Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission to begin work
Archbishop Tutu congratulates Ghana’s Reconciliation Commission.
Church leader urges the nation to reconcile against injustice
Committee on Yendi crisis starts work
Minister of Information reacts to newspaper publication
President appoints members of Ghana Education Council
Ghanaians urged to boost the country's culture
Districts to hold "Peoples Question Time" twice a year
Constitution should define role of Chiefs - Agogohene
Kofi Annan opens UN Children's forum
School Authorities asked to re-design farewell programmes
Ghana ranked 49th in under five mortality rate
Beckley's victim cannot be traced - Prosecution
Iodated salt to be consumed nationwide by 2005
Untreated cow milk causes tuberculosis of the intestine
President extends condolences to Nigeria
Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission
to begin work
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday said the government was determined to have a new Ghana committed to the rule of law and order. The government was also committed to national unity as an essential requirement to move the country forward, he said, adding that the establishment of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) had a vital role to ensure that the government's objective was realised.
Administering the official oath and oath of secrecy at the inauguration of the nine-member NRC at the Castle, Osu, President Kufuor said the Commission was not a vengeance against any individual or group of people, saying the national unity and interest demanded it. The Commission established by Act 611 of Parliament, has the mandate to operate for a year from the first day of its sitting with a provision for further six months.
It sought to promote national reconciliation among Ghanaians by establishing accurate, complete and historical record of violations and abuses of human rights inflicted on persons by public institutions and holders of public office or persons purporting to have acted on behalf of the State during periods of unconstitutional governments.
The periods were from 24 February 1966 to 21 August 1969, 13 January 1972 to 23 September 1979, 31 December 1981 to 6 January 1993 and by making recommendations to the President for redress of wrongs committed within the specific periods.
Notwithstanding the periods specified, the Commission may on an application by any person, pursue the object set out in respect of any other period between 6 March, 1957 and 6 January, 1993. President Kufuor said in pursuit of national unity, Ghanaians should not forget about what had happened in the past, although there had been public apology to what happened.
He said the inauguration of the Commission was the logical result of the NRC Act and the fulfilment of the promise made by the government to Parliament and the country. To the Commission, President Kufuor said an enormous responsibility had been placed on their shoulders because the abuses had led to bitterness and rancour among all Ghanaians and the Commission had to sway away this bitterness.
President Kufuor appealed to the mass media to exercise restraint on sensitising the public on the procedure adopted by the Commission to perform its work. He said the media should not do anything that would fragment the society and divide it and appealed to the citizenry, groups and opinion leaders to co-operate with the Commission in the discharge of its duties.
He said the Commission was an independent body and urged the members to work according to their conscience, adding assuring them that the government would provide all the necessary logistic support to them to perform creditably. "Your report would be treated with all seriousness and recommendations would be implemented".
Mr Justice Kweku Etrew Amua-Sekyi, retired Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of the Commission, said no one could deny that for the past 40 years as a nation, there had been some mistakes made.
Courage was needed to admit them and make amends to move the nation forward, he said and gave the assurance that the Commission would work tirelessly to heal the wounds of the past and chart a new path of a better tomorrow. "We would discharge our duties to the best of our capabilities, " he added.
Other members of the Commission were, Bishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, Maulvi Wahab Ibn Adam, Ameer and Head of the Ahmadiyya Movement, Professor Florence Abena Dolphyne, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, and Dr (Mrs) Sylvia Boye, formerly of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The rest were Mr Christian Appiah-Agyei, former General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Professor (Mrs) Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Lecturer of the Faculty of Law University of Ghana, Legon, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Erskine, former Commander of UNIFIL and Uborr Dalafu Labal II, Paramount Chief of Sangul in the Northern Region.
Dr Ken Agyemang Attafuah, Director of Promotion and Anti-Corruption at CHRAJ is the Executive Secretary to the Commission. The Commission would also investigate violations and abuses of human rights relating to killings, abductions, disappearances, detentions, torture, ill-treatment and seizure of properties suffered by any person within the specified periods.
It would investigate the context in which and the causes and circumstances under which the violations and abuses occurred and identify the individuals, public institutions, bodies, organisations, public office holders or persons purporting to have acted on behalf of any public body responsible for or involved in the violations and abuses.
The Commission would identify and specify the victims of the violations and abuses and make appropriate recommendations for redress. Investigate and determine whether or not the violations and abuses were deliberately planned and executed by the state or any person.
Conduct investigations relevant to its work and seek the assistance of the police and any public or private institution, body or person for the purposes of an investigation. Educate the public and give sufficient publicity to its work so as to encourage the public to contribute positively to the achievement of the object of the Commission. The proceedings of the Commission shall be held in public except that the Commission may for good cause have private hearings.
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Archbishop Tutu congratulates Ghana’s
Reconciliation Commission.
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa on Monday said the establishment of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) would provide a historic opportunity for Ghanaians to give a voice to victims and enable a national dialogue to re-examining the pain of the preceding years.
For the victims, the Commission might help to restore their dignity and heal their wounds, Archbishop Tutu said this in a congratulatory message to the NRC, which was inaugurated by President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.
"It will create a record for this and future generations of Ghanaians. That record shall stand not only as a warning not to repeat the abuses of the past but also as an encouragement to show that evil can be overcome and that good will prevail. For some of those who have been guilty of violations, the Commission will offer the chance to admit their guilt and seek reconciliation with their compatriots ", Archbishop Tutu said.
He said Ghana was a beacon of hope for Africa, a country that was building on its great history to chart a course for an even greater future, therefore, it would have been tempting for such a country to sweep old issues under the carpet, embrace its prosperity and move on with eyes averted from the past.
"In this context, the brave decision to refuse the easy road to grapple with the past in order to create a better future already demonstrates the courage and insight of the Ghanaian people in recognising that the past will come back to haunt you if you do not address it", he added.
Archbishop Tutu said the difficulty of the tasks facing the Commission should not be under-estimated because experiences in South Africa showed that this kind of work could not please all of the people all of the time.
He said the Commission and its staff would require faith, determination, courage and integrity, adding, " but you are not alone. You can draw on the work and experience of South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission along with the lessons learned from similar Commissions in Peru and Chile, Guatemala and East Timor.
Archbishop Tutu said the Commission could draw on the resilience and spirit of Ghanaians because when South Africans were in the midst of their struggle, they were empowered and encouraged by Ghanaian solidarity and example.
"Ghana was the first country on the African continent to get independence, we were the last and in our struggle we drew from your struggles for freedom and human dignity. This will also be the greatest resource of the Commission as it continues its work, " he added.
Archbishop Tutu said the search for truth and reconciliation will often be painful and sometimes appeared thankless, but would also be uplifting and inspirational. "Ghanaians have had the wisdom to see that the cross of the past is the key to a future of peace and respect. The Commission is charged with transforming the burden of that cross into the opportunity for a brighter future, "he added.
In another development, Mr. Salomon Lerner Febres, President of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Peru on Monday said such Commissions promote and open up possibilities for the defence of human rights.
The creation of truth commissions was one of the most successful manifestations of this trend, given their significance and impact in the various countries where they had been created, Mr Febres said in a congratulatory message to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), which was inaugurated by President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.
The message said, "I am honoured to write and convey to you greetings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Peru, along with my best wishes for your success in the transcendental task with which you are charged.
"We are certain that your work will be equal to the enormous responsibility entailed in rebuilding the collective memory of the Ghanaian people, promoting within the population the resurgence of a culture of peace that makes it possible to start on a path toward national reconciliation based on ideals of justice rather than impunity", the message added.
Mr Febres said with the creation of the NRC, government of Ghana had joined a world-wide trend initiated years ago that promoted and opened up possibilities for the defence of human rights. Truth Commissions have been established in over 20 countries around the world including, Chile, Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, South Africa, Haiti and Sri Lanka.
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Mpraeso (Eastern Region) 07 May 2002 - The Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Methodist Church, the Right Rev. Emmanuel Twum-Baah, has urged Ghanaians to change attitude to reconcile the nation against social injustice that undermine progress and prosperity. He noted that the injustice that had pervaded the society had resulted in the high rate of indiscipline and lawlessness, thereby making the society unsafe.
Bishop Twum-Baah was addressing the end of 23th annual synod of the Koforidua Diocese of the Methodist Church at Mpraeso. He said each one has to eschew greedy and selfishness to eradicate social injustice in the system for the development of the society.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday asked members of the three-member Judicial Committee of Inquiry into the Yendi crisis, to make the cause of the crisis public and bring the perpetrators to book.
He said although some calm had been restored in the Dagbon Traditional Area, the Committee should investigate the crisis thoroughly and submit a report to government within a month. President Kufuor, who inaugurated the Committee at the Castle, Osu and administered the official oath and oath of secrecy to members of the committee, gave the assurance that offenders, when identified would be made to face the law.
Mr Justice Isaac Newton Kwaku Wuaku, retired Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of the Committee said the magnitude of the crisis required patience and circumspection to come out with a good report, adding that the committee would be candid as to what happened and come out with a report that would be acceptable to the citizenry. "We would endeavour to achieve the desired result".
Other members of the Committee were, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana, Legon and Mrs Florence Brew, an Educationist. Between 25 – 27 March, this year there were clashes between the two main gates in the Dagbon Traditional Area on succession to the Ya Na Skin 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.
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Minister of Information reacts to newspaper
publication.
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs on Monday said the reasons given by an Accra daily newspaper on the changes in the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) were pure speculations and untrue. He said, "I am appalled at the story, which was attributed to an un-named sources at the BNI. Similar story also appeared in the Democrat which were based on speculations".
Reacting to a publication in the Monday, 6 May, edition of the Daily Graphic, captioned, "Why the BNI Chief Quit", the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs said all reports on the security network within the country were submitted to the National Security Co-ordinator, while the National Security Adviser only advises the President on the security situation both within and outside the country.
The story said:" Mr Ellis Owusu-Fordjour until recently the Director of the BNI resigned his post last month on account of a clash he had with the National Security Adviser, General Joshua Hamidu, over the handling of intelligence reports on the Yendi tragedy".
He referred to an earlier statement issued by his Ministry on the changes in the BNI and said Mr. J.B Amofa, Deputy Commissioner of Police in-Charge of the Western Region is the newly appointed Director of the BNI. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said Mr. Amofa, a veteran intelligence officer, with service in the erstwhile special branch, replaced Mr. Owusu-Fordjour, who has completed his assignment.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor, in consultation with the Council of State, has appointed a 14-member Ghana Education Service Council. A Government statement in Accra on Monday said Professor Florence Abena Dolphyne, Lecturer of the Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, Legon, is the Chairperson.
Other members are, Dr Lord Asamoah, Principal of Kumasi Polytechnic, Mrs Difie Kusi, a Career Diplomat and an Educationist, Mrs Rose Annan-Karikari, Executive Director of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) and Mr Paul Osei Mensah, of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
Others are Mr Anthony Kwame De Youngster, of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), Mr Eric Ahmed Amar-Atsen, of the Federation of Muslim Council, Mr Michael Francis Doh, of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and Mr Paul Effah of the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE).
The rest are, Mr Francis Edward Morgan of the Public Services Commission (PSC), Professor George Tawiah Odamtten of the Ghana Pentecostal Council and Professor Nathaniel Kofi Pecku, of the Christian Council of Ghana.
Two other ex-officio members of the Council are Mr Chris A. Atiemo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Mr John Budu-Smith, Acting Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
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Bolgatanga (Upper East) 07 May 2002 - The Vice Chairman of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), Mr Samuel Nkrumah-Gimah on Monday urged Ghanaians to give culture the necessary boost to ensure national development and to uplift the image of the country.
He noted that culture played a vital role in the socio-economic and political development of a people, but modernisation had negatively impacted on the country's customs and traditions. Mr. Nkrumah-Gimah made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu at his office in Bolgatanga.
The Vice Chairman of the (NCC), who is also the Member of Parliament for Odotobiri constituency in the Ashanti Region, was in the region to begin a four-day working tour of institutions under the commission.
A nation without a unique cultural values could not focus properly on it developmental needs, he said and expressed regret that most Ghanaians had adopted foreign way of life at the expense of the country's tradition and customs and attributed the situation to past governments' inability to give much attention to that aspect of development.
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Aburi (Eastern Region) 07 May 2002 - District Chief Executives (DCEs) would be expected to organise a meeting code-named, "Peoples Question Time" twice every fiscal year to afford members of the public the opportunity to ask DCEs and assembly members questions on their stewardship.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu announcing this at the opening of the first phase of a two-week training workshop for 25 Metropolitan, Municipal, DCEs, District Co-ordinating Directors and Heads of decentralised departments from the Southern Sector of the country at the Aburi Botanical Gardens on Monday.
The workshop, which is being organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural development is European Union-sponsored Human Resource Programme. Mr. Baah-Wiredu said each district would also organise an "Annual State of the District Debate," in December to be hosted by the Presiding Member, to enable members of the public to discuss how to develop their area.
He expressed the hope that the innovation could make DCEs, Presiding Members and their respective assemblies accountable to the people. The Minister said these would be incorporated in the Local Government Law (Act 462), under review.
According to Mr. Baah-Wiredu, government has further decided that monies due to each Assembly from the District Assemblies Common Fund should be distributed among all the urban, Town, Zonal Area and Councils within the district on the basis of a district specific formula to be prepared by the Administrator of the fund and approved by the assembly.
He explained that the measure was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Sub-district institutions to enable them to effectively perform their statutory functions.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said the decentralisation policy required restructuring of government institutions, creation of new institutions, reforming policies and practices and redefinition of roles. He mentioned that government identified human factor as critical for achieving good governance and had made efforts to improve upon the human resource capacity through various programmes.
The Minister said during the period 2002 and 2003, 300 DCEs, District Co-ordinating Directors and Heads of Decentralised Departments, 40 District Budget Officers and 120 District Finance Officers, Local Inspectors and Internal Auditors would benefit from training programmes.
Mr. Baah-Wiredu said after the district assembly elections in July, this year, all the 6,900 newly elected members would undergo similar training to equip them with skills to enable them to manage efficiently projects in their respective districts with the resources at their disposal.
The Minister asked the participants to take the workshop seriously to enable them to come out with workable plans for the development of their districts. The Head of European Union, Mr. Stefan Frowein said the it supported Ghana's development for over 25 years, which, he said, included the construction of roads, provision of potable water and toilet facilities and other micro projects.
He said, supporting micro projects programme "is a true example of decentralisation at work, benefiting Ghanaians in their everyday lives." Mr. Frowein said the programme marked the beginning of the main phase of the EU's assistance to the Ministry of Local Government's training programme for personnel, especially the DCEs, who would assist in ensuring that the decentralisation policy was well implemented.
According to him, it had not been easy for the EU to mobilise financial support for the exercise, adding, "we have come to realise that without a skilled human resource base, especially within government and most especially at the decentralised level, here in Ghana, no development initiatives are sustainable."
He expressed the hoped that the participants would make the best of the workshop and apply the experience in the developing their districts. The Project Administrator of the Programme, Mrs. Lily H. Bonney said the training workshop was the first to be organised for the district assemblies, which brought together selected participants from the Southern Sector of the country-Ashanti, Greater-Accra, Volta, Eastern, Western and Central regions.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Agogohene on Monday called for a national arrangement for a constitutional change to define the role of the traditional leaders in the country. He said although the constitution gave much place to the chieftaincy institution, it was, however, silent on clear cut policies on the roles that chiefs could play to speed up national aspirations of good health, environmental cleanliness and sound education.
"For any meaningful progress in health, environment and education, the chiefs should have real powers to call people to order," he said. He was speaking at a symposium in Accra on the topic, "Chieftaincy and Democratic Governance in Ghana."
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development organised the symposium as part of activities to mark the third anniversary of the ascension of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to the throne. Nana Sarpong said if these anomalies were not addressed the chiefs would continue to be marginalized and manipulated in the governance and administration of the country. "Unless this was done chiefs would continue to be the glorified messengers of the Presidency."
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From Kofi Tay
New York (USA) 07 May 2002 -- Mr Kofi Annan, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General on Sunday opened the Children's forum of the UN special Session on Children and asked them not to be afraid to speak their minds on global issues affecting them.
Mr Annan noted that their presence at the UN marks a special chapter in the history of the United Nations since it is the first time that such large numbers of children will take part in a special session as official members of delegations representing governments.
The children will debate substantive issues on child rights and development and draft a joint statement to be presented to the 27th Session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, 8 May, 2002 by two delegates to be chosen by their peers at the forum.
He told the more than 350 children attending the conference that the special session is a tremendous breakthrough for them and their fellow children around the world. "It is right and necessary that you should play your part in it. We want a better world for children, but so far it is adults that have called the shots".
Mr Annan, whose speech drew a loud applause from the children delegates, including three from Ghana, was emphatic that the UN was going to build a better world with children, adding it was high time adults hear what children have to say.
The Ghanaian children are Miss Bernice Akuamoah of the Tema Secondary School, Master Joel Agorinya of the Bolgatanga Preparatory School and Master Samuel Kissi of Aquainas Secondary School. They are being accompanied by Mrs Stella Etse, Project Officer of the Ghana National Commission on Children.
Mr Annan noted that already children and young people have played a crucial role in the national reviews and regional meetings that have led to the special Session, and have shown great leadership in the "Say Yes for Children Campaign" and in the "Global Movement for Children."
He said it is when the talking ends that the really hard part begins and hoped the children will help in follow up afterwards to enable the UN keep its promises. Ms Carol Bellamy, UNICEF Executive Director said over 93 million people around the world have said "Yes" to the "Say Yes for Children Campaign". She urged the children to give out their views, ideas and experiences since they can make a big difference through the forum.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 07 May 2002 - School authorities have been called upon to let the programmes they draw up to bid farewell to final year students focus more on counselling them on their future careers rather than the merry-making.
Mr Opoku-Agyemang Pempeh, Executive President of the Centre for Moral Education (CEMED), a non-government organisation with the objective of promoting good morals among the youth, who made the call, expressed regret that at present farewell programmes only served as avenues for students to engage in immoral activities and social vices.
Mr Prempeh noted that because farewell programmes for school leavers had been tailored towards dancing, wining and dinning, "it has become a fertile ground for breeding indiscipline students who eventually transport such negative attributes to various higher educational institutions".
Mr Prempeh was speaking at a day's workshop organised by the CEMED in Kumasi for a cross-section of students of junior secondary schools (JSS) in the Kumasi Metropolis, who had just completed the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).
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From Kofi Tay
New York (USA) 07 May 2002 - Statistics released by UNICEF ranks Ghana 49th out of 187 countries as having Under five Mortality Rate (U5MR) world-wide. The statistical indicator is used as a critical factor of the well being of children. War torn Sierra Leone tops the list with 316 U5MR followed by Angola, which has 295 and Niger ranks third with 270 U5MR. Nigeria is 17th on the list with 184 and neighbouring Togo 29th with 142 U5MR.
The statistics which is contained in the official summary of the State of the World's Children document for the year 2002 said Ghana which had a U5MR of 215 in 1960 has since then had an annual reduction rate of 2.1 percent. Children under one year mortality rate reduced from 126 in 1960 to 58 in the year 2000. Annual birth rate currently stands at 642,000 with life expectancy at birth pegged at 57 years.
The report said adult literacy rate, that is, the percentage of people above 15 years who can read and write is 70 percent while between 1994 and 2000, net primary school enrollment/attendance stood at 74 percent compared to 69 percent for Togo and 56 percent for Nigeria.
Life expectancy is the number of years new born children will live if subjected to the mortality risks prevailing for the cross section of the population at the time of their birth. The State of the World children report said in the area of nutrition, the percentage of children with low birth weight in Ghana between 1995-2000 was nine percent, while 36 percent of children between the ages of 0-3 months are exclusively breastfed.
Twenty five percent (25) percent of Ghanaian children under five years suffer from moderate under weight while 26 percent of them suffer from stunting. It said 72 percent children are immunized against Diphtheria (DPT), Polio 3 and measles.
On Vitamin A supplementation, coverage rate for the country is pegged at very high figure of 91 percent for children between six-59 months but only 28 percent of households in Ghana consume iodized salt between 1997 to date.
On health, the report said 73 percent of the population have access to improved drinking water sources. Of the figure, 91 percent of the urban population benefits while in the rural areas it is 62 percent of the population enjoy safe drinking water. About 74 percent of the population in urban centers use adequate sanitation facilities compared 70 percent in the rural areas.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - The Prosecutor in the case in which Dr Ram Beckley, a private medical practitioner and an occultist, is charged with assault and kidnapping on Monday told the Adjabeng Community Tribunal that the Police could not trace the class three pupil whom he allegedly kidnapped.
It said schools were on vacation and they could not find her. The prosecution could not also tell the tribunal about the whereabouts of the victim's stepfather. Beckley charged with assaulting and kidnapping a class three pupil has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution further told the crowded court that it had sent exhibits, such as human skulls, blood and meat found in the accused person's premises to the Nogouchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at Legon for examination.
It said the Police did not have any evidence of bloodstains on the school uniforms, braziers and panties discovered on the premises of the accused. "We did not find any crocodiles in the house of the accused," the Prosecution added.
The Prosecution prayed the court to remand the accused to ensure his security. It added, "His house has been vandalised." The tribunal obliged and adjourned the case to 20 May. The crowd, which had blocked the entrance of the courtroom, jeered and hooted at the accused while others shouted, "even if you turn into a bird we will kill you."
Beckley was first arraigned on 15 April and has since been on remand. The Prosecution had earlier told the tribunal that on 12 April, Beckley, who was driving along the Gbawe-Mallam Road in Accra, saw a young girl selling vegetables. The accused pulled his car near the girl and asked her to join him in the car to his house so that he could purchase some of the vegetables.
At Beckley's house, he tied the girl to a tree overnight without water and food, until his stepfather was informed and he raised the alarm. Dr Beckley was arrested on the night of Saturday, 13 April after Police received a complaint from a parent that her daughter was allegedly abducted by the accused on Friday evening. An angry mob set ablaze his residence and property running into millions of cedis at New Gbawe in Accra.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 07 May 2002 - The Ministry of Health has earmarked the year 2005 for nation-wide sale and consumption of iodated salt, Mr Winfred Wunu, Western Region Nutrition Officer of the Ministry, told the GNA in an interview on Monday.
He said by 2005 only iodated salt would be available on the market. ''The initial target was the year 2000 but this could not be realised because many small-scale salt producers did not have the equipment to produce iodated salt''.
Further, iodated salt was not available in the rural communities, Mr Wunu said, adding that a survey carried out in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis showed that 90 per cent of the population was aware of iodated salt but only 30 per cent were using it because they considered it expensive.
He said the Ministry of Health was considering the formation of iodated salt committees throughout the country to advocate the use and sale of iodated salt. Small-scale producers of iodated salt were also being encouraged to sell their produce in the rural areas, he said.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 07 May 2002 - People who use untreated cow milk stand the risk of contracting tuberculosis of the intestine, Mr Edwin Kumbatazie, Western Region Health Education Officer, said on Monday.
The GNA reports Mr Kumbatazie as saying in an interview that tuberculosis attacks the lungs, bones, skin and other organs. ''It is for this reason that it is necessary for people, who cough continuously for three weeks, cough blood, loose appetite and have chest pains and night sweat have to go to hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment'', he said.
Mr Kumbatazie asked the public to protect themselves against the disease by eating enough healthy foods, sleeping in well ventilated rooms with enough sunlight and keeping the environment clean.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 07 May 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Nigeria on the tragic air crash in Kano last Saturday that killed 148 people. A Foreign Ministry statement said the President was particularly saddened by the untimely death of Mr Ishaya Mark Aku, Nigerian Minister of Sports and Social Development.
President Kufuor on behalf of the government and people of Ghana extended his heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the bereaved families. He expressed the hope that the Good Lord would grant Nigeria strength and fortitude to overcome the anguish and pain that this unfortunate tragedy had caused.
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