GHANA's Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Mr Kwame Peprah last week presented the 1996 budget statement to Parliament for debate.
The highlights include:
The Finance Minister, Mr Kwame Peprah, told Parliament in his maiden budget that unwarranted depreciation of the cedi will be checked. He conceded that the previous year was a "difficult year".
In his 43-page document which made him gulp water seven times, the minister said the government expects Gross Domestic Product growth rate of five per cent, budget surplus of 158.7 and balance of payment surplus of $83.1 million. Expenditure monitoring will be strengthened to ensure that government receives value for the public fund it spends.
At the same time, he assured the House that it will avoid overspending.He declared: "It is time we broke the bounds that tie us to the past" and indicated that a more determined effort will be made to liberate the economic potential of the country.
Mr Peprah assured Ghanaians and the international community that the NDC Government is determined to reconstruct the country on sound, social economic and democratic foundations and that with the co-operation of the people the objective will be realised. In doing so he noted that the budget will "avoid the populist path, that path of short term resistance".
In spite of the election year, the minister said the government has taken responsible positions in the longer term interest of the people. The Bank of Ghana will pursue a more vigorous Open Market Operation to reduce excess liquidity in the economy.
Recounting the economic performance last year, the minister said the broad agricultural sector grew by 4.2 per cent, and attributed the growth to cocoa production and marketing sub sector; crops and livestock sub sector; forestry and logging and fisheries. He indicated that the industrial sector doubled the 1.3 per cent recorded in 1994.
Mr Peprah told the House that inadequate food supply especially in the first quarter of the year and adverse price effect from the confusion created by the withdrawn Value Added Tax (VAT) accounted for the high rate of inflation. Another factor was monetary expansion which was 37.4 per cent.
THE People's Convention Party (PCP) and the National Convention Party (NCP), merged under a new name -- the Convention People's Party (CPP). The new party has ass its symbol a red cockerel and its motto is "Forward with the People".
The formal announcement of the CPP was made at a news conference at the Arts Centre in Accra, by its Acting Chairman, alhaji Asumah Banda. Alhaji Banda said the rebirth of the CPP marks the beginning of the end of the fragmented and disunity of that political tradition that cost it the 1992 elections.
He said that, the reborn CPP, was inspired by the great ideals and works of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. "We who belong to this party will forever consider Dr Nkrumah as our towering statesman and hero for all times. We are inspired by his exemplary leadership qualities, his vision and great works for our country in particular and Africa in general" he pointed out.
According to Alhaji Banda, the concept of government of the CPP is "|to use our mass support to build a society, rich, strong, cohesive with work and happiness for all". He said should the reborn CPP assume the reigns of government, it would pursue "a people based" social and economic policies with the stabilisation of the macro economy as its immediate objective.
Asked what concrete policies his party had as alternatives to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), he said his party would "soon come out with a comprehensive outline of plans and programmes on health, employment, education, housing etc. On the exclusion from the new party of other parties such as the People's National Convention (PNC), also claiming the CPP tradition, Alhaji Banda said that "a mopping up exercise" designed to absorb these parties into the fold of the new CPP would soon be embarked upon. He also disclosed that talks with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), aimed at forging an alliance to contest this year's elections would continue in spite of the new emphasis on reorganising and unifying the Nkrumahist groups.
In answer to a question as to whether the two merged parties could use the name CPP in view of the appeal filed against its use by any party, by the Attorney-General at the Supreme Court, Mr Freddie Blay, a member of the party's legal committee said, "this is not a serious contest". He said that the name CPP has come to stay and assured supporters and sympathisers of the party that the new party would win the appeal.
THE Government of Ghana has now confirmed and issued official statement on the Ghanaian diplomat in Switzerland, Mr Francis Benneh for allegedly dealing in drugs. An official statement issued by the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Accra said the security agencies are investigating the alleged involvement of Mr Benneh and appropriate legal action would be taken against him when the investigations are completed. Mr Benneh, a graduate of University of Cape Coast, is currently on police enquiry bail.
The statement said on January 12 the Swiss security agency informed the Ghanaian Ambassador and the Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva that Mr Benneh who had for some time come under suspicion for dealing in drugs has been arrested. The Swiss authorities therefore requested the lifting of Mr Benneh's diplomatic immunity so that the Swiss police could search his mission and apartment as well as interrogate him.
According to the statement, the Swiss police request was turned down on the grounds that it is the policy of the Government of Ghana not to lift diplomatic immunity of its staff abroad and consequently the Swiss request could not be acceded to but Ghana offered to recall Mr Benneh and have him prosecuted in Ghana. The cap of the Ghana Narcotics and Drugs Control Board, Mr Quantson was sent to Geneva to conduct investigations into the whole issue to enable Ghana deal with the matter effectively.
It would be recalled that African Observer published in London revealed that a Ghanaian diplomat in Switzerland acting as a courier for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government has been arrested with cocaine. Consequently the Free Press and the Ghanaian Chronicle also highlighted the story forcing the Government to issue an official statement confirming the story.
THE Minority Leader, Dr K. Owusu Agyekum has said he will present an alternative budget statement this week. Even though he described this year's budget as mild, he indicated that he is assembling his opposition shadow ministers proposals for the alternative budget.
Dr Agyekum who was reacting to the 996 budget as presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Kwame Peprah to Parliament, said it was sad that the usual press conference by the Economic Committee of the NPP never took place. Consequently the media missed the quick analysis of Mr Andrew Kwame Pianim and Yaw Osafo Maafo, leading members of the NPP economic team, which have been on regular basis was amiss.
THE government has proposed an increase in the existing tax reliefs to encourage taxpayers to file their returns.
The Marriage and Responsibility relief will be increased from ¢50,000 to ¢300,000.
The Children's Education relief will also go up from ¢80,000 to ¢240,000 per child for a maximum of three children in approved first and second cycle institutions.
The Minister of Finance Mr Kwame Peprah, announced this when he presented the budget statement to Parliament in Accra.
The Aged Dependants relief will be increased from ¢30,000 to ¢200,000 a person for a maximum of two aged dependants. The Old Age relief will also be increased from ¢120,000 to ¢300,000.
The reliefs will only be applicable on the filing of tax returns.
The government has also proposed that gains on the disposal of shares of listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange be exempted from taxes for a further five years. The minister said the extension is to encourage the purchase of shares and assist in accelerating the development of the market.
In addition, the exemption from income tax on the income of the exchange will be extended for five more years from date of expiry. Furthermore, the government has proposed the exemption of foreigners who want to invest in the country from the payment of duties on the transfer of shares. Ghanaians are exempted from stamp duties.
On wages and salaries for the public sector, Mr Peprah said an international consultancy firm has been commissioned to undertake studies and make recommendations for a rationalised salary structure.
On the government's investment plans, Mr Peprah announced the creation of the Ghana Gateway Programme. He said the programme has been designed as a strategic thrust to mobilise foreign and domestic private sector investment to create the enabling environment for improvement of the economic and social well-being of Ghanaians. The programme aims to promote Ghana as the trade and investment gateway to the West Africa Sub Region. It will use Export Processing Zones (EPZ) industrial parks, free ports, liberalised skies policies to establish job creation facilities and services in Ghana.
THE implementation of the Free, Compulsory, Universal Basic Education will start during the year with the opening of 93 new primary schools and 142 junior secondary schools. Under the Primary School Development
These were contained in the economic policy of the government for the Financial Year 1996, delivered by the Minister of Finance, Mr Kwame Peprah, to Parliament .
Mr Peprah said the Ministry of Education will continue to cater for the increasing numbers of the JSS graduates who qualify to enter senior secondary school and other second cycle institutions, by expanding facilities in existing schools and completing on-going constructional works. He said most of the rehabilitation and constructional works will be completed during the year to provide additional places for secondary school leavers.
The minister said it is also planned to spend another $28 million on tertiary education projects of the universities and polytechnics. He said the education sector has been allocated a total amount of ¢15.6 billion from this year's development budget, out of which ¢7.8 billion will be absorbed by Basic and Secondary School
Mr Peprah said this will be supplemented with donor financing of ¢56.5 billion bringing the total to ¢72.1 billion.
On health delivery services, he said, the government will continue to increase access to basic health service by the rehabilitation of hospitals, clinics, health infrastructure and improving the quality of service delivery. He said the government will spend a total of ¢103.5 billion, made up of ¢26.8 billion from the budget and ¢76.7 billion from donors, out of which ¢6.5 billion has been allocated for district projects. He said disease control efforts will focus on the eradication of paralytic, poliomyelitis and guinea-worm diseases.
Also, existing programmes on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis, will be strengthened. New programmes on the control of diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell, and cancers, will also be established.
On roads and highways, an amount of ¢411 billion made up of ¢271 billion in donor support and ¢140 billion from the budget, is programmed to be spent in the road sector.
The Finance Minister said the government will continue to encourage the extension of telecommunication services to the rural areas and also expand facilities in the urban areas. Private road transport operators will continue to be supported by government to acquire buses to improve on passenger transport in both rural and urban areas.
He stated that a National Maritime Authority will be set up to regulate and improve on maritime administration and safety in the country. Mr Peprah said logistic support will be provided for the Shipping and Navigation Division of the Ministry of Transport and communication, to intensify education, surveys, inspections and verification of boats in liaison with the Volta River Authority (VRA), to ensure higher safety standards for boat transport on the Volta Lake.
On works and housing, Mr Peprah said major water projects are to be undertaken in Sogakope-Keta, Obuasi, Tamale, Peki, Donkorkrom, Saltpond, Winneba, Koforidua, Tepa, Kona, Konongo and Ashanti Mampong. Six other towns are Asamankese, Anum-Boso, Nsawam, Nkawkaw and Akim Swedru.
To address the housing problems, he said, government will introduce two new schemes to assist public servants to own houses and also support the rehabilitation of rural housing. Mr Peprah said government is to embark on a radical approach for the provision of accommodation for the military, police and other security service personnel.
A member of Parliament has called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Attorney-General and Justice Minister to ensure the effective administration of justice in the country.
The Member of Parliament for Nadowli North, Mr A.S.K. Bagbin who was the first to react said he did not see why under a constitutional rule an important high office such as this should be in the hands of an acting Minister for almost two years. He said the situation must be rectified because there are many legal humanes around who would be capable of handling the office.
The post of the Minister of Justice has been vacant for over two years since Mr Anthony Kofi Forson resigned his position after losing many constitutional legal battles to the opposition parties. In his place was appointed Dr Obed Asamoah, Minister of Foreign Affairs to act as the Minister of Justice until a substantive minister is appointed.
Another MP for Amenfi East, Mr George Buadi, said he was not happy at efforts being made to review the constitutional provisions which prevent chiefs from engaging in active politics. He contented that with the break down of the extended family system, chieftaincy remains the only institution unifying the people.
Reacting, the Government Chief Whip, Mr A. Busumtwi-Sam, attempted to justify the efforts to amend certain portions of the constitution.He said that those amendments are necessary to avoid constitutional mix-up. He cited examples at the fact that the constitution is silent on the event of the resignation of the Vice-President.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr J.H. Mensah has announced his candidacy for the party's presidential race. Mr Mensah who was a Finance Minister in the Second Republic made this known at a press conference in Accra on Friday.
He said members of the Danquah-Busia and Nkrumahist Families should forget about what has divided them for about 50 years now and rather join forces to fight the coming presidential and parliamentary elections. The former Finance Minister said he wanted to be the rallying point for the two families to unite and fight the common enemy who is sending Ghana into chaos. He promised to offer matured, informative and considered leadership when given the mandate. Mr Mensah who was also a member of the economic team that drew up the seven-year development plan of the First Republic called for unity among the opposition front.
So far six others including the NPP 1992 presidential candidate, Professor Albert Adu-Boahen, Dr Kwame Safo Adu, and Mr Andrew Kwame Pianim have entered the race for the party's congress scheduled for March. The rest are Mr J.A. Kuffour, Dr Kwame Dzane Selby and Dr Jones Ofori-Atta.
Meanwhile, Nana Akuffo Addo, spokesman for the Alliance for Change,a democratic pressure group, has declared that he has no ambition to contest for nomination as presidential candidate for the NPP. He said he intended to be neutral in the context and devote his energies to strengthening the capabilities of the party for the great task ahead in November. He said being a president was not the only way by which a citizen could serve his nation. The problems of the country are monumental and demand the collective efforts of all well meaning Ghanaians, no matter their political image. Nana Akuffo Addo mentioned mass poverty, widespread unemployment, destruction of the industrial sector and low level agricultural policies.
AN executive member of the Greater Accra Women's Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mrs Rosemary Ekwam, has filed a writ at the Supreme Court challenging the eligibility of Mr Kwame Pianim to seek the party's presidential nomination. The writ was filed yesterday at the Supreme court in Accra on her behalf by her counsel, Captain Nkrabeah Effah Dartey (rtd).
According to Mrs Ekwam, her action is on the grounds that Mr Pianim is not qualified to contest the 1996 presidential election on the ticket of the NPP because he was convicted for an offence involving the security of the state. According to her, on Tuesday August 2, 1983, Mr Pianim was convicted by a Public Tribunal in Accra on an offence of preparing to overthrow the Government of Ghana. She said that Mr Pianim's conviction and sentence to a term of 18 years imprisonment was under Section 4 (10) (g) of the Public Tribunals Law 1982.
Mrs Ekwam said the offence for which Mr Pianim was convicted involves the security of the state and accordingly, he falls under the category of persons prohibited by the 1992 Constitution from contesting elections as candidate to the high office of President of Ghana. She indicated that she intended to rely on the 1992 Constitution, the Interpretation Act 1960 (CA 4), the Political Parties Law 1992 (PNDC Law 218) and the Public Tribunal Law 1984 (PNDC Law 78) for the hearing of the case.
It would be recalled that on Friday January 19, 1996, Mr Pianim at a press conference in Accra, announced that he had formally entered the race for the presidential nomination of the NPP.
When the Graphic contacted Mr Pianim for his reaction to the suit, the NPP presidential aspirant confirmed that he had indeed been served a copy of the writ by the court. He said that he was contacting his lawyers and that he would fight the suit with a view to clearing his name and forging ahead with his presidential ambition. When the Graphic contacted the NPP head office for comment, party officials who pleaded anonymity, expressed complete surprise at this turn of events adding "we are completely unaware of this case being sent to court by someone who claims to be a party member".
The officials acknowledged that Mrs Ekwam is an executive member of the Greater Accra Women's Wing of the party.
THE Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Ibrahim Adam is scheduled to appear before the Emile Short Probe on Thursday, February 22. The Minister who was originally scheduled to appear before the probe on February 2, requested for adjournment to enable him attend the budget hearing in parliament that day.
Emile Shorts who is the Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) is probing six public figures including Mr P.V. Obeng. Already Mr C.B. Nti, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr I.K. Adjei Maafo, Presidential Staffer on Cocoa Schedules and the Minister of Interior Col. Osei Owusu (rtd) have appeared before it.
DR (Mrs) Christina Amoako Nuamah, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology instead has been assigned additional temporary responsibility for the vacant trade and industry ministry.
An official statement signed by Mr Kojo Yankah, Deputy Minister of Information said this is to relieve Mr Harry Sawyerr, Minister of Education of this extra burden of acting as Trade Minister to enable him concentrate on troubled education ministry caused by the UTAG-Government impasse.
Mrs Emma Mitchel last month resigned as Trade Minister and Mr Sawyerr was named to act temporarily.
GHANA has appointed 49 new judges to the various courts. Twenty-five out of the number have been assigned responsibilities at the circuit court, nine will handle cases at the circuit tribunal while the remaining 15 will be at the community tribunal.
They were sworn in at the weekend by the Chief Justice, Justice I.K. Abban at the Supreme Court building. Addressing the newly-appointed judges, Justice Abban asked them to exercise the greatest restrain, show maturity in all their endeavours, and to dispense justice without fear or favour.
The Chief Justice urged them to reflect deeply on the oath of secrecy and the judicial oath which they have taken and be mindful of their important role to uphold and protect the constitution. He said the new legal act presents fresh challenges, but noted that with dedication and commitment the judges can overcome all difficulties it poses.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Mr Martin Amidu drew the attention of the judges and judicial officers to the need to place their activities in the context of national efforts. He reminded them that the legal profession that an independent and vibrant judiciary is essential for the development of confidence in the administration of justice. Mr Amidu expressed concern that in recent times a group of lawyers appear to be intolerant of the bench, whenever it loses a case and said members of the legal profession do themselves a lot of damage when they lead a crusade to bring the administration of justice into disrepute.
A THREE member delegation from the Manhyia Palace, yesterday called on President Jerry Rawlings at the Castle Osu, to express the gratitude of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, and Asanteman to the President for the role he played in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Asantehene, in August last year. The delegation led by the Ejisuhene, Nana Aboagye Agyei II presented a photo album of the event to the President, as a memento for the occasion.
Receiving the delegation, President Rawlings praised the atmosphere of peace and unity that has prevailed in the Ashanti Region under the reign of the Asantehene and called on all chiefs in the country, to also ensure such an atmosphere of peace in their respective areas. He expressed the hope that everything would be done to preserve the unity and spirit of the Asante Kingdom.
He also commended the democratic structure of decision making in the Asante system and said, this should be preserved for the future generation. President Rawlings also called on chiefs in the country to advise their people against indulging in provocation, during the forthcoming electioneering campaign in order not to engender conflicts.
The Presidential Staffer on Chieftaincy Affairs, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, announced that Niger has proposed the holding of a conference of African chiefs, to discuss ways of tackling the numerous conflicts on the continent. He said chiefs on the continent, need to ensure that there is peace since they are custodians of the oldest institution on the continent.
A Special Assistant to the President, Mr Nathan Quao said the celebration of Otumfuo's anniversary made Ghana proud, as it showed to the world, Ghana's cultural wealth.
IT is believed that a 30-year-old man who was shot dead at Kpone Bawaleshie last January was murdered over a married woman whom he and his assailant were dating.
Ernest Acheampong, 26, a mason who was with the deceased when the attack occurred told The Mirror last Wednesday that on January 10 this year, after close of work at their poultry farm site at Mensah Bar near Bawaleshie, he and the deceased decided to go to Dodowa for their supper.
According to him, when they were returning from Dodowa both of them decided to get down at the Bawaleshie junction to see a friend. ON their way to the village, Acheampong said the deceased, Addo Atiapa, decided to attend to nature's call in a nearby bush while he waited by the roadside. He claimed some few minutes later, a man in a mask passed by him and went towards the direction where the deceased was. The eye witness said from the distance where he stood he saw the masked man flashing a torch light in the face of his friend while he kept on bombarding him with some questions.
"After a brief exchange, I overheard the man giving my friend 'hands up' and immediately I heard Atiapa pleading with the man. But before I could organise myself and go to his aid I heard a gunshot amidst screams from Atiapa. "In fact, I got so frightened that I also took to my heels because I did not know why my friend was shot". Acheampong said later in the company of a representative of the chief of the village, he made a report to the police at Dodowa.
When the Dodowa Police were contacted, they confirmed the incident but declined to comment further because they claimed they were still investigating. Further inquiries from the village at Bawaleshie was not easy as the villagers were tight-lipped and unco-operative.
However, a source told The Mirror that, the woman in question over whom the shooting incident occurred was a mother of two and married to a man in Accra. But strangely this woman had kept some sort of relationship with other men in the village. The source said a day before the shooting incident took place, a man met Atiapa at the woman's place and just peered at him and left without uttering a word. According to the source he suspected that this development could have led to the shooting incident.
Meanwhile, Atiapa who hailed from Old Ningo was buried last week Friday at his hometown.
POLICEMEN on duty at the James Town Police Station were obliged to listen to an unusual complainant who went there with so much foul evidence that they were moved to act quickly.
Mr Fianko Blendo arrived at the station with human excreta smeared all over his clothes and complained that a neighbour, Sheelah Okai, had emptied her chamber pot on him. The offending 21-year-old trader, Sheelah has since been put before court and has been bonded to be of good behaviour or in default, serve three months imprisonment in hard labour. She was convicted on her own plea.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Isaac Frimpong, told the court that Sheelah who lives at James Town in Accra accidentally threw water on Fianko who rebuked her for her action. Sergeant Frimpong also said this resulted into a quarrel that forced Fianko to report the matter to the accused's mother. While he was narrating the story, Sheelah seemed to have come from nowhere and slapped Fianko in the face resulting in a scuffle between the two.
According to the prosecutor after that her husband, Emmanuel Okai, 27, who came to the scene also slapped the complainant in the face in support of his wife. At this point, he said Sheelah went for a chamber pot full of human excreta and with the support of her husband threw it on Fianko.
Sergeant Frimpong said this happened just when Fianko was leaving to report the matter to the police.
DANIEL Tetteh Wayoe was seen as a moderately successful attorney dedicated to defending the poor and his grateful clients hailed him as a hero. But he wasn't a lawyer, he was an impostor. "Wayoe was a complete and utter fraud. He fooled all of us -- courts, judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers, and the people he represented, a source at the Adabraka Police, who arrested him, told The Mirror.
Now Wayoe, currently on police enquiry bail by the Flying Squad Unit, CID Headquarters who are Investigating him, faces a charge of unlawful practice of law which is an offence under the Legal Profession Act. The wisecracking "lawyer" was first seen around the courts sometime in 1994, says Mr Ayikwei Otoo, Secretary to the Greater Accra branch of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on telephone.
"We don't know much about his background, said Mr Otoo. He just showed up suddenly and started practising law. "But Wayoe on a number of occasions raised doubts as to whether he was a lawyer. Many realised that his behaviour and language in court showed that he was not a trained lawyer".
According to Mr Otoo, the last straw that gave him away was when Wayoe wrote a letter for one of his clients to another lawyer who immediately detected that the contents was not the language of a lawyer and therefore drew his (Otoo's) attention. Mr Otoo said investigations however revealed that Wayoe did not have his name on the roll of lawyers, neither did it appear in the list of law students called to the Bar nor the list of students sent to the Bar over the years.
"So to ascertain the truth, I wrote to him to furnish the Greater Accra GBA office with his date of call to the Bar as well as the university and law school he attended. "But rather he (Wayoe) came to my house with somebody to tell a very long story and finally confessed that he was in detention for a long time and when he came out he decided to practise law to take care of his wife and children", he disclosed.
According to Mr Otoo, even before a decision could be taken on the next step for Wayoe, he vanished and was declared a wanted man until he was spotted around Kwame Nkrumah Circle two weeks ago by someone who knew of the case and arrested him.
Mr Otoo said the last time Wayoe was arrested letterheads bearing T Cudjoe and co. were found on him. Before then those he was using bore Asante and co. Wayoe is alleged to have told the Adabraka Police that he was a qualified lawyer who did correspondence course with a London university he could not name.
On another occasion he is said to have told the Flying Squad, CID Headquarters, that he read Law at Legon but did not go to the Law School to take the professional law courses which would have enabled him to practise. Meanwhile, The Mirror has learnt that Wayoe has been given the ultimatum to produce certificates to back his claims while investigations go on.
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman, Vida Boyefio, who allegedly inflicted serious wounds on her neighbour in Bukom has been granted bail of ¢10 million with three sureties. She pleaded not guilty and is to reappear before court on February 12. Meanwhile, she is to report to the police twice every week at James Town. The complainant, Ernestina Sampong, 24, who is still on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, could not appear to give evidence before the court.
Giving the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Sergeant Isaac Frimpong, said on January 17, 1996, Ernestina went to her husband to demand their child's school fees but the man refused to give her the amount. His reason was that Ernestina was a flirt, who visited other men so she should go and claim the money from those men she had been visiting. When Ernestina demanded to know the source of that rumour, Vida, a friend of hers, was named, Sergeant Frimpong said.
Ernestina therefore approached Vida and questioned her about the claims of her husband but tempers flared up which resulted in a quarrel. When matters got to a very heated point, Ernestina decided to report Vida conduct to her mother. When Ernestina went to the house, she did not meet Vida's mother so decided to go home and do that the following day.
But as she left, Vida attacked her from behind, using a penknife to inflict severe cuts on her chest, abdomen, breast, and hands, Sergeant Frimpong stated. Ernestina fell unconscious and was taken to the hospital, where she was admitted.
The case was reported to the James Town Police and Vida who had gone into hiding was arrested and remanded in prison custody, the court was told.
AN unidentified young girl, aged about 15 years, was killed by a train at Avenor, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra on Wednesday. The Takoradi-Accra bound train hit the girl and threw her off the rail line killing her instantly.
An eye witness account said at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the train coming from the direction of Alajo, started blowing its horn about 20 metres away to the pedestrian crossing where the girl was standing. People around shouted at the girl to move away but she would not leave until the train hit and threw her off the line.
The body of the unidentified girl is at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and autopsy.
A 63-YEAR-OLD Ghanaian has broken the jackpot with the highest lottery winning in the land. He won ¢221.5 million with a stake of ¢2.5 million on numbers 66-17 which he staked from agents of the Department of National Lotteries (DNL).
The winner who claimed he has also won ¢33 million from a private lotto agent said he started lotto staking in 1969 when he returned from Germany. He said he has won ¢16 million, ¢30 million, and ¢50 million within the last two years.
The previous highest winning of ¢117 million was won two years ago by a Kumasi-based businessman.
A 25-YEAR-OLD Ghanaian from Krobo Odumase in the Eastern Region, Cecilia Tetteh has been jailed in Benin for attempting to sell a Ghanaian girl Abena Komla on the Togo-Benin border.
A police release said Cecilia stole the girl from the Makola Number 1 Market in Accra and attempted to sell her for 50,000 CFA Francs. According to the release, Abena who is now at an NGO hostel in Benin gave her father's name as Yaw Komla and her mother Efua, a ginger seller at Makola.
A MOB who besieged the Ho community Tribunal forced the court to adjourn a murder case involving Togbe Kwami Adom II, chief of Akoefe-Torkor, Jacob Ansong youth leader, Stephen Awakoe, Kuntuhene and Cephas Komla Dzah. Hearing has been fixed for February 28.
At the end the elderly amongst them had to be whisked away by the police. The crowd besieged the tribunal premises early and when proceedings started at 9 a.m. the crowd became uncontrollable, with some of them hurling curses, and insults at the accused persons. The prosecutor, sensing danger drew the attention of the tribunal chairman, Mr Tom Bentil to the insecurity created by the crowd and therefore asked for adjournment.
The suspects were whisked away immediately the announcement of the adjournment was made.
MEMBERS of Parliament in Ghana has charged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to justify its continued existence.
This has become necessary because the legislators did not see why the ministry with its fleet of vehicles, Resource persons and the chain of research institutions at its disposal cannot help the many farmers in the country to increase food production. They did not mince words but said despite the series of workshops and fora, organised by the Ministry over the years, it is regrettable that it has not made any meaningful impact on the national growth. They wondered why with the fleet of vehicles, the field workers of the ministry cannot reach the farmers as they should and said the unacceptable situation should change for the better.
Parliament said the time has come for the country to adopt a real agricultural revolution which will be supported by industries which will use the raw materials produced by the farmers effectively. They suggested that rice production for instance could be given the needed push if a strategic plan is drawn to encourage farmers in the north-eastern part of the Brong Ahafo and the Northern regions. The time has come for all of us to sit up and work hard to produce enough for domestic consumption and for export.
On politics, they said the progress of Ghana is a collective responsibility and it is important that every Ghanaian should contribute his or her quota towards the rapid development of the country. Politics, they said, should not divide families or break marriages but should be used for the good of the country.
Parliament called on the the ministry to support farmers in their effort to reduce post-harvest losses which has been a major disincentive to them. They did not understand why the ministry cannot identify the Afram Plains area and encourage investors to go into serious food production.
MEMBERS of the University of Ghana, Legon branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers' Union and the Brong Ahafo Youth Association (BAYA) have protested and demonstrated against the 40 per cent increase in transport fares by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
In a nine-point resolution presented to the TUC Secretary-General, Mr Christian Appiah Agyei after a four- our demonstration by TEWU, in Accra, called for the unconditional withdrawal of the increase. It said the GPRTU is just one of the 17 unions under the TUC and it was wrong for them to unilaterally increase fares without taking due cognisance of its implications on the remaining 16 unions and the general public. It is a very dangerous precedent.
TEWU said 40 per cent increase is just too much when workers' salaries have not been increased since last year. It has therefore given the TUC and the NDC Government 14 days to initiate plans to save the Ghanaian worker.
In another press release issued by BAYA signed by its president, Mr D.K. Anto, they expressed concern about the GPRTU's explanation that because the country is practising trade liberalisation, it has the power to fix transport fares that it deems appropriate. It described it as a bad precedent which if not checked, will worsen the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.
MR Kojo Aggrey of Mamprobi, Accra who had initially reported his son to the police for stealing his car and other properties was disappointed when an Accra Circuit Tribunal refused to free his son, although he had appealed to the court to do so. "I'm sorry we can't free your son", the presiding judge Mr C.K. Nyewolema told the surprised father. The judge said that the case must go on since the charge of stealing is a first degree felony.
The accused, Richard Aggrey, 25, appeared before the court charged with stealing. Also in the dock was Francis Osei-Darko, a Tema-based businessman charged with dishonestly receiving.
Giving details of the case, the prosecutor, Inspector Joseph Ohemeng said that sometime in 1993, the complainant, Mr Kojo Aggrey, left his house in the care of his son Richard, to seek medical treatment in London. When he returned in November 1995, the prosecutor said, he found that his Opel car with registration number ARD 5449 and other items in the house were missing.
The prosecutor said when Richard was confronted he confessed having sold the car to the second accused at ¢600,000.
According to the prosecutor, Mr Aggrey reported the case to the police who quickly arrested richard. Upon interrogation, he admitted selling the car to the second accused. He subsequently led the police to Tema where Francis was arrested. The prosecutor said other items Richard stole from the house included a 24-inch colour TV set, a set of furniture, a wardrobe, a gas cooker and a gas cylinder.
When the case was called, Mr Aggrey pleaded that the case be withdrawn because "I needed only my car which I now have", he said. But the judge said no, and remanded richard in police custody while Francis was granted a ¢500,000 bail with one surety.
"I GAVE Kofi Debrah my uncle away because he does not give me my share of the booty". This was 22-year-old Kwame Addo's confession when he was giving evidence at an Akropong circuit court for stealing sheep and goats from Barawa in the Eastern Region.
According to Kwame, his uncle, Debrah on three occasions led him to the village at mid-night to steal goats which Debrah sold. Now, the two, nephew and uncle, are on trial for stealing. Kwame further alleged that at the time of his arrest, he was with Debrah who provided a torch-light for the operation but when an alarm was raised he was the only one arrested. He told the court that on all the occasions that they went to the village to steal his uncle sold the booty and did not give him anything.
The prosecution's case was that sometime in August last year the inhabitants of Barawa near Kwamasu detected that their goats and sheep were getting missing and therefore decided to set up a watch-dog team to mount surveillance to arrest the culprits. The prosecution said on August 18, members of the watch-dog spotted someone driving goats from their pen and laid ambush and arrested him.
It said during interrogation by the police, Kwame mentioned the name of Debrah as his accomplice but said efforts to arrest him were unsuccessful. In the course of investigation it was learnt that Debrah had sold goats and sheep to a number of people including butchers at Abiriw and surrounding towns and with their help Debrah was arrested. However, in Debrah's cautioned statement he accepted having sold goats but denied having a hand in the stealing and that Kwame told him he got the animals from someone who wanted them sold.
The case was adjourned to February 18.
FOURTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD farmer, Emmanuel Adu Addy of Ashaladza, a village near Kasoa, is standing trial for hitting a neighbour's head with a stick and causing her death.
Consequently, he has been remanded in prison custody after his plea of not guilty was rejected by an Accra Community Tribunal during his first appearance on January 19, this year. He is to re-appear at a later date.
In his prosecution, Chief Inspector Emmanuel Aboah told the court, presided over by Mr G.H.K. Debrah, that the victim, Susana Adjeley-Bannor, 69, also a farmer, lived at the same village as the accused. He said on December 25, last year Emmanuel Addy returned home at about 6 p.m. and realised that his radio set which he earlier on left on a table, had been put on the ground. He suspected the children in the vicinity as the culprits and started insulting them, said the prosecutor.
Chief Inspector Aboah stated that at that juncture, one of the daughters of the deceased, Barikisu Aruna, who happened to be around, replied the insults, and consequently, a misunderstanding ensued between them. According to the prosecutor, the deceased who heard the exchange of words between the accused and her daughter went to the scene to advise them to stop and resolve their differences peacefully.
Just then, continued the prosecutor, the accused person turned on the deceased and hit her with a stick on the head. She became unconscious but was soon revived by her relatives and later went to bed. Chief Inspector Aboah said, at 2 a.m. on the following day, December 26, the deceased was found dead in her bed. He further stated that a post-mortem examination was performed, and quoted the pathologist as giving the cause of the death to be "subdural lacmatoma from fractured skull due to assault".
As the police escorted Addy into custody in handcuffs, the public watched him totally bewildered. One elderly woman seated by his reporter could not hold back her tears as they ran down her cheeks. "Another life gone... just for a radio set," she sobbed.
FOR twenty-eight-year-old palm-wine tapper, Kofi Sakyi of Assin Worakese near Assin Fosu in the Central Region, life wasnot worth living without Esi, his girlfriend.
So on January 7, this year, when pretty Esi threatened to jilt him he decided to end it all by drinking DDT, a pesticide. Unfortunately, however, his suicide attempt was foiled by the early intervention of his uncle who reported his behaviour to the police. And on January 11, this year, the Assin Fosu Community Tribunal found him guilty of attempting to take his own life and subsequently sentenced him to two years imprisonment with hard labour. He pleaded not guilty.
Information at the court had it that on January 6, this year, Sakyi had a quarrel with his girlfriend, Esi, which resulted in the girl calling their relationship quits. The source said the next day, Sakyi was seen by a friend of his in a very moody and unhappy composure and after a lot of pestering admitted that his girlfriend's decision of ending the relationship with him had dealt him a terrible blow.
According to the source, Sakyi's friend then advised him to be relaxed and rather think about the future and what God had in store for him. "Bit to the utter shock of the friend, Sakyi relied that without Esi, life was not worth living and therefore he was going home to poison himself", the source said. According to the source, Sakyi's friend on hearing the threat hurried to Sakyi's uncle to report the threat his nephew had issued.
The uncle, the source revealed also quickly rushed to the house of Sakyi which was not very far away. The source said when the uncle got there Sakyi had poured the DDT into a cup and was about to drink it but on seeing the uncle, he poured the poison on the ground.
The source told The Mirror that the uncle arrested Sakyi and sent him to the police station where he admitted attempting to take his own life because he had been jilted by his girlfriend. Sakyi, is said to have explained to the police that he had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend which resulted in his being given a thrashing by the relatives of the girlfriend.
"And as if that alone was not enough, my girlfriend also told me afterwards that the relationship was over and I thought life wasn't worth living without her, hence my act", Sakyi told the police. He was consequently charged with attempting to commit suicide and sent to court at the Assin Fosu Community Tribunal chaired by Mr J.O. Ankomah, which sentenced him.
THE mother of a six-year-old girl was faced with a difficult choice; whether to report the landlord's son to the police and thereby lose her tenancy or overlook the ordeal of sexual assault suffered by her daughter.
She chose the hold option, and reported Samuel Owusu, alias Paa Ekow, 20, to the police for sexually assaulting her daughter and locking her up in a kiosk afterwards. Owusu, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement in his first appearance before an Accra Circuit Tribunal presided over by Mr C.K. Nyewolema has been remanded in custody to re-appear at a later date.
Prosecuting, Inspector Matilda Akolgo said Owusu lives in the same house with the girl at Bubuashie in Accra. On January 3 this year, at about 12.30 p.m. while the girl was playing with her mates, Owusu appeared on the scene and under the pretext of sending her, lured her into a kiosk and sexually assaulted her. She said after satisfying himself, Owusu then locked the girl up in the kiosk but after persistent shouting from her, the kiosk was forced open. The prosecutor said when the girl's mother reported the case to Owusu's father who was her landlord, he decided to eject her from the house.
Inspector Akolgo said a report was therefore made to the police who arrested Owusu and charged him with the offence. A doctor's report presented revealed that the girl had been carnally known.
FOR 25-year-old porter, Francis Kumi alias Kwame Joe, his desire to give his girlfriend a surprise present at Christmas has landed him at police cells where he is being held for stealing.
From the horse's own mouth, the accused told The Mirror that he could not give anything to his girlfriend Diana at Christmas so he went all out through fair or foul to give her a surprise package. Luck however, eluded him when he was arrested for stealing one full piece Nigerian wax print, one ladies slippers, seven shower cups, one hair hand and one pair of scissors.
He told The Mirror that on the day in question, he got up very early and reached the market around 8 a.m. and first approached a hair accessories seller to purchase hair band but in the process of bargaining took seven shower cups and a pair of scissors and hid them in his polythene bag.
After succeeding in his first attempt, he went further and stole the ladies slippers. Daring as he was, he dashed into the 31st December Market where he came across one charlotte Sarpong, a cloth seller, fast asleep. he took the opportunity and picked one full piece of wax print valued at ¢48,000 from her stall.
He was just about to walk away when he was confronted by one Johnny Quarshie, a guard at the market. Upon interrogation, he confessed stealing the cloth. But when the guard asked him to come along with him he engaged him in a scuffle and took to his heels. He was chased and subsequently arrested. Kumi is now in custody and arrangements are being made to arraign him before court.
GEORGE Kwadwo Amoo, 58, a trainee pastor of the Ghana Christian College Seminary at Achimota has been placed in police custody at Tesano in Accra for attempting to bolt with ¢960,000 meant for the payment of allowances of his colleagues.
According to police prosecutor, pastor Franklin Gorleku, 47, also a trainee withdrew the cash for the Abeka branch of the Standard Chartered Bank and gave it to his trusted friend for safe keeping because the lock of his bag was not good. Gorleku said he left for town but on return he realised that the accused has absconded with the money. After waiting for two days without seeing his friend, he made a report to the police and he was arrested at another church at James town having wasted the money.
During interrogation, Amoo admitted having stolen the money bag said it was the devil who tempted him to commit the offence and is currently standing trial in Accra. He could not produce the money after his confession, claiming he has given it to a classmate George Nyantakyi to clear his goods from the port and he has promised to refund it within a week.
THE misunderstanding over the payment of ¢1,000 debt has resulted in the death of 31-year-old Albert Adu eboah at Laterbiokorshie in Accra. He was stabbed by the debtor Lantei Quarcoopome, 41.
According to Detective Inspector C.M. Kpingbi of the Korle-Bu Police, Lantei bought a lady's panty from one Florence Boateng for ¢2,000 in October last year and was still left with a balance of ¢1,000.
On January 15 this year at about 8.30 p.m. Florence went to Lantei to demand her ¢1,000 but he paid only ¢500 which Florence refused to accept and this resulted in a misunderstanding between the two. Not quite long after the scuffle Albert, a cousin of Florence appeared on the scene and confronted Lantei but Lantei did not take it kindly and another scuffle ensued between the two. Lantei poured a glass full of apkpeteshie on the face of Albert blinding him temporarily. Lantei went to his room, picked an okapi knife and drove it straight into the abdomen of Albert killing him instantly.
He has since appeared before a magistrate court and remanded in police custody.
GHANA's boxing supremo and legend Professor Barima Azumah Nelson, has been voted Boxer of the Year by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
In the latest edition of the WBC News, the Board of Governors considered Azumah's heroic feat on December 2 last year when he returned from 18 -month long lay off to win the WBC super featherweight title. The release said that his return to boxing and winning a title for the fourth time in different divisions, featherweight and super featherweight were very exemplary.
Azumah who is now considered a boxing great demolished youthful, talented and brave defending champion, Gabriel Reulas in five rounds to regain the title. Azumah's current record stands at 42 wins, 26 within the distance, one drew to Jeff Fenech and two defeats, one to Salvado Sanchez of blessed memory and Penell Whitaker.
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have been banned for four years for pulling out of the 20th edition of the African Cup of Nations tournament. They will miss the World cup in France and the 21st edition of the ACN competition.
A statement by the CAF, in Johannesburg said Nigeria's suspension from the two editions of the Nations' Cup will stand until settlement of financial sanctions against them is made. These were taken at a CAF Executive Committee meeting in the presence of the Organising Committee at the end of the tournament.
CAF said the decision was based on Article 28 of its statutes and article 14 paragraph 5 of the regulations have also imposed on a fine of 15,000 dollars. They will also lose their entry fees.
Nigeria and South Africa were engaged in a political row over the hanging of nine minority environmental activities including author Ken Saro Wiwa and this drew international condemnation. Nigeria then defending champions pulled out of the competition citing the security of players as reasons for pulling out.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria National Football Association chairman Emeka Omeruah said his country will appeal against the ban and will defend it with security of their players.
IKE "Bazooka" Quartey, World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion, technically knocked out George Ramirez, of Dominican Republic in the third of their scheduled 10-round non-title bout in Paris on Saturday night. Ramirez, who had received severe beatings failed to answer the bell for the fourth round.
Reports received by the GNA in Accra said the devastating blows by Quartey wore down the Dominican in the first two rounds but he managed to carry the fight into the third round. As the bell went for round four, instead of Ramirez getting up from his stool, he remained and shook his head, to indicate "I can't continue anymore", the report said.
The fight is part of Quartey's build-up for the defence of his title against American Vince Phillips in the United States next month. Quartey's record stands at 32 fights without a defeat, winning 30 through knockouts.
Mr John Kermah, Chairman of Ringcraft Promotions and Management Syndicate, Quartey's handlers said the champion will return home next week to prepare for the 12-round championship fight, sanctioned by the WBA.
THE national amateur boxing squad, the Black Bombers, are to undertake a series of fights in preparation for the Atlanta Olympic Games in July.
As part of the team's build-up, the Bombers will travel to Lome next week to meet the national team of Togo in a return friendly tournament scheduled for Friday. The Bombers defeated Togo 0-2 in their first meeting at the Kaneshie Sports Complext on January 26.
A spokesman for the Ghana amateur Boxing Association (GABA) said in Accra that the Bombers will take on a selected team of the Armed Forces on Friday, February 23, at the Sports Hall.
THREE players of the Ghana's Black Stars have been named odn the Mastercard All-Star team at Johannesburg. They are soccer maestro and skipper of the team Abidi Pele, super striker Tony yeboah and dependable defender Isaac Asare.
The Mastercard International, official sponsors of the 20th edition of the African Cup of Nations, donated 1,000 dollars to the named players to give to any charity of his choice in his country.
Since 1990, World Cup Mastercard has donated more than 500,000 dollars to a variety of charities through the players who are picked as best players for various positions.
Other players are, Mark Fish and Eric Tinkler of African Champions Bafana Bafana, Tunisian goalkeeper El Chokri, defenders Yasser Radwan of Egypt, Beya Zoubeir and John Shoe Mosheou is the only reserved player. The technical team that does the selection include C.K. Gyamfi, former technical director of Obuasi Goldfields F.C.
LEAGUE leaders Obuasi Goldfields maintained their superiority over Fabulous Asante Kotoko by dribbling them 4-2 in their titanic SWAG match honoured at the Accra Sports Stadium at the weekend.
Goldfields who are the defending champions of the coveted trophy fought from a goal deficit in the 30th minute via a spot-kick expertly converted by stylish Yaw Sakyi. The winners erased the lead and went on top through Adjetey Lee and Kofi Debrah with some brilliance.
Kotoko rejected Edward Opeele Aboagye and Agyeman Duah manning the defence with some steel. Sammy Adjei and Kasula Da Costa provided the needed support to ward off Prince Amoah, Ernest Boateng, Abu Zaaed and Prince Adu Poku.
In the 55th minute Kofi Debrah plucked his second, improving their lead to 3-1 and in Kotoko's frustration Kalilu Dramani stamped the abdomen of another Kotoko defect, Yaw Owusu to reduce their numerical strength with the march off orders.
Kotoko then substituted glittering goalkeeper Richard Obimpeh for Sam Antwi, and immediately Kotoko reduced their tally to 3-2. Goldfields international star from Togo, Kossi Nantsuodji nailed Kotoko beyond recovery with a brilliant strike just before the final whistle.
Goldfields last year at the same venue beat Kotoko 2-1 to lift the cup.
The management of Voradep Sporting Club has been dissolved with immediate effect. Consequently a new management team under the chairmanship of Professor Mawusi Dake, the chairman of the Board of Directors has taken over.
The move according to an official statement for the club's secretariat signed by the chairman of the Supporters union, Mr Edmund Kodzo Kumah was to safeguard the club from further deterioration in the current league.
It named the members of the new management as Col. Cyril Necku, Commanding Officer of the Medium ortar Regiment, Ho, Togbe Afele II of HO-Hlila, Mr Kwashi Anibra, Togbe Ayim Ameyibor of Peki-Avetile, WO lori and Mr Johnny Nunyuie. The rest are Edmund Kodzo Kumah, Lawson Kofi Agbinka, W.K. Tawiah, Daniel Timothy and Gabriel Amametakpu.
THE Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Yankah has said that Government White Paper on Independent Broadcasting will soon be published.
The public, he said, is therefore expected to assist in the creation of a healthy independent and private roadcasting industry when it becomes operational in the country.
Mr Yankah said this yesterday at the outdooring of a two-year continuing education programme being implemented by the School of communication Studies, the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Accra. He said within the past four years of the independence of the media in Ghana, some private papers have openly taken partisan political positions "for which I have no problem at all".
Mr Yankah cited for instance that whilst part of the press, in dealing with recent issues on the presidency, has provided educative, informative and carefully analysed intellectual articles, others have treated the public to a "free-for-all competition by hiding behind faceless columnists and readers' letters to teach some victims new lessons in democracy and public behaviour".
He emphasised that though journalists need not belong to the same political organisations with politicians, they should put their country first in the performance of their duty. Mr Yankah said governments and politicians do make mistakes but it is reasoned public opinion, conveyed mainly through the mass media, which assists these mistakes to be corrected.
Dr Bonnah Koomson, acting Director of the School of Communication Studies said the Programme, sponsored by the European Union will start in the second week of February. The Programme, which is designed to benefit 575 journalists from the media, involves practical activity in writing and editing skills, seminars in specialised areas of reporting, workshops on production techniques and seminars on media policy issues.
The Head of Delegation of the European Union Mr Javier Puyol, said the union is funding the project at the cost of ¢316 million. The Director of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, Dr Peter Mayer, commended the European Union for playing a major role in the programme, which he described as consistent and designed to improve the standard of journalism in the country.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor George Benneh commended recent efforts to upgrade journalism, and urged journalists to undertake specialised reporting. The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere said Journalism is an on-going learning process and pledged the GJA's support for the programme.
THE Ghana Bar Association has announced its intention to withdraw a suit it filed challenging an aspect of the Serious Fraud Office Act which it deemed inconsistent with the Constitution. In a statement submitted to the Supreme Court yesterday, the GBA said it is taking this action because of the "apparent hostility that some members of the court have exhibited towards the association in recent times".
Mr William Boafo, national secretary of the association and one of the plaintiffs in the case, announced the GBA stand on the issue when proceedings began yesterday.
The plaintiffs went to court for a declaration that Section 19 Sub-Section 9 of the Serious Fraud Office Act which makes provision for the director of the office to freeze the assets and bank accounts of a person or organisation being or about to be investigated, is at variance with the stipulations of the Constitution.
The statement which was signed by the national president, Mr Sam Okudzeto stated that the Supreme Court seems to have a different view of the role of the association in defending and preserving the constitution. It, therefore, expressed regret at what it described as the disparaging and unwarranted remarks made against the association in the GBA action challenging the appointment of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice I.K. Abban. It said the GBA has expressed its disapproval of what it described as an unorthodox and unnecessary judicial conduct.
"In the light of the apparent hostility that some members of the court have exhibited towards the association, we have decided to withdraw this suit in order that the rights of citizens which we seek to protect, will not be jeopardised by any adverse judgement arising out of this apparent hostility", the statement added.
The GBA said it has therefore decided to leave the determination of the issues arising in the case, to individual citizens who may be adversely affected by the unconstitutional provisions of the Act so that they can bring the matter up before the court. It expressed the view that the Serious Fraud Act contains provisions that are manifestly illegal and unconstitutional.
The two other plaintiffs, Messrs Nutifafa Kuenyehia, former National President and Nana Assibey-Yeboah of the National Secretariat of the association were, however, absent from court. The five-member panel, presided over by Mrs Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo,m was however of the view that the right procedure for the discontinuance of the case has not been duly followed.
It questioned the capacity of the current GBA President, who is neighter a party in the case nor counsel, to withdraw the suit. It accordingly adjourned proceedings indefinitely to allow the proper thing to be done.
Justices C.F. Hayfron-Benjamin, A.K.B. Ampiah, E.D.K. Adjabeng and George Acquah were the other members of the panel.
THE government has initiated proposals to amend the 1992 Constitution to make it responsive to the realities of socio-economic development.
Dr Obed Asamoah, Acting Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, told the GNA yesterday that provisions being considered for amendment include citizenship, participation of chiefs in partisan politics and the appointment of the administrator of the District Assemblies' Common Fund.
Dr Asamoah who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, mentioned a possible amendment to Articles 201, 206 and 211 which put the Police, Prisons and the Armed Forces Councils under the chairmanship of the Vice-President.
"I do not understand why a Vice-President should be the only person who should chair such sensitive bodies, without an option to the President who is his boss as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. "It should really be the President or his nominee", Dr Asamoah emphasised, adding that "where you have Mr Arkaah in opposition, it would not be in the interesdt of the nation to retain him as chairman of these bodies".
Touching on other functions of the Vice-President, which are entrenched in the Constitution, with reference to his acting position in the absence of the President and membership of cabinet, Dr Asamoah said, "there is nothing anybody can do immediately".
He said however, that, with his peculiar position as an opposition member, Mr Arkaah cannot be allowed to take active part in cabinet meetings adding that in the face of all these developments, it is a moral obligation for him to resign. "If I were him, I would have resigned long ago".
Dr Asamoah commented on Mr Arkaah's complaint to the police on the alleged assault on him by the President, describing it as a "foolish case", since the police cannot prosecute the President.
THE Member of Parliament for Wenchi East, Mr Hayford Osei Kwadwo has called on the opposition parties to support the government's current investment drive for national development. He explained that positive response from investors will create job opportunities that will go a long way to solve the unemployment problems in the country. Mr Osei Kwadwo made this point at separate public fora at Wenchi and Koase last week to explain the rationale on the government's investment drive.
He was not happy that the same opposition which has been constantly calling on the government to find urgent solutions to the unemployment problems in the country should turn round to organise demonstrations against the President while on the investment tour. Mr Osei Kwadwo explained that the sinking value of the cedi can only be arrested through higher productivity, increased foreign and local investment as well as peace and stability.
He took the opportunity8 to commend the government for awarding 2.7 kilometres out of the eight kilometre road network within the Wenchi township at a cost of ¢1.3 billion. He called on the Ministry of Roads and Highways to consider the rest of the roads in the next budget. Mr Osei Kwadwo was grateful to the government for the release of ¢355 million last year to the Wenchi District Assembly as its share of the district assemblies common fund for various projects.
The Chief of Droboso, Nana Ameyaw Kakabo II, in his closing remarks thanked the MP for organising the fora to educate them on some of the development projects and the government's investment drive.
THE Larteh Akwapem community was last Sunday thrown into confusion, when 35-year-old, Emmanuel Addo, committed suicide by hanging himself after causing the death of 20-year-old Juliana Dansowaah through an abortion. Charles Kwesi Bruce, 23, is being held in connection with the deaths.
Presenting the fact in a crowded circuit court, presided over by Lt. Col. Mensa Brown (rtd) at Akropong in the Eastern Region last Tuesday, Inspector T.F. Agormey said Dansowaah and Bruce had been lovers for the past eight months. He said she got pregnant four months ago, and informed Bruce who also told her that because he is unemployed, he cannot care for her and therefore wanted the pregnancy to be aborted.
According to him, last December 20, 1995 Bruce invited Dansowaah and gave her ¢5,000 and directed her to see Addo for the abortion. Inspector Agormey said at about 6 p.m. the next day, she went to see Addo, who told her he was already aware, collected the ¢5,000 and asked her to undress. He said Addo asked her to lie in his bed and then inserted a herbal concoction into her vagina, and thereafter she bled for three consecutive days. The prosecutor said she got sick after that and on January 5, 1996, she, in the company of her grandfather reported to the Larteh Police where she was issued a medical report form to attend the Tetteeh Quarshie Memorial Hospital. Bruce was later arrested together with Addo and were granted bail.
Inspector Agormey said on January 7, she, reported to the hospital again and was referred to the Koforidua Central Hospital where she was admitted, but died while on admission on January 11. He said Bruce was re-arrested and all efforts to arrest Addo failed, until January 14 when at about 7 a.m. his body was found at the outskirts of Larteh, having committed suicide by hanging.
THE Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced a 40 per cent across the board increase of the 1995 transport fares.
The National Chairman, Mr ELK. Gbedemah said that the new fares which takes immediate effect are expected to support and sustain the provision and operation of commercial vehicles.
According to the national chairman members of the union have of late complained about the soaring prices of transport inputs like tyres, lubricants and tolls which according to them have made it almost impossible for them to operate. They claimed that the situation has forced them to use their profits only for the maintenance of their vehicles. In view of the situation, some of them have even arbitrarily increased their fares in order to meet their operational costs.
NANA Wereko Ampem, Chief of Amanokrom in the Akuapem District, has been re-elected a member of the United Nations Investments Committee by the General Assembly at its 94th plenary meeting for three years.
Nana Ampem known in private life as Mr E.N. Omaboe is a member of the 11-member body which advises the Secretary-General on the investment of the Pension Fund of the United Nations and its specialised agencies. The size of the fund now stands at about 15 billion dollars. Nana who was a former government statistician has been a member of the committee since 1980.
THE Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), yesterday expressed doubt about a declaration by Dr Isaac Adjei-Maafo, Presidential Staffer on Cocoa Affairs that he holds only 1,000 shares in Bosompemco, a company he jointly owns with the wife.
Mrs Angelina Morna Domakyaareh, Chairperson of the CHRAJ Probe Panel told Dr Adjei-Maafo that available information from the Registrar-General's Department shows that he holds 1,500 shares in the company. She pointed out to Dr Adjei-Maafo that he had declared only 50 shares on his asset declaration form and questioned the contradictions in the issue.
Mrs Domakyaareh asked: Dr Adjei-Maafo, how many shares do you own in the company?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: About a thousand.
Mrs Domakyaareh: So how would you react if you were told you own 1,500 shares?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: Very surprised.
Mrs Domakyaareh: Well, our information at Registrar-General's is that you own 1,500 shares.
Dr Adjei-Maafo: Probably, my memory would have failled me then.
Mrs Domakyaareh: I am also sure you took great care in filling out your asset declaration form?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: Yes, I took great care in filling out the form.
Mrs Domakyaareh: So given the chance, which of the evidence will you rely on?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: I will rely more on my asset declaration form.
I believe what happened on the asset declaration form was a typographical error.
At this stage, Mr Joe Lamptey, counsel for Dr Adjei-Maafo, stepped in and said "since these matters are documentary, I suggest he is given the chance to look for the necessary documents".
Dr Adjei-Maafo also told the probe that no "Gye Nyame" symbols have been designed on the floor of the house he occupies at Sakumono/Lashibi.
Dr Adjei-Maafo had in a previous cross-examination, agreed to a submission by Mr Joe Ghartey, counsel for the Chronicle that Gye Nyame symbols can be found in all the houses allegedly owned by him in Accra and at Akim Awisa.
Led in evidence by Mr Lamptey, Dr Adjei-Maafo said there was a mix-up when he agreed to that submission, adding "I mixed that house up with those at Akim Awisa".
Mr Lamptey: Doctor, you were asked during cross-examination whether the Lashibi house has terrazzo floor?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: Yes.
Mr Lamptey: And you also said there are "Gye Nyame" symbols on the floor?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: Yes.
Mr Lamptey: Do you still maintain that position?
Dr Adjei-Maafo: No. There was a mix-up when I was answering the question.
Mr Tawiah Yoyowah, a member of the probe panel, apparently not satisfied with the answer asked Mr Lamptey to let his client explain the ambiguities in the statements.
Dr Adjei-Maafo denied that his in-law, Kwame Nti was deported from England and that he played a role in sending him to the US.
He said Kwame Nti returned from England on his own and after staying in Ghana for about two years went to the US unaided.
Asked about his job functions, Dr Adjei-Maafo said he was responsible for monitoring government policies on cocoa affairs and reporting to the Presidential Adviser.
He said he was not directly responsible for the day-to-day administration of COCOBOD.
When asked about the privileges attached to his office, Dr Adjei-Maafo said he is entitled to a vehicle, a house, gardener, watchman, free electricity and water.
He said he was entitled to privileges of staffers as approved by the government.
Dr Adjei-Maafo stressed that he has not misused the privileges granted him but only requested for extra privileges where necessary.
Dr Adjei-Maafo made it clear that he has read and is very conversant with the constitutional provisions under which he is being investigated.
He maintained however, that he has done nothing to contravene the Constitution.
THREE District Chief Executives, have been removed from office with immediate effect. They are Christian Agbozo of Akatsi District, Mr A.K. Siaw for Sene and Prince Baffour Awuah-Gyawu for Amansie East Districts respectively.
According to official statement from the Castle, the President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has nominated the principal Superintendent of Education at Akatsi Mrs Victoria Adzo Nazah Gidigloh to replace Mr Agbozo. The Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regional Deputy Ministers are to take temporary responsibility for the two until the approval of new appointments.
The statement said that aside cases of abuse and misuse of power of office, they were involved in three different incidents of suspected criminal conduct which were being investigated by the police. These include charges of attempted rape, stealing, careless driving and driving without valid licence. The release said their removal was without prejudice to whatever action the police might take against them at the end of the investigations.
Police Sergeant E.O. Lovi of Bekwai Police and Gordon Addai also of the same town who allegedly conspired to rob a trader of his personal belongings and ¢500,000 cash are assisting the police in their investigations. The alleged incident took place at Adinkra in the Ashanti Region on Boxing Day, December 26 last year. Investigations revealed that Lovi is on police enquiry bail while Addai has been remanded in custody to reappear.
The two suspects attended a funeral at Adinkra and unlawfully searched the premises of Yaw Ahwoi, without warrant under the pretext of suspecting him of dealing in narcotic drugs. Ahwoi resisted but the two forcibly carried out their illegal operation after which Lovi left but were later arrested.
Later Ahwoi reported the loss of ¢470,000, a wrist watch, a shirt and the two were arrested.
A 60-year-old farmer from Ho, Sylvester Kofi Botsowee who clubbed his girlfriend to death has appeared before the Ho Circuit Court. The farmer is alleged to have hit Ms Christiana Honutse, 54, from behind at their home Dzemini in the volta Region to death. He is alleged to have suspected the woman of having an amorous relationship with another man at the village.
After the incident, he attempted to run away but was arrested.
ADAM Akosua Kumah, 40, was stung to death by a swarm of bees on her farm at Badu in the Wenchi District.
According to eye witness account Madam Kumah left for her farm to fetch firewood that day but after some time when she failed to return her mother traced her to the farm only to find her surrounded by the bees. Attempt by her mother to rescue her nearly resulted in her being beaten by the bees. She therefore went home to organise some men but before she came, Madam Kumah was dead.
An autopsy at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital confirmed death through bee biting.
AN Accra Circuit Court last week Wednesday fined a 20-year-old driver's mate ¢40,000 or in default serve two months in jail for assaulting a passenger over a dirty five-hundred cedi note. The accused, Sampson Larbi is said to have refused to collect the transport fare offered by Miss Benedicta Quarshie, 27, but rather demanded a new note.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Isaac Frimpong told the court presided over by Mr G.N. Minta that Benedicta on January 14, 1996 boarded a VW Bus, with registration number, AFD 6102 from Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra on which the accused person was the mate. He said, on the way, the accused demanded the fare from passengers which they obliged. However, the accused refused to accept Benedicta's money claiming that the money was too dirty.
According to the prosecutor Benedicta pleaded with the accused person since she had no extra money to replace the ¢500 but the mate refused. An argument ensued during which the mate tore her dress in the process. The court ordered that the fine if paid should be given to Benedicta.
BEN Enning, a 50-year-old divorcee who could not control his sexual urge has found himself in the arms of the law for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl, the same age as his own child.
Sources close to the Asawase district police said that Enning is a lotto agent residing at Moshie Zongo, a Kumasi suburb. On Monday, January 15, the victim who is a house help to a woman in the vicinity went out to sell iced water for her mistress.
According to the source around 10 a.m., Enning invited the girl in order to buy some of the water. When she got to Enning who was standing in front of his room, he beckoned the girl to his bedroom but the girl refused. He forced her in and raped her after which he allegedly threatened the girl with death if she dared tell. But the girl was bold. She went home and reported the incident to a co-tenant in their house who later went and informed her madam at the market.
A medical report obtained from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where the victim was referred to however, confirmed that she had been raped.
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A 28-year-old petty trader, Abukari Osmanu of New Tafo is helping the police in a case of indecent assault on a 10-year-old girl. Osmanu who hails from Banda Kabrondo, near Wenchi is alleged to have invited the primary
When the little girl went, he locked her up in a kiosk and assaulted her by pushing his finger into the girl's vagina several times until she started to bleed. The girl however did not report the incident to the parents when she went home for fear of being beaten up.
The next day while the little girl was with her grandmother, the elderly woman smelt an unusual scent on the little girl. when the girl was questioned, she denied it. Not satisfied, the grandmother informed the girl's mother who subjected the little girl to careful scrutiny before she admitted the incident. She was sent to hospital and a medical report on her indicated that she had had her vulva tampered with although there was no definite laceration bruises in the vagina.
Abukari admitted the offence before the Asawase Police and pleaded for clemency. At the time of going to press the police were preparing his case for court.
A young man who has been harassing traders and people at the Makola Market for the past one year has been finally arrested and handed over to the police.
Kweku Mensah, a 21-year-old 'professional' pickpocket who hitherto had made life uncomfortable for both traders and shoppers has been charged for pick-pocketing and would soon be arraigned before court.
Narrating the incident to The Mirror this week, the security co-ordinator of the 31 December Market, Mr Samuel Fudzi said many reports have been made about the accused but all efforts to apprehend him proved futile, until last week when he was caught in the act of picking a woman's purse. According to Mr Fudzi on January 14, 1996, one Rose Alomenu from Ho, in the company of her brother, came to Accra to purchase some goods for sale.
He said just as they were about to board a bus, the accused intelligently put his hands into the woman's bag, took ¢10,000 from it and passed it on to an accomplice who bolted with it. Luck however, ran out on him this time, when Daniel Tetteh and AMA guard who happened to be on duty saw him and raised an alarm.
In an attempt to arrest him, the accused scuffled with him and took to his heels. With the help of some traders,
IT did not take long for the driver of a passenger vehicle to notice that he had seen 31-year-old Kofi Badu, alias China Pozo somewhere.
Then he remembered that it was the same man he had spotted that dawn who managed to escape after being challenged to open a sack he was carrying and the sack when inspected turned out to contain two she-goats with their necks broken.
"Yes this is the man", Kofi Acquah, the driver soliloquised, and with that caused the arrest of the China Pozo who has since been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour by an Assin Fosu Community Tribunal who found him guilty of a charge of stealing. Pozo himself pleaded not guilty.
A police source who disclosed this to The Mirror said on December 19, last year, at about 3.30 a.m. at Assin Fosu, Pozo was spotted squatting in the dark by one Kofi Acquah, a driver, who was on his way to pick his passenger vehicle for business.
The source said Acquah also discovered a sack near where the suspect, Pozo was squatting which made him suspicious and questioned Pozo as to what he had in the sack. According to the source, Pozo then replied that there were personal effects which had been given to him by his uncle.
The source told The Mirror that Acquah not satisfied with the answer given by Pozo challenged him to untie the sack so that he could have a look at what he had in the sack. But to the surprise of Acquah, the source revealed, Pozo seeing how close Acquah was to exposing his deeds drew back and pulled out a dagger, threatening to stab Acquah if he dared come near him.
According to the source, Acquah then raised an alarm which attracted people to the scene but Pozo had by then taken to his heels, leaving behind the sack. The source said when the sack was eventually untied, it was found to contain two dead she-goats which investigations revealed belonged to one Sata Adam, a woman living at the Assin Fosu Zongo area.
According to the source in the course of the day, Pozo who had by then thought that the possibility of being apprehended was long past ventured outside and was spotted by Acquah at the lorry station who upon "cracking" his brains arrived at the conclusion that "Yes, this is the man".
DSP Paul Neveme Avuyi, Assin Fosu District Police Commander, confirming the story said, Pozo was sent to the Tribunal on December 20, 1995 and was remanded in custody till January 9, this year when he was sentenced after enough evidence was found against him.
NORMAL academic life has resumed at the University of Ghana, Legon, with students preparing feverishly to
A visit to the campus on Thursday showed the students who have been on "forced holiday" for about nine months due to a strike action by lecturers to back their demand for enhanced salaries, revising in the lecture halls and the libraries. However, some of the students who travelled abroad during the break, are yet to return.
Whilst some students claimed they have not had any problems at all since they returned to campus, others catalogued a number of problems, paramount among which was their inability to assimilate due to the long absence from the lecture halls.
Some of the 30 students the Graphic spoke to also mentioned the need for an increase in the students' loans to enable them to meet their financial obligations. A third-year Agricultural Science student, Nana Karikari Nyarko, said having spent nine months away from the lecture room, he finds it difficult to revise now than when he had just finished his semester lectures.
For Solomon Brookman and Victor Mills, both medical students, whose examinations will commence on February 5, "everything is fine".
Miss Suzie Owusu, who is majoring in Psychology, said unlike previous examinations, she now has to spend more time behind her books to revise her notes. She said the long break has also made students spend monies they got from the SSNIT students loan scheme and urged the Ministry of Education to expedite action on its plans to provide additional loans to students.
In spite of the pressures of studies, some of the students took time off to watch the on-going African Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the university administration has announced the resignation of Professor G.K. Nukunya, as Pro-Vice Chancellor with effect from January 1, 1996. Although sources at the registry said Professor Nukunya resigned for personal reasons, student sources say his resignation is in protest against "certain developments within the university".
Consequently, professors Florence Dolphyne, Department of Linguistics, James Anquandah, Dean of Social Studies, Ivan Addai-Mensah, Department of Chemistry and J.N. Ayertey, Department of Crop Science are reportedly vying for the vacant position. The four candidates are to appear before the Legon branch of UTAG in a "face-to-face meeting" to enable the lecturers make informed decision on their candidature.
NANA Adunya Safei, Chief Linquist of the Asantehene, yesterday appeared before a Kumasi circuit court on charges of assault and indecent behaviour. He is alleged to have on three occasions poured water on the
Nana Safei is further alleged to have poured urine on a woman whom he also attempted to hurt with a bottle, before he was restrained by neighbours. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court, presided over by Miss Mariamah Owusu, granted him bail in the sum of ¢1 million with a surety to be justified.
The court also adjourned the case to February 9 for hearing. Before adjourning the case, three elders from Nana Safei's family had pleaded with the court to allow them to withdraw the case for settlement at home since both the accused and the complainant are members of one family. The complainants, especially Nana Yaanum, objected to the withdrawal, stressing that it was becoming habitual of Nana Safei to misconduct himself.
GHANA's Nana Yaw Konadu at the weekend became the new WBA bantamweight champion when he
Konadu who was a former WBC flyweight champion, visited the canvas in the first round, but he managed to beat the referee's count and returned to erase the nightmare and kayoed his tough opponent in the second round. The new WBA champion has thus become champion in two divisions, first, WBC flyweight and now WBA bantamweight.
Nana Konadu who was the stalemate of WBC superfeather weight champion won the title from Sort Chitalader of Thailand in 1988 before surrendering it to Sun Kil Moon of Korea in 1989. Nana Konadu who is currently campaigning in Spain in the years after losing the title, tried two unsuccessfully attempts at the Korean's title.
Mr K.B. Asante, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has cautioned that great care should be taken in the attempt to amend portions of the constitution. He explained that though it is easy to find flaws in the constitution especially when its provisions prevent something from being done, detailed analysis, should always guide such amendments.
Mr Asante reminded Ghanaians especially the Legislative that certain views were forcefully argued when the constitution was being drawn up but were rejected by the consensus by the Consultative Assembly. He therefore said it will be unrealistic for amendments to be made an detection of the slightest flaw.
The former diplomat also questioned why Ghana adopted the American system of governance, but still execute that of the British system. He mentioned for instance, the controversy surrounding political alliance as enshrined in the constitution and stressed that there is always chaos in government, because of the lapse of who should wield power when a coalition endorses two persons as executive president. It is not realistic to expect the leader of a party to play a quiet subordinate roles as Vee=Pee as our constitution demands, he said.
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold its national delegates conference on March 2 to elect its presidential candidate for the 1996 elections.
The conference, which would be held at the University of Ghana, Legon will attract 2,000 delegates from the 10 regions of the 200 constituencies of Ghana.
Giving details of the presidential race, the General Secretary Mr J. Agyenim Boateng said so far four candidates, Kwame Pianim, Professor Adu-Boahen, Dr Jones Ofori Atta and J.A. Kuffour had so far filed their nomination as NPP's candidates for the race. He said the exact number of contestants for the party's presidential nomination cannot be determined since the closing date was January 31. He said the contestants would face vetting which would scrutinise them and determine their suitability or otherwise for the position.
Mr Agyenim Boateng said the NPP would as from next month (February) mount political platforms at which all the contestants would be jointly presented to the electorate.
A 65-year-old farmer Opanin Kwabena Eshun has appeared in court at Sekondi for butchering to death his estranged wife for collecting firewood on his farm near Inchaban in the Western Region.
The suspect did not take kindly why Hagar Barnes, 37, who had left her matrimonial home and still make a living at his expense. So when on December 30 last year, he saw the wife collecting firewood from his farm, he slashed her to death.
He went into hiding after committing the crime but a search party found him hiding in a plantain groove on the farm. He said he married her two years ago and soon after he detected his money was getting missing everyday. He later realised that, the deceased was the cause and therefore broke the marriage.