Judges, lawyers, litigants mourn mourns late Chief Justice Acquah

Ho, March 26, GNA- Judges, Magistrates Lawyers and litigants in Ho on Monday organized a short memorial service in mourning of the late Chief Justice, Justice George Kingsley Acquah.They prayed and observed a minute’s silence for the blissful repose of the soul of the departed Chief Justice.
Cases slated for adjudication for the day were subsequently adjourned for two weeks, while Judicial service staff went about their normal duties with red band hanging on the main gate to the Court premises.Mr. Victor Tenu, Volta Regional Registrar of the Judicial Service, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said lawyers and judges who reported for work at the courts said they were not in the right mood to work and substituted the day’s activities for the event.
” The news is a sad one and as such it is very natural that many people will find it difficult to work well for sometime but we hope that after the ceremony the tension will come down for serious work to begin tomorrow”, he said.
Mr. Tenu said ” we have special interest towards him in the region because he chose to serve his first appointment as a High Court Judge in Ho from where he also ran the Hohoe and Denu High Courts from 1988 to 1994″.Mr. Saviour Dzikunu, President of the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association, described the late Chief Justice Acquah as a gentleman who exuded judicial authority to the maximum.  ” The time conscious man roars like a lion on the bench but gentle and meek as a lamb when off the bench… his death is a big blow”, he lamented.
26 March 07

Asantehene celebrates Akwasidae

Kumasi, March, 26, GNA- Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Sunday sat in state to receive homage at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of activities to mark Akwasidae.
People from all walks of life were at the palace to be part of this great festivity.
The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Interior and Mr Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment were among the dignitaries that went to Manhyia to grace the occasion.
Others were, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey, Chief Executive of Ghana @ 50 Secretariat, Lieutenant-General J.B. Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive and Deputy Commissioner of Police Frank Adu-Poku, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander.Chiefs and other royal families including members of the public clad in black and white cloths in happy mood danced to Kete, Adowa and Fontonfrom; traditional dance, before the arrival of the Asantehene.
Glaring at the Palace were diplomats and tourists who resistibly took photographs of the Asantehene and people displaying the cultural heritage of Asante.
It was all culture at its best as horn blowers blew their horns with multi coloured umbrellas fluttered all over the Palace to give meaning to the festival.Otumfuo Osei Tutu was treated to rhythmic appellations, which he listened in an attentive mood as the palace remained quite.
The Vice-President supported by Dr Nathelda, Consular General of Thailand presented some drinks to the Asantehene.Many other individuals, groups and organizations and the ministers also presented some drinks, sheep and cash to Otumfuo.The West African Tourism Transport Union donated 10 million cedis to the Otumfuo Education Fund and assorted drinks.
The Alumni of Mensah Sarbah Hall of University of Ghana also presented one million cedis to the Fund, assorted drinks,’T’ shirts of the Hall and a painting of Mensah Sarbah while Pro Savings and Credit and Loans Bank also presented 10 million cedis to the fund and assorted drinks to Asantehene.
When the Asante Students Union and State Boys’ school, Old Boys and Girls Association appeared to greet the Asantehene and introduced themselves, he used the opportunity to speak on the importance of education.Oumfuo Osei Tutu said education was the backbone of the survival and development of any nation and urged them to continue to encourage students to take their studies seriously.The Asantehene said he was prepared to support all their endeavours to ensure that education was really improved to enhance the socio-economic and political development of the country. Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the end of the day as custom demanded distributed drinks to the chiefs and dignitaries who were at the palace.
28 March 07

Oforikrom NDC organizer advises party supporters to work harder

Kumasi, March 26, GNA- Mr Evans Kwabla Ablordeppey, Oforikrom Constituency organizer of the National Democracy Congress (NDC), has said that the defeat of the party in the recent by-election at Offinso South, Fomena and Nkoranza North should serve as a lesson to the party.
He noted that the 2008 Elections would not be easy and therefore, called on NDC executives at all levels to intensify their education to enable the party to win the polls.
Mr Ablordeppey, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Monday, said it was time for organizers, youth and women groups to sit up and adopt effective campaign strategies to win more members for the party.
He observed that most of the wards and branches of the party have not been active and advised members and supporters of NDC not to wait till elections before campaigning for votes, adding that the success of the party depended on hard work and commitment.
The Constituency Organiser commended the executives of the party at the national and regional levels for their unity and co-operation and expressed the hope that would be sustained to move the party forward.
Mr Ablordeppey asked the national and regional executives to mandate the various constituencies and wards to recruit polling agents and train them to enable them to work effectively.
26 March 07

Kwabre West constituency NPP meeting ends in confusion

Kodie, (Ash), March 26, GNA- A meeting conveyed by the Kwabre West constituency of the NPP to introduce an interim executive committee purported to have been appointed by the Ashanti regional executive of the party, nearly resulted in a free for all fight at Kodie, the constituency capital.
Members in the constituency who are against the appointment of the interim executive to replace the existing constitutionally elected one rejected the agenda and described it as unconstitutional.This resulted in a heated argument leading to accusations and counter accusations and trading of insults among the feuding factions, which had been created within the party in the constituency.
The situation degenerated into total confusion and the meeting ended abruptly amidst booing and jeering at the supposed interim executive members.
Unable to control the situation, Mr Omono Asamoah, who described himself as the first Vice Chairman of the interim executive and was at that time controlling the affairs of the meeting, had to abandon proceedings and declared the meeting closed.
Meanwhile, a group calling itself “Concerned NPP Youth of Kwabre West Constituency” has appealed to the National Executive Council of the party, the President and all key stakeholders in the party to help resolve the impasses between the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, and the constitutionally elected constituency executives.
They noted that the current impasse between the MP and elected executives had the potential to mar the strength and image of the party in the constituency in the 2008 general elections.In a statement signed by Mr Patrick Sanaah, Chairman of the group, the youth expressed regret at the conduct of the regional executive of the party, which was fuelling the impasse and tearing the party apart.
They warned that, “Any attempt to disrespect the constitution of the party to undermine its image will inevitably incur the wrath of we the youth and an appropriate action would be collectively embarked on”. According to the youth the appointment of an interim executive body to replace the existing elected ones by the regional executive and the MP was unconstitutional and would not be tolerated in any form.
26 March 07

Only genuine remorse can atone for Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – President Kufuor

Elmina, March 26, GNA – Genuine remorse should be the way forward to atone for the pain and heinous crimes of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, President John  Agyekum Kufuor has advocated.
It is estimated that about 10 million Africans were forcibly uprooted and shipped out of the Continent under the most barbaric and inhuman conditions across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americans and Caribbean during the trade.
Speaking at a ceremony to both commemorate 200 years of its abolition and Ghana’s 50 years of nationhood held at the Elmina Castle in the Central Region, President Kufuor said since some Africans played a facilitating role during the trade the question of payment of reparation was not the best approach.
He said the victims must be accorded respect and human dignity and that common humanity and shared values of fellow feeling should form the bases of acceptance in the present day’s world.
The solemn and emotionally touching commemorative event dubbed “Africa 2007 Reflections” was jointly put together by the British Council, the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat and the Edina Traditional Council and attracted a number of Africans from Diaspora.
President Kufuor said the Continent through its New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) was seeking to reconnect with those in the Diaspora and to correct the historic mistake epitomised by the slave trade.
Baroness Valeria Amos, Leader of the British House of Lords; Sir David Green, Director General of the British Council and the Minster of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Jake Obese-Lamptey were among those who attended.
Celebrated artiste and poets from Ghana, Brazil and the United Kingdom were on hand to play back memories of those days of history.
British Prime Minister, Tony Blaire in a video link address pledged his country’s determination to continue to lead the drive to overcome modern day challenges facing Africa.
He said: “As we commemorate 200 years of the Slavery Abolition Act, let us rededicate ourselves to show courage and energy to fight injustices in our modern world.”
Mr Blaire, who noted that there was now a historic turning point between Africa and the UK, lauded Ghana for the significant progressive role she was playing.
“Ghana is a beacon of hope to Africa as it was 50 years ago”, he said.
Baroness Amos described the slave trade as the “darkest and uncomfortable chapter of British History and called for stronger commitment to build a better world that would make our ancestors proud”.
Sir David said although nothing could be done to undo the history of the slave trade, it was important to encourage this generation to explore and to better understand it.
Nana Kodwo Condua VI, Paramount Chief of Edina Traditional Area, said it was time to forgive and to put behind the bitter past.

26 March, 07

Churches and State should be partners in development

Kumasi, March 26, GNA- Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has called for continued co-operation between churches and state to build a prosperous stable and peaceful nation.
He said churches have played vital roles in the nation’s development in the areas of health, education and other sectors of the economy.Mr Assibey-Antwi was speaking at a thanksgiving service to round off a two-day conference of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Men’s Fellowships in Kumasi on Sunday.
He commended churches in the region for their contributions and support towards the celebration of Ghana’s golden jubilee. He said God has been gracious to Ghana since independence by ensuring peace, stability and good governance.Mr Assibey-Antwi said the health insurance scheme, capitation grant and school feeding programmes were some of the measures taken by the government to relieve some of the hardships on the people.
The Deputy Regional Minister called on the people to pay their taxes to ensure continued progress of the nation.
Right-Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, called for support from the church towards the completion of a 3.5 billion-cedi Retreat Centre being constructed by the Association of Methodist Men’s Fellowships at Kwadaso in Kumasi.
Bishop Abubekr talked on “The Ancient Path” which was the theme of the conference, saying the extended family system was gradually dying out due to foreign cultures and influence.
He observed, “We should reflect on the past since our forefathers sacrificed to build a strong foundation for the church and the nation”.
Mr Charles Mensah, National Chairman of the Men’s Fellowship, said plans have been put in place to complete the first phase of the retreat centre for the CAN 2008 tournament to be hosted by Ghana.He advised the members to be guided by the aims of the fellowship to move the fellowship and the church forward.
Very Rev Samuel Adjei Boafo, Superintendent Minister of Ahinsan Circuit of the church, who preached the sermon, called on the members of the fellowship to follow the footsteps of Christ and make the desired impact on society so as to win more souls for Christ.
26 March 07

Saamanhene appeals for creation of new district for Kumawu

Kumawu (Ash), March 26, GNA- Nana Kwame Osei, Saamanhene of the Kumawu Traditional Area, has appealed to the government to create a separate district from the present Sekyere East district.
This, he said, would ensure effective and efficient development of the area, which in its present size is too big to manage.Nana Osei made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Kumawu at the weekend.
He said the perennial water shortage in the area was of concern to the people and appealed to the government to come to the aid of the people.
The Saamanhene observed that the vast nature of arable land stretching to the Afram plains portion of the area could be developed and urged investors to help open up the area by investing into farming and charcoal production.
He said the celebration of the ‘Papa’ festival of the chiefs and people of the area should not be misconstrued as waste of resources, but rather see it as a rallying forum to initiate more developmental programmes to enhance their living conditions.
26 March 07

Obuasi Municipal Assembly inaugurates 1.7 billion cedis development projects

Obuasi, March 26, GNA – Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment at the weekend inaugurated two development projects undertaken by the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) at an estimated cost of 1.7 billion cedis.
They were rehabilitation of the Obuasi Plantain Market at 880 million cedis from the assembly’s share of mineral royalties and construction of 74 stores from the assembly’s share of the Common Fund at 836 million cedis.
The projects were the assembly’s commitment to provide the market women with standard facility commensurate with their efforts to promote business in the municipality.
Mr Odoom commended the assembly for the improvement at the plantain market and announced that it was among the first 10 assemblies in the country that were development-oriented and committing resources to improve the living standards of the people.
He appealed to Ghanaians to be patient and have confidence in Government policies and programmes designed to improve the living standards of the people.
Mr Joe Boampong, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly had initiated some development projects including the construction of an education office complex for Obuasi.
He appealed to the residents to support the assembly in its development programmes.
Nana Asirifi Asare II, Presiding Member of the assembly, urged the people to send their children to school to benefit from the Capitation grant and the School Feeding Programme.
26 March 07

Rainstorm destroys a five-classroom block at Jacobu

Tepa (Ash), March 26, GNA – A five-classroom block of the local authority primary school at Jacobu near Tepa was at the weekend destroyed by a severe rainstorm and displaced 96 pupils.
Mr Paul Kingsley Adu, head teacher of the school made this known when he led newsmen to inspect the damaged block.
He said textbooks and exercise books were not destroyed because they were kept at a separate office in the school.
Mr Adu said the children were now attending classes under trees and appealed to the Ahafo-Ano North District Assembly, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide a new classroom block for the school.
He said the assemblyman for the area was in discussion with the local Catholic Church to enable the pupils attend classes temporarily in the church building.

26 March 07

About 2,713 persons issued with NHIS cards in Jasikan District

Jasikan (V/R), March 26, GNA-The Jasikan District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme is fast gaining grounds after battling with few initial hiccups including the delay in issuance of membership cards.
Mr. Seloem Adzorze, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Scheme attributed the current positive strides to the mass education campaign, and disclosed that a total of 2,713 people had already been registered and issued with identity cards between January and February this year.
He said judging by the rush for registration and the premium paid, the District was likely to increase membership to sixty per cent of the total population by the end of this year.
The PRO however said communities which are difficult to reach including over bank villages continued to pose a challenge to the success of the Scheme and called on stakeholders to consider the provision of a boat to convey staff to those communities.
Mr. Adzorze said from January to October 2006, a total of 11,168 people accessed free healthcare amounting to a total of 751 million cedis against 265 million cedis premium collected.
He stated that claims management support from the NHIS Council last year was 967 million cedis for the exempted group, while the Scheme’s internally generated fund for January and February this year was 66 million cedis.
Mr. Adzorze said the Scheme would soon organize workshops for premium collectors to equip them with more strategies to be able to sell the Scheme to the targeted people.

26 March 07