DAILY GRAPHIC – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. WORK BEGINS ON YA-NA’S PALACE – PGS. 1 & 3The paper reports that, representatives of both the Andani and Abudu gates at the weekend witnessed the successful performance of the necessary traditional rites by the acting Overlord of Dagbon, the Kuga-Na, Braimah Abdulai, to pave the way for the construction of a temporary palace for the Ya-Na at Yendi.
The new site, which is about 100 meters from the damaged palace, was cleared about two weeks ago.
The performance of the rites, done amidst tight security, was preceded by a meeting between the feuding families and the various mediation groups to iron out their differences with regard to the construction of the temporary palace. It lasted for almost four hours.
2. AGGUDEY IS CPP’S MAN FOR 2004 PRESIDENTIAL RACE – PGS. 1 & 3
Mr. George Aggudey, Chief Executive Officer of Gocrest, a private security firm, was elected the flagbearer of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) at the party’s delegates Conference in Accra, over the weekend.
He polled 1,216 votes to beat his rival, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, a Tamale-based legal practitioner, who polled 461.
Dr. Edmund Delle, a, medical practitioner, also won the National Chairmanship slot with 1,008 votes as against 394 by Mr. Iddi Egala, and 272 by Mr. Felix Amoa.
Prof. Nii Noi Dowouna, retained his position of General Secretary of the Party on the strength of 1,186 votes.
Madam Aba Bentsil Entsil, 54, was voted the First vice-chairperson. Mr. Mike Eghan became second vice-chairman and Mr. Johnny Hanson became the third vice-chairman.
3. NPP WILL DO BETTER IN VOLTA REGION – COMMEY – PG. 12
According to the paper, Mr. Lord Commey, the National Organiser of the NPP, has ended a 10-day tour of constituencies in the Volta Region and expressed the optimism that the performance of the party in the 2004 elections will show its enhanced fortunes in the region.
According to him, the NPP in the Volta Region would not be the same as it was in 2000, adding that some seats would fall to the NPP, if a little effort was made to get the electorate to appreciate the good intentions of the party.
He said this at a media briefing at Ho.
THE GHANAIAN TIMES – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. VARSITY SITE IN DISPUTE….GAF CLAIMS OWNERSHIP – PGS. 1 & 3 According to the paper, there is tussle between the Military and Central University College (CUC) over the new permanent site of the university in the catchment area of the Kpeshie Lagoon at Teshie.
While Teshie Lenshie Quarters, allodial custodians of the land, welcomes the construction of the university, the Military, one of the future neighbours of the CUC, has objected to the proposal.
The Military say that the new CUC site is part of their training grounds, hence unsafe for massive civilian occupation.
2. BoG GETS TOUGH …. ILLEGAL MONEY TRANSFER OPERATORS TO BE PROSECUTED – PG. 9
The paper reports that, Bank of Ghana, (BoG) are collaborating with the security agencies to apprehend and prosecute illegal money transfer operators in the country.
Mr. Emmanuel Asiedu-Mante, first Deputy-Governor of BoG disclosed this at the re-launch of Money Gram International Money Transfer by SSB Bank Limited, a member of the Societe General Group in Accra.
He said that BoG had been concerned with the mode of operation of inward remittance schemes in the country adding that several problems had emerged for which measures were being instituted to contain them.
He added that measures such as determination of applicable cedi exchange rate to the various currencies by overseas agents and check proliferation of inward payment outlets were being put in place by BoG.
THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. TOWARDS NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE GOVERNMENT DISBURSES ?100M PER DISTRICT – MINISTER – PGS. 4 & 5The Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has disclosed that the government has started disbursing ?100 million each to the districts in the country as capital for the commencement of the NHIS.
Hon. Agyeman-Manu said the NHIS would be in operation by January next year and therefore called on Ghanaians to embrace the scheme for their benefit.
The deputy minister who was addressing the chiefs and people of Ntotroso in the Asutifi district of Brong Ahafo, during the visit of the Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama to the region, stated that, the scheme would not cover persons who fail to pay their yearly premium of ?25,000.
2. ROYALTIES AND GOLDEN SHARE WOULD SCARE POTENTIAL INVESTORS – PG. 5
The Ghana Chamber of Commerce has said the royalty and golden share clauses in the draft minerals bill are punitive to the industry and have the potential to scare off investors.
Speaking to the paper in Accra, Mr. Kweku Awortwe, President of the Chamber, said the bill prescribed that mining companies pay a minimum of 4% as royalties, an increase of 33.3% from the original three percent.
He said over the last 18 months, the industry has been hit by a lot of different taxes ranging from VAT to export levies as well as ECOWAS taxes and these had increased the fiscal schedule among countries like Guinea, Tanzania and Mali.
“Ghana will become the most expensive mining destination in Africa, if royalty is raised from 3% to 4% as proposed in the bill”, he said, adding that, the country, with the current highest royalty rate, was already classified as one of the expensive places to mine on the continent. “We have all these taxes, why are we adding another one percent to put us on top of the list?”.
NETWORK HERALD – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
CHRAJ HAS FAILED – CDD – PGS. 1 & 3 According to the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), CHRAJ has failed to spearhead the process of developing a code of conduct for public officials
It says the situation is more pathetic because CHRAJ is most appropriate institution to spearhead the process.
Prof. Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of the Centre, made this submission at a round table discussion on “Ten Years of CHRAJ-Achievements, Prospects and Challenges” in Accra.
He said the Commission’s approach to the issue “has not been sufficiently proactive” because it has also failed to play a leading role in sensitizing the Ghanaian populace on the issue.
NATIONAL DEMOCRAT – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. CASTLE RENOVATION PHASE III BEGINS …. $150,000 SPENT ON AIR CONDITIONS ONLY …STAIRCASES TO BE INSTALLED WITH AIR CONDITIONS! – PGS. 1 & 3According to the paper, that President Kufuor is interested in only his comfort has again been exposed by documents that the paper has laid hands on.
The documents reveal that even though he is 34 months old in office with only 15 months for his term to end, President Kufuor is still spending billions of cedis in an attempt to turn the Castle into a 5-star building for his enjoyment.
The paper states further that, as recent as May, this year, one hundred and sixty-six (166) packages containing quantities of air-conditioners, fan coils, condensing units and accessories were cleared from the Tema harbour to be installed at various rooms in the Castle and even the staircases in the Castle are to benefit from the installation of these machines.
2. FA WO TO BEGYE BMW!!! DEPUTY MINISTER BUYS ?200 MILLION BMW FOR HIS 19 – YEAR OLD GIRL FRIEND! – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper reports that, members of the current NPP government see the four years Ghanaians have given them to rule as a chance to “enjoy life proper” is manifested in their life-style.
According to the paper, at a time most Ghanaians are struggling to pay school fees, utility bills and manage at least one square meal a day, members of the government are leading very ostentatious lives.
The paper says it has discovered that even a deputy minister in the government is not only living lavishly but is spending lavishly on small girls and has recently bought the latest BMW salon car valued at ?200m for his 19 year old girlfriend at the blind side of his wife and children.
BUSINESS & FINANCIAL TIMES – MONDAY, 22ND – 28TH SEPTEMBER, 2003
TEXTILE INDUSTRY ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE – PG. 1 The paper reports that, local textile industry is under attack from dumped and smuggled Nigerian wax prints.
As an incentive to exporters, the Nigerian government has granted tax rebates amounting to between 40-60% of production cost thereby making their exports cheaper. In addition a ban has been placed on import of textile prints into their country.
Industry sources say, they are under tremendous pressure to relocate to Nigeria where the incentives are better.
According to them, if the operating climate for Ghanaian textile firms do not improve, smuggled and dumped textiles would wipe out the local industry.
GYE NYAME CONCORD – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
AT 2003 WOMEN WORLD CUP SCANDAL ROCKS QUEENS’ CAMP – THEFT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT CITED – PG. 1 & BK. PG.The paper reports that, two members of the official Ghanaian contingent to the Third Women’s World cup Tournament in the USA have been expelled over alleged thievery and sexual harassment charges.
The two, a player and an official were expelled barely a week before the tournament kicked off.
According to the paper, Ghanaian officials with the team told their US sources that, Sheila Okine, was given the boot for reportedly stealing a cell phone belonging to one of her colleagues, while the female Welfare Officer of the team was sacked for sexual harassment-related charges. They were both ordered to board the next available Ghana Airways flight for Ghana.
THE ACCRA DAILY MAIL – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003
GUILD FOR EDITORS – PG. 1 According to the paper, a group of editors from both the State and Private sectors have decided to form a guild of editors.
At a meeting over the weekend, a core group resolved to form the guild, which would be independent of the GJA.
They have resolved to use their influence to form a bulwark against any action from any quarters, including the GJA that would go to undermine the freedoms of expression and the media.
