We can't wait - Jesse Jackson

Use resources judiciously to implement VIP

DCE's briefed on forthcoming elections

Atta-Mills fan club formed

First Lady advocates collaboration in DWM activities

Don't let this mission be just a tour - Mahama

Ghana Airways and Ethiopian Airlines sign Agreement

Diplomatic missions asked to be wary of visa applicants

Rawlings holds talks with US trade delegation

More marriages registered in Tema

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 Feb. 2000

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, US Ambassador to Africa, on Tuesday noted that Ghanaians and African-Americans could not wait for the passage of the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) by the American Congress "before we invest in Africa".

Speaking to newsmen in Accra on Tuesday, he said "though we expect the Act to offer us incentives in our quest to invest in Africa, we are more interested in what happens in Ghana now than what happens in Washington next week".

Rev. Jackson admitted that considering Congressional deliberations over the AGOA, the Act is not likely to meet his expectations when it is passed, adding however, that "whatever be the outcome, it can not stop African Americans from supporting the health, education and information technology sectors of African economies".

"We have gone ahead of the Bill to focus on the talent, market and other resources that exist in Africa to initiate heavy investments on the continent".

Rev Jackson noted that though Africa is the largest continent with the largest population in the World, it remains the "most under-served and under-utilised".

He said Ghana for instance, has a population of about 20 million while Nigeria commands about a quarter of the Sub-Saharan population, with talents and experts in various fields.

Rev Jackson noted that the population of Ghana and Nigeria and the 30 million African-Americans does not only constitute a very large market, but also a formidable driving force to move African economies forward.

"We do not need AGOA to know that our combined force in business joint venture constitutes a great potential for the speedy and sustainable development of Africa.

He noted that prior to the US Trade and Investment Mission, there had been several US/Africa joint ventures in Africa, which did not need AGOA to start and said that sooner than later, similar joint venture, would spring up within Ghana and other African countries.

A telecommunication meeting would be held in April this year to promote investment in Africa.

There have been meetings between the US Trade and Investment delegation and local private business executives to discuss collaboration in IT, health and entertainment among other areas.

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District Assemblies have been urged to judiciously use resources and equipment for a successful implementation of the Village Infrastructure Project (VIP) in order to obtain value for money.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Agbenaza (RTD), Volta Regional Minister, was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between 12 District Assemblies of the Volta Region and the Rural Infrastructure Co-ordinating Unit (RICU) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the VIP.

He said the government would not tolerate any act of omission or commission in the implementation of the project since "such attitudes will mean a stab in the back of (the) government and denial of development to the rural folk".

Colonel Agbenaza called on District Assemblies to collaborate effectively with the beneficiary communities from the inception, implementation and commissioning stage to ensure sustainability of projects.

The VIP is being implemented by the government of Ghana with assistance from the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and other bilateral donors.

It aims at enhancing the quality of life of Ghana's rural poor, through the transfer of technical and financial resources to develop and sustain basic village level infrastructure.

The five-year project described as "demand based are rural water infrastructure, rural transport and institutional capacity building and rural post harvest infrastructure".

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Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, Tuesday asked district chief executives in the region to ensure a peaceful and violent-free elections in this year's general elections because it represent a tests case for the country’s democratic process.

He told a day’s meeting of the DCEs that "the social, economic, political, security and indeed the peace in the district evolve around you" and should form the basis for the efficient and peaceful administration of your respective districts.

He told the DCE's that in their dealings with the public, they need to exhibit a high sense of understanding, listen carefully to everyone but make a careful analysis of all issues before coming out with a sound decision.

Alhaji Sulemana urged the DCE's to provide the framework for the efficient co-ordination of all development agencies to promote an orderly, balanced development and efficient use of available resources to avoid duplication of efforts.

"In doing this, you need the principles of consultation and advocacy to enable you to effectively mobilise your staff, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations.

He indicated that one area of concern in the country's local government system is the relationship between DCE's and Members of Parliament on the one hand, and DCE's and Presiding Members on the other.

They should therefore strive to foster a harmonious working relationship and ensure the complete success of the decentralisation programme.

He urged DCE's to give priority attention to the Civil Service Performance Improvement Programme (CSPIP) by showing interest and closely supervising the implementation of the programme in their districts.

The Regional Minister called on them to ensure that the forthcoming population and housing census scheduled for March this year "is successfully carried out in their respective areas".

He expressed the hope that the DCE's would exchange frank views and useful ideas at the meeting to bring about the effective administration of the districts and the region as a whole.

In a welcoming address, the Bawku East District Chief Executive, Mr Dominic Akudago, said the district has 21 councils in the region.

"We have so far completed the construction of 13 offices out of their colossal number and a few more shall be tackled this year".

He stated that only two decentralised departments-- the Statistical Service and the Game and Wild Life Department-- are not fully on the ground in the district. He said "the integration of the existing departments into the assembly system is very much on course with the exception of the fiscal aspect of decentralisation".

The DCE's and the Regional Minister paid a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, at his palace.

The Bawku Naba wished them fruitful deliberations, reaffirming the support of his people for the government and the National Democratic Congress.

The six DCE's in the region meet once a year to review their past performances and plan for the years ahead.

Among major issues slated for discussions at the meeting are the forthcoming population and housing census, the general elections, and other pertinent matters relating to the development of the region.

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A Regional Branch of the Atta-Mills Fan Club has been formed at Sunyani, to campaign for the Vice-President, Professor John Atta-Mills, during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential primaries.

The Interim Chairman, Mr Kwabena Amo-Badu, told GNA that the Club would also mobilise people in the region to vote massively for the party in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

He noted that after close and cordial working relations with President Rawlings for the past four years, Prof. Atta-Mills would become the most qualified person to become President of the country.

Mr Amo-Badu called on members of NDC to stand solidly behind Prof. Atta-Mills and to give him their mandate to contest the year 2000 elections to enable him to continue with the good works of President Rawlings.

A date is to be announced for the inauguration of the club.

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First Lady advocates collaboration in DWM activities

Accra (Greater Accra), 9^th February 2000

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, First Lady and President of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM) on Tuesday called for collaboration in efforts to alleviate poverty among women in the country.

"If the living standards of our women folk is improved, it will affect their children and in the long run affect people in communities in which they live".

Nana Konadu made the call at a meeting in Accra with the 21-member US business and trade delegation led by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Special US envoy to Africa on democracy.

The First lady outlined a number of projects the DWM has drawn up for implementation but for the lack of funds.

So far the organisation has encouraged women, especially the rural poor on the need to form working groups for income generating activities.

She said most of them are involved in three main activities in the agricultural sector - cocoa, vegetables production and tree planting.

Currently, the DWM has taken over the Nsawam Cannery, a fruit and vegetable-processing factory, to preserve vegetables for use in the lean season and reduce post harvest losses.

The organisation also intends to establish a cocoa-processing factory.

Nana Konadu said as part of efforts to assist the women further, the movement has established day-care centres all over the country.

She, however, said funding is the only hindrance to the implementation of most of the projects and appealed for a partnership with members of the delegation interested in the promotion of women's development.

Members of the delegation pledged 60,000 dollars towards the establishment of three day-care centres.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson advised DWM members to make use of the Internet to forge serious partnerships with their counterparts in the US for exchange of programmes and assistance.

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Don't let this mission be just a tour - Mahama

Accra (Greater Accra), 9^th February 2000

Mr. John Mahama, Minster of Communications, on Tuesday asked the visiting American trade and investment delegation to follow-up on the linkages and contacts made with heir Ghanaian counterparts for fruitful ventures to be realised.

"We believe that when you leave here you will continue your negotiations with the partners you have found so that this would not be just another tour," said Mr Mahama when he hosted the delegation to lunch at the Landing Restaurant in Accra.

Mr. Mahama said Ghana would set up a multi-sectoral committee to identify critical and key areas of investment for follow-ups and urged members of the group to access that information at the offices of the Reverend Jesse Jackson who led them.

Rev. Jackson, Chairman of the Rainbow/Push Coalition, is leading a 21-member delegation comprising chief executives and senior-level decision makers from minority-owned businesses in information technology, media and telecommunications to explore business opportunities in the private sector.

Mr Mahama said such partnerships should benefit not only Ghana, but the entire West-African sub-region in line with the objectives of strengthening sub-regional cooperation.

Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Chief Executive of the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre, told the delegation to look beyond their fields of specialisation and explore other sectors.

"There are so many opportunities and undiscovered fields in a developing economy such as ours. We are therefore interested in investments in everything that affects the daily lives of our people, from infrastructure to restaurants."

The delegation will leave for Nigeria on Wednesday and then to South Africa.

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Ghana Airways and Ethiopian Airlines sign Agreement

Accra (Greater Accra), 9^th February 2000

Ghana and Ethiopia have signed a code-share agreement under which the airlines of the two countries, Ghana Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will promote and develop further, routes between Accra and Addis Ababa for their mutual benefit.

The agreement which was signed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa by Mr. E.L. Quartey Jnr, Chief Executive of Ghana Airways and Mr. Dicrat Nigstu, Chief Executive of Ethiopian Airlines will kick off on March 28, this year.

A Ghana Airways statement in Accra on Tuesday said the deal was a follow up to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two airlines in April, last year to cover broader commercial co-operation between them.

Under the agreement, Ghana Airways and Ethiopian Airlines will jointly operate three flights between Accra and Addis Ababa on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Ethiopian Airlines will act as the operating carrier airline with Ghana Airways as the marketing carrier, which will require the full involvement of Ghana Airways Cabin Crew.

Ghana Airways will also open an office in Addis Ababa with the expectation that, the agreement and subsequent pooling of services on designated routes will further improve air services and aviation generally on the continent.

There is already a wealth of experience, running into almost a century of operations as Ghana Airways has been established for over 40 years while the

Ethiopian Airlines has been in existence for the past 54 years and has been flying to Accra since 1960.

The Ghana Airways said with this agreement and the one it has with South African Airways, it will reach the farthest points on the continent "using Ghana as a Gateway".

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Accra (Greater Accra), 9^th February 2000

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture on Tuesday urged diplomatic missions to be wary of groups applying for visas as some of them use dubious letterheads.

He said there is a visa syndicate operating within the country using institutions and names of notable personalities and signatures in their operations.

Nana Akuoko, said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra that, his attention has been drawn to some of these syndicates using letterheads and personalities of the commission and other professional bodies for their deals.

"My name and forged signature have been used in some instances".

He said embassies must call on professional institutions for verification as to the genuineness of applications to which they have doubts.

Nana Akuoko advised those involved to put an end to the practice as his commission will expose all of them.

He said a committee set up in 1998 to investigate visa deals within the musicians union of Ghana - MUSIGA - has completed its work and the report will be out by the end of the month.

Nana Akuoko however, said the embassies must be careful in their screening exercise so as not to frustrate genuine applicants.

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Accra (Greater Accra), 9^th February 2000

President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday held talks with a 21-member US trade and investment delegation now on a three-day visit as part of a three-nation African tour that includes Nigeria and South Africa.

The delegation is led by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, US Special Envoy for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa, and its African tour is under the theme "Connecting Telecommunications, Technology and Media Markets Through US Minority and African Business Partnerships."

The mission will seek to assist minority business participants by providing enhanced visibility, market access and potential trade and investment opportunities in the telecommunications, technology and media sectors.

"The trip is to engage the African public and private sectors to promote increased competition, privatisation, market access and continued growth," a document on the delegation's mission said.

President Rawlings said political instability in some parts of Africa had, in the past, prompted some foreign investors to make short-term investments in the continent. They made their monies quickly and moved out.

He said this kind of investment is not in the interest of Africa as it undermines the moral fibre of the society and leads to instability. "Thus, when this leads to conflicts in Africa outsiders do not understand."

President Rawlings said now the political landscape is fast changing in Africa as many countries are achieving political stability to attract investors.

"Do not let the opportunity to slip by. We are now ready to stand on our feet. We need a little push to do things more efficiently," he told members of the delegation.

The President, who had visited the US on investment promotion a few times, told members of the delegation most of whom are in the telecommunication industry, "your area is important for us. Information technology is what we need to take off."

Mr. Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said investing in Ghana would enable investors to reach the West African market with a population of 230 million.

"We have created an environment which is business friendly. It is the belief of the government that economics must improve the life of people," he said.

Rev. Jackson said the delegation is focussing on telecommunication because the sector is important for the development of the continent, adding that Africa has "missed much of the telecommunications infrastructure."

He said the trip is a fulfilment of promises made by President Bill Clinton during his African tour and follow-up talks with President Rawlings, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

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The Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) registered a total of 2,033 marriages last year as against 1,463 recorded in 1998, Mr. Joseph K. Torsu, Tema Municipal Registrar of Marriages has disclosed.

Last year, 1,741 couples married under the ordinance and 292 under the customary law the corresponding figures for 1998 were 1,295 and 168 couples.

Mr Torsu, who was speaking in an interview with the GNA said eight marriages were dissolved in 1999 as against seven in 1998, adding that both marriage registrations and divorces brought in a revenue of seven million cedis to the Assembly.

He called on members of the public, who have complaints against would be couples to register their complaints early to prevent embarrassment created while the registration of marriage is in progress.

He expressed regret about the situation, where people try to stop marriages by pouring soup and water on couples and said that is why provision has been made for the 21 days notice to enable the public to lodge complaints.

If no such complaints are lodged then it is assumed that the marriage is clean and could the contracted without any interference.

Mr. Torsu said marriages of convenience normally result in divorce, explaining that promises made by couples are normally broken thus leading to misunderstanding.

The Marriage Registrar said much as marriages are registered, divorces should also be registered to avoid future problems especially in the payment of alimony and sharing of properties.

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