Page 40: Daily Graphic, December 30, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Police Council has approved the promotion of 85 senior police officers to higher ranks.
They include 18 Chief Superintendents of Police who have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), four Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents, eight Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents and 55 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) to Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs).
Notable among those promoted to the rank of ACPs are Dr Iddi Musah; Dr Mabel Aboah; Dr Ebenezer Ewusi-Emmim; Mr Angwubutuge Awuni, the Nima Divisional Commander; Mr Alphonse Mark Adu-Amankwah; Mr Christian Tetteh Yohunu, the Accra Operational Commander, and Mr Joshua Tetteh Dogbeda, the Tema Regional Crime Officer.
The newly promoted Chief Supts are Ms Agnes Maclean, Ms Doris Dei Quaye, Ms Mary Appah and Dr F.J.T.K. Benyah.
The list of superintendents includes Messrs Paul Sampson Kontomah, Sylvester Bawisi Boyuo, Philip Ivor Kwabena Asante, Yaw Agyemang Osei-Assibey, Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe and Eric Ken Winful.
Among the newly promoted DSPs are the Tesano District Commander, Mr Osman Abdul Razak; Mr Jordan Quaye; Ms Nancy Lilian Abra Agra; Rev John Opoku; Ms Edith Vander Gaanu; Ms Faustina J. Amoah Asare; Mrs Priscilla Eva Bempong; Mr Kwaku Amos Yelisong and Mr Samuel Asiedu Okanta.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P.K. Acheampong, told the Daily Graphic that the promotions were in line with the policy guidelines of the Ghana Police Service.
He explained that some of the newly promoted personnel were either on UN missions or study leave and had their promotions deferred until now.
According to him, the affected personnel had all returned to post and worked satisfactorily.
Mr Acheampong said some of the personnel also had their promotions deferred because of disciplinary reasons.
He expressed the hope that the promotions would motivate the personnel and serve as encouragement to others to work harder to uplift the image of the Ghana Police Service.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
NDC to reduce Ghana to anarchy - Obiri Boahen
Page 36: Daily Graphic, December 29, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, has said a National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in 2009 will reduce the country to lawlessness and anarchy.
He said the demonstration organised by the NDC last Tuesday on the premises of the Electoral Commission (EC) without due regard to the Public Order Act, was a signal for worse things to happen in an NDC regime.
He told the Daily Graphic in an interview that those who preached democracy, must learn and be ready to operate within the confines of democratic governance where the rule of law and due process reigned.
Nana Boahen said going into elections did not guarantee anyone the right to misconduct themselves, saying that “people must learn to operate within the confines of the law”.
According to him, going to the polls in the country did not mean that the Public Order Act was suspended.
Nana Boahen expressed the hope that what happened at the EC’s offices would be condemned by all well-meaning and decent Ghanaians.
He was also hopeful that the incident would not be repeated. He made it clear that the government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness and indiscipline, stressing that the police were also ready to stem such lawlessness.
Nana Boahen said the law would deal with any person, irrespective of their position in society, and that “those who think they are above the law must rethink”.
The minister advised the youth not to allow any person, especially those who should know better, to mislead them into such recklessness, since “they will be ruining their future”.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, has said a National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in 2009 will reduce the country to lawlessness and anarchy.
He said the demonstration organised by the NDC last Tuesday on the premises of the Electoral Commission (EC) without due regard to the Public Order Act, was a signal for worse things to happen in an NDC regime.
He told the Daily Graphic in an interview that those who preached democracy, must learn and be ready to operate within the confines of democratic governance where the rule of law and due process reigned.
Nana Boahen said going into elections did not guarantee anyone the right to misconduct themselves, saying that “people must learn to operate within the confines of the law”.
According to him, going to the polls in the country did not mean that the Public Order Act was suspended.
Nana Boahen expressed the hope that what happened at the EC’s offices would be condemned by all well-meaning and decent Ghanaians.
He was also hopeful that the incident would not be repeated. He made it clear that the government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness and indiscipline, stressing that the police were also ready to stem such lawlessness.
Nana Boahen said the law would deal with any person, irrespective of their position in society, and that “those who think they are above the law must rethink”.
The minister advised the youth not to allow any person, especially those who should know better, to mislead them into such recklessness, since “they will be ruining their future”.
Be circumspect in coverage - Task force appeals to media
Page 32: Daily Graphic, December 27, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has appealed to the electronic media to be circumspect and responsible in the coverage of Sunday’s presidential run-off.
It noted that the nature of the reportage to be put out on Sunday could spark fighting and destabilisation.
The Chairman of the task force, Mr P.K. Acheampong, and the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, both made the appeal at an interaction with media practitioners in Accra last Wednesday.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), noted with regret an incident at Agbogbloshie before the December 7 general election in which someone called into a radio station to report that there had been a clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and those of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), resulting in the death of two persons.
He said it was later found out that there had been no such clash nor death in the area.
He said another report was made that there were no security personnel at some polling stations just because the reporters did not find policemen in those areas.
Mr Acheampong said the country should strive towards elections which would not require police or security presence because of the maturity and civility with which Ghanaians would conduct themselves at the polls.
He urged media organisations to educate Ghanaians on the need to be peaceful and tolerant in the midst of provocation.
The IGP said he did not see why security personnel should be posted to polling stations or places where there was law and order.
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to appreciate the role of the other security agencies and not denigrate them just because they were not police personnel.
Mr Acheampong said the Ghana Police Service did not have the requisite number of personnel to be at all polling stations, adding that even with the support of the other security agencies, all the polling stations could not be manned by security personnel.
For his part, Dr Amoo reminded media practitioners of their role in society as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, hence the need for them not to put the entire estate on fire through reportage.
“You must be circumspect and responsible in what you put out in the public domain,” he said.
He said although the media did quite well in the December 7 general election, they needed to correct the minor mistakes in their reportage to avoid creating panic and confusion.
He noted that the minor mistakes could greatly impact on the entire nation if they were not corrected.
Meanwhile, security personnel to man the 22,000 polling stations are to be fully armed to deal with any electoral breach.
The decision to arm the security personnel was meant to ensure that the run-off is incident-free.
Security sources told the Daily Graphic that arms and ammunition were distributed to the security personnel on Thursday, December 25, 2008.
The sources said the personnel had been well briefed and psyched to deal with any situation before the arrival of the Rapid Deployment Forces and the military, should the situation call for that.
For the purpose of Sunday’s run-off, 8,000 security personnel have already been deployed to beef up security in the regions and districts.
The security agencies have cut down their administrative staff to increase security presence at polling stations throughout the country.
Dr Amoo, who addressed the personnel before they were bussed to their respective stations for the elections, urged them to be robust, fair and firm in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them to deal ruthlessly with anyone or group of persons who attempted to engage in lawless activities at the polling stations and collation centres.
He appealed to the electorate to support the security agencies in the discharge of their duties.
Dr Amoo said the security personnel would work harder to retain the confidence and goodwill of Ghanaians.
According to him, the security personnel were not going to engage in organising or conducting the elections but that they would support the EC in its operations.
He said they would provide security at all the polling stations and vital installations of the EC to ensure that no one disrupted the electoral process.
Dr Amoo said while the security personnel would be firm in the discharge of their duties and be fair to all manner of persons and groups, they would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness or any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
He said any illegal use of force to disrupt the process would be met equally with legitimate use of force by the security personnel to restore law and order.
Mr Acheampong said the security agencies would endeavour to improve upon their performance in Sunday’s presidential run-off.
He said the task force had put in place adequate strategic and operational plans after assessing its performance on December 7 to deal with any challenges.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has appealed to the electronic media to be circumspect and responsible in the coverage of Sunday’s presidential run-off.
It noted that the nature of the reportage to be put out on Sunday could spark fighting and destabilisation.
The Chairman of the task force, Mr P.K. Acheampong, and the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, both made the appeal at an interaction with media practitioners in Accra last Wednesday.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), noted with regret an incident at Agbogbloshie before the December 7 general election in which someone called into a radio station to report that there had been a clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and those of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), resulting in the death of two persons.
He said it was later found out that there had been no such clash nor death in the area.
He said another report was made that there were no security personnel at some polling stations just because the reporters did not find policemen in those areas.
Mr Acheampong said the country should strive towards elections which would not require police or security presence because of the maturity and civility with which Ghanaians would conduct themselves at the polls.
He urged media organisations to educate Ghanaians on the need to be peaceful and tolerant in the midst of provocation.
The IGP said he did not see why security personnel should be posted to polling stations or places where there was law and order.
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to appreciate the role of the other security agencies and not denigrate them just because they were not police personnel.
Mr Acheampong said the Ghana Police Service did not have the requisite number of personnel to be at all polling stations, adding that even with the support of the other security agencies, all the polling stations could not be manned by security personnel.
For his part, Dr Amoo reminded media practitioners of their role in society as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, hence the need for them not to put the entire estate on fire through reportage.
“You must be circumspect and responsible in what you put out in the public domain,” he said.
He said although the media did quite well in the December 7 general election, they needed to correct the minor mistakes in their reportage to avoid creating panic and confusion.
He noted that the minor mistakes could greatly impact on the entire nation if they were not corrected.
Meanwhile, security personnel to man the 22,000 polling stations are to be fully armed to deal with any electoral breach.
The decision to arm the security personnel was meant to ensure that the run-off is incident-free.
Security sources told the Daily Graphic that arms and ammunition were distributed to the security personnel on Thursday, December 25, 2008.
The sources said the personnel had been well briefed and psyched to deal with any situation before the arrival of the Rapid Deployment Forces and the military, should the situation call for that.
For the purpose of Sunday’s run-off, 8,000 security personnel have already been deployed to beef up security in the regions and districts.
The security agencies have cut down their administrative staff to increase security presence at polling stations throughout the country.
Dr Amoo, who addressed the personnel before they were bussed to their respective stations for the elections, urged them to be robust, fair and firm in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them to deal ruthlessly with anyone or group of persons who attempted to engage in lawless activities at the polling stations and collation centres.
He appealed to the electorate to support the security agencies in the discharge of their duties.
Dr Amoo said the security personnel would work harder to retain the confidence and goodwill of Ghanaians.
According to him, the security personnel were not going to engage in organising or conducting the elections but that they would support the EC in its operations.
He said they would provide security at all the polling stations and vital installations of the EC to ensure that no one disrupted the electoral process.
Dr Amoo said while the security personnel would be firm in the discharge of their duties and be fair to all manner of persons and groups, they would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness or any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
He said any illegal use of force to disrupt the process would be met equally with legitimate use of force by the security personnel to restore law and order.
Mr Acheampong said the security agencies would endeavour to improve upon their performance in Sunday’s presidential run-off.
He said the task force had put in place adequate strategic and operational plans after assessing its performance on December 7 to deal with any challenges.
No cause for alarm - National Security chief assures
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 24, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, has assured all Ghanaians, particularly those who claim their lives have been threatened, that everything is being done to protect and secure their lives.
He said everybody should feel free and go about his or her duties without let or hindrance in order to enjoy the peace and goodwill of Christmas.
Reacting to the latest threat on the life of the ace gospel musician, Philipa Baafi, whose hit song, “Go High”, is the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) campaign song, Dr Amoo told the Daily Graphic in an interview that those spreading threatening text messages to a section of the society, particularly the clergy, judges, journalists and musicians, because of their perceived support for a particular political party were faceless cowards who were bent on creating insecurity in the country.
The threat on Philipa, which was allegedly sent to her via her mobile phone from mobile phone number 0241559084 on Sunday, December 21, read, “The next time you perform for the NPP on stage, we would shot u for the stomach musicians to learn a lesson. If you dare tell the media, we would kidnap your triplets” (sic).
The sender, who is yet to be identified, further sent another message, “Why are u not picking up our calls. We are too close to miss. The police can’t protect you. Forget them. Even if we are arrested, you would be shot” (sic).
Dr Amoo said the security agencies were seriously pursuing those issuing such terrorist messages, saying that they would be arrested and dealt with according to law.
He said the security agencies had vowed to deal ruthlessly with anybody found to be working against the country’s democratic process and asked the voter population to walk boldly to their polling stations on Sunday to cast their ballots, saying that "nobody has the right to prevent a registered voter from exercising his or her franchise”.
“We should remember that we are going to the polls to select leaders to manage the affairs of the country for a mandated period. Terrorist threats to judges, musicians, priests and perceived assorted enemies should have no place in the process,” he stated.
He said the National Elections Security Task Force and the various regional and district task forces had been adequately resourced to provide security for all polling stations in the country.
Dr Amoo said extra security measures had been taken at all the flash points in the country and warned those who had hijacked ballot boxes and attempted to disrupt voting processes on December 7 to rethink similar moves this time round because they did so at their own peril.
On the closure of Ghana’s borders, he was at a loss as to when traditional authorities were mandated to take over the security of the country, explaining that that mandate was vested in the President of the Republic.
He repeated the earlier warning of the security agencies to foreigners to stay clear of the voting process on Sunday, saying, "Ghanaians will continue to accord foreigners a warm welcome, but those who want to compromise our electoral process will find the country too hot to stay in."
Philipa Baafi, in the company of her husband, Mr Kwame Karikari, told the Daily Graphic that the two had vacated their marital home since November 20, 2008 when they started receiving the death threats.
She wondered why other musicians supporting other political parties with their songs were going about life normally, while she and her family had become targets.
She was of the view that every citizen of Ghana must have the right to support any political party of his or her choice without any intimidation or threats.
Philipa, therefore, expressed the hope that the state would intervene in her case and offer her protection to live a normal peaceful life.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, has assured all Ghanaians, particularly those who claim their lives have been threatened, that everything is being done to protect and secure their lives.
He said everybody should feel free and go about his or her duties without let or hindrance in order to enjoy the peace and goodwill of Christmas.
Reacting to the latest threat on the life of the ace gospel musician, Philipa Baafi, whose hit song, “Go High”, is the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) campaign song, Dr Amoo told the Daily Graphic in an interview that those spreading threatening text messages to a section of the society, particularly the clergy, judges, journalists and musicians, because of their perceived support for a particular political party were faceless cowards who were bent on creating insecurity in the country.
The threat on Philipa, which was allegedly sent to her via her mobile phone from mobile phone number 0241559084 on Sunday, December 21, read, “The next time you perform for the NPP on stage, we would shot u for the stomach musicians to learn a lesson. If you dare tell the media, we would kidnap your triplets” (sic).
The sender, who is yet to be identified, further sent another message, “Why are u not picking up our calls. We are too close to miss. The police can’t protect you. Forget them. Even if we are arrested, you would be shot” (sic).
Dr Amoo said the security agencies were seriously pursuing those issuing such terrorist messages, saying that they would be arrested and dealt with according to law.
He said the security agencies had vowed to deal ruthlessly with anybody found to be working against the country’s democratic process and asked the voter population to walk boldly to their polling stations on Sunday to cast their ballots, saying that "nobody has the right to prevent a registered voter from exercising his or her franchise”.
“We should remember that we are going to the polls to select leaders to manage the affairs of the country for a mandated period. Terrorist threats to judges, musicians, priests and perceived assorted enemies should have no place in the process,” he stated.
He said the National Elections Security Task Force and the various regional and district task forces had been adequately resourced to provide security for all polling stations in the country.
Dr Amoo said extra security measures had been taken at all the flash points in the country and warned those who had hijacked ballot boxes and attempted to disrupt voting processes on December 7 to rethink similar moves this time round because they did so at their own peril.
On the closure of Ghana’s borders, he was at a loss as to when traditional authorities were mandated to take over the security of the country, explaining that that mandate was vested in the President of the Republic.
He repeated the earlier warning of the security agencies to foreigners to stay clear of the voting process on Sunday, saying, "Ghanaians will continue to accord foreigners a warm welcome, but those who want to compromise our electoral process will find the country too hot to stay in."
Philipa Baafi, in the company of her husband, Mr Kwame Karikari, told the Daily Graphic that the two had vacated their marital home since November 20, 2008 when they started receiving the death threats.
She wondered why other musicians supporting other political parties with their songs were going about life normally, while she and her family had become targets.
She was of the view that every citizen of Ghana must have the right to support any political party of his or her choice without any intimidation or threats.
Philipa, therefore, expressed the hope that the state would intervene in her case and offer her protection to live a normal peaceful life.
Korle Bu contracts Merchant Bank for revenue collection
Page 48: Daily Graphic, December 23, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has engaged the services of Merchant Bank to collect revenue on its behalf at the hospital.
The exercise, which is currently on a pilot basis, covers the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and CT Scan Unit of the hospital.
When proven to be successful, the management would spread the exercise to all departments and units of the hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Mustapha Salifu, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the move was to address the problem of pilfering and risk of carrying cash to the bank every day.
He said it was also to address the problem of delays faced by clients in paying cash to the hospital staff and also the issue of “no receipts” as often told the clients by some of the revenue collectors.
He said the bank was in its third week of revenue collection at the hospital and everything seemed to be going well so far.
As to what happens when the bank staff closed at 5 pm, Mr Salifu said the MRI and CT Scan unit also closed at 5 p.m.
He, however, said the hospital would make alternative arrangements when the MRI and CT Scan Unit begin to operate on a 24-hour basis.
Mr Salifu said the hospital was hopeful that the bank’s operation would soon cover all the departments and units of the hospital.
According to him, revenue collection at the hospital had gone low and although the National Health Insurance Scheme could be a contributory factor, the management did not want to take chances.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has engaged the services of Merchant Bank to collect revenue on its behalf at the hospital.
The exercise, which is currently on a pilot basis, covers the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and CT Scan Unit of the hospital.
When proven to be successful, the management would spread the exercise to all departments and units of the hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Mustapha Salifu, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the move was to address the problem of pilfering and risk of carrying cash to the bank every day.
He said it was also to address the problem of delays faced by clients in paying cash to the hospital staff and also the issue of “no receipts” as often told the clients by some of the revenue collectors.
He said the bank was in its third week of revenue collection at the hospital and everything seemed to be going well so far.
As to what happens when the bank staff closed at 5 pm, Mr Salifu said the MRI and CT Scan unit also closed at 5 p.m.
He, however, said the hospital would make alternative arrangements when the MRI and CT Scan Unit begin to operate on a 24-hour basis.
Mr Salifu said the hospital was hopeful that the bank’s operation would soon cover all the departments and units of the hospital.
According to him, revenue collection at the hospital had gone low and although the National Health Insurance Scheme could be a contributory factor, the management did not want to take chances.
Special voting today
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 23, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE race to choose the next President begins today with special voting by people who will be on duty during the presidential run-off on Sunday.
Officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), members of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Bureau of National Investigations, media practitioners, as well as staff of essential services, will be casting their ballots at the various police stations.
Voting is expected to start at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. prompt.
Voters will be choosing between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The run-off has become necessary because none of the eight candidates who contested the December 7 presidential election obtained more than 50 per cent of the votes to be declared an outright winner.
Those who fell out after the December 7 polls were the Convention People's Party's (CPP’s) Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the People’s National Convention's (PNC’s) Dr Edward Mahama and the Democratic Freedom Party's (DFP’s) Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi.
The rest were Mr Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) and Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an independent candidate.
In the December 2 special voting, there were problems such as voters not finding their names on the register, some unable to vote for parliamentary candidates because they were not registered voters in the constituencies where they voted, as well as some media practitioners showing up at the polling stations without their work identity cards.
It is, however, expected that today’s special voting will be without hiccups as there is only one constituency for a presidential poll.
Those who failed to take their work ID cards along in the first round, just like those who encountered various challenges, are expected to address that issue before showing up at the polling stations.
By the EC’s regulations, the ballot boxes for the special voting will be sealed after voting and the ballots will be counted after the December 28 voting.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE race to choose the next President begins today with special voting by people who will be on duty during the presidential run-off on Sunday.
Officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), members of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Bureau of National Investigations, media practitioners, as well as staff of essential services, will be casting their ballots at the various police stations.
Voting is expected to start at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. prompt.
Voters will be choosing between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The run-off has become necessary because none of the eight candidates who contested the December 7 presidential election obtained more than 50 per cent of the votes to be declared an outright winner.
Those who fell out after the December 7 polls were the Convention People's Party's (CPP’s) Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the People’s National Convention's (PNC’s) Dr Edward Mahama and the Democratic Freedom Party's (DFP’s) Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi.
The rest were Mr Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) and Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an independent candidate.
In the December 2 special voting, there were problems such as voters not finding their names on the register, some unable to vote for parliamentary candidates because they were not registered voters in the constituencies where they voted, as well as some media practitioners showing up at the polling stations without their work identity cards.
It is, however, expected that today’s special voting will be without hiccups as there is only one constituency for a presidential poll.
Those who failed to take their work ID cards along in the first round, just like those who encountered various challenges, are expected to address that issue before showing up at the polling stations.
By the EC’s regulations, the ballot boxes for the special voting will be sealed after voting and the ballots will be counted after the December 28 voting.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Security beefed up for judges under threat
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 19, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Secretariat says it has beefed up security of three judges whose lives have come under threat.
The Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, Mr Frederick Anarfi told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the investigations were ongoing with no individual or group of persons in mind.
He said the security agencies were conducting the investigations in their legitimate line of duty.
Mr Anarfi gave the assurance that the security agencies would do everything possible to ensure a peaceful run-off on December 28, 2008 and a successful hand-over to the new administration.
He, however, said the investigators were pursuing all other clues including telephone numbers.
He said the National Security Secretariat has not taken the matter lightly and would do everything within its power to avert any mishap.
Mr Anarfi reminded those who had received threats on their lives to report to the police and take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their property.
He said the concern of the security apparatus was the history of the judiciary where some judges were murdered.
Mr Anarfi said it was, therefore, the responsibility of the security agencies to protect the lives of judicial staff and all Ghanaians for that matter.
Security sources said one of the judges told the Daily Graphic that a man who expressed interest in her daughter gave indication of the motive of his relationship with the daughter by asking her questions about where her parents lived and their daily iterinary.
The sources said the daughter became suspicious of the questions and later sent a text message to the man not to call her again.
According to them, after sending the message, the man’s phone number had gone dead.
In the case of the second judge, the threat was issued through the judge’s cousin and brother warning her to be “careful or blame herself after the December 28, 2008’ run-off”.
On the part of the third judge, the security sources said someone allegedly went to inform him that his name was among the hit list.
They said the informant indicated that there were plans to purge the judiciary when the next administration took over the reins of power in January 2009.
The security sources said all the three judges indicated that although they were disturbed by those reports, they had entrusted their lives into the hands of God.
They made it clear that they took an oath to dispense justice without fear or favour, ill-will or affection and that affirmation was always done in the name of God and accordig to them God’s abounding grace shall protect them.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Secretariat says it has beefed up security of three judges whose lives have come under threat.
The Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, Mr Frederick Anarfi told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the investigations were ongoing with no individual or group of persons in mind.
He said the security agencies were conducting the investigations in their legitimate line of duty.
Mr Anarfi gave the assurance that the security agencies would do everything possible to ensure a peaceful run-off on December 28, 2008 and a successful hand-over to the new administration.
He, however, said the investigators were pursuing all other clues including telephone numbers.
He said the National Security Secretariat has not taken the matter lightly and would do everything within its power to avert any mishap.
Mr Anarfi reminded those who had received threats on their lives to report to the police and take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their property.
He said the concern of the security apparatus was the history of the judiciary where some judges were murdered.
Mr Anarfi said it was, therefore, the responsibility of the security agencies to protect the lives of judicial staff and all Ghanaians for that matter.
Security sources said one of the judges told the Daily Graphic that a man who expressed interest in her daughter gave indication of the motive of his relationship with the daughter by asking her questions about where her parents lived and their daily iterinary.
The sources said the daughter became suspicious of the questions and later sent a text message to the man not to call her again.
According to them, after sending the message, the man’s phone number had gone dead.
In the case of the second judge, the threat was issued through the judge’s cousin and brother warning her to be “careful or blame herself after the December 28, 2008’ run-off”.
On the part of the third judge, the security sources said someone allegedly went to inform him that his name was among the hit list.
They said the informant indicated that there were plans to purge the judiciary when the next administration took over the reins of power in January 2009.
The security sources said all the three judges indicated that although they were disturbed by those reports, they had entrusted their lives into the hands of God.
They made it clear that they took an oath to dispense justice without fear or favour, ill-will or affection and that affirmation was always done in the name of God and accordig to them God’s abounding grace shall protect them.
Don't attempt to foment trouble * Security Task Force warns
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 22, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has warned everybody against snatching electoral materials at the December 28 presidential run-off.
It said it would employ force, which would be proportional, legitimate and reasonable to protect the integrity of the run-off and cautioned that there was no way the Akwatia and Dadieso incidents of December 7 would be allowed to take place again.
“All possible lawful measures, including the toughest action will be used to contain any situation,” the Director of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwesi Ofori, who is also a member of the task force, told the Daily Graphic yesterday.
He gave the assurance that security personnel would maintain their non-partisan posture in the discharge of their duties and would, however, respond appropriately to any disorderly situation that might arise at the polling stations or the collation centres.
At its meeting last Thursday, the task force resolved to create a more secured and serene environment for peaceful elections and support the Electoral Commission (EC) in its ground operations.
DSP Ofori, therefore, warned machomen or any other persons who intended to snatch ballot boxes, with a view to disfranchising the electorate to keep off, or regret their action.
DSP Ofori denied allegations that the Police Administration would be used to rig the elections in the Ashanti Region.
He said the police did not have any institutional arrangements in place to rig elections in the country.
He said the police and its sister security agencies were ready to provide desirable security to all Ghanaians on Sunday.
“We will continue to be professional and non-partisan. This is not the time for any officer to tarnish his reputation or bring his career into disrepute,” he said.
He said to further enhance the integrity of the run-off, the task force would this week meet journalists, particularly broadcast journalists to address some concerns it observed with the coverage of the December 7 general election.
At a meeting of the task force on December 11, 2008, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, took exception to reports on some FM radio stations that there had been no security officers at some polling stations, just because the reporters did not see police officers there.
He also observed that a number of press houses hired a large number of people who were not regular staff to record results at polling stations and transmit them over the airwaves.
The IGP said another difficulty reporters had was differentiating polling station results, provisional results, certified EC results from constituency results.
He said differentiating the results would ensure that there were consistencies in what the EC had put out and pointed out that “what was going out caused stirs in certain areas when the official results were eventually released”.
Mr Acheampong, therefore, advised those media houses to train their people on how to report accurately to bring uniformity to their reportage on December 28.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has warned everybody against snatching electoral materials at the December 28 presidential run-off.
It said it would employ force, which would be proportional, legitimate and reasonable to protect the integrity of the run-off and cautioned that there was no way the Akwatia and Dadieso incidents of December 7 would be allowed to take place again.
“All possible lawful measures, including the toughest action will be used to contain any situation,” the Director of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwesi Ofori, who is also a member of the task force, told the Daily Graphic yesterday.
He gave the assurance that security personnel would maintain their non-partisan posture in the discharge of their duties and would, however, respond appropriately to any disorderly situation that might arise at the polling stations or the collation centres.
At its meeting last Thursday, the task force resolved to create a more secured and serene environment for peaceful elections and support the Electoral Commission (EC) in its ground operations.
DSP Ofori, therefore, warned machomen or any other persons who intended to snatch ballot boxes, with a view to disfranchising the electorate to keep off, or regret their action.
DSP Ofori denied allegations that the Police Administration would be used to rig the elections in the Ashanti Region.
He said the police did not have any institutional arrangements in place to rig elections in the country.
He said the police and its sister security agencies were ready to provide desirable security to all Ghanaians on Sunday.
“We will continue to be professional and non-partisan. This is not the time for any officer to tarnish his reputation or bring his career into disrepute,” he said.
He said to further enhance the integrity of the run-off, the task force would this week meet journalists, particularly broadcast journalists to address some concerns it observed with the coverage of the December 7 general election.
At a meeting of the task force on December 11, 2008, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, took exception to reports on some FM radio stations that there had been no security officers at some polling stations, just because the reporters did not see police officers there.
He also observed that a number of press houses hired a large number of people who were not regular staff to record results at polling stations and transmit them over the airwaves.
The IGP said another difficulty reporters had was differentiating polling station results, provisional results, certified EC results from constituency results.
He said differentiating the results would ensure that there were consistencies in what the EC had put out and pointed out that “what was going out caused stirs in certain areas when the official results were eventually released”.
Mr Acheampong, therefore, advised those media houses to train their people on how to report accurately to bring uniformity to their reportage on December 28.
Reports of hired assassins in town - POLICE TO STEP IN* IGP assures
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 18, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong, has requested all those who claim to have information about the presence of some hired assassins in the country to share that information with the security services so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated.
Reacting to rumours of the presence of some hired men who are to cause mayhem by eliminating some prominent citizens in the country, Mr Acheampong said the security services were firmly on the ground to prevent that from happening before, during or after the December 28 presidential run-off.
Speaking to those concerns to the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Acheampong, who is also the Chairman of the National Elections Security Task Force, cautioned political parties and their supporters not to attempt to create conditions that would disrupt public order.
“The security services have confidence in the two contesting political parties and their leadership and believe that they will advise their supporters and sympathisers not to engage in any lawlessness,” he stated.
Touching on the meeting between the task force and the two political parties on Tuesday, Mr Acheampong said the meeting agreed that returning officers should involve party agents in the movement of ballot boxes from polling stations to collation centres to avoid disputes.
He said the meeting also stressed the need for presiding officers to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and fairness in the discharge of their duties.
He said all party agents were to be tagged for identification purposes in the run-off.
Mr Acheampong said security personnel manning the polling stations had been asked to be more vigilant to deal with allegations of polling assistants giving out two or three ballot papers to some voters.
He said the meeting agreed that any polling assistant or returning officer found to be indulging in such activities would be arrested.
The IGP said security personnel were also to critically monitor the separation of ballot papers after voting, as there had been allegations that some of the polling assistants deliberately marked the ballot papers thumbprinted for candidates they did not support with hair dye, popularly known as “yomo”, resulting in the rejection of those ballots.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has urged the government to set up an independent enquiry to ascertain the truth and also find those behind the allegations that some hit men were in town to assassinate some prominent Ghanaians, reports Donald Ato Dapatem.
He said those found to be behind the allegations should be brought to book.
“I pray and know that God Almighty who knows our hearts and minds will not allow people who kill others to go scot-free, especially assassinating His servant who wins souls for Him,” he said.
Prof Mills made the call at various places in the Central Region, including Swedru, Gomoa Dawurampon and Winneba, where he had gone to thank the people for voting for him and also urge them to vote massively for him again in the run-off on December 28.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong, has requested all those who claim to have information about the presence of some hired assassins in the country to share that information with the security services so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated.
Reacting to rumours of the presence of some hired men who are to cause mayhem by eliminating some prominent citizens in the country, Mr Acheampong said the security services were firmly on the ground to prevent that from happening before, during or after the December 28 presidential run-off.
Speaking to those concerns to the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Acheampong, who is also the Chairman of the National Elections Security Task Force, cautioned political parties and their supporters not to attempt to create conditions that would disrupt public order.
“The security services have confidence in the two contesting political parties and their leadership and believe that they will advise their supporters and sympathisers not to engage in any lawlessness,” he stated.
Touching on the meeting between the task force and the two political parties on Tuesday, Mr Acheampong said the meeting agreed that returning officers should involve party agents in the movement of ballot boxes from polling stations to collation centres to avoid disputes.
He said the meeting also stressed the need for presiding officers to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and fairness in the discharge of their duties.
He said all party agents were to be tagged for identification purposes in the run-off.
Mr Acheampong said security personnel manning the polling stations had been asked to be more vigilant to deal with allegations of polling assistants giving out two or three ballot papers to some voters.
He said the meeting agreed that any polling assistant or returning officer found to be indulging in such activities would be arrested.
The IGP said security personnel were also to critically monitor the separation of ballot papers after voting, as there had been allegations that some of the polling assistants deliberately marked the ballot papers thumbprinted for candidates they did not support with hair dye, popularly known as “yomo”, resulting in the rejection of those ballots.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has urged the government to set up an independent enquiry to ascertain the truth and also find those behind the allegations that some hit men were in town to assassinate some prominent Ghanaians, reports Donald Ato Dapatem.
He said those found to be behind the allegations should be brought to book.
“I pray and know that God Almighty who knows our hearts and minds will not allow people who kill others to go scot-free, especially assassinating His servant who wins souls for Him,” he said.
Prof Mills made the call at various places in the Central Region, including Swedru, Gomoa Dawurampon and Winneba, where he had gone to thank the people for voting for him and also urge them to vote massively for him again in the run-off on December 28.
Marshallans asked to remain committed to noble order
Page 34: Daily Graphic, December 16, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Grand Knight of Council 71 of the Knights of Marshall, Brother Mark Anthony Taylor, has urged members of the Dansoman branch to remain united and commit themselves to the tenets of the Noble Order.
In his acceptance speech after he had been installed the eighth Grand Knight of the council at the weekend, Brother Taylor pledged to strengthen the unity among brothers, create an atmosphere that would enhance and enrich their spiritual growth, as well as support and give a helping hand to distressed members and charitable organisations.
The installation ceremony attracted the Immediate Past Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, Sir Knight Professor Dr Dr Sir George Wireko Brobbey, as the installation officer, Worthy Brothers Derx Baffour, the installation secretary, and J. W. K. Botwe, the installation guard, and Sir Knight Mr Justice S. A. Brobbey, a Supreme Court judge, with the Ghana Immigration Service Band dishing out music at the installation banquet.
Brother Taylor urged other members to reach out to those brothers who were tinkering on the edges of the council’s activities, stressing, “Let us help them to rekindle their spirit and renew their commitment so that they can join us to implement the myriad of activities selected to bring us closer together in unity.”
He announced the setting up of a Distressed Fund, to which he pledged GH¢1,000, to support brothers in need.
He also donated a new Grand Knight’s chair to the council and pledged to continue with the work of his predecessors to ensure a new horizon of accomplishments and successes for the council.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Grand Knight of Council 71 of the Knights of Marshall, Brother Mark Anthony Taylor, has urged members of the Dansoman branch to remain united and commit themselves to the tenets of the Noble Order.
In his acceptance speech after he had been installed the eighth Grand Knight of the council at the weekend, Brother Taylor pledged to strengthen the unity among brothers, create an atmosphere that would enhance and enrich their spiritual growth, as well as support and give a helping hand to distressed members and charitable organisations.
The installation ceremony attracted the Immediate Past Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, Sir Knight Professor Dr Dr Sir George Wireko Brobbey, as the installation officer, Worthy Brothers Derx Baffour, the installation secretary, and J. W. K. Botwe, the installation guard, and Sir Knight Mr Justice S. A. Brobbey, a Supreme Court judge, with the Ghana Immigration Service Band dishing out music at the installation banquet.
Brother Taylor urged other members to reach out to those brothers who were tinkering on the edges of the council’s activities, stressing, “Let us help them to rekindle their spirit and renew their commitment so that they can join us to implement the myriad of activities selected to bring us closer together in unity.”
He announced the setting up of a Distressed Fund, to which he pledged GH¢1,000, to support brothers in need.
He also donated a new Grand Knight’s chair to the council and pledged to continue with the work of his predecessors to ensure a new horizon of accomplishments and successes for the council.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Ghana signs convention on cluster bombs
Page 49: Daily Graphic, December 15, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
GHANA has signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) that prohibits the use of cluster bombs, a type of weapon which scatters submunitions over an area.
The convention was adopted on May 30, 2008 in Dublin and was opened for signature on December 3, 2008 in Oslo.
It will, however, come into force after Parliament has ratified it.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, who led Ghana’s delegation to sign the convention, explained to the Daily Graphic that the treaty allowed certain types of weapons with submunitions that did not have the indiscriminate area effects or posed the unexploded ordnance risks of cluster munitions.
Such weapons, he said, must meet strict criteria for a minimum weight, a limited number of submunitions, the capacity for each submunition individually to detect and engage a single target object and the presence of electronic self-destruct and self-deactivation mechanisms.
Nana Boahen said under the treaty, a limited number of cluster and submunitions could also be kept for purposes of training in and development of detection, clearance and destruction techniques and counter-measures.
He said Ghana, as a peaceful country, was delighted to be part of the process to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, especially when it would ensure that “there will be no victims and survivors of cluster munitions”.
He said Ghana would take the necessary steps to ensure that Parliament ratified the convention as soon as practicable after the elections.
Nana Boahen called on other states to ratify the convention so that the implementation process could start as soon as possible and stigmatise any future use of cluster munitions.
Story: Albert K. Salia
GHANA has signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) that prohibits the use of cluster bombs, a type of weapon which scatters submunitions over an area.
The convention was adopted on May 30, 2008 in Dublin and was opened for signature on December 3, 2008 in Oslo.
It will, however, come into force after Parliament has ratified it.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, who led Ghana’s delegation to sign the convention, explained to the Daily Graphic that the treaty allowed certain types of weapons with submunitions that did not have the indiscriminate area effects or posed the unexploded ordnance risks of cluster munitions.
Such weapons, he said, must meet strict criteria for a minimum weight, a limited number of submunitions, the capacity for each submunition individually to detect and engage a single target object and the presence of electronic self-destruct and self-deactivation mechanisms.
Nana Boahen said under the treaty, a limited number of cluster and submunitions could also be kept for purposes of training in and development of detection, clearance and destruction techniques and counter-measures.
He said Ghana, as a peaceful country, was delighted to be part of the process to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, especially when it would ensure that “there will be no victims and survivors of cluster munitions”.
He said Ghana would take the necessary steps to ensure that Parliament ratified the convention as soon as practicable after the elections.
Nana Boahen called on other states to ratify the convention so that the implementation process could start as soon as possible and stigmatise any future use of cluster munitions.
"Stop unauthorised motor checks"
Page 47: Daily Graphic, December 15, 2008
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Ministry of the Interior has directed personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service to stop unauthorised motor checks in the country.
It noted that despite a memo to all regional commanders, particularly those in the Central and Eastern regions, by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on November 20, this year, personnel were still going on rampant unauthorised motor checks.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the activities of those personnel, which were often without the knowledge and consent of their superiors, were acts of gross indiscipline.
He warned that any police officer or group of policemen who would be caught mounting unauthorised motor checks on the highways would be dealt with according to law.
According to him, there were about 10 different checkpoints on the road from Weija to Elmina where police personnel mounted motor checks at night and on weekends.
Nana Boahen said the Nsawam-Asamankese-Akwatia-Kade to Oda route and other parts of the Eastern Region had been noted to be areas where regional MTTU personnel from Koforidua harassed drivers.
He said the Police Administration had initiated various exercises to deal with erring officers and warned that “any persons caught engaging in any kind of unauthorised motor checks, whether with or without permission from any officer, shall be dealt with severely”.
Asked whether the directive was to score political points in the December 28 presidential run-off, Nana Boahen answered in the negative, explaining that the memo from the IGP was issued on November 20, 2008, long before the December 7, general election.
He made it clear that the IGP’s memo stated clearly that in the event of any vehicle being stopped, “it should be checked for arms and ammunition and there should not be any enquiries about documents like drivers’ licences, insurance and roadworthy certificates”.
Nana Boahen said it was important that the people who were mandated to enforce the law abided by it themselves and not act contrary to it.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Ministry of the Interior has directed personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service to stop unauthorised motor checks in the country.
It noted that despite a memo to all regional commanders, particularly those in the Central and Eastern regions, by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on November 20, this year, personnel were still going on rampant unauthorised motor checks.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the activities of those personnel, which were often without the knowledge and consent of their superiors, were acts of gross indiscipline.
He warned that any police officer or group of policemen who would be caught mounting unauthorised motor checks on the highways would be dealt with according to law.
According to him, there were about 10 different checkpoints on the road from Weija to Elmina where police personnel mounted motor checks at night and on weekends.
Nana Boahen said the Nsawam-Asamankese-Akwatia-Kade to Oda route and other parts of the Eastern Region had been noted to be areas where regional MTTU personnel from Koforidua harassed drivers.
He said the Police Administration had initiated various exercises to deal with erring officers and warned that “any persons caught engaging in any kind of unauthorised motor checks, whether with or without permission from any officer, shall be dealt with severely”.
Asked whether the directive was to score political points in the December 28 presidential run-off, Nana Boahen answered in the negative, explaining that the memo from the IGP was issued on November 20, 2008, long before the December 7, general election.
He made it clear that the IGP’s memo stated clearly that in the event of any vehicle being stopped, “it should be checked for arms and ammunition and there should not be any enquiries about documents like drivers’ licences, insurance and roadworthy certificates”.
Nana Boahen said it was important that the people who were mandated to enforce the law abided by it themselves and not act contrary to it.
32 fall to thumbs of constituents
Page 13: Daily Graphic, December 13, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THIRTY-TWO Members of the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic have fallen to the thumbs of their constituents.
The new casualty list includes Mr Eric Opoku of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who surrendered the Asunafo South Constituency seat in the Brong Ahafo Region to George Boakye of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Boakye won the seat after clinching 16,504 as against 15,921 by Eric Opoku.
The NPP’s Kofi Osei-Ameyaw lost his Asuogyaman seat to the NDC’s Joses Asare-Akoto, who polled 16,608 as against Osei-Ameyaw’s 15,473.
Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari of the NDC wrested the Saboba seat from the incumbent, Mr Charles Binipom Bintin of the NPP.
While the NDC candidate pulled 10,331 votes Mr Bintin had 8,944.
The people of Lambussie in the Upper West Region showed their appreciation to the ruling NPP for giving them a district with the election of the NPP candidate, John Duoghr Baloro, to replace the NDC candidate for the area, Madam Alice Teni Boon.
Mr John Baloro polled 6,513 votes as against Madam Boon’s 4,716.
The independent candidate for the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo Constituency, Mr Joseph Yaani Labik, also failed to retain his seat as the NDC’s Emmanuel Kwame Duut won the seat after polling 9,205 as against Yaani’s 6,359.
One of the candidates whose exit from Parliament had sent shivers down the spines of many people is the Minister of Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, whose 11,437 votes could not match the 15,443 votes obtained by the NDC’s Dr Tia Alfred Sugri to keep the Nalerigu /Gambaga seat.
Mr Mohammed Ibn Abass of the NDC lost his Bimbilla seat to the NPP’s Dominic Bingag Aduna Ntiwul in a contest which Mr Ntiwul polled 27,195 votes to beat Mohammed Ibn Abass’ 16,005 .
In the Aowin Constituency, the NPP incumbent, Mr Samuel Adu Gyamfi’s 15,393 votes were not enough to retain him the seat as Mr Mathias Kwame Ntow of the NDC wrested the seat from him with 19,291 votes.
The NPP’s candidate for Awutu/Senya Constituency, Mr Oppey Abbey, could also not withstand the force of political tsunami that had swept many sitting MPs off their seats as his 23,234 votes could not match that of the NDC’s David Nana Larbie’s 25,527.
The People’s National Convention’s Mr David Apasara failed to hold onto the Bolgatanga seat as he surrendered it to the NDC’s Akolbire Emmanuel Opam-Brown.
While Opam-Brown topped the polls with 28,656 with the NPP’s Mercy Alima Musah following up with 10,063, Apasara polled 10,009 to come third.
Another big time fatality was the NDC’s Collins Dauda who fell to the NPP’s Yiadom Boakye Boateng in the Asutifi South Constituency by 16,504 votes to 15,921.
The NDC MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, also hit a dead-end when the NPP’s Adamu Dramani picked up the seat after collecting 20,157 of the ballots ahead of Ayariga’s 17,385 following a second recount which saw ballots conveyed from Bawku to Bolgatanga specifically for that purpose.
Mr Ayariga has, however, given indication that he would contest the results in court.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim of the NDC also cut short the parliamentary lifespan of the NPP’s Joe Danquah by wresting the Tain parliamentary seat from him. The NDC candidate polled 14,965 votes past Joe Danquah’s 12,048.
The NDC’s Abolimbisa Roger Akantagriwen also lost his Builsa South seat in the Upper East Region to the PNC’s Alhassan Azong who won the seat with 4,047 votes as against Abolimbisa’s 3,988.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, could not hold on to the Builsa North seat after surrendering it to the NDC’s Awontiirim Ataboadey Timothy by 8,259 votes to 6,988.
The incumbent MP for Shama and Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Angelina Baiden Amissah lost her seat to the NDC’s Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie.
The NDC candidate had 14,508 while Baiden Amissah settled for 13,702.
The immediate past Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr Joe Osei-Owusu demonstrated his popularity among constituents of Bekwai by defeating the NPP’s incumbent MP, Mr I.K. Poku Edusei with 34,700 as against the incumbent’s 8,550 votes.
Both candidates contested the NPP primary which was won by the incumbent by a single vote.
Mr Osei-Owusu, however, broke off the NPP after deciding to vie for the seat as an independent candidate.
The NDC’s candidate for Jomoro, Mr. Lee Ocran lost out to Samia Nkrumah of the Convention Peoples Party by 19,916 to 13,345.
The CPP’s candidate for Evalue Gwira, Mr Kojo Armah lost his seat to the NPP’s Catherine Afeku while the NDC candidate for Techiman North lost the seat to the NPP’s Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi with the NPP candidate for the Bosome-Freho constituency losing out to independent candidate, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu.
The most prominent MP’s who would not be returning to Parliament are the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay, the Second Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng and the Minority Spokesperson on Finance and MP for Lawra/Nandom, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor.
Others include the Minister for Public Sector Reforms, Mr Samuel Owusu Agyei and the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gladys Norley Ashietey.
Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond of the NPP hit the end of the road when he lost his Adenta seat to the NDC’s Kojo Adu Asare, Abuga Pele of the NDC and Mr Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri of the NPP who lost his Nkawkaw seat to independent candidate.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THIRTY-TWO Members of the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic have fallen to the thumbs of their constituents.
The new casualty list includes Mr Eric Opoku of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who surrendered the Asunafo South Constituency seat in the Brong Ahafo Region to George Boakye of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Boakye won the seat after clinching 16,504 as against 15,921 by Eric Opoku.
The NPP’s Kofi Osei-Ameyaw lost his Asuogyaman seat to the NDC’s Joses Asare-Akoto, who polled 16,608 as against Osei-Ameyaw’s 15,473.
Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari of the NDC wrested the Saboba seat from the incumbent, Mr Charles Binipom Bintin of the NPP.
While the NDC candidate pulled 10,331 votes Mr Bintin had 8,944.
The people of Lambussie in the Upper West Region showed their appreciation to the ruling NPP for giving them a district with the election of the NPP candidate, John Duoghr Baloro, to replace the NDC candidate for the area, Madam Alice Teni Boon.
Mr John Baloro polled 6,513 votes as against Madam Boon’s 4,716.
The independent candidate for the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo Constituency, Mr Joseph Yaani Labik, also failed to retain his seat as the NDC’s Emmanuel Kwame Duut won the seat after polling 9,205 as against Yaani’s 6,359.
One of the candidates whose exit from Parliament had sent shivers down the spines of many people is the Minister of Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, whose 11,437 votes could not match the 15,443 votes obtained by the NDC’s Dr Tia Alfred Sugri to keep the Nalerigu /Gambaga seat.
Mr Mohammed Ibn Abass of the NDC lost his Bimbilla seat to the NPP’s Dominic Bingag Aduna Ntiwul in a contest which Mr Ntiwul polled 27,195 votes to beat Mohammed Ibn Abass’ 16,005 .
In the Aowin Constituency, the NPP incumbent, Mr Samuel Adu Gyamfi’s 15,393 votes were not enough to retain him the seat as Mr Mathias Kwame Ntow of the NDC wrested the seat from him with 19,291 votes.
The NPP’s candidate for Awutu/Senya Constituency, Mr Oppey Abbey, could also not withstand the force of political tsunami that had swept many sitting MPs off their seats as his 23,234 votes could not match that of the NDC’s David Nana Larbie’s 25,527.
The People’s National Convention’s Mr David Apasara failed to hold onto the Bolgatanga seat as he surrendered it to the NDC’s Akolbire Emmanuel Opam-Brown.
While Opam-Brown topped the polls with 28,656 with the NPP’s Mercy Alima Musah following up with 10,063, Apasara polled 10,009 to come third.
Another big time fatality was the NDC’s Collins Dauda who fell to the NPP’s Yiadom Boakye Boateng in the Asutifi South Constituency by 16,504 votes to 15,921.
The NDC MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, also hit a dead-end when the NPP’s Adamu Dramani picked up the seat after collecting 20,157 of the ballots ahead of Ayariga’s 17,385 following a second recount which saw ballots conveyed from Bawku to Bolgatanga specifically for that purpose.
Mr Ayariga has, however, given indication that he would contest the results in court.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim of the NDC also cut short the parliamentary lifespan of the NPP’s Joe Danquah by wresting the Tain parliamentary seat from him. The NDC candidate polled 14,965 votes past Joe Danquah’s 12,048.
The NDC’s Abolimbisa Roger Akantagriwen also lost his Builsa South seat in the Upper East Region to the PNC’s Alhassan Azong who won the seat with 4,047 votes as against Abolimbisa’s 3,988.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, could not hold on to the Builsa North seat after surrendering it to the NDC’s Awontiirim Ataboadey Timothy by 8,259 votes to 6,988.
The incumbent MP for Shama and Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Angelina Baiden Amissah lost her seat to the NDC’s Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie.
The NDC candidate had 14,508 while Baiden Amissah settled for 13,702.
The immediate past Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr Joe Osei-Owusu demonstrated his popularity among constituents of Bekwai by defeating the NPP’s incumbent MP, Mr I.K. Poku Edusei with 34,700 as against the incumbent’s 8,550 votes.
Both candidates contested the NPP primary which was won by the incumbent by a single vote.
Mr Osei-Owusu, however, broke off the NPP after deciding to vie for the seat as an independent candidate.
The NDC’s candidate for Jomoro, Mr. Lee Ocran lost out to Samia Nkrumah of the Convention Peoples Party by 19,916 to 13,345.
The CPP’s candidate for Evalue Gwira, Mr Kojo Armah lost his seat to the NPP’s Catherine Afeku while the NDC candidate for Techiman North lost the seat to the NPP’s Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi with the NPP candidate for the Bosome-Freho constituency losing out to independent candidate, Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu.
The most prominent MP’s who would not be returning to Parliament are the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay, the Second Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng and the Minority Spokesperson on Finance and MP for Lawra/Nandom, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor.
Others include the Minister for Public Sector Reforms, Mr Samuel Owusu Agyei and the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gladys Norley Ashietey.
Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond of the NPP hit the end of the road when he lost his Adenta seat to the NDC’s Kojo Adu Asare, Abuga Pele of the NDC and Mr Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri of the NPP who lost his Nkawkaw seat to independent candidate.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tsatu's health improves
Page 14: Daily Graphic, December 12, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Cardiothoracic Centre says Tsatsu Tsikata, the convicted former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is healthy.
It has, therefore, denied that the life of Tsikata is in danger.
Tsikata was taken to the centre on Sunday, November 16, 2008 after an acute asthma attack he suffered in prison in the night of Saturday, November 15, 2008.
Reacting to rumours concerning Tsikata’s death in an interview yesterday, the Director of the centre, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, said although Tsikata was sent to the centre very ill, “he is doing very well and walking around”.
He said the convict, like any other patient at the centre, was in capable and professional hands.
“I am a professional and so are my colleagues and allied staff. I will not put the life of any patient in danger just because of his political affiliation, sex or race,” the director noted.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng said Tsikata was also a friend and he would, therefore, not supervise any ill-treatment of him (Tsikata).
As to whether Tsikata could be discharged soon, the director said a few investigations were being conducted on him.
He said it was only after those investigations had been completed that “we can say whether he will be discharged now or in the near future”.
“I want to assure Ghanaians, Tsikata’s friends, associates and admirers that Tsikata is doing very well,” he stressed.
The former GNPC boss is serving a five-year jail term after being found guilty of wilfully causing financial loss to the state but he has appealed against the judgement.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Cardiothoracic Centre says Tsatsu Tsikata, the convicted former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is healthy.
It has, therefore, denied that the life of Tsikata is in danger.
Tsikata was taken to the centre on Sunday, November 16, 2008 after an acute asthma attack he suffered in prison in the night of Saturday, November 15, 2008.
Reacting to rumours concerning Tsikata’s death in an interview yesterday, the Director of the centre, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, said although Tsikata was sent to the centre very ill, “he is doing very well and walking around”.
He said the convict, like any other patient at the centre, was in capable and professional hands.
“I am a professional and so are my colleagues and allied staff. I will not put the life of any patient in danger just because of his political affiliation, sex or race,” the director noted.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng said Tsikata was also a friend and he would, therefore, not supervise any ill-treatment of him (Tsikata).
As to whether Tsikata could be discharged soon, the director said a few investigations were being conducted on him.
He said it was only after those investigations had been completed that “we can say whether he will be discharged now or in the near future”.
“I want to assure Ghanaians, Tsikata’s friends, associates and admirers that Tsikata is doing very well,” he stressed.
The former GNPC boss is serving a five-year jail term after being found guilty of wilfully causing financial loss to the state but he has appealed against the judgement.
OPEN MORE POLLING STATIONS * For presidential run-off, Elections Task Force urges
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 12, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has suggested the opening of more polling stations to reduce the tension and conflict that are associated with elections in the country.
It noted that whereas some polling stations had between 500 and 600 voters, others catered for more than 1,000 voters.
Such high numbers, it said, often contributed to anxiety among voters to vote early and also accounted for the late close of polls at those stations.
The Chairman of the task force, Mr Patrick Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), told newsmen in Accra yesterday that if the Electoral Commission (EC) opened more polling stations to accommodate fewer voters, voting would end early and the counting of votes would be made easier.
He said, for instance, that during his rounds at some polling stations during last Sunday’s polls, he realised that there were no voters in queue at some polling stations, while there were long queues at others even as of 3.00 p.m.
Mr Acheampong said the members of the task force were meeting to review aspects of the performance of the security agencies in the just-ended polls and to strategise for the run-off on December 28, 2008.
The IGP commended Ghanaians for comporting themselves and ensuring that the elections went on peacefully.
He said the media also deserved commendation for their role in bringing out the results as and when they obtained them, which helped to defuse tension among the public.
“Generally, those that came out were fair and they helped to reduce suspicion in people’s minds that someone could manipulate the results one way or another from the national, regional and district offices or, indeed, from the security services,” he added.
Mr Acheampong, however, took exception to reports on some FM radio stations that there had been no security officers at some polling stations just because the reporters did not see policemen or women there.
He said the police could certainly not be at every polling station because of their numbers and, as a result, the other sister security agencies supported in the exercise.
According to him, a patrol to those polling stations showed that there were security officers there and urged “the media to stop the notion that there is no security officer at a station simply because there is no police officer there”.
Mr Acheampong also observed that a number of press houses took on a large number of people who were not regular staff to record results at polling stations and transmitted them over the airwaves.
“It was noted that some were fumbling with either pronunciation or with actual figures; others announced the results according to the positions on the ballot paper, while some announced them beginning with the two big parties, which made it all the more confusing,” he said.
The IGP said another difficulty reporters had was differentiating among polling station results, provisional results, certified EC results and constituency results.
He said differentiating the results would ensure that there were consistencies in what the EC put out and pointed out that “what was going out caused stirs in certain areas when the official results were eventually released”.
Mr Acheampong, therefore, advised those media houses to train their people on how to report accurately to bring uniformity to their reportage on December 28.
He also appealed to voters to exercise patience when there were delays by officials of the EC and stressed that in situations such as elections delays were bound to occur.
In response to the question as to how security personnel would be posted to polling stations again should there be no special voting for them, Mr Acheampong said the task force was liaising with the EC to find an answer to that problem.
He, however, said since the December 28 elections would only be a presidential vote, an antidote could be found easily.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has suggested the opening of more polling stations to reduce the tension and conflict that are associated with elections in the country.
It noted that whereas some polling stations had between 500 and 600 voters, others catered for more than 1,000 voters.
Such high numbers, it said, often contributed to anxiety among voters to vote early and also accounted for the late close of polls at those stations.
The Chairman of the task force, Mr Patrick Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), told newsmen in Accra yesterday that if the Electoral Commission (EC) opened more polling stations to accommodate fewer voters, voting would end early and the counting of votes would be made easier.
He said, for instance, that during his rounds at some polling stations during last Sunday’s polls, he realised that there were no voters in queue at some polling stations, while there were long queues at others even as of 3.00 p.m.
Mr Acheampong said the members of the task force were meeting to review aspects of the performance of the security agencies in the just-ended polls and to strategise for the run-off on December 28, 2008.
The IGP commended Ghanaians for comporting themselves and ensuring that the elections went on peacefully.
He said the media also deserved commendation for their role in bringing out the results as and when they obtained them, which helped to defuse tension among the public.
“Generally, those that came out were fair and they helped to reduce suspicion in people’s minds that someone could manipulate the results one way or another from the national, regional and district offices or, indeed, from the security services,” he added.
Mr Acheampong, however, took exception to reports on some FM radio stations that there had been no security officers at some polling stations just because the reporters did not see policemen or women there.
He said the police could certainly not be at every polling station because of their numbers and, as a result, the other sister security agencies supported in the exercise.
According to him, a patrol to those polling stations showed that there were security officers there and urged “the media to stop the notion that there is no security officer at a station simply because there is no police officer there”.
Mr Acheampong also observed that a number of press houses took on a large number of people who were not regular staff to record results at polling stations and transmitted them over the airwaves.
“It was noted that some were fumbling with either pronunciation or with actual figures; others announced the results according to the positions on the ballot paper, while some announced them beginning with the two big parties, which made it all the more confusing,” he said.
The IGP said another difficulty reporters had was differentiating among polling station results, provisional results, certified EC results and constituency results.
He said differentiating the results would ensure that there were consistencies in what the EC put out and pointed out that “what was going out caused stirs in certain areas when the official results were eventually released”.
Mr Acheampong, therefore, advised those media houses to train their people on how to report accurately to bring uniformity to their reportage on December 28.
He also appealed to voters to exercise patience when there were delays by officials of the EC and stressed that in situations such as elections delays were bound to occur.
In response to the question as to how security personnel would be posted to polling stations again should there be no special voting for them, Mr Acheampong said the task force was liaising with the EC to find an answer to that problem.
He, however, said since the December 28 elections would only be a presidential vote, an antidote could be found easily.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Post-election security checks intensified
Page 48: Daily Graphic, December 10, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE security agencies have begun road blocks and snap checks throughout the country as part of the post-election operations.
The joint police/military teams, will also intensify day and night operations, while personnel of the Rapid Deployment Force, (RDF) have been put on high alert to deal with any emergencies.
The Director of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Samuel Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise is to make the physical presence of the security agencies felt throughout the country.
He appealed to members of the public not to be intimidated by the road blocks, snap checks and patrols because they are in their interest.
He also reminded members of the public that the Public Order Act had not been relaxed and, therefore, urged any individual or group of persons, as well as organisations seeking to organise any public gathering, demonstration or protests to give notice to the police five clear days ahead.
DSP Ofori said the police would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness during celebrations or protests.
He appealed to Ghanaians not to indulge in acts that could lead to the breach of the law.
According to him, the security personnel will remain vigilant and show the same level of professionalism in their post-election operations.
Prior to last Sunday’s polls, the National Elections Security Task Force,announced a three-phase security arrangements for the country.
Phase One of the security operations, which started on September 8, and ended on December 6, was characterised by intensified political campaigns and preparation and distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country.
It was anticipated that Phase Two, which started from December 7, 2008 and ends tomorrow, Thursday, December 11, 2008, would be characterised by the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results and mounting tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict.
To deal with the security threats associated with Phase II, personnel of the security services were to be deployed at all polling stations, escort and protect election officers and materials, as well as maintain and restore law and order at all flash points.
The RDFs would be maintained in central positions, monitor situation reports through joint operations rooms, that is, election control centres, maintain close liaison with the Electoral Commission(EC) and intensify day and night patrols.
Phase III, which would span the period December 10 to March 10, 2009, will be characterised by the declaration of results, celebrations, victory rallies, protests or demonstrations by the defeated, trading of accusations and crowd disturbances, a second round presidential election, if necessary, and the possibility of non-acceptance of election results, whether limited or general.
The security services were expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the RDFs and maintain border security in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE security agencies have begun road blocks and snap checks throughout the country as part of the post-election operations.
The joint police/military teams, will also intensify day and night operations, while personnel of the Rapid Deployment Force, (RDF) have been put on high alert to deal with any emergencies.
The Director of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Samuel Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise is to make the physical presence of the security agencies felt throughout the country.
He appealed to members of the public not to be intimidated by the road blocks, snap checks and patrols because they are in their interest.
He also reminded members of the public that the Public Order Act had not been relaxed and, therefore, urged any individual or group of persons, as well as organisations seeking to organise any public gathering, demonstration or protests to give notice to the police five clear days ahead.
DSP Ofori said the police would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness during celebrations or protests.
He appealed to Ghanaians not to indulge in acts that could lead to the breach of the law.
According to him, the security personnel will remain vigilant and show the same level of professionalism in their post-election operations.
Prior to last Sunday’s polls, the National Elections Security Task Force,announced a three-phase security arrangements for the country.
Phase One of the security operations, which started on September 8, and ended on December 6, was characterised by intensified political campaigns and preparation and distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country.
It was anticipated that Phase Two, which started from December 7, 2008 and ends tomorrow, Thursday, December 11, 2008, would be characterised by the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results and mounting tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict.
To deal with the security threats associated with Phase II, personnel of the security services were to be deployed at all polling stations, escort and protect election officers and materials, as well as maintain and restore law and order at all flash points.
The RDFs would be maintained in central positions, monitor situation reports through joint operations rooms, that is, election control centres, maintain close liaison with the Electoral Commission(EC) and intensify day and night patrols.
Phase III, which would span the period December 10 to March 10, 2009, will be characterised by the declaration of results, celebrations, victory rallies, protests or demonstrations by the defeated, trading of accusations and crowd disturbances, a second round presidential election, if necessary, and the possibility of non-acceptance of election results, whether limited or general.
The security services were expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the RDFs and maintain border security in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries.
Commission urges confidence in polls
Page 32: Daily Graphic, December 7, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Electoral Commission has since the beginning of the year put in place measures to ensure confidence in the electoral system.
Apart from the delay in the re-opening of the voters register and its attendant effect on the voter registration exhibition exercise, as well as the filing of the nominations, the EC had undertaken a number of measures to instil confidence in today’s polls.
The limited voter registration exercise also resulted in multiple-registration and illegal minor registration.
An aspiring Member of Parliament in the Ashanti Region was jailed for double registration, while another in the Western Region is currently facing trial.
Some parents supported the EC during the exhibition exercise to delete the names of their minor children from the list of the electoral roll.
The EC took delivery of essential materials for the elections, namely indelible ink, endorsing ink, validation stamps, stamp pads, thumbprint pads, ballot boxes and materials for the printing of ballot papers 40 clear days before the elections.
It should be noted that from the use of opaque ballot boxes in 1992, the EC had improved the system with the use of transparent boxes, from limited use of photo identity cards to cover all eligible voters.
The EC also printed the ballot papers locally under tight security and also secured the canoes and rechargeable lamps for areas which did not have electricity and also for use in areas where there might be power outages.
The Chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, had, on numerous occasions prior to today’s polls, assured the electorate and political parties to discount the idea of rigging because there were adequate safeguards to protect the integrity of the polls.
According to him, the country’s electoral system had built-in mechanisms to make election results verifiable as a result of which “it will be very difficult for anybody to cheat in the elections”.
The EC has also given the assurance that the results of today’s polls will be declared before the 72-hour mandatory period elapses.
That, it said, was to ensure that the anxiety that usually built up after the mandatory 72 hours, which had been blamed for some of the tension and rumours of rigging, would not be the case this year.
The EC had also put in measures to reduce the number of rejected ballot papers.
Rejected ballots accounted for 1.53 per cent or 111,108 of the 7,256,872 votes cast in 1996; 1.58 per cent or 104,214 of the 6,605,084 votes cast in 2000 and 2.13 per cent or 188,123 votes of the 8,813,908 cast in 2004.
One of the measures involves the lines differentiating the pictures and party symbols of the candidates on the ballot papers have been made bolder.
The EC also warned that it would be unlawful for any party agent or any other person to attempt to prevent anyone from voting today.
Also, party agents are not to effect the arrest of anyone on alleged electoral offences.
It said persons who had misplaced their voter ID could also vote provided their names could be found in the voters register.
The EC had also threatened to deal with any EC staff member who would be found to be involved in any act that could undermine the electoral process.
Today’s elections have a large number of observer missions from across the world.
The Carter Centre in the United States of America, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Commonwealth Secretariat have all sent strong election observer missions to monitor today’s polls.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Electoral Commission has since the beginning of the year put in place measures to ensure confidence in the electoral system.
Apart from the delay in the re-opening of the voters register and its attendant effect on the voter registration exhibition exercise, as well as the filing of the nominations, the EC had undertaken a number of measures to instil confidence in today’s polls.
The limited voter registration exercise also resulted in multiple-registration and illegal minor registration.
An aspiring Member of Parliament in the Ashanti Region was jailed for double registration, while another in the Western Region is currently facing trial.
Some parents supported the EC during the exhibition exercise to delete the names of their minor children from the list of the electoral roll.
The EC took delivery of essential materials for the elections, namely indelible ink, endorsing ink, validation stamps, stamp pads, thumbprint pads, ballot boxes and materials for the printing of ballot papers 40 clear days before the elections.
It should be noted that from the use of opaque ballot boxes in 1992, the EC had improved the system with the use of transparent boxes, from limited use of photo identity cards to cover all eligible voters.
The EC also printed the ballot papers locally under tight security and also secured the canoes and rechargeable lamps for areas which did not have electricity and also for use in areas where there might be power outages.
The Chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, had, on numerous occasions prior to today’s polls, assured the electorate and political parties to discount the idea of rigging because there were adequate safeguards to protect the integrity of the polls.
According to him, the country’s electoral system had built-in mechanisms to make election results verifiable as a result of which “it will be very difficult for anybody to cheat in the elections”.
The EC has also given the assurance that the results of today’s polls will be declared before the 72-hour mandatory period elapses.
That, it said, was to ensure that the anxiety that usually built up after the mandatory 72 hours, which had been blamed for some of the tension and rumours of rigging, would not be the case this year.
The EC had also put in measures to reduce the number of rejected ballot papers.
Rejected ballots accounted for 1.53 per cent or 111,108 of the 7,256,872 votes cast in 1996; 1.58 per cent or 104,214 of the 6,605,084 votes cast in 2000 and 2.13 per cent or 188,123 votes of the 8,813,908 cast in 2004.
One of the measures involves the lines differentiating the pictures and party symbols of the candidates on the ballot papers have been made bolder.
The EC also warned that it would be unlawful for any party agent or any other person to attempt to prevent anyone from voting today.
Also, party agents are not to effect the arrest of anyone on alleged electoral offences.
It said persons who had misplaced their voter ID could also vote provided their names could be found in the voters register.
The EC had also threatened to deal with any EC staff member who would be found to be involved in any act that could undermine the electoral process.
Today’s elections have a large number of observer missions from across the world.
The Carter Centre in the United States of America, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Commonwealth Secretariat have all sent strong election observer missions to monitor today’s polls.
Security personnel deployed for polls
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 7, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
SECURITY personnel were on Friday deployed throughout the country to monitor today’s polls and also ensure law and order during and after the polls.
Under security arrangements, unarmed security personnel will be posted to all the polling stations, while armed personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Force of the Ghana Police Service and the military will be stationed at vital locations to move in to restore law and order.
The security personnel are not expected to be engaged in the conduct of the elections but to ensure that there is no violence or disruption of the electoral process.
Prior to that, the government had released more than 600 vehicles to beef up what the security agencies already have to augment their operations.
Specialised police units, such as the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armoured Car Squadron, the Mounted Squadron, the Striking Force and multi-purpose vehicles, will be deployed, together with appropriate military contingents, as part of the rapid response strategy.
A rapid response strategy has been designed, with standby forces in place to react promptly to reinforce and contain any crisis situation.
A national simulation exercise, code-named “Exercise Peace Angel”, was undertaken between November 17 and 18, 2008 to test the preparedness and capability of the security agencies in handling polls-related crises during elections.
It was to synchronise operational plans and procedures and rehearse in a bid to integrate the various functions of security groups, task forces and agencies.
A comprehensive communication plan to cover the whole country for the operations of the elections security task force has been put in place. Equipment for the communication strategy includes VHS radios and a national security communications system.
Some of the challenges associated with elections include clashes at political events, disobedience of the Public Order Act, protests, late arrival of election officers and materials, the general conduct of election officers, party agents, voters and campaigning during voting.
Other problems are the hijacking of results/ballot boxes, protests at polling stations and collation centres, inability to trace names, missing voter ID cards of potential voters, preventing minors/aliens from voting, illumination at polling stations and collation centres, poor routes to polling stations, feeding of polling agents, electoral and security officers, as well as transporting election materials to collation centres.
Issues of post-election problems, including protests regarding rejected ballots, signing of results by polling agents after counting, reaction to results, riot and disorder at the swearing-in ceremony, have all been taken care of by the security agencies, which are operating under the National Elections Security Task Force.
Consequently, a three-phase security arrangement had been put in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for peaceful electioneering before election day and thereafter to ensure post-election peace.
The police are playing a leading role, supported by the other security services, with the Ghana Armed Forces taking over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Phase I of the security operations, which started on September 8, ended yesterday, a period characterised by intensified political campaigns and preparation/distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country.
Phase II, which starts from today to December 10, will be characterised by the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results, tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict and violence.
To deal with the security threats associated with Phase II, personnel of the security services will be deployed at all polling stations, escort and protect election officers and materials, as well as maintain and restore law and order at all flash points.
Personnel of the RDFs will be maintained in central positions, monitor situation reports through joint operation rooms, that is, election control centres, maintain close liaison with the Electoral Commission and intensify day and night patrols.
Phase III, which will span the period December 10 to March 10, 2009, will be characterised by the declaration of results/conceding defeat, victory rallies, protests/demonstrations by the defeated, trading of accusations and crowd disturbances, a second round presidential election, if necessary, and the possibility of non-acceptance of election results, albeit limited or general.
The security services are expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the RDFs and maintain border security in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries.
According to the Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure peace and stability in the country, stressing that “the elections will be free, fair and transparent”.
He said the Ghana Police Service was spearheading the security arrangements, under the aegis of the National Elections Security Task Force, which comprised other security organisations.
He said under the arrangements, the Ghana Armed Forces would only take over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said each polling station would be manned by selected members of the security services to ensure incident-free voting.
Story: Albert K. Salia
SECURITY personnel were on Friday deployed throughout the country to monitor today’s polls and also ensure law and order during and after the polls.
Under security arrangements, unarmed security personnel will be posted to all the polling stations, while armed personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Force of the Ghana Police Service and the military will be stationed at vital locations to move in to restore law and order.
The security personnel are not expected to be engaged in the conduct of the elections but to ensure that there is no violence or disruption of the electoral process.
Prior to that, the government had released more than 600 vehicles to beef up what the security agencies already have to augment their operations.
Specialised police units, such as the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armoured Car Squadron, the Mounted Squadron, the Striking Force and multi-purpose vehicles, will be deployed, together with appropriate military contingents, as part of the rapid response strategy.
A rapid response strategy has been designed, with standby forces in place to react promptly to reinforce and contain any crisis situation.
A national simulation exercise, code-named “Exercise Peace Angel”, was undertaken between November 17 and 18, 2008 to test the preparedness and capability of the security agencies in handling polls-related crises during elections.
It was to synchronise operational plans and procedures and rehearse in a bid to integrate the various functions of security groups, task forces and agencies.
A comprehensive communication plan to cover the whole country for the operations of the elections security task force has been put in place. Equipment for the communication strategy includes VHS radios and a national security communications system.
Some of the challenges associated with elections include clashes at political events, disobedience of the Public Order Act, protests, late arrival of election officers and materials, the general conduct of election officers, party agents, voters and campaigning during voting.
Other problems are the hijacking of results/ballot boxes, protests at polling stations and collation centres, inability to trace names, missing voter ID cards of potential voters, preventing minors/aliens from voting, illumination at polling stations and collation centres, poor routes to polling stations, feeding of polling agents, electoral and security officers, as well as transporting election materials to collation centres.
Issues of post-election problems, including protests regarding rejected ballots, signing of results by polling agents after counting, reaction to results, riot and disorder at the swearing-in ceremony, have all been taken care of by the security agencies, which are operating under the National Elections Security Task Force.
Consequently, a three-phase security arrangement had been put in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for peaceful electioneering before election day and thereafter to ensure post-election peace.
The police are playing a leading role, supported by the other security services, with the Ghana Armed Forces taking over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Phase I of the security operations, which started on September 8, ended yesterday, a period characterised by intensified political campaigns and preparation/distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country.
Phase II, which starts from today to December 10, will be characterised by the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results, tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict and violence.
To deal with the security threats associated with Phase II, personnel of the security services will be deployed at all polling stations, escort and protect election officers and materials, as well as maintain and restore law and order at all flash points.
Personnel of the RDFs will be maintained in central positions, monitor situation reports through joint operation rooms, that is, election control centres, maintain close liaison with the Electoral Commission and intensify day and night patrols.
Phase III, which will span the period December 10 to March 10, 2009, will be characterised by the declaration of results/conceding defeat, victory rallies, protests/demonstrations by the defeated, trading of accusations and crowd disturbances, a second round presidential election, if necessary, and the possibility of non-acceptance of election results, albeit limited or general.
The security services are expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the RDFs and maintain border security in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries.
According to the Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure peace and stability in the country, stressing that “the elections will be free, fair and transparent”.
He said the Ghana Police Service was spearheading the security arrangements, under the aegis of the National Elections Security Task Force, which comprised other security organisations.
He said under the arrangements, the Ghana Armed Forces would only take over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said each polling station would be manned by selected members of the security services to ensure incident-free voting.
SECURE POLLS * Prez urges GAF
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 5, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor has urged members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to maintain the high sense of professionalism and impartiality they have exhibited so far and help protect the integrity of the general election on Sunday.
“I urge you not to disappoint the good people of Ghana and the many people world-wide who hold the GAF in high esteem,” the President told the soldiers when he inaugurated the newly constructed Ministry of Defence office complex in Accra yesterday.
He said the military and the other security agencies would be expected to keep law and order and protect the security of the nation during and after the polls.
The four-storey office complex has 120 rooms and will accommodate the Ministry of Defence, the offices of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF, as well as other service commanders.
The conference room of the $6.75 million building was named after the Immediate Past Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during whose tenure the project, as well as many other projects funded by the Chinese Government, was initiated and completed.
President Kufuor commended the GAF for working effectively with the government to protect the sovereignty of the country during his two terms in office, saying that “by playing their mandated role, they enabled governance of the nation to proceed in accordance with the Constitution”.
He said the nation was happy that the GAF had rediscovered their raison d’être and stuck to their mandate as enshrined in the national Constitution, which had contributed to the peace, security and steady development which Ghana was enjoying.
He noted that the military, like any other public sector institution, had received its share of budgetary allocation.
“Work on the Military Hospital has continued. Today, the face of Burma Camp has changed completely from what it was in 2001. There is the Burma Hall Complex, the new accommodation complexes for both officers and men and women. All garrisons around the country are also undergoing massive facelift,” he added.
President Kufuor acknowledged Dr Addo-Kufuor who, as the Minister of Defence for almost seven years, had general oversight of those developments.
He noted that until the onset of globalisation, threats to national security took the form of civil wars, activities of adventurous soldiers and invading armies but current security threats took the form of drug trafficking, illicit dealings in arms, human trafficking, child prostitution and terrorism.
“Taking advantage of ICT, the faceless enemies work with global networks of collaborators who put all nations at risk. There are also problems arising out of natural or man-made disasters which have their own complexities,” he noted.
According to him, different types of expertise were required to deal effectively with those myriad of problems.
That, he said, called for continuing training of the military in a vast array of fields, in close collaboration with civilian expertise.
President Kufuor said it was as a result of these that the government sought to improve educational facilities within the military, resulting in soldiers obtaining masters degrees at the Military Academy, adding that opportunities for the training of soldiers in both local and overseas institutions had been enhanced to cover many disciplines and make the military versatile.
He commended the Ministry of Defence for seeking the support of its counterpart in Britain to develop an enhanced civilian performance in Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
“I would urge both the Minister of Public Sector Reforms and the Head of the Civil Service to explore the possibility of developing the capacity of more civil and public servants to provide some of the specialised services required by the military,” he appealed.
President Kufuor also challenged the country’s universities and management development institutions to develop courses in security and allied fields and help build the capacities of both military and civilian personnel in response to present and emerging challenges.
He commended the Chinese government for its support for Ghana in the past eight years, noting that China had helped Ghana in many areas, particularly infrastructural development.
President Kufuor expressed the hope that the friendship between the two countries would continue to grow to the mutual benefit of the two countries.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Yu Wenzhe, described the office complex as a gift from China to Ghanaians in appreciation of the support and friendship of Ghanaians to their Chinese counterparts.
He said China would continue to support Ghana in whatever way possible to deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor has urged members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to maintain the high sense of professionalism and impartiality they have exhibited so far and help protect the integrity of the general election on Sunday.
“I urge you not to disappoint the good people of Ghana and the many people world-wide who hold the GAF in high esteem,” the President told the soldiers when he inaugurated the newly constructed Ministry of Defence office complex in Accra yesterday.
He said the military and the other security agencies would be expected to keep law and order and protect the security of the nation during and after the polls.
The four-storey office complex has 120 rooms and will accommodate the Ministry of Defence, the offices of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF, as well as other service commanders.
The conference room of the $6.75 million building was named after the Immediate Past Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during whose tenure the project, as well as many other projects funded by the Chinese Government, was initiated and completed.
President Kufuor commended the GAF for working effectively with the government to protect the sovereignty of the country during his two terms in office, saying that “by playing their mandated role, they enabled governance of the nation to proceed in accordance with the Constitution”.
He said the nation was happy that the GAF had rediscovered their raison d’être and stuck to their mandate as enshrined in the national Constitution, which had contributed to the peace, security and steady development which Ghana was enjoying.
He noted that the military, like any other public sector institution, had received its share of budgetary allocation.
“Work on the Military Hospital has continued. Today, the face of Burma Camp has changed completely from what it was in 2001. There is the Burma Hall Complex, the new accommodation complexes for both officers and men and women. All garrisons around the country are also undergoing massive facelift,” he added.
President Kufuor acknowledged Dr Addo-Kufuor who, as the Minister of Defence for almost seven years, had general oversight of those developments.
He noted that until the onset of globalisation, threats to national security took the form of civil wars, activities of adventurous soldiers and invading armies but current security threats took the form of drug trafficking, illicit dealings in arms, human trafficking, child prostitution and terrorism.
“Taking advantage of ICT, the faceless enemies work with global networks of collaborators who put all nations at risk. There are also problems arising out of natural or man-made disasters which have their own complexities,” he noted.
According to him, different types of expertise were required to deal effectively with those myriad of problems.
That, he said, called for continuing training of the military in a vast array of fields, in close collaboration with civilian expertise.
President Kufuor said it was as a result of these that the government sought to improve educational facilities within the military, resulting in soldiers obtaining masters degrees at the Military Academy, adding that opportunities for the training of soldiers in both local and overseas institutions had been enhanced to cover many disciplines and make the military versatile.
He commended the Ministry of Defence for seeking the support of its counterpart in Britain to develop an enhanced civilian performance in Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
“I would urge both the Minister of Public Sector Reforms and the Head of the Civil Service to explore the possibility of developing the capacity of more civil and public servants to provide some of the specialised services required by the military,” he appealed.
President Kufuor also challenged the country’s universities and management development institutions to develop courses in security and allied fields and help build the capacities of both military and civilian personnel in response to present and emerging challenges.
He commended the Chinese government for its support for Ghana in the past eight years, noting that China had helped Ghana in many areas, particularly infrastructural development.
President Kufuor expressed the hope that the friendship between the two countries would continue to grow to the mutual benefit of the two countries.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Yu Wenzhe, described the office complex as a gift from China to Ghanaians in appreciation of the support and friendship of Ghanaians to their Chinese counterparts.
He said China would continue to support Ghana in whatever way possible to deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Court dismisses Dan Lartey's application
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 3, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE ACCRA Fast Track High Court yesterday dismissed an application for certiorari and mandamus filed by Mr Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Peoples Party (GCPP) to quash the decision of the Electoral Commission (EC) of October 17, 2008 not to accept his nomination papers that could make it possible for him to contest the December 7 presidential election.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta, noted that Mr Lartey failed to fulfil the requirements of the electoral law to contest as a presidential candidate.
It noted that Mr Lartey also failed to produce the statutory declaration and tax clearance certificates to support his application, as well as failed to get two people from each of the district assemblies to endorse his application forms.
Mr Justice Ofori-Atta said Mr Lartey, in his application forms, failed to give his residential address and the name of his polling station.
According to him, Mr Lartey knew at the time of submitting his application forms that the forms were incomplete.
The court, therefore, awarded costs of GH¢1,500 against Mr Lartey.
Mr Lartey was represented by Mr B. B. Quaye, while Mr James Quashie-Idun represented the EC.
The Leader of the GCPP had asked the court to overturn the EC’s decision to disqualify him from contesting the election as a presidential candidate.
He was of the view that the EC had no right to disqualify him from contesting the presidential election.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE ACCRA Fast Track High Court yesterday dismissed an application for certiorari and mandamus filed by Mr Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Peoples Party (GCPP) to quash the decision of the Electoral Commission (EC) of October 17, 2008 not to accept his nomination papers that could make it possible for him to contest the December 7 presidential election.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta, noted that Mr Lartey failed to fulfil the requirements of the electoral law to contest as a presidential candidate.
It noted that Mr Lartey also failed to produce the statutory declaration and tax clearance certificates to support his application, as well as failed to get two people from each of the district assemblies to endorse his application forms.
Mr Justice Ofori-Atta said Mr Lartey, in his application forms, failed to give his residential address and the name of his polling station.
According to him, Mr Lartey knew at the time of submitting his application forms that the forms were incomplete.
The court, therefore, awarded costs of GH¢1,500 against Mr Lartey.
Mr Lartey was represented by Mr B. B. Quaye, while Mr James Quashie-Idun represented the EC.
The Leader of the GCPP had asked the court to overturn the EC’s decision to disqualify him from contesting the election as a presidential candidate.
He was of the view that the EC had no right to disqualify him from contesting the presidential election.
Monday, December 1, 2008
"Prosecute dealers in banned explosives"
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 1, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE committee set up to investigate the Anyaa warehouse fire outbreak on November 17, 2008 has called on the security agencies to embark on swoops across the country to locate, confiscate and prosecute those involved in the trade in banned explosives.
It added that “security agents at the borders must also ensure that banned goods such as firecrackers are not allowed into the country”.
The committee established that the warehouse was stocked with firecrackers and not bombs as had been alleged in certain circles.
“The warehouse probably had poor ventilation, which might have led to accumulated fumes. The goods were highly inflammable and the least exposure to naked fire could have led to the explosion,” it noted.
This were contained in a report issued by the committee set up by the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, to investigate the immediate cause of the fire and whether there were related remote causes.
The committee, which was under the chairmanship of Mr Frederick Anafi, the Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, was also to investigate if there were any attempts at sabotage or arson, the background of the proprietor of the warehouse in relation to whether the building complied with the building code of Ghana and whether the building had an approved building permit from the district assembly, as well as to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the claim that land guards kept weapons in the warehouse and whether those arms were moved out during the fire outbreak.
It was also to ascertain the number of deaths recorded during the fire outbreak and to investigate any other issues related to the fire outbreak and submit recommendations for the avoidance of future occurrence.
According to the committee, the investigation could not determine the actual cause of fire, although it identified three possibilities.
Those were exposure to naked light such as candle light, naked light provided by kerosene stove used for cooking nearby or close to the warehouse and dropping of packs of Christmas firecrackers near a truck which was being loaded.
It established that there was no evidence to suggest any sabotage or arson.
The report said the proprietor of the warehouse, Janet Akanni Sarbah, alias Sister Delle, was born to a Nigerian mother, Alice Akanni, 61 and a Ghanaian father, Joseph Akanni.
It said the owner did not comply with the Ghanaian building code and did not obtain any building permit before putting up the warehouse.
“There was no evidence to suggest that land guards kept weapons in the warehouse. The explosion was so intense that even if weapons were kept in the warehouse, it would have been impossible for anybody to go in to retrieve the weapons after the explosion,” it said.
The committee said besides the seven persons who died and seven others still in hospital, one more person was still missing.
It said businesses should be reminded of their duty of care to people who work on or visit their premises.
It said the public must be reminded about the ban on those explosives and also get educated through the media on the dangers associated with the usage of firecrackers and explosives.
The committee reminded building inspectors of their duty to ensure that business premises complied with building regulations.
The committee also interviewed the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, who agreed that what he showed to the public at a press conference after the fire outbreak were the same as the exhibits in possession of the committee, which were indeed Christmas firecrackers.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE committee set up to investigate the Anyaa warehouse fire outbreak on November 17, 2008 has called on the security agencies to embark on swoops across the country to locate, confiscate and prosecute those involved in the trade in banned explosives.
It added that “security agents at the borders must also ensure that banned goods such as firecrackers are not allowed into the country”.
The committee established that the warehouse was stocked with firecrackers and not bombs as had been alleged in certain circles.
“The warehouse probably had poor ventilation, which might have led to accumulated fumes. The goods were highly inflammable and the least exposure to naked fire could have led to the explosion,” it noted.
This were contained in a report issued by the committee set up by the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, to investigate the immediate cause of the fire and whether there were related remote causes.
The committee, which was under the chairmanship of Mr Frederick Anafi, the Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, was also to investigate if there were any attempts at sabotage or arson, the background of the proprietor of the warehouse in relation to whether the building complied with the building code of Ghana and whether the building had an approved building permit from the district assembly, as well as to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the claim that land guards kept weapons in the warehouse and whether those arms were moved out during the fire outbreak.
It was also to ascertain the number of deaths recorded during the fire outbreak and to investigate any other issues related to the fire outbreak and submit recommendations for the avoidance of future occurrence.
According to the committee, the investigation could not determine the actual cause of fire, although it identified three possibilities.
Those were exposure to naked light such as candle light, naked light provided by kerosene stove used for cooking nearby or close to the warehouse and dropping of packs of Christmas firecrackers near a truck which was being loaded.
It established that there was no evidence to suggest any sabotage or arson.
The report said the proprietor of the warehouse, Janet Akanni Sarbah, alias Sister Delle, was born to a Nigerian mother, Alice Akanni, 61 and a Ghanaian father, Joseph Akanni.
It said the owner did not comply with the Ghanaian building code and did not obtain any building permit before putting up the warehouse.
“There was no evidence to suggest that land guards kept weapons in the warehouse. The explosion was so intense that even if weapons were kept in the warehouse, it would have been impossible for anybody to go in to retrieve the weapons after the explosion,” it said.
The committee said besides the seven persons who died and seven others still in hospital, one more person was still missing.
It said businesses should be reminded of their duty of care to people who work on or visit their premises.
It said the public must be reminded about the ban on those explosives and also get educated through the media on the dangers associated with the usage of firecrackers and explosives.
The committee reminded building inspectors of their duty to ensure that business premises complied with building regulations.
The committee also interviewed the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, who agreed that what he showed to the public at a press conference after the fire outbreak were the same as the exhibits in possession of the committee, which were indeed Christmas firecrackers.
LET NO ONE MISLEAD YOU * Into conflict after elections, Palmer-Buckle
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 1, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, has called on Ghanaians to resolve not to allow anyone to mislead them into conflict after Sunday’s general election.
In a sermon after blessing the St George Catholic Police Church in Accra yesterday, Rev Palmer-Buckle said it was wrong for anyone to compare what happened in Kenya and Zimbabwe to what would happen in Ghana after Sunday’s elections.
“We shall not take guns and we should not allow anyone to lead us into conflict after the polls,” he admonished.
He reminded Ghanaians that in neighbouring Nigeria, although the national elections were disputed, Nigerians did not take to arms or conflict but resorted to the law courts and wondered why people would not want to take to the Nigerian example.
Reaffirming the belief of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference that the elections would be peaceful and better than previous ones, the Archbishop said Ghanaians were peaceful and would choose the path of peace after the elections.
He noted that if the problems associated with the past four elections did not push Ghana into conflict or war, this year’s elections would not do so either.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said a number of organisations, including civil, political and religious leaders, have been working, calling and praying for peace after the polls and announced that the Catholic Church in Ghana had devoted a nine-day prayer session to the elections beginning from December 1 - 9, 2008.
He said the Bishops Conference was also heartened by the many prayers, prayer-vigils and sessions for peace in Ghana, the demonstrations for peace embarked upon by schoolchildren and women, and by the “peace train” that had been travelling through the country.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle, who is the Vice-President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, reminded Ghanaians of the need to express their choice by voting, since refusing to vote was a denial of potential support for social justice and progress.
He said the Catholic Church had therefore decided to hold its church services on Saturday, December 6, 2008, to enable its members to vote on Sunday.
He also noted that voting carelessly or corruptly, whether for a fee or other selfish consideration, could support injustice and retrogression.
He urged media practitioners, both state and private, to aim at being fair, honest, objective and circumspect in their coverage and reportage.
“They should not assume that only their view represents the whole truth. Indeed, we advise all Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be misled by just any publication, but to seek to know the truth and proclaim nothing but the truth,” he said.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle reminded politicians that it was in the interest of peace that they should adopt an attitude of forgiveness for the wrongs done them.
The Parish Priest of the church, Rev Fr Superintendent George Arthur, described the Archbishop’s admonition as timely in view of the closeness of the elections.
He commended the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, under whose aegis the church was started, and all those who had contributed to bringing the building to its present status.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, has called on Ghanaians to resolve not to allow anyone to mislead them into conflict after Sunday’s general election.
In a sermon after blessing the St George Catholic Police Church in Accra yesterday, Rev Palmer-Buckle said it was wrong for anyone to compare what happened in Kenya and Zimbabwe to what would happen in Ghana after Sunday’s elections.
“We shall not take guns and we should not allow anyone to lead us into conflict after the polls,” he admonished.
He reminded Ghanaians that in neighbouring Nigeria, although the national elections were disputed, Nigerians did not take to arms or conflict but resorted to the law courts and wondered why people would not want to take to the Nigerian example.
Reaffirming the belief of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference that the elections would be peaceful and better than previous ones, the Archbishop said Ghanaians were peaceful and would choose the path of peace after the elections.
He noted that if the problems associated with the past four elections did not push Ghana into conflict or war, this year’s elections would not do so either.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said a number of organisations, including civil, political and religious leaders, have been working, calling and praying for peace after the polls and announced that the Catholic Church in Ghana had devoted a nine-day prayer session to the elections beginning from December 1 - 9, 2008.
He said the Bishops Conference was also heartened by the many prayers, prayer-vigils and sessions for peace in Ghana, the demonstrations for peace embarked upon by schoolchildren and women, and by the “peace train” that had been travelling through the country.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle, who is the Vice-President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, reminded Ghanaians of the need to express their choice by voting, since refusing to vote was a denial of potential support for social justice and progress.
He said the Catholic Church had therefore decided to hold its church services on Saturday, December 6, 2008, to enable its members to vote on Sunday.
He also noted that voting carelessly or corruptly, whether for a fee or other selfish consideration, could support injustice and retrogression.
He urged media practitioners, both state and private, to aim at being fair, honest, objective and circumspect in their coverage and reportage.
“They should not assume that only their view represents the whole truth. Indeed, we advise all Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be misled by just any publication, but to seek to know the truth and proclaim nothing but the truth,” he said.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle reminded politicians that it was in the interest of peace that they should adopt an attitude of forgiveness for the wrongs done them.
The Parish Priest of the church, Rev Fr Superintendent George Arthur, described the Archbishop’s admonition as timely in view of the closeness of the elections.
He commended the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, under whose aegis the church was started, and all those who had contributed to bringing the building to its present status.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
GO OUT & VOTE *Security will ensure everyone's safety, Dr Amoo tells electorate
Front Page: Daily Graphic, November 28, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, has urged voters to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise without fear because the security agencies have put in place adequate measures to ensure the safety of all Ghanaians.
He said the electorate should disabuse their minds of violence on election day or thereafter, as portrayed by sections of the media and some politicians to create fear and panic among the populace.
“The security agencies assure all that we are ready to fulfil our mandate with regard to the forthcoming elections. We shall provide a secure and congenial environment for all to play by the rules. We shall be fair and robust,” Dr Amoo told the Daily Graphic in an interview yesterday.
He said a rapid response strategy had been designed with standby forces in place to react promptly to reinforce and contain any crisis situation.
“Specialised police units like the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armoured Car Squadron, the Mounted Squadron, the Striking Force and multi-purpose vehicles would be deployed, together with appropriate military contingents, as part of the rapid response strategy,” he said.
Dr Amoo said joint patrols would be intensified, while the necessary strategies had been mapped out to deal with all the flash points identified by the security forces.
On logistics, he said more than 300 pick-ups had been procured for the task force operations, while the Ministry of Education had also confirmed its readiness to release an additional 300 vehicles to the National Security Council Secretariat for use in the regions and districts for security activities during the elections.
The National Security Co-ordinator said all ministries, departments and agencies were to release all available vehicles to the regional and district co-ordinating councils by the close of December 4, 2008 for the transportation of security personnel for election duties throughout the country.
He said arrangements had also been made with the GPRTU, PROTOA and M-Plaza for the hiring of additional vehicles in support of the transportation of security personnel to the various regions and districts.
“A comprehensive communication plan to cover the whole country for the operations of the election security task force has been put in place. Equipment for the communication strategy includes VHS radios, a national security communication system and Kasapa cellular phones,” he added.
According to Dr Amoo, the readiness of the security agencies was tested and rehearsed through nation-wide police/military joint training exercises between November 3 and 17, 2008.
He said the National Security Secretariat was convinced that on the D-day all concerned agencies would function like a seamless operational machine to achieve the ultimate goal of ensuring a secure and enabling environment for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
He explained that while the activities and operations of the election security task forces were ongoing, the regional and district security committees would continue to function, stressing that “military and police commands will continue to operate in their traditional roles, with overlap responsibility with the various rapid response forces within their areas of responsibility”.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service would continue to play its traditional roles but would also be on standby to respond to any fire outbreak.
Dr Amoo was confident that the good people of Ghana would support and work with the security agencies to maintain peace with fairness and firmness.
“Lest we forget, we are a people who have gone through a lot in our young history: We have been freed (1957), we have been liberated (1966), redeemed (1972), revolutionised (1979 and 1981) and eventually we have achieved democratic dispensation. This, we believe, Ghanaians are all determined to keep,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, also says security personnel posted to monitor the elections at the polling stations would not be armed.
He told journalists at a meeting of the National Elections Security Task Force in Accra yesterday that only personnel of the Rapid Deployment Forces would be armed to cater for any eventualities.
He said the security agencies would safeguard the peace and deal with any person who tried to break the law on election day.
Responding to criticisms concerning the political affiliation of some police personnel, Mr Acheampong said the Police Administration did not pander to calls for the transfer of personnel because of allegations of political bias.
He recalled how a list of purported supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the police, which was submitted to him in 1996, while he was Ashanti Regional Police Commander, resurfaced in his office two months ago as sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and for which reason they should be transferred.
Some of those persons, he noted, had long retired from the service, while others were deceased.
“We remain focused on our jobs and will not be derailed by some of these comments,” he asserted.
Mr Acheampong urged the political parties and media organisations to concentrate on educating the electorate and their party agents on the rules, regulations and guidelines governing the elections and not spew out lies about security personnel.
The Director of Elections at the EC, Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, said the cleaning of the voters register was an ongoing exercise.
He said a figure might be put out today but it could change the following day.
He said the EC had secured boats and canoes to use on election day in areas where they would be needed in carting election material.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam G. Amoo, has urged voters to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise without fear because the security agencies have put in place adequate measures to ensure the safety of all Ghanaians.
He said the electorate should disabuse their minds of violence on election day or thereafter, as portrayed by sections of the media and some politicians to create fear and panic among the populace.
“The security agencies assure all that we are ready to fulfil our mandate with regard to the forthcoming elections. We shall provide a secure and congenial environment for all to play by the rules. We shall be fair and robust,” Dr Amoo told the Daily Graphic in an interview yesterday.
He said a rapid response strategy had been designed with standby forces in place to react promptly to reinforce and contain any crisis situation.
“Specialised police units like the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armoured Car Squadron, the Mounted Squadron, the Striking Force and multi-purpose vehicles would be deployed, together with appropriate military contingents, as part of the rapid response strategy,” he said.
Dr Amoo said joint patrols would be intensified, while the necessary strategies had been mapped out to deal with all the flash points identified by the security forces.
On logistics, he said more than 300 pick-ups had been procured for the task force operations, while the Ministry of Education had also confirmed its readiness to release an additional 300 vehicles to the National Security Council Secretariat for use in the regions and districts for security activities during the elections.
The National Security Co-ordinator said all ministries, departments and agencies were to release all available vehicles to the regional and district co-ordinating councils by the close of December 4, 2008 for the transportation of security personnel for election duties throughout the country.
He said arrangements had also been made with the GPRTU, PROTOA and M-Plaza for the hiring of additional vehicles in support of the transportation of security personnel to the various regions and districts.
“A comprehensive communication plan to cover the whole country for the operations of the election security task force has been put in place. Equipment for the communication strategy includes VHS radios, a national security communication system and Kasapa cellular phones,” he added.
According to Dr Amoo, the readiness of the security agencies was tested and rehearsed through nation-wide police/military joint training exercises between November 3 and 17, 2008.
He said the National Security Secretariat was convinced that on the D-day all concerned agencies would function like a seamless operational machine to achieve the ultimate goal of ensuring a secure and enabling environment for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
He explained that while the activities and operations of the election security task forces were ongoing, the regional and district security committees would continue to function, stressing that “military and police commands will continue to operate in their traditional roles, with overlap responsibility with the various rapid response forces within their areas of responsibility”.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service would continue to play its traditional roles but would also be on standby to respond to any fire outbreak.
Dr Amoo was confident that the good people of Ghana would support and work with the security agencies to maintain peace with fairness and firmness.
“Lest we forget, we are a people who have gone through a lot in our young history: We have been freed (1957), we have been liberated (1966), redeemed (1972), revolutionised (1979 and 1981) and eventually we have achieved democratic dispensation. This, we believe, Ghanaians are all determined to keep,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, also says security personnel posted to monitor the elections at the polling stations would not be armed.
He told journalists at a meeting of the National Elections Security Task Force in Accra yesterday that only personnel of the Rapid Deployment Forces would be armed to cater for any eventualities.
He said the security agencies would safeguard the peace and deal with any person who tried to break the law on election day.
Responding to criticisms concerning the political affiliation of some police personnel, Mr Acheampong said the Police Administration did not pander to calls for the transfer of personnel because of allegations of political bias.
He recalled how a list of purported supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the police, which was submitted to him in 1996, while he was Ashanti Regional Police Commander, resurfaced in his office two months ago as sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and for which reason they should be transferred.
Some of those persons, he noted, had long retired from the service, while others were deceased.
“We remain focused on our jobs and will not be derailed by some of these comments,” he asserted.
Mr Acheampong urged the political parties and media organisations to concentrate on educating the electorate and their party agents on the rules, regulations and guidelines governing the elections and not spew out lies about security personnel.
The Director of Elections at the EC, Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, said the cleaning of the voters register was an ongoing exercise.
He said a figure might be put out today but it could change the following day.
He said the EC had secured boats and canoes to use on election day in areas where they would be needed in carting election material.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
CEPS sets up anti-corruption unit
Page 3: Daily Graphic, November 26, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has set up an anti-corruption and professional standards unit to deal with the misconduct of its members of staff in the discharge of their duties.
The unit, known as the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), is expected to fairly, impartially and thoroughly investigate alleged misconduct of the staff with the view to making CEPS accountable. It is also to contribute to the attainment of its goals and objectives.
It is being established along the US Customs model, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with all customs-wide programmes and policies relating to corruption, misconduct or mismanagement and for executing internal security, integrity and management inspection programmes.
However, the Internal Affairs Unit of CEPS has been attached to the Investigations Department of the service, unlike the US unit which is separated from the Investigations Department.
A source close to the management of CEPS told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the unit would investigate criminal and serious misconduct by CEPS employees, screen potential CEPS employees for suitability, educate employees concerning ethical standards, integrity and responsibilities, evaluate physical security threats to CEPS employees, facilities and sensitive information, as well as inspect customs operations and processes for managerial effectiveness and improvement.
“The Internal Affairs Unit will become the conscience of the service,” it noted, adding that “the unit may also be charged with a variety of secondary objectives that seek to prevent misconduct or unethical behaviour before it begins or before it becomes a serious matter of public concern”.
The source said those proactive functions tended to centre around education, openness, prevention and transformation of any existing negative culture into one of high ethical standard.
It said to ensure that the purpose for which the unit was set up was achieved, the assistant commissioner responsible for the unit would report directly to the Commissioner of CEPS.
The source explained that the head of the unit reporting to the commissioner was a better option, since reporting through other commissioners could result in the dilution of reports, filtration of reports and cutting of budgets.
It explained that the unit was a modern management tool which was used to promote good governance.
According to the source, the setting up of the unit was in line with the motto and vision of CEPS, which was “Patriotism, Honesty and Fairness” and to provide world-class customs service, respectively.
The source said the vision of the unit was to help reduce corruption and promote integrity and professional standards, with its motto as “Excellence with Integrity”.
It said the unit had clearly distinct roles, namely, anti-corruption, allegations of misconduct, breach of ethical standards and review of complaints against employees, such as abuse of office.
The source said the investigations unit would deal with matters of tax evasion, narcotics, stolen vehicles/cargo theft, falsification/forgery of customs documents, management of informants, arrest and detention of suspects and preparation of dockets for prosecution.
It explained that because the cardinal objective of the IAU was to improve standards within CEPS, it would create the platform to also receive commendations regarding officers who had exhibited high professional standards and ethics “and will recommend hardworking officers for promotion and awards”.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has set up an anti-corruption and professional standards unit to deal with the misconduct of its members of staff in the discharge of their duties.
The unit, known as the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), is expected to fairly, impartially and thoroughly investigate alleged misconduct of the staff with the view to making CEPS accountable. It is also to contribute to the attainment of its goals and objectives.
It is being established along the US Customs model, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with all customs-wide programmes and policies relating to corruption, misconduct or mismanagement and for executing internal security, integrity and management inspection programmes.
However, the Internal Affairs Unit of CEPS has been attached to the Investigations Department of the service, unlike the US unit which is separated from the Investigations Department.
A source close to the management of CEPS told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the unit would investigate criminal and serious misconduct by CEPS employees, screen potential CEPS employees for suitability, educate employees concerning ethical standards, integrity and responsibilities, evaluate physical security threats to CEPS employees, facilities and sensitive information, as well as inspect customs operations and processes for managerial effectiveness and improvement.
“The Internal Affairs Unit will become the conscience of the service,” it noted, adding that “the unit may also be charged with a variety of secondary objectives that seek to prevent misconduct or unethical behaviour before it begins or before it becomes a serious matter of public concern”.
The source said those proactive functions tended to centre around education, openness, prevention and transformation of any existing negative culture into one of high ethical standard.
It said to ensure that the purpose for which the unit was set up was achieved, the assistant commissioner responsible for the unit would report directly to the Commissioner of CEPS.
The source explained that the head of the unit reporting to the commissioner was a better option, since reporting through other commissioners could result in the dilution of reports, filtration of reports and cutting of budgets.
It explained that the unit was a modern management tool which was used to promote good governance.
According to the source, the setting up of the unit was in line with the motto and vision of CEPS, which was “Patriotism, Honesty and Fairness” and to provide world-class customs service, respectively.
The source said the vision of the unit was to help reduce corruption and promote integrity and professional standards, with its motto as “Excellence with Integrity”.
It said the unit had clearly distinct roles, namely, anti-corruption, allegations of misconduct, breach of ethical standards and review of complaints against employees, such as abuse of office.
The source said the investigations unit would deal with matters of tax evasion, narcotics, stolen vehicles/cargo theft, falsification/forgery of customs documents, management of informants, arrest and detention of suspects and preparation of dockets for prosecution.
It explained that because the cardinal objective of the IAU was to improve standards within CEPS, it would create the platform to also receive commendations regarding officers who had exhibited high professional standards and ethics “and will recommend hardworking officers for promotion and awards”.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Give Ghana's democracy a chance to grow - Prez
Page 24: Daily Graphic, November 24, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor has called on Ghanaians to give the country’s budding democracy a chance to grow by respecting its electoral processes and conducting election campaigns with decorum.
“In fact, crying wolf, trumpeting imaginary electoral malpractice, using offensive and abusive language, wilfully preaching deceit just for winning political power will not be fair and rewarding to Ghana,” he stated.
Such tendencies, he noted, only facilitated traumatising political and ethnic intolerance, thereby polarising the nation’s political structures.
President Kufuor made the call in a speech read on his behalf in Koforidua on Saturday during the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of the New Juaben Traditional area and the 16th anniversary of the installation of Daasebre Oti Boateng as the Paramount Chief of the area.
“I, therefore, appeal, once more, to all political parties and presidential aspirants, as well as their followers, to address themselves to issues that will definitely help the good cause they are endeavouring to achieve in building a peaceful and progressive Ghana as we all want,” he stated.
President Kufuor said every true democrat knew that power was obtained only through the ballot box and that free and fair elections were either won or lost.
According to him, the outcome was the voice and decision of the people which should be respected by all and sundry.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should never destroy the nation just for political power, saying that was not the trait of the Danquah-Busia tradition.
“As believers in democracy, we are also respecters of its tenets, especially the outcome of elections conducted in an atmosphere of peace and on a level playing field,” he added.
He said the government had absolute confidence in the electoral process, as well as the Electoral Commission, and “shall never resort to undermining its noble cause and hard-earned international reputation”.
He said it would be absurd for anybody to think that the government would turn round and “throw away the water with the baby” to subvert the very fundamental human rights it was seeking to build.
President Kufuor said Ghana was more important than any political party or individual and it should, thus, be rated supreme to all other aspirations, whether personal or political.
According to him, “we must all learn to accept and subscribe to this important national code with love, respect and humility”.
He said he was convinced that Ghanaians, particularly political leaders and their followers, were all peace-loving and would never disrupt the electoral process and urged Ghanaians to be on guard against the few bad nuts in the system.
President Kufuor said the rule of law and good governance were the two major pillars of peace on which democracy thrived to breed the conducive socio-economic environment necessary for meaningful development in any nation.
He urged Ghanaians to co-operate with the EC, the law enforcement agencies, as well as the various local and international election observers.
President Kufuor called on chiefs, religious and opinion leaders to counsel the youth in their societies to comport themselves during the forthcoming elections.
“They should not allow themselves to be deceived or exploited and used by selfish politicians to disturb the peace we are all presently enjoying, especially before, during and after the elections. The youth must bear in mind that they have more at stake in the welfare of Ghana today than anyone else,” he said.
He made it clear that a devastated Ghana would not present any bright future to them.
He said conflicts rather brought pain, agony and deprivation and in many instances destitution, which in most circumstances rendered people refugees overnight.
President Kufuor urged traditional rulers to inspire the youth to aspire to the principle of believing in one nation with a common destiny and not be the perpetrators of any violence with the potential to tear the nation apart by war and rancour, to the enjoyment of grandiose lifestyles by greedy warlords.
In a welcoming address, Daasebre Oti Boateng noted that the Akwantukese Festival was to keep the people united so that they could help build Ghana into a Paradise.
He expressed regret, however, that Ghana was being torn apart by ethnic politics and urged Ghanaians to avoid that and put the national interest above any other consideration.
He reminded chiefs and elders that it was their duty to protect the people and preserve the resources of the country for the youth, children and posterity, stressing, “We must leave this nation a better place for them.”
Daasebre Oti Boateng urged the youth in the New Juaben municipality to comport themselves and promote peace before, during and after the elections so that their future would not be jeopardised by war and conflict.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor has called on Ghanaians to give the country’s budding democracy a chance to grow by respecting its electoral processes and conducting election campaigns with decorum.
“In fact, crying wolf, trumpeting imaginary electoral malpractice, using offensive and abusive language, wilfully preaching deceit just for winning political power will not be fair and rewarding to Ghana,” he stated.
Such tendencies, he noted, only facilitated traumatising political and ethnic intolerance, thereby polarising the nation’s political structures.
President Kufuor made the call in a speech read on his behalf in Koforidua on Saturday during the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of the New Juaben Traditional area and the 16th anniversary of the installation of Daasebre Oti Boateng as the Paramount Chief of the area.
“I, therefore, appeal, once more, to all political parties and presidential aspirants, as well as their followers, to address themselves to issues that will definitely help the good cause they are endeavouring to achieve in building a peaceful and progressive Ghana as we all want,” he stated.
President Kufuor said every true democrat knew that power was obtained only through the ballot box and that free and fair elections were either won or lost.
According to him, the outcome was the voice and decision of the people which should be respected by all and sundry.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should never destroy the nation just for political power, saying that was not the trait of the Danquah-Busia tradition.
“As believers in democracy, we are also respecters of its tenets, especially the outcome of elections conducted in an atmosphere of peace and on a level playing field,” he added.
He said the government had absolute confidence in the electoral process, as well as the Electoral Commission, and “shall never resort to undermining its noble cause and hard-earned international reputation”.
He said it would be absurd for anybody to think that the government would turn round and “throw away the water with the baby” to subvert the very fundamental human rights it was seeking to build.
President Kufuor said Ghana was more important than any political party or individual and it should, thus, be rated supreme to all other aspirations, whether personal or political.
According to him, “we must all learn to accept and subscribe to this important national code with love, respect and humility”.
He said he was convinced that Ghanaians, particularly political leaders and their followers, were all peace-loving and would never disrupt the electoral process and urged Ghanaians to be on guard against the few bad nuts in the system.
President Kufuor said the rule of law and good governance were the two major pillars of peace on which democracy thrived to breed the conducive socio-economic environment necessary for meaningful development in any nation.
He urged Ghanaians to co-operate with the EC, the law enforcement agencies, as well as the various local and international election observers.
President Kufuor called on chiefs, religious and opinion leaders to counsel the youth in their societies to comport themselves during the forthcoming elections.
“They should not allow themselves to be deceived or exploited and used by selfish politicians to disturb the peace we are all presently enjoying, especially before, during and after the elections. The youth must bear in mind that they have more at stake in the welfare of Ghana today than anyone else,” he said.
He made it clear that a devastated Ghana would not present any bright future to them.
He said conflicts rather brought pain, agony and deprivation and in many instances destitution, which in most circumstances rendered people refugees overnight.
President Kufuor urged traditional rulers to inspire the youth to aspire to the principle of believing in one nation with a common destiny and not be the perpetrators of any violence with the potential to tear the nation apart by war and rancour, to the enjoyment of grandiose lifestyles by greedy warlords.
In a welcoming address, Daasebre Oti Boateng noted that the Akwantukese Festival was to keep the people united so that they could help build Ghana into a Paradise.
He expressed regret, however, that Ghana was being torn apart by ethnic politics and urged Ghanaians to avoid that and put the national interest above any other consideration.
He reminded chiefs and elders that it was their duty to protect the people and preserve the resources of the country for the youth, children and posterity, stressing, “We must leave this nation a better place for them.”
Daasebre Oti Boateng urged the youth in the New Juaben municipality to comport themselves and promote peace before, during and after the elections so that their future would not be jeopardised by war and conflict.
Police spot 2 more "explosive" joints
Front Page: Daily Graphic, November 24, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police have identified two additional warehouses belonging to the woman at the centre of the fire outbreak at Anyaa in Accra.
The two warehouses at Awoshie and Anyaa have both been secured by the police, while efforts are being made to evacuate the fire crackers and other items in them to enhance community safety.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Samuel Kwesi Ofori, who is the Director of Police Public Affairs, told the Daily Graphic that the new warehouse at Anyaa was different from the one that was razed by fire last week.
He said the woman, Janet Sarba Akani, 40, who is of Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage, was to be put before court today on a charge of importing prohibited items.
The manufacture, possession or carrying of fire crackers, often known as knockout, display shells, artillery shells and ball and canister shells are prohibited under Executive Instrument (EI) 21, which was made on September 9, 1999.
DSP Ofori said other charges in relation to murder or manslaughter and causing bodily harm would be the prerogative of the Attorney-General’s Department after investigations into the matter had been completed.
He said the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam Amoo, had set up an inter-agency committee to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak and also make appropriate recommendations to avert a recurrence.
He said initial investigations had revealed that the items had been imported from China.
He appealed to any person, companies or group of persons in possession of such prohibited items to submit them to the nearest police station.
DSP Ofori entreated community leaders and Ghanaians in general to take interest in issues of public safety and security around them.
He said in that way, they would be in a position to report any suspicious activities around them to the police for immediate action.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by DSP Ofori and issued in Accra last Friday said preliminary findings by the committee indicated that the explosion might have been caused by quantities of Christmas fire crackers filled with gunpowder.
“It is suspected that the items were exposed to a naked light which might have caused the explosion, judging from the fact that there was power outage in the area at the time,” it said.
It said the findings also revealed that the explosions which occurred were so powerful, “not because there was any ammunition in the warehouse but because of the large concentration of the fire crackers”.
The statement said no single bullet or empty shell had been found in the debris so far to suggest the presence of any ammunition.
It said checks by the committee had revealed that the owner of the warehouse dealt in fire crackers and toys.
It, therefore, dismissed allegations by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which held a press conference on Thursday to demand answers to the fire explosion, that ammunition had been stocked in the warehouse.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police have identified two additional warehouses belonging to the woman at the centre of the fire outbreak at Anyaa in Accra.
The two warehouses at Awoshie and Anyaa have both been secured by the police, while efforts are being made to evacuate the fire crackers and other items in them to enhance community safety.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Samuel Kwesi Ofori, who is the Director of Police Public Affairs, told the Daily Graphic that the new warehouse at Anyaa was different from the one that was razed by fire last week.
He said the woman, Janet Sarba Akani, 40, who is of Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage, was to be put before court today on a charge of importing prohibited items.
The manufacture, possession or carrying of fire crackers, often known as knockout, display shells, artillery shells and ball and canister shells are prohibited under Executive Instrument (EI) 21, which was made on September 9, 1999.
DSP Ofori said other charges in relation to murder or manslaughter and causing bodily harm would be the prerogative of the Attorney-General’s Department after investigations into the matter had been completed.
He said the National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Sam Amoo, had set up an inter-agency committee to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak and also make appropriate recommendations to avert a recurrence.
He said initial investigations had revealed that the items had been imported from China.
He appealed to any person, companies or group of persons in possession of such prohibited items to submit them to the nearest police station.
DSP Ofori entreated community leaders and Ghanaians in general to take interest in issues of public safety and security around them.
He said in that way, they would be in a position to report any suspicious activities around them to the police for immediate action.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by DSP Ofori and issued in Accra last Friday said preliminary findings by the committee indicated that the explosion might have been caused by quantities of Christmas fire crackers filled with gunpowder.
“It is suspected that the items were exposed to a naked light which might have caused the explosion, judging from the fact that there was power outage in the area at the time,” it said.
It said the findings also revealed that the explosions which occurred were so powerful, “not because there was any ammunition in the warehouse but because of the large concentration of the fire crackers”.
The statement said no single bullet or empty shell had been found in the debris so far to suggest the presence of any ammunition.
It said checks by the committee had revealed that the owner of the warehouse dealt in fire crackers and toys.
It, therefore, dismissed allegations by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which held a press conference on Thursday to demand answers to the fire explosion, that ammunition had been stocked in the warehouse.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Police get more vehicles to boost operations
Page 48: Daily Graphic, November 21, 2008
Story & Picture: Albert K. Salia
THE Ghana Police Service has taken delivery of 70 Nissan double-cabin pick-ups to beef up its operations.
The vehicles, which were provided by the government, are all fitted with light bars and radio communication equipment.
The Director of Transport of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Felix Fosu-Agyeman, and the officer in charge of Repairs at the Service Workshop, Supt Emmanuel Gali, disclosed this when they conducted the Daily Graphic round some of the vehicles yesterday.
Supt Fosu-Agyeman said the vehicles had already been distributed to the various regions and districts based on their operational needs.
He described the supply of the vehicles as timely, in view of the forthcoming general election.
According to him, the vehicles would strengthen the fleet available for both normal patrols and election monitoring activities.
Story & Picture: Albert K. Salia
THE Ghana Police Service has taken delivery of 70 Nissan double-cabin pick-ups to beef up its operations.
The vehicles, which were provided by the government, are all fitted with light bars and radio communication equipment.
The Director of Transport of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Felix Fosu-Agyeman, and the officer in charge of Repairs at the Service Workshop, Supt Emmanuel Gali, disclosed this when they conducted the Daily Graphic round some of the vehicles yesterday.
Supt Fosu-Agyeman said the vehicles had already been distributed to the various regions and districts based on their operational needs.
He described the supply of the vehicles as timely, in view of the forthcoming general election.
According to him, the vehicles would strengthen the fleet available for both normal patrols and election monitoring activities.
Talk of election tension and chaos - IT'S MEDIA HYPE* IGP declares
Front Page: Daily Graphic, November 21, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Chairman of the National Elections Security Task Force (NESTF), Mr P. K. Acheampong, has described the perception of tension and chaos surrounding the electioneering and the December elections as a creation of the media and some persons which did not reflect the situation on the ground.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) told the Daily Graphic that in spite of the hullabaloo being linked to the conduct of the campaigns and elections, indications from the regions were good.
He noted with satisfaction that apart from the unfortunate clashes in Berekum, Gushiegu and Agbogbloshie, a high level of tranquillity has characterised the electioneering of all the presidential candidates.
But he pointed out that the fact that the people involved in the disturbances at Gushiegu, Tamale, Agbogbloshie and Berekum were being prosecuted must be a signal to all the political players and potential trouble-makers that the security agencies were on top of the issues and would spare no one.
He said even in those incidents, the stakeholders, including the political parties, met the security agencies in their respective jurisdictions to resolve their differences.
Mr Acheampong said by its assessment, 95 per cent of the campaigns had been incident-free, particularly those involving the presidential candidates.
The IGP said in spite of the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the country vis-à-vis the electioneering, the security agencies were ready to deal with any problem that might arise in the course of the conduct or after the elections.
He said the preparedness of the security agencies was witnessed in the “excellent national simulation exercise conducted on November 16 and 18, 2008”.
He said the regional commanders would meet in Accra next week to review the operations and put finishing touches to the preparations for the elections.
He said at the regional commanders’ meeting, the security chiefs would discuss how the various regions could co-operate on elections day and thereafter.
That, he said, was necessary because the security situation in some regions or areas was not as serious as others.
According to him, the security personnel to monitor and maintain law and order during the elections would be deployed by December 5, 2008, three days after they had cast their vote in the special voting on December 2.
Mr Acheampong assured the electorate and Ghanaians in general that the security agencies were on top of security issues and they should, therefore, remain calm.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Chairman of the National Elections Security Task Force (NESTF), Mr P. K. Acheampong, has described the perception of tension and chaos surrounding the electioneering and the December elections as a creation of the media and some persons which did not reflect the situation on the ground.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) told the Daily Graphic that in spite of the hullabaloo being linked to the conduct of the campaigns and elections, indications from the regions were good.
He noted with satisfaction that apart from the unfortunate clashes in Berekum, Gushiegu and Agbogbloshie, a high level of tranquillity has characterised the electioneering of all the presidential candidates.
But he pointed out that the fact that the people involved in the disturbances at Gushiegu, Tamale, Agbogbloshie and Berekum were being prosecuted must be a signal to all the political players and potential trouble-makers that the security agencies were on top of the issues and would spare no one.
He said even in those incidents, the stakeholders, including the political parties, met the security agencies in their respective jurisdictions to resolve their differences.
Mr Acheampong said by its assessment, 95 per cent of the campaigns had been incident-free, particularly those involving the presidential candidates.
The IGP said in spite of the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the country vis-à-vis the electioneering, the security agencies were ready to deal with any problem that might arise in the course of the conduct or after the elections.
He said the preparedness of the security agencies was witnessed in the “excellent national simulation exercise conducted on November 16 and 18, 2008”.
He said the regional commanders would meet in Accra next week to review the operations and put finishing touches to the preparations for the elections.
He said at the regional commanders’ meeting, the security chiefs would discuss how the various regions could co-operate on elections day and thereafter.
That, he said, was necessary because the security situation in some regions or areas was not as serious as others.
According to him, the security personnel to monitor and maintain law and order during the elections would be deployed by December 5, 2008, three days after they had cast their vote in the special voting on December 2.
Mr Acheampong assured the electorate and Ghanaians in general that the security agencies were on top of security issues and they should, therefore, remain calm.
Anyaa fire: Two more die
Page 54: Daily Graphic, November 20, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO more persons have died from the explosion that occurred at a warehouse at Ablekuma NIC in the Ga West District on Monday.
That brings to seven the number of persons who died in the incident, some of whom, including a mother and her baby, were burnt beyond recognition.
The latest deaths occurred at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday and the dead have been identified as Ali Bature and Joseph Nii Boye.
Six other persons are still on admission at Korle-Bu and the 37 Military Hospital.
They are Beatrice Normenyo and Stephen Ahiale, who are at Korle-Bu, Andrews Quao, three; Patricia Larbie, three; Dora Quao, 35, and Grace Quao, said to be in her 30s, all at the 37 Military Hospital.
Meanwhile, the owner of the warehouse, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, surrendered herself to the police yesterday.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, told the Daily Graphic that the woman had been granted police enquiry bail after she had written her statement and been interrogated by the police.
On whether the excavation team was able to rescue any person or found more bodies under the rubble, he answered in the negative.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said those who died earlier in the inferno were yet to be identified.
Fire razed the warehouse on Monday evening at a time some workers were said to be offloading some goods into it.
It took personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service several hours to bring the fire under control.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO more persons have died from the explosion that occurred at a warehouse at Ablekuma NIC in the Ga West District on Monday.
That brings to seven the number of persons who died in the incident, some of whom, including a mother and her baby, were burnt beyond recognition.
The latest deaths occurred at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday and the dead have been identified as Ali Bature and Joseph Nii Boye.
Six other persons are still on admission at Korle-Bu and the 37 Military Hospital.
They are Beatrice Normenyo and Stephen Ahiale, who are at Korle-Bu, Andrews Quao, three; Patricia Larbie, three; Dora Quao, 35, and Grace Quao, said to be in her 30s, all at the 37 Military Hospital.
Meanwhile, the owner of the warehouse, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, surrendered herself to the police yesterday.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, told the Daily Graphic that the woman had been granted police enquiry bail after she had written her statement and been interrogated by the police.
On whether the excavation team was able to rescue any person or found more bodies under the rubble, he answered in the negative.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said those who died earlier in the inferno were yet to be identified.
Fire razed the warehouse on Monday evening at a time some workers were said to be offloading some goods into it.
It took personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service several hours to bring the fire under control.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
18 companies to undertake testing of vehicles for DVLA
Page 31: Daily Graphic, November 19, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE management of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has authorised 18 companies to undertake vehicle testing on its behalf.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra the acting Chief Executive of the DVLA, Mrs Mabel Sagoe, and the Director of Vehicle Inspection and Registration, Mr George Ackom, explained that seeding out of the vehicle testing duties of the DVLA would enhance its other regulatory roles, including establishment of standards and methodology for training as well as licensing of drivers.
They said the authority was awaiting government approval on the testing fees to be charged by the 18 companies, and denied that the offloading of the vehicle testing functions of the authority constituted a sell-out of the authority. They argued that it was in line with the provisions of the law establishing the authority which could be accessed by members of the public.
Section 3 (j) of the DVLA Act, Act 569, gives the authority the mandate to “license and regulate private garages to undertake vehicle testing”.
The acting chief executive wondered why Parliament would make such a provision for the licensing of private garages to undertake vehicle testing if it was not in the national interest.
Mrs Sagoe said what the DVLA currently did was visual inspection which did not augur well for road safety.
She said under such circumstances it was difficult for vehicle inspectors to know the state of a particular vehicle and also gave them power to fail or pass vehicles without any scientific basis.
She said some vehicle owners even refused to send their vehicles for the visual inspection and paid something extra which often went into the pockets of middlemen.
Mrs Sagoe said with the seeding out of the vehicle testing to private garages, the activities of the middlemen would be eliminated while car owners would be compelled to send their vehicles for testing.
She said the selected private garages were fully equipped with state of the art facilities to ensure that road safety standards were met.
She denied any secret meetings or clandestine moves between the authority and private garages.
According to her, advertisements were made in the media requesting for the expression of interest following which a number of companies applied.
She said the authority also held stakeholder consultations with road users, including road unions, to set the standards for the private garages.
Mrs Sagoe said the regional and district directors of the DVLA were also in the known about the proposed seeding out of the vehicle testing functions of the DVLA.
“The issue is not new because the process started under the leadership of the immediate past Chief Executive, Mr Joe Osei-Owusu, and staff were duly informed at staff durbars. The October 7, 2008 meeting was to inform the staff that the roll-out plan was almost ready,” she said, adding that there had not been any secret meetings or clandestine moves.
Mrs Sagoe said the DVLA was a regulator and could only regulate if some of those functions were seeded out.
“It is also untrue that the staff of the vehicle section would lose their jobs. No staff would lose his/her job because the DVLA was already overwhelmed with other functions such as licensing of drivers, training and testing of driving instructors which would also require more hands to satisfy our clients,” she said.
Mrs Sagoe said the private garages would only charge testing fees which would be fixed by the government to avoid arbitrariness.
She said the private garages would be linked to the DVLA via the internet to ensure sanity and transparency in the vehicle testing process by the private garages so that after each testing, the DVLA would know which vehicle passed the test before a road user certificate would be issued to them.
For his part, Mr Ackom explained that the introduction of the private garages would also decongest vehicle testing centres and also halt the situation where all vehicles had to be taken to the DVLA offices.
According to Mr Ackom five of the private garages which have been given the authorisation to undertake the vehicle testing are based in Accra while the rest are spread across the country. He said other applications were still being processed.
He said Bivac International Ghana Ltd, located at Amasaman, Vito (S-Class Services Ltd) located at Dome, SPC Engineering & Transport Services at Weija, Intercity STC Coaches Ltd at the Light Industrial Area and Ben-Sam Auto Services at Oyibi were those given initial authorisation in Accra.
Mr Ackom said five others, Car Test Ltd, IT Recycle Ltd, Auto Parts, Road Safety Ltd and Koffson Inspection Ltd, were authorised in Tema to undertake the vehicle testing when Cabinet approves the take off of the project.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE management of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has authorised 18 companies to undertake vehicle testing on its behalf.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra the acting Chief Executive of the DVLA, Mrs Mabel Sagoe, and the Director of Vehicle Inspection and Registration, Mr George Ackom, explained that seeding out of the vehicle testing duties of the DVLA would enhance its other regulatory roles, including establishment of standards and methodology for training as well as licensing of drivers.
They said the authority was awaiting government approval on the testing fees to be charged by the 18 companies, and denied that the offloading of the vehicle testing functions of the authority constituted a sell-out of the authority. They argued that it was in line with the provisions of the law establishing the authority which could be accessed by members of the public.
Section 3 (j) of the DVLA Act, Act 569, gives the authority the mandate to “license and regulate private garages to undertake vehicle testing”.
The acting chief executive wondered why Parliament would make such a provision for the licensing of private garages to undertake vehicle testing if it was not in the national interest.
Mrs Sagoe said what the DVLA currently did was visual inspection which did not augur well for road safety.
She said under such circumstances it was difficult for vehicle inspectors to know the state of a particular vehicle and also gave them power to fail or pass vehicles without any scientific basis.
She said some vehicle owners even refused to send their vehicles for the visual inspection and paid something extra which often went into the pockets of middlemen.
Mrs Sagoe said with the seeding out of the vehicle testing to private garages, the activities of the middlemen would be eliminated while car owners would be compelled to send their vehicles for testing.
She said the selected private garages were fully equipped with state of the art facilities to ensure that road safety standards were met.
She denied any secret meetings or clandestine moves between the authority and private garages.
According to her, advertisements were made in the media requesting for the expression of interest following which a number of companies applied.
She said the authority also held stakeholder consultations with road users, including road unions, to set the standards for the private garages.
Mrs Sagoe said the regional and district directors of the DVLA were also in the known about the proposed seeding out of the vehicle testing functions of the DVLA.
“The issue is not new because the process started under the leadership of the immediate past Chief Executive, Mr Joe Osei-Owusu, and staff were duly informed at staff durbars. The October 7, 2008 meeting was to inform the staff that the roll-out plan was almost ready,” she said, adding that there had not been any secret meetings or clandestine moves.
Mrs Sagoe said the DVLA was a regulator and could only regulate if some of those functions were seeded out.
“It is also untrue that the staff of the vehicle section would lose their jobs. No staff would lose his/her job because the DVLA was already overwhelmed with other functions such as licensing of drivers, training and testing of driving instructors which would also require more hands to satisfy our clients,” she said.
Mrs Sagoe said the private garages would only charge testing fees which would be fixed by the government to avoid arbitrariness.
She said the private garages would be linked to the DVLA via the internet to ensure sanity and transparency in the vehicle testing process by the private garages so that after each testing, the DVLA would know which vehicle passed the test before a road user certificate would be issued to them.
For his part, Mr Ackom explained that the introduction of the private garages would also decongest vehicle testing centres and also halt the situation where all vehicles had to be taken to the DVLA offices.
According to Mr Ackom five of the private garages which have been given the authorisation to undertake the vehicle testing are based in Accra while the rest are spread across the country. He said other applications were still being processed.
He said Bivac International Ghana Ltd, located at Amasaman, Vito (S-Class Services Ltd) located at Dome, SPC Engineering & Transport Services at Weija, Intercity STC Coaches Ltd at the Light Industrial Area and Ben-Sam Auto Services at Oyibi were those given initial authorisation in Accra.
Mr Ackom said five others, Car Test Ltd, IT Recycle Ltd, Auto Parts, Road Safety Ltd and Koffson Inspection Ltd, were authorised in Tema to undertake the vehicle testing when Cabinet approves the take off of the project.
Court issues warrant for arrest of MD
Pages 24/25: Daily Graphic, November 19, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN ACCRA Circuit Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the Managing Director of Kae-Mebre Company, a road construction firm, Justice Kwasi Larbie.
He is alleged to have defrauded a businessman of GH¢157,806 on the pretext of supplying him with road construction equipment.
His accountant, Asamoah Agyapong, 42, is currently on bail after he was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and defrauding by false pretences.
The court, presided by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills, granted bail with two sureties with one to be justified.
The Nima Divisional Crime Officer, Deputy Supt of Police (DSP) Kwaku Duah, told the Daily Graphic that Agyapong was arrested on October 31, 2008 and was granted bail by the court on November 12, 2008 after almost six months search for him and his boss, Larbie.
According to him, Larbie introduced himself as an agent of Taisei Corporation of Japan, the company that constructed the Mallam-Cape Coast road.
He said Larbie said Taisei had asked him to sell off some of the equipment used in the construction work.
DSP Duah said the suspect took his victim to Mankessim, where the items were kept for disposal.
He said the victim became convinced on seeing the items and expressed interest in some of them.
He said Larbie, however, informed his victim that under the sales terms, the buyer was to pay the full cost of the equipment chosen before it was handed over to him or her.
DSP Duah said based on that, the victim paid GH¢157,806 to Larbie for the equipment to be supplied.
He said months after payments were made Larbie failed to supply the equipment.
He said out of frustration, the victim contacted Taisei Corporation for the equipment to be supplied.
DSP Duah said Taisei Corporation indicated that the company had already supplied the equipment to Larbie.
He said the victim was also informed that the equipment list he provided to Taisei Corporation was not what Larbie had paid for.
He said since then efforts to contact Larbie, who is dark in complexion and has a tribal mark on his right chin, had proved futile.
DSP Duah said the suspect was believed to be hiding in the Western Region and appealed to any member of the public who knew his whereabouts to contact the Nima Divisional Crime Office or the nearest police station.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN ACCRA Circuit Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the Managing Director of Kae-Mebre Company, a road construction firm, Justice Kwasi Larbie.
He is alleged to have defrauded a businessman of GH¢157,806 on the pretext of supplying him with road construction equipment.
His accountant, Asamoah Agyapong, 42, is currently on bail after he was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and defrauding by false pretences.
The court, presided by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills, granted bail with two sureties with one to be justified.
The Nima Divisional Crime Officer, Deputy Supt of Police (DSP) Kwaku Duah, told the Daily Graphic that Agyapong was arrested on October 31, 2008 and was granted bail by the court on November 12, 2008 after almost six months search for him and his boss, Larbie.
According to him, Larbie introduced himself as an agent of Taisei Corporation of Japan, the company that constructed the Mallam-Cape Coast road.
He said Larbie said Taisei had asked him to sell off some of the equipment used in the construction work.
DSP Duah said the suspect took his victim to Mankessim, where the items were kept for disposal.
He said the victim became convinced on seeing the items and expressed interest in some of them.
He said Larbie, however, informed his victim that under the sales terms, the buyer was to pay the full cost of the equipment chosen before it was handed over to him or her.
DSP Duah said based on that, the victim paid GH¢157,806 to Larbie for the equipment to be supplied.
He said months after payments were made Larbie failed to supply the equipment.
He said out of frustration, the victim contacted Taisei Corporation for the equipment to be supplied.
DSP Duah said Taisei Corporation indicated that the company had already supplied the equipment to Larbie.
He said the victim was also informed that the equipment list he provided to Taisei Corporation was not what Larbie had paid for.
He said since then efforts to contact Larbie, who is dark in complexion and has a tribal mark on his right chin, had proved futile.
DSP Duah said the suspect was believed to be hiding in the Western Region and appealed to any member of the public who knew his whereabouts to contact the Nima Divisional Crime Office or the nearest police station.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Eleven grabbed over illegal ivory trade
Front Page: Daily Graphic, November 18, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ELEVEN people suspected to be members of an African network of illegal dealers in ivory and crocodile skin products have been rounded up at the Accra Arts Centre.
In a special operation co-ordinated in five other countries by the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), almost 500 kilogrammes of ivory and ivory products, as well as large quantities of crocodile skin bags worth US$350,000, was seized in Accra alone.
The operation was code-named ‘Operation Baba’ in honour of the late Gilbert Baba, a Ghana Wildlife ranger who was killed by illegal wildlife dealers at the Mole National Park a decade ago.
The suspects are Tahiru Haruna, 29; Mohammed Kabiru, 29; Rose Mensah Akuoko, 25; Atta Issah, 30; Razak Tahiru, 18, and Benjamin Yakubu, 45.
The rest are Garba Ibrahim, 55; Musah Ali, 40; Jibril Alhassan, 27; Yakubu Osman, 28, and Sumaila Alhassan, 63.
The Accra South District Commander, ASP Albert Fii Ochil, told newsmen that under the Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulations, Legislative Instrument 685, 1971, it was an offence to hunt, kill or possess any ivory or ivory product, crocodile skin and its products, among others, without permission from the Wildlife Department under the Forestry Commission.
He explained that based on the input of INTERPOL, which was co-ordinated by Mr Harry Solinger, a team of policemen, led by Chief Supt C. T. Yohunu, and some members of staff of the Wildlife Division embarked on the exercise at the Accra Arts Centre on Saturday.
He said the suspects claimed that the products had been brought to them already carved for sale by their agents in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroun, Togo and Gabon.
ASP Ochil, who is also the head of the Parliamentary Protection Unit, said the suspects were being processed for court, while the seized items were to be sent to the Police Forensic Laboratory for further examination.
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division, Nana Kofi Adu-Nsiah, said Ghana had witnessed a very sharp decline in its elephant population and was the first country to propose a total ban on the ivory trade as a measure to conserve elephants.
He said Ghana was, therefore, happy to be part of the international effort to conserve African elephants, more so when ‘Operation Baba’ was in memory of one of Ghana’s dedicated officers, Gilbert Baba, who used to work at the Mole National Park.
“The co-operative effort between the police and the Wildlife Division is very much appreciated and it is our strong conviction that it is only with such efforts that we can enforce laws for the sustainable management of our natural resources,” he said.
Nana Adu-Nsiah said the exercise took place simultaneously in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.
He said the Secretary-General of INTERPOL, Mr Ronald K. Noble, had underlined the need for an international perspective in fighting such crimes.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ELEVEN people suspected to be members of an African network of illegal dealers in ivory and crocodile skin products have been rounded up at the Accra Arts Centre.
In a special operation co-ordinated in five other countries by the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), almost 500 kilogrammes of ivory and ivory products, as well as large quantities of crocodile skin bags worth US$350,000, was seized in Accra alone.
The operation was code-named ‘Operation Baba’ in honour of the late Gilbert Baba, a Ghana Wildlife ranger who was killed by illegal wildlife dealers at the Mole National Park a decade ago.
The suspects are Tahiru Haruna, 29; Mohammed Kabiru, 29; Rose Mensah Akuoko, 25; Atta Issah, 30; Razak Tahiru, 18, and Benjamin Yakubu, 45.
The rest are Garba Ibrahim, 55; Musah Ali, 40; Jibril Alhassan, 27; Yakubu Osman, 28, and Sumaila Alhassan, 63.
The Accra South District Commander, ASP Albert Fii Ochil, told newsmen that under the Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulations, Legislative Instrument 685, 1971, it was an offence to hunt, kill or possess any ivory or ivory product, crocodile skin and its products, among others, without permission from the Wildlife Department under the Forestry Commission.
He explained that based on the input of INTERPOL, which was co-ordinated by Mr Harry Solinger, a team of policemen, led by Chief Supt C. T. Yohunu, and some members of staff of the Wildlife Division embarked on the exercise at the Accra Arts Centre on Saturday.
He said the suspects claimed that the products had been brought to them already carved for sale by their agents in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroun, Togo and Gabon.
ASP Ochil, who is also the head of the Parliamentary Protection Unit, said the suspects were being processed for court, while the seized items were to be sent to the Police Forensic Laboratory for further examination.
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division, Nana Kofi Adu-Nsiah, said Ghana had witnessed a very sharp decline in its elephant population and was the first country to propose a total ban on the ivory trade as a measure to conserve elephants.
He said Ghana was, therefore, happy to be part of the international effort to conserve African elephants, more so when ‘Operation Baba’ was in memory of one of Ghana’s dedicated officers, Gilbert Baba, who used to work at the Mole National Park.
“The co-operative effort between the police and the Wildlife Division is very much appreciated and it is our strong conviction that it is only with such efforts that we can enforce laws for the sustainable management of our natural resources,” he said.
Nana Adu-Nsiah said the exercise took place simultaneously in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.
He said the Secretary-General of INTERPOL, Mr Ronald K. Noble, had underlined the need for an international perspective in fighting such crimes.
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