By Graphic Reporter
The controversy over the incident in the cabinet room in which vice-president, K.N. Arkaah alleges he was assaulted by the president intensified. As the chairmen of the major opposition parties - NPP and PCP - condemned the incident at a joint press conference, five cabinet ministers who were present mounted a furious denial of vice-president Arkaah's allegation.
In separate interviews, the ministers expressed surprise that the allegations of the vice-president had been swallowed "hook line and sinker" without hearing those who were present. The Minister of Education, Mr. Harry Sawyerr felt it was a measure of extraordinary prejudice to suggest that the entire cabinet ministers and the top officials present cannot be believed. Mr. Sawyerr was for many years the president of the Institute of Surveyors and led the Association of Ghanaian Professional Bodies, and also served as a minister in the government of the Third Republic.
Other ministers interviewed were Dr (Mrs)Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Commodore Steve Obimpeh, Minister of Health. All of them were emphatic that the president did not hit nor kick the vice-president. The Graphic asked each of the ministers whether they would swear on their honour that there was no hitting and kicking. Each one said yes. Asked why they thought the vice-president could make up a story like that if it did not happen, they thought the only possible explanation was that he was desperate for public sympathy.
Mr. Owusu-Acheampong however thought the vice-president was repeating what he appeared to have done successfully with the Jemima Yalley scandal. "After the private press had exposed the scandal and accused him of raping the poor girl, he turned round to tell the same press that the information had been leaked by the president. He went so far as to allege that he had been set up. Ridiculous as all that may be, because of their prejudice against the president, the same private press turned around to persuade the nation to believe him and in fact began to use the scandal against the president and first lady. "How could anyone conceive of the president or his officials preparting the poor girl to go and accost the old man, vice-president to go to bed with her just so that it could be used later against him. And yet this is the story which the vice-president, in his desperation, presented to the press and, shameful as it may seem, the press preferred to believe him.
Mr. Owusu-Acheampong thought the vice-president was repeating the same strategy and he regretted that people were being hoodwinked to believe it. >From out interviews, the events leading to the incident began at about 9.30 a.m. when ministers began arriving for what was to be the last cabinet meeting of the year. "Usually, there would be some informal exchanges among ministers before the meeting begins. "For that day, the main subject of the informal exchanges concerned the attitude of the vice--president, his open hostility towards the government and the fact that he had openly declared himself to be in opposition to the government. While the ministers were discussing this matter, the vice-president himself entered the cabinet room around 9:50 a.m. The ministers appeared surprised because some of them had been of the view that having publicly announced that he was leading a party that having publicly announced that he was leading a party that had decided to align itself with the opposition, he would, as a matter of conscience not feel able to join the cabinet in its deliberations.
Most of the ministers immediately left the room and suggestions were made about boycotting the meeting if the vice-president would take part. The Education minister is reported to have reminded the ministers of the position taken by the president in May, last year when the entire cabinet had walked out of cabinet in protest at the presence of the attempts to distance himself from the policies of the government. At that time, the president was reported to have ordered the ministers back to the cabinet and cautioned them to exercise restraint and how respect to the vice-president. Back in the cabinet room, Mr. Harry Sawyerr is reported to have told the vice-president that he proposed to move for his exclusion from the cabinet because he had announced himself to be part of the opposition to the government.
He told him he did not think he had any moral right to sit in the same cabinet with them. Mr. Sawyerr is reported to have reminded Mr. Arkaah that they had accorded him the respect due to his office but his public utterances suggested he was disposed to show total disdain for his colleagues. According to the ministers, it appeared that when the president arrived he was surprised to see mr. Arkaah in the room because it appeared he had been advised that in the light of his vehement condemnation of government policies in his public and political pronouncements, he would not, as a matter of conscience, return to sit in the same cabinet with them. Mr. Amoako-Nuamah explained "we all got up when he arrived and he asked us to sit down. but he did not sit down and immediately confronted the vice-president".
The president immediately confronted the vice-president about his position in the government. He said he had tried strenuously to keep the Cabinet together when the vice-president began publicly attacking the government. He had though that with time, he would appreciate the fact that if any one felt he could not be part of the government, he should as a matter of conscience, not be part of that government. The president said from reports of the speeches made by vice-president, he felt he no longer wanted to be considered a part of the government. He therefore asked him to fell free to go to the world and disclose and corrupt deals which he had accused the cabinet of doing. And he felt that until he had done that, he had no moral right to sit in the cabinet with the ministers."
According to Dr. Amoako-Nuama, the vice-president interrupted the president to say that he had not made any such allegations against his cabinet colleagues. "But it seemed than that the president had finally come to the view which cabinet ministers had felt over several months that having proclaimed his decision to join hands with the position, the vice-president had no moral right to sit in the cabinet. "The president said that having gone the length he had, he should be true to his conscience and leave the government. For the moment, he should leave the room to allow his colleagues to decide on how they relate to him in the cabinet. "The president standing next to him, touched him on the shoulder and asked him to leave. At that point, the exchanges were getting rather heated and as the vice-president tried to rise, he stumbled into an empty chair next to him and staggered to the floor.
"The sudden fall had the president himself unbalanced and he too went down on one knee before he picked himself up. Naturally, members of cabinet, especially those close by rushed to try to pull the vice-president up." Each of the ministers was asked whether the president at any time hit or threaten to hit the vice-president. Each said NO. Each one was asked whether the president kicked the vice-president when he fell down. Each one flatly said no.
Nonetheless, they all agreed that in the circumstances, the rest of the cabinet felt it would be best for the vice-president to leave the meeting. Said Dr. Amoako-Nuama: all of us were in agreement that the vice-president should leave the meeting and after he had resisted for some time, he finally left."
"The point is that if he had been hit and kicked as he described, he would not have been standing there with cabinet colleagues pleading with him to leave". Three of the ministers reported that as he left the cabinet room, he shouted at the president: "If you want to play it rough, I will play it rougher" Commodore Steve Obimpeh said he had offered his car with a driver from the castle to drive from the castle to drive the vice-president away from the castle because the vice-president's car was not immediately available. But he stoutly denied press reports that but for him, the president would have pulled a pistol. The president was not armed and this must be one of the tragic inventions flowing from the incident, he said.
BBC "Focus On Africa" Broadcast - December 29, 1995 - Time 5:05 pm
ROBIN WHITE (RW): MR. Arkaah, what exactly did President Rawlings do to you?
K.N. ARKAAH (KNA): He gave me a terrible blow on the shoulder which sent me falling to the ground. I was down, spread eagle-like. He then attempted to pull me up by the shoulder in order to hit me further. He tore the should of my jacket in the process. In his frustration of not being able to get me up, he started kicking me in the groin, and that was when other members of the cabinet rushed to restrain him from doing any further damage to me.
RW: Did you try to fight at all?
KNA: I didn't because, you know, number one, I have great respect for the position of the President of Ghana and number two, really, I was no match for him. I'm a man of small size and he's a big burly man, you know, I didn't fight back at all.
RW: So how badly did he hurt you?
KNA: Well, I had some pains in the groin and my left eye was slightly bruised. It is tender because I just had an operation on it.
RW: And so are you in pain today?
KNA: Well, a little but not too much.
RW: Now, had you said anything at all to the cabinet to provoke him before he hit you?
KNA: No, no, no, no, Nobody had said anything at all. He came in, he didn't sit, he stood up and started talking: after one or two words, the sentence was not even completed when he hit me. And it was from the back. And so I didn't even see what he was doing. May be if I had seen him I would have ducked the blow but it was from the back. I think it was a bit cowardly on his part but well that is what happened.
RW: Do you think he was under the influence of anything?
KNA: I wouldn't know that.
RW: What would you now do? Would stay in on your job or would you leave?
KNA: No I will stay on my job. I will stay on. This extraordinary and unfortunate incident will not deter me from carrying out my functions as the vice-president of the republic.
RW: Won't that be very hard to do now. How, for instance, could you sit in the same room with the president after this has happened.
KNA: Well, it depends on the attitude of the president. I mean if a meeting is called and I am invited, I will go. And if I get there and he physically assaults me throws me out, I think it is for Ghanaians to judge.
RW: Are you looking for an apology from the president?
KNA; I'm not looking for an apology but if an apology comes I will accept it in good faith
RW: But seriously, how can you really go on like this. Relations have been bad with Rawlings for some time. How could you possibly insist on being vice-president after this has happened.
KNA: Well, if this has happened. it means the problem between the two of us not so?
RW: YES
KNA: If this is between the two of us, you do not expect one side, one person to resign and leave the other one there. Anyone who says that because of this problem, I should resign, why doesn't he ask him (Rawlings) also to resign?
RW: Do you think he should resign?
KNA: I do not say so. I don't think so I think we should try and work together and co-operate with each other.
RW: But you haven't been doing that, Mr. Arkaah?
KNA: What do you mean by I haven't been doing that?
RW: You have been slugging him off publicly, regularly?
KNA: But have you forgotten what they have been doing to me in the nations papers? Don't you read the Daily Graphic and the rest of them?
KNA: Yes, I have been reading several stories about you in the Graphic, Yes.
KNA: They have been writing all sorts of scathing remarks about me. And if they do that. I have to respond and defend myself. I don't have to sit down, dormant, for anyone to walk over me.
RW: I think they have been accusing you of being a bit of a womaniser. Would that be right?
KNA: Well, womaniser or not, that is not the issue. No. If you are talking of womanising, I can point fingers at other people who are womanisers. I'm not a womaniser.
RW: What is going to be your next step?
KNA: Oh, I think I need to sit down with members of the central committee of my party for us to work out our political strategy. I need to talk to my lawyers. I need to talk to some other friends, so that we can map out a
strategy for the future. You see, it is not a problem for Arkaah alone. Neither is it a problem for president Rawlings alone. It is a problem for Ghana. It is wrong for anyone to say one party should apologise. They should sit us down and find out what actually is the problem.
RW: But you are definitely not going to quit?
KNA: No. I'm not quitting. I'm not a quitter. I'm not going to leave midstream. I took an oath to Ghana, to serve the country as Vice President. And I will do so to the best of my ability.
RW: But if the President were to drop by right now, and ring your bell, would you come out and shake his hands?
KNA: I will receive him with open hands. Oh yes, Oh yes. That doesn't bother me at all.
RW: That was Ghana's vice president, K.N.Arkaah speaking to me from Accra Ghana.
The main thrust of the government's economic policy this year will be on the intensification of efforts to attract private foreign investments into the country, Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has said.
Consequently, he said, the government would no longer undertake any commercial venture without the participation of the private sector and the frequency of investment promotion tours to the Far East, would also be stepped up. Mr. Owusu-Acheampong, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum, was speaking at a reception he organised for members of the Brong Ahafo Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association at Berekum. With the scarcity of funds and technology in the country, he said, it is imperative that the private sector be made to assume commanding heights of the economy to turn our vast resources into wealth to enhance the quality of life in the country.
"It is only by courting private entrepreneurs to invest in the country that we will be able to accelerate economic growth." Mr. Owusu-Acheampong said the investment and immigration laws of the country are being reviewed to make them more flexible and attractive to investors. Mr. Owusu-Acheampong said the government is putting emphasis on attracting investments from the Far Eastern countries have just emerged from a situation like ours and understand and identify with our aspirations better." He urged politicians to refrain from making inflammatory remarks, journalists to avoid inciting the populace through biased reporting, and the security agencies to act fast to pip in the bud confrontational situations so as to make the elections peaceful.
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Mr. Joe Ghartey, leading counsel for Chronicle revealed that Dr. Adjei Maafo used his uncle, sister-in-law and his wife as fronts for his properties, which including houses, shops and a gigantic school building at Tema.
According to Mr. Ghartey, what gave Dr. Maafo away was the "Gye Nyame" symbol which had become his trade mark, a seal he puts on all his properties. In a cross-examination that was distinctly civil and lacking in bluster, Mr. Joe Ghartey teased out some notable admissions from Dr. Adjei-Maafo, some of which contradicted what he had earlier told the commission in his famous " I must be commended, not condemned" presentation last month.
Dr. Adjei-Maafo admitted in the blur of the cross-examination that Mr. C.B. Ntim was in London in August 1994 at the same time that he was there. He also admitted that his wife is a wholesaler of chocolates when he is the Chairman of the board of West African Mills and boss of the Cocoa Processing Company, Takoradi and Tema respectively (processor of cocoa beans and chocolates), but denied that she is the biggest distributor in the country. According to the presidential staffer, his wife has several business interests and owns her own cars and shop. Chronicle has learnt that when the wife, Paulina, was brought from Awisa to marry Adjei-Maago she did not have anything and in fact was the girl friend of the goalkeeper of Accra Hearts of Oak.
One of the more startling revelations was to do with what the supper cool lawyer Joe Ghartey, 34, described as the Cocoa chief's "Signature" on his properties. Producing picture after picture supplied to bim by Chronicle undercover reporters, Mr. Ghartey revealed to a hushed audiences that Dr. Adjei-Maafo had the Gye Nyame symbol on most of his properties. Though Mr. Maafo insisted that the house at Madina belongs to his sister-in-law who has been in Canada for four years, Joe revealed that the house has a Gye Nyame symbol on the frontage, the terrazzo on the floor of his Lashibi residence had Gye Nyame symbol and the Oda/Awisa houses also had Gye Nyame symbol. Dr. Adjei-Maafo admitted that he and his wife own a company called Bosompem and Co.
EXCERPT OF THE EMILE SHORT PROCEEDINGS OF 5 JANUARY
MR. JOE GHARTEY: Is this the Madina House?
DR. ADJEI-MAAFO : Yes, Yes. That's my uncle's house.
JG: Now, your uncle's house at Madina, and your sister-in-law's house have this Gye Nyame sign?
AM: Yes
JG: Now your Uncle is your Uncle, and is not related to your sister-in-law's house?
AM: Right
JG: So on the house you allege is your uncle's house at Madina and the house at Awisa which you claim belongs to you and your brother, plus the house which you also say belongs to your sister-in-law on the floor terrazzo of the house in the "Gye Nyame sign?? How?
AM: The "Gye Nyame" sign is a sign we all use. It has nothing to do with Adjei-Maafo's house.
JG: Doctor it is our information, am not putting to you, am not suggesting to you. It is on all your properties.
AM: No
JG: Doctor, you are a prudent man?
Yes, Mr. Domakyaareh (interrupts). Counsel we would like to know if you are tendering these photographs or they are just for identification.
JG: They are just for identification but if the Commission wants copies of the picture I will tender them in. I believe that the commission might need them for evaluation and so on. Madam, we are only helping the commission so if the commission is the view that we should tender them in, then we would. This is not our case. If you want the pictures, we have a lot of them. (Speaking to Dr. Maafo). Currently, you have a picture of your home. Madam, we like to tender it in. Now you said you are a very prudent man.
AM: Yes
JG: You would agree with me that it is not prudent for you to build on somebody else's property.
AM: I think it is very prudent, considering the fact that I moved into that house from a government bungalow without paying rent. As a pay back for the services my sister-in-law is lending me, I decided to build the boys quarters. Secondly, my family size is such that we couldn't fit into that small estate house. Really, it was for my convenience. And my relationship with Juliana.
JG: Mr....... Sorry Doctor. The house of your sister-in-law and your house where your father-in-law lives which is bigger?
AM: My sister-in-law's house is bigger.
JG: So wouldn't it have been more prudent, am just thinking out loud, for you to have built the boys quarters on the land that belongs to you, and for your father-in-law to stay at his daughter's house.
AM: No. Considering the conveniences. No!
JG: Doctor, you know Walter Shroeder (WS) and Hosta, what is their relationship?
AM: Eh....WS had a joint ventureship with the Ghana Government. Hosta is a subsidiary of WS.
JG: Now, West African Mills (WAM), what's your position there?
AM: I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors nominated by the government
JG: Hosta, what is their relationship with WAM?
AM: Em.. WAM has no direct relationship with even WS or Hosta. So far as my memory is concerned or our records are concerned, the agreement is between WS and Cocoa Board.
JG: So sir, has WAM had any relationship with WS.
AM: Not that I know of . If they had, then that was purely administrative and no business relationship.
JG: How long have you been a Chairman?
AM: Gee... I can't recollect, but I would say ever since it was commissioned and the Board of Directors were appointed.
JG: Who are the shareholders of WAM?
AM: Eh...that is Cocoa Board and Walter Shoeder
JG: So WS owns part of WAM?
AM: Right, WS owns part of WAM?
JG: Doctor, the price of cocoa is fixed by the international market, is it?
AM: Right.
JG: So if Cocoa is being sold by Cocoa Board to the factory in Tema it is done at the international price?
AM: Right. The prize is left in the hands of CMB and the factory.
JG: You would agree with me that it is not good policy to sell your cocoa products under the world price. We are complaining..
AM: If you are talking about high crops, there is a policy attached to it.
JG: Our Information is that three or four years ago, under your supervision cocoa light crops was sold at 400 pounds a ton, at a time when it was 700 pounds.
AM: This is incorrect. I don't fix the price Cocoa. That is the responsibility of the company. I don't come in the position of fixing the prices of cocoa.
JG: I thought you said you had the overview of the Cocoa Industry. I was wrong.
Now Major Ablorh, was he dismissed from the army? (Dr. Adjei Maafo has
described him in glowing terms as a man of integrity and an expert - he works
for Cocobod and not Cocoa Marketing Company and is one of two who are sent to
Walter Schroeder, Berlin to go and deal with Ws over CMC's cocoa beans.)
AM: I wouldn't know.
JG: Now Major Ablorh is not in the CMC ? There are two top officers of CB who are responsible for the Cocoa reconciliation team.
AM: COCOBOD has its own reasons for selecting those two top men. The selection had nothing to do with my office.
G: Are you saying you know nothing about these selection?
AM: No,. Am saying that the autonomy was given to them to operate. Looking at their background, we raised no objections because they are expects in their own fields.
By Osbert Lartey
A POLICEMAN WHO was used by Mr. P.V. Obeng and Dr. Adjei-Maafo for their dirty works and dumped has pulled a dagger by petitioning the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the award that was promised him.
Like ex-Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Boakye Dankwa who fled the country to confess his sins for the dirty hobs he executed for the so-called revolution, Deputy Sergeant Patrick A. Yeboah who is now idling at the office of the Revenue Commissioner's said in his six-paragraph petition that he was seconded to the then Citizens Vetting Committee (CVC) as an investigator on October 10, 1982 and executed his duties with dedication, zeal an utmost satisfaction.
Sergeant Patrick Yeboah cited the arrest of persons within the Ashanti Region who were connected with the embezzlement of funds totalling ¢789 million from the Controller and Accountant Generals Department which resulted in their prosecution before the then National Public Tribunal. The arrested persons in the case listed as the People versus Gift Demettrius Tamakloe and 28 others were imprisoned and executed. Sergeant Yeboah said he was instrumental in the setting-up of Mr. Kofi Oppong, former Procurement Manager of the COCOBOD. Mr. Kofi Oppong was tried and imprisoned by the National Public Tribunal for using his office to amass wealth. "Sir, the risk involved in this case is still going against me and I know what it is. It would interest you to know what I refused to hand over all vital documents to support our evidence at the National Public Tribunal so that Mr Kofi Oppong would go free", said Sergeant Yeboah in his petition dated November 15, 1994.
He said he was instructed by the Castle to charge Mr. Kofi Oppong for subversion. "It is, therefore, very disheartening to learn from reliable source that my contemporaries have been left out in the promotion and their opportunities and even U.N. Peace Keeping operations have eluded us. I therefore cannot afford to loose my award which I have termed my only consolation." Sergeant Patrick Yeboah added that if the only criteria for the payment of such awards to policemen who were seconded to NIC was the risk involved during execution of their duties, then he also deserve to be paid whatever is due him because for a period of five continuous years he can confidently say that he even used his own private vehicle No. ASR 2428 for official duties without requesting for fuel. "I hope this my petition will receive your kind consideration and approval," he ended in his petition to Mr. P.V. Obeng.
In an interview with Ghanaian Chronicle undercover reporter, Sergeant Patrick Yeboah who was allegedly jailed for a fraudulent deal, said it is regrettable that after having been misused for almost eight years he has to be abandoned to poverty and deprivation. Her was particularly incensed about Mr. P.V. Obeng, Dr. Adjei-Maafo and the Ahwoi brothers about his fate. Sergeant Yeboah told the Ghanaian Chronicle that of all those he was directed to persecute the man whose name keep hunting him is that of Mr. Kofi Oppong, the former Procurement Manager of COCOBOD for as he put it" the man is innocent of all the so-called charges preferred against him but he was set up by the power that be for whatever reason is best known to them." He said Dr. Adjei-Maafo played a very major roll in the persecution, arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Kofi Oppong at COCOBOD because he Kofi Oppong was a stumbling block to the dubious deals to the place. Sergeant Yeboah supported his argument with press clippings which he clipped to his petition to Mr. P.V. Obeng.
From Juliana Antwi, Kumasi
The adopted son of the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Kwame Asante Griffiths, a student of U.S.T. and an avowed NDC follower who made history about six months ago, when he raged and ranted at the June 4 rally at Mankessim that the alleged politicisation of NUGS is creating impediments in the way of the Registration Review Committee in the Afigya Sekyere District of the Ashanti Region by taking the law into his own hands and disrupting proceedings.
The nine member District Review Committee which began sitting at Agona on November 30 with the aim of hearing an average of 26 complaints daily had barely begun its third case when Griffiths' ill-mannered and uncouth behaviour compelled the committee's Chairman Mr. Kofi Amoako-Mensah to adjourn sitting indefinitely. The Afigya Sekyere District had the highest number of 1.289 challenges in the country. Reliable sources close to the Chronicle say as the panel stepped out of the sitting hall, Kwame Griffiths and Mr. Peter Kwasi Mensah, NDC Afigya Sekyere East Constituency boss urged on by knots of NDC supporters openly insulted the District police chief, ASP Osei Mensah and other members of the panel.
The abrupt end of proceedings and subsequent abuse of Mr. Osei Mensah and his colleagues followed investigations into a complaint against one Akua Seidu who had been challenged by an NPP agent, Mr. E.K. auahene, as a citizen of Benin. Akua claims to be a native of Bawku but has no evidence of her claims. Kwame Griffiths, representing the Egle Party on the review committee said he would not permit other panel member of quiz Akua'a husband. Asp Osei Mensah who tried to read out relevant portions of the Registration of voters regulation 1995 C.I. 12 (section 14 sub-sec 2d) that mandated the committee to carry out such interrogation was noisely down by Griffiths with other NDC loyalists around yelling for more "show". The proceedings even started on a very noisy note. Kwame Griffiths was himself challenged by NPP representative Mr. C.K. Dua before the commencement of the sitting as "unqualified" to be on the panel since he did not undergo the training required for the panel members.
However, Griffiths bulldozed his way through saying he had been instructed "from above" to sit on the committee. It would be recalled that the other Griffiths, Commander P.M.G. Griffiths, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication was alleged to have physically assaulted an Electoral Officer, Mr. Eric Mensah Bonsu at his residence at Jamasi during the registration exercise for publicising in the district that only Ghanaians were eligible to register. Investigations conducted by the Chronicle at U.S.T. campus revealed that Kwame Asante Griffiths hardly stays on campus for fear of victimisation by his colleagues.
By Kwesi Biney
The New Patroitic Party (NPP) and the People's convention Party (PCP) and the ubiquitous Alliance For Change (AFC) have called for the resignation of President J.J. Rawlings.
They have also called on Parliament to initiate an impeachment process against the President for bringing his high office into disrepute. At a press conference jointly held by the NPP and PCP last Thursday, Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey who was the spokesman said the behaviour of the president "in full view of the cabinet is unprecedented in the history of the country." Mr. Adjetey said the President's action goes against the grain of Ghana's culture adding that: the use of force by a young man; however exalted his social position, against a man of sixty-eight years who could be his father is not only unacceptable but unpardonable in our social and cultural code on behaviour."
He said the outrageous act of the president and the international publicity it has attracted, have brought the high office of the presidency into public disrepute, ridicule and contempt."It has also brought disgrace and dishonour to mother Africa", he added. Nana Akuffo-Addo, a spokesman for the Alliance for Change minced no words in describing the president's action as an act of violence outrageous, barbaric and unpardonable.. He said the use of physical violence especially by no less a person that the president of the Republic as a means of settling political disputes and differences is absolutely impermissible in the nation's fledgling democracy.
"We shall not tolerate it. No one, not even NDC loyalists can defend what is indefensible," he said. Nana Akufo-Addo also condemned what he described as a ridiculous attempt by the cabinet and some individual ministers of state to reconstruct what happened on December 28 1995 and deny the president's assault on his vice. "Far from calming the anxieties of a disquiet nation, these woeful reconstruction have only succeeded in infuriating a restive population. The discrepancies in these different-accounts expose the cabinet and the individual ministers concerned as peddlers of blatant lies who have been intoxicated by sycophancy as to be blind to their personal safety," Nana Akuffo-Addo said. He said the president's attack on his vice is the clearest proof of the violent, intolerant, irrational and lawless nature of the man who holds the highest political office of the land.
"It shows that in character, and indisposition, he is allergic to the democratic process of debate and persuasion as a means of leadership and ruling," he added. He said the incidence is a national disaster and disgrace which requires the whole nation to stand up in revulsion against it. "We of the AFC are accordingly making an earnest call on all independent public organisations and institutions such as the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana National Association of Teacher (GNAT), National Union of Ghana Students (NUG), University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and other bodies to take a clear and unequivocal position on this grave threat to our society by joining us in demanding the resignation or impeachment of president Rawlings", he added.
In another development, the GNAT has stated that the President cannot remove the vice-president from office on the grounds of political and personal differences as those grounds do not fall under the constitutional provisions. In a statement issued by the association, it made it clear that cabinet's reported statement that "it would find it difficult to associate itself with the vice-president in an atmosphere of mutual respect and do-operation" until the vice president "respects principle of collective responsibility and his oath of office." forebodes a constitutional crisis for the country.
GNAT wondered how Mr. K.N.Arkaah would remain the vice president without having the moral right to participate in the deliberations of a cabinet. The statement, therefore, called on the Council of State, National House of Chiefs, Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church, Christian Council of Ghana and the Muslim Council to arrange to meet the President and his vice and bring them together. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Council, National Executives of the NDC and the NCP were also mentioned by the statement to be parties to the peace process.
By Faustina Ashirifie
The Chairman of Unilever Ghana and President of Ghana Employers Association, Mr. Ishmael Yamson, has called for stricter control and monitoring of the activities of foreign exchange bureaux in the country, to bring sanity into the country's financial system. He said the over-liberalised foreign exchange regime is a contributory factor to the fast depreciation of the cedi "and must be seriously looked at".
Mr. Yamson was speaking in an interview with the Graphic on measures needed to be taken by government to restore macro-economic stability to improve the investment climate of the country. The Unilever boss was of the view that the forex bureaux are doing far more than they ought to have been doing and wondered why they have been allowed to deal in forex transactions in millions of foreign currencies.
"This country is the most liberalised regime in terms of foreign exchange. You cannot travel outside and buy up to 5000 pounds sterling or dollars from a forex bureau any where", he said and suggested that the Bank of Ghana should take steps to limit them to $500, as pertains in most countries. He pointed out that there are too many cash transactions in the country, making it possible for people to change their cedis into foreign currency at the bureaux, only to hoard instead of investing in economic ventures, " this is just not good for the development of a young economy".
Mr. Yamson stressed the need to properly manage the country's liberalisation programme to ensure that it makes a positive impact on the economy. Asked whether the banks have changed their attitude towards industry, Mr. Yamson replied "the banks are still adamant in extending the much-needed long-term loans to revamp and sustain industry and have shown much more interest in commerce in view of the short-term gains." He, therefore, suggested that government should extend the Business Assistance Fund (BAF), both in value and coverage, to include new start-ups which have the potential but cannot borrow at the bank rates. "I believe there are some companies, which, with some support, can perform well to propel the country's industrialisation process", the Unilever Chairman emphasised.
Mr. Yamson also said the banks should be a little more innovative and with the help of the Bank of Ghana, find solution to the problem of non-availability of long-term facility to support the country's industrial development.
By Faustina Ashirifie
The Ghana Association of Forex Bureaux has stressed that members operate within the laws and directives of the Bank of Ghana. Reacting to a suggestion that steps should be taken to limit the bureaux to $500 as published in the dailies, the association said the Bank of Ghana allows personal travel allowance of $3,000 and a direct purchase of $5,000.
According to the association's president, Mr. Ade Coker, it has since ensured that members comply with the Bank of Ghana's guidelines and directives. It therefore, consider as unfair, the Unilever boss, Mr Ishmael Yamson's suggestions that the forex bureaux operations should be limited. The association recalled that the forex bureaux was established to mop up the excess liquidity in the system to counteract the activities of the parallel market and that unlike the latter, forex bureaux contribute to the country's tax revenue. It, therefore, refuted the assertion that they are responsible for the phenomenon of buying and hoarding foreign exchange by some people.
By Joe Bradford Nyinah
The President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, has called on Ghanains to ensure that the 1996 electional debate over real issues to ensure a peaceful and fair elections. "If we do not pass that test, we shall go back to where we began, throwing away all that has been painfully opposition to taint the reputation of the party" he stressed.
Mr. Amoa-Bosompem was speaking at a meeting of the party at Akyem Awisa in the Birim South District. He said, as the period of elections draws near, the opposition and their collaborators in some section of the press have started a malicious campaign of hatred and falsehood designed to create fear and panic among the electorate. Mr. Amoa-Bosompem said, guided by realism and a sense of mission, the NDC would not react to the antics of the position to provoke it in order to let loose their plans to plunge the nation into chaos. "The NDC is guided by the noble mission of transforming the economy of the nation to improve the quality of life of the people.
From Kojo Sam, Elmina
The New Patroitic Party (NPP) has given the assurance that it has devised a fiscal programme which will make the cedi one of the strongest currencies in Africa.
The party is therefore asking Ghanaians to vote it into power to enable it to implement the programme to bring happiness to Ghanaians. The programme, according to Mr. J.A. Kuffour, a presidential aspirant "forms part of an economic blueprint that the party has devised and will be made public in the course of the year". Mr. Kuffour said this when he addressed an NPP rally at Elmina on Saturday, at which the party's parliamentary candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Constituency, Mr. F.W. Boham, was introduced to the crowd. Mr. Boham is a retired medical assistant of the Elmina Urban Health Centre. The rally followed the opening of the constituency and district office of the party at Elmina.
Mr. Kuffour pointed out that Ghana is not a poor country but that "the economic policies of the NDC Government has made the country an economic beggar in the eyes of the international community" Another leading member, Mr. J.H. Mensah asked Ghanaians not to lose hope but to vote the NPP into power because "we have assembled a team that is determined to turn round the hopeless state of the economy.
From Kojo Sam, Cape Coast
A 24-Year old unemployed, Richard Asmah, suspected to be mentally-deranged, has been arrested by the villagers at Ayensudo and handed over to the police for butchering two Catholic Sisters and robbing them of their handbags at the Brenu Pleasure Beach, near Elmina last Monday.
The deceased were identified by the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Coast as Patricia Ac Aleese, an American of the Sisters of Presentation of the Virgin Mary in Kumasi and Claudia Murphy, a Canadian of the Missionaries Sisters of Our Lady of Afria, based at Tamale. Claudia's skull was slashed open whilst Patricia had about four inch deep cut in the neck. Patricia died on the spot while claudia died on the way to hospital. Their bodies have been deposited at the University Hospital at Cape Coast. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) J.H. Amamnkwah-Sampson who briefed newsmen about the incident yesterday, said the two sisters were part of a group which had gone to the beach for pleasure on that fateful day.
He said while they were relaxing, Asmah suddenly attacked Patricia who was then sitting under a summer hut, with a cutlass and inflicted several deep wounds both in the neck and in t he palm. Asmah then went on to attack Claudia, who emerged from a toilet and slashed her skull open. According to ASP Amankwah-Sampson, Miss Agness Nana Amissah, Proprietor of the Brenu Beach Restaurant, Obviously shaken by the incident, raised alarm but before people could come around, Asmah had grabbed the two handbags of the deceased and ran into the bush. He said the people of the village immediately organised a search party and later retrieved the two handbags which Asmah had abandoned in the bush. Asp Manakwah-Sampson said Miss Amissah reported the incident to the police at about 6:45pm, after making sure that the two bodies had been deposited at the hospital.
The townsmen intensified their search and apprehended Asmah at Ayensudo at dawn yesterday, and handed him over to the police. The statement said the Regional Minister and other officials have called on the Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast K.A. Turkson to express their condolences and sympathy. When the Graphic contacted the Archnishop, he said the murder of the two sisters has sent shock waves in the catholic hierarchy in Ghana and the Pro-Nuncio had already informed the American Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in Accra. Archbishop Turkson said as a result of the incident Bishop Akwasi Sarpong of Kumasi and Bishop Kwadwo Owusu of Sunyani, were expected at Cape Coast yesterday.
From Fred Osei Agyeman, Bole
Amadu Seidu, popularly called 'Guy', has been arrested by the police for trespassing in the Bole Game Reserve. Seidu is already involved in another case in which he attempted to kill a game warden on May 2 last year. He is on bail on the charge of attempted murder for shooting and wounding the warden.
Seidu went into the reserve to poach and was arrested on December 28, with a gun on him. Disclosing this to the 'times', Mr. Ben Volta-Tineh, Senior Game Warden in charge of the Mole Reserve, said Seidu had been handed over the Damongo police for further investigations. Mr. Volt-Tineh said poaching in the reserve had become rampant and cited an incident in which some people at Laribanga destroyed a sign post and telephone wires leading to the game reserve in protest at the arrest in August, of another poacher from the community. He said the Damongo District Assembly had decided to surcharge the community with the cost of repair of the sign post and the restoration of the telephone lines by deducting the amount from development funds to be made available to the community by the assembly.
Expressing his views on poaching in the reserve, Mr. A. M. Baba, Deputy District Co-ordinating Director for Damongo, said there was the need to involve the people of the 27 communities surrounding the game reserve in future conservation workshops organised by the Department of Game reserve in future conservation workshops organised by the Department of Game and Wildlife to enable them to appreciate the importance of game conservation. In addition, he said efforts should be made to encourage the local people to go into small -scale alternative industries to earn some income and to divert their attention from poaching.
From Gariba Ibrahim, Tamale
The police Administration has interdicted two policemen, Sergeant John Dawub Bariki and Corporal H. Benjamin Tetteh, accused of manhandling a suspect which resulted in his death at Walewale last year. The death of Issah Abdul-Samada sparked off trouble at Walewale when a section of the community, led by the deceased's relatives, dumped the body at the police station and called for the blood of the two policemen.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Bariki and Cpl. Tetteh have appeared before a Tamale Circuit Court on a provisional charge of murder. Their pleas were not taken and they are to appear again on January 30. Mr. Patrick Agboba, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Northern Region, told the 'Times' that the police administration had received a doctor's report on the cause of death and it would be submitted with the docket to the Attoney General's Department for advice. Recent reports from Walewale indicate that some people last week Tuesday, refused to allow the Inspector in charge of the station at the incident, to pack his belongings from the police quarters to his new transfer station until they 'hear something favourable from the Regional Police Headquarters on the case'.
A spokesman for the bereaved family told the 'Times' here on Friday, that the people's action followed reports reaching Walewale that the two accused police officers were seen walking freely in Tamale town, and that made them suspicious that justice might not prevail. Following the people's action at Walewale, Alhaji B.A. Fuseni, acting Northern Regional Minister, held a meeting at his office on Friday with the deceased's relatives and Mr. E.A. Gumah, the Walewale District Chief Executive, to help find a peaceful solution to the problem
Reports reaching Chronicle show that an all out attempt to suppress and tamper with evidence and potential witnesses is taking place. First reports was that an Italian supplier of tiles has been raided by the Narcotics squad in a strange attempt to "find" drugs. The Italian is the man who sold tiles to Col. Osei-Owusu, the Minister who is currently being probed by the Commission for Human Rights and the suspicion is that the man is suspected to be the source of the leakage to the press. The man is now experiencing problems with his residence permit.
At COCOBOD more dramatic accounts tell of a special BNI squad mobilised by Dr. Adjei Maafo to trace potential witnesses. Already most of the sources have suddenly came shut. The most disturbing account was a weekend chase by armed men looking for Sgt.Okere-Mensah, the Commando Bodyguard of Adjei Maafo. He escaped arrest and has reportedly written a letter to the Commissioner for Human Rights and the commander of Army protesting his harassment by Adjei Maafo.
GNA
The Northern Regional branch of the National Convention Party (NCP) yesterday said that Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah, the vice-president, should not regard himself as the leader of the party since there is no provision for that in the party's constitution. By the party's constitution, Mr. Arkaah was presented as the flagbearer of the NCP for the purpose of the 1992 presidential elections only and not as a leader of the party.
This was among resolutions adopted by the regional and constitutional executives of the 23 constituencies of the Northern Region at the end of their regional general meeting held at Tamale and signed my Mr. Yunusah Yusuf, the regional secretary. The resolution said further that the provisions of the party's constitution states that the national congress can elect the flagbearer of 1996 presidential elections, and Mr. Arkaah is at liberty to present himself as a candidate alongside others if he so wishes.
On the recent allegation by the Vice president that he had been assaulted by President Rawlings, the resolved that it is a personal matter between the two of them and 'deprecate the attempt by Mr. Arkaah to drag the NCP into the matter'. They pledged their unflinching support for the Progressive Alliance and their willingness to work closely with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party in preparation for the 1996 presidential and parliamentary elections as well as ensuring " our great party the NCP, is not disintegrated by misguided elements and their cohorts".
They resolved further that the interim national executive committee headed by Mr. T.K. Appiah is illegal since it is against the party's constitution. They called on the national standing committee to organise the regional elections for the remaining seven regions to be followed by a national congress to be convened in accordance with the party's constitution. "Until that is done, we wish to affirm our support, loyalty and commitment to the Progressive Alliance and our desire, willingness and preparedness to work closely with the NDC in preparation for 1996 elections.
From Peter Abban, Koforidua
A 12-member delegation from the Amansore family of Larteh Kubease, on Wednesday informed the Government officially of the death of Nana Akua Oparebea, the high priestess of the Akonedi Shrine at Larteh. She was 90. Nana Oparebea was the national president of the Traditional Healers Association.
The delegation, led by Ankobea Opoku Ansah, on behal of the Amansore Family presented four bottles of schnapps, a bottle of gin and a bottle whisky to the Government through the Eastern Regional Minister, Major E. T. Tetteh (rtd). Ankobea Ansah announced that Nana Oparebea's body would be laid in state on Wednesday, January 10 and buried on Friday, January 12. Major Tetteh expressed the Government condolences to the bereaved family. The late Nana Oparebea began her priesthood at the age of nine, while she was attending the Presbyterian Primary School at Adawso. Before her death, she had opened three shrines in the United States and had more that 5,000 followers.
The delegation included Okomfo Ama Aboagyewaa, the eldest daughter of the Late Nana Oparebea, Osafohene Ansah Larbi, Okofo Nsiaah, who is in charge of the New York Branch of the Akonedi Shrine and Mr, John Asubonteng, secretary to the Larteh shrine.
By N. Norman Cooper
The District Registration Review Committee has struck out the manes of 187 people believed to be non-Ghanaians, from the voters' register for Ayawaso Sub-Metropolis. Deputy Superintendent E.M Amamoo, the Chairman, disclosed this to the Times at the end of the committee's sitting in Accra yesterday. He said the committee dealt with a total of 284 cases involving various electoral irregularities.
The committee, according to DSP Amamoo, investigated 48 cases of people below 18 years, 23 cases of people not resident in the localities stated and 16 accused of double registration. Two persons were found to be of unsound minds. He said out of the number f cases the committee handled, 37 people appeared before it to prove that they were eligible to vote. According to DSP Amamoo, the committee had to decide the fate of 52 others whose accusers could not appear before it to prove their charges.
He attributed the inability of the accusers to appear before it to wrong addresses and house numbers they gave during the registration exercise. Meanwhile, the committee in view of the numerous problems encountered during its 16 sittings, has appealed to the National Commission on Civic Education, governmental and non-governmental organisations to intensify their education of Ghanaians on the constitution, particularly the section dealing with citizenship
From Alberto Mario Norretti, Ho
A Police reinforcement from the Ho District Headquarters yesterday saved the chief of Akofe-Torkor, Togbe Kwame AdomII and three others from being lynched at the premises of the Community Tribunal here. The three are being tried for allegedly murdering a Nigerian, Adamu Borno. The other accused are Cephas Komla Dzah, an ex-serviceman, Jacob Asong, youth leader and Stephen Awakoe, Kuntunhene of the village.
The angry crowd, including members of the Muslim community, besieged the tribunal apparently to mete out instant justice to the accused persons but they were prevented by the policeman. The head of the Zongo Community Chief Masud Osmanu, had a hectic time trying to keep the irate youth from the Zongo, away from the accused persons. The accused were later whisked away in a chartered taxi by the police back into prison custody after the case was rescheduled. The tribunal could not sit because its chairman, Mr. Tom Bentil was absent. According to the prosecutor, Superintendents B.G.Dery, the accused persons would appear before the tribunal again on Thursday January 11. Adamu Borno was slashed to death at Akoefe-Tokor, near here on December 20 last year.
From Toney Prempeh, Kumasi
Demonstrating Students of the University of Science and Technology (UST), spotting red-arm bands and handkerchiefs, yesterday forced vehicular traffic along the Kumasi-Accra highway to come to a standstill for some time as they blocked the road from the University Junction.
According to them, they were demonstrating their anger and frustration at the current state of affairs concerning academic life on campus. The students, who earlier held a peaceful demonstration on campus and presented a petition to the university authorities, spurred the advice of their leaders to limit the action to the campus and rushed to the highway in their numbers. Unknown to commuters, the students had blocked all roads leading the highway and they got held up in traffic jam that ensured. Members of the press corps who had been invited by the student leaders to cover the presentation of petition, were not left out as they also got trapped in the traffic jam.
They were allowed to pass only after some to the students had recognised them as cautioned them to present the facts accurately. In the petition, signed by Mr. Geoffrey Osafo-Osei, secretary of the Student's Representative Council, the students called on the vice chancellor and the university authorities to justify the continued stay of the students on campus without normal academic work. The statement asked the UST authorities to indicate their stance on the impasse, cautioning that if a favourable reaction did not come from the authorities in good time the students would advise themselves accordingly. According to Mr. Sarfo-Osei, the students did not want to go home. Rather, they wished to complete their courses without further delay and frustrations.
From Kwame Asare Boadu, Sunyani
The state-owned Mim Timber Company (MTC), at Mim in the Brong Ahafo Region, has been closed down on the advice of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC). This followed a massive demonstration last Sunday by workers and the people of the town against alleged attempts by government to sell the company to its Managing Director, Mr. Dieter Roetzel.
The demonstrators accused Mr. Roetzel, a German, of running down the company which has had adverse effect on the development of the area. A security source briefing the Graphic at Sunyani yesterday said management personnel of the company have fled the town for their safety following threats on their lives.
Armed Military personnel from the Third Battalion Infantry and a platoon of armed policemen were quickly despatched to the town on Sunday to protect life and property. No casualty nor destruction of property was recorded during the incident and so far no arrests have been made.
The government has placed the company on the divestiture list, and a number of people, including Mr. Roetzel and Mr. Desmond Charmant, an Irish, who established the company have expressed interest in buying it. The demonstrators, however, alleged that Mr. Roetzel was using his influence o buy the company. According to the source, the demonstration lasted for more that four hours with placard-bearing workers and townsmen besieging the premises of the company calling on the government not to sell the company to Mr. Roetzel. It said the demonstrators called on the government to give Mr. Charmant the first option since he is the only person who can bring life.
They stated that all the development projects which Mim enjoyed when Desmond Charmant was in charge of the company have deteriorated while no new one has been added to the old ones ever since Mr. Roetzel was appointed to head the state-owned company. The government of the late General Kutu-Acheampong, in 1978 took over the company from Mr. Desmond Charmant.
From Kojo Sam, Elmina
Construction work on the proposed ELMINA Harbour project which has been on the drawing board for more that 30 years will begin this year. The Minister of Roads and Highways, Dr. Ato Quarshie, who announced this said initial preparation have been completed and that what remains to be done is the exchange of the final document between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
"As soon as this is done, the contractors will start work", he assured. Dr. Quarshie, who is also the Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem was speaking at a bazaar and fund-raising rally organised by the Save the Elmina Association at the courtyard of the Elmina Castle, on Saturday, for the development of the ancient city. The ceremony also formed part of activities marking the celebration of the traditional "Edina Buronya" (Christmas) which is celebrated on the first Thursday of the New year. On the average, between 300 and 400 fishing groups from different coastal communities migrate to Elmina during the fishing season and this often create congestion at the Mpoben Landing Beach. The minister also announced that the government is to undertake a number of development projects in the town to befit its status as a major tourist destination.
These include a modern market to be financed by the World Bank, 14 modern toilet facilities and streets while the road from the Elmina Motel junction through the town to Essamang, has also been awarded on contract to facilitate easy transportation in the area.
By Kweku Tsen
Professor George Benneh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has called for tolerance and mutual accommodation among political parties as the country prepares for next year's general elections. He said the parties must also develop the tendency courage and humility to admit their faults and forgive one another in the spirit of national reconciliation.
Professor Benneh who was delivering the opening address of the 47th New Year School at the University of Ghana Legon, on Thursday, stressed " I am optimistic that whatever problems we face in the future, this nation will survive; that is as long as there is tolerance and Ghanaians learn to respect each others view".
The school being organised by the Institute of Adult Education has attracted over 200 people from all walks of life. Topics to be discussed include the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), Human Rights under the Fourth Republic; the District Assemblies and Zonal Committee concepts; Education and National development; Women in Development and Health, Agriculture and Rural Development.
Professor Benneh said in spite of the nation's failures and achievements since independence and the differences of opinions among the people, Ghanaians are determined to stick together as a nation as it approaches an election year. He impressed on Ghanaians to let their proverbial good sense prevail during the 1996 polls to ensure that it is conducted in a smooth atmosphere to give credit to the nation. "Who ever thought that there could be elections in Ghana within three months of the June 4 Revolution and peace in the country after the opposition boycott of the 1992 Parliamentary elections. But in all these instances the good sense of the Ghanaian prevailed" he said.
The vice-chancellor said, if, Ghanaians can go by past experience, then they can confidently face the future with hope and maturity. He said the large number of participants attending the school, in spite of problems of logistics and accommodation, confirms the belief that there is an unquenchable thirst among adult Ghanaians for self improvement, enlightenment and greater awareness of the issues that confront the nation and society as a whole.
Professor Florence Dolphyne who chaired the function noted that the theme for this year's school "The 1996 Elections: Issues Before the Nation" is very topical since many regard the 1996 election as a make or break event. She enjoyed the participants to discuss dispassionately issue before them and come out with proposals that would serve as a veritable guideline for politicians and the general public. Mr. J.O. Barnor, Acting Director of the school, said the institute has in the past persevered in spite of financial constraints, and intends even now to husband its meagre resources to enable it perform the necessary functions required of it.