Print Media Monitoring for 23rd September

DAILY GRAPHIC – TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2003

1.GOVT, LABOUR IN DEADLOCK…OVER HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME – PGS. 1 & 3

The paper reports that, a meeting held yesterday between a team of ministers and labour leaders in Accra over the use of part of workers’ social security contribution to support the NHIS ended in a deadlock.

While the labour leaders, led by Mr. Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, the Secretary-General of the TUC, maintained its stand that the use of the two-and-half per cent of workers contribution for the scheme was not in the interest of the workers, the team of ministers, led by Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the Minister of Health, also maintained that the deduction was in the interest of the workers and that it would not affect workers’ pensions.

The meeting, which lasted for almost two hours, was at the instance of President Kufuor after the labour unions had threatened to go on a nationwide demonstration to protest the deduction of the two-and-a half per cent of workers’ contribution to support the NHIS.

According to the paper, the deliberations were cordial but each side strongly kept to its position.

Speaking in an interview after the meeting, Mr. Adu-Amankwah said the meeting was deadlocked and labour would proceed with its demonstration tomorrow as planned.

2.PLANS FOR INTERCITY RAILWAYS UNVEILED – PGS. 1 & 3

According to the paper, government yesterday unveiled plans for the construction of intercity railways between Accra and Tema metropolis and the expansion of the railway to the northern parts of the country.

In this direction, it is soliciting external financial support to undertake feasibility studies geared towards the expansion project.

It is also seeking to get Parliament establish Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and to promulgate a Railway Act soon.

This was contained in a speech read on behalf of President Kufuor by the Minister for Ports, Harbours and Railways, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, at the opening of the Ghana Railway bidders’ conference in Accra.

The three-day conference, which was at the instance of the Ministry of Ports, Harbours and Railways and the Divestiture Implementation Committee, attracted investors and financial institutions, including the World Bank and representatives from major railway companies across the globe.

3.MANAGE VRA WITH CARE, COMPETENCE – NDUOM – PG. 3

The government has pointed out that unless the long-standing technical and financial crisis at the VRA is addressed carefully, industrial difficulties would exacerbate, no matter who is appointed the chief executive or which people serve on the board of directors.

“It must be recognized that the VRA is a strategic asset of the entire nation. Management and staff have a duty to the people of Ghana to manage this strategic asset with care and competence,” it said.

Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom, Minister for Energy, announced this in Accra yesterday.

He underlined the need to restore the VRA’s tradition of Ghanaian, technical, managerial and staff excellence.

In this regard, he said, all personnel should go about their duties in a manner that conformed strictly to the rules and regulations of the VRA.

THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE – TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2003

1.THE FALL OF WEREKO-BROBBY…INSIDE STORY NDUOM’S STEELY RESOLVE, VRA WORKERS’ PERSISTENCE - PGS. 1 & 3

The paper reports that, the real story of the intense backroom horse trading, heroic resistance of the patriotic VRA staff, the steely resolve of the Minister for Energy and the events that led to the purported resignation of Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby may not be known yet.

What has been known, however, is what Professor Asenso Okyere, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has described as the “excessive noise” of media men and apologists for Wereko Brobby, drowning the airwaves with one-side information on the burning issues confronting VRA.

“Chronicle” can now reveal that Dr. Wereko-Brobby’s purported “stepping aside” move on the eve of the Nduom Committee of Inquiry was far from the truth, adding that whether the latest “stepping down” was induced is a matter the paper is yet to investigate.

Odds however are that he was pushed.

2.ACCUSED! AGOGOHENE “STABS” ASANTEMAN IN THE BACK? …ASANTEMAN COUNCIL MEETS NEXT WEEK – PGS. 1 & 3

According to the paper, the Agogohene, Nana Kwame Akuoku Sarpong is in for trouble as he has been accused of betraying the Ashantis, an act which if proved true, might cost him the Aduana stool he has occupied since January 15, 1976 when he first swore the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene.

His accusers see him as a “traitor” and perceive him as the number one enemy of Asanteman, having reportedly, by inference, “rebelled” against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll.

They have also called for a thorough investigation into his suspected role in what they described as a mere campaign by an Accra weekly “The Searchlight” said to be financed by him.

The paper has gathered that the Asanteman Council will therefore meet on October 3, this year, to discuss, among other things, the allegation against Nana Akuoku Sarpong.

THE INDEPENDENT – TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2003

ECG BLOWS ?1.15BN ON RENTED OFFICE – BUILDING REMAINS UNOCCUPIED – PG. 1 & BK. PG.

The paper reports that, ECG had rented premises at Dichemso, a suburb of Kumasi at an alleged cost of ?1.15 billion (cedis) for a three-year period without occupying it for reasons best known to it.

According to the paper, part of the alleged ?1.15 billion cedi rent, which, according to some ECG staff has been paid, is virtually money down the drain as the company has not occupied the building since it effected payment sometime this year.

Investigations by the paper also revealed that the said building, which is known as PG’s Plaza has been rented for use as the Kumasi East offices of the ECG following the company’s management’s decision to expand operations in the Ashanti Region.

COUNCIL OF STATE MEMBER CAUTIONS C/R NPP – PG. 1 & BK. PG.

The paper reports that, a member of the Council of State, Nana Prah Agyensam, has cautioned supporters and activists of the ruling NPP, to desist from flocking the corridors of power, especially the Castle, to lodge complaints about the conduct of the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Isaac Edumadze and other highly placed party members from the region.

Advising the NPP supporters at a reconciliation meeting held at the auditorium of the Cape Coast University to patch up the differences between feuding factions within the Central Region NPP, he said such moves by some party members, apart from confusing the President, is also affecting the unity of the rank and file of the party in the Central Region.

THE GHANAIAN TIMES – TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2003

1.SUPREME COURT JUDGE QUIZZED …IN ALLEGED BRIBERY CASE – PGS. 1 & 3

According to the paper, the Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council has started interrogating a Supreme Court Judge and two others alleged to have attempted to bribe the Supervising High Court judge of Cape Coast.

The bribe was allegedly offered two months ago for the High Court judge to decide a case in favour of a faction in the Mankessim Chieftaincy dispute.

The Disciplinary Committee has been given two weeks to complete work and submit its report to the Chief Justice for the appropriate action to be taken.

Mr. Justice K.K. Acquaye, the High Court judge, has submitted a hand written report in which he confirmed the alleged bribery by the Supreme Court Judge.

Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, the judicial Secretary, disclosed this in an interview in Accra.

2.CHILDREN VIEWING PORNO ON INTERNET, MIN. WORRIED – PG. 1

The government yesterday asked operators of internet caf?’s to declare their premises as “zero tolerant for pornography access.” Official statement issued by the Information Ministry expressed the hope that the operators would co-operate to end children’s access to pornography.

It explained that some of the pornographic materials found their way into pages of some tabloid newspapers in the guise of sex education but which in deed, only served as a source to further deprave these young ones, most of them aged between 12 and 17.

It urged the GJA to sanction newspapers that promote pornography in the country.

DAILY GUIDE, TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2003

1.AGC MAN HEADS VRA – PG. 1 & BK. PG.

According to the paper, Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi, Managing Director, Strategic Planning & New Business of Ashanti Goldfields Company, has been appointed chairman of the five-member management team of the VRA. His appointment follows the resignation of the CEO of VRA, Dr. Charles Yves Wereko-Brobby and his Deputy, Mr. Jabesh Amissah Arthur at the weekend.

2. NDC BARKS AT NPP OVER PURCHASE OF EC MATERIALS – PG. 1 & BK. PG

The paper reports that, NDC, the largest opposition party, has serve notice that it will fight to its last breath the decision of the government to procure election materials for the EC to hold next year’s election.

Mr. Lee Ocran, Vice-Chairman of the party made the intention known at a press conference.

He indicated that the Cabinet decision does not only compromise the independence and integrity of the EC, but also the whole electoral process, to the detriment of the fragile democracy the country is enjoying.

He noted that the decision is also a surreptitious move by the government to rig next year’s elections and that the party will use all legal means, under the constitution to resist that move.

At the same press conference, Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, came under severe attack for declaring that the NDC has lost all its credibility and a bad party not to be voted into power again.

Mr. Ocran referred to Mr. Asamoah Boateng as somebody who exhibits a mindset of an ignorant and misguided political appointee, who is using his position to advance his political ambition, and that there are indications that he (Asamoah Boateng) wants to succeed President Kufuor after his term of office.

EVENING NEWS – MONDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003

1.CPP NOT ATTRACTIVE – FREDDIE BLAY – PG. 1

The paper reports that, Mr. Freddie Blay, the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has stated that the CPP does not look very attractive in the next presidential elections.

“I don’t think that 2004 is our year but miracles do happen though, I don’t believe in them” he said.

Mr. Blay made this known to the paper in an interview at the CPP’s second annual congress in Accra.

What the party needed was a strong organised and attractive party mainly for the youth.

2. NDC DEFECTORS DODGE CAMERAS – PG. 1

Newsmen were stunned at a news conference held last Friday by Ashiaman constituency of the NPP when over 20 alleged defectors from the NDC refused to identify themselves.

It says as soon as the announcement was made amidst thunderous claps and the cameras moved to capture the faces of the defectors, only five people stood on their feet.

A second announcement saw a little improvement with about eight people “rising up to face the cameras”.

When newsmen questioned the veracity of the claim by the NPP Deputy Regional secretary, Eric Kwatia about the number of defectors, he blamed the attitude of the defectors on shyness and the fear of being attacked by their former party members.

According to the paper, it finally took the intervention of a staunch party member to get the names and signatories of the defectors for newsmen.

GHANA PALAVER – TUESDAY, 23RD SEPTEBER, 2003

1. TAMALE LANDS SCANDAL … VEEP, NPP CHAIRMAN STOP ?71M THEFT CASE – PGS. 1 & 8

The paper says a case in which three officials of the Northern Regional Lands Commission secretariat in Tamale, were to be tried for embezzling an amount of over ?71m, being land revenue collected, has been put “on ice”, for the past ten months.

This according to the paper follows an alleged intervention of the Northern Regional NPP chairman, Alhaji Salifu COP, on behalf of one of the accused persons Comfort Chilalah, who is related to the Vice President Aliu Mahama’s wife.

The three were charged following an audit inspection into the operations of the Secretariat by the Audit Service which revealed that the revenue collectors had failed to account for an amount of ?71,744,580 to the commission.

According to the paper, Comfort Chilalah alone had embezzled ?56,696,540 out of the amount.

2. GHANA PALAVER INTELLIGENCE – IS IT TRUE THAT – PGS. 1 & 8

The paper intimates that, His Excellency the President Kufuor has just bought a palatial mansion at Asonomase in Kumasi for US $500,000 from a Lebanese owner, following which all link roads in the area have been asphalted.

The paper is therefore skeptic as to where the President could have gotten such a whopping amount of money in such a short time of ascending the throne.

It further alleged that within 2? years of getting into office, the President has built a mansion for himself at Akomadan apart from the new one purchased near Kumasi.