Tema Mantse's palace vandalised
Help reduce political tension -Imam
Women not property of men - Mrs Oppong
Church calls for greater church-state collaboration
Omanhene of Drobo in US for a visit
Freedom Seekers Association congratulate Dr.
Obed Asamoah.
Ghanaian communities urged to join crusade for economic independence
Tema Manhean (Greater Accra) 06 May 2002 - The Tema police on Saturday arrested 12 persons who invaded and vandalised the palace of the Tema Paramount chief breaking the glass door and windows and destroying some stool regalia including the mace of the linguist.
The youth also broke into the study room of the palace and took away notebooks and other vital documents of the traditional council. An eyewitness at the palace said the youth who numbered between 25 and 30 welded cutlasses and other offensive weapons with red armbands also paraded the street leading to the palace chanting war songs.
He alleged that they locked the main gates to the palace and when they could not lay hands on the Chief, Nii Adjei Kraku II, vandalised the glass windows and doors and helped themselves with some alcoholic drinks. They were, however, arrested on their way out by some elders of the town who handed them over to the police.
According to the eyewitness while the group was at the palace, another group went to town to announce that they had destooled Nii Adjei. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Agnes Sikanartey, Tema Regional Commander who confirmed the arrest said he “dispatched 20 policemen led by ASP John Yamba of the Buffalo Unit to the palace". She said the situation was under control and that, 10 men and 2 women had been placed in custody to help in investigations.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Help reduce political tension -Imam
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 May 2002 - The leadership of the various political parties have been asked to make genuine and determined efforts to reduce tension and suspicion in the society by showing mutual respect and understanding towards one another.
Sheikh Ibrahim Immorana, Deputy Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, said since all political parties sought by their policies and development agenda to improve the situation of the people, it was pointless to adopt antagonistic postures and behave like enemies.
At a meeting held by Alhaji Awudu Ariff, newly elected National Deputy Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with a section of the Kumasi Zongo Community to thank the people for their support and prayers during the just ended National Delegates Congress of the NDC, Sheikh Immorana stressed the need for all Ghanaians to ensure open-mindedness and responsible political conduct, noting that it was through this that they would be helping to sustain and entrench democracy in the country.
He advised Alhaji Ariff not to let down those who voted for him to serve on the National Executive but to do everything possible to justify the trust and confidence of his party members.
Alhaji Ariff said being the first person, born and bred at the Kumasi Zongo to be elected to a political party's national executive, he was not going to disappoint the community. He, however, asked for their support and prayers to enable him to prove equal to the task.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 May 2002 - The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama left Accra on Sunday for the USA, at the head of a Government Delegation to attend the 27th UN General Assembly special session on Children.
Other members of the delegation include the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufour, the Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Mrs Angelina Baiden Amissah, Chairperson Person of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender on Children, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Iddris and Miss Atawa Akyea, Acting Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Commission on Children.
President John Agyekum Kufour, Ministers of state and government officials saw them off at the Airport. More than 70 Heads of State and 1,000 NGOs would be attending the session, which would review achievements in the implementation of the declaration and plan of action adopted at the 1990 World Summit for Children and chart a course for the child in next decade.
While in the US, the Vice-President would address the General Assembly and lead a discussion on examples of practices in Ghana for the survival, development and protection of children. He will also hold bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan and the Executive Director of UNICEF and participate in the launching of a new initiative to attack micronutrient deficiency.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 May 2002 -Mrs. Eudora Oppong, a member of the Ashanti Region branch of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), has called on men to disabuse their minds of the erroneous notion that women were their economic properties.
It was a misconception, which should be discarded as fast as possible, Mrs Oppong said at a forum organised by the Kumasi Metropolitan Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as part of activities marking the constitution week celebration. She expressed concern about the spate of spousal killings and attributed the situation to misunderstandings between couples and called for a halt to them.
Mrs Oppong also spoke against the way women were discriminated against at workplaces when it came to placements and called for a halt to it, adding that women should have the same opportunities as their men counterparts with the same qualification.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 06 May 2002 - The Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church at the weekend called for greater efforts to further deepen the collaboration between the church and the state. In a communiqué issued at the end of its 23rd Diocesan Synod at Techiman, the Church said it appreciated with delight the positive collaborative efforts between the state and the church in the areas of health delivery, women empowerment, education and the development of children, among others.
The communiqué called for the institution of an annual state-church partnership conference to deliberate on developmental issues such as the identification of development problems and constraints, priorities and strategies to be adopted as inputs in policy and programme formulation.
Such a conference, the communiqué added, can also deliberate on relevant provisions for social policy formulation and the mobilisation of church members for development activities. The Church noted with grave concern the upsurge of indiscipline in the country and called for measures to strengthen the training and upbringing of children.
This, it noted, could be done through Sunday school classes, counselling and provision of scholarships to enhance child development based on sound moral principles. "The church needs to reinforce its moral education of the youth and children against indiscipline, drug/substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and should play a strong advocacy role in parental care and responsibility."
The communiqué recognised the need to mobilise adequate resources for development programmes in education, health and agriculture and called for effective partnership in these sectors. It said the church acknowledged the poor development of women and children and their vulnerability and urged that women's groups within it be organised, trained and resourced in productive ventures.
It expressed deep concern about the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, particularly on the productive sections of the society and suggested that the pulpit be used as an instrument for the prevention of the disease.
The communiqué recommended the enactment of legislation for the display of posters and education materials on the disease at all public places, including chapels and hotels. The synod was under the theme: "The Church And The State, Partners in Development".
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 06 May 2002 - The Omanhene of Drobo Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region, Beyeeman Bosea Gyinantwi IV, left Accra on Sunday night for Oklahoma, United States, at the invitation of the Oklahoma State University.
The visit would enable Beyeeman Gyinantwi to attend the graduation of his daughter, Ms Maud Asiedu-Taku and the University's Commencement exercises to be held on 11 May 2002. A letter from the Department of Campus Life, International Students and Scholars Union of the University stated in part: "You must be very proud of Maud's accomplishments in completing her Bachelor's degree.
"The faculty and staff of Oklahoma State University appreciate having international students here who contribute to an atmosphere of understanding between countries and who add so much to the university community," it added.
Beyeeman Gyinantwi, known in private life as Major Jonathan Asiedu-Taku (Rtd) told newsmen at the airport before his departure that he would take the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Oklahoma City and the Ghanaian community as well as explore investment opportunities for Ghana, as a whole, and for his traditional area, in particular.
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Freedom Seekers Association congratulate
Dr. Obed Asamoah.
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 May 2002 - Zongo Freedom Seekers Association, an affiliate body of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), based in Zongos of Ashanti Region, have congratulated Dr. Obed Asamoah on his election as the National Chairman of the NDC, and entreated him to justify his ascension to the position by bringing peace to the party.
The Association also commended Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu who contested the Chairmanship position but lost to Dr. Obed Asamoah, for his political maturity in accepting defeat. The congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued in Kumasi on Sunday by the Association and jointly signed by Alhaji Othman Yahya and Alhaji Alhassan Ibn Ibrahim, Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Association respectively.
The statement equally acknowledged and expressed appreciation to Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the NDC for the fatherly role he played to save the just ended NDC congress from chaotic situations.
The Association advised the National Chairman and the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) to always place the interest of the party above their personal interests and work as a team to re-unite the rank and file of the party.
The statement reminded the national leadership of the NDC that their contributions to the party would not be measured by mis-understandings and disagreements between them but rather by their ability as a team to revitalise the party and to help it annex power in the year 2004 elections.
The Association said, "While giving our fullest support to you, Dr. Obed Asamoah, we will encourage you never to work in isolation of the Regional Ward and Branch Executive of the party but involve them in whatever programmes you plan and intend implementing".
GRi../
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Take advantage of favourable business
climate in Ghana
London (United Kingdom) 06 May 2002 - The theme of an address delivered by Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner in the UK during a one-day working visit to Merseyside centred on the need for British investors to take advantage of the favourable investment climate and opportunities in Ghana.
In discussions with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Lord Mayors of Knowsley and Liverpool and decision-makers, Mr Osei said the peaceful political transition, government’s fiscal discipline and the restoration of macro-economic stability have created a positive framework for investments.
He was emphatic that the Government’s unique stance and adherence to the cardinal principles of good governance, the rule of law, freedom of expression, as well as its determination to forge genuine partnership with the private sector were crucial in the enhancement of Ghana’s economic growth.
Said Mr Osei: “The Government under the leadership of His Excellency President J.A. Kufuor is business friendly and will continue to create the environment for the private sector in order to accelerate their operations and increase productivity”.
The High Commissioner told the meetings that Ghana would welcome variable investments and asked those “who are sitting on the fence because of previous uncertainty in political and economic directions, to invest for profitable returns”. To companies which already have links in Ghana, Mr Osei called on them to consider increasing the levels of their investments and beef up production in order to be able to sell their products to the entire sub-region.
While in Merseyside, the High Commissioner had fruitful discussions on matters of common interest with the Chief Constable of the Merseyside Police, Mr Norman Bettison, members of the Police Authority, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and the Director of the University’s School of Tropical Medicine.
Arising out of his discussion with the Metropolitan Police was the need for the development of mutual and beneficial relations between the two institutions within the framework of international Police brotherhood. At the School of Tropical Medicine, High Commissioner Osei praised the vision of the school’s authorities for conducting various researches on tropical diseases and anti-snake bite drugs, and hoped the seeds which had been planted would blossom in the interest of all tropical countries.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
London (United Kingdom) 06 May 2002 - H.E. Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner in the U.K. has said in Liverpool that the on-going battle for economic independence is not the responsibility of government alone. He said it is a battle which required the support of all Ghanaians irrespective of their political stance and called on them to think continuously about what they could do to contribute to the overall development of the country.
The High Commissioner made these comments at a meeting with Ghanaian community associations in Liverpool and Manchester after a two- day working visit to
Merseyside where he interacted with the area’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and held discussions with the decision makers and business executives.
High Commissioner Osei asked them to avoid the tendency of looking at national issues from a narrow and ethnic perspectives and forge ahead as a determined united people with a common destiny.
He said the Government of the new Patriotic Party has shown within a year its determination to forge national consensus on all issues, demonstrated by its policy of inclusiveness. Mr Osei said there is a vision of hope, optimism in the new Ghana and called on Ghanaians to rally round the Government in its search to create wealth and prosperity for all.
The High Commissioner spoke of various measures that had been taken to restore macro-economic stability within the year. He said the reduction of inflation, fiscal discipline, the halt in free fall of the cedi, adherence to the principles of good governance, the rule of law among other things, were indicative of the resolve of the government to chart a progressive agenda for the benefit of Ghanaians.
Having established macro-economic stability, he said the Government had embarked on a number of measures to create job openings for the unemployed. These include the production of industrial starch on a large scale, re-forestation and tree-planting activities, the reconstruction of major roads, and agricultural ventures.
Mr Osei thanked Ghanaians abroad for their regular remittances back home which had helped ease the financial burdens of their compatriots and hoped the ensuing years would see a substantial increase in money transfer into the country.
The meetings provided them the opportunity to ask variety of questions on developments in the country and voice out their concerns on a number of issues. Featuring prominently was the need for the speedy implementation of the law on dual citizenship and measures being taken to improve the education system.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com