GRi Newsreel 27 - 11

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, on Tuesday said the group would boycott Parliament to defend privileges and immunities of members if need be. "We, the Minority reaffirm our conviction in the action we have taken so far in this matter and will not hesitate to repeat same if the need arises."

Hon Bagbin was delivering a statement on "privileges,immunities and contempt of Parliament and members of Parliament", a sequel to an earlier statement issued to the media on reasons why the group boycotted Parliament for three days.

"In less excruciating circumstances, my colleagues on the other side are now in the Majority embarked on at least three walk-outs over a 12-week period. He said the privileges and immunities of members are an integral part of, and flow from the rights and freedoms of the entire citizenry.

Bagbin said, "by bringing to the fore once again the need to clarify these immunities and privileges, we recognise that such rights do not confer absolute immunity from liability to criminal and civil process." He called on the leadership of the House to clarify guidelines governing the application privileges and immunities of all concerned.

"We believe that the seriousness and urgency of this matter demands a speedy determination of guidelines governing the application of these special rights of Parliament, as these are fundamental to the sustenance of our democratic governance." He said the minority is principally responsible for keeping government on its toes and for fearlessly asserting the rights of the legislature.

"It is important and absolutely essential for everybody to appreciate that it is only when the opposition performs its functions fearlessly that the rights and freedoms of everybody in the country are ensured. The reading of history proves that freedom always dies when criticism ends."

Papa Owusu Ankoma, Majority Leader, said the house had lost a perfect opportunity to enhance the image of the legislature. He said if enough consultation had been made on the matter, such a statement would have crystallised the views and feelings of the House.

The Leader said even though the Majority disagrees with the boycott of the Minority, it respects its right to protest.

Madam Hawa Yakubu, NPP-Bawku Central, asked members to close their ranks on the privileges and immunity issue since it concerns all. "When in 1993, we were passing the Law on Financial Loss to the State, little did we know that some of us would be affected."

Nana Akufo-Addo, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, said he found nothing wrong with the action of the Police, when he was invited for questioning in 1998, when he was in the minority. "After reflecting on the issue I found that the police did the right thing. That is why I never raised the question of privilege and immunity in Parliament at that time."

He said Dr Ato Quarshie, NDC-Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, was being questioned on an alleged illegal transfer of 44 million DM Marks. The member said he would furnish the House with the details of police enquiry on allegations involving members in due course. He said as the chief law officer of government, "I'm satisfied with the conduct of government in these affairs."

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Popular acclamation is over - Botchwey

Accra (Greater Accra) 26 November 2002 - Dr Kwesi Botchwey, an aspiring National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, on Tuesday declared that selection of the party's presidential candidate and other leaders by popular acclamations is over.

"The new democratic development within the party and the evolving political culture in the country negate popular acclamation, which has been the trade mark of our party," Dr Botchwey told Ayawaso Constituency executives and members in Accra.

Dr Botchwey who was interacting with the supporters to solicit their support and vote as the flag bearer noted that healthy intra-party competition strengthens internal democracy and grassroots participation in the highest decision making process.

He said the deepening of democracy within the party was commendable, adding that it was the beginning of a tradition of picking the party's flag bearer through open and competitive elections.

"This has been the driving force behind my intention to contest for the position and lead the party to electoral victory in 2004 general elections." He lauded supporters for keeping faith with the NDC despite recriminations and intimidations since it lost power in the last general elections.

Dr Botchwey said it was unfortunate that in certain countries on the continent, leaders anointed successors and had them accepted by acclamation. He said the new dispensation called for the strengthening of the party's political and ideological foundations through various study groups in all the constituencies.

"This way, the party would become not just an electioneering machinery that would be active on the eve of an election but a vehicle for continuing mobilisation." He, therefore, called for the reassembling of all "social democratic forces" which left the party as well as its sympathizers.

Dr Botchway said he wanted to contest the position because his experience over the past six years at Harvard and Columbia Universities had deepened his understanding of the complex challenges of national development.

He advised party activists, supporters and executive members to embrace the new democratic concept and avoid politics of insult, intimidation and personal attacks. "Such actions would divide our rank and make party cohesion after elections very difficult as people would count the cost of losing vis-a-vis the personal attacks."

Dr Botchwey said party unity and integrity are paramount to the candidates' personal ambition and interest, stressing. "I will not do anything to divide the rank and file of the party and jeopardise our chances of regaining power in 2004 elections."

He urged delegates and party functionaries to assess the candidates based on their visions, ideas and programmes for the nation and party. He pledged his continuous support to develop the grassroots structures of the party with funds and resources to strengthen it.

Dr Botchwey refuted allegations of financial inducement of delegates, explaining that whatever assistance he gave to the constituencies was for party infrastructure development, and these were in the open.

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I recommended Okaitey to management - Witness

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The star witness in the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) divestiture case on Tuesday stated that he recommended Mrs Georgina Okaitey, another prosecution witness yet to testify in the case, to management of the company to be considered for an award of contract.

The witness, Dr Albert Owusu-Barnafo, consultant, who was answering questions under cross-examination in the case told an Accra Fast Track Court (FTC) that even though he did recommend Okaitey alongside other companies to management, he did not know the nature of the contract given to her.

Witness disagreed with a suggestion by David Lamptey, counsel for Hanny Sherry Ayittey, treasurer of the 31^st December Women's Movement (DWM), one of the four persons standing trial at the court, that through his influence, Okaitey won contract for the construction of feeder roads.

Ayittey, Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC), Ralph Casely-Hayford, businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, housewife, are being tried for their alleged involvement in bribery and corruption in connection with the privatisation of GREL.

Through bribery and corrupt means, the four allegedly influenced GREL's divestiture in favour of Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea (SIPH), a French company. They have all pleaded not guilty to their various charges, and the trial judge, Justice J.C. Amonoo-Monney, an Appeal Court Judge, hearing the case as an additional High Court Judge, has admitted each of them to bail in their own recognisance.

Dr Owusu-Barnafo, continuing with his evidence under cross-examination, told the court that he did not know whether Okaitey executed those contracts for GREL. Witness denied a suggestion by counsel that Okaitey was his girlfriend.

Asked by counsel why, in his statements to the police he mentioned Okaitey's name several times, Dr Owusu-Barnafo said that it was simply because she led him and SIPH to 31^st DWM in connection with the divestiture of GREL.

Witness denied having entered into any discussions with Okaitey about the GREL case, before and after giving statements to the police, adding, "I have met her several times, but we normally talked about other matters."

He denied with a suggestion by counsel that he did not go to Ayittey's house around the premises of the West African Examinations Council with anybody at all. Witness said he went to Ayittey's house in the company of Okaitey.

Dr Owusu-Barnafo, in an answer to a question, said he never recalled stating in one of his statements to the police that Eugene Investments, a company owned by him, acquired 15 per cent shares in GREL in 1998.

Asked how the payment of his company's shares in GREL was met, witness stated, "it came from my earnings as a consultant of SIPH and other companies, such as Cossanex and ABU." On the question of dividends, witness told the court that since negotiations for GREL's privatisation were completed in 1996, no dividends had so far been declared.

Earlier, Dr Owusu-Barnafo had explained that SIPH paid for the tickets of both Ayittey and Okaitey to fly to Paris because the organisation "wanted to verify various aspects of the GREL transactions for which payments were to be made to DWM and others."

Witness denied that SIPH turned down an offer he made when he suggested to management to bear the airfare of Ayittey from London to Paris and back to London. "She was on a mission to Europe. She met us in London, and SIPH paid her ticket from London to Paris, back to London." The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, December 3 for continuation of cross-examination of witness.

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Court dismisses case against Kumasi mayor

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 27 November 2002 - A High Court in Kumasi has dismissed a writ of contempt filed by Nana Kofi Boateng, chairman of the Kumasi Kejetia Traders Association (Mighty 18), against the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and its Development Control Officer.

The court presided over by Justice Baffoe Bonnie also awarded a ¢500,000 cost against the plaintiff.

Nana Boateng had filed a writ of contempt against Maxwell Kofi Jumah, KMA Chief Executive and Andrew Asiamah, the Development Control Officer, for authorising the demolition of the structure the association was putting up at North Suntreso, a suburb of Kumasi, despite a circuit court injunction.

The writ prayed the court to impose a prison sentence on the two contemnors in addition to the payment of ¢250m as compensation by the assembly for the illegal demolition of the structure.

The KMA defence team led by Osei Poku argued that the writ was served on the assembly two hours after the demolition exercise had taken place and prayed the court to dismissed the writ.

The court dismissed the case and awarded the ¢500,000 cost against the plaintiff after listening to the arguments of Hansen Koda, the counsel for the plaintiffs.

The structure that was being developed into stores by the association was demolished by the KMA because it was being built on a major drain without any permit from the assembly.

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Invest in Upper East Region - Salifu

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The Upper East Regional Minister, Mahami Salifu, on Tuesday appealed to investors to make the region an investment destination to help raise incomes and the standards of living of the people.

He said the region abounded in investment opportunities such as gold mining, stone and clay quarrying, tourism and agro-processing. The minister said a brochure on the investment potentials of the region had been produced to assist potential investors with the necessary information.

Salifu said these when he took his turn at series of press encounter, dubbed "Meet the Press", in Accra on Tuesday to explain the progress of development projects in the region since January 2001.

He told the forum, which was initiated by Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs that the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) was collaborating with Trade Aids, a local non-governmental (NGO) organisation to organise a trade fair to advertise the trade and investment potentials of the region before the end of the year.

He also said the RCC in association with the Ghana Tourist Board, Nature Conservation Research Centre, the Dutch Development Organisation and the United States Peace Corps had initiated a community based eco-tourism project.

Salifu said the effort was aimed at providing directional signs, brochures, visitors' registers and receipt system of the Paga Eco-tourism, Tongo Hills and Tenzuk Shrines and Zongoyire sites along the Red Volta Basin.

He said there were large gold deposits in the Tili and Natinga areas, but only the Ashanti Goldfields Limited had so far shown interest in the resource. Salifu said the Minerals Commission with assistance from the Bolga District Assembly had established a Mining District Office.

He said it had been equipped with the requisite personnel to extend technical services to miners in a bid to regularise mining in a 28 square kilometre area gazetted and reserved for small scale-mining in the region.

Salifu said currently, 24 individuals groups and companies have been granted licensed concessions to operate in small-scale mining in the region, but inappropriate technology has made most of them inactive.

He noted that small-scale gold mining held a great potential in the socio-economic development of the region. He, therefore, called for adequate investment in simple but adaptable mining machinery to be extended to well organised groups to make them more efficient.

Salifu said there were stone quarrying sites at Pwalugu, Tongo, Bongo, Pusiga, Zebilla, Chuchuliga and Chiana and urged investors to invest there. He said though there were clay deposits in commercial quantities, with estimated total resources of 20.9m tonnes at the Gombigo, Tono and Navrongo sites, they remained unexploited.

Salifu said the deposits could support ceramics and brick and tile factories. The Upper East Regional Minister said an information technology centre valued at ¢181m had been established at Navrongo for use by schools in the Kasena Nakana district and the local community.

He said there had been an increased in telephone facilities in Bolgatanga and said in the Builsa district, a radiophone with a capacity of 60 lines has been installed. Salifu said plans were far advanced to bring "one touch'' mobile phones into the region by the first quarter of next year.

He stated that the Bawku telephone exchange system would be modernised and Zebilla and Navrongo would also get 1,000 exchange lines by December 2003. He appealed to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to replace the transmitter at Bawku to improve the quality of television transmission in the Bawku East District.

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Commonwealth investment forum kicks off

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - All is set for the first Commonwealth-Ghana Investment Conference scheduled to take place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra today (Wednesday).

The conference is on the theme, “Positioning Ghana as the Business and Commercial Hub of West Africa- Developing the Private the Private-Public Partnership for the Golden Age of Business.”

The three-day conference, which is being hosted by the Government of Ghana, is being held under the auspices of Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).

The CBC draws private sector membership from some 150 major corporate bodies spread across 24 Commonwealth countries, all united in the goal of encouraging trade and investment within the Commonwealth.

Issues which will receive special focus on the conference will include Ghana’s competitiveness as a regional hub, public-private partnership in Ghana, with particular reference to the energy and water sectors, financial services and capital market opportunities, and the development of small and medium-scale enterprise.

The development of the extraction industries and information technology as well as corporate governance will equally take centre stage at the conference.

The conference, which is expected to bring together top international investors from member Commonwealth countries as well as representation from other European countries and America, is a bold attempt to revamp the investment culture and attract the necessary foreign direct investment to Ghana.

FDIs have registered a downward trend since 1998. The country attracted nearly $234m in FDIs in 1999 but this slipped to $132m in 2000. Most of the investments were made in the extractive industry, with very little being channelled to the manufacturing sector.

In 2001, inflows further fell to $97m, despite improved macro-economic fundamentals. Total foreign investment registered with GIPC during the first half of the year was just under $420m.

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Emulate Founding Fathers of OAU - Kufuor

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - President John Kufuor has urged African leaders to emulate actions of the Organisation of the African Union (OAU) Founding Fathers which were relevant now for the socio-economic development of the Continent.

He paid glowing tribute to President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Abdel Nasser of Egypt for their tremendous role in the organization that had been nurtured until the change of name into the African Union (AU).

President Kufuor made the call when he received the Letters of Credence of the Egyptian Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Mohammed Zaafarani at the Castle, Osu.

He said the main objective before the AU and the New Partnership for Development in Africa (NEPAD) was to strengthen the relationship between member countries towards peace and development. Zaafarani pledged to improve on the relationship between the two countries during his tenure of office.

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New Swiss envoy visits Castle

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor has commended the government of Switzerland for selecting Ghana as one of the African countries to be provided with special support and pledged to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

He said such assistance would further boost the Government's vision of Ghana as the gateway to the African Continent. President Kufuor made the commendation when George Zubler, Switzerland Ambassador-designate to Ghana presented his Letters of Credence at the Castle, Osu.

Other African countries to benefit from the special support are Nigeria, Senegal, and Cote d'Ivoire. President Kufuor said the Swiss government had in the past contributed immensely to education in Ghana from the time of the Basel Missionaries, translation of the Bible into Ghanaian languages, establishment of hospitals as well as vigorous trade relationship between the two countries.

Zubler said Switzerland and Ghana would sign a new agreement for co-operation in addition to more assistance to the private sector soon.

He stressed the need to assist small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana because they had the potential to contribute effectively to the country's economic growth.

Zubler said in Switzerland the private sector controls about 97 per cent of the economic activity and it would be ideal when similar assistance was offered to the private sector in Ghana.

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African countries need cooperation - Kufuor

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - President John Kufuor has stressed the need for cooperation and effective communication links among African countries. He said these were ideal for the African Union (AU) and unification of the continent.

President Kufuor said this when he received the Letters of Credence of Muhammad Al Gamudi, Libyan Ambassador-designate to Ghana at the Castle, Osu.

He said Ghana would play its role towards the objectives of the Union in line with other African leaders, who have the same agenda, and expressed appreciation to the Libyan government for its friendship and assistance to Ghana.

Gamudi said his first priority was to consolidate relations between the two leaders and countries within the framework of mutual respect and useful co-operation.

He said he would endeavour to facilitate the implementation of agreements between the two countries, improve on the work of the Ghana-Libya Joint Commission and advocate for the convening of its eighth session in Accra soon.

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Ivorian Ambassador visits refugees at Bole

Bole (Northern Region) 27 November 2002 - The Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana, Anon Tonoe has expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana for supporting and assisting Ivorian refugees in the country.

The Ambassador commended the government of Ghana for its role in finding a peaceful solution to the Ivorian crisis.

Ambassador Tonoe was speaking when he visited the Bole District on Saturday to ascertain the number of refugees in the area so that the Ivorian embassy could know the quantity of relief items to be sent to them. Sam Akati Mahama, Bole District Chief Executive, said there were 243 refugees in the district.

He assured the Ambassador that the Ghanaian authorities would try to provide the basic needs of the refugees and said it was a moral responsibility of the government of Ghana, the assembly and the people of Bole to care for the affected persons.

He said the assembly had so far spent more than ¢30m on food, fuel for official vehicles and security for the refugees. Mahama said the National Disaster Management Organisation had also provided tents, mattresses and food to support the efforts of the assembly.

The Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on the Bole-Wura Amankwa Gbedese 11, who told him that the people of Bole and Bouna in Cote d'Ivoire shared family ties.

He expressed the hope that peace would soon return to Cote d'Ivoire. Toure Mohammed, leader of the refugees, appealed to the Ambassador to provide them with mosquito nets.

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Togolese Premier delivers message to Prez Kufuor

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The Togolese Prime Minister, Koffi Sama delivered a special message from President Gnassingbe Eyadema to President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Contents were not disclosed but Sama delivering the message said, "This is a message of salutation from President Eyadema to express his friendship to you".

Kwabena Agyepong, Government Spokesman, briefing newsmen after a closed-door meeting between President Kufuor and Sama, said the message contained a draft agreement on negotiations in the Cote d'Ivoire conflict.

President Eyadema is negotiating peace talks in Lome, Togo between the Cote d'Ivoire government and rebels in the conflict, which began in September.

Agyepong said President Kufuor was hopeful an agreement could be reached and urged President Eyadema to continue his determined effort to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

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Foreign Minister to visit Britain

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - Foreign Minister, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang would pay a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw, from 27 to 30 November, a statement issued in Accra said.

The visit is to afford the two ministers the opportunity to deliberate on issues of mutual interest aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries on bilateral co-operation as well as within the wider international community.

"The UK is one of Ghana's major development partners and has been supportive of Ghana's effort at consolidating the democratic process and good governance as well as poverty reduction through sound economic development policies," the statement said.

Owusu-Agyemang would seek further British support, particularly for capacity building through training of the staff of his ministry towards enhancing their performance in advancing the national interest overseas.

He would also raise Ghana's concerns over British reaction to increasing flow of Ghanaian immigrants to Britain as well as visa procedure for Ghanaian travellers to the UK.

Other issues to be discussed would relate to peace and security in the West Africa sub-region, NEPAD, international terrorism, Iraq and the Commonwealth.

Foreign Minister Owusu-Agyemang would hold a day's seminar for Ghana's envoys in Europe to take stock of performance of Ghana's 11 diplomatic Missions in Europe and assess their contributions to the impact of the national development effort.

The seminar, the statement said, would be the first in the series of periodic consultations on regional basis, being organised by the ministry to discuss, review and refocus Ghana's diplomatic activity to conform to the political direction of government.

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MP worried about ''red tape'' in civil service

Bekwai (Ashanti) 27 November 2002 - Kofi Poku-Adusei, Member of Parliament for Asante-Bekwai, has called for changes in the civil service to shed off the excessive bureaucracy.

''Implementation of most government approved projects is being unreasonably delayed by lack of urgency, apathy and 'red tape' on the part of the civil service.''

Poku-Adusei was addressing a meeting with New Patriotic Party (NPP) ward chairmen and other party supporters in the constituency. He said the attitude of civil servants worried politicians. "We, unlike them, are held to promises we make to the electorate and for that matter cannot afford costly delays in the take-off of projects we manage to get for our constituents.''

''The politician will have to go back to the people and will be judged by the level of development he or she brings to the people". The MP said there was the need to give the civil service some flexibility to enable it to respond timely and promptly to demands on it.

Poku-Adusei told them that construction work would soon start at the Bekwai Government's Hospital project new site. Streets in the township were also to be tarred to bring Bekwai to a status that befits a district capital.

Richard Aboagye, Amansie East District Chief Executive, said the district that, two years ago, was among the worst in Ashanti Region in terms of revenue generation, was now one of the best due to prudent financial administration and transparency.

He said from its own internally generated resources, the assembly has bought a vehicle and was implementing a number of development projects in various communities.

Aboagye praised the assembly's revenue collectors for their hard work and dedication to duty, adding, ''The assembly does not want to depend on the common fund for development.''

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British grant for Ghana Wildlife Society

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) has received a grant of £16,400 from the British High Commission in Ghana to develop its communications materials.

The grant, from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Environmental Project fund is to support the capacity building project at the cost of £23,500.

A statement issued by the Wildlife Society in Accra said the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom contributed 4,500 while the GWS made available £2,600 to make up for the project cost.

It said the project was aimed at promoting constructive local and regional participation in international effort to tackle global environmental problems.

The statement said the project was expected to increase local awareness and support biodiversity conservation and environmental protection by way of increased provision and dissemination of quality locally related materials.

It said the society on receipt of the grant had produced books, posters and brochures on the environment.

The publications included 2000 copies of 'Our Future is in our Hands-wildlife clubs leaders' guide,' 2000 copies of 'Replacing our Lost Habitat,' a tree planting manual, 2000 copies each of three call to action posters on tree planting.

The others were copies on anti bush meat campaign and support for GWS and 2000 copies each of two brochures on the society and wildlife clubs in Ghana.

The publications, the statement said, were compiled, designed and produced by the GWS Communication Unit and would be used mainly for environmental science education and behavioural change campaign in schools and communities.

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Five organisations support farmers' day

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - Five organisations have donated items and money to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture towards the celebration of this year's National Farmers' Day which comes off on Friday 6 December in Takoradi.

The donations, which came from PASICO Ghana Limited, AGROVET Limited, Reiss and Co Ghana Limited, GAFCO Limited, and the Latex Foam Company Limited, are to be used as part of prizes for farmers and fishermen.

PASICO donated 250 pairs of galvanised louvre blades of different sizes, worth 10m cedis, AGROVET donated 60 pieces of Rosettes worth 500 pounds sterling, Reiss and Co gave 280 litres of insecticides and Acaricides also worth ¢18.2m.

GAFCO donated 40 bags of animal feed of various types worth ¢10m, with an additional cash of ¢10m, while Latex Foam presented 30 medium high-density mattresses worth ¢15m.

Representatives of the companies praised farmers and fishermen for their hard work and urged them to do more to ensure food security in the country.

They pledged their continuous support for farmers and expressed the hope that the donations would spur them on to work harder. Dr Abdel M. Haroun, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, who received the donations, urged other organisations who have not yet donated the day to feel free to do so to support the farmers.

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Mills campaigns in constituencies in Tema

Ashaiman (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - Professor John Atta Mills, campaigning to be elected NDC's presidential candidate for the 2004 elections, has said the party would develop ''new products to promote faster development.''

Interacting with NDC delegates drawn from Tema East, West, Ashaiman and Kpone/Katamanso constituencies, he said the 'new products would be made public after the party's National Delegates' Congress.''

Prof Mills said four years as vice president had given him enough experience and deserved to be elected the presidential candidate of the NDC. He said he believed in loyalty and expected NDC members to be loyal to the party.

He described contest between him and Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, a former Finance Minister as healthy and good for NDC because as a party in opposition it had rekindled party activities in even dormant branches, making members to discuss Mills and Botchwey.

''I believe after the end of this hectic campaign the NDC apparatus will be strengthened so that a lot more people could be mobilised into the party to help us win the 2004 election.''

Prof. Mills said what should prop NDC loyalists to work hard was the harassment and injustice the present government is perpetrating against party members.

''We are talking about selective application of zero tolerance of corruption and the 'go on leave syndrome' that has become the order of the day.''

On the practice of democracy in the NDC, he said the party leadership formulated the idea to restructure the party as soon as NDC lost the 2000 election.

The party appointed Dr Obed Asamoah to do the Herculean job. ''He did it to perfection and this has made the party to move forward.'' Prof. Mills said NDC lost the election because it was in government and had to spend a lot of time to answer numerous criticisms and queries during the 2000 campaign.

''I carried a heavy load at that time and can foresee President Kufuor carrying a heavier burden than me,'' he said.

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Land for Bolga Polytechnic

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), in conjunction with the Bolgatanga Polytechnic authorities, have concluded an agreement with the chiefs and elders of Sumburungu, a village near Bolgatanga for the release of about 10 hectares of land to put up the necessary structures for the Polytechnic.

Mahami Salifu, the Regional Minister, who announced the agreement, said additional land would be acquired for the polytechnic in due course.

He was speaking during an encounter with journalists, dubbed: "Meet the Press" in Accra, on the progress of development projects in the region since January 2001 to date.

Salifu said arrangements had almost been completed for the construction of a two-storey classroom, two workshops and five bungalows and access roads at the proposed new site of the polytechnic.

The Upper East Regional Minister said education posed the greatest challenge to the socio-economic development of the region but that the government has accepted the challenge and resolved to develop and build the human resources in disciplines relevant to the national development and progress.

He said 40 per cent of the capital budget of the District Assemblies in the region was expended on the education sector, and the District Assemblies also provided awards to teachers to motivate them and support the Science Technology and Mathematics (STME) clinics organised annually to encourage girls to pursue science courses.

Salifu said the World Food Programme and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) had been providing one hot meal a day for girls in selected schools as a way of encouraging them to stay in school.

World Vision International is providing school uniforms to schoolgirls, and a girls' primary school, the first ever in the country had been established in Nyariga, in the Bolga District to encourage girl-child education.

Salifu said the curfew imposed on the Bawku township following the conflicts in December last year, was still in force and said as a result of military cum police intervention, considerable peace had returned to the area.

He said fuel smuggling into neighbouring countries had been a major security problem. The Regional Security Council had set up an Anti-fuel smuggling Task Force at both the regional and district levels to track down fuel smugglers.

Furthermore, the REGSEC had other measures, including the education of the general public to promptly report criminal acts to the law enforcement agencies and the use of the local FM station, URA Radio to educate the people in the local languages on the need to maintain peace and live peacefully with one another.

He said the work of the Community Watchdog Committees was being strengthened and cases reported to the Police and the cases were being promptly dealt with.

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Krobo Council demands publication of report

Odumase-Krobo (Eastern Region) 27 November 2002 - The Manya Krobo Traditional

Council has expressed grave concern about attempts by some people at Osudoku who are employing various means, including political machinations, to have Akuse ceded to Dangme West.

According to the Council the issue of Akuse, which belongs to Manya Krobo Traditional Area had been concluded over 50 years ago through judgements dated in 1902, 1940 and 1943 by the Gold Coast Supreme Court and the Privy Council which were won by the Many Korea decisively.

At a press conference at Odumase Krobo on Tuesday to state the Council's position on the matter, the Konor of the Traditional area, Nene Sakitey, II, called on the government to review the materials available and publish the Nathan Quao Committee's report on the issue to confirm the ownership of Akuse for the people to know the truth.

"For the Chiefs and people of Manya Krobo, the matter is closed. Manya Krobo is increasingly exasperated by these agitations masterminded by some well-connected public officials in the Greater Accra Region and others in Akuse, he said.

"Manya Krobo peacefully co-exists with her neighbours," the Konor said and hoped that the government would not do anything that would contribute to disturb the peace, adding, "we have exercised admirable restraint in the matter."

The Konor explained that though the Manya Krobo population moved North West and South West, Manya Krobo never relinquished her ownership and jurisdiction over these lands.

"Osudoku has not reciprocated these gestures, but has over the years embarked upon over provocative activities to have Akuse to be part of Dangme West", he said, citing a recent defection of six assembly members from Akuse in the Manya Krobo traditional area to join Dangme West District assembly instead of Manya Krobo District Assembly.

He said: "Payments to the Manya Krobo District Assembly in respect of property rates have been suspended for six years, which he described as the greatest motive behind the agitation."

Nene Sakitey said Osudoku could not ignore the history of succession of Manya Krobo Chiefs, who represented the Manya Krobo Traditional stool at Akuse, as well as forget rents and tolls paid by her citizens to the Manya Krobo stool for fishing in the creeks and also for cultivating the land they are now disputing, despite court verdicts in favour of Manya Krobo over the years.

"The ownership issue and placement of Akuse being pursued in the year 2001 is anachronistic and ridiculous, one hundred years after it was first adjudicated at the courts in 1902", he held and asked the government to ensure that peace prevails in the area.

The Konor said the people of Osudoku are their brothers and sisters. "They are not just neighbours. We love them; this is why the government must come out with the truth, based on the facts available in order to bring peace and harmony".

GRi…/

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UNDP grants chiefs $100,000

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 27 November 2002 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has granted the Research Committee of the National House of Chiefs $100,000 for its research work for four years.

Already, $20,000 of the amount had been transferred into the accounts of the House. Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, President of the House, announced this at its last general meeting for the year in Kumasi on Tuesday.

He called on his colleague chiefs, especially those along the country's borders, to assist the government in its campaign to curb cocoa smuggling.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio said the fact that 60,000 tonnes of cocoa is smuggled out of the country should be a source of worry and concern to all chiefs.

''It is disheartening that millions of dollars is lost to the state through smuggling of cocoa, while at the same time the government is compelled to go round the world seeking loans for national development.''

''Chiefs can assist in the anti-smuggling exercise by educating their people on the harm smuggling do to the economy. You should also encourage your subjects to be vigilant and report smugglers to the security agencies.''

He announced that negotiations were progressing with the Chief of Staff for the upward adjustment of the allowances of members and the rehabilitation of the secretariat.

GRi…/

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First private training college in Brong Ahafo

Twimia/Koase (Brong Ahafo) 27 November 2002 - Godbless Training College at Twimia/Koase, near Techiman, the first private training college in Brong Ahafo Region, has taken off with an intake of 50 students.

The college, established by God Bless International Schools, is expected to increase its intake to 120 students by December. Godbless Amankwa, Director, said this when he took the Techiman District Director of Education, George Amano-Kyeremeh and newsmen round the college on Monday.

He said he established the institution as a personal contribution to uplift education in the region and appealed to the people in the district to support his efforts.

Amano-Kyeremeh lauded private participation in teacher education in the district and the region in general. He said the number of training colleges in the region "is woefully inadequate" and pledged that the GES would do its best to support the college.

Amano-Kyeremeh assured the students that they would be offered employment by the GES on completion of their training and asked them to co-operate with their tutors and study hard. Kwadwo Owusu Kyenkyenhene, Manager, said a computer laboratory would be set up at the college.

GRi…/

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HIV/AIDS devastates Ashanti Goldfields

Obuasi (Ashanti Region) 27 November 2002 - The Obuasi Mine of the Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) has stepped up HIV/AIDS awareness campaign among its 600 strong working force following the spread of the pandemic in the mining town.

From January 1998 to 31 October this year 232 employees of the company were infected with 76 deaths while 133 of their dependants were also infected with 41 deaths.

The company has set up a 12-member HIV-AIDS management committee ''to critically look at the issue at stake and how the issue affects the miners.'' The committee has Mrs Elaine Kwami, General Manager, Human Resources, as chairman and is to educate the workers on the pandemic.

Speaking at the launch of the committee, Daniel Owiredu, Managing Director of Obuasi Mine, appealed to the workers to make the committee's HIV/AIDS awareness programme meaningful by demonstrating their commitment to manage their sex lives more responsibly.

He said the company had developed a policy that would attempt to address some of the issues raised in this years World Aids day theme.

As part of the policy, employees who showed symptoms of HIV/AIDS would continue to be employed until they are declared unfit to work.

Joseph K. Boampong, the Adansi West District Chief Executive, stressed the importance of safety among mine workers and appealed to them to protect themselves against practices that affect their safety.

He commended Madam Dina, an HV/Aids patient who spoke at the ceremony to demonstrate the reality of AIDS at Obuasi, for having the courage to serve as a facilitator to create awareness about the virus.

GRi…/

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Okyenhene for another marathon walk

Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2002 - The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin would do a marathon walk from Asiakwa to Kyebi in the Eastern Region on Sunday to mark this year's World AIDS Day.

A statement from the Office of the Okyenhene in Accra on Tuesday said the aim of the marathon is to draw attention and create further awareness to the ongoing Eastern Regional campaign in which the Okyenhene and the chiefs are very much involved.

The theme for the campaign this year is "Compassion is Protection" and it is to educate people on the need for compassion for victims of the disease.

Last year the Okyenhene did the marathon and tested himself. He tested negative. Activities planned by the Office of the Okyenhene are the annual marathon, counselling and testing sessions and public education and awareness campaigns.

GRi…/

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