Page 17, Feb 29, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of State responsible for Aviation, Ms Gloria Akuffo, on Wednesday told Parliament that a total of $1.4 million had been paid to 47 pilots and flight engineers of the former Ghana Airways Company Limited as their severance award.
She said a second group of 1,024 former employees, out of 1,199, who were made up of general staff and cabin crew, their documents had been processed for payment, totalling $1.9 million by the official liquidator of the company.
The minister was in the House to answer a question posed by the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna.
The MP enquired from the minister whether the severance and other end-of-service benefits for the former workers of the defunct Ghana Airways had been paid.
Ms Akuffo explained that the Ghana Airways had been in liquidation since June, 2005, with a total creditor claim estimated at $200 million as against a realisable asset value of $32 million.
She said in view of the huge deficit, the government had agreed to support the settlement of the creditors claim, subject to validation and parliamentary approval.
So far, the minister said, total inflow in the course of the liquidation stood at $36.6 million which comprised of $400 million as cash on hand at the liquidation, $29.7 million from assets realisation and $6.5 million as cash funding by the government.
Ms Akuffo stated that the remaining 175 former employees of the second group, who formed 15 per cent of the qualified claimants, were yet to be awarded severance pay, adding that 20 people out of this category had refused to accept their award offered by the liquidator on the basis that their entitlements should be calculated upon the salaries they were earning when they were posted overseas.
She said the official liquidator had rejected their position on the grounds that once the workers had been repatriated to Ghana, they reverted to their local salary scales, in accordance to laid-down practice when the Ghana Airways was in operation.
Ms Akuffo explained further that the government had also agreed to provide a total funding of $6.5 million payable in two tranches of $2 million and $4.5 million respectively, to enable the official liquidator settle the entitlements of the second group.
She said the official liquidator was still waiting the payment of the second tranche of $4.5 million this year, explaining that the remaining 155 former workers were yet to be resolved since validation was still in progress.
The minister told the House that in 1997, Airways Catering Limited (ACL), then a subsidiary of the Ghana Airways, became autonomous and consequently ??? those class of ACL who were at post prior in the autonomy qualified as employees of the Ghana Airways.
She said the request by a group of ACL workers, who were employed after ACL became autonomous for the payment of severance award, had been rejected since they were not employees of the Ghana Airways at the time of the liquidation.
“The official liquidator will continue with the settlement of severance awards as soon as it receives further inflows, including the second tranche of the government funding of $4.5 million,” she explained.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Drama at Parliament as house debates
Page 13, Feb 28, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE ongoing debate on the President’s Message on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament was yesterday characterised by jeering, shouting and insults from both sides of the house.
It took the diplomacy of the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay who stood firm during occasions when some contributors and those who stood on point-of orders used what he called “unparliamentary words” and brought them to order.
First, it was a clash between the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua and his colleague NPP MP for Bosomtwe, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah when the latter was contributing to the debate.
Mr Osei-Mensah said in his contribution that the excellent organisation of the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Ghana 2008, had brought enormous economic benefits and ensured the re-union of some families.
He showed a calendar with pictures of former President Rawlings and a member of the Black Stars, Junior Agogo and explained that the courtesy call on former President Rawlings by Agogo, his nephew was the result of the excellent organisation of the competition.
Mr Osei-Mensah referred to the micro-economic success of the government and said that the economy under the NPP had been far more stable than that of the NDC government under the leadership of former President Rawlings.
On two occasions Ms Dansua, who is also first Deputy Minority Whip stood on point-of-order and reminded Mr Osei-Mensah to take the House serious and not behave like a “clown”.
Mr Blay, however prevailed Ms Dansua on those occasions to withdraw that word saying that “I do not expect a leader of the House to use such words on their colleagues”.
Then came the dramatic aspect of the debate when the Speaker ordered the Marshal of Parliament to drive the MP of Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong out of the Chamber for improper dressing.
Mr Frimpong, who was wearing a short sleeve linen shirt sown African style, over a trousers was deemed to had been an improper costume and when he stood up on a point-of-order, Mr Blay pointed this out and refused him a chance to raise his point.
When the MP who had withdrew to the backbench returned to the front seat of the Majority and rose on another point-of-order, Mr Blay ordered the Marshal to take him out of the House.
However, when Mr Frimpong was moving out of the Chamber, he rescinded his decision and allowed him to sit at the backbench.
Mr Frimpong was later seen wearing a suit over that shirt and when all eyes were on him, he walked out of the Chamber only to emerged wearing a yellowish long sleeve linen shirt, also sown in African style.
One other incident, which characterised the debate was the clash between the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin and the MP for Sunyani East Mr J. H. Mensah over comments made by the latter.
Mr Mensah, who had stood on a point-of-order asked the MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga to be careful over the way he was using statistics to indicate that President Kufuor would leave the three northern regions more poorer than what he inherited.
He referred to the Kenyan crisis and cautioned that it was similar sentiments which led to killing due to envy among tribes in that country.
Mr Bagbin, however disagreed with Mr Mensah’s assertion and explained that the situation in Kenya was as a result of the rigging of the recent election rather than envy.
Even when the House adjourned, some members were seen exchanging words while Mr Bagbin drew nearer to Mr Mensah to continue the debate, albeit in a friendly manner.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE ongoing debate on the President’s Message on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament was yesterday characterised by jeering, shouting and insults from both sides of the house.
It took the diplomacy of the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay who stood firm during occasions when some contributors and those who stood on point-of orders used what he called “unparliamentary words” and brought them to order.
First, it was a clash between the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua and his colleague NPP MP for Bosomtwe, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah when the latter was contributing to the debate.
Mr Osei-Mensah said in his contribution that the excellent organisation of the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Ghana 2008, had brought enormous economic benefits and ensured the re-union of some families.
He showed a calendar with pictures of former President Rawlings and a member of the Black Stars, Junior Agogo and explained that the courtesy call on former President Rawlings by Agogo, his nephew was the result of the excellent organisation of the competition.
Mr Osei-Mensah referred to the micro-economic success of the government and said that the economy under the NPP had been far more stable than that of the NDC government under the leadership of former President Rawlings.
On two occasions Ms Dansua, who is also first Deputy Minority Whip stood on point-of-order and reminded Mr Osei-Mensah to take the House serious and not behave like a “clown”.
Mr Blay, however prevailed Ms Dansua on those occasions to withdraw that word saying that “I do not expect a leader of the House to use such words on their colleagues”.
Then came the dramatic aspect of the debate when the Speaker ordered the Marshal of Parliament to drive the MP of Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong out of the Chamber for improper dressing.
Mr Frimpong, who was wearing a short sleeve linen shirt sown African style, over a trousers was deemed to had been an improper costume and when he stood up on a point-of-order, Mr Blay pointed this out and refused him a chance to raise his point.
When the MP who had withdrew to the backbench returned to the front seat of the Majority and rose on another point-of-order, Mr Blay ordered the Marshal to take him out of the House.
However, when Mr Frimpong was moving out of the Chamber, he rescinded his decision and allowed him to sit at the backbench.
Mr Frimpong was later seen wearing a suit over that shirt and when all eyes were on him, he walked out of the Chamber only to emerged wearing a yellowish long sleeve linen shirt, also sown in African style.
One other incident, which characterised the debate was the clash between the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin and the MP for Sunyani East Mr J. H. Mensah over comments made by the latter.
Mr Mensah, who had stood on a point-of-order asked the MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga to be careful over the way he was using statistics to indicate that President Kufuor would leave the three northern regions more poorer than what he inherited.
He referred to the Kenyan crisis and cautioned that it was similar sentiments which led to killing due to envy among tribes in that country.
Mr Bagbin, however disagreed with Mr Mensah’s assertion and explained that the situation in Kenya was as a result of the rigging of the recent election rather than envy.
Even when the House adjourned, some members were seen exchanging words while Mr Bagbin drew nearer to Mr Mensah to continue the debate, albeit in a friendly manner.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
My trial by CHRAJ doesn't exist-Anane
Page 3, Feb 27, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE former Minister of Transportation, Dr Richard Anane, yesterday told the Appointments Committee of Parliament that as far as he was concerned, all the records concerning his purported investigation by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) did not exist.
At his second vetting by the committee, following his re-nomination by President Kufuor for the office he quit to contest CHRAJ in court, Dr Anane said the commissions investigations and findings had been quashed by the Supreme Court.
The President’s nomination of Dr Anane for the position he resigned from in 2006 to pursue his legal battle with CHRAJ attracted a lot of comments from various sections of the society, with some suggesting that the NPP government was short of men.
It was, therefore, not surprising that hundreds of people crammed into the small Speaker’s Conference Room to be part of that historic second appearance of Dr Anane before the Appointments Committee.
The high point came when the Minority Leader and MP for Nadowli West, Mr Alban Bagbin, took his turn and enquired from the nominee whether in his own heart he still wanted to be the Minister of Transportation.
“If it is the wish of the President that I should serve in that capacity, so be it,” Dr Anane replied, explaining that as a team player, he would want to play his part in whatever role the coach (the President) would assign him.
Bagbin: Why do you think the President still wants you to serve in that ministry?
Anane: It is the President who is in charge and I, therefore, cannot question his decision.
Mr Bagbin then zeroed in on Dr Anane’s appearance before CHRAJ and the Supreme Court.
Although Dr Anane asked the committee to let the matter between him and his American mistress be a family affair, he said later that he had filed a suit at a Florida Family Tribunal to streamline the way he remitted his son to “avoid the money I give for the upkeep of my child being considered as a gift”.
On why he was still occupying his official bungalow, the nominee said as an MP he was entitled to a residence.
At the end of it, what had been thought to be a difficult task for the nominee turned out to be a two-hour session during which most members of the committee concentrated on how Dr Anane would ensure that abandoned road projects in their constituencies were tackled should he be given the nod.
To those concerns, Dr Anane said the orientation of the ministry would be value for money, warning that the ministry would not spare any official of agencies which colluded with contractors involved in shoddy works to get away with their misdeeds.
He said the government was poised to open up the country through massive road construction and rehabilitation to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.
He said the government believed that it was through such a policy that it would ensure accelerated development across the country and eventually avoid the drifting of the youth to the urban areas in search of non-existent jobs.
What now remains to be done is for the committee to submit its report to the entire House, in which it will specify whether the nominee has been approved or not.
Dr Anane was made the Minister of Health when President Kufuor assumed power in 2001, until November the same year when he was reshuffled to be the Minister of the then Ministry of Roads and Transport.
In 2005, when President Kufuor won his second term, Dr Anane was maintained as the Minister of Road Transport, which was later re-designated as Ministry of Transportation, until he resigned in October 2006 to pursue his legal battle.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE former Minister of Transportation, Dr Richard Anane, yesterday told the Appointments Committee of Parliament that as far as he was concerned, all the records concerning his purported investigation by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) did not exist.
At his second vetting by the committee, following his re-nomination by President Kufuor for the office he quit to contest CHRAJ in court, Dr Anane said the commissions investigations and findings had been quashed by the Supreme Court.
The President’s nomination of Dr Anane for the position he resigned from in 2006 to pursue his legal battle with CHRAJ attracted a lot of comments from various sections of the society, with some suggesting that the NPP government was short of men.
It was, therefore, not surprising that hundreds of people crammed into the small Speaker’s Conference Room to be part of that historic second appearance of Dr Anane before the Appointments Committee.
The high point came when the Minority Leader and MP for Nadowli West, Mr Alban Bagbin, took his turn and enquired from the nominee whether in his own heart he still wanted to be the Minister of Transportation.
“If it is the wish of the President that I should serve in that capacity, so be it,” Dr Anane replied, explaining that as a team player, he would want to play his part in whatever role the coach (the President) would assign him.
Bagbin: Why do you think the President still wants you to serve in that ministry?
Anane: It is the President who is in charge and I, therefore, cannot question his decision.
Mr Bagbin then zeroed in on Dr Anane’s appearance before CHRAJ and the Supreme Court.
Although Dr Anane asked the committee to let the matter between him and his American mistress be a family affair, he said later that he had filed a suit at a Florida Family Tribunal to streamline the way he remitted his son to “avoid the money I give for the upkeep of my child being considered as a gift”.
On why he was still occupying his official bungalow, the nominee said as an MP he was entitled to a residence.
At the end of it, what had been thought to be a difficult task for the nominee turned out to be a two-hour session during which most members of the committee concentrated on how Dr Anane would ensure that abandoned road projects in their constituencies were tackled should he be given the nod.
To those concerns, Dr Anane said the orientation of the ministry would be value for money, warning that the ministry would not spare any official of agencies which colluded with contractors involved in shoddy works to get away with their misdeeds.
He said the government was poised to open up the country through massive road construction and rehabilitation to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.
He said the government believed that it was through such a policy that it would ensure accelerated development across the country and eventually avoid the drifting of the youth to the urban areas in search of non-existent jobs.
What now remains to be done is for the committee to submit its report to the entire House, in which it will specify whether the nominee has been approved or not.
Dr Anane was made the Minister of Health when President Kufuor assumed power in 2001, until November the same year when he was reshuffled to be the Minister of the then Ministry of Roads and Transport.
In 2005, when President Kufuor won his second term, Dr Anane was maintained as the Minister of Road Transport, which was later re-designated as Ministry of Transportation, until he resigned in October 2006 to pursue his legal battle.
Chieftaincy Bill passed through second reading
Page 16, Feb 27, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chieftaincy Bill, which was placed before Parliament on October 30, 2007 passed through its second stage of reading on Thursday.
The bill seeks to consolidate amendments in the Chieftaincy Act (Act 370),in order to bring it into conformity with the provisions on chieftaincy and to include new proposals in the Constitution.
According to a report on the bill submitted by the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, the Law Reform Commission initiated a nationwide consultative sessions with critical stakeholder institutions in its bid to bring the chieftaincy institution into conformity with provisions of the Constitution.
It said proposals submitted by the commission identified legislative gaps and highlighted areas of novelty, which necessitated the introduction of the bill.
One subject in the bill, which attracted comments from Members of Parliament (MPs) was Section 77, which empowers the Minister of Chieftaincy to, in the interest of public order and safety direct a person reasonably connected with a chieftaincy dispute to “reside outside or not to remain in the area where there is already, or likely to be danger to life, property and public order as a result of the chieftaincy dispute”.
A direction given by the minister “shall be reviewed monthly and unless reviewed, shall cease to be effective after three months”.
The Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Avenor-Ave, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho called for an amendment to that section in order not to give the minister too much power in times of chieftaincy disputes.
In his contribution, the MP for Buem, Mr Henry Ford Kamel called for an amendment to the provision in the bill which made the presidency of a divisional council a rotational one.
He said there was the need to make the senior chief in such divisional councils the president to maintain the dignity of the chieftaincy institution.
Mr Kamel also suggested regular courses be organised for chiefs to develop their capacities to enable them meet the challenges of the chieftaincy institutions.
In addition, the MP called for a proper remenuration for paramount, divisional and other lesser chiefs to enable them to effectively discharge their functions.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chieftaincy Bill, which was placed before Parliament on October 30, 2007 passed through its second stage of reading on Thursday.
The bill seeks to consolidate amendments in the Chieftaincy Act (Act 370),in order to bring it into conformity with the provisions on chieftaincy and to include new proposals in the Constitution.
According to a report on the bill submitted by the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, the Law Reform Commission initiated a nationwide consultative sessions with critical stakeholder institutions in its bid to bring the chieftaincy institution into conformity with provisions of the Constitution.
It said proposals submitted by the commission identified legislative gaps and highlighted areas of novelty, which necessitated the introduction of the bill.
One subject in the bill, which attracted comments from Members of Parliament (MPs) was Section 77, which empowers the Minister of Chieftaincy to, in the interest of public order and safety direct a person reasonably connected with a chieftaincy dispute to “reside outside or not to remain in the area where there is already, or likely to be danger to life, property and public order as a result of the chieftaincy dispute”.
A direction given by the minister “shall be reviewed monthly and unless reviewed, shall cease to be effective after three months”.
The Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Avenor-Ave, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho called for an amendment to that section in order not to give the minister too much power in times of chieftaincy disputes.
In his contribution, the MP for Buem, Mr Henry Ford Kamel called for an amendment to the provision in the bill which made the presidency of a divisional council a rotational one.
He said there was the need to make the senior chief in such divisional councils the president to maintain the dignity of the chieftaincy institution.
Mr Kamel also suggested regular courses be organised for chiefs to develop their capacities to enable them meet the challenges of the chieftaincy institutions.
In addition, the MP called for a proper remenuration for paramount, divisional and other lesser chiefs to enable them to effectively discharge their functions.
Minister withdraws Legislative Instrument
Page 15, Feb 25, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, on Friday withdrew Legislative Instrument (LI) 1833, which was laid before Parliament for the establishment of the Gomoa East District Assembly.
The withdrawal of the instrument had become necessary, due to differences among the chiefs and people over the siting of the district capital.
A section of the chiefs and people in the newly created district kicked against the siting of the capital at Afransi and suggested that it should rather be cited at Potsin.
However, the LIs laid for the creation of 31 other districts and municipalities would come into effect after Friday, February 22, having travelled its full 21 days as required by law.
Other LIs laid for the raising of the status of a number of districts into municipalities would also come into effect after the 21 days period.
A report of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Local Government (District and Municipal Assemblies) Instruments, 2007 said Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori filed a petition for the re-siting of the capital of the Gomoa East at Afransi instead of Potsin.
However, Nkrabea and Associates, a law firm, petitioned on behalf of the people of the newly created district for the siting of the capital at Potsin instead of Afransi.
In his contribution to the debate on the committee’s report, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum, Capt. (retd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, congratulated the government for taking the bold decision to create more districts and municipalities.
He said the situation would bring about governance on the door steps of the people and reduce the cost of doing business.
The MP expressed concern about the agitation by a number of communities and chiefs over the siting of district capitals, and explained that district capitals were places meant for the co-ordination of governmental authority.
With the coming into effect of the 31 new districts and municipalities and the raising of the status of other districts to municipalities, the assemblies had now been increased from 138 to 169.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, on Friday withdrew Legislative Instrument (LI) 1833, which was laid before Parliament for the establishment of the Gomoa East District Assembly.
The withdrawal of the instrument had become necessary, due to differences among the chiefs and people over the siting of the district capital.
A section of the chiefs and people in the newly created district kicked against the siting of the capital at Afransi and suggested that it should rather be cited at Potsin.
However, the LIs laid for the creation of 31 other districts and municipalities would come into effect after Friday, February 22, having travelled its full 21 days as required by law.
Other LIs laid for the raising of the status of a number of districts into municipalities would also come into effect after the 21 days period.
A report of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Local Government (District and Municipal Assemblies) Instruments, 2007 said Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori filed a petition for the re-siting of the capital of the Gomoa East at Afransi instead of Potsin.
However, Nkrabea and Associates, a law firm, petitioned on behalf of the people of the newly created district for the siting of the capital at Potsin instead of Afransi.
In his contribution to the debate on the committee’s report, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum, Capt. (retd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, congratulated the government for taking the bold decision to create more districts and municipalities.
He said the situation would bring about governance on the door steps of the people and reduce the cost of doing business.
The MP expressed concern about the agitation by a number of communities and chiefs over the siting of district capitals, and explained that district capitals were places meant for the co-ordination of governmental authority.
With the coming into effect of the 31 new districts and municipalities and the raising of the status of other districts to municipalities, the assemblies had now been increased from 138 to 169.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Parliament approves Nuworsu's nomination
Page 17, Feb 22, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday gave its approval to the nomination of Ken-Wuud Nuworsu as a Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment.
The House did so through the adoption of the 15th report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament on the President’s nomination for ministerial appointments.
The Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, referred the nomination of Mr Nuworsu to the committee on July 18, 2007.
But when the committee submitted its report on July 30, 2007, the House deferred its decision on the nominee’s “prior approval” to allow for further checks.
According to the report of the Appointments Committee signed by its chairman, Mr Freddie W.A. Blay, Mr Noworsu, who is currently the Volta Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), had to deal with allegations against him on financial impropriety and queries from the Auditor-General’s Department, as well as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), during his vetting.
The report stated that the committee was obliged to conduct further checks on the veracity or otherwise of the allegations levelled against Mr Nuworsu.
It said the Auditor-General, Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, confirmed through correspondence to the committee that there were irregularities in the procedure adopted in the maiden 2004 audit report that was carried out on the accounts of the NADMO office at Ho, which adversely affected the nominee.
According to the report, a re-audit by the Auditor-General’s Department exonerated the nominee from all alleged financial impropriety and other related matters that were raised at the public vetting of Mr Nuworsu.
“The committee is satisfied with the outcome of further investigations conducted by the Auditor-General and recommends this Honourable House approves the appointment of Mr Ken-Wuud Nuworsu as Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment by consensus,” it said.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday gave its approval to the nomination of Ken-Wuud Nuworsu as a Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment.
The House did so through the adoption of the 15th report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament on the President’s nomination for ministerial appointments.
The Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, referred the nomination of Mr Nuworsu to the committee on July 18, 2007.
But when the committee submitted its report on July 30, 2007, the House deferred its decision on the nominee’s “prior approval” to allow for further checks.
According to the report of the Appointments Committee signed by its chairman, Mr Freddie W.A. Blay, Mr Noworsu, who is currently the Volta Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), had to deal with allegations against him on financial impropriety and queries from the Auditor-General’s Department, as well as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), during his vetting.
The report stated that the committee was obliged to conduct further checks on the veracity or otherwise of the allegations levelled against Mr Nuworsu.
It said the Auditor-General, Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, confirmed through correspondence to the committee that there were irregularities in the procedure adopted in the maiden 2004 audit report that was carried out on the accounts of the NADMO office at Ho, which adversely affected the nominee.
According to the report, a re-audit by the Auditor-General’s Department exonerated the nominee from all alleged financial impropriety and other related matters that were raised at the public vetting of Mr Nuworsu.
“The committee is satisfied with the outcome of further investigations conducted by the Auditor-General and recommends this Honourable House approves the appointment of Mr Ken-Wuud Nuworsu as Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment by consensus,” it said.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Motivate health workers to stay - Addo-Kufuor
Page 17, Feb 22, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has said that although Ghana has performed creditably in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), there is still the need to motivate doctors and nurses to stay and work in the country.
He said until that was done, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) would still lack the requisite workers to implement this laudable policy to benefit ordinary Ghanaians.
Dr Addo-Kufuor, who was contributing to the ongoing debate of the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament on February 14, 2008, said the over 9,000,000 registration, representing 48 per cent of the country’s population in a relatively short time was a laudable achievement.
The MP noted that there were some European countries which started the scheme more than 50 years ago, but had not achieved the results that Ghana had achieved.
He, therefore, suggested to the government to put in the necessary measures to enable local drug manufacturers to collaborate with their foreign partners, so that most of the essential drugs prescribed under the NHIS could be manufactured locally to make them cheaper.
On the Judiciary, Dr Addo-Kufuor called for the abolishing of the legal vacation period, describing the concept as a colonial legacy.
He noted that it would be better for individual judges to apply for their annual leave, while others work to ensure continuous operation of courts.
On education, the MP said the institution of the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme (SFP), the numerous infrustructural development, among others, had helped to increase enrolment in schools.
What remained to be done is the proper motivation of teachers to enable them offer their best for the success of those laudable programmes.
Dr Addo-Kufuor praised the Kufuor administration for laying the right foundation for others to build on to enable the country achieve its dream of achieving a middle-income level by 2015.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has said that although Ghana has performed creditably in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), there is still the need to motivate doctors and nurses to stay and work in the country.
He said until that was done, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) would still lack the requisite workers to implement this laudable policy to benefit ordinary Ghanaians.
Dr Addo-Kufuor, who was contributing to the ongoing debate of the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament on February 14, 2008, said the over 9,000,000 registration, representing 48 per cent of the country’s population in a relatively short time was a laudable achievement.
The MP noted that there were some European countries which started the scheme more than 50 years ago, but had not achieved the results that Ghana had achieved.
He, therefore, suggested to the government to put in the necessary measures to enable local drug manufacturers to collaborate with their foreign partners, so that most of the essential drugs prescribed under the NHIS could be manufactured locally to make them cheaper.
On the Judiciary, Dr Addo-Kufuor called for the abolishing of the legal vacation period, describing the concept as a colonial legacy.
He noted that it would be better for individual judges to apply for their annual leave, while others work to ensure continuous operation of courts.
On education, the MP said the institution of the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme (SFP), the numerous infrustructural development, among others, had helped to increase enrolment in schools.
What remained to be done is the proper motivation of teachers to enable them offer their best for the success of those laudable programmes.
Dr Addo-Kufuor praised the Kufuor administration for laying the right foundation for others to build on to enable the country achieve its dream of achieving a middle-income level by 2015.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Minister confirms execution of 4 Ghanaians in Libya
Page 50, Feb 21, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, on Tuesday confirmed the execution of four Ghanaians in Libya.
Two of them, who were convicted and sentenced to death in 1998 and 2002 for the murder of a Libyan and a Senegalese, respectively, were executed last Saturday, February 16, 2008.
According to the minister, earlier on January 22, 2008, two other Ghanaians had been executed for their involvement in the murder of the Libyan in question.
Mr Osei-Adjei stated that although efforts were made by the government to secure a reprieve for the four Ghanaians, “these proved unsuccessful”.
In a statement to Parliament, he explained that three of the executed Ghanaians, together with a Nigerian, were tried in a Libyan Criminal Court and found guilty on May 17, 1998.
They were alleged to have tied up the Libyan in his workshop and bludgeoned him to death because of a dispute over a transaction in drugs.
He said although the convicts appealed against the verdict in July, their appeal was dismissed, adding that the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya took a keen interest in the case and arranged for their defence during the trial and appeal.
Mr Osei-Adjei further explained that although the embassy subsequently made contact with the family of the deceased Libyan, in accordance with Islamic practice, to explore the possibility of seeking clemency or payment of compensation to cancel the death sentence, the family insisted that the law should take its course.
The Foreign Minister said President Kufuor had managed, on two occasions, to secure a stay of execution when the Ghanaians were scheduled for execution, saying that delayed action for five years.
He added that during that period, officials of the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya resumed contacts with the family of the Libyan victim in an effort to get it to reconsider its stance on the execution but to no avail.
Mr Osei-Adjei said in June 2007 when President Kufuor visited Libya, he raised the plight of the executed Ghanaians with the Libyan Leader, who promised to look into the matter.
He said when the embassy was notified on January 20, 2008 that two of the three Ghanaians were scheduled for execution on January 22, 2008, it made representations to the Libyan authorities for a further stay of execution to allow time for consultations with the Government of Ghana.
Mr Osei-Adjei said without responding to the embassy’s request, the Libyan authorities proceeded to execute the two by firing squad.
He said in the second case, a Ghanaian and a Gambian were tried and convicted for the murder of a Senegalese, explaining that the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya made a representation to the Senegalese Embassy in Libya to seek clemency from the family of the deceased.
Mr Osei-Adjei said even though the Embassy of Senegal was unable to locate the family of the deceased Senegalese, it took it upon itself to offer clemency to the Ghanaian.
That decision, according to the minister, was conveyed to the Libyan authorities but regrettably they failed to take that into consideration and went ahead to carry out the executions last Saturday, which included the third person from the previous case.
He said the bodies of the four Ghanaians had since been deposited at a mortuary in the Benghazi Central Hospital for autopsy, while the ministry was in the process of informing their families.
“While the Government of Ghana does not seek to undermine the laws of Libya, it would have wished that the authorities of that country would have prevailed more strongly on the family of the victim to reconsider its position on the executions, on humanitarian grounds,” he stated.
He informed the House that one more Ghanaian remained on death roll in Libya for the murder of another Ghanaian and said that the ministry was exploring the options available in that case.
Mr Osei-Adjei said that further information from the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya revealed that as of the middle of 2007, there were over 200 Ghanaians in Libyan prisons for various crimes, including the possession of drugs, distillation of alcohol, prostitution, among others, adding that about 100 of them had since benefited from amnesty and returned to Ghana.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protect the interests of its citizens abroad but reminded Ghanaians abroad that it was their obligation to respect the laws of their host countries and to conduct themselves properly and in ways that would make them worthy ambassadors of Ghana.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, on Tuesday confirmed the execution of four Ghanaians in Libya.
Two of them, who were convicted and sentenced to death in 1998 and 2002 for the murder of a Libyan and a Senegalese, respectively, were executed last Saturday, February 16, 2008.
According to the minister, earlier on January 22, 2008, two other Ghanaians had been executed for their involvement in the murder of the Libyan in question.
Mr Osei-Adjei stated that although efforts were made by the government to secure a reprieve for the four Ghanaians, “these proved unsuccessful”.
In a statement to Parliament, he explained that three of the executed Ghanaians, together with a Nigerian, were tried in a Libyan Criminal Court and found guilty on May 17, 1998.
They were alleged to have tied up the Libyan in his workshop and bludgeoned him to death because of a dispute over a transaction in drugs.
He said although the convicts appealed against the verdict in July, their appeal was dismissed, adding that the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya took a keen interest in the case and arranged for their defence during the trial and appeal.
Mr Osei-Adjei further explained that although the embassy subsequently made contact with the family of the deceased Libyan, in accordance with Islamic practice, to explore the possibility of seeking clemency or payment of compensation to cancel the death sentence, the family insisted that the law should take its course.
The Foreign Minister said President Kufuor had managed, on two occasions, to secure a stay of execution when the Ghanaians were scheduled for execution, saying that delayed action for five years.
He added that during that period, officials of the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya resumed contacts with the family of the Libyan victim in an effort to get it to reconsider its stance on the execution but to no avail.
Mr Osei-Adjei said in June 2007 when President Kufuor visited Libya, he raised the plight of the executed Ghanaians with the Libyan Leader, who promised to look into the matter.
He said when the embassy was notified on January 20, 2008 that two of the three Ghanaians were scheduled for execution on January 22, 2008, it made representations to the Libyan authorities for a further stay of execution to allow time for consultations with the Government of Ghana.
Mr Osei-Adjei said without responding to the embassy’s request, the Libyan authorities proceeded to execute the two by firing squad.
He said in the second case, a Ghanaian and a Gambian were tried and convicted for the murder of a Senegalese, explaining that the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya made a representation to the Senegalese Embassy in Libya to seek clemency from the family of the deceased.
Mr Osei-Adjei said even though the Embassy of Senegal was unable to locate the family of the deceased Senegalese, it took it upon itself to offer clemency to the Ghanaian.
That decision, according to the minister, was conveyed to the Libyan authorities but regrettably they failed to take that into consideration and went ahead to carry out the executions last Saturday, which included the third person from the previous case.
He said the bodies of the four Ghanaians had since been deposited at a mortuary in the Benghazi Central Hospital for autopsy, while the ministry was in the process of informing their families.
“While the Government of Ghana does not seek to undermine the laws of Libya, it would have wished that the authorities of that country would have prevailed more strongly on the family of the victim to reconsider its position on the executions, on humanitarian grounds,” he stated.
He informed the House that one more Ghanaian remained on death roll in Libya for the murder of another Ghanaian and said that the ministry was exploring the options available in that case.
Mr Osei-Adjei said that further information from the Ghanaian Embassy in Libya revealed that as of the middle of 2007, there were over 200 Ghanaians in Libyan prisons for various crimes, including the possession of drugs, distillation of alcohol, prostitution, among others, adding that about 100 of them had since benefited from amnesty and returned to Ghana.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protect the interests of its citizens abroad but reminded Ghanaians abroad that it was their obligation to respect the laws of their host countries and to conduct themselves properly and in ways that would make them worthy ambassadors of Ghana.
MPs welcome US President, wife
Page 14, Feb 21, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of Parliament today welcomed the visiting United States President, Mr George Walker Bush and his wife, Laura to Ghana and urged the government to use the opportunity to deepen the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries.
They said such a relationship should recognise the sovereignty of the two nations and seek the common interest of the people of both countries.
The MPs made the call in their contributions to a statement made on the floor of the House by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms Christine Churcher.
In her statement, Ms Churcher recognised that the Bush administration had touted the concept of Transformational Diplomacy as the methodology in its African policy.
That approach, she explained entailed enabling African nations to help themselves, establishing viable partnerships as opposed to paternalism and using America’s diplomatic power to help African governments build their own nations.
She said Ghana was the first country to welcome U.S Peace Corps in 1960 adding that more than 2000 volunteers had successfully served Ghana since that time.
Ms Churcher stated that following the smooth transition of power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the 2000 elections, and the demonstration of the NPP that it was committed to democracy, the rule of law and private sector enterprise, Ghana become one of the few African countries that the US decided to promote as a model for other countries to emulate.
The MP said Ghana was now recognised as a peaceful country and a beacon of hope for Africa.
Ms Church added that President Kufuor administration had promoted positive economic growth and said that President’s Bush’s visit would afford him (Bush) the opportunity to witness some of these developments.
She stated that the visit would enable President Bush to see at first hand the significant progress chalked under the bilateral co-operation and the overall impact of US investments on Ghana.
“Mr Speaker, the Kufuor administration should seize the opportunity to deepen our bilateral and technical co-operation with the US in order to move this country to a middle income status by 2015”, she said.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Wa Central, Mr Raship Pelpuo indicated since the interest of America was different from that of Ghana, it would be good for the Ghanaians authorities to define the country’s interest and see where the two countries could cooperate.
“We should not see US as a helper but as a country which is seeking to gain from us in order to meet them in equal terms”, he cautioned.
When it was his turn, the MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah said for spending more time in Ghana than the other African countries he had visited, President Bush given the country a thump up in the democratic path it had chosen.
He dismissed the notion that the president’s visit was in connection with the oil find in the country saying that if it were so President Bush would have visited countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Angola and other African countries which were already benefiting in their oil finds.
For his part the MP for Offinso North, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku noted that Ghana was increasingly becoming attractive as far as investments were concerned hence the inclusion of businessmen in the President’s trip.
He, however, expressed concern about the ill motives that some Ghanaians attached to visit adding that “Ghanaians talk too much about nothing”.
“Everybody want to be a foreign expect”, he said asked Ghanaians to “let the President be the coach this time to direct the country foreign policy”.
Other contributors to the statement were, Mr Okerchire Adusah, (Nkawkaw), Mr Joseph Amenowode (Hohoe South), and Mr J.B Danquah Adu (Akim Abuakwa North).
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of Parliament today welcomed the visiting United States President, Mr George Walker Bush and his wife, Laura to Ghana and urged the government to use the opportunity to deepen the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries.
They said such a relationship should recognise the sovereignty of the two nations and seek the common interest of the people of both countries.
The MPs made the call in their contributions to a statement made on the floor of the House by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms Christine Churcher.
In her statement, Ms Churcher recognised that the Bush administration had touted the concept of Transformational Diplomacy as the methodology in its African policy.
That approach, she explained entailed enabling African nations to help themselves, establishing viable partnerships as opposed to paternalism and using America’s diplomatic power to help African governments build their own nations.
She said Ghana was the first country to welcome U.S Peace Corps in 1960 adding that more than 2000 volunteers had successfully served Ghana since that time.
Ms Churcher stated that following the smooth transition of power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the 2000 elections, and the demonstration of the NPP that it was committed to democracy, the rule of law and private sector enterprise, Ghana become one of the few African countries that the US decided to promote as a model for other countries to emulate.
The MP said Ghana was now recognised as a peaceful country and a beacon of hope for Africa.
Ms Church added that President Kufuor administration had promoted positive economic growth and said that President’s Bush’s visit would afford him (Bush) the opportunity to witness some of these developments.
She stated that the visit would enable President Bush to see at first hand the significant progress chalked under the bilateral co-operation and the overall impact of US investments on Ghana.
“Mr Speaker, the Kufuor administration should seize the opportunity to deepen our bilateral and technical co-operation with the US in order to move this country to a middle income status by 2015”, she said.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Wa Central, Mr Raship Pelpuo indicated since the interest of America was different from that of Ghana, it would be good for the Ghanaians authorities to define the country’s interest and see where the two countries could cooperate.
“We should not see US as a helper but as a country which is seeking to gain from us in order to meet them in equal terms”, he cautioned.
When it was his turn, the MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah said for spending more time in Ghana than the other African countries he had visited, President Bush given the country a thump up in the democratic path it had chosen.
He dismissed the notion that the president’s visit was in connection with the oil find in the country saying that if it were so President Bush would have visited countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Angola and other African countries which were already benefiting in their oil finds.
For his part the MP for Offinso North, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku noted that Ghana was increasingly becoming attractive as far as investments were concerned hence the inclusion of businessmen in the President’s trip.
He, however, expressed concern about the ill motives that some Ghanaians attached to visit adding that “Ghanaians talk too much about nothing”.
“Everybody want to be a foreign expect”, he said asked Ghanaians to “let the President be the coach this time to direct the country foreign policy”.
Other contributors to the statement were, Mr Okerchire Adusah, (Nkawkaw), Mr Joseph Amenowode (Hohoe South), and Mr J.B Danquah Adu (Akim Abuakwa North).
Kufuor deserves commendation — MP
Page 15, Feb 21, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Mrs Gifty Kusi, has said that President J.A Kufuor deserves commendation for his sterling performance as a Head of State.
“He has demonstrated qualities of a good leader through well-calculated, outstanding programmes and policies to propel our country to a level unprecedented since independence,” she stated.
Mrs Kusi was moving a motion for the beginning of debate on the state of the nation address presented to the House last week Thursday, February 14, 2008.
The MP, who is also the Second Deputy Majority Whip, explained that the President had defied all odds to improve the socio-economic situation in the country.
She said a cursory look through the last eight state of the nation addresses by President Kufuor showed a consistent principle of “I can do what I say”, which depicted a serious president poised to serve his people.
Mrs Kusi said when President Kufuor took over the administration of the country in 2001, inflation was 40 per cent while interest rate was around 50 per cent.
“Now inflation rate is ranging from 10.7 per cent to 10.3 per cent and there is no doubt that adherence to fiscal and monetary discipline has resurrected the economy of the country,” she added.
Mrs Kusi stated that the introduction of the Capitation Grant, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the relentless fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, the successful re-denomination of the cedi, the People’s Assembly Concept, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, the creation of new municipal and district assemblies and the establishment of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, among others, were some of the indelible imprints of the Kufuor rule.
She said that not only had the president endeared himself to majority of Ghanaians but to the international world as well, adding that Ghana was gradually taking its place as the shining star of Africa because of effort to lay the necessary institutional framework and socio-economic atmosphere for the smooth take-off of the country’s development agenda.
Seconding the motion, the MP for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, said that Ghana’s economy was expanding year after year and predicted that the if trend continued, more jobs would be created for the unemployed.
He added that in the interim, the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been instituted as an intervention to offer jobs to the unemployed.
Nana Akomea, who is also the Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, gave the assurance that efforts were being made by the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to seek a lasting solution to the irregular payment of allowances to beneficiaries of the NYEP.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Spokesman on Energy and Mines, Mr Moses Asaga, said he was not surprise that he was well composed when he delivered his address.
He explained President Kufuor’s demeanour to the fact that he would be leaving office soon and would, therefore, not want to cultivate enemies before his retirement.
Mr Asaga added that it was unfortunate that the President failed to inform Ghanaians about his success or otherwise of his zero tolerance for corruption policy.
He, therefore, called for measures to tackle corruption, especially when the country begin the production of oil so that the proceeds would not benefit only a small section of the people to the disadvantage of the rest of Ghanaians.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Mrs Gifty Kusi, has said that President J.A Kufuor deserves commendation for his sterling performance as a Head of State.
“He has demonstrated qualities of a good leader through well-calculated, outstanding programmes and policies to propel our country to a level unprecedented since independence,” she stated.
Mrs Kusi was moving a motion for the beginning of debate on the state of the nation address presented to the House last week Thursday, February 14, 2008.
The MP, who is also the Second Deputy Majority Whip, explained that the President had defied all odds to improve the socio-economic situation in the country.
She said a cursory look through the last eight state of the nation addresses by President Kufuor showed a consistent principle of “I can do what I say”, which depicted a serious president poised to serve his people.
Mrs Kusi said when President Kufuor took over the administration of the country in 2001, inflation was 40 per cent while interest rate was around 50 per cent.
“Now inflation rate is ranging from 10.7 per cent to 10.3 per cent and there is no doubt that adherence to fiscal and monetary discipline has resurrected the economy of the country,” she added.
Mrs Kusi stated that the introduction of the Capitation Grant, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the relentless fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, the successful re-denomination of the cedi, the People’s Assembly Concept, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, the creation of new municipal and district assemblies and the establishment of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, among others, were some of the indelible imprints of the Kufuor rule.
She said that not only had the president endeared himself to majority of Ghanaians but to the international world as well, adding that Ghana was gradually taking its place as the shining star of Africa because of effort to lay the necessary institutional framework and socio-economic atmosphere for the smooth take-off of the country’s development agenda.
Seconding the motion, the MP for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, said that Ghana’s economy was expanding year after year and predicted that the if trend continued, more jobs would be created for the unemployed.
He added that in the interim, the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) had been instituted as an intervention to offer jobs to the unemployed.
Nana Akomea, who is also the Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, gave the assurance that efforts were being made by the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to seek a lasting solution to the irregular payment of allowances to beneficiaries of the NYEP.
When he took his turn in the debate, the Minority Spokesman on Energy and Mines, Mr Moses Asaga, said he was not surprise that he was well composed when he delivered his address.
He explained President Kufuor’s demeanour to the fact that he would be leaving office soon and would, therefore, not want to cultivate enemies before his retirement.
Mr Asaga added that it was unfortunate that the President failed to inform Ghanaians about his success or otherwise of his zero tolerance for corruption policy.
He, therefore, called for measures to tackle corruption, especially when the country begin the production of oil so that the proceeds would not benefit only a small section of the people to the disadvantage of the rest of Ghanaians.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Deprived schools provided with basic infrastructure
Page 16, Feb 20, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
ONE Hundred and three out of the 250 deprived senior high schools in the country were provided with basic infrastructure last year to enable them to be attractive to parents and students, the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic Fobih has disclosed.
The infrastructure included classrooms, dormitories, science laboratories and libraries.
The minister who disclosed this in Parliament was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi East, Mr Wisdom Gidisu who wanted to know when the ministry would provide boys and girls dormitories to Oti Secondary/Technical and the Asukawkaw Senior High Schools.
Prof Fobih said provision had also been made in the 2008 budget to ensure that schools receive minimum provision of infrastructure and other facilities to make them attractive to both parents and students.
He assured the MP that the Oti Secondary/Technical and the Asukawkaw High Schools may benefit from improvement this year.
The minister also informed the House that 250 schools in all the 10 regions of the country are to be provided with facilities connected to the Internet by the end of the year.
The programme forms part of the GES plan to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT), including Internet facilities in all Senior High Schools.
But due to budgetary constraints, the programme has been divided into two phases, the first phase of which was consisted with 250 schools.
According to the Prof Fobih, work on the second phase of the programme would start by the end of 2009.
The MP for Nkwanta South, Mr Geshon Gbediame had asked the minister when the Ntruboman and Nkwanta Senior High Schools would be provided with internet facilities in line with government policy.
Prof Fobih assured the MP that the Nkwanta Senior High School is included in the first phase while the Ntruboman Senior High School is included in the second phase.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
ONE Hundred and three out of the 250 deprived senior high schools in the country were provided with basic infrastructure last year to enable them to be attractive to parents and students, the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic Fobih has disclosed.
The infrastructure included classrooms, dormitories, science laboratories and libraries.
The minister who disclosed this in Parliament was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi East, Mr Wisdom Gidisu who wanted to know when the ministry would provide boys and girls dormitories to Oti Secondary/Technical and the Asukawkaw Senior High Schools.
Prof Fobih said provision had also been made in the 2008 budget to ensure that schools receive minimum provision of infrastructure and other facilities to make them attractive to both parents and students.
He assured the MP that the Oti Secondary/Technical and the Asukawkaw High Schools may benefit from improvement this year.
The minister also informed the House that 250 schools in all the 10 regions of the country are to be provided with facilities connected to the Internet by the end of the year.
The programme forms part of the GES plan to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT), including Internet facilities in all Senior High Schools.
But due to budgetary constraints, the programme has been divided into two phases, the first phase of which was consisted with 250 schools.
According to the Prof Fobih, work on the second phase of the programme would start by the end of 2009.
The MP for Nkwanta South, Mr Geshon Gbediame had asked the minister when the Ntruboman and Nkwanta Senior High Schools would be provided with internet facilities in line with government policy.
Prof Fobih assured the MP that the Nkwanta Senior High School is included in the first phase while the Ntruboman Senior High School is included in the second phase.
Parliament and Congress collaborate (feature)
Page 30, Feb 19, 2008
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE development of parliamentary democracy in Ghana has not been smooth sailing compared to that of the United States of America (USA) Congress.
Since independence, Ghana has practised both the Westminster system, where the Prime Minister was a Member of Parliament (MP) and the American type of presidential system, where the president held both ceremonial and executive powers.
The 1992 Constitution, which is a hybrid of the two systems, however, gives the Executive President powers to choose some members of his Cabinet from Parliament.
Unlike the United States Congress, Parliament of Ghana has practised a unicameral form of Legislature over the years. Membership of Parliament had also increased from 103 in 1957 to 230 currently, with each member representing a constituency. The number of constituencies within each of the 10 regions largely depends on the sizes and population of the region.
The United States Congress, however, is a bicameral Legislature, consisting of two Houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both Senators and representatives are chosen through direct election.
The 435 members of the House of Representatives represent a district. Seats in the House are apportioned among the states by population. The 100 Senators serve staggered six-year terms. Each state has two Senators, regardless of the size of the population. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected.
The United States Constitution vests all Legislative power in the Congress. The House and the Senate are equal partners in the Legislative process (legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers). However, the Constitution grants each Chamber some unique powers. The Senate is empowered to approve treaties and Presidential appointments. Revenue-raising bills must originate in the House of Representatives, which also has the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to try impeachment cases.
The Congress meets in the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. The term Congress actually refers to a particular meeting of the national Legislature, reckoned according to the terms of representatives. Therefore, a "Congress" covers two years. The current 110th Congress first convened on January 4, 2007.
Ghana’s Independence Parliament of 1957 was short-lived, because of the people’s anxiety to become a republic. That status was achieved on July 1, 1960.
Despite the considerable total periods of military rule, there have been as many as nine parliaments, namely the Independence Parliament (Nkrumah), the two parliaments of the First Republic (Nkrumah), the Parliament of the Second Republic (Busia), the Parliament of the Third Republic (Limann) and the four parliaments of the Fourth Republic (Rawlings and Kufuor).
At independence in 1957, Ghana adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy. This was practised almost flawlessly from 1957 to 1960 in the First Republic and 1969 to 1972 in the Second Republic. The Third Republic Constitution of 1979 was, however, based on the American system with strict separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature.
Collaboration between Ghanaian Parliament and the American Congress
Collaboration between the two legislatures over the last 15 years had gone a long way to enhance the efficiency of a number of departments in Parliament and some Members of Parliament (MP).
According Mr Matthew Abrefa Tawiah, a Principal Assistant Clerk of Parliament responsible for the Speaker’s Office, selected MPs visit the American Congress every year under the auspices of National Council for State Legislators (NCSL).
The National Conference of State Legislatures was founded in 1975, with the conviction that legislative service is one of democracy's worthiest pursuits. NCSL is a bi-partisan organisation that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. The NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policy makers to exchange ideas on the most pressing issues.
Each year, selected MPs and staff of the Ghanaian Parliament attend NCSL meeting during which participants share ideas on parliamentary practices and procedures.
Again, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) training programmes, a number of training programmes have been organised to enhance the competence of the staff of Parliament in research and legislative drafting.
According to Mr Abrefa, USAID had also donated a number of computers to beef up the number at the MPs Internet Cafe and those at the library.
Although President George Walker Bush will not address Parliament during his visit to the country, it is hoped that consultations would be held between some members of his entourage and those of Parliament to deepen the existing bond of friendship between the two legislatures.
Article: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE development of parliamentary democracy in Ghana has not been smooth sailing compared to that of the United States of America (USA) Congress.
Since independence, Ghana has practised both the Westminster system, where the Prime Minister was a Member of Parliament (MP) and the American type of presidential system, where the president held both ceremonial and executive powers.
The 1992 Constitution, which is a hybrid of the two systems, however, gives the Executive President powers to choose some members of his Cabinet from Parliament.
Unlike the United States Congress, Parliament of Ghana has practised a unicameral form of Legislature over the years. Membership of Parliament had also increased from 103 in 1957 to 230 currently, with each member representing a constituency. The number of constituencies within each of the 10 regions largely depends on the sizes and population of the region.
The United States Congress, however, is a bicameral Legislature, consisting of two Houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both Senators and representatives are chosen through direct election.
The 435 members of the House of Representatives represent a district. Seats in the House are apportioned among the states by population. The 100 Senators serve staggered six-year terms. Each state has two Senators, regardless of the size of the population. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected.
The United States Constitution vests all Legislative power in the Congress. The House and the Senate are equal partners in the Legislative process (legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers). However, the Constitution grants each Chamber some unique powers. The Senate is empowered to approve treaties and Presidential appointments. Revenue-raising bills must originate in the House of Representatives, which also has the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to try impeachment cases.
The Congress meets in the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. The term Congress actually refers to a particular meeting of the national Legislature, reckoned according to the terms of representatives. Therefore, a "Congress" covers two years. The current 110th Congress first convened on January 4, 2007.
Ghana’s Independence Parliament of 1957 was short-lived, because of the people’s anxiety to become a republic. That status was achieved on July 1, 1960.
Despite the considerable total periods of military rule, there have been as many as nine parliaments, namely the Independence Parliament (Nkrumah), the two parliaments of the First Republic (Nkrumah), the Parliament of the Second Republic (Busia), the Parliament of the Third Republic (Limann) and the four parliaments of the Fourth Republic (Rawlings and Kufuor).
At independence in 1957, Ghana adopted the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy. This was practised almost flawlessly from 1957 to 1960 in the First Republic and 1969 to 1972 in the Second Republic. The Third Republic Constitution of 1979 was, however, based on the American system with strict separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature.
Collaboration between Ghanaian Parliament and the American Congress
Collaboration between the two legislatures over the last 15 years had gone a long way to enhance the efficiency of a number of departments in Parliament and some Members of Parliament (MP).
According Mr Matthew Abrefa Tawiah, a Principal Assistant Clerk of Parliament responsible for the Speaker’s Office, selected MPs visit the American Congress every year under the auspices of National Council for State Legislators (NCSL).
The National Conference of State Legislatures was founded in 1975, with the conviction that legislative service is one of democracy's worthiest pursuits. NCSL is a bi-partisan organisation that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. The NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policy makers to exchange ideas on the most pressing issues.
Each year, selected MPs and staff of the Ghanaian Parliament attend NCSL meeting during which participants share ideas on parliamentary practices and procedures.
Again, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) training programmes, a number of training programmes have been organised to enhance the competence of the staff of Parliament in research and legislative drafting.
According to Mr Abrefa, USAID had also donated a number of computers to beef up the number at the MPs Internet Cafe and those at the library.
Although President George Walker Bush will not address Parliament during his visit to the country, it is hoped that consultations would be held between some members of his entourage and those of Parliament to deepen the existing bond of friendship between the two legislatures.
President’s address, window dressing — Dan Lartey
Page 17, Feb 19, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Dan Lartey, has described the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament last Thursday as “mere window dressing”.
He wondered why the President did not address the drug menace confronting the country and said there was the need for tough security measures to be put in place to curb the situation and save the youth from further destruction.
Mr Lartey told the Daily Graphic that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had not been able to provide jobs thereby worsening the plight of ordinary Ghanaians.
He said the address was a well rehearsed propaganda tool aimed at shifting the attention of the people from the harsh economic realities that Ghanaians were currently facing.
He added that a critical look at the address revealed that he had woefully failed Ghanaians.
“If I were him, I would have apologised to Ghanaians and asked for their forgiveness for not being able to fulfil the sweet campaign promises”, he said.
Mr Lartey stated that the GCPP was ready to assume power to correct the ills that had been visited on Ghanaians by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
“My party will provide jobs and adjust salaries and wages to reflect the realities of the day to ensure the comfort of workers whose salaries did not commensurate their sweat and toil, he said.
Mr Lartey indicated that the GCPP was ready for the onslaught in order to give the people what they wanted and called on Ghanaians to give him their mandate during the December elections.
Asked how he was going to win the December polls, the 81-year-old politician said it was clear that his domestication policy had now caught on well with the people.
He explained that the party’s quest to contest all the 230 seats and form a majority in Parliament was not a fluke and challenged all political parties to the contest.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Dan Lartey, has described the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament last Thursday as “mere window dressing”.
He wondered why the President did not address the drug menace confronting the country and said there was the need for tough security measures to be put in place to curb the situation and save the youth from further destruction.
Mr Lartey told the Daily Graphic that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had not been able to provide jobs thereby worsening the plight of ordinary Ghanaians.
He said the address was a well rehearsed propaganda tool aimed at shifting the attention of the people from the harsh economic realities that Ghanaians were currently facing.
He added that a critical look at the address revealed that he had woefully failed Ghanaians.
“If I were him, I would have apologised to Ghanaians and asked for their forgiveness for not being able to fulfil the sweet campaign promises”, he said.
Mr Lartey stated that the GCPP was ready to assume power to correct the ills that had been visited on Ghanaians by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
“My party will provide jobs and adjust salaries and wages to reflect the realities of the day to ensure the comfort of workers whose salaries did not commensurate their sweat and toil, he said.
Mr Lartey indicated that the GCPP was ready for the onslaught in order to give the people what they wanted and called on Ghanaians to give him their mandate during the December elections.
Asked how he was going to win the December polls, the 81-year-old politician said it was clear that his domestication policy had now caught on well with the people.
He explained that the party’s quest to contest all the 230 seats and form a majority in Parliament was not a fluke and challenged all political parties to the contest.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Bamson pays NHIS premium for 2,300 people
Page 34, Feb 18, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
BAMSON Company Limited, the local representatives of Akzo Noble Sikkens of Holland, has provided GH¢10,000 for the payment of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) premiums for 2,300 needy people in the Afram Plains in the Eastern Region.
The donation was made through the Afram Plains Development Organisation (APDO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The gesture was in response to an appeal made to the company as a result of the inability of some people to pay insurance premiums to enable them to access health care at the various health institutions in the area.
The Executive Director of Bamson Group of Companies, Mr Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, who made the presentation, said he was deeply touched by the plight of the poor in the Afram Plains, who could not access health care due to non-payment of premiums.
He expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to give relief to the beneficiaries, who were so desperate to find money to pay for the premiums.
Receiving the donation, the Executive Director of APDO, Mr Awudu Modoc, thanked the company for the gesture.
Mr Awudu stated that in view of the numerous problems facing the poor in the Afram Plains, APDO had instituted a Health Insurance Foundation to solicit funding to support the needy.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
BAMSON Company Limited, the local representatives of Akzo Noble Sikkens of Holland, has provided GH¢10,000 for the payment of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) premiums for 2,300 needy people in the Afram Plains in the Eastern Region.
The donation was made through the Afram Plains Development Organisation (APDO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The gesture was in response to an appeal made to the company as a result of the inability of some people to pay insurance premiums to enable them to access health care at the various health institutions in the area.
The Executive Director of Bamson Group of Companies, Mr Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, who made the presentation, said he was deeply touched by the plight of the poor in the Afram Plains, who could not access health care due to non-payment of premiums.
He expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to give relief to the beneficiaries, who were so desperate to find money to pay for the premiums.
Receiving the donation, the Executive Director of APDO, Mr Awudu Modoc, thanked the company for the gesture.
Mr Awudu stated that in view of the numerous problems facing the poor in the Afram Plains, APDO had instituted a Health Insurance Foundation to solicit funding to support the needy.
John Richardson pays courtesy call on Mahama
Richardson pays courtesy call on Mahama
Page 15, Feb 18, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE immediate past Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr John Richardson, has paid a courtesy call on the Minority in Parliament to bid them farewell before he left the shores of the country.
He held discussions with the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr John Mahama, during which he commended Ghana for the healthy rivalry among political parties in the country.
Mr Richardson said Ghana had a lot to teach other African countries in the organisation of elections, having already organised four elections since the country entered constitutional rule in 1992.
Mr Mahama commended Mr Richardson for successfully completing his duty tour of Ghana, adding that it was unfortunate that he would not witness the return of NDC to power.
He appealed to Ghana’s development partners to assist in the provision of logistics to ensure the perfection of the country’s electoral process.
Mr Mahama said though the NDC had faith in the electoral process, it would be extra careful to prevent cheating during the December polls.
He said since the NDC was a social democratic party, it would ensure equity in the distribution of national resources so that the underprivileged would have their share.
*Picture shows Mr Richardson (left) and Mr Mahama (right) in a tête-à -tête during the meeting.
Page 15, Feb 18, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE immediate past Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr John Richardson, has paid a courtesy call on the Minority in Parliament to bid them farewell before he left the shores of the country.
He held discussions with the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr John Mahama, during which he commended Ghana for the healthy rivalry among political parties in the country.
Mr Richardson said Ghana had a lot to teach other African countries in the organisation of elections, having already organised four elections since the country entered constitutional rule in 1992.
Mr Mahama commended Mr Richardson for successfully completing his duty tour of Ghana, adding that it was unfortunate that he would not witness the return of NDC to power.
He appealed to Ghana’s development partners to assist in the provision of logistics to ensure the perfection of the country’s electoral process.
Mr Mahama said though the NDC had faith in the electoral process, it would be extra careful to prevent cheating during the December polls.
He said since the NDC was a social democratic party, it would ensure equity in the distribution of national resources so that the underprivileged would have their share.
*Picture shows Mr Richardson (left) and Mr Mahama (right) in a tête-à -tête during the meeting.
Assembly sensitises people on Disability Act
Page 29, Feb 16, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Akatsi District Assembly in the Volta Region, in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare, has organised a sensitisation workshop to educate the people about the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715, 2006) at a ceremony at Akatsi.
About 70 people with various disabilities and a cross-section of the people attended the workshop, which was part of the assembly’s efforts to protect and promote the rights of the disabled.
In his presentation, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Barnabas Adjin, stressed the need for Ghanaians to accept and integrate disabled people into the society.
He added that discrimination against such people would not benefit the country, since the government needed to tap the potential of everybody towards the country’s development.
“People with disabilities should not be disproved of their rights to live with their families and to participate in socio-political activities in the country,” Mr Adjin stated.
He urged parents not to hide their disabled children, since the education of people with disability in all public schools throughout the country was free.
The regional director said the Act stipulated that the Ministry of Health, in formulating health policies, “shall provide for free general and specialist medical care rehabilitative devices for people with total disability, including the study of and related matters in the curriculum of training institutions for health professionals”.
Mr Adjin appealed to the participants to help create the necessary awareness about the act to ensure its smooth implementation.
For his part, the District Chief Executive for Akatsi, Mr Anthony Kofi Abledu, said the assembly had taken disability issues seriously in order to protect and promote the rights of such unfortunate people.
He was not happy with the notion that people with disabilities were economically unproductive.
Mr Abledu stated that it was the duty of the society to assess the strengths and capabilities of people with disabilities in order to assist them to make decent living.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Akatsi District Assembly in the Volta Region, in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare, has organised a sensitisation workshop to educate the people about the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715, 2006) at a ceremony at Akatsi.
About 70 people with various disabilities and a cross-section of the people attended the workshop, which was part of the assembly’s efforts to protect and promote the rights of the disabled.
In his presentation, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Barnabas Adjin, stressed the need for Ghanaians to accept and integrate disabled people into the society.
He added that discrimination against such people would not benefit the country, since the government needed to tap the potential of everybody towards the country’s development.
“People with disabilities should not be disproved of their rights to live with their families and to participate in socio-political activities in the country,” Mr Adjin stated.
He urged parents not to hide their disabled children, since the education of people with disability in all public schools throughout the country was free.
The regional director said the Act stipulated that the Ministry of Health, in formulating health policies, “shall provide for free general and specialist medical care rehabilitative devices for people with total disability, including the study of and related matters in the curriculum of training institutions for health professionals”.
Mr Adjin appealed to the participants to help create the necessary awareness about the act to ensure its smooth implementation.
For his part, the District Chief Executive for Akatsi, Mr Anthony Kofi Abledu, said the assembly had taken disability issues seriously in order to protect and promote the rights of such unfortunate people.
He was not happy with the notion that people with disabilities were economically unproductive.
Mr Abledu stated that it was the duty of the society to assess the strengths and capabilities of people with disabilities in order to assist them to make decent living.
Be alive to corporate reponsibilities — MP for Amenfi
Page 13, Feb 16, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi West, Mr John Gyetuah, has called on companies operating in the Western Region to be alive to their corporate social responsibilities by using part of their profits for the benefit of the people.
He said it was only through such gestures that they could ensure a peaceful co-existence between them and the people for the accelerated development of the region.
Mr Gyetuah made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic during which he expressed his profound gratitude to two companies, the Biatar Company Limited and Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited, for the rehabilitation of the dangerous sections of Prestea-Samreboi Junction road.
He said the timely response of the companies to his appeal had brought a sigh of relief to the numerous cocoa farmers in the area.
He also indicated that the bad sections of the road, particularly from the Sibo Camp to Nkwanta made almost all drivers plying the route to withdraw their services.
The MP said a few drivers who were plying the route charged GH¢4.00, saying the rehabilitation of the road had led to the reduction of the fare to GH¢1.80.
Mr Gyetuah thanked the Assembly Member for the Nkwanta Electoral Area, Mr Albert Papafio, and his electorate for their communal support which enabled the companies to make the road motorable.
He also appealed to the Minister of Transportation to ensure that the contract awarded Koseh Engineering Limited to clear the tree canopies and grade the road to ascertain whether the contract was well executed.
Meanwhile, Mr Gyetuah had distributed 510 bags of cement and 18 packets of roofing sheets purchased from his share of the Common Fund to 21 communities in the constituency.
Some of the beneficiary communities are Berekum, Yepimso, Nyame Nnae, Aworabo, Mumuni Camp, Gonokrom, Koduakrom and Manto.
Mr Gyetuah told the Daily Graphic that a number of computers and printers had also been given to the Asankragwa Secondary Technical School, Asankragwa Senior High School and the District Education Office to the tune of GH¢15,000.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi West, Mr John Gyetuah, has called on companies operating in the Western Region to be alive to their corporate social responsibilities by using part of their profits for the benefit of the people.
He said it was only through such gestures that they could ensure a peaceful co-existence between them and the people for the accelerated development of the region.
Mr Gyetuah made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic during which he expressed his profound gratitude to two companies, the Biatar Company Limited and Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited, for the rehabilitation of the dangerous sections of Prestea-Samreboi Junction road.
He said the timely response of the companies to his appeal had brought a sigh of relief to the numerous cocoa farmers in the area.
He also indicated that the bad sections of the road, particularly from the Sibo Camp to Nkwanta made almost all drivers plying the route to withdraw their services.
The MP said a few drivers who were plying the route charged GH¢4.00, saying the rehabilitation of the road had led to the reduction of the fare to GH¢1.80.
Mr Gyetuah thanked the Assembly Member for the Nkwanta Electoral Area, Mr Albert Papafio, and his electorate for their communal support which enabled the companies to make the road motorable.
He also appealed to the Minister of Transportation to ensure that the contract awarded Koseh Engineering Limited to clear the tree canopies and grade the road to ascertain whether the contract was well executed.
Meanwhile, Mr Gyetuah had distributed 510 bags of cement and 18 packets of roofing sheets purchased from his share of the Common Fund to 21 communities in the constituency.
Some of the beneficiary communities are Berekum, Yepimso, Nyame Nnae, Aworabo, Mumuni Camp, Gonokrom, Koduakrom and Manto.
Mr Gyetuah told the Daily Graphic that a number of computers and printers had also been given to the Asankragwa Secondary Technical School, Asankragwa Senior High School and the District Education Office to the tune of GH¢15,000.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Bagbin to contest seat for fifth time
Page 15, Feb 15, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has declared his intention to contest the Nadwoli West seat which he has occupied since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1992.
He is one of the few MPs in the House who has seen it all in the country’s legislature during the Fourth Republic and would be contesting the seat for the fifth time.
While people are of the opinion that after occupying the seat for four conservative times, it was time he bade farewell to the House, Mr Bagbin told the Daily Graphic in an interview that he had no intention of doing so now.
“Why should I quit now when it is clear that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is on the verge of winning yet another historic election?”, he argued.
He described the Nadwoli seat as “a safe seat” for the NDC due to his performance for the past 15 years.
Mr Bagbin stated that although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would do all it could to unseat him, it would be fighting a loosing battle just like previous elections.
He explained that during the 2004 elections, both the President and his vice pitched camps in his constituency at different periods and were not successful in their bid to unseat him.
Mr Bagbin added that this time the District Chief Executive of the area, Wing Commander Eric Dakora, who was a former member of the NDC had been made the NPP parliamentary candidate to contest him.
“I will floor him just as I have done to others in the previous elections”, he said and called on Ghanaians to stand up against any attempts by the NPP to use its incumbency to win the impending elections.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has declared his intention to contest the Nadwoli West seat which he has occupied since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1992.
He is one of the few MPs in the House who has seen it all in the country’s legislature during the Fourth Republic and would be contesting the seat for the fifth time.
While people are of the opinion that after occupying the seat for four conservative times, it was time he bade farewell to the House, Mr Bagbin told the Daily Graphic in an interview that he had no intention of doing so now.
“Why should I quit now when it is clear that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is on the verge of winning yet another historic election?”, he argued.
He described the Nadwoli seat as “a safe seat” for the NDC due to his performance for the past 15 years.
Mr Bagbin stated that although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would do all it could to unseat him, it would be fighting a loosing battle just like previous elections.
He explained that during the 2004 elections, both the President and his vice pitched camps in his constituency at different periods and were not successful in their bid to unseat him.
Mr Bagbin added that this time the District Chief Executive of the area, Wing Commander Eric Dakora, who was a former member of the NDC had been made the NPP parliamentary candidate to contest him.
“I will floor him just as I have done to others in the previous elections”, he said and called on Ghanaians to stand up against any attempts by the NPP to use its incumbency to win the impending elections.
Govt to build 3 mini hydro dams
Spread, Feb 15, 2008
Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government has begun negotiations with the Sinohydro Company of China, the contractors executing the Bui Dam, to construct three additional mini hydro dams in the Central and the Western regions to enhance the country’s energy supply, President J.A. Kufuor has said.
The dams, which will be constructed on the River Ankobra at Ajomoro Ashiem in the Nzema East District, the Tano River at Tanoso, near Elubo in the Jomoro District, both in the Western Region, and River Pra at Assin Awisa in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District in the Central Region, have the capacity to generate 250 megawatts of power.
Delivering his last State of the Nation Address to Parliament yesterday, President Kufuor said the implementation of the policy, which involved a mix of thermal and hydro energy for electricity, would provide the country’s energy requirement for industrialisation.
Ghana was plunged into a serious energy crisis in 2007 following a reduction in the water level of the Akosombo Dam, the main source of energy supply in the country.
The situation led to load shedding, which affected manufacturing and industrial output and employment opportunities.
To overcome the difficulties of energy supply, the government has implemented a short to medium and long-term energy policy to solve the problem once and for all.
Last year, President Kufuor cut the sod for the commencement of the Bui Dam, a project which had remained on the drawing board for close to 100 years. On completion, it is expected to generate about 400 megawatts of energy.
A team of consultants from a French consulting engineering firm, Coyner et Bellier, has already begun feasibility studies for the construction of the three dams.
Coyner et Bellier specialises in the designing, construction and supervision of large infrastructural projects such as hydraulic and hydropower dams.
President Kufuor said one of the legacies of his government was the West African Gas Pipeline project which had been completed and indicated that the first free flow of nitrogen from the pipeline had begun.
He said the project was expected to impact positively on energy generation in the country, since gas was a relatively cheaper source of energy than crude oil.
Touching on other achievements of his government, President Kufuor said since assuming office, the government had prosecuted measures and enacted laws to facilitate the growth of the private sector, in line with the declaration of the Golden Age of Business.
On agriculture, the President said through various interventions, the agricultural sector was attracting some large-scale commercial farmers.
Additionally, he said, the cocoa sector registered the highest ever production level of more than 740,000 tonnes during the 2005/2005 crop year, saying that the target was to attain a million tonnes in the next couple of years, as well as encourage value addition.
President Kufuor said the government had also registered appreciable successes in employment generation, especially with the implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), as well as areas such as public sector/private sector partnership, public sector pay reforms, good governance, law and order and foreign relations.
On the refurbishment of Job 600 for use by Members of Parliament (MPs), the President gave the assurance that fresh resources had been secured by the government to complete the project.
He advised the House to consider preparing a comprehensive budget of its needs for funding, in the same way that the Judiciary had been doing.
The President reported that the rehabilitation of the presidential lodges built by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first President, had been done “not for the vanity of the presidency” but to preserve such national assets.
He underscored the need for the utilisation of the four state-of-the-art stadiums in the country for human resource development.
On the forthcoming elections, President Kufuor said four elections had so far been organised in the country, with progressive improvement in each of them.
He said when there was so much going for the country’s electoral process, there should be no reason for people to contemplate extra measures for resolving imaginary scenarios in the coming elections.
Increasingly, the President said, Ghanaians had been displaying a strong yearning to be the best or with the best in Africa, as was manifested clearly during the just-ended Ghana 2008 soccer tournament.
Although Ghana did not win the trophy as had been expected, the President said, the country should be proud of winning the bronze and, above all, for hosting an exciting and successful soccer fiesta adjudged by many of the continent’s football officials and enthusiasts to be the best so far in the history of the tournament.
He said it was gratifying to note that Ghana had placed first in Africa and 14th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings released last Wednesday.
“This is the first time ever that Ghana has been ranked this high in the FIFA listings,” he said.
The President congratulated the Black Stars and their technical team on doing their best and being good sportsmen and the Local Organising Committee on its contribution.
He also acknowledged the unalloyed support which Ghanaians gave to the Stars and the patriotism they displayed so passionately in the country.
“Of course, l am not forgetting the government’s initiatives in bidding for the tournament and also the investment in the beautiful stadiums, of which we are all so proud,” he said.
The President also used the occasion to thank all Ghanaians for the opportunity given to him to serve as the country’s leader for two terms.
Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government has begun negotiations with the Sinohydro Company of China, the contractors executing the Bui Dam, to construct three additional mini hydro dams in the Central and the Western regions to enhance the country’s energy supply, President J.A. Kufuor has said.
The dams, which will be constructed on the River Ankobra at Ajomoro Ashiem in the Nzema East District, the Tano River at Tanoso, near Elubo in the Jomoro District, both in the Western Region, and River Pra at Assin Awisa in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District in the Central Region, have the capacity to generate 250 megawatts of power.
Delivering his last State of the Nation Address to Parliament yesterday, President Kufuor said the implementation of the policy, which involved a mix of thermal and hydro energy for electricity, would provide the country’s energy requirement for industrialisation.
Ghana was plunged into a serious energy crisis in 2007 following a reduction in the water level of the Akosombo Dam, the main source of energy supply in the country.
The situation led to load shedding, which affected manufacturing and industrial output and employment opportunities.
To overcome the difficulties of energy supply, the government has implemented a short to medium and long-term energy policy to solve the problem once and for all.
Last year, President Kufuor cut the sod for the commencement of the Bui Dam, a project which had remained on the drawing board for close to 100 years. On completion, it is expected to generate about 400 megawatts of energy.
A team of consultants from a French consulting engineering firm, Coyner et Bellier, has already begun feasibility studies for the construction of the three dams.
Coyner et Bellier specialises in the designing, construction and supervision of large infrastructural projects such as hydraulic and hydropower dams.
President Kufuor said one of the legacies of his government was the West African Gas Pipeline project which had been completed and indicated that the first free flow of nitrogen from the pipeline had begun.
He said the project was expected to impact positively on energy generation in the country, since gas was a relatively cheaper source of energy than crude oil.
Touching on other achievements of his government, President Kufuor said since assuming office, the government had prosecuted measures and enacted laws to facilitate the growth of the private sector, in line with the declaration of the Golden Age of Business.
On agriculture, the President said through various interventions, the agricultural sector was attracting some large-scale commercial farmers.
Additionally, he said, the cocoa sector registered the highest ever production level of more than 740,000 tonnes during the 2005/2005 crop year, saying that the target was to attain a million tonnes in the next couple of years, as well as encourage value addition.
President Kufuor said the government had also registered appreciable successes in employment generation, especially with the implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), as well as areas such as public sector/private sector partnership, public sector pay reforms, good governance, law and order and foreign relations.
On the refurbishment of Job 600 for use by Members of Parliament (MPs), the President gave the assurance that fresh resources had been secured by the government to complete the project.
He advised the House to consider preparing a comprehensive budget of its needs for funding, in the same way that the Judiciary had been doing.
The President reported that the rehabilitation of the presidential lodges built by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first President, had been done “not for the vanity of the presidency” but to preserve such national assets.
He underscored the need for the utilisation of the four state-of-the-art stadiums in the country for human resource development.
On the forthcoming elections, President Kufuor said four elections had so far been organised in the country, with progressive improvement in each of them.
He said when there was so much going for the country’s electoral process, there should be no reason for people to contemplate extra measures for resolving imaginary scenarios in the coming elections.
Increasingly, the President said, Ghanaians had been displaying a strong yearning to be the best or with the best in Africa, as was manifested clearly during the just-ended Ghana 2008 soccer tournament.
Although Ghana did not win the trophy as had been expected, the President said, the country should be proud of winning the bronze and, above all, for hosting an exciting and successful soccer fiesta adjudged by many of the continent’s football officials and enthusiasts to be the best so far in the history of the tournament.
He said it was gratifying to note that Ghana had placed first in Africa and 14th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings released last Wednesday.
“This is the first time ever that Ghana has been ranked this high in the FIFA listings,” he said.
The President congratulated the Black Stars and their technical team on doing their best and being good sportsmen and the Local Organising Committee on its contribution.
He also acknowledged the unalloyed support which Ghanaians gave to the Stars and the patriotism they displayed so passionately in the country.
“Of course, l am not forgetting the government’s initiatives in bidding for the tournament and also the investment in the beautiful stadiums, of which we are all so proud,” he said.
The President also used the occasion to thank all Ghanaians for the opportunity given to him to serve as the country’s leader for two terms.
Address attracts diverse reactions
Frontpage, Feb 15, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor’s last State of the Nation Address of his two-term rule has drawn diverse reactions from politicians, parliamentarians and economists.
For about 95 minutes, the 69-year-old President stood on his feet and gave account of his stewardship, amid verbal heckling by some members of the Minority.
In the end, he received a standing ovation from both sides of the House, with the Majority MPs shouting his accolades, while the Minority taunted him with a well-rehearsed chorus, “Away, away, go and sin no more, go and sin no more”.
Giving his impression about the address, an economist, Mr Kwame Pianim, described the contents as excellent, saying that “the President left no doubts in the minds of the people that he was leaving the scene early next year”.
He said such a gesture was good for the country’s democratic dispensation, since it offered a lesson for other African leaders to learn from.
Mr Pianim noted that his gesture was a departure from the attitude of most African leaders who adopted unorthodox tactics to alter their constitutions to go beyond their mandate.
He said President Kufuor’s administration had ensured economic stability “and that was exactly what he told Ghanaians in his final address”.
Mr Pianim said with the resuscitation of the economy, the President had succeeded in laying the necessary foundation for the industrial take-off of the country to provide jobs for its teeming youth.
The economist said the discovery of oil in commercial quantities was a good omen and an opportunity for the country to tap it for its future progress.
For his part, the General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, said the President told the truth about what he had achieved so far.
He, however, said the President’s promise in 2001 of “a golden age of business” had not been fulfilled.
Mr Greenstreet said the CPP believed in work and happiness and so it was unfortunate that Ghana continued to receive handouts from the international community, adding that it seemed the task was greater than what the President thought it to be.
On the renovation of the Flagstaff House, the Peduase Lodge and other legacies of the Nkrumah regime, he praised the NPP administration for the work done and blamed the PNDC and the NDC, who claimed to be Nkrumaists, for presiding over the wreckage of those national heritage.
He described the agreement between Ghana and its foreign partners in the drilling of oil in the country as ridiculous and questioned why the country should take only 10 per cent from the proceeds.
The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, said the address was a repetition of previous addresses to the House.
He said it was not the best for the President to blame his predecessors for the country’s predicaments anytime he had the chance to address a gathering, instead of solving such problems for which he had been voted into power.
Mr Mornah explained that the address did not concentrate on what the government would do between now and January 7, 2009 when the next government would take over, instead dwelling on what the next President should do to ensure the country’s progress.
He said that showed that the President had thrown his hands in despair, as if he had come to his wit’s end.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South and the Minority Spokesman on Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, wondered why the President was silent on the drug trade which had made the country a major hub of the illicit activity.
He said the address did not sound conciliatory, adding that it would have been better to preach unity, instead of leaving behind a polarised society.
Mr Iddrisu said President Kufuor “was not candid on his failures and it would have been better for him to do so”.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, however, commended the President for sounding more conciliatory in his address than in previous ones.
“It seems the President carefully chose his words because he will leave the scene soon and he knows it will be better for him not to step on too many toes,” he opined.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah said he was, however, disappointed because he had expected the President to tell the whole country that the importation of rice and poultry products had reduced more drastically than what he came to meet.
He stated that the importation of rice and poultry products had now quadrupled, saying it had now become clear that the NPP could not reduce their importation by 30 per cent as promised when he assumed office.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah wondered why the President failed to apologise to the country for the mess that the energy crisis brought, instead of blowing horns on his modest achievements.
The former Minister of Defence and MP for Manhyia, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, described the address as impressive, saying it lent credence to the fact that the President was the father of the nation.
“He was on top of the situation,” he said, adding that his advice to politicians and the promise to ensure free and fair elections in December made him a true statesman.
He praised the President for the manner in which he delivered the speech, saying that “even when he delivered a jab to his opponents, because he is a politician he was charitable”.
The MP for Wa Central, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, described the address as subjective, since it only focused on the President’s achievements and the usual blame game, without mentioning the failures of the NPP administration.
He said although the NPP had touted the positive indicators of the economy, such indicators had not been translated into money in the pockets of the people.
Mr Pelpuo added that the President was not bold enough to talk about his inability to fight corruption which whittled away the little gains made because of the greed of a few individuals.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor’s last State of the Nation Address of his two-term rule has drawn diverse reactions from politicians, parliamentarians and economists.
For about 95 minutes, the 69-year-old President stood on his feet and gave account of his stewardship, amid verbal heckling by some members of the Minority.
In the end, he received a standing ovation from both sides of the House, with the Majority MPs shouting his accolades, while the Minority taunted him with a well-rehearsed chorus, “Away, away, go and sin no more, go and sin no more”.
Giving his impression about the address, an economist, Mr Kwame Pianim, described the contents as excellent, saying that “the President left no doubts in the minds of the people that he was leaving the scene early next year”.
He said such a gesture was good for the country’s democratic dispensation, since it offered a lesson for other African leaders to learn from.
Mr Pianim noted that his gesture was a departure from the attitude of most African leaders who adopted unorthodox tactics to alter their constitutions to go beyond their mandate.
He said President Kufuor’s administration had ensured economic stability “and that was exactly what he told Ghanaians in his final address”.
Mr Pianim said with the resuscitation of the economy, the President had succeeded in laying the necessary foundation for the industrial take-off of the country to provide jobs for its teeming youth.
The economist said the discovery of oil in commercial quantities was a good omen and an opportunity for the country to tap it for its future progress.
For his part, the General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, said the President told the truth about what he had achieved so far.
He, however, said the President’s promise in 2001 of “a golden age of business” had not been fulfilled.
Mr Greenstreet said the CPP believed in work and happiness and so it was unfortunate that Ghana continued to receive handouts from the international community, adding that it seemed the task was greater than what the President thought it to be.
On the renovation of the Flagstaff House, the Peduase Lodge and other legacies of the Nkrumah regime, he praised the NPP administration for the work done and blamed the PNDC and the NDC, who claimed to be Nkrumaists, for presiding over the wreckage of those national heritage.
He described the agreement between Ghana and its foreign partners in the drilling of oil in the country as ridiculous and questioned why the country should take only 10 per cent from the proceeds.
The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, said the address was a repetition of previous addresses to the House.
He said it was not the best for the President to blame his predecessors for the country’s predicaments anytime he had the chance to address a gathering, instead of solving such problems for which he had been voted into power.
Mr Mornah explained that the address did not concentrate on what the government would do between now and January 7, 2009 when the next government would take over, instead dwelling on what the next President should do to ensure the country’s progress.
He said that showed that the President had thrown his hands in despair, as if he had come to his wit’s end.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South and the Minority Spokesman on Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, wondered why the President was silent on the drug trade which had made the country a major hub of the illicit activity.
He said the address did not sound conciliatory, adding that it would have been better to preach unity, instead of leaving behind a polarised society.
Mr Iddrisu said President Kufuor “was not candid on his failures and it would have been better for him to do so”.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, however, commended the President for sounding more conciliatory in his address than in previous ones.
“It seems the President carefully chose his words because he will leave the scene soon and he knows it will be better for him not to step on too many toes,” he opined.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah said he was, however, disappointed because he had expected the President to tell the whole country that the importation of rice and poultry products had reduced more drastically than what he came to meet.
He stated that the importation of rice and poultry products had now quadrupled, saying it had now become clear that the NPP could not reduce their importation by 30 per cent as promised when he assumed office.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah wondered why the President failed to apologise to the country for the mess that the energy crisis brought, instead of blowing horns on his modest achievements.
The former Minister of Defence and MP for Manhyia, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, described the address as impressive, saying it lent credence to the fact that the President was the father of the nation.
“He was on top of the situation,” he said, adding that his advice to politicians and the promise to ensure free and fair elections in December made him a true statesman.
He praised the President for the manner in which he delivered the speech, saying that “even when he delivered a jab to his opponents, because he is a politician he was charitable”.
The MP for Wa Central, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, described the address as subjective, since it only focused on the President’s achievements and the usual blame game, without mentioning the failures of the NPP administration.
He said although the NPP had touted the positive indicators of the economy, such indicators had not been translated into money in the pockets of the people.
Mr Pelpuo added that the President was not bold enough to talk about his inability to fight corruption which whittled away the little gains made because of the greed of a few individuals.
Expectation on state of the nation address
Page: Spread, Feb 13, 2008
Story: Caroline Boateng & Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE security of Ghanaians and the country in general, the challenge of drug trafficking, the health of the economy and the failures and successes of the government are key issues that President J.A. Kufuor must report on in his last State of the Nation Address.
These are the expectations of a governance expert and a legal expert, as well as some Members of Parliament (MPs), when they were interviewed on their expectations of the President’s State of the Nation Address to be delivered on Thursday.
Another issue of importance is the December 2008 election.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, the acting Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Kofi Quashigah, and some MPs from both the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament shared their views in separate interviews.
Dr Akwetey said he expected the President to assure the nation of free, fair and peaceful elections this year by coming out clearly on the status of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Law (ROPAL).
He said the law had evoked so much tension since its development and passage that the President, as the mastermind of the law, had to use the last review of his tenure to break the government’s silence on the law and make a commitment to shelve its implementation till after the elections in December 2008.
“The President must defer the implementation of the law, make a clear statement not to push through with the implementation and give all assurances required in his State of the Nation Address to ensure peace and stability during and after the elections,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Dr Akwetey said another issue that had to be emphasised in the President’s report sheet was the discovery of oil in the country and the way forward after the discovery.
In his view, the discovery offered the basis for all stakeholders to engage one another for solutions to bridge the poverty gap.
He expressed appreciation over the fact that the Northern Development Fund had been set up before the President ended his tenure, but stressed that more was needed than just establishing the fund.
“More money is needed in the fund to ensure the right investments and turnover to transform the livelihoods of the people there,” he said.
Dr Akwetey said he also expected the President to speak about the issues of drugs and “monecracy” that were gaining currency in the country.
He was of the view that drugs and their attendant characteristic of placing money over and above every other moral social endeavour were at the heart of corruption and needed the President’s statement on how they were going to be solved.
Prof Quashigah was of the view that the drug trafficking challenge was a dent on the image of the country internationally. Moreover, it had negative repercussions for the country’s development policy, for individuals and the youth of the country.
“The drug issue is embarrassing to Ghanaians generally and the government in particular. It affects our national dignity and causes frustrations for Ghanaians as they travel abroad because we are all suspected and subjected to uncomfortable questioning and searches,” he said.
Prof Quashigah said the President had to make clear statements on how to solve the challenge because the drug issue had the potential of distorting the values of the socio-political system by putting a premium on cheap money through drug trafficking rather than hard work.
He was worried that if the President did not set the tone on how to resolve those issues, Ghanaian children would be affected by it, since “once the drugs pass through your country, it is certain that some will be left for the citizens to be hooked on”.
Prof Quashigah also asked for a report on the security of the country and incessant chieftaincy disputes.
“These conflicts and disturbance seem to just happen and we are always caught napping when they occur,” he pointed out.
He said the Dagbon and Anlo chieftaincy disputes, the Bawku crisis and several other chieftaincy disputes had to be tackled by the President in his address to lead a national effort towards their resolution.
Prof Quashigah said he expected a clear report from the President on the state of the economy and its prospects for Ghanaians, noting that a weak economy had negative effects on all other sectors of development, weakening the strength of governments, respect for the rule of law and other social structures.
“Can we confidently say that we are building an economy that will eventually reduce poverty in the country?” was the question he posed to the President.
Generally, the two said the State of the Nation Address was an important constitutional mandate.
While Prof Quashigah said it was an avenue for the President, as the one chosen among all to govern, to give an account of his tenure to the sovereign people, Dr Akwetey said the address was monitored for follow-ups on issues of governance.
Dr Akwetey predicted that as happened in all other times, the President would be optimistic as he delivered his last address, based on his expectations as he assumed the Presidency seven years ago and the successes he had chalked up in leading the country to hook on to the Heavily Indebted Poor Country’s (HIPC) initiative, the growth in the economy, the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the recent Ghana 2008 tournament.
“It will be legitimate for him to be upbeat, but it will also be legitimate for those who are critical to be so, too,” he said.
The MPs, on the other hand, asked the President to use his last State of the Nation Address to summarise the achievements of his rule and show the direction for his successor to follow for the country’s economic progress.
They expected the address to be non-partisan and one that would ensure unity as the country prepared for the general election in December.
However, MPs from the Minority side added that it would also be prudent for the President to use the address to enumerate his failures to guide his successor on how to solve such problems.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, said President Kufuor had done a lot to build the foundation, adding, “I, therefore, expect him to focus on such achievements in his address on Thursday.”
He mentioned the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, HIPC and the School Feeding Programme as some of the legacies of the Kufuor administration.
“The ability of the President to come out of the energy crisis with a plan to build the Bui Dam to boost the sector in future is something that should not be left out in President Kufuor’s final address to Parliament,” he added.
For his part, the NPP MP for Mfantseman West, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, said he expected the address to “sound upbeat concerning a two-time President who is still active”.
The President should tell us about the future growth of the economy based on what he had done to lay the necessary foundation, he said, adding that he had to also use his address to tell Ghanaians how the economy would progress from the discovery of oil.
For the Majority Chief Whip and NPP MP for Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Kwaku Balado-Manu, his expectation was for the President to thank Ghanaians for their patience during the difficult times of his rule.
He also wanted the President to appeal to politicians to organise their campaigns for the December election in civility by discussing issues rather than attacking the personalities of their opponents.
For his part, the NDC MP for Jomoro, Mr Lee Ocran, said although he expected the President to talk about the lowering of inflation and the stabilisation of the cedi against the dollar, he was sure the President would avoid mentioning the fact that the dollar itself had lost its value in the past five years.
“It will also not be news for the President to talk about the Capitation Grant, since the Constitution (Article 38 (2) made it mandatory for any government that was in power in 2005 to implement the free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE),” the MP stated.
Mr Ocran explained that while the NDC was able to hit a single digit inflation in 1999, the depreciation of the cedi against the euro stood at 57 pesewas in 2000, as against GH¢1.20 presently.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said although the President would trumpet his achievements in macro- economic indices, such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lowering of interest rates and inflation, among others, “we should be sincere to ask ourselves whether those were the basis for growth for the developed economies when they were at our level of development”.
He said it would be against natural justice if the President did not focus on challenges such as corruption, the high cost of living as a result of the government’s failure to provide affordable utility services and the influx of drugs into the country during his tenure.
The NDC MP for Sefwi Wiawso, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, said coming from an agricultural area, he expected the President to touch on how value could be added to both cash and food crops to enable farmers to benefit from the sweat of their toil.
The welfare of peasant cocoa farmers should also be taken into account for the state to compensate them for their sacrifices towards the growth of economy over the years, he said.
The Minority Chief Whip, Mr John A. Tia, said he expected the President to let his address portray him as a father who loved all his children equally and not one who would leave the country polarised.
Story: Caroline Boateng & Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE security of Ghanaians and the country in general, the challenge of drug trafficking, the health of the economy and the failures and successes of the government are key issues that President J.A. Kufuor must report on in his last State of the Nation Address.
These are the expectations of a governance expert and a legal expert, as well as some Members of Parliament (MPs), when they were interviewed on their expectations of the President’s State of the Nation Address to be delivered on Thursday.
Another issue of importance is the December 2008 election.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, the acting Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Kofi Quashigah, and some MPs from both the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament shared their views in separate interviews.
Dr Akwetey said he expected the President to assure the nation of free, fair and peaceful elections this year by coming out clearly on the status of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Law (ROPAL).
He said the law had evoked so much tension since its development and passage that the President, as the mastermind of the law, had to use the last review of his tenure to break the government’s silence on the law and make a commitment to shelve its implementation till after the elections in December 2008.
“The President must defer the implementation of the law, make a clear statement not to push through with the implementation and give all assurances required in his State of the Nation Address to ensure peace and stability during and after the elections,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Dr Akwetey said another issue that had to be emphasised in the President’s report sheet was the discovery of oil in the country and the way forward after the discovery.
In his view, the discovery offered the basis for all stakeholders to engage one another for solutions to bridge the poverty gap.
He expressed appreciation over the fact that the Northern Development Fund had been set up before the President ended his tenure, but stressed that more was needed than just establishing the fund.
“More money is needed in the fund to ensure the right investments and turnover to transform the livelihoods of the people there,” he said.
Dr Akwetey said he also expected the President to speak about the issues of drugs and “monecracy” that were gaining currency in the country.
He was of the view that drugs and their attendant characteristic of placing money over and above every other moral social endeavour were at the heart of corruption and needed the President’s statement on how they were going to be solved.
Prof Quashigah was of the view that the drug trafficking challenge was a dent on the image of the country internationally. Moreover, it had negative repercussions for the country’s development policy, for individuals and the youth of the country.
“The drug issue is embarrassing to Ghanaians generally and the government in particular. It affects our national dignity and causes frustrations for Ghanaians as they travel abroad because we are all suspected and subjected to uncomfortable questioning and searches,” he said.
Prof Quashigah said the President had to make clear statements on how to solve the challenge because the drug issue had the potential of distorting the values of the socio-political system by putting a premium on cheap money through drug trafficking rather than hard work.
He was worried that if the President did not set the tone on how to resolve those issues, Ghanaian children would be affected by it, since “once the drugs pass through your country, it is certain that some will be left for the citizens to be hooked on”.
Prof Quashigah also asked for a report on the security of the country and incessant chieftaincy disputes.
“These conflicts and disturbance seem to just happen and we are always caught napping when they occur,” he pointed out.
He said the Dagbon and Anlo chieftaincy disputes, the Bawku crisis and several other chieftaincy disputes had to be tackled by the President in his address to lead a national effort towards their resolution.
Prof Quashigah said he expected a clear report from the President on the state of the economy and its prospects for Ghanaians, noting that a weak economy had negative effects on all other sectors of development, weakening the strength of governments, respect for the rule of law and other social structures.
“Can we confidently say that we are building an economy that will eventually reduce poverty in the country?” was the question he posed to the President.
Generally, the two said the State of the Nation Address was an important constitutional mandate.
While Prof Quashigah said it was an avenue for the President, as the one chosen among all to govern, to give an account of his tenure to the sovereign people, Dr Akwetey said the address was monitored for follow-ups on issues of governance.
Dr Akwetey predicted that as happened in all other times, the President would be optimistic as he delivered his last address, based on his expectations as he assumed the Presidency seven years ago and the successes he had chalked up in leading the country to hook on to the Heavily Indebted Poor Country’s (HIPC) initiative, the growth in the economy, the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the recent Ghana 2008 tournament.
“It will be legitimate for him to be upbeat, but it will also be legitimate for those who are critical to be so, too,” he said.
The MPs, on the other hand, asked the President to use his last State of the Nation Address to summarise the achievements of his rule and show the direction for his successor to follow for the country’s economic progress.
They expected the address to be non-partisan and one that would ensure unity as the country prepared for the general election in December.
However, MPs from the Minority side added that it would also be prudent for the President to use the address to enumerate his failures to guide his successor on how to solve such problems.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, said President Kufuor had done a lot to build the foundation, adding, “I, therefore, expect him to focus on such achievements in his address on Thursday.”
He mentioned the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, HIPC and the School Feeding Programme as some of the legacies of the Kufuor administration.
“The ability of the President to come out of the energy crisis with a plan to build the Bui Dam to boost the sector in future is something that should not be left out in President Kufuor’s final address to Parliament,” he added.
For his part, the NPP MP for Mfantseman West, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, said he expected the address to “sound upbeat concerning a two-time President who is still active”.
The President should tell us about the future growth of the economy based on what he had done to lay the necessary foundation, he said, adding that he had to also use his address to tell Ghanaians how the economy would progress from the discovery of oil.
For the Majority Chief Whip and NPP MP for Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Kwaku Balado-Manu, his expectation was for the President to thank Ghanaians for their patience during the difficult times of his rule.
He also wanted the President to appeal to politicians to organise their campaigns for the December election in civility by discussing issues rather than attacking the personalities of their opponents.
For his part, the NDC MP for Jomoro, Mr Lee Ocran, said although he expected the President to talk about the lowering of inflation and the stabilisation of the cedi against the dollar, he was sure the President would avoid mentioning the fact that the dollar itself had lost its value in the past five years.
“It will also not be news for the President to talk about the Capitation Grant, since the Constitution (Article 38 (2) made it mandatory for any government that was in power in 2005 to implement the free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE),” the MP stated.
Mr Ocran explained that while the NDC was able to hit a single digit inflation in 1999, the depreciation of the cedi against the euro stood at 57 pesewas in 2000, as against GH¢1.20 presently.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said although the President would trumpet his achievements in macro- economic indices, such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lowering of interest rates and inflation, among others, “we should be sincere to ask ourselves whether those were the basis for growth for the developed economies when they were at our level of development”.
He said it would be against natural justice if the President did not focus on challenges such as corruption, the high cost of living as a result of the government’s failure to provide affordable utility services and the influx of drugs into the country during his tenure.
The NDC MP for Sefwi Wiawso, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, said coming from an agricultural area, he expected the President to touch on how value could be added to both cash and food crops to enable farmers to benefit from the sweat of their toil.
The welfare of peasant cocoa farmers should also be taken into account for the state to compensate them for their sacrifices towards the growth of economy over the years, he said.
The Minority Chief Whip, Mr John A. Tia, said he expected the President to let his address portray him as a father who loved all his children equally and not one who would leave the country polarised.
House commends Zoomlion Company
Page 49, Feb 14, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
EFFORTS by Zoomlion Company Ghana Limited, a waste and sanitation management company, to ensure clean environment throughout the country received a further boost when the company was highly commended in Parliament yesterday.
The commendation followed a statement made on the floor of the House by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom, Ms Elizabeth Agyeman, on the company’s excellent performance.
She noted that few years back, the sanitation situation in most parts of the country was very appalling and the need for an effective mechanism to check and control the rate at which Ghanaians generated waste became a matter of concern.
Ms Agyeman said since the establishment of the company, it had not only approached waste management issues professionally, but had equally focused on delivering quality waste management solutions that relied on current technical innovations.
She recalled that the past year saw the arrival of visitors into the country for various occasions, such as the Golden Jubilee Anniversary and the African Union Summit, and the company proved its worth during those events with its first-class waste management.
“Mr Speaker, it is worth mentioning that Zoomlion was responsible for the waste management and sanitation of all the stadia that hosted the just ended 26th African Cup of Nations and a visit to any of the stadia during matches and after did reveal the good job they are doing,” she stated.
Ms Agyeman, therefore, suggested that the issue of sanitation should not only be looked at holistically, but adequate funds should be allocated to enable the effort of the company to be adequately felt throughout the country.
She recalled that in 1999, the national sanitation policy document published by the Local Government Ministry identified inadequate funds to pay solid waste contractors as the bane of waste management and called for regular payment of money due waste management companies by the various district assemblies to enhance their operation.
Ms Agyeman also called for a second look at the issue of providing tax incentives for waste management companies.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said that the management of the sanitation module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) by the Zoomlion Company Limited had been a useful experiment and commended the company for its innovations in the sector.
The MP, however, expressed concern about the delay in the release of funds for the payment of allowances for employees of the NYEP and called for measures to address the issue.
The Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment and MP for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, explained that the delay in the payment of salaries of the employees of the NYEP was the result of the delay in the release of funds by the funding agencies.
He assured the House that the ministry was in contact with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to secure funds for the payment of arrears due the employees of the programme.
Other MPs who commended the company were Mr Paul Okoh (Asutifi North), Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman (New Juaben North), Mr Yieleh Chireh (Wa West) and Mr Mohammed Ibn Abass (Bimbilla).
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
EFFORTS by Zoomlion Company Ghana Limited, a waste and sanitation management company, to ensure clean environment throughout the country received a further boost when the company was highly commended in Parliament yesterday.
The commendation followed a statement made on the floor of the House by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom, Ms Elizabeth Agyeman, on the company’s excellent performance.
She noted that few years back, the sanitation situation in most parts of the country was very appalling and the need for an effective mechanism to check and control the rate at which Ghanaians generated waste became a matter of concern.
Ms Agyeman said since the establishment of the company, it had not only approached waste management issues professionally, but had equally focused on delivering quality waste management solutions that relied on current technical innovations.
She recalled that the past year saw the arrival of visitors into the country for various occasions, such as the Golden Jubilee Anniversary and the African Union Summit, and the company proved its worth during those events with its first-class waste management.
“Mr Speaker, it is worth mentioning that Zoomlion was responsible for the waste management and sanitation of all the stadia that hosted the just ended 26th African Cup of Nations and a visit to any of the stadia during matches and after did reveal the good job they are doing,” she stated.
Ms Agyeman, therefore, suggested that the issue of sanitation should not only be looked at holistically, but adequate funds should be allocated to enable the effort of the company to be adequately felt throughout the country.
She recalled that in 1999, the national sanitation policy document published by the Local Government Ministry identified inadequate funds to pay solid waste contractors as the bane of waste management and called for regular payment of money due waste management companies by the various district assemblies to enhance their operation.
Ms Agyeman also called for a second look at the issue of providing tax incentives for waste management companies.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said that the management of the sanitation module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) by the Zoomlion Company Limited had been a useful experiment and commended the company for its innovations in the sector.
The MP, however, expressed concern about the delay in the release of funds for the payment of allowances for employees of the NYEP and called for measures to address the issue.
The Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment and MP for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, explained that the delay in the payment of salaries of the employees of the NYEP was the result of the delay in the release of funds by the funding agencies.
He assured the House that the ministry was in contact with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to secure funds for the payment of arrears due the employees of the programme.
Other MPs who commended the company were Mr Paul Okoh (Asutifi North), Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman (New Juaben North), Mr Yieleh Chireh (Wa West) and Mr Mohammed Ibn Abass (Bimbilla).
Anane re-nominated for Transportation Ministry
Page 3, Feb 14, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE battle by Dr Richard Anane, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nhyiaeso and former Minister of Transportation, to redeem his political image moved a notch further yesterday with his nomination by the President to re-occupy the office he resigned from to fight the battle.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice some time last year made adverse findings of conflict of interest, abuse of office and perjury against Dr Anane and recommended, among others, his removal from office.
Dissatisfied with the findings, Dr Anane resigned his post and contested the matter at the High Court, where the CHRAJ’s decisions were quashed.
However, CHRAJ’s application filed at the Supreme Court for certiorari, which sought to quash the High Court’s decision was dismissed by a 4-1 majority decision after which some of the admirers of the former minister called for his re-instatement.
At yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, informed the House that the President had nominated Dr Anane for consideration as the substantive Minister of Transportation.
A communication from the Presidency quoted the Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, as saying that the President had directed him to inform the House of Dr Anane’s nomination.
The announcement was greeted with “hear, hear” by MPs from both sides of the House.
The Speaker referred the nomination to the Appointments Committee of the House for consideration and report.
MPs interviewed by the Daily Graphic, however, expressed varied opinions about Dr Anane’s nomination.
Some MPs from the Minority side of the House viewed Dr Anane’s nomination as a confirmation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) having lost the “men” it boasted before its assumption of power.
They vowed to raise the issue on the political platform to chastise the NPP for rewarding the sins of Dr Anane with political appointment.
However, the MP for Asuogyaman and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, rebuffed the Minority side’s views, explaining that the President had done well for recognising the unbridled loyalty of Dr Anane who had worked hard since the NPP took power and resigned honourably when there was the need to do so.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE battle by Dr Richard Anane, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nhyiaeso and former Minister of Transportation, to redeem his political image moved a notch further yesterday with his nomination by the President to re-occupy the office he resigned from to fight the battle.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice some time last year made adverse findings of conflict of interest, abuse of office and perjury against Dr Anane and recommended, among others, his removal from office.
Dissatisfied with the findings, Dr Anane resigned his post and contested the matter at the High Court, where the CHRAJ’s decisions were quashed.
However, CHRAJ’s application filed at the Supreme Court for certiorari, which sought to quash the High Court’s decision was dismissed by a 4-1 majority decision after which some of the admirers of the former minister called for his re-instatement.
At yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, informed the House that the President had nominated Dr Anane for consideration as the substantive Minister of Transportation.
A communication from the Presidency quoted the Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, as saying that the President had directed him to inform the House of Dr Anane’s nomination.
The announcement was greeted with “hear, hear” by MPs from both sides of the House.
The Speaker referred the nomination to the Appointments Committee of the House for consideration and report.
MPs interviewed by the Daily Graphic, however, expressed varied opinions about Dr Anane’s nomination.
Some MPs from the Minority side of the House viewed Dr Anane’s nomination as a confirmation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) having lost the “men” it boasted before its assumption of power.
They vowed to raise the issue on the political platform to chastise the NPP for rewarding the sins of Dr Anane with political appointment.
However, the MP for Asuogyaman and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, rebuffed the Minority side’s views, explaining that the President had done well for recognising the unbridled loyalty of Dr Anane who had worked hard since the NPP took power and resigned honourably when there was the need to do so.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Collaborate to maintain parliamentary seats — Declares Majority Chief Whip
Page 17, Feb 13, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Majority Chief Whip, Okerchire Adusah, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to contest seats being occupied by Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) who have decided to be with the Majority in Parliament.
He explained that although the NPP had not taken any decision on the matter, it would be better for the party to collaborate with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) MPs to win their seats rather than leave such seats to be won by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Standing Orders of Parliament make way for MPs to belong to either the Majority or the Minority sides. MPs from the CPP, PNC and an Independent MP, therefore, decided to be with the Majority after the 2004 election.
They are Mr Freddie Blay (CPP), Ellembelle; Kojo Armah (CPP), Evalue-Gwira; Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom (CPP) Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem; Mr David Apasera (PNC), Bolgatanga; Mr John Akparibo Ndebugre (PNC) Zebilla; Mr Haruna Bayirga (PNC), Sissala West; Moses Dani Baah, (PNC), Sissala East and Mr Joseph Yaani Labik (Independent), Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo.
These MPs have partnered the 128 NPP MPs in Parliament to form the Majority to push government’s agenda through the House.
Okerchire Adusah said the NPP decided not to conduct primaries in its “orphaned constituencies” which were currently being occupied by the CPP, PNC and the Independent MP. However, the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, had been elected as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem because the sitting CPP MP, Dr Nduom, is now the CPP Presidential candidate.
Okerchire Adusah said electoral collaboration the world over had become an indispensable tool for parties to strengthen their hold on power, adding that it was for that reason that the PNC and the CPP assisted the NPP to win the 2004 presidential run-off.
He said the NPP would open nominations for constituencies occupied by its MPs next month and expressed the hope that the party would have taken a firm decision on the matter by that time.
The Majority Chief Whip expressed optimism that the NPP would maintain all its 128 seats and make in-roads into territories of the NDC during the 2008 general election.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Majority Chief Whip, Okerchire Adusah, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to contest seats being occupied by Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) who have decided to be with the Majority in Parliament.
He explained that although the NPP had not taken any decision on the matter, it would be better for the party to collaborate with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) MPs to win their seats rather than leave such seats to be won by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Standing Orders of Parliament make way for MPs to belong to either the Majority or the Minority sides. MPs from the CPP, PNC and an Independent MP, therefore, decided to be with the Majority after the 2004 election.
They are Mr Freddie Blay (CPP), Ellembelle; Kojo Armah (CPP), Evalue-Gwira; Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom (CPP) Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem; Mr David Apasera (PNC), Bolgatanga; Mr John Akparibo Ndebugre (PNC) Zebilla; Mr Haruna Bayirga (PNC), Sissala West; Moses Dani Baah, (PNC), Sissala East and Mr Joseph Yaani Labik (Independent), Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo.
These MPs have partnered the 128 NPP MPs in Parliament to form the Majority to push government’s agenda through the House.
Okerchire Adusah said the NPP decided not to conduct primaries in its “orphaned constituencies” which were currently being occupied by the CPP, PNC and the Independent MP. However, the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, had been elected as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem because the sitting CPP MP, Dr Nduom, is now the CPP Presidential candidate.
Okerchire Adusah said electoral collaboration the world over had become an indispensable tool for parties to strengthen their hold on power, adding that it was for that reason that the PNC and the CPP assisted the NPP to win the 2004 presidential run-off.
He said the NPP would open nominations for constituencies occupied by its MPs next month and expressed the hope that the party would have taken a firm decision on the matter by that time.
The Majority Chief Whip expressed optimism that the NPP would maintain all its 128 seats and make in-roads into territories of the NDC during the 2008 general election.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Govt plans interchange on Accra-Tema Motorway
Page 47, Feb 11, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government will in the near future construct an interchange on the Accra-Tema Motorway to help in redistribute traffic on the Spintex Road onto the motorway.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Geofrey Bayon Tangu, who made this known, said that the plan for the construction of the interchange was currently at the tender evaluation stage.
He made the disclosure in Parliament on Wednesday when he appeared before the House to answer an urgent question posed by the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Dr Mustapha Ahmed.
The MP had asked the minister about plans the ministry had put in place to resolve the traffic congestion that had arisen as a result of the opening of the Accra Shopping Mall at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
Mr Tangu said a number of factors, including lack of alternative routes in the eastern corridor of Accra, accounted for the traffic congestion at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
He said the ongoing constructional works on the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange-Adenta road had also contributed to the traffic congestion in the area.
“The attribution of traffic congestion on the Spintex Road to the opening of the Accra Shopping Mall is minimal except for the rush traffic that was generated during the first few days of the formal opening of the mall,” he said.
Mr Tangu explained that currently some alternative solutions were being provided in the form of widening the La-Teshie Road from the Military Academy Training School (MATS) to link up with the Teshie Link.
The minister said the widening of the road would provide space for additional vehicles, adding that sections of the Teshie Link were under construction in addition to the construction of the railbridge over the rail line on the link.
Mr Tangu said that in future all the roads including the Teshie Link, Spintex Road, Burma Camp Road and the Baatsona Highway within the Eastern corridor, which had already been designed, would be developed.
He expressed the hope that the development of those roads would greatly improve the traffic distribution within the Eastern corridor and reduce congestion on the Spintex Road.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government will in the near future construct an interchange on the Accra-Tema Motorway to help in redistribute traffic on the Spintex Road onto the motorway.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Geofrey Bayon Tangu, who made this known, said that the plan for the construction of the interchange was currently at the tender evaluation stage.
He made the disclosure in Parliament on Wednesday when he appeared before the House to answer an urgent question posed by the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Dr Mustapha Ahmed.
The MP had asked the minister about plans the ministry had put in place to resolve the traffic congestion that had arisen as a result of the opening of the Accra Shopping Mall at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
Mr Tangu said a number of factors, including lack of alternative routes in the eastern corridor of Accra, accounted for the traffic congestion at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
He said the ongoing constructional works on the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange-Adenta road had also contributed to the traffic congestion in the area.
“The attribution of traffic congestion on the Spintex Road to the opening of the Accra Shopping Mall is minimal except for the rush traffic that was generated during the first few days of the formal opening of the mall,” he said.
Mr Tangu explained that currently some alternative solutions were being provided in the form of widening the La-Teshie Road from the Military Academy Training School (MATS) to link up with the Teshie Link.
The minister said the widening of the road would provide space for additional vehicles, adding that sections of the Teshie Link were under construction in addition to the construction of the railbridge over the rail line on the link.
Mr Tangu said that in future all the roads including the Teshie Link, Spintex Road, Burma Camp Road and the Baatsona Highway within the Eastern corridor, which had already been designed, would be developed.
He expressed the hope that the development of those roads would greatly improve the traffic distribution within the Eastern corridor and reduce congestion on the Spintex Road.
Prez to deliver address Feb 14
Page 19, Feb 9, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor will deliver his Message on the State of the Nation to Parliament on Thursday, February 14, 2008 in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, announced this when he presented the business statement for next week to the House yesterday.
He said in view of the address, the Business Committee of the House would meet on Wednesday, February 13, and urged members of the committee to attend.
Meanwhile, 20 questions have been scheduled to be answered by five ministers during the week. They are the Ministers for Manpower, Youth and Employment, Chieftaincy and Culture, Greater Accra, the Interior and Education, Science and Sports.
Two urgent questions will also be asked by the Members of Parliament (MPs) for Ayawaso East, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, and Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Stephen K. Balado-Manu.
Dr Ahmed is expected to ask the Minister of Education, Science and Sports steps being taken to ensure the termination of the shift system at the Kanda Unity and Nima Cluster of Schools by providing adequate facilities and resources, while Mr Balado-Manu will ask the Interior Minister whether the ministry was aware of the closure of the Pokukrom Police Station and the reason for the closure.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor will deliver his Message on the State of the Nation to Parliament on Thursday, February 14, 2008 in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, announced this when he presented the business statement for next week to the House yesterday.
He said in view of the address, the Business Committee of the House would meet on Wednesday, February 13, and urged members of the committee to attend.
Meanwhile, 20 questions have been scheduled to be answered by five ministers during the week. They are the Ministers for Manpower, Youth and Employment, Chieftaincy and Culture, Greater Accra, the Interior and Education, Science and Sports.
Two urgent questions will also be asked by the Members of Parliament (MPs) for Ayawaso East, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, and Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Stephen K. Balado-Manu.
Dr Ahmed is expected to ask the Minister of Education, Science and Sports steps being taken to ensure the termination of the shift system at the Kanda Unity and Nima Cluster of Schools by providing adequate facilities and resources, while Mr Balado-Manu will ask the Interior Minister whether the ministry was aware of the closure of the Pokukrom Police Station and the reason for the closure.
Vicky Bright approved as deputy minister
Page 14, Feb 9, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT gave approval for the nomination of Ms Victoria Bright as a Deputy Minister at the Office of the President yesterday.
The House approved her nomination by consensus on the recommendation of the Appointments Committee in its 14th Report on the President’s Nomination for Deputy Ministerial Appointment.
That was, however, done after a lengthy debate about the need for an amendment of the portion of the Constitution that gave the President limitless power to appoint the number of ministers he deemed fit to run the country.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, who presented the report of the committee, recalled that the nomination of Ms Bright was communicated to Parliament for prior approval on July 18, 2007 and referred to the committee for consideration and report.
However on July 30, 2007, the House deferred its decision on the nominee for further checks on her, he stated.
Mr Blay said on November 29, 2007, the committee withheld its report on the nominee in order to enable further work to be done on certain aspects of her testimony when she appeared before it.
“The committee has completed its work on the nominee and hereby submits its report to the House in accordance with order 172 of the Standing Orders.”
Mr Blay explained that the committee had satisfied itself that the nominee had renounced her British citizenship in accordance with the British Nationality Act.
“The committee is of the view that Ms Victoria Bright is qualified under the Constitution and Standing Orders of the House to be appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Office of the President,” he said.
Contributing to the debate on the number of ministers, some Members of Parliament called for the amendment of Article 78 (2) of the Constitution to limit the number of ministerial appointments that can be made by a president.
They argued that the country’s weak economy could not support the large sizes of ministerial appointments that had characterised governments under the Fourth Republic.
Article 78 (2) of the constitution states that “the President shall appoint such number of ministers of state as may be necessary for the efficient running of the state”.
The MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, argued that with the approval of Ms Bright, the number of cabinet and non-cabinet ministers, ministers of state, regional ministers and deputy minister now stood at 85.
“This is highly unacceptable for a nation with such a weak economy,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
He reminded the House that though it was the constitutional duty of the President to appoint any number of ministers that he deemed fit, such appointments were a shared responsibility.
Mr Iddrisu buttressed his argument by referring to Article 78 (1) of the Constitution, which mandated Parliament to give prior approval to appointments made by the President.
He, therefore, urged the House to pass a resolution to compel the current and future presidents to run smaller governments that the economy could accommodate.
When the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, caught the eye of the Speaker, he argued that though he supported the call for a ceiling on the number of ministers to be appointed by a president, the House could not use a resolution to do so.
The Deputy Attorney-General and MP for Nsuta/Kwamang, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said it was unfortunate that MPs from the Minority side were criticising the government for appointing 85 ministers while the NDC government appointed 88 ministers.
For his part, the Minority Chief Whip, Mr John A. Tia, said it was now clear that presidents should not be given limitless powers for ministerial appointments and called for the review of Article 78 (2).
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT gave approval for the nomination of Ms Victoria Bright as a Deputy Minister at the Office of the President yesterday.
The House approved her nomination by consensus on the recommendation of the Appointments Committee in its 14th Report on the President’s Nomination for Deputy Ministerial Appointment.
That was, however, done after a lengthy debate about the need for an amendment of the portion of the Constitution that gave the President limitless power to appoint the number of ministers he deemed fit to run the country.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, who presented the report of the committee, recalled that the nomination of Ms Bright was communicated to Parliament for prior approval on July 18, 2007 and referred to the committee for consideration and report.
However on July 30, 2007, the House deferred its decision on the nominee for further checks on her, he stated.
Mr Blay said on November 29, 2007, the committee withheld its report on the nominee in order to enable further work to be done on certain aspects of her testimony when she appeared before it.
“The committee has completed its work on the nominee and hereby submits its report to the House in accordance with order 172 of the Standing Orders.”
Mr Blay explained that the committee had satisfied itself that the nominee had renounced her British citizenship in accordance with the British Nationality Act.
“The committee is of the view that Ms Victoria Bright is qualified under the Constitution and Standing Orders of the House to be appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Office of the President,” he said.
Contributing to the debate on the number of ministers, some Members of Parliament called for the amendment of Article 78 (2) of the Constitution to limit the number of ministerial appointments that can be made by a president.
They argued that the country’s weak economy could not support the large sizes of ministerial appointments that had characterised governments under the Fourth Republic.
Article 78 (2) of the constitution states that “the President shall appoint such number of ministers of state as may be necessary for the efficient running of the state”.
The MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, argued that with the approval of Ms Bright, the number of cabinet and non-cabinet ministers, ministers of state, regional ministers and deputy minister now stood at 85.
“This is highly unacceptable for a nation with such a weak economy,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
He reminded the House that though it was the constitutional duty of the President to appoint any number of ministers that he deemed fit, such appointments were a shared responsibility.
Mr Iddrisu buttressed his argument by referring to Article 78 (1) of the Constitution, which mandated Parliament to give prior approval to appointments made by the President.
He, therefore, urged the House to pass a resolution to compel the current and future presidents to run smaller governments that the economy could accommodate.
When the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, caught the eye of the Speaker, he argued that though he supported the call for a ceiling on the number of ministers to be appointed by a president, the House could not use a resolution to do so.
The Deputy Attorney-General and MP for Nsuta/Kwamang, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said it was unfortunate that MPs from the Minority side were criticising the government for appointing 85 ministers while the NDC government appointed 88 ministers.
For his part, the Minority Chief Whip, Mr John A. Tia, said it was now clear that presidents should not be given limitless powers for ministerial appointments and called for the review of Article 78 (2).
House lauds Black Stars
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Page 3, Feb 9, 2008
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) yesterday congratulated the management, handlers and players of the Senior National Team, the Blacks Stars, on reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the past 12 years.
They called on the players and handlers to put their defeat by the Camerounians, which shattered the country’s dream of hosting and winning the Ghana 2008, behind them and look forward for greater laurels in future.
The MPs were contributing to a statement made on the floor of the House by the MP for Chiana-Paga, Mr Abuga Pele, on the performance of the team in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
He stated that the nation as a whole must congratulate the players on their heroic and gallant exit, saying that “they displayed absolute commitment and selfless dedication to a national cause worthy of emulation by all”.
Mr Pele said the House appreciated the sacrifice that went into their efforts and wished the team better luck during the third place match against Cote d’Ivoire in Kumasi on Saturday.
The MP reminded the Ghana Football Association about the need to start preparing for the CAN 2010 in Angola and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mr Pele called for hard decisions such as the retention of the coach or otherwise, funding and sponsorship, and a clear vision on the kind of friendly matches to play, adding that these decisions should be taken early enough.
Contributing to the debate, the MP for Shai Osudoku, Mr David Tettey-Assumeng, asked Ghanaians not to be discouraged by the team’s lost but rally behind the team to beat their Ivorian counterparts on Saturday.
He suggested that members of the team should be rewarded with a house each to encourage them to continue to print the name of Ghana in letters of gold in the world of football.
For his part, the Second Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Malik Yakubu Alhassan, said the defeat of Nigeria by the Black Stars was the climax of the tournament and urged Ghanaians to take consolation in that feat.
“Let us, therefore ,not run down the handlers and players of the national team but keep them together to be a team that could win future tournaments,” he said.
The Minority Chief Whip, Mr John Tia, said the tournament had taught Ghanaians that with unity of purpose, the country could achieve its set objectives.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, suggested that players who emerged as goal kings in the local league should be included in the national team to enable them to polish up their goal-scoring prowess.
Most of the MPs who contributed to the statement were of the opinion that the core members of the team should be maintained, beefed up and prepared adequately to be a winsome side while the technical team should be maintained.
Page 3, Feb 9, 2008
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) yesterday congratulated the management, handlers and players of the Senior National Team, the Blacks Stars, on reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the past 12 years.
They called on the players and handlers to put their defeat by the Camerounians, which shattered the country’s dream of hosting and winning the Ghana 2008, behind them and look forward for greater laurels in future.
The MPs were contributing to a statement made on the floor of the House by the MP for Chiana-Paga, Mr Abuga Pele, on the performance of the team in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
He stated that the nation as a whole must congratulate the players on their heroic and gallant exit, saying that “they displayed absolute commitment and selfless dedication to a national cause worthy of emulation by all”.
Mr Pele said the House appreciated the sacrifice that went into their efforts and wished the team better luck during the third place match against Cote d’Ivoire in Kumasi on Saturday.
The MP reminded the Ghana Football Association about the need to start preparing for the CAN 2010 in Angola and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mr Pele called for hard decisions such as the retention of the coach or otherwise, funding and sponsorship, and a clear vision on the kind of friendly matches to play, adding that these decisions should be taken early enough.
Contributing to the debate, the MP for Shai Osudoku, Mr David Tettey-Assumeng, asked Ghanaians not to be discouraged by the team’s lost but rally behind the team to beat their Ivorian counterparts on Saturday.
He suggested that members of the team should be rewarded with a house each to encourage them to continue to print the name of Ghana in letters of gold in the world of football.
For his part, the Second Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Malik Yakubu Alhassan, said the defeat of Nigeria by the Black Stars was the climax of the tournament and urged Ghanaians to take consolation in that feat.
“Let us, therefore ,not run down the handlers and players of the national team but keep them together to be a team that could win future tournaments,” he said.
The Minority Chief Whip, Mr John Tia, said the tournament had taught Ghanaians that with unity of purpose, the country could achieve its set objectives.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, suggested that players who emerged as goal kings in the local league should be included in the national team to enable them to polish up their goal-scoring prowess.
Most of the MPs who contributed to the statement were of the opinion that the core members of the team should be maintained, beefed up and prepared adequately to be a winsome side while the technical team should be maintained.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Place premium on education — MP for Mion
Page 15, Feb 8, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament for Mion in the Northern Region, Dr Alhassan Ahmed Yakubu, has urged people of the area to place emphasis on education since the 21st century has no place for the unlettered.
He said there was also the need for the youth in the area to imbibe issues that bring peace and togetherness and not those that would divide them.
Dr Yakubu gave the advice at a meeting with members of the Gunsi/Kpabia Youth Association as part of his tour of the constituency at Gunsi.
“You must exhibit disciplined behaviour since that is the only way of preparing well for an aggressive world that is looking for perfection in all spheres of life”.
According to the MP, his tour took him to 32 communities in the constituency during which he distributed building materials, television sets, computers, plastic chairs, footballs and jerseys purchased from his share of the Common Fund to the communities.
The MP also inspected schools which had been renovated with his allocation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) at Sanzie, Kukpaligu, Sunson-gbung and Limpua.
Dr Yakubu, however, expressed concern about the delay in repairing the bridge between Zalkpasi and Sakpe.
He said the bridge had become weak as a result of the torrential rains last year, adding that since he made a report to the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) in Tamale last October nothing had been done about it.
The MP stated that the bridge remained a serious death trap and called on the DFR not to wait for a disaster to occur before the needed attention was given to it.
Dr Yakubu gave the assurance that the programme for the constituency this year would include the renovation of basic school buildings at Worvi, Kulkpagna and Jimle with his portion of the GETFund.
The installation of street lights at Gbungbaliga and the rehabilitation of Sang street lights would also be done to improve security at night within the two towns, he said.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament for Mion in the Northern Region, Dr Alhassan Ahmed Yakubu, has urged people of the area to place emphasis on education since the 21st century has no place for the unlettered.
He said there was also the need for the youth in the area to imbibe issues that bring peace and togetherness and not those that would divide them.
Dr Yakubu gave the advice at a meeting with members of the Gunsi/Kpabia Youth Association as part of his tour of the constituency at Gunsi.
“You must exhibit disciplined behaviour since that is the only way of preparing well for an aggressive world that is looking for perfection in all spheres of life”.
According to the MP, his tour took him to 32 communities in the constituency during which he distributed building materials, television sets, computers, plastic chairs, footballs and jerseys purchased from his share of the Common Fund to the communities.
The MP also inspected schools which had been renovated with his allocation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) at Sanzie, Kukpaligu, Sunson-gbung and Limpua.
Dr Yakubu, however, expressed concern about the delay in repairing the bridge between Zalkpasi and Sakpe.
He said the bridge had become weak as a result of the torrential rains last year, adding that since he made a report to the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) in Tamale last October nothing had been done about it.
The MP stated that the bridge remained a serious death trap and called on the DFR not to wait for a disaster to occur before the needed attention was given to it.
Dr Yakubu gave the assurance that the programme for the constituency this year would include the renovation of basic school buildings at Worvi, Kulkpagna and Jimle with his portion of the GETFund.
The installation of street lights at Gbungbaliga and the rehabilitation of Sang street lights would also be done to improve security at night within the two towns, he said.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
MPs should initiate frequent interactions — Ayorkor Botchwey
Page 13, Feb 7, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has called for frequent interaction between MPs and their constituents to share ideas on the development of their areas.
She said while MPs were expected to initiate such interactions, it also behoved the constituents to always get closer to their MPs to make useful suggestions on developmental issues.
Ms Botchwey, who is also a Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, made the call at a meeting with members of the Alhaji-Tabora Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Accra to discuss problems facing the area.
The MP said the Weija Constituency was so large that all the needs of the people could not be met at the same time with her meagre share of the MP’s Common Fund, which was GH¢20,000.00.
She said, however, that serious efforts were being made to address problems such as the Weija-Lomnava road.
For his part, Alhaji Adamu Amadu, the Chairman of the Alhaji-Tabora Branch of the GPRTU, appealed to the MP to address the numerous challenges facing the area.
Those challenges, he said, included the provision of a parking place for drivers, a place of convenience, garbage containers and the need for a police patrol team to check armed robbery in the area.
Mr Mohammed Bashiru, the Ga West District Co-ordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), said only 25 people from the Alhaji-Tabora area in the Weija Constituency had registered with the programme.
He, therefore, advised the unemployed youth in the constituency to take advantage of the programme to become employed or learn a trade.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has called for frequent interaction between MPs and their constituents to share ideas on the development of their areas.
She said while MPs were expected to initiate such interactions, it also behoved the constituents to always get closer to their MPs to make useful suggestions on developmental issues.
Ms Botchwey, who is also a Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, made the call at a meeting with members of the Alhaji-Tabora Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Accra to discuss problems facing the area.
The MP said the Weija Constituency was so large that all the needs of the people could not be met at the same time with her meagre share of the MP’s Common Fund, which was GH¢20,000.00.
She said, however, that serious efforts were being made to address problems such as the Weija-Lomnava road.
For his part, Alhaji Adamu Amadu, the Chairman of the Alhaji-Tabora Branch of the GPRTU, appealed to the MP to address the numerous challenges facing the area.
Those challenges, he said, included the provision of a parking place for drivers, a place of convenience, garbage containers and the need for a police patrol team to check armed robbery in the area.
Mr Mohammed Bashiru, the Ga West District Co-ordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), said only 25 people from the Alhaji-Tabora area in the Weija Constituency had registered with the programme.
He, therefore, advised the unemployed youth in the constituency to take advantage of the programme to become employed or learn a trade.
Forest fires causes 3% GDP loss
Page 13, Feb 7, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
FOREST fires have caused an estimated annual loss of about three per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the last 15 years, a Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Andrew Adjei-Yeboah, has disclosed.
“Wildfires, particularly in the transitional and savannah zones, have been the most significant cause of deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah made the disclosure when he appeared before Parliament on Tuesday to answer some questions posed by some Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning his ministry.
The MP for Sefwi Wiawso, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, had asked the minister about the extent of depletion of forest reserves and whether the country could boast of forest reserves by 2020 if the trend continued.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah said according to a Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) Report, 2005, the total forest area as of 1990 declined from over 2,047,000 hectares to approximately 1,738,978 hectares in 2000.
He explained further that for the period between 2000 and 2005, the forest cover reduced further from 1,738,978 hectares to 1,607,705 hectares.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah said, however, that there had been a number of government and donor support interventions that had helped to check further deforestation.
Those interventions included the Wildfire Management Project, the Forest Resource Use Management Project (FORUM), Participatory Forest Resource Management (PAFORM) and the Northern Savannah Biodiversity Project, he said.
The deputy minister stated that a recent satellite image covering forest zones revealed improved vegetation cover in the forest area where wildfire projects were operational.
He added that the National Forest Plantation Development Programme launched by President Kufuor had resulted in the re-forestation of an estimated 116,840 hectares of degraded forest reserve lands.
The deputy minister also informed the House that the ministry had established a project for the development of 10,000 acres of oil palm estates within four mining communities in the Wassa West District of the Western Region.
He said the measure was part of the implementation of the results of a study conducted that came out with possible alternative livelihood projects that could be undertaken in mining communities in the country.
Answering another question by Mr Aidoo, Mr Adjei-Yeboah explained that the objective of the initiative was to galvanise existing farmer groups in the target communities to establish producer-shareholding commercial entities to cultivate oil palm, among others.
He also told the House in an answer to a question by the MP for Ningo-Prampram, Mr E.T. Mensah, that the government’s long-term vision was to develop the Shai Hills Resource Reserve as a major tourist attraction, in partnership with the private sector.
He gave assurance that the reserve was not being developed into a housing estate, explaining that rather the land outside the boundaries of the reserve was being developed by private sector developers.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
FOREST fires have caused an estimated annual loss of about three per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the last 15 years, a Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Andrew Adjei-Yeboah, has disclosed.
“Wildfires, particularly in the transitional and savannah zones, have been the most significant cause of deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah made the disclosure when he appeared before Parliament on Tuesday to answer some questions posed by some Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning his ministry.
The MP for Sefwi Wiawso, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, had asked the minister about the extent of depletion of forest reserves and whether the country could boast of forest reserves by 2020 if the trend continued.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah said according to a Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) Report, 2005, the total forest area as of 1990 declined from over 2,047,000 hectares to approximately 1,738,978 hectares in 2000.
He explained further that for the period between 2000 and 2005, the forest cover reduced further from 1,738,978 hectares to 1,607,705 hectares.
Mr Adjei-Yeboah said, however, that there had been a number of government and donor support interventions that had helped to check further deforestation.
Those interventions included the Wildfire Management Project, the Forest Resource Use Management Project (FORUM), Participatory Forest Resource Management (PAFORM) and the Northern Savannah Biodiversity Project, he said.
The deputy minister stated that a recent satellite image covering forest zones revealed improved vegetation cover in the forest area where wildfire projects were operational.
He added that the National Forest Plantation Development Programme launched by President Kufuor had resulted in the re-forestation of an estimated 116,840 hectares of degraded forest reserve lands.
The deputy minister also informed the House that the ministry had established a project for the development of 10,000 acres of oil palm estates within four mining communities in the Wassa West District of the Western Region.
He said the measure was part of the implementation of the results of a study conducted that came out with possible alternative livelihood projects that could be undertaken in mining communities in the country.
Answering another question by Mr Aidoo, Mr Adjei-Yeboah explained that the objective of the initiative was to galvanise existing farmer groups in the target communities to establish producer-shareholding commercial entities to cultivate oil palm, among others.
He also told the House in an answer to a question by the MP for Ningo-Prampram, Mr E.T. Mensah, that the government’s long-term vision was to develop the Shai Hills Resource Reserve as a major tourist attraction, in partnership with the private sector.
He gave assurance that the reserve was not being developed into a housing estate, explaining that rather the land outside the boundaries of the reserve was being developed by private sector developers.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
House lauds Black Stars
Page 3, Feb 6, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Buoyed by the spectacular performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars, in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Parliament yesterday lavished praises on the players and their handlers and urged them to fight hard to win the cup.
Most of the MPs who contributed to a statement made by the MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Asiamah, to congratulate the team advised the players and handlers not to be complacent about their current successes and underrate their next opponents, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.
In his statement, Mr Asiamah, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, had said the Black Stars had so far put up a splendid performance and “I urge them to twinkle to win the two matches ahead of them to annex the ultimate”.
The MP noted that last Sunday’s match between Ghana and Nigeria marked the 60th encounter between the two West African soccer giants, adding that statistics indicated that Ghana was tactically superior to Nigeria in soccer.
Mr Asiamah also commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament and the government for the extensive preparation, in terms of security arrangements, accommodation and other infrastructural support, which had so far ensured the success of the tournament.
He, however, identified ticketing as one problem currently facing the LOC and called for an effective machinery to overcome that challenge so that the remaining matches would receive the necessary patronage.
Mr Asiamah said the incessant prayers and support by fans had encouraged the players to gallantly defend the flag of Ghana.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Juaboso, Mr Sampson Ahi, said the performance of the team in the face of odds showed that the country would be able to achieve its goals if the people were united.
He, however, wondered why it had become very difficult for ordinary Ghanaians to purchase tickets for matches involving the Black Stars to enable them to be part of the spectators.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the Black Stars players had not been intimidated by the bullying tactics of their Nigerian counterparts, saying that unity and tenacity of purpose had been the critical ingredients that had propelled them so far.
The MP for Garu-Tempane, Mr Dominic Azumah, urged the handlers to deal with the striking ability of the team before they met their Camerounian counterparts. He, however, predicted a 1-0 victory for the Black Stars.
Mr Azumah also expressed concern over the manner in which some people had been celebrating the victories of the Black Stars, which had resulted in the death of three people, with many more being injured.
The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, noted that many of the fans who had been trooping to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to watch the Black Stars matches were women and congratulated them on their exploits.
While welcoming the government’s plan to construct modern stadia in each of the 10 regions, the minister, who is also the MP for Nalerigu/Gambaga, predicted a 3-0 victory for the Black Stars in their encounter with Cameroun.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said Ghana’s dream of hosting and winning the tournament was on course and so everything possible should be done for the achievement of that dream.
He proposed that the leadership of the House visit the team to encourage the players and handlers before they tackled tomorrow’s match.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mr Dominic Fobih, commended President Kufuor for his visits to the camp of the team, saying they had boosted the morale of both the handlers and players.
Commenting on the ticketing issue, the minister said the LOC had to satisfy CAF regulations on the allocation of tickets, adding that it was not deliberate to deny the public access to the stadium to cheer the Black Stars.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Buoyed by the spectacular performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars, in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Parliament yesterday lavished praises on the players and their handlers and urged them to fight hard to win the cup.
Most of the MPs who contributed to a statement made by the MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Asiamah, to congratulate the team advised the players and handlers not to be complacent about their current successes and underrate their next opponents, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.
In his statement, Mr Asiamah, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, had said the Black Stars had so far put up a splendid performance and “I urge them to twinkle to win the two matches ahead of them to annex the ultimate”.
The MP noted that last Sunday’s match between Ghana and Nigeria marked the 60th encounter between the two West African soccer giants, adding that statistics indicated that Ghana was tactically superior to Nigeria in soccer.
Mr Asiamah also commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament and the government for the extensive preparation, in terms of security arrangements, accommodation and other infrastructural support, which had so far ensured the success of the tournament.
He, however, identified ticketing as one problem currently facing the LOC and called for an effective machinery to overcome that challenge so that the remaining matches would receive the necessary patronage.
Mr Asiamah said the incessant prayers and support by fans had encouraged the players to gallantly defend the flag of Ghana.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Juaboso, Mr Sampson Ahi, said the performance of the team in the face of odds showed that the country would be able to achieve its goals if the people were united.
He, however, wondered why it had become very difficult for ordinary Ghanaians to purchase tickets for matches involving the Black Stars to enable them to be part of the spectators.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the Black Stars players had not been intimidated by the bullying tactics of their Nigerian counterparts, saying that unity and tenacity of purpose had been the critical ingredients that had propelled them so far.
The MP for Garu-Tempane, Mr Dominic Azumah, urged the handlers to deal with the striking ability of the team before they met their Camerounian counterparts. He, however, predicted a 1-0 victory for the Black Stars.
Mr Azumah also expressed concern over the manner in which some people had been celebrating the victories of the Black Stars, which had resulted in the death of three people, with many more being injured.
The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, noted that many of the fans who had been trooping to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to watch the Black Stars matches were women and congratulated them on their exploits.
While welcoming the government’s plan to construct modern stadia in each of the 10 regions, the minister, who is also the MP for Nalerigu/Gambaga, predicted a 3-0 victory for the Black Stars in their encounter with Cameroun.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said Ghana’s dream of hosting and winning the tournament was on course and so everything possible should be done for the achievement of that dream.
He proposed that the leadership of the House visit the team to encourage the players and handlers before they tackled tomorrow’s match.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mr Dominic Fobih, commended President Kufuor for his visits to the camp of the team, saying they had boosted the morale of both the handlers and players.
Commenting on the ticketing issue, the minister said the LOC had to satisfy CAF regulations on the allocation of tickets, adding that it was not deliberate to deny the public access to the stadium to cheer the Black Stars.
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