By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday has called for a national collective effort to deal with the perennial flood disasters that affect the country, saying “it is time we tackle the flood menace.”
“We should all work together to comprehensively solve this problem in a non-partisan manner,” he said.
Speaking to residents at Dome during a visit to some of the flood devastated areas in the capital, President Mills said it was time the nation took measures to address the factors, particularly the human factor, that cause the floods.
According to him, the nation has drawn enough lessons from the adverse effects of the flood disasters, and it was time for action.
He bemoaned the situation where political meanings are read into actions by city authorities to prevent such flooding situations, such as the demolition of structures in water ways, indicating that that attitude must change.
“We need to address this problem as a nation,” he said, reminding Ghanaians that until the anti-flooding measures were implemented, flood disasters will keep recurring year after year.
Consequently, the President directed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to take drastic measures to address the situation, which he described as “unacceptable.”
“This must not be allowed to continue,” he stressed, as he sympathized with the affected residents.
He also charged the city authorities to mobilize resources to as a matter of urgency appropriate drains for the water bodies in the flood prone areas of the city, and asked ensure that all hindrances to the free flow water bodies were removed.
He said it was regrettable that developers continue to violate building regulations and build in water ways thereby preventing the flow of water leading to floods that affect other innocent residents.
He also expressed sympathies with the families of those killed by the flood waters, and charged the city authorities and the NADMO to provide adequate relief to the victims.
President Mills also assured all affected residents of government urgent assistance to alleviate their plight, and urged them to remain calm.
As part of rounds, President Mills visited the Odawna Bridge at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Alajo, Dome Pillar Two and Dome Crossing where he witnessed the devastation caused by the floods resulting from Tuesday night’s heavy downpour.
Parts of buildings in water ways, bridges and portions of roads, were found to have been washed away by the floods, which claimed five lives, and displaced hundreds of households and workers, with vehicles still submerged in the flood.
Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of NADMO, conducting the President around, said 12 rescue teams consisting of the AMA, Fire Service, Military and NADMO were helping with rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
He said the displaced residents were being identified for the necessary relief items to be provided as a short term measure.
“We are also ensuring that all residents are safe,” he told newsmen.
He confirmed the death of four, indicating that his outfit was yet to ascertain the veracity of reports of additional deaths.
END
Thursday, November 3, 2011
NO WAY FOR GAYS....president calls Cameron's bluff
Thursday November 3, 2011
By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday declared that homosexuality will never be legalized in Ghana under his watch, calling off the bluff of the British government which plans to withdraw aid to developing countries that have not legalized homosexuality.
He said the Britain cannot dictate to Ghana to legalise such a destructive practice, stressing that Ghana would not accept aid with conditions that can destroy the social fibre of the nation.
“No one can deny Prime Minister Cameroon his right to make policies, take initiatives or make statements that reflect societal norms and ideals.
“But he does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those that exist in the Prime Minister Cameron’s society,” President Mills said during an interaction with the Presidential Press Corps at the Castle in Accra.
“I, as President of this nation, will never initiate or support any attempts to legalize homosexuality in Ghana, he said in response to a question about Ghana’s position on the British Prime Minister’s statement that his country would no more give aid to aid beneficiary countries that were against homosexuality.
Mr. Cameron, who made the statements in an interview with the BBC on the sidelines of the Commonwealth meeting at Perth, Australia, also demanded that aid beneficiary nations “adhere to proper human rights” by reforming their legislation to accept homosexuality.
But President Mills, in what is his first public statement on homosexuality, noted that as a government “we will abide by the principles enshrined in our Constitution which is supreme.”
Whilst acknowledging all the financial assistance and aid offered the development partners, he said “we will not accept any aid with strings attached, if that aid will not inure to our interest, or the utilization of that aid would rather worsen our plight as a nation, or destroy the very society that we want to use the money to improve.”
President Mills, who address a wide range of issues, noted that the government was focused on developing the nation, and would not be allowed to be distracted from the implementation of the better Ghana agenda.
On why he was absent from the Commonwealth meeting, he said he had to stay home to attend to pressing national issues such as the doctors strike, the preparation of the nation budget and flood disaster.
He was of the view that it was worthwhile staying back to help in resolving the challenges, and thanked the Vice President for representing the nation and making tremendous contributions discussions at the summit.
Giving an update on government’s commitment to provide funds to enable the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to construct storm drains as a measure to address the perennial floods that affect the capital, President Mills said he has held a series of meetings with stakeholders on the matter, adding that the funds would be available soon.
Touching on politics and the recent statements by the NPP flag bearer that he would win the next year’s elections “at all cost” using all means, President Mills bemoaned the beating of war drums by the opposition.
“We shouldn’t take Ghanaians for granted. Ghanaians want peace,” he said, and reiterated his commitment to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner to ensure that the outcome of the impending polls were very credible.
On the recent happenings of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), President Mills urged all parties to put their differences aside and work together to promote the GOC for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“The GOC has had too many problems,” and expressed delight that the problems have been resolved, with the holding its congress.
He congratulated the members of the new leadership on their election, and new leadership to cooperate with all stakeholders.
President Mills, who expressed appreciation to the presidential press corps for their dedication, support and cooperation, also gave indications of taking his leave, after a very busy year.
“At the moment we are working on the budget, and once we see our way clear, I can take a little rest,” he said.
END
By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday declared that homosexuality will never be legalized in Ghana under his watch, calling off the bluff of the British government which plans to withdraw aid to developing countries that have not legalized homosexuality.
He said the Britain cannot dictate to Ghana to legalise such a destructive practice, stressing that Ghana would not accept aid with conditions that can destroy the social fibre of the nation.
“No one can deny Prime Minister Cameroon his right to make policies, take initiatives or make statements that reflect societal norms and ideals.
“But he does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those that exist in the Prime Minister Cameron’s society,” President Mills said during an interaction with the Presidential Press Corps at the Castle in Accra.
“I, as President of this nation, will never initiate or support any attempts to legalize homosexuality in Ghana, he said in response to a question about Ghana’s position on the British Prime Minister’s statement that his country would no more give aid to aid beneficiary countries that were against homosexuality.
Mr. Cameron, who made the statements in an interview with the BBC on the sidelines of the Commonwealth meeting at Perth, Australia, also demanded that aid beneficiary nations “adhere to proper human rights” by reforming their legislation to accept homosexuality.
But President Mills, in what is his first public statement on homosexuality, noted that as a government “we will abide by the principles enshrined in our Constitution which is supreme.”
Whilst acknowledging all the financial assistance and aid offered the development partners, he said “we will not accept any aid with strings attached, if that aid will not inure to our interest, or the utilization of that aid would rather worsen our plight as a nation, or destroy the very society that we want to use the money to improve.”
President Mills, who address a wide range of issues, noted that the government was focused on developing the nation, and would not be allowed to be distracted from the implementation of the better Ghana agenda.
On why he was absent from the Commonwealth meeting, he said he had to stay home to attend to pressing national issues such as the doctors strike, the preparation of the nation budget and flood disaster.
He was of the view that it was worthwhile staying back to help in resolving the challenges, and thanked the Vice President for representing the nation and making tremendous contributions discussions at the summit.
Giving an update on government’s commitment to provide funds to enable the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to construct storm drains as a measure to address the perennial floods that affect the capital, President Mills said he has held a series of meetings with stakeholders on the matter, adding that the funds would be available soon.
Touching on politics and the recent statements by the NPP flag bearer that he would win the next year’s elections “at all cost” using all means, President Mills bemoaned the beating of war drums by the opposition.
“We shouldn’t take Ghanaians for granted. Ghanaians want peace,” he said, and reiterated his commitment to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner to ensure that the outcome of the impending polls were very credible.
On the recent happenings of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), President Mills urged all parties to put their differences aside and work together to promote the GOC for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“The GOC has had too many problems,” and expressed delight that the problems have been resolved, with the holding its congress.
He congratulated the members of the new leadership on their election, and new leadership to cooperate with all stakeholders.
President Mills, who expressed appreciation to the presidential press corps for their dedication, support and cooperation, also gave indications of taking his leave, after a very busy year.
“At the moment we are working on the budget, and once we see our way clear, I can take a little rest,” he said.
END
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