Review of Early Morning TV Shows

GTV BREAKFAST SHOW NEWSPAPER REVIEW

 MODERATOR	:	GIFTY ANTI
 PANELISTS	:	BEN EPHSON
 KAFUI ASEM

WE WON’T BOW TO PRESSURES TO UNDERMINE MODEST ECONOMIC GAINS

INTRODUCTION

President Kufuor has given the assurance that the government will not succumb to pressures and temptations that will undermine the financial discipline and prudent management steps taken so far to build the country’s economy for the sake of next year’s elections. – Daily Graphic

Kafui - The president should tell us the source of the pressure and what steps government is taking to solve the problems . I think everybody is feeling the economic hardship and difficulties. The government should listen to the public because this year is an election year and the people will exercise their right to choose a government. Some mistakes may be committed on the economic front but the President, Mr. John Kufuor, is calling for humility and God’s blessing in the management of the economy.

Ben - Every election year workers demand more salaries and wages from government before voting for the party in power. The government will have to listen to the people because of the hardship and suffering in society. It is very important for the Ministry of Finance to make some salary adjustments to alleviate poverty in society.

ECONOMY – TIMES ARE MORE THAN ROUGH

INTRODUCTION

When Mr. Osafo Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, appeared before Parliament he disclosed that inflation had dropped from 29.8 percent in May to 26.8 percent in September. – The Insight

Kafui - All the MPs should complete the development projects in their constituencies because next year is an election year. Ministers must work hard and efficiently to promote productivity and a good image for government. Ministers need humility and hard work to accomplish their job.

Ben - I think the government is performing better but they need to intensify their efforts to promote efficiency and productivity, to reduce inflation, increase the GDP rate to 70% and satisfy the demands of civil servants who need additional salaries to manage their domestic affairs such as paying bills and school fees.

NDC DOES NOT NEED RAWLINGS SAYS NDC GURU

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Vincent Asisseh, former Press Secretary of the NDC, has stated that Prof. Mills can manage the campaign for the forthcoming elections and so bringing on board the former President Rawlings is superfluous. He also confirmed the paper’s report in which he was quoted as stressing that the NDC should focus its meagre resources on the 2008 electoral campaign instead of 2004. – Daily Guide

Ben - The NDC needs ex-President Rawlings’ experience and skills to organise a successful campaign for the 2004 elections. He has got the qualities and support from the Volta Region and Northern sectors to help Prof. Atta Mills to win the presidential election next year. He is still a force to reckon with. But his boom speeches may destroy Prof. Atta Mills’ chances of ensuring a peaceful campaign. However, Prof. Mills can still invite him during his campaign.

Kafui - I think Vincent Asisseh is wrong to advice the NDC not to contest the presidential election next year. Prof. Atta Mills should begin to re-organise his supporters now for a successful campaign in the 2004.

METRO TV GOOD MORNING GHANA

 MODERATOR	:	RANDY ABBEY
 PANELISTS	:	KWESI PRATT
 EGBERT FAIBILLE
 LYS HAYFRON ASARE

WE WON’T BOW TO PRESSURES TO UNDERMINE MODEST ECONOMIC GAINS

Lys - Next year is an election year so government must listen to the public and increase salaries to reduce poverty.

Pratt - Every election year workers demand more salaries and wages which results in increases in money supply. This can lead to higher inflation as a result of pressure on the Central Bank. It is a prudent statement by the government to keep within its planned expenditure to avoid destabilization of the local currency and to control inflation. Mr. Osarfo-Maafo promised to reduce inflation to 9% but now the rate is 26.5% and GDP rate has fallen to 3.8% percent and this means that the economy is moving towards total collapse.

Faibille - We have three months foreign exchange reserves to support the economy. We should try to reduce our huge expenditures. Utilities have increased by 200% but incomes are still low. Ghana is not a commercial producer of crude oil so foreign exchange is needed to purchase crude oil for the effective running of the economy. We need oil to generate our electricity plant in the Western Region. We must improve upon education by engaging in cost sharing at university level. We should begin to pay taxes to generate revenue for the country. All businesses should be located and registered so that they can pay taxes to VAT service and IRS.

Pratt - We must stop depending too much on the IMF, World Bank and other international financial institutions. Our debts have multiplied and we should start to pay them now. The IMF conditionalties are unfavourable and we shall continue to suffer.

I.C. QUAYE CRONIES – THREATEN INDEPENDENT

Faibille - There are some allegations coming from I.C. Quaye’s constituency and the Independent newspaper is trying to investigate some construction works at Alajo and other areas. Alhaji I.C. Quaye is an MP for both NPP and NDC members in his constituency so he must co-operate in every construction work in the area.

Pratt - Attacks on journalists are unacceptable. Politicians should co-operate with journalists to inform the public on development projects in their areas. Hon. Sheik I.C. Quaye should be tolerant in dealing with problems going on in his constituency. The Regional Minister is for the people so he should be ready to talk to journalists about problems going on in his constituency and stop insulting and attacking journalists.

ENFORCE FREE EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION

A university professor has urged the government to have the political will to enforce compulsory basic education in the country. Professor D.K. Agyeman, head of the Sociology Department, University of Cape Coast, made the call at the sixth Pearson-Osac Appreciation lectures organised by the Prempeh College Old Boys Association (AMAN FOS).

Pratt - There are many JSS graduates in the streets of Accra. Most of them are from poor homes and they cannot afford the expensive school fees. We must establish more vocational and technical institutions to admit these children to enable them acquire skills to be self-employed. We should improve upon the educational infrastructures in the region. We should stop exploiting parents whose children attend private schools.

Faibille - We must provide free education at primary and JSS level to enable our children to have access to education. I would also advice parents to invest some cash for their children’s education. Education at tertiary level is now very expensive and much investment is needed to achieve the objective of gaining university education. The government should increase budgetary allocation for education to enable free education at primary level.

Lys - We should motivate teachers by giving them more salaries so that they remain in the classroom. Only few children gain admission to Senior Secondary School.

PARLIAMENT WILL DECIDE ON ASHANTI – OSARFO-MAAFO

INTRODUCTION

Financial and Economic Planning Minister, Yaw Osarfo-Maafo, has reopened the debate on the Ashanti-Anglogold merger with the contention that the merger arrangement is not yet over explaining that government’s approval of the merger has not made the deal final. According to an AFP report, the Minister was of the view that the country’s legislative body has the power to say “yes or no, or modify the whole package”. – Network Herald

Pratt - I think the agreement between AGC and Anglogold will go to Parliament and the NPP dominated Parliament will approve of the agreement. Parliament will not reject the agreement but rather encourage the partnership.

TV 3 MORNING TV

 MODERATOR	:  GABRIEL BOSOMPEM
 PANELISTS	:  A.B.A. FUSEINI
 ATO CONDUAH
 GLORIA OFORI-BOADU

LET’S BE MODEST PRESIDENT TELLS APPOINTEES

INTRODUCTION

The President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor has called on Ministers of State and other government appointees to exercise power with humility. He said members of government should not let the trappings of power erect any barriers between them and the people who gave them the mandate to govern. President Kufuor made the call at a retreat in Accra at the weekend for ministers from all over the country.

Fuseini - We must make the economy sound and efficient. The President’s advice should be taken seriously. Inflation target was 9% but now we are experiencing 26.5% inflationary rate. We must be productive and reduce imports. We should create more jobs for the people. MPs and Ministers should first be modest to move the economy forward.

Ato - MPs should be hard-working to transform their constituencies. They must get closer to the people and share in their problems.

Fuseini - Ministers should not take workers for granted because petrol prices have increased by 200% and utilities have gone up drastically. Most people are suffering.

NIGERIA SLAMS US TAYLOR REPORTS

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria has reacted furiously to reports that the US has posted a $2 million bounty for the capture of Liberia’s exiled former leader, Charles Taylor. A Nigerian spokesman said the US offer verged on state-sponsored terrorism and they would resist any asttempts to seize Mr. Taylor. – The Ghanaian Times

Fuseini - The International Criminal Court was established to deal with human rights abuses in the world. The US is protecting her citizens from facing the International Court. The US must, therefore, not force Charles Taylor to stand trial. ECOWAS has the right to protect Charles Taylor to ensure peace and stability in Liberia and the sub-region. The two million dollar bounty for Charles Taylor’s capture is a mistake and ECOWAS should not get involved in it.

Ato - It would be bad for ECOWAS to hand over Charles Taylor to the International Criminal Court of Justice. We should resist any attempt by USA to capture Charles Taylor.

GOVERNEMENT SUPPORT RURAL INITIATIVE

INTRODUCTION

The government will support any viable rural private initiative that aims to create employment and improve the standard of living of people in such communities. Mr. Yaw Osarfo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said on Saturday.

Ato - We don’t have the structures to stand on to alleviate poverty in the rural areas. The District Assemblies should not invest their treasury bills and bonds but use the money to create jobs, better education and build hospitals and roads for the people. We should define a poverty alleviation strategy in the country and encourage people to utilise cash for investment projects in agriculture, fishing and cottage industries in the rural areas.

Fuseini - The Poverty Alleviation Fund is going to NPP party members and their friends. Only party members are benefiting from the poverty alleviation fund.

Gloria - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has been destroying people’s kiosks in the communities. The AMA should stop destroying properties and they should stop chasing people hawking on the streets. We should encourage hawkers to sell on the street corners to alleviate poverty. Sometimes their goods and items are seized by AMA Task Force who share them among themselves. This bad behaviour by AMA officials is going to worsen the suffering of the poor.