GRi Newsreel Minister challenges reports of bumper fish harvest Reject state funding of political parties

Tema (Greater Accra) 4 September 2003 - Edward Martey Akita, Minister of State for Fisheries on Tuesday dismissed claims by fishermen that there was bumper fish harvest this year.

He said inspection carried out by his officials at the various cold stores in Tema showed that 75 percent of cold stores at the fishing harbour were empty, "while some fishermen were shouting at rooftops of bumper harvest and throwing fish into the sea."

Akita, who was speaking during his first official meeting with members of the National Association of Fishermen of Ghana (NAFAG) in Tema, said the claims of bumper harvest, made it look like the government was insensitive to the plight of fishermen by allowing imported fish, thereby frustrating the fishermen.

Akita said his ministry has put in place methods to ensure that at no time should there be no fish in the system and continue to monitor fish catch at the port.

The Minister was not happy about some foreigners meting out cruel treatment to their Ghanaian employees and warned them to change for the better.

However, members of NAFAG, reiterated to the minister that there was enough catch during the season, and at times some fish had to be thrown away into the sea, because there inadequate storage facilities.

Nana William Buckman, former president of NAFAG explained that the fishermen could at times land about five boats with enough catch, but because they could not blast freeze the fish, they only sold what people could buy and throw the rest into the sea.

Nana Buckman who is the National Chairman of the Co-operative Fisheries Union said his union has a blast freezer plant, but the cost of electricity for its usage is so huge that it is not profitable to utilise it during bumper catch.

"We could assist the fishermen if the ministry offers the necessary financial support to run the plant so that fish catch could be kept in cold stores."

The fishermen also criticised the government for highly increasing fishing licence fees without consulting NAFAG, and appealed for subsidies on maritime gas oil, since some of the neighbouring countries are still selling such fuel far lower than what pertains in Ghana. Some of them held that while the fishing industry earns enough foreign exchange for the country, it is not given good treatment by the government.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 4 September 2003 - Owusu Ankomah, an Independent Presidential aspirant in the last general elections, has asked Ghanaians to reject the state funding of political parties, saying, that could cripple the economy.

"If 40 percent of the national budget is supported by donor funding, what it means is that the economy is not strong enough and should therefore not be put under further stress", he said.

Ankomah was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi on Wednesday. He said if people want to see the growth and sustenance of multi-party democracy, the situation should not be created where funds that could otherwise be used for social services and infrastructure is given to political parties.

Ankomah observed that some registered political parties in the country were not in for any serious business and wondered why "the state should provide funds just to keep such parties which exist only on paper".

"When we succeed in creating the wealth, then we could start looking at the possibility of helping the parties out with some funds", he said.
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Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 4 September 2003 - Yaw Adjei Duffuor, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed concern about the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

He said the alarming rate of the spread would affect the country's investment "since it is those who constitute the working force who are dying of the pandemic."

The Deputy Regional Minister was addressing a meeting of staff of the National Disaster and Management Organization (NADMO) in Brong Ahafo to educate them on the dangers of the disease.

Adjei-Duffour said some non-governmental organizations have created awareness "but people are not taking heed and the rate of infection continues to increase."

He said the crusade against the disease is necessary to educate those who are ready to change their sexual behaviours and called on all organizations to join hands in waging the war against it.

Williams Sopiimeh, Regional AIDS Coordinator, said HIV prevalence rate among blood donors in the region has increased steadily.

He said 2.97 percent and 3.0 percent were recorded in 2000 and 2001 respectively in the region. In 2002, it went up to 3.36 per cent, adding that 234 (3.7 per cent) out of 6,350 blood donors screened from January to June this year were positive.

He said AIDS in the region is fast becoming alarming and that all efforts are needed to check it. Sopiimeh said the cost of anti-retroviral treatment is even higher than an ordinary treatment and added that it cost about ¢45m for treatment of a patient per year.

''If nothing serious is done to curb the spread of the pandemic it will pose a serious setback to the health insurance programmes of the government", he said.
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Awutu-Bawjiase (Central Region) 4 September 2003 - The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is to establish Agricultural Extension Information Centres (AEIC) throughout the country.

The move is to augment the Ministry's effort of promoting food, meat, fish and industrial raw materials and make farmers derive maximum benefit from their toil.

It will also assist them to contribute financially towards the implementation of self-help project in their community. Isaac Akpabi, National Coordinator of AEIC, said this at a meeting of stakeholders at Awutu-Bawjiase in the Central Region on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed matters relating to the new system and was attended by opinion leaders in the Awutu-Senya district, including Nana Ghartey VII, Omanhene of the Efutu traditional area.

Akpabi said the ministry has established six of such centres at Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo, Dabala in the Volta Region, Asin Fosu, Mankessim, Twifo Praso and Agona Swedru, all in the Central Region.

He said under the AEIC system, farmers will be provided with additional information about agriculture at the major marketing centres in their administrative set ups where the AEIC offices would be established to prevent them from travelling to district capitals for such information.

Samuel Senagor, Awutu-Efutu-Senya District Director of MOFA, said a survey conducted by the Ministry showed that 30 percent of active farmers in every district patronised, at least onece a week the major marketing centres in the district hence the decision to establish the information centres.

Senagor said another concern of the ministry was inadequate number of agricultural extension officers in the country. He expressed the hope that the establishment of the AEIC will significantly make up for a balanced farmer/extension officer ratio, which presently stood at one to 2,500 farmers, while the government takes steps to train more officers to address the issue.

Mrs Mary Opoku Asiamah, Central Regional Director of the Ministry called for effective collaboration between various district assemblies, traditional councils and organised farmers and fishermen groups to ensure success of the programme.

She said the ministry is unable to go alone in its effort to make the nation self-sufficient in agriculture. There is therefore, the need for all stakeholders to team up with it to achieve the objective.

The Regional Agricultural Director commended the Awutu-Efutu-Senya District Assembly for the immense support and co-operation it has given to the district to implement agricultural programmes.
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Bolgatanga (Upper East) 4 September 2003 - A Bolgatanga District Magistrate, Gabriel Odame Adufu, on Tuesday called for the provision of all relevant structures involved in juvenile justice administration to allow for the efficient prosecution of juvenile related cases.

He said structures such a juvenile courts, remand homes and child panels are necessary ingredients for the fair and just prosecution of juveniles, adding that if the loud talk about the rights of the child would be meaningful, then those structures ought to be in p lace.

Adufu was speaking on the topic juvenile in conflict with the law at a day's workshop on the juvenile capital. The workshop was organised by the department of social welfare with funding from UNICEF, and was attended by district police commanders, district directors of prisons, the women and juvenile unit WAJU of the police service and staff of DSW.

Adufu said the establishment of remand homes for juveniles is a constitutional mandate of the justice system in the country adding that prosecution of juveniles especially in the region was frustrating because of the absence of the very structures needed to dispense justice.

The magistrate indicated that remanding a juvenile offender is far from conviction, and said in cases where a juvenile is to be remanded; the tendency to add him to adult offenders either in prison or police custody is obvious, with its attendant consequences although it is against regular justice administration.

He further indicated that no matter how grievous the crime, a juvenile is not liable to prison sentence and said the absence of remand homes is a major problem confronting the courts, the police and DSW, adding that in cases, parents of juvenile offenders often could mot be traced.

Adufu therefore, called for the immediate establishment of those structures to make the dispensation of juvenile justice a reality and to pre-empt tendencies of juveniles committing further offences.

Adufu noted that issues on children's welfare have assured paramount importance throughout the world, and cited various laws in Ghana, including the Children's Act 560, the UN standards on juvenile justice, section four of the criminal code amendment act, among others, as some relevant laws on juvenile justice.

The regional director of DSW, Raphael Agbontor in a welcoming address said the workshop had become necessary in view of the need for stakeholders to appreciate the problems involved in juvenile justice delivery. He called on the participants to contribute actively to ensure the success of the workshop.
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Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 4 September 2003 - The Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service on Sunday arrested a member of a gang of unemployed youth calling themselves "Al-Qaeda", impounded five motor-bikes they were using at Aboabo Number Two in the Kumasi.

The police have mounted a search for four other members of the group who escaped. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Gideon Boateng of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Unit said in recent times the gang has robbed residents in the metropolis of their mobile phones and money and engaged in other criminal activities.

He said at about 1130 hours on Sunday the gang, numbering about five, stormed the Kotoko Cinema Hall at Aboabo Number Two where a get-together was being held and without any provocation started causing commotion.

Boateng said the Buffalo Unit had a tip-off and swooped on the area and arrested one of the members. The remaining four fled and left their motorbikes behind.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 4 September 2003 - Seventeen persons have been listed to undertake postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom under the Chevening scholarship programme.

They are James Owusu Gyamfi, Sidney Kwesi Ellis, Mary-Ann Acolatse, Richard Boateng, Vincent Kobby Asmah, Kofi Safo Amoakohene, Abdul-Rahman Ahmed, Theodora Peresheila, Assifuah, Sheila Azuntaba, Kafui Kwame Afenyo, Awulatu Inusah Abdul Fatai Oladosu Ahmed and Gloria Amoah Osei.

Others are Jonathan Selasi Dzakpata, Philip Aboagye Anokye, Georgina Oduro, and Cynthia Ayebo. They will study in areas such as computer science, foreign service, international journalism, management information system, construction management, radio systems engineering, rural development and food production management.

A statement issued by the British High Commission said the entire course, which cost 300,000 pounds sterling would be funded by the High Commission with counterpart support from other corporate bodies.

The statement noted that individuals selected had displayed excellence and commitment in their respective fields of endeavour. "These scholars have already shown outstanding achievement and commitment to Ghana, and have the potential to play an important role in the continuing social, economic and political development of Ghana."

The aim of the Chevening scheme is to send to the UK present and future leaders, decision-makers and opinion leaders. It was named after the "Chevening House", an official residence of the British Foreign Secretary. The statement said the candidates were selected by the British High Commission in consultation with the British Council with preference to persons already established in a carrier, with proven skills and prospects of becoming leaders in their chosen fields.

Since the scheme's inception in 1983, as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarship programme, it has provided more than 40,000 scholarships to students in over 150 countries with Ghana benefiting 140 scholarship awards.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 4 September 2003 - The Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) on Wednesday cautioned the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to reflect carefully about the current impasse following their elections and national awards.

"The PRINPAG calls on the executive and members of GJA to reflect soberly on issues currently confronting them and ensure that their rank is not divided, or taken advantage of by any person or group of persons who do not wish journalists and the media well," PRINPAG said.

A statement signed by the Mrs Gina Blay, President of PRINPAG, reminded all GJA chapters of the consequences of entrenched positions on the outcome of the recent election, saying it would not benefit anyone.

PRINPAG wished the GJA well in its extraordinary general meeting, saying it believed that it would remain strong and united.
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Sepaase (Ashanti Region) 4 September 2003 - The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church has banned wreaths at the burial of members as a measure to reduce the high cost of funerals in the country.

Also banned by the Church are some aspects of customary rites such as burying the dead with valuables like gold, pieces of cloths and cash.

Pastor Samuel Adonie Essien of the Central Ghana Conference of the Church said the decision to ban these items was taken at its leaders council meeting in April at Agona in the Afigya-Sekyere District.

Addressing members of the Abuakwa branch of the Church at Sepaase in the Atwima District at their first camp meeting on Sunday, Pastor Essien said the church had realised that there was too much emphasis on buying expensive wreaths and extravagance at funerals that was drawing a lot of people into debts.
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Forikrom (Brong Ahafo) 4 September 2003 - Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Railways, Ports, and Harbours, said on Monday the NPP would not sit down unconcerned and allow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to play a ball game with the National Health Insurance Scheme.

''The Scheme is the only prudent health policy that will promote the health needs of Ghanaians and eliminate inequalities in the health delivery,'' he said.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was speaking at the commissioning of a ¢9.5m office of the NPP at Forikrom in Techiman South Constituency. The office was constructed through communal labour and financial support from Peter Adom Abokyi, Constituency Chairman and Amo Adom of Amo Enterprise.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said "NDC does not want good things to be credited to the NPP government hence its desire to thwart the efforts of the government to provide better health delivery system to the people".

He appealed to party supporters not to allow the opposition to create divisions in the party but to work as a unified force to return the party to power next year.

Prince Oduro-Mensah, M.P. for Techiman South, reiterated the need for NPP supporters to woo NDC members to the party through the good works that "positive change has brought to the country".

He said he had equitably distributed development projects in his constituency through his share of the common fund. Kwabena Sarfo, MP for Offinso South, noted that the NPP government had no intention of passing inimical laws that would stifle the promotion of the welfare of Ghanaians.

He said the passage of the National Health Insurance bill by Parliament is an indication that the government is committed to the well being of Ghanaians and castigated NDC for boycotting debate on the bill in Parliament.

Isaac Osei-Antwi, District Chief Executive for Techiman, asked members of the party to eschew backbiting and work hard enough to ensure total victory for the party in the 2004 elections.

The constituency chairman, Peter Adom Abokyi, urged NPP supporters not to regard their opponents as enemies and try to convince them to join the party.
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Ho (Volta Region) 4 September 2003 - Traditional Authorities at Akatsi in the Volta Region are demanding the withdrawal of Environmental Health Officers with effect from 30 September 2003 for gross abuse of office and corruption.

They would be treated as marauders if they entered any house for inspection, a statement said on Tuesday. The statement that was signed by seven people including chiefs and elders asked for the replacement of the officers with others who are "committed and will adhere to the government's laudable policy of 'zero tolerance for corruption".

It said following complaints to the Regional Environmental Officer about the gross abuse of office and blatant corruption of the his staff at Akatsi the Regional Officer agreed to meet the community on 25 August to iron out their differences.

While the Chiefs and people waited at the community's durbar grounds the Regional Officer came and transacted other businesses and left.

"The Chiefs and people of Akatsi then met on 29 August and resolved that the work of Environmental Officers in Akatsi should be suspended with immediate effect," the statement said.

Albert Kpodonu, Volta Regional Environmental Officer, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday that he accepted to meet the chiefs and people of the area and specifically those who made the charges of corruption against his men during 'phone in' in connection with a weekly Environmental Programme on the Volta Star Radio.

He said on the appointed day he went with a team made up of John Bosco Kotah, Vice-Principal of the Ho School of Hygiene, John Ametepe, Port Health Officer and a Member of the Akatsi District Assembly and Fabien Amkpah, Ho District Environmental Health Officer and Anane Gbadago host of the programme and concluded investigations into the allegations.

He produced a copy of correspondence to the Akatsi District Assembly dated 26 August to the GNA recommending the transfer of some officers as well as appointing a substantive head to streamline affairs at the Akatsi Office.

The letter also appealed to the District Assembly to educate people living in the community to refrain from offering bribes to Environmental Officers on inspection.

Kpodonu said it was not prudent to withdraw all staff at the Akatsi Office and replace them with new ones who are not readily available. He said he had not agreed to meet the Chiefs and people at the durbar grounds as being alleged but rather invited them to the District Assembly to identify those they accused of demanding bribes.

Kpodonu said Akatsi, which failed to take part in the Regional Cleanliness Campaign Competitions in 2001 and 2002, is a problematic area for the department.

He recalled that in 1983 and 1995 similar mass withdrawals were made following requests from the chiefs of the town but that did not bring about any positive change in environmental management in many households in the town. Kpodonu said complaints about Environmental Officers in the districts should first be addressed to district assemblies.
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Koforidua (Eastern Region) 4 September 2003 - The Traditional and Alternative Medicine (TAM) Directorate of the Ministry of Health, has developed a National Policy and Strategic Plan to promote the comprehensive integration of the traditional medical practice into the public health delivery system.

Under the plan, the Directorate would undertake the registration of practitioners of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, produce curricula and training manuals and draw up a code of ethics.

The Acting Director of the TAM Directorate, Mr Peter Arhin announced this at a forum at Koforidua on Tuesday. The forum formed part of the celebration of the First African Medicine Day and the Fourth Traditional Medicine Week.

He said the Plan, which was Ghana's response to the declaration of the African Union's Decade of Traditional Medicine of 2001-2010, also provided for the formation of a Patent Aid Board and foreign and local consultancies on the acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights for TAM practitioners.

Arhin said a research foundation would be set up to co-ordinate research activity, streamline procedure for testing of herbal products and encourage out-grower schemes for the cultivation of medicinal plants.

He announced that a documentation and database of Traditional Medicine Practitioners and their products would be undertaken to facilitate the monitoring and enforcement of a legal and regulatory framework.

The Registrar of the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council (TMPC), Hunua Kpogo Akakpo, speaking on the regulatory framework guarding the industry, explained that the need for regulation was, among other things, to provide standards, check against quackery and sale of uncertified products.

He said the framework provided for standards for premises, training, practice, registration and licensing of practitioners to promote public confidence and quality service in the system.

Akakpo appealed to the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM) at Mampong-Akwapim to reduce its testing fee of ¢500,000 to encourage more practitioners to refer their products there to enhance the production of quality products.

Contributors called on the CSRPM and the Food and Drugs Board to make their services affordable and less cumbersome to improve their products to enable the country to take advantage of foreign demands for their products.
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