DAILY GRAPHIC

New rules for forex bureaux gain prominence on the front page of the Graphic. The Graphic reports that the Bank of Ghana has issued new guidelines and regulations for foreign exchange bureaux operators. According to the new guidelines, henceforth the premises of foreign bureaux should be used solely for foreign bureaux businesses. The bureaux are only to engage in on-the-spot transactions, that is buying and selling foreign currencies and on no account are they to undertake forward dealings in foreign exchange. No forex bureau is to re-locate its business in another premises until after one year of operation. The Graphic says the guidelines state that any bureau wishing to change its location or to undertake transactions outside its registered location, should seek and obtain the approval of the central bank. GRI

"MDAs directed to produce financial statements", is the heading of another front page story in the Graphic. It says all ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to resume the preparation of annual financial statements for public scrutiny in compliance with section 47 of the Financial Adninistration Decree of 1979. The acting Controller and Accountant-General, Mr R.K. Tufuor, who gave the directive yesterday said for more than 20 years now the MDAs have failed to comply with the decree which requires them to prepare and submit to the government, annual financial statements within three months of the end of each financial year. GRI

The Graphic reports on its back page that an angry gang of suspected cocoaine dealers, last Saturday invaded the Accident Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to launch an attack on police personnel and staff on dduty at the centre to rescue their boss. The boss, Mustapha alias Rasta, 27, was sent to the hospital following gun wounds he sustained in a scuffle with the police while resisting arrest. Unfortunately, the Graphic says Rasta had been pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. But unknown to the gang that Rasta was dead, the members besieged the hospital with the intention of rescuing him from the grips of the police and taking him elsewhere for treatment. The Graphic says re-inforcement from the Police Striking Force Unit, had to be called in to maintain law and order at the hospital for well over three hours. No arrest has been mead so far. GRI

In another page page story the Graphic says the ddesire to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of the Greater Accra Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Clement Akwei, has prompted a philanthropist to offer five million cedis to whoever gives information leading to the arrest of the murderer. The Graphic says philanthropist who wants to remain anonymous, said he was moved by the death of the doctor, describing the crime as callous. "it is my wish that whoever committed this act will be brought to justice," the paper quoted him as saying. Dr Akwei was stabbed to death by an unknown assailant at his Cantonments residence in the early hours of September 23, 1997. His son, Kelvin Akwei, who was also stabbed in the stomach has been discharged from the Trust Hospital in Accra, after undergoing a major operation and he is said to be doing well. GRI