Accra, May 27, GNA - The Spanish government on Tuesday decorated Mr Francis Alex Tsegah, Ghana's immediate past Ambassador to Spain, with that country's Order of the Civil Merit.

The award was in recognition of his roles in the establishment of the Ghanaian embassy in Spain and fostering of good relations between the two countries.

He was decorated with the award, made up of a circular golden crest and four in-built blue arrows symbolizing prestige in the presence of diplomats, members of academia and relatives. Addressing the ceremony in Accra Spanish Ambassador in Ghana, Mrs Julia Alicia Olmo I. Romero, said it was to formally recognize his endeavours and his selfless dedication to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries during his stay in Madrid as Ghana's Ambassador to Spain. Mrs Romero said the award was created in 1926 by King Alfonso to honour nationals or foreigners who rendered distinguished services to the nation or had had an outstanding collaboration with Spain for the benefit of mankind.

Mr Tsegah expressed gratitude to the King of Spain for recognizing his roles during his duty tour in Madrid for the past five years. He said even though diplomatic relations between the two countries started in the 1960s, few Spaniards, including government officials, knew much about Ghana.

He said this made him to embark on a marketing drive to advertise Ghana by visiting Spanish government officials, business executives, officials of trade associations as well as attended cultural and social events including radio interviews.

He said even though trade between both countries was still relatively low, prospects looked bright that trade volumes would increase adding that more Spanish investors were looking for possibilities to invest in Ghana. Mr Tsegah said by courting Spain, which was re-emerging as an important power but with little colonial baggage in Africa, Ghana could become a true partner of the European Commission. He commended the staff that worked with him at the Embassy for their dedicated service and dedicated the award to them and to Ghanaians for their support. Mr Tsegah was appointed Ghana's ambassador to Spain between October 5, 2004 and April 11, 2009 where he helped establish Ghana's Embassy in Spain. Before then, Ghana's Embassy in Paris was responsible for Spain.

Eight Assembly members refute allegation

Accra, May 27, GNA - Eight out of the 13 Assembly members from the South Dayi District Assembly who voted against the President's nominee for the District Chief Executive slot on Wednesday refuted bribery allegation.

"We have made our decision as Assembly members, freely and without any influence whatsoever. In doing so our sole objective has been to seek the best candidate for the good people of South Dayi. "We are convinced that our vote was in the interest of our people. We hope that all parties concerned will accept, recognize and respect our decision in this matter, as the law demands and avoid any actions that may result in an embarrassment for any one person or the other. "We are men and women of substance who are matured, competent and of unquestionable integrity, level headed and above all, democratic. We therefore believe that we cannot be influenced," Nii Adabra-Boateng, Assembly Member for Kpalime Duga Electoral Area stated at a press conference in Accra on behalf of the "Group of Eight". By 13-4 votes, the 17-member assembly withheld its approval of the nominee last month.

Other Members of the "Group of Eight," are; Mr Bekui Isaac Newton, for Peki Avetile Electoral Area; Ms Ella Boateng, Peki Blengo Electoral Area; Mr Enyanam Ndinyah, Peki Tsame Electoral Area; and Mr Manteaw Fredrick Kumes, for Todome Electoral Area.

The rest are; Mr Addo Alexander Kwami, Peki Dzogbati Electoral Area; Mr Emmanuel Carson Mantey, Kpeve Adzokoe Electoral Area; and Mr Elukpedzu Wellington, Peki Wudome electoral area. The Group of Eight explained that the rejection of the nominee, Mrs Perpetual Praise Annan as District Chief Executive was based on consultation from the people on the ground.

"Its without any monetary, political or traditional influence, our people asked us to reject her based on their assessment criteria, which includes knowledge of the environment," the Group of Eight stated. The Group warned that they would assess any nominee to ensure that the district get the best DCE to propel the development agenda of the area.

They described Mrs Annan as a stranger who deserted the constituency when she failed in her bid to stand as the party's constituency parliamentary candidate in the 2008 election. Meanwhile Mr Elvis Owusu-Afriyie, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the leadership of the Assembly and the South-Dayi Constituency Executive of the National Democratic Congress appeared disappointed about the turn of events.

The Deputy Minister served notice that "we are not in the mood to replace nominees" and that the assembly must reflect on the issue.