Story: Michael Donkor
SECURITY has been beefed up at all national installations as part of measures to protect them from potential troublemakers who may engage in some post-election excesses.
The joint police/military patrols have also been intensified, with the Military High Command increasing military presence at some flash points to ensure that lives and property are also protected.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen J.B. Danquah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic yesterday, appealed for public co-operation to enable the security services to maintain the peace in the country.
He also appealed to the leadership of the political parties to use the law courts to contest any flaws they might have identified with the electoral process and avoid mobilising their supporters onto the streets to protest.
He said for those who might want to jubilate, it was important for them to do so peacefully, without taking the law into their own hands.
Lt Gen Danquah said other security measures had been devised to ensure that the peace and tranquillity that the country enjoyed was sustained.
He gave the assurance that the military would do everything possible to defend and uphold the Constitution of the country at all times.
Lt Gen Danquah reminded Ghanaians that there was no Ghana anywhere for them to go to and that they should all join in the fight to resist any attempt by any self-seeker to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the country.
Meanwhile, the National Elections Security Task Force has warned the public against lawlessness and acts of vandalism.
It said the task force would continue the joint police/military patrols to strengthen security in the aftermath of the election to ensure the safety of lives and property and the promotion of general security.
A statement signed by DSP Kwesi Ofori, the Director of Police Public Affairs, called on the public to remain calm and support the police to maintain peace, law and order in the country.
It said the task force and operational units were being deployed to assist in maintaining public order and urged motorists to co-operate with the police in that respect.
It reminded the public that the Headquarters of the Electoral Commission was a restricted zone and that access to the roads leading to that place would be granted to emergency vehicles, vehicles of the EC, the security services and stakeholders only.
The statement further reminded the public that the Public Order Act required that any group of persons who wished to organise any public event had to inform the police five days before the day of the event.
It commended the public for their support so far in maintaining peace and order in the country.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
War on pair trawling attracts diverse views(page three) December 18, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
Fishermen in Accra have expressed diverse reactions towards moves by the government to declare war on pair trawling in the country’s territorial waters.
While some of them said the move was a positive step towards addressing the problem in the future others were of the opinion that it would be an exercise in futility, since the peak season during which they made heavy catch of fish had long passed.
According to them, the peak season for fishing was in late July, through to August and September, every year. The fishermen were randomly interviewed by the Daily Graphic.
Nii Lamptey Otu, a fisherman at Chokor, an Accra suburb, said the government’s intervention was a step in the right direction because of its long-term effect.
However, he said fishermen had to wait to enjoy the benefits of the government’s intervention.
Nii Otu said although it took the government some time to come to the aid of fishermen as far as pair trawling was concerned, it was better late than never because some of them had no other business but fishing.
Mr Oko Oblie welcomed the move and said with the new boats secured for the Ghana Navy and the subsequent publicity given, it would ward off those engaged in such illegal practices.
He said what was important now was for the Navy to patrol the sea constantly to ensure that those engaged in pair trawling were arrested and brought to book.
Mr Adjei Tettey said they had long been waiting for the government to do something about pair trawling but to no avail until the fishing season lapsed.
Mr Tettey said now that the government had come out with the intervention, they hoped that the security agencies, particularly the Navy, would live up to expectation.
He urged the government to intensify efforts to correct the situation for them to remain in business.
Mr Lantey Odoi on his part described the intervention as an exercise in futility.
He said what should have been done first was to withdraw the licence issued to some fishing companies to engage in pair trawling.
He said if the licence of those companies were not withdrawn the Navy’s patrolling of the sea would be an empty exercise.
Another fisherman, Nii Ayi Mensah, also said the intervention came too late.
He said he had lost his capital because on many occasions that he went to fishing, he could not harvest fish resulting in the waste of the fuel he had bought.
He said this raised his operation cost and finally the lost of his business capital.
Mr Samson Okaikoi called on the government to take another step to withdraw the licence of those companies that had been permitted to operate pair trawling on pilot basis and support the fishermen financially to bounce back to business.
The government announced last Monday that the Western Naval Command and the Ghana Air Force had embarked on an operation to protect the fish stock in the country’s territorial waters.
It said the move was to ensure that the country’s fishermen derived optimum benefit from the country’s marine resources and halt the depletion of the country’s fish stock by those engaged in pair trawling.
It said the exercise, code-named “Operation Stock Control” under the Anti-Pair Trawling Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces, would ensure policing activities that would stop such activities in the country once and for all.
The government said the programme was also intended to provide the much needed relief for Ghanaian fishermen who had been subjected to severe harassment and considerable loss of income as a result of those illegal activities at sea.
It said under “Operation Stock Control”, the Ghana Navy had been equipped with three speedboats to patrol the country’s territorial waters.
It said the Navy would be assisted by the Ghana Air Force, which would fly its aircraft to prompt the Navy to the activities of pair trawlers.
Fishermen in Accra have expressed diverse reactions towards moves by the government to declare war on pair trawling in the country’s territorial waters.
While some of them said the move was a positive step towards addressing the problem in the future others were of the opinion that it would be an exercise in futility, since the peak season during which they made heavy catch of fish had long passed.
According to them, the peak season for fishing was in late July, through to August and September, every year. The fishermen were randomly interviewed by the Daily Graphic.
Nii Lamptey Otu, a fisherman at Chokor, an Accra suburb, said the government’s intervention was a step in the right direction because of its long-term effect.
However, he said fishermen had to wait to enjoy the benefits of the government’s intervention.
Nii Otu said although it took the government some time to come to the aid of fishermen as far as pair trawling was concerned, it was better late than never because some of them had no other business but fishing.
Mr Oko Oblie welcomed the move and said with the new boats secured for the Ghana Navy and the subsequent publicity given, it would ward off those engaged in such illegal practices.
He said what was important now was for the Navy to patrol the sea constantly to ensure that those engaged in pair trawling were arrested and brought to book.
Mr Adjei Tettey said they had long been waiting for the government to do something about pair trawling but to no avail until the fishing season lapsed.
Mr Tettey said now that the government had come out with the intervention, they hoped that the security agencies, particularly the Navy, would live up to expectation.
He urged the government to intensify efforts to correct the situation for them to remain in business.
Mr Lantey Odoi on his part described the intervention as an exercise in futility.
He said what should have been done first was to withdraw the licence issued to some fishing companies to engage in pair trawling.
He said if the licence of those companies were not withdrawn the Navy’s patrolling of the sea would be an empty exercise.
Another fisherman, Nii Ayi Mensah, also said the intervention came too late.
He said he had lost his capital because on many occasions that he went to fishing, he could not harvest fish resulting in the waste of the fuel he had bought.
He said this raised his operation cost and finally the lost of his business capital.
Mr Samson Okaikoi called on the government to take another step to withdraw the licence of those companies that had been permitted to operate pair trawling on pilot basis and support the fishermen financially to bounce back to business.
The government announced last Monday that the Western Naval Command and the Ghana Air Force had embarked on an operation to protect the fish stock in the country’s territorial waters.
It said the move was to ensure that the country’s fishermen derived optimum benefit from the country’s marine resources and halt the depletion of the country’s fish stock by those engaged in pair trawling.
It said the exercise, code-named “Operation Stock Control” under the Anti-Pair Trawling Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces, would ensure policing activities that would stop such activities in the country once and for all.
The government said the programme was also intended to provide the much needed relief for Ghanaian fishermen who had been subjected to severe harassment and considerable loss of income as a result of those illegal activities at sea.
It said under “Operation Stock Control”, the Ghana Navy had been equipped with three speedboats to patrol the country’s territorial waters.
It said the Navy would be assisted by the Ghana Air Force, which would fly its aircraft to prompt the Navy to the activities of pair trawlers.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
NATO to Support African Union Standby Force(Page three) 24 September, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Mr Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, has announced the organisation’s readiness to support the African Standby Force (ASF).
To that end, he said NATO was in close contact with the African Union (AU) and was ready to offer advice and assistance.
Mr Scheffer said this when he interacted with some senior military officials at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra on Thursday.
Mr Scheffer, who is in Ghana at the invitation of President John Agyekum Kufuor, said about two months ago, at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, he had met with President Kikwete, the Chairman of the African Union, to discuss how to take the NATO-AU relationship forward.
He said NATO’s 26-member countries had already consented to the move to support the ASF.
He said since the start of the AU Mission in the Sudan in June 2005, NATO had provided airlift support for some 31,000 troops and personnel, including almost 600 soldiers, military observers and policemen from Ghana.
He noted that that was truly the start of a new relationship between the AU and NATO.
Mr Scheffer said the military alliance could play an important role in training African soldiers to provide solutions to conflicts on the continent.
He ruled out a direct role for the alliance's troops in Africa and added that it was not in NATO's domain to police the world.
"NATO is not a global policeman and we do not intend to turn the organisation into that," he added.
Mr Scheffer gave the assurance that NATO would make its unique capabilities and expertise available to the wider international community and work with other nations and organisations in a comprehensive approach to come to terms with challenges which affected the world.
THE Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Mr Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, has announced the organisation’s readiness to support the African Standby Force (ASF).
To that end, he said NATO was in close contact with the African Union (AU) and was ready to offer advice and assistance.
Mr Scheffer said this when he interacted with some senior military officials at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra on Thursday.
Mr Scheffer, who is in Ghana at the invitation of President John Agyekum Kufuor, said about two months ago, at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, he had met with President Kikwete, the Chairman of the African Union, to discuss how to take the NATO-AU relationship forward.
He said NATO’s 26-member countries had already consented to the move to support the ASF.
He said since the start of the AU Mission in the Sudan in June 2005, NATO had provided airlift support for some 31,000 troops and personnel, including almost 600 soldiers, military observers and policemen from Ghana.
He noted that that was truly the start of a new relationship between the AU and NATO.
Mr Scheffer said the military alliance could play an important role in training African soldiers to provide solutions to conflicts on the continent.
He ruled out a direct role for the alliance's troops in Africa and added that it was not in NATO's domain to police the world.
"NATO is not a global policeman and we do not intend to turn the organisation into that," he added.
Mr Scheffer gave the assurance that NATO would make its unique capabilities and expertise available to the wider international community and work with other nations and organisations in a comprehensive approach to come to terms with challenges which affected the world.
Be Worthy Partners of Peace, Security Agencies advised(Centre Spread) 24 September, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
A member of the National Security Council, Naval Captain Ignatius Kwabena Ankobiah (retd), has urged personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to be worthy partners for peace and not to be seen as instruments of terror or brutality.
He also charged the officers and men to help in their own way to forge new civilian and military relationships by ensuring that the use of force was always in conformity with constitutional rights.
Naval Capt. Ankobiah made the call at the graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course 55 at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra yesterday .
Those who graduated included officers from Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Togo.
Naval Captain Ankobiah said in the same vein that the personnel should be the instrument of transformation towards the building of a modern military force for the management of the challenges of the 21st century.
He urged them to endeavour to market the GAF as a vital and dependable institution of state.
Naval Capt Ankobiah said the clarion call for democracy and good governance was reverberating through the length and breadth of countries in the sub-region and the rest of the Africa.
He said as security personnel they were the guardians of the constitution.
He reminded them that the oath they took enjoined them to remain loyal to the state.
Naval Capt. Ankobiah asked the potential staff officers and commanders to master the rudiments of the profession and always be one step ahead of their subordinates at all times.
He said this called for self-education and higher academic development.
The Commandant of the GAFCSC, Major-Gen. Richardson Baiden, said the course had been designed to turn out modern officers who were conversant with the needs of the changing paradigm of defence and security matters.
He said the Command aimed at training selected officers to perform staff functions by developing their leadership, analytical and communication skills, while providing the foundation for their career development.
A member of the National Security Council, Naval Captain Ignatius Kwabena Ankobiah (retd), has urged personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to be worthy partners for peace and not to be seen as instruments of terror or brutality.
He also charged the officers and men to help in their own way to forge new civilian and military relationships by ensuring that the use of force was always in conformity with constitutional rights.
Naval Capt. Ankobiah made the call at the graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course 55 at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra yesterday .
Those who graduated included officers from Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Togo.
Naval Captain Ankobiah said in the same vein that the personnel should be the instrument of transformation towards the building of a modern military force for the management of the challenges of the 21st century.
He urged them to endeavour to market the GAF as a vital and dependable institution of state.
Naval Capt Ankobiah said the clarion call for democracy and good governance was reverberating through the length and breadth of countries in the sub-region and the rest of the Africa.
He said as security personnel they were the guardians of the constitution.
He reminded them that the oath they took enjoined them to remain loyal to the state.
Naval Capt. Ankobiah asked the potential staff officers and commanders to master the rudiments of the profession and always be one step ahead of their subordinates at all times.
He said this called for self-education and higher academic development.
The Commandant of the GAFCSC, Major-Gen. Richardson Baiden, said the course had been designed to turn out modern officers who were conversant with the needs of the changing paradigm of defence and security matters.
He said the Command aimed at training selected officers to perform staff functions by developing their leadership, analytical and communication skills, while providing the foundation for their career development.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Security in Mock Drill (Front Page) November 17, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
A TWO-DAY joint Military /Police exercise aimed at testing the preparedness of the security agencies to handle any election-related crises on December 7 began in Accra on Saturday night.
During the exercise, an imaginary scenario was created and staged at four polling stations at the North Kaneshie 1 and 2 Primary School area and Bubiashie Seventh Day Adventist Church.
It enacted a scene where some machomen seized ballot boxes from those polling stations and attempted to take them away after the electorate had finished casting their votes.
A joint Military/Police task force was called in and it immediately rushed to the scene, and prevented the machomen from taking the boxes away.
The machomen were subsequently over-powered and arrested.
In another scenario, the vehicle carrying the boxes broke down and a group of people pounced on the officials of the Electoral Commission, seized the boxes and were about to take them away when the task force was called in to arrest the situation.
After the exercise, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong Bonuah, described it as highly successful.
He said the public co-operated with the task force, which made its members to achieve the aim of the exercise.
He said all the scenario’s were executed smoothly without any problems or impediments.
Addressing security agents in the Ashanti Region, made up of the military, the police, the immigration, the prisons, the CEPS and the fire service, who took part in the joint operation, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare-Addo, noted that the security apparatus had the duty to prevent potential troublemakers from creating anarchy before, during and after the December election, reports George Ernest Asare.
He noted that they also had the responsibility to win the confidence of the electorate by defusing tension likely to cause fear.
"There is the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and transparency in the discharge of our responsibility, as well as being fair and firm to enable the election to be held in an atmosphere of peace," he noted.
DCOP Opare-Addo said it was equally important for the security apparatus to be diligent in their operations, stressing, "if some people want to destroy the nation to achieve their selfish interest, it is our responsibility to fish them out and make them face the full rigours of the law without any fear or favour".
The Officer Commanding the 4BN, Major Richard Amponsem Boateng, said it was the duty of the military to join hands with the police and other security agencies to maintain internal peace at all times.
The Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Kofi Asomanin, urged the security apparatus to manage the electoral process in a way that would make the electorate elect their leaders legitimately.
He pointed out that by creating a peaceful environment, the electorate would be motivated to cast their votes in their numbers.
He said it was equally important for them to give the polling officers, as well as the ballot boxes and all materials needed for the conduct of the election, adequate security.
From Koforidua, Nana Konadu Agyeman reports that a number of security personnel drawn from the Eastern Region, as well as the First Battalion of Infantry, took part in the mock drill. The exercise, which would last 48 hours, is being led by DCOP George Anko-Bill, the Eastern Regional Police Commander.
The exercise, joined by the chairmen of the regional and district Task Force Committees, was undertaken at polling stations at Housing Corporation Polling Centre at Adweso, Legion Hall Polling Centre and a polling station at Koforidua Zongo.
It was used to demonstrate and test the preparedness of the security forces to curb any violence during the conduct of the elections in the Eastern Region.
A TWO-DAY joint Military /Police exercise aimed at testing the preparedness of the security agencies to handle any election-related crises on December 7 began in Accra on Saturday night.
During the exercise, an imaginary scenario was created and staged at four polling stations at the North Kaneshie 1 and 2 Primary School area and Bubiashie Seventh Day Adventist Church.
It enacted a scene where some machomen seized ballot boxes from those polling stations and attempted to take them away after the electorate had finished casting their votes.
A joint Military/Police task force was called in and it immediately rushed to the scene, and prevented the machomen from taking the boxes away.
The machomen were subsequently over-powered and arrested.
In another scenario, the vehicle carrying the boxes broke down and a group of people pounced on the officials of the Electoral Commission, seized the boxes and were about to take them away when the task force was called in to arrest the situation.
After the exercise, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong Bonuah, described it as highly successful.
He said the public co-operated with the task force, which made its members to achieve the aim of the exercise.
He said all the scenario’s were executed smoothly without any problems or impediments.
Addressing security agents in the Ashanti Region, made up of the military, the police, the immigration, the prisons, the CEPS and the fire service, who took part in the joint operation, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare-Addo, noted that the security apparatus had the duty to prevent potential troublemakers from creating anarchy before, during and after the December election, reports George Ernest Asare.
He noted that they also had the responsibility to win the confidence of the electorate by defusing tension likely to cause fear.
"There is the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and transparency in the discharge of our responsibility, as well as being fair and firm to enable the election to be held in an atmosphere of peace," he noted.
DCOP Opare-Addo said it was equally important for the security apparatus to be diligent in their operations, stressing, "if some people want to destroy the nation to achieve their selfish interest, it is our responsibility to fish them out and make them face the full rigours of the law without any fear or favour".
The Officer Commanding the 4BN, Major Richard Amponsem Boateng, said it was the duty of the military to join hands with the police and other security agencies to maintain internal peace at all times.
The Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Kofi Asomanin, urged the security apparatus to manage the electoral process in a way that would make the electorate elect their leaders legitimately.
He pointed out that by creating a peaceful environment, the electorate would be motivated to cast their votes in their numbers.
He said it was equally important for them to give the polling officers, as well as the ballot boxes and all materials needed for the conduct of the election, adequate security.
From Koforidua, Nana Konadu Agyeman reports that a number of security personnel drawn from the Eastern Region, as well as the First Battalion of Infantry, took part in the mock drill. The exercise, which would last 48 hours, is being led by DCOP George Anko-Bill, the Eastern Regional Police Commander.
The exercise, joined by the chairmen of the regional and district Task Force Committees, was undertaken at polling stations at Housing Corporation Polling Centre at Adweso, Legion Hall Polling Centre and a polling station at Koforidua Zongo.
It was used to demonstrate and test the preparedness of the security forces to curb any violence during the conduct of the elections in the Eastern Region.
Seminar, exhibition on Airwater opens,November 20, 2008 (inside page)
Story: Michael Donkor
A one-day seminar and exhibition on airwater making device has taken place in Accra.
The device condenses humidity through a unique stainless steel water tank, filters and purifies it and turns it into potable water and also for irrigation purposes.
The Airwater device is very convenient and safe, custom-made and mobile, as well as highly cost-effective. It is hoped its presence on the Ghanaian market will ensure sustainable water for all, especially in the northern part of the country.
Speaking at the seminar to introduce the machine, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr William Ofori Boafo, said considering the daunting challenges facing mankind with regard to water supply, the introduction of alternative sources of water production, such as the airwater making machine, was a welcome one.
He said anything to do with water was something that should concern all.
Mr Boafo said fresh, potable water was the most important natural resource on earth for which there was no substitute.
He said world-wide, over 1.1 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water, making it a precious commodity.
He said it was the lack of access to water and the threats posed by climate change on water bodies that made the machine welcome.
Mr Boafo said water was an essential component of existence and for that reason people should use it wisely.
“We must learn not only the methods and habits of sharing equitably but also the technologies and values of protecting the environment that makes fresh water available to us,” he said.
The Managing Director of CNFSK Consulting, the local agents of Airwater Making Machine Company, Mr Christian Kudonoo, said the machine could generate six gallons of water a day.
He said other machines which could generate more gallons would later be introduced onto the market.
Mr Kudonoo said Airwater machines came in a wide range of sizes and applications, explaining that
those varieties could be used at home, in the factory, at the hospital and building and construction sites.
The Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Agyekum, expressed the hope that the prices of the machine would be affordable and that a factory would be established in the country to provide back ups.
A one-day seminar and exhibition on airwater making device has taken place in Accra.
The device condenses humidity through a unique stainless steel water tank, filters and purifies it and turns it into potable water and also for irrigation purposes.
The Airwater device is very convenient and safe, custom-made and mobile, as well as highly cost-effective. It is hoped its presence on the Ghanaian market will ensure sustainable water for all, especially in the northern part of the country.
Speaking at the seminar to introduce the machine, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr William Ofori Boafo, said considering the daunting challenges facing mankind with regard to water supply, the introduction of alternative sources of water production, such as the airwater making machine, was a welcome one.
He said anything to do with water was something that should concern all.
Mr Boafo said fresh, potable water was the most important natural resource on earth for which there was no substitute.
He said world-wide, over 1.1 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water, making it a precious commodity.
He said it was the lack of access to water and the threats posed by climate change on water bodies that made the machine welcome.
Mr Boafo said water was an essential component of existence and for that reason people should use it wisely.
“We must learn not only the methods and habits of sharing equitably but also the technologies and values of protecting the environment that makes fresh water available to us,” he said.
The Managing Director of CNFSK Consulting, the local agents of Airwater Making Machine Company, Mr Christian Kudonoo, said the machine could generate six gallons of water a day.
He said other machines which could generate more gallons would later be introduced onto the market.
Mr Kudonoo said Airwater machines came in a wide range of sizes and applications, explaining that
those varieties could be used at home, in the factory, at the hospital and building and construction sites.
The Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Agyekum, expressed the hope that the prices of the machine would be affordable and that a factory would be established in the country to provide back ups.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Poor salaries will undermine new pension-Prof Nukunya (Page 14) November 10, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
A former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof G.K. Nukunya, has observed that the proposed three-tier pension scheme will be of no benefit if salaries are not adjusted to reflect the realities on the ground.
He said basic salaries were too low, resulting in low pensions, and called for the situation to be looked at critically.
Prof Nukunya, who is also a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, made the observation when he delivered a lecture as part of the activities marking the 60th anniversary of the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra last Thursday.
He said retirement was a situation that brought considerable changes into the life of an individual, saying that it resulted, among others, in a reduction in income, loss of influence and power, loneliness, boredom and sometimes homelessness.
He said of these, the reduction in income appeared to be the most critical because it tended to increase the effects of the other conditions.
Prof Nukunya said despite some improvement in the income levels of university employees in recent years, the basic structure still left much to be desired, as in most cases the increases were in allowances, which were not added when pensions were calculated.
He said the basic pay of the highest paid university employee was about GH¢800 a month for a full professor and added that full professors were few, forming less than one per cent of the workforce.
Prof Nukunya said the bulk of the employees earned less than GH¢250 a month, while the lowest got less than GH¢100 a month.
He said it was, therefore, not surprising that the highest monthly pension for a university employee was just over GH¢400 and the lowest GH¢20, adding that as with the basic salary, the majority of the pensioners fell somewhere between the two extremes.
He said no one could live comfortably solely on this pension, adding that those forced to do so risked a big reduction in their standard of living.
Prof Nukunya, therefore, suggested that employees should be educated on how to prepare for retirement to avoid situations that could lead them to miserable lives when they were on retirement.
A former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof G.K. Nukunya, has observed that the proposed three-tier pension scheme will be of no benefit if salaries are not adjusted to reflect the realities on the ground.
He said basic salaries were too low, resulting in low pensions, and called for the situation to be looked at critically.
Prof Nukunya, who is also a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, made the observation when he delivered a lecture as part of the activities marking the 60th anniversary of the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra last Thursday.
He said retirement was a situation that brought considerable changes into the life of an individual, saying that it resulted, among others, in a reduction in income, loss of influence and power, loneliness, boredom and sometimes homelessness.
He said of these, the reduction in income appeared to be the most critical because it tended to increase the effects of the other conditions.
Prof Nukunya said despite some improvement in the income levels of university employees in recent years, the basic structure still left much to be desired, as in most cases the increases were in allowances, which were not added when pensions were calculated.
He said the basic pay of the highest paid university employee was about GH¢800 a month for a full professor and added that full professors were few, forming less than one per cent of the workforce.
Prof Nukunya said the bulk of the employees earned less than GH¢250 a month, while the lowest got less than GH¢100 a month.
He said it was, therefore, not surprising that the highest monthly pension for a university employee was just over GH¢400 and the lowest GH¢20, adding that as with the basic salary, the majority of the pensioners fell somewhere between the two extremes.
He said no one could live comfortably solely on this pension, adding that those forced to do so risked a big reduction in their standard of living.
Prof Nukunya, therefore, suggested that employees should be educated on how to prepare for retirement to avoid situations that could lead them to miserable lives when they were on retirement.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
AGI supports national security effort(back page) November 4, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has presented communication gadgets and security cameras worth GH¢45,200 to the Ministry of the Interior to enhance the operations of the national security apparatus.
The gadgets, including Motorola radio handsets, close-circuit cameras and monitors, were received by the sector minister at a ceremony in Accra yesterday.
Presenting the equipment, the President of the AGI, Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, said the move was in line with the association's objective to support the police to enable them to continue with the good job they were doing in the country.
He said the AGI was happy with the positive developments at the security front in the past few months, adding that
security had improved and wherever its members went they were greeted with that good news.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi expressed the hope that the security situation would continue to improve in the coming months for the country to have peaceful elections.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, expressed the government’s appreciation to the AGI for its support.
He said the government had put ample resources at the disposal of the police to enable them to work effectively but added that there was the need for public-spirited persons and institutions to support the police as well.
He said the police had taken their responsibilities very seriously in recent times and that had contributed to the decline in the crime rate.
He said crime in places such as the Kotoka International Airport had reduced drastically.
Dr Addo-Kufuor expressed the hope that other institutions would emulate the good example of the AGI.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, thanked the AGI for the gesture and gave the assurance that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose.
THE Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has presented communication gadgets and security cameras worth GH¢45,200 to the Ministry of the Interior to enhance the operations of the national security apparatus.
The gadgets, including Motorola radio handsets, close-circuit cameras and monitors, were received by the sector minister at a ceremony in Accra yesterday.
Presenting the equipment, the President of the AGI, Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, said the move was in line with the association's objective to support the police to enable them to continue with the good job they were doing in the country.
He said the AGI was happy with the positive developments at the security front in the past few months, adding that
security had improved and wherever its members went they were greeted with that good news.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi expressed the hope that the security situation would continue to improve in the coming months for the country to have peaceful elections.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, expressed the government’s appreciation to the AGI for its support.
He said the government had put ample resources at the disposal of the police to enable them to work effectively but added that there was the need for public-spirited persons and institutions to support the police as well.
He said the police had taken their responsibilities very seriously in recent times and that had contributed to the decline in the crime rate.
He said crime in places such as the Kotoka International Airport had reduced drastically.
Dr Addo-Kufuor expressed the hope that other institutions would emulate the good example of the AGI.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, thanked the AGI for the gesture and gave the assurance that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose.
Six firms to print ballot papers(Front Page) November 5, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
SIX local printing houses have been given the contract to print the ballot papers for the December 7 general election and release them to the Electoral Commission (EC) this week.
The Director of Elections at the EC, Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, announcing this when he addressed security chiefs within the southern command, named the six companies, which are all Accra-based, as the Buck Press, Innolink, Yarsarko, Fonstad, Act Commercial and Check Point.
The day-long meeting was to enable the security chiefs to appraise themselves of the electoral processes, engage in test operations for communication and mobility and plan joint practical exercises against any security challenges that the elections may pose.
Present at the meeting were the Inspector-General of Police, Mr P. K. Acheampong, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen J. B. Danquah, and the Director of the Ghana Immigration Service, Ms Elizabeth Adjei.
Mr Arhin said the EC would require a 24-hour guard during the printing of the ballot papers and added that it would, therefore, need the support of the security agencies during the printing of the papers.
He noted that the EC had often borne the brunt of the elections as its staff were often intimidated and beaten up.
Mr Arhin said the commission appreciated the role of the security services in the success of the elections.
According to him, after the printing of the ballot papers, the EC would still need security assistance to escort the papers and other election materials to the regions on the eve of the elections for the allocation and distribution of the materials to the polling stations.
Mr Arhin said other areas the EC needed security presence and protection were the counting of votes, the carting of ballot boxes to the collation centres, the Operations Room of the EC, the premises of the EC itself, as well as the places where electronic scoreboards would be mounted throughout the country.
He explained that the stakes in this year’s elections were high but gave the assurance that the EC would do what it could to ensure peaceful elections and urged the security agencies to support it with the requisite security.
Mr Arhin told the security chiefs that the presiding officers would be in charge of the elections at the various centres and urged them to co-operate with the officers.
He said the EC was aware that the security personnel could not cover the entire length and breadth of the country and had, therefore, issued out the list of flash points to the security chiefs.
The National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam Amoo-Ghartey, said the commitment of the country’s security system to ensure a secure and peaceful environment for free and fair elections was on course.
“This joint police/military exercise constitutes a vital part of the preparations of the election task force to ensure a congenial and secure environment for the forthcoming elections,” he said.
He said the National Task Force had been decentralised and replicated in all the 10 regions and the 170 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, with non-political appointees as chairpersons.
He said the goal of the joint exercise in the internal security areas of operations was to synchronise and rehearse operational plans and procedures.
Dr Amoo-Ghartey expressed the hope that by the end of the exercise the roles and functions of all agencies involved would have been synchronised and integrated into a seamless operation machine to achieve the ultimate goal of ensuring a secure and enabling environment for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
“Lest we forget, we are a people who have gone through a lot in our young history: We have been freed, we have been liberated, redeemed, revolutionised and eventually we have achieved democratic dispensation. This, we are sure, we are all determined to keep,” he said.
The General Officer Commanding the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okyere, announced a nation-wide simulation exercise on November 16, 2008 to test the preparedness of the security services for the December 7 polls.
He said journalists would be embedded in the exercise to erase any doubts about it.
SIX local printing houses have been given the contract to print the ballot papers for the December 7 general election and release them to the Electoral Commission (EC) this week.
The Director of Elections at the EC, Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, announcing this when he addressed security chiefs within the southern command, named the six companies, which are all Accra-based, as the Buck Press, Innolink, Yarsarko, Fonstad, Act Commercial and Check Point.
The day-long meeting was to enable the security chiefs to appraise themselves of the electoral processes, engage in test operations for communication and mobility and plan joint practical exercises against any security challenges that the elections may pose.
Present at the meeting were the Inspector-General of Police, Mr P. K. Acheampong, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen J. B. Danquah, and the Director of the Ghana Immigration Service, Ms Elizabeth Adjei.
Mr Arhin said the EC would require a 24-hour guard during the printing of the ballot papers and added that it would, therefore, need the support of the security agencies during the printing of the papers.
He noted that the EC had often borne the brunt of the elections as its staff were often intimidated and beaten up.
Mr Arhin said the commission appreciated the role of the security services in the success of the elections.
According to him, after the printing of the ballot papers, the EC would still need security assistance to escort the papers and other election materials to the regions on the eve of the elections for the allocation and distribution of the materials to the polling stations.
Mr Arhin said other areas the EC needed security presence and protection were the counting of votes, the carting of ballot boxes to the collation centres, the Operations Room of the EC, the premises of the EC itself, as well as the places where electronic scoreboards would be mounted throughout the country.
He explained that the stakes in this year’s elections were high but gave the assurance that the EC would do what it could to ensure peaceful elections and urged the security agencies to support it with the requisite security.
Mr Arhin told the security chiefs that the presiding officers would be in charge of the elections at the various centres and urged them to co-operate with the officers.
He said the EC was aware that the security personnel could not cover the entire length and breadth of the country and had, therefore, issued out the list of flash points to the security chiefs.
The National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam Amoo-Ghartey, said the commitment of the country’s security system to ensure a secure and peaceful environment for free and fair elections was on course.
“This joint police/military exercise constitutes a vital part of the preparations of the election task force to ensure a congenial and secure environment for the forthcoming elections,” he said.
He said the National Task Force had been decentralised and replicated in all the 10 regions and the 170 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, with non-political appointees as chairpersons.
He said the goal of the joint exercise in the internal security areas of operations was to synchronise and rehearse operational plans and procedures.
Dr Amoo-Ghartey expressed the hope that by the end of the exercise the roles and functions of all agencies involved would have been synchronised and integrated into a seamless operation machine to achieve the ultimate goal of ensuring a secure and enabling environment for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
“Lest we forget, we are a people who have gone through a lot in our young history: We have been freed, we have been liberated, redeemed, revolutionised and eventually we have achieved democratic dispensation. This, we are sure, we are all determined to keep,” he said.
The General Officer Commanding the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okyere, announced a nation-wide simulation exercise on November 16, 2008 to test the preparedness of the security services for the December 7 polls.
He said journalists would be embedded in the exercise to erase any doubts about it.
Preparation Towards December 7 Elections; Crucial Meeting Tomorrow, All security chiefs to meet in Accra(Front Page) November 3, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
REGIONAL commanders and security chiefs from the police, military and allied agencies will assemble in Accra tomorrow for the final phase of the national programme aimed at harmonising the operations of all security agencies during the December elections.
It will also involve all task forces established for the maintenance of law and order during the December elections.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra at the weekend, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, said resource persons from the Electoral Commission (EC) would be in attendance to educate the security operatives on the electoral process.
Mr Acheampong said the move was aimed at building the capacity of the security agencies to get them to work as a team in order to take measures to prevent any activity which had the potential for disturbing the electoral process.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Chairman of the National Security Task Force, said that the present phase of the exercise would be replicated in the regions, and would be followed by a national mock exercise on November 16 and 17.
He explained that stakeholders and other task forces in the regions would be taken through what would be taught in Accra.
Mr Acheampong said during the programme, a rehearsal of all potential situations would be held.
He, therefore, appealed to the general public to co-operate with the security agencies during the mock exercises to make the programme successful.
The objective of the security operations, he maintained, was to ensure the integrity of the elections and to ensure that the electorate exercised their franchise in a peaceful environment.
He, therefore, appealed to the electorate not to be apprehensive or alarmed by the presence of security persons during the mock exercise which would be held in all the regions.
He said on the day of the election, security persons would be required to be punctual, alert, exhibit fairness, be open and honest team players, and where the need arose, would be required to use minimum force.
Mr Acheampong challenged all regional commanders to ensure that their subordinates approached their work in a non-partisan manner to instil confidence in the electorate before, during and after the elections.
He also appealed to them to ensure good coverage of the elections to further uplift their image before the citizens of the country and the international community as a whole.
Series of programmes have been organised to improve the strategic operation and tactical levels of the security agencies as well as education programmes for the national election task force.
violence
REGIONAL commanders and security chiefs from the police, military and allied agencies will assemble in Accra tomorrow for the final phase of the national programme aimed at harmonising the operations of all security agencies during the December elections.
It will also involve all task forces established for the maintenance of law and order during the December elections.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra at the weekend, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, said resource persons from the Electoral Commission (EC) would be in attendance to educate the security operatives on the electoral process.
Mr Acheampong said the move was aimed at building the capacity of the security agencies to get them to work as a team in order to take measures to prevent any activity which had the potential for disturbing the electoral process.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Chairman of the National Security Task Force, said that the present phase of the exercise would be replicated in the regions, and would be followed by a national mock exercise on November 16 and 17.
He explained that stakeholders and other task forces in the regions would be taken through what would be taught in Accra.
Mr Acheampong said during the programme, a rehearsal of all potential situations would be held.
He, therefore, appealed to the general public to co-operate with the security agencies during the mock exercises to make the programme successful.
The objective of the security operations, he maintained, was to ensure the integrity of the elections and to ensure that the electorate exercised their franchise in a peaceful environment.
He, therefore, appealed to the electorate not to be apprehensive or alarmed by the presence of security persons during the mock exercise which would be held in all the regions.
He said on the day of the election, security persons would be required to be punctual, alert, exhibit fairness, be open and honest team players, and where the need arose, would be required to use minimum force.
Mr Acheampong challenged all regional commanders to ensure that their subordinates approached their work in a non-partisan manner to instil confidence in the electorate before, during and after the elections.
He also appealed to them to ensure good coverage of the elections to further uplift their image before the citizens of the country and the international community as a whole.
Series of programmes have been organised to improve the strategic operation and tactical levels of the security agencies as well as education programmes for the national election task force.
violence
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Appoint Competent persons to Boards-Pianim(Centre Spread) October 23, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
AN economic consultant, Mr Kwame Pianim, has called on the government to ensure that persons appointed to chair the boards of state enterprises are competent and have the requisite expertise for such positions.
He said most board chairmen lacked adequate managerial skills, resulting in the poor performance of state enterprises.
Mr Pianim, who made the call when he delivered the 10th anniversary lecture of the Central University College in Accra last Tuesday, said “until the government learns to put round pegs in round holes”, state enterprises would continue to perform below expectation.
He was speaking on the topic, “Training Transformational Leaders: Paradigm shift in tertiary education; developments in the national economy; implications for tertiary education”.
He said the country lacked persons with the requisite skills for the transformation of the economy from an agriculture- dominated and raw material and commodity exporting nation into a modern and diversified economy capable of improving living standards.
He said the recent discovery of oil had exposed the gap in human resource development and added that that needed to be filled.
“We need the skills required to shift the centre of gravity of our economy from agriculture to non-agricultural activities,” he added.
Mr Pianim called for the institution of credible measures to meet the manpower needs of the new oil industry in the form of engineers, ICT and accounting personnel.
He said there was the need to develop managerial competence to manage economic affairs in such a way that the oil industry would not crowd out the non-oil sectors but rather become the generator of resources for transforming the economy into a technology-intensive, modern, resilient and agile economy capable of delivering improved living standards and protecting them from future external shocks.
Mr Pianim said the country needed the skills and tools of the emerging knowledge economy if it intended to participate fully and effectively in a digitally driven world economy.
He stressed the need for biotechnology research to be included in the curriculum of tertiary education.
He said participation in that strategic area was of critical importance for the economic and social progress of the nation and the development of the Savannah belt in particular.
AN economic consultant, Mr Kwame Pianim, has called on the government to ensure that persons appointed to chair the boards of state enterprises are competent and have the requisite expertise for such positions.
He said most board chairmen lacked adequate managerial skills, resulting in the poor performance of state enterprises.
Mr Pianim, who made the call when he delivered the 10th anniversary lecture of the Central University College in Accra last Tuesday, said “until the government learns to put round pegs in round holes”, state enterprises would continue to perform below expectation.
He was speaking on the topic, “Training Transformational Leaders: Paradigm shift in tertiary education; developments in the national economy; implications for tertiary education”.
He said the country lacked persons with the requisite skills for the transformation of the economy from an agriculture- dominated and raw material and commodity exporting nation into a modern and diversified economy capable of improving living standards.
He said the recent discovery of oil had exposed the gap in human resource development and added that that needed to be filled.
“We need the skills required to shift the centre of gravity of our economy from agriculture to non-agricultural activities,” he added.
Mr Pianim called for the institution of credible measures to meet the manpower needs of the new oil industry in the form of engineers, ICT and accounting personnel.
He said there was the need to develop managerial competence to manage economic affairs in such a way that the oil industry would not crowd out the non-oil sectors but rather become the generator of resources for transforming the economy into a technology-intensive, modern, resilient and agile economy capable of delivering improved living standards and protecting them from future external shocks.
Mr Pianim said the country needed the skills and tools of the emerging knowledge economy if it intended to participate fully and effectively in a digitally driven world economy.
He stressed the need for biotechnology research to be included in the curriculum of tertiary education.
He said participation in that strategic area was of critical importance for the economic and social progress of the nation and the development of the Savannah belt in particular.
Medical Station reconstructed at 66th Artillery Regiment(inside page)
Story: Michael Donkor, Ho
THE Medical Station of the 66th Artillery Regiment in Ho has been reconstructed at a cost of €187,257.
Apart from providing readily accessible health care for the soldiers, their spouses and the civilian employees of the regiment, the station is also expected to further deepen civil-military relations in the Ho municipality and the Volta Region as a whole.
The reconstruction was carried out by the government, with support from the government of Germany.
The station will be open to all in the Ho municipality in an effort to accelerate the delivery of medical care to the people of the area in the bid to promote good relations with the civilian population.
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, said the station was reconstructed with the initiative of the German government, under the supervision of the German Military Advisory Team in Ghana.
New facilities have been added to the station, including a new theatre with fully installed equipment, a new dental unit, a fully equipped X-ray unit, as well as an electro-cardiogram (ECG) unit.
Other facilities are a fully equipped laboratory, the renovation of the admission wards and toilets, as well as the provision of a medical store and a dispensary.
According to Mr Kan-Dapaah, the second phase of the project, scheduled to start soon, will include the rehabilitation of the maternity blocks, the medical officer's residence, the principal nursing officer's quarters and a 14-unit nurses' transit quarters.
He announced that the Ministry of Defence had plans to relocate the Ghana Armed Forces Recruit Training School to the Akoefe Barracks near Ho, adding that the medical station would serve as the main hospital for the school.
The German Military Advisory Team, he said, had already trained personnel to man all the new equipment and facilities installed at the station.
Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed gratitude to the German team, under the command of Lt Col Kunz, for the effort put into the reconstruction of the station in a relatively short period of five months.
He catalogued a number of projects undertaken for the GAF through the support of the German government and added that those efforts would further improve the good relations that existed between Ghana and Germany.
For his part, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Marius Haas, praised the excellent state of relations between Germany and Ghana, adding that the Government of Germany had so far expended €2 million on projects in Ghana.
He pledged that the Military advisory team in Ghana would remain unchanged and co-operate with the GAF to enhance relations between the two countries.
Dr Haas said the completion of the station would curtail the situation where personnel in need of critical medical attention had to be rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
According to him, a good medical facility for servicemen when they returned from operations abroad would serve as a great morale booster, saying that the medical needs of troops had been underestimated in the past, a situation he described as unfortunate.
The Commanding Officer of the 66th Artillery Regiment, Lt Col Kotia, expressed the hope that as part of the second phase the German Government would assist with the provision of ophthalmologist equipment and also equip a room for a physiotherapy department to raise the status of the station to a full hospital.
"The upgraded medical station will go a long way to further enhance the desire of the regiment to promote civil-military relations in the Ho municipality and the region as a whole," he added.
THE Medical Station of the 66th Artillery Regiment in Ho has been reconstructed at a cost of €187,257.
Apart from providing readily accessible health care for the soldiers, their spouses and the civilian employees of the regiment, the station is also expected to further deepen civil-military relations in the Ho municipality and the Volta Region as a whole.
The reconstruction was carried out by the government, with support from the government of Germany.
The station will be open to all in the Ho municipality in an effort to accelerate the delivery of medical care to the people of the area in the bid to promote good relations with the civilian population.
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, said the station was reconstructed with the initiative of the German government, under the supervision of the German Military Advisory Team in Ghana.
New facilities have been added to the station, including a new theatre with fully installed equipment, a new dental unit, a fully equipped X-ray unit, as well as an electro-cardiogram (ECG) unit.
Other facilities are a fully equipped laboratory, the renovation of the admission wards and toilets, as well as the provision of a medical store and a dispensary.
According to Mr Kan-Dapaah, the second phase of the project, scheduled to start soon, will include the rehabilitation of the maternity blocks, the medical officer's residence, the principal nursing officer's quarters and a 14-unit nurses' transit quarters.
He announced that the Ministry of Defence had plans to relocate the Ghana Armed Forces Recruit Training School to the Akoefe Barracks near Ho, adding that the medical station would serve as the main hospital for the school.
The German Military Advisory Team, he said, had already trained personnel to man all the new equipment and facilities installed at the station.
Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed gratitude to the German team, under the command of Lt Col Kunz, for the effort put into the reconstruction of the station in a relatively short period of five months.
He catalogued a number of projects undertaken for the GAF through the support of the German government and added that those efforts would further improve the good relations that existed between Ghana and Germany.
For his part, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Marius Haas, praised the excellent state of relations between Germany and Ghana, adding that the Government of Germany had so far expended €2 million on projects in Ghana.
He pledged that the Military advisory team in Ghana would remain unchanged and co-operate with the GAF to enhance relations between the two countries.
Dr Haas said the completion of the station would curtail the situation where personnel in need of critical medical attention had to be rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
According to him, a good medical facility for servicemen when they returned from operations abroad would serve as a great morale booster, saying that the medical needs of troops had been underestimated in the past, a situation he described as unfortunate.
The Commanding Officer of the 66th Artillery Regiment, Lt Col Kotia, expressed the hope that as part of the second phase the German Government would assist with the provision of ophthalmologist equipment and also equip a room for a physiotherapy department to raise the status of the station to a full hospital.
"The upgraded medical station will go a long way to further enhance the desire of the regiment to promote civil-military relations in the Ho municipality and the region as a whole," he added.
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Let's be conscious of our security" October 20, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has advised Ghanaians not to leave their personal security and that of the state to the military, the police and other security agencies alone.
He said the arrangement whereby security was left in the hands of such institutions was unsatisfactory because under a democratic dispensation one had to avoid the situation whereby the national security apparatus could be used to maintain the ruling party in power.
Dr Addo-Kufuor gave the advice at a seminar organised by the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) in Accra at the weekend.
Speaking on the topic, “Ensuring Peace and Security in Ghana: Challenges and prospects”, the Interior Minister said most citizens desired to live in peace and security and demanded to be involved in the processes that would ensure their security.
He said in all societies, peace was the bedrock on which the development and general well-being of the citizens were anchored.
He said peace should, therefore, be protected by all citizens of goodwill to ensure that the very existence of the society was preserved and its vital institutions protected.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said effective and durable peace and security could only be maintained when the citizens respected and accepted the authority of the government.
He said to achieve that level of co-operation between the government and the people, certain conditions must prevail and mentioned those factors as the reduction of extreme poverty, access to employment, health, education and shelter.
Dr Addo-Kufuor suggested that there should be a serious attempt at wealth distribution to avoid huge gaps between the rich and the poor.
He said there should also be serious attempts at ensuring good governance.
The minister recalled the government’s submission to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and said its record of good governance had earned it support from the development partners.
He gave the assurance that the government would, at all times, place the interest of the country and its people above all partisan considerations to ensure free and fair elections.
Dr Addo-Kufuor pledged the government’s respect for the results that would emerge at the end of the general election as the sovereign will of the people freely expressed through the ballot box and accept them, regardless of which party was victorious.
He cautioned that any person or group of persons who would attempt to undermine the peace during this period for their parochial end would be made to face the full rigours of the law.
He said the challenges facing the country included the drug menace, the oil find, problems with Fulani herdsmen, galamsey groups, lawless ECOWAS citizens, ex-combatants from other countries now resident in Ghana and the high level of crime in the country.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said in spite of those challenges, prospects for the country in the medium-to-long term were good.
He said Ghanaians treasured the current peaceful environment and would strive to ensure that it was not disturbed by a few misguided individuals.
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has advised Ghanaians not to leave their personal security and that of the state to the military, the police and other security agencies alone.
He said the arrangement whereby security was left in the hands of such institutions was unsatisfactory because under a democratic dispensation one had to avoid the situation whereby the national security apparatus could be used to maintain the ruling party in power.
Dr Addo-Kufuor gave the advice at a seminar organised by the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) in Accra at the weekend.
Speaking on the topic, “Ensuring Peace and Security in Ghana: Challenges and prospects”, the Interior Minister said most citizens desired to live in peace and security and demanded to be involved in the processes that would ensure their security.
He said in all societies, peace was the bedrock on which the development and general well-being of the citizens were anchored.
He said peace should, therefore, be protected by all citizens of goodwill to ensure that the very existence of the society was preserved and its vital institutions protected.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said effective and durable peace and security could only be maintained when the citizens respected and accepted the authority of the government.
He said to achieve that level of co-operation between the government and the people, certain conditions must prevail and mentioned those factors as the reduction of extreme poverty, access to employment, health, education and shelter.
Dr Addo-Kufuor suggested that there should be a serious attempt at wealth distribution to avoid huge gaps between the rich and the poor.
He said there should also be serious attempts at ensuring good governance.
The minister recalled the government’s submission to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and said its record of good governance had earned it support from the development partners.
He gave the assurance that the government would, at all times, place the interest of the country and its people above all partisan considerations to ensure free and fair elections.
Dr Addo-Kufuor pledged the government’s respect for the results that would emerge at the end of the general election as the sovereign will of the people freely expressed through the ballot box and accept them, regardless of which party was victorious.
He cautioned that any person or group of persons who would attempt to undermine the peace during this period for their parochial end would be made to face the full rigours of the law.
He said the challenges facing the country included the drug menace, the oil find, problems with Fulani herdsmen, galamsey groups, lawless ECOWAS citizens, ex-combatants from other countries now resident in Ghana and the high level of crime in the country.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said in spite of those challenges, prospects for the country in the medium-to-long term were good.
He said Ghanaians treasured the current peaceful environment and would strive to ensure that it was not disturbed by a few misguided individuals.
Warders told to treat inmates humanely(back page) October 18, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
A director of the Ghana Prisons Service in charge of Technical Services, Mr Ben Quaye, has cautioned warders to desist from acts of brutality and callousness visited on inmates of prisons.
He said wardens had the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the inmates were respected, protected and promoted.
Mr Quaye made the call at the 105 recruit course graduation parade in Accra on Friday.
A total of 393 recruits graduated after 11 months of training in various disciplines.
Mr Quaye said if the warders succeeded in protecting and respecting the rights of the inmates, the prison system would reintegrate into society ex-convicts who would be ready and willing to respect the rights and freedoms of others by being law-abiding.
He noted that the service had no culture of shielding recalcitrant officers and said it would continue to purge itself of all manner of misconduct that contravened service regulations and national laws.
Mr Quaye noted that the Prisons Service could not achieve its mandate without the support of society, adding that the service was meant to serve the people.
He advised the society not to shun ex-convicts but accept them.
Mr Quaye hinted that the Prisons Service was stepping up interventions in the agricultural and industrial sectors to improve the quality of life of inmates in its custody.
He urged the warders to support other security organisations to ensure incident-free elections this year, so that the country would continue to enjoy peace.
Mr Quaye appealed to all officers who would be involved in the election processes to be disciplined, vigilant and impartial in the discharge of their duties.
He called on the public to also ensure that Ghana came out of the elections more united than divided.
The best all round recruit award was won by Recruit Officer Felix Kofi Aggor.
A director of the Ghana Prisons Service in charge of Technical Services, Mr Ben Quaye, has cautioned warders to desist from acts of brutality and callousness visited on inmates of prisons.
He said wardens had the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the inmates were respected, protected and promoted.
Mr Quaye made the call at the 105 recruit course graduation parade in Accra on Friday.
A total of 393 recruits graduated after 11 months of training in various disciplines.
Mr Quaye said if the warders succeeded in protecting and respecting the rights of the inmates, the prison system would reintegrate into society ex-convicts who would be ready and willing to respect the rights and freedoms of others by being law-abiding.
He noted that the service had no culture of shielding recalcitrant officers and said it would continue to purge itself of all manner of misconduct that contravened service regulations and national laws.
Mr Quaye noted that the Prisons Service could not achieve its mandate without the support of society, adding that the service was meant to serve the people.
He advised the society not to shun ex-convicts but accept them.
Mr Quaye hinted that the Prisons Service was stepping up interventions in the agricultural and industrial sectors to improve the quality of life of inmates in its custody.
He urged the warders to support other security organisations to ensure incident-free elections this year, so that the country would continue to enjoy peace.
Mr Quaye appealed to all officers who would be involved in the election processes to be disciplined, vigilant and impartial in the discharge of their duties.
He called on the public to also ensure that Ghana came out of the elections more united than divided.
The best all round recruit award was won by Recruit Officer Felix Kofi Aggor.
Africa must celebrate Nkrumah(Centre spread) October 18, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra, Senator Musiliu Mohammed Obanikoro, has called for the celebration of the life of Dr Kwame Nkrumah among all Africans and not just in Ghana.
He said Dr Nkrumah’s vision and ideas influenced lives across Africa and Africans in the diaspora hence, the need for the celebration of his life to be observed throughout world.
Speaking at the launch of a book entitled “Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Legend of African nationalism” in Accra last Thursday, Senator Banikoro described the late Ghanaian leader as the hero of African liberation.
The Author of the book, Prof. Martin Okany said he was inspired to write the book because of the great virtues he found in Dr Nkrumah as well as his vision and ideas.
He said although Dr Nkrumah was dead, Africans can draw inspiration from his words that “as far as I am concerned, I am happy in the knowledge that not even death can extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after I am dead and gone, it would continue to burn, giving light and guidance to all the people”.
Prof. Okany said the history of modern Africa could not be conclusively written without the immense contribution of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He said Dr Nkrumah manifested the pride and dignity of the black man everywhere and was a catalytic force that set into motion ripples that had reshaped the political history of Africa.
In his words, “Dr Nkrumah was a revolutionary genius and a political volcano who encouraged national liberation and anti-colonialist movements across Africa.”
A senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Ansa Kumi-Koi described the book as an encyclopaedia.
He said the book gives an account of the independence of Ghana and sums up the books that Dr Nkrumah had written himself.
He said the book was not just a history book but also offered valuable material about the present and the 21st century.
Dr Ansa-Koi said it is a comprehensive book which contained letters Nkrumah wrote and covered the history of Ghana and its life history.
He suggested that in subsequent publications, an index should be included in the book for easy reference.
A retired Diplomat, Mr K.B Asante, who chaired the occasion said the time had come for Africans to liberate their minds.
He said Africans should not see themselves as inferior adding that Africans are capable of doing greater things had been estimated by the imperialist.
THE Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra, Senator Musiliu Mohammed Obanikoro, has called for the celebration of the life of Dr Kwame Nkrumah among all Africans and not just in Ghana.
He said Dr Nkrumah’s vision and ideas influenced lives across Africa and Africans in the diaspora hence, the need for the celebration of his life to be observed throughout world.
Speaking at the launch of a book entitled “Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Legend of African nationalism” in Accra last Thursday, Senator Banikoro described the late Ghanaian leader as the hero of African liberation.
The Author of the book, Prof. Martin Okany said he was inspired to write the book because of the great virtues he found in Dr Nkrumah as well as his vision and ideas.
He said although Dr Nkrumah was dead, Africans can draw inspiration from his words that “as far as I am concerned, I am happy in the knowledge that not even death can extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after I am dead and gone, it would continue to burn, giving light and guidance to all the people”.
Prof. Okany said the history of modern Africa could not be conclusively written without the immense contribution of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He said Dr Nkrumah manifested the pride and dignity of the black man everywhere and was a catalytic force that set into motion ripples that had reshaped the political history of Africa.
In his words, “Dr Nkrumah was a revolutionary genius and a political volcano who encouraged national liberation and anti-colonialist movements across Africa.”
A senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Ansa Kumi-Koi described the book as an encyclopaedia.
He said the book gives an account of the independence of Ghana and sums up the books that Dr Nkrumah had written himself.
He said the book was not just a history book but also offered valuable material about the present and the 21st century.
Dr Ansa-Koi said it is a comprehensive book which contained letters Nkrumah wrote and covered the history of Ghana and its life history.
He suggested that in subsequent publications, an index should be included in the book for easy reference.
A retired Diplomat, Mr K.B Asante, who chaired the occasion said the time had come for Africans to liberate their minds.
He said Africans should not see themselves as inferior adding that Africans are capable of doing greater things had been estimated by the imperialist.
Be Neutral: Prez tells Armed Forces(Front Page) October 17, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor yesterday announced a package aimed at improving the conditions of service within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). He also pledged that his administration would do nothing to compromise the peace and security of the country.
At an open durbar with the officers and men of the GAF at Burma Camp, President Kufuor said it had been his desire to bequeath to Ghana a legacy of peace and security after his two-term presidency and urged the soldiers to remain neutral during the elections.
As part of the measures to enhance the work of the GAF, the President announced that the government had taken delivery of three naval boats from the United States of America, while talks were being held with the Korean government for the acquisition of more boats for the Ghana Navy.
President Kufuor further announced an increase in the peacekeeping allowance from $25 to $27 and urged military personnel to reciprocate the government’s gesture by being law-abiding and demonstrating the highest level of professionalism during the election period.
He said the nation would count on the GAF, the police and all the other security agencies for the maintenance of peace and security before, during and after the elections.
President Kufuor said with less than three months to the presidential and parliamentary elections, the country’s continued stability was what should engage them and urged them to guard against propaganda, which he said was part of the political game, “but not everything said on the campaign trail has merit”.
President Kufuor said it was certainly not true that there were plans to reduce the length of service for the other ranks in the GAF and said 25 years remained the limit.
He said as provided in the existing regulations, additional service might be approved at the discretion of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
On a note of caution, he pointed out that Ghana was by no means insulated against the turbulence in the oil market and world-wide food shortages that had occasioned civil strife in other countries but he was pleased to note that in the case of Ghana fuel remained available and Ghanaians did not have to be in long queues to buy anything.
President Kufuor congratulated the soldiers on their contribution to the maintenance of law and order, as well as international peacekeeping, in which area they continued to excel, to the joy of the country.
He said the prevailing environment of peace and stability had provided a good foundation for national development, adding that after HIPC, the economy had bounced back and was ready to support enhanced delivery of social services, in particular education and health.
President Kufuor said infrastructural development was being undertaken on an unprecedented scale throughout the country, noting that the military had had its fair share.
On behalf of the GAF, the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, said they were prepared to play their role in ensuring that peace and tranquillity prevailed before, during and after the elections.
He said the GAF had also assessed the threats associated with oil exploration and mapped out strategies to address them.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen J.B. Danquah, said money was being worked out to enable the service to release soldiers who were due for pension.
He said at the moment there was an outstanding list of soldiers to be released and appealed to those soldiers to exercise restraint, while their entitlements were worked out for them to proceed on peaceful retirement.
He appealed to the President to speed up with the processes to acquire more logistics for the GAF.
The personnel were offered the opportunity to ask questions, during which some of them, particularly the civilian employees of the GAF, said they did not benefit from the peacekeeping allowance and other packages.
They, therefore, appealed to the President to announce packages that would benefit them too.
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor yesterday announced a package aimed at improving the conditions of service within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). He also pledged that his administration would do nothing to compromise the peace and security of the country.
At an open durbar with the officers and men of the GAF at Burma Camp, President Kufuor said it had been his desire to bequeath to Ghana a legacy of peace and security after his two-term presidency and urged the soldiers to remain neutral during the elections.
As part of the measures to enhance the work of the GAF, the President announced that the government had taken delivery of three naval boats from the United States of America, while talks were being held with the Korean government for the acquisition of more boats for the Ghana Navy.
President Kufuor further announced an increase in the peacekeeping allowance from $25 to $27 and urged military personnel to reciprocate the government’s gesture by being law-abiding and demonstrating the highest level of professionalism during the election period.
He said the nation would count on the GAF, the police and all the other security agencies for the maintenance of peace and security before, during and after the elections.
President Kufuor said with less than three months to the presidential and parliamentary elections, the country’s continued stability was what should engage them and urged them to guard against propaganda, which he said was part of the political game, “but not everything said on the campaign trail has merit”.
President Kufuor said it was certainly not true that there were plans to reduce the length of service for the other ranks in the GAF and said 25 years remained the limit.
He said as provided in the existing regulations, additional service might be approved at the discretion of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
On a note of caution, he pointed out that Ghana was by no means insulated against the turbulence in the oil market and world-wide food shortages that had occasioned civil strife in other countries but he was pleased to note that in the case of Ghana fuel remained available and Ghanaians did not have to be in long queues to buy anything.
President Kufuor congratulated the soldiers on their contribution to the maintenance of law and order, as well as international peacekeeping, in which area they continued to excel, to the joy of the country.
He said the prevailing environment of peace and stability had provided a good foundation for national development, adding that after HIPC, the economy had bounced back and was ready to support enhanced delivery of social services, in particular education and health.
President Kufuor said infrastructural development was being undertaken on an unprecedented scale throughout the country, noting that the military had had its fair share.
On behalf of the GAF, the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, said they were prepared to play their role in ensuring that peace and tranquillity prevailed before, during and after the elections.
He said the GAF had also assessed the threats associated with oil exploration and mapped out strategies to address them.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen J.B. Danquah, said money was being worked out to enable the service to release soldiers who were due for pension.
He said at the moment there was an outstanding list of soldiers to be released and appealed to those soldiers to exercise restraint, while their entitlements were worked out for them to proceed on peaceful retirement.
He appealed to the President to speed up with the processes to acquire more logistics for the GAF.
The personnel were offered the opportunity to ask questions, during which some of them, particularly the civilian employees of the GAF, said they did not benefit from the peacekeeping allowance and other packages.
They, therefore, appealed to the President to announce packages that would benefit them too.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
GAF gets $60m for peacekeeng equipment (Centre Spread) September 29, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor, Bouake, Cote d’ Ivoire
THE government has secured a $60 million loan from China to purchase military equipment for peacekeeping missions.
It has also secured a $100 million buyer’s credit from China to re-equip the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to execute its constitutional mandate effectively.
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, announced this at Bouake in La Cote d’Ivoire when he visited personnel of the GAF serving with the United Nation’s Peacekeeping Mission (UNOCI) in that country, last Friday.
He said the move formed part of the government’s resolve to adequately equip the GAF.
Ghana loses huge reimbursement from the United Nations due to the GAF’s inadequate equipment for peacekeeping missions.
Currently, Ghana is undertaking peacekeeping duties in La Cote d’ Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and Liberia.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said the government considered peacekeeping as serious business so it would ensure that the necessary equipment and logistics were provided for the troops to perform creditably.
He said the government wanted to avoid the situation where troops lost their lives because the necessary equipment had not been provided.
He gave the assurance that the troops would be given adequate imprest to carry out their responsibilities on the peacekeeping mission fields.
Mr Kan-Dapaah appealed to the soldiers to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties and avoid any acts that would dent their credibility.
He advised the soldiers to remain neutral in the forthcoming general election in Cote d’Ivoire and carry out their assigned duties diligently.
Ghana’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, commended the government’s intention to purchase the required equipment for peacekeeping, adding that when taken serious, peacekeeping could generate a lot of revenue for the country.
The Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt Nine, Lt. Col. Albert Adu, who briefed the defence minister, said security in the Bouake area had stabilised.
He said although the general election had been slated for November 30, this year, the voters register was not ready.
Lt. Col. Adu said Ghanaian troops had successfully provided security for the region and engaged in constant patrols of the towns and villages as well as escorting electoral materials for the Electoral Commission.
He said the troops also carried out any other duties assigned to them and appealed to the government to speed up moves to re-equip the armed forces.
He said the Ghanbatt Nine lacked important equipment such as riot control equipment, tear gas and rubber bullets.
Lt. Col. Adu said the Force Commander on several occasions had warned that the United Nations (UN) would not take responsibility for any casualty or eventuality should Ghana fail to provide its troops with such logistics.
The Defence Minister earlier called on the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Youn Jin Choi, and the UNOCI Force Commander, Major-General Fernand Amoussou, in Abidjan.
Mr Choi expressed his condolences to the government and Ghanaians for the death of the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
THE government has secured a $60 million loan from China to purchase military equipment for peacekeeping missions.
It has also secured a $100 million buyer’s credit from China to re-equip the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to execute its constitutional mandate effectively.
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, announced this at Bouake in La Cote d’Ivoire when he visited personnel of the GAF serving with the United Nation’s Peacekeeping Mission (UNOCI) in that country, last Friday.
He said the move formed part of the government’s resolve to adequately equip the GAF.
Ghana loses huge reimbursement from the United Nations due to the GAF’s inadequate equipment for peacekeeping missions.
Currently, Ghana is undertaking peacekeeping duties in La Cote d’ Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and Liberia.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said the government considered peacekeeping as serious business so it would ensure that the necessary equipment and logistics were provided for the troops to perform creditably.
He said the government wanted to avoid the situation where troops lost their lives because the necessary equipment had not been provided.
He gave the assurance that the troops would be given adequate imprest to carry out their responsibilities on the peacekeeping mission fields.
Mr Kan-Dapaah appealed to the soldiers to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties and avoid any acts that would dent their credibility.
He advised the soldiers to remain neutral in the forthcoming general election in Cote d’Ivoire and carry out their assigned duties diligently.
Ghana’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, commended the government’s intention to purchase the required equipment for peacekeeping, adding that when taken serious, peacekeeping could generate a lot of revenue for the country.
The Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt Nine, Lt. Col. Albert Adu, who briefed the defence minister, said security in the Bouake area had stabilised.
He said although the general election had been slated for November 30, this year, the voters register was not ready.
Lt. Col. Adu said Ghanaian troops had successfully provided security for the region and engaged in constant patrols of the towns and villages as well as escorting electoral materials for the Electoral Commission.
He said the troops also carried out any other duties assigned to them and appealed to the government to speed up moves to re-equip the armed forces.
He said the Ghanbatt Nine lacked important equipment such as riot control equipment, tear gas and rubber bullets.
Lt. Col. Adu said the Force Commander on several occasions had warned that the United Nations (UN) would not take responsibility for any casualty or eventuality should Ghana fail to provide its troops with such logistics.
The Defence Minister earlier called on the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Youn Jin Choi, and the UNOCI Force Commander, Major-General Fernand Amoussou, in Abidjan.
Mr Choi expressed his condolences to the government and Ghanaians for the death of the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
Establish Expert Group in Biotechnology(Inside page) October 6, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Provost of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Ben Ahunu, has called for the establishment of an expert group in biotechnology to examine and come up with a proposal that will ensure food security in the country.
He said the group should comprise leaders from all sectors of agriculture and the food industry.
Prof Ahunu made the call in his inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana last Thursday.
Speaking on the topic, “Genetics and Biotechnology: Relays, synergies, quandaries and ethics in agricultural development”, he said when established, the group should venture beyond the ideas of only technological solutions.
He advised that it should not simply consider the success achieved elsewhere but also listen to other parties, including farmers, consumers and ordinary citizens whose voices did not normally get into the top scientific and business meetings.
He suggested that that leadership think tank should have a clear agenda drawn up to work with and to make proposals to the government.
Prof Ahunu said the agenda should recognise that agro-resources, including indigenous farmers, were a national heritage that should not be left to market forces alone.
He again suggested that the group should make laws that should regulate the activities of near-monopoly companies in the food chain to prevent the unjust exploitation of farmers and developing nations.
Prof Ahunu said it should also lobby the government to create an economic environment that would encourage the use of sustainable methods for high quality sustainable food production for local consumption.
He said it should also provide national legislation for long-term farming development.
Prof Ahunu said there was no single panacea for producing food to feed the world’s hungry population but noted that biotechnology was “one of the many tools in a tool box”.
He called for biotechnology to be developed and used with adequate safety measures in consonance with scales of farming.
He stressed the need for the public to be educated on it to enable them to make informed decisions.
THE Provost of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Ben Ahunu, has called for the establishment of an expert group in biotechnology to examine and come up with a proposal that will ensure food security in the country.
He said the group should comprise leaders from all sectors of agriculture and the food industry.
Prof Ahunu made the call in his inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana last Thursday.
Speaking on the topic, “Genetics and Biotechnology: Relays, synergies, quandaries and ethics in agricultural development”, he said when established, the group should venture beyond the ideas of only technological solutions.
He advised that it should not simply consider the success achieved elsewhere but also listen to other parties, including farmers, consumers and ordinary citizens whose voices did not normally get into the top scientific and business meetings.
He suggested that that leadership think tank should have a clear agenda drawn up to work with and to make proposals to the government.
Prof Ahunu said the agenda should recognise that agro-resources, including indigenous farmers, were a national heritage that should not be left to market forces alone.
He again suggested that the group should make laws that should regulate the activities of near-monopoly companies in the food chain to prevent the unjust exploitation of farmers and developing nations.
Prof Ahunu said it should also lobby the government to create an economic environment that would encourage the use of sustainable methods for high quality sustainable food production for local consumption.
He said it should also provide national legislation for long-term farming development.
Prof Ahunu said there was no single panacea for producing food to feed the world’s hungry population but noted that biotechnology was “one of the many tools in a tool box”.
He called for biotechnology to be developed and used with adequate safety measures in consonance with scales of farming.
He stressed the need for the public to be educated on it to enable them to make informed decisions.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Gushiegu suspects released for lack of evidence(Page 3) September 17, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE six suspects who were arrested in connection with the recent disturbances at Gushiegu in the Northern Region and flown to Accra for screening and prosecution have been released.
They were released after the police had screened them and found no evidence to prosecute them.
The suspects are Mohammed Alidu, 25; Abukari Alidu, 26; Sulemana Alidu, 30; Alhassan Mohammed, 26; Mohammed Imoro, 41, and Alidu Abdulai, 42.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that no witness turned up to testify against them, explaining that according to the laws of the country, a suspect could not be detained for more than 48 hours so they were released.
It urged the public to volunteer useful information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of suspected criminals.
The source said it was only when that was done that crime could be lessened for society to be in peace.
The suspects have consequently returned to their bases in the Northern Region.
The transfer of the suspects to Accra followed an order by the Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during a meeting with the leadership of the major political parties, the security agents, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale.
The minister was in Tamale to ascertain the security situation in the metropolis and Gushiegu and also examine the level of damage to life and property in the troubled areas.
The violence at Gushiegu was a spill-over from an earlier clash between supporters the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kpatinga, near Gushiegu, on August 31, 2008.
The NPP supporters were returning home after erecting a party shed, while their NDC colleagues were also on their way home after attending a rally in the same locality.
The situation degenerated further when the supporters of both parties returned to Gushiegu to narrate the incident to their followers, leading to the mayhem that was visited on the town in the morning of Monday, September 1, 2008.
A number of property were destroyed, while some people sustained various degrees of injury in the ensuing violence.
The two parties have blamed each other for being the aggressor.
THE six suspects who were arrested in connection with the recent disturbances at Gushiegu in the Northern Region and flown to Accra for screening and prosecution have been released.
They were released after the police had screened them and found no evidence to prosecute them.
The suspects are Mohammed Alidu, 25; Abukari Alidu, 26; Sulemana Alidu, 30; Alhassan Mohammed, 26; Mohammed Imoro, 41, and Alidu Abdulai, 42.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that no witness turned up to testify against them, explaining that according to the laws of the country, a suspect could not be detained for more than 48 hours so they were released.
It urged the public to volunteer useful information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of suspected criminals.
The source said it was only when that was done that crime could be lessened for society to be in peace.
The suspects have consequently returned to their bases in the Northern Region.
The transfer of the suspects to Accra followed an order by the Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during a meeting with the leadership of the major political parties, the security agents, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale.
The minister was in Tamale to ascertain the security situation in the metropolis and Gushiegu and also examine the level of damage to life and property in the troubled areas.
The violence at Gushiegu was a spill-over from an earlier clash between supporters the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kpatinga, near Gushiegu, on August 31, 2008.
The NPP supporters were returning home after erecting a party shed, while their NDC colleagues were also on their way home after attending a rally in the same locality.
The situation degenerated further when the supporters of both parties returned to Gushiegu to narrate the incident to their followers, leading to the mayhem that was visited on the town in the morning of Monday, September 1, 2008.
A number of property were destroyed, while some people sustained various degrees of injury in the ensuing violence.
The two parties have blamed each other for being the aggressor.
Government to extend sea defence wall along the coast(Back page) September 19,2008
Story: Michael Donkor,Keta
THE government is to extend the sea defence wall along all the coastal towns in the Volta Region and Ada in the Greater Accra Region.
Consequently, the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces has been tasked to construct culverst in all those identified towns along the coastal areas.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, announced this when he paid a working visit to various coastal towns including Dzita, Keta Akplowotorkor and Atokor, all in the Volta Region, to assess the impact of the damage caused by the tidal waves that occured recently in those areas.
According to Dr Addo-Kufuor, the recent tidal waves experienced around the coastal parts of the country was due to global warming resulting from the activities of industrialised countries saying ti was unfortunate that Ghana had to bear the brunt for the action of others.
The mission of government, he noted, was not to apportion blame but to respond to the needs of those who had been adversely affacted and to provide them with relief items.
As part of efforts to alleviate the plight of those affected and to also to find lasting solutions to the problem, he announced a three-pronged approach which will aim at providing those affected with relief items in the short term, tasking the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces to construct culverts in the towns and the long-term plan of extending the Keta Sea Defence wall to the affected areas.
He presented those affected with food items and other items like plastic bowls, cups, mattresses and others.
Mr. Addo Kufuor however cautioned against the removal of rocks which serve as boulders at the seas defence site saying such practice will not augur well for the protection of lives and properties of people in the area in the likely event of flooding.
"As much as government is willing and will do its best to help you, you must also do your best to ensure that you collaborate with government in ensuring that the project, when it begins, moves on smoothly without any problems", he added.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi recounted that he had earlier visited the area and provided them with relief items and promised that he would return with the Minister of Interior for him to have a first-hand account of the situation.
The coming of the minister to the area, he said, was ample proof of the committment of government to addressing the needs of people with promptness and concern.
He entreated the people to make judicious use of the items they had been given as they work at getting more items to alleviate their plight.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Kofi Ahiabor assured the people of government's readiness to ensure that their houses that were destroyed were re-built adding that the Minister of Interior had instructed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to supply them with roofing sheets for that purpose.
One of the victims of the flooding incident, Madam Mercy Gadabor, a 52-year old trader recounted she had been awakened at night by the ravages of the sea while sleeping with her grandchildren.
In the process, she said, her goods, properties and fish she had stocked for the lean season were destroyed while the books that her children and grandchildren use at school were also destroyed.
It will be recounted that on Wednesday, 2nd September 2008, hundred of homes were flooded and thousands of people were displaced in the Keta Municipality and other parts of the country due to high tidal waves that swept over the coastal areas.
No casualties were recorded apart from some octogenarians who were trapped in their rooms and had to be rescued by the youth of the area and sent to hospital.
The most affected towns are Dzita, Akplowotorkor and Dakordzi, mostly farming communities, where farms have been overrun by water.
The displaced persons, mainly women and children, were awakened by the currents that flooded their rooms while they were still asleep.
Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed while people have abandoned their homes to seek refuge with families and friends in nearby Anloga, Keta and surrounding towns and villages.
The president, John Agyekum Kufuor then directed the release of GH¢7million to be used in providing relief and assistance for those who were affected in those areas.
THE government is to extend the sea defence wall along all the coastal towns in the Volta Region and Ada in the Greater Accra Region.
Consequently, the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces has been tasked to construct culverst in all those identified towns along the coastal areas.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, announced this when he paid a working visit to various coastal towns including Dzita, Keta Akplowotorkor and Atokor, all in the Volta Region, to assess the impact of the damage caused by the tidal waves that occured recently in those areas.
According to Dr Addo-Kufuor, the recent tidal waves experienced around the coastal parts of the country was due to global warming resulting from the activities of industrialised countries saying ti was unfortunate that Ghana had to bear the brunt for the action of others.
The mission of government, he noted, was not to apportion blame but to respond to the needs of those who had been adversely affacted and to provide them with relief items.
As part of efforts to alleviate the plight of those affected and to also to find lasting solutions to the problem, he announced a three-pronged approach which will aim at providing those affected with relief items in the short term, tasking the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces to construct culverts in the towns and the long-term plan of extending the Keta Sea Defence wall to the affected areas.
He presented those affected with food items and other items like plastic bowls, cups, mattresses and others.
Mr. Addo Kufuor however cautioned against the removal of rocks which serve as boulders at the seas defence site saying such practice will not augur well for the protection of lives and properties of people in the area in the likely event of flooding.
"As much as government is willing and will do its best to help you, you must also do your best to ensure that you collaborate with government in ensuring that the project, when it begins, moves on smoothly without any problems", he added.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi recounted that he had earlier visited the area and provided them with relief items and promised that he would return with the Minister of Interior for him to have a first-hand account of the situation.
The coming of the minister to the area, he said, was ample proof of the committment of government to addressing the needs of people with promptness and concern.
He entreated the people to make judicious use of the items they had been given as they work at getting more items to alleviate their plight.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Kofi Ahiabor assured the people of government's readiness to ensure that their houses that were destroyed were re-built adding that the Minister of Interior had instructed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to supply them with roofing sheets for that purpose.
One of the victims of the flooding incident, Madam Mercy Gadabor, a 52-year old trader recounted she had been awakened at night by the ravages of the sea while sleeping with her grandchildren.
In the process, she said, her goods, properties and fish she had stocked for the lean season were destroyed while the books that her children and grandchildren use at school were also destroyed.
It will be recounted that on Wednesday, 2nd September 2008, hundred of homes were flooded and thousands of people were displaced in the Keta Municipality and other parts of the country due to high tidal waves that swept over the coastal areas.
No casualties were recorded apart from some octogenarians who were trapped in their rooms and had to be rescued by the youth of the area and sent to hospital.
The most affected towns are Dzita, Akplowotorkor and Dakordzi, mostly farming communities, where farms have been overrun by water.
The displaced persons, mainly women and children, were awakened by the currents that flooded their rooms while they were still asleep.
Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed while people have abandoned their homes to seek refuge with families and friends in nearby Anloga, Keta and surrounding towns and villages.
The president, John Agyekum Kufuor then directed the release of GH¢7million to be used in providing relief and assistance for those who were affected in those areas.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Gh¢7m for flood victims(front page) September 15, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
President J.A. Kufuor has directed the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢7m towards the mitigation of the impact of the floods on the people of the three northern regions and Keta in the Volta Region.
The President has also appointed the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to assume responsibility for the management of the flood situation in these areas, liaising with the regional ministers, the Volta River Authority (VRA) and relevant Municipal and District Assemblies and development partners.
This was contained in a letter signed on behalf of the President by his Chief Advisor, Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse and issued to the Ministry of Finance, all the regional ministers whose area of jurisdiction were affected by the flood and the relevant authorities.
The letter said a similar flood situation which occurred in 2007 was handled by an Inter-Ministerial Task Force established by the President under the chairmanship of Mrs Chinery-Hesse to co-ordinate the relief efforts on an emergency basis.
It said the task force resolved, as part of its remit, that permanent structures should be put in place as early as possible to obviate the need for ad hoc arrangements, in the event of future floods, especially because of the high probability of recurrence.
The letter said in promoting this with the assistance of development partners, principally the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the capacity of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had been strengthened.
It said lines of communication had also been established for prompt relay and sharing of information, with the institution of a nascent early warning system to minimise the impact of any floods in the northern regions.
Meanwhile, Dr Addo-Kufuor has despatched a three-man delegation to the three northern regions to meet with the regional ministers, Metropolitan/Municipal/District Chief Executives and NADMO officials in the affected districts to report on items required, and to determine the stock levels of relief supplies in the various warehouses of NADMO.
The acting National Co-ordinator of NADMO and some staff members of the Ministry of the Interior have also been tasked to seek clearance from the National Procurement Authority to organise urgent limited tender for the purchase of the items required.
The Ministry of the Interior has also negotiated with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for the release of three articulated trucks to transport the items to the affected areas.
President J.A. Kufuor has directed the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢7m towards the mitigation of the impact of the floods on the people of the three northern regions and Keta in the Volta Region.
The President has also appointed the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to assume responsibility for the management of the flood situation in these areas, liaising with the regional ministers, the Volta River Authority (VRA) and relevant Municipal and District Assemblies and development partners.
This was contained in a letter signed on behalf of the President by his Chief Advisor, Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse and issued to the Ministry of Finance, all the regional ministers whose area of jurisdiction were affected by the flood and the relevant authorities.
The letter said a similar flood situation which occurred in 2007 was handled by an Inter-Ministerial Task Force established by the President under the chairmanship of Mrs Chinery-Hesse to co-ordinate the relief efforts on an emergency basis.
It said the task force resolved, as part of its remit, that permanent structures should be put in place as early as possible to obviate the need for ad hoc arrangements, in the event of future floods, especially because of the high probability of recurrence.
The letter said in promoting this with the assistance of development partners, principally the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the capacity of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had been strengthened.
It said lines of communication had also been established for prompt relay and sharing of information, with the institution of a nascent early warning system to minimise the impact of any floods in the northern regions.
Meanwhile, Dr Addo-Kufuor has despatched a three-man delegation to the three northern regions to meet with the regional ministers, Metropolitan/Municipal/District Chief Executives and NADMO officials in the affected districts to report on items required, and to determine the stock levels of relief supplies in the various warehouses of NADMO.
The acting National Co-ordinator of NADMO and some staff members of the Ministry of the Interior have also been tasked to seek clearance from the National Procurement Authority to organise urgent limited tender for the purchase of the items required.
The Ministry of the Interior has also negotiated with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for the release of three articulated trucks to transport the items to the affected areas.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Expansion works on terminal reservoir ready November(Metro Page 18) September 13, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
EXPANSION work on the Accra Terminal Reservoir of the Ghana Water Company Limited which supplies water to the Accra East Region is expected to be completed in November, this year.
When completed, the station is expected to pump water to these areas constantly and effectively.
This was made known by the Terminal Station Manager, Mr Samuel Yeboah, when he conducted the Executive Members of the Public Utilities and Regulations Commission (PURC) who were on a working visit round the station in Accra.
He said work on the project started in March, last year and it involved the installation of new water pumps and the connection of water distribution lines from the Weija Dam site to the station, which initially only received supply from Kpong.
He said the increase in the capacity of the Weija Plant by 15 million gallons formed part of the expansion project.
Mr Yeboah said the areas which fall under the Accra East Region are Adenta, Madina, Peduase, Airport Residential Area, La, Cantonments, Nima, Mamobi and Achimota.
Mr Yeboah said 90 per cent of the expansion work had been completed, adding that the remaining 10 per cent involving the installation of chamber valves and other equipment to fit the new pumps is expected to be completed in November, this year.
Mr Yeboah explained that initially the station could pump water to Peduase, which is on the Akwapim Ridge but with the rapid development and the increase in population, by 1995, the terminal could only pump water to Adenta.
He said on completion of the project, residents in these areas would enjoy improved water supply.
Mr Yeboah said the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited had also connected power from its sub-stations at Madina and Achimota to the station so it would now have constant power supply to work efficiently.
According to him, with the installation of the new pumps, the electricity consumed by the station would also be reduced drastically.
The Communications Manager of the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited, Mr Stanley Martey, said when the project is completed, eight million gallons of water from the Weija Plant would be received at the station to augment the three million from Kpong daily.
He said that would enable the station to pump water to all the areas under it.
The Chairman of the PURC, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, commended the contractors: Ballast Nedan and Royal Hanskoning for the good work they were doing.
He also commended the Electricity Company of Ghana for providing the station with power from two sources and noted that this would ensure continuous power supply to the station.
EXPANSION work on the Accra Terminal Reservoir of the Ghana Water Company Limited which supplies water to the Accra East Region is expected to be completed in November, this year.
When completed, the station is expected to pump water to these areas constantly and effectively.
This was made known by the Terminal Station Manager, Mr Samuel Yeboah, when he conducted the Executive Members of the Public Utilities and Regulations Commission (PURC) who were on a working visit round the station in Accra.
He said work on the project started in March, last year and it involved the installation of new water pumps and the connection of water distribution lines from the Weija Dam site to the station, which initially only received supply from Kpong.
He said the increase in the capacity of the Weija Plant by 15 million gallons formed part of the expansion project.
Mr Yeboah said the areas which fall under the Accra East Region are Adenta, Madina, Peduase, Airport Residential Area, La, Cantonments, Nima, Mamobi and Achimota.
Mr Yeboah said 90 per cent of the expansion work had been completed, adding that the remaining 10 per cent involving the installation of chamber valves and other equipment to fit the new pumps is expected to be completed in November, this year.
Mr Yeboah explained that initially the station could pump water to Peduase, which is on the Akwapim Ridge but with the rapid development and the increase in population, by 1995, the terminal could only pump water to Adenta.
He said on completion of the project, residents in these areas would enjoy improved water supply.
Mr Yeboah said the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited had also connected power from its sub-stations at Madina and Achimota to the station so it would now have constant power supply to work efficiently.
According to him, with the installation of the new pumps, the electricity consumed by the station would also be reduced drastically.
The Communications Manager of the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited, Mr Stanley Martey, said when the project is completed, eight million gallons of water from the Weija Plant would be received at the station to augment the three million from Kpong daily.
He said that would enable the station to pump water to all the areas under it.
The Chairman of the PURC, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, commended the contractors: Ballast Nedan and Royal Hanskoning for the good work they were doing.
He also commended the Electricity Company of Ghana for providing the station with power from two sources and noted that this would ensure continuous power supply to the station.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Speed Up Trials of Remand Cases(Front Page) September 11, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor, Nsawam
THE Ghana Prisons Service has called for the speedy hearing of cases involving remand prisoners at Nsawam Prisons to ease the congestion there.
The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr Alex Ansong-Agyepong, who made the call, said the Nsawam Prisons, which had the capacity to accommodate 717 inmates, now accommodated 2,926.
He was speaking during a visit by the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to the Nsawam Prisons yesterday.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the rising number of remand prisoners whose cases were either under investigation or awaiting trials was of grave concern to the service.
He said for example that in December 2002 the remand lock-up was 324 but as of now the number had risen to 1,903, representing 64 per cent of the total inmate population.
He said currently four of the eight housing blocks held remand prisoners.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the prisons administration continued to be in contact with other partners in the criminal justice system, especially the police and the Judiciary, with regard to the disposal of these remand cases but their efforts were yet to yield the desired results.
Touching on the reformation and rehabilitation of the inmates, he said a few inmates had made themselves available for a non-formal educational programme introduced at the prisons.
He said the programme, which was in line with the Ghana Education Service guidelines, prepared the inmates for the junior high school and senior high school examinations.
He said Information Communication Technology (ICT) education had also been extended to the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons had embarked on a serious agricultural drive aimed at achieving food sufficiency to supplement government efforts.
He said the agricultural activities included crop farming, vegetable farming and animal rearing.
Dr Addo-Kufuor commended the prisons officers for the their efficiency and humane manner in which the affairs of the inmates had been managed.
He also commended them for maintaining a clean environment and establishing a good rapport with the inmates.
Dr Addo-Kufuor explained that the number of inmates at Nsawam had swelled because of the addition of inmates from James Fort Prisons.
On the efforts of the governments to improve the service, he said the government had ordered for 130 vehicles for the Ghana Prisons Service.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said out of this number 75 had been delivered.
He appealed to all the inmates to comport themselves well and take advantage of the workshops, educational facilities and the ICT centre to equip themselves for life outside prison.
The Ministry of the Interior presented items that included plastic cups, plates and mattresses to the inmates.
THE Ghana Prisons Service has called for the speedy hearing of cases involving remand prisoners at Nsawam Prisons to ease the congestion there.
The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr Alex Ansong-Agyepong, who made the call, said the Nsawam Prisons, which had the capacity to accommodate 717 inmates, now accommodated 2,926.
He was speaking during a visit by the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to the Nsawam Prisons yesterday.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the rising number of remand prisoners whose cases were either under investigation or awaiting trials was of grave concern to the service.
He said for example that in December 2002 the remand lock-up was 324 but as of now the number had risen to 1,903, representing 64 per cent of the total inmate population.
He said currently four of the eight housing blocks held remand prisoners.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the prisons administration continued to be in contact with other partners in the criminal justice system, especially the police and the Judiciary, with regard to the disposal of these remand cases but their efforts were yet to yield the desired results.
Touching on the reformation and rehabilitation of the inmates, he said a few inmates had made themselves available for a non-formal educational programme introduced at the prisons.
He said the programme, which was in line with the Ghana Education Service guidelines, prepared the inmates for the junior high school and senior high school examinations.
He said Information Communication Technology (ICT) education had also been extended to the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons.
Mr Ansong-Agyepong said the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons had embarked on a serious agricultural drive aimed at achieving food sufficiency to supplement government efforts.
He said the agricultural activities included crop farming, vegetable farming and animal rearing.
Dr Addo-Kufuor commended the prisons officers for the their efficiency and humane manner in which the affairs of the inmates had been managed.
He also commended them for maintaining a clean environment and establishing a good rapport with the inmates.
Dr Addo-Kufuor explained that the number of inmates at Nsawam had swelled because of the addition of inmates from James Fort Prisons.
On the efforts of the governments to improve the service, he said the government had ordered for 130 vehicles for the Ghana Prisons Service.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said out of this number 75 had been delivered.
He appealed to all the inmates to comport themselves well and take advantage of the workshops, educational facilities and the ICT centre to equip themselves for life outside prison.
The Ministry of the Interior presented items that included plastic cups, plates and mattresses to the inmates.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sex tourism, a criminal offence(Page 34) September 8, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
A Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, has spoken against sex tourism in the country, saying that it is a criminal offence.
He said any tourist found culpable of that offence would be dealt with according to the law.
Consequently, he has asked the public to report such acts to the police or the ministry for immediate action.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw gave the warning when he launched this year's Tourism Day celebration in Accra.
September 27 of every year has been set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to draw attention to tourism and its role in the socio-economic development of countries.
The theme for this year's celebration is: "Tourism: Responding to challenges of climate change".
This year's celebration would be held in Ho in the Volta Region.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said the government's policy to promote tourism and make it the biggest foreign exchange earner of the country did not mean that the laws governing the sector should be taken for granted.
He said currently, tourism contributed $1.1 billion in foreign exchange earnings to the country.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said it also contributed four per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) and created about 22,000 direct formal employment in the country.
He said it was an undeniable fact that Ghana had emerged as a special African tourist destination, drawing people and visitors to experience not only its fascinating cultural diversity, history and natural endowment but also to understudy or enjoy its peace, stability, good governance and hospitality.
He explained that the theme for this year's celebration centred on climate change because tourism contributed between four to six per cent of total emissions world-wide.
He mentioned carbon dioxide emitted from transportation, especially aviation transport, accommodation, energy plants, catering services, tour operations and others as very critical.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said as part of the preparation towards the celebration, the ministry had outlined a number of programmes aimed at mitigating challenges of climate change at the regional and national levels to commemorate the day.
He said a major national sensitisation seminar on the theme would be held as part of the programme while at the regional level, there would be similar seminars and tree planting exercises.
He said as part of the celebration, there would be a durbar of chiefs in Ho and the launch of a Green School Project.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw explained that the Green School Project was an initiative by the 2008 UNWTO Day Celebration planning committee to encourage schools in member countries to adopt the practice of greening their environments.
He said the initiative would allow participating schools to plant trees around their environments.
He said these would be monitored by inspectors throughout the year and the best school would be given prizes.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said the project would be a one-year pilot programme for schools in the Volta Region and would need sponsors.
He, therefore, called for interested sponsors to contact the ministry in that respect.
A Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, has spoken against sex tourism in the country, saying that it is a criminal offence.
He said any tourist found culpable of that offence would be dealt with according to the law.
Consequently, he has asked the public to report such acts to the police or the ministry for immediate action.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw gave the warning when he launched this year's Tourism Day celebration in Accra.
September 27 of every year has been set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to draw attention to tourism and its role in the socio-economic development of countries.
The theme for this year's celebration is: "Tourism: Responding to challenges of climate change".
This year's celebration would be held in Ho in the Volta Region.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said the government's policy to promote tourism and make it the biggest foreign exchange earner of the country did not mean that the laws governing the sector should be taken for granted.
He said currently, tourism contributed $1.1 billion in foreign exchange earnings to the country.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said it also contributed four per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) and created about 22,000 direct formal employment in the country.
He said it was an undeniable fact that Ghana had emerged as a special African tourist destination, drawing people and visitors to experience not only its fascinating cultural diversity, history and natural endowment but also to understudy or enjoy its peace, stability, good governance and hospitality.
He explained that the theme for this year's celebration centred on climate change because tourism contributed between four to six per cent of total emissions world-wide.
He mentioned carbon dioxide emitted from transportation, especially aviation transport, accommodation, energy plants, catering services, tour operations and others as very critical.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said as part of the preparation towards the celebration, the ministry had outlined a number of programmes aimed at mitigating challenges of climate change at the regional and national levels to commemorate the day.
He said a major national sensitisation seminar on the theme would be held as part of the programme while at the regional level, there would be similar seminars and tree planting exercises.
He said as part of the celebration, there would be a durbar of chiefs in Ho and the launch of a Green School Project.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw explained that the Green School Project was an initiative by the 2008 UNWTO Day Celebration planning committee to encourage schools in member countries to adopt the practice of greening their environments.
He said the initiative would allow participating schools to plant trees around their environments.
He said these would be monitored by inspectors throughout the year and the best school would be given prizes.
Mr Osei-Ameyaw said the project would be a one-year pilot programme for schools in the Volta Region and would need sponsors.
He, therefore, called for interested sponsors to contact the ministry in that respect.
Protect Ghana's territorial integrity(centre spread) September 6, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, yesterday reminded personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of their constitutional duty to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
He said loyalty to the nation, devotion to duty and honourable conduct were the hallmarks of the military.
President Kufuor was speaking at the graduation parade for regular career course intake 48 and short service commission/special duties course 47 at the Military Academy and Training School at Teshie, near Accra. Seventy-nine cadet officers graduated at the ceremony.
President Kufuor urged the military to cherish its mandate as provided by the constitution, adding that it was the surest way to secure the nation and guarantee its peace and stability.
He said top on the agenda for the GAF was capacity building to enable Ghanaian soldiers to hold their own wherever the line of duty took them.
He expressed happiness that the process of enhanced capacity building started from the Military Academy, where the entry requirements were the same as those for the universities.
President Kufuor said in response to global demands, the government had made heavy investment in information communication technology, which had reflected in the curriculum of the academy.
He said being conscious of the needs of the military, the government had signed agreements with companies in China under which $160 million would be made available for re-equipping the entire armed forces and enhance preparation for international peacekeeping operations.
President Kufuor said other provisions for the betterment of operations of the GAF included 12 Mercedes Benz troop carrying vehicles received from Germany and equipment worth 480,000 euros to boost administration, training and operations.
The others, he said, were equipment received from the United States government to strengthen the maritime capabilities of the Ghana Navy, delivery to the Air Force of two more K8 Jet Fighters from China and the commencement of phased replacement of overaged Fokker and Defender aircraft.
President Kufuor said in addition to these developments, construction of a 500-bed Military Hospital Complex would soon begin in Kumasi to facilitate health delivery for the Northern Command and the people of the middle and northern parts of the country.
He said similar improvement efforts were vigorously being made in the area of troop accommodation in all Garrisons, including the training camps at Asutsuare, Shai Hills, Bundase and Daboya.
President Kufuor commended the Armed Forces and other security services for ensuring peace and security in the country.
He said it was through their efforts that the unfortunate ethnic encounters at Yendi, Anloga, Bawku, and now Tamale, had not got out of hand.
President Kufuor reminded the cadet officers of the respect the GAF had earned for themselves both locally and at the international level.
He, therefore, urged the graduates to uphold the principles and traditions to which they had been exposed during their training.
The sword of honour was awarded to Army Officer Cadet Suo Quaye Christopher for being the best all-round cadet for the regular career course 48.
THE President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, yesterday reminded personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of their constitutional duty to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
He said loyalty to the nation, devotion to duty and honourable conduct were the hallmarks of the military.
President Kufuor was speaking at the graduation parade for regular career course intake 48 and short service commission/special duties course 47 at the Military Academy and Training School at Teshie, near Accra. Seventy-nine cadet officers graduated at the ceremony.
President Kufuor urged the military to cherish its mandate as provided by the constitution, adding that it was the surest way to secure the nation and guarantee its peace and stability.
He said top on the agenda for the GAF was capacity building to enable Ghanaian soldiers to hold their own wherever the line of duty took them.
He expressed happiness that the process of enhanced capacity building started from the Military Academy, where the entry requirements were the same as those for the universities.
President Kufuor said in response to global demands, the government had made heavy investment in information communication technology, which had reflected in the curriculum of the academy.
He said being conscious of the needs of the military, the government had signed agreements with companies in China under which $160 million would be made available for re-equipping the entire armed forces and enhance preparation for international peacekeeping operations.
President Kufuor said other provisions for the betterment of operations of the GAF included 12 Mercedes Benz troop carrying vehicles received from Germany and equipment worth 480,000 euros to boost administration, training and operations.
The others, he said, were equipment received from the United States government to strengthen the maritime capabilities of the Ghana Navy, delivery to the Air Force of two more K8 Jet Fighters from China and the commencement of phased replacement of overaged Fokker and Defender aircraft.
President Kufuor said in addition to these developments, construction of a 500-bed Military Hospital Complex would soon begin in Kumasi to facilitate health delivery for the Northern Command and the people of the middle and northern parts of the country.
He said similar improvement efforts were vigorously being made in the area of troop accommodation in all Garrisons, including the training camps at Asutsuare, Shai Hills, Bundase and Daboya.
President Kufuor commended the Armed Forces and other security services for ensuring peace and security in the country.
He said it was through their efforts that the unfortunate ethnic encounters at Yendi, Anloga, Bawku, and now Tamale, had not got out of hand.
President Kufuor reminded the cadet officers of the respect the GAF had earned for themselves both locally and at the international level.
He, therefore, urged the graduates to uphold the principles and traditions to which they had been exposed during their training.
The sword of honour was awarded to Army Officer Cadet Suo Quaye Christopher for being the best all-round cadet for the regular career course 48.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Disturbances at Tamale, Gushiegu, We'll Spare No One (Front Page) September5, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor, Tamale
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour, has ordered that anybody arrested in connection with the weekend’s disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu should be sent to Accra for screening and prosecution.
According to the minister, who gave the order yesterday, all perpetrators behind the recent mayhem would face the full rigours of the law, irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliation.
He also gave the firm assurance that the government would institute thorough investigations into the disturbances, which claimed three lives and left in its wake massive destruction of property.
The minister was speaking in Tamale at a meeting with political party representatives, religious and opinion leaders, which was also attended by Members of Parliament for Tamale South and North, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and Alhaji Abubakari Sumani respectively.
The minister’s delegation included the Ministers of Defence and Information and National Orientation, Albert Kan Dapaah and Asamoah Boateng.
Also included were the National Security Coordinator, Dr Sam Amoo, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Mills Robertson and some Service Commanders.
Dr Addo-Kufuor expressed shock over the incidents, especially following in the heels of the recent voters registration exercise that recorded some violent scenes in the Tamale metropolis.
‘‘Ghana has come a long way in its development process and it is important that the peace and unity of the country is protected,’’ he indicated, adding that, ‘‘instability and conflicts would erode all the gains made’’.
The minister observed that the general impression of massive numbers of firearms in the hands of private persons, to some extent, was responsible for the instability in the Northern Region.
He therefore appealed to the people to assist the security agencies to retrieve the illegal firearms and to cooperate with the regional peace council to ensure sustainable peace in the region and the country in general.
Dr Addo-Kufour, however, gave a firm indication that ‘‘the government would like to assure the nation that it will take the necessary steps to ensure there is respect for law and order, and that the security and general well-being of the Ghanaian people are protected”.
The minister further stated that the government would strive to ensure that the forthcoming general elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.
He affirmed that the sovereign will of the people, regardless of who wins the general elections, would be respected.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed worry that the weekend violence could be ‘‘the beginning of terrible things to come, if the right decisions were not taken’’.
He entreated the people to always resort to modern tools of engagement through dialogue instead of engaging in violent acts at the least provocation.
The minister admonished religious leaders not to relent in their efforts at showing goodwill and offering prayers for sustainable peace, which, he said, the region was in dire need of.
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour, has ordered that anybody arrested in connection with the weekend’s disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu should be sent to Accra for screening and prosecution.
According to the minister, who gave the order yesterday, all perpetrators behind the recent mayhem would face the full rigours of the law, irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliation.
He also gave the firm assurance that the government would institute thorough investigations into the disturbances, which claimed three lives and left in its wake massive destruction of property.
The minister was speaking in Tamale at a meeting with political party representatives, religious and opinion leaders, which was also attended by Members of Parliament for Tamale South and North, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and Alhaji Abubakari Sumani respectively.
The minister’s delegation included the Ministers of Defence and Information and National Orientation, Albert Kan Dapaah and Asamoah Boateng.
Also included were the National Security Coordinator, Dr Sam Amoo, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Mills Robertson and some Service Commanders.
Dr Addo-Kufuor expressed shock over the incidents, especially following in the heels of the recent voters registration exercise that recorded some violent scenes in the Tamale metropolis.
‘‘Ghana has come a long way in its development process and it is important that the peace and unity of the country is protected,’’ he indicated, adding that, ‘‘instability and conflicts would erode all the gains made’’.
The minister observed that the general impression of massive numbers of firearms in the hands of private persons, to some extent, was responsible for the instability in the Northern Region.
He therefore appealed to the people to assist the security agencies to retrieve the illegal firearms and to cooperate with the regional peace council to ensure sustainable peace in the region and the country in general.
Dr Addo-Kufour, however, gave a firm indication that ‘‘the government would like to assure the nation that it will take the necessary steps to ensure there is respect for law and order, and that the security and general well-being of the Ghanaian people are protected”.
The minister further stated that the government would strive to ensure that the forthcoming general elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.
He affirmed that the sovereign will of the people, regardless of who wins the general elections, would be respected.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed worry that the weekend violence could be ‘‘the beginning of terrible things to come, if the right decisions were not taken’’.
He entreated the people to always resort to modern tools of engagement through dialogue instead of engaging in violent acts at the least provocation.
The minister admonished religious leaders not to relent in their efforts at showing goodwill and offering prayers for sustainable peace, which, he said, the region was in dire need of.
The Disturbances at Tamale, Gushiegu, We'll Spare No One (Front Page) September5, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor, Tamale.
THE Minister for the Interior, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufour has given a firm commitment that government would institute thorough investigations into last weekend’s disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu that claimed three lives and left in its wake, massive destruction of property.
According to the minister, all perpetrators behind the recent mayhem that would be found guilty would be made to face the full rigours of the law irrespective of one’s ethnic or political affiliation stressing that, without justice and fairness, the country could not advance in its forward march to prosperity.
He has meanwhile ordered that all those arrested in connection with the disturbances should be sent to Accra for screening and subsequent prosecution.
The minister was speaking during a meeting with political party representatives, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale today. Also present were Members of Parliament for Tamale South and North, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu and Alhaji Abubakari Sumani.
The Minister’s delegation included the Ministers for Defence and Information and National Orientation, Messrs Kan Dapaah and Asamoah Boateng.
Also included were the National Security Coordinator, Dr. Sam Amoo, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Mills Robertson and some Service Commanders.
Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed shock over the incidents especially following in the heels of the recent voters’ registration exercise that recorded some violent scenes in the Tamale metropolis.
‘‘Ghana has come a long way in its development process and it is important that the peace and unity of the country is protected,’’ he indicated, adding that, ‘‘instability and conflicts would erode all the gains made.’’
The Minister observed that the general impression of massive proliferation of firearms in the possession of private persons to
some extend was responsible for the instability in the northern region.
He therefore appealed to the people to assist the security agencies to retrieve the illegal firearms and to cooperate with them including the regional peace council to ensure sustainable peace in the region and the country in general.
Dr. Addo-Kufour however gave a firm indication that, ‘‘the government would like to assure the nation that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that there is respect for law and order, and that the security and general wellbeing of the Ghanaian people are protected.’’
The minister further stated that, the government would strive to ensure that the forthcoming general elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.
He affirmed that the sovereign will of the people regardless of who wins the general elections would be respected.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed worry that the weekend violence could be ‘‘the beginning of terrible things to come if the right decisions were not taken.’’
He entreated the people to always resort to modern tools of engagement through dialogue instead of engaging in violent acts at the least provocation.
The minister admonished religious leaders not to relent in their efforts of goodwill and prayers for sustainable peace which he said the region was in dire need of.
THE Minister for the Interior, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufour has given a firm commitment that government would institute thorough investigations into last weekend’s disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu that claimed three lives and left in its wake, massive destruction of property.
According to the minister, all perpetrators behind the recent mayhem that would be found guilty would be made to face the full rigours of the law irrespective of one’s ethnic or political affiliation stressing that, without justice and fairness, the country could not advance in its forward march to prosperity.
He has meanwhile ordered that all those arrested in connection with the disturbances should be sent to Accra for screening and subsequent prosecution.
The minister was speaking during a meeting with political party representatives, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale today. Also present were Members of Parliament for Tamale South and North, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu and Alhaji Abubakari Sumani.
The Minister’s delegation included the Ministers for Defence and Information and National Orientation, Messrs Kan Dapaah and Asamoah Boateng.
Also included were the National Security Coordinator, Dr. Sam Amoo, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Mills Robertson and some Service Commanders.
Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed shock over the incidents especially following in the heels of the recent voters’ registration exercise that recorded some violent scenes in the Tamale metropolis.
‘‘Ghana has come a long way in its development process and it is important that the peace and unity of the country is protected,’’ he indicated, adding that, ‘‘instability and conflicts would erode all the gains made.’’
The Minister observed that the general impression of massive proliferation of firearms in the possession of private persons to
some extend was responsible for the instability in the northern region.
He therefore appealed to the people to assist the security agencies to retrieve the illegal firearms and to cooperate with them including the regional peace council to ensure sustainable peace in the region and the country in general.
Dr. Addo-Kufour however gave a firm indication that, ‘‘the government would like to assure the nation that it will take the necessary steps to ensure that there is respect for law and order, and that the security and general wellbeing of the Ghanaian people are protected.’’
The minister further stated that, the government would strive to ensure that the forthcoming general elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.
He affirmed that the sovereign will of the people regardless of who wins the general elections would be respected.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed worry that the weekend violence could be ‘‘the beginning of terrible things to come if the right decisions were not taken.’’
He entreated the people to always resort to modern tools of engagement through dialogue instead of engaging in violent acts at the least provocation.
The minister admonished religious leaders not to relent in their efforts of goodwill and prayers for sustainable peace which he said the region was in dire need of.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
IOM, 11 others to collaborate on human trafficking(Back page) September 3, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has signed an agreement with 11 institutions in Ghana to start a project aimed at checking human trafficking and irregular migration in the country.
The institutions are the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Research and Counselling Foundation for African Migrants, Yankah and Associates and the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment.
The rest are the Ministry of the Interior, Attorney-General's Department, International Labour Organisation, United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The project, dubbed "Capacity-building and awareness-raising to combat trafficking in persons and irregular migration from and through Ghana", would focus on the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Northern regions to raise public awareness on the dangers of the practice.
The Chief of Missions of IOM, Mr David Terzi, who stated that the project was being funded by the Danish government, said Ghana had become not only a transit point but a destination for trafficking and irregular migration.
He said the rural-urban migration and the practice of sending out children to stay with relatives were major sources of exploitation hence the need for concerted efforts to reverse the trend.
Mr Terzi said the project would facilitate the creation of a viable and sustainable protection mechanism among law enforcement officials and non-governmental organisations to provide protection and assistance to victims.
He said the project would, therefore, target different groups within the society and encourage traditional authorities to join in efforts to do away with traditional values and systems that encouraged trafficking.
Mr Terzi called on the law enforcement agencies to step up their efforts to investigate traffickers who acted in the guise of tourism firms, visa brokers and employment agencies.
Mr Terzi said the project would also strengthen the existing co-operation between the IOM and the partner agencies to disseminate information throughout the country to enable potential victims to make informed decisions.
He said the IOM was also working at ensuring that governments did their best to improve socio-economic standards in their countries in order to make it more comfortable for citizens to stay home than to migrate.
Mr Terzi said although complete success might be difficult, the project would help Ghana to take a lead in widening the initiative throughout the sub-region.
Madam Marilin Amponsah, who representative the MOWAC, commended the IOM for the initiative and pledged that her outfit would do all it could to stem the tide against human trafficking.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has signed an agreement with 11 institutions in Ghana to start a project aimed at checking human trafficking and irregular migration in the country.
The institutions are the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Research and Counselling Foundation for African Migrants, Yankah and Associates and the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment.
The rest are the Ministry of the Interior, Attorney-General's Department, International Labour Organisation, United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The project, dubbed "Capacity-building and awareness-raising to combat trafficking in persons and irregular migration from and through Ghana", would focus on the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Northern regions to raise public awareness on the dangers of the practice.
The Chief of Missions of IOM, Mr David Terzi, who stated that the project was being funded by the Danish government, said Ghana had become not only a transit point but a destination for trafficking and irregular migration.
He said the rural-urban migration and the practice of sending out children to stay with relatives were major sources of exploitation hence the need for concerted efforts to reverse the trend.
Mr Terzi said the project would facilitate the creation of a viable and sustainable protection mechanism among law enforcement officials and non-governmental organisations to provide protection and assistance to victims.
He said the project would, therefore, target different groups within the society and encourage traditional authorities to join in efforts to do away with traditional values and systems that encouraged trafficking.
Mr Terzi called on the law enforcement agencies to step up their efforts to investigate traffickers who acted in the guise of tourism firms, visa brokers and employment agencies.
Mr Terzi said the project would also strengthen the existing co-operation between the IOM and the partner agencies to disseminate information throughout the country to enable potential victims to make informed decisions.
He said the IOM was also working at ensuring that governments did their best to improve socio-economic standards in their countries in order to make it more comfortable for citizens to stay home than to migrate.
Mr Terzi said although complete success might be difficult, the project would help Ghana to take a lead in widening the initiative throughout the sub-region.
Madam Marilin Amponsah, who representative the MOWAC, commended the IOM for the initiative and pledged that her outfit would do all it could to stem the tide against human trafficking.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Navy Being Equipped(Front Page) August 26, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Chief Director of the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr Emmanuel Mensah Quaye, has explained that government is in the process of equipping the Ghana Navy to police the country’s territorial waters.
Responding to public concerns about the inability of the Ghana Navy to check pair trawling in an interview with the Daily Graphic, he said “Cabinet had agreed to acquire six ships for the Ghana Navy to enable it to patrol the country’s territorial waters”.
Mr Quaye said the difficulty now was because the money could not be raised for the purchase of the ships and it was, therefore, agreed to buy two at a time.
He discounted claims that pair trawling was responsible for the low catch by fishermen in recent times, citing unorthodox methods of fishing, the continued use of wooden vessels and the refusal of fishermen to observe a period as lean season.
Mr Quaye announced plans by the ministry to help modernise fishing methods in the country by assisting local fishermen to develop fibreglass canoes as against the wooden vessels they now used. Consequently, he said, a company from India, Fibroplast, had expressed interest in the building of the fibreglass canoes.
He said this had become necessary because the wooden canoes that the fishermen currently used had effects on the performance of the industry and the environment.
Explaining further the decision of the ministry to allow pair trawling, Mr Quaye said the policy was for experimental purposes.
He said in view of this, three companies were licensed to undertake this experiment, the result of which would be fed into the fisheries policy of the country.
The Chief Director said that the results which came up during the period of experimentation provoked protests from the local fishermen who complained that they were not making any catch, since the sea bed was being swept by those engaged in pair trawling.
Consequently, he said the ministry placed a ban on pair trawling somewhere last year.
He said the three companies that were licensed to undertake the pair trawling then approached the ministry that based on the licence issued to them, they contracted loans from their banks to do that and would be grateful if they could be allowed to redeem it.
Mr Quaye said the ministry then lifted the ban to allow these three licensed companies to wind up by the end of the year.
He debunked the notion that the local fishermen were not harvesting fish and said the real problem was how to get consumers to patronise their catch.
He said the ministry had had complaints from the Association of Fish Dealers that their catches were not being purchased.
Mr Quaye said pair trawling was against the laws of the country but the ministry decided to experiment it and the result fed into the fisheries policy.
He said pair trawling had created a lot of problems for the ministry and that at the end of this year, it would be banned completely.
He said among the problems were the tussle between the local fishermen and those engaged in pair trawling, as well as those engaged in inshore vessel operations who were also accused of using light and dynamites, which was proscribed by the Fisheries Act 265 of 2002.
Mr Quaye said among the reasons why the local fishermen were not making good harvests were the wooden canoes they used and the practice where they fished throughout the year.
He said in Europe there was a lean season during which they allowed the fishes in the sea to grow and called for days in Ghana when fishing would not be allowed.
Following the complaints of unorthodox fishing methods, Mr Quaye said the ministry had tasked the fishermen to monitor and report any trawler they found engaged in illegal activities but no such official report had been made.
Mr Quaye further pointed out that it was not only foreign companies that engaged in pair trawling but local ones as well.
He said among the effects were that the fishermen depleted the forest when they logged woods for the building of their canoes.
Mr Quaye said the canoes used by the fishermen had engines that were not strong enough to propel them far.
He said the ministry had arranged with the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to support the new drive.
THE Chief Director of the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr Emmanuel Mensah Quaye, has explained that government is in the process of equipping the Ghana Navy to police the country’s territorial waters.
Responding to public concerns about the inability of the Ghana Navy to check pair trawling in an interview with the Daily Graphic, he said “Cabinet had agreed to acquire six ships for the Ghana Navy to enable it to patrol the country’s territorial waters”.
Mr Quaye said the difficulty now was because the money could not be raised for the purchase of the ships and it was, therefore, agreed to buy two at a time.
He discounted claims that pair trawling was responsible for the low catch by fishermen in recent times, citing unorthodox methods of fishing, the continued use of wooden vessels and the refusal of fishermen to observe a period as lean season.
Mr Quaye announced plans by the ministry to help modernise fishing methods in the country by assisting local fishermen to develop fibreglass canoes as against the wooden vessels they now used. Consequently, he said, a company from India, Fibroplast, had expressed interest in the building of the fibreglass canoes.
He said this had become necessary because the wooden canoes that the fishermen currently used had effects on the performance of the industry and the environment.
Explaining further the decision of the ministry to allow pair trawling, Mr Quaye said the policy was for experimental purposes.
He said in view of this, three companies were licensed to undertake this experiment, the result of which would be fed into the fisheries policy of the country.
The Chief Director said that the results which came up during the period of experimentation provoked protests from the local fishermen who complained that they were not making any catch, since the sea bed was being swept by those engaged in pair trawling.
Consequently, he said the ministry placed a ban on pair trawling somewhere last year.
He said the three companies that were licensed to undertake the pair trawling then approached the ministry that based on the licence issued to them, they contracted loans from their banks to do that and would be grateful if they could be allowed to redeem it.
Mr Quaye said the ministry then lifted the ban to allow these three licensed companies to wind up by the end of the year.
He debunked the notion that the local fishermen were not harvesting fish and said the real problem was how to get consumers to patronise their catch.
He said the ministry had had complaints from the Association of Fish Dealers that their catches were not being purchased.
Mr Quaye said pair trawling was against the laws of the country but the ministry decided to experiment it and the result fed into the fisheries policy.
He said pair trawling had created a lot of problems for the ministry and that at the end of this year, it would be banned completely.
He said among the problems were the tussle between the local fishermen and those engaged in pair trawling, as well as those engaged in inshore vessel operations who were also accused of using light and dynamites, which was proscribed by the Fisheries Act 265 of 2002.
Mr Quaye said among the reasons why the local fishermen were not making good harvests were the wooden canoes they used and the practice where they fished throughout the year.
He said in Europe there was a lean season during which they allowed the fishes in the sea to grow and called for days in Ghana when fishing would not be allowed.
Following the complaints of unorthodox fishing methods, Mr Quaye said the ministry had tasked the fishermen to monitor and report any trawler they found engaged in illegal activities but no such official report had been made.
Mr Quaye further pointed out that it was not only foreign companies that engaged in pair trawling but local ones as well.
He said among the effects were that the fishermen depleted the forest when they logged woods for the building of their canoes.
Mr Quaye said the canoes used by the fishermen had engines that were not strong enough to propel them far.
He said the ministry had arranged with the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to support the new drive.
Practise of Pair Trawling, Navy Cann't Cope. Says Chief of Naval Staff, (Agust 25, 2008) Front Page
Story:Michael Donkor
THE Ghana Navy has confirmed the involvement of large foreign vessels in the practice of pair trawling in the county’s territorial waters, but says it can do little to arrest the situation.
Reacting to allegations that pair trawling by foreign vessels had thrown Ghanaian fishermen out of job, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Arthur Riby Sampa Nuno, said two things accounted for the inability of the Navy to check the situation — the blessing from the Ministry of Fisheries for the practice and the lack of the appropriate vessels to ward off the perpetrators of the practice.
The naval chief said a letter dated October 17, 2007, which the navy received from the Ministry of Fisheries, stated that the ban on pair trawling had been lifted for some licensed fishing companies to engage in it.
He said the Ghana Navy worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and that since the former had written to them on the lifting of the ban, all they could do was to allow those foreign vessels to continue with their pair trawling.
However, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr Emmanuel Mensah Quaye, confirmed the letter but explained that it was to allow only three companies which had been licensed to experiment with pair trawling for a limited period after which their licences would be withdrawn. He promised that the licences would be withdrawn by the end of this year.
On the second reason, Rear Admiral Nuno said those involved in the practice were using more superior vessels than those being used by the Navy
He said the Naval personnel usually encountered the fishing vessels on the high seas but the superior vessels used for the pair trawling sped off leaving the naval ships behind.
He said the ships of the Ghana Navy were very old, with some having been in use for more than 60 years.
He mentioned some of the old naval ships as GNS Anzone and GNS Bonsu.
Rear Admiral Nuno explained that some of the ships were not functioning well because there were no parts to replace the old ones.
He said Ghana had one of the best and highly professional naval personnel, who were ready to work and defend the country even at their peril but lacked the resources to effectively carry out their mandate.
He said the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) of the Ghana Navy was also not functioning because the license to operate it had expired.
Rear Admiral Nuno said the much publicised money to be released by the government to acquire logistics for the Navy to enable it to function to its fullest had not been received yet.
Rear Admiral Nuno said despite these challenges faced by the Navy, there was hope for the future, since discussions were underway for the Navy to acquire new ships.
He said a delegation from North Korea was in the country holding talks with the Ghana Navy to build new ships for the service.
He expressed the hope that with the oil find, the Ghana Navy would be adequately resourced to perform effectively.
Earlier in an interview with the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, he said the government had secured a deal with the United States of America for them to assist the Ghana Navy.
He said consequently, the USA had promised to give the Ghana Navy five speed boats.
He said out of the five, the USA had shown strong commitment to bringing three of the boats any time soon.
He said this would be followed by a joint military training between the Ghana Navy and the US Marines on how to use them.
THE Ghana Navy has confirmed the involvement of large foreign vessels in the practice of pair trawling in the county’s territorial waters, but says it can do little to arrest the situation.
Reacting to allegations that pair trawling by foreign vessels had thrown Ghanaian fishermen out of job, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Arthur Riby Sampa Nuno, said two things accounted for the inability of the Navy to check the situation — the blessing from the Ministry of Fisheries for the practice and the lack of the appropriate vessels to ward off the perpetrators of the practice.
The naval chief said a letter dated October 17, 2007, which the navy received from the Ministry of Fisheries, stated that the ban on pair trawling had been lifted for some licensed fishing companies to engage in it.
He said the Ghana Navy worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and that since the former had written to them on the lifting of the ban, all they could do was to allow those foreign vessels to continue with their pair trawling.
However, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr Emmanuel Mensah Quaye, confirmed the letter but explained that it was to allow only three companies which had been licensed to experiment with pair trawling for a limited period after which their licences would be withdrawn. He promised that the licences would be withdrawn by the end of this year.
On the second reason, Rear Admiral Nuno said those involved in the practice were using more superior vessels than those being used by the Navy
He said the Naval personnel usually encountered the fishing vessels on the high seas but the superior vessels used for the pair trawling sped off leaving the naval ships behind.
He said the ships of the Ghana Navy were very old, with some having been in use for more than 60 years.
He mentioned some of the old naval ships as GNS Anzone and GNS Bonsu.
Rear Admiral Nuno explained that some of the ships were not functioning well because there were no parts to replace the old ones.
He said Ghana had one of the best and highly professional naval personnel, who were ready to work and defend the country even at their peril but lacked the resources to effectively carry out their mandate.
He said the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) of the Ghana Navy was also not functioning because the license to operate it had expired.
Rear Admiral Nuno said the much publicised money to be released by the government to acquire logistics for the Navy to enable it to function to its fullest had not been received yet.
Rear Admiral Nuno said despite these challenges faced by the Navy, there was hope for the future, since discussions were underway for the Navy to acquire new ships.
He said a delegation from North Korea was in the country holding talks with the Ghana Navy to build new ships for the service.
He expressed the hope that with the oil find, the Ghana Navy would be adequately resourced to perform effectively.
Earlier in an interview with the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. J.B. Danquah, he said the government had secured a deal with the United States of America for them to assist the Ghana Navy.
He said consequently, the USA had promised to give the Ghana Navy five speed boats.
He said out of the five, the USA had shown strong commitment to bringing three of the boats any time soon.
He said this would be followed by a joint military training between the Ghana Navy and the US Marines on how to use them.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ministry to probe Security Companies(Front Page) August 18, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Ministry of the Interior has instituted investigations into allegations that some security organisations are training their guards with weapons, contrary to regulations guiding the industry.
Consequently, the General Secretary of the Union of Private Security Employees of Ghana (UPSEG), Nana Kofi Adu II, is to be invited to assist the ministry fish out these companies.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, who made this known in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, said it was an offence to train private security personnel with weapons.
He said after the investigations, companies found to be culpable of the offence would be dealt with, according to the law.
He, however, appealed to anybody with information about private security companies that operated contrary to the laws to report his ministry or the police.
Nana Adu II last Monday alleged at a news conference in Accra that some private security organisations were training their guards with weapons, contrary to regulations guiding the industry.
He said if the situation was not checked, it could destabilise the peace and security of the nation, particularly during the December elections.
He said some of these security companies were also training their personnel at unknown areas, making it difficult for them to be monitored and checked.
“We are convinced that not all these companies can easily be located or their mode of operations clearly known by the police and the Ministry of the Interior. We also suspect that some of them could be armed, which to us, is illegal and dangerous for the security of the state,” Nana Adu added.
In another development, a security expert, Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Enning, has called for a revision of the law regulating the operation of private security organisations in the country to inject sanity into their operations, reports Kofi Yeboah.
He said the existing legal frameworks regulating the industry, such as the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), and LI 1671, which was revised in 1994, were weak and needed to be reinforced.
Dr Enning, who made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic, observed that some of the private security companies, for instance, used sirens on their vehicles and dressed in a manner akin to the police, contrary to the law.
He said although the law prohibited private security operatives from using guns, a private security worker who owned a gun and had registered it could take the weapon to work without offending the law.
Dr Enning, who is the Head of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, therefore, stressed the need to revise the law to permit the use of guns by security companies in a manner that was well regulated.
He said following the government’s efforts to restructure private security operations in 2002, it was found out that, out of about 320 companies currently operating in the country, about two-thirds of them were not registered by the Ministry of the Interior.
On the allegation that the establishment of private security companies by some politicians could be used for political purposes, Dr Enning described the allegation as “disingenuous”, adding that “we should de-politicise the issue”.
He said people were interested in security not because they wanted to use it for political purposes, but because they were interested in safeguarding their own safety.
Recently, the Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, declared the ministry’s resolve to assert its authority over the private security industry.
He announced various measures, including registration of the companies and tracking down those operating without identifiable addresses and outside regulations guiding the industry, to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, Nana Boahen said “the response has been very great”, with many of the companies updating their records and renewing their licences.
He said many of them had also been sending their monthly returns to the ministry, expressing the hope that the situation would further improve.
THE Ministry of the Interior has instituted investigations into allegations that some security organisations are training their guards with weapons, contrary to regulations guiding the industry.
Consequently, the General Secretary of the Union of Private Security Employees of Ghana (UPSEG), Nana Kofi Adu II, is to be invited to assist the ministry fish out these companies.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, who made this known in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, said it was an offence to train private security personnel with weapons.
He said after the investigations, companies found to be culpable of the offence would be dealt with, according to the law.
He, however, appealed to anybody with information about private security companies that operated contrary to the laws to report his ministry or the police.
Nana Adu II last Monday alleged at a news conference in Accra that some private security organisations were training their guards with weapons, contrary to regulations guiding the industry.
He said if the situation was not checked, it could destabilise the peace and security of the nation, particularly during the December elections.
He said some of these security companies were also training their personnel at unknown areas, making it difficult for them to be monitored and checked.
“We are convinced that not all these companies can easily be located or their mode of operations clearly known by the police and the Ministry of the Interior. We also suspect that some of them could be armed, which to us, is illegal and dangerous for the security of the state,” Nana Adu added.
In another development, a security expert, Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Enning, has called for a revision of the law regulating the operation of private security organisations in the country to inject sanity into their operations, reports Kofi Yeboah.
He said the existing legal frameworks regulating the industry, such as the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), and LI 1671, which was revised in 1994, were weak and needed to be reinforced.
Dr Enning, who made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic, observed that some of the private security companies, for instance, used sirens on their vehicles and dressed in a manner akin to the police, contrary to the law.
He said although the law prohibited private security operatives from using guns, a private security worker who owned a gun and had registered it could take the weapon to work without offending the law.
Dr Enning, who is the Head of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, therefore, stressed the need to revise the law to permit the use of guns by security companies in a manner that was well regulated.
He said following the government’s efforts to restructure private security operations in 2002, it was found out that, out of about 320 companies currently operating in the country, about two-thirds of them were not registered by the Ministry of the Interior.
On the allegation that the establishment of private security companies by some politicians could be used for political purposes, Dr Enning described the allegation as “disingenuous”, adding that “we should de-politicise the issue”.
He said people were interested in security not because they wanted to use it for political purposes, but because they were interested in safeguarding their own safety.
Recently, the Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, declared the ministry’s resolve to assert its authority over the private security industry.
He announced various measures, including registration of the companies and tracking down those operating without identifiable addresses and outside regulations guiding the industry, to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, Nana Boahen said “the response has been very great”, with many of the companies updating their records and renewing their licences.
He said many of them had also been sending their monthly returns to the ministry, expressing the hope that the situation would further improve.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Police must remain neutral — TEIN (Political page) August 14, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Greater Accra Regional branch of the Tertiary Education Institution (TEIN) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the police to remain neutral and exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties during the December elections.
The President of the Greater Accra branch of TEIN of the NDC, Mr Fred Agbenyo, who made the call at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, reminded the police of the oath they took to defend the country and added that Ghana was bigger than any political party.
He said information reaching them indicated that some police personnel had shirked their responsibility to ensure law and order and were aiding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to disenfranchise some Ghanaians.
Mr Agbenyo also questioned the credibility and procedure for selecting registration officers by the Electoral Commission and said most of them were NPP faithful.
He said for instance at Legon, the second vice president of TESCON, one Mr Gyasi, was the registration officer there.
He said this undermined the credibility and political neutrality of the Electoral Commission
He said there had not been any reported case of shortage in the Ashanti Region but there had been widespread shortage in the Volta and the northern regions.
Mr Agbenyo said the EC claimed they were adequately resourced and lacked nothing and questioned why they could provide only 2,500 workstations, out of which Greater Accra, which was the most-densely populated, was given only 79.
He said despite Greater Accra having the highest population, the EC initially gave the region 166,000 registration forms whilst, Ashanti was given 164,000 forms.
THE Greater Accra Regional branch of the Tertiary Education Institution (TEIN) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the police to remain neutral and exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties during the December elections.
The President of the Greater Accra branch of TEIN of the NDC, Mr Fred Agbenyo, who made the call at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, reminded the police of the oath they took to defend the country and added that Ghana was bigger than any political party.
He said information reaching them indicated that some police personnel had shirked their responsibility to ensure law and order and were aiding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to disenfranchise some Ghanaians.
Mr Agbenyo also questioned the credibility and procedure for selecting registration officers by the Electoral Commission and said most of them were NPP faithful.
He said for instance at Legon, the second vice president of TESCON, one Mr Gyasi, was the registration officer there.
He said this undermined the credibility and political neutrality of the Electoral Commission
He said there had not been any reported case of shortage in the Ashanti Region but there had been widespread shortage in the Volta and the northern regions.
Mr Agbenyo said the EC claimed they were adequately resourced and lacked nothing and questioned why they could provide only 2,500 workstations, out of which Greater Accra, which was the most-densely populated, was given only 79.
He said despite Greater Accra having the highest population, the EC initially gave the region 166,000 registration forms whilst, Ashanti was given 164,000 forms.
Provide more metres for counpound houses - GJA President(Centre Spread) August 15, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to prevail on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide more meters for compound houses to benefit from the government’s intervention.
He said the government’s intention to reduce the burden on consumers in the lower bracket of society motivated it to introduce the lifeline rate, but unfortunately this intervention was not helping the low income earner because they lived in compound houses where sometimes about 10 households used a single meter.
Mr Tetteh made the call when he inaugurated a 10-member PURC’s press corps in Accra yesterday.
The inauguration of the press corps was made possible with the support of the PURC.
The move by the PURC was aimed at assisting journalists who had interest in reporting on utility in the country to discharge their duties effectively.
Mr Tetteh said in the situation where the more you consume the more you pay, households that the lifeline intervention were supposed to benefit were rather losing.
He said to achieve the intended reason for the intervention, the PURC should encourage the ECG to provide more meters for compound houses.
Mr Tetteh commended the PURC’s efforts at enhancing its relationship with the media and urged other institutions to emulate the good example.
He said as media personnel, every opportunity to receive and disseminate information should not be ignored.
He said water and electricity were key drivers of development and progress in any society and encouraged members of the corps to expose challenges and possible inefficiencies in the sector with the view to improving services to the public.
Mr Tetteh urged the commission to do everything within its mandate to ensure that members of the press corps were well equipped to carry out their task of facilitating information flow to the consumer.
He advised the members of the corps not to speculate but clarify as well as verify issues before they report.
He said this was because issues regarding utility provision and regulation were very sensitive and should be dealt with with circumspection and fact.
Mr Tetteh appealed to the members to desist from sensationalism in educating Ghanaians on the critical role of the PURC and be guided by the concerns of journalism, which he said included accuracy, fairness and balance.
He noted that they could only be accurate when they sought clarification to the information that was made available to them by consumers bearing in mind that to every coin there were two sides.
Mr Tetteh expressed the hope that should the corps do their work according to the ethics and standards of their calling, issues concerning the sector could not be swept under the carpet.
The Chairman of the PURC, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, said the formation of the press corps had been on the agenda of the commission for many years.
He said the press corps was expected to team up with the public affairs directorate of the PURC to educate the public, as well as help the commission to improve it relationship with the consumer by way of making their concerns public.
Prof. Boateng stated that the press corps was not only to cover the mistakes of the commission but to uncover it as well.
The Executive Secretary of the PURC, Mr Stephen Adu, expressed the hope that the public would be better educated with the collaboration the commission had formed with the media.
THE President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to prevail on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide more meters for compound houses to benefit from the government’s intervention.
He said the government’s intention to reduce the burden on consumers in the lower bracket of society motivated it to introduce the lifeline rate, but unfortunately this intervention was not helping the low income earner because they lived in compound houses where sometimes about 10 households used a single meter.
Mr Tetteh made the call when he inaugurated a 10-member PURC’s press corps in Accra yesterday.
The inauguration of the press corps was made possible with the support of the PURC.
The move by the PURC was aimed at assisting journalists who had interest in reporting on utility in the country to discharge their duties effectively.
Mr Tetteh said in the situation where the more you consume the more you pay, households that the lifeline intervention were supposed to benefit were rather losing.
He said to achieve the intended reason for the intervention, the PURC should encourage the ECG to provide more meters for compound houses.
Mr Tetteh commended the PURC’s efforts at enhancing its relationship with the media and urged other institutions to emulate the good example.
He said as media personnel, every opportunity to receive and disseminate information should not be ignored.
He said water and electricity were key drivers of development and progress in any society and encouraged members of the corps to expose challenges and possible inefficiencies in the sector with the view to improving services to the public.
Mr Tetteh urged the commission to do everything within its mandate to ensure that members of the press corps were well equipped to carry out their task of facilitating information flow to the consumer.
He advised the members of the corps not to speculate but clarify as well as verify issues before they report.
He said this was because issues regarding utility provision and regulation were very sensitive and should be dealt with with circumspection and fact.
Mr Tetteh appealed to the members to desist from sensationalism in educating Ghanaians on the critical role of the PURC and be guided by the concerns of journalism, which he said included accuracy, fairness and balance.
He noted that they could only be accurate when they sought clarification to the information that was made available to them by consumers bearing in mind that to every coin there were two sides.
Mr Tetteh expressed the hope that should the corps do their work according to the ethics and standards of their calling, issues concerning the sector could not be swept under the carpet.
The Chairman of the PURC, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, said the formation of the press corps had been on the agenda of the commission for many years.
He said the press corps was expected to team up with the public affairs directorate of the PURC to educate the public, as well as help the commission to improve it relationship with the consumer by way of making their concerns public.
Prof. Boateng stated that the press corps was not only to cover the mistakes of the commission but to uncover it as well.
The Executive Secretary of the PURC, Mr Stephen Adu, expressed the hope that the public would be better educated with the collaboration the commission had formed with the media.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Long, winding queues at some registration centres(Page 17) 12 August 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE two days extension granted by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the voter registration exercise has done nothing about the long and winding queues at some registration centres in Accra.
The Daily Graphic, during a visit to five centres in Accra yesterday observed longer queues at the Kingsby Roundabout at New Achimota, Burma Camp, La Cathedral near the Olympia Cinema, Teshie and Adabraka.
Some of the centres had limited registration materials resulting in a very slow pace of the exercise.
Most of the prospective voters who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they had come to the centres as early as 4.30 am to avoid long queues but ended up in that situation as some people already there had secured places for their friends and relatives who came to cross the queue.
They complained that the queue continued to grow longer and longer because the registration exercise was very slow with the registration officers intermittently breaking to sort out issues on registration materials.
Despite the queues, the anxious voters maintained their cool at the centres and waited patiently in the scorching sun for their turn.
The registration officials who would not allow themselves to be distracted by the occasional misunderstandings of the prospective voters worked assiduously to get them registered.
They expressed satisfaction on how the exercise was moving but said much as they tried to register the people the number kept swelling.
They said occasionally there were some minors who had attempted to register but were turn away after explaining the consequences to them.
The prospective voters said if the queue should continue to move at such a slow pace then the extension period by the EC would not be enough for all the people to be registered before the closing date.
THE two days extension granted by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the voter registration exercise has done nothing about the long and winding queues at some registration centres in Accra.
The Daily Graphic, during a visit to five centres in Accra yesterday observed longer queues at the Kingsby Roundabout at New Achimota, Burma Camp, La Cathedral near the Olympia Cinema, Teshie and Adabraka.
Some of the centres had limited registration materials resulting in a very slow pace of the exercise.
Most of the prospective voters who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they had come to the centres as early as 4.30 am to avoid long queues but ended up in that situation as some people already there had secured places for their friends and relatives who came to cross the queue.
They complained that the queue continued to grow longer and longer because the registration exercise was very slow with the registration officers intermittently breaking to sort out issues on registration materials.
Despite the queues, the anxious voters maintained their cool at the centres and waited patiently in the scorching sun for their turn.
The registration officials who would not allow themselves to be distracted by the occasional misunderstandings of the prospective voters worked assiduously to get them registered.
They expressed satisfaction on how the exercise was moving but said much as they tried to register the people the number kept swelling.
They said occasionally there were some minors who had attempted to register but were turn away after explaining the consequences to them.
The prospective voters said if the queue should continue to move at such a slow pace then the extension period by the EC would not be enough for all the people to be registered before the closing date.
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