Print Media Monitoring for 26th January 2004

DAILY GRAPHIC – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

1. HIGH POINT OF CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER’S VISIT TO GHANA $16.4M DEBT CANCELLED – PGS. 1 & 3

According to the paper, Germany has cancelled Ghana’s debt of $16.4 million (about ?145 billion).

This was the outcome of bilateral talks in Accra between President Kufuor and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the end of the latter’s two-day visit to the country.

Germany also confirmed its readiness to finance the construction of portions of the Accra-Kumasi trunk road.

The cancellation of the debt, which represents Ghana’s total financial obligation to Germany, is part of the reliefs under HIPC initiative.

The paper says an agreement to this effect was signed between Ghana and Germany at the end of the bilateral talks between President Kufuor and Chancellor Schroeder at the Castle on Saturday.

Mr. Yaw Osafo-Marfo, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, signed for Ghana, while Mr. Jurgen Chrobog, Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry of Germany, initialled for Germany.

This debt cancellation by Germany is described as significant because the total debt forgiveness should have been effective after June this year when Ghana would have reached the completion point of the HIPC initiative.

2. PRESIDENT INAUGURATES 37 HOSPITAL COMPLEX – PG. 3

President Kufuor over the weekend inaugurated the Out Patient Complex of the 37 Military Hospital, constructed at the cost of $20 million.

The project, which was begun in July 2002, was the second phase of the expansion of the hospital intended to upgrade it to a state of-the-art health facility and make it part of the college of Physicians and Surgeons for post-graduate medical training.

Comprising of a six storey blocks, houses the Pathology, Ophthalmology, Dental, Physiotherapy, Medical, Obstetrics and Gyanecology, Surgical, Paediatrics and Public health department.

It has data centre, shopping mall and specialist department such as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Dermatology.

All the departments are fitted with the most modern and sophisticated equipment, most of which are computerized.

Inaugurating the Project, President Kufuor said the out patient complex was important and opportune within the context of the NHIS.

He said government was determined to provide every Ghanaian high quality health care and would vigorously pursue that vision until health delivery was made efficient and affordable to everybody.

3. PRESIDENT URGES FORCES TO BE NEUTRAL…DURING THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS – PG. 13

President Kufuor has called on personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to demonstrate a high sense of neutrality during this year’s general elections.

He also asked them to remain vigilant during the polls and noted that these principles would give them the moral authority to deal decisively but fairly with all potential threats to national security.

President Kufuor made the call at the annual get-together of the security personnel, otherwise known as the West African Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) at the General Headquarters of GAF in Accra at the weekend.

According to him, the country had entered another election year, which normally posed many challenges and reminded the soldiers of their duty to protect the lives of citizens and property of the nation.

He said their vigilance, discipline and professionalism should guarantee the nation free and fair elections.

4. GHANA’S INVESTMENT CLIMATE CONDUCIVE. LOCAL GERMAN INVESTORS TELL COUNTERPARTS – PG. 29

The paper reports that German investors in the country have urged their counterparts in Germany to consider doing business in Ghana since the country offers greater opportunity for investment.

They contend that the country provides the conducive atmosphere for investment and also offers good returns on investments.

Mr. Erling Fritsche, Managing Director of Carl Tiedeman Stevedoring Ltd., Mr. Hans –Dieter Baehr, Chairman of the Ghana Agro Food Company (GAFCO), and Mr. Carsten Duewer, Managing Director of C. Woerman Ghana Limited made this representation at a special forum and business luncheon on the occasion of the visit of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder on Saturday.

It was organized by the Ghanaian – German Economic Association (GGEA) for the Germany Business delegation, who accompanied Chancellor Schroeder and their counterparts.

About 30 German business executives from Germany attended the forum.

Mr. Fritsche said the decision of the government to abolish the quota system in the Stevedoring business at the country’s ports was to allow free markets forces to prevail in the industry.

THE GHANAIAN TIMES – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

1. 9 DISTRICTS HOSPITAL HAVE NO DOCTORS – PGS. 1 & 3

The paper reported of Nine District Public Hospitals currently operating without doctors.

The hospitals are being manned by nurses and medical assistants. The hospitals are in the Half-Assini, Asankragwa and Bibiani in the Western Region Drobo in the Brong Ahafo Region, Sandema and Bongo in the Upper East Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region, Bimbilla in the Northern Region and Ajumako in the Central Region.

Dr. Ken Sagoe, the Ghana Health Service’s Director of Human Development said this in an exclusive interview in Accra last described the situation as “peccaries

2. PROF. ATTA MILLS COMMENDS KUFUOR FOR ASSURANCE OF FAIRNESS – PG. 3

The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Atta Mills, has commended the government for its assurance of fairness in this year’s elections.

He said the NDC believed in fair play and therefore the President’s declaration that the election would be fought on that principle was commendable evidence of his good will.

Prof. Atta Mills made the commendation at Cape Coast yesterday at a rally.

He expressed the hope that with this assurance the elections would be conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

3. SPEEDING CAR KILLS PUPILS – PG. 1

The paper says on Thursday, 22nd January, 2004 at Fetentaah, near Berekum, a Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle ran over and killed three school children.

The accident occurred when the Pajero attempted to overtake another vehicle when it veered off the road and ran into the children killing them instantly.

The children were between the ages of 11 and 15. A fourth child survived with injuries.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was arrested later.

His vehicle was set on fire by the enraged townsfolk but police reinforcements from Sunyani saved the situation.

Superintendent Alexander Adow Mensah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Crime Officer contacted by the “Times” confirmed the story but could not give many details, saying the case is being investigated.

4. GERMANY’S INVOLVEMENT IN ECONOMY HIGH” – ABEASI -PG. 9

Mr. Kwesi Abeasi, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) has disclose, that, Ghana has noticed a significant increase in the level of Germany’s involvement in the economy.

As at the end of last year, the GIPC registered 110 projects with an investment outlay of 36.4 million dollars making Germany the sixth largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

He said this at a special forum and Business Luncheon in Accra for the German Chancellor on his two-day official visit to the country.

THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

1. CREATION OF 30 NEW CONSTITUENCIES WE HAVE NO FEARS. JOHN MAHAMA SAYS, “WE WILL WIN 20 OF THEM” – PG. 1 & BK. PG.

The paper reports that, the NDC Spokesman on Communications and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole, Mr. John Mahama, has said he was confident and convinced that even if the Supreme Court indicated that the proposed 30 new constituencies could be contested for in the 2004 elections, the NDC would win a majority of them.

“At least, I can confidently say that 20 of those constituencies are favourable to us after analyzing the make up and so we have absolutely no fears.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the paper on the party’s position on the proposal for the creation of 30 new constituencies, he said, the NDC agreed that the EC had the mandate to periodically review the electoral boundaries and alter them, based on certain criteria.

He however noted that the point of controversy was an aspect of the provision of article 47 of the constitution, which states that any such alteration by the EC, shall not come into effect until after the next dissolution of parliament.

2. DRAMA AT PEOPLE’S FORUM, BAAH WIREDU QUIZZES TEENAGER – PGS. 1 & 3

The paper says a form two student of Konongo Odumase Secondary School, Master Sulley Ramani, tasted some bitter pills when he was allegedly grilled by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, at the recent Asante Akim People’s Assembly Forum, for attempting to read his question to the Minister.

It was gathered that Ramani, 18, was reprimanded for asking written questions on behalf of his senior brother, who was unable to attend the people’s forum at the time.

THE ACCRA DAILY MAIL – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

CHIEF CALLS FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN KUFUOR, RAWLINGS – PGS. 1 & 3

The paper reports that Barima Gyakorang Adutwum 11, Chief of Kade in the Kwaebibirim District, has suggested that there should be a dialogue between Mr. Jerry John Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor before the elections.

According to a GNA report, “Barima Gyakorang Adutwum said the Council of State could invite traditional rulers, leaders of religious bodies and opinion leaders to meet the former President and the sitting President for dialogue.

The meeting could include top ranking party functionaries of the NPP and NDC for discussions for the sake of free elections and security of the country.”

However, the paper in its opinion column says to Barima Gyakorang Adutwum 11, there is no need for any dialogue along the lines suggested, rather he should kindly invite Rawlings to his Palace and advice him, to desist from his grand plans to make our country ungovernable.

DAILY GUIDE – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

BIG FIGHT OVER JJ –. VICTOR SMITH GOES HAYWIRE., ODOI SYKES DIGS IN – PG. 1 & BK. PG.

The paper reports that His Excellency, Mr. Samuel Odoi Sykes, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada and Mr. Emmanuel Victor Smith, Special Assistant to former President Rawlings, have clashed over former President Rawlings’ position on the serial killing of women.

While Odoi Sykes insists that NPP Administration employed the assistance of the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FB1), in unraveling the mystery surrounding the women’s Killings, Mr. Smith maintains that Odoi Sykes’ claims are not true, because there is no record in the Ghana Police Service that confirms that NPP Administration solicited the assistance of the FB1 which culminated in the arrest of Charles Ebo Quansah, who is currently in prison over the women’s killings.

According to Mr. Smith, he in a state of angst at one stage, called for the invitation of the convicted serial killer to allow for a public enquiry into his case.

THE GHANAIAN VOICE – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

BIG CLASH IN PARLIAMENT, BACK - BENCH MPs VRS. – LEADERSHIP – PGS. 1 & 3

Reports say that the back-bench MPs clashed with the leadership of the House last Friday, in their first sitting for business in Parliament, when the latter attempted to introduce some disparities in the House’s business.

According to the paper, Hon. Norbert G. Awulley, NDC MP for Builsa South was the initiator of the conflict.

This was when the Majority Leader, Hon. Felix Owusu Agyepong during his presentation of the business statement for this week said “Mr. Speaker, soon after presentation of the Budget, an orientation workshop would be organized for Leadership, Chairpersons and Ranking Members of Committees.”

This, according to the paper, did not go down well with Hon. Awulley who drew the Speaker’s attention to the fact that, it was not going to be only participants of the said workshop who are going to debate and approve the Budget and its estimates.

He therefore called on the Speaker to compel the leadership to reverse this position as it was discriminating and should have been a crossed board.

THE HERITAGE – MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 2004

STOP SABOTAGING THE GOVERNMENT. FORMER NDC MINISTER – PGS. 1 & 11

The paper reports that former Trade Minister under the NDC, Dr. John Abu, has called on politicians to stop sabotaging the sitting government.

According to him, when government introduces policies that would help the socio-economic situation of the nation, politicians criticise the policies without considering the benefits the citizens and the nation would gain.

Dr. Abu, who was contributing to a day’s seminar organized by the Energy Commission, urged politicians not to use criticism as an avenue to score political points with the electorate against their opponents.

He advised that debates should not be conducted as if the opposition is there for the down trodden and the sitting government is for the rich citizens but that the motivation for participation in every debate should always be the welfare of the citizenry at large.

Apparently his comments had been prompted by remarks by a trade representative that trade standards should ideally be backed by law but when such bills are sent to Parliament people play politics with them.