Print Media Monitoring - 8th September, 2003

DAILY GRAPHIC – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. GHANA EARNS HIGH RATING …IN CREDIT ASSESSMENT – PGS. 1 & 3
According to the paper, Standard and Poor’s (S&P), an American firm and one of the world’s most prominent rating agencies, has assigned a B+ (B Plus) credit rating to Ghana.

This means that Ghana can now borrow at cheaper rates from the international money market.

This is the first time Ghana has received a Sovereign Credit rating and it is S & P’s first rating under the UNDP to help sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries to obtain credit ratings.

Explaining the rating further in an interview, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, said the current credit rating is contrary to the perception that the credit worthiness of Ghana would adversely be affected for having adopted the HIPC Initiative.

According to him the B+ category would assist lenders in Ghana to determine what interest rates should be applicable.

He said the international financial market, was happy Ghana had achieved the B+ rating during its first assessment.

He pointed out that Ghana’s rating compared favourably with those of Brazil (B+), Senegal (B+) and of Turkey (B).

2. CHIEFS WELCOME CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY PALACE – PG.. 1
The paper reports that, the Committee of Eminent Chiefs on the Dagbon crisis has given its support to a decision that a temporary palace be constructed for the King of Dagbon, the Ya-Na.

A statement issued by the committee said the decision was taken because it was contrary to Dagbon tradition to rehabilitate and reoccupy the old Gbewa Palace, which had been damaged twice and blood-stained.

The temporary palace is to be built at a site where preparations will be made for the interment of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani

The statement signed by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, who is chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, Yagbon-Wura Bawa Doshie and Naa Professor John Nabila, Wulugu-Naba, said funds had already been made available for the construction of the temporary palace where widows of the late Ya-Na were expected to reside.

3. DON’T EXCEED LIMITS – KAN-DAPAAH TELLS RADIO OPERATORS – PG. 3
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communications and Technology, has urged operators of radio stations in the country not to exceed the limits assigned to them by the NCA, to guarantee their continued existence on the airwaves.

According to him, it was necessary that radio stations observed the principles of fairness towards business competitors and customers, to help protect the heavy investment made in the radio industry in Ghana.

He was speaking at the official launch of Happy FM, a private radio station in Accra.

THE GHANAIAN TIMES – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. RENAME KOTOKA AIRPORT…NKRURMAH DESERVES THE HONOUR-OTIBU ASARE – PG. 1
Dr. Dee Otibu-Asare, Chief Executive Officer of West Africa International Magazine, has urged the government to change the name of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra and rename it after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

He explained that it was Dr. Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, who built the Airport and not General E.K. Kotoka.

He was speaking at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial lectures and Awards Night in Accra.

It was organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation (KNF) and West Africa Magazine.

2. OKINE DENOUNCES GAY BISHOPS – PGS. 1 & 3
The Right-Reverend Robert G.A. Okine, Primate of the Province of West Africa of the Anglican Church, has said that the action of the Episcopal Anglican Church of USA in endorsing that election of a gay priest as Bishop, contravenes traditional Anglican norms and practice, which are based on scripture, tradition and reason.

In a pastoral letter, addressed to the Bishops, clergy and laity of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa, Archbishop Okine said, “ It is not the practice of the Anglican Church to allow the appointment and ordination of homosexuals/lesbians as clergymen or women.

The letter registered its sadness on the approval of homosexuals to the high office since “the action seems to have lowered the Gospel to the level of society instead of raising society to the level of the Gospel.”

The Church of the Province of West Africa, therefore, said it does not subscribe to the appointment and deems it most reprehensible.

THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. AFTER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO NPP, ATTEMPTS TO DITCH ELIZABETH OHENE FAIL – HIDDEN AGENDA EXPOSED – HO – POLICE TURN DEBT COLLECTORS – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper says a well-calculated and rehearsed moves, by some executive members of the Ho West Constituency of the NPP, in collaboration with moles in the district assembly to ditch Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Tertiary Education, in her Parliamentary ambitions, have been nipped in the bud. The entire plan struck a discord at a take-off, and has therefore became still born.

According to the paper, a grand plan, remotely controlled from the regional capital and aimed at knocking out the minister in order to make the impending primaries a one-way traffic for her opponent, Mawutor Goh, the Ho district chief executive, has been exposed.

The paper’s investigative sorties in the Constituency revealed that as part of the first stage of the three-tier diabolical plan, the list of 202 polling station chairmen and secretaries, who constitute the delegates and are to vote at the primaries, are not only being compiled in secret, but also being kept close to the chest of the chairman, Mr. Theophilus Adzoho, who is seriously rooting for the DCE.

2. MPIANI BLAMED FOR JAK’S INACTION ON C’TTEE’S REPORT – PG. 4 & 5
According to the paper, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, has been blamed for the apparent delay by President Kufuor to act on a committee report that was submitted to him in Dec. last year on the wrongful dismissal of about 500 ex-workers of the National Oil Palm Limited (NOPL), which is based at Pretsea in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
Some sources that spoke to the paper said the Chief of Staff might have forgotten to inform the President of receiving the Committee’s report, hence the apparent silence by the President.

3. MIM THREATENS TO BOYCOTT FUTURE ELECTIONS – PG. 5
The paper reports that, Nana Kofi Boffah, acting President of Mim Traditional Council, has complained about the poor state of Mim in spite of its significant contributions, to the national economy.
According to the paper, he claimed that although Mim contributes largely to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, it remains the poorest in terms of infrastructure and cautioned that it should not be a surprise if the people refused to exercise their franchise in the next elections.
Nana Boffah, who is also Nifahene of Mim, was speaking at a durbar organised in honour of Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Regional Minister, who toured the town as part of a working visit to the Asunafo District.

DAILY GUIDE - MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. JJ’S SPEED BOAT COSTS $30,000 – PG. 1 & BP. PG.
The paper’s investigations can confirm that the dinghy (Speed boat) acquired by former President Rawlings, was bought from Sybille Knuppel of Neur Str. Il, 21526, Hohenborn Of Germany.
It was purchased on July 3, 2003 and shipped to Rawlings, and cleared on August 12, 2003, at the Tema port by his special aide Mr. Victor Smith.
The boat came with Kitchen equipment, dinning chairs, and two glass tables. The Glass tables came with the measurement, 125x80cm, and the other measures 118 x 78cm.
The actual cost of the dinghy is Euro 29,137.80 (?276,809000.10), approximately $30,000, excluding custom duties paid by the importer at the Tema port, totaling ?110,235.025.00.
According to the paper, a document prepared by Gateway Services Ltd, titled: Final Classification and valuation Report, Spells out the details.

THE INDEPENDENT – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. AKWASI AGYEMAN PREDICTS NDC’S DOOM – KUFUOR’S 2? YEARS BETTER THAN RAWLINGS’ 20’ – PG. 1 & BK. PG
The paper reports that, the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Nana Akwasi Agyeman has stated emphatically that the NDC is doomed forever as a political party.
According to Akwasi Agyeman, “the NDC would never again make any gains in the country’s political game and would be better off, if the leadership of the party give up any hope of ever capturing political power.
He disclosed this in an interview with the paper at his Dichemso residence in Kumasi.

NETWORK HERALD – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. ?140M FOR SPEAKER’S HOLIDAY – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper reports that, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, has taken time off his hectic parliamentary duties to cool off at Dublin, Republic of Ireland for two weeks.
For his two weeks annual leave, which runs from September 1 to 14, the Speaker has been given an amount of $15,974.00 the equivalent of over one hundred and forty Million cedis (?140,394,048.34) to cover his expenses.
According to the paper, it’s investigations have revealed however that the Speaker and indeed, all Members of Parliament are not entitled to any such leave.

FREE PRESS – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

PLEASE BURY THE YA NA NOW – PG. 2 & BK. PG.
According to the paper, a group of concerned Dagbons from both the Andani and Abudu gates have appealed to the government to take immediate steps to arrange for the burial of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.
Speaking to the paper on condition of anonymity, a spokesperson for the group indicated that the speedy burial of the late Ya Na would be a first step towards bringing peace to Dagbon.

PUBLIC AGENDA – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

DILEMMA OF GHANA POLICE … WHEN DOES ASSAULT ON THE PRESIDENT CONSTITUTE A CRIME? – PG. 1
Ghana Police Service have thrown their hands in the air in desperation at the direction of the government that people who defame the President should be allowed to get away with it, whether they do it unconsciously or willfully.
Top police officers who spoke to the paper, maintained that policemen who arrested Yaw Kusi for insulting President Kufuor in Kumasi acted within the law.
Yaw Kusi is reported to have said “this is your so called Kufuor in town. That Kufuor who cannot stay in Accra, but roams about unnecessarily”. The President was on official tour of in the Ashanti Region.
He was then arrested for defaming the President and also resisting arrest, obstructing and assaulting a public officer.
Interior Minister Hackman Owusu Agyeman ordered Kusi’s release on the grounds that government has no interest in pursuing the case, following a wide media coverage and comments from the public.
NATIONAL DEMOCRAT – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. KUFUOR’S ?2 BILION PRIVATE TRIP TO MOROCCO – JUST TO RELAX! – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper says at a time that the vast majority of Ghanaians are feeling crushed by the harsh economic conditions created by the government, the President, Kufuor, found it expedient to sneak out of the country for a luxurious holiday in Morocco.
According to the paper, the President probably aware that his intended holiday was immoral since it was at the expense of the tax-payer sneaked out of country in the night of Friday, August 29.
The paper states further that the President probably does not care two-hoots about the plight of Ghanaians.

2. TEMA FISHERMEN THREATEN TO BOYCOTT FARMERS’ DAY – PG. 3
The paper reports that members of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) have threatened to boycott the Farmers’ Awards Day celebrations if fishermen were not recognized for their immense contribution to the economy.
According to the paper, they complained that ever since the day was instituted, fishermen and members of the NAFAG have never been considered for awards and that the situation was a disincentive to them.
“We will, therefore, institute our own fishermen’s day if fishermen will not be considered in the Farmer’s day celebration”, Mr. Peter Dadson of the Ocean Fisheries and a member of the NAFAG said during an open forum organised by Association to interact with Mr. Edward Martey Akita, Minister of State for Fisheries at Tema.

DAILY GRAPHIC – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. GHANA EARNS HIGH RATING …IN CREDIT ASSESSMENT – PGS. 1 & 3
According to the paper, Standard and Poor’s (S&P), an American firm and one of the world’s most prominent rating agencies, has assigned a B+ (B Plus) credit rating to Ghana.

This means that Ghana can now borrow at cheaper rates from the international money market.

This is the first time Ghana has received a Sovereign Credit rating and it is S & P’s first rating under the UNDP to help sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries to obtain credit ratings.

Explaining the rating further in an interview, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, said the current credit rating is contrary to the perception that the credit worthiness of Ghana would adversely be affected for having adopted the HIPC Initiative.

According to him the B+ category would assist lenders in Ghana to determine what interest rates should be applicable.

He said the international financial market, was happy Ghana had achieved the B+ rating during its first assessment.

He pointed out that Ghana’s rating compared favourably with those of Brazil (B+), Senegal (B+) and of Turkey (B).

2. CHIEFS WELCOME CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY PALACE – PG.. 1
The paper reports that, the Committee of Eminent Chiefs on the Dagbon crisis has given its support to a decision that a temporary palace be constructed for the King of Dagbon, the Ya-Na.

A statement issued by the committee said the decision was taken because it was contrary to Dagbon tradition to rehabilitate and reoccupy the old Gbewa Palace, which had been damaged twice and blood-stained.

The temporary palace is to be built at a site where preparations will be made for the interment of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani

The statement signed by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, who is chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, Yagbon-Wura Bawa Doshie and Naa Professor John Nabila, Wulugu-Naba, said funds had already been made available for the construction of the temporary palace where widows of the late Ya-Na were expected to reside.

3. DON’T EXCEED LIMITS – KAN-DAPAAH TELLS RADIO OPERATORS – PG. 3
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communications and Technology, has urged operators of radio stations in the country not to exceed the limits assigned to them by the NCA, to guarantee their continued existence on the airwaves.

According to him, it was necessary that radio stations observed the principles of fairness towards business competitors and customers, to help protect the heavy investment made in the radio industry in Ghana.

He was speaking at the official launch of Happy FM, a private radio station in Accra.

THE GHANAIAN TIMES – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. RENAME KOTOKA AIRPORT…NKRURMAH DESERVES THE HONOUR-OTIBU ASARE – PG. 1
Dr. Dee Otibu-Asare, Chief Executive Officer of West Africa International Magazine, has urged the government to change the name of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra and rename it after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

He explained that it was Dr. Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, who built the Airport and not General E.K. Kotoka.

He was speaking at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial lectures and Awards Night in Accra.

It was organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation (KNF) and West Africa Magazine.

2. OKINE DENOUNCES GAY BISHOPS – PGS. 1 & 3
The Right-Reverend Robert G.A. Okine, Primate of the Province of West Africa of the Anglican Church, has said that the action of the Episcopal Anglican Church of USA in endorsing that election of a gay priest as Bishop, contravenes traditional Anglican norms and practice, which are based on scripture, tradition and reason.

In a pastoral letter, addressed to the Bishops, clergy and laity of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa, Archbishop Okine said, “ It is not the practice of the Anglican Church to allow the appointment and ordination of homosexuals/lesbians as clergymen or women.

The letter registered its sadness on the approval of homosexuals to the high office since “the action seems to have lowered the Gospel to the level of society instead of raising society to the level of the Gospel.”

The Church of the Province of West Africa, therefore, said it does not subscribe to the appointment and deems it most reprehensible.

THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. AFTER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO NPP, ATTEMPTS TO DITCH ELIZABETH OHENE FAIL – HIDDEN AGENDA EXPOSED – HO – POLICE TURN DEBT COLLECTORS – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper says a well-calculated and rehearsed moves, by some executive members of the Ho West Constituency of the NPP, in collaboration with moles in the district assembly to ditch Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Tertiary Education, in her Parliamentary ambitions, have been nipped in the bud. The entire plan struck a discord at a take-off, and has therefore became still born.

According to the paper, a grand plan, remotely controlled from the regional capital and aimed at knocking out the minister in order to make the impending primaries a one-way traffic for her opponent, Mawutor Goh, the Ho district chief executive, has been exposed.

The paper’s investigative sorties in the Constituency revealed that as part of the first stage of the three-tier diabolical plan, the list of 202 polling station chairmen and secretaries, who constitute the delegates and are to vote at the primaries, are not only being compiled in secret, but also being kept close to the chest of the chairman, Mr. Theophilus Adzoho, who is seriously rooting for the DCE.

2. MPIANI BLAMED FOR JAK’S INACTION ON C’TTEE’S REPORT – PG. 4 & 5
According to the paper, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, has been blamed for the apparent delay by President Kufuor to act on a committee report that was submitted to him in Dec. last year on the wrongful dismissal of about 500 ex-workers of the National Oil Palm Limited (NOPL), which is based at Pretsea in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
Some sources that spoke to the paper said the Chief of Staff might have forgotten to inform the President of receiving the Committee’s report, hence the apparent silence by the President.

3. MIM THREATENS TO BOYCOTT FUTURE ELECTIONS – PG. 5
The paper reports that, Nana Kofi Boffah, acting President of Mim Traditional Council, has complained about the poor state of Mim in spite of its significant contributions, to the national economy.
According to the paper, he claimed that although Mim contributes largely to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, it remains the poorest in terms of infrastructure and cautioned that it should not be a surprise if the people refused to exercise their franchise in the next elections.
Nana Boffah, who is also Nifahene of Mim, was speaking at a durbar organised in honour of Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Regional Minister, who toured the town as part of a working visit to the Asunafo District.

DAILY GUIDE - MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. JJ’S SPEED BOAT COSTS $30,000 – PG. 1 & BP. PG.
The paper’s investigations can confirm that the dinghy (Speed boat) acquired by former President Rawlings, was bought from Sybille Knuppel of Neur Str. Il, 21526, Hohenborn Of Germany.
It was purchased on July 3, 2003 and shipped to Rawlings, and cleared on August 12, 2003, at the Tema port by his special aide Mr. Victor Smith.
The boat came with Kitchen equipment, dinning chairs, and two glass tables. The Glass tables came with the measurement, 125x80cm, and the other measures 118 x 78cm.
The actual cost of the dinghy is Euro 29,137.80 (?276,809000.10), approximately $30,000, excluding custom duties paid by the importer at the Tema port, totaling ?110,235.025.00.
According to the paper, a document prepared by Gateway Services Ltd, titled: Final Classification and valuation Report, Spells out the details.

THE INDEPENDENT – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. AKWASI AGYEMAN PREDICTS NDC’S DOOM – KUFUOR’S 2? YEARS BETTER THAN RAWLINGS’ 20’ – PG. 1 & BK. PG
The paper reports that, the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Nana Akwasi Agyeman has stated emphatically that the NDC is doomed forever as a political party.
According to Akwasi Agyeman, “the NDC would never again make any gains in the country’s political game and would be better off, if the leadership of the party give up any hope of ever capturing political power.
He disclosed this in an interview with the paper at his Dichemso residence in Kumasi.

NETWORK HERALD – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

1. ?140M FOR SPEAKER’S HOLIDAY – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper reports that, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, has taken time off his hectic parliamentary duties to cool off at Dublin, Republic of Ireland for two weeks.
For his two weeks annual leave, which runs from September 1 to 14, the Speaker has been given an amount of $15,974.00 the equivalent of over one hundred and forty Million cedis (?140,394,048.34) to cover his expenses.
According to the paper, it’s investigations have revealed however that the Speaker and indeed, all Members of Parliament are not entitled to any such leave.

FREE PRESS – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

PLEASE BURY THE YA NA NOW – PG. 2 & BK. PG.
According to the paper, a group of concerned Dagbons from both the Andani and Abudu gates have appealed to the government to take immediate steps to arrange for the burial of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.
Speaking to the paper on condition of anonymity, a spokesperson for the group indicated that the speedy burial of the late Ya Na would be a first step towards bringing peace to Dagbon.

PUBLIC AGENDA – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003

DILEMMA OF GHANA POLICE … WHEN DOES ASSAULT ON THE PRESIDENT CONSTITUTE A CRIME? – PG. 1
Ghana Police Service have thrown their hands in the air in desperation at the direction of the government that people who defame the President should be allowed to get away with it, whether they do it unconsciously or willfully.
Top police officers who spoke to the paper, maintained that policemen who arrested Yaw Kusi for insulting President Kufuor in Kumasi acted within the law.
Yaw Kusi is reported to have said “this is your so called Kufuor in town. That Kufuor who cannot stay in Accra, but roams about unnecessarily”. The President was on official tour of in the Ashanti Region.
He was then arrested for defaming the President and also resisting arrest, obstructing and assaulting a public officer.
Interior Minister Hackman Owusu Agyeman ordered Kusi’s release on the grounds that government has no interest in pursuing the case, following a wide media coverage and comments from the public.
NATIONAL DEMOCRAT – MONDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2003
1. KUFUOR’S ?2 BILION PRIVATE TRIP TO MOROCCO – JUST TO RELAX! – PGS. 1 & 3
The paper says at a time that the vast majority of Ghanaians are feeling crushed by the harsh economic conditions created by the government, the President, Kufuor, found it expedient to sneak out of the country for a luxurious holiday in Morocco.
According to the paper, the President probably aware that his intended holiday was immoral since it was at the expense of the tax-payer sneaked out of country in the night of Friday, August 29.
The paper states further that the President probably does not care two-hoots about the plight of Ghanaians.

2. TEMA FISHERMEN THREATEN TO BOYCOTT FARMERS’ DAY – PG. 3
The paper reports that members of the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) have threatened to boycott the Farmers’ Awards Day celebrations if fishermen were not recognized for their immense contribution to the economy.
According to the paper, they complained that ever since the day was instituted, fishermen and members of the NAFAG have never been considered for awards and that the situation was a disincentive to them.
“We will, therefore, institute our own fishermen’s day if fishermen will not be considered in the Farmer’s day celebration”, Mr. Peter Dadson of the Ocean Fisheries and a member of the NAFAG said during an open forum organised by Association to interact with Mr. Edward Martey Akita, Minister of State for Fisheries at Tema.