Mills talks tough; charges leaders to cut ‘parasitic’ colonial cord

Ghana’s president, Prof. Atta Mills, feels indignant about the failure of some African countries to sever, what he terms, their umbilical cords from their colonial masters and, by extension, western powers.

Speaking against recent foreign interventions on the continent, the president suggested that these so-called 'masters' are cruelly usurping the sovereignty of vulnerable African states and imposing their wishes on them.

“Some countries still believe that countries in Africa should be able to dance to their tunes; unfortunately, some of us also find it very difficult to break the umbilical cords that link us to those countries.”

President Atta Mills was speaking to African diplomats at the Ghana Chancery in Ottawa, Canada as part of his trip to that country.

Without mincing words, Prof. Mills told his colleague African leaders that: “We must take bold steps forward to be able to do this.”

Analysts believe the president's assertions were borne out of NATO’s invasion of Libya, which toppled the country’s decades-old leader, Muammar Qaddafi; and the latest threat from UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, intimidating countries to respect gay right or face aid cuts.

President Mills, who has defiantly rejected Mr Cameron’s threat, maintained: “What is happening in Africa is not very pleasant, very palatable, and something that we can be proud of.”

Warning that the trend of recent foreign interventions could have serious repercussions on the continent, President Atta Mills asked his colleague leaders to stand up against foreign dictatorship.

“We as African leaders have to sit down and ask ourselves; what have we done wrong? You see, if you allow others to dictate for you, if you allow others to take your destiny in their own hands, you have no control over how they are going to direct you.

"For far too long we listened to others, now it is not the questions of they talking to us, they are now acting the way they see best, which is not always in our best interest.”

International relations expert, Dr. Niyi Alabi commended President Mills for making such a bold statement, and hoped his peers would be enthused about his position.

“I must say [I’m] quite impressed with this kind of approach, because it is the kind of language that I have been expecting from our leaders to at least let the so-called developed world know that we cannot be doing their bidding [and] always going to them cup in hand.”


From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Isaac Essel
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76889.php

Only willfully blind won’t appreciate 2012 budget - Haruna

The Minister of Communications, Haruna Idrissu, has refuted the numerous tags the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has put on the 2012 government’s financial statement, insisting that the budget is a “progressive” one.

He said the budget statement is a true reflection of the achievements of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government on various fronts and also what the government intends to do for the country in 2012, adding that under the three-year rule of NDC, “there is an improvement in the living standards of Ghanaians”.

“I believe and maintain that only the willfully blind, who will not appreciate that this budget is a progressive one, and it is only the willfully blind, who will not appreciate that this budget creates a lot of space for the private sector growth and deeper participation in the building of our economy, and it is only the willfully blind, who will point out to World Bank, IMF and make assumptions that do not exist.”

The NPP Minority in Parliament have described the budget statement presented by the Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, on Wednesday as ‘propaganda’ ‘recycled promises’ , ‘bye-bye’, or an ‘empty’ budget.

But Haruna Iddrisu speaking on Joy FM's Newsfile Saturday, retorted: “I think that it is important that the minority recognizes that a budget statement does projections, it gives us an estimate of revenue and expenditure and what government will deliver. And what we are saying is that we are managing the economy better, micro economic indicators are very, very progressive and very encouraging.”

He maintained that in terms of fiscal consolidation, the government’s economic management team and the Finance Ministry have done considerably well to improve the micro economic indicators of the country.

For instance, he said, the NPP in its eight-year rule, “struggled” but could not meet the criteria for the West African Monetary Zone’s single currency – ECO. “It is only under this administration that the four major criteria have been met, including sustainability of single digit inflation for the longest period of our country’s history.”

But a member of the communications team of the New Patriotic Party, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah, rubbished the achievements of the government as touted by Haruna Iddrisu.

He said government claims of bringing inflation to single digit does not reflect what is on the ground, saying “demand has been killed” and people are not able to buy due to poor governance.

Touching on the $3 billion Chinese loan government intends to use for massive infrastructural development, Mr. Asamoah was emphatic that the loan will never come to Ghana, describing the government’s effort to secure the loan as a “hoax”.

He explained: “The finance minister can’t sign that loan because he needs the consent of the IMF which he hasn’t got.”



From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Isaac Essel
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76781.php

Five dead in galamsey disaster

Five illegal miners, popularly referred to as galamsey operators, were trapped to death when an illegal mining pit collapsed on them at a community in the Mpohor/ Wassa East district of the Western Region on Saturday afternoon.

They comprise four women and a man.

Four others have been rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Hospital. Several other illegal miners have also not being accounted for.

Joy News’ Western Regional correspondent Kwaku Owusu Peprah who visited the scene said residents believe more persons have been trapped by the caved pit.

“A lot of them, I am told, are not accounted for; there is suspicion that there could be three or more trapped in the pit.”

He said the five who died were confirmed dead by the police.

The area has been thrown into pandemonium with women and children wailing and searching for missing relatives and loved ones.

Rescue teams were busily looking for survivors or to retrieve more bodies.


From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Isaac Essel
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76772.php

Don’t be ashamed to beg for help – Kufuor tells govt

Former President J.A. Kufuor has admonished the government to shed off its pride, if any, and call on the international community for help to solve the country’s ‘overwhelming’ sanitation challenges.

He told Joy News Friday, Ghana’s quest to see a healthy and developed society would be a mockery, if proper and pragmatic measures are not put in place to tackle the environmental problems head on.

Former President Kufuor was talking to Joy News’ Sammy Darko about his new international appointment as chairman of the Sanitation and Water for All Partnership. The global institution is an alliance of governments, donors, civil society organizations and agencies working to improve water and sanitation across the world.

Mr. Kufuor said the job he got only this week, provides a good opportunity for him to facilitate donor support in the areas of water and sanitation in Ghana particularly.

He said whilst he’s doing that, government must also make the necessary budgetary allocations to improve the water and sanitary conditions in the country.

“Government [should] try to make the necessary budgetary allocations as well as appeals; if say resources locally are limited, there shouldn’t be any shame in making the appeals to the multinationals, the United Nations itself, or its organs like WHO for support in the supply of portable water as well as sanitary services.”

Sanitation is Crucial

Former President Kufuor said he has often been struck by the piles of rubbish at market places and in the communities, compounded by choked gutters, saying “I see it as a challenge that must be given topmost priority”.

In an effort to solve sanitation problems in the country, he recounted that under his leadership, the government donated an amount to the University of Ghana for studies on environment and sanitation. “The whole idea was for the nation to be availed with a scientific approach in trying to manage the sanitary challenge and also to try to improve upon our environmental situation, the overwhelming challenge of sanitation problem.”

Issues of the environment are crucial, he said, and urged the government to make money available to recruit qualified persons and institutions, warning: “Without a healthy community, talking of economic development reality, it becomes a mockery.”



From: Ghana l Isaac Essel l Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76753.php

Benyiwa Doe, DCE fingered in Apayem Kese brouhaha

The Central Regional Minister Madam, Ama Benyiwa Doe, and the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District Chief Executive, William Atta-Mends, have been accused of being behind the youth group trying to foment trouble in the Apayem Kese festival schedule for this weekend.

The aggrieved youth, mainly from Moree, have warned patrons and organizers of the festival that their security cannot be guaranteed as they plan to disrupt the event.

They accuse the Omanhene Okatakyi Amenfi VII of denying them every opportunity to have a substantive chief for the Moree township.

They also claimed the Omanhene had sidelined the people of Moree, striping them of their dignity.

But the Publicity Chairman of the festival planning committee, Kingsley Koffi Kakari Bondzie, told Joy News the group has ulterior motive to scupper plans to honour former President Kufuor for his contribution to the development of the area during his eight-year rule.

He, however, vowed nothing can stop the event.

“Protocol wasn’t observed because we invited former President Kufuor. They have moved away from security, so we know they have ulterior motive behind that…but nobody can stop us.”

The festival is to raise funds to support the Okatakyi Amenfi VII Education Fund, Kakari Bondzie noted.

Prior to the festival, there have been press conferences and counter-press conferences which had generated some tension.

“The Regional Minister ought to be held responsible [if any confusion ensued] because her utterances on radio have caused a lot to us as citizens; we are hurt.

“So if there should be any anger, it would be directed at the Regional Minister and the District Chief Executive.”

Meanwhile, District Chief Executive, William Atta-Mends, has warned the situation in the area is “very, very dicey” because of a “growing danger” in connection with the festival.

He therefore wants the necessary action taken to avert any unforeseen calamity.

Meanwhile, it is unclear if former President Kufuor would honor an invitation to the Apayem Kese festival at Asebu in the Central region.

Staff at his office refused to confirm or deny his participation when Joy News inquired, even though they say he has received the invitation to honour him.



http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76731.php
From: Ghana/Myjoyonline.com/Isaac Essel

NHIS: One-time premium in 2012; but NPP says it’s nonstarter

The much hyped campaign promise of the ruling National Democratic to implement a one-time premium under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), after years of no show, may materialized in 2012, if what promised by the 2012 budget statement is executed.

Presenting the 2012 budget statement to Parliament Wednesday, Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor said one-time premium forms part of the NDC government’s commitment to continue the implementation of a number of pro-poor intervention programmes that will provide equal opportunities and improvement in the well-being of Ghanaians.

The scope of the numerous social intervention programmes, he emphasized, will be expanded to benefit a greater number of vulnerable people in the society.

“In order to accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage, government will commence the implementation of the one-time premium payment policy under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).”

Dr Duffuor was hopeful the review of the NHIS law would result in a major restructuring of the scheme at the district, regional and national levels.

Touting the government’s achievements under the health sector, the Finance Minister said to ensure adequate coverage, the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare where the very poor in society were identified for registration under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

“Major achievements in the area of claims management were made and this included auditing of 28,925,293 claims and the recovering of GH¢471,215 and GH¢755,582 from services and medicines respectively,” he claimed.

The Minister also mentioned the establishment of 276 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Zones.

Minority Spokesperson on Health, Dr Richard Anane, told Joy News Dzifa Bampoh that the government is only trying to play politics with the NHIS.

He is at a loss why the government put it into the budget, knowing very well that implementing the one-time premium in Ghana is impossible.

He said even though government had made it a campaign promise prior to the 2008 elections, it was advised that the new scheme would create a problem for the NHIS, and thought the government would have taken a cue and done its home work.

“I only think that the government has only shown this in its last budget just because it made a campaign promise, not because it is a practicable alternative. We believe that the health of the people of this nation should not be taken to the platform of politics. It is serious and we want the government to take particular note of it and to do the right [thing].”

He maintained that of all the countries with an insurance scheme, only Australia attempted the one-term premium, and though it is a well endowed country, he said the implementation failed.

http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76610.php
From: Ghana l Isaac Essel l Myjoyonline.com

That was a "bye-bye budget" - Minority Leader

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has pooh-poohed the 2012 budget statement presented by the Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, saying the statement that is supposed to give hope to Ghanaians is ironically, the one to see the NDC out of government.

The 2012 financial statement delivered on Wednesday to Parliament was themed: “Infrastructural Development for Accelerated Growth and Job Creation.”

According Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Ghanaians should expect to see massive infrastructure development, job creation and sustained economic growth next year. Government also intends to increase its revenue mobilization - for instance, mining companies will be paying more – with oil revenue remaining an important component of the country’s revenue targets.

Dr Duffuor also highlighted some achievements of the NDC government over the past year.

"Madam Speaker, we promised Ghanaians a better Ghana and we have significantly delivered on this promise; we promised to remove schools under trees and we are very much on course; we promised to remove inequities in incomes through the single spine and we are very much on course; we promised to move the economy from fragility to robustness, yes we have; we promised to significantly expand the economy and we have; we promised to arrest inflation, yes we have…”

As usual, this budget has been greeted with a partisan approach, while Dr Duffuor thinks the achievements he enumerated give the government confidence that in the coming years, Ghanaians can continue to trust the NDC government to faithfully steer the affairs of our dear nation, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and his colleagues in the minority strongly think otherwise.

“Clearly, we have come a full cycle, and we’ve realised that anko yie (it didn’t go well); yenhu so (all is not well), ya'setenamu no ansesa (our lives were not bettered), and to me [it is] bye-bye budget," Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told Joy FM's Bernard Saibu.

The Minority was the least moved by the enumerated achievements, and also, very much doubted what the budget holds for the nation.

By that conviction, he told Joy News: “To me it is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Although he admitted that the government in 2011 has “done a bit” like the construction of schools “that should translate into good results. What did we see?”

He was highly suspicious of claims by the government to stimulate and generate employment, because, according to him, the manufacturing industry which is expected to play that role “is collapsing”.

K.T Hammond, Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, re-echoed the position of his Minority Leader, saying the statement did not sound like a budget to him, adding “I hope it is the last budget” for the ruling NDC party.


From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Isaac Essel
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201111/76603.php