NDC will welcome Pianim - Brimah

Minority Women Caucus calls for the release of Ms Churcher's fund

Document to address inadequacies in population policy launched

More births, deaths in Tema

Kotoka Airport recognised by American Federal Aviation Authority

NDC Presidential candidate would select running mate - Asiseh

Ministry of Tourism and College of Art to co-operate

Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Feb. 2000

Alhaji (Dr) Farouk Brimah, Deputy Minister of Environment Science and Technology, on Wednesday said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would welcome Mr Kwame Pianim, if he decides to join the party.

He was speaking at a lecture organised by the Association of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (ACDRs), to update the knowledge of cadres on the recent past and present political activities of the opposition.

Dr Brimah described Mr Pianim as a pragmatic politician, saying that, "from his own word, one can tell that he knows that the National Patriotic Party (NPP) does not stand a chance in this year's elections.

"We are happy he is out of NPP and we would be ready to have him on our side and work with him if only he shows the interest in working with the government of NDC".

He said it is unfortunate that for legal reasons, Mr Pianim is not able to stand elections in the country, "but he is a prolific and an internationally acclaimed economist and policy analyst and can be of a great help to the nation when given the chance".

Dr. Brimah noted that NDC has a record of having mobilised politicians of all shades and backgrounds, including Nkrumaists, Busiaists and others for the common good of the nation, adding that Mr Pianim would not be the first from the Busia tradition to join NDC.

"Moreover we believe an accomplished politician as he is, he would want to be actively involved in the national political process rather than to sit on the bench and observe".

Dr Brimah, quoting Mr Pianim said NPP is not pragmatic, disorganised and unprepared for this year's elections.

"I believe he would no doubt want to join a pragmatic, well organised and action prone people like himself, and that must definitely be the NDC functionaries and members".

Touching on the Adumako-Enyan-Essiam parliamentary seat, which was wrongly given to Mr Isaac Edumadze of NPP instead of Dr. Joseph Kwaku Enos of NDC, Dr Brimah said the party would rather be circumspect in fighting for the return of that seat, especially in an election year.

He told GNA that President Jerry John Rawlings would prefer that all democratic avenues are exhausted in the quest to get that seat before pressure could be mounted on the Electoral Commission.

Mr Steve Akorli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, also told GNA that, "NDC would definitely fight and get that seat back even if only a day is left for the next elections".

He said that seat would mean a lot to the NDC in an election year since "it would afford us the much needed two-thirds majority to carry out policies without unnecessary minority interference".

Mr Akorli said that the party would formally launch its national campaign after its Delegates Congress on April 24, this year, adding however that there is some activity at the grassroots level.

Mr Felix Nyaku, Accra Metropolitan Secretary of ACDR appealed to NDC functionaries to concentrate on addressing the socio-economic needs of cadres and activities that would propel them forward "rather than the political rhetoric we hear everyday".

Mr Osei Anto, Deputy NDC National Propaganda Secretary, indicated that such lectures would be organised fortnightly and asked them to channel their concerns through the ACDRs office.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Feb. 2000

The Minority women caucus in Parliament on Wednesday called for the immediate release of the Cape Coast member's share of the Common Fund to enable her to attend to constitutional responsibilities.

Ms. Christie Churcher has been deliberately denied her share due to her political affiliation.

They, therefore, asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to intervene as a matter of urgency.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Gladys Asmah, Mrs. Grace Coleman, Ms. Theresa Tagoe, NPP members for Takoradi, Effiduase Asokore and Ablekuma South respectively.

" It is obvious that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Cape Coast interpretation of the Member of Parliament's (MP) common fund is totally wrong."

"We are amazed that the MCE is not making efforts to seek clarification and above all we are amazed at the threats the MCE issued to the MP when she sought the Regional Minister's intervention."

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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Feb. 2000

A national population communication strategic framework document was launched in Accra on Wednesday to address inadequacies in the implementation of the old population policy.

Among other things, the document will address concerns in the 1994 policy in the areas of population management, and new and emerging ones such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the adverse impact of unchecked population growth on the environment.

It also has detailed information of the demographic situation in the country and deals with information on reproductive health issues, environmental management and population and development concerns.

Prepared by the National Population Council (NPC) with donor and technical assistance from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and John Hopkins University Population Communication Services, the document sets out population communication policy guidelines and framework within which implementing agencies and other stakeholders can develop their action plans.

Mr John Mahama, Communications Minister, who launched the document appealed to individuals and organisations in population communication to use the strategic framework as a guide in developing elaborate and comprehensive communication programs.

Such programs should be tailored to address the needs of specially targeted audience within the context of the National Population Communication policy guidelines.

Mr Mahama said a summary of the main thrust of the document "appears as an integral part of the National Communications Policy."

"We intend to take advantage of the existing decentralised system to sensitise districts, municipal and metropolitan assemblies about the central role we expect them to play in creating an effective communication network.

"It is my sincere hope that the strategic framework will assist population programmes to contribute to the vision of ensuring that all Ghanaians live prosperous and healthy lives and contribute to the realisation of the overall goal of vision 2020."

Professor George Benneh, Chairman of the NPC, said the document would greatly assist in addressing some the communication gaps, particularly those between knowledge on one hand and attitudinal and behavioural change on the other.

Mr Moses Mukasa, UNFPA Representative in Ghana, said the country has made tremendous strides and achievements in the area of population and development in general and reproductive health in particular.

However, HIV/AIDS is perhaps the public health and development issue that makes the need for behaviour change most important.

AIDS awareness campaigns have been extremely successful but these have not brought any behavioural changes.

For instance, a recent survey of police officers in Accra found that although 83 per cent of respondents could cite two current ways of reducing HIV risk, 67 per cent of those with multiple sexual partners thought they were not at risk of becoming infected.

"This is a dangerous revelation and one that requires urgent attention in terms of proper communication."

Dr Richard Turkson, Executive Director of the NPC, said the document would form the basis for all population and family planning programmes in Ghana.

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The Tema Municipal Births and Deaths Registry recorded a total of 6,436 births and 1,367 deaths in 1999 as against 5,979 births and 1,332 deaths in 1998.

The births were made up of 3,354 males and 3,082 females while deaths comprised 831 males and 536 females in 1999. In 1998, the births included 3,339 males and 2,640 females with the death recording 805 males and 527 females.

Ms Hannah Twumasi-Ankrah, Tema Municipal Registrar of Births and Deaths, told the GNA on Tuesday that out of ignorance, some parents do not register their births.

She called for the intensification of education to enable the public realised the importance of child registration.

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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Feb. 2000

Mr. Steve Akorli, Deputy Minister for Roads and Transport, on Wednesday said that the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has classified Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in its Category I group.

This is due to efforts by the Ministry and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to make KIA the hub of air transport in West Africa and Africa.

The Minister said this at a lecture organised by the Association of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (ACDRs).

Mr. Akorli said this enables Ghana Airways to fly directly to United State.

He said GCAA is undertaking a rehabilitation project involving the extension of the runway by 100 meters to enable bigger aircraft like Boeing 747 and 777 and MD11 to take off with full load and complimentary fuel.

The GCAA would also be restructured into Safety and Regulations and Commercial Operations to ensure efficiency.

Mr. Akorli said that the National Carrier would be divested to allow more private participation, adding that a strategic investor would provide financing, management and operate the airline.

"Meanwhile the Management has developed new routes at both regional and continental levels, acquired additional aircraft to meet increasing traffic demand".

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Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Feb. 2000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday noted that, "the selection of a running mate for the Presidential Candidate is the prerogative of the Presidential Candidate in consultation with the National Consultation Committee of the party".

This is contained in statement in Accra, signed by Mr. Vincent Asiseh, NDC Press Secretary.

It noted that the issue of the Presidential Candidate has to be determined first at the extra-ordinary National Congress scheduled for April 14, 2000 at Ho, in the Volta Region.

The statement said "those who wish to continue the speculation may do so" but added that some of those who "indulged in the fancy of choosing running mates for the NDC in 1992 and 1996 and went a sorrowing when their expectations were blighted".

It expressed appreciation to the media and well-wishers of the party for the interest and said although the party was a bit disturbed by the injection of tribal and religious sentiments into the debate, it is happy that NDC is "constantly a matter of public interest".

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Kumasi (Ashanti), 10^th February 2000

The Kumasi College of Art of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is to assist potters at Pankrono and Adinkra producers at Ntonso, all in Ashanti, to add more value to their products.

The college will provide the producers with technical expertise in the production of refined and quality pots and fast adinkra colours to attract tourists.

This was the outcome of discussions held between Nana Paddy Acheampong, deputy Minister of Tourism, the Dean of the College of Art, Mrs. Joyce Stuber and Lecturers of KNUST following a visit to the College by the minister.

The visit enabled the Deputy Minister to determine areas of co-operation between the College of Art and his ministry.

The visit was part of Nana Acheampong's familiarisation tour of tourism facilities in Ashanti to explore areas of collaboration with institutions and organisations associated with tourism.

Briefing the press after meeting College of Art officials, Nana Acheampong said the College has agreed to display historical and cultural sculptures on the streets of Kumasi for it to maintain its position as the city with a cultural identity.

He said the College would also help local silver and brass smiths to add more value to their products.

The Deputy Minister said his ministry would bring the College into art presentation since it could offer the sort of items tourists need.

Nana Acheampong said the College has also offered to put scenes of the slave trade on the walls of Ghana's castles.

It is the desire of the Ministry of Tourism to increase collaboration between the College and the tourism industry to ensure effective networking.

Mrs Doreen Owusu-Fianko, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board and Mr. E.V. Hagan, Director of the Ministry of Tourism accompanied Nana Acheampong.

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