Nkawie (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Hundreds of people last Friday besieged the premises of the Nkawie Magistrate's Court where Nana Kwaku Afriyie, Akyeamehene of Nyinahin, who is facing rape charges, was due to make his second appearance.

The people, who travelled from far and near were, however, disappointed when they heard that the court could not sit because the Magistrate, Kwaku Dampare, was indisposed.

When Nana Afriyie made his first appearance, he was granted 10 million cedis' bail after pleading not guilty to allegedly raping a 17-year-old Junior Secondary School student at Nyinahin in Ashanti on 12 March.

Hearing of the case has been fixed for 4 July 2003.

The case for the prosecution was that the chief sent the girl to buy him toilet roll and when she returned to deliver the item Nana Afriyie allegedly forced her into his room and raped her.

GRi…/

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Nkruma-Pakyi cut off by heavy rains

Nkruma-Pakyi (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Nkruma-Pakyi, a farming community in the Atwima District, has been cut off from the rest of the district following a heavy downpour.

The rains damaged the bridge spanning the Anwomasu River and made it unusable. Y. Iddrisu, Assembly Member for the area, said food crops produced in large quantities by the farmers are now locked up.

He said people who fall sick are carried for a distance of about five kilometres before they could join vehicles to Nkawie for treatment. Iddrisu appealed to the Department of Feeder Roads to take urgent steps to repair the bridge to end the suffering of the farmers.

GRi…/

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CID invites former President Rawlings

Accra (Greater Accra) 09 June 2003 - The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has invited Former President Jerry John Rawlings to assist with investigations into what became known as "Serial Killing Of Women" during the latter days of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Administration.

A usually reliable Security Source told the Ghana News Agency that Mr Victor Smith, Special Assistant to Former President Rawlings, received the letter of invitation on his behalf.

The Former President had alleged during an open lecture to mark the "June 4 Uprising," that 15 Ministers of State of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government were implicated in the killing of the women.

GRi…/

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Cocoa purchasing company honours its clerks

Suaman-Dadeeso (Western Region) 09 June 2003 - Cocoa purchasing clerks have been advised to conduct themselves in a manner that will help win the trust and confidence of cocoa farmers.

Peter Adarkwa, Suaman Dadeeso Zonal Manager of Trans-Royal Ghana Limited, a licensed cocoa buying company, said the tendency of some purchasing clerks to cheat unsuspecting farmers tended to erode the confidence farmers have in licensed companies.

Addressing the company's annual District Awards Day for purchasing clerks at Suaman Dadeeso in the Western Region, Adarkwa said the company would do genuine business and that any officer, found engaging in corrupt practices would be severely dealt with.

He announced that the company had instituted incentives packages to farmers who sell their produce to it and also reward loyal and dedicated purchasing clerks.

GRi…/

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Seven hundred people for mass cocoa spraying exercise

Nkawie (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Seven hundred people have been recruited for this year's mass cocoa spraying exercise in the Nkawie Cocoa District and they would form 70 spraying gangs with each gang made up of 10 members.

A. K. Frimpong-Manso, Nkawie District Cocoa Officer, who announced this at a durbar for the gangs, field supervisors and gang supervisors at Nkawie, said the exercise would take off next week.

He said the gangs have been equipped with protective clothing to undertake the exercise to ensure their safety.

Nana Kwame Ndwam, Nkawie District Chief Farmer, advised the members to take good care of the machines and warned that anyone found diverting any inputs would be dealt with appropriately.

GRi…/

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Amansie West teachers threaten street protest

Antoakrom (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - The Amansie West District branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has threatened to embark on street protest if the government failed to restore teachers to the Cap 30 Pension Scheme by August.

They said at the last quadrennial conference held in January 2002 they gave the government a year's ultimatum to restore the Cap 30 but that had been ignored.

The teachers took the decision at a day's durbar they held at Antoakrom to discuss ways of improving education in the area. Nana Twi Adjei-Baffour, Ashanti Regional GNAT Secretary, asked them to work harder to raise the standard of education.

"People always complain about the poor academic performance of pupils in public schools because most of you are not dedicated to the profession."

He appealed to the government to provide incentive packages for teachers, who accepted to work in deprived rural communities.

GRi…/

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Ahafo-Ano District area councils inaugurated

Tepa (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Akwasi Adu-Poku, Ahafo-Ano North District Chief Executive, has inaugurated six area Councils in the District at separate functions.

They were at Tepa, Anyinasuso, Suponso, Akwasiase, Mamfo and Betiako. Speaking at the inauguration Mr Adu-Poku appealed to the Council Members to perform their duties in consultation with chiefs and other stakeholders to bring harmony for accelerated development.

''Live up to your responsibilities of organising communal labour, environmental cleanliness, implementation and monitoring of self-help projects.''

Nana Eric Agyeman Prempeh, Presiding Member of the Assembly, appealed to the Council Members to work hard to improve the living standard of the people and also to educate them on the need to honour their tax obligations.

He commended the government and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for donating furniture to schools in the District and said that had engendered effective teaching and learning in the area.

GRi…/

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Gov’t secures loan to fund Land Administration Project

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - The government has secured a 20.5 million dollars loan to fund the implementation of the country's Land Administration Project (LAP).

Theresa Tagoe, Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry, said the disbursement of the loan would start in October. She was addressing a forum organised by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Tagoe said the successful take off of the project would enhance land management through the establishment of a more efficient system of land administration. ''It will simplify the process of land acquisition.'' She told the students that the Ministry had put in place pragmatic measures to control illegal chainsaw and timber activities.

Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, said monies from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) relief fund were being used to assist to reduce poverty among the rural and urban poor.

He said the repeal of the criminal libel law by the NPP government had brought much freedom to the people and "they are now able to freely express their views on all issues without fear".

Stephen Amoah, President of the Ashanti TESCON, appealed to the government not to become complacent but should work harder.

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Public urged to make SIF succeed

Begoro(Eastern Region) 09 June 2003 - Stakeholders at a day's workshop at Begoro on the Ghana Poverty Reduction Project and the Social Investment Fund (SIF) have urged the public to avoid party politics and land litigation to enable the programme to succeed.

The stakeholders also appealed to District Sub-Project Review and Approval Committees to educate the public on the essence of the fund to enhance full participation in self-help projects.

The Eastern Region Social Investment Fund Officer, Justice Akuffo-Henaku said five social infrastructure and 10 micro-financed projects would be funded in each district within the first phase of the programme.

The Sub-Project Officer of SIF for Fanteakwa District, Moses Kwame Ohene appealed to beneficiary communities to pay up their share of 10 per cent of the contract sum promptly for the projects to take off.

GRi…/

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"Regard constraints as challenges" - CEPS Boss

Paga (Upper East) 09 June 2003 - Brigadier Richardson Baiden, Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) at the weekend urged personnel of the Service not to be slowed down by the constraints they face presently, but to view them as challenges and resolve to surmount them.

He said he was not unaware of the difficult conditions under which CEPS personnel in the Northern sector of the country worked, but added that they should remain undaunted nevertheless, and "ensure that every pessewa that is due Government is collected and accounted for, with or without logistics."

He said it was only when they had proven their dedication and diligence that he, as Commissioner, would have the justification and confidence to take their case before Government for redress.

Brigadier Baiden was addressing men and women of the Service at separate meetings at Paga, Zuarungu and Namoo during a three-day working visit to the Upper East Region to acquaint himself with the area and to interact with CEPS personnel there.

He had earlier held similar meetings with Customs staff at Zebilla, Mognori, Missiga, Kulungugu and Pulimakom in the Bawku East District, where Ghana shares common boundaries with neighbouring Togo and Burkina Faso.

The CEPS boss told the personnel that his administration would have no mercy for corrupt officials and that whosoever amongst them joined the Service with the intention of amassing wealth should either change their orientation or quit before they got into trouble with the law. "Government revenue belongs to Government, it is not your pocket money", he emphasised.

Brigadier Baiden observed that the image of CEPS had sunk so low that the name of the Service had become synonymous with financial malfeasance. He reiterated his determination to put a stop to the negative trend and to give the Service a new public image.

In this regard, he has initiated Change Management Courses at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) for 215 senior CEPS officials from all over the country, so they could return to their respective posts and impart the new orientation of the Service to their subordinates.

He commended the various CEPS stations in the region for exceeding their revenue targets but urged them not to be complacent, as Government depended on income gerated for the implementation of its developmental agenda.

The Commissioner indicated, however, that although revenue mobilisation was their primary objective, CEPS personnel should not disregard the security and diplomatic dimensions of their duties. He particularly cautioned them against the harassment of foreign nationals at the various entry/exit points, saying that the success of Ghana's Gateway Project as well as the laudable objectives of ECOWAS would depend on their conduct.

Concerns raised by personnel at all the stations visited included inadequate office and residential accommodation, lack of means of transport and the need for Motorola communication handsets for staff, especially those on patrol duties.

At the Namoo border post on the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, Brigadier Baiden inspected a newly-drilled borehole and commissioned a 12-unit residential facility constructed by personnel at the post, with support from their colleagues from the Immigration Service, the Bongo District Assembly and the local cattle dealers association at a total cost of ¢44.3m.

He commended the Senior Collector in-charge of the station, Mr Patrice Afotey-Annang, for initiating the project and urged CEPS personnel in other parts of the country to emulate the self-help spirit of their colleagues at Namoo.

In the course of the tour, Brigadier Baiden also interacted with Immigration staff and other border officials at the various checkpoints. He urged them to eschew petty rivalry and to work in harmony with CEPS personnel for the advancement of the overall national interest.

Accompanying the Commissioner was Ernest A. Sasuh, Upper East Regional CEPS Commander, and Robert Mensah, National Public Relations Officer of the Service.

GRi…/

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Government gives ¢25.9bn to Sekyere West

Mampong (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - The Government has made available a total of ¢25.9bn to the Sekyere West District of Ashanti for development projects.

The amount was received in the form of District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), HIPC Relief Fund and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

Thomas Edward Atakorah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) disclosed this when he addressed the First Ordinary Meeting of the Second Session of the Assembly at Asante Mampong last Friday.

He said, about 50 percent of the amount received was used to improve the infrastructure of Basic Schools in the district, which were in a deplorable state.

The DCE said 20 school buildings had been constructed and refurbished in over 28 farming communities in the district.

Atakorah indicated that about 20 percent of the money was devoted to health, whilst the remaining 30 percent was used in the area of agriculture, rural electrification, transportation, water supply, sanitation and disaster management.

The Funds, Atakorah said had significantly improved the socio-economic status of the people in the district. He emphasised that most of the rural dwellers, now have access to good drinking water as a result of numerous boreholes sunk in the area.

Atakorah expressed joy that the government, which came to power against the background of tottering national economy, had made a giant stride in its reconstruction agenda.

He however, expressed misgivings at the slow pace at which work on the Mampong town streets and that of Mampong to Kofiase road had progressed.

The DCE cautioned Edmark Construction, working on the two projects either to back up or lose the contracts. Samuel O. Kusi Appiah, the District Co-ordinating Director (DCD) implored the assembly members to encourage their people to rekindle their communal spirit.

Kusi Appiah, urged the people not to dodge their tax payment obligation to the assembly, saying it will help sustain the development of the district.

GRi…/

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Traditional rulers urged to help protect forest reserves

Abrem Berasi (Central Region) 09 June 2003 - The Omanhene of the Abrem Traditional Area, Nana Kyiriwia Kodie Ababio III, on Saturday appealed to chiefs to help protect and preserve the country's few existing forest reserves.

He made the appeal at a public forum organised by the Cape Coast Diocese of the Catholic Church in conjunction with the Forestry Services and the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) to mark the celebration of the "Arbor" Week in the district on the theme: "One tree does not constitute a forest."

Nana Ababio said ineffective control of logging, bush burning and the activities of chain-saw operators and charcoal burners were destroying the forests.

He urged Ghanaians, especially the youth to step up public education on the need to preserve the forests and advised farmers to engage in sustainable farming practices.

In an address read for him, the District Chief Executive, Nana Ato Arthur appealed to land owners and chiefs to release land to both local and foreign investors to enable them to go into agro-forestry.

The DCE cautioned the people against the indiscriminate setting of bush fires and urged the people to plant trees in their communities and nurture them to maturity saying, "When we fell trees, let us remember to plant many more to replace those we have felled."

The Cape Coast Zonal Officer of the ADRA, Kwadwo Ampim-Darko said his organisation was providing assistance to many communities to undertake agro-forestry projects throughout the country because of the importance of forests to the ecology. Ampim-Darko made available 2,000 cassia seedling that were planted to mark the occasion.

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Prevent environmental pollution, soil degradation

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Peter Ossei-Wusu, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the Friends of the Earth (FOE) - Ghana, an NGO has called on Environmental Agencies to adopt pragmatic approach to help prevent environmental pollution and soil degradation.

He said indiscriminate cutting of timber, various bad farming practices and sand and stone wining are among the key factors that had led to the fast deterioration of the nation's forest, which must seriously addressed.

Ossei-Wusu, who was inaugurating six branches of the organisation from six schools in the Kumasi Metropolis on Saturday indicated that people be mindful of the effects of the harm being inflicted on the environment.

The schools were Prince of Peace Senior Secondary, Ohwimase Basic Schools, Agric.-JSS, SEA, El-Shaddai, and Martyrs of Uganda JSS.

The Regional Co-ordinator asked the groups to submit their programmes of activities to his office for consideration and support and should be abreast with government programmes and policies on environmental issues.

He asked them to participate actively in community development projects, especially, tree planting to serve as wind breaks and help prevent soil erosion. Emmanuel Afotey Mensah, Assistant Headmaster of Kumasi Secondary/Technical School (KSTS) urged the students not to trample on school lawns and destroy plants in their schools which beautify the compound.

He also asked them to use the organisation to educate people on the need to protect and maintain the environment, adding that they also put whatever they learn into practice for others to emulate.

Kofi Twumasi-Adutwum, a teacher at the school asked the students to appreciate the beauty of nature and protect the environment.

GRi…/

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Minister warns against strike action by health workers

Accra (Greater Accra) 09 June 2003 - Government will not take lightly a threats by health workers to embark on strike actions because of the delay in their Additional Duty Hours Allowances (ADHA), Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Health warned on Saturday.

"This is completely unacceptable and government will not be diplomatic about it. It is a sad thing, the ADHA is just an allowance, and if it delays why not put in an application to inquire, why issue an ultimatum to government to embark on a strike action."

The Minister said this in reaction to an ultimatum he said junior doctors had issued to government over the delay in their ADHA. He was speaking at the third Annual National Health Awards Night in Accra to honour Ghanaian health workers with the aim of reducing if not halt completely, the increasing rate of the migration of personnel to seek greener pastures.

Dr Afriyie said, "Let us temper our demands with realism by appreciating that government is faced with budget constraints. This kind of culture must cease."

He said currently there were so many proposals before Parliament with respect to health workers' remuneration and government was doing all it could to ensure that the conditions of Ghanaian health personnel corresponded to international standard requirement.

He said the call for salary consolidation would bring problems of imbalances in the overall structure that could lead to a de facto position adding; "If we consolidate your salary, it will even be that some of you will earn more than the President of Ghana.

Dr Afriyie said though the ADHA was introduced mainly as an intervention to compensate health workers for extra hours of work, it had not yielded the desired result of reducing the exodus of personnel.

He said this had placed undue strain on the few health staff that had decided to stay and work in Ghana adding, "currently the ministry is adopting a multi-pronged approach in addition to the ADHA concept to further address the retention of healthcare professional in the country.

"Health workers must be very conscious of the reality on the ground. Since I assumed office government budget to the sector has risen from nine to 12 per cent and we are working so hard to abide by the Abuja Principle, which fixed the budget contribution at 15 per cent," he added.

Dr Afriyie said Ghana was currently at the forefront of calling on the International body to enact a code of ethics for international health workers in order to halt or check the exodus of health personnel.

"African Health Ministers recently adopted a resolution on a number of issues including the problem of brain drain of health workers which would soon reach the international health body for consideration," he announced. The Minister also noted that the proposed post-graduate medical college to offer training for dental technologists, radiologists and others would start by the end of this year.

In all 64 health personnel made up of 12 retirees, 31 women with 50 from other regions won awards through a careful selection criterion by their respective health institutions and agencies.

The retirees received cash prizes of four million cedis each. Ten award winners, one from each region and two special winners received a 29-inch television each for the first prize, while those who won the second prize received double-decker refrigerators. The third and fourth prizes were made up of freezers and gas cookers.

GRi…/

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Have courage to unfold truth of past abuses-Ghanaians urged

Koforidua (Eastern Region) 09 June 2003 - A member of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), Bishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, has asked Ghanaians who knew about past human rights abuses to have the courage to come before the Commission to unfold them.

He regretted that some victims or witnesses were afraid to appear before the Commission to give evidence, which could help it record the abuses to forestall any future recurrence.

Bishop Palmer-Buckle, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua Diocese, was delivering the sermon at a church service at Koforidua to mark the feast of Pentecost during which he confirmed 161 members of the Church on Sunday.

He noted that Ghanaians need the Holy Spirit to give them the courage, fear of the Lord, love and understanding to render useful services to both others and the country's progress.

"We need the power of the Holy Spirit to refine the vices from us in order to witness Jesus Christ through upright lives required of us as Christians and to withstand the temptations of the devil in all aspects of our lives," the Bishop stated.

He referred to the incident about the late Mr Joseph Ampah who collapsed and died while giving evidence at the NRC last Thursday, and hoped he, like other victims of human rights violations, he would forgive their perpetrators in order to promote the national healing and reconciliation the nation urgently required to move forward.

GRi…/

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Court jails a fake Labone student

Tema (Greater Accra) 09 June 2003 - The TDC Magistrate's Court at the week-end sentenced, a 21 year old man who claimed to be a second year student of the Labone Secondary School, Accra to six months imprisonment for defrauding a taxi driver for ¢150,000.

Divine Bonney, who pleaded guilty, said he was a second year science student, and mentioned one Badgi as the headmaster of Labone Secondary School.

This prompted Mrs Florence Ninepence, who presided over the court to request a court clerk to phone the school to find out the name of the headmaster and whether a second year student by the name Bonney is in the school because she sympathised with a student and wanted him to be counselled.

The Court Clerk came back with the answer that the Headmistress of the school is Mrs Aggrey Mensah, who was not available at the time he called, however, the Assistant Headmaster, said there was no student by that name in the school in any of the classes.

Chief Inspector Comfort Agbagba told the court that on 27 May 2003, at 7.30 am, Bonney, who stays at Taifa, Accra, visited Saani Shaibu at Ashaiman, and was asked by his the friend to accompany him to Kanda, Accra to visit his sister.

She said Shaibu who is at large hired a taxi with registration number GT 5924 D and was charged ¢150,000 by the driver from Ashaiman to Kanda and back.

When they returned and got to Ashaiman Government School, Shaibu got down to buy some food, and never came back, therefore, the driver escorted Bonney to the police station and made a report.

GRi…/

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Africans should take pride in their cultural heritage-Kabbah

Kumasi (Greater Accra) 09 June 2003 - President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone has reminded Africans about the need to respect and take pride in their cultural heritage.

He noted that any group of people who do not have a clear sense of culture would have nothing to live for. President Kabbah was speaking when he took part in the "Akwasidae" Festival celebration at the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asantehene, in Kumasi on Sunday.

The "Akwasidae" is a special festive occasion where the Asantehene performs some significant esoteric rites in the morning and later in the day sit in state to receive homage. President Kabbah's participation followed his own expressed wish when he attended the opening ceremony of the Liberian Peace Talks in Accra.

Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Communications, Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, Kabral Blay-Amihere, Ghana’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, and some Sierra Leonean government officials accompanied him to the Palace.

President Kabbah who could not hide his admiration for the rich Asante tradition and culture that were on display said, "it is important you impart these to your children".

"I am fascinated at what I have seen and will be returning to my country, carrying with me sweet memories of this day." He paid glowing tribute to Ghana for the unique role it has been playing to unite peoples of the African continent.

The Sierra Leonean President said before Ghana's Independence, there were countries in the continent that were already politically independent, but it was the pioneering role of Dr Kwame Nkrumah after Ghana's independence that the world started to recognise the dignity of the Black African.

"Let me take this opportunity to say thank you not just for myself and the people of Sierra Leone but all black people of Africa".

President Kabbah, in line with tradition presented two cartons of schnapps, two bottles each of whisky and gin, crates of minerals and a carton of beer to Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, towards the celebration of the "Akwasidae".

GRi…/

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Ashanti Union in Stuttgart presents hospital items

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - The Ashanti Union in Stuttgart in Germany, on Sunday presented hospital items worth about ¢800m to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at Manhyia in support of health delivery in Asanteman.

The items included a multiple function ENT machine, hospital beds, baby cots, mattresses, disposable hospital beds, pillow sterilizers, and bedside tables.

Making the presentation on behalf of the Union, Agyeman Boti, Chairman of the Union said the Asantehene deserved commendation for his foresight, objective and vision for the establishment of the Otumfuo Education Fund, the Health Fund and the Golden Development Holding Company.

He said it was in recognition of this that the Union mobilised resources to ship the assorted hospital equipment to supplement his efforts to ensure quality health delivery, not only in Asanteman but the country as a whole.

Boti mentioned people like and Mrs Lang of Olga Hospital in Stuttgart and Kwaku Appiah also of Stuttgard, who were very instrumental in obtaining the items and expressed the Union's appreciation to them.

He assured the Asantehene of the Union's continued support for the development of Asanteman and said they had plans to send more equipment and other items, which may be beneficial to the people.

Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempemhene on behalf of the Asantehene, expressed appreciation to the Union for the donation. He asked members of the Union to pay regular visits home to see for themselves how the equipment would be put to use and also appealed to them to continue to contribute towards the development of Asanteman.

GRi…/

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Invest in the education of children children-Aliu

Wa (Upper West) 09 June 2003 - Vice President Aliu Mahama urged the rich citizens of the Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions to invest in the education of children, particularly those from poor homes in those parts of the country.

He noted that no national policy could speedily address the peculiar problem of education in the Northern sector of the country without the special effort of the citizenry themselves.

The Vice President said these when he launched the Northern Education Trust Fund (NETFUND) for the Upper West Region, at Wa on Saturday.

The fund, with a target of ¢400m, was launched at a dinner dance, which formed part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of the region created from the Upper Region on 18 January 1983.

Vice President Mahama said though education was important to the development of the North, it was currently appalling.

He said: "Today many of our school children have no access to good education because of the extreme poverty of our people. Basic and second cycle schools' infrastructure is broken down. Standards of teaching have fallen to unacceptable levels. Our village schools are an apology of that they should be".

Vice President Mahama said the Upper West Region, reportedly, has primary school enrolment of 60 per cent with a high school drop out rate with rate for girls estimated at 58 per cent at the SSS level.

He also said the current literacy rate level is estimated at 24.5 per cent, which is lover than the national average of 46 per cent and the situation is not different from the two other regions and expressed optimism that the NETFUND would help to reverse the trend.

Vice President Mahama said: "The ultimate objective of the NETFUND is to eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the educational and socio-economic imbalance between Northern Ghana and the rest of the country."

He assured the people that the government would upgrade educational facilities there to acceptable standards and said efforts of the citizenry in developing schemes and programmes to complement initiatives of authorities were crucial.

The Vice President announced that the Lawra and Wa Senior Secondary Schools were to be upgraded in terms of infrastructure in line with the government's policy to raise the level of at least one senior secondary school in each district to high-class institution and construction work to that effect would start by July this year.

Alhaji Raheem Gbadamoshi, an educationist announced that funds so far realised from the NETFUND had been invested. He said a committee has been formed to start the disbursement of the funds from August and the NETFUND was expected to realise about ¢100m in the 2003-2004 academic year.

Alhaji gbadamoshi said it was the objective of the NETFUND to help children in the region attain at least average standard of education. The NETFUND, established through the initiative of some northern citizens, was launched in Accra on 4 August 2001.

GRi

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American mayor to assist Secondary School

Mankranso (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - An American Mayor has promised to provide the Mankranso Senior Secondary School (SSS) in the Ahafo-Ano South District with computers and a science laboratory soon.

Nana Obiri Agyei Mankran, Chief of Mankranso, who gave the hint said Mr Pasty Jo Hilliard, Mayor of the city of East Point, USA, was responding to an appeal he made to him to assist the school in 2001.

Nana Mankran was speaking at a farewell party in honour of Miss Theresa Owusu-Nyarko, Headmistress of the SSS, who was appointed the District Director of Education (DDE) for Asante-Akim South.

The chief, who is a member of the School Board of Governors, said he was sponsoring 15 students of the educational institution to enable them to complete their education.

Kwaku Obeng Boateng, District Chief Executive, commended the out-going Headmistress for her contribution to the development of the school and for her commitment to effective functioning of the assembly.

Mrs Mavis Anim-Addo, a former DDE, urged parents to focus on their children's education and stop spending lavishly on, weddings, funerals, parties and other ceremonies.

Nana Boakye Akyeampong, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the School, called on Ghanaians to be more patriotic and work hard to move the nation forward.

GRi…/

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Don't lure innocent girls into Sex- Father Mensah

Bekwai (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - The Rev. Father J.K. Mensah, the Acting Archdeacon of the Bekwai Archdeaconry of the Anglican Church, at the weekend advised men against luring poor girls into sex and other immoral activities.

Rev. Father Mensah, who was speaking at a day's workshop on personal data collection organised by the Women's Ministry of the church at Bekwai, said the practice partly contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

The workshop, which was aimed at getting a data of the members of the church for effective planning of women activities within the archdeaconry, was also designed to develop relevant programmes to assist the youth, especially the girls to appreciate morality as a way of life.

Rev. Father Mensah said it was important for the church to empower its members economically to enable them provide the needs of their children so that they could avoid early sex.

The Acting Archdeacon said the church joined the fight against HIV/AIDS so that the government's huge expenditure on the control of the disease could be used for national development.

Madam Frances Georgina Assiamah, the President of the Women's Ministry explained that knowledge on the number of women, those gainfully employed and non-employed, their marital status as well as the number of children in a data could assist the in drawing it programmes.

She asked the participants to ensure that the knowledge and experience acquired at the workshop were applied to the benefit of other members of their communities and reminded women of their role in ensuring peace at homes and the proper upbringing of children.

Mrs Martha Mensah, 'Mother of the Church,' who spoke on "Children's Education", appealed to the women to encourage their children and wards to study at home to enable them pass their examinations.

She advised parents encourage their children especially the girls to discuss their problems with them, stressing, "this is a challenge to the Women's Ministry".

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Fanteakwa Committee on GPRP and SIF inaugurated

Begoro (Eastern Region) 09 June 2003 - A District Sub-Project Review and Approval Committee for Fanteakwa district was inaugurated at Begoro on Friday.

The 11-member body that is chaired by the Presiding Member of the Fanteakwa District Assembly, Kwadwo Agyei Addo would educate and assist communities on the opportunities available to them under the Ghana Poverty Reduction Project's (GPRP) and Social Investment Fund (SIF).

The District Chief Executive, Ebenezer Ofoe Caesar, asked the committee members to discharge their duties diligently so that all communities could benefit from their efforts.

He asked the committee to always review projects initiated by communities and give approval to them before funds were released for their execution.

Caesar also urged the members to meet regularly and review all SIF financed sub-projects and give recommendations for improvement.

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Teachers urged to teach Physical Education

Begoro (Eastern Region) 09 June 2003 - Teachers have been requested to teach Physical Education (P.E) as a subject to enable pupils and students acquire basic knowledge and skills in sports and games.

Joseph Asiamah-Donkor, Fanteakwa P.E Organiser, who made the call when he interacted with teachers at Begoro on Tuesday noted that though the subject has been captured in the curriculum and placed on the timetable of schools, teachers neglected it in preference for other disciples.

He noted that the situation had led to most sportsmen and women to adopt "try and error" skills to accomplish their ambition, but this was short-lived.

Asiamah-Donkor said skills in sports and games could be best acquired by the pupils and students during P.E periods and practised at sports and games competitions.

He asked teachers to use the available P.E materials at their disposal in the teaching of P.E to improve the ability of pupils and students in sports and games.

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Roads and drainage system to be rehabilitated

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 09 June 2003 - Jewuu Construction Limited, the company awarded contract to rehabilitate roads and drainage system at Ahensan in the Kumasi Metropolis, commenced work on the 1.4 billion cedis project last week.

Apart from improving the drainage system, all the 11 access roads in the Ahensan Electoral Area would be re-shaped and tarred. Edward Akuamoah-Boateng, Assemblyman for the Ahensan Electoral Area made this known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after visiting the project site at Ahensan, Kumasi at the week-end, to inspect works on the first phase of the project which involves construction of drainage slaps.

Akuamoah-Boateng, who is also Chairman for the Asokwa Sub-Metro Council, said work would be carried out in phases, beginning with the construction of drainage slaps to improve upon the drainage system and then the rehabilitation of the roads.

Akuamoah-Boateng appealed to residents of Ahensan to cooperate with the company to ensure the early completion of the project and requested owners of kiosks close to the road to re-locate them to facilitate work.

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Upper West to have Regional Hospital

Wa (Upper West) 09 June 2003 - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Saturday said the lack of a Regional Hospital in the Upper West Region was an oversight and gave the assurance that consultations were underway to have one established at Wa the regional capital.

He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the region to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of the creation of the region at Wa.

Alhaji Mahama noted that the major problem confronting the health sector in the region was the lack of enough qualified medical personnel though the area had produced a number of medical doctors, who preferred to work in other parts of the country.

He, therefore, appealed to 'the large army of doctors and other health professionals' who hail from the region to return home and render services to their people.

On HIV/AIDS, Vice President Mahama said reports indicated that its rate of infection was increasing in the region adding that the disease should engage the attention of everyone because it was infecting the most productive and active segment of the population.

Vice President Mahama urged the people to engage in activities that would assist in reducing the disparities in the standard of living between them and those in the older regions.

Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister said the fundamental essence of the celebration was to generate interest in the welfare of the people and the development of the region by all citizens as well development partners.

He said the chiefs and people in the region were prepared to provide a peaceful and conducive environment for non-governmental organisations and development partners to execute their development programmes.

Naa Abaifaa Karbo II, President of the Regional House of Chiefs, called on the people to do away with chieftaincy, land and political disputes, which have become threats to their unity.

He appealed to the government to revamp the cotton industry in the region to enable the three cotton ginneries in the region to operate at full capacity to create jobs for the people.

Gracing the occasion were other dignitaries including Ministers and Deputy Ministers of state and some Members of Parliament from the region. Ten prominent personalities who played key roles in the creation of the region were honoured.

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Submission of SSSCE forms extended to June 13

Accra (Greater Accra) 09 June 2003 - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on Friday announced that the closing date for the submission of forms for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) re-sit in October/November 2003 has been extended to June 13.

A statement signed by the Sector Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu said this was the outcome of a meeting between the Ministry and Officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday.

The statement said additionally private schools that were registered with the WAEC Examination Centre Numbers could go to the Council's Offices for "Entry Schedules" to register their candidates, who were registered.

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New Board of governors inaugurated for Dormaa Secondary

Dormaa Ahenkro (Brong Ahafo) 09 June 2003 - Mrs Akua A. Debrah, Acting Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, has inaugurated a 13-member board of governors of the Dormaa Secondary School (DIRMASS) at Dormaa Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo.

She told the board that it has a very big task of helping in the administration of the school. Mrs Debrah mentioned controlling the general policy of the institution, submission of an annual report and ensuring environmental cleanliness as some of its functions.

She appealed to members to liaise with the District Oversight Committee (DOC) to see to the proper administration of the school.

As board members, they should live above reproach and always think of what they could do to improve the school. Mrs Debrah appealed to them not to interfere unduly in the day-to-day administration of the school hoping that the Headmaster would always consult members in any major decisions of the school.

Alex Baah-Boffah, Headmaster of the school commended the students for their high sense of discipline. He said he was happy with the school's examinations results for the last year especially the business department and the improvement in the science department.

The Headmaster also expressed concern about the encroachment of some developers on school land and said that efforts have been made to construct a fence wall around the school.

The 13-member board of directors is under the chairmanship of Osagyefo Oseadeeye Agyeman Badu, Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area and also an old student of the school. He called on members to work as a team with the old Students Association to develop the school.

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PANAFEST and Emancipation Day launched in the UK

London (UK) 09 June 2003 - This year's Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebration has been officially launched in the UK.

The ceremony, interspersed with drum language beats performed by Lord Eric's Sugumugu Ensemble, attracted a cross section of media personnel, artistes, tour operators with links in Ghana and some opinion leaders within the Ghanaian and Caribbean communities and friends of Ghana.

Prominent personalities at the launch included H.E. Isaac Osei, Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK who delivered the keynote address, Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK and Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Executive Secretary of PANAFEST Foundation.

Also present were Ms. Yvonne Robinson, Chairperson UK PANAFEST Steering Committee and other members of the

Committee, Al Hamilton, P.C. Quaye, Fritz Andoh, Charles Wereko and Ms Sally Baffour.

Speaking at the well-attended event, Osei said "PANAFEST and Emancipation Day provide the opportunity to foster political and economic collaboration and strengthen cultural and social ties between home-based Africans and their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora".

Isaac Osei praised the initiators of the Festival, who, he said, had helped lay bare the historical facts of the country's rich arts and cultural heritage.

Osei said in the changing world of today, it was imperative for African countries to think of ways of marrying African culture with modern practices in order to deepen collaboration.

He said the interdependent world of today would be a better place if consistent efforts were made to forge a united stand in the realisation of creating a stable environment world-wide.

The High Commissioner spoke extensively on Ghana's tourist potentials and added that the nation's stable, peaceful and political climate, its adherence to democratic governance, the rule of law, among other things, had helped to make Ghana an attractive place to invest and visit.

Osei urged the Steering Committee to consider the possibility of organising a PANAFEST event next year in the UK to enable " our sisters in the UK to have a taste of the festival." Rabbi Halevi said "the theme for this year's celebration -" Uniting the African family-Dialogue on African Tradition and Culture in the 21st century Globalisation" vividly captures the challenges posed to the peoples of Africa in the new millennium".

He said the theme would offer renewed emphasis in broadening Pan-Africanist horizons and help accelerate the re-emergence of the once flourishing civilisation begun and nurtured in Africa, endangered because of many centuries of exploitation and subjugation by evil forces of slavery and colonialism.

He said PANAFEST should give us hope, vision and confidence in celebrating "the heroism of our people - both past and present- within the context and action in response to the growing demands of our people for a more qualitative life".

"As a Pan-African platform", he said, "it does not only showcase our cultural traditions but more importantly promotes the understanding of our history and culture and affirm our common heritage".

"PANAFEST 2003 should build on the success of its previous additions in accentuating the important linkage between our traditional cultural practices as a contemporary people," he added.

Rabbi Halevi spoke at length on the preparations put in place for the celebration. He said this year's celebrations would be attended by official delegations from all regions of the United States of America, the Caribbean communities of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts while Brazil and Surinam would represent South America.

Participants are also expected from Germany, Holland, Italy, South Africa, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Ethiopia. Ms Yvonne Robinson said the UK Steering Committee would unveil an aggressive programme aimed at raising the profile of PANAFEST as one of the most important cultural events both in the UK and beyond. – Ghana High Commission, London

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Ghanaians abroad commended

London (UK) 09 June 2003 - Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK has said that the NPP Government appreciated the immense contributions of Ghanaians abroad towards the development of their communities.

He said the contributions both in kind and in cash demonstrated their resolve to help supplement Government’s effort to build a prosperous society for future generations.

Speaking at a fundraising event held in London in aid of education and health projects in the Dangme districts, organised by the Dangme Bii Akpe (UK), Osei urged communities at home to show their appreciation for the good gesture by their compatriots abroad, by taking proper care of donated items and putting them to the advantage of deprived sections of the communities.

High Commissioner said although the Mission would not be in a position to pay for the shipment of the goods, it would however provide the necessary support to facilitate the prompt clearance of the goods from the ports provided the goods were consigned through designated sector – ministries and organisations.

He praised the association for their consistent contributions for the past 20 years towards the general development of Dangme traditional area and cited the transfer of money for the building of a dormitory for the Teshie Orphanage, the roofing of a primary school at Totimeh Kope in Ada, as well as the provision of educational items and computers for Nungua and Prampram in support of basic literacy and numeracy skills.

He said the development of all parts of the economy was very dear to the hearts of the NPP Government and added that the Government would remain unshaken in its stance until the country was transformed into a buoyant and prosperous nation.

The Chairman of the association, Kabu Charway said the association would continue to provide the much-needed assistance for the development of the Dangme areas. He said, by making regular contributions for the development of their areas they were supplementing Government’s efforts as true patriotic Ghanaians.

The High Commissioner presented a brochure documenting the achievements recorded in various sectors of the economy and developments in the regions copies of a speech delivered at the launch of the Non-Resident Ghanaians Secretariat, by Kwasi Abeasi, Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, “So Far So Good”, to the Association.

At another event held to raise funds for a church building for the Ghanaian Catholic Community in London, Osei urged them to ponder a while and think of ways of helping in the development of their country. He described the venture as laudable and called for financial support for the project by all Ghanaians within the London metropolis.

He urged all Catholics in the UK to consider what levels of contribution they could make towards the strengthening of the New Catholic University at Fiapre near Sunyani.

Osei used the occasion to brief the large gathering on developments at home and remarkable gains so far made in all sectors of the country and assured them that the NPP would continue to remain responsive to the needs of all Ghanaians. – Ghana High Commission, London

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NPP Govt will not take populist measures - Envoy

London (UK) 09 June 2003 - The NPP Government will continue to take pragmatic measures that will eventually create wealth and prosperity for the people.

As a people friendly Government, its decisions on all spheres of the nation’s economy will be based on well-considered programmes and activities, which will benefit all sections of the nation.

These declarations were made by H.E. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner in London during interaction with the Ghanaian community in Chichester, West Sussex.

He said the country’s present predicament, which had resulted in the present steep prices of petroleum product could have been avoided sometime ago if the previous administration had shied away from difficult decisions which were in the interest of the country.

Fortunately, he said “Ghanaians now understand that if you buy something for five pounds and sell it at three pounds, you will have a debt of two pounds. Government does not wish to accumulate debt for us to pay in the future, hence, the need to charge realistic petroleum prices”.

High Commissioner Osei praised Ghanaians for their patience and understanding of prevailing economic issues confronting the nation and added that with the sound policies being implemented by the NPP Government, there were bright prospects ahead of the nation.

Osei told the gathering that the country was now geared towards “a successful take-off of the economy now that macro-economic fundamentals are sound”. He said the reconstruction of major roads of the country such as the Accra – Kumasi, Accra – Cape Coast, Tema – Aflao into dual carriageways would considerably bring relief to the travelling public and enhance speedy movement of goods across West African countries.

Other issues highlighted by Osei included measures to beef up various activities under the President’s Special Initiatives, the Government’s decision to re-introduce large passenger buses into the transportation system, the re-equipping of the Ghana

Police to make it operate more efficiently and the establishment of the Non-Resident Ghanaian Secretariat at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.

The occasion provided the opportunity for the High Commissioner to answer questions on national issues.

On HIPC, Osei said to a question that it had been beneficial and pointed out that debt relief for the year 2002 amounted to $273m while a total of ¢117bn were made available to district assemblies for development projects in education, health and sanitation.

Questioned on why Ghana continued to use foreign consultants, he explained that “the Government makes use of Ghanaians who have the requisite qualifications and skills for specific jobs”, stressing that “while promoting our nationals, we ought to look for the best Consultants wherever they may be found for specific tasks”.

He assured the gathering that difficulties encountered by Ghanaians in acquiring title for lands purchased and the reluctance of banks to pay interests on foreign accounts were being taken up by the Government.

He praised the association for its financial contributions towards the Prof Mustarde’s Appeal Fund for the building of the Facial Reconstruction Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and the Accra Sports Stadium Soccer Disaster Fund.

E.K. Ashiagbor, Chairman of the association thanked the High Commissioner for the visit, which he described as the first in the ten- year history of the association.

“Your presence today confirms to us that you care deeply about the welfare and interest of all Ghanaians no matter where they are in the UK”, he said. On the Government’s shares in the operations of Ghana Commercial Bank, he suggested, that Ghanaians should be encouraged to buy them instead of leaving them in the hands of foreigners.

He called for measures to be instituted to halt the exodus of health and educational professionals. On behalf of the Association, Ashiagbor, presented a cheque of 410 pounds to the Mission’s Five Pounds No Balance Fund in support of the Ghana Police Service.

The donation so far is the highest donation by a Ghanaian Association in the UK. It may be recalled that the Nzema Association recently donated 200 pounds to the Fund.

At the end of the presentation, Osei presented a set of publications to the association. These included copies of brochures “So far – So Good”, documenting achievements in various sectors of the economy and Ghana – Positive Change 2002 – Developing our Communities. - Ghana High Commission, London

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