GRi Newsreel 14 – 01 - 2003

Report the truth at reconciliation sittings

IGP begins tour of Brong Ahafo Region

Sierra Leoneans are rebuilding their country-Berewa

Kiki Gyan to be treated for substance abuse

Leaders initiate Northern Peace conference

Suspended church member commits suicide

Christians urged to 'bear fruit"

"I interviewed and interrogated witnesses" -Investigator

Re-strategise campaign on HIV/AIDS

Volta Region NPP reacts to demonstration

 

 

Report the truth at reconciliation sittings

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003 - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Monday urged journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession and report the truth in their coverage of the sittings of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) which begin on Tuesday.

 

It also urged witnesses to speak the truth and appealed to officials of the NRC to uphold fairness and justice so that the process would help heal the nation's wounds and eventually reconcile the people.

 

A statement signed by Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of GJA, said journalist should abide by "The Spirit of Akosombo" in order to apply the needed professionalism and circumspection in their reportage.

 

"It was in recognition of the crucial role of the media in the success of the process that the GJA formulated and adopted 'The Spirit of Akosombo' as a collegial pact among media practitioners of renewed fidelity to the people of Ghana, serving the national process of understanding, reconciliation and healing through the considered and consistent practice of the ethics of their profession."

 

The GJA said it hoped that the document would remain a source of reference for all journalists, since as guiding principles for coverage of the delicate process, it prescribed the necessary antidote to the challenges that the media were likely to face in the whole process. "There can be no doubt that this stage of the process, which demands great media participation, is the most sensitive. This requires journalists in their reportage to adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and to good behaviour in carrying out their duties."

 

The GJA said it found coverage of the NRC process so far satisfactory, adding that it was confident that journalists would abide by "The Spirit of Akosombo" and live up to expectation, but not compromising in any way to reporting nothing but the truth and bearing in mind their duty to serve the public, who had the right to unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information.

 

"As the GJA reminds media practitioners of their need to show greater commitment to professionalism and circumspection at this delicate stage of the process so as not to inflame passions, it equally pleads with Ghanaians in general, especially those who would be called as witnesses, to speak only the truth and for politicians in particular, to refrain from making provocative statements."

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IGP begins tour of Brong Ahafo Region

 

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 14 January 2003 - The Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu-Nsiah, on Monday explained that every policeman was qualified to go on a peacekeeping duty outside the country.

 

He however, stressed that such policemen are expected to use their remunerations responsibly and profitably on their return home. The IGP was answering a question by a journalist after he had addressed officers and men of the Police Service in Sunyani at the start of a day's visit.

 

The visit was to enable the IGP to acquaint himself with the problems facing the service in the region and interact with personnel. The IGP said previously constables were not allowed to go on Peacekeeping duties because "probably they showed indiscipline towards their seniors due to the wealth they had acquired."

 

Constables were using their monies to buy flashy cars like Mercedes Benz and BMW cars instead of bringing the monies home to do something better such as building houses to secure their retirement.

 

Nana Owusu-Nsiah said on assumption of office he felt that every police personnel should be given the opportunity to go on peacekeeping mission and constables were therefore, included in the selection.

 

The IGP assured the public that the Police administration had been in contact with the Attorney General and Minister and the Chief Justice to address the issue of granting of bail to criminals, especially armed robbers.

 

He said enlistment into the police service to increase their numerical strength for 2003 and 2004 would be devoid of ethnic considerations and favouritism but would be based on merit.

 

Nana Owusu-Nsiah said the story of "Blackmail and Extortion in Kosovo" against him and Dr Addo-Kufuor was unfounded and warned that those police officers in the service who were behind it should be prepared for their dismissal after investigations.

 

He announced that the police administration had resolved to establish well-equipped schools in all the regional capitals to facilitate smooth and continuous education of the children of personnel in the service.

 

The IGP said he had received assurances of assistance from the Minister of Education and a Deputy Commissioner of Police had been appointed as Director of Schools. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr George Oppong-Asante, the Regional Police Commander, said the region last year recorded 28 robberies as against 34 in 2001. He said 28 persons involved in those cases were on prison remand awaiting the Attorney General's fiat for their prosecution.

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Sierra Leoneans are rebuilding their country-Berewa

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003 - The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mr Solomon Berewa on Monday said his people were earnestly rebuilding the country after a long-drawn war.

 

He said the situation there now was relatively calm and that the disarmament and demobilisation processes have been completed. Berewa was speaking in an interview with newsmen after making a brief stopover in Accra on his way to Botswana to attend a seminar on the "Rule of law and the Legacy of Conflict."

 

He stated the Sierra Leone government was in the process of reintegrating the combatants into the society and was also intensifying efforts at retraining personnel of the civil service.

 

Berewa said the government was also kick-starting a number of projects and services that broke down during the war. He said it was a healthy sign to see Sierra leoneans, who left the country during the civil war returning home to help in national reconstruction.

 

On the political and security situation in the sub-region, Mr Berewa said it was unfortunate that Cote d'Ivoire have fallen into the same situation that Sierra Leone went through.

 

Berewa said the crisis was a matter of great concern to the government since anything that happened in the sub-region could negatively affect neighbouring countries and the entire West African sub-region.

 

He said Sierra Leone was expecting assistance from donor countries, which pledged and committed to help in the country's rebuilding efforts. Berewa praised ECOMOG and other troops from foreign countries that were helping end the war in his country and were continuing to maintain peace and order in.

 

The Vice President, Alhaji Alui Mahama, who welcomed his Sierra Leonean counterpart at the Kotoka International Airport, said he was happy to hear of ther development and improvement in the lives of Sierra leoneans and hoped that their efforts to rebuild their country would succeed.

 

He assured Mr Berewa of Ghana's assistance and support to Sierra Leone in its efforts at rebuilding the country. Alhaji Mahama expressed the hope that countries, which made commitment and pledges to help Sierra Leone would fulfil them.

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Kiki Gyan to be treated for substance abuse

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003-The renowned Ghanaian musician, Kiki Gyan left Accra for South Africa for treatment for substance abuse problem that has afflicted him for sometime now.

 

The Ghana Substance Abuse Recovery Programme (G-SARP), in conjunction with the Musicians and Artistes Programme of South Africa (MAPSA), were sponsoring Kiki Gyan's treatment.

 

Hugh Masakela, the world-renowned musician and trumpeter from South Africa, who is also the founder of MAPSA and the founding patron of G-SARP, accompanied Gyan.

 

Speaking to newsmen at the Kotoka International Airport before departure, Mr Masakela explained that Gyan's would be treated at a recovery centre, where he would be admitted for six weeks.

 

The victim would go through various experiences including group sessions with others and would be trained in the psychology of drug recovery. Masakela expressed the hope that Gyan would return home after his treatment as a resource person for G-SARP to assist others suffering from similar predicament to recovery.

 

Masakela paid glowing tribute to the directors and members of G-SARP for making his trip possible especially Dr. J.J. Lamptey, Director of the programme who took care of Kiki at the Valley View Clinic for a year.

 

The G-SARP is a non-governmental organisation established in 2002 to assist people with substance abuse problem to recover. The NGO, which also aims at building a centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers, has the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amotia Ofori Panin as its Chief Patron.

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Leaders initiate Northern Peace conference

 

Wa (Upper West) 14 January 2003- Chiefs, politicians and other organisations in collaboration with African Youth Peace Call (AYPC), a voluntary peace-making organisation would soon organise a peace conference to seek long lasting solutions to conflicts in the northern sector of the country.

 

Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament who disclosed this at a meeting with AYPC at Wa, said the bid was to sensitize stakeholders in the three regions on the need to maintain peace and unity among themselves.

 

He said pockets of conflicts in the area had impacted negatively on development.

 

"Whenever I put up a strong case for massive resources to be devoted for developing Northern Ghana; wherever I try to project the North and court investment I am given sad reminders that the burning embers of war will consume whatever resources that are poured into the area," he added.

 

Mumuni Sulemana, Regional Co-ordinator of AYPC called on the government to set up a Presidential Commission to resolve all conflicts in northern Ghana.

 

He said since 1970 African countries had suffered more than 40 wars, adding that in 1996 alone 14 African countries were engaged in conflicts and urged youth groups to sign the African Youth Peace petition, which would be presented to the African Union next year.

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Suspended church member commits suicide

 

Akim Oda (Eastern Region) 14 January 2003- When the elders of the Seventh-Day of Theocracy Church at Akim Oda decided to suspend one of its members for fornication; little did they know that it would result in his death.

 

Isaac Antwi, 22, committed suicide by hanging himself in his room barely 24 hours after the church suspended him for impregnating his 18-year-old girl friend.

 

The leader of the church, Rev. Azariah Forson told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the church suspended the deceased because they do not tolerate fornication among members. The Akim Oda police confirmed the story and said they did not suspect any foul play.

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Christians urged to 'bear fruit"

 

Tarkwa (Western Region) 14 January 2003- A four-day Bible Study and Prayer Groups (BSPG) convention of Western Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana ended at Tarkwa with a call on Christians "to go and bear fruit".

 

Individual talents are meant to bear fruit for the benefit of mankind, said Rev John Annan Obodai, Western Presbytery Chairman in a sermon to climax activities of the convention at Trinity Presbyterian Church at Tarkwa.

 

The convention brought together BSPG from all the districts within the Presbytery including Cape Coast, Assin Fosu, Prestea, Sekondi-Takoradi and Wassa Akropong. Rev Obodai said it was out of place to abandon the study of the Bible adding, "some Christians have decided not to study the Bible because there is BSPG in their churches."

 

He regretted that the beauty of God inherent in mankind is misused to indulge in unacceptable vices instead of using it to worship God. Rev Obodai told Christians to lead exemplary lives to avoid contracting many diseases including HIV/AIDS.

 

In a farewell message, Brother Enock Ohene Omari, a lay representative of Western Presbytery at General Assembly of the Church, appealed to the members of BSPG to intensify the teaching of the Bible in their various churches.

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"I interviewed and interrogated witnesses" -Investigator

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003- Chief Inspector Hope Nyadi, the investigator in the case in which Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is being tried for allegedly causing financial loss to the state, on Monday said he interviewed and interrogated witnesses and took statements from them.

 

Chief Inspector Nyadi who was testifying as the sixth prosecution witness in the case at an Accra Fast Track Court said he also visited the various offices of GNPC at its Tema Headquarters and conferred with the then Acting Chief Executive, the Finance Officer and the corporation's board secretary on issues relating to the case.

 

Tsikata is alleged to have caused the loss of more than 2.3 billion cedis to the State in a transaction in which he allegedly committed GNPC to guarantee a loan facility from Caisse Francaise de Developpement (CFD), a French development aid agency, for Valley Farms, a private limited liability company.

 

The accused person who is charged with four counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the State, and intentionally misapplying public property, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has been admitted to a self-recognisance bail in the sum of 700 million cedis.

 

Chief Inspector Nyadi who was being led in evidence by Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the court that while at the corporation's headquarters, he had access to Valley Farms' Correspondence File as well as other relevant documents in connection with the case.

 

Witness said one of the documents which he laid hands on was the Financial Statement of GNPC for 1996. He told the court that he had a copy of the statement and explained that the officials who gave it to him said they could not trace the original document at the time.

 

Chief Inspector Nyadi said in the financial statement, the corporation's total investment holdings in Valley Farms stood at 1.6 billion cedis. Witness told the court that he also retrieved three different maps depicting the lands acquired by Valley Farms for its projects.

 

Furthermore, he collected the Minutes of minutes of the GNPC board spanning the period 1987 to 1992. When witness was about to tender in evidence the minutes of the 1987 board meeting, Professor Emmanuel Victor Oware Dankwa, counsel for Tsikata raised an objection.

 

Counsel was of the view that the document was not signed and could therefore not be tendered in evidence. Mrs Justice Henrietta Abban, an Appeal Court Judge with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge, over-ruled the objection, saying that defence counsel did not complain that the document was fraudulent. Mrs Justice Abban has adjourned the case to Wednesday, January 15 for the investigator to continue with his evidence.

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Re-strategise campaign on HIV/AIDS

 

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 14 January 2003- A call has gone to the government to re-strategise the current campaign against the HIV/AIDS pandemic since most of the campaign had been limited to the use of condom and stressing less on behavioural change.

 

Michael Oppong, Chief Executive Officer of Media Adtech, a non-governmental organisation said the campaign against the disease should lay more emphasis on the total abstinence and the behavioural change of Ghanaians.

 

He was briefing the GNA after the launch of an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign cum-combating the disease in Kumasi on Sunday. It was organised by Media Adtech in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council.

 

Dubbed, "Taking Tomorrow's Steps Today To Combat HIV/AIDS", the campaign will seek to harness the potentials of the youth and alert them on the dangers of the disease through various entertainment programmes.

 

A four-hour float through the principal streets of Kumasi amidst brass band Music heralded the launching of the campaign with students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Kumasi Campus of the University of Education Winneba and the Kumasi Polytechnic carrying placards some of which read, "AIDS is Killer", "Run Away From AIDS", "You Are at Risk, Beware".

 

The programme for the campaign would include cultural displays, drama, panel discussions, video shows, musical shows, and games and sports.

 

Oppong said the country needed a pro-active and comprehensive campaign against the disease and therefore, entreated all educational institutions to integrate the HIV/AIDS campaign programmes into their academic curricula.

 

Lord Moffat Agyekum Boampong, Marketing Manager of Media Adtech, appealed to stakeholders, the public and philanthropists to contribute generously towards the campaign, which he said, was the first of its kind in Kumasi.

 

He advocated the extension of the campaign to social gatherings and functions where the youth are heavily represented such as the various stadia during league matches and athletic meetings.

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Volta Region NPP reacts to demonstration

 

Ho (Volta Region) 14 January 2003- The Volta Region leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday distanced the party from a group, which on Sunday, January five, staged a demonstration in Ho, demanding internal democracy within the party in the region.

 

Addressing a Press conference at Ho, Mr Kenwuud Nuworsu, Acting Regional Chairman of the Party said the Party's reaction to the demonstration was necessary because of its "misinformation and potential threat to the unity, cohesion and image of our dear great party".

 

He described the demonstrators as "a disgruntled few and infiltrators" who embarked on an "act of cowardice and mischief " at a time when " attention was focused on the national congress of the party at Sekondi and every serious party functionary had left the region".

 

Nuworsu said the grievances raised by the demonstrators and their demands smacked of ignorance of laid down procedures in addressing such issues as election of party Executives, appointments into the public service, award of contracts and accountability from party leaders.

 

He said the Party accommodates minority views in accordance with its democratic tenets but questioned the status of the leaders of the demonstrators within the party.

 

In a 10-point resolution, the demonstrators raised a number of grievances including the award of contracts in the region, lack of accountability and comportment of the Regional Executives of the party.

 

Present at the press conference were Mr Tommy Amematekpor, Special Aide to the President, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Kwame Atta Regional Secretary of the Party and some District Chief Executives.

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