Ex-NPP MP vows to pursue election petition caseWhen the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled on August 29, this year, on the historic presidential election petition, bringing to an end eight months of legal tussle between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), it was anticipated that electoral petitions of all forms, particularly those concerning parliamentary elections may have effectively come to a close.

This is based on the assumption that the evidence adduced at the Supreme Court by the petitioners was the same as that of the parliamentary candidates, who have gone to the various High Courts to challenge the results declared by the Electoral Commission in their respective constituencies.

It did not, therefore, come as a surprise when the Asawase Constituency candidate of the NPP, Nana Antwi Tawiah, decided to file to discontinue the case he had brought against the EC and the NDC candidate in a Kumasi High Court.

The Chronicle can, however, authoritatively report that the Ahafo North Constituency candidate of the opposition party, Mr. Richard Akuoko Adiyiah, is not disturbed by the Supreme Court ruling and therefore, not considering any move to withdraw the case, which is also pending before a Kumasi High Court.

The soft-spoken former MP has told the paper he has no intention to follow the path of his colleagues, as he believes in the solidity of his case and evidence before the High Court in Kumasi.

The NPP Candidate, who lost narrowly to his NDC opponent in last year’s election says he is ready to fight the case to its logical conclusion and prove to the whole world that the parliamentary results of the December 2012 elections in the Ahafo Ano North constituency was marred with massive fraud and irregularities.

Denying reports that NPP leadership had allegedly instructed all petitioners to discontinue their cases following the final judgment of the Supreme Court, Hon. Adiyiah, brimming with confidence, stated that he believes he has an incontrovertible evidence to prove his case in court.

“I have no intention to drop this case, not at all, look I have strong evidence of fraud and irregularities in my constituency and I will prove to the whole world,” a confident Hon. Adiyiah told this reporter in a telephone interview.

The defeated MP, Akuoko Adiyiah, is challenging the eligibility of the December 7 parliamentary election which he narrowly lost to his National Democratic Congress (NDC) opponent, Hon. Akwasi Adusei, who polled 18,841against 18,418 by the failed NPP candidate.

The former MP, per his statement of claim alleged that the election was marred with fraud and irregularities and is demanding that the results be cancelled.

Hon. Adiyiah contends that presidential elections are completely different from the parliamentary and that the fact that the Supreme Court ruled against the petitioners has nothing to do at all with his parliamentary case.

“Let’s not forget that in the case of presidential elections, they deal with percentages but in the case of parliamentary, just a single vote will be enough to change the results in favour of another candidate,” he stressed.

Citing the case of Tema West Constituency where Hon. Titus Glover won by a margin of less than 10 votes, Hon. Adiyiah noted that he is optimistic he can convince the court to change the results in his favour.

“My opponent Hon. Adusei, based on the status quo, won by less than 423 votes and I am seeking an annulment of over 9,000 votes which will eventually reduce the percentage of votes obtained by the NDC and increase that of his.

The case is currently before a Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice Roben Batu, pending hearing into an appeal filed by Counsel for the first respondent, Lawyer Mujeeb Abdul Rahman & Co., who filed an appeal against ruling by the court and have further raised objection about the legitimacy of the Counsel for the petitioner, Kwame Adom Appiah.

The petition initially suffered some setbacks and had to be moved to Accra upon instruction of the Chief Justice but has since been referred back to Kumasi for hearing. At the last sitting on Monday October 14, Counsel for the second respondent, the Electoral Commission, failed to make an appearance, compelling the court to adjourn hearing to somewhere November 21, 2013.

THE PETITION

In the 21-point petition filed by the defeated MP, he catalogued various forms of irregularities which he claims violated the credibility of the results announced by the second respondent, the Electoral Commission (EC) which declared the first respondent as the winner of the December 7, 2012 parliamentary election in the Ahafo Ano North constituency.

The petitioner claims that the election was generally marred by several irregularities including instances of voting without biometric verification, absence of presiding officers’ signatures on pink sheets.

The violations, the petitioner claims, also include aggregates of instances of over voting due to total votes in ballot box plus unused/spoilt ballots exceeding the number of ballots issued to polling stations and aggregate of instances of over voting due to total votes in the ballot box exceeding the number of ballots issued to voters on the polling station register.

The defeated MP averred in his petition that the total number of votes that were wrongfully, unlawfully and / or illegally added to valid votes cast amounted to 9,204. The petition further states “That when the Petitioner detected the anomalies he requested a copy of the data from the Biometric Verification machine but the EC District Officer asked the petitioner to seek legal advice.”

It further pointed out that on a second demand the EC official indicated to the petitioner that all the machines had been set to zero as the chips had been removed.

The petitioner, therefore, claims that these irregularities, when corrected, shall have significant impact on the declaration of the result by changing the figures purported to have been bagged by the so-called winner of constituency parliamentary elections from 18,841 votes to 13,031 valid votes with percentage strength of 45.78 of the total votes cast.

On the other hand, the petitioner avers that the correction, when done by the court, will reduce his votes from 18, 418 to 15,122 valid votes representing a percentage strength of 53.12 of the valid votes cast, making him the winner of the December 7 election.

The petitioner is, therefore, seeking three reliefs from the court including a declaration that the irregularities practised by the EC officials who were in charge of the Ahafo Ano North Constituency affected the authenticity of the election and that the first respondent had not been validly elected as a Member of Parliament for the constituency.

Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle

JJ & Wife Grace Club 100 Awards

When Mrs Mawuena Trebarh took the bold decision to change the structure and pattern of the 2013 Ghana Club 100 event she could not have known that she would be making the impact that she did. Putting the usual business community aside, the event was graced by the Founder of the NDC – whose regime founded the GIPC - former President Rawlings, his wife and Former Prime Minister P.V. Obeng who chaired the occasion!

The arrival and participation of many high-profile dignitaries – both local and foreign – and most importantly former President Rawlings at this year’s GIPC Club 100 gave a seal of approval to the 2013 event. 

Interestingly, the GIPC was established when Former President Rawlings was at the helm of affairs as Ghana’s CEO and yet this is the first time he honoured the company’s flagship event. 

Coincidentally, the event’s theme, “Promoting Good Corporate Governance and Innovative Entrepreneurship” is in line with President Rawlings' ideals of probity and accountability.

The former President was accompanied by his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and both gave awards. And in her usual self, Mrs Rawlings brought her dancing heels – she danced outstandingly!

Last Friday night starting from 7 pm, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre celebrated Corporate Ghana, in a much anticipated 13th edition of the prestigious Ghana Club 100 awards at the State Banquet Hall! 

The other highlight of the evening was the changed format which saw a panel discussion on the topic “The Economic Integration of Africa -The role of the private sector” with Dr. Thomas Mensah – Chairman of Lightwave and Wireless Systems Corporation, USA (via Skype conference call) , Mr. William Olukoya, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Symbion Power LLC. USA, Professor Yaw Nyarko, Professor of Economics and Co-Director of the Development Research Institute, Dept. of Economics - New York University USA and Mr. Paul Talley CEO of Vanu Africa. The panel discussion was moderated in a BBC style by ace journalist Mr. Komla Dumor, Senior Broadcaster with the BBC, United Kingdom.

The emphasis on corporate governance, according to GIPC, is that the presence of strong governance standards provides better access to capital and aids economic growth. Properly designed rules of governance should focus on implementing the values of fairness, transparency, accountability, and responsibility to both shareholders and stakeholders.

When asked of her views of this year's event, Mrs. Trebarh stated that she was humbled by the presence of former President Rawlings, his Wife as well as the Chair for the occasion Mr. P.V. Obeng and the other dignitaries. She went on to emphasise that "there is no doubt that one of the greatest achievements of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is the introduction of Ghana Club 100 (GC 100) in 1998. The GC 100 is made up of the top 100 high performing companies in Ghana from both public and private sectors. The listing, grading and awarding is carried out annually during which companies who make the mark join the list whiles those that are unable to, are eliminated.

The brand has aimed mainly at introducing a system of ranking the top 100 companies in Ghana while encouraging and nurturing the private sector to develop and grow to compete internationally. The Centre believed, and still believes, that this would cultivate the character and confidence required by businesses in Ghana for the global environment.

When asked about the choice of this year’s theme, she went on to say that it was important for Ghana to accept that there is a global yardstick with which standards of operation and practice must be set, and with “Good Corporate Governance and Innovative Entrepreneurship” it is important for us to note that potential investors will always be interested in seeing evidence of a company that is not just successful in terms of client base and revenue but also in terms of operational and best governance practices. Good corporate Governance is therefore a necessary ingredient if our companies want to be competitive in the global market.

Mrs Trebarh further said "It is also worthy to note that the dynamic and competitive nature of global business means investors are only attracted to well organized and positively ambitious companies because they have a greater potential of success and good profit margins".

The GIPC Boss went on to suggest: "We need to put our house in order to attract more of the scarce Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the market now. According to the 2013 World Investment Report by UNCTAD, Ghana attracted just 0.24% of the total world inflow of FDI. The report also states that FDI into West Africa declined in 2012 as compared to 2011. FDI flows to West Africa declined by 5 per cent to $16.8 billion from $16.1 billion in 2011. Fortunately Ghana is reported to have maintained the $3.3 billion it attracted in 2012. We have a lot of work to do if we are to increase these percentages and we at the Centre believe with the collective efforts of both public and private institutions, we can be partners in prosperity. To ensure that we attract a fair share of the Global FDI, we have put together a strategy, which is based on three pillars, Image, Experience and Tangible results".

She also stated that "Ghana needs to project and maintain the right Image and Reputation of both the GIPC and the country as a whole. It is therefore imperative that we encourage the adoption of best practices in all aspects of our business lives if we wish to attract the relevant and strategic FDI into the country. In addition we are ensuring that every investor and anyone else who influences decisions has only positive experience where execution of commercial opportunities in Ghana are concerned.

“Finally, we wish to translate direct investments (both foreign and domestic) into jobs, infrastructure, high impact interventions on critical economic indicators and key factors driving investment decisions."

Off the back of a tough 2013 which has seen political court cases and power-related problems persisting as well as new appointees settling into offices, the GIPC's bold changes can only be commended!

Source: myjoyonline

Abraaj Group acquires Ghana Home Loans

One of Ghana’s leading providers of residential mortgages, Ghana Home Loans has been acquired by a Dubai based private equity firm.

This is the second major acquisition by Abraaj in Ghana in five months.  In June, it acquired 100 percent stake in Fan Milk International, the parent company of Fan Milk Ghana.

In a statement, Abraaj said it has invested in two of the fastest growing sectors-real estate and financial services in Ghana.

The acquisition is the latest example of private equity firms looking to Africa for deals, drawn by a growing middle class and increased consumer spending.

Ghana Home Loans is focused mainly on offering residential mortgages for first-time buyers, buy to let, equity release and home completion products. Abraaj gave no details on its payment for the stake.

Founded in 2002, the Dubai firm has about 7.5 billion dollars in assets.

Source: myjoyonline

TUC ON WAR PATH

As Ghanaian workers go red over utility hikes

Angry Ghanaian workers will from Tuesday put on red arm bands and fly red flags in their various work places as the pressure on government to announce a reduction in utility prices continue unabated.

This was announced by the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress Mr Kofi Asamoah after a marathon union conference held, Monday, to agree on the next line of action to take in protest over the rising cost of living as a result of the utility price hikes.

TUC had issued a ten-day ultimatum to government to reduce the 150 per cent hikes in water and electricity. The deadline for the ultimatum is Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

After the marathon meeting, Kofi Asamoah told Joy News' Francisca Kakra Forson, they have taken into consideration the appeal by the president, John Mahama for the organised labour to exercise restraint as the technical committee submit an interim report on the utility prices.

With that report set to be ready in a week, Asamoah said the workers will put red arm bands and fly red flags at their various work places to register their displeasure over the increases.

He said they would rather have the government stagger the hikes in a way that will not drastically affect organised labour.

He did not say what the workers will do in the case government does not announce any reduction in utility prices, even though strikes and demonstration may not be far-fetched.

Meanwhile, barring any last minute intervention, members of the Trades Union Congress in Kumasi will hit the streets in protest over what they say is the growing hardship caused by the 150 per cent hikes in utility prices.

This was confirmed by the Ashanti Region chairman of the TUC, Kofi Asare Essiamah. Government is however appealing to the workers to exercise restraint.

A deputy Information Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu told Joy News the government is ready to dialogue with workers to find an amicable solution to the problem.

"Ultimatum and threats do not help much," he stated, adding, dialogue is the key.

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Editorial

TEACHERS’ HONOUR; A WORTHY FEATHER IN THE CAP

It is worthy of recognition that many teachers in Ghanaian schools, although in the face of scarcity - want and need precipitating hardship and not-too-good condition of service, are still striving to give off the best in them.

The Republic newspaper would also add voice to those giving kudos to the nation’s crop of teachers who have, against all odds, distinguished themselves in the service of nation and humanity.

We should also help give three loud cheers to Mr. Simon Jude Yifaa, the 2012 overall Ghana’s best teacher and his two runners up, Mr. Tia Yahaya and Mrs. Mariama Antwi-Adjei for onerous deed in the teaching field.

This paper would, however, add up to calls on other teachers to emulated the patriotism of the three and many others winning various awards in this year’s annual event.

We are saying this because, in many schools today, teachers have become more business-minded than the core duty they are expected to deliver.

When some of the Ghanaian schoolteachers of today have turned their classrooms into the stalls of petty trading where they sell all sorts of goods, including chocolate, books and sometimes, funeral cloth and shoes, it is refreshing to note that others have chosen to bring to bear the best in them, winning them, not only the material honours, but the heart of the nation too.

Some of the teachers would even demand that the pupils and students, especially those approaching their final year classes or examinations, as a matter of necessity attend school on Saturdays and Sundays before they could be able to teach and learn what would sail them through in flying colours. This, the paper thinks is below the teaching belt.

The teacher exudes reverence, discipline and respect among the student and pupil population, but today some teachers stoop so low to even sharing cigarette and partake in more than one social vices with the pupils they are to ‘bring up’.

The Republic would also congratulate government for sustaining the Annual teachers’ awards and giving out what has been the 19^th edition of it this year.

The package going with the awards has also been transformed positively to the enticement of the teachers – for given out 3-bedroom house is not only commendable but it is also very inviting.

However, The Republic would see it as more satisfying if government considers as priority, teachers’ salary issue, which they always cry over, leading to unnecessary strikes that create interregnum in almost every year’s educational calendar, as we view the government/teacher/education-success as give and take affair.

Once again, we say three great cheers to the nation’s illustrious teachers who put nation first.

2013 HAJJ IS SUCCESSFUL

By Zulaihatu Abubakar

The National Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Committee, Mr. Ibrahim Abdul-Rauf Tanko, has revealed that, this year’s hajj pilgrimage has been a success, although, with minor challenges.

According to him, the problem they encountered had to do with pilgrims being escorted with many people to the hajj village. This, he said, created a major problem for them in term of crowd control.

“I can confidently say that this year’s hajj has been successful apart from late submission of application which has prevented some from getting their visas; but their monies were refunded to them back. Everything went on smoothly and we are expecting them back by the end of this month God willing”, he added.

He said, 5,430 Ghanaian Muslims were airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to observe this year’s Hajj.

Alhaji Tanko advised Ghanaians who wished to observe next year’s pilgrimage to pay on time, in order to avoid encountering this year’s similar situation, adding that “this helps to make our process smoothly without encountering any challenges”.  

The first flight of this year’s hajj departed Ghana on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 with 319 pilgrims. This year’s Hajj has recorded minimal challenges unlike previous years’.

The Ministry of Health assigned some medical officers to accompany the 2013 Hajj pilgrims in order to ensure they get urgent treatment if any of them contracts the deadly corona-virus in the Middle East.

Vice President, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur who saw the first batch of pilgrims off, advised them to be of good behavior as they serve as representatives of the country during the Hajj.

Zoomlion Workers Up In Arms

·    Over 6 Months’ Unpaid Salary

Story: W.K. Adusu

Workers of the Ghana’s Waste management giant, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, La Dade Kotopon (LaDMA) branch, are up in arms. They are angry at the Company for holding on to their five and six (6) months’ pay.

The workers, majority of whom are women have been cladding in red-band and were bitter about the manner in which the Company was treating matters of their welfare.

Some of them, who were shedding tears, said it is sad the company does not regard them as human beings working for it.

According to them, they also have children who are in school, and now that schools have resumed after vacation, they would have to pay fees and buy books for their wards; yet, the Zoomlion company is refusing to pay them their money for 5 and 6 months’ now.  

With insults and curses on the management of the Zoomlion; and their immediate boss at the LaDMA, who is only known as Mr. Kpanja, they posed a number of questions demanding answers for them.

They disclosed that they take Gh¢100.00 each person as their monthly salary; and queried that since the company has refused all this long to pay them what does the Company expect them (workers) to eat, wear, and in some cases, to pay transport fare with to get to their work places to perform their duties.

The workers numbering over 300 converged at the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly; demanding for their full pay and not one month out of 5 or 6 months the Company owes them. They say they need everything to enable them settle their debts they also owe people out there.

LaDMA To Issue Over 4000 Nat’l IDs To Residents

...As NIA faces Problem with its Biometric Machines 

Story: W.K. Adusu

National Identification Authority in collaboration with the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), has so far issued some one thousand eight hundred (1,800) National Identification Cards out of four thousand (4,000) ID Cards, to the area’s applicants within 4 weeks amidst challenges.

It emerged during the exercise that there were some institutions in the Municipality who are not prepared to assist the Municipal Assembly to serve the indigene or help to mitigate its minor problems facing the people.  

The ongoing exercise which is taking place at the premises of the Presbyterian church in the heart of the La township; due to certain teething problems has left applicants queue in the scotching sun for hours every day in attempts to receive; but many are disappointed after going through the long queuing process but failing to find their cards.

These disappointed persons are then referred to the National Identification Headquarters at Shiashie, a suburb of Accra for the collection.  

The Republic gathered that the applicants who were normally provided with canopies through the magnanimity of the Presby church, as they (applicants) go through the card distributing process, were this time denied that service, because the Church was demanding payment of Gh¢10.00 for each canopy on daily basis, which the service providers couldn’t afford.

The source added that, the church claims the canopies belong to the youth group of the church, and it was the group that demanding Gh¢30.00 for three canopies.    

This paper gathered that an elderly woman of her sixties fainted earlier while queuing in the scotching sun for hours;  collapsed and sustained bruises on her body, at the premises of Presbyterian Church; and was rushed to a near-by clinic.

In a telephone interview, the MCE, Madam Rita Odoley Sowah, told this Reporter, the assembly, has been renting canopies from the same church whose premises the exercise was going on.

The MCE, seems not understand why the church should allow the people of La queue in the sun for hours to go through process of receiving their National Identification Cards.

She was of the view that the church providing canopies freely for the exercise could be part of its social responsibility; but the Assembly pays for them (canopies).

Hon Member of Parliament for the area, Nii Amasah Namoale, said the impasse has been resolved with the church and its youth group, because the church insisted taken money. This was agreed that at the end of the exercise, the bill for the use of the canopies would be sent to the MP, to pay.

On this score, the use of the canopies started again yesterday, Monday, October 7, 2013. This brought a kind of relief to the La Municipal Chief Executive.

The Republic further noted that in spite of the aforementioned problem, the NIA officials are also faced with challenges of the biometric machines’ unable to identify the fingerprints of some applicants.

And with the support of the NADMO staff, the NIA serves over six hundred people daily, with just one computer.

Some queuing applicants told The Republic that, they were yeaning to have their national identification cards; but the exercise was not moving they way they expected it.

Others also were disappointed that after a long queue the biometric machine could not pick their fingers, although their information and photographs were on the machine, whilst others were asked to go to Shiashie for their cards.     

INVEST MORE INTO YAM RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT - IITA

By Zulaihatu Abubakar

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), one of the worlds’s leading research partners working to find solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty, has held its first global conference in Accra, calling for more investments into yam research and development.

According to organisers, increasing funding for research and development on yam will help unleash the potential of the crop, improve livelihoods, create jobs and enhance food security in Africa.

The Global Conference on Yams provides a platform for stakeholders to explore recent innovations in yam improvement, share lessons learned, identify research and development needs, and develop global alliances.

Researchers, policymakers, and representatives from the private sector have noted that, recent investments in yam research are paying off, and demonstrating the crop’s greater potential than what is being realized.

In his address, the Director General of IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, noted that sustaining and enhancing funding support for yam research and development backed by political will are needed to unlock the crop’s full potential.

He praised the government of Japan, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), for supporting IITA on yam research and called on researchers to develop a vision for the crop.

Known as the ‘king of crops’ because of its contribution to incomes and food security, yam, also has high cultural value especially in traditional marriages in Africa.

However, the crop is under-researched due to low funding; and this has been limiting the potential of the crop for alleviating poverty.

A deputy minister for Agriculture, Hon. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, who represented his sector Minister, noted that, if the agricultural sector is able to attract more investments to advance and expand yam research globally, the anticipated benefits and impacts will be quite enormous.

According to him, there was a need to “soberly rethink through research-and-development, and invest our limited resources judiciously to ensure best results.”

The Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, noted that in spite of the contribution to food security and incomes, African crops such as yam have not commanded the attention they deserved, and have as a result remained underutilized.

“Yams are unexploited in several aspects: actual yields are lower than potential, utilization is low for instance in animal feeds, and potential for diversification of yam products among others is unexploited,” he said.

Commending IITA for its contribution to yam research and development, Dr Akinbamijo said that the key to unlocking the potential of yam lies in science and technology as well as empowerment of the producers, and urged marketers, and consumers to take advantage of what research offers.

According to him, “the challenge is to mobilize the investment required to conduct research and develop the yam value chain into a profitable enterprise for small and large-scale operators alike.”

Dr. Robert Asiedu, IITA Director for Western Africa, and the Convener of the Global Conference on Yam said that, the event provided a platform for consultation and development of a global strategy for improving the yam sector based on genetic enhancement; crop protection and mitigation of risks due to pests, diseases and climate change; conservation of genetic resources; prevention of postharvest losses; improved seed systems; crop diversification; and enhancing industrial potential of yam and improved market access.

The ultimate goals of the event are to establish: (i) a global alliance for yam improvement; (ii) gain more investments to advance and expand yam R4D agenda globally, and (iii) contribute to the strengthening of R&D capacity and human resource development for sustainable yam improvement.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

Its award-winning research for development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries.

IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a non-profit-making organization founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a Board of Trustees.

It also works on crops like cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, cassava, and maize. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

Kingson is a disrespectful ingrate – Grunsah

Bankroller of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Karim Grunsah, has described Black Stars’ goal keeper, Richard Kingson, as a disrespectful and ungrateful person.

His criticism comes on the heels of Kingson’s call up into the Black Stars’ 25-man squad ahead of the world Cup playoffs against Egypt on October 15.

Although he strongly defends Kingson’s call up, despite the deluge of criticisms from sports fans, Grunsah, nonetheless says he has a personal problem with ‘Olele’, as Richard Kingson is popularly called.

He told Moro Awudu on the XYZ Breakfast Show on Thursday that Olele has failed to show appreciation to him, despite securing a contract for the agile goalkeeper and two other national players, in the past, for a move to Turkish club Galatasaray.

According to him, “I secured a contract for Richard Kingson and Stephen Appiah to Galatasaray and can you believe he ignores me anytime he sees me?”

“I know his father and the family very well and I did not expect him to do that but I still pray for him even though I am disappointed with him”, Grunsah bemoaned.

Kingson makes a return to the Black Stars after a two-year absence.

Critics, including former Ghana Football Association President, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, are strongly against his inclusion in the 25-man team.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe told Nana Kwaku Agyemang on Sports Chat on Radio XYZ on Wednesday that Kingson is too old and has lost his reflexes.

Source: radioxyzonline.com

Chinderi Gets Ultra-Modern Police Station Soon

Story: W.K. Adusu

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Karachi-Nchimuru, Hon. Solomon Kuyon, is expected on behalf of the Assembly and the people of Karachi-Nchimuru (Chinderi) to inaugurate an ultra-modern police station for the area.

The Police Station which is about 98 per cent complete, is expected to be handed over to the Kete-Karachi Divisional Police Commander in place of the hitherto, the dilapidated structure housing police personnel.

It has been a long span of period seeing the Ghana Police Service personnel in the District operating under what could only be described as a death-trap of a police post, when The Republic visited.

The personnel sleeping place also leaves much to be desired as their barracks in the Chinderi-Nchimuru District leaves produces bad taste.

The Chinderi-Nchimuru District, carved out of Kete-Karachi in the country’s Volta Region had been operating from the mother district Kete-Karachi until it was given it own Assembly some ten months ago.

This Reporter also learnt that everything apart from the station post and barracks housing the personnel has been a death-trap, even including a place of convenience for the station.

The district police Station Officer for Chinderi, Mr. Joseph Bamfo, who took The Republic round the station on request to ascertain some of the condition under which they operate, also showed the paper the cells where suspects are been kept. The place was, simply an eyesore and nobody would believe such a structure as a police station.

However, Chief Inspector Joseph Bamfo and his men commended the hardworking District Chief Executive, Mr. Kuyon, for his passion and commitment to the welfare of the police personnel in the District; as the DCE re-houses them in a newly-built ultra-modern district police station on behalf of people of Karachi-Nchimuru District. 

The DCE, Mr. Solomon Kuyon, told The Republic that the new District Police Station has a conference hall facility, big charge office, district commander’s office, large CID office plus three cells - for male, female and juvenile amongst other facilities befitting a modern police station. 

SANGARI SOAP FACTORY POISONS CAPE-COAST

·   Authorities Unconcerned

·    Residents’ Appeals Fall On Deaf Ears

A local Soap manufacturing company in the Cape Coast municipality of the Central Region, Ameen Sangari, is at loggerheads with its neighbours, as its operation continually puts human, livestock and the entire surroundings in harm’s way.

Neighbours who spoke to The Republic narrated all kind of ordeal they go through under the company’s unacceptable operational behavior.

They said although the founder and first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah envisaged Ghana becoming an industrial hub of the sub-region and Africa at large, thus, the establishment of vital industries at the time, the negative impacts of these industries cannot be overlooked.

The affected people relate that majority of them who have found themselves in areas where these remaining vibrant industries are located throughout the country have to, not only enjoy the blessings, but also endure the curses that these industries come along with.

The true state of affairs came to light when The Republic conducted an investigation into activities of Ameen Sangari Soap Factory, in the Central Regional Capital.

Our investigations have revealed that, the continues discharge of liquid waste from the soap factory, which uses palm oil and caustic soda in its production process, into the environment over the years have led to the death of almost all the plant species at the disposal site within the municipality.

It was also observed that, the only predominant plant species found at the site includes paspalum vaginatum, panicum maximum and phyllantus amarus; whereas the other species yet to be fully exposed also shows nutritional deficiencies and toxic effects such as yellowish leaves, chlorosis, bluish tint leaves and curled leaves.

These effects of the exposure of plant species, the environment, as well as crops to industrial soap effluent being discharged by the factory, do not only concern the disposal site but also the extended environment, the growth and physiology of plant species and crops on the University of Cape Coast land.

Furthermore, studies have also revealed that, Ameen Sangari Soap Factory is also guilty of polluting the soil as well as the groundwater, thus causing death to plants and crops due to the high levels of harmful chemicals in the disposed effluent.

These harmful chemicals in the effluent were found to have grave negative impacts on soil properties such as increasing acidity, potassium and other nutrients levels which turn to cause deficiencies of other nutrients thus, resulting in abnormal growth and most often the speedy death of plants at the disposal site.

Meanwhile, student of University of Cape Coast have been conducting studies, which results revealed that, two weeks exposure to effluent samples collected from the soap factory had led to the complete death of three-week-old cowpeas, increased acidity which is known to mobilize heavy and altering soil chemistry like raising soil potassium.

The research concluded that, industrial soap effluent emission into the environment specifically, soil surface, sips down increasing acidity of soil resulting in effects such as the activity of soil microbes, particularly of decomposers is reduced, the decomposition of organic matter and subsequently nutrient cycling in the soil is reduced.

More disturbingly, the stench which the liquid waste and soap effluent generates at the disposal site, controversially located just in front of the factory, along the main Cape Coast-Takoradi road, makes life uncomfortable for the residents around the factory as well as passersby.

Some of the residents and workers interviewed by this reporter intimated that, life around the factory is becoming much difficult because of the stench they are made to endure and the smoke from the factory’s short chimneys which spreads over the neighbourhood that they are forced into inhaling.

They have also noted that, though they are not advocating for the closure of the factory, attempts to draw the appropriate authorities’ attention to the gross pollution taking place at the factory’s disposal site has prove little success. They are therefore calling on the management of the soap factory to modernize their operations by purchasing new equipments as well as treat the waste before it is being disposed.

Mr. Stephen Asare Osei, who has also done series of studies on the situation, recommended in his research that the toxicity levels of the industry’s effluents and liquid waste be checked before they are disposed by authorities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this paper can confirm that nothing has been done to solving the problem.

Nonetheless, when this reporter contacted the Central Regional branch of the EPA to seek its professional opinion on the situation and to find out if any environmental impact check has ever been done on the soap factory, he was told by the Receptionist that there were officials to talk to. Subsequent phone calls upon his return to Accra to talk with an official for the past one week also yielded no result.

Some employees of the company, who spoke to the Republic on the bases of anonymity, have also lamented about their poor working conditions and the treatments meted out to them saying that although they are aware of the negative impacts of the industrial soap effluent, there is little they could do to prevent the situation.

They also revealed that, Cape Coast or the country as a whole does not benefit from the factory’s activities because the soaps and other products are not being sold in the country but are rather exported to Burkina Faso, Mali, among others for reasons best known to the management.

However, when this reporter when to the premises of the factory in Cape Coast for their side of the story, he was denied access of entering the premises and any opportunity of an interview, stating that such actions are contrary to their regulations. Further items to reach them on phone also prove futile.

Gov’t Committed To Cocoa Farmers’ Welfare

By Zulaihatu Abubakar

Government will remain committed to paying producer prices for cocoa that will not leave Ghana’s hard-working cocoa farmers worse off.

Despite the challenges facing the crop globally as a result of rising costs and declining world commodity prices that had given rise to concerns for sustainability, the government would ensure that adequate prices were paid for cocoa.

This was disclosed by the President, John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Seth Terkper, at this year’s Ghana Cocoa Festival, under the theme: “Cocoa Consumption for a Healthier Nation”, held in Accra on Tuesday 1st October 2013.

Cocoa industry, the Ghanaian president noted, provides direct employment to more than 800,000 farm-families and about 2 million jobs to both Ghanaians and foreign nationals living Ghana, directly and indirectly.

CODAPEC is a national cocoa diseases and pests control programme initiated by government in the 2001/2002 cocoa season.

He implores all stakeholders in the country to accept future appeals for sacrifice in order to achieve sustainability goals.

“Already, stakeholders have put forward a proposal urging government to begin a gradual withdrawal from CODAPEC and Hi-tech programs and replace it with a scheme that guarantees the continuous supply and access to cocoa farming inputs.

Proponents of the proposal have supported it with sound economic reasons that withdrawal of subsidies for the two programs was necessary for a sustainable industry.

“I wish to assure all stakeholders that my government would evaluate the proposal with objectivity, especially, as it borders on sustainability with implications for economic development and take the appropriate decisions for implementation”, he added.

President John Mahama has said that, the government under his tenure has recognized the invaluable contribution of the cocoa industry to economic growth.

He said, at the current producer price level of GH¢3,392.00 per ton, the nominal income that farm-families realize from cocoa is GH¢2.9 billion.

 “Government will, therefore, support the efforts of COCOBOD to promote sustainable livelihoods in cocoa communities in order to achieve the industry’s sustainability goals”; The President added.

In view of that, he disclosed the continual support for ongoing initiatives, such as the farmers’ scholarship scheme, solar street-light projects in remote communities, the provision of good drinking water and the development of road and health infrastructure.

President Mahama, urged all parents in cocoa growing areas to enroll their children in schools, revealing that, they had equal responsibility as parents in other employment categories to enroll their wards in schools.

“The international community, cocoa consumers and civil society are watching from different angles the efforts we are making today to secure our children’s future. Let us be mindful that an educated society is the bedrock of development and Ghana cannot afford to play the ostrich”, he concluded.

The Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of COCOBOD, Mr. Anthony Fofie, addressing the gathering also said scientific studies by distinguished researchers including Professor Kweku Addai of the University of Ghana Medical School, have shown that cocoa contains active ingredients that fight against diseases infections in the body.

He suggested the increment of per capita cocoa consumption from the paltry 0.5kg. This he said, will stimulate the establishment of small-scale industrial units to create jobs for the youth and enhance the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.

“Drinking cocoa means enhancing the health of our people and creating jobs, let us sustain the cocoa industry. Let us drink cocoa today and everyday”, Mr. Fofie advised.

The Secretary General of COPAL, Dr. Paul Nanga Coulibaly, noted that, although the 10-member country alliance produced about 75 per cent of the world’s cocoa, only about 20 per cent was processed.

According to him, Ghana as the second largest producer, harvests over 825,000 tons of cocoa annually, only about 220,000 tonnes is processed.

In a related development, the National Chief Farmer, Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, also expressed his gratitude to the government for stabilizing the producer price for cocoa.

As part of this year’s festival, three individuals received awards for their contribution to the cocoa industry.

They were: Mr. Samuel Tobi, who was announced the “Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer for 2013”; Mr. Godwin Sogbor, “Best Researcher into Benefits of Cocoa” and, Mr. Kwame McJoseph (Rite FM – Somanya), “Best Journalist for the Promotion of the Benefits of Cocoa”.

They were awarded with plaques, undisclosed sums of money and some cocoa products.

Editorial

RECENT TARIFFS INCREASE MISPLACED

The recently announced huge increase in public utility tariffs seem  to becoming everyday bother for majority of Ghanaians, except those in political offices – they always ‘believe’ Ghanaians need to pay what they call realistic price for these services in order to get the national economy moving. This assertion may be true at its face value and in the absence of fair-mindedness.

However, one may ask how satisfied the service being provided by providers of these services to the Ghanaian public is. But to be fair and objective, even the service providers themselves could attest that their efforts at providing the said services to the people often leave much to be desired.

But who speak for the Ghanaian consumer?

 The nation’s rulers often believe and stick religiously to the axiom that the shouts and wailing of the people, often at the advent of this kind of perpetration of social injustices are ‘9-day wonders’. And indeed, it is when the politician finds himself or herself out of government that their social IQ works properly toward the people.

The tragedy of Ghana’s democracy, however, has been ‘let God care for all, but each one for himself’. Ghanaian workers cry every other day for sufficient take-home salary and human-faced condition of services, but to the official deaf ear.

The grievous economic implications resulting from the recent 52% and 78% increase at a go in water and electricity user fee respectively; and at the heels of the increase in fuel and other commodities in Ghana, could turn out to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back: Especially so, as the increases also come at a time schools have re-opened with parents clutching crown of head at the excruciating economic  hardship being experienced in their country.

The tariffs increase, as misplaced as it may be, and of no socio-welfare benefit to the ordinary Ghanaian, just remind one of not only incompetence in the services workplaces and their echelons, but wanton measure of apathy to the people’s plight by the system.

The services providers could have harnessed all the large-scale illegal connections in people’s homes and factories, bribery, under-invoicing and over-invoicing for parochial gains and all official manipulations, to help cushion, out of passionate patriotism, the unfortunate countrymen and women who are being made unjustifiably to pay for professional incompetence and inefficiencies of services officials, most of whom were at the various posts through sheer political patronage and or nepotism, but lack the ability to deliver.

One would ask if workers’ salary status remains status quo at the face of the gargantuan increase in these essential commodities of a kind, how they are going to cope with the already precarious economic situation.

Ghana seems to be under certain kind of economic depression today, when day in and day out people of all age and status are committing suicide and others venting their economic anger on their spouses.

One wonders if those who have the god-giving privilege of trust to rule over the dying, are questioning well, their business of being power.

A country blessed with almost all the earthly wealth; how on earth the same can be held ransom by acute poverty that wouldn’t let the ‘ordinary’ sleep?

Indeed, the economic managers of the country seem not in their own sufficient best. Because, the recent increase in fuel, water and electricity, is not only uncalled for but also intimidating.

NPP In Biggest Panic Mode

By Margaret Jackson

Ever since the NPP lost the bogus Supreme Court petition case on August 29, nothing has been the same for the party which hitherto was able to whip every member to the line to signify a shaky unity within the party.

For the past one month Ghanaians have witnessed the changing scenes that daily continue to emerge from the NPP quarters which many of their members and some political pundits fear will implode into serious consequences if not managed well.

Now it seems to be an open free for all fight as everybody who thinks has a stake in the NPP is saying one thing or the other. As a result, we daily hear new things emerging which continue to tear the NPP apart. Suddenly, the centre of the NPP can no longer hold as the shaky unity within the party continues to turn in a widening gyre or circle.

In order for the current leadership of the party to consolidate their stranglehold on the NPP and not to be swept by the rushing storm blowing within the NPP, they have come out with a bogus rushed arrangement that is meant to return Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the 2016 Flagbearer of the NPP.

Like it or not whoever controls delegates of any party in Ghana stands a 90% chance of being elected the flagbearer of the party. That is why even though many NPP folks did not like Akufo-Addo that much, he easily won the flagbearership race to contest the 2012 Presidential Election which he eventually lost out to President John Mahama.

Nana Akufo-Addo’s delegates are still in place. They have not gone anywhere. That is why the NPP leadership have floated and accepted in principle an arrangement to conduct the flagbearership race first before the delegates. The reason is simple; to get the current delegates “controlled” by Nana Akufo-Addo to return him as their Presidential Candidate for 2016.

If you hear people like Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, NPP’s General Secretary saying that Nana Akufo-Addo will be their candidate if even he is in a wheelchair, then you better read between the lines.

If the NPP delegates’ elections are not held first, no NPP candidate can beat Nana Akufo-Addo if he decides to run for the 2016 flagbearership. The calculated move to get the flagbearership elections done first is to save the current crop of executives of the NPP from being axed from their positions.

If the arrangement holds and the flagbearership election is held first and Akufo-Addo wins, there will definitely be tail-coating with those on his side winning positions they will contest for.

The NPP is now in its biggest panic mode with all sorts of scenarios being floated around. The party which has thrived on lies for so long is indeed in panic and do not know how to handle it.

The NPP is in no mood to conduct any post-mortem analysis to determine why they have lost two elections in a row, but is bent on just doing anything to sweep their dirt under the carpet. The fight for positions and fame seems to be the driving force.

magjackson80@yahoo.com

http://majjacks80.blogspot.com

A teenager commits suicide at Half Assini

Half Assini (W/R), Sept. 30, GNA - Mr. GNA - An 18 year-old school dropout, Eric Cudjoe, from Tikobo Number One near Half Assini committed suicide on Tuesday.   His body was found hanging in his room by his father, Mr. Samuel Cudjoe and has been deposited at the Half Assini Government Hospital. Superintendent of Police John Ferguson Dzineku, Jomoro District Police Commander, told the GNA that the deceased dropped out of a public school about six years ago for poor academic performance and enrolled in a private school at Nuba but dropped out for the same reason. He said when Cudjoe woke up on Tuesday and saw fis former school mates going to school he went to his room and turned on his radio to a very high volume. He said some friends went to look for him and the parents directed them to his room and did not respond when they knocked on the door. His father forced the door open and saw him hanging from a rope tied to the ceiling. S.P. Dzineku said the Police had not made any arrests and foul play is not suspected.

GNA