Page 19, July 20, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE anticipated debate by Parliament to approve the sale and purchase agreement between the government and Vodafone could not come off as expected.
The debate would have centred on the 70 per cent ordinary shares of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited expected to be sold at $900 million to Vodafone.
The issue was scheduled for the day’s business and both the Minority and the Majority sides had mobilised their members for what was to be a hectic debate before the adjournment of the House, and so it came as a surprise when the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, advised the Speaker to bring proceedings of the House to an end.
“Mr Speaker, although we have not finished the business of the day, reports on some of the items earmarked for discussion are not ready.”
Following this request, MPs from the Minority, who had already kicked against the deal, shouted “hear, hear” amidst laughter.
The Speaker, therefore, called on the Minority Chief Whip, Mr John Tia, to give his closing remarks to end the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament.
In his remarks, Mr Tia acknowledged that the meeting had been a hectic one and commended the Speaker and his two deputies, MPs, staff of the Parliamentary Service and the Parliamentary Press Corps for their respective roles in ensuring a successful meeting.
For his part, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that although the meeting was short, the House was able to take far-reaching decisions that would go a long way to impact positively on the lives of Ghanaians.
He stated that since very important issues scheduled for discussions during the day could not be done, the House might be reconvened, if the need arose.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu called on his colleagues to ensure a peaceful electioneering during the recess in order for them to come back to the House refreshed for the next meeting.
The Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, thanked the leadership of the House for assisting him to steer affairs during the meeting.
He said the House was saddened by the death of the former Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, and that the leadership of the House was in touch with the bereaved family to ensure that he was given a fitting burial.
The House is expected to reconvene on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Parliament approves two loans
Page 54, July 17, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved two loan agreements totalling $60.4 million to support the implementation of the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP).
The first was a $50 million loan agreement between the government and the African Development Fund (ADF) while the second was a $400,000 loan agreement between the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The marked seasonal hunger and malnutrition experienced in the three northern regions has partly been attributed to low productivity of the farming system in the area.
In addition to high illiteracy rate, both income and non-income indicators of poverty in the area are in all cases below national averages.
The NRGP was, therefore, designed to improve the situation through commodity chain development, rural infrastructure development, access to financial services and programme co-ordination.
This is to eventually contribute to equitable and sustainable poverty reduction and food security among rural households.
Members of Parliament (MPs) who contributed to the debate for the approval of the two loans, called on the government to ensure that the loans were used for the purpose for which they were contracted.
The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, called for a more co-ordinated approach to all development programmes in the three northern regions to achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, the sector minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, yesterday briefed the House about the upcoming first high-level forum on aids to be hosted by Ghana between September 2 and 4, 2008.
He said the primary objectives of the forum were to review progress in implementing the 2005 Paris Declaration on the effectiveness of aids and broaden the dialogue on aid effectiveness.
The forum is expected to be attended by delegates from all over the world.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved two loan agreements totalling $60.4 million to support the implementation of the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP).
The first was a $50 million loan agreement between the government and the African Development Fund (ADF) while the second was a $400,000 loan agreement between the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The marked seasonal hunger and malnutrition experienced in the three northern regions has partly been attributed to low productivity of the farming system in the area.
In addition to high illiteracy rate, both income and non-income indicators of poverty in the area are in all cases below national averages.
The NRGP was, therefore, designed to improve the situation through commodity chain development, rural infrastructure development, access to financial services and programme co-ordination.
This is to eventually contribute to equitable and sustainable poverty reduction and food security among rural households.
Members of Parliament (MPs) who contributed to the debate for the approval of the two loans, called on the government to ensure that the loans were used for the purpose for which they were contracted.
The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, called for a more co-ordinated approach to all development programmes in the three northern regions to achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, the sector minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, yesterday briefed the House about the upcoming first high-level forum on aids to be hosted by Ghana between September 2 and 4, 2008.
He said the primary objectives of the forum were to review progress in implementing the 2005 Paris Declaration on the effectiveness of aids and broaden the dialogue on aid effectiveness.
The forum is expected to be attended by delegates from all over the world.
Geneva Conventions Bill goes through 2nd reading
Page 15, July 16, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Geneva Conventions Bill, currently before Parliament, has passed through its second reading stage of passage.
The Geneva Conventions are part of the International Humanitarian Law, made up of a set of rules that seek to protect people.
People which the law seeks to protect include civilians, medical, religious and military personnel and people who do not participate in fighting during war.
It also seeks to mitigate the effects of armed conflict and protect persons who were no longer participating in hostilities or have ceased to take part in war, including the wounded, shipwrecked, sick combatants and prisoners of war.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, moved the motion for the second reading of the bill and was seconded by the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Parliament, Mr Yaw Baah.
Presenting the report of the committee, Mr Baah stated that the bill sought to give effect to the object and purpose of the four Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and additional protocols of June 10, 1977 by providing for their incorporation in Ghana’s domestic laws.
He said although International Humanitarian Law seemed to have gained universal acceptance, there were repeated violations which had made it necessary for states to ensure respect for these laws and their implementation.
Ghana ratified the four Geneva Conventions on August 2, 1958 and was the first signatory to the Additional Protocols in 1977.
In his contribution to the debate on the bill, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, stated that the bill was consistent with the criminal and constitutional laws of Ghana which sought to protect the dignity of the individual.
“Since Ghana is part of the international community, it is appropriate to incorporate these international laws in its domestic laws”, he stated.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Geneva Conventions Bill, currently before Parliament, has passed through its second reading stage of passage.
The Geneva Conventions are part of the International Humanitarian Law, made up of a set of rules that seek to protect people.
People which the law seeks to protect include civilians, medical, religious and military personnel and people who do not participate in fighting during war.
It also seeks to mitigate the effects of armed conflict and protect persons who were no longer participating in hostilities or have ceased to take part in war, including the wounded, shipwrecked, sick combatants and prisoners of war.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, moved the motion for the second reading of the bill and was seconded by the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Parliament, Mr Yaw Baah.
Presenting the report of the committee, Mr Baah stated that the bill sought to give effect to the object and purpose of the four Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and additional protocols of June 10, 1977 by providing for their incorporation in Ghana’s domestic laws.
He said although International Humanitarian Law seemed to have gained universal acceptance, there were repeated violations which had made it necessary for states to ensure respect for these laws and their implementation.
Ghana ratified the four Geneva Conventions on August 2, 1958 and was the first signatory to the Additional Protocols in 1977.
In his contribution to the debate on the bill, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, stated that the bill was consistent with the criminal and constitutional laws of Ghana which sought to protect the dignity of the individual.
“Since Ghana is part of the international community, it is appropriate to incorporate these international laws in its domestic laws”, he stated.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Parliament pays tribute to Ala Adjetey
Centre spread, July 16, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House yesterday paid tribute to the immediate past Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, who died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital earlier in the day.
The MPs were united in their submissions that the Speaker lived by principles, equity and fair play in the handling of affairs of the House.
That, they noted, was vividly shown by his even handedness on the floor of the House during his tenure of office.
The MPs were speaking to the Daily Graphic on the death of Mr Adjetey, who was the second Speaker of the Fourth Republic.
The nation woke up yesterday to hear about the death of Mr Adjetey at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.
Although nothing was said about his death on the floor of the House, MPs were seen in groups discussing the issue before and after sitting.
The mood in the House depicted nothing about the death of the former Speaker as the day’s business went on as usual but the MPs who offered to speak to the press outside the floor were sad and devastated about that sudden occurrence.
Staff of the Parliamentary Service, most of whom preferred referred to Mr Adjetey as “Mr Order” because of the deep baritone voice with which he used to call the House to order, also joined the MPs in expressing shock at the news of the former Speaker’s death.
“It is unfortunate that the country cannot currently boast of a living former Speaker,” one of them was heard saying.
The Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Suame, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described Mr Adjetey as a diligent lawyer who was very meticulous, adding that “he was a strict disciplinarian who attached much value to his time”.
He said Mr Adjetey brought his convictions to bear on the running of the House and in the end stood tall as one of the finest brains that the country could boast of.
“Both the Majority and Minority can testify that he was an impartial arbiter who distinguished himself during his tenure of office,” he said.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said although the late former Speaker was strict, he gave room for his subordinates to explain their line of thoughts in order to convince him to toe their line.
The immediate past Majority Leader, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, said Ghana, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and Parliament had lost a “great pillar of democracy”.
“He has paid his due to the country, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and parliamentary democracy. His death is a great loss to the country,” he said, adding that followers of the NPP would have wished that he lived to witness the outcome of the December elections.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said he saw Mr Adjetey as a statesman who always insisted on excellence and never compromised with mediocrity.
“Wherever he found himself, he brought his experience to bear to ensure excellence in that institution,” he said, adding that “he never feared to call truth by its name, no matter the consequences”.
The MP for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, stated that Mr Adjetey was an astute lawyer who made his mark, both in his chosen profession and on the country’s political front.
He said by so doing, the former Speaker had left footprints for the present and future generations to follow.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said he admired Mr Adjetey’s effort at ensuring the independence of Parliament.
“I saw him as a hardworking and dedicated lawyer and politician who used his energy and knowledge in the service of his country, leaving an indelible mark in the process,” he added.
“He will be remembered for his honesty, truthfulness and the principled stance he took on a number of national issues,” he said.
The MP for Ho, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, said although he did not know much about the late Speaker, she admired the way he had conducted the affairs of Parliament.
For his part, the MP for Keta, Mr Dan Abodakpi, stated that Mr Adjetey contributed a lot to parliamentary democracy through his impartiality during his tenure as the Speaker of the House.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) presidential aspirant and MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, said the country had lost a leader who was committed to change.
He said Mr Adjetey advocated the election of district chief executives and expressed the hope that that aspiration would be fulfilled even after his death.
Mr Adjetey was the Speaker of Parliament from January 7, 2001 to January 6, 2005. He succeeded Mr Daniel Francis Annan and was succeeded by the current Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes.
He was born on August 11, 1931 and obtained his basic education at St Paul's School at La, a suburb of Accra, and the Accra Bishop Boys' School. He had his secondary education was at Accra Academy, before he proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana), where he obtained the University of London intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954.
He then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nottingham in 1958.
Mr Adjetey was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in London in 1959 and returned to Ghana in the same year when he was called to the Ghana Bar.
From 1959 to 1962, Mr Adjetey worked as a Law Officer at the Attorney-Generals' Department. He was also a part-time lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, between 1960 and 1962 and a part-time lecturer at the Ghana School of Law between 1964 and 1968.
He also served on numerous boards at various times, including membership of the Judicial Council of Ghana from 1984 to 1989. He was the President of the Ghana Bar Association between 1985 and 1989.
Mr Adjetey was the MP for Kpeshie during the Third Republic and served as the leader of the United National Convention (UNC) Parliamentary group during that period.
In 1995, he became the National Chairman of the NPP, a position he held until 1998, after which he was appointed the President of the African Bar Association in 2000.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House yesterday paid tribute to the immediate past Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, who died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital earlier in the day.
The MPs were united in their submissions that the Speaker lived by principles, equity and fair play in the handling of affairs of the House.
That, they noted, was vividly shown by his even handedness on the floor of the House during his tenure of office.
The MPs were speaking to the Daily Graphic on the death of Mr Adjetey, who was the second Speaker of the Fourth Republic.
The nation woke up yesterday to hear about the death of Mr Adjetey at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.
Although nothing was said about his death on the floor of the House, MPs were seen in groups discussing the issue before and after sitting.
The mood in the House depicted nothing about the death of the former Speaker as the day’s business went on as usual but the MPs who offered to speak to the press outside the floor were sad and devastated about that sudden occurrence.
Staff of the Parliamentary Service, most of whom preferred referred to Mr Adjetey as “Mr Order” because of the deep baritone voice with which he used to call the House to order, also joined the MPs in expressing shock at the news of the former Speaker’s death.
“It is unfortunate that the country cannot currently boast of a living former Speaker,” one of them was heard saying.
The Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Suame, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described Mr Adjetey as a diligent lawyer who was very meticulous, adding that “he was a strict disciplinarian who attached much value to his time”.
He said Mr Adjetey brought his convictions to bear on the running of the House and in the end stood tall as one of the finest brains that the country could boast of.
“Both the Majority and Minority can testify that he was an impartial arbiter who distinguished himself during his tenure of office,” he said.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said although the late former Speaker was strict, he gave room for his subordinates to explain their line of thoughts in order to convince him to toe their line.
The immediate past Majority Leader, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, said Ghana, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and Parliament had lost a “great pillar of democracy”.
“He has paid his due to the country, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and parliamentary democracy. His death is a great loss to the country,” he said, adding that followers of the NPP would have wished that he lived to witness the outcome of the December elections.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said he saw Mr Adjetey as a statesman who always insisted on excellence and never compromised with mediocrity.
“Wherever he found himself, he brought his experience to bear to ensure excellence in that institution,” he said, adding that “he never feared to call truth by its name, no matter the consequences”.
The MP for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, stated that Mr Adjetey was an astute lawyer who made his mark, both in his chosen profession and on the country’s political front.
He said by so doing, the former Speaker had left footprints for the present and future generations to follow.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said he admired Mr Adjetey’s effort at ensuring the independence of Parliament.
“I saw him as a hardworking and dedicated lawyer and politician who used his energy and knowledge in the service of his country, leaving an indelible mark in the process,” he added.
“He will be remembered for his honesty, truthfulness and the principled stance he took on a number of national issues,” he said.
The MP for Ho, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, said although he did not know much about the late Speaker, she admired the way he had conducted the affairs of Parliament.
For his part, the MP for Keta, Mr Dan Abodakpi, stated that Mr Adjetey contributed a lot to parliamentary democracy through his impartiality during his tenure as the Speaker of the House.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) presidential aspirant and MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, said the country had lost a leader who was committed to change.
He said Mr Adjetey advocated the election of district chief executives and expressed the hope that that aspiration would be fulfilled even after his death.
Mr Adjetey was the Speaker of Parliament from January 7, 2001 to January 6, 2005. He succeeded Mr Daniel Francis Annan and was succeeded by the current Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes.
He was born on August 11, 1931 and obtained his basic education at St Paul's School at La, a suburb of Accra, and the Accra Bishop Boys' School. He had his secondary education was at Accra Academy, before he proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana), where he obtained the University of London intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954.
He then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nottingham in 1958.
Mr Adjetey was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in London in 1959 and returned to Ghana in the same year when he was called to the Ghana Bar.
From 1959 to 1962, Mr Adjetey worked as a Law Officer at the Attorney-Generals' Department. He was also a part-time lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, between 1960 and 1962 and a part-time lecturer at the Ghana School of Law between 1964 and 1968.
He also served on numerous boards at various times, including membership of the Judicial Council of Ghana from 1984 to 1989. He was the President of the Ghana Bar Association between 1985 and 1989.
Mr Adjetey was the MP for Kpeshie during the Third Republic and served as the leader of the United National Convention (UNC) Parliamentary group during that period.
In 1995, he became the National Chairman of the NPP, a position he held until 1998, after which he was appointed the President of the African Bar Association in 2000.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Review assets declaration regime — Haruna Iddrisu
Page 17, July 11, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, yesterday called for a review of the country’s assets declaration regime of public office holders to enable the law to achieve its desired results.
He said the country’s current assets declaration regime makes it impossible to determine whether a public officer possesses or had acquired disproportionate assets.
“The absence of a strong assets declaration regime encourages graft culture, as it makes it difficult to take quick and corrective measures against corrupt practices by public officers.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Iddrisu said that to make the country’s assets declaration meaningful and ensure probity in public life, verification should be easy and open.
“There must be some institutional mechanisms to crosscheck whether what is declared is correct”, he stated.
Mr Haruna, therefore, stressed the need for the country to develop a new mechanism to monitor such declarations as well as compare the income of a person to his declared assets.
“This is the only way we can check and charge public officials for illicit enrichments if they are deemed to live above their means and have brazenly acquired property/assets”, he said.
By so doing, he said assets that had been acquired illicitly could be traced, frozen and forfeited.
Mr Haruna also called for a system that would make it an obligation for public office holders to justify their assets which were far above their legitimate sources of income.
He said that there was the need to introduce a system of periodically monitoring assets and lifestyles of public officers, where appropriate, by an independent agency.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Tamale Central, Mr Inusah Fuseini, said concerns had been raised by the general public about the lifestyle of public office holders.
He therefore called for the expansion of Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution on assets declaration to include spouses and children of holders of public officers.
“The reality on the ground is that because of the loophole in the law, people have found it convenient to hide their ill-gotten wealth in the names of their spouses and children”, he stated.
For his part, the MP for Ofoase/Ayirebi, Mr David Oppon-Kusi, stated that corruption should be fought from all fronts adding that assets declaration was one way of fighting corruption.
He was, however, of the view that there should be a comprehensive approach to fight corruption and explained that institutions such as Parliament and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), among others should be strengthened.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, the MP for Lower West Akim, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, commended Mr Haruna for his statement and hinted that an anti-corruption coalition was currently looking at the Asset Declaration Act.
He stated that preparations were underway for the introduction of a Legislative Instrument (L.I) in Parliament to enable the Auditor-General to work effectively towards the implementation of the Asset Declaration Act.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, noted that it had become ritualistic for the issue of declaration of assets to be raised whenever the term of a particular parliament was coming to an end and explained that the issue was also raised in 2000 and 2004.
He, therefore, called on the House to take a definite action on the matter once and for all.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, explained that the current law on acquisition of property was that spouses were joint holders of all property acquired in a couple’s their lifetime.
As a result, he called for the amendment of the Asset Declaration Law to bring it in conformity the tenets of the acquisition of property by spouses.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, yesterday called for a review of the country’s assets declaration regime of public office holders to enable the law to achieve its desired results.
He said the country’s current assets declaration regime makes it impossible to determine whether a public officer possesses or had acquired disproportionate assets.
“The absence of a strong assets declaration regime encourages graft culture, as it makes it difficult to take quick and corrective measures against corrupt practices by public officers.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Iddrisu said that to make the country’s assets declaration meaningful and ensure probity in public life, verification should be easy and open.
“There must be some institutional mechanisms to crosscheck whether what is declared is correct”, he stated.
Mr Haruna, therefore, stressed the need for the country to develop a new mechanism to monitor such declarations as well as compare the income of a person to his declared assets.
“This is the only way we can check and charge public officials for illicit enrichments if they are deemed to live above their means and have brazenly acquired property/assets”, he said.
By so doing, he said assets that had been acquired illicitly could be traced, frozen and forfeited.
Mr Haruna also called for a system that would make it an obligation for public office holders to justify their assets which were far above their legitimate sources of income.
He said that there was the need to introduce a system of periodically monitoring assets and lifestyles of public officers, where appropriate, by an independent agency.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Tamale Central, Mr Inusah Fuseini, said concerns had been raised by the general public about the lifestyle of public office holders.
He therefore called for the expansion of Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution on assets declaration to include spouses and children of holders of public officers.
“The reality on the ground is that because of the loophole in the law, people have found it convenient to hide their ill-gotten wealth in the names of their spouses and children”, he stated.
For his part, the MP for Ofoase/Ayirebi, Mr David Oppon-Kusi, stated that corruption should be fought from all fronts adding that assets declaration was one way of fighting corruption.
He was, however, of the view that there should be a comprehensive approach to fight corruption and explained that institutions such as Parliament and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), among others should be strengthened.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, the MP for Lower West Akim, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, commended Mr Haruna for his statement and hinted that an anti-corruption coalition was currently looking at the Asset Declaration Act.
He stated that preparations were underway for the introduction of a Legislative Instrument (L.I) in Parliament to enable the Auditor-General to work effectively towards the implementation of the Asset Declaration Act.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, noted that it had become ritualistic for the issue of declaration of assets to be raised whenever the term of a particular parliament was coming to an end and explained that the issue was also raised in 2000 and 2004.
He, therefore, called on the House to take a definite action on the matter once and for all.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, explained that the current law on acquisition of property was that spouses were joint holders of all property acquired in a couple’s their lifetime.
As a result, he called for the amendment of the Asset Declaration Law to bring it in conformity the tenets of the acquisition of property by spouses.
PNC launches manifesto tomorrow
Page 17, July 11, 2008
By Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The PNC would be the first political party in the country to outdoor its manifesto, an activity that is slated for tomorrow.
The party’s flag bearer, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, will launch the 58-page manifesto at a rally in Tamale.
It is expected that the launching of the manifesto would put the PNC in a new phase of the party’s campaign to clinch victory, come December, 2008 to enable it implement its plans to improve the lot of Ghanaians.
The party's launch has the theme; "Economic Prosperity Now, Youth Empowerment and Economic Independence Sooner,"
According to Dr Mahama, "We have earmarked how each regional capital should be rejuvenated so as to raise the standard of living of people in the rural areas".
He said towns such Nyinahin, Ejura-Attebubu corridor, Yeji, Buipe, Aflao and Bawku with various natural resources would be developed and made attractive to minimise the rural-urban drift.
Aspects of the manifesto with regard to urban renewal also seek to address the sanitation problems in Accra and Kumasi.
Another highlight of the manifesto is the creation of what is termed “the Golden Age of Productivity” which is aimed at providing support for industries and the agricultural sector.
According to Dr Mahama, a PNC administration under his leadership would allocate a portion of the national budget to set up a Research and Development (R&D) Fund to translate indigenous scientific research findings into commercial ventures that would further enhance the industrial capacity of the country.
At a recent interactive meeting organised by the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Mahama mentioned inefficient and unreliable electric power and water supplies as the bane of the country’s economy.
Within the manifesto is also a plan to examine the current international agreements in the World Trade Organisation; ECOWAS; the Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and also look for innovative ways to strengthen Ghanaian industrialists in such arrangements.
By Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
The PNC would be the first political party in the country to outdoor its manifesto, an activity that is slated for tomorrow.
The party’s flag bearer, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, will launch the 58-page manifesto at a rally in Tamale.
It is expected that the launching of the manifesto would put the PNC in a new phase of the party’s campaign to clinch victory, come December, 2008 to enable it implement its plans to improve the lot of Ghanaians.
The party's launch has the theme; "Economic Prosperity Now, Youth Empowerment and Economic Independence Sooner,"
According to Dr Mahama, "We have earmarked how each regional capital should be rejuvenated so as to raise the standard of living of people in the rural areas".
He said towns such Nyinahin, Ejura-Attebubu corridor, Yeji, Buipe, Aflao and Bawku with various natural resources would be developed and made attractive to minimise the rural-urban drift.
Aspects of the manifesto with regard to urban renewal also seek to address the sanitation problems in Accra and Kumasi.
Another highlight of the manifesto is the creation of what is termed “the Golden Age of Productivity” which is aimed at providing support for industries and the agricultural sector.
According to Dr Mahama, a PNC administration under his leadership would allocate a portion of the national budget to set up a Research and Development (R&D) Fund to translate indigenous scientific research findings into commercial ventures that would further enhance the industrial capacity of the country.
At a recent interactive meeting organised by the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Mahama mentioned inefficient and unreliable electric power and water supplies as the bane of the country’s economy.
Within the manifesto is also a plan to examine the current international agreements in the World Trade Organisation; ECOWAS; the Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and also look for innovative ways to strengthen Ghanaian industrialists in such arrangements.
Legal framework needed for credit union operations
Page 30, July 11, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chairman of the Accra Academy Credit Union, Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has called for the institution of a legal framework to govern the operations of credit unions.
He stated that since credit unions were basically welfare organisations, laws governing their operations should be different from those governing other financial institutions.
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe was speaking at the annual general meeting of the union in Accra.
He stated that the credit union concept had come to save many people, especially those within the low income group.
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe noted that the union, which was established five years ago, was doing well in spite of the scepticism that was harboured during its inception because of some experiences that the Accra Academy community went through with regard to managing group finances,
‘That fear is now a thing of the past and we can say that almost every member of both the teaching and non-teaching staff is a member”, he said.
He stated that the membership had increased from 93 to 393 with a total assets value of over GH¢135,000.00
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe expressed the hoped that the total assets of the union would hit the GH¢200,000.00 by the end of the current fiscal year.
He said that the union had acquired 150 plots of land at Papase Number One on the Kasoa-Bawjiase Road at the cost of GH¢140,000.00 for sale to its members.
In his address, the Audit Co-ordinator of the Ghana Co-operative Credit Union Association (CUA), Mr Seth Agyemfra Ayeh, said that after 53 years of the existence of credit union, the concept was growing fast because the leadership was prepared to leave a legacy for the next generation.
He congratulated the Accra Academy Credit Union for its achievement and expressed the hope that the leadership would continue to improve on the union’s efficiency in order to provide quality service to its members.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chairman of the Accra Academy Credit Union, Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has called for the institution of a legal framework to govern the operations of credit unions.
He stated that since credit unions were basically welfare organisations, laws governing their operations should be different from those governing other financial institutions.
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe was speaking at the annual general meeting of the union in Accra.
He stated that the credit union concept had come to save many people, especially those within the low income group.
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe noted that the union, which was established five years ago, was doing well in spite of the scepticism that was harboured during its inception because of some experiences that the Accra Academy community went through with regard to managing group finances,
‘That fear is now a thing of the past and we can say that almost every member of both the teaching and non-teaching staff is a member”, he said.
He stated that the membership had increased from 93 to 393 with a total assets value of over GH¢135,000.00
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe expressed the hoped that the total assets of the union would hit the GH¢200,000.00 by the end of the current fiscal year.
He said that the union had acquired 150 plots of land at Papase Number One on the Kasoa-Bawjiase Road at the cost of GH¢140,000.00 for sale to its members.
In his address, the Audit Co-ordinator of the Ghana Co-operative Credit Union Association (CUA), Mr Seth Agyemfra Ayeh, said that after 53 years of the existence of credit union, the concept was growing fast because the leadership was prepared to leave a legacy for the next generation.
He congratulated the Accra Academy Credit Union for its achievement and expressed the hope that the leadership would continue to improve on the union’s efficiency in order to provide quality service to its members.
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