THE National Democratic Congress (NDC), has filed two suits at a High Court ion Accra, claiming damages for libel against the editors and publishers of two private newspapers. Those sued jointly and severally are Mr Eben Quarcoo, Editor of the Free Press and Tommy Thompson Books Limited, publishers of the Free Press on one hand and Nana Kofi Coomson, Editor of the Ghanaian Chronicle and General Portfolio Limited, publishers of the Ghanaian Chronicle.
This was announced by Mr Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the NDC at a press briefing at the party headquarters in Accra. According to Mr Yahaya there is absolutely no link at all between Frank Benneh, a Ghanaian diplomat on trial in the country for his alleged involvement in drug deals and the NDC. "We wish to state emphatically that Mr Frank Benneh is neither a member of the NDC nor has anything to do for and on behalf of the party", he stressed.
Mr Yahaya said as the leading political force in the country with a solid reputation it will not compromise its preoccupied with laying a solid foundation for the nation's socio-economic development to ensure a better life for the people and could therefore not sacrifice this sacred objective for anything.
Mr Albert Bosomtwi-Sam, senior partner of Bosomtwi Sam and Associates, solicitors for the NDC, observed that the said publications were not only false but also calculated to injure the party, lower its immense esteem in the eyes of the public and destroy its reputation as the leading political force in the country.
It would be recalled that the Free Press Wednesday January 31-Tuesday February 6 edition, carried a story on the front page headlined, "RAWLINGS, NDC IN BIG COCAINE DEAL". Also, the Ghanaian Chronice, in its February 8-11 1996 issue published a story headlined "EXPOSED -- AT LAST". Both stories sought to link the NDC in acts of drug trafficking allegedly carried out by Mr Frank Benneh, a Ghanaian diplomat based in Geneva, Switzerland, and which was published by the African Observer, a US-based weekly.
THE publisher and editor of the Free Press, Messrs Tommy Thompson and Eben Quarcoo, as well as the Editor of The Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Kofi Coomson have been granted ¢6 million bail each by a circuit court in Accra. The three have been in custody since February 14, on charges of publishing false reports likely to injure the reputation of the government. The accused have however pleaded not guilty to publishing news stories that alleged government complicity in the cocaine deals involving Frank Benneh, a Switzerland-based Ghanaian diplomat, currently on trial.
In granting the bail, the presiding judge, Alhaji Nuhu Billa, explained that he has given due consideration to the preliminary objection raised by the defence on Thursday regarding the constitutionality of Section 185 of the Criminal Code Act 29 under which the accused have been charged and consequently the jurisdiction of his court to try the case. He said it is his considered view that the matter be referred to the Supreme Court for determination. He indicated that proceedings in the case would therefore be stayed pending the determination of the constitutionality issue.
Alhaji Billa said in view of this development, it was opportune that the accused be admitted to bail. The case has been adjourned indefinitely.
At the court precincts yesterday, a detachment of the police which had been assigned to keep the peace, had a hectic time controlling the milling crowd that had gathered to hear the case. As early as 8 a.m., the courtroom was filled to capacity whilst a number of people who could not make it inside also positioned themselves within the premises to await the decision of the court. Warning shots had to be fired to ward off people from following the vehicle in which the accused were in.
MR Justice Philip Archer, former chief Justice and member of the Council of State, has called on the National Media Commission and Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to invoke the ethics of the profession to curb the spate of intentional violations of the individual's privacy by sections of the media. He said in Ghana today, the privacy of the individual has been eroded and invaded to such damaging and alarming extent that somebody has to raise his voice and kick against it.
Mr Justice Archer was speaking at a one-day workshop on privacy and ethics of journalism organised jointly by the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) in conjunction with the School of ommunication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. The workshop was attended by 25 senior journalists from both the state and private presses.
Mr Justice Archer noted that much as it is true that the constitution of the fourth Republic guarantees freedom of thought and expression, these are not unlimited or absolute and must be observed, subject to the laws of the land. He urged the Media Commission to draw power from Article 167 (b) of the constitution establishing the commission to "take all appropriate measures to ensure the establishment and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards in the mass media". Mr Justice Archer urged journalists to concentrate more on the social and economic problems facing the country. He said newspapers should keep the district assemblies on their toes by highlighting on issues of poverty in the rural areas.
Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, President of GJA, said for democracy to work in the country, the four arms of government should function effectively to create a democratic atmosphere.
Dr Peter Mayer, Resident Director of FES, said the workshop forms part of a two-year programme designed to improve the level of journalism practice in Ghana. He said the programme will be used to improve upon standards and initiate positive changes in journalism in the country.
Rev. Dr G.T. Anim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, who chaired the function urged the press to promote social morality through their writing and publications. Rev. Dr Anim said the aim of the media should neither be resentful nor spiteful and asked the public to see the press as friends.
In the said report, five businessmen who accompanied President Rawlings on his investment trip to Malaysia deplored Mr Pianim's statement describing it as "outrageous, malicious and without sound economic basis". Mr Pianim said he only referred solely to investment in road-building and not "Malaysians currently doing business in the country" as alleged by the reports.
He added that his reference to Malaysian investors at the rally at Somanya was in response to a report in the dailies by the Ministry of Roads and Highways on the possible use of the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme to solve the country's road construction and maintenance problems. Mr Pianim said in order to operate the toll-managed roads, there must always be alternate routes for those who cannot pay for the use of first-class roads. He remarked, "there are not too many alternate routes ion Ghana for the roads contemplated for the BOT scheme.
He said the country cannot afford to invite foreign investors into areas where their presence could generate a lot of animosity from the people as that would surely undermine the long-term need of our economy for direct foreign investment. Mr Pianim said it was in that vein that he said at Somanya that any investor -- Ghanaian or foreign -- in the privatisation of these sectors, does so at his own risk.
THE National Emergency Committee has been directed to take additional steps to investigate the cause of disturbances in four towns in the Techiman District of the Brong Ahafo Region. This is in furtherance of measures taken to restore law and order ion the four towns namely Tuobodom, Tanoso, Tanoboase and Buoyem.
An official statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi also urged the committee to ensure a return to a state of normalcy to enable all displaced persons to return to their homes and lead normal lives. It asked the committee to investigate "any other matters which may appear to the committee to relate to the foregoing, and which in the opinion of the committee, ought in the public interest to be enquired into.
This, the statement indicated, will enable appropriate recommendations to be made with a view to restoring lasting peace and tranquillity to the affected areas in particular and Brong Ahafo Region in general. The statement said while it is not the intention of government to interfere with the institution of chieftaincy as entrenched in the constitution, it noted that the same constitution, charged government with the responsibility to ensure that law and order prevail at all times throughout the country.
THE Supreme Court has ordered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to suspend the holding of its forthcoming delegates' congress, until the determination of a suit challenging the eligibility of Mr Kwame Pianim to seek the party's presidential nomination. In its ruling yesterday, the court which had Mr Justice F.Y. Kpegah as the sole judge, upheld the submissions made by council for Mr Pianim, Mr Joe Reindolf for the deferment of the congress.
Mr Kpegah said one does not need a clairvoyant to realise that the suit in question which was filed by Mrs Rosemary Ekwam, a member of the party, would affect the chances of Mr Pianim in his bid to contest the presidential nomination of his party. He said it would therefore not be fair for Pianim to start the race for the NPP presidential nomination with such a disability and therefore granted the applicant's request to restrain the party and its entire membership from organising the congress on March 2.
Mrs Ekwam is seeking a declaration that Pianim is unqualified to be sponsored as a presidential candidate because of his conviction by the National Public Tribunal in 1983 on a charge of preparing to overthrow the then PNDC Government.
The case is, meanwhile, expected to be heard by the Supreme Court on March, 5.
Mr Reindorf submitted that, so far as Pianim's candidature is in doubt, in view of the suit against him, he would be at a disadvantage when it comes to competing against the six others running for the party's nomination. He said the applicant has put in so much in terms of money and efforts and it would be unwise to deny him of his right because of the pendency of the suit, when he could be voted as the flagbearer of the party.
Mr Reindorf gave an indication that his client is prepared to absorb the cost of preparations towards the congress. To permit the proposed congress, he said, would cause irreparable injury to Pianim and dash his ambitions. He said the determination of the suit is important since the outcome would be binding on all parties in the case, in so far as the decision determines the status of Pianim. Mr Reindorf said if Pianim wins the arty's nomination, but is later disqualified by the Supreme Court, the party stands to lose so NPP cannot absolve itself of Mrs Ekwam's action.
On his part, Mr B.J. da Rocha, counsel for the NPP, described the application as incompetent, abuse of the court process and frivolous. He therefore called on the court to dismiss it. He said the NPP is not a party to the suit between Mrs Ekwam and Mr Pianim and therefore an injunction cannot be slammed on the party. Mr da Rocha said the party's image and prospects for winning the elections would be seriously jeopardised if the congress is postponed. He said all arrangements have been concluded for the congress and the delegates have started trooping in to the University of Ghana, Legon which is the venue for the congress.
He said Pianim has known that the congress has been scheduled for March, 2. "In all these, the party has not impeded him in any way so what grievance has he against the party to justify his action?", he queried and accused Pianim of "suffering from personal handicap". He argued that since other presidential aspirants have also toiled by campaigning in various parts of the country and prepared for the March, 2 congress, they should not be denied that right of presenting themselves. "We are in to win power and anything that would frustrate us in this desire cannot be countenanced", he emphasised and called on the court not to grant the injunction to Mr Pianim "because he is afraid of being beaten".
Meanwhile, NPP has filed an application for a reversal of the Supreme Court decision which restrained the party from holding its delegates congress originally slated for March , 2. In the application filed by Nana Akuffo Addo, counsel for NPP, the party said the decision of the court was erroneous and has occasioned a gross miscarriage of justice to the NPP.
The party said there are serious and fundamental blemishes in the court's ruling which necessitate a speedy reversal of its decision. According to the party, the order of interim restraint is open ended without any limitation in time. The effect of which is that, it is possible that by the time of the presidential election, the NPP will not have a presidential candidate as the substantive action will not have been finally determined. It maintained that the NPP is not a party to the suit challenging the eligibility of Mr Pianim. It said Mrs Rosemary Ekwam who brought the suit did not bring the action with the knowledge or consent of the NPP. Neither did she act as the agent or representative of the party.
Besides, the party contended that no injunctive relief has been sought by the plaintiff in the substantive action. Despite this state of affairs, the party said the court, without assigning any valid legal reason, has in flagrant violation of precedent and principle, made an interim order of restraint affecting a non-party in a suit.
AN Industrial Development Action Plan is being drawn up to address, in a more comprehensive manner some of the problems facing industry. Consideration is also being given to selective intervention based on objective and transparent eligibility criteria, and strict performance monitoring of industry. President J.J. Rawlings announced these in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, at the official opening of the Fifth Ghana International Trade Fair in Accra on Friday (March 1). The 11-day fair is on the theme, "Development Through Trade".
The President pointed out that government recognises that one of the crucial issues confronting it is how to develop and enhance the country's productive capacity and at the same time meet the challenges of increased competition. "By opting to use the private sector as the vehicle for economic growth, we have entrusted this onerous task of enhancing our productive capacity and meeting the challenges of increased competition to our Ghanaian entrepreneurs" he added.
It is in furtherance of this, that efforts are being made to address the problems facing the private sector, President Rawlings stressed and mentioned the $80-million USAID-sponsored Trade and Investment Programme, the $40-million Private Enterprise Development Project and the ¢10-billion Business Assistance Fund. President Rawlings further assured that government would continue to encourage development of the fledging capital markets to enable entrepreneurs to have access to both medium and long-term credit for the rehabilitation and expansion of existing industries as well as the establishment of new ones.
President Rawlings also expressed government's conviction that one way Ghanaian entrepreneurs can secure finance is by entering into joint ventures with their foreign counterparts, who have the much-needed capital. With regard to Ghana's position in world trade, President Rawlings said as a founding member of the world Trade Organisation, Ghana's exports enjoy some amount of preferential treatment on the markets of other member-countries.
Similarly, the Lome Convention offers a number of GHANA's exports, duty-free access to the European Union and expressed the hope that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme would also offer preferential market access opportunities when it becomes fully operational. "There are opportunities for export-oriented investors who are committed to a partnership to develop Ghana's productive capacity as against simply buying and selling," he added. The President therefore urged entrepreneurs and their foreign counterparts to explore ways to collaborate in a mutually beneficial way to take advantage of those opportunities. President Rawlings welcomed the foreign exhibitors to the fair and expressed the hope that they would find Ghana's stable environment truly conducive to business, trade and investment.
In his welcoming address, Col. Seth Kwawu, Director-General of the Ghana Trade Fair Authority, said 308 local companies and 100 foreign ones are participating in the fair. He hinted that the authority was forced to turn away 100 other companies due to lack of space and stressed the need to build more pavilions to cater for the growing industrial sector. Col. Kwawu, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to support the authority to improve facilities at the centre to meet international standards.
BARELY 10 days after the four game wardens from the Mole National Park left Sunyani, the mystery beast has struck again. And perhaps angered by the unsuccessful attempt by the wardens to trap it, the beast this time was remorseless and for the first time killed three sheep on the spot at the SSNIT flats area of Sunyani. One of the three sheep was pregnant. It pulled out the intestines and sucked its blood leaving the carcass.
This time some residents in the area, including this reporter saw the beast in action. The time was about 12.45 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 29) when all residents were indoors. Suddenly some dogs started barking and as the barking became continuous, I came out of my room to see what was happening so did other people in Blocks Three, Four and Five. From the first floor of Block Four, where I stood, I spotted a spotless white animal which looked like a dog and about five black and brown dogs struggling with some sheep on an untarred road near the flats. Soon, about 10 other dogs joined in the struggle.
The white animal, followed by the dogs, was seen pushing one of the sheep to the fence wall at the flats and after two minutes, they left it and chased another sheep into the dark. As I kept watching, the white animal again followed by the dogs dashed towards the Block One area as the sheep attempted to escape. Neither the white animal nor the dogs were seen again. At about 5.45 a.m., people rushed to the spot only to find the pregnant sheep dead. Some few metres away, two other sheep were also found dead with their intestines gushing out but there were no traces of blood. It had rained that night and the footprints of the animals were found all over the place.
THE Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs has stated categorically that the Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, has no legal, customary, and constitutional right to elevate the four divisional chiefs in the Techiman Traditional Council to paramountcy status. In a release issued by the Standing Committee of the House and signed by the acting president Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, the House asserted that the chiefs and people of the affected areas have always been the subjects of the Techiman Stool both legally and customarily.
"Having studied the matter, the standing committee wants to correct the unfortunate and erroneous impression that might have been created by the Asanteman Council on the issue", the release added. The release also expressed surprise at the claim by the Asanteman Council that the recent delegation of the House, which sought audience with the Asantehene on the issue, had gone there to plead with him to allow the Techiman Traditional Council to assume jurisdiction over the said areas.
"Nananom went to Otumfuo to resolve the impasse upon hearing that Otumfuo has decided to elevate four stools within the Techiman Traditional area to avoid any possible future misunderstanding", the release pointed out. The release said the House will soon come out with more comprehensive facts on the issue.
THE Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, has stated unequivocally, that what belongs to the Golden Stool, will not be ceded to anybody. He has also stressed that acts of wanton violence and provocations will not deter Asanteman from its sacred rights and responsibilities. The Asantehene made the assertion in reaction to recent disturbances in the Tano-Subin area of the Brong Ahafo Region following his elevation of four chiefs to paramount status. He was speaking at a meeting of Asanteman at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The four towns whose chiefs were elevated are Tanoso, Tuobodom, Buoyem and Tanobuasi. The Asantehene said Asanteman will rely on the constitutions and laws of the country to address the crises and appealed to the law enforcement agencies to stop what he described as the senseless violence and bring the perpetrators to book. He contended that "the issue before the whole country is whether well-established and time-honoured customary institutions which are guaranteed by the constitutions and laws of the country can be overhauled by flagrant acts of violence".
The Asantehene gave the historical background to his recent action in the Tano-Subin area. Otumfuo Opoku Ware said the constitution expressly guarantees the institution of chieftaincy as established by law and usage, adding that the incident of allegiance to a stool jurisdiction of a stool and the definition of chieftaincy itself, are based on the customary law and usage. He contended that the creation of regions by statute and the establishment of districts by legislation or executive acts, do not affect the incident of customary allegiance to a stool or the traditional jurisdiction of a stool. This is because, it is well-established that traditional allegiance may be owed to a stool across regional or district boundaries and this is confirmed in section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act 1971 (Act 370).
The Asantehene pointed out that prior to Ghana's Independence, what is now Brong Ahafo Region, was part of Asante and that before 1900 all the stools and people of the present Brong Ahafo owed allegiance to the Golden Stool. He said some of the towns in the Tano-Subin area of Ofuman, Tuobodom, Tanobuase, Buoyem, Tanoso, Brenam, Nchiraa, Nwoase and Subriso No. 1, owed allegiance to the Golden Stool for nearly 300 years.
Otumfuo Opoku Ware enumerated steps taken by the Omanhene of Techiman on a number of occasions to claim towns in the Tanoso-Subin area over the years, all of which ended in futility and said any claim by the Omanhene of Techiman to allegiance of the stool in the Tanoso-Subin area, has no basis as they clearly fall within the jurisdiction of the Kumasi Traditional Area and therefore gives "unimpeachable right" to the Asantehene to elevate them. He said he is shocked by the inflammatory statements issued by the Techimanhene and the flagrant act which constitute a continuing threat to law and order.
Otumfuo expressed outrage at the violence being unleashed on innocent people in the Techiman area, whose only offence is that they have chosen to serve the Golden Stool. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
THE Ghana Tourists Board has suspended 143 hotels throughout the country from operation with effect from March 1, for failing to meet the required minimum standards for licensing in 1996. In a statement issued in Accra, the board explained that with the nation's drive towards quality tourism, the need for accommodation establishments and other tourism facilities to offer quality services to tourists has become imperative.
Greater Accra Region topped the list of unrecommended establishments with as many as 80 hotels. Western Region followed with 17 whilst 10 were refused licences in the Brong Ahafo Region. The rest are Central Region 10, Volta Region 8, and Eastern Region 7. The North and the Upper East Regions which had the least number, had three unlicensed outfits each.
The statement said among the defects found during the inspections of the accommodation facilities were irregular registration formalities with the Ghana tourist Board insanitary conditions of lavatories, unhygienic surroundings, inadequate or poor furnishing of guestrooms, receptions and lounge. Others were irregular maintenance of equipment and facilities or unsatisfactory state of repairs of fittings and fixtures, the absence of fire-fighting equipment and lack of proper security arrangements.
Of much concern to the board were cases where some hotels had failed to meet the legal requirements for obtaining development and building permits from the Town and Country Planning as well as the City/District Engineers departments respectively. Without these permits, no hotel can be licensed by the board as it is these permits which assure users that the activities are in harmony with the neighbouring land uses and that the buildings have no structural defects including fire safety.
The board again warns that all tourism plants which were recommended for licensing but fail to collect their operational licences by March 1, will be considered as operating illegally and will therefore face the appropriate action. A task force made up of personnel from the board and the police will go round to effect closure and prosecution of all unlicensed hotels, restaurants, travel and tour-operating establishments after March 1.
MR B.J. da Rocha immediate past chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that, the party does not recognise the legal existence of the Convention People's Party (CPP). "There is no entity known as the CPP since we do not have a registered political party by that name," he stressed.
Mr da Rocha made these submissions at the Supreme Court on Thursday as the leading counsel for the NPP in a suit filed by Mr Kwame Pianim to restrain the NPP from holding its special delegates conference on March 2, to elect its presidential candidate. Mr da Rocha contended that the arrangement struck between the Nkrumahist parties and NPP have nothing concrete to do with the arrangement of the party's congress. Mr da Rocha remarked, "I am advised and verily believe that the reference in the applicants affidavit to the understanding between the NPP and the Nkrumahist parties are wholly irrelevant to the issue of the propriety of holding the NPP conference on March 2."
In another development, Mr Kwamina Bartels, a leading member of the NPP told newsmen in an interview after the Supreme Court verdict that the request of Mr Pianim for the postponement of the special delegates conference is not something new to the Busia-Danquah tradition. He said in 1979 the Popular Front Party which was the predecessor of the NPP had to postpone its delegates conference because two of its presidential aspirants Messrs Victor Owusu and J.H. Mensah had to be cleared of adverse findings by a commission of enquiry set up after the June 4 uprising.
He said the irony of the situation is that, Mr da Rocha, who was then the General Secretary of the PFP postponed a national congress which had actually assembled at the YMCA, to about six weeks later. Mr Bartels said he does not understand why the same Mr da Rocha is trying to prevent Mr Pianim to clear himself before the Supreme court. He remarked, "so there is a precedent for Mr Pianim's request to the party to postpone the special congress to enable him to be cleared at the Supreme court."
SIX presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), last Thursday, did not turn up at a dinner organised for them by the Young Executive Forum. Only Mr Kwame Pianim turned up for the function. The dinner was meant to bring the seven presidential aspirants together and to foster unity and stronger inter-personal relationship amongst them.
The forum is made up of a group of private businessmen based in Ghana and elsewhere who support the cause of the party to assume political reins of the country. It was learnt that apart from Messrs J.H. Mensah and Dr Dsane Selby who were reported to be campaigning in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions respectively, the rest who had been officially invited by the forum, were said to be in Accra.
Mr J.A. Kuffour was reported to have asked to be excused because he had contracted a cold, but no reasons were given for the absence of Prof. Adu-Boahen and Dr Jones Ofori-Atta. However, Dr Ofori-Atta's son Mr Ken Ofori-Atta was present, perhaps to make up for the absence of his father.
The national officers present were the party chairman Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Mr K. Agbenewosi, second vice-chairman and Miss Ama Busia, third vice-chairman of the party.
THE stunned crowd could not believe their eyes, a couple of weeks ago, when a lunatic stormed a New Patriotic Party (NPP) rally at Sunyani and virtually ordered the rally to stop. The lunatic well known in the Sunyani township is fond of going about singing Christian songs and shouting as if speaking in tongues. This time however he appeared quite furious with the politicians and he was determined to let them know his feelings. One of the three presidential aspirants of the party at the rally, Mr J.A. Kuffour who was then addressing the rally temporarily broke his address until sanity prevailed.
The rally which took place on February 16, at the Sunyani Victoria Park was well-attended as party faithfuls gathered to hear the good news from three of the presidential aspirants, Mr Kuffour, Mr J.H. Mensah and Dr Kofi Dsane-Selby. When speakers from the regional level completed their addresses, Mr Kuffour took over.
Soon there were some loud shouts from behind the crowd as if someone was speaking in tongues. And there emerged the lunatic going round the rally grounds speaking in tongues and singing Christian songs. Those who knew the lunatic did not bother about his interruption and he left. Some few minutes later, he re-emerged, this time not "speaking in tongue" but calling for the disorganisation of the rally. He shouted in the Twi language, Mese yentie; yebesee no; mo mfiri ha nko (I say we shall not listen; we shall disorganise it; get away from, here) as he went round the grounds.
Those familiar with the behaviour of the lunatic in the town were dumbfounded but others who did not know him suspected he had been paid by an opposing party to create confusion. As the lunatic went round, some strong looking men at the rally got hold of him and forcibly drove him from the grounds never to return again.
NANA Kofi Coomson, Editor-in-Chief of the Ghanaian Chronicle yesterday requested the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to adjourn proceedings into allegations of impropriety against Mr Ibrahim Adam, Minister of Food and Agriculture, to enable him to assemble his evidence. Mr Peter Zwennes, counsel for Nana Coomson who made the request on behalf of his client said he was directed by Nana Coomson to seek adjournment for at least one week to enable him to "raise other matters" on connection with the probe.
He said though his client duly reviewed the invitation letter to appear at the probe, it came in just a few days to yesterday's sitting rendering it difficult for him to prepare adequately. Nana Coomson was however, present at the sitting.
Replying, Mr Salifu Bawa Dy-Yakah, counsel for Mr Ibrahim Adam said while they did not have any objection to the request, they found it hard to believe that it was impossible for Nana Coomson to furnish the commission with the said matters before the sitting, considering that the allegations against his client were made in August, 1993.
He drew the attention of the commission to the position and duties of his client as the Minister of Food and Agriculture and said his functions could be impaired by frequent adjournments. Mr Bawa Dy-Yakah said his client is scheduled to travel outside on national assignment which will keep him away until March 26.
Consequently, the commission adjourned proceedings to March 27.
THE Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr Addai Gyamerah, has said the NDC does not believe in politics of litigation and is therefore not interested in witch-hunting. Mr Gyamerah who is also the MP for Upper Denkyira said the NDC sees all Ghanaians as one big family and therefore does not believe in running down personalities. He was speaking at a party fund-raising dinner dance at Dunkwa-On-Offin at the weekend.
He said it is the party's belief that national development should be the objective of every government and this cannot be achieved with litigation and witch-hunting. Mr Gyamerah said the Upper Denkyira District, for example, has gained immensely from the NDC overnment in the area of roads, schools and other social projects which are aimed at improving the standard of living in the area.
The Acting Regional Minister, Dr E.A. Ayirebi-Acquah asked the people to support the NDC to consolidate the gains made in the past years. He said despite the attacks on the government, press freedom has thrived under the NDC more than any other regime in the history of the country.
The Acting Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kwabena Fosu, called on supporters of the party to remain committed to the ideals of the NDC which he described as a new emerging force in the political history of the country.
Miss Sarah Kunti-Attah, District Chief Executive, said though the party is in government it is still young and needs to be guided. She, therefore, called on supporters to contribute financially to nurture the party into a great political institution.
An appeal for fund yielded ¢20 million at the function with Mr Baffuor Senkyere who chaired the function, donating ¢5 million.
THE Convention People's Party (CPP) has accused the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of making pronouncements and statements calculated to undermining "the tremendous progress made towards forging a united opposition front". It described these developments within the ranks of the opposition as "regrettable." This charge is contained in a release signed by Alhaji Asuma Banda, Chairman of the CPP and made available to the dailies yesterday.
According to the CPP, the modalities for realising a united front of the opposition which include the holding of simultaneous congresses to elect their presidential candidates have been agreed upon by the parties and therefore considered binding on them. He said the negotiating teams of the two parties agreed that the two parties should hold simultaneous congresses to elect their flagbearer and then meet at a joint congress to elect one presidential candidate for the united opposition front. "We therefore agreed initially, for a congress around the end of March. The dates of 26 and 27 and that of 29 and 30 March 1996 were suggested," he stressed.
Alhaji Banda said when the NPP announced the holding of their special delegates conference, he personally wrote to the party's National Chairman to express his concern about the danger such development could have on the opposition front. He remarked, "it is regrettable that up-to-date there has been no response to my letter". He said recent developments seem to suggest that the NPP does not attach much importance to the idea of a united opposition front.
Alhaji Banda cited for instance that the NPP failed to turn up for a meeting of the negotiating committee fixed for February 28 this year. He appealed to all members of the opposition parties who believe in the alliance of the opposition parties as the only way forward in resolving the political crisis of Ghana to rally behind a united opposition front to contest and win the 1996 elections.
MR J.H. Mensah, a presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called for an end to the bickering within the party that is damaging its image and integrity. "Time and again our attention and energies have been diverted from the hard central task of winning political power and instead been dissipated on petty personal concerns" he bemoaned. Mr Mensah made the call at a news conference in Accra yesterday in reaction to the present state of affairs within the party following the suspension by the Supreme Court of the party's delegates conference which should have come off last Saturday
. According to Mr Mensah, the Busia-Danquah group throughout its fifty years of existence has held power for merely two years because of petty squabbles within its ranks. "We have produced out of our ranks, a succession of naive political upstarts who have knocked power out of our reach because they do not understand that without power we can do little good for our people", he pointed out. The presidential aspirant observed that the basis of unity and strength of the party is being threatened and pointed out that like 1979, factionalism is creeping in to threaten the party's march for power.
Mr Mensah called on lawyers of Mr Pianim and those of the party to "agree on a joint application to the court to vacate Justice Kpegah's injunction so that these matters can be dealt with through internal dialogue". He called on the fathers of the Busia-Danquah tradition to "impose order on these noisy leading members who will only lead us to another defeat".
GERMAN football champions Borussia Dortmund yesterday reduced the pay of their two young Ghanaian internationals Ibrahim Tanko and Yahaya Mallam, claiming the players were not taking club commitments seriously enough. Club manager Michael Meier was especially critical of the attitude of striker Tanko who he said "had made a number of wrong decisions". Dortmund said the two players had preferred to represent Ghana at various international levels rather than honour their club commitments.
Both players took part in the Africa Nations Cup, and now Dortmund have had to release them for Ghana's Olympic team playing against Cameroun tomorrow in the final Olympic qualifying matches. Following the four-week Africa Cup, both players stayed in Ghana on holiday and returned to Germany unfit, according to Dortmund. Tanko, who had taken part in the African Cup, is now suffering from a foot problem and has not been able to train regularly. Meier compared Tanko to the former Dortmund defender Ned Zelie whose progress suffered as a result of his many call ups for the Australian National side.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is to send a petition to FIFA, for redress on Borussia Dortmund's decision to reduce the salaries of two Black Meteors players, Ibrahim Tanko and Mallam Yahaya. Reacting to the Dortmund's decision, a source close to the GFA said Dortmund has no right to come out with that decision since it amounted to intimidating the players.
"Every foreign player has the right to play for his national team, as many times as the FIFA rules allow, therefore the decision to cut a player's pay because he is honouring a national call is rather a poor display of fairness. "A player's pay can be reduced for misconduct or poor performance, but certainly not for playing for his nation", he stressed.
The GFA source said until the story was carried in the two national dailies, no GFA member or even the players were aware of it.
"We read it on Saturday morning and it temporarily affected the players involved. If the situation is not quickly addressed, it could put fear in the other professional players and this will be a great setback for our national teams", he lamented. The source promised that the petition will be sent to FIFA before the return match against Cameroun in Yaounde on March 17 to enable the boys regain their confidence to give off their best. The position will also be used to protect other foreign players. Meanwhile, the GFA is expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the problem and find means of making up the difference the pay reduction will amount to until the issue has been amicably resolved with Dortmund.
The players themselves in a reaction said Dortmund had no legal right to come out with such an issue since no part of their employment contract indicates that their salaries will be cut should they respond to national calls. Dortmund's Manager Michael Meier decided to cut the salaries of Yahaya and Tanko who he alleged prefer to represent Ghana at various international levels rather than their club commitments.
Real Tamale United FC, have withdrawn their participation in this years confederaation of African Football (CAF) competition one to financial constraints. In a letter to the Ghana Football Association, the Club saw the cannot meet the financial committment associated with the competitor.
RTU were scheduled to play Kaloum Stars of Guinea in Accra on Sunday March 10th.
Alhaji N. D Jawula, Vice Chairman of the GFA, confirmed that the GFA had received RTU's withdrawal letter and said an official statement would be iddued on it.
In another development, Accra Great Olympics are also considering withdrawing from the Cupp Winners Cup Competition for similar reasons.A spokesman for RTU said the Clubs sponsors have decided to wihdraw their sponsorship because of the team's poor performance in this years league.
RTU, lying third from the bottom, have not won any of their last eight premier matches.
The newly appointed Black Stars Coach ASP Sam Arday will undertake a trip to Europe next Wednesday. He is expected to undergo various assignments to psyche him up for his new job.
The Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Authority (GFA) Alhaji Nuru Deen Jawula announced this said this is a follow-up tour of Europe by the Chairman of GFA Nana Sam Brew Butler. According to Alhaji Jawula, Coach Arday would spend two weeks with four top clubs, Manchester United, Leeds United, Anderletcht and A. C. Milan in Europe.
He saw Coach would then be linked up with the top European Coaches of the four clubs where he would understand them and exchange ideas with them.
While in England, Bobby Chalton will arrange two lectures to a consortium of coaxhes with the budget matter being the newly developed multi system. He saw while in Europe, the Stars head coach is expected to get into contact with most of the Black Stars players for purposes of monitoring their form.
Coach Arday is also to contact other players on his eight week duty tour.
The national Under 23 soccer team Black Metors will on Sunday find in their Camerounian counterparts a tough battle as they meet in the first leg of the last qualifying match for Atlanta '96 Olympics. The Camerounians who would parade virtually all the players that participated in the just end 20th edition of he African Cup of Nations will be made to undo the Black Meteors in the battle of do and die.
Easy though the Meteors preparation towards the match has been a little suspect the inclusion of seasonal players will cushion the effect of the pressure.
Less that a week of preparation cannot develop a cotiesier and synchrosised strategies to tame the junior Lions whose players were camped immediately after their elimination from the African Cup of Nations. Another problem on the head of the team is the exit of Brazilian Coach Ismeal Kurtz who has guided the team for sometime now, and his successor Jones Attuquayfio may not follow his programmes to the latter.
However, with the importation of new Captain C.K. Akunnor, Emmanuel Duah, Dan Addo, Mallam Yahaya, Felix Aboagye who were all with the Stars in South Africa, Ghana has good players to tame the Junior Indomitable Lions.
Another interesting news is that, a Switzerland based Augustine Ahinful, Ohene Kennedy and Godfed Aduboe and Christian Sbah who has gained promotion have given their preparedness to win handsomely to render the retium maatch a mere academic exercise. The defence of the Meteors composed Richaard Obimpeh, Stephen Baidoo, Kuffour will be greatly enhanced with the inclusion of 21 year old Switzeerland based Richard Padmore who plays his soccer with Storm Graz. With a little determination and the will to die for mother Ghana I expect them to win by a 3-0 margin.
A SUPREME Court Judge, Mr Justice N.Y.B. Adade is to cease his functions on the bench following a ruling by the court to that effect. The court by a 3-2 majority ruled to grant the reliefs sought by one Lysander Nartey of Abeka, a suburb of Accra, who challenged the continuous presence of the judge on the bench. The court was however not specific as to whether by this decision the judgements he has delivered would have o be declared a nullity.
The plaintiff's case was that Mr Justice Adade's continuous presence at the Supreme Court is unjustified and nconstitutional. According to the plaintiff, when Mr Justice Adade was appointed a Justice of the supreme court in 1980 under the 1979 Constitution, he was to retire at the age of 65 in accordance with the said constitution nd later the Judiciary (Retiring Age) Law 1986 PNDCL 161, which had his retiring age extended for one year when he attained 65 years on June 20, 1992. In accordance with the extension, the plaintiff said Mr Justice Adade was required to retire from the service on February 20, 1993 having regard to section 8 (2) of the Transitional Provisions.
Mr Justice Adade, who was represented by Dr Seth Twum, however, indicated that he has continued to serve in his present capacity by virtue of section 4 (1) of the Transitional Provisions, which provides that a justice of the Supreme Court holding office immediately before the coming of the constitution shall continue to hold office as appointed to that office. He cited the former Chief Justice, Mr Justice Philip Archer, who was already 68 years and Justice Francois, ho was 69 as some of those who benefited from the exercise of the discretion under PNDCL Law 161.
He contended that as "sitting judges" they did not retire, rather they continued in office under section 4 of the Transitional Provisions and retired at the age of 70 under Article 145 (2). The Attorney-General who was a defendant in the case also supported Justice Adade and declared that there is nothing unconstitutional about Justice Adade's status.
However, a few weeks to the ruling, Mrs Louisa Adusa-Amankwa, who represented the Attorney-General, backed off when she announced that they have withdrawn from the case and that they would no longer contest the plaintiff's case.
Justices E.K. Wiredu and E.D.K. Adjabeng dismissed the plaintiff's action whilst Justices F.Y. Kpegah, George Acquah and Sophia Akuffo upheld his submissions. In his ruling, Mr Justice Adjabeng said there is no ambiguity about section 4 of the Transitional Provisions. He said the words are crystal clear and the section mandates Mr Justice Adade's continuous presence on the bench. He said it was upon this that Justice Adade took the oath of office and would be expected to retire at the age of 70 and cited that Justice Archer was more than 65 but he continued in office until he reached 70 last year. He pointed out that the purported withdrawal of the Attorney-General was not binding, in that, it was wrong for it to do so after the battlelines have been drawn.
Justice Wiredu, on his part, stressed that Justice Adade's present position is persistent with the constitution. He said to deny Justice Adade the opportunity to serve in his capacity until he reaches 70 years, would amount to singling him out when others had availed themselves of that dispensation.
Justice Acquah reiterated that the particulars of Justices Archer and Francois are not before the court and therefore the court cannot rely on them. He said Justice Adade's reliance on the cases of Archer and Francois cannot be taken seriously. He maintained that Justice Adade was on engagement for one year by the "Grace of the PNDC" and therefore he ought not to remain at the expiry of that term. He said the judge cannot avail himself of section 4 of the Transitional Provisions since it is section 8 (2) that is applicable in his case. Justices Kpegah and Sophia Akuffo in their rulings expressed similar views and upheld that Mr Justice Adade should cease his functions since he has not got the mandate to stay in office.
THE SUPREME Court will on April 30 give its ruling in the case in which the Independent Media Corporation of Ghana (IMCG) and seven others are challenging the constitutionality of criminal prosecution against them. The seven are Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey, Victor Newman, Albert Ken Dapaah, Kweku Adu-Gyamfi Opoku, Tom Wereko Brobbey, Alfred Konu and Felix Yamful.
The presiding judge, Mr Justice E.K. Wiredu, asked defence counsel to file within 14 days any submissions hey might wish to make. The Attorney-General was also given 14 days beginning from the date of his service to file a reply.
It would be recalled that in January, 1995, an Accra Circuit Court which was hearing the case of unauthorised use of radio frequency against the accused persons, stayed proceedings on a preliminary legal objections raised by the defence counsel Nana Akuffo Addo. The defence counsel argued that at the time that the provisions under which the accused had been charged were inconsistent with Article 162 (3) of the 1992 Constitution.
Consequently, Col. V.C. Doegah, the then presiding judge, adjourned the case indefinitely and referred the matter to the Supreme Court for it to decide.
PRESIDENT Jerry John Rawlings told the visiting United States Commerce Secretary, Mr Ron Brown,s that the current political upheavals in the West African sub-region are transitory problems that should not stand in the way of investments in the sub-region. He said in most cases, these upheavals are the results of a quest for transparent and workable governments and should therefore not be considered as too negative. The President was speaking at the Castle, Osu when Mr Brown who was on a working visit to Ghana, called on him.
The President added that though he would not say this for all the countries, there are situations in the sub-region that need a lot of understanding to appreciate. He said, for instance, that the recent change of government in Niger was not because of corruption or dictatorship but because a constitution fashioned on a western model became inoperable and therefore crippled the government.
He said Ghana has been though a similar situation and has now established a sound political climate and therefore understand the situation. President Rawlings said Ghana is trying to improve infrastructure in the rural areas to ensure balanced development. Ghana, he assured, can be a gateway to the sub-regional market and also help in the integration of the West African market.
Mr P.V. Obeng, Presidental Adviser on Governmental Affairs, expressed the hope that Ghana can work effectively with the United States Government to show that the country is ready to serve as a unifying factor in a regional market that can integrate into the global market. He said there is the need to focus on areas with greater potential as a means of attracting support to others areas.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr D.F. Annan briefed Mr Brown on the work of the House over the past three years and said the Legislature has done its bit to help stabilise democracy in the country.
Mr Brown, on his part, said the Government and people of America have a great deal of esteem for President Rawlings and understanding of the Ghanaian situation. He said his government appreciates the role President Rawlings is playing to end disputes in the West African sub-region, stressing that for economic programmes to succeed there is the need for political stability. He said the United States Embassy in Ghana would deal with both the private and government sectors to identify projects that would be of benefit to the country.
SIXTY members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the Pai-Katanga Traditional Area of the Kete-Krachi District in the Volta Region, who have decided to join the NDC, were at the weekend welcomed into the party. They were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Obed Asamoah and the party's Regional Chairman, Prof. Frank Novor at an NDC rally held at Katanga to consolidate the party's holding in the area.
The defectors, who were introduced one after the other by Mr Mathias Ababio, also a former stanch NPP member in the area and at Madina, near Accra, included Chief Farmer and Vice-Chairman of the NPP in the area, Mr Leo Kojo Ampadu. Welcoming them, Dr Asamoah assured that the NDC will win this year's elections just as it won the 1992 one. He pointed out that after Dr Nkrumah, no other government had undertaken development projects especially in the rural areas than the NDC Government and stressed that the government will continue to do so because it has the interest of the country at heart. He further stated that the attitude of the opposition parties in discouraging foreign investors into the country clearly shows their lack of interest in the country's development which he said, needs foreign support.
On his part, Prof. Novor said the high cost of living in the country is not peculiar to Ghana. He said through its realistic policies, the government under President Rawlings, has won back for the country its credit-worthiness as a result of which a lot of developed nations are assisting Ghana to carry out its development programmes.
MR ERNEST Dumor, Member of the Electoral Commission (EC) has said that every citizen of the country has the right to vote and be voted for whether the person is male or female. He said women must be educated on the electoral process to make sure that they get involved in the political life of the country.
He said this at the on-going four-day workshop for political parties on how to incorporate gender issues in the design and delivery of their basic text in policy-making and development, in Accra last Monday. The workshop is to equip the various party representatives with the necessary skills for gender responsive planning.
It is being organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CENSUDI), in collaboration with Haans Seidel Foundation and attended by members of the various political parties, some members of Parliament, Electoral Commission, National Commission on Civic Education and non-governmental organisations.
Ms Franciska Issaka, founding Director of CENSUDI said the participants at the end of the workshop, will know how they can make the political system less discriminatory to women and men. Professor Miranda Greenstreet, Director of the Institute of Adult Education, who chaired the workshop called for the institution of a fund to encourage and assist women in politics in the country.
AN Accra High Court has placed an injunction on further sale of all Sempe Stool lands by the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Obuor II and the Sempe Mankralo, Nii Kpakpo Amako II. The court presided over by Justice J.A. Essilfie Bondzie also ordered the chiefs to render account of the proceeds from the sales of the stool lands from the day of their enstoolment to date, especially, those sold at Sowutuom, Mpoase and Korkordjourn (Mandela) and pay into the coffers of the stool. It has meanwhile called for the establishment of a proper machinery for the administration and allocation of Sempe Stool lands.
The Sempe Youth Association which initiated the action against the chiefs, accused the defendants of mismanaging the lands of the stool for monetary consideration. The plaintiff submitted that the defendants in gross abuse of their traditional office as Sempe Mantse and Mankralo respectively have over the years and through negligence, allocated large portions of the stool lands to parties not subject of the stool for valuable considerations and have misapplied the proceeds.
THE GOVERNMENT is reported to have doled out a whapping ¢4 billion to the Association of Committee of the Defence of the Revolution (ACDR) as part of resettlement scheme to boost their morale and enhance their electioneering campaign.
Under the scheme, senior members of the defunct ACDRs who are expected to play major part in the election are to receive ¢500,000 while the juniors take ¢300,000. The first instalment was paid last year Christmas even though the last instalment was delayed. It has however been paid last week at their base at North Kaneshie. There was a near commotion when they suspected someone wanted to reduce their share.
Sources close to The Chronicle said seven members from each zone across the country have received theirs. In Accra there are 12 zones not to mention the number of zones in other regions. The source further disclosed that because of the seriousness with which the NDC attaches to the resettlement exercise, former ACDR boss was kicked out of the office for allegedly mishandling the exercise. Nii Adjei Boye Sekan, MP for Ledzokuku has replaced him.
On February 8 a closed door meeting was held to register the ACDRs as a company and a board of directors already picked. Meanwhile, high powered delegation including ministers and parliamentarians have been despatched to all the zones throughout the country to assess the needs of the ACDRs before the crucial November elections.
THE Accra Circuit Court has granted a ¢5 million bail to Frank Benneh, the Switzerland-based Ghanaian diplomat, who is before the court on charges of possessing, trafficking and using narcotic drugs. Benneh is also to deposit his travelling documents and to report once a week to the police.
The chairman of the tribunal, Mr Charles Nyelewoma, granted this dispensation, following an application made by Benneh's counsel, Mr Joseph Turkson. Counsel had earlier told the court that since the prosecution had not completed its investigations into the matter, it would not be proper to keep the accused in custody over an allegation which is yet to be investigated.
The prosecutor, ASP Patrick Sarpong when called upon by the court to explain the state of affairs, made it known that the police are expecting a report on the case sometime next week from INTERPOL in Switzerland.
The case, meanwhile, has been adjourned to March 7.
THE offer for sale of the shares of Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) has been launched. The offer, which will be opened for four weeks, forms part of government policy to divest itself of the banking sector.
Mrs Helen Lokko, Managing Director of GCB in a pre-launch press briefing in Accra yesterday, said government will off-load 60 per cent of its shares in the bank. She said out of this 30 per cent will be reserved for a foreign strategic investor with a wide knowledge in modern banking. Mrs Lokko said the necessary pre-floatation activities such as the review of the bank's operational procedures, planning and budgeting, computerisation and introduction of new products, have been completed to enable the bank meet the obvious challenges of the industry.
GCB is one of the three commercial banks slated for divestiture. Already, the Social Security Bank (SSB) has been divested and the third bank, National Investment Bank is to follow suit. The assets of GCB which currently stands at ¢500 billion, is said to be one of the largest banks in the country.
Its after-tax profit increased from ¢24.7 billion in 1993 to ¢33.7 billion in 1994. In that year, GCB paid an initial dividend of ¢5 billion to the government --its sole shareholder.
Analysts on the Ghanaian capital market would not say the size of the floatation but it is considered to be the largest after Ashanti Goldfields Company, to be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. According to the lead managers of the floatation, the sale will be targeted to both Ghanaians and non-resident Ghanaians.
GHANA's Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) has signed a $700,000 joint exploration deal with Ethiopia's Ezana Mining Development Company. The agreement signed in Addis Ababa provides for an initial three-month exploration lease focusing on a 2,000 square km (772 square miles) region in West Tigrai, said AGC Executive Director, John Clarke.
If gold bearing ore is found, the agreement could be stretched to ix years, Clarke told reporters after the signing ceremony, adding that prospects were good. "I am convinced that the geology for gold prospecting in West Tigrai is right -- the people are right, the partners and the climate of mining investment in Ethiopia is also right. "Ashanti Goldfields Company will use its expertise and experience to develop gold mining in West Tigrai, he said, adding his company was also bidding for management of one of Ethiopia's major gold producers, the Lega Dembi Mine, 300km (180 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa.
In 1994, Ethiopia launched an international campaign to attract foreign investors to prospect for gold. First gold exploration agreements were signed in 1994 between the Mines and Energy Ministry and US and Canadian firms.
ASHANTI Goldfields Company (AGC), is to raise $175 million from the international financial markets through exchangeable guaranteed notes, to support its operations. Such notes can be converted into ordinary shares of AGC, if the holder desires, after March 2003. Sources close to the company told the Graphic that it will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The sources said the notes will be guaranteed by the Ashanti Goldfields Company and will be issued by Ashanti Capital Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashanti Goldfields Incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The sources said the final terms of the notes and price fixing will be determined by the first week of March this year. The lead managers in this financial investment are Goldman Sachs International and Barclays de Zoete Wedd Limited.
Currently, the share price of AGC is being traded on the LSE at $25.50 and ¢30,000 on the Ghana Stock Exchange. AGC holds a portfolio of gold exploration properties in Ghana as well as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Eritea and Ethiopia.
THE Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem branch of the Convention People's Party has kicked against the CPP's move to enter into alliance with other political parties for the forthcoming general elections. The branch's stand is in support of a recent demand by the Cape Coast branch of the CPP that any attempt to prematurely rush the party into alliance with the NPP will be seriously resisted. This was contained in a statement signed by the branch executive at Cape Coast on Friday.
The statement noted that any such attempt will be suicidal and disastrous. It further emphasised that any attempt to "sell the CPP without taking into consideration its strength and ideology will mean 'bye bye'". The statement said "we in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem are prepared to sacrifice our lives to assist in building a strong, dynamic and vibrant CPP that can stand the test of time".
MR Kwame Pianim, a presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said he possesses the qualities that can help find lasting solutions to the country's problems through a process of national reconciliation, open government and job creation. He said what the country needs most is a leader who can effectively harness the nation's human resources to accelerate the country's social and economic transformation.
Mr Pianim said this at a meeting with constituency executives and supporters of the NPP drawn from all parts of the Upper West Region at Wa on Thursday. Mr Pianim's campaign programme as an NPP presidential aspirant was also addressed by Dr Wereko Brobbey, Dr Nyaho Tamakloe and Captain Courage Quashigah, all leading members of the party. He said the country is in crisis and needs a leader who can effectively harness the nation's human and material resources to accelerate the country's social and economic transformation. Mr Pianim said seeking vengeance on political opponents should be a thing of the past.
ABOUT 200 former members of the People's Convention Party (PCP), in the Ashaiman Constituency at Tema, have joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC). At a news conference at Ashaiman yesterday, Mr Richard S. Aholu-Quao, former organiser of the party for Ashaiman said their decision stems from the fact that CPP which is the United Nkrumahist front, has no direction.
In a statement read on their behalf, they said the CPP they once knew and were proud of, "has become a puppet on strings being manipulated by latter day Nkrumahists, whose commitment to the CPP tradition is only skin-deep". They asked, "where were Asumah Banda and Mr Arkaah and all those now parading as Nkrumahists, when we were sacrificing our lives for the CPP and when did the CPP become the junior partner, playing second fiddle to mischievous New Patriotic Party (NPP) and who gave Asumah Banda the mandate to sell out the birthright of the CPP".
According to the statement, the defectors find the decision absolutely intolerable and a desecration of the memory of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, adding it is a marriage of convenience by the politically and traditionally bankrupt leaders of the CPP group. "To register our protest and disgust at the behaviour of Asumah Banda and his bunch of charlatans posing as heirs to Nkrumah, we decided to move en masse from the PCP or CPP or whatever it calls itself to join the NDC", they stated. The statement said President Rawlings has smashed the myth of elitism and changed the course of politics in Ghana and Africa and has become a source of great pride not only to Ghana, but to the whole of Africa.
Mr Peter Asiedu, the NDC co-ordinator in the Tema municipality, who accepted the former PCP members, said the NDC is a party which seeks the total development of the country in an integrated manner.
THE Bank of Ghana (BOG), yesterday indicated that it will not allow any non-bank financial institutions to operate outside its laws and guidelines. Nana Agyei Nyantakyi, head of the Non-Bank Division of the BOG, said while the Central Bank continues to encourage and assist non-bank financial institutions, it expects such institutions to operate within the law.
He was speaking at the launching of Johnson's Savings and Loans Limited, a new non-bank financial institution located at Kaneshie, Accra, established to give loans and accept savings from the general public to promote their businesses. The company has Mr J.Y. Gyamfi, a businessman as its Managing Director and the chairman of board of directors.
Nana Nyantakyi mentioned in particular the compliance of requirements of liquidity, capital adequacy ratio and credit, as some of the essential tenets which must be respected. He also impressed on all non-banking institutions to ensure that their returns are sent to the BOG on schedule, adding that complying with this requirement will promote a fruitful and pleasant relationship between the bank and the institutions. Nana Nyantakyi said the BOG will offer them the necessary support since they provide services to small-scale savers and borrowers who do not have access to the banks.
Mr Victor Selormey, Deputy Minister of Finance, who performed the launching ceremony, said the government will encourage the setting up of non-bank financial institutions in many parts of the country to offer services to small-scale entrepreneurs. He advised the new company to educate customers on the need to reduce risks involved in money deposits and transfers. Mr Selormey reiterated government's plans to draw a special scheme to reduce the circulation of cash on the market to solve the inflationary problem.
FORMAL hearing into allegations of impropriety levelled against Mr Ibrahim Adam, Minister of Food and Agriculture is to commence on March 4, 1996, Mr Emile Short, Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has said in Accra. The Minister is among a number of government officials including Mr P.V. Obeng, Mr I.K. Adjei-Maafo, Col. Osei-Wusu, Mr C.B. Ntim who are being investigated by the CHRAJ on allegations of corruption and impropriety under Article 218 (e) of the constitution.
Mr Adam who appeared before the commission, was briefed on the nature of proceedings at the probe. With the minister were his counsel, Mr Salifu Bawa Dy-Yakah (senior), Mr Dick Anyadi and Mr Iddrisu Egala, accountant. Mr Short made it clear that the probe is a fact-finding one and not a judicial enquiry.
He said since the investigation was initiated as a result of allegations published in the press, there is strictly no complainant nor a respondent or accused person. Mr Short said the commission has already done some preliminary investigations into the matter and added that proceedings at the probe are merely a continuation of the exercise. He urged those invited by the commission to provide truthful information relating to matters under investigation to enable the commission determine the truth or otherwise of the allegations and take the appropriate steps resulting from the investigation.
The allegations of impropriety against Mr Adam appeared in The Ghanaian Chronicle of August 15, 1993.
However, neither the author of the allegation nor his counsel were at the probe.
NKRUMAHISTS have been called upon to remain vigilant and to resist moves by some politicians parading as leaders of the Nkrumahist tradition to sell the great legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to those who sought his destruction. "Under no circumstances should true Nkrumahists allow the great tradition established by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to be mortgaged to his sworn enemies who worked tirelessly for his destruction".
The call was made at the weekend by Mr Peter Vaughan-Williams, Co-ordinator of the Liberated Nkrumahist Brigade (LNB) at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra at a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah and his party, the convention People's Party (CPP).
According to Mr Vaughan-Williams, the February 24 coup by reactionary forces, was aimed not only at ending the progressive policies of the CPP Dr Nkrumah led but also at destroying and erasing Nkrumah's image from the hearts and minds of the people. He said that after failing to destroy the image of Kwame Nkrumah in a series of misinformation campaigns after the 1966 coup, the same people were now turning round to court the support of the political tradition Dr Nkrumah had worked so tirelessly to build.
"Under no circumstances can we who truly share the vision and ideas of the great Osagyefo, find ourselves in the same political camp with those who are sworn to do everything in their power to destroy him", Mr Vaughan-Williams observed. He said that three decades after his overthrow, the vision and ideals Dr Nkrumah stood for were not only still relevant to the nation's development but had also found concrete expression in the programmes of the Government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
THE Convention People's Party (CPP) has accused the Electoral Commission and the office of the Attorney-General of trying to deny it the legal use of the name CPP and its symbol, the red cockerel.
Alhaji Sani Farl, Vice-Chairman of the CPP, speaking on behalf of the party, said "there is no law in the country which debars us from the use of the name and symbol of the CPP. This has so been declared by a court of competent jurisdiction in |Accra on December 8, 1995. This is the position of the law," he added
. Alhaji Farl was addressing a news conference at the headquarters of the NCP at the weekend. He cautioned that if the Electoral Commission does not change its stance on the issue, the party would be forced to demand the dissolution of members of the electoral Commission as currently constituted. He therefore called on the rank and file of the party to ignore the Electoral Commission's refusal to confer legitimacy on the name CPP and continue to organise for the party to attain victory in this year's elections.
On the alliance with other political parties to contest the November elections, Alhaji Farl pointed out that his party is committed to the alliance ideal not only for the purpose of unseating the NDC Government in the elections but also for the formation of a national government to include all political forces in the country. He however disclosed, that the CPP would not be a junior partner to any other party in the projected alliance of the opposition adding that parity is the basis of the party's acceptance of the alliance concept.
In an apparent reference to the role of Dr Hilla Limann, leader of the People's National Convention (PNC) who claims the leadership of the CPP, Alhaji Farl said the CPP did not need anyone personality to lead it to congress and that only the chairman of the party is its leader. He added "the CPP is sufficiently united to go ahead and we would wait for no one else to join us before we make further progress".
Asked why the CPP appears not ready to organise its congress to pick its presidential and parliamentary candidates for the November elections, the CPP Vice-Chairman said unlike other parties, the CPP would not be hurried into a race where several aspirants are pitched against each other. He added that a date for the congress of the party would soon be announced.
Earlier in an address, Mr T.K. Appiah, second National Vice-Chairman of the CPP described the overthrow of the CPP Government led by Dr Nkrumah as a "dastardly and traumatic action of the forces of reaction".
GHANA COMMERCIAL BANK TO GO PUBLIC GHANA Commercial Bank (GCB) has offered 99 million ordinary shares at ¢500 per share for sale on both the domestic and international markets. The offer which closes on March 26, 1996 is seeking to raise ¢49.5 billion through the public floatation of 60 per cent of the bank's equity. Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance launched the offer at a ceremony in Accra on Monday which was attended by top executives in business, finance, commerce and economics.
Application for the shares will be for a minimum of 20 shares and in a multiple of 10 shares thereafter. It is expected that each of the two markets will raise half of the required amount with that of the international market being done through private placement. The private placement is being made to selected institutional and other investors on the world's major markets, with the primary purpose of seeking a strategic investor for the bank. The Ghanaian offer is being made to institutions and individuals resident in the country and to non-resident Ghanaians.
ECOBANK Brokerage Ltd. And Strategic African Securities Ltd. Are the co-lead managers while Credit Commercial de France and Socimer International Corporation, are the co-lead managers for the international offer.
If the offer for subscription goes on as planned, dealing in the shares will commence on the floor of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) on May 17 after allotment of the other shares had been announced on April 22.
GCB is the second state-owned bank to go public and to have its shares quoted on the GSE. The first public bank was the Social Security Bank (SSB). According to the prospectus on the offer, the bank is expected to maintain a policy of distributing 30 per cent of its net income after tax, as dividend.
THE World Bank has given Ghana a credit facility of #23.9 million to strengthen the capacity of the non-banking financial institutions for revenue mobilisation. It is to be re-paid in thirty years with 10 years grace period. An agreement to cover the facility was signed in Accra yesterday by the Minister of Finance, Mr Kwame Peprah and Mr Edward Jaycox, Vice-President of the World Bank in-charge of the Africa Region.
Eleven non-banking financial institutions are to benefit from the facility. The institutions include the Ghana Re-insurance Organisation, Ghana Stock Exchange, National Insurance Commission, Home Finance Company, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Bank of Ghana and Ghana School of Administration. The rest are the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, State Insurance Corporation, Ministry of Finance and Securities Regulation Company.
In a brief remark, Mr Peprah said there is the need to improve the capacity of the non-banking sector to enable it to play its expected role in the on-going financial reform programme. He said in a situation where the formal banking sector has not attracted the desired savings, the non-banking sector remains the alternative sector for funds mobilisation.
Mr Jaycox on his part, said the non-banking sector is important to the world Bank due to its capability of helping to strengthen national economies. He called for sound economic management to make the non-banking financial sector more viable.
A 16-YEAR-OLD student of the Twedaase JSS at Tema, at the weekend, drowned in a water valve chamber belonging to the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) at Community 4, Tema.The victim, Ishmael Okine according to sources, went to the area in the company of six friends to bath in the chamber which was full of water.
When the others were ready to go home Ishmael could not be traced and his father was informed, who organised a search party to look for him. Luckily the body of Ishmael was retrieved from the corner of the water chamber. The body has since being deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
Officials of the GWSC who visited the site found to their surprise that the metal lid used to seal the valve had been removed. The chamber which is five meters deep, protects the valve which controls the flow of water through the line. It was installed in 1965.
A 30-YEAR-OLD Edina Narbi in a bid to facilitate her wedding to her boyfriend Alex Smith, gave four pieces of cloth, but had a shock when she realised that the cloth has been used to engage another woman. Edina Narbi, a trader at Kantamanto Market in Accra, said she had been living together with her boyfriend with whom she had an eight-year-old child, but he had not perform the customary rites. "My mother confronted Alex and I and gave us ultimatum or we forget about it all".
Jilted Edina whose lover had no money decided to assist him by purchasing three pieces of cloth and six yards of bazzin (shedda) which cost almost ¢90,000. According to Edina, she gave the items to Alex and then travelled, but a week after when she returned, her lover started misbehaving until she demanded her cloths back but Alex had sold them already. Not satisfied he sold Edina's TV set and water heater to top his money for the dowry.
At the Odorkor Police where Edina reported the case, Smith admitted his guilt and confessed that he had given one of the clothes to her new found lover. He said the TV set is with a friend's sister at Kokompe in Accra.
HIS own obituary, written neatly in an exercise book was found near the body of 18-year-old Ato Kwamena Okyere Amankrah when he was found dangling at the end of a rope with which he had hanged himself at Ashalley Botwe. "My reputation is tarnished, my honour murdered and my academic potentials made redundant. I have learnt my lessons the bitter way, but its TOO LATE. My entire life is a failure thus suicide is inevitable", were the words found in Amankrah's book.
Workers who found the body reported the matter to the Madina Police, who removed it and sent it to the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
Amankrah, a second-year student of Accra Academy was described by colleagues as quiet and intelligent. His death by suicide therefore came as a shock to them. According to ASP D.K. Opare, District Commander of airport Police, Ato came home from school on February 1, with the excuse that he was ill. The parents sent him to a clinic where he was treated and discharged. He took leave of his parents to go back to school on February 9.
On February 11, his body was found at about 8 a.m. when workers on a building site found him hanging from the rafters of one of the uncompleted buildings.
A friend of the deceased who spoke to The Mirror said Amankrah often complained of being worried by some unseen forces. "It seems he had been going through some emotional and psychological problems which we could not understand since he could not tell us what really was his problem", he lamented.
Meanwhile, the police are conducting investigations into the death while awaiting the post-mortem examination.
MATTHEW Afrifa, a 38-year-old farmer at Aboantem near Asante Mampong met his death when his wife, Yaa Boahemaa, allegedly hit him on the head with a club. Boahemaa, 37, an orange seller has been remanded in custody after her first appearance before the Mampong High Court presided over by Justice Bob Kyei. She was charged with murder.
The crowded court was told by prosecutor ASP Martha Appiah that on that Saturday after the man had returned from his farm, he did the cooking while his wife was selling outside. In the evening, two of the children who re of the ages eight and six went to watch a video show while Boahemaa sent the other two, aged four and two, and a four-month-old baby to where she was selling the oranges.
The husband who was at that time relaxing in front of their house fell asleep. When he later woke up he found that it was after 10 p.m. and his younger children had not come to sleep.
He therefore went to where his wife was selling the oranges and questioned her why she had kept the children in the cold weather and asked her to send them home. Boahemaa refused and the husband took away two of the children.
Boahemaa later returned home and started a quarrel with the husband accusing him of disgracing her in public. Boahemaa, according to the prosecutor, started raining insults on the husband, saying that it was the revenue she derived from the sale of the oranges which she used to provide for the upkeep of the house.
Madam Akua Saah, the mother of the deceased who was at the scene made efforts to cool Boahemaa down but she continued with her insults. he husband, according to the prosecutor, decided to leave the house but Boahemaa, alleging that her husband had hit her at her back, picked a club and hit him in the forehead. He fell down and died instantly.
"ANYWHERE goes" seems to be the call of some young men at Osu, Accra, who have found the tombstones of the Osu Cemetery the ideal bedroom for having sex with their partners. The situation, according to a source, has so embarrassed the chiefs and elders of Osu and the Osu Klottey Sub-Metropolitan Assembly that they have caused the beating of a gong-gong to warn the public from going to the cemetery at odd hours.
The source who disclosed this to The Mirror on Tuesday said that since the cemetery was rehabilitated about two years ago, some people have found the place to be conducive for resting in the afternoon when the sun is unusually high. The source alleged that some people have taken advantage of this situation and started practising vices such as "wee" smoking and sex on the tombs.
About a month ago, a young man took his partner, a married woman, to the cemetery to make love to her. The source said the husband of the woman had a tip-off and traced his wife to the cemetery where he caught her partially naked in the arms of the youngman. The source said this resulted in a scuffle between the two men and it was the intervention of some youngmen present which averted a bloodshed. A report was made to the elders of the town who resolved the case after imposing a fine of ¢50,000 on the offender.
When the chairman of the Sub-Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Tei Okunor was contacted, he confirmed the story and said that stringent measures have been put in place to discourage youngmen from abusing the cemetery. He mentioned the imposition of a fine of ¢10,000 on persons who flout the order.
THE Asokwa Police in Kumasi are investigating a case in which a 10-year-old school boy was hit by a stray bullet in a bush at Aboaso near Sewuah in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district, during a hunting expedition by one Joseph Adjei-Frimpong. The 32-year-old suspect, Adjei-Frimpong, has been granted police enquiry bail whilst the school boy, Amos Kankam, has been treated and discharged at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
A police source told The Mirror in Kumasi at the weekend that Amos refused to attend school on Wednesday, February 14, 1996, and was playing with other boys at home when his school mates were despatched to forcibly send him to school at about 10 a.m. According to the source when Amos saw his mates running towards his direction, apparently to "catch" him, he took to his heels and entered a nearby bush.
The source indicated that at the same time that Amos entered the bush, Adjei-Frimpong was on a hunting expedition and that the movement of the truant boy in the bush made a deer come out from its hideout and when the suspect spotted the animal he killed it. The source said immediately the suspect fired and killed the game, he heard a boy wailing in the direction of the shot. It said Adjei-Frimpng went to the spot and to his surprise, saw Kankam bleeding and rushed him to the KATH after which he reported himself to the police.
When The Mirror went to the victim, a source said he had been treated and sent home since there were no pellets in the tissues after examination.
WHEN the family of the late Opanyin Awuah Amponsah hired the services of a spinner to play recorded music at the wake-keeping of their departed relative at Kwahyia near Suhum, they did not reckon that the action was going to cost them the life of another family member. Before the wake-keeping could end, 28-year-old grandson of the deceased, Yaw Amponsah also known as Yaw Ketewa, was stabbed to death with a screw driver, by 27-year-old spinner, Samuel Kwame Apenteng after a quarrel.
Consequently, Apenteng has been remanded in prison custody by a Suhum Magistrate Court to re-appear before the court on February 28, this year. Giving the facts of the case, Inspector Abraham Nortey, told the court presided over by Justice Richard K. Hinidza, that the deceased, Yaw amponsah, a foam mattress repairer, travelled from Madina to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Opanyin Amponsah, at Kwahyia near Suhum, on February 9, this year.
According to the prosecution, during the funeral a misunderstanding ensued between the accused who was engaged to provide music at the funeral and his friend on one hand and two others. He said the fight attracted a lot of people including the deceased who tried to separate the combatants. In the process, the accused bit the hand of one Kwadwo Ofori and stabbed the palm of another, Daniel Opare.
The accused, according to the prosecution, then ran amok and stabbed the deceased in the left upper part of his chest twice with a screw driver. The deceased was rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital where he died shortly on arrival. Inspector Nortey said the case was reported to the police and the accused was arrested at Amanase where he was hiding.
The accused, in his defence, said on that day, he took a lot of akpeteshie and while operating his sound system, was attacked by a mob for which he had no option than to defend himself with a screw driver. The deceased has since been buried.
A 27-YEAR-OLD-MAN from Krachi-Nkwanta in the Volta Region, has been arrested by the police in Accra for attempting to defraud four students of Kpandai Secondary School of various sums of money with the promise to secure good grades for them in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted last year. The culprit, Iddrisu Kassim alias N.K. Lawson, was arrested at the Kokomba market yesterday morning while collecting money from one of the students.
According to Mr E.A. Essah, West African Examinations Council (WAEC) security boss, Kasim wrote letters purported to have come from people within WAEC to the four, telling them that they had obtained marks close to the passable market in their examinations and therefore needed only few marks to top their grades. He said Kassim in the letter requested the students to provide a passport-sized photograph, an amount of ¢56,000 and two self-addressed envelopes with stamps to effect the necessary changes on the WAEC computer.
In the letters signed N.K. Lawson, Kasim directed the four to meet him at the Kpandai lorry station at the Kokomba market in Accra on February 23 between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. with the listed items as he put it "it will be dangerous to meet us at the office". Mr Essah said Kassim asked the four to wear either their school uniforms or pink uniforms to ensure easy identification.
He said based on a tip-off, a combined team of police and security personnel from WAEC laid ambush and arrested Kassim while collecting money from one of the students
.
THE Mamprobi Police in Accra has mounted a manhunt for a driver of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Otu Konor Lamptey for pouring a bucket full of human waste at a 53-year-old man. The victim, Mr Julius Payne of Sukura a suburb of the metropolis is alleged to have buried human waste in the centre of his house but which was close to the room of the suspect.
According to the police, Lamptey more often than not, the burial of the human waste sent offensive odour to his room. He therefore warned Mr Payne to look elsewhere for his waste or face the music, but Mr Payne went ahead so immediately Lamptey came out of his room, he picked a shovel and collected some of the waste and smeared it on the head and face of Mr Payne.
According to Mr Payne, there is always enough space for the burial of the "thing" so he decided to do it there and this infuriated Lamptey who poured the rest on his body. At the time of going to press, Lamptey was still at large.
Policemen from Achimota, detailed to search for a suspect's premises at Ablemkpe in Accra, who was alleged to have stolen a gas cylinder, found to their surprise and horror, a sack full of human bones in the suspect's room. The bones include the head, ribs, thighs, and arms among others. The wrists and toes were the only missing parts.
The human bones were found in a fertiliser sack in an empty barrel with fresh soil partly on some of them indicating that they were recently dug from a grave. The police, shocked by the discovery, abandoned the search for the gas cylinder and rather gathered the human bones and took them to the Achimota Police Station and charged the suspect on a fresh charge. He was highly suspected of being a grave looter. The suspect, Mensah Adorkor, 52, a mason, and a native of Atiavi in the Volta Region said the human parts belong to a frafra friend who brought them to him for safekeeping. However, he could not give the name of the suspect.
Police source recounting the incident said on February 14, a cane weaver along the motorway, Julius Tetteh, reported to the police that his cylinder was missing and suspected Mensah, whom he left his tools and the cylinder with. When the police picked him up for investigations, they were not satisfied with his explanation, so they decided to search his room at Ablemkpe and to their amazement found the human bones in his room.
A GERMAN businessman who arrived in Ghana last year to trade in gold has had his hopes dashed as his Ghanaian partner after collecting 52,000 dollars meant for the purchase of the gold, despatched him to Germany and followed him with a suitcase full of tubers of yam, which he claimed to be gold.
The police is investigating a case of fraud involving three alleged gold dealers Joseph Johnson, alias Akwasi alias Awiti Kuffour, John Ackah, and Timothy Jones under a company name Kerzermith Mining and Brokers who have duped the German Mr Hans-Martin Kolpin, 34. One Gideon Attipoe and John Ackah have been arrested while Joseph Johnson and Timothy Jones are on the run.
According to Chief Inspector G. Mohammed, Saaeed of the Police Striking Force, Mr Kolpin had for sometime being frequenting Ghana to look for investment opportunities and on one of such trips, came into contact with Attipoe who later became his driver. The police said Attipoe then introduced him to the gang who gave him a few samples of gold to be sent to Germany for assaying. Chief Inspector Saaeed said Kuffour in September wrote to Kolpin that he needed 50,000 dollars to supply him 100 kilogrammes of gold.
In November last year, Kolpin came to Ghana and gave Kuffour 7,000 deutsche marks as the remainder of the amount. The Chief Inspector said while in Ghana the German instructed a friend to send to him 26,000 dollars more meant for the suspects. The suspects asked the fraud victim to buy four suitcases into which the gold would be packed and leave for Germany and the stuff will follow him immediately.
On arrival in Germany, customs officials opened the suitcases and only found they contained yams instead of gold.