By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Mr. Kensaku Shikama, Trade Commissioner, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), has asked Ghanaian entrepreneurs seeking to export to the Japanese market to pay attention to safety and quality concerns.
He said health was a major concern to the Japanese and any sense of danger would lead to a boycott of products deemed unfit.
Mr Kensaku was speaking at a seminar in Accra for Ghanaian exporters organised by the Ghana Investment and Promotion Centre on how they could access the Japanese market.
According to him, the Japanese market was difficult to penetrate and exporters needed to pay attention to quality packaging, detailed labelling of products and a deep knowledge of the market.
Besides, it is important that exporters know the market and understand its strict requirement and establish good relationship with Japanese companies.
In May 2006, Japan introduced Positive List system, which severely reduced the level of chemical pesticide residue in food permitted onto that country’s market.
The introduction of the system has led to the discovery of cases of high chemical residue in food imports and many Japanese companies are now looking forward for other sources to import into the Japanese market.
Mr Kensaku said Ghana stood a distinct chance of exporting products that were unique to her and mentioned the unique advantage in the export of shea butter and shea product, since the product is peculiar to the region.
He said because Japan imported goods and food product from surrounding countries Ghanaian exporters could compete in original foods unique to Ghana, as well as products with international quality standard certification such as HACCP and fair trade among others.
Trade relations between Ghana and Japan have been improving over recent years. The value of Japanese exports to Ghana rose from $96.7 million in 2006 to $113.61 million in 2007, representing a 25.2 per cent rise, which Japanese imports from Ghana in 2007 recorded a 56.8 $125.04 million.
The main Japanese exports to Ghana include motor vehicles, tires, construction machineries, cement and motor cycles, while imports from Ghana comprise cocoa beans, other cocoa products such as paste and butter and manganese ore, among others.
JETRO has, since opening an office in Ghana in 2003, been involved with Ghanaian exporter seeking to enhance access of potential Ghanaian products into Japan. It provides guidance on product improvement; and support for Ghanaian firms in entering the Japanese market, among others.
Monday, October 27, 2008
PNC Picks A Woman
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Dr Edward Mahama, presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday announced the choice of a female as his running mate, making the PNC the first party in recent times to do so.
He believes his choice of 49-year-old Catholic evangelist, Petra Maria Amegashie, who hails from Keta in the Volta Region, would add value to the party’s chances of winning the election in December.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) unanimously endorsed the choice at its meeting in Accra yesterday, when Dr. Mahama presented the name for consideration.
“I believe she is a good partner not because she is female but a capable woman,” Dr. Mahama told newsmen shortly after the party’s General Secretary, Bernard Monarh, had announced the decision of the NEC to the media.
The flag bearer described his running mate, who is an international translator and a former Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, as “courageous, affable and charming.”
Explaining why he chose Ms Amegashie over personalities like Kofi Wayo, leader of the National Renaissance Party and George Aguddey, a former presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party whose names were earlier rumoured to be on his mind, Dr Mahama said apart from satisfying the public appeal for a female to be at the presidency, his running mate represented the southern part of Ghana.
“Although I am not a Muslim, I represent the northern sector while she represents the southern sector,” he said, adding that the partnership would ensure regional balance.
Dr. Mahama said he was able to convince Ms. Amegashie, who had already picked forms to file as an Independent presidential aspirant, because they both share the vision of development and values for human development.
He said his choice’s credentials and the fact that she initiated action to vie for the presidency on her own demonstrated that she was a good manager and a courageous woman, attributes which were vital at the presidency.
Reacting to her choice in a telephone interview, Ms Amegashie gave glory to God for the NEC’s decision in accepting her.
“I find it as a divine duty to serve,” she told the Times, adding that it was a manifestation of the will of God to have godly people at the helm of affairs in the management of the country.
Ms. Amegashie will be officially introduced to the media today, at the party headquarters in Accra.
Ms Amegashie attended OLA Girls Secondary School in Ho, from 1974 to 1979, from where she proceeded to the Tema Secondary School from 1983 to 1985 and the K&T School of Evangelism at Takoradi from 1996 to1998.
She moved to Rome, Italy where she trained at the Mission Ad Gentes from 2001 to 2002, after which she became the Coordinator for the mission in charge of Episcopal Conferences of Africa.
Before becoming the Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, she worked with the Catholic Secretariat in 2001, and Novotel Hotel as Director of Reservations.
“My objective is to make a turnover on investments made in me by my motherland,” she says of her personal objective in her curriculum vitae.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Dr Edward Mahama, presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday announced the choice of a female as his running mate, making the PNC the first party in recent times to do so.
He believes his choice of 49-year-old Catholic evangelist, Petra Maria Amegashie, who hails from Keta in the Volta Region, would add value to the party’s chances of winning the election in December.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) unanimously endorsed the choice at its meeting in Accra yesterday, when Dr. Mahama presented the name for consideration.
“I believe she is a good partner not because she is female but a capable woman,” Dr. Mahama told newsmen shortly after the party’s General Secretary, Bernard Monarh, had announced the decision of the NEC to the media.
The flag bearer described his running mate, who is an international translator and a former Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, as “courageous, affable and charming.”
Explaining why he chose Ms Amegashie over personalities like Kofi Wayo, leader of the National Renaissance Party and George Aguddey, a former presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party whose names were earlier rumoured to be on his mind, Dr Mahama said apart from satisfying the public appeal for a female to be at the presidency, his running mate represented the southern part of Ghana.
“Although I am not a Muslim, I represent the northern sector while she represents the southern sector,” he said, adding that the partnership would ensure regional balance.
Dr. Mahama said he was able to convince Ms. Amegashie, who had already picked forms to file as an Independent presidential aspirant, because they both share the vision of development and values for human development.
He said his choice’s credentials and the fact that she initiated action to vie for the presidency on her own demonstrated that she was a good manager and a courageous woman, attributes which were vital at the presidency.
Reacting to her choice in a telephone interview, Ms Amegashie gave glory to God for the NEC’s decision in accepting her.
“I find it as a divine duty to serve,” she told the Times, adding that it was a manifestation of the will of God to have godly people at the helm of affairs in the management of the country.
Ms. Amegashie will be officially introduced to the media today, at the party headquarters in Accra.
Ms Amegashie attended OLA Girls Secondary School in Ho, from 1974 to 1979, from where she proceeded to the Tema Secondary School from 1983 to 1985 and the K&T School of Evangelism at Takoradi from 1996 to1998.
She moved to Rome, Italy where she trained at the Mission Ad Gentes from 2001 to 2002, after which she became the Coordinator for the mission in charge of Episcopal Conferences of Africa.
Before becoming the Special Assistant to the CEO of Baywater Contract Mining, she worked with the Catholic Secretariat in 2001, and Novotel Hotel as Director of Reservations.
“My objective is to make a turnover on investments made in me by my motherland,” she says of her personal objective in her curriculum vitae.
PNC Outdoors Running Mate
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Petra Maria Amegashie, the running mate of Dr. Edward Mahama, Presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday publicly accepted the offer to partner the PNC leader in the 2008 election, but said she is “not playing second fiddle.”
“I have not settled for second place and I am not playing second fiddle,” she said, explaining that she was backing Dr. Mahama’s campaign with full force as she would have done if she had gone independent.
She said, she would use the same courage with which she had declared her intention to vie for the presidency which is characterised by male dominance, to energise the PNC to win political power.
“I and the PNC and for that matter, Dr. Mahama, are joining forces to face the challenge of wresing power,” a confident looking Ms Amegashie said at a news conference at which she was introduced to the media.
Wearing a white cloth with blue flowery designs, Ms. Amegashie said she had fully accepted the offer and was ready to face the challenges ahead. She was fully aware of the political terrain and the fact that it had not been too friendly to women.
Speaking in a low but firm tone, Ms Amegashie described her selection by the PNC as a success for the PNC and Ghana, and pledged her commitment and support to ensure victory for the party.
The nomination of Ms. Amegashie, 49, a Catholic evangelist and businesswoman, as the running mate to Dr. Mahama was endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee in Accra on Monday, making the PNC the only party so far to have selected a female running mate for the December election.
Though she had earlier picked nomination forms to file as an independent presidential candidate, Dr. Mahama managed to convince her to be his running mate.
Asked what motivated her to go into politics, Ms Amegashie said she was heeding a divine calling to help save Ghanaians from hardship.
She told Dr Mahama: “I represent a voice for women, children, the youth and the disadvantaged in society, and I will be there to support you as Vice President.
“More than anything else, I want to unify our country and to renew the Ghanaian spirit and sense of purpose,” she stated.
She described Dr. Mahama as a selfless individual committed to building a peaceful democracy, saying his vision for Ghana has a major role for women.
“Dr. Mahama offers a new brand of politicking which is issues based and focused on improving the lot of Ghanaians,” she said and added that she accepted the offer because she found her vision in agreement with that of the PNC’s vision as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
“I am bringing a new force of energy into the party,” she said.
In what could be described as comments marking the beginning of her campaign on the ticket of the PNC, she said a PNC government would be committed to the principle that local government was meaningful only when people participated in decision making.She called on all stakeholders in election 2008 to join the PNC to respect the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure peaceful campaigning.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Petra Maria Amegashie, the running mate of Dr. Edward Mahama, Presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), yesterday publicly accepted the offer to partner the PNC leader in the 2008 election, but said she is “not playing second fiddle.”
“I have not settled for second place and I am not playing second fiddle,” she said, explaining that she was backing Dr. Mahama’s campaign with full force as she would have done if she had gone independent.
She said, she would use the same courage with which she had declared her intention to vie for the presidency which is characterised by male dominance, to energise the PNC to win political power.
“I and the PNC and for that matter, Dr. Mahama, are joining forces to face the challenge of wresing power,” a confident looking Ms Amegashie said at a news conference at which she was introduced to the media.
Wearing a white cloth with blue flowery designs, Ms. Amegashie said she had fully accepted the offer and was ready to face the challenges ahead. She was fully aware of the political terrain and the fact that it had not been too friendly to women.
Speaking in a low but firm tone, Ms Amegashie described her selection by the PNC as a success for the PNC and Ghana, and pledged her commitment and support to ensure victory for the party.
The nomination of Ms. Amegashie, 49, a Catholic evangelist and businesswoman, as the running mate to Dr. Mahama was endorsed by the party’s National Executive Committee in Accra on Monday, making the PNC the only party so far to have selected a female running mate for the December election.
Though she had earlier picked nomination forms to file as an independent presidential candidate, Dr. Mahama managed to convince her to be his running mate.
Asked what motivated her to go into politics, Ms Amegashie said she was heeding a divine calling to help save Ghanaians from hardship.
She told Dr Mahama: “I represent a voice for women, children, the youth and the disadvantaged in society, and I will be there to support you as Vice President.
“More than anything else, I want to unify our country and to renew the Ghanaian spirit and sense of purpose,” she stated.
She described Dr. Mahama as a selfless individual committed to building a peaceful democracy, saying his vision for Ghana has a major role for women.
“Dr. Mahama offers a new brand of politicking which is issues based and focused on improving the lot of Ghanaians,” she said and added that she accepted the offer because she found her vision in agreement with that of the PNC’s vision as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
“I am bringing a new force of energy into the party,” she said.
In what could be described as comments marking the beginning of her campaign on the ticket of the PNC, she said a PNC government would be committed to the principle that local government was meaningful only when people participated in decision making.She called on all stakeholders in election 2008 to join the PNC to respect the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure peaceful campaigning.
The Drama, Fun, And The Disqualified Candidates
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The filing of nominations for the presidential election ended last Friday devoid of the tension that characterised the first day but there was plenty of drama, fun and humour.
For instance, one of the aspiring candidates, Prophet Daniel Nkansah of the New Vision Party (NVP), arrived at the Electoral Commission (EC) with an Imam as his running mate and was surrounded by bodyguards.
He presented only one-half of the forms and even the half were not fully completed.When the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afrari-Gyan, asked for the rest of the forms, Prophet Nkansah, who looked confused, dashed out of the room and never returned until nominations closed.
Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) arrived at the Electoral Commission office at 3:30pm but insisted he would be the last to present his forms.
He, therefore, allowed others like T. N. Ward Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Party and Warrant Officer Class One Tetteh, an Independent Candidate, to go before him.
When Mr Lartey finally appeared before the Commissioners at 5:15pm, 15 minutes after the deadline, he pleaded with the EC Chairman, Dr. Afari-Gyan, to give him an hour more to enable his General Secretary, who he claimed had been caught in traffic, to get to the Commission with the forms.
The chairman agreed and gave him a 30-minute grace period but when the General Secretary arrived with the forms, the Commissioners detected a lot of anomalies.
Some of them had not been endorsed by his supporters from the various constituencies.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The filing of nominations for the presidential election ended last Friday devoid of the tension that characterised the first day but there was plenty of drama, fun and humour.
For instance, one of the aspiring candidates, Prophet Daniel Nkansah of the New Vision Party (NVP), arrived at the Electoral Commission (EC) with an Imam as his running mate and was surrounded by bodyguards.
He presented only one-half of the forms and even the half were not fully completed.When the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afrari-Gyan, asked for the rest of the forms, Prophet Nkansah, who looked confused, dashed out of the room and never returned until nominations closed.
Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) arrived at the Electoral Commission office at 3:30pm but insisted he would be the last to present his forms.
He, therefore, allowed others like T. N. Ward Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Party and Warrant Officer Class One Tetteh, an Independent Candidate, to go before him.
When Mr Lartey finally appeared before the Commissioners at 5:15pm, 15 minutes after the deadline, he pleaded with the EC Chairman, Dr. Afari-Gyan, to give him an hour more to enable his General Secretary, who he claimed had been caught in traffic, to get to the Commission with the forms.
The chairman agreed and gave him a 30-minute grace period but when the General Secretary arrived with the forms, the Commissioners detected a lot of anomalies.
Some of them had not been endorsed by his supporters from the various constituencies.
Balloting Today
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
SEVEN of the eight presidential candidates contesting the presidency in the December 7 polls will today ballot for positions on the presidential ballot paper.
The eighth candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who is an independent contestant, according to the EC, will not be balloting as he will automatically be on the ballot by virtue of the fact that independent candidates come after candidates contesting on party tickets.
Today’s balloting will determine the positions of the party symbols and pictures of the flagbearers, namely Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party, Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party, Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats, and Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party.
The contesting parties are likely to use their positions on the ballot paper for campaign slogans as had been in the past with the adoption of “Esoro ho” and “Asee ho” catchphrases.
The positions on the ballot are also crucial to the parties as they believe it enhances their identification by the electorate, especially the non-literates.
It is not clear how the independent candidate would use the “Asee ho” position to his advantage, but campaign managers of the candidate told the Times that the opportunity would be adequately and effectively utilised.
With the “Asee ho” spot gone, the big parties would be praying and hoping to grab the topmost spot so as to use the “Esoro ho” advantage.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
SEVEN of the eight presidential candidates contesting the presidency in the December 7 polls will today ballot for positions on the presidential ballot paper.
The eighth candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who is an independent contestant, according to the EC, will not be balloting as he will automatically be on the ballot by virtue of the fact that independent candidates come after candidates contesting on party tickets.
Today’s balloting will determine the positions of the party symbols and pictures of the flagbearers, namely Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Prof. Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party, Dr. Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party, Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats, and Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party.
The contesting parties are likely to use their positions on the ballot paper for campaign slogans as had been in the past with the adoption of “Esoro ho” and “Asee ho” catchphrases.
The positions on the ballot are also crucial to the parties as they believe it enhances their identification by the electorate, especially the non-literates.
It is not clear how the independent candidate would use the “Asee ho” position to his advantage, but campaign managers of the candidate told the Times that the opportunity would be adequately and effectively utilised.
With the “Asee ho” spot gone, the big parties would be praying and hoping to grab the topmost spot so as to use the “Esoro ho” advantage.
EC GIVES CONDITIONS
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday prescribed what he termed as the only method of achieving successful election in December – commitment of all stakeholders to fair play.
He told the first-ever meeting between the Electoral Commissioners and presidential candidates of the various political parties in Accra, that although the EC was committed to doing its part for credible elections, the success of the general elections would largely depend on the actions and inactions of all stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The success of the elections would depend on the nature of campaign by the presidential candidates; whether they will see each other as aspirants to the highest office of the land and be civil in their language, and whether they will appoint responsible agents who would shun violence or not,” he said.
He was speaking at the meeting attended by all but two of the flag-bearers, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Congress.
Both were reportedly out of Accra on the campaign trail.
It would also depend on whether the police will act neutral and fair to all parties, whether the government will not abuse incumbency, whether the media will give fair and equal access to all parties, whether people will cast only one ballot, whether people will not be prevented from casting their ballot, and whether the courts will deal with electoral cases in a timely manner.’’
The dialogue with the flag-bearers, a project facilitated by KAB Governance Consult and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also aimed at providing authentic information on the right s and responsibilities of candidates and their agents.
It was closed to the media after the opening ceremony, a decision which according to the organisers, was to create a platform for the EC to update the flag-bearers and their parties of preparations towards the elections.
It was also to discuss concerns of the parties regarding developments in the electoral process and iron out differences on issues of alleged bloating of the voters register and the provision of the final register to the parties.
Dr. Afari-Gyan asked all the stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to be alive to their responsibilities, and promised that “we will be transparent in preparations and apply the law uniformly without fear or favour.”
He explained that the meeting was not replacing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, a platform through which electoral issues are discussed by the EC and the parties.
In attendance were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP and his running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, and Ms Petra Amegashie, vice presidential candidate of the PNC.
Others were Thomas Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, flag-bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei, flag-bearer of the Reformed Patriotic Democrat (RPD) and Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate.
It had the theme, ‘Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.’
The NDC was represented by its chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia respectively.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, yesterday prescribed what he termed as the only method of achieving successful election in December – commitment of all stakeholders to fair play.
He told the first-ever meeting between the Electoral Commissioners and presidential candidates of the various political parties in Accra, that although the EC was committed to doing its part for credible elections, the success of the general elections would largely depend on the actions and inactions of all stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The success of the elections would depend on the nature of campaign by the presidential candidates; whether they will see each other as aspirants to the highest office of the land and be civil in their language, and whether they will appoint responsible agents who would shun violence or not,” he said.
He was speaking at the meeting attended by all but two of the flag-bearers, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Congress.
Both were reportedly out of Accra on the campaign trail.
It would also depend on whether the police will act neutral and fair to all parties, whether the government will not abuse incumbency, whether the media will give fair and equal access to all parties, whether people will cast only one ballot, whether people will not be prevented from casting their ballot, and whether the courts will deal with electoral cases in a timely manner.’’
The dialogue with the flag-bearers, a project facilitated by KAB Governance Consult and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also aimed at providing authentic information on the right s and responsibilities of candidates and their agents.
It was closed to the media after the opening ceremony, a decision which according to the organisers, was to create a platform for the EC to update the flag-bearers and their parties of preparations towards the elections.
It was also to discuss concerns of the parties regarding developments in the electoral process and iron out differences on issues of alleged bloating of the voters register and the provision of the final register to the parties.
Dr. Afari-Gyan asked all the stakeholders, particularly the political parties, to be alive to their responsibilities, and promised that “we will be transparent in preparations and apply the law uniformly without fear or favour.”
He explained that the meeting was not replacing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, a platform through which electoral issues are discussed by the EC and the parties.
In attendance were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flag-bearer and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag-bearer of the CPP and his running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, and Ms Petra Amegashie, vice presidential candidate of the PNC.
Others were Thomas Ward-Brew, flag-bearer of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, flag-bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Kwabena Adjei, flag-bearer of the Reformed Patriotic Democrat (RPD) and Amoafo-Yeboah, an Independent candidate.
It had the theme, ‘Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.’
The NDC was represented by its chairman and General Secretary, Dr Kwabena Adjei and Johnson Asiedu Nketia respectively.
'The Future Is For The Youth, Not For The Uneducated'
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
A director at the Commercial Crime Unit of the Police CID headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Felix Mawusi, has admonished young people to take their education seriously since that is the only way they could become productive adults.
“Although you are the future leaders, you must have the prerequisite conditions, such as being an educated adult to become a good leader,” he told the youth of the Church of Christ in Accra at a lecture on Monday.
The lecture, which was on the theme: “The youth and his calling,” formed part of the 2008 Youth Week celebration of the Alajo branch of the church.
DSP Mawusi, who is a leader of the church, told the audience which included young people from the various branches of the church, there was the need for young people to prepare adequately for the future.
“You must prepare today to become a leader tomorrow,” he said, reminding them that leadership in future would not get to them automatically at adulthood, but only to those who have developed themselves for that opportunity.
He observed that the current generation of young people was faced with many influences and social vices which tend to draw them from God and their studies.
DSP Mawusi, however, asked them to be strong in the face of all bad influences,and place their God and education first at all times.
Basing his lecture on Ezekiel 22:30, he said God uses educated, skilled and wise individuals to lead his people.
He therefore reminded them that as young people and students, their only duty is to study.
“You do not have any excuse to fail to become a leader in future,” he said.
DSP Mawusi urged them to be determined and see all problems as challenges that have to be overcome on the road to success.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
A director at the Commercial Crime Unit of the Police CID headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Felix Mawusi, has admonished young people to take their education seriously since that is the only way they could become productive adults.
“Although you are the future leaders, you must have the prerequisite conditions, such as being an educated adult to become a good leader,” he told the youth of the Church of Christ in Accra at a lecture on Monday.
The lecture, which was on the theme: “The youth and his calling,” formed part of the 2008 Youth Week celebration of the Alajo branch of the church.
DSP Mawusi, who is a leader of the church, told the audience which included young people from the various branches of the church, there was the need for young people to prepare adequately for the future.
“You must prepare today to become a leader tomorrow,” he said, reminding them that leadership in future would not get to them automatically at adulthood, but only to those who have developed themselves for that opportunity.
He observed that the current generation of young people was faced with many influences and social vices which tend to draw them from God and their studies.
DSP Mawusi, however, asked them to be strong in the face of all bad influences,and place their God and education first at all times.
Basing his lecture on Ezekiel 22:30, he said God uses educated, skilled and wise individuals to lead his people.
He therefore reminded them that as young people and students, their only duty is to study.
“You do not have any excuse to fail to become a leader in future,” he said.
DSP Mawusi urged them to be determined and see all problems as challenges that have to be overcome on the road to success.
IEA Launches Strategy Paper
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
The first Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, with the aim of significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional rule, has been launched in Accra.
The DCSP proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralisation process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.
In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
It also recommends the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor of the Central University College, launching the strategy document which analyses the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms, called for decency in the electoral system and asked politicians to respect each other.
He said decency was critical to the strengthening of a viable political and democratic culture in the country, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in democratic governance.
He commended the various parties for their contributions to the creation of the document, saying it was a positive signal that politicians could collaborate productively.
Dr Charles Mensa, President of the IEA, urged the political parties to commit themselves to the recommendations in the document so as to effectively facilitate their implementation.
He said the document is critical to Ghana’s democratic development, since it can serve as a road map to entrench constitutional rule in the country.
For his part, Roel Von Meijenfedlt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute of Multi-party Democracy, partners of the IEA, lauded Ghana’s democratic process, and commended all stakeholders, particularly politicians for resorting to dialogue in addressing issues.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
The first Democracy Consolidation Strategy Paper (DCSP) put together by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, with the aim of significantly enhancing the country’s constitutional rule, has been launched in Accra.
The DCSP proposes practical reforms in by examining the constitution, political parties and the electoral system, decentralisation process, anti-corruption and human rights protection.
In addition, the DCSP which was prepared by a team of consultants commissioned by the IEA in October 2006, proposes reforms in the legislative framework to make Parliament more effective, the justice system, media independence and civil society’s participation in public policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
The highlights of the document include the setting-up of an All-party Constitutional Review Committee to prepare towards holding a Constitutional Review Conference to consider discussions for proposed amendment of portions of the 1992 Constitution.
It also recommends the setting-up of a Ghana Centre for Multi-Party Democracy, comprising members of the political parties, the executive, legislature, judiciary, independent institutions, governance institutions and the media.
Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor of the Central University College, launching the strategy document which analyses the shortcomings of Ghana’s democratic practice since the inception of the 1992 Constitution and offers suggestions for practical reforms, called for decency in the electoral system and asked politicians to respect each other.
He said decency was critical to the strengthening of a viable political and democratic culture in the country, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in democratic governance.
He commended the various parties for their contributions to the creation of the document, saying it was a positive signal that politicians could collaborate productively.
Dr Charles Mensa, President of the IEA, urged the political parties to commit themselves to the recommendations in the document so as to effectively facilitate their implementation.
He said the document is critical to Ghana’s democratic development, since it can serve as a road map to entrench constitutional rule in the country.
For his part, Roel Von Meijenfedlt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute of Multi-party Democracy, partners of the IEA, lauded Ghana’s democratic process, and commended all stakeholders, particularly politicians for resorting to dialogue in addressing issues.
HOW THE PARTIES STAND
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Excitement and tension characterised yesterday’s balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper for the December elections, as all the seven participating parties claimed that their position on the ballot paper symbolised victory for them on December 7.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which found itself at the first spot on the ballot paper, said this represented victory in December.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) is placed second after the NPP, a position the party described as symbolising victory since it conforms with its “Two sure, Two direct!” slogan.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), picked the third position, which its officials described as a divine number linked to the “Trinity.”
The fourth spot went to the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a breakaway group from the NDC, while the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) picked the fifth spot.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is sixth, while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) picked the seventh place.
Independent candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who was not required to take part in the ballot, has the last spot reserved for him by virtue of the electoral rule that independent candidates come after the parties.
This means that the party symbols and pictures of the flag-bearers will be arranged in the order of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP), Dr. Edward Mahama(PNC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC), Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP), Thomas Ward-Brew (DPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, (CPP), Kwabena Adjei (RPD) and Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (Independent).
Soon after the balloting, which was supervised by Sarfo Kantanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, some of the parties started coining slogans reflecting their positions on the ballot paper.
There was excitement in the EC’s Conference Room as high-ranking executives of the parties gathered for the balloting around 10am.
They laughed and shared jokes, with particularly the NPP and NDC light-heartedly talking about election rigging.
The NDC protested against the use of a transparent box from which the folded papers would be picked, but Mr. Kankanta explained that the box would be held high enough to prevent the representatives from looking into it.
But tension set in as the rules for the exercise were announced by the EC’s Director of Elections, Kofi Arhin.
By the rules, a first balloting was done to determine the order in which the second balloting to choose the positions would be done.
The picking for the first ballot was done according to the order in which the parties filed their presidential nominations on October 16 and 17.
According to the result of the first ballot, Francis Kyei, General Secretary of the RPD, picked first at the second balloting, followed by CPP Treasurer, Mike Eghan and the NDC Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, who picked number three in the first ballot and the same number in the second ballot.
Jake Obestebi Lamptey, Director of the Akufo-Addo campaign, picked for the NPP. He picked fourth and first positions in the two events respectively, while John Amekah, General Secretary of the DFP, picked numbers five and four respectively for his party.
Alhaji Ramadan, chairman and Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth Organiser of the PNC, picked in the first and second balloting for the party, while Ward-Brew picked the last for the DPP.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey described his choice of the top slot for his flag-bearer as the doing of God. “This is purely divine,” he told the Times, “an indication that the NPP would be first in the election results”.
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser of NDC reacted with a shout: “This is the Trinity — God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” showing up three fingers on his right hand.
He said, “NDC believes in God, and the fact that the party picked the number three twice in the two balloting, and the fact that Prof. Mills is contesting for the third time, means God is giving victory to the party.”
Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, told newsmen that although the party does not believe that the position on the ballot would determine how people would vote, the party would continue to market itself, including using its sixth position to get the electorate to identify with the party.
However, party followers said its choice reflcts the attainment of independence — March 6.
As the party executives and members left the conference room to work their placement on the ballot paper into their campaign strategies, some of their followers were heard shouting, “Esoro ho,” “Two sure, Two direct,” “Number three” and “The trinity”, ‘March 6’, among other slogans.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Excitement and tension characterised yesterday’s balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper for the December elections, as all the seven participating parties claimed that their position on the ballot paper symbolised victory for them on December 7.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which found itself at the first spot on the ballot paper, said this represented victory in December.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) is placed second after the NPP, a position the party described as symbolising victory since it conforms with its “Two sure, Two direct!” slogan.
The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), picked the third position, which its officials described as a divine number linked to the “Trinity.”
The fourth spot went to the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a breakaway group from the NDC, while the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) picked the fifth spot.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) is sixth, while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) picked the seventh place.
Independent candidate, Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, who was not required to take part in the ballot, has the last spot reserved for him by virtue of the electoral rule that independent candidates come after the parties.
This means that the party symbols and pictures of the flag-bearers will be arranged in the order of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP), Dr. Edward Mahama(PNC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (NDC), Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi (DFP), Thomas Ward-Brew (DPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, (CPP), Kwabena Adjei (RPD) and Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah (Independent).
Soon after the balloting, which was supervised by Sarfo Kantanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, some of the parties started coining slogans reflecting their positions on the ballot paper.
There was excitement in the EC’s Conference Room as high-ranking executives of the parties gathered for the balloting around 10am.
They laughed and shared jokes, with particularly the NPP and NDC light-heartedly talking about election rigging.
The NDC protested against the use of a transparent box from which the folded papers would be picked, but Mr. Kankanta explained that the box would be held high enough to prevent the representatives from looking into it.
But tension set in as the rules for the exercise were announced by the EC’s Director of Elections, Kofi Arhin.
By the rules, a first balloting was done to determine the order in which the second balloting to choose the positions would be done.
The picking for the first ballot was done according to the order in which the parties filed their presidential nominations on October 16 and 17.
According to the result of the first ballot, Francis Kyei, General Secretary of the RPD, picked first at the second balloting, followed by CPP Treasurer, Mike Eghan and the NDC Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, who picked number three in the first ballot and the same number in the second ballot.
Jake Obestebi Lamptey, Director of the Akufo-Addo campaign, picked for the NPP. He picked fourth and first positions in the two events respectively, while John Amekah, General Secretary of the DFP, picked numbers five and four respectively for his party.
Alhaji Ramadan, chairman and Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth Organiser of the PNC, picked in the first and second balloting for the party, while Ward-Brew picked the last for the DPP.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey described his choice of the top slot for his flag-bearer as the doing of God. “This is purely divine,” he told the Times, “an indication that the NPP would be first in the election results”.
Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser of NDC reacted with a shout: “This is the Trinity — God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” showing up three fingers on his right hand.
He said, “NDC believes in God, and the fact that the party picked the number three twice in the two balloting, and the fact that Prof. Mills is contesting for the third time, means God is giving victory to the party.”
Ladi Nylander, chairman of the CPP, told newsmen that although the party does not believe that the position on the ballot would determine how people would vote, the party would continue to market itself, including using its sixth position to get the electorate to identify with the party.
However, party followers said its choice reflcts the attainment of independence — March 6.
As the party executives and members left the conference room to work their placement on the ballot paper into their campaign strategies, some of their followers were heard shouting, “Esoro ho,” “Two sure, Two direct,” “Number three” and “The trinity”, ‘March 6’, among other slogans.
MiDA Gives $101m For Tetteh Quarshie-Mallam Road Project
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 23 October 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) which is managing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) has allocated $101million for the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie – Mallam road in Accra.
The amount covers the construction itself and a compensation package for some 1,700 structures that would be affected along the 14-kilometre stretch.
The construction has been divided into two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of the three-lane dual carriageway from Tetteh Quarshie interchange to Apenkwa, near Achimota, which starts at the end of this month.
At the end of the construction, the road which is currently a single lane carriage way, would have three lanes, eight interchanges and several access links to ensure good traffic flow.
Koranteng Yorke, Infrastructure Manager of MiDA, told the Times, during a sensitisation programme in Accra to educate and dialogue with residents along the stretch that the first phase were expected to be completed in 30 months.
The sensitisation programme formed part of the Environmental Assessment Impact of the project which requires that adequate resettlement measures be developed to deal with the concerns of those likely to be affected by project.
Mr. Yorke said that facilities to be affected include both movable and immovable structures, mostly used for small scale businesses along the road.
He said the original right of way, which is the width, was reduced from 90 metres to 82 metres to avoid affecting too many structures along the corridor.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2006, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Compact was signed on behalf of the government of Ghana together with Ambassador Daniel Danilovich, the Chief Executive of the Mellennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
With the signing of the compact, the MCC agreed to grant to the government an amount not exceeding US$547,009,000 during the compact term to enable the government to implement the programme and achieve the objectives.
Unlike other traditional development assistance programmes where the donor proposes how funds are used, countries selected under the MCA propose programmes to receive funding.
The MCA , introduced by the US to increase aid to developing countries is designed to allow the developing world to take ownership and responsibility for funds provided by the MCC.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) which is managing the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) has allocated $101million for the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie – Mallam road in Accra.
The amount covers the construction itself and a compensation package for some 1,700 structures that would be affected along the 14-kilometre stretch.
The construction has been divided into two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of the three-lane dual carriageway from Tetteh Quarshie interchange to Apenkwa, near Achimota, which starts at the end of this month.
At the end of the construction, the road which is currently a single lane carriage way, would have three lanes, eight interchanges and several access links to ensure good traffic flow.
Koranteng Yorke, Infrastructure Manager of MiDA, told the Times, during a sensitisation programme in Accra to educate and dialogue with residents along the stretch that the first phase were expected to be completed in 30 months.
The sensitisation programme formed part of the Environmental Assessment Impact of the project which requires that adequate resettlement measures be developed to deal with the concerns of those likely to be affected by project.
Mr. Yorke said that facilities to be affected include both movable and immovable structures, mostly used for small scale businesses along the road.
He said the original right of way, which is the width, was reduced from 90 metres to 82 metres to avoid affecting too many structures along the corridor.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2006, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Compact was signed on behalf of the government of Ghana together with Ambassador Daniel Danilovich, the Chief Executive of the Mellennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
With the signing of the compact, the MCC agreed to grant to the government an amount not exceeding US$547,009,000 during the compact term to enable the government to implement the programme and achieve the objectives.
Unlike other traditional development assistance programmes where the donor proposes how funds are used, countries selected under the MCA propose programmes to receive funding.
The MCA , introduced by the US to increase aid to developing countries is designed to allow the developing world to take ownership and responsibility for funds provided by the MCC.
EC To Mount Electronic Scoreboards
From Edmund Mingle, Koforidua
Monday, 27 October 2008
The Electoral Commission (EC) will mount electronic scoreboards in all the 10 regional capitals to show the presidential and parliamentary results of the December 7 election.
The scoreboards, said to have been donated by a foreign company, would have one mounted at the Independence Square, Accra representing the national scoreboard to show all the results across the country.
Albert Kofi Arhin, the EC’s Director of Elections, who announced this to journalists undergoing training on election reporting here on Saturday, could not immediately provide the details of the donor, but said the company was being represented by a Ghanaian.
He was optimistic that the electronic boards would speed up the process of providing results of the elections to the public.
If successful, it would be the first time the country would have electronic scoreboards for general elections.
The EC has used manual scoreboards, which involve EC personnel climbing ladders to write the results on the large boards, since the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections in all the regional capitals.
It did not use scoreboards for the 2004 elections, but rather had one mounted at the Ghana International Press Centre where the media disseminated the results.
Mr. Arhin, speaking on preparations towards December 7, gave the assurance that adequate measures have been instituted to ensure transparency and to plug all loop holes that could be used to rig.
For instance, he said the silicon level in the indelible ink has been increased to make it impossible for voters to erase the marks on their thumbs.
In addition, he said those who have registered more than once can only vote once because any attempt to vote twice would be immediately detected at the polling station.
He said also that the declaration forms on which the returning officers issues the results and signed by the party agents, would have carbon copies distributed to the party agents, rather than the previous method of photocopying the declaration form for distribution to the agents.
“To the extent that we are asking all the parties to present reliable polling agents, it will be impossible to rig the elections by any party,” he said.
Charles Addei, Director for Training at the EC, said the Commission is expected to engage more than 110,600 temporary staff to man the polling stations during the December 7 election.
The temporary workers, whose services he considered as crucial in the conduct of the elections, are made of 110,000 polling station staff consisting of one presiding member and assistants for each of the about 22,000 polling stations.
In addition, there would be 5,690 staff for the constituency, consisting 230 Returning officers and two deputies each for each of the 230 constituencies.
He said most of the temporary staff, who have been vetted to ascertain their credibility and neutrality, are being educated about their duties on election day.“Whether the elections day
He said although the EC has scrutinised them after receiving the applications for the job, “we can’t entirely vouch for their credibility and neutrality. We can only hope for their reliability.”
Monday, 27 October 2008
The Electoral Commission (EC) will mount electronic scoreboards in all the 10 regional capitals to show the presidential and parliamentary results of the December 7 election.
The scoreboards, said to have been donated by a foreign company, would have one mounted at the Independence Square, Accra representing the national scoreboard to show all the results across the country.
Albert Kofi Arhin, the EC’s Director of Elections, who announced this to journalists undergoing training on election reporting here on Saturday, could not immediately provide the details of the donor, but said the company was being represented by a Ghanaian.
He was optimistic that the electronic boards would speed up the process of providing results of the elections to the public.
If successful, it would be the first time the country would have electronic scoreboards for general elections.
The EC has used manual scoreboards, which involve EC personnel climbing ladders to write the results on the large boards, since the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections in all the regional capitals.
It did not use scoreboards for the 2004 elections, but rather had one mounted at the Ghana International Press Centre where the media disseminated the results.
Mr. Arhin, speaking on preparations towards December 7, gave the assurance that adequate measures have been instituted to ensure transparency and to plug all loop holes that could be used to rig.
For instance, he said the silicon level in the indelible ink has been increased to make it impossible for voters to erase the marks on their thumbs.
In addition, he said those who have registered more than once can only vote once because any attempt to vote twice would be immediately detected at the polling station.
He said also that the declaration forms on which the returning officers issues the results and signed by the party agents, would have carbon copies distributed to the party agents, rather than the previous method of photocopying the declaration form for distribution to the agents.
“To the extent that we are asking all the parties to present reliable polling agents, it will be impossible to rig the elections by any party,” he said.
Charles Addei, Director for Training at the EC, said the Commission is expected to engage more than 110,600 temporary staff to man the polling stations during the December 7 election.
The temporary workers, whose services he considered as crucial in the conduct of the elections, are made of 110,000 polling station staff consisting of one presiding member and assistants for each of the about 22,000 polling stations.
In addition, there would be 5,690 staff for the constituency, consisting 230 Returning officers and two deputies each for each of the 230 constituencies.
He said most of the temporary staff, who have been vetted to ascertain their credibility and neutrality, are being educated about their duties on election day.“Whether the elections day
He said although the EC has scrutinised them after receiving the applications for the job, “we can’t entirely vouch for their credibility and neutrality. We can only hope for their reliability.”
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
BoG Workers On Strike Over Leader’s Arrest
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 03 July 2008
THE dismissed chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the Bank of Ghana, Benjamin Duffuor, was arrested by the police yesterday morning while addressing workers at the bank’s head office in Accra.
His arrest sparked an indefinite strike action by the workers who said they would not resume work until their leader was released and reinstated.
The strike, which affected numerous clients of the bank, was spreading to the regional branches of the central bank as at the time of going to press.
Some executives of the association told the Times that personnel from the Accra Regional Police Headquarters bundled Mr Duffuor into a police vehicle, while he was addressing the workers in front of the bank.
Regional Police Commander, Kwaku Ayensu Opare-Addo, confirmed Mr Duffuor’s arrest by his outfit on an Accra FM radio station later, but the bank’s management has denied giving the order for his arrest.
Esi Hammond, Public Relations Manager of the bank, told the Times that she was not aware of any directive from management for Mr. Duffuor’s arrest.
As at mid-day yesterday, most of the workers were outside chatting, while a large police contingent was on standby in front of the bank.
Some of the workers’ leaders, who spoke to the Times but declined to disclose their identities for fear of victimisation, described the action by management as "intimidatory."
The appointments of Mr. Duffuor and the association’s secretary, Mr Frank Mensah, were terminated last Friday, sparking a strike on Monday by the staff who demanded their reinstatement.
Although management has not assigned reasons for the dismissals, the striking workers said they believe it has to do with their involvement in attempts to turn the staff association into a labour union, which the bank considers illegal.
On Monday, amidst heavy police presence, the workers, demonstrated at the bank’s premises. They wore red protest arm bands, chanted war songs and displayed placards some of which read: "We want a union", "Reinstate our leaders now" and "Governor, don’t act like Mugabe".
The arrest and dismissals constitute the latest developments in the impasse over the unionisation of workers of the bank.
The bank has instituted legal action against the Attorney-General (A-G) and the National Labour Commission (NLC) on the purported registration and recognition of the bank’s Senior Staff Association as a labour union, challenging the A-G’s purported registration and the NLC’s recognition of the association as such, citing Article 24 (3), (4) of the 1992 Constitution and also Section 79 of the Labour Act 2003.
Article 24(3) of the Constitution guarantees for the employees right to join a trade union for the promotion and protection of their economic and social interests, while Clause 4 bars any restrictions on the exercise of the right, "except those prescribed by law, in the interest of national security and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
Section 63 (2a) of the Labour Act 651 states that "a worker’s employment is terminated unfairly if the only reason for the termination is that the worker has joined, intends to join or has ceased to be a member of a trade union or intends to take part in the activities of a trade union".
Section 79 of the Labour Act 2003 guarantees freedom of association, but also sets out some classes of workers and functions such as those in management or sensitive positions, who must first reach an agreement with their employers before joining trade unions.
Thursday, 03 July 2008
THE dismissed chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the Bank of Ghana, Benjamin Duffuor, was arrested by the police yesterday morning while addressing workers at the bank’s head office in Accra.
His arrest sparked an indefinite strike action by the workers who said they would not resume work until their leader was released and reinstated.
The strike, which affected numerous clients of the bank, was spreading to the regional branches of the central bank as at the time of going to press.
Some executives of the association told the Times that personnel from the Accra Regional Police Headquarters bundled Mr Duffuor into a police vehicle, while he was addressing the workers in front of the bank.
Regional Police Commander, Kwaku Ayensu Opare-Addo, confirmed Mr Duffuor’s arrest by his outfit on an Accra FM radio station later, but the bank’s management has denied giving the order for his arrest.
Esi Hammond, Public Relations Manager of the bank, told the Times that she was not aware of any directive from management for Mr. Duffuor’s arrest.
As at mid-day yesterday, most of the workers were outside chatting, while a large police contingent was on standby in front of the bank.
Some of the workers’ leaders, who spoke to the Times but declined to disclose their identities for fear of victimisation, described the action by management as "intimidatory."
The appointments of Mr. Duffuor and the association’s secretary, Mr Frank Mensah, were terminated last Friday, sparking a strike on Monday by the staff who demanded their reinstatement.
Although management has not assigned reasons for the dismissals, the striking workers said they believe it has to do with their involvement in attempts to turn the staff association into a labour union, which the bank considers illegal.
On Monday, amidst heavy police presence, the workers, demonstrated at the bank’s premises. They wore red protest arm bands, chanted war songs and displayed placards some of which read: "We want a union", "Reinstate our leaders now" and "Governor, don’t act like Mugabe".
The arrest and dismissals constitute the latest developments in the impasse over the unionisation of workers of the bank.
The bank has instituted legal action against the Attorney-General (A-G) and the National Labour Commission (NLC) on the purported registration and recognition of the bank’s Senior Staff Association as a labour union, challenging the A-G’s purported registration and the NLC’s recognition of the association as such, citing Article 24 (3), (4) of the 1992 Constitution and also Section 79 of the Labour Act 2003.
Article 24(3) of the Constitution guarantees for the employees right to join a trade union for the promotion and protection of their economic and social interests, while Clause 4 bars any restrictions on the exercise of the right, "except those prescribed by law, in the interest of national security and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
Section 63 (2a) of the Labour Act 651 states that "a worker’s employment is terminated unfairly if the only reason for the termination is that the worker has joined, intends to join or has ceased to be a member of a trade union or intends to take part in the activities of a trade union".
Section 79 of the Labour Act 2003 guarantees freedom of association, but also sets out some classes of workers and functions such as those in management or sensitive positions, who must first reach an agreement with their employers before joining trade unions.
DRIVERS DETAINED AT ‘37’ MORTUARY
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 07 July 2008
Some drivers of Commercial (tro-tro) vehicles and their mates have been subjected to dehumanizing methods of punishment allegedly by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations.
Offending drivers and their mates were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary and made to arrange dead bodies or mop up water on the floor.
Investigations by the Times revealed that the practice started about three weeks ago to punish recalcitrant "trotro" drivers.
"One soldier hit my chest and forced me to arrange bodies," Paul Twum, a 20-year-old driver’s mate, told the Times.
Twum said he spent about an hour at the mortuary.
"They made me to carry a dead child on my chest as if I am carrying my child," said Kwesi Daniels, a driver who suffered the ordeal two weeks ago.
Another driver, who declined to give his name, alleged that "they made me fondle a dead woman’s breast".
When the Times visited the hospital at about 11am last Thursday, three drivers and their mates had been detained at the entrance of the hospital, while the passengers pleaded for their release.
A female Lieutenant-Colonel (name withheld) was threatening at the top of her voice to send the offending drivers into the mortuary.
"We have to teach you a lesson," she shouted
Assisted by two corporals on guard duty at the main gate of the hospital, the Lt-Col. told the pleading passengers that the drivers were being punished because they had been stopping close to the entrance of the hospital instead of going to the bus stop.
That practice, she said usually created congestion at the entrance which posed problems for the hospital, especially, when ambulances were moving in and out.
The detained "trotro" drivers were released later after the passengers questioned the justification for the release of a Metro Mass Transport driver who was guilty of the offence.
The passengers suggested that a "No Parking" sign be mounted at the entrance to warn drivers.
On Friday, when the Commander's attention was drawn to the way the soldiers were treating the offending drivers and their mates, he immediately summoned those involved and declared his intention to institute disciplinary action against the perpetrators, including a woman Lieutenant-Colonel, a number of corporals and the mortuary attendants.
The mortuary attendants, on Friday, admitted to the Commander in the presence of the Times that the drivers and their mates who were brought in batches to the mortuary by the soldiers, were given work to do, but denied forcing them to arrange corpses.
The Lt- Col. also admitted that she ordered that the offending drivers be given work to do in the mortuary on Thursday, but said she did not follow up to see the type of work they were given.
Monday, 07 July 2008
Some drivers of Commercial (tro-tro) vehicles and their mates have been subjected to dehumanizing methods of punishment allegedly by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations.
Offending drivers and their mates were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary and made to arrange dead bodies or mop up water on the floor.
Investigations by the Times revealed that the practice started about three weeks ago to punish recalcitrant "trotro" drivers.
"One soldier hit my chest and forced me to arrange bodies," Paul Twum, a 20-year-old driver’s mate, told the Times.
Twum said he spent about an hour at the mortuary.
"They made me to carry a dead child on my chest as if I am carrying my child," said Kwesi Daniels, a driver who suffered the ordeal two weeks ago.
Another driver, who declined to give his name, alleged that "they made me fondle a dead woman’s breast".
When the Times visited the hospital at about 11am last Thursday, three drivers and their mates had been detained at the entrance of the hospital, while the passengers pleaded for their release.
A female Lieutenant-Colonel (name withheld) was threatening at the top of her voice to send the offending drivers into the mortuary.
"We have to teach you a lesson," she shouted
Assisted by two corporals on guard duty at the main gate of the hospital, the Lt-Col. told the pleading passengers that the drivers were being punished because they had been stopping close to the entrance of the hospital instead of going to the bus stop.
That practice, she said usually created congestion at the entrance which posed problems for the hospital, especially, when ambulances were moving in and out.
The detained "trotro" drivers were released later after the passengers questioned the justification for the release of a Metro Mass Transport driver who was guilty of the offence.
The passengers suggested that a "No Parking" sign be mounted at the entrance to warn drivers.
On Friday, when the Commander's attention was drawn to the way the soldiers were treating the offending drivers and their mates, he immediately summoned those involved and declared his intention to institute disciplinary action against the perpetrators, including a woman Lieutenant-Colonel, a number of corporals and the mortuary attendants.
The mortuary attendants, on Friday, admitted to the Commander in the presence of the Times that the drivers and their mates who were brought in batches to the mortuary by the soldiers, were given work to do, but denied forcing them to arrange corpses.
The Lt- Col. also admitted that she ordered that the offending drivers be given work to do in the mortuary on Thursday, but said she did not follow up to see the type of work they were given.
‘37’ MILITARY HOSPITAL SETS UP PROBE
By Edmund MIngle
Tuesday, 08 July 2008
A board of enquiry is being set up by the management of the 37 Military Hospital to investigate allegations of detention and torture of some commercial drivers and their mates by military guards at the hospital as punishment for traffic offences in front of the hospital.
"The board will determine the charges to be levelled against the culprits," a source close to the hospital’s management told the Ghanaian Times yesterday.
This paper reported yesterday that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers arrested by military guards for parking wrongly in front of the hospital or dropping off or picking passengers there, were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary as punishment.
The punishment also included cleaning and arranging corpses and mopping the mortuary floor.
The setting up of the board follows a directive from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to the hospital to investigate the matter and those found culpable, punished.
A GAF release issued yesterday and signed by the Public Relations Director, Colonel E.W.K. Nibo, said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the guards if they are found to have misconducted themselves.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) yesterday condemned the cruel treatment meted out to the drivers and mates concerned
"CHRAJ believes the incident is unacceptable and goes against Article 15 of the Constitution," Comfort Akosua Edu, the Commission’s Public Affairs Manager told the Times in reaction to the story.
Article 15 of Chapter five, which has provisions protecting the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens, states among other things that: (1) the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable, (2) no person shall, whether or not he is arrested, restricted or detained, be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of punishment and (3) a person who has not been convicted of a criminal offence shall not be treated as a convicted person".
The Commission, she said, would hold on taking up the matter since that the Commander of the Hospital, Brigadier-General Wadhwani, has acted by taking steps to reprimand the perpetrators.
"We want to agree with the Commander who swiftly condemned the act and plans to discipline those soldiers," she said, adding that "the Commission will take the Commander at his word.The commission would have handled the matter differently if they had not accepted their fault."
Mrs. Edu explained that the country’s legal system requires that suspects are handed over to the police for prosecution and for the law courts to determine their guilt or innocence and hand down appropriate sentence if found guilty.
On Friday, when the Commander’s attention was drawn to the way the soldiers were treating the offending drivers and their mates, he immediately summoned those involved and declared his intention to institute disciplinary action against the perpetrators, including a woman Lieutenant-Colonel, a number of corporals and the mortuary attendants.
The mortuary attendants, on Friday, admitted to the Commander, in the presence of the Times that the drivers and their mates who were brought in batches to the mortuary by the soldiers, were given work to do, but denied forcing them to arrange corpses.
The Lt- Col. also admitted that she ordered that the offending drivers be given work to do in the mortuary on Thursday, but said she did not follow up to see the type of work they were given.
Tuesday, 08 July 2008
A board of enquiry is being set up by the management of the 37 Military Hospital to investigate allegations of detention and torture of some commercial drivers and their mates by military guards at the hospital as punishment for traffic offences in front of the hospital.
"The board will determine the charges to be levelled against the culprits," a source close to the hospital’s management told the Ghanaian Times yesterday.
This paper reported yesterday that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers arrested by military guards for parking wrongly in front of the hospital or dropping off or picking passengers there, were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary as punishment.
The punishment also included cleaning and arranging corpses and mopping the mortuary floor.
The setting up of the board follows a directive from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to the hospital to investigate the matter and those found culpable, punished.
A GAF release issued yesterday and signed by the Public Relations Director, Colonel E.W.K. Nibo, said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the guards if they are found to have misconducted themselves.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) yesterday condemned the cruel treatment meted out to the drivers and mates concerned
"CHRAJ believes the incident is unacceptable and goes against Article 15 of the Constitution," Comfort Akosua Edu, the Commission’s Public Affairs Manager told the Times in reaction to the story.
Article 15 of Chapter five, which has provisions protecting the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens, states among other things that: (1) the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable, (2) no person shall, whether or not he is arrested, restricted or detained, be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of punishment and (3) a person who has not been convicted of a criminal offence shall not be treated as a convicted person".
The Commission, she said, would hold on taking up the matter since that the Commander of the Hospital, Brigadier-General Wadhwani, has acted by taking steps to reprimand the perpetrators.
"We want to agree with the Commander who swiftly condemned the act and plans to discipline those soldiers," she said, adding that "the Commission will take the Commander at his word.The commission would have handled the matter differently if they had not accepted their fault."
Mrs. Edu explained that the country’s legal system requires that suspects are handed over to the police for prosecution and for the law courts to determine their guilt or innocence and hand down appropriate sentence if found guilty.
On Friday, when the Commander’s attention was drawn to the way the soldiers were treating the offending drivers and their mates, he immediately summoned those involved and declared his intention to institute disciplinary action against the perpetrators, including a woman Lieutenant-Colonel, a number of corporals and the mortuary attendants.
The mortuary attendants, on Friday, admitted to the Commander, in the presence of the Times that the drivers and their mates who were brought in batches to the mortuary by the soldiers, were given work to do, but denied forcing them to arrange corpses.
The Lt- Col. also admitted that she ordered that the offending drivers be given work to do in the mortuary on Thursday, but said she did not follow up to see the type of work they were given.
GPRTU To Assist '37' Military Hospital Probe
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 09 July 2008
The leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has promised to cooperate with the board of enquiry being set up by the management of the 37 Military Hospital to investigate alleged detention and torture of commercial (trotro) drivers in the hospital’s mortuary by soldiers.
"We will ask the affected drivers and mates to testify before the committee," Alhaji Yaw Manu, national chairman of the Union, told the Times yesterday.
So far, Alhaji Manu said, four drivers have formally informed the union of their ordeal at the hands of the military guards.
He said although the hospital has not notified the union of the setting up of the investigating committee, "the union is prepared to ensure that we get to the bottom of the matter."
The Times reported on Monday, that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers arrested by military guards for parking wrongly in front of the hospital or dropping off and picking passengers there, were allegedly detained in batches to work at the hospital’s mortuary as punishment. Their punishment included arranging corpses, mopping the mortuary floor and cleaning.
Alhaji Manu also said the union was arranging to send the affected drivers and mates to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for medical checks ups.
The move is to find out if any of them has contracted any disease as a result of having worked in the mortuary without protective gear.
"We want to have them checked to give them the necessary medical care if there has been some infection," Alhaji Manu.
The management of the hospital on Monday, began setting up a board of enquiry to investigate the allegations.
Alhaji Manu described the treatment meted out to the drivers as regrettable, saying the union was inviting all other victims to undergo medical checks.
The union is calling an emergency national council meeting on the matter to discuss how to resolve it, he said.
Asked why the union would rather not ask the military hospital to do the medical checks, he said that would not be a wise thing to do.
"How can you ask someone who has hit your face to check if your eye is swollen? He will never tell you it is swollen, even if it is swollen," he replied in Twi.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday, condemned the treatment meted out to the drivers, describing it as cruel and against their fundamental human rights
Wednesday, 09 July 2008
The leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has promised to cooperate with the board of enquiry being set up by the management of the 37 Military Hospital to investigate alleged detention and torture of commercial (trotro) drivers in the hospital’s mortuary by soldiers.
"We will ask the affected drivers and mates to testify before the committee," Alhaji Yaw Manu, national chairman of the Union, told the Times yesterday.
So far, Alhaji Manu said, four drivers have formally informed the union of their ordeal at the hands of the military guards.
He said although the hospital has not notified the union of the setting up of the investigating committee, "the union is prepared to ensure that we get to the bottom of the matter."
The Times reported on Monday, that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers arrested by military guards for parking wrongly in front of the hospital or dropping off and picking passengers there, were allegedly detained in batches to work at the hospital’s mortuary as punishment. Their punishment included arranging corpses, mopping the mortuary floor and cleaning.
Alhaji Manu also said the union was arranging to send the affected drivers and mates to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for medical checks ups.
The move is to find out if any of them has contracted any disease as a result of having worked in the mortuary without protective gear.
"We want to have them checked to give them the necessary medical care if there has been some infection," Alhaji Manu.
The management of the hospital on Monday, began setting up a board of enquiry to investigate the allegations.
Alhaji Manu described the treatment meted out to the drivers as regrettable, saying the union was inviting all other victims to undergo medical checks.
The union is calling an emergency national council meeting on the matter to discuss how to resolve it, he said.
Asked why the union would rather not ask the military hospital to do the medical checks, he said that would not be a wise thing to do.
"How can you ask someone who has hit your face to check if your eye is swollen? He will never tell you it is swollen, even if it is swollen," he replied in Twi.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday, condemned the treatment meted out to the drivers, describing it as cruel and against their fundamental human rights
Probe Into ‘37’ Incidents Begins
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 11 July 2008
THE Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has set up a body to investigate allegations of detention and torture of some commercial drivers and their mates by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
It is the second to be set up after the hospital’s management instituted an internal board of enquiry to investigate the matter for those soldiers found culpable to be punished.
As part of the investigations by the GAF, some of the commercial drivers and mates yesterday gave their testimonies to a team from the Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police of the GAF.
Testimonies of the 12 victims the Times met there were taken by the investigating team behind closed doors in the Trades Union Congress boardroom where the head office of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union is located.
The victims, some of them still looking traumatised, and others with wounds on their faces as a result of the alleged torture by the military guards, appeared before the two-member interrogating team one after the other.
Two representatives of the GPRTU, led by the Deputy General Secretary of Operations, Tham Ernest, sat in the meeting.Two of the victims with swollen cheeks and eyes, told newsmen, before the hearing was closed to the media, that they were beaten by the guards when they initially refused to enter the mortuary.
The Times reported on Monday that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers who were arrested by military guards for parking wrongly infront of the hospital or dropping off and picking passengers there were allegedly detained at the hospital’s mortuary as punishment.
The punishment also included arranging corpses, cleaning and mopping up the mortuary floor.
Staff Sergeant Divine Asigbetsey, who led the team from the SIB, told the Times that they have been mandated by the Military High Command to collect the evidence of the drivers and their mates as a basis to interrogate the offending soldiers some of whom have been identified.
He said that as a norm, it was necessary in any investigations that the statement of a complainant was taken first before interrogating the accused.
He said if it becomes necessary during the investigations, the victims may be required to help identify other soldiers who have not been identified by the SIB.
The management of the hospital has also set up an internal committee to investigate the matter.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday, condemned the treatment meted out to those concerned, describing it as cruel and against their fundamental human rights.
Alhaji Yaw Manu, Chairman of the GPRTU, on Tuesday, gave the assurance that the Union would assist in the investigations to resolve the matter, adding that the affected drivers and mates would be sent to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for medical check-ups.
Friday, 11 July 2008
THE Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has set up a body to investigate allegations of detention and torture of some commercial drivers and their mates by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
It is the second to be set up after the hospital’s management instituted an internal board of enquiry to investigate the matter for those soldiers found culpable to be punished.
As part of the investigations by the GAF, some of the commercial drivers and mates yesterday gave their testimonies to a team from the Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police of the GAF.
Testimonies of the 12 victims the Times met there were taken by the investigating team behind closed doors in the Trades Union Congress boardroom where the head office of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union is located.
The victims, some of them still looking traumatised, and others with wounds on their faces as a result of the alleged torture by the military guards, appeared before the two-member interrogating team one after the other.
Two representatives of the GPRTU, led by the Deputy General Secretary of Operations, Tham Ernest, sat in the meeting.Two of the victims with swollen cheeks and eyes, told newsmen, before the hearing was closed to the media, that they were beaten by the guards when they initially refused to enter the mortuary.
The Times reported on Monday that for the past three weeks, recalcitrant drivers who were arrested by military guards for parking wrongly infront of the hospital or dropping off and picking passengers there were allegedly detained at the hospital’s mortuary as punishment.
The punishment also included arranging corpses, cleaning and mopping up the mortuary floor.
Staff Sergeant Divine Asigbetsey, who led the team from the SIB, told the Times that they have been mandated by the Military High Command to collect the evidence of the drivers and their mates as a basis to interrogate the offending soldiers some of whom have been identified.
He said that as a norm, it was necessary in any investigations that the statement of a complainant was taken first before interrogating the accused.
He said if it becomes necessary during the investigations, the victims may be required to help identify other soldiers who have not been identified by the SIB.
The management of the hospital has also set up an internal committee to investigate the matter.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday, condemned the treatment meted out to those concerned, describing it as cruel and against their fundamental human rights.
Alhaji Yaw Manu, Chairman of the GPRTU, on Tuesday, gave the assurance that the Union would assist in the investigations to resolve the matter, adding that the affected drivers and mates would be sent to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for medical check-ups.
'37' Personnel Quizzed By Probe
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
A number of military personnel at the ‘37’ Military Hospital have been interrogated over their alleged involvement in the detention and torture of some drivers and their mates in the hospital’s mortuary for traffic offences.
A source close to the committee set up by the Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police, told the Times that some civilian mortuary attendants at the hospital were also interrogated.
Although the details of the interrogations were not disclosed, the source said the committee is preparing its report for submission to the Ghana Armed Forces High Command for action.
Last Thursday, 12 drivers and mates testified to the committee about the inhuman treatment that they suffered at the hands of some soldiers and mortuary attendants.
The Times on July 7, reported that some commercial drivers and their mates were subjected to inhuman methods of punishment by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations in front of the hospital.
As part of the punishment, the drivers and mates were detained at the mortuary and made to arrange corpses, mop the floor and clean the mortuary.
Meanwhile, the 12 victims whose statements were taken on Thursday have been given medical forms to go for medical check up.
The forms were provided by the GAF on Friday, after the GPRTU declined an offer for victims to be examined at the 37 Military Hospital, insisting that an independent hospital should examine them.
The hospital’s management is also conducting internal investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, President J.A. Kufuor has condemned the incident.
Speaking to newsmen at the Accra airport on their arrival from the G8 Summit in Japan, last Friday, the Press Secretary, Andrew Awuni, said the President took strong exception to the alleged molestation of the drivers and mates describing it as "unacceptable and un-Ghanaian."
Mr Awuni said President Kufuor endorsed the investigation by the Military High Command into the matter, adding that such undemocratic behaviour would not be tolerated.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice as well as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union have also condemned the incidents.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
A number of military personnel at the ‘37’ Military Hospital have been interrogated over their alleged involvement in the detention and torture of some drivers and their mates in the hospital’s mortuary for traffic offences.
A source close to the committee set up by the Special Investigation Branch of the Military Police, told the Times that some civilian mortuary attendants at the hospital were also interrogated.
Although the details of the interrogations were not disclosed, the source said the committee is preparing its report for submission to the Ghana Armed Forces High Command for action.
Last Thursday, 12 drivers and mates testified to the committee about the inhuman treatment that they suffered at the hands of some soldiers and mortuary attendants.
The Times on July 7, reported that some commercial drivers and their mates were subjected to inhuman methods of punishment by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations in front of the hospital.
As part of the punishment, the drivers and mates were detained at the mortuary and made to arrange corpses, mop the floor and clean the mortuary.
Meanwhile, the 12 victims whose statements were taken on Thursday have been given medical forms to go for medical check up.
The forms were provided by the GAF on Friday, after the GPRTU declined an offer for victims to be examined at the 37 Military Hospital, insisting that an independent hospital should examine them.
The hospital’s management is also conducting internal investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, President J.A. Kufuor has condemned the incident.
Speaking to newsmen at the Accra airport on their arrival from the G8 Summit in Japan, last Friday, the Press Secretary, Andrew Awuni, said the President took strong exception to the alleged molestation of the drivers and mates describing it as "unacceptable and un-Ghanaian."
Mr Awuni said President Kufuor endorsed the investigation by the Military High Command into the matter, adding that such undemocratic behaviour would not be tolerated.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice as well as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union have also condemned the incidents.
Ala Adjetey Passes Away
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Peter Ala Adjetey, the immediate past Speaker of Parliament and a leading member of the New Patriotic Party, died yesterday at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness. He was 77.
Following news of his death, many people, including legal practitioners and politicians, have been pouring into his house at La, in Accra, to sympathise with the bereaved family.
His death came barely 12 days after he was decorated with the Order of the Star, a high national honour, by President J.A. Kufuor for his public service and contribution to the development of the Legislature in the country.
Novalis Gans-Lartey, a spokesman for the family, told the Times yesterday that Mr Adjetey was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday for medical attention following his deteriorating health.
He said news of the death reached the family at dawn yesterday.
The government has expressed shock at Mr Ala Adjetey’s death.
A release signed by Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President, said "the nation has lost a great man who served at the highest level with devotion and commitment."
He said Mr Adjetey will be remembered for the leadership he provided as Speaker of Parliament during the first term of President Kufuor’s Administration and indeed in all other areas he served."As the government strives to come to terms with the loss of Mr Adjetey, an accomplished lawyer, astitute politician and a statesman, it considers it a duty to express on behalf of the nation, and on his own behalf, condolences to the bereaved family in this difficult period," the release said.
The Ghana Bar Association described the death as a great loss to the association.
"We have lost a brilliant, stalwart and legal brain who fought for the entrenchment of the rule of law and democracy," Nii Osa Mills, GBA president, told the Times, and added that members of the association admire the former Speaker’s commitment to the growth of the legal profession.
He said the GBA would miss him for his tenacity in pushing ideas and ability to persuade people to accept what he believes in.
The NPP said the death is a big blow to the party and the nation as a whole.
Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary said Mr. Adjetey was a legal luminary whose contribution had helped in shaping the political and legal landscape of the country.
"It is impossible for the political history of the party and the country to be written without the mention of his name," he said.
The National Democratic Congress for its part, said it received the news with shock.
The party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, described the former Speaker as "a brilliant man of integrity who believed in the supremacy of Parliament."
Mr. Adjetey, born August 11, 1931, was the second Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana in the Fourth Republic.
The affable lawyer and politician, known for his baritone voice in shouting Order!, Order, in Parliament, endeared himself to both sides of the House, with his impartial approach to issues.
Mr Adjetey, a prominent son of La, Accra, obtained his basic education at St. Paul’s School at La and the Accra Bishop Boys’ School.
He had his secondary education at Accra Academy from where 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 Laws degree from the University of Nottingham in 1958.
Mr. Adjetey was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959, returned to Ghana the same year and was called to the Bar in Ghana.
He was the president of the Ghana Bar Association from 1986 to1989.
On the political scene, he was a founding member of the New Patriotic Party and the party’s chairman from 1995 to1998.
Mr. Adjetey was the President of the African Bar Association in 2000.
Meanwhile, Salifu Abdul-Rahaman & Samuel Nuamah report that Members of Parliament yesterday expressed grief over the death of the former Speaker.
Although the issue of his death did not come up on the floor of the House, a number of MPs who spoke to the Times, described the death as a great loss to the rule of law and democracy in the country.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said the intelligence and articulation of the former Speaker at international conferences had won the admiration of many Speakers of Parliament.
"He was very intelligent and meticulous in his work. These attributes of him have made us proud," he said.
"Though we knew he was not well for sometime, we did not know that things will turn bad within a short time. We have lost a genius," he added.
Mr Bagbin said Mr Adjetey’s death was not only a loss to his family but to the country as a whole.
Kwame Osei Prempeh, (NPP-Nsuta Kwamang Beposo and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice), described Mr Adjetey as a champion of democracy and the rule of law adding he was a genius.and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice), described Mr Adjetey as a champion of democracy and the rule of law adding he was a genius.
He said Mr Adjetey exhibited "a mark of excellence in his work. "He brought all his expertise to bear on Parliament; he never compromised on mediocrity and never fear to speak the truth."
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, (NPP-Suame and Deputy Majority Leader and Minister of State), described Mr Adjetey’s death as a "tragic loss" not only to his family but to all adherents of democratic governance.and Deputy Majority Leader and Minister of State), described Mr Adjetey’s death as a "tragic loss" not only to his family but to all adherents of democratic governance.
Recalling some fond memories of the former Speaker, Mr Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said he was a strict disciplinarian who brought quality to bear on the work of Parliament.
"He worked to strengthen the institution of Parliament," he said and added that the late Mr Adjetey was impartial in his rulings on issues in Parliament.
Ms Cecilia Dapaah, (NPP-Bantama and Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing), told the Times that "it is shocking that such a vibrant, good servant of Ghana should die."
She said on the political front, the country has lost a giant emphasising, "Mr Adjetey was a mentor to some of us in good governance and leadership.
Expressing her condolences to the bereaved family, Ms Dapaah said, "Mr Adjetey was a father to all of us; his memory will continue to inspire us."
Moses Asaga, NDC-Nabdam said Mr Adjetey’s departure was a big blow to the country adding that during Mr Adjetey tenure, he tried to reform Parliament by working to improve upon the conditions of service of MPs and the work of the legislature.
Mr Asaga said, Mr Adjetey gave the Minority enough room to share their views on issues of national importance and interest.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Peter Ala Adjetey, the immediate past Speaker of Parliament and a leading member of the New Patriotic Party, died yesterday at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness. He was 77.
Following news of his death, many people, including legal practitioners and politicians, have been pouring into his house at La, in Accra, to sympathise with the bereaved family.
His death came barely 12 days after he was decorated with the Order of the Star, a high national honour, by President J.A. Kufuor for his public service and contribution to the development of the Legislature in the country.
Novalis Gans-Lartey, a spokesman for the family, told the Times yesterday that Mr Adjetey was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday for medical attention following his deteriorating health.
He said news of the death reached the family at dawn yesterday.
The government has expressed shock at Mr Ala Adjetey’s death.
A release signed by Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President, said "the nation has lost a great man who served at the highest level with devotion and commitment."
He said Mr Adjetey will be remembered for the leadership he provided as Speaker of Parliament during the first term of President Kufuor’s Administration and indeed in all other areas he served."As the government strives to come to terms with the loss of Mr Adjetey, an accomplished lawyer, astitute politician and a statesman, it considers it a duty to express on behalf of the nation, and on his own behalf, condolences to the bereaved family in this difficult period," the release said.
The Ghana Bar Association described the death as a great loss to the association.
"We have lost a brilliant, stalwart and legal brain who fought for the entrenchment of the rule of law and democracy," Nii Osa Mills, GBA president, told the Times, and added that members of the association admire the former Speaker’s commitment to the growth of the legal profession.
He said the GBA would miss him for his tenacity in pushing ideas and ability to persuade people to accept what he believes in.
The NPP said the death is a big blow to the party and the nation as a whole.
Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary said Mr. Adjetey was a legal luminary whose contribution had helped in shaping the political and legal landscape of the country.
"It is impossible for the political history of the party and the country to be written without the mention of his name," he said.
The National Democratic Congress for its part, said it received the news with shock.
The party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, described the former Speaker as "a brilliant man of integrity who believed in the supremacy of Parliament."
Mr. Adjetey, born August 11, 1931, was the second Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana in the Fourth Republic.
The affable lawyer and politician, known for his baritone voice in shouting Order!, Order, in Parliament, endeared himself to both sides of the House, with his impartial approach to issues.
Mr Adjetey, a prominent son of La, Accra, obtained his basic education at St. Paul’s School at La and the Accra Bishop Boys’ School.
He had his secondary education at Accra Academy from where 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 Laws degree from the University of Nottingham in 1958.
Mr. Adjetey was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959, returned to Ghana the same year and was called to the Bar in Ghana.
He was the president of the Ghana Bar Association from 1986 to1989.
On the political scene, he was a founding member of the New Patriotic Party and the party’s chairman from 1995 to1998.
Mr. Adjetey was the President of the African Bar Association in 2000.
Meanwhile, Salifu Abdul-Rahaman & Samuel Nuamah report that Members of Parliament yesterday expressed grief over the death of the former Speaker.
Although the issue of his death did not come up on the floor of the House, a number of MPs who spoke to the Times, described the death as a great loss to the rule of law and democracy in the country.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said the intelligence and articulation of the former Speaker at international conferences had won the admiration of many Speakers of Parliament.
"He was very intelligent and meticulous in his work. These attributes of him have made us proud," he said.
"Though we knew he was not well for sometime, we did not know that things will turn bad within a short time. We have lost a genius," he added.
Mr Bagbin said Mr Adjetey’s death was not only a loss to his family but to the country as a whole.
Kwame Osei Prempeh, (NPP-Nsuta Kwamang Beposo and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice), described Mr Adjetey as a champion of democracy and the rule of law adding he was a genius.and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice), described Mr Adjetey as a champion of democracy and the rule of law adding he was a genius.
He said Mr Adjetey exhibited "a mark of excellence in his work. "He brought all his expertise to bear on Parliament; he never compromised on mediocrity and never fear to speak the truth."
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, (NPP-Suame and Deputy Majority Leader and Minister of State), described Mr Adjetey’s death as a "tragic loss" not only to his family but to all adherents of democratic governance.and Deputy Majority Leader and Minister of State), described Mr Adjetey’s death as a "tragic loss" not only to his family but to all adherents of democratic governance.
Recalling some fond memories of the former Speaker, Mr Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said he was a strict disciplinarian who brought quality to bear on the work of Parliament.
"He worked to strengthen the institution of Parliament," he said and added that the late Mr Adjetey was impartial in his rulings on issues in Parliament.
Ms Cecilia Dapaah, (NPP-Bantama and Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing), told the Times that "it is shocking that such a vibrant, good servant of Ghana should die."
She said on the political front, the country has lost a giant emphasising, "Mr Adjetey was a mentor to some of us in good governance and leadership.
Expressing her condolences to the bereaved family, Ms Dapaah said, "Mr Adjetey was a father to all of us; his memory will continue to inspire us."
Moses Asaga, NDC-Nabdam said Mr Adjetey’s departure was a big blow to the country adding that during Mr Adjetey tenure, he tried to reform Parliament by working to improve upon the conditions of service of MPs and the work of the legislature.
Mr Asaga said, Mr Adjetey gave the Minority enough room to share their views on issues of national importance and interest.
France Confident Of Ghana’s Electoral System
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
France says it has confidence in Ghana’s electoral process, and is optimistic that the December general election will be credible.
"We are very confident of the Ghanaian democratic system," Pierre Jacquemot, the outgoing French Ambassador, said in Accra on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at his residence prior to the celebration on the French National Day also known as Bastille Day, on July 14, Mr. Jacquemot said "Ghana remains a strategic interest to France."
July 14 is celebrated annually to commemorate the day France gained her freedom from oppressive monarchy rule in 1789.
"Ghana is a place to be for economic and commercial purposes because of her fast growing economy," he said, adding that France’s confidence in the Ghanaian economy, was indicated of the increasing number of the French businesses and investments in the country.
Currently, there are 60 French companies, including 20 large ones, operating in Ghana, France contributing over 50 million dollars in development aid to Ghana from 2007 to 2009.
"This means Ghana is a profitable destination for business," he said.
In 2007, French exports to Ghana reached 225.7million euros, while Ghana’s exports to France, comprising timber and agro-processed products, amounted to 191 million euros.
Imports from France include energy products, heavy equipment for the mining sector, agro-products and consumer goods.
Later, proposing the toast at the celebration Bastille Day reception in the evening, Mr. Jacquemot thanked the government of Ghana for the cooperation in handling development issues, saying both countries share a common vision of improving the welfare of their citizenry, as well as promoting world peace.
He gave the assurance that France would continue to assist Ghana in various sectors of the economy, saying the French Development Agency is already spearheading a number of projects in the education, water, environment and health sectors.
Responding to the toast on behalf of the government, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, conveyed the good wishes of Ghana to the government and people of France on the commemoration of their national day.
"Ghana and France share the same values of freedom which have been the basis of our relations since 1957," Mr. Baah-Wiredu said.
He expressed the government’s gratitude to France for assistance in funding various projects in the country, and pledged Ghana’s commitment to bilateral relations between both countries.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
France says it has confidence in Ghana’s electoral process, and is optimistic that the December general election will be credible.
"We are very confident of the Ghanaian democratic system," Pierre Jacquemot, the outgoing French Ambassador, said in Accra on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at his residence prior to the celebration on the French National Day also known as Bastille Day, on July 14, Mr. Jacquemot said "Ghana remains a strategic interest to France."
July 14 is celebrated annually to commemorate the day France gained her freedom from oppressive monarchy rule in 1789.
"Ghana is a place to be for economic and commercial purposes because of her fast growing economy," he said, adding that France’s confidence in the Ghanaian economy, was indicated of the increasing number of the French businesses and investments in the country.
Currently, there are 60 French companies, including 20 large ones, operating in Ghana, France contributing over 50 million dollars in development aid to Ghana from 2007 to 2009.
"This means Ghana is a profitable destination for business," he said.
In 2007, French exports to Ghana reached 225.7million euros, while Ghana’s exports to France, comprising timber and agro-processed products, amounted to 191 million euros.
Imports from France include energy products, heavy equipment for the mining sector, agro-products and consumer goods.
Later, proposing the toast at the celebration Bastille Day reception in the evening, Mr. Jacquemot thanked the government of Ghana for the cooperation in handling development issues, saying both countries share a common vision of improving the welfare of their citizenry, as well as promoting world peace.
He gave the assurance that France would continue to assist Ghana in various sectors of the economy, saying the French Development Agency is already spearheading a number of projects in the education, water, environment and health sectors.
Responding to the toast on behalf of the government, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, conveyed the good wishes of Ghana to the government and people of France on the commemoration of their national day.
"Ghana and France share the same values of freedom which have been the basis of our relations since 1957," Mr. Baah-Wiredu said.
He expressed the government’s gratitude to France for assistance in funding various projects in the country, and pledged Ghana’s commitment to bilateral relations between both countries.
NII GA TO FACE COMMITTEE
By Edmund Mingle, Dodowa
Monday, 21 July 2008
The Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on Friday directed the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, to open his defence in a case in which his nomination and installation is being challenged
This was after the committee's panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the House, turned down a “submission of no case” filed by the Ga Mantse.
Sitting was adjourned to Friday, July 25, for him to open his defence.
Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior), is challenging the election, nomination and installatiion of Dr. Jo Blankson as Ga Mantse. "From the submission made by the petitioner, the respondent has a case to answer," Samuel Klayson, counsel for the Judicial Committee directed as the panel rejected the submission of no case filed by the Ga Manste on November 23, 2007.
The ruling against the submission means that Nii Tackie Tawiah would have to appear in person at the committee’s sitting to open his defence.
The Ga Mantse has been represented by others at the hearing in this and three other cases challenging his claim to the Ga Paramount Stool since hearing started more than a year ago. In the motion for no case, his counsel, Willie Amarfio, had challenged the capacity of Nii Blofonyo in instituting the case against his client, arguing that Nii Blofonyo is neither the Ga State Akwashong Mantse nor a kingmaker.
But Adu Gyamfi Boadu, counsel for Nii Blofonyo, had argued that Nii Blofonyo is both the Asere Akwashongtse and Ga State Akwashong Mantse, who has a vital role in the nomination and installation of Ga Mantse.
He said his non-involvement in the installation of Dr. Blankson, is contrary to Ga custom, and therefore makes the installation illegal.
Citing legal authorities such as ‘Nsiah versus Ameyaw II’ at the Court of Appeal (1994), and ‘Brobbey and others versus Kwaku and another’ at the Supreme Court (1995), counsel further argued that even if Nii Blofonyo was not a kingmaker, he was an "interested party" whose petition should be upheld.
Nii Akropong III, head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nuumo Tete, Nai Wulomo (Ga Chief Priest) are attached to the suit for their roles in the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson.
The panel is yet to rule on a motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, seeking the committee’s order to restrain the Ga Traditional Council from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of another case in which Nii Arday is challenging the election, nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse.
The committee was expected to give its ruling last week but it did not sit.
Bright Akwetey, counsel for Nii Ardey, had argued that Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse is detrimental to the outcome of the case, adding that because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it is important that he is restrained.
Meanwhile, a letter from the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs addressed to David Tackie Komme, Principal Elder of Ga Dzase, (the kingmaking body), indicates that the name of King Tackie Tawiah III is not in the House's records as Ga Mantse.
"I wish to state that the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has not received any CD forms in respect of King Tackie Tawiah III for any necessary action,"said the letter dated July 30, 2007 and signed by Ms Dorothy Adams for the Registrar of the House.
The letter was in response to enquiries by the Dzase of the status of King Tackie Tawiah in the register of chiefs.
Monday, 21 July 2008
The Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on Friday directed the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, to open his defence in a case in which his nomination and installation is being challenged
This was after the committee's panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the House, turned down a “submission of no case” filed by the Ga Mantse.
Sitting was adjourned to Friday, July 25, for him to open his defence.
Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior), is challenging the election, nomination and installatiion of Dr. Jo Blankson as Ga Mantse. "From the submission made by the petitioner, the respondent has a case to answer," Samuel Klayson, counsel for the Judicial Committee directed as the panel rejected the submission of no case filed by the Ga Manste on November 23, 2007.
The ruling against the submission means that Nii Tackie Tawiah would have to appear in person at the committee’s sitting to open his defence.
The Ga Mantse has been represented by others at the hearing in this and three other cases challenging his claim to the Ga Paramount Stool since hearing started more than a year ago. In the motion for no case, his counsel, Willie Amarfio, had challenged the capacity of Nii Blofonyo in instituting the case against his client, arguing that Nii Blofonyo is neither the Ga State Akwashong Mantse nor a kingmaker.
But Adu Gyamfi Boadu, counsel for Nii Blofonyo, had argued that Nii Blofonyo is both the Asere Akwashongtse and Ga State Akwashong Mantse, who has a vital role in the nomination and installation of Ga Mantse.
He said his non-involvement in the installation of Dr. Blankson, is contrary to Ga custom, and therefore makes the installation illegal.
Citing legal authorities such as ‘Nsiah versus Ameyaw II’ at the Court of Appeal (1994), and ‘Brobbey and others versus Kwaku and another’ at the Supreme Court (1995), counsel further argued that even if Nii Blofonyo was not a kingmaker, he was an "interested party" whose petition should be upheld.
Nii Akropong III, head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nuumo Tete, Nai Wulomo (Ga Chief Priest) are attached to the suit for their roles in the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson.
The panel is yet to rule on a motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, seeking the committee’s order to restrain the Ga Traditional Council from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of another case in which Nii Arday is challenging the election, nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse.
The committee was expected to give its ruling last week but it did not sit.
Bright Akwetey, counsel for Nii Ardey, had argued that Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse is detrimental to the outcome of the case, adding that because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it is important that he is restrained.
Meanwhile, a letter from the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs addressed to David Tackie Komme, Principal Elder of Ga Dzase, (the kingmaking body), indicates that the name of King Tackie Tawiah III is not in the House's records as Ga Mantse.
"I wish to state that the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has not received any CD forms in respect of King Tackie Tawiah III for any necessary action,"said the letter dated July 30, 2007 and signed by Ms Dorothy Adams for the Registrar of the House.
The letter was in response to enquiries by the Dzase of the status of King Tackie Tawiah in the register of chiefs.
NII GA TO FACE COMMITTEE
From Edmund Mingle, Dodowa
Monday, 21 July 2008
The Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on Friday directed the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, to open his defence in a case in which his nomination and installation is being challenged
This was after the committee's panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the House, turned down a “submission of no case” filed by the Ga Mantse.
Sitting was adjourned to Friday, July 25, for him to open his defence.
Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior), is challenging the election, nomination and installatiion of Dr. Jo Blankson as Ga Mantse. "From the submission made by the petitioner, the respondent has a case to answer," Samuel Klayson, counsel for the Judicial Committee directed as the panel rejected the submission of no case filed by the Ga Manste on November 23, 2007.
The ruling against the submission means that Nii Tackie Tawiah would have to appear in person at the committee’s sitting to open his defence.
The Ga Mantse has been represented by others at the hearing in this and three other cases challenging his claim to the Ga Paramount Stool since hearing started more than a year ago. In the motion for no case, his counsel, Willie Amarfio, had challenged the capacity of Nii Blofonyo in instituting the case against his client, arguing that Nii Blofonyo is neither the Ga State Akwashong Mantse nor a kingmaker.
But Adu Gyamfi Boadu, counsel for Nii Blofonyo, had argued that Nii Blofonyo is both the Asere Akwashongtse and Ga State Akwashong Mantse, who has a vital role in the nomination and installation of Ga Mantse.
He said his non-involvement in the installation of Dr. Blankson, is contrary to Ga custom, and therefore makes the installation illegal.
Citing legal authorities such as ‘Nsiah versus Ameyaw II’ at the Court of Appeal (1994), and ‘Brobbey and others versus Kwaku and another’ at the Supreme Court (1995), counsel further argued that even if Nii Blofonyo was not a kingmaker, he was an "interested party" whose petition should be upheld.
Nii Akropong III, head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nuumo Tete, Nai Wulomo (Ga Chief Priest) are attached to the suit for their roles in the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson.
The panel is yet to rule on a motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, seeking the committee’s order to restrain the Ga Traditional Council from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of another case in which Nii Arday is challenging the election, nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse.
The committee was expected to give its ruling last week but it did not sit.
Bright Akwetey, counsel for Nii Ardey, had argued that Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse is detrimental to the outcome of the case, adding that because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it is important that he is restrained.
Meanwhile, a letter from the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs addressed to David Tackie Komme, Principal Elder of Ga Dzase, (the kingmaking body), indicates that the name of King Tackie Tawiah III is not in the House's records as Ga Mantse.
"I wish to state that the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has not received any CD forms in respect of King Tackie Tawiah III for any necessary action,"said the letter dated July 30, 2007 and signed by Ms Dorothy Adams for the Registrar of the House.
The letter was in response to enquiries by the Dzase of the status of King Tackie Tawiah in the register of chiefs.
Monday, 21 July 2008
The Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on Friday directed the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah III, to open his defence in a case in which his nomination and installation is being challenged
This was after the committee's panel, chaired by Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the House, turned down a “submission of no case” filed by the Ga Mantse.
Sitting was adjourned to Friday, July 25, for him to open his defence.
Nii Owula Kpakpa Blofonyo, Ga State Akwashong Mantse (supreme warrior), is challenging the election, nomination and installatiion of Dr. Jo Blankson as Ga Mantse. "From the submission made by the petitioner, the respondent has a case to answer," Samuel Klayson, counsel for the Judicial Committee directed as the panel rejected the submission of no case filed by the Ga Manste on November 23, 2007.
The ruling against the submission means that Nii Tackie Tawiah would have to appear in person at the committee’s sitting to open his defence.
The Ga Mantse has been represented by others at the hearing in this and three other cases challenging his claim to the Ga Paramount Stool since hearing started more than a year ago. In the motion for no case, his counsel, Willie Amarfio, had challenged the capacity of Nii Blofonyo in instituting the case against his client, arguing that Nii Blofonyo is neither the Ga State Akwashong Mantse nor a kingmaker.
But Adu Gyamfi Boadu, counsel for Nii Blofonyo, had argued that Nii Blofonyo is both the Asere Akwashongtse and Ga State Akwashong Mantse, who has a vital role in the nomination and installation of Ga Mantse.
He said his non-involvement in the installation of Dr. Blankson, is contrary to Ga custom, and therefore makes the installation illegal.
Citing legal authorities such as ‘Nsiah versus Ameyaw II’ at the Court of Appeal (1994), and ‘Brobbey and others versus Kwaku and another’ at the Supreme Court (1995), counsel further argued that even if Nii Blofonyo was not a kingmaker, he was an "interested party" whose petition should be upheld.
Nii Akropong III, head of Teiko Tsuru We and Nuumo Tete, Nai Wulomo (Ga Chief Priest) are attached to the suit for their roles in the nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson.
The panel is yet to rule on a motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, seeking the committee’s order to restrain the Ga Traditional Council from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of another case in which Nii Arday is challenging the election, nomination and installation of Dr. Blankson as Ga Mantse.
The committee was expected to give its ruling last week but it did not sit.
Bright Akwetey, counsel for Nii Ardey, had argued that Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse is detrimental to the outcome of the case, adding that because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it is important that he is restrained.
Meanwhile, a letter from the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs addressed to David Tackie Komme, Principal Elder of Ga Dzase, (the kingmaking body), indicates that the name of King Tackie Tawiah III is not in the House's records as Ga Mantse.
"I wish to state that the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has not received any CD forms in respect of King Tackie Tawiah III for any necessary action,"said the letter dated July 30, 2007 and signed by Ms Dorothy Adams for the Registrar of the House.
The letter was in response to enquiries by the Dzase of the status of King Tackie Tawiah in the register of chiefs.
Monday, July 14, 2008
DRIVERS DETAINED AT ‘37’ MORTUARY
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 07 July 2008
Some drivers of Commercial (tro-tro) vehicles and their mates have been subjected to dehumanizing methods of punishment allegedly by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations.
Offending drivers and their mates were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary and made to arrange dead bodies or mop up water on the floor.
Investigations by the Times revealed that the practice started about three weeks ago to punish recalcitrant "trotro" drivers.
"One soldier hit my chest and forced me to arrange bodies," Paul Twum, a 20-year-old driver’s mate, told the Times.
Twum said he spent about an hour at the mortuary.
"They made me to carry a dead child on my chest as if I am carrying my child," said Kwesi Daniels, a driver who suffered the ordeal two weeks ago.
Another driver, who declined to give his name, alleged that "they made me fondle a dead woman’s breast".
When the Times visited the hospital at about 11am last Thursday, three drivers and their mates had been detained at the entrance of the hospital, while the passengers pleaded for their release.
A female Lieutenant-Colonel (name withheld) was threatening at the top of her voice to send the offending drivers into the mortuary.
"We have to teach you a lesson," she shouted
Assisted by two corporals on guard duty at the main gate of the hospital, the Lt-Col. told the pleading passengers that the drivers were being punished because they had been stopping close to the entrance of the hospital instead of going to the bus stop.
That practice, she said usually created congestion at the entrance which posed problems for the hospital, especially, when ambulances were moving in and out.
The detained "trotro" drivers were released later after the passengers questioned the justification for the release of a Metro Mass Transport driver who was guilty of the offence.
The passengers suggested that a "No Parking" sign be mounted at the entrance to inform drivers of
Monday, 07 July 2008
Some drivers of Commercial (tro-tro) vehicles and their mates have been subjected to dehumanizing methods of punishment allegedly by military guards at the 37 Military Hospital for flouting traffic regulations.
Offending drivers and their mates were allegedly detained in the hospital’s mortuary and made to arrange dead bodies or mop up water on the floor.
Investigations by the Times revealed that the practice started about three weeks ago to punish recalcitrant "trotro" drivers.
"One soldier hit my chest and forced me to arrange bodies," Paul Twum, a 20-year-old driver’s mate, told the Times.
Twum said he spent about an hour at the mortuary.
"They made me to carry a dead child on my chest as if I am carrying my child," said Kwesi Daniels, a driver who suffered the ordeal two weeks ago.
Another driver, who declined to give his name, alleged that "they made me fondle a dead woman’s breast".
When the Times visited the hospital at about 11am last Thursday, three drivers and their mates had been detained at the entrance of the hospital, while the passengers pleaded for their release.
A female Lieutenant-Colonel (name withheld) was threatening at the top of her voice to send the offending drivers into the mortuary.
"We have to teach you a lesson," she shouted
Assisted by two corporals on guard duty at the main gate of the hospital, the Lt-Col. told the pleading passengers that the drivers were being punished because they had been stopping close to the entrance of the hospital instead of going to the bus stop.
That practice, she said usually created congestion at the entrance which posed problems for the hospital, especially, when ambulances were moving in and out.
The detained "trotro" drivers were released later after the passengers questioned the justification for the release of a Metro Mass Transport driver who was guilty of the offence.
The passengers suggested that a "No Parking" sign be mounted at the entrance to inform drivers of
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Accra-Nsawam Train Derails
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 08 April 2008
THE Accra-Nsawam train shuttle of the Ghana Railways Company derailed yesterday morning at Amanfrom, near Pokuase.
A number of people were injured; seven of them seriously were rushed to hospital. Their names are not immediately available.
The train, which was carrying passengers from Accra and Achimota to Nsawam, derailed as it attempted to make a stop at Amanfrom at about 11a.m. on a hill in a swampy farming area not far from the Ofankor bridge on the Accra-Nsawam road.
Eyewitnesses said passengers in two of the coaches which were badly damaged were heard shouting for help as the coaches fell off the rails.
Yaw Gyimah, a poultry farmer near the spot of the accident, told the Times that he saw some passengers jumping off as pandemonium broke out in the coaches amidst fears that the coaches could fall down the hill.
When the Times arrived at the scene in the afternoon, two of the nine coaches were dangling off the rails.
Bloodstains were also seen on the coaches and the tracks
The cause of the derailment was not immediately known, but some technical men at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they suspected both brake failure and faulty tracks.
It is the second time in about three months that a derailment has occurred on the line.
The first one occurred in February near the Achimota train station while the train was transporting commuters from Nsawam to Accra in the morning.
Tuesday, 08 April 2008
THE Accra-Nsawam train shuttle of the Ghana Railways Company derailed yesterday morning at Amanfrom, near Pokuase.
A number of people were injured; seven of them seriously were rushed to hospital. Their names are not immediately available.
The train, which was carrying passengers from Accra and Achimota to Nsawam, derailed as it attempted to make a stop at Amanfrom at about 11a.m. on a hill in a swampy farming area not far from the Ofankor bridge on the Accra-Nsawam road.
Eyewitnesses said passengers in two of the coaches which were badly damaged were heard shouting for help as the coaches fell off the rails.
Yaw Gyimah, a poultry farmer near the spot of the accident, told the Times that he saw some passengers jumping off as pandemonium broke out in the coaches amidst fears that the coaches could fall down the hill.
When the Times arrived at the scene in the afternoon, two of the nine coaches were dangling off the rails.
Bloodstains were also seen on the coaches and the tracks
The cause of the derailment was not immediately known, but some technical men at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they suspected both brake failure and faulty tracks.
It is the second time in about three months that a derailment has occurred on the line.
The first one occurred in February near the Achimota train station while the train was transporting commuters from Nsawam to Accra in the morning.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ga Mantse's case resumes
By Edmund Mingle
April 7, 08
The Panel of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs which is determining suits challenging the installation of Dr Jo Blankson, resumed its sitting here on Friday, with arguments on a motion seeking an interlocutory injunction to restraining Dr Blankson from holding himself out as Ga Mantse.
The motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, is also seeking the Ga Traditional Council to be restrained from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of the case.
Bright Akwetey, Counsel for the Petitioner, arguing for the motion said Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse was detrimental to the outcome of the case.
He said because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it was important that he was restrained.
"Whether he has been installed or not, it is important that no one holds himself out as Ga Mantse until the final determination of the case," he said. He said Dr Blankson's installation was improper because it was not the turn of Teiko Tsuru We where he hails from, to provide a candidate for the stool, but that it was the turn of Abola Piam We.
In addition, he said, the Ga State Dzaase, which is constituted by heads of the four ruling houses mandated to install a Ga Mantse did not play any role in his installation. Instead, the Nai Wolumo, Nuumo Tettey, the Ga chief priest, Nii Tetteh Ashong, head of the Teiko Tsuru We and others performed the installation.
"We are saying these people do not constitute the Ga State Dzaase," he said. He said Ahola Piam has waited for 100 years for its turn to ascend to the stool saying they have the right to the stool and that granting the motion would not be out of place.
The substantive suit which was filed in April, last year, is challenging the nomination, election and installation of Dr Blankson as King Tackie Tawiah III, saying his installation was contrary to approved Ga custom, and should therefore be declared null and void.
Responding, Willie Amarfio, Counsel for the Ga Mantse, described both the motion and the suit as "frivolous and vexatious."
He said the petitioner lacks capacity, and therefore, challenged his position as the head of Abola Piam. He said the petitioner waited for too long to file the suit, saying it was filed in March 2007, almost a year after the Respondent's installation on June 11, 2006.
"So much water has passed under the bridge," he said, and wondered where the petitioner was when the installation process was going on. He said Abola Piam We was not one of the ruling houses, saying the ruling houses were only three, namely, Teiko Tsuru We, Amugi We and Tackie Commey We.
He maintained that Dr Blankson was properly installed and that the application should be rejected. In a second case, Nii Owula Kpakpa Brofonyo, the Ga State Akwashong Mantse (chief warrior), who is also challenging the installation of Dr Blankson, counsel for the Plaintiff, Adu Gyamfi Boadu, amended the suit.
He asked that election and nomination of the Ga Mantse should be declared void, because evidence on the record at the hearing so far indicated that the election, nomination and installation did not follow Ga custom.
The suit originally asked for the installation to be declared null and void. Hearing was adjourned to April 25.
April 7, 08
The Panel of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs which is determining suits challenging the installation of Dr Jo Blankson, resumed its sitting here on Friday, with arguments on a motion seeking an interlocutory injunction to restraining Dr Blankson from holding himself out as Ga Mantse.
The motion for interlocutory injunction which was filed in October last year by Nii Yaya Arday, head of Abola Piam We, one of the four ruling houses in Ga Mashie, is also seeking the Ga Traditional Council to be restrained from allowing Dr Blankson to act as Ga Mantse until the final determination of the case.
Bright Akwetey, Counsel for the Petitioner, arguing for the motion said Dr Blankson's continuous acting as Ga Mantse was detrimental to the outcome of the case.
He said because the substantive suit is challenging the very basis for his kingship, it was important that he was restrained.
"Whether he has been installed or not, it is important that no one holds himself out as Ga Mantse until the final determination of the case," he said. He said Dr Blankson's installation was improper because it was not the turn of Teiko Tsuru We where he hails from, to provide a candidate for the stool, but that it was the turn of Abola Piam We.
In addition, he said, the Ga State Dzaase, which is constituted by heads of the four ruling houses mandated to install a Ga Mantse did not play any role in his installation. Instead, the Nai Wolumo, Nuumo Tettey, the Ga chief priest, Nii Tetteh Ashong, head of the Teiko Tsuru We and others performed the installation.
"We are saying these people do not constitute the Ga State Dzaase," he said. He said Ahola Piam has waited for 100 years for its turn to ascend to the stool saying they have the right to the stool and that granting the motion would not be out of place.
The substantive suit which was filed in April, last year, is challenging the nomination, election and installation of Dr Blankson as King Tackie Tawiah III, saying his installation was contrary to approved Ga custom, and should therefore be declared null and void.
Responding, Willie Amarfio, Counsel for the Ga Mantse, described both the motion and the suit as "frivolous and vexatious."
He said the petitioner lacks capacity, and therefore, challenged his position as the head of Abola Piam. He said the petitioner waited for too long to file the suit, saying it was filed in March 2007, almost a year after the Respondent's installation on June 11, 2006.
"So much water has passed under the bridge," he said, and wondered where the petitioner was when the installation process was going on. He said Abola Piam We was not one of the ruling houses, saying the ruling houses were only three, namely, Teiko Tsuru We, Amugi We and Tackie Commey We.
He maintained that Dr Blankson was properly installed and that the application should be rejected. In a second case, Nii Owula Kpakpa Brofonyo, the Ga State Akwashong Mantse (chief warrior), who is also challenging the installation of Dr Blankson, counsel for the Plaintiff, Adu Gyamfi Boadu, amended the suit.
He asked that election and nomination of the Ga Mantse should be declared void, because evidence on the record at the hearing so far indicated that the election, nomination and installation did not follow Ga custom.
The suit originally asked for the installation to be declared null and void. Hearing was adjourned to April 25.
Refugees Demo Posed Threat To Nation - Bartels
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 02 April 2008
THE seemingly innocuous demonstrations by Liberian women and children at the Buduburam Refugee settlement last month were part of "a wider plot" by some persons to cause mayhem and threaten the peace of the country, Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels said yesterday.
Although he did not give details of the plot, Mr Bartels said the "government is aware of the presence of a number of ex-combatants at the settlement and will not sit down unconcerned for our national security to be jeopardized."
He was speaking at the Meet-the-Press series at the Ministry of Information yesterday on the situation at the settlement following resistance by some of the refugees to repatriation
Mr Bartels recalled that following intelligence reports, the government on March 22, directed the security agencies to arrest a number of "ringleaders" of the demonstration and some people at the settlement whose activities posed a threat to national security.
The operation by the security agencies, he said, resulted in the arrest of 107 Liberians out of whom 77 were released after screening. Sixteen of the remaining 30 arrested were repatriated on account of their involvement in activities leading to insecurity at the settlement, twelve have been granted bail and are under investigations while two others are being held for undisclosed immigration offences.
He said that those arrested were found inciting the refugees against the authority of the state, which led to the break-down of law and order at the settlement, with the potential of a spill-over to neighbouring towns.
Apart from other actions that caused insecurity and amounted to the disregard for the rule of law, Mr Bartels said, the demonstrators prevented the distribution of daily food rations to the vulnerable, caused the closure of schools and drove out the leadership of the Welfare Council from the settlement for not supporting their cause.
In addition, some of them caused public nuisance by resorting to stripping themselves on the main road in front of the settlement.
"Ghana, as an independent sovereign country, has the right to protect herself from subversive elements and would take any action to protect the peace in the country without apology to anyone," he said.
Mr Bartels said the leaders of the demonstration succeeded in creating an anarchic state at the Buduburam settlement, and the government had to intervene to protect law abiding refugees, adding that it was to maintain sanity at the settlement that the government, on March 17, relocated 663 of them to the Youth Leadership Training Centre at Kordiabe, which is now designated a refugee settlement.
However, all the children, the sick, pregnant, lactating mothers and the elderly were returned to Buduburam "on humanitarian grounds" to rejoin their families.
Mr Bartels described the demonstration by the protesting refugees as illegal because police permission was not sought.
Wednesday, 02 April 2008
THE seemingly innocuous demonstrations by Liberian women and children at the Buduburam Refugee settlement last month were part of "a wider plot" by some persons to cause mayhem and threaten the peace of the country, Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels said yesterday.
Although he did not give details of the plot, Mr Bartels said the "government is aware of the presence of a number of ex-combatants at the settlement and will not sit down unconcerned for our national security to be jeopardized."
He was speaking at the Meet-the-Press series at the Ministry of Information yesterday on the situation at the settlement following resistance by some of the refugees to repatriation
Mr Bartels recalled that following intelligence reports, the government on March 22, directed the security agencies to arrest a number of "ringleaders" of the demonstration and some people at the settlement whose activities posed a threat to national security.
The operation by the security agencies, he said, resulted in the arrest of 107 Liberians out of whom 77 were released after screening. Sixteen of the remaining 30 arrested were repatriated on account of their involvement in activities leading to insecurity at the settlement, twelve have been granted bail and are under investigations while two others are being held for undisclosed immigration offences.
He said that those arrested were found inciting the refugees against the authority of the state, which led to the break-down of law and order at the settlement, with the potential of a spill-over to neighbouring towns.
Apart from other actions that caused insecurity and amounted to the disregard for the rule of law, Mr Bartels said, the demonstrators prevented the distribution of daily food rations to the vulnerable, caused the closure of schools and drove out the leadership of the Welfare Council from the settlement for not supporting their cause.
In addition, some of them caused public nuisance by resorting to stripping themselves on the main road in front of the settlement.
"Ghana, as an independent sovereign country, has the right to protect herself from subversive elements and would take any action to protect the peace in the country without apology to anyone," he said.
Mr Bartels said the leaders of the demonstration succeeded in creating an anarchic state at the Buduburam settlement, and the government had to intervene to protect law abiding refugees, adding that it was to maintain sanity at the settlement that the government, on March 17, relocated 663 of them to the Youth Leadership Training Centre at Kordiabe, which is now designated a refugee settlement.
However, all the children, the sick, pregnant, lactating mothers and the elderly were returned to Buduburam "on humanitarian grounds" to rejoin their families.
Mr Bartels described the demonstration by the protesting refugees as illegal because police permission was not sought.
'Give NMC More Powers'
By Edmund Mingle, Atimpoku
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
THE leadership of the media and political parties in the country have jointly called for more powers for the National Media Commission (NMC) to enable it to effectively regulate the media landscape.
A joint communiqué issued here on Sunday by representatives of the two groups, said: "The NMC should be empowered to seek an order of the High Court when its recommendations and rulings in dispute settlement are disobeyed".
The communiqué was issued at the end of a two-day workshop for senior media personnel and political party leaders to find ways of improving the relationship between the media and politicians to ensure a peaceful political atmosphere, especially towards the December elections.
Given the importance of the 2008 elections in the consolidation of the country’s democracy, the communiqué also urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the NMC to update their guidelines for election coverage this year.
The workshop had the theme, "Democracy and the media: media-political parties relationship in an election year". Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the keynote address.
The absence of powers for the NMC to compel offending media to retract stories and apologise after arbitration, the workshop agreed, was undermining the authority of the commission since some offending media houses have disobeyed its rulings.
Strengthening the NMC to improve its checks on offending media practice would be enough to promote and maintain ethical standards without the need to introduce new laws to control the media which would amount to a violation of press freedom, it was agreed.The communiqué stressed the need for a review of the NMC Act to modify its operations to enable it to better play its role in promoting the freedom and independence of the media as defined under Article 162 of the constitution.
"In particular, the NMC must be moved away from group and lobby-based interest representation to one of principled representation," it said.
The communiqué also demanded fairness, objectivity and the avoidance of sensationalism on the part of the media in their reportage. It also asked politicians to be civil and avoid provocative statements in their campaign messages throu-gh the media to the public.
It observed that since the media, the fourth estate of the realm, does not enjoy the kind of immunities available to the first three, the executive, legislature and judiciary, what is required is a regulation in which media practitioners themselves would play a leading role to enable them to ensure that professional and ethical principles are maintained.
It urged media houses to incorporate the GJA code of ethics into the employment contracts of their journalism staff so that it could be enforced at the organisational level.
"Also, there is the need now for a broadcasting act to provide the requisite framework to regulate public, private, community and educational broadcasting," it said.
The communiqué noted that with the continued maturation of Ghana’s democracy, one of the roles of the media was to continue to work to lessen political polarisation and tension in the society, more so, in an election year when there is the temptation on the part of both the media and the political class to resort to rumour mongering, exaggerated claims, provocative utterances and character assassination.
"Fairness, accuracy and balance are the minimum demands to be made of journalists in an election year, whilst at the same time ensuring that basic professional standards are respected," it said.
For instance, it said, practical and sustained efforts must be made by the media to get all sides of a story before publishing it to ensure truth and objectivity in reportage
Media houses must develop in-house accountability mechanisms including the establishment of in-house complaint settlement systems to provide a platform for aggrieved people to make their concerns known.
It also expressed concern about the negative uses of the Internet.
"Any framework for media accountability must take into account the phenomenon of the internet bloggers who are largely anonymous and, nevertheless, play the same journalistic role of informing, educating and entertaining the public."
The communiqué noted that whilst political parties and their representatives should be more open to and accommodating of the media in this election year, it is also important for the media to seek information and clarification of issues from appropriate and authorised sources within the political parties
"The media and political parties should build and maintain mutual trust and confidence in each other to ensure good governance and true democracy," it said.
Topics discussed at the workshop include, "Providing a media of ethics with teeth: The Role of the NMC and GJA", "Addressing the issue of polarisation, lack of objectivity and biased coverage in reporting events", "The media as watchdog of Ghana’s growing democracy: Making the media accountable," and "Media-political parties’ relationship in an election year".
Those who signed the communiqué included Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman, National Democratic Congress; Ladi Nylander, National Chairman, Convention People’s Party; Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party Presidential Campaign and Haruna Sumani, Policy Analyst for the People’s National Convention.
Others were Affail Monney, Vice President of GJA; Nii Laryea Sowah, Executive Secretary, PRINPAG; Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Editor of Ghanaian Times; Christian Agubretu, News Editor of the Ghana News Agency and Mrs Jean Mensa, Administrator of the IEA.
The workshop was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs under its Ghana Political Parties Programme aimed at promoting and sustaining multi-party democracy and good governance in the country with funding from the Netherlands Institute of Multi-Party Democracy.
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
THE leadership of the media and political parties in the country have jointly called for more powers for the National Media Commission (NMC) to enable it to effectively regulate the media landscape.
A joint communiqué issued here on Sunday by representatives of the two groups, said: "The NMC should be empowered to seek an order of the High Court when its recommendations and rulings in dispute settlement are disobeyed".
The communiqué was issued at the end of a two-day workshop for senior media personnel and political party leaders to find ways of improving the relationship between the media and politicians to ensure a peaceful political atmosphere, especially towards the December elections.
Given the importance of the 2008 elections in the consolidation of the country’s democracy, the communiqué also urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the NMC to update their guidelines for election coverage this year.
The workshop had the theme, "Democracy and the media: media-political parties relationship in an election year". Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the keynote address.
The absence of powers for the NMC to compel offending media to retract stories and apologise after arbitration, the workshop agreed, was undermining the authority of the commission since some offending media houses have disobeyed its rulings.
Strengthening the NMC to improve its checks on offending media practice would be enough to promote and maintain ethical standards without the need to introduce new laws to control the media which would amount to a violation of press freedom, it was agreed.The communiqué stressed the need for a review of the NMC Act to modify its operations to enable it to better play its role in promoting the freedom and independence of the media as defined under Article 162 of the constitution.
"In particular, the NMC must be moved away from group and lobby-based interest representation to one of principled representation," it said.
The communiqué also demanded fairness, objectivity and the avoidance of sensationalism on the part of the media in their reportage. It also asked politicians to be civil and avoid provocative statements in their campaign messages throu-gh the media to the public.
It observed that since the media, the fourth estate of the realm, does not enjoy the kind of immunities available to the first three, the executive, legislature and judiciary, what is required is a regulation in which media practitioners themselves would play a leading role to enable them to ensure that professional and ethical principles are maintained.
It urged media houses to incorporate the GJA code of ethics into the employment contracts of their journalism staff so that it could be enforced at the organisational level.
"Also, there is the need now for a broadcasting act to provide the requisite framework to regulate public, private, community and educational broadcasting," it said.
The communiqué noted that with the continued maturation of Ghana’s democracy, one of the roles of the media was to continue to work to lessen political polarisation and tension in the society, more so, in an election year when there is the temptation on the part of both the media and the political class to resort to rumour mongering, exaggerated claims, provocative utterances and character assassination.
"Fairness, accuracy and balance are the minimum demands to be made of journalists in an election year, whilst at the same time ensuring that basic professional standards are respected," it said.
For instance, it said, practical and sustained efforts must be made by the media to get all sides of a story before publishing it to ensure truth and objectivity in reportage
Media houses must develop in-house accountability mechanisms including the establishment of in-house complaint settlement systems to provide a platform for aggrieved people to make their concerns known.
It also expressed concern about the negative uses of the Internet.
"Any framework for media accountability must take into account the phenomenon of the internet bloggers who are largely anonymous and, nevertheless, play the same journalistic role of informing, educating and entertaining the public."
The communiqué noted that whilst political parties and their representatives should be more open to and accommodating of the media in this election year, it is also important for the media to seek information and clarification of issues from appropriate and authorised sources within the political parties
"The media and political parties should build and maintain mutual trust and confidence in each other to ensure good governance and true democracy," it said.
Topics discussed at the workshop include, "Providing a media of ethics with teeth: The Role of the NMC and GJA", "Addressing the issue of polarisation, lack of objectivity and biased coverage in reporting events", "The media as watchdog of Ghana’s growing democracy: Making the media accountable," and "Media-political parties’ relationship in an election year".
Those who signed the communiqué included Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman, National Democratic Congress; Ladi Nylander, National Chairman, Convention People’s Party; Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party Presidential Campaign and Haruna Sumani, Policy Analyst for the People’s National Convention.
Others were Affail Monney, Vice President of GJA; Nii Laryea Sowah, Executive Secretary, PRINPAG; Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Editor of Ghanaian Times; Christian Agubretu, News Editor of the Ghana News Agency and Mrs Jean Mensa, Administrator of the IEA.
The workshop was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs under its Ghana Political Parties Programme aimed at promoting and sustaining multi-party democracy and good governance in the country with funding from the Netherlands Institute of Multi-Party Democracy.
Regulate Private Security Operations
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 05 April 2008
There are currently more than 350 private security firms across the country, but only 40 are members of the Association of Private Security Organisations of Ghana (APSOG).
"All manner of people, including foreigners are setting up private security firms but it should not be so," Nana Edu Agyeman, chairman of the association, said during an interaction with journalists in Accra on Thursday, as part of the asso-ciation’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Describing the upsurge in private security firms as a threat to the country, he pointed out that security was critical to the country and, therefore, there should be strict regulation of the industry which is booming.
Among other things, he suggested that the background of owners of such firms should be scrutinised before they are granted licences to ensure that they do not have any ulterior motives.
He also called for a review of the Legislative Instrument governing the industry to prevent foreigners from operating security firms in the country. He added that owners of such firms must belong to one association for easy monitoring and control.
"The LI which was passed in 1970 is outmoded and must be reviewed," he said.
Nana Agyeman said although the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, APSOG believes that security is a critical issue which should be controlled.
Asked what could be the reason some security firms do not want to join the association, he said the strict regulations requiring all members to abide by standards in the charging of fees and the welfare of their personnel, could be a factor.
He called for more collaboration between the association and state security agencies to enhance harmony in the country, adding that APSOG was ready to cooperate in areas including the December elections.
The association’s month-long tenth anniversary celebration has the theme: "Safe and sound security."
Kwadwo Aboagye-Akyea, Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, explained that the celebration was being used to educate the public on the need to appreciate security, as well as to promote the contribution of private security to national development.
Saturday, 05 April 2008
There are currently more than 350 private security firms across the country, but only 40 are members of the Association of Private Security Organisations of Ghana (APSOG).
"All manner of people, including foreigners are setting up private security firms but it should not be so," Nana Edu Agyeman, chairman of the association, said during an interaction with journalists in Accra on Thursday, as part of the asso-ciation’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Describing the upsurge in private security firms as a threat to the country, he pointed out that security was critical to the country and, therefore, there should be strict regulation of the industry which is booming.
Among other things, he suggested that the background of owners of such firms should be scrutinised before they are granted licences to ensure that they do not have any ulterior motives.
He also called for a review of the Legislative Instrument governing the industry to prevent foreigners from operating security firms in the country. He added that owners of such firms must belong to one association for easy monitoring and control.
"The LI which was passed in 1970 is outmoded and must be reviewed," he said.
Nana Agyeman said although the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, APSOG believes that security is a critical issue which should be controlled.
Asked what could be the reason some security firms do not want to join the association, he said the strict regulations requiring all members to abide by standards in the charging of fees and the welfare of their personnel, could be a factor.
He called for more collaboration between the association and state security agencies to enhance harmony in the country, adding that APSOG was ready to cooperate in areas including the December elections.
The association’s month-long tenth anniversary celebration has the theme: "Safe and sound security."
Kwadwo Aboagye-Akyea, Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, explained that the celebration was being used to educate the public on the need to appreciate security, as well as to promote the contribution of private security to national development.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Canadian Envoy Visits New Times Corporation
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 13 March 2008
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Darien Schemmer, yesterday called on the management of the New Times Corporation (NTC), as the High Commission and the corporation seek to collaborate on various initiatives.
The visit, which formed part of a tour of selected institutions in the country, provided the high commissioner the opportunity to familia-rise himself with the operations of the corporation.
It also created a platform for discussions on a number of programmes they could undertake together.
Areas of interest identified for collaboration include educational exchange programmes, training for journalists and technical staff, publication of educational materials and acquisition of equipment.
Mr Schemmer commended the corporation for its contribution to the development of the media landscape which he described as crucial to socio-economic growth.
He acknowledged the challenge facing the media in the country especially as the country prepares for the general elections which he hoped would be peaceful.
He gave the assurance that the Canadian government, through its agencies, would continue to support development programmes in Ghana towards poverty reduction as well as collaborate with the corporation.
Kofi Asuman, Managing Director of the corporation, expressed appreciation for the visit and welcomed any positive collaborative initiatives that would enhance the company’s performance.
He briefed the High Commissioner on the operations of the corporation and gave the assurance that it would continue to strive to give the public quality products and pursue its mandate as an independent state media organisation.
The High Commissioner, who was accompanied by officials from the commission, was taken round the corpora-tion’s facilities.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Darien Schemmer, yesterday called on the management of the New Times Corporation (NTC), as the High Commission and the corporation seek to collaborate on various initiatives.
The visit, which formed part of a tour of selected institutions in the country, provided the high commissioner the opportunity to familia-rise himself with the operations of the corporation.
It also created a platform for discussions on a number of programmes they could undertake together.
Areas of interest identified for collaboration include educational exchange programmes, training for journalists and technical staff, publication of educational materials and acquisition of equipment.
Mr Schemmer commended the corporation for its contribution to the development of the media landscape which he described as crucial to socio-economic growth.
He acknowledged the challenge facing the media in the country especially as the country prepares for the general elections which he hoped would be peaceful.
He gave the assurance that the Canadian government, through its agencies, would continue to support development programmes in Ghana towards poverty reduction as well as collaborate with the corporation.
Kofi Asuman, Managing Director of the corporation, expressed appreciation for the visit and welcomed any positive collaborative initiatives that would enhance the company’s performance.
He briefed the High Commissioner on the operations of the corporation and gave the assurance that it would continue to strive to give the public quality products and pursue its mandate as an independent state media organisation.
The High Commissioner, who was accompanied by officials from the commission, was taken round the corpora-tion’s facilities.
Lost Voters ID Cards Replacement
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 15 March 2008
A Voters Identity Card Replacement Exercise was started by the Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday.
The exercise, which ends on March 23, is taking place at 5,000 registrations centres throughout the country.
It aims at collecting data from registered voters who have lost their Voter ID cards, for the processing and issuance of new cards.
The exercise is the first major event towards the revision of the Voters Register expected to begin in May.
The Times found during visits to some centres at Osu and Adabraka that the exercise witnessed low patronage on the first day.There were no queues as witnessed during the registration exercises, but the officials at the centres believe the response will pick up as the exercise progresses.
The EC says the exercise is only for those who have lost their ID cards and not registration of voters.
Albert Kofi Arhin, Director of Operations at the EC told journalists yesterday that proof of the lost ID cards, such as a police report was required from the applicants.
That, he said, was part of measures to guard against double registration.
He stressed that voters cannot use the exercise for double registration since the data provided would be cross-checked against the existing data on the register.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
A Voters Identity Card Replacement Exercise was started by the Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday.
The exercise, which ends on March 23, is taking place at 5,000 registrations centres throughout the country.
It aims at collecting data from registered voters who have lost their Voter ID cards, for the processing and issuance of new cards.
The exercise is the first major event towards the revision of the Voters Register expected to begin in May.
The Times found during visits to some centres at Osu and Adabraka that the exercise witnessed low patronage on the first day.There were no queues as witnessed during the registration exercises, but the officials at the centres believe the response will pick up as the exercise progresses.
The EC says the exercise is only for those who have lost their ID cards and not registration of voters.
Albert Kofi Arhin, Director of Operations at the EC told journalists yesterday that proof of the lost ID cards, such as a police report was required from the applicants.
That, he said, was part of measures to guard against double registration.
He stressed that voters cannot use the exercise for double registration since the data provided would be cross-checked against the existing data on the register.
Parties Choose Nov. 7 For Future Elections
By Edmund Mingle, Atimpoku
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
Parties Choose Nov. 7 For Future Elections
By Edmund Mingle, Atimpoku
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
Parties Choose Nov. 7 For Future Elections
By Edmund Mingle, Atimpoku
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
THE four political parties with representation in Parliament have proposed that in future, Ghana’s general election should be held a month earlier, on November 7, instead of the present date of December 7.
That, the parties indicated will enable the transition period to be extended from four to eight weeks to facilitate a more efficient transition and transfer of political power from one administration to another.
The chairmen, general secretaries and policy analysts of the parties in a communiqué issued at the end of a three day retreat for political party leaders here on Sunday to develop proposed guidelines for political transitions, agreed that the extension would help to effectively accommodate election-run-offs and the resolution of any election disputes by the Supreme Court in time before the inauguration of a new president on January 7.
The proposal is one of many developed at the retreat to institutionalise structures for political transitions in order to avoid the rancour and ill-feeling that characterised the 2001 transition which marked Ghana’s change of administration from one democratically elected president to another.
However, the parties, including the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention Peoples Party and People’s National Convention do not intend to have their proposals, which they want to form the basis of an Act of Parliament termed "The Political Transition Act", to be implemented in this year’s general elections.
The retreat was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) which is aimed at contributing to the development of structures to consolidate Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
At present, the December 7 election date gives four weeks for all transitional arrangements to be made before the inauguration of a new president.
Where there is a run-off, the transition period is reduced to about seven days, within which the judiciary would have to resolve any petition, against the election results.
The December 7 election date is not an entrenched provision and Parliament can therefore amend it without a referendum.
Among other proposals for a smooth transition, the communiqué suggested that the outgoing administration made up of the executive and heads of ministries, departmetns and agencies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies prepare comprehensive handing-over notes for submission to the Chief Justice seven days to the date of election for a smooth take-off of a new administration.
In addition, it proposed that the Chief Justice who is considered as an independent party in the transitional process, "shall within seven days of the declaration of results convene an ice-breaker meeting between the President and the President-elect to prepare the grounds for the formal transfer of power."
In the event of any election petition challenging the election results, the ice-breaker meeting should be held within three days after the settlement of the petition.
The communiqué also suggested that the President should be made to nominate all key ministers within 30 days of the declaration of election results for those nominated ministers to be part of a Joint Transition Team (JTT).
It said the outgoing ministers and government appointees should make themselves available for consultation by the new government after the inauguration.
To facilitate a smooth inauguration of the President-elect, the communiqué suggested that "Parliament shall convene 24 hours earlier to organise itself and elect a Speaker" before whom the new president would be sworn, before the January 7 inauguration.
That, the communiqué explained would avert the delays that characterised President Kufuor’s second inauguration on January 7, 2005, when Parliament delayed in electing a speaker the same day for the inauguration.
The parties called for clearly defined conditions of service for outgoing ministers for them to know their entitlements.
The parties called for the removal of ambiguities surrounding which gifts to the presidency belonged to the state and which are personal to the President.
"It is the belief of the GPPP that the issues raised if not addressed, could undermine national cohesion and the country’s democratic practice.
"Therefore, the GPPP urges all stakeholders to examine the recommendations and support their enactment into law," the communiqué said.
The proposals were made based on two papers presented by Dr Arthur Kennedy, the Communications Director of the NPP flag-bearer’s campaign team and Paul Victor Obeng, a Presidential Adviser on governmental affairs in the NDC administration.
Dr Kennedy’s paper was on "Transitional Arrangements in other countries — success and failure lessons for Ghana," while P.V. Obeng’s presentation was on "Guidelines for transitional arrangements."
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