Ghana needs Iran's resources and expertise - Aliu
New
Ghana Telecom Board holds first meeting
Mills
campaign team releases flyer
Accra (Greater Accra)
22 October 2002. 21, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Monday urged Iranian
business people to explore opportunities in agriculture, commerce, mining and
the industrial sectors for the mutual benefits of both countries.
The Vice President
said this when he received a two-man Iranian delegation, Mr Mogtadai and Mr
Noor Allahian, Board Chairman and President respectively of Ahlul Bait
Foundation, at the Castle, Osu.
The visitors attended
the Second Matriculation of the Islamic University of Ghana at East Legon,
which was built by the Foundation. Vice President Mahama, who commissioned the
University last October, urged the Foundation to introduce more professional
courses that would aid the socio-economic development of Ghana.
"Ghana needs more
professionals such as economists, lawyers, bankers and engineers to facilitate
our progress so we would like you to offer these courses at the
University," he said. The five million dollar-institution, which started
with 50 students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology and Religious
Studies, now offers a course in Business Management.
The University College
has commissioned a team of experts to develop course outlines and syllabus for
Accountancy and Administration options and hopes to receive accreditation for
their introduction by the next academic year.
Vice President Mahama
said Ghana was content with the excellent relations between her and Iran and
lauded the latter's contribution not only to education, but also to health and
agriculture. Mr Mogtadai, who spoke through an interpreter, said the object of
his country's foreign policy was to maintain cordial relations with all
countries, particularly Ghana.
He praised Ghana's
democratic governance and contribution toward peace in the sub-region, saying
that his country and Ghana have often cooperated at the international level.
Mr. Mogtadai said relations between the countries would be stronger, following
the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission.
On investment in the
University, he said a Female Hostel had been added to the modern facilities
that include 10 lecture halls, an information technology centre, well-equipped
libraries and sporting facilities. He said more facilities such as
accommodation for lecturers would be built.
Dr. Majid Bizmark,
Iranian Ambassador to Ghana and Alhaji Raheem Gbadamoshi, Registrar of the
University, accompanied the guests.
GRi…/
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New
Ghana Telecom Board holds first meeting
Accra (Greater Accra)
22 October 2002- Communications and Technology Minister, Felix Owusu-Adjapong on
Monday noted that government's determination to address the human capacity
development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from the
grassroots level could not materialize without the active participation of
Ghana Telecom (GT).
He said the
facilitation of this vision by government positioned GT at the core of the ICT
led multi-sector accelerated national growth process to provide a reliable and
accessible communications service nation-wide.
Mr Owusu-Adjapong was
delivering government's policy statement on communications at the maiden
meeting of the restructured and reconstituted nine-member Board of Directors
for GT.
At an Emergency
meeting held in June 2002, a Special Resolution of Shareholders amended the
Regulations of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited.
The Resolution
recommended that the number of Directors of GT be increased from seven to nine,
with the majority shareholder, the Government of Ghana, having the right to
appoint six of the Directors, and the minority shareholder, G-com of Malaysia,
the mandate to appoint three Directors.
The Reconstituted
Board includes Nana Antwi Boasiako, Chief of Sekyedumase in the Ashanti Region
as the Chairman, Mr Yoofi Grant, An Investment banker, Mr Philip Owusu, a
Financial Consultant and Mr Kwabena Okyere Sarpong, an Industrial Consultant as
Directors.
Others are Mr Foster
Dzodzomenyo, a Human resource Management Consultant and Dr. Tanimu Tank Osaman,
an Architectural Consultant. G-com of Malaysia appointed Mr Joseph Salag
Gandum, Mr Nor Hizam Hashim and Dato' Abdul Malek Mohamed as Directors.
The GT management
agreement between the GOG and G-com ended in February 2002 necessitating an
Interim Management Committee (IMC) to steer its affairs. The IMC has since been
dissolved.
Mr Owusu-Adjapong said
that the aspirations of government and GT had a common meeting point, as GT, by
its mission, is to provide efficient, affordable and customer friendly service.
He said it was in the
pursuit of the objective that government in 1997 entered into partnership with
G-com, led by Telekom Malaysia to roll out an accelerated telecom development
programme to meet the aspirations of the people of Ghana.
The partnership, he
noted, did not work well as was envisaged by both parties for reasons he named
as the non-attainment of targets, management problems and numerous customer
complaints.
The Minister said the
reconstituted Board, which is a true representation of the shareholding
capacity of both parties was a commitment by government to meet the aspirations
of the people towards the rapid development of telephone facilities and
services.
Early this year, G-com
offered to sell its shares to the Government of Ghana. Government has since
April, 2002 accepted to buy the share that is now being valued. It is expected
that the transaction would be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Owusu-Adjapong said
to enable the President's vision on telecom development be realised, a search
for new technical partners for GT began in April 2002. Government, he said, invited
investment proposals from interested telecom operators with the capacity to
implement specific "assignments".
These included
financial resources sufficient to expand the fixed network of GT by a minimum
of 400,000 fixed-lines within two to three years to extend telephone services
to every town with a secondary school or teacher training college for Internet
and other applications.
Others were the
provision of management expertise and technical services to facilitate the
positioning of GT on the global market, improvement of quality of service on
the existing and proposed telephone infrastructure, the provision of training
and development capacity within the telecom industry.
The rest were the
development, with the co-operation of the Ghanaian authorities, of effective
methods for the investigation of malpractices in the telecom sector, a proposal
for human resource development strategy, products and services for GT, a
proposal to extend services to under-serviced areas and a content of performance
bond.
He said after a
careful consideration, Messrs Telenor of Norway were selected and government
entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Telenor to prepare a
Business Plan based on these "specific assignment".
The Minister announced
that the plan was almost ready and that subject to agreement on certain
details, it would be made available to enable both parties’ sign a Management
Service Agreement.
Mr Owusu-Adjapong
stressed that the timetable set by the outgoing IMC to complete a number of
transmission and switching projects to be commissioned by the end of the year
posed a big challenge to the reconstituted Board.
The IMC, he said, had
put in place a programme to extend telephone facilities to Sekondi,
Teshie-Nungua, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology (KNUST),
Kumasi, Akatsi, New Edubiase, Dompoase, Assin Fosu, Kibi, Asiakwa, Kadjebi and
Jasikan.
It was also intended
by the IMC that by the end of the year, GT would extend its One Touch Service
to Bolgatanga and Wa, the regional capitals of the Upper East and West Regions.
The Minister said it
was government's expectation that telephone lines would be extended to major
towns along the country's border with Cote d'Ivoire to improve the monitoring
system to help prevent smuggling, particularly the smuggling of cocoa, along
the common borders.
He told the Board:
"As you ponder over these developments, I am certain that you are in a
position to see the enormous task ahead of this Board. "Additionally, in
discussing policy issues, you need to be mindful of the "Assignment"
spelt out to ensure that the national vision is on course."
Mr Owusu-Adjapong said
the yard-stick for the measurement of the success of the Board would be the
completion of all on-going projects as well the successful implementation of
the Business Plan for GT, which would be made available to them.
Nana Antwi Boasiako,
assured government that the Board would formulate policies that would ensure
that the objectives set out by GT was achieved. "We would ensure that
corporate governance procedures are adhered to and that GT delivers," he
said.
GRi…/
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Mills
campaign team releases flyer
Accra (Greater Accra)
22 October 2002-The Campaign team of Professor. John Atta Mills, candidate for
the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, on Monday released the
campaign flyer, which says by virtue of his experience, he understands and has
solutions to major issues confronting the nation.
It described him as
"a disciplined and religious family man, hardworking, punctual and honest
public servant." A statement signed in Accra by Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah,
former Minister of Education, emphasised that Prof. Mills was a candidate with
a mind of his own.
It cited the decision
of Prof. Mills to nominate Mr Martin Amidu as his running mate during the 2000
elections although he was under pressure from some quarters within the party to
nominate another person.
According to the
statement, Dr. Ben Kumbuor, a leading spokesman for the team, said if Ghanaians
want a better government than they have now, then Prof. Mills is their man with
the right experience. "Today, President Kufuor was confessing to new
things he was learning after being President for 20 months."
Mr. Elvis Afriyie
Ankrah, another member of the team, said Prof. Mills' concern for peace during
the 2000 elections, which was not appreciated at the time, has now become very
relevant in the light of the conflict in Cote d'Iviore, Yendi, Bawku and other
communities.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater
Ocansey) 22 Oct. 21, GNA - An Accra High Court presided over by Mr Justice
Isaac Duose on Monday sentenced Hajia Baby Ocansey, a businesswoman, to 15
years imprisonment in hard labour.
Mr. Justice Douse and
the two other panel members, Mr A. K. Arhin and Mr. R. K. Quarshie, in a
unanimous decision, found Ocansey guilty on all the four charges of causing
financial loss to the state, stealing, possessing and uttering forged
documents.
She will serve 15
years on each of the four counts, but the sentence would run concurrently.
Ocansey, 62, has 30 days to appeal against her sentence.
The tribunal ordered
that the convict's house at Gbawe in Accra and three vehicles should be
confiscated to the state, while 30,000 dollars, which was retrieved from her
during investigations, should be returned to the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Mr Justice Douse
stated that throughout the trial, the tribunal considered the fraudulent manner
in which the money was en-cashed from BoG, thereby causing a financial loss of
1.5 million dollars (almost 13 billion cedis) to the state.
The Chairman also
noted with dissatisfaction, the manner in which Ocansey frivolously expended
the money. Mr Justice Duose stated that the tribunal was imposing a sentence
"which in view of your age, you would not come back from prison to enjoy
your booty".
He added that in the
current economic circumstance, "we are no more tolerating such
crimes". Reasons for the sentence were deferred to Friday, 25 October,
"because of delay in printing" The Defence Counsel, Mr. Godfred D.
Laryea, said he would appeal against the sentence at the Supreme Court, at an
appropriate time.
Mr. Laryea had earlier
prayed the court to deal leniently with his client. He asked the tribunal further to consider that his client used
the money for philanthropic purposes and that she was a first offender.
Mr. Anthony Gyambiby,
Principal State Attorney who prosecuted, was grateful to the tribunal, saying
he was satisfied that the prosecution did prove its case beyond reasonable
doubt.
Immediately Ocansey
received the marching orders from the police to begin her sentence she pointed
at the Chairman and said "Thank you. God is the greatest".
Ocansey who was in
green traditional attire with a long white cloth over her green headgear, with
a white pair of slippers to match, was at every point in time reciting and
counting a "Tsbir", the Muslim version of the Rosary, which she held.
Throughout the almost
three year’s trial, the convict looked very cheerful with occasional smiles. On
Tuesday, 13 August, 2002, the tribunal acquitted and discharged three others -
two former officials of the BOG and a businessman, who had been charged jointly
with Ocansey.
The tribunal ruled
that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Mr
Sebastian Gavor and Mr Justice Larbie, the two former employees of the BOG and
Alhaji Sidiq Gimala, the businessman.
The Principal State
Attorney had earlier told the Tribunal that in the latter part of October 1999,
Gavor called one Mr E. D. Donkoh, Manager of the Budget and Accounts Department
of the Bank into his office and asked him to furnish Ocansey with the account
number and address of the Ghana International Bank in London.
Mr Donkoh complied
with the request, which enabled Ocansey to transact business with the bank.
Mr Gyambiby said on 11
November, 1999, Ocansey presented a bank draft purported to have been issued by
the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, dated 05 November, 1999 with the face
value of 1.5 million dollars to Gavor for encashment, after which Gavor
instructed his secretary, Mrs Lucy Sasu to ask Mr Donkoh to send the draft to
Mr Ashie Djanie of the bank for processing for collection.
The draft whose
maturity date was 12 December 1999, was given to Mr Djanie for processing after
which it was despatched by the BOG on 26 November 1999.
On 01 December, 1999,
Citibank, New York, confirmed by a swift message having credited 1.5 million
dollars to the BOG's account, but with the following proviso; "subject to
the rules governing cheques and their clearings". Mr Gyambiby said
"this message was received the following day."
On 16 November, 1999, Mr
Gavor asked Mr Djanie, who worked in the Banking Department of the BOG, to use
his (Gavor's) IDD to confer with the BOG's contact personnel at the City Bank
to know the status of the bank draft and he was informed that, the BOG had been
credited with the bank draft.
Irrespective of the
proviso about the clearance of cheques and banking procedures, Mr Larbie
instructed Mr Djanie to process the draft for payment and subsequently approved
the payment schedule.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 22 October 2002 - Amina Abubakar Siddique, also called Hajia Baby Ocansey, the woman jailed 15 years for fraudulently causing financial loss to the state, has blasted judges in the country claiming that they are corrupt, and are influenced before giving their verdicts.
She alleged that judges are playing politics with people’s life by giving verdicts to suit powerful politicians. Speaking to journalists, before being whisked to prison to begin the 15 year sentence slapped on her on Monday, Baby Ocansey noted that she has been wrongly convicted by the trial judge in her case, Mr Justice Isaac Douse.
Three accomplices in the $1.5m Bank of Ghana fraud case, Mr Larbie, Gavor and Alhaji Gimala have already been acquitted and discharged. According to her, all the judges appointed by the previous government are corrupt and bogus since they are part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
She hinted that she forgives the trial Judge although he has pronounced a 15-year sentence on her. According to her, she is innocent against all the charges levelled against her, since the draft presented to her by the US based Chase Manhattan Bank was genuine. She also denied the statement made by the prosecution that she manipulated the work of the bank officers in clearing the draft, claiming that they only did their work in good faith.
Meanwhile, counsel for the accused, G.D.A. Laryea, has expressed his desire to appeal against the sentence imposed on his client. He mentioned that he would appeal against the sentence within 30 days giving to them by the court and that he is awaiting the court to give its reasons for the judgement before filing his appeal.
GRi…/
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London (UK) 22 October 2002 - British Environmental Health officers have launched a war on African supermarkets in London in a bid to rid the capital of what they call illegal bush meat. The Police and Health authorities both claim their operations are aimed at discouraging the sale and purchase of bush meat from Africa.
Men dressed in white overalls and gloves with protective face gear to avoid possible detection were carrying bags of “evidence” for forensic examination. They described them as “unidentifiable” meat.
But this was the worse nightmare for some traders and shop owners in London. The raids follow several tip-offs that unhygienic rotten meat is being sold on the black market for big money. On of the shops visited was Kejetia Mini Market in West Green Road, Tottenham.
Here Africans especially Ghanaians can purchase their favourite foodstuffs ranging from kenkey, pig feet, wele, snails, crabs, even Star beer and bitters like “Alomo”. But these do not seem to pose much of a problem for health officials. It is the bush meat, the “akrantie”!
This is not the first time KEJETIA has been raided by the cops and health officers, giving rise to accusations of victimization by the local African Community. The owners of KEJETIA insist that their operations are legal and they have always satisfied all heath and safety regulations.
Ironically, the alleged complaint or tip-off came from within the huge and vibrant Ghanaian community. For now, at least, hundreds of London based Ghanaians face the prospect of Christmas without Bush meat or “akrantie”.
GRi…/
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