Parliamentary week to be observed
Kasoa NPP executive appeals to Speaker of Parliament
Koforidua (Eastern Region) 09 January 2002 - The Eastern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Adi Ankamah has warned that the government would not tolerate any civil servant who would obstruct efforts to bring about the desired positive change in the country during its tenure of office.
He, therefore, asked those civil servants who think they could not serve under the administration to "put down their pens and leave".
Nana Ankamah was speaking at a reception held by the Eastern Regional co-ordinating Council for a cross section of the people at the Koforidua Residency on Monday, as part of the 9th anniversary of the Fourth Republic and the First anniversary of the NPP administration.
He emphasised the government's policy of "zero tolerance for corruption" and accused public servants of being those perpetrating corruption in the system rather than the politicians and cited the prevalence of the "ghost" names syndrome.
He said, even though, some heads of departments were aware of the existence of such ghost names, they chose to collude in the vice to the detriment of the economy, saying "from now, let the ghosts remain in the cemetery to allow the living develop the country".
Nana Ankamah denounced those who initially described the stabilisation of the cedi as "artificial" and stated that "it is simply because the NPP decided to avoid waste in the system and cut its coat according to its cloth."
He said the government would solve the perennial water problem of the New Juaben Municipality by the end of its term of office.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Narh Dometey commended the security services and public servants for their hard work during the past year but said there was "room for improvement this year to make the positive change to be felt more everywhere by everybody".
He also commended the media in the region for projecting its activities to the rest of the country and expressed the hope that this would continue.
Mr Dometey reminded the NPP activists that the attainment of the positive change devolved on their ability to galvanise the people to build on the foundation laid last year.
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Mampong (Ashanti Region) 09 January 2002 - The Action Forum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the suspension of Dr Obed Asamoah, Treasurer of the NDC for the missing 100 million cedis until the final determination of the case before the court.
The Action Forum said Dr Asamoah should be suspended from the NDC and barred from standing for any post in the party for allowing 100 million cedis being the party's money to get missing in his house.
A Press statement signed by Mr Kwame Agyekum, Spokesman for the Sekyere West Constituency of the Action Forum, said the NDC must realise that re-organising the party for any election now or in the distant future would need an overhaul of its leadership at all levels.
The statement said unfortunately the party allowed a so-called re-organisation programme under the chairmanship of Dr Asamoah to re-state and re-affirm some of the very things that led to the defeat of the NDC and it was a pity that it was taking the party too long to learn.
The Action Forum said Dr Asamoah had demonstrated his lack of vision and must know that until and unless he proved that he was abreast with new politics that must be nurtured in the NDC he would never receive the support of the Action Forum which had a mass and quality following.
The statement denied that Mr A. K. Mensah and Asamoah Atuahene, both members of the Action Forum, had been suspended adding that letters purported to have been written to suspend them were under the singular instigation of Dr Asamoah himself at a meeting at Payicus Hotel in Accra last year.
The Action Forum said Dr Asamoah who could not keep the party's money could not keep that of the country as a president adding that the NDC would disintegrate under Dr Asamoah because he had the marks of a bully and did not respect even his own colleagues.
It said Dr Asamoah claimed he did not respond to calls of former President Jerry John Rawlings because he saw himself as a possible presidential candidate. "Dr Asamoah owes former President Rawlings a debt of apology for all the direct and indirect negative remarks be has been making against him (Rawlings)", the statement added.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 January 2002 - Many Ghanaians still regard political office holders as their masters, who they could approach for assistance instead of as their servant, Larry Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is reported by the Ghana News Agency as saying on Tuesday.
The NCCE Chairman said, "citizens' perceptions of their elected leaders had not undergone any significant changes, Parliamentarians, Ministers, Assembly members and others were still regarded as masters of the people instead of servants or partners.
"The electorate still chase them for financial assistance and look up to them for their domestic needs." Mr Bimi said the commission would intensify its collaborative effort with civil society organisations, religious bodies, workers organisations and the Media to re-orient society.
He said the commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service were working out modalities to re-introduce civic education studies in first and second cycle schools.
The NCCE Chairman said a pilot programme in that direction started last two years and the necessary legal framework for its operation were being worked out with Parliament to enact a law to that effect.
"The re-introduction of civic education into our educational institutions would enhance the promotion of responsible lifestyle among the youth.
"We need a responsible youth who would become committed and dedicated leaders tomorrow", he said
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 January 2002 - The people of Ahenema-Kokoben, near Kumasi, had commended the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11 for the able manner he had handled and resolved most of the chieftaincy disputes that characterised Asanteman prior to his ascending the "Golden Stool".
They observed that the timely intervention and bold initiative of the Asantehene in addressing the chieftaincy disputes and land litigation cases had now put Asanteman on the path of accelerated development and prosperity.
The commendation was contained a New Year's Message issued by the people of Ahenama-Kokoben and signed by Nana Yaw Berko 11, Odikro of Ahenema-Kokoben in Kumasi on Tuesday.
While lauding the Asantehene on his drive at addressing the chieftaincy disputes, the residents appealed to him not to rest on his oars but rather intensify his efforts in that direction until he got rid of the remaining chieftaincy disputes.
The message drew the Asantehene's attention particularly to the protracted chieftaincy dispute and land litigation at Ahenema-Kokoben that had been pending for many years before the Asantehene and pleaded with him to place a high premium on its settlement this year.
The Ahenema-Kokoben residents explained that the delay in resolving the dispute was having a negative impact on development, peace and progress of the community and virtually dividing instead of uniting the people there.
They expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Otumfuo Educational Fund and praised the joint efforts of Otumfuo and Asantehemaa in creating a congenial atmosphere that had made it possible for people of different ethnic backgrounds and religion to live together and work peacefully in Asanteman.
The message pledged continuous co-operation and support to the Asantehene and Asantehemaa and prayed for God's guidance and wisdom for them to enable them steer Asanteman to progress.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 January 2002 - The Ghana Legal Literacy and Resource Foundation (GLLRF) on Tuesday suggested the institution of a computerised system in all the regions and districts to enable registration of voters to go on till the last three months before elections.
It also said the voters register should be revised within regular intervals prior to elections, to cleanse it of fake names, multiple registrations, minors and dead persons.
These were contained in a 63-page report compiled by the foundation in a survey before, during and after the year 2000 elections.
Mr. Sam Okudzeto, a Board Member of GLLRF who launched the report noted that the early closure of the voter registration denied eligible voters whose names were not on the register the right to vote.
"The voter registration process should be such that persons who turn 18 in the course of the year could easily walk to any district or regional electoral office and register," he said.
"It should also be possible for persons who turn 18 or migrate from overseas into the country within three months to election, to be able to register and vote."
He said the voters register was not perfect because it contained scores of ghost names, minors and foreigners who were not eligible to vote. These anomalies, he said, must be rectified before the next general election.
Mr. Okudzeto observed that during the last elections, incumbency advantage was exploited to the disadvantage of the other parties since it did not provide a level playing field for all.
He said it was imperative for a legislation to be passed to distinguish between political and non-political functions of incumbents so that they did not commission projects during the campaign period.
"It should be possible for Parliament to debate on this matter and for instance, pass a law to prevent the government in power from commissioning any project within three months to elections," he suggested.
Mr. Okudzeto said political campaigns before and during the 2000 election focused more on personal attacks and accusations, adding, "it is important for the development of our democracy that politicians focus on issues and the explanation of their manifestos."
This would ensure that the out-come of the elections reflected the aspirations of the populace and not individual interests. He urged the government to issue ID cards to all citizens before the next election to facilitate the identification of eligible voters and separate them from foreigners, minors and dead people.
The survey, sponsored by DANIDA through the Royal Danish Embassy in Accra was carried out by 264 field workers nationwide, using questionnaire prepared by the GLLRF.
It recommended that the Electoral Commission should weed out bias officials from the electoral process and institute a programme to train polling station officials well to assist voters.
It said the electoral official must be provided with food instead of money to ensure that they always stayed at the polling station, adding that back up lighting system should be made readily available for counting of ballot papers in areas where electricity was not permanently available.
The report called on the government to provide adequate facilities to the EC and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to educate citizens on their rights to vote to ensure that people voted wisely based on real issues.
Mr Justice George Acquah, a Supreme Court Judge and member of the GLLRF board said the foundation would be willing to assist any concerned government organisation in formulating strategies to avert the repetition of past electoral mistakes.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 09 January 2002 - Ghana would celebrate its first ever Parliamentary week from January 14 to 20 as part of activities marking the ninth anniversary of the Fourth Republic.
A programme released from the Office of Clerk of Parliament said the First and Second Deputy Speakers of Parliament, the Majority and Minority Leaders and the Clerk of Parliament would make presentations on the Ghana Television's Breakfast Show on Monday to herald the events of the week.
The Speaker of Parliament would on Tuesday January 15 at 10:00 hours perform the official opening of the Second Session of the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic after he had inspected a Guard of Honour at 09:30 hours at Parliament House.
According to the programme, on Friday January 8, there would be the annual Public
Forum on Parliament on the theme: "Democratic Governance under the 1992 Constitution-Challenges and Prospects" at the National Theatre at 10:00 hours.
The Abibigroma Group from the University of Ghana, Legon would present a drama at the National Theatre at 18:30 hours to invited guests on Saturday January 19.
A Thanksgiving Church service to be officiated by the Reverend Dr Mensah Otabil, Reverend Dr Asante-Antwi, Right Reverend Dr Justice Offei-Akrofi, Apostle Michael Ntumy, Reverend Dr Sam Prempeh, Reverend Father Adu-Kwening and Reverend Dr Augustine Annor-Yeboah, would be held at the Banquet Hall, Parliament House, on Sunday January 20 at 10:00 hours to climax the celebrations.
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Kasoa (Central Region) 09 January 2002 - Mr Christian Agyei-Badu, Kasoa NPP Ward Secretary has appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to ask the MP for the Awutu-Senya Constituency, Mrs Hannah Tetteh Kpodah, to visit the area to see to its development.
Mr Agyei-Badu, who made the appeal during a clean-up exercise at Kasoa organised by the NPP members, said since the MP won the seat in the 2000 elections she had not been to the area to discuss or initiate any projects.
Mr Agyei-Badu said since the Madam Kpodah still holds herself as a representative of the area she should make it a point to visit her constituency.
"We have numerous problems to tackle and we cannot do so without her", Mr Agyei-Badu said
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