Counsel for Wuaku commission is dead
Equipment for creation of Fast Track High Courts ready
Centre for International Affairs building contract to be re-awarded
NDC chairman asks politicians to ensure civility in language
Forum for Assembly election disrupted at Abossey Okai
Customs officers must be firm but friendly
Graduate teachers advised to return to classroom on Monday
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- Mr. George Owoo, Counsel to the Wuaku Commission investigating the Yendi crisis is dead.He died suddenly at home on Friday around 5:30am, a family source told the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
He said Mr Owoo was suddenly taken ill and gasped for breath in the early hours of Friday. A doctor was called to attend to him at home but declared him dead upon examination. The source added that the Police Criminal Investigations Department had taken pictures of the body, adding that the body had been deposited at the Korle-Bu Morgue.
President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday, 6 May 2002 inaugurated a three-member judicial Commission of inquiry into the Yendi crisis, to make the cause of the crisis public and bring the perpetrators to book. Clashes between the two main gates in the Dagbon Traditional Area on the succession to the Ya Na Skin took place between 25and 27 March this year during their annual Fire Festival.
About 40 people, including the Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, lost their lives and property worth several million cedis, as well as the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi were vandalised and destroyed. Mr. Justice Isaac Newton Kwaku Wuaku, retired Supreme Court Judge is Chairman of the Committee.Other members of the Committee are, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana, Legon and Mrs. Florence Brew, an Educationist.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- Equipment for the establishment of Fast Track Courts in the 10 regions are ready, Mr Justice Edward Kwame Wiredu, Chief Justice (CJ) said on Friday. Opening an 18-month training course for court reporters in Accra, he said installation and other formalities would be completed soon to enable the automated courts to commence their operation by November this year.
The workshop, the first in a series for 20 staff is an attempt to enhance the ability of court reporters to record proceeding with stenography machines for speedy trial of cases. Mr Justice Wiredu said government had released funds to rehabilitate the Accra High Court Registry and Courtrooms so that equipment donated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) could be installed, adding that this would help in facilitating the establishment of an automated Tax Court.
The Chief Justice noted that the world is experiencing fast growth in technology and science so Ghana could not afford to continue to be where it finds itself. "We need skilful wisdom and knowledge to understand science in order to meet standards.'
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians and the donor community to support the Judicial Service's efforts at automating the courts and training staff for an improvement in the nation's judicial system.
The CJ said his administration was seriously working to eradicate corruption, laziness, apathy and indiscipline that have eaten deep into the administration of justice in the country. "It is, therefore, important for every member of staff to note that there would be no hiding place for those who are not prepared to change," he said.
He called on all judges and supporting staff to rededicate themselves to the noble cause of ensuring the efficient administration of justices. The CJ pledged his administration commitment to ensure speedy trial of cases to save poor people from spending endless time in court litigating with resources that could have been channelled into productive ventures.
Mr Justice Wiredu asked the consultant of the course to conduct regular and vigorous examinations that would instil some seriousness and dedication in the trainees. Mr Randall A. Czerenda, an American Consultant for the course, said the introduction of technology in the court system adds value to the delivery of justice, adding that this was a good step taken by Ghana. Ms Justice Sophia Akuffo, a Supreme Court Judge, chaired the function.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- President John Agyekum Kufuor left Accra on Friday for Freetown, Sierra Leone to participate in the inauguration of the re-elected Sierra Leonia President Dr Ahmed Tijan Kabah. Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and Foreign Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, were at the airport to see President Kufuor off.
The Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs Mr Jake Obitsebi Lamptey and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Presidency accompanied the President. The President and his entourage are expected back home today.
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Lets ensure continued peace in Sierra
Leone-President Kabbah
Freetown (Sierra Leone) 13 July 2002- President Alhaji Dr Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone on Friday said democracy has been fully entrenched in the country, the challenge facing the people was to ensure continued peace and national reconciliation. He said they should also ensure improvement in the standard of governance, establish the pre-conditions needed for poverty reduction and ensure sustainable macro-economic stability.
President Kabbah said this when delivering the Sessional address at the first Session of the Second Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone in Freetown.
President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana was among four African Presidents who defied a late morning rain to witness the ceremony while the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Sierra Leoneans for peace and democracy was shown when thousands of people defied the rain to catch a glimpse of the African leaders and their Parliamentarians.
Other African leaders were President Olusegun Obsanjo of Nigeria, President Alhaji Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia and President Lansana Conte of Guinea. Justice Edmond Kadoni Cowan is the Speaker of the 112-member Parliament formed after the May 14 elections, which ushered President Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah into office for a second five-year term after he also won the 1996 elections but was overthrown in a coup d'etat a year later and plunged the country into a decade of civil war.
President Kabbah, 70, a former UN Diplomat for 20 years before he entered into politics won 70 per cent of the votes cast by the 2.3 million registered voters out of the 5.2 million Sierra Leoneans. Leading the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) against a host of eight challengers during the elections, President Kabbah also won a strong majority in the Parliament winning 83 out of the 112 seats.
His nearest challenger Ernest Koroma of the former ruling All People's Congress had 22 per cent of the votes cast and 27 seats and the remaining two seats went to the party of the one-time junta leader Johnny Paul Koroma Mr Alimamy Pallo Bangura of the Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP) had only 1.7 per cent of the votes cast and failed to take a single seat in the new Parliament. Observers for the elections from the Commonwealth, European Union and the United States Carter Centre said the elections were free and fair.
President Kabbah stressed the need to develop human resources through better access to education and training and creating employment opportunities for the youth and women. He said government should endeavour to provide the environment that would enhance grassroots democracy and popular participation in decision- making. "It is only by collective action that sustainable peace and future prosperity for our country can be assured", he added.
He said the Parliament as representative of the people, it had the mandate and an obligation to repair the physical damage inflicted on the country by the war. He said the centre- piece, of his second tenure of office would be to ensure a significant improvement in the overall quality of lives of the people through a stable economy, good roads and provision of potable water, electricity and improved education and health care delivery to the people.
President Kabbah pledged maintain zero tolerance for corruption in the country through the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission and ensure the speedy prosecution of corruption cases by appointing a judge or judges with sole responsibility over corrupt cases.
He said government would also pursue constitutional and legal reforms including reform of the judiciary to develop a more credible, effective and efficient legal and judicial system in addition to the promotion of a free and independent media.
President Obasanjo on behalf of his colleagues said the peaceful elections after the civil strife had made the sub-region and Africa proud of the Sierra Leoneans. He said the country had had enough violence and conflict and was hopeful with the establishment of the Parliament the rule of law would now be allowed to prevail.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- Ghana and the Federal Republic of Germany on Friday signed in Accra a General Agreement covering an amount of 243.8 billion cedis to finance the supply of water and provide infrastructure in eight districts in the Ashanti Region and to rehabilitate the Sogakope-Akatsi road in the Volta Region.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance, initialled for Ghana while Dr Harald Loescher, the German Ambassador, signed for his country. The signing ceremony was a follow up to the commitment made by the German government during negotiations held between that country and Ghana in October 2001 year in Bonn, Germany.
Mr Osafo-Maafo explained that, the objective of the promotion of district towns was to improve the selected physical infrastructure facilities in the eight districts in the Ashanti region, comprising, Kwabre, Atwima, Afigya Sekyere, Ejisu-Juaben, Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South, Asante Akim North and Asante Akim South.
The Rehabilitation of the Sogakope-Akatsi road would also facilitate the economic integration of Ghana and other countries in the ECOWAS Sub-Region while the rural water supply programme would improve sanitary facilities in selected districts of the Ashanti Region.
The Minister said under the Agreement the government of Germany would disburse the fund through the German Bank for Development and Reconstruction (KfW). He explained that the amount would be distributed as follows: promotion of districts towns, 50.8 billion cedis, rehabilitation of Sogakope-Akatsi road, 101.6 billion cedis and the rural water supply programme would have 91.4 billion cedis.
He thanked the German government for the gesture and also urged the Ambassador to impress upon his government to see to the quick cancellation of
Ghana's debt owed to that country as promised by Germany when President John Agyekum Kufuor visited Germany recently.
Dr Loescher expressed his admiration for Ghana's impact on the international front, which he said had earned it a lot of respect. He said he believed the agreement would fit so well into the priority areas of Ghana's economy since the projects were mutually agreed upon.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 July 2002- Madam Pamela Bridgeuter, Ambassador of the United States to Benin, has commended Ashantis for preserving and protecting their culture. She said Ashanti Region and Kumasi continue to be of historical significance to African-Americans and people of African descent in the Diaspora.
Madam Bridgeuter was speaking when she and a group of African-Americans from North Carolina, USA, led by Professor Kwabena Asante, called on the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Ernest Kwarteng in Kumasi on Friday. Madam Bridgeuter, was a member of the group that was on tour in Ghana to trace their roots. She praised Ashantis for their historical gallantry and culture, which had endeared them to the hearts of many American tourists.
The Regional Co-ordinating Director described Kumasi as city with a unique culture, which respected and was hospitable to tourists. He appealed to them to encourage their peers to invest in Ghana and the region in particular.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- The contract for the building project for the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) at the University of Ghana is to be re-awarded due to the inability of the contractor, Eunitacks to access the funds the government provided for its completion 18 months ago. The project to be comprised of offices, seminar halls, classrooms, a library and computer room, started three years ago at an estimated cost of 2.6 billion cedis.
LECIA, for past 10 years has been training people of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officials to assist the government to develop and implement its foreign policies. Professor Kofi Kumado, Director of the Centre on Thursday made this known when a 20-member Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs visited the project site to inspect work done so far and also to acquaint itself with the centres programmes.
Prof. Kumado noted that the late completion of the building had crippled the Centre's ability to commit funds into expanding its course programmes, to admit more students and to employ more technical staff because their current place of location at the School of Administration was too small. He said; 'LECIA has not been able to develop fully as the founding fathers intended it to be due to its lack of space, therefore, its full potential of training personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to be realised.'
According to him Eunitacks, whose contract has been terminated, would be made to pay for any additional cost that would be incurred by the new contractor. He said currently about 1.5 billion cedis had been spent on the project, but the job done was still not up to three-quarters completion adding, 'we hope to finish the physical structure in mid next year when the Regional Tender Board awards the contract to a new contractor and then the second phase, its furnishing."
Professor Kumado announced that, the Centre was in the process of hosting a continental programme in Accra soon, with the support of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. He said the Centre also hoped to come out with a journal on international affairs soon adding that 'it is also considering the formation of an effective alumni to help make its dream of establishing a sounding board for Ghana's foreign policies a reality.
The Director said the Centre would collaborate with the committee by fashioning out programmes to benefits Members of Parliament. Dr Yaw Brimpong-Yeboah, Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Atiwa in the Eastern Region said the visit was to find out why the project was stop half way and see what must be done to speed up its completion.
He said the Committee was much interested in the early completion of the project owing to its importance in training officials of the ministry. Dr Brimpong-Yeboah said, the Committee to appreciate the work the Centre had done over the years and called for frequent interaction between the Committee and the Centre in their programmes.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 13 July 2002- Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reminded politicians about the need to ensure more civility in the language they use. He cautioned that the use of intemperate political language laced with insults and innuendoes would not help to advance the cause of multi-party democracy in the country but rather provide the recipe for tension in the society.
The chairman gave the reminder when he spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi about what he alleged to be the unwarranted and scathing attacks on members of the Minority NDC both inside and outside Parliament for their criticisms of lapses on the part of the government. He maintained that his party's criticisms were done in good faith and informed by facts, adding, "it should not be lost on anyone that what we have been doing is in the best interest of promoting good governance".
The NDC Regional Chairman accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of a display of double standards and intolerance and said he found it "baffling that now that they are in power, they are unprepared to be treated to a doze of their own medicine".
Mr Nti-Fordjour also condemned the reported call by the Minister for Justice and Attorney -General, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on District Chief Executives (DCEs) to ensure that the majority of people elected at the unit and district assembly levels belonged to the ideology and vision of positive change. He held that until the present Local Government Act was repealed, it would be wrong for anyone to introduce partisanship into the district level elections.
The NDC Regional Chairman called on the government to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution as it has promised to do and not to subvert it. Nana Akufo-Addo in statement to the Ghana News Agency said: "As Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is entrusted with the responsibility of upholding and enforcing respect for the constitution and all other laws in the land, is committed to discharging those responsibilities to the best of his ability.
He categorically denied making any of the statements allegedly attributed to him. According to him he encouraged the DCEs to endeavour to ensure that only competent people with proven track record, whom they could work with to develop their districts, were elected to the District Assemblies and Unit Committees.
This, he stated could by no stretch of imagination be interpreted to mean "NPP sympathisers" as there are competent people whose sympathies lie with other political parties. The statement said: "It is an undeniable fact that under the NDC, District Assembly elections were openly conducted on a partisan basis in flagrant contravention of the Constitution.
"The NPP administration is, however, committed to entrenching respect for the rule of law at the very core of the nation's body politic, and the Attorney General as the principal legal adviser to the Government will in no way advocate any course of action which will flout the law," he declared. The statement described allegations as malicious and intended to score cheap political points.
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 13 July 2002- The Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has congratulated President Kufuor and the government for the efforts to attract capital into the country for investment. The foreign policy of the government is excellent and has started yielding results, the Youth Wing stated in a statement issued in Sunyani on Friday.
The statement, signed by Mr Kwame Twumasi Awuah, Acting National Chairman, noted that Ghana, under the leadership of President Kufuor, has won the heart and confidence of the international community "and no wonder the country is now the Mecca for foreign dignitaries".
"It is due to this brilliant performance of the government that has made it possible for the government to attract one billion dollars loan from the International Finance Consortium (IFC) to undertake rural development projects, which will help to create employment, check rural urban drift of the youth and the social consequences," it declared
The statement said the loan would also accelerate economic development and raise the standard of living of the people. The NPP Youth Wing noted that the interest rate and repayment schedule of the loan were very favourable and this is what had to be considered in respect of the facility.
It would, therefore, be naïve on our part, as Ghanaians, to let this opportunity slip and engage in frivolous intellectual exercise like the source of the loan, the statement from the Youth Wing said. The statement said the attraction of the one billion dollars loan "in itself has proved the NDC wrong because the party contended at the time Ghana accepted the HIPC Initiative that financial assistance in terms of loans would be difficult to be assessed by government".
“We, therefore, appeal to the NDC, as the leading opposition party to tell the people the truth always no matter what and desist from fabrication of stories, which does not help the development of the country,” the Youth Wing added.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002 - A platform to enable the electorate at Abossey Okai, in Accra to interact with aspiring assemblymen and women was on Friday disrupted by armed thugs suspected to have been hired by one of the contestants.
Mr David Cecil Ntow, Returning Officer in-charge of the Electoral Area, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency said, "The attackers just jumped onto the platform and just disrupted the programme without any provocation whatsoever".
"I called them (contestants) by the way they filled their papers and gave them 10 minutes each to speak and only three questions from the electorate and just when question time was to start they stormed the place," he said.
Mr Ntow said the incident confirmed rumours that ballot boxes would be seized after the District Assembly polls on 31 July, in answer to a question by the GNA and called for maximum security at all the 17 polling stations.
Efforts to get Mr Emmanuel Addo, one of the contestants who was said to have been hurt during the attack proved futile but Mrs Mercy Akromah, the only woman contestant said she and her supporters left the forum immediately "they invaded the platform".
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Parties in Nestle dispute reach agreement
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002 - The Management of the Nestle Ghana Limited and the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have reached a six-point agreement on how to resolve an industrial dispute, which led to a reduction in production.
Following, an intervention by the Minister of Manpower Development and Employment to resolve the issue, it was agreed in a memorandum of understanding, signed by the two parties that negotiations would resume and both parties "will negotiate faithfully to resolve all outstanding issues peacefully."
The two parties agreed that the workers would resume work immediately and avoid any action leading to any further loss of production. A press release issued by the Ministry on Friday said that all parties to the Standing Joint Negotiating Committee would respect rules and regulations, principles and practices and avoid any conduct that may undermine the goodwill that characterises negotiations.
Parties to the negotiations shall work out modalities leading to a mutually agreeable resolution of the lost days during the industrial action. The Memo said, parties to the dispute agreed that no worker would be victimised for taking part in the industrial action that followed the dispute.
"That any wilful damage to plant and machinery and any other equipment/products during the period of the industrial action by any employee or group of employees or any person shall attract the appropriate sanctions," it said.
Mrs. Cecilia Bannerman, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment who witness the agreement urged that should the parties be unable to settle guidelines for settlement, it should refer to her for advice. During the past few days the workers undertook a peaceful demonstration against a 21 per cent increase the management planned to give workers instead of 30 percent.
According to a spokesman for the workers, while they were negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement, management allegedly published a circular letter to the effect that "the workers have accepted the 21 percent" and it was copied to the Ghana Employers Association. This infuriated the workers, who are also advocating a Long Service Award clause in the new collective bargaining agreement.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- A Travel Agent has urged Custom officers at the country's entry points to be hospitable, flexible and yet firm to truly make Ghana the gateway to Africa.
Mrs Anita Baptist noted that if Ghana was to be the gateway to Africa, then the practice of opening of bags after the x-ray's search was conducted ought to stop and if it was necessary for another search should be done then a more refined way must be used in doing it. She said opening of luggage especially bags after going through other processes was inconvenient and cumbersome to travellers, especially foreigners and tourists.
Mrs Baptist, who was speaking at a workshop for about 50 journalists in Accra on the security of passengers and the airlines, advised Customs officers to be more circumspect in dealing with customers to put them at ease. The workshop was organised by the Board of Airline Representatives of Ghana (BARGH) and Ghana Association of Travel and Tour Agents (GATTA) on Thursday as a media orientation programme for journalists on the operations of the air industry.
The programme, the first in a series, sought to sensitise the public on the importance of safety and security requirement needed to ensure safety of passengers and the airlines. It was under the theme: "Flying In Comfort, Our Role, Your Role".
Mr Ekow Paintsil, Manager of American Airlines, Ghana, enumerated some of the importance that Airlines play in the modern transportation system adding, that it also generated a lot of revenue for national development. He said passengers often complained about poor services from some Airlines because the customers failed to read the instructions provided on their air tickets.
"We believe that knowing and understanding these processes, the rules and regulations governing them and our respective roles and responsibilities will make our travel an even better experience for us all", he said. Mr Paintsil noted that the media was an important channel of communication for their customers to receive accurate information and urged them to learn more about the industry to share it with others.
Mr Johnny Monreaux, President of GATTA, noted that the misconduct of some travel agents towards airlines with regards to reservation and purchasing of tickets had led to the discredit of others. He said some agents clog the system when they move from one airline service to the other and advised them to put an end to it since it made the job difficult for the airline services.
He advised clients who purchase tickets on credit bases to pay on time in order for the travel agents to maintain their credibility with the airlines. Mr Chris Quaye, Director, Airport Management, said the government agencies at the airport and other immigration points were not there to harass passengers, but to ensure their safety. He said the check-in points at the airport were not enough to accommodate a large number of people leading to congestion.
It was in that light that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was reconstructing part of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) at a cost of 80 million dollars to enlarge and increase the check-in points. He said a public wait-in area snack bars and an aero bridge that would take passengers straight to the aircraft would also be provided in addition to the renovation of the aprons for the airplanes.
He said spaces would be provided for travel agents companies to operate and there would be sheds with different temperatures for the storage of perishable goods. Mr Quaye urged the general public to contact the GCAA for any further information.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July 2002- The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) on Friday said it had inspected the pre-print of the July 2002 payment vouchers and in the interest of the nation and that of the students, advised all graduate teachers to return to the classroom on Monday 15 July 2002 even though its expectations were not fully met.
A statement issued in Accra said the leadership of NAGRAT was invited to the office of the Financial Controller of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to inspect the new salary levels.
According to the statement signed by Mr Lucas K Alasgbo, President of NAGRAT and Charles Otoo, Financial Controller, GES, it has also been agreed that the GES management would continue to work hard to ensure that the remaining graduate teachers are covered at the end of August 2002.
It said, the GES management directs all districts directors to expedite action on any IPPD forms submitted to them and ensure that they reach GES headquarters by 19 July. NAGRAT threatened to embark on an industrial action on 10 June, which was averted by a meeting between the Ministry of Education, the GES management and the national executive of NAGRAT.
A promise was made to the effect that majority of graduate teachers whose IPPD forms had been submitted would have their new salary levels paid to them at the end of the June, but NAGRAT felt dissatisfied with the result and this led to the strike action. Accordingly negotiations have been on going to resolve the impasse and efforts are being made by the GES and the controller and Accountants General' Department to work on the IPPD forms which, have been submitted.
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