Are my leaders listening ?
It's now official The Queen of England is vBlogging. The Christmas Message for the year 2007 would be live on the vblog tommorrow 25 December 2007. Can't wait...
Official Google Blog: A very special Christmas broadcast
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
House Leadership to invite GCB Governor on redenomination
Accra, July 6, GNA – Alhaji Malik A. Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has asked the leadership of the House to meet and find an agreeable procedure of inviting the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to answer questions relating to the re-denomination exercise, including how much it cost the tax payer to introduce the new Ghana Cedi.This followed a turbulent period which saw the Minority saying that even though it had brought the question before the House several times, Mr. Felix Owusu Adjepong, Majority Leader has not listed the question on the order paper, which according to a number of Minority MP's was originally listed as an urgent question.
The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament last week held a press conference to register its disapproval of the refusal of either the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning or the Governor of the BoG to appear before the House on the matter and urged them to quickly address the questions they put.Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, NDC- Ashaiman, who raised the matter noted that it seemed as if Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank was not keen on appearing before the House to answer questions on how much it cost Ghanaians to print the new currency and other related costs.
He said, he had heard the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning arguing on a radio station that it was the Governor who was charged with talking on the re-denomination exercise.Mr Agbesi said it was relevant point for the governor to explain to the entire Ghanaian population how much it cost the nation to introduce the Ghana Cedi, noting that in other countries, such information was readily available.To this, Mr. Ossei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip said it was wrong for anyone to think that Parliament could order everybody before the House to answer questions.
"We have procedures and ways of going about such a situation and it is very important we follow these procedures without recourse to any situation which paints a wrong erroneous picture of the state of affairs. If we do not watch how some of these things are done, we would find a situation where the Chief Justice could be summoned to explain on a certain ruling."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also argued that the House could invite the Governor to appear before the Committee of the Whole, noting that the first situation in which Dr Acquah appeared before Parliament to give the House a situational report about the re-denomination and its outcomes was wrong and should not have happened.
But this position did not go down well with Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, NDC- Ningo Prampram, who rose to his feet to restate the point that, "all public holders are accountable to the tax payer and must in all circumstances be ready and available to disclose information on their activities, especially when so desired by the representatives of the people.
"We are the representatives of the people and we have the right to hear the Governor of the Bank of Ghana tell us how much it cost the nation to undertake the re-denomination exercise; how much of the old currency is in circulation and how it would be destroyed, among others. We need to know," he repeated.Mr. Owusu-Adjepong agreed with Mr Speaker to meet the other side to find an amicable way of getting the Governor before the House.Later the much delayed private members' motion in which Parliament is expressing disappointment in the inability of government to end the energy crisis, almost a year after it started, took centre stage.The debate had similar colouration of the initial two debates, but less confrontational as the Deputy Speaker warned he was not going to take any unwarranted interventions that could take away the real focus and purpose of the debate.
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of the Interior, in winding up said the NDC government failed to develop a comprehensive energy plan that was to make thermal power production profitable.
He argued that even though the NDC put up the Aboadze Thrmal Plant, it could not utilize it fully because it learnt too late that running the Plant was expensive, a trend which Mr. Kan-Dapaah said, lends credence to NPP's position that thermal complementation was not the way forward.Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro said it was not true that the NDC did not have a long term plan for energy production, arguing that as far back as 1998 efforts were made to engineer an energy mix that relied on solar, nuclear, hydro and thermal.
"We started with the thermal plant which brought on 550 megawatts of power and this was to have been progressively enhanced with a 110 megawatts annually. But was not done when the NPP government came to power."
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, NPP-Sunyani said it was important to depart from the blame game on who did what and who did not. "What is important for us now is to look at, not just how to build up on the water levels, but also put in place a practical implementation plan to make current searches on the viability of nuclear energy in this country; because we know that it is the cheapest means of energy production."
The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament last week held a press conference to register its disapproval of the refusal of either the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning or the Governor of the BoG to appear before the House on the matter and urged them to quickly address the questions they put.Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, NDC- Ashaiman, who raised the matter noted that it seemed as if Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank was not keen on appearing before the House to answer questions on how much it cost Ghanaians to print the new currency and other related costs.
He said, he had heard the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning arguing on a radio station that it was the Governor who was charged with talking on the re-denomination exercise.Mr Agbesi said it was relevant point for the governor to explain to the entire Ghanaian population how much it cost the nation to introduce the Ghana Cedi, noting that in other countries, such information was readily available.To this, Mr. Ossei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip said it was wrong for anyone to think that Parliament could order everybody before the House to answer questions.
"We have procedures and ways of going about such a situation and it is very important we follow these procedures without recourse to any situation which paints a wrong erroneous picture of the state of affairs. If we do not watch how some of these things are done, we would find a situation where the Chief Justice could be summoned to explain on a certain ruling."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also argued that the House could invite the Governor to appear before the Committee of the Whole, noting that the first situation in which Dr Acquah appeared before Parliament to give the House a situational report about the re-denomination and its outcomes was wrong and should not have happened.
But this position did not go down well with Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, NDC- Ningo Prampram, who rose to his feet to restate the point that, "all public holders are accountable to the tax payer and must in all circumstances be ready and available to disclose information on their activities, especially when so desired by the representatives of the people.
"We are the representatives of the people and we have the right to hear the Governor of the Bank of Ghana tell us how much it cost the nation to undertake the re-denomination exercise; how much of the old currency is in circulation and how it would be destroyed, among others. We need to know," he repeated.Mr. Owusu-Adjepong agreed with Mr Speaker to meet the other side to find an amicable way of getting the Governor before the House.Later the much delayed private members' motion in which Parliament is expressing disappointment in the inability of government to end the energy crisis, almost a year after it started, took centre stage.The debate had similar colouration of the initial two debates, but less confrontational as the Deputy Speaker warned he was not going to take any unwarranted interventions that could take away the real focus and purpose of the debate.
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of the Interior, in winding up said the NDC government failed to develop a comprehensive energy plan that was to make thermal power production profitable.
He argued that even though the NDC put up the Aboadze Thrmal Plant, it could not utilize it fully because it learnt too late that running the Plant was expensive, a trend which Mr. Kan-Dapaah said, lends credence to NPP's position that thermal complementation was not the way forward.Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro said it was not true that the NDC did not have a long term plan for energy production, arguing that as far back as 1998 efforts were made to engineer an energy mix that relied on solar, nuclear, hydro and thermal.
"We started with the thermal plant which brought on 550 megawatts of power and this was to have been progressively enhanced with a 110 megawatts annually. But was not done when the NPP government came to power."
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, NPP-Sunyani said it was important to depart from the blame game on who did what and who did not. "What is important for us now is to look at, not just how to build up on the water levels, but also put in place a practical implementation plan to make current searches on the viability of nuclear energy in this country; because we know that it is the cheapest means of energy production."
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union opens in Accra, Ghana
Accra, July 1, GNA – The 9th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) opened in Accra, Ghana, on Sunday.
President John Agyekum Kufuor, President of AU; President Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Commission, and Dr Ahmed Esmat abd al-Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League, addressed the opening session.Dr Rose Asha-Mirigo, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, read Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon's speech while China formally presented a miniscule of the new AU complex it has promised to build for the Union at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President John Agyekum Kufuor, President of AU; President Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Commission, and Dr Ahmed Esmat abd al-Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League, addressed the opening session.Dr Rose Asha-Mirigo, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, read Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon's speech while China formally presented a miniscule of the new AU complex it has promised to build for the Union at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Three-day orientation workshop for assembly members held at Nyinahin
Nyinahin (Ash), July 1, GNA – Mr. Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, Atwima-Mponua District Chief Executive, has called on assembly members to maintain close contact with their electorate and interact with them on regular basis on policies and programmes of the Assembly.
They should also be actively involved in how the assembly's funds are utilized.The DCE said this at a three-day orientation workshop organized for assembly members in the district at Nyinahin.It was aimed at enlightening them on their roles and functions.He appealed to them to collect and collate views, opinions and proposals on matters affecting the electorate and present them to the assembly meetings for discussions and solutions.Mr Ernest Yaw Kwarteng, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, advised the assembly members not to regard themselves as superior to the electorate and traditional authorities but work closely with them to move the area forward in terms of development.
They should also be actively involved in how the assembly's funds are utilized.The DCE said this at a three-day orientation workshop organized for assembly members in the district at Nyinahin.It was aimed at enlightening them on their roles and functions.He appealed to them to collect and collate views, opinions and proposals on matters affecting the electorate and present them to the assembly meetings for discussions and solutions.Mr Ernest Yaw Kwarteng, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, advised the assembly members not to regard themselves as superior to the electorate and traditional authorities but work closely with them to move the area forward in terms of development.
Aspirant praises C/R NPP executives for settling conflict
Agona Swedru, July 1, GNA - Mr Enock Kojo Kwakye, aspiring for the New patriotic Party (NPP) for Agona West Constituency chairmanship, has commended the Central Regional executives of the party and the District Chief Executive for Agona, Mr Ben Mensah, for the amicable resolution of the conflict that rocked the constituency.
He said the conflict nearly derailed the progress of the party in the constituency and now that the members had smoked the peace pipe it would pave way for victory in 2008 elections.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru on Saturday, Mr Kwakye praised Mr Danquah Smith, Regional Chairman, and his executives for their sense of direction and responsibility in resolving the crisis.He stressed the need for the polling station executives to foster unity and co-operation and to promote peace in the party.Mr Kwakye called on supporters to bury their differences to ensure peace and stability in the party.
He said the conflict nearly derailed the progress of the party in the constituency and now that the members had smoked the peace pipe it would pave way for victory in 2008 elections.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru on Saturday, Mr Kwakye praised Mr Danquah Smith, Regional Chairman, and his executives for their sense of direction and responsibility in resolving the crisis.He stressed the need for the polling station executives to foster unity and co-operation and to promote peace in the party.Mr Kwakye called on supporters to bury their differences to ensure peace and stability in the party.
Agona West IMC chairman calls for peace and stability
Agona Swedru, July 1, GNA - Mr Adofo Dwamena, the Interim Management Committee Chairman of Agona West Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has appealed to faction leaders and their supporters to bury their political differences to ensure peace, stability and development.
He said the time had come for them to understand each other and work as a team to enable them defeat the common political opponent in the 2008 elections. Mr Dwamena made the appeal when he addressed polling station executives at Agona Abodom, Lower and Upper Bobikuma as part of the executives' tour of the constituency.
They are on a weeklong tour to interact with the polling station executives. He told the polling station executives to forget about the past, saying the conflict has derailed progress and development of the party, but it was not too late to make amends.
"It would be a disaster and chaos if you allow misunderstanding to divide you and pave the way for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recapture the parliamentary seat in the 2008 election".He said unity and understanding among the party supporters was the only way to stop the Agona West from falling into the hands of opposition NDC in the next elections.The Central Regional executives of the party has fixed August 8 as the new date to elect new constituency executives, Mr Danquah Smith said.
He said the time had come for them to understand each other and work as a team to enable them defeat the common political opponent in the 2008 elections. Mr Dwamena made the appeal when he addressed polling station executives at Agona Abodom, Lower and Upper Bobikuma as part of the executives' tour of the constituency.
They are on a weeklong tour to interact with the polling station executives. He told the polling station executives to forget about the past, saying the conflict has derailed progress and development of the party, but it was not too late to make amends.
"It would be a disaster and chaos if you allow misunderstanding to divide you and pave the way for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recapture the parliamentary seat in the 2008 election".He said unity and understanding among the party supporters was the only way to stop the Agona West from falling into the hands of opposition NDC in the next elections.The Central Regional executives of the party has fixed August 8 as the new date to elect new constituency executives, Mr Danquah Smith said.
Apprentice mechanic remanded for defilement
Kumasi, July 1, GNA – Kwame Atta, 24, an apprentice mechanic has been remanded into prison custody by a Kumasi Circuit Court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old pupil.
He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear before the court on July 16.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Comfort Kyei-Baffour told the court, presided over by Madam Wilhemina Hammond that the complainant is a sister to the victim and lives in the vicinity with the accused at Adiembra in Kumasi.She said sometime in May this year, the accused who noticed the absence of victim's sister who had travelled took advantage of that and went to the victim's room and forcibly had sex with her after which he warned her not to tell anybody else she would die.
Chief Inspector Kyei-Baffour said the victim informed the sister on her return and a report was made to the police and a medical form was issued to her and the medical report confirmed defilement.Atta was arrested and after investigation put before court.
He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear before the court on July 16.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Comfort Kyei-Baffour told the court, presided over by Madam Wilhemina Hammond that the complainant is a sister to the victim and lives in the vicinity with the accused at Adiembra in Kumasi.She said sometime in May this year, the accused who noticed the absence of victim's sister who had travelled took advantage of that and went to the victim's room and forcibly had sex with her after which he warned her not to tell anybody else she would die.
Chief Inspector Kyei-Baffour said the victim informed the sister on her return and a report was made to the police and a medical form was issued to her and the medical report confirmed defilement.Atta was arrested and after investigation put before court.
Taxi Driver murdered and car taken away
Ajumako (C/R) July 1, GNA-Kwame Ato, a 25-year old Taxi driver from Baafikrom near Mankessim in the Central Region was on Saturday found murdered in the bush near Ajumako Kromaim and his car taken away.A source at Ajumako Police told the Ghana News Agency that at about 1700 hours on Friday three unidentified person hired Kwame's Tico taxi cab with registration Number GW 4537 X from Mankessim to Ajumako.
He said on Saturday morning Kwame's body was found with some knife wounds in a bush on the Ajumako Kromain road and his taxi cab taken away by his assailants.The body has been deposited at the Central Regional hospital at Cape Coast for autopsy while police investigation continues.
He said on Saturday morning Kwame's body was found with some knife wounds in a bush on the Ajumako Kromain road and his taxi cab taken away by his assailants.The body has been deposited at the Central Regional hospital at Cape Coast for autopsy while police investigation continues.
Awutus renewed their call for separate district assembly
Awutu Beraku, C/R, July 1, GNA - The chiefs and people of Awutu Traditional Area on Sunday renewed their appeal to President John Agyekum Kufuor to create a new district for Awutu.
They said the creation of the new district assembly would help to improve the living standards of the people.Nana Ekow Odetey, Mbrantehene of Awutu Beraku and Mr Stanley Quaye, President of Awutu Emasa Youth Association, said this when Mr Solomon Quarshie Abbam-Quaye, the District Chief Executive for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, joined them to undertake a clean up exercise on Sunday at Awutu Beraku.
They said the population of Awutu Beraku, Bawjiase and Kasoa qualify them for a separate district."The district is too large to be administered by one district assembly and the resources from the central government cannot reach every corner of the district however fairly distributed by the authorities."
Mr Quaye appealed to the district assembly to help extend electricity and water to new developed areas of Awutu Beraku. He said the association, with own its meagre resources, built five pit latrines in the town and appealed to the DCE to help supply them iron sheets to roof them.Mr Abbam-Quaye said the administrators of the district agreed to the creation of the new district but it was the prerogative of the President todecide on the matter.He said the government was doing everything possible to improve infrastructure in the district and that the time had for the people to learn to initiate development projects instead of relying on the government all the time.
They said the creation of the new district assembly would help to improve the living standards of the people.Nana Ekow Odetey, Mbrantehene of Awutu Beraku and Mr Stanley Quaye, President of Awutu Emasa Youth Association, said this when Mr Solomon Quarshie Abbam-Quaye, the District Chief Executive for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, joined them to undertake a clean up exercise on Sunday at Awutu Beraku.
They said the population of Awutu Beraku, Bawjiase and Kasoa qualify them for a separate district."The district is too large to be administered by one district assembly and the resources from the central government cannot reach every corner of the district however fairly distributed by the authorities."
Mr Quaye appealed to the district assembly to help extend electricity and water to new developed areas of Awutu Beraku. He said the association, with own its meagre resources, built five pit latrines in the town and appealed to the DCE to help supply them iron sheets to roof them.Mr Abbam-Quaye said the administrators of the district agreed to the creation of the new district but it was the prerogative of the President todecide on the matter.He said the government was doing everything possible to improve infrastructure in the district and that the time had for the people to learn to initiate development projects instead of relying on the government all the time.
All set for the opening of the African Union Summit
Accra, July 1, GNA – All is set for the opening of the 9th Ordinary Session of the African Union in Accra, Ghana.
A number of African Heads of State and Government are in Accra for the Summit
They include President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; Prime Minister P. Mosisili of Lesotho and Dr Isatou Njie, Vice President of The Gambia; President Francois Bozize of Central African Republic; President Abdolaye Wade of Senegal; President Pedro Pireriz of Cape Verde; President Levi Mwanawasa of Zambia and Deputy Prime Minister Pee Pee Jaun Ahmed of Mauritius.
The late Saturday afternoon arrivals in Accra included President Ravaloma Nana of Madagascar and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.
Those who had arrived earlier in the day were President Umar Yar-Adua of Nigeria; President Faure Nyasingbe of Togo and President Sidi Mohammed Ould Cheikh Abdullahi of Mauritania.
The others were President Sassou Ngueso of Congo Brazzaville; President Yayi Boni of Benin; President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea; Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini of Swaziland; President Iddris Debbie of Chad and President Mohammed Abdelaziz of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The rest were President Ahmed Mohammed Sambi of Comoros Island; President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; President Moi Kabaki of Kenya; President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Omar Bongo of Gabon.
The Leaders took the national salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by four officers and 96 men drawn from the First Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army under the Command of Captain Jacob Sedzro, with the Central Army Band on parade.
Fifty-two African Heads of State and Government are expected in Ghana to participate in the Session from July 1 to July 3 2007.
The Summit would be discussing the creation of a union government for Africa.
A number of African Heads of State and Government are in Accra for the Summit
They include President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; Prime Minister P. Mosisili of Lesotho and Dr Isatou Njie, Vice President of The Gambia; President Francois Bozize of Central African Republic; President Abdolaye Wade of Senegal; President Pedro Pireriz of Cape Verde; President Levi Mwanawasa of Zambia and Deputy Prime Minister Pee Pee Jaun Ahmed of Mauritius.
The late Saturday afternoon arrivals in Accra included President Ravaloma Nana of Madagascar and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.
Those who had arrived earlier in the day were President Umar Yar-Adua of Nigeria; President Faure Nyasingbe of Togo and President Sidi Mohammed Ould Cheikh Abdullahi of Mauritania.
The others were President Sassou Ngueso of Congo Brazzaville; President Yayi Boni of Benin; President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea; Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini of Swaziland; President Iddris Debbie of Chad and President Mohammed Abdelaziz of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The rest were President Ahmed Mohammed Sambi of Comoros Island; President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; President Moi Kabaki of Kenya; President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Omar Bongo of Gabon.
The Leaders took the national salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by four officers and 96 men drawn from the First Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army under the Command of Captain Jacob Sedzro, with the Central Army Band on parade.
Fifty-two African Heads of State and Government are expected in Ghana to participate in the Session from July 1 to July 3 2007.
The Summit would be discussing the creation of a union government for Africa.
Heads of State arrive for AU Summit
Accra, July 1, GNA – Heads of State attending the Ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union continue to arrive in Accra.Those that have arrived this morning (Sunday) are Joao Bernardo Vieira, President of Guinea Bissau; Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa; Tome Soares Dvera Cruz, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe.
The rest are President Kifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi President of Tunisia; Mohammad Hosni Said Mubarak of Egypt; Paul Biya, President of Cameroon; and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
The rest are President Kifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi President of Tunisia; Mohammad Hosni Said Mubarak of Egypt; Paul Biya, President of Cameroon; and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
Man assaults his 68-year-old grandmother
Kumasi, July 1, GNA – A Kumasi Circuit Court has remanded a 35-year-old man into prison custody for assault and threat of death on his 68-year-old grandmother.Kwadwo Brobbey pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on July 25.Police Inspector Appiah Kubi, prosecuting told the court, presided over by Mr. Ernest Yao Obimpeh that Brobbey lived with the grandmother, Madam Akua Adomah at Akwatialine in Kumasi where a wooden structure in the house is occupied by a cousin of the accused.
He said the accused who wanted to occupy the structure asked the grandmother to eject the cousin on several occasions but the complainant did not oblige.Inspector Appiah Kubi said on June 24 this year around 1900 hours, a quarrel ensued between Brobbey and the grandmother over the issue, leading to the grandmother receiving two slaps on the face from the accused. He is also said to have kicked her on the floor.He said people in the house took the grandmother into her room and locked the door but Brobbey, still in rage picked a bottle and threatened to kill Madam Adomah.
The prosecution said he was overpowered and a report made to the police leading to his arrest whilst the grandmother was issued with medical form to attend hospital.The police, after investigations charged Brobbey with the offence.
US accused of using Darfur crises to control Sudan's oil resources
Accra, July 1, GNA - The Sudanese President, Omar El-Bashir on Saturday slammed media reports of the crises in Darfur, as a vile propaganda, to prepare the grounds for the US and other external forces to take over its oil resources.
Speaking on a tele-conference witnessed by nine countries worldwide, including Ghana, Egypt and the US, President Bashir backed his posture by referring to the Iraqi war where he said President George Bush sent US troops under the pretext of looking for weapons of mass destruction.
The tele-conference coincided with the Ninth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Accra, where the President was expected to be part of the grand debate for the unification of Africa
He said the war, which had so far claimed millions of lives including a number of US soldiers turned out to be an oil war, under the guise of "Oil for food programme."
President Bashir stuck to his opposition to peacekeepers from the West except personnel from the African Union under the auspices of the UN.
He explained that soldiers from perceived enemy states would only be interested in how to destabilise Sudan and exploit its oil resources.
The Head of State, whose address in Arabic was interpreted into English said: "Sudan has the right to resist Western Security forces."
He said aid workers and other Western agents were painting a gloomy picture about the Darfur situation, since it was more profitable for them to do so.
President Bashir noted that people who at one breath visited Sudan and gave a good account of Darfur, left the country to tell stories of rape and genocide and pointed accusing figures at former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell.
He said armed robbery, ethnic conflicts and foreign interference had for a long time undermined peace and security in Darfur before he assumed political authority, noting that his administration had embraced a number of peace initiatives including the Addis Ababa Accord in 2005, which brokered the current road map.
The President noted that apart from pockets of security problems, Darfur could be described as a safe haven, saying the peace in the area made it possible for students to write this year's Sudanese Certificate Examination.
The former Military General said sanctions imposed on Sudan by the US was harming the peace process and compounding the problems in Darfur.
He said the sanctions were hurting the transport industry, especially rail and air travels, which had been hit by shortage of spare parts.
President Bashir said apart from his commitment towards the building of democracy in Sudan, he was also striving to keep the huge multi-cultural country, bordering about nine countries with 520 ethnic groups and languages united.
"Keeping Sudan united is very important", he emphasised.
Friday, June 29, 2007
An NGO assists seven disaster-hit schools in Tamale Metropolis
Tamale, June 29, GNA - The Inter-NGO Consortium operating in Tamale on Friday, presented 65 packets of roofing sheets worth 65 million cedis to the Tamale Disaster Relief Fund to assist re-roof seven disaster-hit schools in Tamale Metropolis.The beneficiary schools are, Tamale Girls' International School Complex (TAGIS) and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Primary and Nursery Schools all at Kaladan.The rest are Bethel Methodist Primary and Junior Secondary at Ward 'K', T.I. Ahmadiyya nursery and primary schools at Zorgbeli and Anglican Junior Secondary at Kalpohin.Mr Martin Alfa, a representative of Inter-NGO Consortium, presenting the items said those schools were not included in the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly's "Disaster Help" list for assistance.
He was optimistic that the items would help the affected schools to be restored to their previous status for effective teaching and learning.Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister who received the items called on the media in the region to play the advocacy role on the Tamale disaster to enable people know the extent of destruction for assistance to the affected people and institutions.He said the number of displaced people, affected houses, schools and institutions continued to increase therefore, it was necessary for NGOs and other benevolent individuals to assist in re-settling those affected.Alhaji Idris called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to make it as part of admission requirements for primary, junior and secondary schools to come along with two seedlings for planting to prevent disasters particularly in the three northern regions.
He was optimistic that the items would help the affected schools to be restored to their previous status for effective teaching and learning.Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister who received the items called on the media in the region to play the advocacy role on the Tamale disaster to enable people know the extent of destruction for assistance to the affected people and institutions.He said the number of displaced people, affected houses, schools and institutions continued to increase therefore, it was necessary for NGOs and other benevolent individuals to assist in re-settling those affected.Alhaji Idris called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to make it as part of admission requirements for primary, junior and secondary schools to come along with two seedlings for planting to prevent disasters particularly in the three northern regions.
GBS introduces mobile testing Certification of sandcrete blocks.
Accra 29 June, GNA - "The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has acquired a mobile testing laboratory (Van) for to check the quality of building materials before use.A pilot project has therefore started in the Grater Accra Region in fulfilment of its mandate of protecting the consumer and improving the quality of materials used in the building and construction industry.The National Building Regulation, LI 1630 of 1996 mandates the GSB to assess the quality of all building material before use.A statement signed by Adu G. Darkwa, Executive Director of GSB said the mobile testing aimed at providing conformity assessment service to small-scale companies and manufacturers.It would also provide basis for quality blocks manufacturing to ensure safety in the building industry as well as provide a data base on the quality of sandcrete blocks in Ghana.It said the pilot project had registered two hundred and thirteen factories in the project area and would be extended to other regions of the country after the pilot scheme.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
African Development Fund to be launched on Saturday
Accra, June 29, GNA - A Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) would be launched on Saturday at the ongoing African Union Summit, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chairperson of the Fund, announced on Friday. The fund, he said, had seed money of 625 million dollars and was aiming at attaining at least one billion dollars by the end of the year.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Rights NGO to hold vigil for Gambia murder victims
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Friday said it would organize a vigil on Tuesday in honour of the 44 Ghanaians and six other Africans who were murdered in The Gambia two years ago.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
Work begins on Kwabenya landfill site project
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Kwabenya landfill site project would begin this year and completed by June 2009, Mr Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive said on Friday.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
Armed men kill GCB Deputy Managing Director
Tema, June 29, GNA - A gang of four armed men last night stormed the house of the Deputy Managing Director in-charge of Operations of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Mr Rocco Frimpong at Sakumono Estates and shot him dead at close range.A relative, Madam Rebecca Fumador, who is the deceased's brother's wife on Friday told the Ghana News Agency at the scene of the incident that the armed men disguised themselves in black dresses and dark sun glasses.She said at about 2030 hours on Thursday, she heard a knock at the main gate and went to open it and saw a young man who said he was looking for Mr Frimpong who was then ironing his dress in the room.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Court remands labourer for allegedly killing his brother
Bawku (UER), June 29, GNA – A Bawku Circuit court has remanded Akudugu Asawin 46, a labourer into prison custody for allegedly killing his junior brother suspected of flirting with his wife at Zawse.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
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