government to help them execute a number of self-help projects they have initiated.

The Vice President had earlier addressed the chiefs and people of Kasoa and later interacted with the chiefs and people of Gomoa-Potsin, Adzentam, Panfokrom and Gomoa-Awomerew where he declared government intention to provide them with electricity as well as tarring of the Potsi-Awomerew-Agona Swedru link road. Other areas the Vice President expected to visit include, the U2 Salt Industries at Effutu-Nsuakyir, near Winneba.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top

French Navy ship to visit Ghana

Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2003- A French Navy Ship, "OURAGAN" on a routine visit to Ghana, will on Thursday 3 April dock at the Tema Harbour and depart on Monday 7 April.

A statement from the French Embassy on Wednesday, said 'OURAGAN', launched on 9 November 1963, is under the command of Commander Yves-Marie Marechal. It is an amphibian assault ship and has a crew of 12 officers, 194 petty officers and seamen. It has a length of 149 metres, 21.5 metres in width and a displacement of 8,500 tons.

The ship, the statement said can carry a landing force into an intervention area and conduct the landing of the force. It said the amphibian facilities are made up of one inner dock, 120 meters long, which can be flooded under 12 feet of water and be able to receive one landing craft for an infantry and tanks, four landing crafts for equipment and one intermediate movable deck.

GRi.../

Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com

Return to top