We need an office for Presidential Emoluments - Fred Oware

A proposal has been tabled for the establishment of a permanent office to be tasked with the responsibility of looking into salaries and emoluments of presidents of Ghana.

A member of the committee that fixed the ex-gratia for former President Kufuor, Fred Oware, who mooted the idea was hopeful the body will bring to an end, the back and forth with former presidents’ emoluments.

“To forestall this, perhaps we need to have a permanent office to take charge of this responsibility,” he told Joy News on Monday.

Various committees on presidential emoluments recommended, among other benefits, that a former president should be given at least a house. However, President Mills says it's time for the taxpayer to rather pay rent allowance to former heads of state instead of the state building a house for them. He is proposing that 20 per cent of the salary of the president should be used to pay his rent every month.

Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto explained to Joy News the decision by President Mills is the best for the nation, adding that it will reduce the cost of catering for ex-presidents.

Urging that the issue should not be treated as an NPP and NDC affair, Mr Fred Oware said Article 71 of the constitution needs to be amended before the president’s proposal could be legal.

However, he said: “What he (Mills) has not said is whether the sum total to be paid as an allowance would even be more than necessary in buying a house - nobody knows that.”

Mr Oware, who is the 1st Vice Chairman of the NPP, said the Chinery Hesse Committee which recommended the emoluments of former President Kufuor took a number of issues into consideration to arrive at its recommended benefits for the ex-president.

“We took into consideration some governance issues; we looked at Liberia, we looked at Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, we looked at Kenya, and we think that if a president has peace of mind; that after office, there is life for him, and that his condition of life would not be altered to his disadvantage, he probably will focus on the job without dipping his fingers into the national kitty.”

Victor Brobbey, a research fellow at CDD-Ghana, supported the call for permanent office to be established to look into the salaries and emoluments of the president.

Inasmuch as ad hoc committees for the emoluments were not recommendable, according to Mr Brobbey, the payment of monthly allowance is neither the best option.

He also wondered whether Ghanaians should be concerned about the house of former presidents.

“Invariably, the people that become the president of Ghana already have their houses; we really should think of compensating them in ways other than housing…but to build him a new one or to pay for a new one, I am not sure that is the right place to go.”


Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75325.php

Mills appoints Charlotte Osei as new NCCE boss

President John Evans Atta Mills has appointed Mrs. Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei as the Chairperson for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

The appointment was made in consultation with the Council of State, a statement signed by Secretary to the President J.K. Bebaako-Mensah has said.

“The appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement noted.

Prior to the appointment, Mrs Osei was the founder and Lead Counsel of Prime Attorneys, a leading law firm in Accra. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Commercial Bank Limited and the Ghana Reinsurance Company Limited.

Mrs Osei had earlier served as a Senior Legal Officer for the Ghana Commercial Bank and as a Company Secretary/Legal Adviser for the Unibank Ghana Limited.

Mrs Charlotte Osei holds a Master of Law Degree (LL.M) from Queen's University, Canada, and a Master in Business Leadership (MBL) from the University of South Africa.

Charlotte Osei has significant experience in several facets of Law with particular specialization in Corporate/Business Law, banking, investment and employment law.

Mrs Osei replaces Mr Larry Bimi, who died in July this year.

Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75315.php

Many graduates not ready for job market – UG VC

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana has conceded that many of the graduates being churned out in recent times are unfit for the job market.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Springboard programme Sunday, Professor Ernest Aryeetey called on stakeholders to accept that there are challenges with graduates being produced by the universities.

“There are many people leaving our universities that are not ready for the world of work, or that are not ready to do anything meaningful with their lives. That is a challenge; unfortunately, it has taken us too long to acknowledge that.”

Prof. Aryeetey said most of the complaints he is confronted with, come up during interaction with persons in the industry and public servants, noting “I hear complaints about the quality of today’s university graduates. I think there are some merits in that complaint that is coming up.”

He cited graduates’ poor articulation of issues, lack of effective communication and a strong analytical mind as some of the complaints about Ghanaian university graduates.

The Vice Chancellor was concerned that it has taken too long for stakeholders to accept that “we are producing some people that don’t deserve the degrees that we give them”.

Nevertheless, he stated that inasmuch as some of the products are not so good, the universities have been churning out equally good graduates who are adequately prepared for the job market.

To address the situation, Prof. Aryeetey suggested that lecturers are provided with the necessary means to deliver better, admission of highly qualified students, equip the library and a conducive environment for students to learn.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana cited the planned decongestion exercise at residential halls as one of the attempts by the school to arrest the situation.

Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/education/201110/75277.php

Haruna appeals to doctors; but insists strike is unethical and illegal

The acting Minister of Health, Haruna Iddrisu, has reiterated government’s appeal to doctors to call off their strike, noting their action runs counter to doctors’ own ethics and the laws of Ghana.

There have been several calls from individuals and various groups - including President Mills, the Council of State, religious bodies – on doctors to return to work, but the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have refused to back down on their two-week industrial action, accusing the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of exhibiting bad faith in negotiations to migrate doctors onto the single spine salary structure (SSSS).

The standoff between the GMA and the FWSC has occasioned a compulsory arbitration. The National Labour Commission (NLC) is expected to commence the arbitration process on Monday.

Commenting on the issue on Joy FM’s news analysis programme Newsfile on Saturday, Haruna Iddrisu stated: “I expected even the political opposition for the good of this country to at least be seen publicly, admonition the medical doctors that what they have done, by the ethics and values of your training and profession is unethical; under the laws of Ghana, it’s illegal and unlawful.”

The negotiations to migrate the doctors were centered on grading structure, promotion pattern and issues of market premium, he noted.

For instance, doctors had demanded that the government pay them a reasonable premium on additional hours, but the government admitted and told them that it does not have the financial backbone to meet their demand, Mr Iddrisu revealed. The government, he said, therefore proposed that for “purpose of sustainability” it would pay 50% of their request.

He stated that President Mills cancelled his trip to the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in Australia because “he cannot leave whilst his back is burning, with medical doctors not providing services[so he has ordered the vice president to go and represent him at the Commonwealth Meeting]that is a president demonstrating sensitivity.”

Mr Iddrisu disclosed that it is not the wish of the president for the two sides to go for the arbitration.

“They should consider, even if it means a voluntary action and return to work whilst negotiation continues with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. We understand their issues but government is unable to do better than it is offering them today, because of its implications on the wage bill of government.”

Meanwhile, NPP stalwart and a medical doctor, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, is asking President Mills to make a direct appeal to striking doctors to call off their industrial action.

The GMA council is meeting this weekend to deliberate on their strike ahead of Monday’s compulsory arbitration at the labour commission. But NPP stalwart Dr. Arthur Kennedy says the way forward is for President Mills to personally intervene.


Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75198.php

Cabinet approves training of 250 doctors by Cuban govt

The government of Ghana has reached an agreement with the Cuban government to train about 250 Ghanaian medical doctors next year.

This was announced by the acting Minister of Health, Haruna Iddrisu, Saturday, on Joy FM’s news analysis prgoramme Top Story.

The disclosure comes in the wake of a two-week-long strike by doctors in the country over their migration onto the single spine salary structure, in which all pleas to them to rescind their action are yet to be considered.

“I happy to know that the government has just reached a cooperation agreement with the government of Cuba to train some 250 more doctors beginning January 2012,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.

He said Cabinet gave approval to the agreement at its last sitting.

To ensure a fair distribution, the care-taker Minister of Health remarked: “I am insisting that we should decentralised it, so that, at least, each regional coordinating council can have at least 20 persons trained from that region, [and] dispersed across the district.”

He proposed a review of the operations of the teaching hospitals in the country and believed, “in future they can be on their own if they are given some financial autonomy,” to enable them even recruit doctors.

To further bridge the doctor-patient ratio gap in Ghana, he also made known that the Turkish government has also announced, through its Minister of Health, its indication to support specialist training of Ghanaian, and was upbeat the training would be extended to medical doctors.

Haruna Iddrisu concurred with persons who said teaching hospitals must be made faculties of medical schools.

He said government is doing its part to improve facilities at the various medical schools, and called on corporate entities to support the government's effort as part of their corporate social responsibility, so that the various medical schools can adjust their cutoff point to enroll more people.

Story by Isaac Esse/ myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75203.php

Doctors appalled by Rojo’s statement; want him sanctioned

The Ghana Medical Association has expressed grave reservations about comments made by the deputy Minister of Health, daring striking doctors to resign or accept government’s offer.

It has been two weeks since the doctors and government, represented by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), have been haggling over the matter of their placement on the new pay structure. The Labour Commission has therefore directed that the doctors and the FWSC go into compulsory arbitration on Monday.

Even before meeting the NLC, Rojo Mettel-Nunoo, deputy Minister of Health, Friday made audacious statements on Joy FM, much to the displeasure of many doctors.

General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Sodzi Sodzi-Tetteh has described the minister’s statements as “sad”, adding that they are “extremely prejudicial”.

He told Dzifa Bampoh on Joy FM’s Top Story that though they are yet to be given any ultimatum from the government, statements, such as the one made by Mr Mettle-Nuoo, have the tendency to mar the arbitration process and fundamentally undermine any negotiation process.

“You are supposed to negotiate in good faith, and you are not supposed to becoming to negotiation table with threats.”

Dr. Sodzi-Tetteh also called on the National Labour Commission to “hold the Hon. Deputy Minister in total contempt of its proceedings; hauled him before their panel and sanction him promptly”.

He said reprimanding the Deputy Minister would give “integrity” to the arbitration process; otherwise, the process would be “fundamentally flawed”.

He said doctors, on their part, are ready to meet the FWSC and negotiate, but accused the latter of taking entrenched position and unwilling to amend its decision.

Meanwhile, a labour analyst, Ben Agbai, has counseled both parties to avoid the arbitration, warning they may not like the consequences.

“Infact, arbitration settlement are lose, lose settlement; so if you can avoid arbitration settlement, the better”

He explained further: “It may turn out not to be in the interest of either of them…because they don’t have any control over what the arbitrator is going to say. The arbitrator is only going to look at the facts on the ground and give a ruling that both sides are expected to abide by.”

Mr Agbai was worried about the standoff, saying it could be likened to the proverbial elephants fighting where the grass suffer, noting that it is the general public that is facing the brunt of the two parties’ actions.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association Council is expected to meet on Sunday October 23 to review the doctors' strike.

Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75183.php

Doctors must take govt’s offer or resign – Rojo

Deputy Minister of Health, Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, has given the strongest indication yet that government is not prepared to yield to the doctors’ demand and has dared them to take the government’s offer or leave it.

He also stated - now that the Ghana Medical Association and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would undergo a compulsory arbitration - the doctors have no choice but to call off the strike, since their resolve would amount to flouting the rules of engagement of arbitration.

He told Joy News’ Araba Koomson on Friday that it would be “unethical” for the doctors to insist on going on strike whilst the arbitration continues.

“The rules of engagement of arbitration are very clear; that the parties, before arbitration can be empanelled, cannot continue with the lockout action, and cannot continue with the strike action.

“And that it behoves them (doctors), if they want to prepare themselves for arbitration, to go back to work immediately. It is not an option that is available to them.”

Mr Mettle-Nunoo minced no words when he challenged the doctors to advise themselves, and if possible, resign from government health facilities and resort to their private practice.

“The options are clear…the reason for establishing the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission was to establish fair wages. They are free to advise themselves if, they think the employer, which is government, is unable to meet their demand; I think they have an option of going to private practice.”

The Deputy Minister, who appeared livid by the insistence of the doctors said the doctors are not reasoning along that lines life lost can never be regained.

“If they can promise me that they can bring every single person who died in Ghana back to life, right, I can accept the kind of things they are going through.”

It has been two weeks since the doctors and government have been haggling over the matter of their placement on the new pay structure. The Labour Commission has directed that the doctors and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission go into compulsory arbitration on Monday. Junior doctors have served notice they will not accede to any compulsory arbitration, contending the last time they did, they were the poorer for it.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association Council is expected to meet on Sunday October 23 to review the doctors' strike.


Story by Isaac Essel/myjoyonline.com/Ghana
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75157.php

LESDEP is key to govt’s better Ghana agenda – Afriyie Ankrah

The Local Enterprises and Skills Development Program (LESDEP) has been lauded as a pillar and a key component in fulfilling President Mills’ better Ghana agenda.

Deputy Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, observed that the programme “marks the beginning of a major paradigm shift for a new Ghana”

He was speaking at a four-day orientation workshop for zonal coordinators of Local Enterprises and Skills Development Program in Accra on Thursday.

He was hopeful the advent of LESDEP would produce world acclaimed entrepreneurs and multinational companies.

“I envisage that very soon, joblessness among the youth will be mitigated,” he remarked, adding that the menace and nuisance of foot soldiers would be curtailed. Mr Afriyie Ankrah explained that LESDEP would create numerous job opportunities, in a sense that the youth would not have any excuse not to work but to continue depending on people’s largesse.

He charged on the coordinators to see themselves as transformers in Ghana’s development agenda by making impact on the lives of many more Ghanaians.

The Deputy Minister also challenged them to identify talents within their areas and help them, as well as exploring for resources under their jurisdiction that could be tapped. He warned them against nepotism. “You must be fair to everybody.”

National Coordinator of LESDEP Adem Gariba said the workshop would equip the participants with information and skills required to execute their job effectively.

He noted that LESDEP is a public-private partnership, remarking that such partnerships are very important in nation building since the government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities of the state.

Professor Paul N. Boakye, a resource person and chairman for the workshop, maintained that it is the wish of every government to see transformation in its people, as they use that transformation to work diligently for the benefit of the state.

He charged the zonal coordinators to lead a live worthy to be seen as a light to entrepreneurs under them, adding that to become effective entrepreneurs they “must be quick to listen but slow to speak”.

He also asked them to be agents for transformation in their communities and committed to the vision of LESDEP.

The zonal coordinators are expected to among others operationalize the programme at the district level, recruit and facilitate training and monitor and evaluate the programme.

LESDEP which aims to achieve development through local entrepreneurship is expected to create about the 20,000 direct jobs estimated to be created in 2011.


Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline
http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75118.php

NAGRAT jumped the gun by going on strike - govt

Government has made a passionate appeal to striking NAGRAT members to repose good faith in government and reconsider their decision.

Deputy Minister of Education Mahama Ayariga, who made the plea, said the strike was called too early whilst negotiations were on-going, saying NAGRAT’s action does “not give the negotiation the opportunity to make the best offer”.

He told Dzifa Bampoh on Joy FM’s Top Story Thursday that; “Whilst negotiations are going on, it is best that our teachers, at least, make their services available to the students so that we will consider the merits of the offers and counter offers that are being made.”

The graduate teachers in Accra started the strike action on Monday before it spread to all the regions except Ashanti and Volta. The NAGRAT members are protesting a decision by government to pay their salary arrears over a period of four years.

Chairman of Western region NAGRAT, Samuel Frank Dadzie, told Joy News his members remain resolute on their decision.

“We decided to suspend work because we asked the government to give us a payment schedule as to when our arrears of 21 months would be paid to us, and that has not come. It was only last Monday that they called a meeting, and the information we have gathered is that the government want to take 36 months to pay us the arrears.

“Already these monies have been standing for 21 months, the value has been dissipated and so teachers cannot wait for 36 more months.”

Jacob Anaba, Chairman of NAGRAT in Brong Ahafo, said government’s decision to spread their arrears over four years “is unacceptable”, adding “in fact our members are angry with that statement”.

But deputy Minister Ayariga said the arrears was incurred when the increased base rate of teachers’ was backdated. He further stated that when they were migrated onto the single spine salary structure, salaries were increased, and also backdated.

“So when he says that they have 21 months arrears, it is not the case. It is 13 months for the single spine arrears, and then 8 months for the base pay increase.”

Mr Ayariga, however, appealed to the teachers to continue meeting the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to thrash out issues.

He also explained that the four years payment method was not meant for only NAGRAT but for all the public servants being migrated onto the new pay policy.

“So government made an initial offer, that given the amount involved and given the fact that it covers all public servants, it will take us this period of time to pay. Government is waiting for their (GMA's) counter offer because this is negotiation. This is the offer from government, you should also tell us what your counter offer is, and we will negotiate. So we are surprised that whilst negotiation is going on, our teachers – NAGRAT – have decided to declare strike action.”



story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

FWSC’s ‘Makola bargaining’ won’t work for doctors – Adom-Winful

President of the Ghana Medical Association Dr. Emmanuel Adom-Winful has rejected government’s back-and-forth approach being adopted to resolve the doctors’ strike action.

He told Joy News on Thursday that the association has been “very disappointed about our encounters” with the various groups which are working to find a lasting solution to the impasse.

Numerous meetings this week to address the concerns of the doctors have failed to produce any result. The doctors were hoping their meeting with the Council of State Thursday, would have provided a team with the mandate to negotiate over their concerns relating to their migration onto the new pay policy.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) are both preparing to face off at the next arbitration meeting on Monday.

There are concerns that the arbiter – National Labour Commission – may toe government’s line. Though Dr Adom-Winful would not join the speculation train on that, he remarked “that would be very unfortunate”, adding “that would be an indictment on the Commission’s independence”.

He was appalled at the ad hoc approach in determining the salaries of workers in the country. He also accused the FWSC of abandoning a scientific, transparent assessment – evaluation of salaries – that was conducted, which he said the GMA is insisting should form the bases and reference for determining salaries for public service workers.

“The issue has come down to bargaining, the higher you bargain, the more you get, there is no scientific basis to what fair wages is doing today.”

Makola bargaining

He recalled that a second evaluation report by experts initiated by FWSC was accepted, however, “now you the same organisation has thrown away those results and you are resorting to ‘Makola bargaining’ procedures.”

Nevertheless, Dr Adom-Winful maintained that the GMA is “very much concern about the situation”, noting that it has taken them a year to come to this far. “The GMA is not recalcitrant,” he stressed.

“What we are saying is that if you are asking us to go back to work, please let us see in place a proper high-powered group that is sufficiently mandated to do this job, now that the job has been taken from a scientific hand.”

He also downplayed on calls on him to resign his position for his public comments on the strike, especially with respect death at the hospitals, which some say were callous.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has rebuffed media reports detailing how much they are paid and suggesting that they are demanding 40 percent pay increment across board.

GMA General Secretary, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tetteh told Joy News that it is also not true that they are rejecting offers of between GH¢4,200 and GH¢4,800 from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.


Story by Isaac Essel/myjoyonline.com/Ghana
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/75130.php

Poorly rated MPs vent their spleen on Africa Watch

Characteristic of Africa Watch Magazine's ratings, the 2011 ratings would not pass without stirring controversies and resentment, as some disappointed politicians roll up their sleeves to take on the magazine’s editor.

The Magazine’s 2011 Political Performance Index (PPI) on 309 Ghanaian politicians scored 18 of them the lowest possible grade - F.

The editor Steve Mallory has also refused to disclose his methodology for assessing the political heads. After last year’s ratings had sparked heated debates, some MPs who scornfully rejected the ratings dragged the editor to the Privilege Committee of the House - an invitation he ignored.

Many MPs are outraged at the audacity of the publishers to grade them a second time after they condemned the first one. MP for Sege Alfred Wallace Abayateye who inched up from C to C+ is the least enthused.

He told Joy News on Tuesday, with an angry tone, that the editor of the magazine has no moral right to rate him.

“He (Steve Mallory) has not set any question for me to write for him to grade me. He has not elected me so he has no right, he has no moral right and obligation to give a grading, whether he is giving me ‘A’ plus or ‘A’ plus, plus, he has no moral right or justification to do that, he is not my constituent…”

He told Joy News’ Sammy Darko he had to respond to the rating because his integrity is at stake, reiterating “he has not given me any job to grade me”.

He maintained that the MPs work cannot be judged solely on the floor of Parliament, but should be inclusive of contributions at the committee level, constituency among several other areas.

Mr Abayateye stated that, he just finished a tour throughout the country with the Public Accounts Committee, as a member, and wondered if “his (Steve Mallorey's) people were there, those who are called his correspondents, were they there, were they following us all over the country to see the type of work we are doing?”

MP for Offinso North, Augustine Collin Ntim, also challenged people to “go to my constituency and examine what I am doing there, come to the committee level and examine critically what we are doing there, so what are they measuring”.

He “totally rejected” the ‘F’ grade on him, and was confident his constituent would agree with him that he does not deserve that rating. He had D+ in last year’s rating, but he insisted they did not use the right criteria in assessing the MPs.

According to the MP for Ayawaso Central, Sheik I. C. Quaye, who scored ‘F’, the magazine is “completely out of touch with the duties of an MP in the present day Parliament of Ghana.”

He said he continues to enjoy massive popularity in his constituency because of his hard work.

“If they had checked my background, they would have known that I used to be [talk a lot] in Parliament, and I [still do].”

Sheik I. C. Quaye, who is not seeking re-election in 2012 election said he is now grooming young MPs in parliament “to be up and coming, this is what a good man should be doing”.

But for the highly-rated politician in Ghana, Prof. Mike Ocquaye who had an ‘A’, “some of these things {ratings} you accept them with humility and commitment”.

The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Rashid Pelpuo, who was given a B+ told Joy News such ratings do not “reflect badly” on what he has done in parliament.

Asked if parliament has accepted the ratings of the magazine, he replied; “No. We cannot accept what we do not understand…Parliament is not a party to it. We don’t know how he developed those tools, we don’t know how he developed his indicators, we don’t know whether it has been tested and sound to be scientific enough for it to have enough validity, so we can’t say that we accept it.”

He said for Steve Mallory’s refusal to appear before the Privileges Committee, “he has flouted not just the Standing Orders of Parliament, but the laws of Ghana”, saying his action is “regrettable”, and counselled him to honour that invitation to explain his methodology to Parliament.

Kwaku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, and Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of the Insight, have all discounted the accuracy of the ratings.


Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74987.php

Doctors’ strike continues unabated as NLC postpones arbitration

Hopes that the National Labour Commission could secure a truce and bring an end to the nearly two weeks strike by doctors seems to be dashed, after an arbitration to resolve the impasse on Wednesday was rescheduled.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has been at loggerheads with the Fair Wages and Salary Commission (FWSC) over the former’s migration onto the single spine salary structure, which culminated into the strike.

After months of stalled negotiations between the two parties, the National Labour Commission convened a “compulsory arbitration” meeting on Monday but the meeting was suspended to allow the GMA and FWSC to go back to the negotiation table and report back to the NLC on Wednesday.

It was hopeful that the next arbitration meeting could give a clear-cut idea when the strike action would come to an end, but the meeting was rescheduled for Monday October 24, 2011.

Meanwhile, the Council of State on Wednesday held a meeting with the GMA to iron out some issues, and the meeting has been described as “largely productive” by the General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi Tetteh.

“It offers the opportunity to explain some of the challenges we have had along the way; it offered the council an opportunity as well to appeal to us to consider a broad range of alternatives that we could pursue,” he told Dzifa Bampoh on Top Story.

Though he would not go public with the outcome of the meeting, Dr Tetteh said the council was not happy with the tone of both GMA and FWSC, and “pledged to do follow to bring the issue to a closure”.

He would also not give a hint as to when his colleagues would call off the strike, only to say that in due course, the council of the GMA would meet to decide its next line of action, after they have pondered on calls by various respectable groups to end their strike.

Dr Sodzi Sodzi Tetteh noted that parallel processes are ongoing to solve the issue, and also ruled out any “stubbornness” on the part of the doctors.

“The GMA is not even particularly demanding money per sey, and we are simply not asking that everything should be addressed at a go; but we need to be made sure that the way the problems are going to be addressed is well understood and well outlined.”

A member of the Council of State Rev. Amoo-Darko told Joy News it is the prayer and hope of the council that things will change for the better.

“It is the hard cry of every Ghanaian that these doctors will reconsider their position, and go back to work whilst we talk.”

Nevertheless, Mr Ben Agbai, a labour analyst, was very optimistic the compulsory arbitration would solve the strike crisis.

He explained to Joy FM that with the arbitration, both parties would be compelled to waive their right in order for them to negotiate the issue at stake.

“Some of us have been frustrated and disheartened about the turn of event in Ghana, not only with the doctors’ strike but also [the] contagious nature of strike in our industrial relations environment,” Mr Agbai noted.


Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
http://lifestyle.myjoyonline.com/pages/health/201110/75063.php

Edward Mahama vows to lead PNC for the 5th time to 2012 elections

After four consecutive attempts to become Ghana’s president on the ticket of the People’s National Convention (PNC) have failed, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama is pleading with the party to give him the fifth chance.

The party is divided, Dr. Mahama conceded on Joy News, blaming himself for the divisions.

He is therefore looking for the opportunity to lead the party, not just flagbearer in the forthcoming general elections, but to unite the PNC.

“I want to reunite this party, I can’t leave this party divided as it is,” he told Joy News’ Araba Koomson on Tuesday. He explained that the party was divided after he failed to give a clear direction as to which party to support in the 2008 presidential runoff, and also cited members’ resentful argument on air in recent times.

Dr Mahama opined: “I am responsible for the division because unlike 2000 that I led them [in the runoff], 2008 I said 'make the decision', and that is the social example, it’s social experiment. Without the leadership of Edward Mahama the party is divided right in the middle, so leadership is very important.”

His turn around may come as a surprise to many political pundits, after his earlier indication that he will not contest the 2012 elections. Dr Mahama explained that he reversed his decision because some party members have prevailed on him to take up the challenge, stressing his unwillingness to handover a divided party.

Moreover, he said, he has the interest to grow the party, noting his continuous election as the PNC’s flag-bearer speaks volumes of his leadership quality.

“PNC keeps sending me because they have seen my leadership quality. I have sacrificed everything to support the party because I am not interested for my own well-being.”

Dr Edward Mahama has also rejected calls on him to step aside and give the mantle to an equally, if not a more, competent person to lead the party to the 2012 elections.

“Some people in my party have said don’t stand; if you stand and anybody beats you it would be a shame, I said no! It will be an indication that you people are tired of the kind of leadership I am giving, and I will shake whoever wins and walk away from it.”

Dr Mahama is hopeful Ghanaians would one day be convinced that the PNC, led by him would be the best party to govern the country, after the other parties have toyed with the nation and disappointed them.

He will face a stiff challenge from the new entrant, Alhassan Ayariga, as the latter promises to give him a good run for his money.


Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74958.php

Crunch meeting to resolve doctors’ strike suspended

A crucial meeting involving the National Labour Commission (NLC), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FSWC) and Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to resolve the week-long strike by doctors on Monday morning has been suspended.

The meeting, a “compulsory arbitration” was at the instance of the NLC to settle the dispute between the FWSC and GMA on the migration of the doctors onto the single spine salary structure.

The meeting became necessary after a stalled negotiation between the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Ghana Medical Association on the latter’s migration.

At the meeting, the two feuding parties informed the Commission of an earlier consultation held by the FWSC and GMA, which they indicated their optimism of reaching an agreement on the outstanding issue within 48 hours, a press release issued by the NLC’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Afum, said.

They therefore requested the arbiter to suspend the arbitration process to enable them carry on with their negotiations and report back to the NLC on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.

Joy FM’s Seth Kwame Boateng who was monitoring the meeting reported that the parties emerged from the meeting with smiles.

They were also seen exchanging pleasantries with the Chief Executive of FWSC, George Smith Graham, and President of the GMA, Dr. Emmanuel Adom-Winful, in a warm hand shake, a gesture that could mean something good may come out of their negotiations soon.

“I saw them happy this morning, so let’s pray and hope that something good or positive will come out today,” Seth Boateng remarked.


Story by Isaac Essel/Ghana/Myjoyonline.com
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74858.php

Mills honours national heroes; urges youth to die for Ghana

The President, John Evans Atta Mills, has reiterated the clarion call on the youth of Ghana to develop more interest in what they can do for the nation, rather than what the nation has for them.

He stated that many have laid down their lives and dedicated themselves to the development of Ghana, and asked the youth to emulate such people.

The President was speaking at the investiture ceremony at which deserving individuals were decorated with State Honours at the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday.

“This ceremony is a very important one, because it’s intended to send positive signals to especially the young people, that it is not for them to ask what their nation can do for them, but what they can do for their nation,” President Mills stressed.

The President maintained that those who were awarded have contributed in diverse ways to Ghana’s development, and congratulated the award winners for their dedicated services, which he said are worth emulating.

“I am particularly happy that, especially at this important time in our history, we are able to showcase people whose examples and whose contributions have propelled our country forward and are therefore sources of inspiration to all of us.”

He indicated that “a lot of objectivity and transparency” went into the selection of the awardees.

Nevertheless, President Mills remarked that a lot more people in the country deserve to be awarded, and assured that “their time will come”.

The President was also grateful to the recipients for not succumbing to challenges, noting that though their paths were not easy, their tenacity emboldened them to confront all the difficulties.

Speaker of Parliament, Justice Joyce Bamford Addo, who was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Volta, spoke on behalf of the awardees, saying their “hearts have been gladdened” by the gesture.

She said they were elated that their “modest contributions” to the country have been recognised by the state, remarking, “we have been very, very much humbled by the honour bestowed on us”.

“This serves as a good lesson for all Ghanaians, especially the younger generation, not to judge the harvest they reap each day, but rather, they seeds they sowed.”

Mrs Bamford Addo noted that it beholds on all to uphold the selfless spirit of Ghana’s forbearers for a better Ghana.

“It is against this background that the recipients of the national awards dedicate the remaining years of our lives to the national cause.”

Among the forty-six distinguished award winners are elder statesman Harry Sawyerr, Professor Nana Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem and Sergeant Baiden Ebenezer Morgan. The Black Stars team that qualified to the quarter final of the World Cup and the Black Satellites team that won the World Under-20 Tournament were also decorated.

Full list of the Awardees

Medal for Gallantry

Divisional Officer Grade II, Kwame Seddoh (Posthumous)

Sub Officer, Isaac Newton Adjei (Posthumous)

Group Officer, Hannah Yawson (Posthumous)

Petty Officer Class II, Dongyiri Paul (Posthumous)

General Constable Frank William Blankson (Posthumous)

Sergeant Baiden Ebenezer Morgan

Lance Corporal Mohammed Iddrisu Adam

Grand Medal

ACP Christian Tetteh Yohuno

Management teams

Black Satellites 2009

Kwesi Nyantakyi - Leader of Delegation

Jordan Anagblah - Chairman

Isaac Addo - Administrator

Dr. Joe Ofori-Attah Management Member

Black Stars 2010

Kwesi Nyantakyi - GFA President

Fred Pappoe - Vice President

Kofi Nsiah - General Secretary

Joseph Yaw Appiah Team Management

Aloysius Denkabe - Team Management

Mr E. H Michael Haddad

Mr Eshun John

Mustapha Ibrahim

Order of the Volta

Mr David Ghartey-Tagoe

Stephanie Baeta Ansah member

Mrs Leticia Benewah Osafo-Addo

Mr John Owusu-Addo

Mr Charles Yao Mensah

Bridgette Jubilee Katsriku

Professor John Owusu

Naa Alhaji Iddrisu abu Kumbun Naa Yiri II

Justice rtd Alexander Kwabena Baah Ampiah

Justice Samuel Glenn Baddoo

Mr Robert Amaltinga Atuguba

Madam Akushika Barbara Rose Baeta

First television newscaster David Kweku Ghartey Tagoe

Black Satellites playing team

Officer of the Order of the Volta

Mr Emmanuel Botchwey

Mr Lionel Mobilla

Professor Ebenezer Laing

Professor Jeremias Mama Akita

Professor Sefa Dede

Prof Nana Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi AMPEM II

Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman

Prof. Emeritus Kwame Sarpong

Ernest Bediako Sampong

Prof. Daniel Mireku Gyimah

Ing Kwaku Twum Boafo

Marian Ewurama Addy

Companion of the order of the Volta

The Black Stars of Ghana

Mr Ernest Owusu Poku

Rev Bishop Palmer Buckle

Rev Joseph Oliver Bowers

Ambassador James Victor Gbeho

Harry Sawyer

Mr Issifu Ali

Rt Hon Joyce Adeline Bamford Addo


Story by Isaac Essel/ Joy Online
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74747.php

Government rubbishes ‘Rawlings boys’ ultimatum

The government has expressed with uttermost dismay, a pro-Rawlings group’s four-week ultimatum to it to reconstruct the Ridge residence of the former first family or face unceasing street protests.

The NDC Youth With Conviction of Principles, largely, a metamorphosis of FONKAR, issued the threat Thursday at a press conference.

However, government’s release signed by deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that the government was at lost, the allegation that it has failed to take steps to reconstruct the residence which was razed down by fire on February 14, 2010.

According to the statement issued on Friday, details on the state of preparations and commencement of work on the burnt residence are known to persons assigned by the former first family to handle that matter.

Refusing to be drawn into discussing the issue and others, relating to the former couple, in the media or in the public domain, the release maintained that: “The Project Consultant and the Contractor who were chosen by the former first family are working on the reconstruction and have received government's fullest cooperation.”

The spokesperson for the Rawlings family, Kofi Adams, Thursday told the media that the Rawlingses rejected a plush accommodation at the Trasacco Valley Estates because it was incompatible with the NDC founder’s moderate lifestyle.

But the government said it was not unaware that the former President, Jerry Rawlings, has rejected the temporary facility offered him, which was intended for their use until the completion of the Ridge residence.

“Government dealt directly with the former President on the matter of his temporary accommodation, and if he has any concerns, we are sure that His Excellency will communicate with the Office of the President for appropriate solutions to be found.”

The statement cautioned persons who continue to draw the former President and issues about him into the public domain to desist, adding that government will not be drawn into showing disrespect to its former presidents by discussing matters about them in the media.

“In one breath, we are accused of not caring for our leaders, and yet in another breath, the same people say arrangements were made, but have been rejected,” the statement noted.

The statement noted that government will not be threatened or stampeded by any group into completing what it has clearly and consistently committed itself to doing.

Story by Isaac Essel/Joy Online
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74742.php

Mills is No. 1 storyteller - Anyidoho

The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Koku Anyidoho has underscored the rationale behind the president’s tour to some parts of the country, saying it would afford President Mills the direct platform to tell Ghanaians projects executed and being executed by his administration.

He indicated to Joy News’ that the president had to blow his own trumpet because most of the good things he has done have been kept in the dark.

“We are learning that his government is lightening a number of candles, but it looks like the candles are just being hidden under the bed. So it is about time we told our story more comprehensibly.

“And indeed that is why he is embarking on this working visit around the country, because he is the number one storyteller, and he is the best person to tell the story; and so once he moves around everybody pays attention.”

He stressed that the government has made headways in the area of job creation, employment, environment and infrastructure.

Mr Anyidoho, however, admitted that inspite of the success the Mills administration has chalked, “a lot, lot more need to be done”, adding that the president would do his part to develop the country.

On the unbearable traffic situation in the capital Accra, Mr Anyidoho, maintained that the problem has been a long standing one, but enumerated steps taken by the government to ease the situation.

Commissioning a waste recycling and compost plant that is expected to recycle about 30 metric tonnes of waste generated in Accra on a daily basis at Ajinkotoku, President Mills bemoaned the waste situation in Accra.

He said the plant would “help tremendously as to controlling the waste situation in Greater Accra, and I am happy to be associated with its commissioning…I believe that Greater Accra will be one of the cleanest cities that one can find.”

The president has also challenged his critiques to go round the country and ascertain for themselves how he is fulfilling the promises he made to Ghanaians.

“You have seen the difference for yourselves, you can see what we are done and I am appealing to you; come 2012 give us four more years to continue,” President Mills told a gathering at Mamprobi.

The president’s final tour of the Greater Accra on Thursday also took him to Achimota-Ofankor road, Ashaladza, Mallam and Dansoman.

Joy News’ presidential correspondent, Seth Kwame Boateng said for most of the places they visited, people poured out in their numbers to welcome the president. At the Mallam junction, for instance, he said the president’s convoy heading to Dansoman, had to move in a snail pace due to the huge turnout of residents to catch a glimpse of the president.

“The crowd was huge. People had come out of their shops and homes to see the president, some for the first time,” he recounted.

The president's next tour would take him to the Volta Region, possibly next week, Director of Communications at the Presidency noted.

Story by Isaac Essel/Joy Online
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74727.php
Accra/Ghana/News

‘Rawlings boys’ give Mills ultimatum to fix Ridge house

An aggrieved group in the ruling National Democratic Congress have issued an ultimatum to the government to reconstruct the Ridge residence of former President Rawlings or face unceasing street protests.

The NDC Youth With Conviction of Principles, largely, a metamorphosis of FONKAR, told the media the government has up to four weeks to meet their demand.

The focus of the press conference was to “expose” what they described as “malicious agenda” by certain elements under Mills’ leadership to “obliterate the foundation of the NDC and its embodiment – Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings”, and to send signals to those interested to ensure that agenda is “truncated urgently” to avoid the collapse of the party.

“We are aware of plans included in this obliteration agenda of the Mills leadership to amend article 6 of the NDC constitution that states succinctly that our party was founded on the ideals and philosophy of H.E Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. Interestingly, even absurdly, these same people fighting against the very NDC constitution are the very people who drafted it- not J.J Rawlings.”

The Ridge residence of former President Jerry John Rawlings was gutted by fire on 14 February 2010.

The former first family have since made alternative accommodation arrangements.

The National Coordinator of the YWCP, Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru said the group will hit the streets if their demand is not met.

The group said government officials have been feeding the public with false information that the government is reconstructing the residence, when in fact nothing is being done to properly house the Rawlingses.

“Such pure lies from our own Government that we put in power cannot be countenanced any longer,” Alhaji Nasiru remarked.

He indicated that under the Mills administration, contrary to their belief that he was coming to end the horrendous experience the Rawlingses endured in the eighty-year rule of former President Kufuor, Mr Rawlings and family are rather going through worse experience.

“We all thought [Kufuor’s treatment to the Rawlingses] was utterly contemptible. We all condemned it - including President Mills. Little did we know that under President Mills, our own Founder will be subjected to even worse treatment.”

He decried the “apathy, despondency and pure confusion” that exist among the NDC supporters and was sure, if unchecked, could send the party back to opposition.

Mills' silence supports anti-Rawlings faction

Alhaji Nasiru also castigated the party’s attempt to accept the candidature of Major (retd) Boakye Gyan for the Jaman South constituency, adding this forms part of a grand design to change the embodiment of the NDC. He said statements being made by Major Gyan indicate that he is “joining the NDC to fight against” Mr Rawlings.

“We demand that Boakye Gyan, a clear and present danger to our party never be allowed to run on the NDC ticket for parliament.”

He also cited the NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah’s claim that ‘barking dogs in the party have been eliminated’ as part of the agenda to take the NDC away from Mr Rawlings. Alhaji Nasiru therefore questioned “the competence and loyalty” of Nketiah, explaining that his comments support persons who are doubting Rawlings’ legitimacy as the founder of the NDC.

Alhaji Nasiru said Mr Asiedu-Nketiah, by his comments, is unfit to be the party’s General Secretary, and called on him to resign, after leveling a litany of corrupt allegations against him.

The group also demanded President Mills to “openly denounce the unguarded statements made by general secretary of the NDC Asiedu Nketia and deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal [for saying that there are more important matters for government to deal with instead of such ‘unnecessary distractions’]. The deafening silence of president Mills is giving us the impression that he has endorsed these statements. We demand that the president come clear on these matters.”


Story by Isaac Essel/Joy Online
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74695.php

Baba Jamal: NPP should commend gov't on Single Spine

The government has rejected Nana Akufo-Addo’s call on President Mills to intervene directly in the strike by doctors to get them back to work.

At a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, the NPP’s flag-bearer said the strike, which is running into a week, would have been curtailed had President Mills exerted his influence and made direct appeals to the doctors who are unhappy with the slow-paced single spine salary structure(SSSS) placement.

Later in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story NPP’s Director of Communications, Nana Akomea reiterated the hope that such an action from the president “could get the doctors to work … he making a direct appeal to the doctors face-to-face and he ordering his ministers to go back to the negotiating table with urgency would or should do the trick because life is at stake”.

But Baba Jamal, a deputy Minister of Information reminded them that President Mills had already made a public appeal to them to return to work, adding that a direct meeting with the doctors, as suggested, would “not solve the problem” or yield any positive result.

He indicated that the gesture would as well be needless because the president is not a technical man, explaining why he has therefore entrusted that responsibility to competent technical men to handle the issue with the doctors.

Mr Jamal said the issue at stake now is not necessarily about money, but placing people on the right structure to commensurate with the work they do.

The deputy minister also chided the opposition NPP for sidestepping the real issue and making political capital out of the strike.

“They (the NPP) instituted it (single spine), and of course if you instituted a policy, there is the need for you to put the proper structures on the ground for it to take off properly. So if they didn’t do that and we have come and have committed ourselves to it, and we are implementing it, I think that they should rather commend us.”

Mr Jamal however assured that the government is committed to ensuring that the new pay policy, that is bedeviled with a myriad of challenges, is implemented satisfactorily.

However, the Communications Director of the NPP, Nana Akomea, maintained that government’s disregard for good faith, has been a major contributing factor to the nationwide strike action embarked upon by the doctors.

“It doesn’t look like the government has shown the best of good faith... We are talking about bad faith and incompetence, the government’s own calculation shows that they required GH¢5.3 billion, however in the budget they put in GH¢3.9 billion.

“Why do you require GH¢5.3 billion by your own calculation and you put in GH¢3.9 billion. So immediately you have built in failure.”

Nana Akomea said the strike was not out of the blue, noting that the doctors had sent signals months ago, but the government did not see the urgency to address their concerns.

He maintained that doctors by their training value human life, and do not go on strike anyhow, and “if they go on strike, it means there is something terribly wrong.”


Story by Isaac Essel/Joy Online
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74653.php

Government flexes muscles over UK gay threat

The government of Ghana is, for now, treating with contempt, the UK’s threat to cut down aid to Ghana if the country fails to recognise the rights of gays.

The UK government served notice to African countries, to drop their antiquated anti gay laws or face a slash in aid. The UK Times newspaper reported the country’s Prime Minister David Cameron as saying Britain is no longer prepared to turn a blind eye to nations that victimize sections of society, including homosexuals.

UK’s International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell could also reduce aid to Uganda and Ghana unless they drop laws against gays, the Mail reported.

However, Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, told Joy News on Wednesday that the government would not kowtow to external pressures such as the one being mounted by the UK, to take decisions that are inimical to its constitution and culture.

“It is important to recognise that Ghana is a sovereign state. Ghana will take a decision or will chart a particular path; it will not do so because we are being threatened by other countries or we are being dictated to by other countries.”

Mr Ablakwa maintained, aside the fact that Ghana has its own constitution and Acts of Parliament, “we have our wills, aspirations, our culture, and those ones will guide us and not what any state or other jurisdiction want, whether they threaten us or not.”

Making reference to the 2011 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance which ranked Ghana 7th with a score of 66, out of the 53 African countries, and 3rd in the Rights category, the Deputy Minister said Ghana will continue to ensure that individuals’ rights are respected.

But reminded that the country will exercise the laws enshrined in its constitution and criminal code, and will only amend a law at the country’s own will.

Nevertheless, he said the government was yet to receive any formal communications from the UK government on the issue.

Already, the UK government has cut aid to Malawi by 19 million dollars after two homosexuals in that country, who held an engagement ceremony, were sentenced to 14 months in hard labour.



Story by Isaac Essel
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74629.php

Traffic in Accra is a major headache – Mills

The President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, is appalled by the traffic situation in the capital, Accra, describing the traffic congestion on the roads as a “major headache”.

President Mills made this remark when he inspected ongoing construction works on a road that will connect the Spintex Road from the Polo Grounds near the Kotoka International Airport.

The road which is 75 percent done, is set for completion in July next year.

President Mills commended the contractor for the work done so far, Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng reported.

“Clearly when you finish this it’s going to ease traffic congestion on the Spintex Road,” President Mills remarked.

The inspection forms part of the President’s three-day tour of the Greater Accra region.

“Our problem in Accra is the traffic congestion, it’s not good, we have to find ways of making it possible for traffic to move. This is obviously part of the solution, and I will encourage that we find, those of you have the expertise in this, how we can ease traffic congestion in Accra, it’s a major headache.”

The president’s tour took him to Dodowa where he inspected a two-storey classroom and another storey block for a boys’ dormitory at the Ghanatta Senior High School.

The president had before this, inspected a three-lane dual carriageway from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to Madina.

Story by Isaac Essel: Myjoyonline.com

Atta Akyea: Police can’t do sensible job on Kobby; independent body can

Samuel Atta Akyea, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, is entertaining serious doubt about the ability of the police administration to do a good job and justice to the alleged insult on Kobby Acheampong.

Mr Acheampong, a deputy Minister of Interior, claimed he was insulted by a police lance corporal on the Accra-Cape Coast road last week. He lodged a complaint through the phone to the Inspector General of Police, and eight police officers who had mounted a checkpoint at the place of the incident where hauled to the national police headquarters in Accra.

After preliminary investigations, L/Cpl Henry Addison was interdicted by the police administration. The rest were made to go on their normal duties and would be recalled to assist in the investigations as and when necessary.

Even before the police finish with their investigations on the alleged insult on the minister, the administration has been flogged by some junior officers and politicians mainly from the opposition in what they claimed is an unfair treatment being meted out to the police officers.

Contributing to a discussion on the above subject on Joy FM’s news analysis programme, Newsfile Saturday, lawyer Atta Akyea said he least expect the police to fault Mr Acheampong whose ministry has oversight responsibility over the police administration.

“Are you very serious that the police can come out with any serious investigations on this matter? Are they going to come out with findings of facts which will sort of go against their superior, the one who has the oversight responsibility over that ministry?…how can they come out with any sensible conclusion on this matter...I wonder if the police service can say that Kobby was lying?”

He therefore assumed that given the scenario the police find themselves in, “Kobby Acheampong will be a judge in his own case”.

Mr Atta Akyea is thus advocating for an independent body to investigate the incident as alleged by the “temperamental” deputy minister, “and then Kobby will be a witness, Kobby needs to prove his case”.

He proposed that the IGP may have to confer with the Chief Justice to appoint a Supreme Court judge to chair the inquisitorial body.

But Mahama Ayariga, deputy Minister of Education, vehemently disagreed with Mr Akyea that the police cannot do justice on the case, and also refuted, under the circumstance, the claims that Kobby would be judge on his own case.

As he encouraged the police to speed up investigations into the incident, he also appealed to Mr Acheampong to refrain from making any public pronouncement on the matter.

He also asked politicians to refrain from politicizing the case, and chided Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, NPP General Secretary for issuing a statement on the case which sought to indicate that Kobby was guilty.

Benjamin Akyena Brentuo, a member of government communications team, claimed that the police preliminary investigations have indicated that the checkpoint where the incident happened was unauthorized, and was also at a dangerous place.

For the Publisher of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper, Egbert Faibille, the way and manner the eight police were arrested and brought to the headquarters was inimical to the laws of Ghana, more especially, when, said, the police involved have “not breached any laws” insulting a deputy minister.

Story by Isaac Essel
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74413.php

DFP merger with NDC shaky – Kofi Adams warns

A Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams, is warning that the announced merger between the party and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) is on a tightrope and could fall through, if the latter does not watch its utterances.

He intimated that though the merger is yet to be finalized by both parties, certain comments emanating from the quarters of the DFP concerning the internal affairs of the NDC could disintegrate the NDC, scuttle the unification and be injurious to NDC’s electoral fortunes in 2012.

The life-patron of the DFP, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, had told Joy FM that former President Jerry Rawlings, a man the NDC constitution recognises as the founder of the party, does not even feature on a tall list of the party’s founders.

But Kofi Adams argued that since the NDC was established to “continue with the [PNDC] revolution,” it would be impossible, if not incorrect, that Mr Rawlings who initiated and chaired the PNDC can now be contested over his founder status of the NDC.

“I think Dr Asamoah should be careful and know what he is talking about…they should watch their comments and should know that the NDC as a party has not met to even accept their merger yet. If they continue making comments such as this, that would stir controversy in our party, I believe that many a person will advise themselves,” he told Joy News’ Israel Laryea on Monday.

Mr Adams, who is also the spokesperson of Mr Rawlings, hinted that the party would be listening to comments by the DFP, which he said would largely inform their “debates and decisions” when the NDC meet over the merger, stressing that “comments such as this are things that we will not welcome in our party now”.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Prof. Emmanuel Gyimah Boadi has told Joy News the merger is of no significance.

According to him, the re-union is normal and will have little impact on election 2012.


Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com
http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74473.php