Twenty-nine Ghanaians deported from Spain
Parts of Timber Market razed by fire
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-Twenty-nine Ghanaians who illegally entered Spain were on Tuesday evening deported to Accra.
The deportees, all males, whose ages ranged between 23 and 41 were accompanied by four Spanish immigration officers on board a Spanish chartered airline from Las Palmas, where they had been kept in detention camps for 45 days. On board the same aircraft were 90 Senegalese and 45 Nigerians who were also deported from Spain.
The deportees were being sent home at the expense of the Spanish government. Jose Garcia Santalla, Director of the Spanish Immigration, who led the escort team, said the deportees entered Spain through Morocco after travelling from Libya through the desert, where they crossed the straight of Gibraltar.
He said Spain had been experiencing an influx of illegal immigrants attempting to enter European Union Countries.
Razak Ibrahim 23, the youngest among the deportees who hails from Brong Ahafo told newsmen that he embarked on the journey to Spain from Burkina Faso. He said, he passed through Niger, entered Libya, stayed for two and half years before being picked up at the shores of Morocco in his bid to enter Spain.
Stephen Badu, 41, who is also from Brong Ahafo, said at the time of leaving, there were 23 Ghanaians, among other nationals, in Lanzarote Camp in Spain awaiting their fate.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Ghana launches study into good governance
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-A retired Justice of the Supreme Court on Tuesday said widespread media criticisms of corruption against the judiciary was a reflection of the country's state of affairs and asked the bench to appreciate it as an encouragement for change.
Speaking at the launch of a study to monitor progress towards good governance in Ghana, Mr Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe said the more people talked about corruption in the judiciary, the more they would create the awareness of the evil that needed to be crushed.
"That stand of the media is a trend, a new awakening in our society. It is a healthy sign,'' he said, adding that as the judiciary would complain about a shoddy piece of work in an article of merchandise, so too must they allow other people's denunciation or appreciation of their work.
Mr Justice Crabbe called for the recognition that not all members of the judiciary were bad eggs and that the honest ones must be encouraged.
"The recognition that the hands of the good ones need to be strengthened will in time haunt the conscience of those who have sought, in our so recent past, to tarnish the good name of the judiciary."
He was among six people representing civil society and organised groups who made presentations at the launch to kick-start the project to assess governance in Ghana.
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) organised the project.
Mr Justice Crabbe said he had no regret to have been a member of the judiciary that he described as a bulwark to safeguard the people's liberties and keep watch over the fundamental law.
He said there was hope for the future and called for a "positive approach" to the problems of the judiciary to turn the situation round.
"There is a psychological value in being positive. We have Justices who are convinced they will not be overcome... They are ready to learn, they are good enough to discard mere pride of opinion, follow truth wherever it leads, and acknowledge their errors."
Representatives from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), National Institutional Renewal Programme, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, National Commission for Civic Education and Ghana Integrity International also submitted their views calling for adequate resources and the right policies to enhance effective governance.
Findings of the project in Ghana and reports from 13 other countries will be inculcated in the production of the first African governance report to be launched in mid 2002, Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, CDD Executive Director, said.
He said the study seeks to address a political system that provides for effective transfer of power and periodic renewal of the leadership through representative and competitive multi-party system.
It would also harness greater transparency, predictability and accountability in political, oversight and regulatory decisions by government and public bodies, effective public sector management and adherence to the rule of law, among others.
Prof Gyimah-Boadi said the main instruments for the study would be two sets of questionnaires to be served to 120 national elites and a national sample of 1400 people.
Prof. Mathew Balogun, a representative of the ECA Development Management Division and Senior Official of the United Nations Development Programme, senior civil and public servants, as well as representatives of organised groups attended the launch, presided over by Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-The Economic Crime Bureau of the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said on Tuesday that they have asked authorities of the Bank of Ghana (BOG) to grant them permission to take finger prints from its staff at the Cedi House in their investigation of the theft of computer processors at the building.
Sources at the bureau told the Ghana News Agency that 26 computer processors were stolen, the second such incident in four months. In the first case, processors and hard drives were removed from computers at Cedi House.
The source said the police had taken finger impressions and when the fingerprints of workers were taken they would narrow down sources needed to be investigated.
It said the crime looked more of an "inside job" since louvre blades, which were removed, were carefully replaced by the culprits. The source said the computers were opened and the processors removed and then closed.
It said it was also strange for an ordinary thief to steal from specific floors, such as what happened on the fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth floors.
The management of the Bank of Ghana said on Monday that it had received with grave concern news about theft at Cedi House building of the Bank, the second this year.
It said in a statement issued by Mr James Odei, the Secretary, that a report it had received indicated that a number of computers were tampered with and the processors stolen from the offices of the BOG and the Agricultural Development Bank.
The statement said the theft occurred on October 30 and it had been reported to the Economic Crime Bureau of the Police, adding that investigations had started and some personnel of the Bank were assisting the police.
In the first theft case computer processors were stolen from the offices of the Banking Supervision Department. Police investigations have not yet been completed.
"Management is taking precautionary measures to prevent such incidents in future and appeals to the Police to expedite action on these cases in order to find the culprits, who will face the full rigours of the law when arrested."
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-The Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday announced November 27 as the date for election of the President and Vice President to the National House of Chiefs.
Mr Henry Okyne, Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Accra that the EC in consultation with the House of Chiefs had decided to hold the election at the Kumasi Secretariat of the house.
He said the commission had filed notice of nomination and election with the Local Government Bulletin in accordance with the chieftaincy elections rules.
Mr Okyne said in pursuance of the rules of the house, EC would receive nomination forms at the secretariats of the regional houses of chiefs on Thursday, November 15.
He explained that each candidate must be nominated on separate nomination forms, subscribed to by the signature or mark of two members of the National House of Chiefs as proposed and seconded.
The nomination must also be supported by another member of the house and endorsed with the consent of the nominee and delivered to the regional director of EC.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-The Agricultural Development Bank on Friday pledged the donation of a three-bedroom estate house for award to this year's National Best Farmer.
Mr Paul Koranteng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank who made the pledge, presented to Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Minister of State for Fisheries, a symbol of the prize, which was embossed on large card, at a ceremony in Accra.
Mr Koranteng said the house would be built at a location of the winner's own choice. He said the bank has been associated with the organisation of the National Farmers' Day since its inception in 1985 because of its concern for the development of agriculture and the promotion of the welfare of the country's farmers and fishermen.
He shared the concern of the government about the need to upgrade the prize to the farmers and fishermen and urged them to work harder because the development of agriculture was paramount to the overall national development goals.
The ADB Board Chairman expressed the hope that the donation would help make the competition keener and motivate farmers and fishermen to increase production.
Mr Ashitey expressed appreciation to the bank and called on other corporate bodies to donate towards the farmers' day, which takes place next month.
He suggested that the house should be sited on the farm of the recipient as a morale booster and for other farmers to learn from the example of the winner.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-Nana Addo Dankwa, Omanhene of Akwapim Traditional Area, has been appointed Chairman of the nine-member board of directors of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company Limited (BOST).
A statement signed by Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Deputy Government Spokesman, named the members as Nana Baffour Appiah Dankwah, a businessman, Ms Christina Aboaraah, a businesswoman and Mr E.D. Mahami, a legal practitioner.
The others are Mr Kwabena Fosuhene Asante, a quantity surveyor, Mr Seth Ahyia, a businessman, Mrs Naomi Agram, a chartered accountant, Mr Joe Addo-Yobo, Managing Director of BOST and a representative of the Ministry of Energy.
The president made the appointments in consultation with the Council of State, the statement said.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Mabang (Ashanti Region) 07 November 2001-One of the major goals of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration was to reverse the social and economic decline inherited from the previous government, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy said on Monday.
"The supply of affordable, reliable and equitable distribution of all forms of energy will, therefore, play a very vital role in achieving our goals and objectives as a government."
Mr Kan-Dapaah was speaking at the commissioning of two electrification projects at the cost of five billion cedis at separate ceremonies at Mabang, in the Ahafo Ano North District of Ashanti Region and Dadiesoaba, in the Asutifi District of Brong Ahafo Region.
He said the two projects were in line with the government's policy of continuity in the national electrification programme commenced in 1989, by the NDC government to extend electricity to all parts of the country by the year 2020.
Under the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP), the community provided the low-tension poles, while the Volta River Authority (VRA) or the government took care of the high tension ones, transformers and meters.
The Mabang project, which cost 1.6 billion cedis, would also serve the people of Akwasiase and surrounding areas, while the people of Mehame, Ntotronso and Gyedu would also enjoy the 3.4 billion cedis Dadiesoaba project.
Mr Kan- Dapaah noted at Mabang that, "even though the NDC government did much work in hooking a lot or rural communities to the national grid, we have realized that the major objectives of the rural electrification programme have not been achieved''.
The NDC government spent huge sums of money through grants and loans on the programme, but very little benefits have been realised because of lack of foresight among implementers of the programme, he said.
The Energy Minister emphasised that the only way to make rural electrification economically viable and sustainable, "is to ensure that we embarked on a comprehensive productive use of electricity in all new and old rural electrification projects.
"This is why we need to establish cottage industries that would use the electricity productively to create employment and generate wealth for our rural folks, to enable them to pay their electricity bills."
Mr Kan-Dapaah said about 650 rural communities throughout the country were to benefit from the on-going SHEP-Three programme, adding that the SHEP -Four would commence by the middle of next year.
More than 2,000 communities, in all the 10 regions would be connected to the national grid under the SHEP-Four programme. At Dadiesoaba, Mr Kan-Dapaah emphasised the need for the people to unite and not to let party politics to divide them.
Mr E. Akubour Debrah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister advised the communities to stop bush burning in their areas especially during this Harmattan season.
He appealed to the people to contribute meaningfully to the education of their children so that the government's effort to improve the standards of education in the country would achieve the desired results.
On health, the Regional Minister said the government was working out plans to replace the cash-and-carry system operating in hospitals and clinics with a national health insurance scheme and urged all to embrace the concept.
He advised married people to remain faithful to their partners and the youth to avoid pre-marital sex to stem the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
With the Minister were, Mr Kwame Owusu Frimpong, MP for Ahafo Ano North and Mrs Cecilia Awoah, MP for Asutifi.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-The Volta River Authority (VRA) says its current annual capacity of 4,100 giga-watts at the Takoradi Thermal Station is adequate to supplement generation of power from hydro sources to meet the nation's full demand. The production cost of 350 cedis per unit is, however, more expensive than the production of hydro at 182 cedis per unit.
Sources at the Authority told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and United Parcel Service (UPS) on Tuesday that the generation of thermal power of 3,600 giga-watts would require over six million barrels of fuel valued at about 185 million dollars. Monthly requirements are 21 cargoes of 300,000 barrels per cargo where one cargo costs nine million dollars for every two and a half weeks.
"Fuel requirements for thermal generation for next year for instance is estimated at 6.2 million barrels, assuming the international crude oil price stays at 30 dollars per barrel over the period."
It said the higher proportion of thermal production together with other generation and transmission costs, translates into an average supply cost of over 7.0 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is based on the assumption of 500 cedis per unit based on 7,300 cedis to the dollar.
"This disparity between the average cost and the tariff paid poses a significant challenge to the nation and the authority," a document on the current energy supply situation said.
"Firstly, the large difference between the average cost of generation and the approved bulk supply tariff (BST) price that is paid will have to be bridged one way or another."
Secondly, 185 million dollars would be needed to purchase fuel for the thermal plant. It said as demand for electricity grew, the extra electricity requirement would have to be met by thermal generation as the existing hydro resources alone could not meet the demand.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 07 November 2001-Fire on Sunday razed parts of the Timber Market complex, near the Kokomba Market in Accra, causing extensive damage to property.
About 60 shops were burned and thugs took advantage of the fire to loot goods, Mr Benjamin Afful, a shop owner told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.
"Over a thousand workers at the market are now jobless", he said. Mr Afful said his shop watchman informed him that the fire started at about 2330 hours on Sunday and aided by the wind, it swept rapidly through the shops.
Mr Agyeman Boateng, another shop-owner, who accompanied Mr Afful to the offices of the GNA, said he has personally lost property worth 300 million cedis. When the GNA visited the Timber Market on Tuesday, the fire was still smouldering in several areas.
Richard Adzati, another shop owner, said those who claimed to have come to help them "rather broke into our rooms and took our items away." He said when they called the Fire Service it took them about 45 minutes to get to scene.
Mr Edward Narh, Metro Fire Officer, said investigations into the fire were still on. He said it took firemen about seven hours to bring the fire under control and they had to return to the site to quench new fires. Meanwhile, the James Town Police said they have also started investigations into the cause of the fire.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Daniel Asare Nyampon who is the District Police Commander, told the GNA that although the Police had invited the victims to report their losses and give statements for police assessment no one had so far reported.
Mr Nyampon said preliminary investigation showed that the fire tender did not get easy access get to the fire. The shop owners have appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation for assistance.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com