Highlights of the news from Ghana

1 Mr Albert Bosomtwi-Sam, the Chief Whip in the Ghanaian parliament and MP for Sekondi has accused the opposition parties of thwarting the ruling NDC's efforts at wooing foreign investors to rebuild Ghana which started on 31 December 1981. He said the opposition are going round the world discouraging investors.

2 Dr Joseph Aryee, a senior lecturer at Accra Legon has submitted that the non-partisan nature of the District Assemblies has proved impossible to enforce because of the powerful position of the District Chief Executives.

3 The Ghanaian Chronicle claims that the ruling NDC has earmarked c4.6 billion of taxpayers money to enable the party undertake a cell by cell, constituency by constituency rallies towards the 1996 elections. The paper claims: 130 land cruisers have been ordered for District Chief Executives. Using under-cover agents, the Chronicle was able to attend a closed-door meeting recently held at the National Theatre in Accra at which Dr Obed Asamoah, Minister for Foreign Affairs and also Acting Attorney- General (for a few years) is said to have told the meeting that the rallies will be preceded by a national forum and will end with a grand gathering on June 4, 1996.

4 At the launching ceremony of Ghana Review, Prof. Kwesi Yankah said that the frequency allocations were made to ensure NDC victory in 1996 because the 1996 battle will be "won not by the pen and print but by the reach and power of the spoken word".

5 An African-American couple, Dr Mark Hosea Davis and Dr(Mrs) Evia Louise Davis have donated 250 dollars in aid of a maternity block they pledged to build for the people of Obuasi in the Gomoa District of the Central Region.

6 Members of the Gomoa District Assembly were told at their recent meeting that a headmaster in one of their Schools is indoctrinating pupils via the Jehovah's Witness sect.

7 A total of 150,000 tourists were expected to attend the silver jubilee celebrations of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, Asantehene.

8 The 66th Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana will be held at Takoradi from 19-25 August 1995.

9 The Ghana Commercial Bank has given c800,000 towards the Homowo Festivals of the Ga people this year.

10 The President of Ghana, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings has commissioned a number of development projects in Ashanti Region: reconstruction of the Konongo - Agogo road, Bechem Junction - Tepa road and Chirapatre - Kuntase road. And the Tepa community is also to be provided with electricity.

11 Mr K Tevi, Greater Accra Regional Social Welfare Office has cautioned barbers to adhere to professional standards by ensuring the "one man one razor blade" principle applies. This is to avoid passing on diseases like AIDS.

12 A 52-year old celebrated hunter, Mallam Amadu Bufour from Band Nkwanta in the Brong Ahafo Region has been engaged by the Sunyani District Council to track down a predatory beast(s) which have been terrorising residents of the district for the past month.

13 Nana Konadu Rawlings has urged the media to articulate the concerns of women.

14 The Ministry of Health in Accra has presented 10 refrigerators worth c9 million to 10 private medical practitioners in Accra for the storage of vaccines for immunization.

15 An agreement establishing a twin-city status between Kumasi and Charlotte City of the US of A was signed in Kumasi last week.

16 Three Paediatric theatres at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra have been closed down for urgent repairs.

17 The Black Starlets, Ghana's under-17 years national team has beaten Ecuador, US of A and Portugal to qualify for the semi-finals in the World under-17 Cup tournament. They were due to play Oman yesterday, 17 August.

18 The President of Ghana has called on Ghanaians to cherish "our culture".

19 The Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, has emphasised that chieftaincy is a difficult but noble call that must be used for the benefit of humanity.

20 The Auditor-General, Osei Tutu Prempeh, has presented 250 copies of his report to parliament which is currently in recess.

21 A Cabinet sub-committee set up to resolve the impasse between striking lecturers and the govt has conceded that the 1,300 lecturers have a case, reported the Peoples' Daily Graphic of Friday 11 Aug. 1995. This follows a four hour meeting at the Castle the previous Wednesday at which the groups in the issue appointed a technical committee to produce a working paper on how to correct the imbalances in the lecturers salary structure. It is to report within 4 weeks.

The universities of Ghana have been closed for four months.

Reacting to the news, some students interviewed on the Voice of Legon said it was all a waste of time! "The technical committee should have been formed a long time ago" said a female student. "The lecturers are justified in their demand", said a male student.

22 A 34-year old fisherman of Ayerafie-Battorkope in the Kete- Krachi District has been fined c900,000 by the Hohoe Circuit Court for beating his wife!

23 Mr Richard Kwame Peprah has been appointed Minister of Finance to succeed Dr Kwesi Botchwey who resigned last month. Pending the approval of parliament, the following appointments have also been made: Mr Edward Salia, Minister Transport and Communications has been given additional responsibilities for the Ministry of Mines of Energy (vacated by Mr Peprah).

Mr Kobina Fosu, acting Central Regional Minister moves to Acting Minister for Works & Housing

Mr David Amankwaa becomes Minister of State without Portfolio in the office of the President.

Dr E. Ayirebi Acquah, Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports becomes Acting Central Regional Minister.

Mr Cletus Avoka, Deputy Minister of Lands & Forestry moves to Acting Regional Minister for Upper East.

Mr Faisal Anaba, Deputy Minister of Upper East is to be re- assigned!