DAILY GRAPHIC

The Graphic reports in a front page lead story that the Ministry of the Interior has placed new restrictions on the acquisition, possession and movement of firearms and ammunition in the Nkwanta and Kete-Krachi districts in the Volta Region. The story under the banner headline: "Ban on firearms...In Nkwanta, Kete-Krache districts", says restrictions on the movement, acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition in the Northern Region also remain in force. The Graphic says a statement signed by the Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama and issued in Accra yesterday, said at an emergency meeting of the National Emergency Committee to review the security situation in the former conflict areas of the Northern Region, the committee took note of recent reports of the activities of some elements which could undermine the progress being made to ensure peace and security in the area. In view of this, the committee said the terms of reference of the Permanent Peace Negotiation Team (PPNT) have been broadened to include some areas in the northern part of the Volta Region. GRI

In another front page story the Graphic reports that the Ministry of Health has embarked on a project under which all hospitals will be equipped with diagnostic equipment. Under the project, estimated at 45 million Dutch Guilders, 48 government hospitals, 29 mission hospitals and 13 polyclinics, will be supplied with various types of X-ray machines while some institutions will also receive ultrasound machines. The Minister of Health, Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah, who disclosed this to the Graphic, said the ministry signed a contract with Phillips Medical Systems last year to supply the needed diagnostic imaging equipment. GRI

"Churches must campaign against social evil...Veep", is the headline of a centre spread story which says the VicePresident, Prof. J.E.A. Mills, has called on churches to lead a vigorous campaign against the social and economic evils plaguing nations of the West African sub-region. "I refer to the canker of embezzlementof large sums of state money, drug abuse, economic sabotage, teenage pregnancy, armed robbery and other crimes which have bedevilled our society", the Vice-President was quoted as saying. Prof Mills who made the call at the opening of the fifth West African 'Partners-In-Mission' and provincial synod of the Anglican Church in Accra yesterday, said some of the perpetrators of these crimes are or profess to be members of the church. The conference, under the theme: "Bear ye one another's burden", is being attended by over 80 delegates from Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Liberia, Cameroon, Guinea , as well as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada which constitute the three external partners of the West African Province of the Anglican Church. GRI

The Graphic in a back page story says a memorandum of understanding aimed at defusing tension and dispelling rumours of war in the Krachi District of the Volta Region, was last Sunday signed among the Konkomba chiefs and opinion leader on one hand and the chiefs and elders of Krachi and Nchumuru on the other. This was the outcome of three days of meetings and consultations initiated by the District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Yaw Osei-Sarfo and supported by the Konkomba Development Association, led by its president, Mr Daniel Bugri-Naabu. The Graphic says according to the peace accord, the threat of a possible attack by the Konkombas on the two other ethnic groups is baseless and unfounded. "The Konkombas are not planning or have not planned or have no intention of planning to attack either the Krachis or Nchumurus over the payment of land tolls", the Graphic quoted the pact as saying. GRI