GHANAIAN TIMES

The Ghanaian Times report on its front page the arrest of chiefs and land developers in the Atwima District in Ashanti for selling and buying public lands in the Owabi Dam catchment area. Under the Heading: "Chiefs arrested in Kumasi", the Times says the Kumasi Central police have arrested a number of chiefs and developers involved in the sale and buying of public lands in the catchment area while other culprits are said to be on the run. This was announced during an open forum at a durbar of staff and members of the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission in Kumasi yesterday. According to the paper, Mr F.K. Mensah, chairman of the Commission said after investigations by the police, the Commission will take the appropriate action to recover the lands. GRI

"PANAFEST begins today", is another front page headline of a story which says the third PANAFEST '97 (Pan-African Historical and Theatre Festival) begins at Cape Coast and Elmina today under the joint theme: The re- emergence of African civilisation" and "Uniting the African family for development". The 10-day festival, planned to coincide with the Oguaa 'Fetu Afahye", the festival of the chiefs and people of Cape Coast, is being jointly organised by the government and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The Times says top on the programme for today is a Memorial and Remembrance Day at the frontage of the Elmina Castle under the theme: "Uniting the African family". Other programmes will include a procession and wreath-laying sessions, atonement rites, reverential night, Muslim worship and prayers, the opening of the PANAFEST Bazaar and Pan-African visual arts exhibition. GRI

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan has said both political and religious organisations are needed in the attempt to evolve an appropriate democratic system of governance for the country. In a middle page story under the heading: "Christians' role in state affairs vital - Speaker" the Times says Mr Justice Annan noted that the period when some individuals, particularly Christians kept their distance from state affairs and acted critics are past. The Speaker who was opening the 16th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Accra at Tema yesterday, said it is only the work of established churches and Christ- centred individuals involved in politics that can effectively influence and reform the conscience and morals of the society. GR

GRi NEWSREEL