Story: Michael Donkor
GHANA Interbank Payment Settlement System (GHIPSS) will next month start a test run on the newly introduced e-zwich smart card for banks in the country.
Consequently, Merchant Bank, in association with GHIPSS, has begun an educational programme on the acquisition and usage of the card for its customers in Accra.
The e-zwich smart card, like any other smart card, is embedded with a chip to store particulars of a user and his fingerprints for financial transactions.
The user electronically loads all his cash flow on it and uses it at points where the card is accepted.
The Head of Projects and Business Development of GHIPSS, Mr Archie Hessey, disclosed this in an interview after a seminar organised by the Merchant Bank Ghana Limited for its customers on the e-zwich smart card in Accra on Tuesday.
The seminar was to provide customers of the bank with general knowledge on how the smart card is used.
The Co-ordinator of the Merchant Bank e-zwich smart card, Mr Slyvester Apedoe, said when operational, the smart card would provide a platform that would allow both account and non-account holders to transact business with the bank.
He said the e-zwich smart card allowed for all financial institutions to transact business among them without carrying hard cash from one point to the other.
He said it would also provide secure identification of customers for transaction processing, reduce fraud and secure cash movement and payment.
He said GHIPSS was putting in place the necessary infrastructure to connect all banks in the country to it.
Mr Apedoe explained that one would have to contact the banks to be issued with an e-zwich smart card.
He said it did not matter whether one operated an account with the bank or not to be issued with the smart card.
He said the bank would also have point of sale terminals with their customers running shops and other businesses.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Bush comes, Accra reacts(page 53) February 25, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
A cross-section of Ghanaians interviewed in Accra appeared divided over whether the $17-million package announced by the United States President, George W. Bush, to fight malaria in the country could achieve the needed results.
While some people believed that the amount could fund programmes to reduce the incidence of malaria, others said it could not fight the disease as expected since a larger part of the money would be misapplied by corrupt public officials.
They have, therefore, called for the establishment of an independent body to enforce the judicious use of the package to the benefit of all Ghanaians.
In a random interview to sample the views of a cross-section of Ghanaians in Accra on the aftermath of President Bush’s visit and his package for Ghana, those who saw his visit as a good gesture said malaria had been one of the major killer diseases in Ghana and as such the package given to the country was not only timely but also a support in the right direction.
They appealed to those who would be entrusted with the money to use it judiciously for the benefit of affected persons.
They also argued that the visit had further strengthened the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Yaw Sakyi, a mobile phone dealer at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said malaria, which is no respector of persons, whether old or young, had had people spend their meagre salaries in fighting it and that the package given to Ghana was laudable.
He said although the government had made efforts to fight malaria, the package was a big boost, which deserved commendation.
Mr Sakyi said the visit of Bush, whose entourage included some businessmen, was also a sign that very soon American businesses would open more branches in Ghana while more Ghanaian goods would find their way into the American market to earn foreign exchange for the country.
Mr Kwasi Adu Afriyie, a businessman in the Import and Export sector, said the package demonstrated the confidence the USA had in Ghana in terms of good governance and democracy.
He said now that America had openly declared its support for Ghana, there was the need for the country to tap expertise from America to make great strides in the path that it was charting.
Mr Afriyie said President Bush’s to visit and his support for the fight against malaria and HIV/AIDS was a good idea from a leader of his calibre.
He said a third world country like Ghana certainly needed to partner developed countries like the United States of America so that it could also develop.
He said it was in view of this that he saw President Bush’s visit to Ghana as positive towards the development of the country.
He said the cream of American investors and businessmen in the entourage of President Bush meant that there was room for the progress of the nation.
Mr George Ntumi, an entrepreneur, said he was happy to hear the package announced by President Bush for Ghanaians and said it showed that the efforts of President Kufuor in fighting malaria had been recognised as a step towards the fight against major killer diseases in the country.
He said the businessmen in the encourage of President Bush to Ghana to explore business opportunities here further demonstrated their confidence in the leadership style of Ghana.
He said in business one needed more partners from all countries, especially the developed ones, to trade with.
He said as a businessman, he was glad because it would benefit his business.
Mr Ntumi said Ghana was now the shining star of Africa and that this was evident in the visit of President Bush and his support for the country.
He said although President Bush’s term of office was coming to an end, his visit was very significant to international politics.
He recalled President Kufuor’s outstanding performance as the Chairman of the African Union and the Chairman of ECOWAS as well, and his sterling qualities as the President of Ghana, stressing that even though there were some lapses in his administration, President Kufuor had won the admiration of many world leaders.
Ms Adwoa Antwi, who is also an entrepreneur, said the visit of President Bush to Ghana was beneficial because it had once again put Ghana on the world map a developing country and an oasis of peace.
She said countries cemented friendships for many reasons and that although America might have some economic interest, it was good for the country.
Dr Sarfo Akenten, a political analyst, said President Bush’s visit to Ghana was inconsequential to the development of the nation.
He said the package and other promises of helping fight neglected tropical diseases were all attempts to make further strides into the economies of Africans.
He said the rate at which China and Dubai were dominating the African markets posed a threat to the Americans, hence such visits and packages were important.
Mr Akenten said while China was giving grants to Africa and producing relatively cheaper but quality goods, America was lending to Africa with stringent conditions and economic ties.
He said since the discovery of oil in the country, America’s interest in Ghana had increased tremendously.
He recalled the number of United States Generals that had visited the country in recent times, all in the name of grabbing the oil in Africa and Ghana in particular.
He said the assertion by President Bush that the US was not going to set up a military base in Ghana was due to the public resentment that first greeted the news.
Mr Akenten said President Bush’s visit would have been unpopular should he have gone ahead to confirm that America had the interest of setting up a base in Ghana.
Mr Alex Bampoe, a businessman, said the package announced by President Bush would not benefit Ghanaians in the fight against malaria because it would end up in the pockets of some few elite as the situation had always been.
He, therefore, suggested that an independent body be set up to monitor the disbursement and use of the money, to ensure its benefit to Ghanaians.
Bannerman Villas, also a businessman, said President Bush’s visit was significant because of his efforts at helping Africa address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and especially the announcement of $17 million to fight malaria in Ghana.
Alidu Dramani, an artist at Kaneshie, said the poor were not going to gain anything from Bush's visit.
He said the money to be donated by the US government to fight malaria would benefit only the bureaucrats and those who were in power, with only a small percentage to reach the target group.
Janet Akuoko, an educationist, said the responsibility to make real changes in the lives of Africans rested on the shoulders of African countries, their people and their leaders and not President Bush, so she did not see any benefit coming from his visit.
She said no matter who visited Africa, if the Africans themselves did not take the bull by the horn and get down to something serious, their predicament would be the same.
Emmanuel Tetteh, an evangelist, said President Bush's visit to Ghana would not help the people of Ghana in any way.
According to him, the visits were meant to make President Bush and his hosts look good.
Seth Frimpong, an energy expert, said what Africa needed was a fair trade with the rest of the world, forgiveness of Third World debt, and corrupt-free leaders who would work to improve the lives of the masses.
Until then, visits by any American President would be insignificant.
A cross-section of Ghanaians interviewed in Accra appeared divided over whether the $17-million package announced by the United States President, George W. Bush, to fight malaria in the country could achieve the needed results.
While some people believed that the amount could fund programmes to reduce the incidence of malaria, others said it could not fight the disease as expected since a larger part of the money would be misapplied by corrupt public officials.
They have, therefore, called for the establishment of an independent body to enforce the judicious use of the package to the benefit of all Ghanaians.
In a random interview to sample the views of a cross-section of Ghanaians in Accra on the aftermath of President Bush’s visit and his package for Ghana, those who saw his visit as a good gesture said malaria had been one of the major killer diseases in Ghana and as such the package given to the country was not only timely but also a support in the right direction.
They appealed to those who would be entrusted with the money to use it judiciously for the benefit of affected persons.
They also argued that the visit had further strengthened the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Yaw Sakyi, a mobile phone dealer at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said malaria, which is no respector of persons, whether old or young, had had people spend their meagre salaries in fighting it and that the package given to Ghana was laudable.
He said although the government had made efforts to fight malaria, the package was a big boost, which deserved commendation.
Mr Sakyi said the visit of Bush, whose entourage included some businessmen, was also a sign that very soon American businesses would open more branches in Ghana while more Ghanaian goods would find their way into the American market to earn foreign exchange for the country.
Mr Kwasi Adu Afriyie, a businessman in the Import and Export sector, said the package demonstrated the confidence the USA had in Ghana in terms of good governance and democracy.
He said now that America had openly declared its support for Ghana, there was the need for the country to tap expertise from America to make great strides in the path that it was charting.
Mr Afriyie said President Bush’s to visit and his support for the fight against malaria and HIV/AIDS was a good idea from a leader of his calibre.
He said a third world country like Ghana certainly needed to partner developed countries like the United States of America so that it could also develop.
He said it was in view of this that he saw President Bush’s visit to Ghana as positive towards the development of the country.
He said the cream of American investors and businessmen in the entourage of President Bush meant that there was room for the progress of the nation.
Mr George Ntumi, an entrepreneur, said he was happy to hear the package announced by President Bush for Ghanaians and said it showed that the efforts of President Kufuor in fighting malaria had been recognised as a step towards the fight against major killer diseases in the country.
He said the businessmen in the encourage of President Bush to Ghana to explore business opportunities here further demonstrated their confidence in the leadership style of Ghana.
He said in business one needed more partners from all countries, especially the developed ones, to trade with.
He said as a businessman, he was glad because it would benefit his business.
Mr Ntumi said Ghana was now the shining star of Africa and that this was evident in the visit of President Bush and his support for the country.
He said although President Bush’s term of office was coming to an end, his visit was very significant to international politics.
He recalled President Kufuor’s outstanding performance as the Chairman of the African Union and the Chairman of ECOWAS as well, and his sterling qualities as the President of Ghana, stressing that even though there were some lapses in his administration, President Kufuor had won the admiration of many world leaders.
Ms Adwoa Antwi, who is also an entrepreneur, said the visit of President Bush to Ghana was beneficial because it had once again put Ghana on the world map a developing country and an oasis of peace.
She said countries cemented friendships for many reasons and that although America might have some economic interest, it was good for the country.
Dr Sarfo Akenten, a political analyst, said President Bush’s visit to Ghana was inconsequential to the development of the nation.
He said the package and other promises of helping fight neglected tropical diseases were all attempts to make further strides into the economies of Africans.
He said the rate at which China and Dubai were dominating the African markets posed a threat to the Americans, hence such visits and packages were important.
Mr Akenten said while China was giving grants to Africa and producing relatively cheaper but quality goods, America was lending to Africa with stringent conditions and economic ties.
He said since the discovery of oil in the country, America’s interest in Ghana had increased tremendously.
He recalled the number of United States Generals that had visited the country in recent times, all in the name of grabbing the oil in Africa and Ghana in particular.
He said the assertion by President Bush that the US was not going to set up a military base in Ghana was due to the public resentment that first greeted the news.
Mr Akenten said President Bush’s visit would have been unpopular should he have gone ahead to confirm that America had the interest of setting up a base in Ghana.
Mr Alex Bampoe, a businessman, said the package announced by President Bush would not benefit Ghanaians in the fight against malaria because it would end up in the pockets of some few elite as the situation had always been.
He, therefore, suggested that an independent body be set up to monitor the disbursement and use of the money, to ensure its benefit to Ghanaians.
Bannerman Villas, also a businessman, said President Bush’s visit was significant because of his efforts at helping Africa address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and especially the announcement of $17 million to fight malaria in Ghana.
Alidu Dramani, an artist at Kaneshie, said the poor were not going to gain anything from Bush's visit.
He said the money to be donated by the US government to fight malaria would benefit only the bureaucrats and those who were in power, with only a small percentage to reach the target group.
Janet Akuoko, an educationist, said the responsibility to make real changes in the lives of Africans rested on the shoulders of African countries, their people and their leaders and not President Bush, so she did not see any benefit coming from his visit.
She said no matter who visited Africa, if the Africans themselves did not take the bull by the horn and get down to something serious, their predicament would be the same.
Emmanuel Tetteh, an evangelist, said President Bush's visit to Ghana would not help the people of Ghana in any way.
According to him, the visits were meant to make President Bush and his hosts look good.
Seth Frimpong, an energy expert, said what Africa needed was a fair trade with the rest of the world, forgiveness of Third World debt, and corrupt-free leaders who would work to improve the lives of the masses.
Until then, visits by any American President would be insignificant.
Timber company to lose licence (page 13) 23 February, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng Dapaah, has directed the Forestry Commission (FC) to revoke the licence granted to Messrs Royal Visage, a timber company, to harvest teak in the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary with immediate effect.
She has also directed the Chief Executive of the FC to prepare and present for her perusal a detailed report of all harvesting permits issued over the last 12 months.
She said the report, among other things, should indicate the name, address and location of recipient companies, the extent and location of the permit area, the estimated total stock of harvested timber and all associated financial obligations met.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday, Mrs Dapaah explained that the decision formed part of recommendations made by a committee set up by the ministry to investigate the circumstances under which permit was granted to Messrs Royal Visage to harvest timber in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary which needed to be protected.
The minister also placed a ban on the granting of timber harvesting rights in the buffer zones of protected areas such as the globally significant biological areas (GSBAs) and other special biological areas or any wildlife protected area.
She, therefore, directed the FC to identify all potential harvestable plantation sites to be documented and advertised periodically for prospective applicants to indicate and submit bids.
Mrs Dapaah said such areas should not include the buffer zones of protected areas such as the GSBAs.
She again tasked a four-member team to take inventory of the teak logs currently lying in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary and oversee their evacuation to a convenient place for auction to any company of good standing that would offer the highest bid.
Mrs Dapaah said the evacuation of the logs after the bidding exercise should be supervised by the team.
She said the committee had two weeks to complete its work and submit a report to her.
Meanwhile, she said Messrs Royal Visage had been disqualified from participating in the bidding exercise.
Mrs Dapaah said the net revenue realised from the bidding should be used to rehabilitate the sanctuary as a result of the damage caused during the harvesting of teak in it.
She explained that the granting of timber harvesting rights to Messrs Royal Visage by the FC had no legal justification and did not follow any legal procedures.
She said in addition, the FC did not have legal authority, under existing legislation, to grant timber harvesting rights for commercial purposes.
She said the decision by the commission to grant timber harvesting rights to Messrs Royal Visage for clear felling and commercial logging of teak in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary was contrary to the provisions of the existing management plan for the sanctuary.
THE Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng Dapaah, has directed the Forestry Commission (FC) to revoke the licence granted to Messrs Royal Visage, a timber company, to harvest teak in the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary with immediate effect.
She has also directed the Chief Executive of the FC to prepare and present for her perusal a detailed report of all harvesting permits issued over the last 12 months.
She said the report, among other things, should indicate the name, address and location of recipient companies, the extent and location of the permit area, the estimated total stock of harvested timber and all associated financial obligations met.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday, Mrs Dapaah explained that the decision formed part of recommendations made by a committee set up by the ministry to investigate the circumstances under which permit was granted to Messrs Royal Visage to harvest timber in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary which needed to be protected.
The minister also placed a ban on the granting of timber harvesting rights in the buffer zones of protected areas such as the globally significant biological areas (GSBAs) and other special biological areas or any wildlife protected area.
She, therefore, directed the FC to identify all potential harvestable plantation sites to be documented and advertised periodically for prospective applicants to indicate and submit bids.
Mrs Dapaah said such areas should not include the buffer zones of protected areas such as the GSBAs.
She again tasked a four-member team to take inventory of the teak logs currently lying in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary and oversee their evacuation to a convenient place for auction to any company of good standing that would offer the highest bid.
Mrs Dapaah said the evacuation of the logs after the bidding exercise should be supervised by the team.
She said the committee had two weeks to complete its work and submit a report to her.
Meanwhile, she said Messrs Royal Visage had been disqualified from participating in the bidding exercise.
Mrs Dapaah said the net revenue realised from the bidding should be used to rehabilitate the sanctuary as a result of the damage caused during the harvesting of teak in it.
She explained that the granting of timber harvesting rights to Messrs Royal Visage by the FC had no legal justification and did not follow any legal procedures.
She said in addition, the FC did not have legal authority, under existing legislation, to grant timber harvesting rights for commercial purposes.
She said the decision by the commission to grant timber harvesting rights to Messrs Royal Visage for clear felling and commercial logging of teak in the Bomfobiri Sanctuary was contrary to the provisions of the existing management plan for the sanctuary.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Govt awaits funds for motorway expansion(Page 31) February 20, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE government is awaiting funds from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) for the expansion of the Motorway from Tetteh-Quarshie roundabout to Mallam-Junction.
That stretch of the road, which is a single lane, is to be reconstructed into a dual carriageway.
President Kufuor cut the sod for work to begin on the project in June 2006 but it has been delayed due to the non availability of funds for the contractors to start.
The project would see the extension of the motorway from the Tetteh-Quarshie interchange through the Achimota overhead and Lapaz to the Mallam Junction highway.
Work on the project is expected to be completed within two years.
Technical designs and the architects masterpiece of the road has been completed.
The expansion of that road is expected to ease the traffic congestion and allow for smooth drive.
Currently heavy traffic is experienced on that stretch of the road throughout the day.
The traffic situation is always very serious on the Achimota and Lapaz stretch of the road and some petty traders have already started encroaching on the side of the road which is to be expanded.
Meanwhile work on the Achimota Lorry Station is 90 per cent complete.
The remaining 10 per cent, which has to do with landscaping and markings, is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.
When completed, commercial vehicles would be relocated from the sides of the main Achimota Road to the new station to allow for smooth flow of traffic on that stretch of the road.
THE government is awaiting funds from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) for the expansion of the Motorway from Tetteh-Quarshie roundabout to Mallam-Junction.
That stretch of the road, which is a single lane, is to be reconstructed into a dual carriageway.
President Kufuor cut the sod for work to begin on the project in June 2006 but it has been delayed due to the non availability of funds for the contractors to start.
The project would see the extension of the motorway from the Tetteh-Quarshie interchange through the Achimota overhead and Lapaz to the Mallam Junction highway.
Work on the project is expected to be completed within two years.
Technical designs and the architects masterpiece of the road has been completed.
The expansion of that road is expected to ease the traffic congestion and allow for smooth drive.
Currently heavy traffic is experienced on that stretch of the road throughout the day.
The traffic situation is always very serious on the Achimota and Lapaz stretch of the road and some petty traders have already started encroaching on the side of the road which is to be expanded.
Meanwhile work on the Achimota Lorry Station is 90 per cent complete.
The remaining 10 per cent, which has to do with landscaping and markings, is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.
When completed, commercial vehicles would be relocated from the sides of the main Achimota Road to the new station to allow for smooth flow of traffic on that stretch of the road.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Fruitful collaboration between Forces of Ghana, US (PAGE 55) FEBRUARY 18, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE United States of America’s Armed Forces has enjoyed good relations with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) since Ghana’s independence.
The relations, although strained at one point or the other, have generally been cordial over the years and the three arms of the Ghana Armed Forces: The navy, the army and the airforce, have benefited tremendously from the US Army in terms of training and capacity building.
Ghana-US defence relations since independence essentially has been an appendage of the overall relationship between the two countries. Immediately, after independence, the CPP government’s socialist leaning naturally meant that there was going to be very little room for an excellent defence relationship between the two countries.
Naturally, the CPP government of Nkrumah felt it had enough reasons to critically examine its relations with the US. Such suspicion was expressed quite generously when Nkrumah, reportedly, refused any assistance from the US to establish a medical school on the suspicion that the team of academics coming from the US included CIA spies.
This was further evident in his dealings with the Soviet Union for Military Support for his government and in his quest to bring peace to some neighbouring countries such as Congo, Kinshasa.
During the Congo crisis, Dr Kwame Nkrumah did not wait for the intervention of the United Nations Peacekeeping Troops but went for an aircraft from the Soviet Union to convey military personnel to that country well ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Troops.
Subsequent governments including military regimes maintained healthy defence relations with US governments although there were no joint military training exercises between the two countries. The policy that was pursued around that period was military exchange programmes, which witnessed some of Ghana’s fine Generals benefiting from training in the US.
Collaboration between the US Army and the Ghana Armed Forces was strengthened during the regime of General Afrifa. The US assisted the Ghana Armed Forces with logistics and equipment including warships, known as GNS Azone and GNS Bonsu.
However, the progress made was not consolidated as subsequent governments appeared not so keen on strengthening the defence relationship with the US, perhaps, because they found other issues more pressing.
In the 1980s, the US government, in its effort to help Africans find a lasting solution to their internal conflicts, introduced the African Crisis Response Initiative, which the GAF embraced. It started in the 1990s and that helped build the capacity of the GAF to be able to confront internal conflicts.
The GAF had some collaboration with the American Armed Forces in that regard, and that relationship later developed into a Joint Combined Exercise and Training programme, which involved a number of US soldiers with their equipment, engaging the GAF in training exercises in Ghana.
Subsequently, there was the development of what is now known as the Africa Contingency Operations Training Assistance (ACOTA) programme created by President George Bush to replace the African Crisis Response Initiative to provide training in peacekeeping operations and regular military tactics in Africa to military units from selected countries.
The most significant difference between the two programmes is that ACOTA includes training for offensive military operations including light infantry tactics and small unit tactics to enhance the ability of African troops to conduct peacekeeping operations in hostile environments.
Under ACOTA, Ghanaian troops were also provided with offensive military weaponry including rifles, machine guns and mortars.
Ghana was one of the first militaries to receive ACOTA training in early 2003. Additionally, there is an active bilateral international military education and training programme between the two countries.
Ghana is the site of a US-European Command funded Exercise Reception Facility that was established to facilitate troop deployment for exercises or crisis response within the region.
The American government has also offered opportunities for Ghanaian military personnel to study in their country.
International Military Education and Training (IMET) Courses constitute the bulk of overseas courses undertaken by the GAF and the volume of assistance in 2004 was $921,000
In addition to the IMET, the US also offers training in counter-terrorism to Ghanaian officers.
The American Army in terms of infrastructural development of the Ghana Armed Forces have chalked up considerable successes. Ghana’s Jungle Warfare School at Achiase in the Eastern Region is arguably the best in terms of infrastructure and training logistics in the West African sub-region by the courtesy of the United States Army.
The US Army has built modern structures to house senior officers and other resource persons who go to Achiase for jungle training. At the Army Recruit Training Centre at Shai Hills, they have also built structures to upgrade it to the status of a modern Military School.
The US Army has also built school blocks for pupils in Achiase and constructed a clinic near the Tema Naval Base to serve the people in that community.
The US Army since 1990 has donated vehicles and other military accoutrements to the Ghana Armed Forces to boost its combat readiness.
It has also provided humanitarian assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces such as the provision of a water tank and treatment facility for the 37 Military Hospital, renovation of Medical Reception Stations (MRS) in Tamale, renovation of dining hall of the Nurses and Midwives Training School at Sekondi and the construction of a sick bay at the Sekondi Naval Base.
THE United States of America’s Armed Forces has enjoyed good relations with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) since Ghana’s independence.
The relations, although strained at one point or the other, have generally been cordial over the years and the three arms of the Ghana Armed Forces: The navy, the army and the airforce, have benefited tremendously from the US Army in terms of training and capacity building.
Ghana-US defence relations since independence essentially has been an appendage of the overall relationship between the two countries. Immediately, after independence, the CPP government’s socialist leaning naturally meant that there was going to be very little room for an excellent defence relationship between the two countries.
Naturally, the CPP government of Nkrumah felt it had enough reasons to critically examine its relations with the US. Such suspicion was expressed quite generously when Nkrumah, reportedly, refused any assistance from the US to establish a medical school on the suspicion that the team of academics coming from the US included CIA spies.
This was further evident in his dealings with the Soviet Union for Military Support for his government and in his quest to bring peace to some neighbouring countries such as Congo, Kinshasa.
During the Congo crisis, Dr Kwame Nkrumah did not wait for the intervention of the United Nations Peacekeeping Troops but went for an aircraft from the Soviet Union to convey military personnel to that country well ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Troops.
Subsequent governments including military regimes maintained healthy defence relations with US governments although there were no joint military training exercises between the two countries. The policy that was pursued around that period was military exchange programmes, which witnessed some of Ghana’s fine Generals benefiting from training in the US.
Collaboration between the US Army and the Ghana Armed Forces was strengthened during the regime of General Afrifa. The US assisted the Ghana Armed Forces with logistics and equipment including warships, known as GNS Azone and GNS Bonsu.
However, the progress made was not consolidated as subsequent governments appeared not so keen on strengthening the defence relationship with the US, perhaps, because they found other issues more pressing.
In the 1980s, the US government, in its effort to help Africans find a lasting solution to their internal conflicts, introduced the African Crisis Response Initiative, which the GAF embraced. It started in the 1990s and that helped build the capacity of the GAF to be able to confront internal conflicts.
The GAF had some collaboration with the American Armed Forces in that regard, and that relationship later developed into a Joint Combined Exercise and Training programme, which involved a number of US soldiers with their equipment, engaging the GAF in training exercises in Ghana.
Subsequently, there was the development of what is now known as the Africa Contingency Operations Training Assistance (ACOTA) programme created by President George Bush to replace the African Crisis Response Initiative to provide training in peacekeeping operations and regular military tactics in Africa to military units from selected countries.
The most significant difference between the two programmes is that ACOTA includes training for offensive military operations including light infantry tactics and small unit tactics to enhance the ability of African troops to conduct peacekeeping operations in hostile environments.
Under ACOTA, Ghanaian troops were also provided with offensive military weaponry including rifles, machine guns and mortars.
Ghana was one of the first militaries to receive ACOTA training in early 2003. Additionally, there is an active bilateral international military education and training programme between the two countries.
Ghana is the site of a US-European Command funded Exercise Reception Facility that was established to facilitate troop deployment for exercises or crisis response within the region.
The American government has also offered opportunities for Ghanaian military personnel to study in their country.
International Military Education and Training (IMET) Courses constitute the bulk of overseas courses undertaken by the GAF and the volume of assistance in 2004 was $921,000
In addition to the IMET, the US also offers training in counter-terrorism to Ghanaian officers.
The American Army in terms of infrastructural development of the Ghana Armed Forces have chalked up considerable successes. Ghana’s Jungle Warfare School at Achiase in the Eastern Region is arguably the best in terms of infrastructure and training logistics in the West African sub-region by the courtesy of the United States Army.
The US Army has built modern structures to house senior officers and other resource persons who go to Achiase for jungle training. At the Army Recruit Training Centre at Shai Hills, they have also built structures to upgrade it to the status of a modern Military School.
The US Army has also built school blocks for pupils in Achiase and constructed a clinic near the Tema Naval Base to serve the people in that community.
The US Army since 1990 has donated vehicles and other military accoutrements to the Ghana Armed Forces to boost its combat readiness.
It has also provided humanitarian assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces such as the provision of a water tank and treatment facility for the 37 Military Hospital, renovation of Medical Reception Stations (MRS) in Tamale, renovation of dining hall of the Nurses and Midwives Training School at Sekondi and the construction of a sick bay at the Sekondi Naval Base.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Private security organisations licenses to be reviewed(page 31) February 13, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE National Security is to review licences of private security organisations (PSOs) to flush out those whose operations pose a security risk to the state.
A source close to the Ministry of the Interior, which disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said the move had become necessary as a result of the unprofessional behaviour of some of those organisations.
It said there had also been public complaints about harassment by some of the personnel, abuse of power, involvement in criminal activities and dangerous driving.
The source said some of the PSOs were also flouting the Police Service Regulations of 1992, Legislative Instrument 1517.
Meanwhile, it said the Ministry of the Interior had started processing applications from PSOs for the renewal of their licences.
It said a board established by the government to undertake that review was looking at the tax payment receipts and organisational structures.
It explained that the ministry was concerned about the composition of the membership of the PSOs, hence the need to determine whether or not foreigners were being used to run them.
It said that was necessary because of the sensitive role that the PSOs were expected to play in the maintenance of peace and security in the country.
According to the source, the PSOs were to complement the efforts of the state security apparatus and so it would not be proper if they were left in the hands of foreigners.
It said the PSOs had also been requested to make available the conditions of service of their staff to the ministry to enable it to properly assess their collective bargaining agreements.
THE National Security is to review licences of private security organisations (PSOs) to flush out those whose operations pose a security risk to the state.
A source close to the Ministry of the Interior, which disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said the move had become necessary as a result of the unprofessional behaviour of some of those organisations.
It said there had also been public complaints about harassment by some of the personnel, abuse of power, involvement in criminal activities and dangerous driving.
The source said some of the PSOs were also flouting the Police Service Regulations of 1992, Legislative Instrument 1517.
Meanwhile, it said the Ministry of the Interior had started processing applications from PSOs for the renewal of their licences.
It said a board established by the government to undertake that review was looking at the tax payment receipts and organisational structures.
It explained that the ministry was concerned about the composition of the membership of the PSOs, hence the need to determine whether or not foreigners were being used to run them.
It said that was necessary because of the sensitive role that the PSOs were expected to play in the maintenance of peace and security in the country.
According to the source, the PSOs were to complement the efforts of the state security apparatus and so it would not be proper if they were left in the hands of foreigners.
It said the PSOs had also been requested to make available the conditions of service of their staff to the ministry to enable it to properly assess their collective bargaining agreements.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
No Ghanaian heckled in Nigeria-Ministry(page 3) February 7, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD has stated that it has no information of any Ghanaians being heckled in Nigeria after the football match between Ghana and Nigeria last Sunday.
It said the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, as well as the Consulate-General of Ghana in Lagos, had been contacted over the allegations that some Ghanaians resident in Nigeria, especially in certain suburbs of Lagos, including Agege, had been heckled and subjected to other forms of intimidation after the Ghana-Nigeria quarter-final encounter at the ongoing Ghana 2008 tournament, which Ghana won by two goals to one.
It said the High Commission and the Consulate-General said no such reports had come to them and that their checks so far had also indicated that nothing of that nature had happened.
The Public Affairs Officer the ministry, Mr K. Boateng said those assurances had been further corroborated in Ghana by the Nigerian High Commission in Accra which, in its press statement on Monday, February 4, 2008, had discounted the occurrence of any such events.
He, therefore, urged all media practitioners to exercise great decorum in their reportage and desist from creating unnecessary panic in the wake of what was an encounter characterised by sportsmanship between the players and brotherliness by supporters at the stadium.
He appealed to all concerned to ensure that they continued to make the Ghana 2008 tournament an event that ignited passion, African unity and love.
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD has stated that it has no information of any Ghanaians being heckled in Nigeria after the football match between Ghana and Nigeria last Sunday.
It said the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, as well as the Consulate-General of Ghana in Lagos, had been contacted over the allegations that some Ghanaians resident in Nigeria, especially in certain suburbs of Lagos, including Agege, had been heckled and subjected to other forms of intimidation after the Ghana-Nigeria quarter-final encounter at the ongoing Ghana 2008 tournament, which Ghana won by two goals to one.
It said the High Commission and the Consulate-General said no such reports had come to them and that their checks so far had also indicated that nothing of that nature had happened.
The Public Affairs Officer the ministry, Mr K. Boateng said those assurances had been further corroborated in Ghana by the Nigerian High Commission in Accra which, in its press statement on Monday, February 4, 2008, had discounted the occurrence of any such events.
He, therefore, urged all media practitioners to exercise great decorum in their reportage and desist from creating unnecessary panic in the wake of what was an encounter characterised by sportsmanship between the players and brotherliness by supporters at the stadium.
He appealed to all concerned to ensure that they continued to make the Ghana 2008 tournament an event that ignited passion, African unity and love.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Commercial Luggage terminal for KIA (PAGE 38) 3 FEBRUARY, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
New terminals are to be set up at the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport to enable travellers with commercial luggage to pay their duties.
The move is to address the frustrations travellers with commercial luggage go through on arrival at the airport.
An Assistant Commissioner of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Sam Yankyera, announced this at an open forum organised by the Ghana Shippers Council for the members of the Ghana Union Traders Association in Accra yesterday.
Travellers with commercial luggage who arrive at the airport are referred to the Cargo Village to declare their goods and pay their duties there.
The current situation, according to some of the travellers who were present at the forum, is very frustrating because it takes days for the authorities at the Cargo Village to attend to them.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr Emmanuel Martey, said the forum was in line with the council’s policy of reaching out to and interacting with importers and exporters, as well as traders in their localities, to learn of the problems confronting them.
He observed that the problems associated with the clearance of goods had been a matter of concern to Ghanaian shippers over the years.
Mr Martey said this problem was due to the fact that several organisations were involved in the clearance of goods at the ports.
He, therefore, called for concerted efforts of all the stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problems.
Mr Martey said to minimise the problems in the clearance of goods the council had acquired six large warehouses in a prime location at the Tema Port area to provide quality warehousing facilities to shippers to ensure the safety and security of their cargo.
He appealed to the shippers to consult the council to guide them in their business transaction decisions, in order to forestall being swindled by charlatans.
New terminals are to be set up at the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport to enable travellers with commercial luggage to pay their duties.
The move is to address the frustrations travellers with commercial luggage go through on arrival at the airport.
An Assistant Commissioner of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Sam Yankyera, announced this at an open forum organised by the Ghana Shippers Council for the members of the Ghana Union Traders Association in Accra yesterday.
Travellers with commercial luggage who arrive at the airport are referred to the Cargo Village to declare their goods and pay their duties there.
The current situation, according to some of the travellers who were present at the forum, is very frustrating because it takes days for the authorities at the Cargo Village to attend to them.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr Emmanuel Martey, said the forum was in line with the council’s policy of reaching out to and interacting with importers and exporters, as well as traders in their localities, to learn of the problems confronting them.
He observed that the problems associated with the clearance of goods had been a matter of concern to Ghanaian shippers over the years.
Mr Martey said this problem was due to the fact that several organisations were involved in the clearance of goods at the ports.
He, therefore, called for concerted efforts of all the stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problems.
Mr Martey said to minimise the problems in the clearance of goods the council had acquired six large warehouses in a prime location at the Tema Port area to provide quality warehousing facilities to shippers to ensure the safety and security of their cargo.
He appealed to the shippers to consult the council to guide them in their business transaction decisions, in order to forestall being swindled by charlatans.
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