DAILY GRAPHIC

The Graphic in a front page banner hedline says "Gunmen on rampage...Assemblyman killed, one other person wounded". The accompanying story says residents of Sienkyem in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region are reported to be fleeing the town following an attack by some gunmen last Sunday in which the local assemblyman, Mr Johnson Amoakohene, was shot dead. The Graphic says the gunmen fled into the bush after the attack and shot another person the following day in the bush. He is reported to be in critical condition at the Goaso Hospital. A number of houses have been burnt and a source at the District Security Council told the Graphic that 15 policemen were being dispatched to the area to help maintain the peace. Schools have been closed down. According to the Graphic the incident is linked to a four-year chieftaincy dispute that has polarised the town, described as the oldest town in the Ahafo area. GRI

In another front page story, the Graphic reports the Head of the Cardio-Thoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Frimpong Boateng as suggesting a contribution of 200 cedis per month by each Ghanaian to the National Hearts Foundation Fund. He said if at least one million people can contribute that amount, treatment could be opened freely at the centre to all patients. Dr Boateng made the suggestion when he and his former professor Hans Georg Borst, a cardio-thoracic surgeon paid a courtesy call on the Vice-President, Prof. J.E.A. Mills at his office in Accra yesterday. Professor (Emeritus) Borst who is currently with the Hannover Medical School in Germany, was very supportive in the establishment of the centre in Ghana. GRI

In a back page story, the Graphic reports that private firms will soon take part in the supply and management of water in about 94 urban water supply systems in the country. The Graphic says this will be in pursuance of the policy of leasing of water supply systems by the government to private operators to provide, distribute and sell water to improve the urban water supply situation. Nii Boi Ayibotele, acting Managing Director of the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) , who was speaking in an interview in Accra, said this forms part of the government's broad policy of involving the private sector in the running of the economy. GRI