Jaws dropped at the resumed sitting of the Emile Short probe when the Editor of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Kofi Coomson, 38, pointedly told the Commission that the chiefs of COCOBOD had used their positions to amass wealth, women and fat foreign accounts.
Mr. Coomson's largely extemporaneous testimony also touched on what he described as the 'collusion' between COCOBOD chiefs Dr. Adjei-Marfo and Managing Director, C.B. Ntim, MD of Produce Buying Agency with foreign interests in depleting Ghana's foreign exchange earnings from cocoa receipts. Such was the scorching pace and depth of Kofi's testimony that the lawyers representing Dr. Adjei-Marfo Messrs Joe Lamptey and Co could not ask Kofi a single question in cross-examination. "My Lord, we will have to confer with our clients because we were so surprised at the new revelations that have been made and the manner and speed of his presentation that we will require a transcript to be able to cross examine", implored Mr. Lamptey.
Kofi submitted a copy of an agreement for the processing of cocoa beans between COCOBOD and a German company Walter Schroeder, Kakao and Schokoladenwerke of Berlin which dealt with the processing of cocoa butter for onward sale to chocolate manufacturing companies in Europe. He submitted that in his opinion the agreement stank because it gave room for manipulation by the Cocoa Board chiefs. The agreement signed on April 11, 1991 stipulated that COCOBOD will send 20,000, 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes of cocoa beans between 1991, 1992, 1993 to Walter Schroeder (WS). WS, he said, is supposed to pay for the cocoa beans and also the value added to it after processing less the expenses they incur like haulage, milling and storage charges. WS can come up with any figure at all they think of as expenses without any cross checking from COCOBOD representatives, and they give whatever difference between the raw bean stage to the processed form to COCOBOD as what they realised from the sale to these chocolate manufacturers.
Section 4.06 of the agreement which he supplied states that "we shall over a period of two years at their factory and at their expense arrange a course of training in the marketing of cocoa masse for at least three employees". Mr. Coomson submitted that WS have refused to do that and are effectively masking the actual returns submitting that he had reason to believe that the COCOBOD chiefs gained financially from that arrangement. He said each time COCOBOD raised a query even as to the payment for the cocoa beans, they got replies from Adjei-Marfo's castle office instead, saying they should "hold on", He disclosed to the chock of the audience that at one time WS so delayed the payment that Mr. Aninakwah, the Executive Chairman of COCOBOD personally flew to Berlin to collect payment for the cocoa beans since there had been a deficit payment for over eight months.
He said that was against the spirit of the agreement in Section 4.04 which said all payments should be made to the COCOBOD account at Ghana Commercial Bank in London. "My Lord", Kofi Coomson announced, 'the cheque had to be returned to London and it cost COCOBOD 30,000 pounds in losses due to foreign exchange fluctuations." To even more bewilderment of the audience, Kofi revealed that WS had bought controlling shares of West African Mills at Takoradi and are refusing to pay for the beans they take from COCOBOD because of some dubious questionable agreement contacted in the last two years. He said it was curious that the Chairman of the WAM board is again Dr. Adjei-Marfo.
Continuing his evidence Mr. Coomson who was represented by Messrs Joe Ghartey and Manu (Kom Chambers) made copious references to Chapter 24 of the Constitution dealing with the Code of Conduct of Public officers and said that Dr. Adjei-Marfo took advantage of a vulnerable young lady at COCOBOD called Victoria and had carnal knowledge of her at COCOBOD guest house. The woman, described by members off staff as "crazy buttocks" became pregnant and had a baby for Dr. Adjei-Marfo who has since abandoned her, he said. He said the effect on discipline and morality for the workforce was obvious. He then went on to list seven properties that belong to Adjei-Marfo and noted the COCOBOD staff and vehicles including his personal bodyguard, a soldier of the Forces Reserve Battalion for the last ten years were forced to carry out dubious assignment for him, including his drivers who were forced to carry timber and cement for the construction of his buildings.
Mr. Coomson then touched on the issue of Cocoa sacks and said that Adjei-Marfo had cornered that and shown keen and suspicious interest in procurement practices at COCOBOD resulting in the victimisation of staff who stood against it. He promised to supply more information to the Commission. As a hush fell on the press and privileged members at the sitting, Mr. Coomson declared that all the men under investigation had fat foreign accounts in Europe. Reluctantly, and despite hints from the Commissioner that the information on Bank accounts could be confidentially supplied, Mr. Coomson dropped a bombshell. He gave the bank account number of Mr. C.B. Ntim whom he stated was employed by Dr. Adjei-Marfo contrary to COCOBOD Regulations number 81 which said his position should be advertised. Mr. Ntim's lawyers had objected to reports in the Ghanaian Chronicle which made some allusions that tended to pre-judge his client.
Coolly, Mr. Coomson gave out the bank references as - Barclays Bank, Sloane Square, London complete with sort code -20-61-23, and account number 90-67-0154 and said that he had spent millions of his company's money to conduct these investigations. H said he had more. Headed that it was in the national interest that he gave this testimony because Cocoa was losing out in revenue to the nation from a high of $412million in 1985 through to $305m in 1994. Tat and the "painful loss of jobs" that accompanied the retrenchment at COCOBOD were compelling enough to let him take the stand to hopefully plug the holes. The men were seeing him for the first time and therefore he possibly cannot be said to have something against them personally but his evidence was actuated by public interest.
obina Andoh Amoakwa
The atmosphere itself was normal; the scene that of an ordinary shareholders' meeting. But within 15 minutes of his testimony, mouths had started twitching and several smiles that unsuccessfully hid the helplessness of the protagonists were the prevalent spectre. The atmosphere then metamorphosed into murmurs and tension. A national indictment was in progress.
Chronicle Intelligence had ringed the premises of the CHRAJ office long before proceedings began and could not help but note the inconspicuous presence of a couple of BNI personnel. When Kofi Coomson giving his evidence, proved too unrelenting, and even mentioned the London Bank account number of C.B. Ntim, all hell was let loose and the affected personalities then saw the realities of the situation. C.B. held on to his tie, shook it as if it was not well knotted and slowly lost the smile which he had deceptively written on his face since proceedings began.
"All he is saying is true', volunteered one person sitting to a member of the Chronicle team. He was later to identify himself as one of the thousands who had been axed from COCOBOD in the last few years. Even the political suit clad BNI perennial had to nod their heads in awe more than once to revelations that were too stunning to comprehend. Adjei-Marfo's rendezvous at Room 7 of the CRI Guest House was one example. But perhaps what most people will never see and never though occurred, was the early morning eavesdrop, of a haranguing match between a yet to be identified official of the Human Rights Commissions and Mr. C.B. Ntim was furious over the Commission sending its operatives to his house to check an allegations of misuse of state vehicles and fuel. The cowed official, obviously intimidated by such imposing inquisition had to put the blame squarely on the doorsteps of the commission.
The Deputy Commissioner was not to be left out of the fray. Unaware of the presence of the inconspicuous Chronicle team, he was overheard confiding in Fante to his PRO, Mr. Hamilton; "Dem afra no onsuro whee, okita information paa" to wit that chap is feels, he had loads of information. Almost everyone at the day's sitting was overawed in one way or in other, by the no-holds-barred, 'Adjei-Marfo had carnal knowledge of the lady' testimony, which Kofi Coomson employed. Council for affected public officials, perhaps gave the best conclusion everyone needed, when they pleaded for an adjournment, so as to consult their clients and obtain transcripts of proceedings. Kofi Coomson was apparently talking too fast for their legal pens, they espoused. Emile Short was his usual unassuming diminutive self and though he left proceedings to his deputy, Mrs. Domahyaareh, a nursing mother supposed to be on leave, he was very much in control.
From Mike Ofori Darko, Larteh
The high priestess of the renowned Akonnedi Shrine At Karteh Akwapim in the eastern region, Nana Okofo Oparebea is dead.
According to the family source Okofo Oparebea died peacefully at her shrine at about 7:30pm on November 18 at the age of 95. The cause of her death was not immediately known but family sources say the old lady had about three days earlier complained of pains in her legs. Her death has thrown the entire Akonnedi Shrine into a state of Panic as trainee priests and priestesses, worshippers and visitors, mostly touriests, are not receiving any attention from other priests who are in a state of mourning.
Nana Oparebea who was elected the high priestess of the Akonnedi Shrine 38 years ago was the fourth priestess of the shrine after Nana Okomfo Adwo, Okomfo Abena Anima and Okomfo Amma Ansaah. Born in August 1900 at Ahuntem near Adawso in the Eastern Region to Opanin Kwame Akuffo from Aburi Akwapim and Obaapanin Aba Oyedi of Larteh Amansore, Okofo Oparebea started her elementary education at Adawso. At the age of two, the high priestess was baptised at the Ahuntem Presby Church.However at the age of nine Okofo Oparebea then known as Akua Oparebea was possessed by the spirits of the shrine and thus started practising as a fetish priestess.
Later at the age of 28 she was sent for training under the care of Okofo Amma Ansaah who was then the high priestess of the Akonnedi Shrine. In April, 1957 when Okofo Amma Ansaah died, Okofo Akua Oparebea was elected to succeed the late high priestess who was her aunt. Okofo Oparebea's election as a high priestess of the Akonnedi shrine was not easy. She contested alongside five other women and finally emerged as the winner. Under her leadership, over 3,000 Americans and 5,000 Ghanaians have received training at the shrine as fetish priests and priestesses. While practising as the high priestess of the Akonnedi shrine, Okomfo Oparebea developed keen interest in the Anglican Church and became a member of the Guild of Good Shepherd. She was invited to every anniversary organised by the church and also paid her church dues promptly. When Okomfo Oparebea became old and could not honour those invitations from the church she elected one of her grandchildren to replace her at the church.
In 1962, Okofo Oparebea saw the need to bring together all traditional healers in the country and therefore formed the Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association with its headquarters at Larteh. It came as no surprise when she was elected the first national chairman of the association. Later she was made the life president of the Association. Thousands of women will forever remain grateful to Okofo Oparebea for curing them of their barrenness. Most Children who were successfully delivered at the shrine and other parts of the world through her spiritual powers were named after her. It is said that among most of her regular visitors was the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Besides Nana Okomfo Oparebea was said to have cured several people who went to the shrine with diseases like epilepsy, impotency, diabetes, madness, asthma and other ailments.
Nana Okofo Oparebea will be laid in state on Wednesday, January 10, and buried on January 12 whilst the final funeral rites will start from Wednesday, January 17 to Sunday January,21. She left behind eight children, 59 grandchildren and 100 great grand children.
From Boniface Ablekpe, Kumasi
One man was shot dead and five others sustained various degrees of injuries following crowd violence that erupted at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday 10/12/95 after Ghapoha f/c's 1-0 victory over Asante Kotoko in their league match.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Ashanti, Mr. Acheampong, confirmed the death and injuries to Graphic but said those involved are yet to be identified. Immediately after referee Quarshie whistled for the end of the match, fans trooped to the arena throwing missiles at him and his linesmen, blaming them for the team's defeat. At the time of leaving the stadium, referee Quaarshie and his linesmen were locked up in the dressing room with policemen and other security personnel who maintained order at the stadium heavily guarding them. The match itself was marked by some questionable officiating by the referee who had the penchant for punishing one side for an offence committed by the other. But what broke the fans back was a 50th minute red card flashed on Kotoko's Odame Ampomah for a rough tackle against Ghapoha's inside right Kwaku Duah, which gave the visitor's a numerical advantage.
Kotoko played the greater part of the game pushing Ghapoha to their side of the field and wasted many begging chances that came their way, especially in the first half, which ended goalless. Kotoko brought on Prince Adu Poku for Anthony Asamoah in a bid to strength their attacking machinery to begin the second half and continued to dominate play and wasted a cornerkick three minutes later. In the 65th minute, referee Quarshie awarded Ghapoha a cornerkick which fans though was a goal kick when in a tussle the ball went out of play around the Kotoko goal area. Fans responded by throwing missiles at the linesmen holding up play for a brief spell. When sanity prevailed and play resumed, Kotoko continued to dictate the pace of the game until the 73rd minute when Ghapoha capitalised on a defensive lapse on the part of Kotoko to score the only goal of the match. A Ghapoha attacker in his bid to control a volley from the Kotoko area appeared to have handled it mid-way on the pitch but referee Quarshie signalled for play to continue. Skipper Solomon Laryea of Ghapoha passed the ball to left winger Ofori Quaye who with Kotoko's Emmanuel Ampeah in pursuit, took a few steps forward and unleashed a thunder bolt of a shot which Richmond Obimpeh could not save. After this goal Ghapoha resorted to defensive play while Kotoko fought hard but could not level up till full time.
By Kwabena Ofosuhene
The managing director of Graphic Corporation, Mr. Kofi Badu, has described the trend of media pluralism currently prevailing in the country as a welcome development. He said the tremendous changes taking place in the industry has brought about the kind of healthy competition needed for the industry's growth and national development.
Mr. Badu was speaking at a cocktail party hosted by the corporation for advertising agencies and consultants at the Novotel in Accra last Friday. He said the industry world-wide, is faced with difficult circumstances which have forced some newspapers, even in some developed countries to fold up. Mr. Badu said in spite of these challenges, the corporation has done better and gave the assurance that it will strive to transform these challenges into improved performance. He said the corporation will put in place a mechanism will put in place a echanism that will help it meet all customer demands with a lot of confidence in the coming year.
The managing director announced that the Daily Graphic will be increased from 16 to 24 pages on week days and 36 pages on weekends as from next January. He said the corporation is about to install its colour separation machine which is the biggest in sub-Sahara Africa and added that "as from next year, the colour thing is going to be the vogue with the Graphic on daily basis". He expressed the hope that 1996 would see a kind of newspaper that both customers and the country would be proud of. Mrs. Iris Asante, Advertisement Manager of the corporation, conceded that the past year saw some delays in placement of adverts but gave the assurance that it is going to be something of the past. She expressed the hope that the relationship between the corporation and its clients would remain cordial.
Mr. Jos Anyima-Ackah, Managing Director of Josight Associates Limited, called for closer collaboration between the media and advertising agencies to achieve the best for the country.
Commander P.M.G. Griffiths, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, at the weekend commissioned the Kumasi offices and a satellite uplink for Milicom (Ghana) Limited, operators of Mobitel. The Satelite uplink, which was commissioned simultaneously with that of Accra, is to improve services between Accra and Kumasi and later Tkoradi which would be in operation by June next year.
Those present at the ceremony included Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempemhene of Kumasi who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, Professor E.H. Amonoo-Neizer, Vice Chancellor of the UST, Mrs Wilma Abena Boaitey-Sowah, Manager of the branch and Mr. Sammy Boakye, General Manager, Engineering of Millicom (Ghana) Limited.
By Augustine Nelson
DR. NYAHO TAMAKLOE, a leading member of the NPP has called on the government to as a matter of urgency suspend all government functionaries who are being probed for alleged improprieties. He contended that it would be totally wrong to continue to keep in office, people whose conducts are being investigated. He urged the government to emulate Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who used his famous dawn broadcast to axe Messrs Kojo Botsio and Krobo Edusei when they were being probed for similar allegations.
Dr. Tamakloe, who was speaking at the NPP constituency meeting at the Odododiodioo constituency in Accra revealed that the current stall in the CPP/NPP alliance talks has come about because of the presence of certain die-hard extremists who are failing to realise that it is no longer a CPP or NPP affair, "but a fight to change the 15-year-old status quo; all those dragging their feet would be left behind", he declared. He particularly blamed ex-President Hilla Limann for being the main architect in the stalemate. He explained to the bemused crowd that anytime progress was made in the unity to derail the entire process. He referred to Dr. Limann's recent utterances at the rally in Sunyani to the effect that he can go it alone come 1996.
This, Dr. Tamakloe said, "gives one cause to believe that he is on the NDC's payroll". Dr. Tamakloe said Dr. Limann's lacklustre attitude towards a united opposition dates back in 1992. "Whilst all the opposition parties were craving for an interim government to monitor the elections, he alone stood up and said he was confident in Rawlings and the PNDC's ability to organise the elections". Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe expressed regret for the current stalemate saying that it was because of the unity talks that the NPP suspended its National congress till December 31. The NPP parliamentary candidate for Odododiodioo, Mr. Odoi-Sykes asked the President to stop wasting the nation's resources on his personal image enhancement tours under the guise of investment promotion. He was of the view that it does not take a President's visit to get investors, rather if the Ghanaian missions abroad are well equipped with trade experts they will be in a better position to sell Ghana abroad.
By James Asante
Colonel E. M. Osei-Wusu (Rtd), Minister of the Interior, has told the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that he financed the construction of his alleged ¢600 million "Gold House" at North Legon in Accra, from rent accruing from his house, treasury bills and end-of-service benefits, among other resources.
He was being cross-examined by Mr. Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, counsel for Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere, Editor of "The Independent' newspaper, at yesterday's sitting of CHRAJ which is investigating press allegations of impropriety and illegal acquisition of assets by some public officers. Col. Osei-Owusu said that he rented out his house to the British High Commission for 1,000 dollars a month and later, to the Netherlands Embassy at the same rate. He explained that he later sold the house for ¢40 million and the proceeds from the rent for three years ($36,000), his end-of-service benefit from 1986 (¢8.861.396) together with the proceeds from the sale of two cars were all invested in treasury bills.
The Interior Minister, however, was not specific on when the treasury bill started maturing and when his bank accounts ended. He said it would be wrong for him to say that the proceeds from the sources were kept somewhere to be invested in the building, because "I bought treasury bills with the money". Col. Osei-Owusu, whose answers were in defence of his assertion that the project was undertaken my Messrs A. Lang Ltd., Kumasi at a contract cost of ¢102,62,890, including labour and materials insisted that he started his out-house and wall within three months, while the main building contract was signed three months later. When Mr. Effah-Dartey asked Col.Osei-Owusu to comment on the allegation that he (Osei-Owusu) imported tiles for the project, the Minister replied that tiles were not made in Ghana and that his responsibility on that issue was to ensure that the right tiles were put there for him.
This reply was against Mr. Effah-Dartey's suggestion that the tiles were not part and parcel of the contract document. Col. Osei-Owusu also acceded to a suggestion that he had a foreign account, but he explained that he opened the account around 1968 when he was a student at the British Army Staff College. According to the Minister, although the plot on which his building was sited was owned by one Joseph Afful, it was taken over by the Lands Commission and given to him (Osei-Owusu) because Afful and subsequent owners before him (Osei-Owusu) could not develop the plot therefore warranting retrieval by the Lands Commission in line with their rules on land acquisition and development. Later, Mr. P. K. Oppong, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ also interogated the witness on the leasing of his (Osei-Owusu) house and sources of funding for the project. Earlier, Mr. E.D. Kom, counsel for Col. Osei Owusu, objected to the cross-examination on the ground that it would imply that 'The Independent' publishers of the allegation, had made a complaint concerning the practice and actions of public officials, which was not the case.
Reacting, Mr. Emile Short, Commissioner for CHRAJ, overruled the objection, saying that the sitting was not in the form of court proceedings but was a fact finding one, of which assistance in the form of evidence from any quarters was welcomed to facilitate it. He said it was fair that opportunity was also given to Mr. Kkabral Blay-Amihere, Editor of the Independent, who was represented at yesterday's sitting by Mr. Richmond Keelson, a Deputy Editor, to enable him to put across his case.
Hearing continues on Friday.
GNA
Three farmers from Ajumako Solomon who assaulted a headmaster for caning a pupil of his school for misbehaviour were fined a total of ¢600,000 by the Saltpond Community Tribunal at the weekend. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy and assaulting Mr. Gilbert Osei, headmaster of the District Assembly Primary and Junior Secondary School at Ajumako Solomon.
Each of the farmers, Yaw Ahwiren, Francis Arhin and Kwesi Saasi, will go to jail for 12 months if he fails to pay the ¢200,000 fine. The tribunal, presided over by Mr. Charles Asiedu, ordered the ¢150,000 of the fine, if paid, should be given to the headmaster as compensation. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector R.S.K. Worgbah said on November 24, this year, the headmaster punished John Arhin a pupil of his school, for misbehaving. The pupil reported the matter to his father, Francis Arhin, who organised the other accused and beat up the headmaster. The tribunal chairman warned that in future he would deal drastically with parents brought before him for a similar offence.
From Tony Prempeh, Kumasi
The executive of the University Teachers Association Of Ghana (UTAG), ust branch, has directed members not to attend any academic, departmental or faculty meetings convened by the university authorities towards normalising academic work on the campus. Members are also forbidden, until further notice, from indulging in any official or private teaching and tutoring of students, as well as preparations towards examinations scheduled from January 10 to January 24.
Sources close to the association disclosed this to the 'Times' in an interview here, in Kumasi, yesterday. according to the source, a circular signed by the president, Mr. F. Ulzen-Appiah, on the issue were distributed to members last week, almost immediately after the re-opening of the University. It further instructed all deans, directors, heads of department, hall master/wardens and senior tutors to withdraw from all administrative duties connected with students. The sources said UTAG members working in the library were also directed to continue with the suspension of certain selected services until further notice. Explaining the association's action, the source said UTAG was not a party to the Government's directive to have the universities re-opened.
The UTAG position, 'Times' sources said, was that negotiations on the restructing of salaries, especially as they related to the outstanding issues of benefits, should be completed before full services could be restored. Saint Oswald Gyimah-Kessie, Registrar of UST, told the 'Times' yesterday, that the University's time table covering the period between the re-opening last week, and examinations early next year, stood as announced. He said revision had been fixed for December 8-22 and lectures for January 3-9 next year, to be followed by examinations from January 10 to January 24.
From Fariba Ibrahim, Tamale
To avoid the disgrace of being arrested with contraband concealed on his vehicle, assistant chief officer Alexander Abbey, a driver of the prisons service, killed himself at the weekend by jumping into the white volta at Buipe.
Sources here shows that officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service at the Yapei barrier allowed Abbey's vehicle to pass without a search because it was a security vehicle. However, following a tip-off, they chased it to the outskirts of Techiman where they intercepted it and ordered Abbey to drive to Tamale. On reaching Buipe, Abbey, who was a sub-chief at Brekuso in Akwapim, pretended that the vehicle had developed a mechanical fault and stopped it on the Buipe Bridge.
He got out under the pretext of putting water into the radiator, but within moments, he was heard shouting that he preferred to die that face disgrace. He then jumped over the rails of the bridge into the river. An alarm was raised by the CEPS officials and a group of fishermen were attracted to the scene, but all efforts to save him failed. A report was made to the police and a search party later retrieved the body. When the vehicle was brought to the Tamale Regional Police Headquarters, a search on it revealed unaccustomed and contraband goods worth several millions of cedis. The items included 'shada' materials, cartons of cigarettes and medicines.
When contacted, Mr. Patrick Agboba, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Northern Region, confirmed the story. He said the body, which was in Prison Service Uniform, had been deposited at the Tamale Central Hospital Mortuary while investigations continue.
By Osbert Lartey & Sanni Siddiq
The Minister of the Interior, Col Osei-Wusu (Rtd) has been accused of withholding over ¢5 billion that was donated to victims of the disastrous flood that swept the city of Accra on July 3, 1995. This excludes hundreds of millions of relief items that were donated to the 9,789 people who were adversely affected by the flood.
Twenty people lost their lives during the flood and goods worth billions of cedis were also destroyed. Thousands of fledgling businesses were also snuffed out by the angry waters of the flood which caused damages to the tune of ¢15 billion. Following the disaster, various corporate bodies and NGO's made various donations to victims of the flood. Even the women's wing of the NDC, the 31st December Women's Movement, presented relief items worth ¢730,000 and a cash of ¢300,000. Colonel Osei-Wusu, whose ministry co-ordinated activities of the National Disaster Relief Committee that was hurriedly established after the flood, is said to have also ordered the stoppage of relief items meant for victims of the flood.
This revelation was made to the Ghanaian Chronicle by Mr. E.T. Quarshie, Chairman of the Council of Elders of Asylum Down, one of the worst affected areas. Mr. Quarshie said after the flood, residents of his area met Brigadier Dei, Chairman of the Disaster Relief Committee for assistance. He said following that meeting some quantities of rice, maize and gari were released to them with the assurance that the relief committee would supply them commodities on weekly basis. That was the last they heard of the committee.
Mr. Quarshie said following persistent pressure by residents of the area, they met the minister but he blurted, saying that he was not going to deal with individuals. The Ghanaian Chronicle learnt that even the personal intervention of the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama could not alter Col. Osei-Wusu's stand over the money. In a chat with the Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Adade-Bekoe, acting Director of the National Mobilization Programme confirmed that all moneys donated for the flood victims were sent to the Disaster Relief Committee, which is under the Ministry of Interior. Nana Adade-Bekoe who is a member of the committee couldn't tell the Chronicle the exact amount of the money so far collected but added that to the best of his knowledge, a little over ¢11 million has been received. He said it would be difficult to give a total figure because other agencies like the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) also collected various sums of money and relief materials for the Relief Committee. He disclosed that moneys collected by the AMA, were also given to the Ministry of Interior.
Nana Adade-Bekoe denied ever receiving money but rather assisted the National Disaster Relief Committee with personnel and vehicles. He directed the Ghanaian Chronicle to Mr Kofi Portuphy, who he claimed, has all the figures documented. A chance meeting with Mr. Kofi Portuphy did not yield the desired information. Alarmed by the presence of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Mr. Portuphy directed the two reporters to his Public Relations Officer for details of the enquiries. A terse statement by the PRO, Mr. James Owusu-Amoah, confirmed the presence of Mr Quarshie but denied the minister's withholding of the ¢5 billion. Mr. Amoah said Mr. Quarshie's area, like any other affected area, had benefited from relief items donated by the government through the Disaster Relief Committee. He said there is no money with the minister which he has been forced to release by the National Emergency Committee. Ghanaian Chronicle enquiries at AMA, however, revealed that the Authority also received ¢2,699 billion including a $2,000 donated by the leader of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, Mr. Charles Taylor. An attempt the Ghanaian chronicle to have Col. Osei-Wusu's side of the story could not yield any results as the minister banged the phone when he was informed about the Chronicle's enquiry.
Ghana is in the eight-team pool 'C' of the World Cup African groupings.
According to the technical details of next Tuesday's draw for the qualifying competition of the 1998 World Cup, Pool 'C' teams of Ghana, Angola, Gabon, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Zaire will be drawn against Pool 'D' teams. The Pool 'D' teams of Tanzania, Swaziland, Sudan, Uganda, Namibia, Mauritius, Malawi, and Madagascar will play first at home. In Pool 'A' are nine teams, Morocco, Algeria, Cote D'Ivoire, Tunisia, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso.
They will be drawn against Pool 'B' teams of Mali, Togo, Mauritania, The Gambia, Congo, Guinea Bissau, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya.Three nations - Cameroun, Nigeria and Egypt from Africa's 37 entrants are exempted from the first round matches. Five nations in Africa qualify for the championships to staged in France in 1998.
By Kwabena Ofosuhene
Students of the country's universities have started reporting back to their campuses following the re-opening of the universities after eight months closure. The students have had to stay home that long because of the impasse between the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and government over negotiations for a better remuneration and service conditions for UTAG members.
At the University of Ghana, Legon and the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, some students were found yesterday returning to their halls of residence while those already in were seen busily cleaning their rooms. At the Legon Campus, observations were that a good number of students have since last Wednesday returned to their halls. At the Volta Hall, the Porter, Mr. Collings Anning Adjei told the Graphic that about 230 out of the 530 students of the hall have reported. The Legon hall porter, Mr. Gilbert Botchway, also said about 1000 of the 1,460 residents have so far reported.
Mr. Daniel Asamoah Porter of the Akuafo Hall said the response of the students has been encouraging. Some of the students however expressed concern about the timetable for examinations. One female student of the Volta Hall who pleaded anonymity, said the two week period given for revision is too short, given their long absence from the lecture halls also the fact that the Christmas festivities are at hand. Another male student of the Commonwealth Hall, who also asked not to be named, suggested to two month revision period to enable all students prepare adequately for the examinations. From Kumasi, Boniface Ablekpe reports that information gathered on campus indicated that it is not likely that majority of the students would return to campus, only to break again for the Christmas holidays. Besides, some students are not certain whether to respond to the re-opening or not because of the conditions given by the UTAG that there were still some cleared with the government.
Joe Bradford Nyinah, Beijing
President Jerry John Rawlings on Saturday, urged African ambassadors in China to bring the experience they acquire to bear on the development process on the continent. He said the time has come for Africa to look at the various cultures of the emerging global village and make the necessary adaptations to suit her development needs.
The President was speaking in Beijing, to members of the African Diplomatic Corps in china. President Rawlings noted that under the present economic circumstances, the international community should be prepared to assist only those who are prepared to assist themselves. He expressed regret that the continent has over the years, been portrayed in the international media as one that cannot manage its affairs and cited the example of the population problem of the continent as an area that needs attention. The President said if China and India with their large populations can feed themselves from their resources, then Africa had no excuse to be a beggar nation.
He called on the continent to stop applying primitive solutions to her problems and adopt modern techniques, stressing, "We have the resources and the intellectual ability to do it." What is needed, he said, is for continent to integrate its effort, and the various countries to work in concert to achieve the needed development. The president and his delegation briefed the envoys on the situation in the West African sub-region, particularly the peace process in Liberia, the civil war in Sierra Leone and the crisis of transition in Nigeria.
President Rawlings had earlier visited a collective farming community and an old people's home outside Beijing, where he had interacted with some of the farmers and the aged. He left Beijing on Saturday for other Provincial town in China.
From Alfred Tamakloe, Akropong
Two boys who succeeded in executing their plan of murdering and robbing a 90-year-old woman at Aburi last Monday and nearly got away with their booty. They were apprehended following persistent barking of a dog which attracted neighbours to the scene.
The boys were given a hot chase and none of them Samuel Opoku, 18, also known as Kudjo, who hid in a manhole was arrested whilst the other managed to escape and is still on the run. Sources in the town said on Tuesday that Samuel lived with the old-lassy in her house as a house boy since her own children lived outside the town. Samuel, according to the source, realised that the old lady's children, who lived abroad remitted her frequently. Thinking that the old lady had a lot of money on her, the suspect hatched a plan to rob Madam Agyarko. Samuel therefore travel to Nsawam and invited his friend (now at large) to assist him execute his plan.
At about 11 a.m. last Monday, Samuel and his friend realising that the only tenant in the house had left for work entered the old lady's room. The two boys pounced on the old-lady beat her up, hitting her with the handle of an axe until she became unconscious. They then took an undisclosed amount of money from the victim's room. But as they tried to escape a dog started barking and this attracted neighbours to the scene. When the neighbours saw the two boys running away they gave them a chase, but Samuel hid in a manhole while his friend escaped. But the search party found him in a manhole, brought him out, and sent him to the Aburi police station. A search on him revealed ¢150,000.
Samuel made his first appearance before the Akropong Circuit Court on Tuesday. He was remanded in police custody to assist the police in their investigation.
By Faustina Ashirifie
The computer science student of the university of science and technology (UST), who was reported to have been kidnapped by the security agencies, has been arrested at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) while travelling to London. He was arrested at the last check point last Wednesday night by officers of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) following the publication in an Accra weekly last Monday that he was suspected to have been kidnapped in view of his role in beating up one Kwame Giffiths, an NDC student activist last June.
Talking to the Graphic at the offices of the BNI in Accra, the student, Samuel Abordo, denied having been kidnapped by anybody. He said, "when I saw the publication last Monday that I was missing, I was surprised." Explaining how that paper got his picture, Abordo said Joe Lartey, a reporter on that paper, has been his friend since his secondary schools days but they had never met for a long time. He said when they met sometime ago, Lartey, during a conversation, requested for his photograph and he gave him one. He could not however, tell exactly what they discussed before the photograph issue came up.
Abordo, who had a copy of the publication on him when he was arrested, said on seeing the publication, he protested to Lartey. He said he neither informed any of his family members nor his friends who saw him off at the airport, about the publication because he felt it was not important. When asked whether he was involved in the alleged beating up of Griffiths, he answered, "I never beat up anybody. I was not at Mankessim last June where the beating was supposed to have taken place." Abordo, who claimed to be a very good friend of Griffiths, said he was told by another friend on campus that Griffiths had been chased by some students of the Kumasi Polytechnic, but he did not ask for the reason. He denied that he colluded with Lartey to effect the publication to enable him to obtain a refugee status in London. At the time of his arrest, Abordo had in his possession, four identity cards for his department, International Union of Students card, as well as that of his faculty. He also had his voter's registration card and a British Council Library Card. He also had 90 pounds sterling cash and 1,500 pounds cheque. In the first instance, he told the Graphic that the cheque was given to him by a friend but later said he found the blank cheque among his late father's belongings. He said he filled the cheque with that amount to deceive the airport officials because he had been informed that he could be refused passage, if he did not have enough money on him. The BNI has started investigations into the case.