400 million cedis spent on NDC congress
The Former
President said whatever differences existed between him and the party chairman
was over and belonged to history.
He said:
"I call on the rank and file of our great party to emulate this act, unit
and extend similar reconciliatory gestures to any member who have crossed your
path either at the national, regional, constituency and ward levels for a
stronger NDC,"
Mr Rawlings
who was speaking at the NDC's Special Delegates'
Congress in Accra to elect a the party's flagbearer said the battle ahead of
the NDC required total unity within party structures and among its leaders to
strengthen the structures for electoral battle to recapture power in 2004.
At the
elections, Professor John Evans Attah Mills former
Vice President and NDC's 2000 presidential candidate
pulled 1,116 votes to beat Dr Kwasi Botchwey, former
Minister of Finance who had 194 votes out of a total of 1,310 valid votes cast.
Mr Rawlings
also congratulated Dr Botchwey for sincerely conceding defeat in good faith and
also pledging to work with Prof Mills.
Congratulating
Prof. Mills, Mr Rawlings called for hard work as the task of recapturing power
had just started, stressing, "the great victory
is only the first step, the triumphant moment would be decided in 2004."
Amidst
cheering and shouting from the large audience, Mr Rawlings called Dr Asamoah to
the podium and embraced him to signify unity. Former President Rawlings also
called on members to remain focus on the principles that had guided the party
from the beginning and to avoid the temptation of expediency.
These
principles according to him included commitment to the truth and objectivity
and the urge to fight for the rights of the underprivileged.
He
commended the NDC Parliamentary Caucus for putting the government on its toes
and for cooperating with it when dealing with things that were for the national
good and resolutely resisting what was not in the people's interest.
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The
election held at the Central Cafeteria of the
Prof Mills
said his victory was a manifestation of the people's choice and also a success
for the party and not a personal achievement.
In a
background of gospel music and a euphoric crowd of delegates, Prof Mills said
the successful election of a flag-bearer for the NDC was just the first phase
of the struggle to win back power.
He said the
party needed unity, truth and dedication to increase its strength for the
general election in 2004 adding that: "Members of the NDC have spoken.
They have sent a message to the NPP that we are ready to engage in a serious
battle. Everybody must get on board. Let's forgive and forget and build the
party."
Prof Mills
called on the NDC to be more committed and vibrant and he thanked the founding
fathers, the Council of Elders and his wife Naadu, for assisting in ensuring a
successful congress, stressing that the party had to move forward as a people
with a common vision.
Dr Botchwey
gracefully conceded defeat and congratulated Prof Mills on his victory and
shook hands with Dr Obed Asamoah, the Party's
chairman, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, National Executive
Committee member, and Mr and Mrs Jerry Rawlings, a
former first couple.
He said his
entry into the race was a good fight, which he noted had contributed to
strengthen the internal democracy of the party and assured Prof Mills and the
party that he would remain a faithful member of the NDC and would never be the
cause of any division in the party.
"I
have no vengeance in my heart, let's be united and fight the battle of our
life", Dr Botchwey declared.
Dr Asamoah
National Chairman of the party congratulated Prof Mills on his victory, and
said after the successful congress, the NDC would concentrate on the
rejuvenation of the party and build on what they had achieved. He pledged his
commitment to the party and said he was wiling to put himself at the disposal
of Prof Mills.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 December 2002- Former President Jerry John Rawlings on
Saturday shed tears at the Special Delegates Congress of the National
Democratic Congress in Accra to elect its flagbearer for 2004 general
elections.
Former
President Rawlings was welcomed into the packed hall of the Central Cafeteria
of to
The former
President could not control his emotions and shed tears when Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, National
Chairman of the party was delivering his speech.
Dr Asamoah
was condemning some party members for what he called "a campaign of
vilification" against him as Chairman of the Party.
It was not
quite clear why Former President Rawlings shed tears but he was seen wiping
tears for about ten minutes with his white handkerchief. He was there for the
whole period of voting and counting quietly and busily writing most of the
time.
Mr Rawlings
did not vote but rather made a gesturing indicating that both candidates were
one. Dr Asamoah said since he sought the chairmanship of the party, he has been
subjected to vile propaganda that beats the imagination of many, stressing,
"Now that Dr Kwesi Botchwey is seeking the
flagbearer of our Party the attacks have included him and have been
intensified."
"How
can we develop a fighting machine to challenge the NPP or create the confidence
in our people that we are a Party in the face of these
development?" he asked
The
chairman also critised some party members for
character assassination and urged the delegates to be guided by its quest to
recapture power in 2004.
He said,
"The issue is not against winning an internal struggle but about wining
elections against NPP." Professor John Evans Attah
Mills won the congress under the theme "Moving Together in Unity and
Vision Toward Social Democracy," with 1116 votes
as against 194 votes by Dr Kwesi Botchwey out of a
total of 1,310 valid votes cast.
Mr Kwame Damoah-Agyeman Chief Director of Elections, Electoral
Commission who announced the results declared Prof Mills winner amidst wild
cheers, jubilation and dancing to Gospel songs.
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He said,
"I carry in my hand perhaps the worst example of this utterly shameful
propaganda, sadly which comes from our own people claiming among other things
that I campaigned for the NPP during the last general elections."
"I
never imagined that any in our midst would succumb to such shameful duplicity,
but I opted for the path of restraint in the face of these provocation for the
sake of the unity and integrity of our party," Dr Botchwey stated in a
speech circulated to the media during the National Democratic Congress Party
(NDC) special delegates congress in Accra.
Dr
Botchwey, however, called on party faithful, sympathisers
and well-wishers to bury the hatred and intolerance and begin to restore NDC to
its dignified, unified and popular presence.
He
described the congress as the greatest day in the history of the party, saying
"for the first time in our history we are meeting to elect the flagbearer
through an open democratic process rather than by nomination and acclamation.
Dr Botchwey
who contested for the flagbearership but lost to
Professor John Evans Attah Mills former Vice
President said it was a great victory for the grassroots membership of the
party upon whose sweat, dedication and courage the NDC was built.
He said,
"I salute you all, I am proud to have helped in securing this victory, for
the plain truth is that if I had not contested this race, there would have been
no election, but above all this historic congress is a test of our credibility
as a party before the people of
According
to him the campaign for the contest has largely been a rewarding experience due
to the nobility of spirit and the sense of fairness and justice of the vast
numbers of party membership.
He said the
2004 elections would be difficult and tough, adding "let us not make a
mistake about it, we must go to the people of Ghana with our greatest asset; a
new vision, new direction, a revitalised leadership
that would offer workable solutions; something new in our party."
Dr Botchwey
assured the delegates and the NDC of his loyalty and commitment to what the
party stands for and its ideals in totality.
"I was
there from the very beginning when our country faced its most trying times of
economic crises, when we stood in queues to buy uncooked kenkey
and wash our bodies with skin-burning soap," he said.
He pledged
his total commitment to lifting what he described as dark cloud, which has
engulfed the party raising doubts about its effectiveness.
Dr.
Botchwey said "we are at a cross roads and we should not be afraid to take
the strategic decisions and to chart the new path that would give us a decisive
victory in 2004."
On his
relationship with Mr Rawlings, the founder of party, he said, "I fully
acknowledge and respect the role of the founder, which is enshrined in our constitution.
I know what leadership he provided in many critical times when we needed to
take some of the most difficult decisions in our economic reform effort”.
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400 million cedis spent on NDC congress
Dr Nii Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the party told the
Ghana News Agency that 40 million cedis of the amount was spent on
accommodation and the rest on feeding and transportation, hiring of sound
equipment among others.
He said the
400 million cedi expenditure was likely to increase if delegates decided to
stay on for the next day because of congress ended lately.
Out of the
1220 valid votes cast at the congress Prof Atta Mills polled 1116 to beat Dr Kwesi Botchwey, a former Minister of Finance and Economic
Planning who poled 194 votes.
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Wassa Akropong (Western Region)
He
announced this in an address read for him by Mr Joseph Aidoo,
Western Regional Minister, at this year's National President end-of-year party
for children at Wassa Akropong
in the Wassa Amenfi
District.
President
Kufuor said the early Childhood Care and Development Policy is
also being enhanced. He said the government would insist on ensuring the best
future for
President
Kufuor said he is aware that a lot more needs to be done, particularly in the
infrastructure development such as schools, health facilities and other social
services to make life more comfortable and meaningful for children.
He said the
government is also aware of the lack of facilities or children's social
services and that is why it is promoting the establishment of the community
centre initiative to address all needed services for children.
President
Kufuor said his greatest pleasure would be when every Ghanaian child would go
to bed with a full stomach, have access to health care and quality education,
free from abuse and exploitation and be allowed to enjoy his or her childhood.
He said the
government is working to achieve the optimum because it is within its
capacities. President Kufuor urged children to contribute their quota to enable
the government to achieve its initiatives and that of international bodies for
children.
They could
do this by staying in school, away from drugs and sex, he said. He called on
parents and guardians to add responsible parenting to their New Year resolution
so that fewer children would drop out on the streets and get involved in armed
robbery and other crimes.
In an
address read for him, Mr Samuel Alberto Tekyi, the
District Chief Executive, said childcare and maintenance are becoming a problem
in the district. He said the cause for this, according to the records of the
Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the
Department of Social Welfare is the rate of divorce and its consequent increase
in the number of single parents.
Mr Tekyi said as a result, most parents, especially males
shirk their responsibilities of childcare and maintenance and the district
assembly is coming out with bye-laws to help curb this social problem.
Kasapreko
Kwame Bassanyi the third, President of the Regional
House of Chiefs and Omanhene of Wassa
Amenfi Traditional Area, who presided, called on the
Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to ensure that the rights of children
are protected.
He further
urged religious leaders and traditional authorities to join the campaign
against child abuse. Later, some 1,200 children drawn from primary and JSS in
the district were feted.
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He asked
the Bar to get actively involved in the speedy trial of cases under the
Mr Boafo was speaking at the end-of-year dinner dance of the
The
Regional Minister therefore, charged the GBA to uphold its aims and objectives
so as to make the government vibrant in order to fulfil
its obligations for the benefit of society.
To do this,
therefore, he asked lawyers to be abreast with current government economic
policies so as to be able to offer suggestions that would go a long way to
improve upon the living conditions of Ghanaians.
Mr. Boafo advised the Bar to open its doors to encourage and
support the public who might require their services without much monetary
considerations. He commended the Association for the initiative they had taken
to build a centre, which, he said, would go a long way to create solidarity
among them.
Dr Akuamoah Boateng Kwaku Anane, Ashanti Regional President of the GBA, called
on the members to contribute positively towards the realization of the construction
of the centre. He asked the junior lawyers to let the rules and regulations of
the Association be their guide and work within the
code of ethics of the legal profession.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 23 December 2002- The Ghana Education Service (GES) would
require about 70 million dollars for the purchase of new textbooks based on the
new and revised syllabus for primary one to Junior Secondary School, Mr Rashid Bawa, Deputy Minister of Education said.
He said the
amount if made available would guarantee the success of the Textbook
Development and Distribution Policy outlined in the new syllabus.
The Deputy
was speaking at the 26th Ghana Book Award Ceremony organised by the (GBDC), at
which individuals and corporate bodies that have contributed to the promotion
of the book industry in the country were awarded.
Mr Bawa said the GES was liasing
with the Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC) to find ways of raising the
amount because the ministry could not meet the targeted funds from its regular
budgetary allocation.
The EPP
Book Services and the Livog Limited received the Corporate
Awards and Professor Ama Ata Aidoo,
a Ghanaian prolific and renowned writer, won the
Other
individuals who won awards included, Mr Abraham Albert Arries-Tagoe,
for writing books in Ga, a Ghanaian language, Mrs Matilda Amissah, for her
contribution to Librarianship and Mrs Star Nyanniba Annan Hammond and Naa Otua Codjoe also for writing
variety of books.
Mr Bawa said after the procurement of textbooks for basic
schools, a similar programme would be initiated for the second cycle
institutions. Mr Bawa said the Curriculum Research
and Development Division of the GES was in the process of revising syllabuses
of the second cycle schools to make them relevant and suitable to the changing
trends in the world.
He stated
that for first time a textbook development programme of the Ministry was going
to incorporate the production of books and manuals for learners with special
needs.
"Government
would arrange for the printing of books with large and bigger type set for the
benefit of learners with poor vision and in the case of blind learners
arrangements would be made for the production of Braille versions of textbooks
to suit their needs," he said.
According
to him the new policy would ensure that local publishers spearheaded the
textbook development process, adding that foreign publishers who wish to
participate in the programme must do so in partnership with their Ghanaian
counterparts.
Mrs A. O Vandyck, Acting Executive Director of the GBDC said the
award was to encourage persons in the book industry to boost their businesses
operations. She said over 400 people have so far received various awards since
its inception.
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Contractors
of Ghana (ABCCG) has called on the government to stop the practice of the past
where jobs were awarded to cronies and political association without due regard
to competence.
Mr Samuel Obeng, National President of the Association, said this was
necessary if the country was to move forward and to and prevent "shoddy
contract execution to get value for money".
He was
addressing a general meeting of the Ashanti Regional branch of the ABCCG at the
Centre for National Culture (CNC) in
Mr Obeng described as "most disturbing and
worrisome" the huge financial resources going down the drain as a result
of non-performance and poor quality work on projects by "quack
contractors" who lacked both the basic tools and knowledge about
construction.
He said to
help bring sanity and efficiency into the industry, the Association has decided
to replicate the task force set by the
The Task
Force would call attention to noticeable structural defects at every stage of
construction for timely rectification in all the regions. The National
President, however, observed that not much could be achieved if the awarding
authorities persist in circumventing the tender system and "do their own
thing".
Mr Obeng was also critical of the demand by District
Assemblies of Social Security and Income Tax Clearance Certificates as
pre-condition for the award of contracts.
This, he
insisted, contravened the Local Government's legislative instrument (LI) 1606
and warned that the Association would fight this in court. Mr.
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Zuarungu
(Upper East) 23 December 2002- Vice President Aliu Mahama on Saturday advised
local assemblies to invest the one billion cedis they recently received from
the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) relief fund on single but major
projects that best address their needs, rather than spending it on several
minor projects.
He said the
minor projects should be taken care of from the Common Fund. Vice President
Mahama, who was addressing the chiefs and people of the Zuarungu
Traditional Area, at the annual "Ndaa-Koya"
Festival urged the district and municipal assemblies to identify strategies to
involve the citizens in the selection and implementation of development
projects.
"Ndaa-Koya," which literally means I have farmed and
harvested, is thanksgiving festival, to show gratitude to God and the ancestors
of the people of Zuarungu for a good harvest. It is
also an occasion for stock taking and planning for the future.
Vice
President Mahama urged Ghanaians, particularly traditional leaders, to take
active interest in the utilisation of the HIPC relief
funds to ensure that maximum benefits are derived from them.
He said,
"The assemblymen and women together with the municipal and district
authorities will decide on how to spend that money, but the people must be kept
informed and indeed there should be a way for them to make some input."
The Vice
President reiterated government's determination to entrench good governance and
improve the standard of living of Ghanaians, and called for the support of all
to move the nation into prosperity in freedom.
Responding
to requests from the Zuarungu Naaba
Charles Ayamga for the rehabilitation of roads and
the provision of other amenities, Vice President Mahama announced that work
would soon start on the Zuarungu- Moshie
road and the local market that had already been awarded on contract.
He
expressed the optimism that the tarring of roads in
The people
appealed to him when he attended their festival last year to ensure that they
were provided with a police station. Educational institutions in the area, the
Vice President said, would be rehabilitated under the Department For International Development (DFID) of the
On the
rehabilitation of the once very vital Zuarungu Meat
Factory, he assured them that the government was considering options as to
whether to renovate the existing facility or build a new one, adding that the
best decision would be taken in their interest and that of
He urged
them to maintain the peace in the area because it is a prerequisite for their
progress. Naaba Ayamga
expressed the determination of the people of Zuarungu
to prioritise the provision of education as a means
of socio-economic development of the area, saying the theme of the festival,
"Rekindling our Glorious Past Through
Education," reflected their goal.
He said
education in the area, which benefited from the first batch of government
schools established in the colonial era, had deteriorated to its lowest level.
"The
schools provided quality education, thus making Zuarungu
one of the most recognised intellectual centres in
the North and indeed the whole country during the colonial period and early
post independent
He,
therefore, launched a 10-million-cedi education endowment fund to be funded
from contributions of citizens of the area, and appealed to the government to
support their efforts.
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