GHANA WARNS SIERRA LEONE

restraint and to avoid escalating the situation needlessly". The warning was contained in a statement issued by the government and signed by Mr. F.A. Danso Secretary to the Cabinet after a Cabinet meeting in Accra yesterday.

The statement deplored military attacks launched last Wednesday by the Revolutionary The Government of Ghana has cautioned Sierra Leone's new military government against embarking on misguided actions that could compromise the search for a negotiated settlement. It has accordingly advised the coup leaders and their allies "to exercise maximum United Front (RUF), allies of the current military regime against ECOMOG Forces stationed at Lungi Airport in Freetown resulting in the loss of life. The Government of Ghana considers the attack to be uncalled for especially since it could provoke a military response with far reaching implications on the search for a negotiated settlement of the political crisis," the statement said. The statement expressed the government's serious misgivings at the action especially so as a delegation of the coup leaders was in Ghana as part of their diplomatic shuttle in the sub-region to solicit ways of resolving the conflict peacefully.

It made clear that ECOMOG of which Ghana is a key member would be left with no other alternative than "to respond decisively to deter any further aggression against its personnel based in Lungi under an agreement with Sierra Leone. The government, however, reiterated its commitment to the pursuit and attainment of a durable solution through the joints efforts of member states of the ECOWAS fraternity.

The government's statement also disclosed that Cabinet had approved a concessionary loan of $6.55 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development for the construction of four community hospitals in the country.

The hospitals are to be built at Bimbila in the Northern Region, Nkwanta, Volta Region; New Edubiase, Ashanti and Juabeso, Western. The loan will also cater for the construction of 16 health centres each with five unit houses for staff as well as vehicles to enhance mobility of staff.

The statement stated that Cabinet is to submit for the consideration of Parliament the Powers of Attorney Bill which would seek to make new provision in relation to powers of Attorney and the delegation by trustees of their trust powers and discretion. This is designed to replace the Power of Attorney Ordinance 1933.