By Ebenezer Hanson
Retrenchment, redundancy and redeployment of workers have come to characterize privatizations of corporations and other governmental organizations in this country. Expectedly, labour and actors of the industrial front have been nursing anxiety and apprehension over the fate of the 4, 200 workers of Ghana Telecom (GT) in the event of the successful sale of 70% shares of the company to Vodafone International Holdings B.V. for $900million. But these worried stakeholders have been asked not to fret their souls as the interest of the workers has been adequately catered for.
According to the Minister of Communications, Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, the Government has guaranteed $40 million to take care of separation arrangements, if any, arising out of separation arrangements of the collective bargaining arrangements over the years ahead and that it has been explicitly provided in the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) that Collective Bargaining Agreement of the terms of employment applicable to GT is to be respected at all times.
“In the course of the privatization exercise we have had meetings with the Commercial Workers Union (CWU) and have assured them that in negotiating for the privatization of Ghana Telecom, the Government of Ghana has ensured that the whole exercise is handled in the spirit of openness and transparency. In this regard we have assured the Union that concerns expressed on the security and tenure of staff by the Union, during the earlier meetings we held with them had all been taken on board in the negotiations currently on-going with Vodafone,” he assures the nation at a widely patronized news conference on the proposed sale.
Dr. Ntim further disclosed that Government has initiated steps to “ringefence” all debts so that the $500 million investment to be made in GT by Vodafone will be applied solely to promote expansion of the company. “This in turn will help to secure the full engagement of the workers at all times in a competitive market. This assurance we have also given to workers.”
He was of the view that considering the dire financial straits in which GT finds itself any tardy action regarding the sale will result in the unfortunate situation of making the GT workers redundant. “The implication of this to the workers and their extended families is unthinkable. This is the reason why government is taking steps to protect the interest of workers,” he added.
The current state of GT, according to the Minister, is one of firm in an economic quagmire. In May 2008, negotiations on Vodafone’s bid proposals submitted in February, Government received an updated offer from Vodafone to acquire 70% interest in GT for a total consideration of $900 million on a debt –free, cash basis. This offer corresponds to an Enterprise Value of $1,286 million for 100% of GT. The transfer and management of the National Communications Backbone were thus included in this offer.
It is to be noted that as at December 2007 the total assets of GT was GH¢531 million as opposed to its total liabilities of GH¢558 million, giving a negative net worth value of GH¢27 million. By May 2008 the total assets of GT were GH¢ 552 million as against its total liabilities of GH¢ 586 million resulting in a negative worth figure of GH¢ 34 million. This definitely should be a source of worry for any investor, Government inclusive.
Again, a look at the working capital of GT also reveals a similar trend. In 2007 a negative working capital of GH¢ 188 million was recorded and by May 2008 this had risen to GH ¢199 million. This situation is rapidly leading to GT’s insolvency and a total collapse if no immediate action id taken.
Meanwhile the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in a statement to the media and signed by its Acting General Secretary, Kofi Asamoah, has rejected the proposed deal saying besides it not being in the interest of Ghanaians the deal has been shrouded in secrecy. Consequently, it has called for a national debate on the subject so that the national concerns expressed should be brought on board.
“In our considered opinion the sale of such an important strategic national asset should be subjected to thorough public debate so that some form of national consensus can be forged before a definitive decision is taken. Government has not subjected this deal to public debate. But such an important deal cannot be shrouded in secrecy,” the statement observes.
The TUC also expresses concern about the possible losses of jobs by workers and more especially the strategic nature of such a national asset. “GT is a strategic national asset and, like other state assets, Government should not offer GT shares for sale as if GT was created solely for financial gains without any consideration whatsoever for its social and national security implications.”
The statement recalled that GT was established in 1995 to provide telecommunication services to the people of Ghana in all the regions, districts and communities. The service being provided by GT is not only for financial gains but also it is a very important social service which Ghanaians expect Government to provide in return for the taxes they pay. “We are not convinced that Vodafone, or any other foreign private company, will meet the social obligation of providing communication services to the Ghanaian people in all parts of the country”.
It says multinational companies, like Vodafone, come in for profit and not to fulfill social obligations. And the fact that within 12 months of the signing of the SPA the Ghana Telecom University College is to be hived off is a clear indication of Vodafone’s lack of commitment to social responsibility, and in this case the training of Ghanaians to take control of the telecommunications sector will become history.
Additionally, the TUC was of the view that with barely five months to leave office it was inappropriate for the NPP administration to hurriedly sell such an important and strategic state asset. It said this creates rooms for reversal of agreements by succeeding governments as has happened in other West African countries.
“In an election year such as this, we do not expect Government to enter into such deals which have the potential to spark controversy and social tension,” the statement advised.
“We note the need for recapitalization of GT, which is the argument Government is using as basis for selling its shares in GT, but we also believe that there are other equally, if not more, viable options that can be explored to ensure that GT remains a public enterprise” .
It advises government should therefore explore other options which will ensure that GT remains viable not only economically but at the same time be able to provide communication services to the people of Ghana. “In our view this goal can be achieved only if GT remains a public asset,” the TUC maintains.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ghana’s chance to model Africa’s good governance
By Ebenezer Hanson
The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, has observed that the forthcoming 2008 general elections present Ghana with the unique opportunity to showcase to the rest of Africa a novelty of good governance.
He says after playing the torch bearer in the liberation of the continent and welcoming a new democratic dispensation, Ghana should blaze the trail in the new order of good governance for Africa, which action will resonate with the country’s status of the Black Star of Africa.
“ …After leading the emancipation effort on our continent and embracing a new democratic dispensation, Ghana has the rare opportunity to model a new way of good governance for Africa. We claim to be Black Star of Africa so let us shine the way forward for the rest of the continent.”
Rev. Dr. Otabil recognizes that, achieving this politically iconic status in Africa does not come on a silver platter but through the conscientious efforts of all political parties and stakeholders of the electioneering process and good governance to pursue best governance practices.
“Political parties must demonstrate that politics is not a game of life and death. They must allow the priorities of our nation and welfare of its people to animate their thoughts and actions so that in pursuing their party’s interest, the nation interest remains pre-eminent,” he advised.
Delivering the keynote address during the launch of the Political Parties Code of Conduct 2008 and the National Enforcement Body last Thursday in Accra, the General Overseer hoped that this year’s election would see a palpable improvement over previous ones in that political discourses would represent a contest of ideas and not belittling opponents and that politicians would resist the temptation to exploit the high levels of illiteracy for cheap political advantage.
“We are now 51 years old as an independent nation. As we grow in age, it must show in our maturity. We must leave our childish behaviours behind and increasingly act with more wisdom, decorum and restraint. We must help the nation to wield its growth in population into economic advantage. These are some of the expectations that we must have of one another,” he exhorted.
He asked Ghanaians to abhor ethnic and partisan allegiances as they limit the country’s human capacity to capture the opportunities in this global village, adding that true national and continental liberation requires the full deployment of all the nation’s massive human and natural resources in a focused manner.
Rev Otabil charged the Rev. Fred Degbe-led National Enforcement Body, the entity tasked with ensuring adherence of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, to uphold the national interest by rising above parochial considerations.
NPP General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow, pledged his party’s commitment to the Political Code and promised that the NPP would not engage in any act such as religious or tribal politics which has the potential to derail political process. “NPP commits itself to free, fair and peaceful elections and I urged all parties to do same so that at the end of the day there would be no reason to question the outcome of the elections”.
The NDC National Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, submitted that all is not well with the country’s democratic process and urge all parties to play by the rules. “And I want to point out that the majority is not always right and that might is not right,” he philosophized.
He reminded gathering that when the NDC “became unpopular it left office quietly after loosing the elections” and hoped that if any other party also becomes unpopular and loses elections it must also leave in like manner.
In a welcome address, a Senior Fellow of IEA, Brig. Gen Francis A. Agyemfra, noted that the 2008 general elections would be unique in terms of its competitiveness and that the possibility of such intense competition degenerating into violence could not be down played; and it was for this reason that the 2008 Political Parties’ Code was crafted to serve as guide to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
He disclosed that the 2008 Political Code was an improvement of that of 2004 but that it departs from the 2004 Code by establishing enforcement bodies both at the national and regional levels. The Regional Enforcement Bodies would monitor breaches of the Code at the various constituencies in the regions and report such breaches to the National Enforcement Body which has the mandate to investigate such breaches where necessary and issue sanctions in the form of reprimands and undertakings from offending parties.
Additionally, the National Enforcement Body has the mandate to also issue reports to alert the security agencies and other relevant bodies for the appropriate actions to be taken should breaches of the code occur.`
The 24-page Political Code of Conduct has provisions on measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections during the 2008 General Elections. It has chapters on Join Communiqué, Preamble, Democratic Imperatives, Campaigning Out-of-Campaign Activities, Elections, Enforcement and Interpretation.
The event, which was under the auspices of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Ghana Political Parties’ Programme, attracted representatives of nine political parties, namely, the NPP, NDC, CPP, DFP, PNC, United Love Party, the Eagle Party, Ghana National Party, the United Renaissance Party, officials of the Electoral Commission and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) among others.
The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, has observed that the forthcoming 2008 general elections present Ghana with the unique opportunity to showcase to the rest of Africa a novelty of good governance.
He says after playing the torch bearer in the liberation of the continent and welcoming a new democratic dispensation, Ghana should blaze the trail in the new order of good governance for Africa, which action will resonate with the country’s status of the Black Star of Africa.
“ …After leading the emancipation effort on our continent and embracing a new democratic dispensation, Ghana has the rare opportunity to model a new way of good governance for Africa. We claim to be Black Star of Africa so let us shine the way forward for the rest of the continent.”
Rev. Dr. Otabil recognizes that, achieving this politically iconic status in Africa does not come on a silver platter but through the conscientious efforts of all political parties and stakeholders of the electioneering process and good governance to pursue best governance practices.
“Political parties must demonstrate that politics is not a game of life and death. They must allow the priorities of our nation and welfare of its people to animate their thoughts and actions so that in pursuing their party’s interest, the nation interest remains pre-eminent,” he advised.
Delivering the keynote address during the launch of the Political Parties Code of Conduct 2008 and the National Enforcement Body last Thursday in Accra, the General Overseer hoped that this year’s election would see a palpable improvement over previous ones in that political discourses would represent a contest of ideas and not belittling opponents and that politicians would resist the temptation to exploit the high levels of illiteracy for cheap political advantage.
“We are now 51 years old as an independent nation. As we grow in age, it must show in our maturity. We must leave our childish behaviours behind and increasingly act with more wisdom, decorum and restraint. We must help the nation to wield its growth in population into economic advantage. These are some of the expectations that we must have of one another,” he exhorted.
He asked Ghanaians to abhor ethnic and partisan allegiances as they limit the country’s human capacity to capture the opportunities in this global village, adding that true national and continental liberation requires the full deployment of all the nation’s massive human and natural resources in a focused manner.
Rev Otabil charged the Rev. Fred Degbe-led National Enforcement Body, the entity tasked with ensuring adherence of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, to uphold the national interest by rising above parochial considerations.
NPP General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow, pledged his party’s commitment to the Political Code and promised that the NPP would not engage in any act such as religious or tribal politics which has the potential to derail political process. “NPP commits itself to free, fair and peaceful elections and I urged all parties to do same so that at the end of the day there would be no reason to question the outcome of the elections”.
The NDC National Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, submitted that all is not well with the country’s democratic process and urge all parties to play by the rules. “And I want to point out that the majority is not always right and that might is not right,” he philosophized.
He reminded gathering that when the NDC “became unpopular it left office quietly after loosing the elections” and hoped that if any other party also becomes unpopular and loses elections it must also leave in like manner.
In a welcome address, a Senior Fellow of IEA, Brig. Gen Francis A. Agyemfra, noted that the 2008 general elections would be unique in terms of its competitiveness and that the possibility of such intense competition degenerating into violence could not be down played; and it was for this reason that the 2008 Political Parties’ Code was crafted to serve as guide to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
He disclosed that the 2008 Political Code was an improvement of that of 2004 but that it departs from the 2004 Code by establishing enforcement bodies both at the national and regional levels. The Regional Enforcement Bodies would monitor breaches of the Code at the various constituencies in the regions and report such breaches to the National Enforcement Body which has the mandate to investigate such breaches where necessary and issue sanctions in the form of reprimands and undertakings from offending parties.
Additionally, the National Enforcement Body has the mandate to also issue reports to alert the security agencies and other relevant bodies for the appropriate actions to be taken should breaches of the code occur.`
The 24-page Political Code of Conduct has provisions on measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections during the 2008 General Elections. It has chapters on Join Communiqué, Preamble, Democratic Imperatives, Campaigning Out-of-Campaign Activities, Elections, Enforcement and Interpretation.
The event, which was under the auspices of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Ghana Political Parties’ Programme, attracted representatives of nine political parties, namely, the NPP, NDC, CPP, DFP, PNC, United Love Party, the Eagle Party, Ghana National Party, the United Renaissance Party, officials of the Electoral Commission and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) among others.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
CPP will scrap BECE
By Ebenezer Hanson
Educational experts have increasingly grown alarming about the unacceptable high drop out rates of pupils after basic education and have been grappling with solutions to stem this dangerous social phenomenon.
But the Convention People’s Party (CPP) lays the blame squarely on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) which is used for the selection and placement of pupils into senior high schools (SHS).
Accordingly, the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has disclosed that a CPP administration will abolish the BECE when it assumes the realms of power after the December 2008 elections to ensure a that there is uninterrupted flow of pupils the junior high school (JHS) to SHS. “There will be no examination from the basic school level to the senior high school and this will reduce the high drop out the country is confronted with.”
The occasion was the colourful launching of the CPP 2008 Manifesto dubbed “New Dawn, New Vision” in Accra which attracted many party stalwarts and droves of youth.
The decision to scrap the BECE finds expression in the party’s manifesto under its educational policy, an aspect its social policy. “We shall consider abolishing the BECE, which prematurely condemns too many of our children to failure before they have had a chance to prove themselves in life. This should also ensure that the every Ghanaian child gets at least a secondary education, creating a wider and deeper pool of candidates to train the scientists, engineers, architects and other professions that we require to build a 21st century society, ” the manifesto explicitly declares.
The CPP says under a modified and expanded policy, the Accelerated Education Sector Investment Programme (AESIP), educational facilities from kindergarten to the tertiary level will be refurbished and expanded to meet the need of a modernizing society. To the party, “education serves a multiple purpose of aiding the individual to better understand society and nature and to acquire the skills needed to earn a decent living while contributing to national development.”
To meet the expanded educational needs of a growing population; the CPP has revealed that it will in collaboration with the non-state sector, including religious organizations, improve access to education at all levels making secondary education part of basic education and will be made free.
It adds that it will actively promote boarding schools as “a way of reducing the cost of education and at the same time encouraging Ghanaians from all walks of life to live together and know each other before they enter the world of work. This is one of the surest ways of fighting ethnocentrism and creating a common sense of nationhood among our future leaders”.
The CPP, however, says it will review the relevance of the four-year SHS programme and explore the possibility of restoring the three years programme and used the saved resources to improve access and quality. The four year programme was one of the outcomes of the new educational reforms which are in its first year.
It further discloses it will make vocational and technical education a post-secondary course to ensure that those aspiring to pursue such courses are “adequately prepared academically”. And that all vocation and technical schools will be adequately resourced under the Accelerated Education Sector Investment Programme to be introduced by the CPP.
Similarly, the party further observes that notwithstanding steady increases in teacher salaries in recent years, discontentment has caused many teachers to leave the profession for other lucrative jobs. To curb this trend, the CPP promises to reduce income taxes for teachers in addition to other incentives, who work in rural areas and places designated as deprived. Additionally, it will also improve working conditions of teachers, including timely payment of salaries for new and current teachers and home-ownership packages.
The Chairperson of the Manifesto Committee, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, revealed that under a CPP regime, teachers will use one year to do their first degree programme for after teaching for two years following their diploma course at the training colleges. “Why should a teacher who had done a three diploma programme use another three or four years to obtain his first degree leaving the classroom vacant? It should be possible for him to achieve that within a year under a comprehensive programme.”
When Public Agenda spoke to some educationists and teachers on the propriety or otherwise of the proposed abolition of BECE, they were of the view that the policy can only work if the number of SHS correspond with the number of JHS. Currently, there is a shortfall in the number of SHS and unless this yawning gap is bridged it will be practically impossible to implement that policy.
“Assuming the BECE is abolished and about 600 JHS students have chosen a particular SHS which has vacancy for only 200 students; in the absence of examinations, the school should have some means by which they can select the 200 students. If this is not provided the school would be compelled to devise some criterion to achieve that,” one teacher explained.
Educational experts have increasingly grown alarming about the unacceptable high drop out rates of pupils after basic education and have been grappling with solutions to stem this dangerous social phenomenon.
But the Convention People’s Party (CPP) lays the blame squarely on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) which is used for the selection and placement of pupils into senior high schools (SHS).
Accordingly, the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has disclosed that a CPP administration will abolish the BECE when it assumes the realms of power after the December 2008 elections to ensure a that there is uninterrupted flow of pupils the junior high school (JHS) to SHS. “There will be no examination from the basic school level to the senior high school and this will reduce the high drop out the country is confronted with.”
The occasion was the colourful launching of the CPP 2008 Manifesto dubbed “New Dawn, New Vision” in Accra which attracted many party stalwarts and droves of youth.
The decision to scrap the BECE finds expression in the party’s manifesto under its educational policy, an aspect its social policy. “We shall consider abolishing the BECE, which prematurely condemns too many of our children to failure before they have had a chance to prove themselves in life. This should also ensure that the every Ghanaian child gets at least a secondary education, creating a wider and deeper pool of candidates to train the scientists, engineers, architects and other professions that we require to build a 21st century society, ” the manifesto explicitly declares.
The CPP says under a modified and expanded policy, the Accelerated Education Sector Investment Programme (AESIP), educational facilities from kindergarten to the tertiary level will be refurbished and expanded to meet the need of a modernizing society. To the party, “education serves a multiple purpose of aiding the individual to better understand society and nature and to acquire the skills needed to earn a decent living while contributing to national development.”
To meet the expanded educational needs of a growing population; the CPP has revealed that it will in collaboration with the non-state sector, including religious organizations, improve access to education at all levels making secondary education part of basic education and will be made free.
It adds that it will actively promote boarding schools as “a way of reducing the cost of education and at the same time encouraging Ghanaians from all walks of life to live together and know each other before they enter the world of work. This is one of the surest ways of fighting ethnocentrism and creating a common sense of nationhood among our future leaders”.
The CPP, however, says it will review the relevance of the four-year SHS programme and explore the possibility of restoring the three years programme and used the saved resources to improve access and quality. The four year programme was one of the outcomes of the new educational reforms which are in its first year.
It further discloses it will make vocational and technical education a post-secondary course to ensure that those aspiring to pursue such courses are “adequately prepared academically”. And that all vocation and technical schools will be adequately resourced under the Accelerated Education Sector Investment Programme to be introduced by the CPP.
Similarly, the party further observes that notwithstanding steady increases in teacher salaries in recent years, discontentment has caused many teachers to leave the profession for other lucrative jobs. To curb this trend, the CPP promises to reduce income taxes for teachers in addition to other incentives, who work in rural areas and places designated as deprived. Additionally, it will also improve working conditions of teachers, including timely payment of salaries for new and current teachers and home-ownership packages.
The Chairperson of the Manifesto Committee, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, revealed that under a CPP regime, teachers will use one year to do their first degree programme for after teaching for two years following their diploma course at the training colleges. “Why should a teacher who had done a three diploma programme use another three or four years to obtain his first degree leaving the classroom vacant? It should be possible for him to achieve that within a year under a comprehensive programme.”
When Public Agenda spoke to some educationists and teachers on the propriety or otherwise of the proposed abolition of BECE, they were of the view that the policy can only work if the number of SHS correspond with the number of JHS. Currently, there is a shortfall in the number of SHS and unless this yawning gap is bridged it will be practically impossible to implement that policy.
“Assuming the BECE is abolished and about 600 JHS students have chosen a particular SHS which has vacancy for only 200 students; in the absence of examinations, the school should have some means by which they can select the 200 students. If this is not provided the school would be compelled to devise some criterion to achieve that,” one teacher explained.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Attorney General to go after Ex-Black Stars Coach
By Ebenezer Hanson
The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) has recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MoESS) should refer the matter of non-payment of $70,000 due it by former Black Stars Coach, Mariano Barreto, to the Attorney-General for further action.
This latest development is contained in the PAC’s Report on the 2005 Auditor General’s Report on the audited accounts of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which is to be debated by House tomorrow and Wednesday.
The Report, signed by the Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Samuel Sallas-Mensah, recalls that Barreto was granted a salary advance of US$ 30,000 but vacated his post subsequently. At the time of his separation, US$13,800 of the advance remained outstanding.
It reveals that the MoESS reported the matter to FIFA for arbitration and FIFA ruled in favour of Ghana and compensation of $70,000 awarded for breach of contract.
“ Mr. Barreto is, however, yet to honour the ruling of FIFA, ” the report stressed, and noted that although the Ministry had promised to pursue the matter further with FIFA, in the wisdom of the PAC, the Attorney-General should employ legal means to pursue the case.
The issue of unearned salaries was also pervasive with the MoESS, the report further revealed. It is “particularly common within the Ghana Education Service and the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry (NFED) ”.
Total unearned salaries recorded in the Auditor-General’s report against the GES and NFED was 159.9m cedis and 83.2m cedis, bringing total unearned salaries from the two agencies to 243.1m cedis.
The unearned salaries were allegedly attributed to the Controller Accountant General’s inability to promptly delete names of separated staff from the payroll and the failure of some banks to heed to instructions from management to withhold and transfer into the consolidated Fund, salaries of the said separated staff.
It was however pointed out at the Committee’s Sitting that MDAs are now the managers of their payroll and can therefore delete names of separated staff of their respective Ministries without reference to the CAG.
It was further noted that per the provisions of section 298 of the Financial Administration Regulations (FAR), L. I.1802, the banks are enjoined to repay into the Consolidated Fund, all unearned salaries of public servants upon notification by the head of department. Failure to comply with such a directive constitutes a breach of financial discipline as provided for by regulations.
The PAC reveals that as at the time of compiling the report, a total of 34,929,574 cedis of unearned salaries had been recovered leaving a balance of 151,570,426 cedis.
The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) has recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MoESS) should refer the matter of non-payment of $70,000 due it by former Black Stars Coach, Mariano Barreto, to the Attorney-General for further action.
This latest development is contained in the PAC’s Report on the 2005 Auditor General’s Report on the audited accounts of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which is to be debated by House tomorrow and Wednesday.
The Report, signed by the Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Samuel Sallas-Mensah, recalls that Barreto was granted a salary advance of US$ 30,000 but vacated his post subsequently. At the time of his separation, US$13,800 of the advance remained outstanding.
It reveals that the MoESS reported the matter to FIFA for arbitration and FIFA ruled in favour of Ghana and compensation of $70,000 awarded for breach of contract.
“ Mr. Barreto is, however, yet to honour the ruling of FIFA, ” the report stressed, and noted that although the Ministry had promised to pursue the matter further with FIFA, in the wisdom of the PAC, the Attorney-General should employ legal means to pursue the case.
The issue of unearned salaries was also pervasive with the MoESS, the report further revealed. It is “particularly common within the Ghana Education Service and the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry (NFED) ”.
Total unearned salaries recorded in the Auditor-General’s report against the GES and NFED was 159.9m cedis and 83.2m cedis, bringing total unearned salaries from the two agencies to 243.1m cedis.
The unearned salaries were allegedly attributed to the Controller Accountant General’s inability to promptly delete names of separated staff from the payroll and the failure of some banks to heed to instructions from management to withhold and transfer into the consolidated Fund, salaries of the said separated staff.
It was however pointed out at the Committee’s Sitting that MDAs are now the managers of their payroll and can therefore delete names of separated staff of their respective Ministries without reference to the CAG.
It was further noted that per the provisions of section 298 of the Financial Administration Regulations (FAR), L. I.1802, the banks are enjoined to repay into the Consolidated Fund, all unearned salaries of public servants upon notification by the head of department. Failure to comply with such a directive constitutes a breach of financial discipline as provided for by regulations.
The PAC reveals that as at the time of compiling the report, a total of 34,929,574 cedis of unearned salaries had been recovered leaving a balance of 151,570,426 cedis.
Assemblies are drawback on justice delivery
By Ebenezer Hanson
Members of the judiciary have denounced the lukewarm attitude of District Assemblies (DAs) in the provision of infrastructure especially court premises saying that it is a grave setback on justice delivery in the Ghana.
According to them with the exception of just a handful of DAs such as Tepa, Ahafo-North and Nwabiagya, many of the DAs do not care a hoot about their responsibility to provide the needed courts in their districts as their contribution to the administration of justice. They said the DAs prefer putting up markets and toilets believing that those facilities will fetch them some votes.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Justice Anin Yeboah, both Appeal Court Judges who have been nominated to the Supreme Court by the President, made these disclosures when they took turns before the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Other Justices who also appeared before the Committee were Justice Jones V.M. Dotse and Justice Rose Constance Owusu.
“ The Children’s Act is a masterpiece but for the lack of courts all its provision will amount to nothing. The courts do not matter much to the assemblies, they may like to put up markets and schools to win votes,” said Justice Yeboah.
They argue that the retrogressive disposition of DAs is making the wheels of justice to grind extremely slowly. The courts, the judges say, are crucial to the development of the district and therefore their neglect is rather lamentable.
“ There is a sordid tale of neglect of the judiciary. In certain places the story is incredible; the magistrates sit on verandah while the parties sit on a floor or either under a tree,” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie revealed to the surprise of members of the Freddy Blay-led Appointments Committee.
Both Justices Yeboah and Baffoe-Bonnie therefore appealed to Parliament to effect a variation in the judiciary budgetary arrangements to enable them to retain at least 50% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for there provision of logistics.
“ If 50% of our IGF is granted us for 10 years we will not come back for further requests,” Justice Yeboah assured the Committee.
Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah, MP for Ningo/Prampram, agreed with the plea and even pushed for 100% retention.
But the Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, was not enthused about the blame the judges were apportioning to the DAs pointing out that the call on DAs to provide courts had no legal basis.
However, the judges maintained that in recent times it has become the practice for DAs to provide courts.
Last Tuesday, Parliament unanimously adopted the Appointments Committee Report, which gave its nod to the four nominees. The report, which was signed by Hon. Blay, said the committee had carefully examined the eligibility of nominees for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court and observed that the nominees were forthright in their answers to questions put them. “ They demonstrated confidence and good knowledge of the law and on relevant issues”.
According to the Committee no adverse reports, petitions or objections were received on any of the nominees.
The Committee noted that all four the four nominees have the requisite qualifications and experience to be appointed to the high office of the Justices of the Supreme Court.
Central among the pertinent questions posed to them by the Committee were public perception about corruption within the judiciary, opinions about Capital Punishment and the enforceability or otherwise of the Directive Principles of State Policy of the 1992 Constitution.
The Committee further observed that all the four nominees “acquitted themselves creditably and actually proved themselves knowledgeable, competent and capable of occupying the positions to which they have been nominated ”.
Members of the judiciary have denounced the lukewarm attitude of District Assemblies (DAs) in the provision of infrastructure especially court premises saying that it is a grave setback on justice delivery in the Ghana.
According to them with the exception of just a handful of DAs such as Tepa, Ahafo-North and Nwabiagya, many of the DAs do not care a hoot about their responsibility to provide the needed courts in their districts as their contribution to the administration of justice. They said the DAs prefer putting up markets and toilets believing that those facilities will fetch them some votes.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Justice Anin Yeboah, both Appeal Court Judges who have been nominated to the Supreme Court by the President, made these disclosures when they took turns before the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Other Justices who also appeared before the Committee were Justice Jones V.M. Dotse and Justice Rose Constance Owusu.
“ The Children’s Act is a masterpiece but for the lack of courts all its provision will amount to nothing. The courts do not matter much to the assemblies, they may like to put up markets and schools to win votes,” said Justice Yeboah.
They argue that the retrogressive disposition of DAs is making the wheels of justice to grind extremely slowly. The courts, the judges say, are crucial to the development of the district and therefore their neglect is rather lamentable.
“ There is a sordid tale of neglect of the judiciary. In certain places the story is incredible; the magistrates sit on verandah while the parties sit on a floor or either under a tree,” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie revealed to the surprise of members of the Freddy Blay-led Appointments Committee.
Both Justices Yeboah and Baffoe-Bonnie therefore appealed to Parliament to effect a variation in the judiciary budgetary arrangements to enable them to retain at least 50% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for there provision of logistics.
“ If 50% of our IGF is granted us for 10 years we will not come back for further requests,” Justice Yeboah assured the Committee.
Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah, MP for Ningo/Prampram, agreed with the plea and even pushed for 100% retention.
But the Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, was not enthused about the blame the judges were apportioning to the DAs pointing out that the call on DAs to provide courts had no legal basis.
However, the judges maintained that in recent times it has become the practice for DAs to provide courts.
Last Tuesday, Parliament unanimously adopted the Appointments Committee Report, which gave its nod to the four nominees. The report, which was signed by Hon. Blay, said the committee had carefully examined the eligibility of nominees for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court and observed that the nominees were forthright in their answers to questions put them. “ They demonstrated confidence and good knowledge of the law and on relevant issues”.
According to the Committee no adverse reports, petitions or objections were received on any of the nominees.
The Committee noted that all four the four nominees have the requisite qualifications and experience to be appointed to the high office of the Justices of the Supreme Court.
Central among the pertinent questions posed to them by the Committee were public perception about corruption within the judiciary, opinions about Capital Punishment and the enforceability or otherwise of the Directive Principles of State Policy of the 1992 Constitution.
The Committee further observed that all the four nominees “acquitted themselves creditably and actually proved themselves knowledgeable, competent and capable of occupying the positions to which they have been nominated ”.
Money launderers, terrorism financiers have no haven in Ghana
By Ebenezer Hanson
If President John Agyekum Kufuor gives his assent to the Anti-Money Laundering Bill subsequent to its passage by Parliament, money launderers and terrorist financiers will find Ghana an unsafe haven to perpetrate their and nefarious and economy wrecking activities.
The Bill, which went through its Second Reading in Parliament last Friday, “seeks to prohibit money laundering and related crimes including terrorist financing, and to establish a financial intelligence system to monitor, detect and expose such crimes for necessary legal action and to provide for related matters.”
Money laundering according to the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) is an act to conceal or disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that the proceeds appear to have originated from legitimate sources. The Bill makes the crime an extraditable offence.
Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, who is sponsoring the Bill through Parliament, notes in the Bill’s memorandum that, “ money laundering affords drug traffickers, persons engaged in human trafficking, illegal arms dealers, terrorists, persons engaged in corruption, tax evaders and other criminals the avenue to operate and develop their enterprises with impunity.”
He further observes that in the “ absence of an effective legal regime to help eradicate this problem, it will affect the efficient performance of the organs of government, financial institutions, professional bodies and the country.
This will in the long term, erode confidence in the banking system, established institutions and have negative repercussions on the image of the country.”
He says money laundering ultimately undermines the legitimate private sector, causes loss of control of economic policies, and capital flight, leads to the loss of government revenue and economic distortion. In addition, he observes that, money laundering affects the national reputation, corrupts the financial system and undermines social values.
Thus “the introduction of an anti-money laundering system that can monitor and detect unusual financial transactions coupled with knowing the identity of the customer behind the transaction offers the best method to combat money laundering,” Baah-Wiredu stated.
Presenting the Parliamentary Finance Committee Report on the Bill to the House, Hon. Nii Adu Daku Mante, observed that threat of organised crime such as money laundering and related criminal transactions, especially in the wake of global terrorism has and continue to raise concerns both locally and internationally.
According to him, the crucial point at which money laundering and the related criminal activity under the Bill could be detected is at the initial entry of tainted funds in the economy.
He submits that, in the event of failure to detect this, such funds may be lost in a chain of transactional hops and eventually end up being invested in legitimate assets which allow the laundered money to lose its taint and even continue the perpetuation of crime.
“The need to create a robust legal regime that can detect and expose laundering and related crimes including terrorist financing for appropriate legal actions necessitated the introduction of this Bill, ”he said.
In an interview the shadow Attorney General, Hon. Alfred Agbesi, welcomed the Bill. “ If we don’t steps to stop the inflow of laundered cash, the future of the youth of this country will be bleak. Those who will take over the running of this country will be people of questionable character.”
He argues that no country will sit down unconcerned for an activity such as money laundry to take place within its borders, especially against the backdrop of global concerns over the drug menace.
He explained that the operations of bodies like the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) are generally within borders of Ghana while the nature of money laundering is extra territorial and therefore require a separate institution with full authority to liaise with similar bodies to deal with the menace.
“The Bill seeks to give the Financial Intelligence Centre a free hand to operate and deal swiftly with money laundering, an internationally syndicated crime which cutting across borders.”
Contributing to the debate on the Bill, the MP for Tamale for South, Hon. Iddrisu Haruna, said passage of the Bill by the House is not an end in itself since its success or otherwise requires the co-operation of other international institutions.
He disclosed that Africa loses over $50 billion annually through capital flight and it is believed that a chunk of this amount is loss through money laundering. He therefore called on the entire House to give their blessings to the Bill in order to halt this anti-development activity.
The Majority Chief Whip, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described the Bill as an important piece of legislation. He observed that money laundering is contributing to moral corruption and has the tendency to corrupt politics.
“If money launderers infiltrate our politics by financing political parties to prosecute elections, they will end up twisting the political will of the people and the verdict of the people would be stolen,” he explains.
If President John Agyekum Kufuor gives his assent to the Anti-Money Laundering Bill subsequent to its passage by Parliament, money launderers and terrorist financiers will find Ghana an unsafe haven to perpetrate their and nefarious and economy wrecking activities.
The Bill, which went through its Second Reading in Parliament last Friday, “seeks to prohibit money laundering and related crimes including terrorist financing, and to establish a financial intelligence system to monitor, detect and expose such crimes for necessary legal action and to provide for related matters.”
Money laundering according to the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) is an act to conceal or disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that the proceeds appear to have originated from legitimate sources. The Bill makes the crime an extraditable offence.
Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, who is sponsoring the Bill through Parliament, notes in the Bill’s memorandum that, “ money laundering affords drug traffickers, persons engaged in human trafficking, illegal arms dealers, terrorists, persons engaged in corruption, tax evaders and other criminals the avenue to operate and develop their enterprises with impunity.”
He further observes that in the “ absence of an effective legal regime to help eradicate this problem, it will affect the efficient performance of the organs of government, financial institutions, professional bodies and the country.
This will in the long term, erode confidence in the banking system, established institutions and have negative repercussions on the image of the country.”
He says money laundering ultimately undermines the legitimate private sector, causes loss of control of economic policies, and capital flight, leads to the loss of government revenue and economic distortion. In addition, he observes that, money laundering affects the national reputation, corrupts the financial system and undermines social values.
Thus “the introduction of an anti-money laundering system that can monitor and detect unusual financial transactions coupled with knowing the identity of the customer behind the transaction offers the best method to combat money laundering,” Baah-Wiredu stated.
Presenting the Parliamentary Finance Committee Report on the Bill to the House, Hon. Nii Adu Daku Mante, observed that threat of organised crime such as money laundering and related criminal transactions, especially in the wake of global terrorism has and continue to raise concerns both locally and internationally.
According to him, the crucial point at which money laundering and the related criminal activity under the Bill could be detected is at the initial entry of tainted funds in the economy.
He submits that, in the event of failure to detect this, such funds may be lost in a chain of transactional hops and eventually end up being invested in legitimate assets which allow the laundered money to lose its taint and even continue the perpetuation of crime.
“The need to create a robust legal regime that can detect and expose laundering and related crimes including terrorist financing for appropriate legal actions necessitated the introduction of this Bill, ”he said.
In an interview the shadow Attorney General, Hon. Alfred Agbesi, welcomed the Bill. “ If we don’t steps to stop the inflow of laundered cash, the future of the youth of this country will be bleak. Those who will take over the running of this country will be people of questionable character.”
He argues that no country will sit down unconcerned for an activity such as money laundry to take place within its borders, especially against the backdrop of global concerns over the drug menace.
He explained that the operations of bodies like the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) are generally within borders of Ghana while the nature of money laundering is extra territorial and therefore require a separate institution with full authority to liaise with similar bodies to deal with the menace.
“The Bill seeks to give the Financial Intelligence Centre a free hand to operate and deal swiftly with money laundering, an internationally syndicated crime which cutting across borders.”
Contributing to the debate on the Bill, the MP for Tamale for South, Hon. Iddrisu Haruna, said passage of the Bill by the House is not an end in itself since its success or otherwise requires the co-operation of other international institutions.
He disclosed that Africa loses over $50 billion annually through capital flight and it is believed that a chunk of this amount is loss through money laundering. He therefore called on the entire House to give their blessings to the Bill in order to halt this anti-development activity.
The Majority Chief Whip, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described the Bill as an important piece of legislation. He observed that money laundering is contributing to moral corruption and has the tendency to corrupt politics.
“If money launderers infiltrate our politics by financing political parties to prosecute elections, they will end up twisting the political will of the people and the verdict of the people would be stolen,” he explains.
Akua Dansua on way forward for post Ghana@50Akua
By Ebenezer Hanson
The Minority Deputy Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Hon. Akua Sena Dansua, says much as she is not ignorant of the existence of “The Co-ordinated Programme for Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2003-2012)” which the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) describes as the National Vision, that document is not a National Development Plan.
A National Development Plan, she explains, is a specific framework that any party that comes to power implements irrespective of its manifesto. Such a National Development Plan allows for continuity, while minimizing acrimony among political parties.
Hon. Dansua was speaking in an exclusive with the Public Agenda on the way forward for post Ghana@50 and other related matters.
In addition to the National Development Plan, she recognizes the need for Ghanaians to do away with cultural practices and traditions that impede productivity.
“We must be serious to improve productivity. Our culture and traditions have a debilitating effect on productivity, and we spend too much time on social activities like funerals. Too much time is some times wasted on the opening and closing ceremonies of events and these must be stopped if are to make a headway,” she counseled.
Consequently, she unhesitatingly embraces the clocking system as a means of checking attendance of public officials to work believing that it would help improve productivity.
Hon. Dansua hoped that Ghanaians have done enough introspection to identify some of the problems besetting the nation, which include tribalism, political vengeance, vindictiveness and corruption, hence we can move forward. “ Serious efforts are not being made to punish corruption and there it has become fashionable, ” she lamented
She advised that Ghanaians as a society must learn to recognize and reward people based solely on their outstanding performance, and contribution to society and not because of their affiliation or tribe.
She submitted that the senior citizens of this country “ have brought us thus far and should now be in the background, and empower the youth and competent women to assume leadership position; for they will tell the story in the next 50 years”.
Hon. Dansua also advised the government to learn to listen to the voice of the people and not to disregard caution from the opposition, especially minorities.
In a separate interview, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, pointed out that the 50 years of our nationhood was used for political consolidation during which we tested political systems like socialism, military regimes and finally settled on multi-party democracy.
Having achieved this the focus of the country for the next 50 years, he advocated, should be on how to achieve economic emancipation and noted that if this eludes us our political independence would be of no value.
“We must have enough GDP so as not to rely so much on handouts, loans and the like from the very people we want to be independent of. You cannot claim to have political independence when you have to go back to the US, UK, Germany, China to fix your power and other similar problems,” he submitted.
He encouraged Ghanaians to break away from the dependency syndrome and believe in themselves for nobody will come to develop the country for us. “We should be made to believe that our success or failure depends upon ourselves. The psyche and make up of the entire Ghanaian have to change in the next 50 years in order to attain the status we want or go beyond that.”
The Minority Deputy Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Hon. Akua Sena Dansua, says much as she is not ignorant of the existence of “The Co-ordinated Programme for Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2003-2012)” which the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) describes as the National Vision, that document is not a National Development Plan.
A National Development Plan, she explains, is a specific framework that any party that comes to power implements irrespective of its manifesto. Such a National Development Plan allows for continuity, while minimizing acrimony among political parties.
Hon. Dansua was speaking in an exclusive with the Public Agenda on the way forward for post Ghana@50 and other related matters.
In addition to the National Development Plan, she recognizes the need for Ghanaians to do away with cultural practices and traditions that impede productivity.
“We must be serious to improve productivity. Our culture and traditions have a debilitating effect on productivity, and we spend too much time on social activities like funerals. Too much time is some times wasted on the opening and closing ceremonies of events and these must be stopped if are to make a headway,” she counseled.
Consequently, she unhesitatingly embraces the clocking system as a means of checking attendance of public officials to work believing that it would help improve productivity.
Hon. Dansua hoped that Ghanaians have done enough introspection to identify some of the problems besetting the nation, which include tribalism, political vengeance, vindictiveness and corruption, hence we can move forward. “ Serious efforts are not being made to punish corruption and there it has become fashionable, ” she lamented
She advised that Ghanaians as a society must learn to recognize and reward people based solely on their outstanding performance, and contribution to society and not because of their affiliation or tribe.
She submitted that the senior citizens of this country “ have brought us thus far and should now be in the background, and empower the youth and competent women to assume leadership position; for they will tell the story in the next 50 years”.
Hon. Dansua also advised the government to learn to listen to the voice of the people and not to disregard caution from the opposition, especially minorities.
In a separate interview, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, pointed out that the 50 years of our nationhood was used for political consolidation during which we tested political systems like socialism, military regimes and finally settled on multi-party democracy.
Having achieved this the focus of the country for the next 50 years, he advocated, should be on how to achieve economic emancipation and noted that if this eludes us our political independence would be of no value.
“We must have enough GDP so as not to rely so much on handouts, loans and the like from the very people we want to be independent of. You cannot claim to have political independence when you have to go back to the US, UK, Germany, China to fix your power and other similar problems,” he submitted.
He encouraged Ghanaians to break away from the dependency syndrome and believe in themselves for nobody will come to develop the country for us. “We should be made to believe that our success or failure depends upon ourselves. The psyche and make up of the entire Ghanaian have to change in the next 50 years in order to attain the status we want or go beyond that.”
Ghana’s MP press for the election of Pan African MPs
By Ebenezer Hanson
In order to make the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) directly accountable to Africans, it has been argued that members of PAP should in future be elected directly by their respective nationals.
The proponent of the idea is the Minority Spokesperson on Defence, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor.
Dr. Kumbuor told Public Agenda that the current arrangement of nominating representatives from national parliaments to PAP does not make members accountable to the electorate, nor does it address the concerns of the people at the grassroots.
The Fifth Ordinary Session of the PAP, currently underway in South Africa began on May 2 and ends on May 12. Ghana’s Parliament is represented by Abraham Ossei-Aidooh, Deputy Majority Leader, Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Hilda Addo, MP for Kwadaso, all from the Majority side, while Edward Doe Adjaho, Deputy Minority Leader and John Mahama, MP for Bole and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs are from the Minority side.
Representation at the PAP is based on a quota system using, the populations of countries as the base determinant. Thus, the larger a country’s population the larger its representation.
“In future it should be possible to delineate Ghana into zones, for example four or five and Ghanaians be made to vote for candidates”, Dr. Kumbuor who is also the MP for Lawra/Nandom further explained.
The PAP is presently a deliberative body without legislative powers. It focuses primarily on issues that affect the development concerns of Africa as provided for in the recent treaty that transformed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to African Union (AU).
Addressing the official opening of the Fifth Ordinary Session of PAP, the Speaker, Ms. Gertrude Mongella, lamented the limited financial and human resource of PAP and indicated that she had brought the issue to the attention of the Assembly of Heads of State and governments.
“I pleaded for their (the Assembly) approval of the PAP budget during the Fourth Session. The Assembly resolved to review upwards our current allocation of US 5.8 million dollars.”
To mitigate the financial constraints facing the PAP, a Trust Fund meant to serve as the resource mobilization agency has been established and is in its final stages of registration, she further disclosed.
The Fifth Ordinary Session is addressing subjects such as Peace and Security in the Great Lakes, Darfur, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo DR and Chad; linkages between Parliaments and civil societies in enhancing the effective implementation of the policies and programmes of NEPAD and APRM; and the rationalization of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa.
During its Fourth Session, PAP adopted a Strategic Plan representing the direction it will follow for the next five years, and activities which will help PAP to attain its objectives. So far PAP committees had been involved in the developing work plans that are in line with the strategic plan.
The work plans were worked out in the series of sittings of the 10 committees of PAP held during March and April this year. Towards the end of the Fifth Session, the work plans will be formally presented for debate and adoption. The next stage will be to develop the financial plan to be completed before the Sixth Session, Speaker Mongella told the plenary.
On behalf of PAP and her own behalf, Ms. Mongella congratulated President Dennis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville for his election as the Chairman of the African Union. She also paid tribute to the outgoing AU Chairman President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria for his “demonstrated commitment and dedication to serve the African continent” during his tenure.
But Mongella’s glowing compliment to Obasanjo has been dismissed by some political analysts as sheer platitude, citing the latter’s eloquent silence on determined moves by some members of his political party to give him a third term . The Nigerian constitution provides for a two-year term for a president.
In order to make the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) directly accountable to Africans, it has been argued that members of PAP should in future be elected directly by their respective nationals.
The proponent of the idea is the Minority Spokesperson on Defence, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor.
Dr. Kumbuor told Public Agenda that the current arrangement of nominating representatives from national parliaments to PAP does not make members accountable to the electorate, nor does it address the concerns of the people at the grassroots.
The Fifth Ordinary Session of the PAP, currently underway in South Africa began on May 2 and ends on May 12. Ghana’s Parliament is represented by Abraham Ossei-Aidooh, Deputy Majority Leader, Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Hilda Addo, MP for Kwadaso, all from the Majority side, while Edward Doe Adjaho, Deputy Minority Leader and John Mahama, MP for Bole and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs are from the Minority side.
Representation at the PAP is based on a quota system using, the populations of countries as the base determinant. Thus, the larger a country’s population the larger its representation.
“In future it should be possible to delineate Ghana into zones, for example four or five and Ghanaians be made to vote for candidates”, Dr. Kumbuor who is also the MP for Lawra/Nandom further explained.
The PAP is presently a deliberative body without legislative powers. It focuses primarily on issues that affect the development concerns of Africa as provided for in the recent treaty that transformed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to African Union (AU).
Addressing the official opening of the Fifth Ordinary Session of PAP, the Speaker, Ms. Gertrude Mongella, lamented the limited financial and human resource of PAP and indicated that she had brought the issue to the attention of the Assembly of Heads of State and governments.
“I pleaded for their (the Assembly) approval of the PAP budget during the Fourth Session. The Assembly resolved to review upwards our current allocation of US 5.8 million dollars.”
To mitigate the financial constraints facing the PAP, a Trust Fund meant to serve as the resource mobilization agency has been established and is in its final stages of registration, she further disclosed.
The Fifth Ordinary Session is addressing subjects such as Peace and Security in the Great Lakes, Darfur, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo DR and Chad; linkages between Parliaments and civil societies in enhancing the effective implementation of the policies and programmes of NEPAD and APRM; and the rationalization of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa.
During its Fourth Session, PAP adopted a Strategic Plan representing the direction it will follow for the next five years, and activities which will help PAP to attain its objectives. So far PAP committees had been involved in the developing work plans that are in line with the strategic plan.
The work plans were worked out in the series of sittings of the 10 committees of PAP held during March and April this year. Towards the end of the Fifth Session, the work plans will be formally presented for debate and adoption. The next stage will be to develop the financial plan to be completed before the Sixth Session, Speaker Mongella told the plenary.
On behalf of PAP and her own behalf, Ms. Mongella congratulated President Dennis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville for his election as the Chairman of the African Union. She also paid tribute to the outgoing AU Chairman President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria for his “demonstrated commitment and dedication to serve the African continent” during his tenure.
But Mongella’s glowing compliment to Obasanjo has been dismissed by some political analysts as sheer platitude, citing the latter’s eloquent silence on determined moves by some members of his political party to give him a third term . The Nigerian constitution provides for a two-year term for a president.
African leaders told to refocus on the total liberation of Continent
By Ebenezer Hanson
Jubilee Afrika Campaign, an African liberation advocacy group, has denounced what it thinks is the subtle moves by African leaders to depoliticise the struggle for the total liberation of Africa.
“It is a dangerous agenda by African leaders to name 25 May as ‘Africa Day’ instead of ‘Afrikan Liberation Day’ and we must guard against this politics of depoliticising the African Liberation Day,” Ms Affiong Affiong, Director of Afrika Secretariat, Jubilee Afrika Campaign, cautioned the gathering at a news briefing by JAC to announce the series of activities lined up to commemorate the day. The programme of events has been themed, “Debt Slavery in the 21 Century: Are Reparations Central to African Liberation?”
Affiong explained that African liberation goes beyond political independence. “The psyche of Africans has been traumatized. We have not liberated our economies from the shackles of neo-colonialism. The liberation struggle therefore continues.”
Afrikan Liberation Day (ALD) was founded in Accra in 1958 at the first conference of independent African states. Its purpose was to mark progress of the liberation movement each and to symbolize the determination of African people to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. ALD has since been observed around May 25th as a rallying point for the forces of African Liberation.
Today ALD, according to JAC, has become a permanent mass institution in the global Afrikan Liberation movement. As a day of work in the area of political education and organization, ALD reflects the fact that we have not obtained our freedom and it is a day to re-affirm our commitment to the total Liberation and redemption of Mama Africa.
The National Coordinator of Jubilee 2000 Campaign, Mr. Akoto Ampaw said a sustained campaign for the cancellation of Third World debt led to the review of debt profiles of developing countries by international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank; the initiation of the HIPC facility and debt cancellation of certain countries.
But HIPC did not address the fundamentals of the debt burden, which he said is rooted in slavery and colonialism, and part of the liberation struggle is the fight for the cancellation of the external debt of developing countries. “The debt burden is being used as a control tool against developing countries and the campaign for debt cancellation is an integral part of the fight for the liberation and independence of Africa,” emphasized Mr. Ampaw.
Explaining the name Jubilee Afrika Campaign, Mr. Ampaw said the word “Jubilee” was excerpted from Judaism and it means freedom; thus JAC connotes freedom for Africa.
On the significance of the letter ‘k’ in Afrika instead of the familiar ‘c’, Ms Mawete Teka Sala, Chairperson of Pan-African Women’s Solidarity Network of Angola, explained that, the word ‘Afrika’ was originally spelt with ‘k’ but the whites changed it to ‘c’ as part of their attempt to deprive Africans of their identity.
The Jubilee Afrika Campaign is an integral part of the worldwide movement for the total cancellation of Africa’s external debts and in particular for reparations to be paid for the trans-Atlantic enslavement of Africans, colonialism and neo-colonialism.
The Guest Speaker for this year’s celebration was Omali Yeshitela from the United State of America, a groundbreaking theoretician, powerful orator, teacher and an internationally renowned advocate for African liberation. The programme of activities runs from May 24-30,2006 and includes ALD Workers Forum and Public Meeting hosted by TUC; public lectures in Accra, Cape Coast and Takoradi
Jubilee Afrika Campaign, an African liberation advocacy group, has denounced what it thinks is the subtle moves by African leaders to depoliticise the struggle for the total liberation of Africa.
“It is a dangerous agenda by African leaders to name 25 May as ‘Africa Day’ instead of ‘Afrikan Liberation Day’ and we must guard against this politics of depoliticising the African Liberation Day,” Ms Affiong Affiong, Director of Afrika Secretariat, Jubilee Afrika Campaign, cautioned the gathering at a news briefing by JAC to announce the series of activities lined up to commemorate the day. The programme of events has been themed, “Debt Slavery in the 21 Century: Are Reparations Central to African Liberation?”
Affiong explained that African liberation goes beyond political independence. “The psyche of Africans has been traumatized. We have not liberated our economies from the shackles of neo-colonialism. The liberation struggle therefore continues.”
Afrikan Liberation Day (ALD) was founded in Accra in 1958 at the first conference of independent African states. Its purpose was to mark progress of the liberation movement each and to symbolize the determination of African people to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. ALD has since been observed around May 25th as a rallying point for the forces of African Liberation.
Today ALD, according to JAC, has become a permanent mass institution in the global Afrikan Liberation movement. As a day of work in the area of political education and organization, ALD reflects the fact that we have not obtained our freedom and it is a day to re-affirm our commitment to the total Liberation and redemption of Mama Africa.
The National Coordinator of Jubilee 2000 Campaign, Mr. Akoto Ampaw said a sustained campaign for the cancellation of Third World debt led to the review of debt profiles of developing countries by international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank; the initiation of the HIPC facility and debt cancellation of certain countries.
But HIPC did not address the fundamentals of the debt burden, which he said is rooted in slavery and colonialism, and part of the liberation struggle is the fight for the cancellation of the external debt of developing countries. “The debt burden is being used as a control tool against developing countries and the campaign for debt cancellation is an integral part of the fight for the liberation and independence of Africa,” emphasized Mr. Ampaw.
Explaining the name Jubilee Afrika Campaign, Mr. Ampaw said the word “Jubilee” was excerpted from Judaism and it means freedom; thus JAC connotes freedom for Africa.
On the significance of the letter ‘k’ in Afrika instead of the familiar ‘c’, Ms Mawete Teka Sala, Chairperson of Pan-African Women’s Solidarity Network of Angola, explained that, the word ‘Afrika’ was originally spelt with ‘k’ but the whites changed it to ‘c’ as part of their attempt to deprive Africans of their identity.
The Jubilee Afrika Campaign is an integral part of the worldwide movement for the total cancellation of Africa’s external debts and in particular for reparations to be paid for the trans-Atlantic enslavement of Africans, colonialism and neo-colonialism.
The Guest Speaker for this year’s celebration was Omali Yeshitela from the United State of America, a groundbreaking theoretician, powerful orator, teacher and an internationally renowned advocate for African liberation. The programme of activities runs from May 24-30,2006 and includes ALD Workers Forum and Public Meeting hosted by TUC; public lectures in Accra, Cape Coast and Takoradi
African diplomats stab NGOs in the chest on Zimbabwe
By Ebenezer Hanson
The election of Zimbabwe by developing countries, particularly African countries, to head the UN’s Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), despite strong protest from the Western diplomats, is the unkindest stab inflicted on NGOs in recent memory.
The Western diplomats argue that Zimbabwe is unsuitable because of its human rights record and economic problems. It is suffering food shortages and rampant inflation.
Zimbabwe was elected to lead the commission by a 26-21 secret ballot among CSD members at the UN headquarters in New York. There were also three abstentions.
The action of the African representatives is a slight on NGOs participating in the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights Accra who have, in a resolution, condemned the increasing violence, human rights violations and selective application of the law perpetrated against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe.
Accordingly, they have called upon the government of Zimbabwe “to desist from harassing, intimidating, assaulting, arresting and detaining human rights defenders, including members of the legal profession who protect the rights of human rights defenders.”
The NGOs also urged the government of Zimbabwe to comply with its obligations as articulated in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and Other international human rights instruments.
The resolution also encouraged Civil Society, including democracy movements, women movements, students and youth movements, professional bodies and other pressure groups to co-ordinate their activities to ensure a systematic and sustained oversight over the state of compliance or non-compliance by the government of Zimbabwe with resolutions of the African Union (AU).
The NGOs called upon the African Union (AU) to insist that the government of Zimbabwe implement the recommendations of the African and stipulate specific time frames for compliance with recommendations.
The forum was organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) in collaboration with Media Foundation for West Africa.
The developing nations at the UN’s Commission said they respected the decision of the African group to nominate Zimbabwe for the post in the first place, and they have shown they cannot be pushed around.
Zimbabwe’s environment minister, Francis Nheme will now become chairman of the CSD. He is the subject of European Union travel ban, because he is a member of President Robert Mugabe’s government. That means he cannot travel to the EU to meet ministers on the commissions business.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UN, Boniface Chidyausiku, said before the vote that his county was entitled to hold the chairmanship.
“It is our right. We’re members of the United Nations and we members of CSD, and the Africa group did make a decision and endorsed Zimbabwe. They are making a storm out of a tea cup,” he told the media.
He said the real objection came down to Britain’s criticism of Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform programme.
The election of Zimbabwe by developing countries, particularly African countries, to head the UN’s Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), despite strong protest from the Western diplomats, is the unkindest stab inflicted on NGOs in recent memory.
The Western diplomats argue that Zimbabwe is unsuitable because of its human rights record and economic problems. It is suffering food shortages and rampant inflation.
Zimbabwe was elected to lead the commission by a 26-21 secret ballot among CSD members at the UN headquarters in New York. There were also three abstentions.
The action of the African representatives is a slight on NGOs participating in the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights Accra who have, in a resolution, condemned the increasing violence, human rights violations and selective application of the law perpetrated against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe.
Accordingly, they have called upon the government of Zimbabwe “to desist from harassing, intimidating, assaulting, arresting and detaining human rights defenders, including members of the legal profession who protect the rights of human rights defenders.”
The NGOs also urged the government of Zimbabwe to comply with its obligations as articulated in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and Other international human rights instruments.
The resolution also encouraged Civil Society, including democracy movements, women movements, students and youth movements, professional bodies and other pressure groups to co-ordinate their activities to ensure a systematic and sustained oversight over the state of compliance or non-compliance by the government of Zimbabwe with resolutions of the African Union (AU).
The NGOs called upon the African Union (AU) to insist that the government of Zimbabwe implement the recommendations of the African and stipulate specific time frames for compliance with recommendations.
The forum was organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) in collaboration with Media Foundation for West Africa.
The developing nations at the UN’s Commission said they respected the decision of the African group to nominate Zimbabwe for the post in the first place, and they have shown they cannot be pushed around.
Zimbabwe’s environment minister, Francis Nheme will now become chairman of the CSD. He is the subject of European Union travel ban, because he is a member of President Robert Mugabe’s government. That means he cannot travel to the EU to meet ministers on the commissions business.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UN, Boniface Chidyausiku, said before the vote that his county was entitled to hold the chairmanship.
“It is our right. We’re members of the United Nations and we members of CSD, and the Africa group did make a decision and endorsed Zimbabwe. They are making a storm out of a tea cup,” he told the media.
He said the real objection came down to Britain’s criticism of Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform programme.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Sale of GT is betrayal of independence
By Ebenezer Hanson
The NPP’s administration controversial decision to offload 70% shares of Ghana Telecom assets to Voadafone, a British phone company; continues to elicit a barrage of scathing attacks from Ghanaians of all walks of life. A group calling itself the “Concerned Citizens of Ghana” has described the sale as a betrayal of Ghanaians, the country’s independence and a stab in the back of the belief that the African can manage his own affairs.
“We consider the government’s action to be a betrayal of the independence ideal that Blackman is capable of managing his own affairs and a further throw back to an era where companies dominated the Ghanaian economy. That was the period of the colonial period,” declared the group in a statement it presented to Parliament and received by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, who assured the group that it concerns would be considered.
The group, which included political stalwarts such as Prof. Agyemeng Badu Akosa, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Mr. Bright Akwetey, Kosi Dedey all of the stalk and Naa Kordai Assimeh of the Ga-Dangme, says much as it welcomes foreign investment, it must come to supplement “ rather than supplant our efforts to develop our country”. It adds that the impending take-over by British Vodafone of GT and allied assets strategic assets undermine the noble objectives of all the nationalists who fought and died for the country’s our independence.
The group also expressed grave concerns about the manner the government railroads through Parliament important bills and agreements with their attendant costly mistakes in public policy as was witnessed in the case of IFC and CNTCI loans, “both of which turned out to be fraudulent”. It claimed that the GT agreement has not been spared this fate by the Executive and this undermines the “credibility and independence of Parliament”
It points out a fact to buttress it stance: “The government’s admission that the granting of fibre optics permits to British Vodafone for 999 years was an ‘error’ is further proof of the need for government to be transparent and diligent in handling important matters of State, especially as they relate to strategic foreign investors”.
According to the group, besides not being a desirable deal, the absence of specific and monitorable targets in the GT deal, complete with a schedule of penalties for non-performance, shows that the government has been less than scrupulous in the handling of this matter. “The sale represents nothing short of give-away for pittance assets that have the potential to generate billions of dollars in profit for the government and people of Ghana, instead of the $900 million that Vodafone is offering.”
In a related development, the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG) has also called on Ghanaians patriots to raise their voices against the sale describing it as the
“latest crime against public interest”, and called on Parliament that they “for once rise up to their duty and reject the subversive actions of the Executive.”
It gives notice to Vodafone and its local agents that it will do everything in its power to prevent the rape of Ghanaians.
In a statement to the media signed by Dr David Pessey, the SFG had some uncharitable words for the NPP administration in respect of the sale. To them the NPP had been economical with the truth on the sale and that amounts to “deception and fraud”; additionally, the Public Procurement Act has been violated making the process “flawed and fraudulent”.
“Such is the recklessness of our Government, in its subversion of the public interest that it has offered to Vodafone terms that bind VRA, although the VRA is not a party to the agreement,” notes the SFG, and agrees with the concerned citizens that the sale of GT is one more step in the recolonization of Ghana.
However some NPP MPs have rebuffed the sentiments of the opponents of the sale the GT. Hon. According to Hon. Kofi Jumah, MP for Asokwa, the deal is a good one considering the huge losses GT has been making “GT has been running at a negative cash flow, and that there is a possibility of turning the company around with the massive inflow of new capital.”
He argues that with Zain and Glo joining the market they are going to sharpen the competition making the situation worse for GT without any recapitalization. He says valuations of GT’s assets were conducted and based upon that the offer price was determined. “If the opponents of the sale think they know of any company that can offer a higher price they should table it. If Vodafone backs out no company would be ready to offer $900 million for the assets in question”. He said the NDC’s behavior in respect of the sale is ultimate hypocrisy and they are not fighting for Ghanaians.
Similarly, the MP for Ofoase Ayirebi, Hon. Oppong Kusi, claimed that notwithstanding that part of GT’s share are sold, the assets still remain in the country. “The value of GT is more in the service it provides for Ghanaians and in that vein the better the value”. He maintains that if care is not taken GT will go down the way Ghana Airways and Ghana Railway went”. He predicts that another candidate for this virus is GBC.
Hon. Kusi contends that the competition in the telephony industry is now global not national and GT must position itself to match the global competition.
As a press time last Friday it was reported that Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum had walked out of the Finance Committee considering the GT sale agreement because his contributions were persistently being ignored by NPP members of the Committee.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu has debunked allegations that the Public Procurement Act procedures were violated. He also revealed that the total debt of GT stood at $86 million.
The NPP’s administration controversial decision to offload 70% shares of Ghana Telecom assets to Voadafone, a British phone company; continues to elicit a barrage of scathing attacks from Ghanaians of all walks of life. A group calling itself the “Concerned Citizens of Ghana” has described the sale as a betrayal of Ghanaians, the country’s independence and a stab in the back of the belief that the African can manage his own affairs.
“We consider the government’s action to be a betrayal of the independence ideal that Blackman is capable of managing his own affairs and a further throw back to an era where companies dominated the Ghanaian economy. That was the period of the colonial period,” declared the group in a statement it presented to Parliament and received by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, who assured the group that it concerns would be considered.
The group, which included political stalwarts such as Prof. Agyemeng Badu Akosa, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Mr. Bright Akwetey, Kosi Dedey all of the stalk and Naa Kordai Assimeh of the Ga-Dangme, says much as it welcomes foreign investment, it must come to supplement “ rather than supplant our efforts to develop our country”. It adds that the impending take-over by British Vodafone of GT and allied assets strategic assets undermine the noble objectives of all the nationalists who fought and died for the country’s our independence.
The group also expressed grave concerns about the manner the government railroads through Parliament important bills and agreements with their attendant costly mistakes in public policy as was witnessed in the case of IFC and CNTCI loans, “both of which turned out to be fraudulent”. It claimed that the GT agreement has not been spared this fate by the Executive and this undermines the “credibility and independence of Parliament”
It points out a fact to buttress it stance: “The government’s admission that the granting of fibre optics permits to British Vodafone for 999 years was an ‘error’ is further proof of the need for government to be transparent and diligent in handling important matters of State, especially as they relate to strategic foreign investors”.
According to the group, besides not being a desirable deal, the absence of specific and monitorable targets in the GT deal, complete with a schedule of penalties for non-performance, shows that the government has been less than scrupulous in the handling of this matter. “The sale represents nothing short of give-away for pittance assets that have the potential to generate billions of dollars in profit for the government and people of Ghana, instead of the $900 million that Vodafone is offering.”
In a related development, the Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG) has also called on Ghanaians patriots to raise their voices against the sale describing it as the
“latest crime against public interest”, and called on Parliament that they “for once rise up to their duty and reject the subversive actions of the Executive.”
It gives notice to Vodafone and its local agents that it will do everything in its power to prevent the rape of Ghanaians.
In a statement to the media signed by Dr David Pessey, the SFG had some uncharitable words for the NPP administration in respect of the sale. To them the NPP had been economical with the truth on the sale and that amounts to “deception and fraud”; additionally, the Public Procurement Act has been violated making the process “flawed and fraudulent”.
“Such is the recklessness of our Government, in its subversion of the public interest that it has offered to Vodafone terms that bind VRA, although the VRA is not a party to the agreement,” notes the SFG, and agrees with the concerned citizens that the sale of GT is one more step in the recolonization of Ghana.
However some NPP MPs have rebuffed the sentiments of the opponents of the sale the GT. Hon. According to Hon. Kofi Jumah, MP for Asokwa, the deal is a good one considering the huge losses GT has been making “GT has been running at a negative cash flow, and that there is a possibility of turning the company around with the massive inflow of new capital.”
He argues that with Zain and Glo joining the market they are going to sharpen the competition making the situation worse for GT without any recapitalization. He says valuations of GT’s assets were conducted and based upon that the offer price was determined. “If the opponents of the sale think they know of any company that can offer a higher price they should table it. If Vodafone backs out no company would be ready to offer $900 million for the assets in question”. He said the NDC’s behavior in respect of the sale is ultimate hypocrisy and they are not fighting for Ghanaians.
Similarly, the MP for Ofoase Ayirebi, Hon. Oppong Kusi, claimed that notwithstanding that part of GT’s share are sold, the assets still remain in the country. “The value of GT is more in the service it provides for Ghanaians and in that vein the better the value”. He maintains that if care is not taken GT will go down the way Ghana Airways and Ghana Railway went”. He predicts that another candidate for this virus is GBC.
Hon. Kusi contends that the competition in the telephony industry is now global not national and GT must position itself to match the global competition.
As a press time last Friday it was reported that Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum had walked out of the Finance Committee considering the GT sale agreement because his contributions were persistently being ignored by NPP members of the Committee.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu has debunked allegations that the Public Procurement Act procedures were violated. He also revealed that the total debt of GT stood at $86 million.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Speaker Adjetey ensured independence of Parliament
Ebenezer Hanson
The Ghanaian body politic is mourning the demise of Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey, the Speaker of the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic Parliament, 2001-2004, whose sudden death occurred in early hours of last Tuesday at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Many MPs in separate interviews with Public Agenda extolled the virtues and attitude of the late Speaker which they thought had deepened the country’s democratic experiment and enabled Parliament as an institution to take its rightful position in the map of political power.
But the common strand in the copious “elegies” that were churned by the many MPs that Public Agenda spoke to was a fact obviously unknown to the politically uninitiated: during Rt. Hon. Adjetey tenure of office he worked assiduously to ensure that Parliament did assert itself as an independent arm of government
“Before the NPP came to power, the state and thinking of Parliament was that it was subservient to the executive and it was ex-President Jerry Rawlings who was opening Parliament but when Rt. Hon. Peter Adjetey took over he was opening Parliament and Parliament indeed asserted itself,” recalls, Hon. Joe Baidoe-Ansah, MP for Effia-Kwesimintim and Minister for Aviation.
The opening of Parliament by the Speaker was a conspicuous departure of what transpired during the First and Second Parliaments of the Fourth Republic during which Parliament was opened by the President.
The novelty practice of Rt. Hon. Adjetey, which has been continued by the of Rt. Hon. Hon. Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, is in conformity with article 112(1) of the Constitution which provides that “ A session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Ghana and shall commence at such time as the Speaker may, by constitutional instrument, appoint.”
Hon. Baidoe-Ansah describes as very “principled person, a great man and a very good lawyer, who brought his legal brains to bear on whatever he did.”
The Minority Leader, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, characterized the Rt. Hon. Adjetey as “principled and spoke his mind irrespective of the consequences”. He recounted that he was part of a delegation which included the Rt. Hon Adjetey that attended a conference of world Inter Parliamentary Union. “At that conference, the late Speaker initially made some comments which other participants misconstrued and felt that the he was being arrogant. But when he had his chance to deliver a speech in which he expatiated on the issues he had earlier raised, the same participants became convinced that far from being arrogant, Rt. Hon. Adjetey was a gem and highly intelligent. You cannot challenge his intelligence”.
Rt. Hon Adjetey’s rulings in Parliament, according to Hon. Bagbin, were without question as he was ensured fairness and as result the Majority in Parliament at a point felt he was “too sympathetic towards the Minority”. He said Ghana has lost a patriotic son.
Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, MP for Effiduase, says he remembers Rt. Hon. Adjetey for his forthrightness, passion for truth and fairness. He recalled that when he was the Treasurer of the NPP he worked closely with Rt. Hon. Adjetey who was then the Chairman of the NPP “to mobilize resources for the party at a time when it was difficult to stand up and be countered for the NPP. It is with a sense of great loss I received the news.”
Hon. Alhaji Abukari Sumani, MP for Tamale, has fond memories of the late Speaker. To him Speaker Adjetey was “a serious, disciplined, dedicated and excellent lawyer who properly researched his cases before going to court. He contributed significantly to the justice system and did his best to make Parliament as independent as possible.”
Hon Kwabena Adusah Okerchiri, MP for Nkawkaw, says of the Speaker, “he was very meticulous, a perfectionist and very fastidious, you cannot easily please him. I’m using fastidious in the positive sense”.
The Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey died on Tuesday 15 July at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital aged 76 after a short illness. He left behind a wife, Johanna Dede and six children. Peter Ala Adjetey, born 11 August 1931, was the second Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana in the Fourth Republic.A prominent son of La in Accra, Peter Ala Adjetey obtained his basic education at St. Paul’s School at La and the Accra Bishop Boys’ School.
His secondary education was at Accra Academy from where he proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana), where he obtained the University of London intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Nottingham in 1958.
Rt. Hon. Adjetey was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959. He returned to Ghana in the same year where he was also called to the Bar.
The Ghanaian body politic is mourning the demise of Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey, the Speaker of the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic Parliament, 2001-2004, whose sudden death occurred in early hours of last Tuesday at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Many MPs in separate interviews with Public Agenda extolled the virtues and attitude of the late Speaker which they thought had deepened the country’s democratic experiment and enabled Parliament as an institution to take its rightful position in the map of political power.
But the common strand in the copious “elegies” that were churned by the many MPs that Public Agenda spoke to was a fact obviously unknown to the politically uninitiated: during Rt. Hon. Adjetey tenure of office he worked assiduously to ensure that Parliament did assert itself as an independent arm of government
“Before the NPP came to power, the state and thinking of Parliament was that it was subservient to the executive and it was ex-President Jerry Rawlings who was opening Parliament but when Rt. Hon. Peter Adjetey took over he was opening Parliament and Parliament indeed asserted itself,” recalls, Hon. Joe Baidoe-Ansah, MP for Effia-Kwesimintim and Minister for Aviation.
The opening of Parliament by the Speaker was a conspicuous departure of what transpired during the First and Second Parliaments of the Fourth Republic during which Parliament was opened by the President.
The novelty practice of Rt. Hon. Adjetey, which has been continued by the of Rt. Hon. Hon. Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, is in conformity with article 112(1) of the Constitution which provides that “ A session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Ghana and shall commence at such time as the Speaker may, by constitutional instrument, appoint.”
Hon. Baidoe-Ansah describes as very “principled person, a great man and a very good lawyer, who brought his legal brains to bear on whatever he did.”
The Minority Leader, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, characterized the Rt. Hon. Adjetey as “principled and spoke his mind irrespective of the consequences”. He recounted that he was part of a delegation which included the Rt. Hon Adjetey that attended a conference of world Inter Parliamentary Union. “At that conference, the late Speaker initially made some comments which other participants misconstrued and felt that the he was being arrogant. But when he had his chance to deliver a speech in which he expatiated on the issues he had earlier raised, the same participants became convinced that far from being arrogant, Rt. Hon. Adjetey was a gem and highly intelligent. You cannot challenge his intelligence”.
Rt. Hon Adjetey’s rulings in Parliament, according to Hon. Bagbin, were without question as he was ensured fairness and as result the Majority in Parliament at a point felt he was “too sympathetic towards the Minority”. He said Ghana has lost a patriotic son.
Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, MP for Effiduase, says he remembers Rt. Hon. Adjetey for his forthrightness, passion for truth and fairness. He recalled that when he was the Treasurer of the NPP he worked closely with Rt. Hon. Adjetey who was then the Chairman of the NPP “to mobilize resources for the party at a time when it was difficult to stand up and be countered for the NPP. It is with a sense of great loss I received the news.”
Hon. Alhaji Abukari Sumani, MP for Tamale, has fond memories of the late Speaker. To him Speaker Adjetey was “a serious, disciplined, dedicated and excellent lawyer who properly researched his cases before going to court. He contributed significantly to the justice system and did his best to make Parliament as independent as possible.”
Hon Kwabena Adusah Okerchiri, MP for Nkawkaw, says of the Speaker, “he was very meticulous, a perfectionist and very fastidious, you cannot easily please him. I’m using fastidious in the positive sense”.
The Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey died on Tuesday 15 July at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital aged 76 after a short illness. He left behind a wife, Johanna Dede and six children. Peter Ala Adjetey, born 11 August 1931, was the second Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana in the Fourth Republic.A prominent son of La in Accra, Peter Ala Adjetey obtained his basic education at St. Paul’s School at La and the Accra Bishop Boys’ School.
His secondary education was at Accra Academy from where he proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana), where he obtained the University of London intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Nottingham in 1958.
Rt. Hon. Adjetey was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959. He returned to Ghana in the same year where he was also called to the Bar.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Africa risks non-attainment of the MDGs on water
By Ebenezer Hanson
It has emerged that unless African countries invest massively in the water supply industry, and policy makers get their acts together, the vision of attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of water would become a pipedream.
“Africa was chosen as the venue for the forum because the continent is at risk of not attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015,” Mr. Pierre Cross, Chairperson of Rural Water Supply Network (RWNS), told stakeholders in the water industry at the four-day 5th International RWSN forum which ended in Accra at the weekend.
According to the Africa regional report titled “Water Resources Development in Africa” submitted at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico in March this year, the Continent would need about $20 billion annually to meet the Africa Water Vision 2025.
The Forum under the theme: “Scaling Up Local Entrepreneurship to Meet the Millennium Development Goals” and brought together about 300 participants from across the world.
Access to potable water means good and sound health, and the fourth, fifth and sixth MDGs all border on health. MDG four states to “ reduce by two-thirds the mortality rate among children under five”; MDG five, to “reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and MDG six, to “halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other related diseases”. It was against this backdrop that the forum was organised under three flagship areas: Cost Effective Boreholes, Sustainable Hand Pumps and Self Supply.
Mr. Cross observed that despite the breakthroughs and advances in medicine, communication and technology, etc, the world has not been able to supply water enough to the rural poor, a situation which he attributed to less political influence wielded by the unfortunate rural folks.
“ Rural communities have less political influence and therefore investment to are skewed to their disadvantage, ” submitted Mr. Cross.
The Africa Development Bank Report on Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, Framework for Implementation, reports that the continent has the lowest water supply coverage than any region of the world.
The Report states that about 300 million Africans have no access to safe water and about 313 million lack access to adequate sanitation. The picture on country by country is even more worrying and this exacts a heavy toll on the health and economic progress of African countries.
The RWNS is a global knowledge network that promotes sound practices in rural water supply. RWNS evolved from the Hand Pump Technology (HTN) and uncovers good practices, provides tools, promotes innovation and triggers processes, which improve the application of affordable and appropriate water supply technologies for rural communities.
The thematic focus of the Forum was about (small scale) private sector involvement in rural water supply with emphasis on the potential that “self supply”can provide to generate a market big enough to sustain service provision through local private entrepreneurs. The Forum also looked at how interaction between households, small community groups and local authorities could lead to improved service levels.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, disclosed that Ghana has targeted 73 percent coverage of water supply before it can meet the MDGs. However, the country’s target under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy-II (GPRS II) is put at 85 percent, much more ambitious than that for the MDG.
“This higher coverage figure translates to an annual investment of about $150 million for the whole sector, that is, urban and rural. This obviously is a huge amount for the government alone to bear and welcomes assistance towards meeting this challenge,” the Minister revealed.
He associated himself with the call to those in the drilling of boreholes to employ simple and less sophisticated equipment since that could drastically reduce the unit cost for boreholes and increase the coverage at less cost.
For most governments in the developing world, one of the most worrying areas in their attempt to provide potable water to their peoples is the relatively high cost of drilling. It is believed that this is caused mainly by the use of expensive drilling equipment for the nature and quantity of work they carry out thereby defeating the benefits that would normally accrue from economic scale, he further disclosed.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang had a word of caution for the participants regarding the Self Supply concept of providing water and that was to “ avoid a situation where in our anxiety to increase the supply of water we don’t leave behind areas of potential health problems ”.
Referring to the 2006 Human Development Report of the UNDP, which he launched recently, Mr. Owusu-Agyemang said the Report, which focused on water and sanitation, categorically states that “safe water and sanitation can make or break human development.”
The Report also provides some worrying and disheartening statistics: millions of women spend up to four hours a day collecting water; poor water and sanitation is the cause of more than 50 percent of the common ailments in developing countries.
For the way forward, the Report recommends, among other things, that water should be made a human right and that means a minimum of 20 litres for all, develop strong national strategies for water and sanitation and build partnership for water and sanitation around a Global Action Plan--similar to the models used for HIV/AIDS.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who chaired the opening ceremony, shared the sentiments expressed by Mr. Cross that notwithstanding the progress made by humanity, people are still dying because of their place birth—Africa. “Poverty in this part of the world is one without option”
He said 2.3 billion people go to bed without clean glass water and he finds it totally unacceptable. To strongly drive home his point, he displayed a bottle of coloured water, which he said that is quality of water drank by many a folk in rural communities.
He regretted a very pitiful sight he encountered when he traveled to northern part of Ghana, he found out that both donkeys and human beings drunk from the same source of water, a situation which he said should propel all stakeholders to work towards the improving the accessibility of all to potable water.
It has emerged that unless African countries invest massively in the water supply industry, and policy makers get their acts together, the vision of attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of water would become a pipedream.
“Africa was chosen as the venue for the forum because the continent is at risk of not attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015,” Mr. Pierre Cross, Chairperson of Rural Water Supply Network (RWNS), told stakeholders in the water industry at the four-day 5th International RWSN forum which ended in Accra at the weekend.
According to the Africa regional report titled “Water Resources Development in Africa” submitted at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico in March this year, the Continent would need about $20 billion annually to meet the Africa Water Vision 2025.
The Forum under the theme: “Scaling Up Local Entrepreneurship to Meet the Millennium Development Goals” and brought together about 300 participants from across the world.
Access to potable water means good and sound health, and the fourth, fifth and sixth MDGs all border on health. MDG four states to “ reduce by two-thirds the mortality rate among children under five”; MDG five, to “reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and MDG six, to “halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other related diseases”. It was against this backdrop that the forum was organised under three flagship areas: Cost Effective Boreholes, Sustainable Hand Pumps and Self Supply.
Mr. Cross observed that despite the breakthroughs and advances in medicine, communication and technology, etc, the world has not been able to supply water enough to the rural poor, a situation which he attributed to less political influence wielded by the unfortunate rural folks.
“ Rural communities have less political influence and therefore investment to are skewed to their disadvantage, ” submitted Mr. Cross.
The Africa Development Bank Report on Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, Framework for Implementation, reports that the continent has the lowest water supply coverage than any region of the world.
The Report states that about 300 million Africans have no access to safe water and about 313 million lack access to adequate sanitation. The picture on country by country is even more worrying and this exacts a heavy toll on the health and economic progress of African countries.
The RWNS is a global knowledge network that promotes sound practices in rural water supply. RWNS evolved from the Hand Pump Technology (HTN) and uncovers good practices, provides tools, promotes innovation and triggers processes, which improve the application of affordable and appropriate water supply technologies for rural communities.
The thematic focus of the Forum was about (small scale) private sector involvement in rural water supply with emphasis on the potential that “self supply”can provide to generate a market big enough to sustain service provision through local private entrepreneurs. The Forum also looked at how interaction between households, small community groups and local authorities could lead to improved service levels.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, disclosed that Ghana has targeted 73 percent coverage of water supply before it can meet the MDGs. However, the country’s target under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy-II (GPRS II) is put at 85 percent, much more ambitious than that for the MDG.
“This higher coverage figure translates to an annual investment of about $150 million for the whole sector, that is, urban and rural. This obviously is a huge amount for the government alone to bear and welcomes assistance towards meeting this challenge,” the Minister revealed.
He associated himself with the call to those in the drilling of boreholes to employ simple and less sophisticated equipment since that could drastically reduce the unit cost for boreholes and increase the coverage at less cost.
For most governments in the developing world, one of the most worrying areas in their attempt to provide potable water to their peoples is the relatively high cost of drilling. It is believed that this is caused mainly by the use of expensive drilling equipment for the nature and quantity of work they carry out thereby defeating the benefits that would normally accrue from economic scale, he further disclosed.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang had a word of caution for the participants regarding the Self Supply concept of providing water and that was to “ avoid a situation where in our anxiety to increase the supply of water we don’t leave behind areas of potential health problems ”.
Referring to the 2006 Human Development Report of the UNDP, which he launched recently, Mr. Owusu-Agyemang said the Report, which focused on water and sanitation, categorically states that “safe water and sanitation can make or break human development.”
The Report also provides some worrying and disheartening statistics: millions of women spend up to four hours a day collecting water; poor water and sanitation is the cause of more than 50 percent of the common ailments in developing countries.
For the way forward, the Report recommends, among other things, that water should be made a human right and that means a minimum of 20 litres for all, develop strong national strategies for water and sanitation and build partnership for water and sanitation around a Global Action Plan--similar to the models used for HIV/AIDS.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who chaired the opening ceremony, shared the sentiments expressed by Mr. Cross that notwithstanding the progress made by humanity, people are still dying because of their place birth—Africa. “Poverty in this part of the world is one without option”
He said 2.3 billion people go to bed without clean glass water and he finds it totally unacceptable. To strongly drive home his point, he displayed a bottle of coloured water, which he said that is quality of water drank by many a folk in rural communities.
He regretted a very pitiful sight he encountered when he traveled to northern part of Ghana, he found out that both donkeys and human beings drunk from the same source of water, a situation which he said should propel all stakeholders to work towards the improving the accessibility of all to potable water.
Yaa Asantewaa was larger than life!
By Ebenezer Hanson
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Miss Cecilia Abena Dapaah says the legendary “Yaa Asantewaa is larger than life.” She said “it is good to remember heroes and heroines and that a country that has no recognition for its past heroes and heroines has no history.” Hence, the institutionalization of the Yaa Asantewaa festival gives us the opportunity to appreciate the relevance of past events to the present and also helps us to plan for the future.
Ms Dapaah who is also the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing adds that, “the celebration of the festival puts Yaa Asantewaa in the right context and history that she did live and went to war as factually documented.” Sometimes, one is tempted to wonder whether Yaa Asantewaa even existed because of her great exploits, bravery, courage and commanding stature.
She characterizes Yaa Asantewaa as a pride to womanhood because she was prepared to go to war, and the fact that she was prepared to die for her country was commendable. “It was a divine command she had at that period.”
Ms Dapaah was speaking in an interview to the Public Agenda on the relevance of the celebration of the forthcoming Yaa Asantewaa Festival.
Under the auspices of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Asante Kingdom, the Golden Stool Heritage Foundation, will be organizing the epoch making event, the Yaa Asantewaa Festival from July 28 to August 5, 2006 in Kumasi.
Other Parliamentarians that Public Agenda spoke to consider the celebration of the Yaa Asantewaa Festival as significant in the history of Ghana as it gives recognition to the heroic exploits of a female. The Deputy Attorney-General and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsuta-Kwamang, Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said the festival “gives recognition to the heroic exploits of a female against a foreign power which had dominated and enslaved the people.”
He recalled that the view at that time was that a woman’s place was in the kitchen and nobody expected a woman to lead a crusade of that nature: against injustice. Besides, the celebration will enable the current crop of women to know that even in the 1900s. A woman could rise to the occasion when the need arose and therefore the role of women in nation building needs to be highlighted.
“Again, it reminds us of our quest fro freedom and liberty which our forefathers were prepared to die for,” Osei-Prempeh stated. He pointed out that the Yaa Asantewaa war was one of the main challenges that the British faced in the annexation of Asante to the Gold Coast and this was a manifestation of the “people’s aversion to oppression, domination, and the attempt eradicate the culture of the people.”
The festival, expected to be patronized by people from all over the globe, will be an occasion to celebrate Asante history and particularly the life and times of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa, whose heroic feats, rare bravery and enduring enterprise transcend Ghanaian history to that of lands afar.
It is a pedestrian fact that the history of Yaa Asantewaa has been told umpteen times but nothing could be more universal in its appeal or more enduring in its effect than the institutionalization of a festival in remembrance to her magnificent exploits.
History has it that about 106 years ago, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queenmother of Edweso, mobilized a powerful army of 20,000 Asante warriors to besiege the British Governor in the fort in Kumasi for seven months in reaction to the British demand for the sacred Golden Stool, which is the soul of the Asante Kingdom and believed to have been conjured from the heavens by Okomfo Anokye, a friend of King Osei Tutu I, who was said to be have established the Asante Kingdom.
At the time, the deportation of Otumfuo Prempeh I, and a large number of Asante generals and royals had weakened Asante. Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s singular act of courage therefore demonstrated a whole nation’s opposition to the oppression of colonialism.
In a glowing tribute to Nana Yaa Asantewaa during the Centenary Anniversary Celebration of the Yaa Asantewaa war of 1900-1901, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had this to say, “Her [Yaa Asantewaa] exceptional place in our history therefore is unique and serves as a beacon of hope and courage for all women in Africa as well as those in the Diaspora.
“Nana Yaa Asantewaa continues to be remembered and honoured by distinguished patriots of African descent, including the first couple of Ghana, Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings and the Mayor of Washington D.C., Honourable Marion Barry who have named their daughters after her.”
According to the MP for Kwadaso, Ms. Josephine Hilda Addoh, there is a lot to learn from Yaa Asantewaa against the backdrop of socio-cultural factors, which marginalized women. “Yaa Asantewaa stood for patriotism and the love she exhibited for her people is worthy of emulation. Yaa Asantewaa has proved that what men can do women can also do when given the right push, strength and encouragement.”
She recaps that, Yaa Asantewaa came unto the scene when she felt that the Asante Kingdom was under threat and the men that were supposed to fight were too quiet for her liking. She mobilized and rallied the people behind her and fiercely resisted the British. Such good leaders, she said, are role models.
The MP for Fomena, Akwasi Afrifa, said what Yaa Asantewaa is to the people of Asante can be likened to the name Cleopatra of ancient Egypt. “This is so because of the great achievements she chalked for her people. She led the Asante army to resist the ambition of Governor Hodson to take over the ‘almighty’ Golden Stool of Asante, an attempt which if it had been successful would have dismembered the great Asante Kingdom and that would have brought disunity to the people, obliterate the heroic Asante history, the pride and culture of a great people.”
Furthermore, he argues that the role of Yaa Asantewaa and her achievement demonstrate what the African woman can do. It is also a first class illustration of a people’s attempt to resist imperialist rule. In addition, the celebration of the festival will rekindle the people’s spirit and affirm the belief that in unity lies strength and that Ghanaians as a whole should unite and build upon the achievements of the past.
Mr. Afrifa was happy that the festival is “coinciding with the golden jubilee of our attainment of nationhood which to me means that self-government means self-development.
“So irrespective of your party or ethnic origin, we should copy the illustrious example of patriots like Yaa Asantewaa and join hands together to hold fast what unites us and not what divides us; for it is in unity lies strength and from this strength that we can all bring rapid socio-economic and political development to our dear nation. Long live the sweet memory of Yaa Asantewaa, long live Ghana!”
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Miss Cecilia Abena Dapaah says the legendary “Yaa Asantewaa is larger than life.” She said “it is good to remember heroes and heroines and that a country that has no recognition for its past heroes and heroines has no history.” Hence, the institutionalization of the Yaa Asantewaa festival gives us the opportunity to appreciate the relevance of past events to the present and also helps us to plan for the future.
Ms Dapaah who is also the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing adds that, “the celebration of the festival puts Yaa Asantewaa in the right context and history that she did live and went to war as factually documented.” Sometimes, one is tempted to wonder whether Yaa Asantewaa even existed because of her great exploits, bravery, courage and commanding stature.
She characterizes Yaa Asantewaa as a pride to womanhood because she was prepared to go to war, and the fact that she was prepared to die for her country was commendable. “It was a divine command she had at that period.”
Ms Dapaah was speaking in an interview to the Public Agenda on the relevance of the celebration of the forthcoming Yaa Asantewaa Festival.
Under the auspices of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Asante Kingdom, the Golden Stool Heritage Foundation, will be organizing the epoch making event, the Yaa Asantewaa Festival from July 28 to August 5, 2006 in Kumasi.
Other Parliamentarians that Public Agenda spoke to consider the celebration of the Yaa Asantewaa Festival as significant in the history of Ghana as it gives recognition to the heroic exploits of a female. The Deputy Attorney-General and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsuta-Kwamang, Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, said the festival “gives recognition to the heroic exploits of a female against a foreign power which had dominated and enslaved the people.”
He recalled that the view at that time was that a woman’s place was in the kitchen and nobody expected a woman to lead a crusade of that nature: against injustice. Besides, the celebration will enable the current crop of women to know that even in the 1900s. A woman could rise to the occasion when the need arose and therefore the role of women in nation building needs to be highlighted.
“Again, it reminds us of our quest fro freedom and liberty which our forefathers were prepared to die for,” Osei-Prempeh stated. He pointed out that the Yaa Asantewaa war was one of the main challenges that the British faced in the annexation of Asante to the Gold Coast and this was a manifestation of the “people’s aversion to oppression, domination, and the attempt eradicate the culture of the people.”
The festival, expected to be patronized by people from all over the globe, will be an occasion to celebrate Asante history and particularly the life and times of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa, whose heroic feats, rare bravery and enduring enterprise transcend Ghanaian history to that of lands afar.
It is a pedestrian fact that the history of Yaa Asantewaa has been told umpteen times but nothing could be more universal in its appeal or more enduring in its effect than the institutionalization of a festival in remembrance to her magnificent exploits.
History has it that about 106 years ago, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queenmother of Edweso, mobilized a powerful army of 20,000 Asante warriors to besiege the British Governor in the fort in Kumasi for seven months in reaction to the British demand for the sacred Golden Stool, which is the soul of the Asante Kingdom and believed to have been conjured from the heavens by Okomfo Anokye, a friend of King Osei Tutu I, who was said to be have established the Asante Kingdom.
At the time, the deportation of Otumfuo Prempeh I, and a large number of Asante generals and royals had weakened Asante. Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s singular act of courage therefore demonstrated a whole nation’s opposition to the oppression of colonialism.
In a glowing tribute to Nana Yaa Asantewaa during the Centenary Anniversary Celebration of the Yaa Asantewaa war of 1900-1901, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had this to say, “Her [Yaa Asantewaa] exceptional place in our history therefore is unique and serves as a beacon of hope and courage for all women in Africa as well as those in the Diaspora.
“Nana Yaa Asantewaa continues to be remembered and honoured by distinguished patriots of African descent, including the first couple of Ghana, Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings and the Mayor of Washington D.C., Honourable Marion Barry who have named their daughters after her.”
According to the MP for Kwadaso, Ms. Josephine Hilda Addoh, there is a lot to learn from Yaa Asantewaa against the backdrop of socio-cultural factors, which marginalized women. “Yaa Asantewaa stood for patriotism and the love she exhibited for her people is worthy of emulation. Yaa Asantewaa has proved that what men can do women can also do when given the right push, strength and encouragement.”
She recaps that, Yaa Asantewaa came unto the scene when she felt that the Asante Kingdom was under threat and the men that were supposed to fight were too quiet for her liking. She mobilized and rallied the people behind her and fiercely resisted the British. Such good leaders, she said, are role models.
The MP for Fomena, Akwasi Afrifa, said what Yaa Asantewaa is to the people of Asante can be likened to the name Cleopatra of ancient Egypt. “This is so because of the great achievements she chalked for her people. She led the Asante army to resist the ambition of Governor Hodson to take over the ‘almighty’ Golden Stool of Asante, an attempt which if it had been successful would have dismembered the great Asante Kingdom and that would have brought disunity to the people, obliterate the heroic Asante history, the pride and culture of a great people.”
Furthermore, he argues that the role of Yaa Asantewaa and her achievement demonstrate what the African woman can do. It is also a first class illustration of a people’s attempt to resist imperialist rule. In addition, the celebration of the festival will rekindle the people’s spirit and affirm the belief that in unity lies strength and that Ghanaians as a whole should unite and build upon the achievements of the past.
Mr. Afrifa was happy that the festival is “coinciding with the golden jubilee of our attainment of nationhood which to me means that self-government means self-development.
“So irrespective of your party or ethnic origin, we should copy the illustrious example of patriots like Yaa Asantewaa and join hands together to hold fast what unites us and not what divides us; for it is in unity lies strength and from this strength that we can all bring rapid socio-economic and political development to our dear nation. Long live the sweet memory of Yaa Asantewaa, long live Ghana!”
Friday, July 11, 2008
Adenta MP declared unopposed at primaries
By Ebenezer Hanson
Unlike many of his colleagues in the Greater Accra Region who have lost their mantle to represent their constituents, Hon. Kwadwo Opare-Hammond has been retained as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adenta Constituency for the 2008 elections after he was declared unopposed by the constituency executives at an extraordinary congress in the constituency. He first entered Parliament on January 7, 2005.
At the close of nominations two persons had filed, Hon. Opare-Hammond and his only challenger, Mr. Stephen Dee Larbi. But following the vetting of nominees in April, Mr. Larbi was disqualified on the grounds of dual nationality, which is contrary to Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. It provides that, “ A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana ”.
In attendance at the extraordinary congress were polling station chairpersons, constituency executives and officers of the Greater Regional Branch of the NPP.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Opare-Hammond called on all party members to bury their differences which might have preceded the congress, close their ranks and pool their efforts together to ensure a resounding victory not only in the parliamentary but also the presidential elections in order to retain the NPP in power to continue with the unprecedented development agenda the country is witnessing.
He urged the party members to rally behind the constituency executives whom he said have “ very formidable strategies ” to win the seat once again for the NPP.
The NPP Regional Youth Organiser, Alhaji Yusif, charged all the polling station chairpersons to consider the acclamation of Hon.Opare-Hammond as the launch of the party’s campaign in the constituency and must therefore go back to respective polling stations and work.
48-year-old Opare-Hammond is an accountant by profession and his last place of employment was Theovision International where he was the Project Manager. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership awarded by the African Centre for Theological Studies, Lagos, Nigeria. Affectionately called ‘Pastor’ by his colleague MPs, the Adenta MP is a Christian by faith and fellowships with the Logos Rhema Church.
Some of the Greater Accra NPP MPs who have lost their primaries include, Hon. Victor Okuley Nortey, MP for Ablekuma Central; Nii Adu Daku Mante, MP for Klottey Korle; Abraham Laryea Odai, MP for Krowor, and Ishmael Ashitey, MP for Tema East.
Unlike many of his colleagues in the Greater Accra Region who have lost their mantle to represent their constituents, Hon. Kwadwo Opare-Hammond has been retained as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adenta Constituency for the 2008 elections after he was declared unopposed by the constituency executives at an extraordinary congress in the constituency. He first entered Parliament on January 7, 2005.
At the close of nominations two persons had filed, Hon. Opare-Hammond and his only challenger, Mr. Stephen Dee Larbi. But following the vetting of nominees in April, Mr. Larbi was disqualified on the grounds of dual nationality, which is contrary to Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. It provides that, “ A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana ”.
In attendance at the extraordinary congress were polling station chairpersons, constituency executives and officers of the Greater Regional Branch of the NPP.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Opare-Hammond called on all party members to bury their differences which might have preceded the congress, close their ranks and pool their efforts together to ensure a resounding victory not only in the parliamentary but also the presidential elections in order to retain the NPP in power to continue with the unprecedented development agenda the country is witnessing.
He urged the party members to rally behind the constituency executives whom he said have “ very formidable strategies ” to win the seat once again for the NPP.
The NPP Regional Youth Organiser, Alhaji Yusif, charged all the polling station chairpersons to consider the acclamation of Hon.Opare-Hammond as the launch of the party’s campaign in the constituency and must therefore go back to respective polling stations and work.
48-year-old Opare-Hammond is an accountant by profession and his last place of employment was Theovision International where he was the Project Manager. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership awarded by the African Centre for Theological Studies, Lagos, Nigeria. Affectionately called ‘Pastor’ by his colleague MPs, the Adenta MP is a Christian by faith and fellowships with the Logos Rhema Church.
Some of the Greater Accra NPP MPs who have lost their primaries include, Hon. Victor Okuley Nortey, MP for Ablekuma Central; Nii Adu Daku Mante, MP for Klottey Korle; Abraham Laryea Odai, MP for Krowor, and Ishmael Ashitey, MP for Tema East.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Controversy over 69 Mitsubishi gallopers still rages
By Ebenezer Hanson
The dark clouds of controversy that engulfed the non-delivery of 69 Mitsubishi gallopers by Messrs African Automobile Ltd to the government at the beginning of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has not yet dispersed.
A source close to Messrs African Automobile Ltd has revealed to the Public Agenda that the bankers of the auto firm have dragged it to court because of its inability to pay loans granted it for the importation of the vehicles meant for the distribution to District Chief Executives (DCEs).
The sad aspect of the saga, the source disclosed, was when the warehouse of African Automobile Ltd was opened, some of the cars have suffered profound ware and tear and some getting “rotten”.
According to the source, in 2000, Messrs African Automobile Ltd at the instance of the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration allegedly imported 69 Mitsubishi Gallopers meant for distribution to DCEs. The vehicles allegedly arrived in 2001. The source said the NPP claimed the prices of the vehicles were inflated, hence paid only part and refused to pay the rest.
The source further alleged that the amount of money left to be paid by the government stands at ¢ 5 billion (five billion old Ghana cedis).
But Public Agenda’s checks with Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who incidentally happened to be the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development(MLG&RD) at the time the vehicles allegedly arrived in the country, unearthed facts which were totally at variance with what the source had made known to this paper.
The Hon. Baah-Wiredu says the NPP administration abrogated the contract government had with Messrs African Automobile Ltd on the grounds that the vehicles “were of poor quality and the non-performance of the suppliers”. Besides, the automobile company reneged in respect of time of delivery and the number of vehicles to be delivered.
He recalled that as part of its efforts to provide logistic support to MMDAs, Cabinet on July 20, 2000 approved the purchase of 110 Four Wheel Drive Hyundai Galloper II Station Wagons for DECs to replace the Mitsubishi short wheel Pajero vehicles allocated to them in 1994. The MLG&RD accordingly placed orders with Messrs African Automobile Ltd for the supply of the 110 vehicles.
Under the trade-in-agreement with the company the MMDAs were to surrender their Pajero vehicles to the African Automobile Ltd at values to be determined by the State Transport Company (STC) to offset the cost of the Gallopers to be supplied.
Hon. Baah-Wiredu disclosed that the cost of the 110 Gallopers was $3,322,000; however, in October 2000 the price was adjusted upwards by the manufacturers to $3,353,000 of which the MLG&RD paid to the company a deposit of ¢ 8 billion in 2000. The deposit, on conversion amounted to $1,586,720.79 which represented 44.7% of the total cost.
He explained that on October 9, 2000 the African Automobile Ltd. in a letter promised to deliver 60 units of the vehicles by November 10, 2000 and the remainder two weeks thereafter. This promise was not fulfilled.
He recalled that as 2002 or thereabout, the company had only managed to supply 23 out of 110. The total cost of 22 Pajeros traded-in for the 23 Gallopers revaluation was ¢ 427.5 million ($ 61, 1085.00).
He further revealed that besides the Gallopers, the MLG&RD also ordered sanitary vehicles/equipment from the company at a total cost of ¢6,118,000($874,000). The Ministry again paid a deposit of ¢3.5billion ($500,000), that is, 57.7% of the total cost on June 5, 2000. But he indicated these were not supplied.
“Initial reports received from the beneficiary districts indicated that the Gallopers were of poor quality and certainly not strong and robust for district,” he stated.
Reacting to the issue, the Chief of Staff advised that the order for the vehicles should be abrogated; the suppliers be made to refund the deposit them with the appropriate interest, less the cost of the of the 23 Gallopers and that the MLG&RD in place of the Gallopers purchase double cabin picks ups.
Hon. Baah-Wiredu disclosed that following the Chief of Staff’s advice a series of meetings involving the representatives of the Attorney General and himself on one hand and the suppliers on the other. “When it became abundantly clear that the company was unable to honour its contractual obligation the Ministry decided to issue a letter on September 28, 2001 to abrogate the contract with effect from September 29, 2001.”
In its response to the MLG&RD’s letter on the abrogation, Messrs African Automobile Ltd indicated in letter to the Ministry that the remaining 87 Gallopers had arrived at the Tema Harbour for clearance.
The company thereafter explained that their inability to deliver the vehicles within the stipulated time was due to number of factors including “the inability of the Ministry to make payment on account; delay of Bank of Ghana to honour and converting the cheques issued by the MLG&RD into dollars for the transmission of their principals and delay in establishing of letter credit as result of reasons indicated above.”
Notwithstanding the above the explanation, “I informed the company that since the vehicles are not suitable for field work the Ministry does not need them any longer; our letter of abrogation therefore still stands”, Hon. Baah-Wiredu emphasized.
By Ebenezer Hanson
The dark clouds of controversy that engulfed the non-delivery of 69 Mitsubishi gallopers by Messrs African Automobile Ltd to the government at the beginning of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has not yet dispersed.
A source close to Messrs African Automobile Ltd has revealed to the Public Agenda that the bankers of the auto firm have dragged it to court because of its inability to pay loans granted it for the importation of the vehicles meant for the distribution to District Chief Executives (DCEs).
The sad aspect of the saga, the source disclosed, was when the warehouse of African Automobile Ltd was opened, some of the cars have suffered profound ware and tear and some getting “rotten”.
According to the source, in 2000, Messrs African Automobile Ltd at the instance of the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration allegedly imported 69 Mitsubishi Gallopers meant for distribution to DCEs. The vehicles allegedly arrived in 2001. The source said the NPP claimed the prices of the vehicles were inflated, hence paid only part and refused to pay the rest.
The source further alleged that the amount of money left to be paid by the government stands at ¢ 5 billion (five billion old Ghana cedis).
But Public Agenda’s checks with Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who incidentally happened to be the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development(MLG&RD) at the time the vehicles allegedly arrived in the country, unearthed facts which were totally at variance with what the source had made known to this paper.
The Hon. Baah-Wiredu says the NPP administration abrogated the contract government had with Messrs African Automobile Ltd on the grounds that the vehicles “were of poor quality and the non-performance of the suppliers”. Besides, the automobile company reneged in respect of time of delivery and the number of vehicles to be delivered.
He recalled that as part of its efforts to provide logistic support to MMDAs, Cabinet on July 20, 2000 approved the purchase of 110 Four Wheel Drive Hyundai Galloper II Station Wagons for DECs to replace the Mitsubishi short wheel Pajero vehicles allocated to them in 1994. The MLG&RD accordingly placed orders with Messrs African Automobile Ltd for the supply of the 110 vehicles.
Under the trade-in-agreement with the company the MMDAs were to surrender their Pajero vehicles to the African Automobile Ltd at values to be determined by the State Transport Company (STC) to offset the cost of the Gallopers to be supplied.
Hon. Baah-Wiredu disclosed that the cost of the 110 Gallopers was $3,322,000; however, in October 2000 the price was adjusted upwards by the manufacturers to $3,353,000 of which the MLG&RD paid to the company a deposit of ¢ 8 billion in 2000. The deposit, on conversion amounted to $1,586,720.79 which represented 44.7% of the total cost.
He explained that on October 9, 2000 the African Automobile Ltd. in a letter promised to deliver 60 units of the vehicles by November 10, 2000 and the remainder two weeks thereafter. This promise was not fulfilled.
He recalled that as 2002 or thereabout, the company had only managed to supply 23 out of 110. The total cost of 22 Pajeros traded-in for the 23 Gallopers revaluation was ¢ 427.5 million ($ 61, 1085.00).
He further revealed that besides the Gallopers, the MLG&RD also ordered sanitary vehicles/equipment from the company at a total cost of ¢6,118,000($874,000). The Ministry again paid a deposit of ¢3.5billion ($500,000), that is, 57.7% of the total cost on June 5, 2000. But he indicated these were not supplied.
“Initial reports received from the beneficiary districts indicated that the Gallopers were of poor quality and certainly not strong and robust for district,” he stated.
Reacting to the issue, the Chief of Staff advised that the order for the vehicles should be abrogated; the suppliers be made to refund the deposit them with the appropriate interest, less the cost of the of the 23 Gallopers and that the MLG&RD in place of the Gallopers purchase double cabin picks ups.
Hon. Baah-Wiredu disclosed that following the Chief of Staff’s advice a series of meetings involving the representatives of the Attorney General and himself on one hand and the suppliers on the other. “When it became abundantly clear that the company was unable to honour its contractual obligation the Ministry decided to issue a letter on September 28, 2001 to abrogate the contract with effect from September 29, 2001.”
In its response to the MLG&RD’s letter on the abrogation, Messrs African Automobile Ltd indicated in letter to the Ministry that the remaining 87 Gallopers had arrived at the Tema Harbour for clearance.
The company thereafter explained that their inability to deliver the vehicles within the stipulated time was due to number of factors including “the inability of the Ministry to make payment on account; delay of Bank of Ghana to honour and converting the cheques issued by the MLG&RD into dollars for the transmission of their principals and delay in establishing of letter credit as result of reasons indicated above.”
Notwithstanding the above the explanation, “I informed the company that since the vehicles are not suitable for field work the Ministry does not need them any longer; our letter of abrogation therefore still stands”, Hon. Baah-Wiredu emphasized.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Accra Summit to decide fate of African Union.
By Ebenezer Hanson
Accra, from June 25 to July 3, will be hosting a crucial African Union (AU) Summit in which the fate of the continental body as to its direction will be decided.
The Summit will be finding answers to the question, “what sort of government or system do Africans want to govern and regulate the affairs of the Union?”
“ For sometime, it has become apparent that we need clarity on this fundamental issue to permit us to go ahead to organise the Union more effectively and with greater unity of purpose,” the Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon Nana Akufo-Addo told Parliament when he briefed the House about President Agyekum Kufuor’s State visit to the United Kingdom and other related matters.
Will the Summit opt for a federal government for the Union arriving at an arrangement like a United States of Africa in which one federal constitution will apply to all the states of the Union in the manner of the United States of America? If so, what are the steps that need to be put in place to lead to this?
Or do we want to go along with the premise of the Constitutive Act of the Union, that is to improve the performance of the current arrangement whereby the Union remains essentially an inter-governmental association in which the member states have agreed to be bound in certain matters by the operation of common decisions and institutions or in other words, to go along the lines of the current European Union?
“ Or will the Summit come out with another hitherto unknown form of association which will be the result of the African genius? The answers to these weighty questions are meant to be given here in Accra in July, and it is appropriate in the light of our history that this should be so,” stated Nana Akufo-Addo
According to him, the answers to these questions in themselves have no weight unless they are rooted in the decision and opinion of the people. And therefore it would be wholly wrong for decisions of such magnitude to be taken by leaders in a closed room without the requisite guidance of their peoples. This is why the Assembly in its wisdom in Addis Ababa urged member states to consult urgently with their populations before Accra.
The NPP administration, he said, believes that Parliament is the great and most authoritative debating chamber of the nation and hence the views of this House will enable the body politic and civil society to engage in a meaningful debate on the this “great matter”.
The Accra Summit will also address two other important matters. One is the composition of the Commission of the Union, which is its executive arm. The four-year mandate of its chairperson and commissioners, conferred at the Maputo Summit, comes to an end in Accra in July. Processes have been initiated to resolve this matter.
The formal election of the members of the new Commission will be concluded in Accra, where a replacement for the dynamic Chairperson of the Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare, who has declared his intention not to seek re-election, will have to be found.
The second subject is the APRM process which will culminate in the peer review of Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa at the Accra Summit. The peer review of Ghana, the first to subject itself to the process, has given the process great prestige.
Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo noted with regret that the above positive developments are not the only ones on the agenda of the AU Summit. There are the unresolved conflicts in Somalia, the Darfur region of Sudan, and Cote d’Ivoire.
He observed, “ the renewed fighting in Mogadishu threatens the difficult peace process there and underlines the urgent need of the AU to complete the introduction of its peace-keeping force into Somalia’s complex terrain and to accelerate the political dialogue amongst all the various factions, the successful conclusion of which is the only sure guarantee of a return to normalcy and peace in that very troubled country, ” and described the killings in Darfur, which appear to have escalated, as “a great blot on the conscience of Africa, which the continent cannot afford.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further observed that, Ghanaians have manifested strongly their desire to build a new Ghana on the basis of the principles of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Let us make that our contribution to the flowering of a new African civilisation where freedom, democracy and prosperity are its hallmarks so that our long-suffering people can leave behind, hopefully forever, the Africa of conflicts, authoritarian rule and endemic poverty,” he urged.
Accra, from June 25 to July 3, will be hosting a crucial African Union (AU) Summit in which the fate of the continental body as to its direction will be decided.
The Summit will be finding answers to the question, “what sort of government or system do Africans want to govern and regulate the affairs of the Union?”
“ For sometime, it has become apparent that we need clarity on this fundamental issue to permit us to go ahead to organise the Union more effectively and with greater unity of purpose,” the Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon Nana Akufo-Addo told Parliament when he briefed the House about President Agyekum Kufuor’s State visit to the United Kingdom and other related matters.
Will the Summit opt for a federal government for the Union arriving at an arrangement like a United States of Africa in which one federal constitution will apply to all the states of the Union in the manner of the United States of America? If so, what are the steps that need to be put in place to lead to this?
Or do we want to go along with the premise of the Constitutive Act of the Union, that is to improve the performance of the current arrangement whereby the Union remains essentially an inter-governmental association in which the member states have agreed to be bound in certain matters by the operation of common decisions and institutions or in other words, to go along the lines of the current European Union?
“ Or will the Summit come out with another hitherto unknown form of association which will be the result of the African genius? The answers to these weighty questions are meant to be given here in Accra in July, and it is appropriate in the light of our history that this should be so,” stated Nana Akufo-Addo
According to him, the answers to these questions in themselves have no weight unless they are rooted in the decision and opinion of the people. And therefore it would be wholly wrong for decisions of such magnitude to be taken by leaders in a closed room without the requisite guidance of their peoples. This is why the Assembly in its wisdom in Addis Ababa urged member states to consult urgently with their populations before Accra.
The NPP administration, he said, believes that Parliament is the great and most authoritative debating chamber of the nation and hence the views of this House will enable the body politic and civil society to engage in a meaningful debate on the this “great matter”.
The Accra Summit will also address two other important matters. One is the composition of the Commission of the Union, which is its executive arm. The four-year mandate of its chairperson and commissioners, conferred at the Maputo Summit, comes to an end in Accra in July. Processes have been initiated to resolve this matter.
The formal election of the members of the new Commission will be concluded in Accra, where a replacement for the dynamic Chairperson of the Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare, who has declared his intention not to seek re-election, will have to be found.
The second subject is the APRM process which will culminate in the peer review of Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa at the Accra Summit. The peer review of Ghana, the first to subject itself to the process, has given the process great prestige.
Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo noted with regret that the above positive developments are not the only ones on the agenda of the AU Summit. There are the unresolved conflicts in Somalia, the Darfur region of Sudan, and Cote d’Ivoire.
He observed, “ the renewed fighting in Mogadishu threatens the difficult peace process there and underlines the urgent need of the AU to complete the introduction of its peace-keeping force into Somalia’s complex terrain and to accelerate the political dialogue amongst all the various factions, the successful conclusion of which is the only sure guarantee of a return to normalcy and peace in that very troubled country, ” and described the killings in Darfur, which appear to have escalated, as “a great blot on the conscience of Africa, which the continent cannot afford.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further observed that, Ghanaians have manifested strongly their desire to build a new Ghana on the basis of the principles of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Let us make that our contribution to the flowering of a new African civilisation where freedom, democracy and prosperity are its hallmarks so that our long-suffering people can leave behind, hopefully forever, the Africa of conflicts, authoritarian rule and endemic poverty,” he urged.
Abodakpi to storm Parliament
By Ebenezer Hanson
Sources close to the NDC minority caucus in Parliament have hinted Public Agenda that Hon. Dan Abodakpi, the MP for Keta, will one of these days make a triumphant entry into Parliament. The much-awaited return had been delayed a bit because of a planned visit by a section of the Parliamentarians.
About a fortnight ago, President John Agyekum Kufuor exercising his Prerogative of Mercy conferred on him by the 1992 Constitution remitted a ten-year jail sentence imposed on Hon. Abodakpi by an Accra Fast Track High.
Article 72(1)(d) provides that,“ The President may, acting in consultation with the Council of State remit the whole or part of punishment imposed on a person or of a penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Government on account of any offence ”.
On February 5, 2007, Hon Abodakpi was convicted by an Accra Fast Track on all seven counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and willfully causing financial loss of $400,000 to the State and sentenced to a ten-year jail term. He has, however, appealed against the ruling at the Court of Appeal and awaiting judgement.
Explaining the legal basis of the return in an interview, the MP for Zebilla, Hon. John Ndebugre, first pointed out to Public Agenda that, notwithstanding the incarceration, Hon Abodakpi did not cease to be Member of Parliament since he filed an appeal after following his conviction at the high court.
“ You must note that Hon. Dan Abodakpi’s name has always appeared among the list of Members who were absent with permission on the Votes and Proceedings,” he emphasizes. The Votes and Proceedings is a summary of the daily proceedings of Parliament.
According to him, the Courts Act stipulates, “ An appeal shall be by way of rehearing ”, to wit, the beginning of the entire trial, which presumes the accused innocent. He expatiates that the provision in the Courts Act is predicated on Article 19(2)(c) which provides that, “ A person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or pleaded guilty”. He adds,“ Hon. Abodakpi applied for bail pending appeal that was refused. But until the appeal process is exhausted he presumed guilty.”
Hon. Ndebugre who is also a lawyer by profession further invoked Article 137(3) to buttress his arguments saying in an appeal the “ Court of Appeal shall have all powers, authority and jurisdiction vested in the court from which the appeal is brought ”.
Mr Abodakpi, was said to have, between May and December 2000, acted together with the late Victor Selormey, who was also a former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Frederick Boadu, a consultant, and other persons with a common purpose, to willfully cause financial loss of $400,000 to the state through the Trade and Investment Programme (TIP).
The amount was in respect of a feasibility study for the establishment of a Science and Technology Community Park/Valley Project meant to enhance the export of non-traditional products.
They were charged with causing the transfer of the cedi equivalent of $400,000 during their tenure of office in the NDC administration when they co-chaired the TIP.
The former ministers were accused of causing the transfer from the TIP interest account lodged with ECOBANK Ghana Limited into the personal account of the project consultant, Dr Boadu.
They were arraigned on October 14, 2002 on three counts of conspiracy, two counts of defrauding and two counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state but both of them pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted
self-recognizance bail.
Sources close to the NDC minority caucus in Parliament have hinted Public Agenda that Hon. Dan Abodakpi, the MP for Keta, will one of these days make a triumphant entry into Parliament. The much-awaited return had been delayed a bit because of a planned visit by a section of the Parliamentarians.
About a fortnight ago, President John Agyekum Kufuor exercising his Prerogative of Mercy conferred on him by the 1992 Constitution remitted a ten-year jail sentence imposed on Hon. Abodakpi by an Accra Fast Track High.
Article 72(1)(d) provides that,“ The President may, acting in consultation with the Council of State remit the whole or part of punishment imposed on a person or of a penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Government on account of any offence ”.
On February 5, 2007, Hon Abodakpi was convicted by an Accra Fast Track on all seven counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and willfully causing financial loss of $400,000 to the State and sentenced to a ten-year jail term. He has, however, appealed against the ruling at the Court of Appeal and awaiting judgement.
Explaining the legal basis of the return in an interview, the MP for Zebilla, Hon. John Ndebugre, first pointed out to Public Agenda that, notwithstanding the incarceration, Hon Abodakpi did not cease to be Member of Parliament since he filed an appeal after following his conviction at the high court.
“ You must note that Hon. Dan Abodakpi’s name has always appeared among the list of Members who were absent with permission on the Votes and Proceedings,” he emphasizes. The Votes and Proceedings is a summary of the daily proceedings of Parliament.
According to him, the Courts Act stipulates, “ An appeal shall be by way of rehearing ”, to wit, the beginning of the entire trial, which presumes the accused innocent. He expatiates that the provision in the Courts Act is predicated on Article 19(2)(c) which provides that, “ A person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or pleaded guilty”. He adds,“ Hon. Abodakpi applied for bail pending appeal that was refused. But until the appeal process is exhausted he presumed guilty.”
Hon. Ndebugre who is also a lawyer by profession further invoked Article 137(3) to buttress his arguments saying in an appeal the “ Court of Appeal shall have all powers, authority and jurisdiction vested in the court from which the appeal is brought ”.
Mr Abodakpi, was said to have, between May and December 2000, acted together with the late Victor Selormey, who was also a former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Frederick Boadu, a consultant, and other persons with a common purpose, to willfully cause financial loss of $400,000 to the state through the Trade and Investment Programme (TIP).
The amount was in respect of a feasibility study for the establishment of a Science and Technology Community Park/Valley Project meant to enhance the export of non-traditional products.
They were charged with causing the transfer of the cedi equivalent of $400,000 during their tenure of office in the NDC administration when they co-chaired the TIP.
The former ministers were accused of causing the transfer from the TIP interest account lodged with ECOBANK Ghana Limited into the personal account of the project consultant, Dr Boadu.
They were arraigned on October 14, 2002 on three counts of conspiracy, two counts of defrauding and two counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state but both of them pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted
self-recognizance bail.
Abedi advocates increased sponsorship, more academies for the development of Ghana’s football
By Ebenezer Hanson
Three times African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Ayew Pele, has advocated increased sponsorship and more football academies for the development of football in the country.
He observes that the lack of sponsorship limits the development of the immense talents in the country which if addressed could pave the way for bigger things, and the sky will be the limit.
“Because of our financial bankruptcy we cannot do what we want and this is a great obstacle to the development of the immense football talents we have in the country.”
Abedi made these submissions when he responding to a question at a news conference organised by Stanbic Bank following his completion of a seven-nation tour of some African countries to showcase the trophy and create awareness for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations. The questioner had asked him what could be done to improve the development football in the country.
The tour, which was sponsored by Stanbic Bank, took him to Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.
He said although the tour was challenging it was indeed fulfilling in that wherever they went the reception was overwhelming and the people were warm towards them.
“In Uganda it was a thrilling moment because after 1978 when the country played in the nations cup finals they have not participated in the tournament. Namibia is not known as a football country but they assured us that they are coming to Ghana to spoil our soup,” he recalls.
Abedi discloses that as Stanbic Bank’s Ambassador for the African Trophy Tour, he is the happiest and honoured person on the continent, and most grateful for the unflinching support he has had from other members of the entourage and Management of Stanbic Bank. He said his vision for Ghana is to assist in whatever way for the Black Stars to qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa.
“With a few exceptions, any time the world Cup has been organized, a country from the continent which hosts it wins. It follows logically that an African country could win the world 2010 World Cup and Ghana could not be ruled out,” he predicted.
He prayed that the 26th African Cup of Nations would be devoid of crime and violence for it be successful “and that case Africa becomes the winner of the tournament.”
Reacting to the question as to why the tour was taken to some countries although, they are not participating in the tournament, Mr. Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, said the aim of the tour was to create awareness of the tournament and to create that feeling of strong bonds among Africans.
Stanbic Bank in 2006 injected 2.1 euros into African football for the financing of activities including the African Cup of Nations and CAF Cup. It is 22 customers from across its operations in 18 African countries to the Ghana 2008. According to Mr. Mawuko K. Afadzinu, Head of Marketing and Public Affairs of Stanbic Bank, “in Ghana Stanbic Bank is sponsoring over 1000 customers”.
Three times African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Ayew Pele, has advocated increased sponsorship and more football academies for the development of football in the country.
He observes that the lack of sponsorship limits the development of the immense talents in the country which if addressed could pave the way for bigger things, and the sky will be the limit.
“Because of our financial bankruptcy we cannot do what we want and this is a great obstacle to the development of the immense football talents we have in the country.”
Abedi made these submissions when he responding to a question at a news conference organised by Stanbic Bank following his completion of a seven-nation tour of some African countries to showcase the trophy and create awareness for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations. The questioner had asked him what could be done to improve the development football in the country.
The tour, which was sponsored by Stanbic Bank, took him to Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.
He said although the tour was challenging it was indeed fulfilling in that wherever they went the reception was overwhelming and the people were warm towards them.
“In Uganda it was a thrilling moment because after 1978 when the country played in the nations cup finals they have not participated in the tournament. Namibia is not known as a football country but they assured us that they are coming to Ghana to spoil our soup,” he recalls.
Abedi discloses that as Stanbic Bank’s Ambassador for the African Trophy Tour, he is the happiest and honoured person on the continent, and most grateful for the unflinching support he has had from other members of the entourage and Management of Stanbic Bank. He said his vision for Ghana is to assist in whatever way for the Black Stars to qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa.
“With a few exceptions, any time the world Cup has been organized, a country from the continent which hosts it wins. It follows logically that an African country could win the world 2010 World Cup and Ghana could not be ruled out,” he predicted.
He prayed that the 26th African Cup of Nations would be devoid of crime and violence for it be successful “and that case Africa becomes the winner of the tournament.”
Reacting to the question as to why the tour was taken to some countries although, they are not participating in the tournament, Mr. Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, said the aim of the tour was to create awareness of the tournament and to create that feeling of strong bonds among Africans.
Stanbic Bank in 2006 injected 2.1 euros into African football for the financing of activities including the African Cup of Nations and CAF Cup. It is 22 customers from across its operations in 18 African countries to the Ghana 2008. According to Mr. Mawuko K. Afadzinu, Head of Marketing and Public Affairs of Stanbic Bank, “in Ghana Stanbic Bank is sponsoring over 1000 customers”.
50% WOMEN REPRESENTATION IS DIFFICULT BUT ACHIEVABLE, SAYS COMMONWEALTH WOMEN’S CHAIR
By Ebenezer Hanson
The Chairperson of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, recognizes that although the road to the attainment of 50 per cent women representation in decision-making bodies in Commonwealth African countries is rough and bumpy, it is an achievable objective.
“It is not an easy task to achieve this objective but if we are united and committed to the issue of women empowerment we will be able to reach our objectives. Because I believe that women are as much capable as men.”
Hon Maseko, who is participating in the 37th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference currently underway in Accra, was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Public Agenda. Participants were yesterday expected to deliberate on the topic, “The 50-50 Women Representation in Decision-making Bodies: Is CPA Africa Ready?”
The theme for the 14-day conference, which runs from July 23-August 5 with eighteen countries in attendance, is “Health and Vitality for Development –Parliament at the Forefront of the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS and Poverty.
Hon. Maseko revealed that in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) as a political party has been able to achieve 50 per cent women representation in local government system and therefore it is possible for other countries to do likewise. She said the ANC Policy Document, which makes 50 per cent women representation mandatory, and the practice of the Proportional Representation electoral system in her country, are the two factors that served as catalyst to the realization of this dream.
“Under the Proportional Representation System, we campaign and vote for the party and not individuals, and this enables women to be mainstreamed through the process”
Ghana practices the First Past the Post electoral system in which the electorate votes for individuals and not for political parties.
In addition to electoral systems and parties’ policies, Hon Maseko cited the patriarchal system of inheritance, socialization, the mindset of the African and limited resources as some of the factors that hinder women from participating fully in decision-making bodies.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, she believes that Southern African countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Lesotho are ready for the 30 per cent representation of women in decision-making bodies.
She recalled that in 1997, Commonwealth Heads of States and Governments agreed that by 2005, their respective countries must at least ensure 30 per cent representation of women in decision-making bodies. In 2004, the Heads of States and Governments extended the year for the attainment of the set objective from 2005 to 2015.
The formation of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians group, Hon Maseko further disclosed, was a response to the realisation of the lesser numbers of women Parliamentarians that participate in CPA meetings and fewer numbers of women Parliamentarians Commonwealth countries.
As Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon. Maseko says her duties consist of constantly reminding the Heads of Governments of the need to work towards the realisation of the 30 per cent representation in institutions; organising gender workshop to conscientise the CPA especially men; and to help with the implementation of programmes to achieve the 30 per cent women representation target.
Following the 1995 epochal international women conference in Beijing in which strong advocacy was made for women empowerment; there has been a blitz of seminars, workshops, and conferences calling for affirmative action in women representation in institutions and participation in political processes.
Liberia last year elected a female president in the person of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Ghanaian female Parliamentarians have staked a claim in the Presidency saying that Ghana, like Liberia, is ripe for a female president. Currently, there are 25 females in Ghana’s 230-member Parliament.
Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, is relishing the celebration of the festival of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa, Queen mother of Ejisu who later was acclaimed Africa’s first female General.
The nine-day festival, which begun July 28 and ends August 5, is under the theme, “Celebrating the Heroism of the African Woman.” The festival is reminiscing the exploits of Yaa Asantewaa against the British during the Yaa Asantewaa War of 1990-1901.
The Chairperson of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, recognizes that although the road to the attainment of 50 per cent women representation in decision-making bodies in Commonwealth African countries is rough and bumpy, it is an achievable objective.
“It is not an easy task to achieve this objective but if we are united and committed to the issue of women empowerment we will be able to reach our objectives. Because I believe that women are as much capable as men.”
Hon Maseko, who is participating in the 37th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference currently underway in Accra, was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Public Agenda. Participants were yesterday expected to deliberate on the topic, “The 50-50 Women Representation in Decision-making Bodies: Is CPA Africa Ready?”
The theme for the 14-day conference, which runs from July 23-August 5 with eighteen countries in attendance, is “Health and Vitality for Development –Parliament at the Forefront of the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS and Poverty.
Hon. Maseko revealed that in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) as a political party has been able to achieve 50 per cent women representation in local government system and therefore it is possible for other countries to do likewise. She said the ANC Policy Document, which makes 50 per cent women representation mandatory, and the practice of the Proportional Representation electoral system in her country, are the two factors that served as catalyst to the realization of this dream.
“Under the Proportional Representation System, we campaign and vote for the party and not individuals, and this enables women to be mainstreamed through the process”
Ghana practices the First Past the Post electoral system in which the electorate votes for individuals and not for political parties.
In addition to electoral systems and parties’ policies, Hon Maseko cited the patriarchal system of inheritance, socialization, the mindset of the African and limited resources as some of the factors that hinder women from participating fully in decision-making bodies.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, she believes that Southern African countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Lesotho are ready for the 30 per cent representation of women in decision-making bodies.
She recalled that in 1997, Commonwealth Heads of States and Governments agreed that by 2005, their respective countries must at least ensure 30 per cent representation of women in decision-making bodies. In 2004, the Heads of States and Governments extended the year for the attainment of the set objective from 2005 to 2015.
The formation of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians group, Hon Maseko further disclosed, was a response to the realisation of the lesser numbers of women Parliamentarians that participate in CPA meetings and fewer numbers of women Parliamentarians Commonwealth countries.
As Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Hon. Maseko says her duties consist of constantly reminding the Heads of Governments of the need to work towards the realisation of the 30 per cent representation in institutions; organising gender workshop to conscientise the CPA especially men; and to help with the implementation of programmes to achieve the 30 per cent women representation target.
Following the 1995 epochal international women conference in Beijing in which strong advocacy was made for women empowerment; there has been a blitz of seminars, workshops, and conferences calling for affirmative action in women representation in institutions and participation in political processes.
Liberia last year elected a female president in the person of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Ghanaian female Parliamentarians have staked a claim in the Presidency saying that Ghana, like Liberia, is ripe for a female president. Currently, there are 25 females in Ghana’s 230-member Parliament.
Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, is relishing the celebration of the festival of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa, Queen mother of Ejisu who later was acclaimed Africa’s first female General.
The nine-day festival, which begun July 28 and ends August 5, is under the theme, “Celebrating the Heroism of the African Woman.” The festival is reminiscing the exploits of Yaa Asantewaa against the British during the Yaa Asantewaa War of 1990-1901.
275 million children worldwide suffer domestic violence
By Ebenezer Hanson
The reception to the Domestic Violence Bill passed by Parliament has been that of a mixed one- some consider it as timely while others say it could be either abused or misused.
But one startling revelation that might be lost on many of the commentators and critics of the Bill is the fact that an incredible, whopping 275 million children across the globe suffer domestic violence.
This disturbing and worrying piece of news is contained in The State of the World’s Children 2007 report released by UNICEF in Accra recently. The report captures this mind-boggling information as, “ Every year, as many as 275 million children worldwide become caught in the crossfire of domestic violence and suffer the full consequences of a turbulent home.”
Violence against children involves physical and psychological abuses and injury, neglect or negligent treatment, exploitation and sexual abuse. The perpetrators may include parents, and other close family members, the Report disclosed.
The cumulatively adverse effects of domestic violence on children, the Report notes, transcends the immediate to long-term physical and psychological damage that impairs their ability to learn and socialize, and makes it difficult for them to perform well in school and develop close and positive friendships.
“ Children who are exposed to violence often suffer symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder, such as bed-wetting or nightmares, and are at greater risk than their peers of (sic) suffering from allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, depression and anxiety.
“ Primary school-age children who are exposed to domestic violence may have more trouble with schoolwork and show poor concentration and focus. They are also more likely to attempt suicide and abuse drugs and alcohol,” says the report.
Beyond that, children who grow up in a violent home, the Report further reveals, are more likely to suffer abuse compared to children who have a peaceful home life.
The behavioural and psychological consequences of growing up in a violent home can be just as devastating for children who are not directly abused themselves, the Report said.
The consequences of domestic violence, according to the Report, could span generations; the effects of violent behaviour tend to stay with children long after they leave childhood home.
“ Boys who are exposed to their parents’ domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusive men as are the sons of non-violent parents. Furthermore, girls who witness their mothers being abused are more likely to accept violence in a marriage than girls who come from non-violent.”
The passage of the Domestic Violence Bill is in consonance with the
1992 Constitution which provides in Article 28(1) that Parliament shall enact such laws as are necessary to ensure that “ children and young persons receive special protection against exposure to physical and moral hazards; and the protection and advancement of the family as unit of society are safeguarded in promotion of the interest of children”
Similarly, Article 28 (3) demands that a child shall not be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and 28 (4) provides that no child shall be deprived by any other person of medical treatment, education, or any other social economic benefit by the reason only of religious or other beliefs.
The memorandum that accompanied the Domestic Violence Bill described domestic violence as a serious social evil which have occasionally resulted in spousal deaths and that the need for special protection for the victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children has become urgent.
Violence within the domestic situation, according to the memorandum, takes many forms. “ The regime of customary law appears to permit the right of chastisement for husbands in some ethnic groups. It has led to a prevalence of wife beating in some communities. In the home setting, house helps, the aged, sick and physically challenged members in a family may be abused. A recent national study on violence revealed that one in three women interviewed had been beaten, slapped physically punished by current or most recent partner.”
The Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children presents guiding principles for the unmasking the issue of violence against children. The principles recommend, among others, that no violence against children is justifiable and that children should never receive less protection than adults.
“ All violence against children is preventable. States must invest in evidence-based policies and programmes to address factors that give rise to violence against.”
Besides, the principles enjoin States to take up the primary responsibility of upholding the children’s rights to protection and access to services, and to support families’ capacity to provide children with care in a safe environment.
The vulnerability of Children, the guiding principles observe, is linked to their age and evolving capacity. Some children, because of gender, race, ethnic origin, disability or social status, are particularly vulnerable.
The principles end on a refreshing note contending that “ Children have the right to express their views, and to have these views taken into account in the implementation of policies and programmes ”
Furthermore, the Report of the Independent Experts advocates for the establishment of a Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence against Children to advocate at the international level, in conjunction with UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the creation of a UN inter-agency group on violence against children, with representation from NGOs and children themselves.
The report believes that shattering the silence that surrounds domestic violence is key to ending violent behaviour in the home.
The reception to the Domestic Violence Bill passed by Parliament has been that of a mixed one- some consider it as timely while others say it could be either abused or misused.
But one startling revelation that might be lost on many of the commentators and critics of the Bill is the fact that an incredible, whopping 275 million children across the globe suffer domestic violence.
This disturbing and worrying piece of news is contained in The State of the World’s Children 2007 report released by UNICEF in Accra recently. The report captures this mind-boggling information as, “ Every year, as many as 275 million children worldwide become caught in the crossfire of domestic violence and suffer the full consequences of a turbulent home.”
Violence against children involves physical and psychological abuses and injury, neglect or negligent treatment, exploitation and sexual abuse. The perpetrators may include parents, and other close family members, the Report disclosed.
The cumulatively adverse effects of domestic violence on children, the Report notes, transcends the immediate to long-term physical and psychological damage that impairs their ability to learn and socialize, and makes it difficult for them to perform well in school and develop close and positive friendships.
“ Children who are exposed to violence often suffer symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder, such as bed-wetting or nightmares, and are at greater risk than their peers of (sic) suffering from allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, depression and anxiety.
“ Primary school-age children who are exposed to domestic violence may have more trouble with schoolwork and show poor concentration and focus. They are also more likely to attempt suicide and abuse drugs and alcohol,” says the report.
Beyond that, children who grow up in a violent home, the Report further reveals, are more likely to suffer abuse compared to children who have a peaceful home life.
The behavioural and psychological consequences of growing up in a violent home can be just as devastating for children who are not directly abused themselves, the Report said.
The consequences of domestic violence, according to the Report, could span generations; the effects of violent behaviour tend to stay with children long after they leave childhood home.
“ Boys who are exposed to their parents’ domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusive men as are the sons of non-violent parents. Furthermore, girls who witness their mothers being abused are more likely to accept violence in a marriage than girls who come from non-violent.”
The passage of the Domestic Violence Bill is in consonance with the
1992 Constitution which provides in Article 28(1) that Parliament shall enact such laws as are necessary to ensure that “ children and young persons receive special protection against exposure to physical and moral hazards; and the protection and advancement of the family as unit of society are safeguarded in promotion of the interest of children”
Similarly, Article 28 (3) demands that a child shall not be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and 28 (4) provides that no child shall be deprived by any other person of medical treatment, education, or any other social economic benefit by the reason only of religious or other beliefs.
The memorandum that accompanied the Domestic Violence Bill described domestic violence as a serious social evil which have occasionally resulted in spousal deaths and that the need for special protection for the victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children has become urgent.
Violence within the domestic situation, according to the memorandum, takes many forms. “ The regime of customary law appears to permit the right of chastisement for husbands in some ethnic groups. It has led to a prevalence of wife beating in some communities. In the home setting, house helps, the aged, sick and physically challenged members in a family may be abused. A recent national study on violence revealed that one in three women interviewed had been beaten, slapped physically punished by current or most recent partner.”
The Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children presents guiding principles for the unmasking the issue of violence against children. The principles recommend, among others, that no violence against children is justifiable and that children should never receive less protection than adults.
“ All violence against children is preventable. States must invest in evidence-based policies and programmes to address factors that give rise to violence against.”
Besides, the principles enjoin States to take up the primary responsibility of upholding the children’s rights to protection and access to services, and to support families’ capacity to provide children with care in a safe environment.
The vulnerability of Children, the guiding principles observe, is linked to their age and evolving capacity. Some children, because of gender, race, ethnic origin, disability or social status, are particularly vulnerable.
The principles end on a refreshing note contending that “ Children have the right to express their views, and to have these views taken into account in the implementation of policies and programmes ”
Furthermore, the Report of the Independent Experts advocates for the establishment of a Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence against Children to advocate at the international level, in conjunction with UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the creation of a UN inter-agency group on violence against children, with representation from NGOs and children themselves.
The report believes that shattering the silence that surrounds domestic violence is key to ending violent behaviour in the home.
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