By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Ghana’s development strategies that have generated macro-economic growth have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, says Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Director of the International Service for National Agricultural Research.
Unless social protection programmes are built into development strategies to assist the poor and vulnerable, "we will be recycling poverty from one generation to the next," he said.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, made the call in a lecture in Accra yesterday on the topic: "Living at the expense of future generations: Innovating for sustainable development."
The lecture was part of the "Ghana Speaks" series jointly organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and Joy FM radio station.
For instance, he said the concentration of development in the urban areas such as businesses, road networks, and other infrastructure, has adversely affected the rural areas increasing the problem of rural-urban migration by the youth who are needed to develop their communities.
In addition, he said the high rate of rural-urban migration, is leading to the development of mega cities with high demand for housing and social services, adding that the increasing urban population without the commensurate employment avenues for the youth would continue to contribute to increased crime and moral decadence in society.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere also called for a comprehensive strategic plan for the sustainable management of resources to conserve them for future generations.
Without such a plan he said, the survival of future generations would be severely threatened.
For instance, inadequate strategies to ensure that renewable resources were sustainably exploited, was disturbing he said, adding that agricultural production continues to decline in the absence of effective aforestation and soil fertility management programmes.
He said excessive consumption of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuel leave very little for future generations, and the survival of humans, animals and plants is under serious threat because "we are depleting our resources through mismanagement."
On land management, he suggested there is the need for the building of multiple housing units on a piece of land to accommodate more people rather than building of a single family unit on the same piece of land, thereby wasting a lot of land resource.
He also noted that human activities have resulted in the drying up of many of the nation’s water bodies, and that such water bodies would have to be revived to serve the needs of future generations.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere said without adequate planning to protect the environment against the effects of climate change, the agricultural sector could be adversely affected to the detriment of the country’s food security.
Touching on Ghana’s oil find, he said the country would not gain if the requisite structures are not put in place to effectively manage it and suggested that an oil account be set up into which money from the oil exploration would be channeled for national development.
In addition, he called for alternative livelihood programmes for communities that would be affected by the project.
He advised that in spite of the oil find, the country should continue to explore other sources of renewable energy so that there would be no over-reliance on the oil which could be depleted in about 50 years.
"The challenges that face us compel a new look at consumption and production strategies to be able to adapt and mitigate their effects and conserve the livelihood of future generations," he said.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
‘Rich — Poor Gap Increasing’
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Ghana’s development strategies that have generated macro-economic growth have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, says Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Director of the International Service for National Agricultural Research.
Unless social protection programmes are built into development strategies to assist the poor and vulnerable, "we will be recycling poverty from one generation to the next," he said.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, made the call in a lecture in Accra yesterday on the topic: "Living at the expense of future generations: Innovating for sustainable development."
The lecture was part of the "Ghana Speaks" series jointly organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and Joy FM radio station.
For instance, he said the concentration of development in the urban areas such as businesses, road networks, and other infrastructure, has adversely affected the rural areas increasing the problem of rural-urban migration by the youth who are needed to develop their communities.
In addition, he said the high rate of rural-urban migration, is leading to the development of mega cities with high demand for housing and social services, adding that the increasing urban population without the commensurate employment avenues for the youth would continue to contribute to increased crime and moral decadence in society.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere also called for a comprehensive strategic plan for the sustainable management of resources to conserve them for future generations.
Without such a plan he said, the survival of future generations would be severely threatened.
For instance, inadequate strategies to ensure that renewable resources were sustainably exploited, was disturbing he said, adding that agricultural production continues to decline in the absence of effective aforestation and soil fertility management programmes.
He said excessive consumption of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuel leave very little for future generations, and the survival of humans, animals and plants is under serious threat because "we are depleting our resources through mismanagement."
On land management, he suggested there is the need for the building of multiple housing units on a piece of land to accommodate more people rather than building of a single family unit on the same piece of land, thereby wasting a lot of land resource.
He also noted that human activities have resulted in the drying up of many of the nation’s water bodies, and that such water bodies would have to be revived to serve the needs of future generations.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere said without adequate planning to protect the environment against the effects of climate change, the agricultural sector could be adversely affected to the detriment of the country’s food security.
Touching on Ghana’s oil find, he said the country would not gain if the requisite structures are not put in place to effectively manage it and suggested that an oil account be set up into which money from the oil exploration would be channeled for national development.
In addition, he called for alternative livelihood programmes for communities that would be affected by the project.
He advised that in spite of the oil find, the country should continue to explore other sources of renewable energy so that there would be no over-reliance on the oil which could be depleted in about 50 years.
"The challenges that face us compel a new look at consumption and production strategies to be able to adapt and mitigate their effects and conserve the livelihood of future generations," he said.
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Ghana’s development strategies that have generated macro-economic growth have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, says Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Director of the International Service for National Agricultural Research.
Unless social protection programmes are built into development strategies to assist the poor and vulnerable, "we will be recycling poverty from one generation to the next," he said.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, made the call in a lecture in Accra yesterday on the topic: "Living at the expense of future generations: Innovating for sustainable development."
The lecture was part of the "Ghana Speaks" series jointly organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and Joy FM radio station.
For instance, he said the concentration of development in the urban areas such as businesses, road networks, and other infrastructure, has adversely affected the rural areas increasing the problem of rural-urban migration by the youth who are needed to develop their communities.
In addition, he said the high rate of rural-urban migration, is leading to the development of mega cities with high demand for housing and social services, adding that the increasing urban population without the commensurate employment avenues for the youth would continue to contribute to increased crime and moral decadence in society.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere also called for a comprehensive strategic plan for the sustainable management of resources to conserve them for future generations.
Without such a plan he said, the survival of future generations would be severely threatened.
For instance, inadequate strategies to ensure that renewable resources were sustainably exploited, was disturbing he said, adding that agricultural production continues to decline in the absence of effective aforestation and soil fertility management programmes.
He said excessive consumption of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuel leave very little for future generations, and the survival of humans, animals and plants is under serious threat because "we are depleting our resources through mismanagement."
On land management, he suggested there is the need for the building of multiple housing units on a piece of land to accommodate more people rather than building of a single family unit on the same piece of land, thereby wasting a lot of land resource.
He also noted that human activities have resulted in the drying up of many of the nation’s water bodies, and that such water bodies would have to be revived to serve the needs of future generations.
Prof. Asenso-Okyere said without adequate planning to protect the environment against the effects of climate change, the agricultural sector could be adversely affected to the detriment of the country’s food security.
Touching on Ghana’s oil find, he said the country would not gain if the requisite structures are not put in place to effectively manage it and suggested that an oil account be set up into which money from the oil exploration would be channeled for national development.
In addition, he called for alternative livelihood programmes for communities that would be affected by the project.
He advised that in spite of the oil find, the country should continue to explore other sources of renewable energy so that there would be no over-reliance on the oil which could be depleted in about 50 years.
"The challenges that face us compel a new look at consumption and production strategies to be able to adapt and mitigate their effects and conserve the livelihood of future generations," he said.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Gov't's Affordable Houses Nearly Ready
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 01 March 2008
THE first phase of the government’s Affordable Housing Project at Borteiman and Kpone near Tema, is nearing completion as the buildings have begun to take shape.
Although the project is four months behind schedule due to non-payment of contractors and inadequate materials, construction work is in progress and some of the flats are at the roofing stage.
There are about 200 contractors engaged on the projects.
Reporters who visited the sites in the company of the Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, on Thursday, found that more than 400 flats are under construction.
Most of the flats at Borteiman have been roofed.
Also under construction are access roads, community centres, police stations, clinics, markets and schools.
It is estimated that the projects would be fully completed by the end of the year for use by public sector workers.
The visit was to enable the Minister to assess the progress of work following reports that some of the contractors had abandoned work due to lack of funds.
The projects form part of the government’s plans to deliver 100,000 housing units within five years for public sector workers in all the regional capitals and some district capitals.
The project, which began in 2006 at the estimated cost of GH¢450 million each, are expected to be in two phases, with the construction of 500 units of single bedroom units and 1,400 two-bedroom types in the first phase.
The second phase will comprise the development of 178 clusters of one and three bungalow house types with two bedroom semi-detached flats.
Alhaji Boniface described the level of progress as impressive and commended the contractors for their support for the project.
He expressed regret for the delay in payment which he attributed to difficulties in accessing funds, but assured the contractors that efforts were being made to effect payment.
He said the Finance Ministry had released some funds but said about GH¢25 million was required to settle the rest.
Joseph Allotey Kofi, Kpone site project manager, told reporters that inadequate supply of construction materials was a major cause of the delay in the project, and urged the government to make resources available on time.
He said the site has been demarcated into four zones with designs of all facilities needed for a modern community.
Alhaji Boniface also visited the Kpong Water Treatment Plant to assess the water production levels and initiatives to improve water supply.
The plant is currently producing about 44 million gallons daily, a drop from the original production level of 60 million gallons a day. It serves Kpong, Tema and eastern parts of Accra.
Solomon Agyeman Manu, the plant manager, said about GH¢200 million was required for major expansion works to produce an additional 40 million gallons a day to serve the rapidly growing demand.
Saturday, 01 March 2008
THE first phase of the government’s Affordable Housing Project at Borteiman and Kpone near Tema, is nearing completion as the buildings have begun to take shape.
Although the project is four months behind schedule due to non-payment of contractors and inadequate materials, construction work is in progress and some of the flats are at the roofing stage.
There are about 200 contractors engaged on the projects.
Reporters who visited the sites in the company of the Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, on Thursday, found that more than 400 flats are under construction.
Most of the flats at Borteiman have been roofed.
Also under construction are access roads, community centres, police stations, clinics, markets and schools.
It is estimated that the projects would be fully completed by the end of the year for use by public sector workers.
The visit was to enable the Minister to assess the progress of work following reports that some of the contractors had abandoned work due to lack of funds.
The projects form part of the government’s plans to deliver 100,000 housing units within five years for public sector workers in all the regional capitals and some district capitals.
The project, which began in 2006 at the estimated cost of GH¢450 million each, are expected to be in two phases, with the construction of 500 units of single bedroom units and 1,400 two-bedroom types in the first phase.
The second phase will comprise the development of 178 clusters of one and three bungalow house types with two bedroom semi-detached flats.
Alhaji Boniface described the level of progress as impressive and commended the contractors for their support for the project.
He expressed regret for the delay in payment which he attributed to difficulties in accessing funds, but assured the contractors that efforts were being made to effect payment.
He said the Finance Ministry had released some funds but said about GH¢25 million was required to settle the rest.
Joseph Allotey Kofi, Kpone site project manager, told reporters that inadequate supply of construction materials was a major cause of the delay in the project, and urged the government to make resources available on time.
He said the site has been demarcated into four zones with designs of all facilities needed for a modern community.
Alhaji Boniface also visited the Kpong Water Treatment Plant to assess the water production levels and initiatives to improve water supply.
The plant is currently producing about 44 million gallons daily, a drop from the original production level of 60 million gallons a day. It serves Kpong, Tema and eastern parts of Accra.
Solomon Agyeman Manu, the plant manager, said about GH¢200 million was required for major expansion works to produce an additional 40 million gallons a day to serve the rapidly growing demand.
MPs Visit Circle Brothel
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 01 March 2008
THE Parliamentary Committee on Population yesterday afternoon visited 'Soldier Bar', the notorious brothel at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, which was at the centre of a recent child prostitution scandal.
The wooden structure was deserted at the time of their visit, but the members said they were appalled by what they saw — untidy cubicles that serve as rooms for the prostitutes and their clients including used condoms.
Theresa Amerley Tagoe, chairperson of the committee, said their visit followed recent reports of the alarming increase in child prostitution and the committee was anxious to assess the situation to help it initiate the necessary policy to address it.
The visit drew a crowd of curious passers-by as the lawmakers, accompanied by uniformed and plain clothes policemen, looked around the cubicles with their small beds, and a bathroom.
The wooden structure had on it the bold inscription of an Accra Metropolitan Assembly order: "Remove before January 31, 2008."
Two young men found sitting at the entrance of the brothel said they neither worked there nor knew the owner.
Ms Tagoe said it is after the visit that the committee would urgently meet "to take a firm decision on how to deal with the menace."
Parliament she added would develop stiffer punitive measures against prostitution in the country.
Asked why they did not visit at night to witness the brisk prostitution business, she said the committee already had information about the night activities there from an investigation team.
During a raid on the bar recently, police arrested 161 prostitutes including 60 minors aged between 12 and 16.
The children were handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for shelter but they were soon released, an act which caused considerable public outrage.
Saturday, 01 March 2008
THE Parliamentary Committee on Population yesterday afternoon visited 'Soldier Bar', the notorious brothel at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, which was at the centre of a recent child prostitution scandal.
The wooden structure was deserted at the time of their visit, but the members said they were appalled by what they saw — untidy cubicles that serve as rooms for the prostitutes and their clients including used condoms.
Theresa Amerley Tagoe, chairperson of the committee, said their visit followed recent reports of the alarming increase in child prostitution and the committee was anxious to assess the situation to help it initiate the necessary policy to address it.
The visit drew a crowd of curious passers-by as the lawmakers, accompanied by uniformed and plain clothes policemen, looked around the cubicles with their small beds, and a bathroom.
The wooden structure had on it the bold inscription of an Accra Metropolitan Assembly order: "Remove before January 31, 2008."
Two young men found sitting at the entrance of the brothel said they neither worked there nor knew the owner.
Ms Tagoe said it is after the visit that the committee would urgently meet "to take a firm decision on how to deal with the menace."
Parliament she added would develop stiffer punitive measures against prostitution in the country.
Asked why they did not visit at night to witness the brisk prostitution business, she said the committee already had information about the night activities there from an investigation team.
During a raid on the bar recently, police arrested 161 prostitutes including 60 minors aged between 12 and 16.
The children were handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for shelter but they were soon released, an act which caused considerable public outrage.
Cocaine Exhibits Probe C’ttee Asks For Extension
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 03 March 2008
THE independent panel set up to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged substitution of narcotic drug exhibits at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, has requested extension of its deadline to enable it to finish its work, a source close to the committee has said.
The five member panel, was inaugurated in Accra on Friday, February 1, by the Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels, and was given up to the end of the month to present its report.
The Times learned that the extension was needed to enable the panel to round up its investigations into the matter.
Chaired by Kojo Armah, MP for Evalue-Gwira, the panel was tasked to uncover the perpetrators, and recommend punishment for the offenders and to suggest measures to prevent a recurrence. It is also looking into the replacement of some of the substances in custody with other substances and the extent of the replacement.
The sources told the Times that various police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department have appeared before the panel for questioning while the Ghana Standards Board has undertaken a text of the narcotic substances at the exhibits room.
When the new Director-General of the CID, DCOP Adu Poku, took over about four months ago, he ordered an audit of the exhibits in the Narcotics Exhibits Room, located on the sixth floor of the CID headquarters.
The Ghana Standards Board was consequently invited to retest all the parcels in the room, which had been tested previously and sealed.
A test of the first 50 kilos revealed a six per cent substitution of cocaine with other substances that look like cocaine and the alarming discovery was reported by the Police Administration to the Interior Ministry, upon which the minister ordered the arrest of all officers who have access to the room.
Following that order, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Patrick Akakpo, who was in charge of the Narcotics Exhibits Room, was arrested.
The room, which was under 24-hour armed guard with a close-circuit television, was also locked with new keys and sealed to ensure that no one goes in to tamper with the exhibits during investigations.
The other members are Mark Ewuntomah of the Narcotics Control Board, S.A. Afari, a past National Security Coordinator, Kwasi Nkansah, a retired Commissioner of Police, and Jacob J. Yidana of the Ministry of the Interior.
Monday, 03 March 2008
THE independent panel set up to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged substitution of narcotic drug exhibits at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, has requested extension of its deadline to enable it to finish its work, a source close to the committee has said.
The five member panel, was inaugurated in Accra on Friday, February 1, by the Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels, and was given up to the end of the month to present its report.
The Times learned that the extension was needed to enable the panel to round up its investigations into the matter.
Chaired by Kojo Armah, MP for Evalue-Gwira, the panel was tasked to uncover the perpetrators, and recommend punishment for the offenders and to suggest measures to prevent a recurrence. It is also looking into the replacement of some of the substances in custody with other substances and the extent of the replacement.
The sources told the Times that various police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department have appeared before the panel for questioning while the Ghana Standards Board has undertaken a text of the narcotic substances at the exhibits room.
When the new Director-General of the CID, DCOP Adu Poku, took over about four months ago, he ordered an audit of the exhibits in the Narcotics Exhibits Room, located on the sixth floor of the CID headquarters.
The Ghana Standards Board was consequently invited to retest all the parcels in the room, which had been tested previously and sealed.
A test of the first 50 kilos revealed a six per cent substitution of cocaine with other substances that look like cocaine and the alarming discovery was reported by the Police Administration to the Interior Ministry, upon which the minister ordered the arrest of all officers who have access to the room.
Following that order, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Patrick Akakpo, who was in charge of the Narcotics Exhibits Room, was arrested.
The room, which was under 24-hour armed guard with a close-circuit television, was also locked with new keys and sealed to ensure that no one goes in to tamper with the exhibits during investigations.
The other members are Mark Ewuntomah of the Narcotics Control Board, S.A. Afari, a past National Security Coordinator, Kwasi Nkansah, a retired Commissioner of Police, and Jacob J. Yidana of the Ministry of the Interior.
Coalition Wants Water Contract Terminated
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
THE National Coalition Against Priva-tisation of Water yesterday called for the immediate abrogation of the management contract between the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Aqua Vi-tens Rand Limited (AVRL) saying AVRL does not have the solution to the "worsening water situation across the country.
"Ever since AVRL took over the operations of GWCL, consumers have not seen any improvement in performance," Alhassan Adam, Southern Sector Coordinator of the coalition, said at a news conference in Accra yesterday.
However, AVRL has, refuted the coalitions’ claims, saying the company has met all of its obligations under the management contract.
AVRL Public Affairs Manager, Stanley Martey, told the Times that the company has used its technical expertise to improve the operations of GWCL particularly in water production, billing and revenue collection.
Although he admitted that the supply was not meeting the increasing demand, he said that gap could only be addressed by expanding the water treatment plants across the country, something that is not the mandate of AVRL.
Mr Adam said for months, the coalition declared an anti-AVRL campaign to put pressure on the government to cancel the contract and improve the water delivery system. Water pressure in the mains for most urban areas have been lower than the pressure levels at the time AVRL took over from the GWCL.
The GWCL and AVRL signed a management contract on June 6, 2006, under which AVRL would take over the operations segment of GWCL to produce and distribute water as well as manage revenue mobilisation.
Schedule Four of the contract enjoined AVRL to, "within six months from the commencement date, produce and maintain water quality, pressure and flow rates at all discharge points from treatment plants and throughout the distribution networks that meet all relevant standards determined by the Ghana Standards Board and consumer charter requirements."
"This has led to rationing of water by AVRL and the situation has gone beyond the 30 days period allowed in the management contract," he said to justify the need for an abrogation of the contract. Mr. Adam quoted Clause 9.2 of the contract which entitles GWCL to commence termination processes in the situation where "the operator fails to perform any of its obligations under this management contract in material respects and such failure continues for thirty days, after written notice from the grantor to the operator requesting that such failure be cured, or the operator fails to provide the services to standard level causing directly a widespread danger to the health of the public in the service area."
Water rationing and cut-offs, which he said were not the solution to the water crisis, have become rampant in the urban areas, adding that there are fears the situation would lead to an outbreak of an epidemic.
He described the performance of AVRL, three years into the five year contract, as a failure, saying "AVRL has nothing to offer than recycled excuses and the story of dry season being the hindrance to the provision of potable water to Ghanaians."
He said the fact that AVRL is still using the staff of GWCL for its operations, contrary to expectation that they would bring in "experts" to revamp the water sector, indicates that "AVRL is taking the country for a ride."
Mr. Adam said the coalition believes that GWCL has the ability to perform if it is given the financial support for the necessary investment in infrastructure development.
"Instead of paying AVRL 10 million euros, this amount could be used to replace the overaged infrastructure of GWCL," he stated.
As part of its campaign, he said the coalition will be picketing the head office of AVRL from March 11, and organise mass workplace, community and school meetings against the company.
He urged religious groups, professional bodies, trade unions and civil society groups to join the campaign to prevent a "looming disaster from occurring."
The coalition also criticised the newly launched National Water Policy, saying it attempts to entrench privatisation of the water sector, which poses a danger to the country.
Mr. Adam said the policy’s objective "to promote private sector participation in investment and management of urban water supply as a means of mobilising investment and improving overall efficiency" is not good enough since it can give the private sector a chance to exploit the water sector to the disadvantage of the poor.
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
THE National Coalition Against Priva-tisation of Water yesterday called for the immediate abrogation of the management contract between the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Aqua Vi-tens Rand Limited (AVRL) saying AVRL does not have the solution to the "worsening water situation across the country.
"Ever since AVRL took over the operations of GWCL, consumers have not seen any improvement in performance," Alhassan Adam, Southern Sector Coordinator of the coalition, said at a news conference in Accra yesterday.
However, AVRL has, refuted the coalitions’ claims, saying the company has met all of its obligations under the management contract.
AVRL Public Affairs Manager, Stanley Martey, told the Times that the company has used its technical expertise to improve the operations of GWCL particularly in water production, billing and revenue collection.
Although he admitted that the supply was not meeting the increasing demand, he said that gap could only be addressed by expanding the water treatment plants across the country, something that is not the mandate of AVRL.
Mr Adam said for months, the coalition declared an anti-AVRL campaign to put pressure on the government to cancel the contract and improve the water delivery system. Water pressure in the mains for most urban areas have been lower than the pressure levels at the time AVRL took over from the GWCL.
The GWCL and AVRL signed a management contract on June 6, 2006, under which AVRL would take over the operations segment of GWCL to produce and distribute water as well as manage revenue mobilisation.
Schedule Four of the contract enjoined AVRL to, "within six months from the commencement date, produce and maintain water quality, pressure and flow rates at all discharge points from treatment plants and throughout the distribution networks that meet all relevant standards determined by the Ghana Standards Board and consumer charter requirements."
"This has led to rationing of water by AVRL and the situation has gone beyond the 30 days period allowed in the management contract," he said to justify the need for an abrogation of the contract. Mr. Adam quoted Clause 9.2 of the contract which entitles GWCL to commence termination processes in the situation where "the operator fails to perform any of its obligations under this management contract in material respects and such failure continues for thirty days, after written notice from the grantor to the operator requesting that such failure be cured, or the operator fails to provide the services to standard level causing directly a widespread danger to the health of the public in the service area."
Water rationing and cut-offs, which he said were not the solution to the water crisis, have become rampant in the urban areas, adding that there are fears the situation would lead to an outbreak of an epidemic.
He described the performance of AVRL, three years into the five year contract, as a failure, saying "AVRL has nothing to offer than recycled excuses and the story of dry season being the hindrance to the provision of potable water to Ghanaians."
He said the fact that AVRL is still using the staff of GWCL for its operations, contrary to expectation that they would bring in "experts" to revamp the water sector, indicates that "AVRL is taking the country for a ride."
Mr. Adam said the coalition believes that GWCL has the ability to perform if it is given the financial support for the necessary investment in infrastructure development.
"Instead of paying AVRL 10 million euros, this amount could be used to replace the overaged infrastructure of GWCL," he stated.
As part of its campaign, he said the coalition will be picketing the head office of AVRL from March 11, and organise mass workplace, community and school meetings against the company.
He urged religious groups, professional bodies, trade unions and civil society groups to join the campaign to prevent a "looming disaster from occurring."
The coalition also criticised the newly launched National Water Policy, saying it attempts to entrench privatisation of the water sector, which poses a danger to the country.
Mr. Adam said the policy’s objective "to promote private sector participation in investment and management of urban water supply as a means of mobilising investment and improving overall efficiency" is not good enough since it can give the private sector a chance to exploit the water sector to the disadvantage of the poor.
E.C. ON ALLEGED BLOATED VOTERS' REGISTER
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 05 March 2008
DR Kwadwo Afari-Djan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), yesterday cleared the air over allegations of bloated figures in the Voters Register for the Ashanti Region, refuting claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the register has been bloated by about 113 per cent.
He told the media after a closed-door Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, that the EC’s own figures which he described as authentic, were far different from those in the possession of the NDC.
The meeting was to discuss the EC’s programme of activities for the December general elections.The EC made available its figures for Ashanti to representatives of the various political parties and the meeting agreed that it should investigate the circumstances leading to the official issuance of a CD ROM to the NDC containing figures that were different from the EC’s figures.
The background to the controversy is that the EC, upon an official request from the NDC, recently provided the NDC with a CD ROM of voters register.
Upon receipt and scrutiny of the data on the CD ROM, which is tamper-proof, the NDC raised the alarm, alleging that it had discovered that the figures for Ashanti had been bloated by 113 per cent between 2004 and 2006.
The figures, which were made available to the press by the EC, show that the number of registered voters increased from 1,892,639 in 2004 to 2,005,875 in 2006, representing an increase of six per cent.
Dr. Afari-Djan said that although the EC provided the NDC with the CD ROM containing the data, the EC was surprised at the astronomical increases the NDC claims to have discovered.
"The fact of the matter is that those figures are not correct and we have provided them with the authentic figures," he said, adding that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
He neither ruled out mischief on the part of "someone" to provide incorrect figures to the NDC, nor system and human error in the matter, hoping that the investigations would reveal the circumstances.
Among other things, he said the NDC would be requested to submit the CD ROM for scrutiny to examine its authenticity by the investigation team that is yet to be instituted.
On whether there would be representatives of the parties on the investigation team, he said, "We agreed that it is our collective responsibility to find out who gave out the CD ROM with that content to the NDC."
He disagreed that the matter would affect the credibility of the EC, saying the EC’s image would have been dented if it had not been able to provide the authentic figures.
"This should not dent the image of the EC in the minds of right thinking people," Dr. Afari-Djan said.
Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, told the media that the party demands thorough investigations into the matter, and wondered what could have gone wrong for the EC to provide figures to the NDC that are at variance with what it provided yesterday.
He said the NDC proposed that it would be part of the investigation team to prevent a "cover-up", adding that "we are very vigilant."
Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, said he suspected mischief in the whole matter and asked the EC to take action to redeem its image.
He said "someone may have manipulated the figures on the CD ROM so as to create confusion."
Other issues discussed at the meeting included the registration of qualified voters who have turned 18 years, replacement of lost voter ID cards, exhibition and revision of voters’ register and opening of nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates, as well as dates for voting.
Wednesday, 05 March 2008
DR Kwadwo Afari-Djan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), yesterday cleared the air over allegations of bloated figures in the Voters Register for the Ashanti Region, refuting claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the register has been bloated by about 113 per cent.
He told the media after a closed-door Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, that the EC’s own figures which he described as authentic, were far different from those in the possession of the NDC.
The meeting was to discuss the EC’s programme of activities for the December general elections.The EC made available its figures for Ashanti to representatives of the various political parties and the meeting agreed that it should investigate the circumstances leading to the official issuance of a CD ROM to the NDC containing figures that were different from the EC’s figures.
The background to the controversy is that the EC, upon an official request from the NDC, recently provided the NDC with a CD ROM of voters register.
Upon receipt and scrutiny of the data on the CD ROM, which is tamper-proof, the NDC raised the alarm, alleging that it had discovered that the figures for Ashanti had been bloated by 113 per cent between 2004 and 2006.
The figures, which were made available to the press by the EC, show that the number of registered voters increased from 1,892,639 in 2004 to 2,005,875 in 2006, representing an increase of six per cent.
Dr. Afari-Djan said that although the EC provided the NDC with the CD ROM containing the data, the EC was surprised at the astronomical increases the NDC claims to have discovered.
"The fact of the matter is that those figures are not correct and we have provided them with the authentic figures," he said, adding that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
He neither ruled out mischief on the part of "someone" to provide incorrect figures to the NDC, nor system and human error in the matter, hoping that the investigations would reveal the circumstances.
Among other things, he said the NDC would be requested to submit the CD ROM for scrutiny to examine its authenticity by the investigation team that is yet to be instituted.
On whether there would be representatives of the parties on the investigation team, he said, "We agreed that it is our collective responsibility to find out who gave out the CD ROM with that content to the NDC."
He disagreed that the matter would affect the credibility of the EC, saying the EC’s image would have been dented if it had not been able to provide the authentic figures.
"This should not dent the image of the EC in the minds of right thinking people," Dr. Afari-Djan said.
Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, told the media that the party demands thorough investigations into the matter, and wondered what could have gone wrong for the EC to provide figures to the NDC that are at variance with what it provided yesterday.
He said the NDC proposed that it would be part of the investigation team to prevent a "cover-up", adding that "we are very vigilant."
Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, said he suspected mischief in the whole matter and asked the EC to take action to redeem its image.
He said "someone may have manipulated the figures on the CD ROM so as to create confusion."
Other issues discussed at the meeting included the registration of qualified voters who have turned 18 years, replacement of lost voter ID cards, exhibition and revision of voters’ register and opening of nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates, as well as dates for voting.
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