"Take your destiny in your hands"-
Dutch Ministers tells African Leaders
Sinking vessels pose environmental hazards
at port
Registration of unemployed ends
Ghana Airways pilot pass withdrawn
Soldiers asked to improve relations with
civilians
NDC Members urged to unite for 2004 Victory
US assistance for third world to be diverted
to terrorist war - PV
District Assemblies called upon to review
tariffs on tourism facilities
"Take your destiny in your
hands"- Dutch Ministers tells African Leaders
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001- The Dutch Minister of Development and Cooperation on Thursday advised African countries to carve their own economic destiny by developing "home grown" policies and institutional capacity building instead of adopting proposals prescribed by multilateral donors.
Speaking at a roundtable with representatives of civil society and policy makers in Accra, Ms Eveline Herfkens said although donor-prescribed proposals generally aim at improving the economy, they tend not to be conducive for the peculiar environment of the people.
"You should not wait to adopt structural adjustment conditionality imposed by these donors on you. Tell them to shut up and take a back seat while you take the initiative", said Ms Herfkens who arrived on Friday ahead of a visit by a Dutch government delegation led by the Prime Minister.
The Dutch Minister admitted that the manner in which international donors provided tied-aids to developing economies, particularly in Africa was nothing but an imposition.
"Technical assistance in the past was a tremendous waste of resources which in any case, did not make the intended impact on the beneficiaries", she said.
The roundtable, organized by the Netherlands Embassy at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) provided the platform for the discussants to do a critique on the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) which most people feared might be another structural adjustment programme from multilateral agencies after similar ones in the past had failed to meet the expectations of the people.
These included the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, which has debt cancellation as its main thrust with poverty reduction as the end product.
Members of the Executive, diplomats, civil and public servants as well as operators in the private sector took part in the discussions.
Ms Herfkens said it should be possible for implementers of the HIPC proposals to make adjustments to suit their peculiar circumstances and not just swallow the concept in its entirety.
"HIPC is useless if the concerns of the people are not effectively addressed", she said likewise, the poverty reduction strategy policy "is not cast in stones".
Ms Herfkens said there was new opportunity open for developing countries like Africa to determine the priority areas for donor assistance and called for regular consultation among key players on the continent to enable them present a common voice in directing assistance towards effective poverty reduction.
She further tasked the authorities not to only focus on education and health needs of the people but also work towards boosting trade and employment opportunities.
The forum was unanimous that civil society needed to be strengthened as key players in formulation of good policies and vibrant democracy.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Cooperation said the government would hold an open session to show to stakeholders the status of the GPRS document.
He said the Vision 2020 policy document introduced by the past government failed to achieve its targets because of institutional constraints such as valid database on which progress of the economy could be evaluated.
Besides, no networking system existed among related players such as the National Development Planning Commission, Statistical Service and the Ministry of Finance although loans were obtained for strengthening their capacities.
He said Parliament, as the elected institution to facilitate the success of the economy should also be resourced with effective research analysts in addition to computers.
The Minister said government was working integrating scattered credit facilities with individual donors for utilisation for the GPRS. Henceforth, government would only accept assistance from donors only if they agreed to fund priorities as outlined by the people and not the donors.
He called for public inputs into the document in order to make it efficient. Some participants however, cautioned the authorities not to see such poverty reduction documents, as final means to an end but rather, it should serve only as a guide in policy-making.
They blamed leaders on the continent for not doing their own thinking and solving their own problems. Others also called for mutual transparency between donors and beneficiary countries.
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Sinking vessels pose environmental hazards
at port
Tema (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001- The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport on Wednesday expressed concern about environmental hazards and economic loss to the state caused by dumping of vessels at the Tema Port.
The vessels, some of them beached, not only create environmental problems along the coast but also pose danger to the fishing harbour because some of the owners have turned the place into their "home port".
Mr Solomon Kwabena Sarfoh, Chairman of the committee led members on a tour to familiarise themselves with the operations of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) at Tema.
The team was conducted round the main harbour and the fishing harbour and held discussions with management, staff and union executives.
Mr Sarfoh expressed satisfaction with the general performance of the management and said the committee would assist GPHA to get the necessary legislative support to solve its problems.
Mr Nestor P. Galley, Acting Director-General said the GPHA was transforming from a service port system into a land port management system to make it a port owner, manager and regulator instead of its current role as a port operator.
He said this policy was being implemented through increasing private sector participation in port operations and development of facilities by licensing of additional private stevedoring companies to handle cargo.
Mr Galley said dredging of the access channel had started alongside berths one and two as well as relocation of transit sheds to pave the way for the development of container terminals.
He said due to the limited quayside cranes port operations were completely dependent on ship cranes/derricks, that limit productivity.
Mr Galley said although Act 504 declared the ports as free ports, they were still operated as customs ports and until the x-ray scanner was installed, virtually all containers were opened and their contents un-stuffed for inspection and examination.
He said port traffic comprised 85 per cent imports, making it vulnerable to shocks in the national economy while tariffs for services were inadequate to cover costs.
Mr Anthony Jim-Fugar, Fishing Harbour Manager, said some of the fishing vessels had been grounded since 1987, hampering the income generation capacity of the harbour, adding that, as at last June vessels owed about six billion cedis.
He said a survey showed that out of the 28 vessels in the dock, 15 had been deemed unserviceable and it was difficult to recover debts owed by the owners.
He said GPHA was restrained by law from removing abandoned vessels from the port to save the fishing industry. Dr Ato Quarshie, MP for Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem, wondered why the government should continue to incur expenses on un-operative vessels at the ports. He said the law should be made to work and to be clear as to when to dispose of a vessel and for the owners to pay penalties.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, MP Wenchi West, Mr Emmanuel Zumakpeh, MP Nadowli South, Mr Stephen Adoma-Yeboah, MP Dormaa East and Mr Albert Abongo, MP Bongo called for stringent measures to improve the transit and trans-shipment of goods and services to the land-locked countries in the sub-region.
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Mrs. Kufuor hosts spouses of heads of
diplomatic missions
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001- First Lady Theresa Kufuor on Thursday received members of the Association of Spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations at the Castle, Osu.
Mrs. Kufuor, at the meeting, attended by Hajia Ramatu Aliu, wife of the Vice President, expressed the hope that their gathering would foster closer partnership and understanding among them. "This is an opportunity for me to know you and I hope we would interact more often for our mutual benefit."
Mrs. Ma Wenying, wife of the Chinese Ambassador, who led the delegation, appealed to Mrs. Kufuor to assist the association in its outreach programme to interact with Ghanaians and participate in cultural and social programmes to promote friendship.
"We intend to familiarise with the local community, establish relationships with society with the assistance of the First Lady," said Mrs. Wenying.
The association, she said, was established in 1996, to primarily promote unity and cultural appreciation among its members. The association presented gifts to the First Lady.
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Wa (Upper West) 23 November 2001- The Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested a 53 year-old driver for allegedly pouring acid on his wife's clothes at Fadama, a suburb of Wa.
Inspector Daniel Dorkpoh, Upper West Regional Police Public Relations Officer told the media that the suspect, Alhaji Yusif Imoro, a driver of P & W. Ghanem Limited, was arrested for sprinkling a substance suspected to be acid on his wife's clothes.
He said Madam Awulatu Abass, 45, the victim, told Police that though she and her husband lived together under one roof they had not been on talking terms for the past three years.
On November 11, she dried her washed on a line. She alleged that she later saw her husband sprinkling the substance on them.
Madam Abass said no sooner had he finished pouring the substance on the clothes than they started disintegrating. Imoro has denied charge.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001 - There is the need for a strong defence of Ghana's coastal areas since most of its vital assets are located on or near the coast, Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo kufuor said on Thursday.
He said the Akosombo Dam, Kotoka International Airport, the ports of Tema and Takoradi, and the capital, which were all situated on or near the coast as well as the road network, mineral deposits, mining establishments and rail network required special defence attention.
The Minister, who was speaking on the topic, "The Implications of Ghana's Defence Policy as Enshrined in the National Constitution", was addressing students of Course 23 of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra.
The students, all senior military officers, are made up t 24 Ghanaians, 13 Nigerians and one Rwanden. The lecture was aimed at developing a proper understanding of the process by which national defence policies are formulated, promulgated and implemented.
The lecture comes in the wake of the opinion by a section of the population that military matters are shrouded in secrecy and that in a democratic era, affairs of public institutions dependent on the national exchequer should be more openly discussed.
Dr Addo Kufuor said to enhance peace and security in the country, there was the need for Ghana to maintain cordial relations with its Francophone neighbours.
He stressed that although effective diplomacy and good neighbourliness lessen tensions and the possibility of conflicts, they could never be answers to potential threat.
The Minister noted that even in the absence of conflict, particularly in Africa, states with ample national resources like gold and diamonds, could act as magnets to attract rebels and bandits, whose sole aim was to plunder such resources.
The best antidote to such events, he said, should be a potent and disciplined armed forces and the promotion of friendly relations with neighbouring states through diplomatic channels, supplemented by the posting of military attaches as part of the country's defence strategy.
"Current indications suggest that our Francophone neighbours possess many modern weapons not available to the GAF. "The policy of government should be to take steps to upgrade and modernise the weapons available to our armed forces. Our aim should be to achieve parity with our neighbours in the field of modern weaponry."
Dr. Addo Kufuor said that as far as Ghana's defence considerations were concerned, it was not the language difference that is the problem, but rather the nature of defence arrangements left by France after their departure from the neighbouring countries.
He said in view of this, there was the need to work towards the formation of an African High Command under the direction of the OAU that could be deployed for peacekeeping operations in cases of armed conflict between two African countries.
This command, if effective, would not only help reduce the military expenditures of individual member countries, but could also help minimise intra-state conflicts and the numerous cross-border conflicts on the continent.
The Minister said with the world fast becoming a global village, it was important for Ghana to see itself as part of it, adding that whatever policy the country took - defence, economics or politics - should be taken with due cognizance of the wider global interest and aspirations.
Dr Addo Kufuor said Ghana's defence policy must take into account the necessary contingencies to address threats to national interest and the fact that upheavals on the international arena could affect such a policy.
The minister said defence policy objectives were also drawn from a country's foreign policy, which defines a country's attitude towards the international community and how it wanted to relate to the world community.
He said the country's domestic policy was an essential aspect of defence, which should shape the outcome of a credible defence posture, adding that given the priority accorded Ghana's national interest and ideals, its defence policy must provide the necessary security to protect its interest at all times.
The formulation of a defence policy involves interaction with political structures, foreign policy, economic capacity and the social environment of the people. In Ghana, the Ministry of Defence is mandated to formulate defence policies for approval by government on matters affecting the GAF, as well as their implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
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Takoradi (Western Region) 23 November 2001 - Over 2000 unemployed and underemployed persons have so far registered in the on-going National registration of the underemployed unemployed and in the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis.
They are made up of hawkers, drivers' mate, drivers, hairdressers, seamstresses, tailors, craftsmen, potters and shoeshine boys, Miss Olivia Opoku-Adomah, an economic planning officer at the regional administration and the co-ordinator of the registration exercise said in an interview at Sekondi on Thursday.
She explained that though the exercise ends on Thursday, there would be a "mopping up" to enable those in the long queues to register.
Miss Opoku-Adomah added that though the entire exercise was peaceful and orderly, four policemen were however sent to the Takoradi labour office and Sekondi sub-metropolitan registration centres to restore order and to control the crowd.
"This actually enabled us to register a large number of people who would have been neglected", she added. A visit to the Apremdo, Sekondi sub-metropolitan assembly and Takoradi centres still showed a long queue of anxious young men and women ready to register.
Kwesi Bonful, a 27-year-old truck pusher who spoke to the GNA at Apremdo appealed to government to extend the exercise for another week to enable others to benefit from any future employment opportunity by registering.
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Ghana Airways pilot pass withdrawn
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001- The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Thursday withdrew the airport pass of Mr Talala Khalid, a pilot of Ghana Airways at the request of his employers.
The Director-General of GCAA, Mr Joe Boachie explained that Mr Khalid would not be allowed to enter the restricted areas of the Airport but since the airport is a public place, he would not be prevented from going there.
The Director-General said once his pass has been withdrawn, he would not be able to enter the terminal building and the tarmac, there was, therefore, no need for his pictures to be pasted at the airport.
Mr Boachie said his employers might have "compelling reasons for requesting for the withdrawal of Mr Khalib's pass and he has to comply.
He said the announcement and pictures of the pilot pasted at the entrance hall of the airport have been removed but did not comment on its removal.
Mr Khalid was suspended for allegedly making favourable comment in support of the terrorist attack on America and was quoted as saying that if Osama Bin Landen was eliminated there would be more Osama Bin Landen.
Meanwhile a source close to the GCAA said the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) of the United Sates (US) has requested all airlines world-wide which fly to the US to supply full list of all crew members as part of security measures taken in the wake of September 11 attack.
He said the request is a normal security procedure, which was introduced after the attack.
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Soldiers asked to improve relations with
civilians
Tamale (Northern Region) 23 November 2001- Lieutenant-General Seth Obeng, Chief of Defense Staff, on Thursday called on soldiers to co-exist with civil societies and other security agencies to move the country forward.
He said it is only when they improved relations with the public that people would begin to have confidence and trust in them as brothers and sisters.
Lt. Gen. Obeng was addressing men and women of the six Garrison units in Tamale to acquaint himself with problems facing them.
The Chief of Defence Staff was accompanied by Commanding Officer of the Northern command, Brigadier George Aryiku and Forces Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer James Cole.
Lt-Gen. Obeng asked the soldiers to be disciplined at all times and work hard to carve a new image and perception for the profession.
Warrant officer James Cole asked them to be wary of the HIV/AIDS and lead lives worthy of emulation. Ft-Gen. Obeng will pay a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister on Friday.
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NDC Members urged to unite for 2004 Victory
Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 23 November 2001- Mr Daniel Ohene-Agyekum, former Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs, has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members to forge ahead in love and unity to consolidate the re-organisation of the party for victory in 2004 general election.
Mr Ohene-Agyekum, who was addressing the Obuasi Constituency Delegates' Conference at Obuasi, said winning the 2004 elections was not going to be easy, therefore, members should avoid divisive tendencies and unite for a common goal.
"We have to work harder by embarking on vigorous campaign to let the masses know the truth from the lies", he said. "I have a sense that the truth will always stand", he emphasised. Mr Ohene-Agyekum, a leading member of the party, said there were physical evidence of the good works of the NDC and this would be there for posterity to judge.
He observed that, the focus of the ruling party to find faults with NDC would not in anyway affect the party as, "we are prepared to face the consequences when we are found guilty".
Mr Ohene-Agyekum told the Conference that all NDC members would vote for the NPP, if they were able abolish the cash and carry system, make education free and provide employment for the people as they promised during the electioneering campaign.
Madam Comfort Asamoah, member of the Ashanti Regional NDC Re-organisation Committee, asked members to explain the political history of the country to the youth, so that they would be able to draw a line between vain political promises and genuine concerns.
Mr Ibrahim Amadu, Vice-Chairman of the constituency re-organisation committee urged party followers to challenge the lies being perpetrated against the party.
He called for sacrifice and determination to push the party forward, stressing, "do not think of what the party can do for you, but what you can do for the party".
Other speakers were Nana Kwaku Appah and John Bonful, both executive members of the constituency branch.
The Conference elected new executives with Alhaji Abubakari Ocquaye, as chairman, Thomas Kwaah, Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Sannie, Organiser and Prince Agyei Badu, Youth Organiser. The rest were Victor Agbesi, treasurer, Victoria Sackey, Women's Organiser and Nana Sarpong Yentumi, propaganda secretary.
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US assistance for third world to be
diverted to terrorist war - PV
Tema (Greater Accra) 23 November 2001- Development assistance from US and other developed countries is expected to be diverted to finance the war against terrorism, Paul Victor Obeng, Former Presidential Adviser noted on Thursday in Tema.
Mr Obeng who was giving a lecture on: "11th September attack on the United States; Antecedents and Implications for Ghana and other Third World Countries", pointed out that this would affect both bi-lateral and multi-lateral aid which originate from the same pool.
The lecture was organised by the Tema Chapter of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Alumni Association as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration, was a prelude to a Fund Raising Dinner Dance on November 24.
He said investment capital would not flow since in times of insecurity and doubt, investors did not become active.
Mr Obeng explained that when security scare griped people in the developed world, it could curb consumption and slum production that could lead to recession, saying employment opportunities would be lost and the first to lose jobs would be African blacks.
It is estimated that Ghana receives about 400 million dollars in the form of remittances and this could be adversely affected. Mr Obeng noted that countries not committing to send forces or join the US alliance might be black listed and denied aid.
He said the attackers, who flew the planes entered US under students' visas and since this fact became known, control over the issue of students' visas could be tightened up, therefore, visitors with students visas might be purged and investigated.
General immigration controls might also be heightened in an attempt to weed out undesirables and in the process many illegal immigrants who were close to perfecting their stay might become victims.
Mr Kwame Sara-Mensah, National President of the association, who chaired the function, called on members to contribute to achieve the targets it had set within the next few years.
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District Assemblies called upon to review
tariffs on tourism facilities
Ho (Volta Region) 23 November 2001- Mr Hansen Ablordepey, Chairman of the Ghana Association of Tourism Officials (GATOFS) on Thursday called on district assemblies to review tariffs on hotels and other tourism facilities, to reflect the national plan of making the sector a major foreign exchange earner.
He said the assemblies had imposed too many taxes on hotel operators and cited property rates, hotel licences, wholesale, retail and operational tariffs.
Mr Ablordepey said this had resulted in hotel operators charging high fees for their services, which according to him was a disincentive to the development of tourism.
He was speaking at a meeting of operators of hospitality outfits in the Volta Region and executives of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) at Ho.
He said some hotels in the country charged as high as 350,000 cedis a day for the same facilities in other countries of the sub-region whose rates were three times lower.
Mr Ablordepey suggested that the law on the payment of bar operation fees, passed in 1939, should be abrogated because it undermined the development of tourism in the country.
He said most hotels were recording low returns because of the September 11 terrorist attack on the Word Trade Centre and the Pentagon in USA.
Mr Ablordepey said: " If the effects of that day continue, the country would receive no tourists especially if the hotels charge high fees."
Mr Edwin Owusu-Mensah, Executive Director in-charge of Operations at the GTB, said the meeting was to enable new management of the board to interact with hoteliers and to share their vision with participants.
Mr Owusu-Mensah called on the operators of hospitality industry to organise workshops for workers to ensure efficiency and advised the hoteliers to form trade associations to enable them qualify for credits under the Poverty Alleviation Fund.
Mr Owusu-Mensah announced that the GTB was consulting the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to facilitate incorporation of the district assemblies into the development of tourism.
He said district assemblies were expected to provide access roads to tourism destinations and provide tourism desks at their offices.
Mr Owusu-Mensah hinted that between January and March next year, the informal sector of the tourism industry, such as chop bars and drinking bars would be registered and licensed.
Mr Yaw Sarpong-Kumankuma, Manager of Research and Planning of GTB, urged tourism facility operators to keep records of their operations to enable them to negotiate with tax officials and obtain credits from the banks.
During an open forum, Mr Frank Kofigah, Volta Regional Director of GTB, said though the standards of hotels had improved in the region some operators were still using buildings with poor facilities.
He advised investors in the tourism industry to liaise with GTB for guidance before putting up structures so that their facilities could meet required standards and said unregistered hotels operating in the border towns would be identified and sanctioned.
He said the number of hotels in the region had shot up from 22 in 1995 to 70 this year, adding that the newly opened hotels were meeting the required standards.
Mr Ransford Tetteh, Regional Sales Representative of Ghana Breweries Limited, advised bar operators to check for expired dates on products supplied to them.
Concerns raised by participants included the cost of Value Added Tax (VAT) receipt books, which they said was being sold at 15,000 cedis per one and difficulty in getting credits.
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