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.
Monday, October 20, 2008
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.
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