Africa must stop blaming colonialism for its troubles - Kyeremanteng
Politics is not a dirty game - Bishop Bemile
31st December Women celebrate anniversary in Bolga
Ghana supports US efforts to fight terrorism - Kufuor
Group to hold solidarity march in support of Palestinians
One hundred and fifty-seven candidates contest 49 seats in Agona District
COCOBOD to revamp roads in cocoa growing areas
Timber association urges support for re-forestation programme
Kufuor urges professionals to recognize their leadership roles
Forty-five JSS students pregnant in Adansi East District
College of Health Sciences will produce quality health professionals - Provost
Secretary General salutes Africa
Ghana marks OAU with flag-raising activities
Africa must stop blaming colonialism for
its troubles - Kyeremanteng
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002 - Mr. Alan Kyeremanten, Ghana's Ambassador to the United States has said the time had far passed for Africa to rescue itself from its many troubles and stop blaming colonialism and its agents. According to a statement issued on Friday, Mr. Kyeremanten said this in an interview in Washington DC to celebrate African Liberation Day, which falls on 25 May on World Net's Africa Journal TV programme.
"Colonialism did happen and Africans cannot forget as well as the effects the Cold War had on them as an emerging post-colonial state and also the military interventions and counter-coups but it is time to focus on current problems" he said.
Mr. Kyeremanten said over 300 billion dollars of aid money given to African countries for development purposes by multinational and bilateral institutions are secretly being kept in European Banks for some leaders. "Colonialism still gets blame forty years after most African countries became independent, he added.
Mr. Kyeremanten argued that in the new spirit that may be created from the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Africa would have no choice but to consolidate and unite with a strong political will to achieve its aims. NEPAD, he said, was still at its consolidating stage and that a continent that has a debt excess of 500 billion dollars and uses over 40 per cent of its foreign revenue earnings to service its debts has a real problem.
Mr. Kyeremanten also made it known that Africa would need to acquaint itself to the Asian experience in terms of market accessibility as one of the important ways of development.
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Wa (Upper West) 25 May 2002- The Most Reverend Paul Bemile, Catholic Bishop of Wa has observed that most people in society consider politics as a dirty game because few privileged persons who indulge in it manipulate and twist the rules to their selfish and individual advantage. "Such manipulations make politics look like a "do and die issue with the winner taking all and the loser losing all," he added.
Bishop Bemile made the observation at Wa on Friday when he addressed a one-day seminar organised by the Church for about 50 Catholic candidates who would take part in the forthcoming district level elections. He noted that many people had become accustomed to the negative aspects of politics than its positive sides, which assist in bring about peace and development.
The Bishop said: "I do not blame such people because all they know about politics is their memory of election riggings, false promises, embezzlement of public funds and institutional robberies." Bishop Bemile called on Christians who were with abreast political development to educate the ignorant ones on the need to take up responsible positions to help in bringing peace, justice and development.
He said politics could be perceived as significant if honest people took over the political mantle. "God has created humans social by nature and society cannot hold together unless someone is in command to give effective direction and unity of purpose."
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr. Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister urged Christian leaders not to limit themselves to only evangelism but also to ensure that their flocks participate in political activities to give meaning to democracy. He noted that the Catholic Church had contributed to national development and its involvement in politics could further assist in enhancing democracy and good governance. The seminar sponsored by the Konrad Adenaeur Foundation (KAF) would among other things educate the people on their rights, responsibilities and lobbying.
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Goaso (Brong Ahafo region) 25 May 2002, - One hundred and fifty-six candidates have filed their nominations to contest for the 48 electoral seats in the forthcoming district level elections in the Asunafo District of the Brong Ahafo Region. Out of the number, 141 are males whilst the remaining 15 are female contestants.
Mr Manu Sakyi, Asunafo District Electoral Officer told the Ghana News Agency that by the end of the nomination period, only the Asarekrom seat was declared unopposed since only one candidate is contesting the seat. He stated that as many as eight candidates are vying for the Asafo electoral seat at Akrodie, near Goaso.Mr Sakyi said that the oldest candidate in the district is 66 years old whilst the youngest is 24.
The electoral officer said most of the candidates are farmers, followed by teachers and the rest with other professional backgrounds. Mr. Sakyi reminded the candidates of the non-partisan nature of the district level elections and thus their electioneering campaigns should be devoid of partisan approach. He warned political parties to distant themselves from the candidates since those who would be caught doing so would face the full rigours of the law.
Mr. Sakyi expressed dissatisfaction with few female contestants in the district and wondered whether the numerous campaigns to sensitise women to be politically active had not achieved the required results. He advised the candidates not to consider their opponents as enemies since they were all fighting towards the goal of developing their respective electoral areas.
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31st December Women celebrate anniversary
in Bolga
Bolgatanga (Upper East Region) 25 May 2002 - The Upper East Regional branch of the 31st December Women Movement, on Friday organised a symposium to mark the 20th anniversary of the movement.
The Regional Organiser of the Movement, Mrs Elizabeth Koob called on the members to rally behind female contestants in the forthcoming district level elections since women have the potential and political zeal to make positive contribution to their communities. She said this, could only be possible if women exposed their ability by actively engaging in politics.
Mrs Koob debunked allegations that the movement was dead because it was affiliated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and said, "31st has come to stay, we are still alive and intact, so there is no fear". She said the movement had played a significant role in communities and brought relief to rural people through the provision of portable water, social centres and day care centres.
Mrs Koob said that the movement had trained several traditional birth attendants and women to take up leadership roles through non-formal education classes. Speaking on the topics "breast feeding and HIV/AIDS," Ms Olivia Achiluba, a nurse at the Bolgatanga North sub-district health administration, said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of birth built certain resistance within the baby's body against diseases.
She encouraged them to breast feed their babies to reduce the risk and expenses in buying drugs, which she added, were expensive. The nurse noted that HIV/AIDS was spreading very fast especially among the youth, and urged the women to advise their children to reduce the risk of infection.
She demonstrated the use of the male and female condoms to the participants.
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Ghana supports US efforts to fight
terrorism - Kufuor
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002 - President John Kufuor on Friday, reaffirmed Ghana's support to the US in the fight against terrorism. "Ghana stands firmly by the US in all its efforts to resist terrorism", he told Miss Nancy Powell, US Ambassador in Ghana when she paid a farewell call on him at the Castle, Osu.
Miss Powell, who assumed office in September last year, leaves Accra on Sunday for re-posting to Pakistan. President Kufuor said Miss Powell's short stay chalked a remarkable improvement in Ghana-Us relations and hoped her successor would continue with the cordial relations.
"Your duty made a positive impact on our relations to the extend that your departure at such a short notice is a shock not only to the government but Ghanaians who should have honoured you for your immense contribution to our socio-economic development", he added. President Kufuor urged Ambassador Powell to be an advocate for Ghana in the US and at her new post.
Miss Powell expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana for the teamwork that enabled her to deal with a variety of issues including the establishment of democracy and stability in the country. She commended Ghana for her support for the US during the 11 September terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon
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Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002- The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and other social and faith organisations would on 28 May organise a public march through Accra's principal streets in support of the Palestinian People.
The march will start from in front of Barnett's, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, at 0800 hours and culminate in a rally outside the Accra Sports Stadium. The social and faith organisations comprise both Muslims and Christians. A statement signed on Friday for Mr Yao Graham, the convenor of the PSC, said the march and rally would be the latest in a series of activities initiated by the campaign, a secular non-sectarian organisation, and its allies in support of the 10-point platform of demands in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The 10-point platform, which was issued by PSC on 30 April, included heightening the right of the Palestinian people to statehood and self-determination and drawing attention to the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. The statement also mentioned the killing of hundreds of Palestinians and extensive destruction of the Palestinian property and institutions and called for an unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory.
It said although Israel has scaled down its aggression against the Palestinian people and their territory, its occupation of Palestinian lands continues. "Many of the large numbers of persons taken prisoner by the Israeli during the last military offensive are being held in harsh conditions and some are being tortured."
It said Palestinian Legislative Council member, Marwan Barghouti, who was arrested on 13 April in Ramallah was being held in solitary confinement, subjected to sleep deprivation and position abuse, where his legs and hands were shackled to a small chair, and angled to a slant chair in order for him to sit in a stable position.
The statement said the Israeli aggression and destruction of Palestinian areas had resulted in a drastic drop in the living conditions of Palestinians adding that half of them were now living on 50 per cent of their income.
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One hundred and fifty-seven candidates
contest 49 seats in Agona District
Agona Swedru (Central Region) 25 May 2002 - One hundred and fifty-seven candidates have filed their nomination papers to contest for the 49 seats of the Agona District in forthcoming District Assemblies Elections. Mr Serebour Quaicoe, Agona District Electoral Officer, told GNA in an interview that out of the number only eight were women.
He said three candidates have withdrawn due to family pressure and other related issues. Mr Quaicoe said among the candidates were a doctor in economics, two Maters degree holders and 10 first-degree holders. He said some communities selected their candidates that they were financing to prevent them from relying on political parties.
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Goaso (Brong Ahafo Region) 25 May 2002 - The COCOBOD has given 89 billion cedis to the Department of Feeder Roads to rehabilitate some major roads in cocoa growing areas this year. The rehabilitation is to make it easy for cocoa to be evacuated from the hinterland to processing centres and to the ports for shipment.
Mr. Benjamin Osei-Kufuor, Member of Parliament for Asunafo North, said this at a forum dubbed "peoples assembly," which the Asunafo District Assembly organised to render accounts of its stewardship to the people at Goaso. He said enough measures had been adopted to ensure that this year's mass spraying exercise was more successful, adding that all inputs had been sent to the cocoa areas.
Mr. Osei-Kufuor stated that efforts were also underway to secure funds to tar the Nobeko-Sankore-Boako road. Mr. George Yaw Boakye, Asunafo District Chief Executive, said the assembly used its internally generated fund of 204.3 million cedis last year to support electrification, roads, health and school projects in various parts of the district.
He said more than 2.6 billion cedis of the District Assembly Common Fund was spent on 23 old and new projects. The assembly was constructing a market each at Goaso, Sakore, Kukuom and Gondaase, while 23 boreholes and 48 kilometres of farm roads had been approved under the Village Infrastructure Project, the DCE said.
Mr. Boakye said the Community Water and Sanitation Project had also approved 30 boreholes for construction under phase two of its programme while the European Union Small Town Water Project had also been completed at the cost of 1.2 billion cedis. Mr. Boakye said the assembly was sponsoring 60 students in various teacher Training colleges and would be bonded to teach in the rural areas.
He said an education endowment fund, which was launched in January this year had yielded over 150 million cedis and called on parents to apply to enable their wards to benefit. During an open forum, participants called on the assembly to work hard to ensure that the area was provided with telephone services by the end of the year.
Some of them also expressed displeasure about the way last year's mass cocoa spraying exercise was conducted in the district and urged the government to ensure that all the bottlenecks were cleared to ensure the success of the exercise this year.
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Timber association urges support for
re-forestation programme
Takoradi (Western Region) 25 May 2002- The Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana Timber Association (GTA), Mr Alex Dadzie has called on individuals and organisations to embrace government's efforts to restock the country's depleted forest through massive tree planting.
Making the call at a quarterly general meeting of the branch association at Takoradi on Thursday, Mr Dadzie said the country's natural forest cover had drastically reduced from 8.3 million hectares at the beginning of last century, to the present level of less than 1.7 million hectares. He said to restore the degraded forest areas, the government had made it a policy to support private sector tree-planting programme to increase production of industrial timber to supplement timber from the wild.
Mr Dadzie said to complement the government's efforts the GTA had embarked on a massive reforestation of the depleted Bomfum Forest Reserve near Agogo in the Ashanti Region, which was destroyed by bushfire. The project is solely funded with a two per cent contribution on the value of logs sold by members to timber processors.
Mr Dadzie expressed regret that most processors, especially the foreign managed companies, were withholding their contributions and using them as provisional capital for expansion of their businesses, saying this attitude had undermined the efforts of the GTA in its reforestation project.
He warned timber processors, who benefited from the purchase of logs from timber producers and were refusing to pay the right amount due to the GTA, that legal action was being prepared against them since it was an offence to withhold the association's two per cent contribution.
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Kufuor urges professionals to recognize
their leadership roles
Accra (Greater Accra) President John Kufuor on Saturday urged Ghanaian professionals to recognise and accept their leadership roles in the nation's efforts at social and economic transformation. He said though this contribution could not be quantified financially professionals should make sacrifices towards national development.
The President said: "This however does not mean you and your families are being denied the comfortable and decent living befitting your status in society." He was addressing the first congregation of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra.
Degrees and diplomas were conferred on 190 graduands at the first congregation of the College, which is made up of the University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana Dental School, School of Public Health, School of Allied Health Services, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Department of Nursing.
The University Council on 11 December 1999 gave assent to the establishment of the College as an umbrella outfit for all health related institutions of the University of Ghana, Legon. Dr Ransford Sampong Brenya, who had eight prizes in various areas of discipline and was adjudged the overall best student, was given a standing ovation for his academic performance.
President Kufuor said no nation had ever relied solely on foreigners for development and mentioned that the country required the skills and dynamism of the professionals to transform the economy to make the country worth living in. He gave the assurance that government would be responsive to the ideas and constructive criticism of professionals.
President Kufuor said government was determined to ensure that the country realised its potential in socio-economic development and noted that the evidence had begun to show adding, " it is only a matter of patience." He said his appeal for a debate on meaningful wages and prices should be the collective responsibility of all and sundry and that no one should seek to hold the people to ransom.
"There is the need to preserve a sense of balance and cohesion in the society," he added. President Kufuor reminded the new doctors of their Hippocratic oath, which enjoin them to a more or less selfless service for the betterment of humanity.
He called on the authorities of the College to take advantage of the good relations between the University and the University of Nippon in Japan to collaborate in research, graduate studies and staff development. President Kufuor noted that improved facilities for research work and post-graduate studies would encourage doctors to stay and work in the country.
He said the collaboration between Ghana and the Bill Gates Foundation to establish the Gates Malaria Project for the treatment and prevention of malaria, would provide more scope for researchers and public health workers to develop their skills in combating the disease, which was still the number one killer in the country.
Dr Albert A. Owusu, Chairman of the College Council said the establishment of the Ghana Educational Trust Fund (GETFund) had brought some relief to tertiary institutions but added that the fund was yet to meet their major needs. He mentioned the maintenance of existing structures, provision of new equipment for teaching and research and major expansion of infrastructure.
Dr Owusu appealed to government to continue investing in tertiary education as a top priority and to assist students financially to enable them complete their education and urged it to consider signing performance contracts with the universities because the strategic plan launched by the University recently indicated their readiness to sign such a contract.
He said the primary responsibility of the universities were to produce quality manpower for the country, and called on government to ensure that graduates stay back to contribute to national development. Dr Owusu appealed to government to consider the suggestion made by Professor Adjei Bekoe, former Vice Chancellor of the university of Ghana, Legon, that nations benefiting from the country's professionals should be made to pay something to the country.
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Forty-five JSS students pregnant in Adansi
East District
New Edubiase (Ashanti Region) 25May2002-Forty-five final year students of junior secondary schools in Adansi East District were pregnant as at the time of the 2001 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Mr D.A.K. Yeboah, District Chief Executive, who announced this at the district's best teacher award day at the New Edubiase on Friday, said 25 students were pregnant during the same examination in the year 2000.
The DCE expressed dissatisfaction about the development and said this could escalate in subsequent years if concrete steps were not taken to stem the tide of sexual promiscuity among the youth. Mr Yeboah commended the award winners for their sacrifices and expressed the hope that the awards would go a long way to boost their morale.
Nana Assiama Guahyia Ababio, Edubiasehene advised teachers to work hard to improve upon education in the District and called for the strengthening of social controls, rules and norms to check the spate of indiscipline, especially in schools. He commended the District Assembly and the District
Director of Education, Mr Twumasi Amponsah for initiating the award day, adding, "It is my fervent hope that this ceremony will not be a nine-day wonder." Mr Amponsah commended individuals and organisations that donated items towards the awards ceremony and expressed optimism that the occasion would inspire teachers to improve their performance and self-image.
The Adansihene, Nana Ofori Agyemang II urged teachers to work assiduously to enhance teaching and learning and suggested that special incentives should be given to teachers posted to rural areas. In all 14 teachers including three headteachers and three non-teaching staff received Television Sets, Sewing Machines, Ghetto Blasters, Blenders, Electric Fans and Bicycles.
Two JSS students, Ampofo Adjei Kwabena and Esther Agbesi who scored aggregate six and nine respectively in the 2001 BECE were also honoured with suitcases.
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College of Health Sciences will produce
quality health professionals - Provost
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002- The establishment of the College of Health Sciences by the University of Ghana was aimed at building a strong team of health professionals and academics that would produce quality manpower for health care and research into health problems.
It would also foster teamwork among doctors, dental surgeons, nurses, public health workers and other health professionals such as physiotherapists, radiographers, dieticians and laboratory scientists. This was announced by Reverend Professor Andrews Seth Ayettey, Provost of the College at its first congregation held the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra on Saturday.
Degrees and diplomas were conferred on 190 graduands of the College, which is made up of the University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana Dental School,
School of Public Health, School of Allied Health Services, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Department of Nursing.
The University Council on 11 December 1999 gave assent to the establishment of the College as the umbrella for all health related institutions of the University. Dr Ransford Sampong Brenya, who had eight prizes in various categories and adjudged the overall best student, was given a standing ovation for his academic performance.
Rev. Prof. Ayettey said the College was expected to become a major institution that could make Ghana truly independent in the area of health care. He called for the merging of other related faculties in the University into Colleges as part of its decentralisation programme to achieve better academic results, reduce cost and improve efficiency in management.
Reverend Professor Ayettey said the College would soon begin a five-year strategic plan with a defined vision; mission and a business plan to achieve defined objectives and targets. He said the focus of the College was to strengthen its academic and administrative base with quality and experienced teachers and researchers.
The Provost said there were plans to rebuild the Medical School beginning with the Biomedical Sciences and the cost of the first phase of the project was estimated at about 40 million dollars with a capacity for 400 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students a year.
He said the Gates Training Centre for treatment and prevention of malaria at the School of Public Health of the College estimated at about one million dollars would increase the capacity to produce public health workers to lead in promoting health and prevent diseases.
Rev. Prof. Ayettey said the College would confer a posthumous honour on the late Professor Charles Odamtten Easmon and also honour Dr Charles Mensa, Resident Director of VALCO and current Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Council for their contribution to development and growth of the various institutions of the College.
Professor Paul Kwame Nyame, Chairman of the Ghana Medical and Dental Council who administered the Hippocratic oath to the newly qualified medical doctors and dental surgeons, reminded them to be dedicated to duty.
He said refresher courses were being organised for practitioners to enhance their performance. Professor Nyame called for a review of the remuneration and conditions of service of doctors because "the country's health care delivery system is under siege."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002- Mr. Amara Essy, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on Saturday said there was no alternative to economic integration as a strategy for the promotion for sustainable socio-economic development in Africa.
He said it was only by closing ranks within the framework of the African Economic Community, within the African Union that Africa could avoid being further marginalisation. This was in a speech read by the acting Dean of the African Diplomatic corps, Mr Immanuel Amon Tanoe at a flag raising ceremony held in Accra to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the founding of the OAU.
Mr. Tanoe together with Mr. Owusu- Agyemang, Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the OAU and the Ghana flags with the sounding of both anthems to mark the day. 25 May would continue to be observed as "Africa Day" under the new Africa Union.
In recognition of the need to accelerate the integration of the economies of African countries and to enhance the socio-economic development of the continent, African leaders in July 2000 approved and adopted the Constitutive Act of the African Union to serve as the framework for the realisation of this objective.
Consequently the African Union came into effect on 25 May 2001 following the deposit of the instrument of ratification of the Constitutive Act by member states of OAU. With the entry into force of the Constitutive Act, the OAU is presently in a transitional phase within which member states are working towards the practical implementation of the operationalisation of the Union, particularly with regard to the establishment of its institutions and structures.
The occasion therefore, offers Africans the opportunity to soberly reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of the OAU, to serve as guideposts for our future endeavours and also to reaffirm our commitment to the economic upliftment of the continent and her people through the Africa Union.
Mr. Essy said the emerging African Union would provide the appropriate framework within which the necessary partnership between the governments, representatives of the peoples, economic operators and the civil society would be strengthened to promote the economic and social development of the continent. "The Union must also be a space within which the democratic aspirations of the African peoples must be promoted," The Secretary General of the OAU said.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May 2002- Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Foreign Affairs on Friday reiterated that Ghana was committed to the principles and objectives of NEPAD because it believes that its implementation could bring benefits to the people of Africa.
At a flag -raising ceremony to commemorate the 39th anniversary celebration of African Day, Mr. Owusu-Agyemang said the implementation of NEPAD- the New Partnership for Africa's Development- would bring benefit to the totality of the people of Africa. "The NEPAD, contrary to some views, is an integral part of the African Union agenda which needs to be supported by all Africans, " he said.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang and the Acting Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Immanuel Amon Tanoe concurrently raised the Ghana and Organisation of African Union (OAU) Flags to commemorate the founding of the continental union, the OAU.
The OAU, established in 1963 has for nearly four decades been Africa's voice on the international stage and an advocate for progress and peace. Only 32 out of the current 54 member states had gain independence at the time the body was established. This year's commemoration is taking place at a time when African leaders have launched the African Union, a project of integration with potentials to provide the framework, tool and common purpose needed for the continent to achieve its goals.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang said NEPAD was taking a comprehensive look at Africa's socio-economic situation and would prescribe the appropriate remedies that would enable the continent to play a greater role in global economic and political affairs. "With sustained political will on the part of our leaders, Africans of all shades of opinion, individuals, civil society, and the business community will join hands and minds to make NEPAD a success," he said.
He also called on Africans, all over the world to use the day to remember the sacrifices and struggle of their forefathers, including Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and many others, who paved the way for freedom, dignity, solidarity and unity of the continent.
"It behoves us the present generation to re-dedicate ourselves to concertedly build on the foundation laid by our forefathers and work towards enhancing the living conditions and welfare of our people," Mr Owusu-Agyemang said.
The Foreign Minister called on all Africans to use the occasion to reflect on the continent's missed opportunity in the past millennium and make efforts to ensure that lessons learnt form the mistakes of the past served as guideposts through which the continent could identify and utilise new opportunities as they come.
He had earlier inspected a parade mounted by four officer and 66 men from the southern command of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Central band was also on parade.
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