GRi Newsreel 19 - 11 - 2002

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - President John Kufuor on Monday said government was committed to promote the private sector for Ghanaians and their partners to contribute effectively towards the country's national development efforts.

He expressed the hope that investors yearning to do business in the country would be good corporate citizens in the country's development.

President Kufuor said this when he unveiled a plaque to officially open the first Woolworths (Ghana) Retail Store in the country in Accra. The store jointly operated by Woolworths of South Africa and Handa Group of Companies has plans to open a second store within the Okaishie area of Accra, on Tuesday 19 November and two others in Tema and Kumasi, next year.

President Kufuor said the establishment of the store, the first within the West African Sub-Region, was an indication that the owners had confidence in the country's economy and future. "Choosing Ghana as the first place to operate indicates that you appreciate the fact that Ghana is the gateway to the Sub-Region. We see you as a true partner of Ghana," he added.

He said the Company would not only sell goods, but hopefully, venture into the manufacturing of garments under the President's Special Initiatives (PSI) in Garments and Textiles. President Kufuor urged the management of the Company to endeavour to invest in the processing, marketing and packaging of farm produce in the country.

Cobus Barnard, Head of Franchise of Woolworths South Africa said since the past two years the Company had invested about $10m in Ghana and expressed the hope to open another retail store in Nigeria next month. He said the Company had about 52 retail stores in 19 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Ish Handa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Handa Group of Companies said the company invested in Ghana because of the stability in the economy and the friendly environment. He pledged ¢101m to the Mother and Child Community Foundation, a Ghanaian NGO for its activities.

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Law should address casual labour problem - Kpoh

Sekondi (Western Region) 19 November 2002 - The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Napoleon Kpoh, on Monday said the new labour law should set out a time frame workers could be employed casually.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the ICU in the Western Region in Takoradi, he said the law should make it mandatory for employees to engage workers permanently after working for a certain period.

Kpoh said the TUC had entered into agreements with some companies to gradually convert casual workers into permanent workers. ICU had also started collecting data on casual labour and would draw up a strategy to confront the problem of casual labour. "Casual labour has become a tool for exploitation of labour," he said.

He urged workers to report employers who deduct their Social Security contributions but fail to pay them to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). He said SSNIT benefit for retired workers could increase if all organisations paid the government's minimum wage.

"Some employers do not pay the minimum wage and SSNIT does not have legal backing to ensure that employers pay contributions based on the minimum wage." He expressed the hope that the SSNIT law would be reviewed to authorise the Trust to ensure organisations paid contributions based on the minimum wage.

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Akufo-Addo leads Ghana to Commonwealth Conference

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice is leading a three-man Ghanaian delegation to the Triennial Commonwealth Law Ministers Conference in the West Indies.

Other members of the delegation were Mrs Amma Gaisie, Chief State Attorney and Acting Head of the International Law Division and Mrs Merley Wood, Principal State Attorney of the Prosecutions Division of the Ministry of Justice.

A statement issued in Accra on Monday by the Ministry said the delegation, which left Accra at the week-end to attend the conference at Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies would be away for a week.

It said the Conference would deliberate on matters relating to democracy and good governance within the Commonwealth, International terrorism and the legal response to technological developments such as e-commerce.

Other issues to be discussed were the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and the promotion of law as an instrument of economic development.

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Sam Jonah to be knighted by Britain

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - The Chief Executive of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC), Sam Jonah, is to be honoured with a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Head of the Commonwealth.

The insignia and warrant for the award will be presented to Mr Jonah at a special ceremony to be held soon, statement from the British High Commission in Accra said on Monday.

The statement said Jonah was chosen for the award for his exceptional achievements as an international public figure and outstanding African businessman. The award, Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, entitles Mr Jonah to attach the initials KBE after his name.

It said as a non-British national, however, the award is an honorary one. Other foreign nationals who have received honorary knighthoods in recent years include ex-Presidents George Bush (USA), Ronald Reagan (USA), Francois Mitterand (France), ex-Chancellor Helmut Kohl (Germany), Generals Norman Schwarzkopf (USA), and Colin Powell (currently US Secretary of State).

Others include Casper Weinberger (ex-US Secretary of State for Defence), Rudolf Giuliani (New York State Mayor), and Steven Spielberg (film director).

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Botchwey rounds up campaign in Volta

Ho (Volta Region) 19 November 2002 - Dr Kwesi Botchwey, a contender in the race for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential slot for the 2004 elections, has expressed reservations about publications in the bi-weekly "Ghana Palaver" and said the paper "seeks to scandalise and trivialise some issues related to my campaign."

Speaking to delegates of the party from the Volta Region at Ho on the last leg of his tour of the country, he alleged that the paper, in one of such publications, stated that some NPP parliamentarians were among the crowd that met him when he arrived back to Ghana from the US to begin his campaign.

Dr Botchwey said the Ghana Palaver even criticised his financial contribution to re-invigorate the party machinery at the time that "some of the offices did not have even envelopes."

Referring to computations of his expenditure on the party published by the paper, Dr Botchwey wondered why it was "pre-occupied with my arithmetic" when Professor Evans Atta Mills, his opponent was also "rightly too, spending".

He said his financial support for the party everywhere he went, had been open and did not contravene any law pledging that he would continue to do that if he had the means. Dr Botchwey said the publications did not bother him and that what mattered "is what I can do, what Professor Mills can do in the service of the Party."

He said people who were upset by the open nature of the campaign for the Presidential candidature of the Party had resorted to mudslinging even though they claimed they were democrats.

Answering questions at a press conference later, Dr Botchwey said as a Social Democrat, he did not subscribe to any political philosophy that did not support press pluralism and press freedom. He acknowledged that in the past his party did not nurture a relationship with the press "too well" and said that would change.

Dr Botchwey said the party structures had been dormant and should be activated to inspire confidence in supporters "many of who still had faith in it."

Regarding the NDC's support base in the Volta region, Dr Botchwey said the "World Bank" could not be reduced to a "Rural Bank" as the party's opponents would want to believe. "The welcome accorded me at Ho is a solid demonstration that the people still love the party."

Modestus Ahiable, NDC Volta Region Chairman, said speculations about the NPP making in-roads into the region as far as the NDC was concerned were not true and that it remained the "World Bank" of the party.

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NDC youth club cautions aspirants and activists

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Eddy Palmer, on Monday cautioned the two contestants of the flagbearership of the party to maintain a high level of civility in their attempt to woo delegates' vote.

"The rank and file of the party in particular and the nation as a whole is keenly following your electioneering campaign vis-à-vis your pledges to avoid personal attacks, but adopt civility, decorum and focusing on party and national issues," Mr Palmer stated at a press conference in Accra.

The conference, organised by the NDC Victory Youth Club of Kotobabi was to launch the Ayawaso Central Constituency branch of Prof John Evans Atta Mills Campaign Network (JEAMNET). The JEAMNET aims at canvassing support for Prof. Mills as well as ensure that a credible leader emerges at the NDC National Delegates Congress next month.

Palmer, who is the patron of the club, described as disturbing, a phenomenon in recent media reports of attacks on the personality of candidates and their activists as well as alleged attempt to buy and induce delegates financially. "The allegations are dangerous developments in the body politic of the party as we build a new democratic culture," he said, and called on all patriots of the party to condemn, expose and resist any attempt to influence them.

He warned the delegates to be conscious of the interest of the nation and the party, stressing that the delegates hold the key to the party and country's democratic future. Palmer urged delegates to assess and scrutinize each aspirant, based on his political track record, leadership qualities, and general contributions towards the total development of the party.

He described Dr Kwesi Botchwey as personal friend but noted that, "what is at stake is beyond personal relationships, we must select a leader capable of leading us to an electoral victory in 2004." A 10-member executive headed by Alfred Kojo Theodore was introduced to the press.

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Prof Mills meets journalists at Bolga

Bolgatanga (Upper East Region) 19 November 2002 - Prof John Atta Mills, former vice

President campaigning to be elected presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2004 elections, at the weekend said he recognised the importance of journalists to make accurate and unbiased presentation of events.

"We need the press at all times to feed the public with information on events but most importantly I would partner those who present fair and balanced reportage."

Prof Mills said this at Bolgatanga at a press soiree to round off his five-day tour of the Upper East Region to solicit the mandate of the party's delegates at the impending congress. He conceded that when in power the NDC was not being too open to the press and said it was not strange that the practice was continuing even with a different party in power, "but we have learnt to correct ourselves," he said.

He said similarly, when the NPP was in opposition, it worked closely with the media, "but it is not so now, and we have learnt lessons," he added. He commended media practitioners especially those in the Upper East and Upper West Regions for making accurate and fair presentation of his visit.

Earlier, Prof Mills visited Nabdam, Talensi and Bolgatanga constituencies to canvas for votes of delegates to the congress. He repeated his call for the NDC to unite to make the party stronger to win the 2004 general elections. "I call on all those aggrieved by the actions and inactions of our own members to put the past aside and let us work together for victory in 2004," he said.

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African Statistics Day observed

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - The Senior Minister Joseph H. Mensah, on Monday called for the development of a national statistical information system to facilitate communication and the transfer of timely, reliable and value-added data to all stakeholders in the development planning process, to ensure effective decision-making.

He said the challenge to statistics was to facilitate the process of identifying and assessing the relative effectiveness of alternative procedures for attaining development goal, so that an informed decision could be made.

Mensah, who said this in a speech read for him at this year's African Statistics Day celebration, said statistical data were necessary tools to guide development and where they were either not available or inadequate, planning for development broke down and ceased to be effective.

It was organised by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to commemorate Africa Statistics Day, which falls on November 18 each year, under the theme: "Governance For

Development, The Challenge to Statistics.” It also had the sub-theme, "Statistical Capacity Building: Backbone to Growth and Wealth Creation" for the Ghana celebration.

Mensah said the theme for this year's celebration was appropriate in creating awareness for the importance of statistics in the formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.

He said, "if Ghana is to derive maximum benefits from the opportunities provided by regional cooperation and integration, production and sharing of statistical data must also reflect the spirit of regional cooperation and development."

He said, "in order for the national statistical system to play its effective role in promoting good governance and effective economic management, there is the need to strengthen its delivery capacity to ensure that relevant and reliable indicators for measuring performance are produced on a more timely basis through the application of resilient scientific and state-of-the-art-methods."

Dr Kweku A. Twum-Baah, Acting Government Statistician, said for the GSS to continue to be successful in its endeavours, let alone deliver on the necessary productivity improvements, it needed to build capacity by encouraging learning, innovation, performance and excellence.

He said building a capacity in the GSS would not achieve the intended results if no such capacity was promoted in other public producer agencies, adding that, " the strive for sustained development is not the lack of will-power but the lack of capacity to produce and maintain what is produced."

Dr Twum-Baah stressed the need for Statistical capacity building and related technical activities need to be embedded within the national framework of development policies to achieve the necessary results.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, who chaired function said one major statistical problem the country had was misreporting of data in the previous years due to lack of good and accurate data for review. He, therefore, called on the custodians of national data to take cognisance of the mistakes of the past and ensure that data was collected accurately to avoid future embarrassment and financial lost to the state.

The Minister noted that lack of capability on the part of governments to monitor and evaluate data leads to their inability to implement policies and programmes. Dr Nduom urged the GSS to ensure that statistical data were creditable and accurate to win the trust of the business community to enhance development.

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Apraku advocates industrial review programme

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002 - Dr Kofi Apraku, Minister of Trade and Industry on Monday said the country would soon be zoned into five areas to fulfil the dream of accessing $53bn to be derived for Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

He said industry; especially the textile sector should be made fully aware of opportunities available to them under the AGOA. "To further this dream and enable them access the about $53bn to be derived from AGOA, the country would soon be zoned into five areas to ensure effective coordination and education on the subject." AGOA ceases to operate on 30 September 2008.

Dr Apraku told the first in the series of seminars and workshops by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) at the launch of the National Industrial Week that Ghana has potential in the textile industry. "Our problem is not with quality but our ability to produce in the required volumes.

He advocated for an industrial review programme that would engineer an aggressive industrial sector capable of transforming Ghana's economy in making it to meet the development targets of the nation.

The review programme, to be fashioned on the financial sector adjustment programme introduced in 1985, will also ensure that industry operates on a smooth and friendly atmosphere capable of accessing funds, infrastructure and expertise. He said for a rather long time, industry has not received attention and support to secure long-term financing.

Dr Apraku noted that all the good ideas embodied in the concept of Golden Age of Business would be meaningless, "unless we look at efforts and moves to rehabilitate industry and make it functional and supportive, all the investment into the sector will not yield any outcome."

"Charity begins at home and invitations to foreigners to invest in the country will not be fruitful, if local companies are not helped to grow and partner appropriately with the foreign investors."

Kweku Asare-Menako, a textile industrialist urged government to get serious with developing the industrial sector since it has the potential of turning the nation's fortunes around. He said South Africa, Mauritius and others in the Caribbean have made it because of immense support they enjoyed from their governments.

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Malian envoy presents message to President Kufuor

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- An envoy from Malian President Amadu Toumani Toure on Monday delivered a special message to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

Contents of the message delivered by Dr Choguel Kokala Maiga, Minister of Industry and Trade, were not disclosed. Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Government Spokesman, briefing newsmen, said the envoy and President Kufuor discussed the situation in La Cote d'Ivoire and the Sub-Region.

He said Dr Maiga expressed appreciation to the government, the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) and the security services for their support and co-operation to Malian businessmen who now route their goods through Ghana.

Mr Agyepong said President Kufuor said the support rendered by Ghana emphasised the country's commitment to free movement of goods and services as outlined in the ECOWAS Protocol on trade.

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Former Minister of Education dies

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- Dr Alexander Ransford Ababio, former National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for South Dayi has died in Washington, D.C, U.S.A.

A statement from the family in Accra on Monday said Dr Ababio, 74, who was one time PNDC Secretary of Education and PNDC Deputy Secretary of Health, died on 09 November.

It said funeral arrangements would be announced later. Dr Ababio, who was a medical practitioner and farmer, was born on 27 December, 1927 at Peki in the Volta Region.

He attended Mfanstipim School, Mission House College, Plymouth, Wisconsin, University of Indiana, Bloomington, Albany Medical College, University of Vienna and University of Saarland.

Dr Ababio served on the board of some state-owned corporations, was a member of the committee on Environment, Science and Technology; Heath and Education and Finance of Parliament and Ghana. He was also a member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC).

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NDC will be stronger in 2004 - Mills

Bawku (Upper East Region) 19 November 2002- Professor John Evans Atta Mills, aspiring presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed optimism that the party would make a stronger showing in the 2004 elections.

He said the NDC had realised the mistakes it made to lose the 2000 elections and gave the assurance that they would not be repeated, if he was given the mandate to lead the party.

Prof. Mills was speaking at Bawku when he met Upper East regional and constituency executives and supporters of the party as part of his campaign tour. He said he had the ability to lead the party because of the privilege of serving as the vice president.

According to him the former President Jerry Rawlings undoubtedly did something good for the country and "Ghanaians only have to thank him and continue from where he left off," he said.

Prof. Mills admitted that the task ahead of the party was enormous and called on all supporters to strive to put the NDC in good stead to enable it recapture power.

He promised to unite the party more than before adding that, "I will bring back into our fold even those who are currently moving about tarnishing my image."

During an open forum, Alhaji Y. Saana, Chairman of Bawku Central Constituency advised both Prof. Mills and his contender, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, to campaign in a mature manner to avoid problems for the party after the congress.

Prof. Mills and his team earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.

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Establish Clinical Ultrasound training Centre-Akosa

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Monday called for the need to institutionalize the training of clinical ultrasound personnel in the West Africa sub-region, using Ghana as the focus for accurate diagnosis of diseases.

He said the absence of a training centre has resulted in the unavailability of good and efficient services to patients. Prof. Akosa was speaking at the opening of five-day ultrasound training in Accra for 30 health workers drawn from private and public health institutions in country.

The training was organised by KF Medical, distributors of the ultrasound machine in collaboration with BK Medical, manufacturers of the machine and Cocoa Clinic. Participants, at the end of the training are expected to use the ultrasound machine, a scanning machine, accurately and effectively.

Prof. Akosa said there was the need for every hospital to acquire an ultrasound machine for accurate clinical diagnosis and that training should be extended to radiographers, midwives and nurses.

"Even though there are good antenatal services in the country, supervision is very low. Many doctors are not mindful of use of ultrasound only because there is no funding and training," he noted.

He said GHS has expressed the desire to acquire at least one machine each for all the 91 district hospitals in the country for efficient diagnosis of cases. The occasion was also used to out-door an all-purpose Colour Doppler Ultra sound machine for Cocoa Clinic.

The machine, worth 500 million cedis is the first of its kind in the country and can take up to 15 probes, combining general abdominal and obstetric ultrasound, urological and cardiac ultrasound.

It can be packed, folded flat with safety locks and can easily be moved. The machine is useful in enhancing the clinical judgement in both medical and surgical emergencies.

Mr Wisdom Kpoor, Managing Director of KF Medical, recommended the use of the machine by all health institutions for safe and effective services to the public.

Dr Victor Osei, Director-General of Cocoa Clinic commended the organisers and requested that such training be organised periodically.

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Lawra District records highest infection rate

Nandom (Upper West) 19 November 2002 - A total of 1,001 HIV/AIDS cases were recorded in the Upper West Region between 1995 and October 2002, a health official has said.

Out of the number 551 were recorded in the Lawra District, making it the leading in the region. Mrs Cecilia Tuo, Public Health Nurse at the Nandom Hospital, said this during the Lawra District launch of road safety campaign at Nandom on Sunday.

The occasion, which attracted drivers, vehicle owners, Security Agencies, Insurance Company representatives and the public, was organised by the Upper West Regional Road Safety Committee.

Mrs Tuo attributed the high rate of HIV/AIDS in the District the area sharing borders with Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. She said although Wa was one of the leading in the country with 6 per cent, Jirapa was the least in the region with 1.6 per cent.

Mrs Tuo called on the Road Safety Committee, to take HIV/AIDS education side by its campaign against road accidents. Mr Seth T. Tetteh, Upper West Regional Police Commander, said although a lot of education programmes were going on, accident cases, were rising daily.

He blamed accidents on drunkenness and the use of drugs as stimulants and called on drivers to desist from such practices. Mr Tetteh wondered why Upper West should record over one hundred accidents when the vehicle population in the region was so low compared to the other regions.

"I believe that if our drivers become a little bit careful with their driving the number of accidents in the region will reduce drastically,'' he said.

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African countries urged to promote rational use of drugs

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Health, on Monday urged African governments to adopt a drug programme that focuses on the rational use of drugs to reduce cost and yet ensure efficacy.

He said, "the cost of providing health care has been rising so rapidly that the need for alternative sources of funding, beyond Government Budgetary allocation, user fees and donor contribution has become critical".

In an address read for him at the opening of a five-day meeting for Programme Managers of Essential Medicines from Anglophone countries in Africa Dr Afriyie said "most prescriptions are made up of more than four items.

"There have been extreme cases where patients have been asked by medical personnel to buy as many as ten drugs items. While this practice may have medical repercussions for the patient, we also end up creating financial problems for them. Eventually, the patient ends up not being able to buy all the drugs," he said.

The Meeting, organised by the World Health Organisation, (WHO) aims at improving access to essential medicines in the African region, especially for priority diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Dr Afriyie called on African countries to build local capacities for ensuring the supply of essential drugs which were basic, indispensable and necessary for the health care needs of the majority of the population and should be made available at all times and at affordable prices.

"Our other concern is the need to build local capacity for ensuring sustained supply of essential drugs. In an era of mergers and acquisitions the multinational pharmaceutical companies have become so powerful that developing countries must as a matter of necessity find ways of strengthening their negotiating positions," he added.

He said the recent issue relating to the production of less expensive versions of anti-retroviral drugs was indications of the need to devise a common front in this direction.

"We need to find ways of promoting the local production of drugs we need including traditional medicines. We need to be working towards meeting over 95 percent of all drugs on our essential drugs lists through local production."

According to the Health Minister, "when we as developing countries present a united front and with support of multinational organisations like the WHO, we are bound to exact major concessions even under the Global Standardisation of Patents, which currently limits the scope of local production..."

Dr Afriyie touched on the rising cost of health care, noting that about 10 percent of total government expenditure was disbursed in the health sector and out of the figure; nearly 45 percent was spent on the procurement of drugs.

Dr Melville George, the WHO Representative, in a speech read for him, said most countries in Africa faced problems such as poverty, low literacy rates, endemic communicable diseases, man-made disasters and inadequate health care infrastructure which have reduced people's access to health care and drugs.

He urged member-states to embark on the implementation of the intensified essential medicines programmes involving areas such as capacity building, policy formulation, development of local production of drugs and the protection of intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge.

He said the WHO's Medicines Strategy, which covered policy, access, quality, safety and the rational use of medicines provided a framework to assists countries in improving access to good quality and affordable medicines.

Dr George said 12 anti-retroviral drugs have been added to the recommended list for essential drugs for people living with AIDS.

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Move from subsistence to industrial crops -Quashigah

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 November 2002 - Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Food and Agriculture, on Monday appealed to the country's research scientists to move root and tuber crops from being mere subsistence to industrial crops that would bring in more export earnings.

This, he said, required developing new root and tuber crop varieties to meet specific uses. Major Quashigah was addressing the opening of a five-day Adaptive Research Review workshop of the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme (RTIP) in Kumasi.

It is designed to review and formulate new direction to improve research into the roots and tubers. The Minister gave assurance that the government would give support to their efforts in order to alleviate poverty and generate employment for the people.

He was unhappy that, "there is still a wide gap between the average achievable yield of most crops and the yield that is achievable under farmer's conditions".

Major Quashigah said, for example, the average yield of 11.3 tonnes per hectare for cassava was far below the achievable yield of 28 tonnes per hectare and that of yam could be increased from the current 11.7 tonnes per hectare to 23 tonnes per hectare.

He cautioned that research that fails to demonstrate the economic feasibility and viability of new technologies would always end up on the shelves.

The Minister said a number of entrepreneurs were ready to respond to the government's Golden Age of Business concept through agro-processing and therefore, asked them to ensure that their research provides information on the economic potentials of the new root and tuber technologies they had developed to facilitate adoption.

Mr Akwasi Adjei Adjekum, National programme Co-ordinator of the RTIP, said the programme has promoted three improved cassava varieties and mentioned them as 'Afisiafi, Abasafitaa and Tek bankye'.

He said, much awareness has been created among farmers on these improved varieties and as a result 41,815 resource-poor farmers in 50 districts have accessed the planting materials of those varieties.

This constitutes 75 percent of 56,012 farmers, who were targeted for the year. Mr Adjekum said four improved sweet potato varieties - faara, sauti, santom and pona - are being promoted under the programme.

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No correspondence between consultant and ministries - Witness

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- There was no correspondence between Dr. Fred Owusu- Boadu, a consultant, and the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Finance on the submission of a draft and final report of the feasibility study into the Science and Technology Park/Valley that seeks to promote private/public sector partnership under the Trade and Investment Projects (TIP) funds.

Mr. Philip Baffour Awuah, a chartered accountant, said this in his evidence-in-chief at the trial two former deputy ministers of Trade and Finance who are being tried on seven counts of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and wilfully causing a total loss of 2.73 billion cedis to the State at the Fast Track Court (FTC).

Led in evidence by Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney, he said he was authorised by the Auditor-General to audit the TIP funds.

According to the document submitted as the final report does not appear to be a feasibility study report to create a science and technology community park/valley.

As said, it "lacked detailed information required in a feasibility study, such as market analysis, financial projection and analysis to determine the financial viability of the science and technology community project and risk analysis of the project".

Mr Awuah said the report appears to be incomplete as sections of it had many questions to be filled under the type, beginning and ending year of the project among others.

"The technical aspect of the report did not show the map of the greenbelt area, where project will be located to determine whether the location will be suitable for the project."

Mr Dan Abodakpi, former Minster of Trade and Industry and Victor Selormey, former deputy Finance Minister, have denied all the charges and are currently on self-recognisance bail in the sum of three billion cedis each.

Mr Awuah said there was no log of receipt of the draft or final report by the two ministries. He said a review of the log books of deputy Minister of Finance between 1997 and January 2001 indicated that only three correspondences were received from Dr. Boadu's LEEBDA Corporation.

This, he said, included the study towards the split of Produce Buying Company of COCOBOD into two or more companies.

Giving the conclusions on a special audit report conducted by Baffour and Associates Limited into the activities of TIP, he said, funds were given to participating banks in 1997 for non-traditional exporting companies to improve access to credit to cover pre-shipment and short-term financing.

He said funds were misapplied since the normal procedure for procuring those services was violated; adding, "the contract" submitted was tainted with fraud as it was not witnessed by the legal officers by the Ministry of Trade and the Attorney-General's office.

"The Ministry of Trade and Industry logbooks do not have a record of the contract, invoices, or the output; neither is the Gateway Secretariat privy to any of the above. Therefore, we wish to conclude that the two deputy ministers should be jointly and severally held responsible to explain this huge expenditure without reference to all known and established procurement and payment procedure." he said.

In addition, Mr Awuah said, the use of Texas A and M University letter head to bill for 300,000 dollars was highly irregular because Texas A and M University was not a party to the contract.

Mr Awuah said TIP was set up to promote non-traditional exports in Ghana. Under it the Bank of Ghana gave out monies to banks such as Prudential, Agricultural Development banks to be distributed to non-traditional exporters who in turn also pay back.

During cross-examination, by Mr Charles Hayibor, one of the counsels for Abodakpi, Mr Awuah disagreed with counsel that he was authorised by the National Security office to audit TIP.

The Court, presided over by Mr Justice Stephen T. Farkye adjourned the case to 25 November for continuation.

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Government urged to revitalize new technology

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- Dr. Matthew Narh Tetteh, a Soil Scientist and founder of UNIBRICK Housing Technology, on Monday urged the Government to assist in revitalizing the technology, saying it is an efficient and cost effective means of constructing buildings.

Dr Tetteh, who is also the Executive Chairman of UNIBRICK Systems International, Ghana, Limited, said the technology was superior to other technologies in the housing industry and was 45 per cent cheaper than other modern building methods.

Dr. Tetteh, who was speaking at a press briefing in Accra, said he discovered the technology by studying the composition of anthills in 1969. This crystalized after 23 years in the UNIBRICK Pilot Housing Project at Dansoman and Adenta.

He said the objective of the 23 years of research and development of the technology and the UNIBRICK Housing System, is the creation of the world's "Centre for Earth Construction Technology" in Ghana to serve as a permanent exhibition centre.

According to Dr Tetteh, he had to leave the country in 1986 after some officials in the PNDC government decided that the company and the pilot project should be taken over with international collaboration.

He said former President Jerry John Rawlings, did his best to assist him when he contacted his government. Dr Tetteh said he left for Britain where the British Department for International Development (DFID) decided to promote UNIBRICH as a British Aid Package for international development.

He said a negotiating committee was set up to agree on terms on which UNIBRICK Systems International (USI) and DFID could cooperate.

According to him, among the conditions given to promote the technology in Africa was to announce in the British Media that the entire UNIBRICK Research and Development were all sponsored by DFID. This, he said was false and he turned it down.

Dr Tetteh said he had already given technical details of the system to DFID as part of the conditions, adding that DFID had taken latarite soil and quantities of UNIBRICK Production chemicals for examination.

He said DFID ordered his bankers, Barclays Bank PLC, to freeze both his personal and company accounts, adding that although the bank was compelled to de-freeze his assets after he had taken legal action, they had not yet paid their offer for compensation.

Dr Tetteh said after this, he left for Uganda where he remained until he returned to Ghana in 1997 and petitioned the then President Rawlings to hand over to him his pilot housing project at Adenta and Dansoman. He said the then President asked him to see his secretary.

He said he reported the matter to the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). Dr Tetteh said early this year CHRAJ wrote to him, saying that the office of the Attorney-General had taken over all confiscated assets cases pending at CHRAJ. He said he has since redirected his petition to President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Dr Tetteh said research and development were expensive and time consuming and appealed to African leaders to treat fairly those endeavoring to move their nations forward.

"We are in a privatisation era when a number of state enterprises have been sold to private entrepreneurs. Our project is already a private one and like all estate houses on Government land, we need our land documents from the Government to put our ideas to use," he said.

GRi…/

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Court of Appeal to hear Abodakpi's case

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- The Court of Appeal would on Tuesday 19 November hear a motion for an order for stay of proceedings pending an interlocutory appeal against a Fast Track Court (FTC) ruling that two former ministers should be tried summarily.

Daniel Kwasi Abodakpi and Victor Selormey former deputy ministers of Trade and industries and Finance respectively are being tried on seven counts of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and willfully causing a total loss of 2.73 billion cedis to the State.

They have denied all the charges and are currently on self-recognisance bail in the sum of three billion cedis each. The appeal came in the wake of Mr Kwabla Senanu's submission to the FTC to try his client by indictment. Mr Senanu said his clients might not have fair trial when tried summarily.

The FTC, presided over by Mr Justice Stephen T. Farkye, an Appeal Court Judge, who is sitting as an additional High Court Judge, dismissed the application and ruled that the court was not empowered to try the offenders by indictment.

On 11 November defence counsel prayed the FTC to grant stay of proceeding pending the outcome of a motion filed at the Court of Appeal on its ruling that the two deputy ministers should be tried summarily.

Earlier, Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney, who spoke for the prosecution, led by Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecution, argued that defence counsel have not been able to give reasons for the stay of proceedings.

He said stay of proceedings was placed within the discretion of the court and it was only under special circumstances that it could be granted.

The FTC, after hearing arguments from both sides, said the granting of counsel's application for stay of proceeding was the court's discretion, and therefore, overruled the application, and ordered the trial to go on.

At today's sitting defence announced to the court that the Court of Appeal had fixed tomorrow (Tuesday) for hearing of their appeal so prayed for adjournment but the court refused and called for the continuation of the case.

The case for the prosecution is that between May and December 2000, the accused persons allegedly transferred 4,000 dollars into the local bank account of Dr. Fred Owusu-Boadu, a consultant, through ECOBANK (Ghana) Limited.

The prosecution said the money, whose transfers were authorized by Selormey, were to be used as fees for feasibility studies towards the establishment a project.

Mr Gyambiby told the court that the project contract was supposed to be witnessed by the Legal Officers at the Ministry of Trade and Industry or the Attorney-General's Department, but this was not done.

Mr. Gyambiby told the court that the transfers had no official correspondence whatsoever between Dr. Owusu-Boadu and neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The Principal State Attorney said what was purported to be a contract was signed by both Abodakpi and the consultant but there was no witness. Additionally, he said, the contract document was not initialled page by page as required.

Mr. Gyambiby said the contract lacked the detailed information required in a feasibility study, such as market analysis, financial projections and analysis to determine the financial viability and risk analysis of the project.

The Principal State Attorney told the court that there was the highly irregular use of letterheads from a Texas University, with bills amounting to 300,000 US dollars when the University was not a party to the contract.

GRi…/

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Fund approves five projects for funding

Sekondi (Western Region) 19 November 2002-The Fund Management Unit of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) has approved projects in five communities in the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis for funding.

Mr Asare Mintah, SIF sub-project officer for the Metropolis and the Mpohor Wassa East District, said this at a three-day capacity building seminar for 35 members of sub-project management committees (SPMC) of the five communities in Sekondi, on Monday.

He said the projects would cost 900 million cedis. Mr Mintah said the projects were a three-unit classroom block for the Effia Methodist JSS, three-unit community day care centre at Kansaworodo and a three-unit day care centre at Nkroful.

The rest are a four-unit classroom block for the Ketan Catholic Primary School and a six-unit school block for the Salvation Army Primary School at Bakaano. Mr Mintah urged members of the committees to ensure that contractors with good record were engaged on the projects.

He said the members have a great responsibility in ensuring that the community got value for the money spent. Mr Mintah called on the communities to be involved in all stages of the projects and to make plans for their maintenance.

GRi…/

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It will take "bravado" to attain GDP target- Botchwey

Ho (Volta Region) 19 November 2002- Dr Kwesi Botchwey, a contestant for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential slot on Sunday said it would require "sheer bravado" for Ghana to attain the envisaged 7-8 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) targeted to be achieved in the next 15 years without the support of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Dr Botchwey, who was the country's Finance Minister for 13 years, was answering questions at a news conference at Ho on whether the country's development vision could be achieved without the influence of western donors.

He said domestic savings were too low and that large doses of foreign direct investment, official development assistance and other forms of support were needed to be able to attain the type of economic strength that would divest the country's economy of external influence.

Dr Botchwey said at the threshold of the new millennium there was much greater space than before the period of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) for countries to develop alternative policies to national development, which the two international financial institutions were ready to accommodate.

He said civil society's criticisms of the World Bank and the IMF had made them recognise that national policy ownership is necessary for successful economic performance.

On the state of the economy at the time he quit as Finance Minister, Dr Botchwey said it was in a much better shape than he inherited it. He said he quit the then administration to re-energise and give others the chance to make their contribution.

Dr Botchwey also commented on his relationship with ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, saying there was no bad blood between them.

He explained that at the time he called on the elders of the party, the former President was out of the country, hence their inability to meet. "Before long the ex-President and I will be shaking hands," he assured.

GRi…/

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Tema West constituency elections nullified

Tema (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- The Greater Accra Regional secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has nullified the Tema West Constituency congress elections held on 27 October.

A letter signed by Lieutenant-Colonel S. Addei-Duah, the Regional First vice-Chairman said the constituency executives did not comply with the requirements for the exercise.

The letter recapped the requirements, which include the submission of contestants' names one week ahead of the congress date, among others.

It said the regional office was not represented at the congress because it realised that the constituency had not met the requirements, and hence could not have gone ahead with the congress.

The regional secretariat said it would set a new date for the congress when they meet all the conditions.

GRi…/

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Increase use of solar energy

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 November 2002- Government has been urged to consider a policy mix that will make the use of a certain percentage quota of solar generating systems as mandatory in meeting the country's energy requirements.

Nana Yaw Boakye Asante, Chief Executive Officer Terrasolar Energy Company, said such an institutional arrangement was important to enable government to save the huge sums of money that is currently being used to subsidise the consumption of electricity.

"Besides, this will free resources to be used on other development projects as well as extend electricity to the rural communities to accelerate development in those areas, which is a major thrust of the government's development policy," he said.

Nana Asante, who was speaking in an interview with the GNA Business Desk in Accra on Thursday, said such an arrangement could also detail the use of solar energy in meeting domestic requirements while concentrating the use of electricity generated from hydro sources to industrial and commercial concerns.

It is estimated that about 65 percent of electricity generated is used to meet domestic demand, which is heavily subsidised by government despite recent attempts to ensure that consumers paid economic tariffs.

"This does not augur well for the country's development." Nana Asante debunked the idea that the cost of solar is high as compared to other sources of energy, saying the long-life span of the systems and the relative low level of maintenance required make the long-term cost very low.

"I believe it is in the end relatively cheaper to install a solar panel in a rural community to meet their electricity demands than trying to join them to the national electricity grid," he added.

GRi…/

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