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

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

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

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

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