Page 3, July 7, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
A BREWING controversy over an alleged $5,000 bribery scandal involving Minority Members of Parliament emerged yesterday on the floor of the House, leading to a walkout by the Minority.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sene, Mr Felix Twumasi Appiah, provoked the ire of the Minority when he made a reference to an allegation made by New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, P. C. Appiah Ofori, in the media that some NPP MPs were bribed $5,000 each in their support for the Vodafone deal.
Mr Twumasi-Appiah appeared to have been goaded by the NPP MP for Bimbilla, Mr Dominic Ntiwul, who, in his contribution to the debate on the Finance Committee’s report on a $300 million IDA facility, expressed the hope that the cash would not be used for “tea partying, pampas and chinchiga” to the rousing response of “hear hear” from the Minority.
When he took his turn, Mr Twumasi-Appiah said he hoped that members of the Minority were not speaking from experience, adding that in view of the comments made by P. C. Appiah Ofori that members on the Minority side were given $5,000 each to vote for the Vodafone deal, there was a clear indication that in the past some monies might have been misapplied.
That sparked numerous interventions from members of the Minority side, with Deputy Minority Leader, Ambrose Dery; MP for Old Tafo, Dr Akoto Osei, and Minority Chief Whip, Mr Frederick Opare Ansah leading those interventions and requesting that Mr Twumasi-Appiah be compelled to withdraw the statement.
The Minority MPs argued that the statement was purely an allegation that could cause damage to the integrity of the parliamentarians although it could not be substantiated.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Ambrose Dery, argued strongly that P. C. Appiah Ofori had made an allegation about an occurrence in the past and the reference to the present Parliament was unfair, stressing that “either he withdraws the statement or he is referred to the Privileges Committee”.
The MP for Old Tafo, Dr Akoto Osei, who shared similar sentiments, urged the MP for Sene to withdraw the statement, since he could not provide any evidence to buttress the statement.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, urged both sides of the House to be decorous and wondered why after the Minority had responded heartily to Ntiwul’s admonition to the Executive not to use the money for pampers, chinchiga and tea partying, they would now complain about the statements made by Twumasi-Appiah.
Nevertheless, the Majority Leader urged that both P. C. Appiah Ofori and Mr Twumasi-Appiah be referred to the Privileges Committee in order to get to the bottom of the matter, “since it affects the integrity of Parliament”.
The Speaker ruled that the MP for Sene should withdraw the statement, but in doing so, his comments displeased the Minority, who believed he was just playing with words and not being forthright, hence their resort to the walkout.
Meanwhile, the Minority have resolved not to take part in any voting or decision in the House until the matter is expeditiously resolved by the Privileges Committee of Parliament.
Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, at a press conference yesterday, said the Minority, however, would partake in the proceedings of the House.
“We wish to state that until this matter is cleared by the Privileges Committee, we in the Minority feel constrained to state that we find it rather difficult to participate in further decision making and voting on the floor of the House,” Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated.
He explained that in as much as government business must go on, it was the belief of the Minority that the esteem, dignity and integrity of Parliament must be preserved.
He said Standing Orders 93 (2) 28 and 38 provided for the use of proper language and the making of statements of fact during debates.
He added that the Minority was aware “of the baseless allegations of the receipt of $5,000 by individual Members of Parliament who voted for the approval of the Vodafone Agreement that have been made by Mr P. C. Appiah-Ofori against some members of this House in some sections of the media”.
He said the re-echoing of the matter on the floor of the House raises serious concerns, especially given the reluctance of Mr Twumasi-Appiah to withdraw the statement, despite persistent directives by the Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo.
The MP for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa was, however, not present in the House.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Asante Mampong benefit from a $15.3 m loan
Page 14, July 4, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Asante Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region is to benefit from a $15.3 million loan facility for the rehabilitation and expansion of its water system.
With about 58,000 inhabitants, the municipality has a potential for agro-industrial processing.
However, the existing surface water supply for the municipality has become inadequate to meet the demands of the area.
A report on the loan facility, was laid before Parliament by the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the House, Mr James Klutse Avedzi for the approval of the loan for the execution of the project.
The report indicated that the loan was being sourced from the Export-Import Bank of the United Stated of America, by the Ghana Water Company Limited with the Ghana of government as the guarantor.
Apart from the loan, the bank is also providing $7,788,723 as grant while the execution of the water project would be undertaken by Messrs EUM of Florida, USA.
The beneficiary communities of the project would include Mampong, Darmang, Daaho, Bosofour, Besease, Kyeremfaso, Krobo, Mpenya, Dadease, Bonkrom, Nsuta and Beposo.
The technical support to be provided under the project, included the training of the Ghana Water Company staff and post construction operational support.
The project is expected to enhance the provision of water to help government’s objective of increasing access to potable water by the population to meet and even exceed the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of 76 per cent by 2015.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Asante Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region is to benefit from a $15.3 million loan facility for the rehabilitation and expansion of its water system.
With about 58,000 inhabitants, the municipality has a potential for agro-industrial processing.
However, the existing surface water supply for the municipality has become inadequate to meet the demands of the area.
A report on the loan facility, was laid before Parliament by the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the House, Mr James Klutse Avedzi for the approval of the loan for the execution of the project.
The report indicated that the loan was being sourced from the Export-Import Bank of the United Stated of America, by the Ghana Water Company Limited with the Ghana of government as the guarantor.
Apart from the loan, the bank is also providing $7,788,723 as grant while the execution of the water project would be undertaken by Messrs EUM of Florida, USA.
The beneficiary communities of the project would include Mampong, Darmang, Daaho, Bosofour, Besease, Kyeremfaso, Krobo, Mpenya, Dadease, Bonkrom, Nsuta and Beposo.
The technical support to be provided under the project, included the training of the Ghana Water Company staff and post construction operational support.
The project is expected to enhance the provision of water to help government’s objective of increasing access to potable water by the population to meet and even exceed the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of 76 per cent by 2015.
Govt to review policy on second cycle
Page 13, July 3, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh Enyo, yesterday told Parliament that the government was reviewing the policy on the establishment of second cycle institutions with emphasis now on vocational and technical schools.
He told the House that “as part of the review, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service would consult the appropriate authorities on the siting of second cycle institutions”.
The minister made the disclosure when he addressed questions posed to him by some parliamentarians on the siting of second cycle institutions in some parts of the country.
The MP for Techiman South, Mr Simon Addai, had asked the minister what plans the ministry had to establish senior high schools at Nsuta and Tanoso, while the MP for Evalue Gwira, Mrs Catherine Afeku, had also wanted to know plans for the establishment of a senior high school at Gwira.
The minister told the House that it had normally not been the practice of the ministry and the GES to establish senior high schools.
Rather, he said, “it is normally the communities or individuals who take the initiative of starting or establishing senior high schools after which they apply for absorption into the public system”.
However, he gave the assurance that Nsuta, Tanoso and Gwira would be considered for the establishment of second cycle schools when the ministry and the Ghana Education Service decided on the type of institutions appropriate for those areas.
The minister also told the House that to qualify for consideration for absorption into the public education system, a private school must fulfil a number of conditions after it had submitted a formal application for absorption.
Responding to a question posed by the MP for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo said some of the conditions to fulfil included having the school registered by the director of education in the region where the school was located.
He added that the provisional certificate of registration issued by the regional director should bear the date of registration as well as a registration number which was unique to the particular school.
The minister also indicated that the school should show evidence that it could enrol at least 80 senior high school form one students annually,adding that “the buildings for the school should not be in a rented premises or be in temporary structures”.
Other requirements he outlined included; having an adequate drainage system to ensure good sanitation and healthy environment, an effective waste or rubbish disposal system, facilities for storing water and facilities for alternative power supply.
Responding to another question on the construction of an administration block and an assembly hall for the Jukwa Senior High School, the minister stated that it was the policy of the ministry to complete all ongoing projects before new ones were started.
He said the ministry had compiled all requests for infrastructure from schools throughout the country, and gave the assurance that the request for an administration block and assembly hall for the Jukwa Senior High School would be considered alongside others in due course.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh Enyo, yesterday told Parliament that the government was reviewing the policy on the establishment of second cycle institutions with emphasis now on vocational and technical schools.
He told the House that “as part of the review, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service would consult the appropriate authorities on the siting of second cycle institutions”.
The minister made the disclosure when he addressed questions posed to him by some parliamentarians on the siting of second cycle institutions in some parts of the country.
The MP for Techiman South, Mr Simon Addai, had asked the minister what plans the ministry had to establish senior high schools at Nsuta and Tanoso, while the MP for Evalue Gwira, Mrs Catherine Afeku, had also wanted to know plans for the establishment of a senior high school at Gwira.
The minister told the House that it had normally not been the practice of the ministry and the GES to establish senior high schools.
Rather, he said, “it is normally the communities or individuals who take the initiative of starting or establishing senior high schools after which they apply for absorption into the public system”.
However, he gave the assurance that Nsuta, Tanoso and Gwira would be considered for the establishment of second cycle schools when the ministry and the Ghana Education Service decided on the type of institutions appropriate for those areas.
The minister also told the House that to qualify for consideration for absorption into the public education system, a private school must fulfil a number of conditions after it had submitted a formal application for absorption.
Responding to a question posed by the MP for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo said some of the conditions to fulfil included having the school registered by the director of education in the region where the school was located.
He added that the provisional certificate of registration issued by the regional director should bear the date of registration as well as a registration number which was unique to the particular school.
The minister also indicated that the school should show evidence that it could enrol at least 80 senior high school form one students annually,adding that “the buildings for the school should not be in a rented premises or be in temporary structures”.
Other requirements he outlined included; having an adequate drainage system to ensure good sanitation and healthy environment, an effective waste or rubbish disposal system, facilities for storing water and facilities for alternative power supply.
Responding to another question on the construction of an administration block and an assembly hall for the Jukwa Senior High School, the minister stated that it was the policy of the ministry to complete all ongoing projects before new ones were started.
He said the ministry had compiled all requests for infrastructure from schools throughout the country, and gave the assurance that the request for an administration block and assembly hall for the Jukwa Senior High School would be considered alongside others in due course.
195 Metro buses not in operation — Minister
Page 14, July 2, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
OUT of a total of 400 Yaxing buses imported from China by the Metro Mass Transit Limited, 195, representing close to 50 per cent of the buses have broken down.
Thirteen out of the 400 Yaxing buses have been cannibalised to service other fleet and also to dispose off as scraps, with another 101 expected to be cannibalised to service other operational fleet, leaving only 91 in operation.
These came to light on Wednesday when the MP for Trobu-Amasaman, Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, posed a question on the floor of the House to the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, enquiring on the number of Metro Mass buses imported from China and the number now in operation.
In response to a question from the Minority side on the total number of buses imported, including those from China, the Minister said he needed time to compile the data in order to properly address that question.
Mr Mike Hammah told the House that “mechanical and electrical failures, especially, poor engine, clutch problems coupled with poor after sales service support had resulted in several of the Yaxing buses being grounded for long periods with the attendant loss of revenue”.
The minister said as a result of the increase in urbanisation and use of many private and mini buses, there was congestion in the cities with high fuel consumption and consequently high cost of travel per passenger time.
He said the successful expansion and operation of the MMT with a planned bus replacement programme would help reduce congestion in cities in the country, lower cost of travel for the mass of the people and therefore a positive, social and economic impact.
Providing a background to the operation of the service in the country, the minister stated that in order to fulfil the government’s policy of providing passenger mass transport service in the urban areas of the country, a pilot mass transit service was introduced in October, 2002 with 17 used high capacity Fiat/IVECO buses donated by the Government of Italy.
He said after the initial encouraging operation of the pilot project, the government in 2003 used the assets of OSA as equity and in partnership with SSNIT, NIB, STC and Prudential Bank, established and incorporated the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMT) as a limited liability company.
“Later, ADB and GOIL also joined the company and currently the six institutions own 55 per cent shares and the government owns 45 per cent shares,” he indicated.
Mr Hammah added that in April 2004 following Cabinet’s approval and subsequent ratification by Parliament, 50 Yaxing buses were imported by the ex-Ministry of Roads and Transport after a supply contract agreement with the China National Machinery and Equipment Corporation (CMEC).
The Minister also told the House that a total 763 right-hand drive buses have been imported and registered in the country from June 2004 to date.
He said out of that number 23 were imported from January to date.
The Minister explained that the influx of the right hand buses into the country was as a result of the amendment of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law 1993, PNDC Law 330, which banned the importation of right-hand drive vehicles into the country.
Responding to a question posed by the MP for Trobu-Amasaman, the minister said that law was amended in 2002 by Act 634 and also a letter by the Ministry of Finance dated November 28, 2003.
“Per the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning’s letter, the importation of right-hand drive vehicles was restricted except for refuse trucks and equipment for sanitation and construction and mining equipment for use at sites off the road,” the minister explained.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
OUT of a total of 400 Yaxing buses imported from China by the Metro Mass Transit Limited, 195, representing close to 50 per cent of the buses have broken down.
Thirteen out of the 400 Yaxing buses have been cannibalised to service other fleet and also to dispose off as scraps, with another 101 expected to be cannibalised to service other operational fleet, leaving only 91 in operation.
These came to light on Wednesday when the MP for Trobu-Amasaman, Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, posed a question on the floor of the House to the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, enquiring on the number of Metro Mass buses imported from China and the number now in operation.
In response to a question from the Minority side on the total number of buses imported, including those from China, the Minister said he needed time to compile the data in order to properly address that question.
Mr Mike Hammah told the House that “mechanical and electrical failures, especially, poor engine, clutch problems coupled with poor after sales service support had resulted in several of the Yaxing buses being grounded for long periods with the attendant loss of revenue”.
The minister said as a result of the increase in urbanisation and use of many private and mini buses, there was congestion in the cities with high fuel consumption and consequently high cost of travel per passenger time.
He said the successful expansion and operation of the MMT with a planned bus replacement programme would help reduce congestion in cities in the country, lower cost of travel for the mass of the people and therefore a positive, social and economic impact.
Providing a background to the operation of the service in the country, the minister stated that in order to fulfil the government’s policy of providing passenger mass transport service in the urban areas of the country, a pilot mass transit service was introduced in October, 2002 with 17 used high capacity Fiat/IVECO buses donated by the Government of Italy.
He said after the initial encouraging operation of the pilot project, the government in 2003 used the assets of OSA as equity and in partnership with SSNIT, NIB, STC and Prudential Bank, established and incorporated the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMT) as a limited liability company.
“Later, ADB and GOIL also joined the company and currently the six institutions own 55 per cent shares and the government owns 45 per cent shares,” he indicated.
Mr Hammah added that in April 2004 following Cabinet’s approval and subsequent ratification by Parliament, 50 Yaxing buses were imported by the ex-Ministry of Roads and Transport after a supply contract agreement with the China National Machinery and Equipment Corporation (CMEC).
The Minister also told the House that a total 763 right-hand drive buses have been imported and registered in the country from June 2004 to date.
He said out of that number 23 were imported from January to date.
The Minister explained that the influx of the right hand buses into the country was as a result of the amendment of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law 1993, PNDC Law 330, which banned the importation of right-hand drive vehicles into the country.
Responding to a question posed by the MP for Trobu-Amasaman, the minister said that law was amended in 2002 by Act 634 and also a letter by the Ministry of Finance dated November 28, 2003.
“Per the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning’s letter, the importation of right-hand drive vehicles was restricted except for refuse trucks and equipment for sanitation and construction and mining equipment for use at sites off the road,” the minister explained.
Minority abtains from petroleum accord
Page 14, July 2, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament have abstained from a resolution by the House to endorse a petroleum agreement among the government, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Vanco Ghana Limited and LUKOIL Overseas Ghana Limited.
The agreement was for the conduct of exploration and production operations in the Offshore Cape Three Points Deep Water Block.
The Minority had, however, last Friday taken part in the motion in the House as part of the process for the approval of the agreement.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, last Friday called on the House to defer the resolution for the endorsement of the agreement to this week.
But when the matter came before the House on Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said although the Minority supported the agreement in principle, they would abstain from voting for the resolution.
He explained that the Minority found it wrong for Nana Boakye Asafo-Adjaye who was the Country Director of Vanco to preside over the agreement, now in his capacity as the acting Managing Director of the GNPC.
“Mr Speaker, I want it to be on record that we members of the Minority abstained from taking part in the resolution although in principle, we are not against the agreement”, he said.
Replying, Mr Bagbin said he was surprised about the turn of events, stating that there was a clear indication that the Minority would support the resolution after they had taken part in the motion.
He stated that the reason that the Minority Leader had ascribed for their intention to abstain from the resolution which was about conflict of interest could be decided by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
When he caught the Speaker’s eye, the First Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ave-Avenor, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, also expressed “shock” about the decision of the Minority and called on the Majority Leader to defer the resolution for further consultations.
The Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, explained that voting for the resolution could go on even if the Minority abstained from the exercise.
When Mr Bagbin took the floor again, he called on the Speaker to proceed to put the question for the House to resolve to approve the agreement.
When the Speaker finally put the question, the Majority side responded with yes while there was a deafening silence on the Minority side.
Meanwhile the Editor of the Lens newspaper, Mr Kobby Fiagbe, has apologised to Parliament for describing MPs as “a den of thieves” in one of the recent editions of his paper.
His publication followed an allegation that some members of the Communication Sub-Committee of Parliament demanded monies from communication service operators when they paid them a working visit.
Mr Fiagbe was said to have rendered the apology when he appeared before the Privileges Committee of Parliament, which is chaired by Mr Adjaho.
The matter was referred to the committee by the Speaker when the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Suhum, Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, formally made the complaint on the floor of Parliament.
A source told the Daily Graphic that Mr Fiagbe explained to the committee that his story was not intended to tarnish the image of MPs and rendered an unqualified apology.
The Privileges Committee did not however come out with its decision on the matter after its sitting.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minority in Parliament have abstained from a resolution by the House to endorse a petroleum agreement among the government, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Vanco Ghana Limited and LUKOIL Overseas Ghana Limited.
The agreement was for the conduct of exploration and production operations in the Offshore Cape Three Points Deep Water Block.
The Minority had, however, last Friday taken part in the motion in the House as part of the process for the approval of the agreement.
The Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, last Friday called on the House to defer the resolution for the endorsement of the agreement to this week.
But when the matter came before the House on Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said although the Minority supported the agreement in principle, they would abstain from voting for the resolution.
He explained that the Minority found it wrong for Nana Boakye Asafo-Adjaye who was the Country Director of Vanco to preside over the agreement, now in his capacity as the acting Managing Director of the GNPC.
“Mr Speaker, I want it to be on record that we members of the Minority abstained from taking part in the resolution although in principle, we are not against the agreement”, he said.
Replying, Mr Bagbin said he was surprised about the turn of events, stating that there was a clear indication that the Minority would support the resolution after they had taken part in the motion.
He stated that the reason that the Minority Leader had ascribed for their intention to abstain from the resolution which was about conflict of interest could be decided by the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
When he caught the Speaker’s eye, the First Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ave-Avenor, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, also expressed “shock” about the decision of the Minority and called on the Majority Leader to defer the resolution for further consultations.
The Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, explained that voting for the resolution could go on even if the Minority abstained from the exercise.
When Mr Bagbin took the floor again, he called on the Speaker to proceed to put the question for the House to resolve to approve the agreement.
When the Speaker finally put the question, the Majority side responded with yes while there was a deafening silence on the Minority side.
Meanwhile the Editor of the Lens newspaper, Mr Kobby Fiagbe, has apologised to Parliament for describing MPs as “a den of thieves” in one of the recent editions of his paper.
His publication followed an allegation that some members of the Communication Sub-Committee of Parliament demanded monies from communication service operators when they paid them a working visit.
Mr Fiagbe was said to have rendered the apology when he appeared before the Privileges Committee of Parliament, which is chaired by Mr Adjaho.
The matter was referred to the committee by the Speaker when the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Suhum, Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, formally made the complaint on the floor of Parliament.
A source told the Daily Graphic that Mr Fiagbe explained to the committee that his story was not intended to tarnish the image of MPs and rendered an unqualified apology.
The Privileges Committee did not however come out with its decision on the matter after its sitting.
‘Establish tourism university to improve service delivery’
Page 13, July 1, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome-Freho, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu, has advocated the establishment of a tourism training university to improve service delivery in the country’s tourism industry.
The MP, who was presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament on the organisation of the 2009 PANAFEST and some challenges facing the tourism industry, also called for the establishment of a national tourism policy.
He said if the government wanted to make tourism the country’s number one foreign exchange earner, then there was the need for more capital to be injected into the industry.
He appealed to the Ghana Immigration Service to provide the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) with tourists arrival data regularly to enable the GTB to maintain accurate records for planning and marketing purposes.
Dilating on the organisation of this year’s PANAFEST, Nana Ofori-Kuragu said activities lined up included a wreath-laying ceremony to honour illustrious sons of Pan-Africanism.
There would also be the re-enactment of the crossing of the Pra River at Assin Praso, where captured slaves reached the point of no return.
He added that numerous colourful durbars would also be held at Gwollu, Keta, Peki, Tumu, Nkroful, Paga, Salaga, Bono Manso, Akamu, Kumasi, Osu and Beyin as part of the festival.
The official opening of the festival, according to him, would be done in Cape Coast on July 25, 2009 with a grand durbar of chiefs to be followed by the opening of the PANAFEST village expo/bazaar on July 26.
The high point of the celebrations would be the durbar of chiefs at Assin Manso on Emancipation Day on August 1, 2009.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu noted that the festival helped to re-unite the African and African-American, adding that it was no wonder that President Barrack Obama had decided to lead the way by making Ghana his second destination in Africa.
He said the historic visit would stimulate the tourism industry and Cape Coast as the traditional home of PANAFEST.
“President Obama’s visit will re-affirm Ghana’s position as the gateway to the Homeland, our commitment to the total liberation of our continent and our new role as the masters of democracy in Africa,” he said.
The MP stated that PANAFEST was an essential tool for selling Ghana abroad, especially to the United States of America, which is Ghana’s number one international market segment.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu was, however not happy about challenges confronting the GTB, which had hindered its smooth operation.
He enumerated these problems to include the lack of board of directors; inadequate funding and marketing programmes; inadequate infrastructure, especially receptive facilities, websites and training facilities; inadequate human resource base and high turnover of staff; lack of district tourism offices and overseas tourism offices and old vehicles and inadequate office equipment among others.
He, therefore, called on the government to properly resource the Ministry of Tourism and the GTB to enable them to improve on their operational efficiency.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome-Freho, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu, has advocated the establishment of a tourism training university to improve service delivery in the country’s tourism industry.
The MP, who was presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament on the organisation of the 2009 PANAFEST and some challenges facing the tourism industry, also called for the establishment of a national tourism policy.
He said if the government wanted to make tourism the country’s number one foreign exchange earner, then there was the need for more capital to be injected into the industry.
He appealed to the Ghana Immigration Service to provide the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) with tourists arrival data regularly to enable the GTB to maintain accurate records for planning and marketing purposes.
Dilating on the organisation of this year’s PANAFEST, Nana Ofori-Kuragu said activities lined up included a wreath-laying ceremony to honour illustrious sons of Pan-Africanism.
There would also be the re-enactment of the crossing of the Pra River at Assin Praso, where captured slaves reached the point of no return.
He added that numerous colourful durbars would also be held at Gwollu, Keta, Peki, Tumu, Nkroful, Paga, Salaga, Bono Manso, Akamu, Kumasi, Osu and Beyin as part of the festival.
The official opening of the festival, according to him, would be done in Cape Coast on July 25, 2009 with a grand durbar of chiefs to be followed by the opening of the PANAFEST village expo/bazaar on July 26.
The high point of the celebrations would be the durbar of chiefs at Assin Manso on Emancipation Day on August 1, 2009.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu noted that the festival helped to re-unite the African and African-American, adding that it was no wonder that President Barrack Obama had decided to lead the way by making Ghana his second destination in Africa.
He said the historic visit would stimulate the tourism industry and Cape Coast as the traditional home of PANAFEST.
“President Obama’s visit will re-affirm Ghana’s position as the gateway to the Homeland, our commitment to the total liberation of our continent and our new role as the masters of democracy in Africa,” he said.
The MP stated that PANAFEST was an essential tool for selling Ghana abroad, especially to the United States of America, which is Ghana’s number one international market segment.
Nana Ofori-Kuragu was, however not happy about challenges confronting the GTB, which had hindered its smooth operation.
He enumerated these problems to include the lack of board of directors; inadequate funding and marketing programmes; inadequate infrastructure, especially receptive facilities, websites and training facilities; inadequate human resource base and high turnover of staff; lack of district tourism offices and overseas tourism offices and old vehicles and inadequate office equipment among others.
He, therefore, called on the government to properly resource the Ministry of Tourism and the GTB to enable them to improve on their operational efficiency.
Extend PANAFEST celebrations to Axim — MP
Page 13, July 1, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE Member of Parliament for Evalue-Gwira, Mrs Catherine Afeku, has urged the National Planning Committee of PANAFEST to extend the celebrations to Axim.
The festival has traditionally been celebrated in Cape Coast and Elmina, but Mrs Afeku told the Daily Graphic that Axim had a unique cultural heritage that could not be ignored.
“The first Portuguese Castle was the Elmina Castle, which was built in 1482. Subsequently, the Fort Antonio was built in Axim in 1515 before the Cape Coast Castle was built in 1653,” she explained.
She said about 1,900 people walked through the gate of no return at Fort Antonio into the “other world” and stressed that the significance of those events placed Axim as an important setting in the country’s cultural and historical heritage.
“It will augur well if in celebrating PANAFEST, the trail is properly walked; from Elmina to Axim, then to Cape Coast and then Accra,” the MP suggested.
The MP extolled the tourism potential of Axim, describing the place as “serene with a plethora of beaches”.
She said that politically, the place also had some significance because Nkroful which was the birth place of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was located in Axim.
Mrs Afeku added that Axim had the first West African bank, which was built by Paa Grant, founding president of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). She added that Paa Grant also had a beautiful heritage home in Axim.
She said extending the festival to Axim would not only recognise the unique cultural and historical heritage of Axim, but also open up the place for investments and other development initiatives.
The MP stated that the Fort Antonio has been well kept and the local people are very much conscious and enthused about the prospects for tourism in the area.
This year’s PANAFEST celebration is expected to be formally opened with a grand durbar of chiefs to be held at Cape Coast on July 25.
Other programmes expected to be organised include a Pan-African conference to be held at Cape Coast from July 27 to 29.
There is also expected to be the re-enactment of the crossing of the River Pra in canoes by slave masters and captured persons with other scheduled visits to Anomabo Fort William, Atimpoku, Salaga Slave Market, the kente weaving capital at Bonwire and Ntonso.
A solemn night will also be held on the night of July 31 and that is expected to be followed by the high point of the celebration, a durbar of chiefs at Assin Manso on Emancipation Day on August 1.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah
THE Member of Parliament for Evalue-Gwira, Mrs Catherine Afeku, has urged the National Planning Committee of PANAFEST to extend the celebrations to Axim.
The festival has traditionally been celebrated in Cape Coast and Elmina, but Mrs Afeku told the Daily Graphic that Axim had a unique cultural heritage that could not be ignored.
“The first Portuguese Castle was the Elmina Castle, which was built in 1482. Subsequently, the Fort Antonio was built in Axim in 1515 before the Cape Coast Castle was built in 1653,” she explained.
She said about 1,900 people walked through the gate of no return at Fort Antonio into the “other world” and stressed that the significance of those events placed Axim as an important setting in the country’s cultural and historical heritage.
“It will augur well if in celebrating PANAFEST, the trail is properly walked; from Elmina to Axim, then to Cape Coast and then Accra,” the MP suggested.
The MP extolled the tourism potential of Axim, describing the place as “serene with a plethora of beaches”.
She said that politically, the place also had some significance because Nkroful which was the birth place of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was located in Axim.
Mrs Afeku added that Axim had the first West African bank, which was built by Paa Grant, founding president of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). She added that Paa Grant also had a beautiful heritage home in Axim.
She said extending the festival to Axim would not only recognise the unique cultural and historical heritage of Axim, but also open up the place for investments and other development initiatives.
The MP stated that the Fort Antonio has been well kept and the local people are very much conscious and enthused about the prospects for tourism in the area.
This year’s PANAFEST celebration is expected to be formally opened with a grand durbar of chiefs to be held at Cape Coast on July 25.
Other programmes expected to be organised include a Pan-African conference to be held at Cape Coast from July 27 to 29.
There is also expected to be the re-enactment of the crossing of the River Pra in canoes by slave masters and captured persons with other scheduled visits to Anomabo Fort William, Atimpoku, Salaga Slave Market, the kente weaving capital at Bonwire and Ntonso.
A solemn night will also be held on the night of July 31 and that is expected to be followed by the high point of the celebration, a durbar of chiefs at Assin Manso on Emancipation Day on August 1.
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