Page 31: Daily Graphic, January 20, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is to provide foreigners resident and working in Ghana with biometric foreign resident cards to enhance the enforcement activities of the service.
The cards, which will be introduced after the issuance of the national identification cards, will be activity-specific, indicating where a foreigner is working, the duration of his or her stay and validity to facilitate routine inspections.
The cards will replace the work permit endorsements currently made in passports.
The Director-General of the GIS, Ms Elizabeth Adjei, told the Daily Graphic that the introduction of the cards was in line with the review of Ghana’s work permit policy.
She said a lot of preparatory work had been done on the introduction of the cards since 2007 and indicated that several companies had been invited to make assessments and proposals on the cards.
Under the review, she said, stiff restrictions had been introduced to ensure that non-citizens did not take up jobs for which there were skill availability in the country.
According to her, companies were also being encouraged to set up training institutions to train local staff on skills that were in short supply, instead of streaming in foreign skill.
Ms Adjei said it had been extremely difficult monitoring foreigners living in Ghana illegally because of the manual process involved in questioning them.
She, however, said when the biometric foreign resident cards were introduced, enforcement officers of the GIS would only swipe the card in their mobile kits.
"When the national ID exercise is completed, our work will be enhanced. It will help us to easily identify Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike, as well as distinguish legal from non-legal foreigners," she said.
Ms Adjei said if the country could not identify its own citizens, it would be difficult to identify non-citizens, particularly citizens of the West African sub-region.
Responding to a question on concerns over the influx of foreigners into the country, some of whom were perpetrating serious crimes, Ms Adjei said the influx of foreigners into other countries, especially regional groupings, was a common problem associated with regional integration.
She said some countries in the European Union and Latin America were facing similar problems.
According to her, it was easier to prevent entry than to look for people when they had already entered.
"In the current situation where we have an integrated sub-region, it is difficult to impose pre-entry restrictions on people who do not require visas to enter territories," she said.
She said the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) of the GIS had since its inception done a lot of work to intercept people coming into the country illegally.
She cited, for instance, the way the BPU intercepted and repatriated several illegal entrants in the Bawku area suspected of stoking the conflict there.
She said the BPU had also successfully repelled several refugees from the Central African region who swarmed the country in 2006.
Ms Adjei said the unit had also collaborated with other security agencies at the border points and at unapproved routes to intercept smuggled goods and also prevented ECOWAS nationals from entering Ghana with fake travel documents.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Police transfers, promotions on hold
Page 24: Daily Graphic, January 20, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
LAST week’s transfer of a number of police commanders announced by the Police Administration has been put on hold.
Other promotions announced earlier by the Police Administration on January 2, 2009 have also been suspended.
This follows a directive from the President’s representative at the Ministry of the Interior, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P.K. Acheampong, at the weekend.
Sources close to the government’s transitional team explained that it was the position of President Atta Mills that the status quo remained until the transitional teams completed their work.
They said the government did not want anyone or group to misinterpret any action, especially administrative ones.
“At the appropriate time when the need arises the changes will be made,” they said.
With regard to the promotions, the sources said all those done through the due process would be upheld, no matter how late they were made, adding, however, that those that did not go through due process would be cancelled.
They said the security sub-committee was doing a lot of work and, therefore, urged the affected personnel not to panic.
Last week, the Police Administration announced a reshuffle at the level of its regional command structure as part of measures to inject efficiency into the Police Service.
Three regional commanders and five deputy commanders were affected by the changes which were announced by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The Deputy Accra Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Bright Oduro, was to move to Kumasi to take over from DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, while the Nima Divisional Commander, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, was to move to the Brong Ahafo Region as the Deputy Regional Commander.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Commander, ACP Charles Kpapu Torkor, was to report to the Police Headquarters, while ACP David Nenyi Ampah-Benin, the Deputy Eastern Regional Commander, was to go to the Northern Region as the second-in-command.
The Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, one-time chief advisor to the UN Secretary-General and who participated in the transformation of the Liberian Police, was also to move to the Police Headquarters.
Story: Albert K. Salia
LAST week’s transfer of a number of police commanders announced by the Police Administration has been put on hold.
Other promotions announced earlier by the Police Administration on January 2, 2009 have also been suspended.
This follows a directive from the President’s representative at the Ministry of the Interior, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr P.K. Acheampong, at the weekend.
Sources close to the government’s transitional team explained that it was the position of President Atta Mills that the status quo remained until the transitional teams completed their work.
They said the government did not want anyone or group to misinterpret any action, especially administrative ones.
“At the appropriate time when the need arises the changes will be made,” they said.
With regard to the promotions, the sources said all those done through the due process would be upheld, no matter how late they were made, adding, however, that those that did not go through due process would be cancelled.
They said the security sub-committee was doing a lot of work and, therefore, urged the affected personnel not to panic.
Last week, the Police Administration announced a reshuffle at the level of its regional command structure as part of measures to inject efficiency into the Police Service.
Three regional commanders and five deputy commanders were affected by the changes which were announced by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The Deputy Accra Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Bright Oduro, was to move to Kumasi to take over from DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, while the Nima Divisional Commander, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, was to move to the Brong Ahafo Region as the Deputy Regional Commander.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Commander, ACP Charles Kpapu Torkor, was to report to the Police Headquarters, while ACP David Nenyi Ampah-Benin, the Deputy Eastern Regional Commander, was to go to the Northern Region as the second-in-command.
The Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, one-time chief advisor to the UN Secretary-General and who participated in the transformation of the Liberian Police, was also to move to the Police Headquarters.
Monday, January 19, 2009
I’ve not been dismissed — Mrs Sagoe
Page 3: Daily Graphic, January 19, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Transport, Mrs Mabel Sagoe, has denied media reports that she has been dismissed by the government.
“I have not been dismissed. I am still at post doing my work,” she told the Daily Graphic on Saturday.
Mrs Sagoe, who was acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), after the substantive Chief Executive, Mr Joe Osei-Wusu, resigned, explained that she was asked to act until a substantive chief executive was appointed.
She said she was, therefore, acting until Mr Justice Amegashie was asked by the government to take over to oversee the running of the place as part of the transitional arrangement.
“All that I have to do is to continue with my work as the director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. Nobody has fired me from my work,” she said.
Meanwhile, sources close to the security sub-committee of the transition team explained to the Daily Graphic that because of the sensitive nature of the DVLA, it was considered prudent to appoint an experienced person to oversee that institution.
The sources said no one could dispute the fact that the DVLA was sensitive to security issues and the decision to appoint Mr Amegashie was, therefore, prudent.
That, they explained, was because of Mr Amegashie’s vast experience in that sector.
Mr Amegashie was the head of the authority during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration until the Kufuor Administration re-assigned him to the ministry.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Transport, Mrs Mabel Sagoe, has denied media reports that she has been dismissed by the government.
“I have not been dismissed. I am still at post doing my work,” she told the Daily Graphic on Saturday.
Mrs Sagoe, who was acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), after the substantive Chief Executive, Mr Joe Osei-Wusu, resigned, explained that she was asked to act until a substantive chief executive was appointed.
She said she was, therefore, acting until Mr Justice Amegashie was asked by the government to take over to oversee the running of the place as part of the transitional arrangement.
“All that I have to do is to continue with my work as the director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. Nobody has fired me from my work,” she said.
Meanwhile, sources close to the security sub-committee of the transition team explained to the Daily Graphic that because of the sensitive nature of the DVLA, it was considered prudent to appoint an experienced person to oversee that institution.
The sources said no one could dispute the fact that the DVLA was sensitive to security issues and the decision to appoint Mr Amegashie was, therefore, prudent.
That, they explained, was because of Mr Amegashie’s vast experience in that sector.
Mr Amegashie was the head of the authority during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration until the Kufuor Administration re-assigned him to the ministry.
Kidnapped German saved from captors
Page 34: Daily Graphic, January 16, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 58-year-old German lady has been rescued from eight kidnappers after she had been lured into the country on January 2, 2009.
The victim, Madam Sonja Kaiser, was lured into the country on the pretext of meeting her British Internet lover, Alvin Walker, only to be whisked away to a house at Taifa in Accra where she was held hostage until her release on Tuesday afternoon by personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
There were blisters on the body of Sonja, who claimed that she had been beaten by her captors.
Eight suspects, including a female, were arrested during the swoop on the house.
They are Hannah Aidoo, 22; Kojo Boateng, 25; Dennis Asamoah, 23; Isaac Amuzu, 30; Godwin Hunusugbo, 27; James Afari, 23; Roland Gyan, 22, and Daniel Abebrese, 27.
Sources at the BNI Headquarters told newsmen in Accra on Tuesday that Sonja, who said she is a nurse, said she had been dating a certain Alvin Walker on the Internet and had invitation from him to come to Ghana to visit him.
Under the arrangements, Alvin was to send a driver to pick her up at the airport on arrival.
Accordingly, Godwin, who is a driver, picked up Sonja from the airport on January 2, 2009 and took her to the house at Taifa.
The sources said instead of meeting Alvin, Sonja was kept in a small room where the suspects demanded 140,000 euros from her before releasing her.
They said Sonja claimed the amount was too much for her son in Germany to afford.
The sources said after an initial bargaining, the figure came down to 60,000 euros after she had stated that she could not afford 100,000 euros either.
Subsequently, Sonja called her son in Germany with the story that she had knocked down a child while driving with Alvin.
The sources said Sonja allegedly told her son that the police were demanding 60,000 euros before releasing her from custody.
The son, the sources said, contacted the German Embassy in Accra for assistance and the embassy in turn notified the BNI.
They said after visiting all the police stations in the Greater Accra Region without any trace of Sonja, the BNI became convinced that she had been kidnapped.
They said personnel of the BNI, with the help of the German Embassy in Accra, were able to trace the suspects to the house at Taifa where they rescued Sonja from her captors.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 58-year-old German lady has been rescued from eight kidnappers after she had been lured into the country on January 2, 2009.
The victim, Madam Sonja Kaiser, was lured into the country on the pretext of meeting her British Internet lover, Alvin Walker, only to be whisked away to a house at Taifa in Accra where she was held hostage until her release on Tuesday afternoon by personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
There were blisters on the body of Sonja, who claimed that she had been beaten by her captors.
Eight suspects, including a female, were arrested during the swoop on the house.
They are Hannah Aidoo, 22; Kojo Boateng, 25; Dennis Asamoah, 23; Isaac Amuzu, 30; Godwin Hunusugbo, 27; James Afari, 23; Roland Gyan, 22, and Daniel Abebrese, 27.
Sources at the BNI Headquarters told newsmen in Accra on Tuesday that Sonja, who said she is a nurse, said she had been dating a certain Alvin Walker on the Internet and had invitation from him to come to Ghana to visit him.
Under the arrangements, Alvin was to send a driver to pick her up at the airport on arrival.
Accordingly, Godwin, who is a driver, picked up Sonja from the airport on January 2, 2009 and took her to the house at Taifa.
The sources said instead of meeting Alvin, Sonja was kept in a small room where the suspects demanded 140,000 euros from her before releasing her.
They said Sonja claimed the amount was too much for her son in Germany to afford.
The sources said after an initial bargaining, the figure came down to 60,000 euros after she had stated that she could not afford 100,000 euros either.
Subsequently, Sonja called her son in Germany with the story that she had knocked down a child while driving with Alvin.
The sources said Sonja allegedly told her son that the police were demanding 60,000 euros before releasing her from custody.
The son, the sources said, contacted the German Embassy in Accra for assistance and the embassy in turn notified the BNI.
They said after visiting all the police stations in the Greater Accra Region without any trace of Sonja, the BNI became convinced that she had been kidnapped.
They said personnel of the BNI, with the help of the German Embassy in Accra, were able to trace the suspects to the house at Taifa where they rescued Sonja from her captors.
Changes in Police Command
Page 14: Daily Graphic, January 16, 2009
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Police Administration has announced a reshuffle at the level of its regional command structure and introduced a new Code of Conduct and Ethics as part of measures to inject efficiency into the Police Service.
Three regional commanders and five deputy commanders are affected by the changes which were announced yesterday by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong.
Accordingly, the Deputy Accra Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Bright Oduro, moves to Kumasi to take over from DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, who heads for the National Headquarters in Accra, while the Nima Divisional Commander, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, moves to the Brong Ahafo Region as the Deputy Regional Commander.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bernard Guyiri Dery, swaps positions with DCOP Rose Bio Atinga at the Service Workshop, with ACP Charles Kpapu Torkor, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Commander, going to the Police Headquarters, while ACP David Nenyi Ampah-Benin, the Deputy Eastern Regional Commander, moves to the Northern Region as the second-in-command.
The Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, one-time chief advisor to the UN Secretary-General and who participated in the transformation of the Liberian Police, is also to move to the National Headquarters.
Mr Acheampong told the Daily Graphic that the changes were to take effect from between January 16 and February 1, 2009.
He said the Code of Conduct, which would be made available to the general public, was in line with international policing standards to enable members of the public and institutions, particularly civil society organisations, to appraise the output of police personnel.
He said all those affected by the transfers had been duly notified and were preparing to move to their new places.
With regard to the Code of Conduct/Ethics, Mr Acheampong said it was put together from the various rules and regulations of the service and the international policing system.
The IGP explained that it was important that police officers bore in mind that they were serving the public, for which reason they had to respond to the legitimate aspirations of the public through police actions.
Mr Acheampong said the intention was to encourage high professional and ethical standards and promote the integrity of the service.
The code outlines the service’s vision, its mission statement, core values and relationship with the public and the media.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Police Administration has announced a reshuffle at the level of its regional command structure and introduced a new Code of Conduct and Ethics as part of measures to inject efficiency into the Police Service.
Three regional commanders and five deputy commanders are affected by the changes which were announced yesterday by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong.
Accordingly, the Deputy Accra Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Bright Oduro, moves to Kumasi to take over from DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, who heads for the National Headquarters in Accra, while the Nima Divisional Commander, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, moves to the Brong Ahafo Region as the Deputy Regional Commander.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bernard Guyiri Dery, swaps positions with DCOP Rose Bio Atinga at the Service Workshop, with ACP Charles Kpapu Torkor, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Commander, going to the Police Headquarters, while ACP David Nenyi Ampah-Benin, the Deputy Eastern Regional Commander, moves to the Northern Region as the second-in-command.
The Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, one-time chief advisor to the UN Secretary-General and who participated in the transformation of the Liberian Police, is also to move to the National Headquarters.
Mr Acheampong told the Daily Graphic that the changes were to take effect from between January 16 and February 1, 2009.
He said the Code of Conduct, which would be made available to the general public, was in line with international policing standards to enable members of the public and institutions, particularly civil society organisations, to appraise the output of police personnel.
He said all those affected by the transfers had been duly notified and were preparing to move to their new places.
With regard to the Code of Conduct/Ethics, Mr Acheampong said it was put together from the various rules and regulations of the service and the international policing system.
The IGP explained that it was important that police officers bore in mind that they were serving the public, for which reason they had to respond to the legitimate aspirations of the public through police actions.
Mr Acheampong said the intention was to encourage high professional and ethical standards and promote the integrity of the service.
The code outlines the service’s vision, its mission statement, core values and relationship with the public and the media.
Step up crime preventive measures - IGP
Page 23: Daily Graphic, January 15, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, has directed that all regional, divisional and district commanders of police must adopt effective crime prevention strategies and concentrate their activities on crime fighting.
He said although there had been a change in government, the responsibility of the police in fighting crime remained the same.
That, he said, should compel them to work harder, especially during the early days of the new government, as criminal gangs would want to exploit the situation to cause mayhem.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Acheampong urged his colleagues to work in the same way that they did during the 2008 elections, which earned them a lot of commendation from the Ghanaian populace, as well as the foreign observer missions.
“You must be seen relating with your communities and be seen to be working harder,” he said.
Mr Acheampong expressed concern about the conduct of some police officers who were undermining their colleagues and planting negative stories in the media with the view of getting appointed to various positions by the new government, instead of doing the work for which they were being paid.
He urged such personnel to be mindful of the corporate image of the Ghana Police Service and work to achieve its mission.
“Planting negative stories about your colleagues for favours is bad,” he said.
He was particularly concerned about those seeking to be appointed IGP by the new government and reminded them that undermining the very officers one would work with when appointed the IGP was bad.
Mr Acheampong urged them to lobby on their strengths and not by undermining others and stop peddling falsehoods about other officers.
He also urged media practitioners to endeavour to verify information given to them before publishing it.
He also recalled that after December 7, he (IGP) gave directives to all Regional Commanders to shuffle all divisional and district personnel for the run-off because they were being accused of bias but said some Regional Commanders were being wrongly accused.
Fortunately, he said, after those reshuffles, the results of the run-off were the same as those of the first round, which indicated that the police had no hand in the results.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr P. K. Acheampong, has directed that all regional, divisional and district commanders of police must adopt effective crime prevention strategies and concentrate their activities on crime fighting.
He said although there had been a change in government, the responsibility of the police in fighting crime remained the same.
That, he said, should compel them to work harder, especially during the early days of the new government, as criminal gangs would want to exploit the situation to cause mayhem.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Acheampong urged his colleagues to work in the same way that they did during the 2008 elections, which earned them a lot of commendation from the Ghanaian populace, as well as the foreign observer missions.
“You must be seen relating with your communities and be seen to be working harder,” he said.
Mr Acheampong expressed concern about the conduct of some police officers who were undermining their colleagues and planting negative stories in the media with the view of getting appointed to various positions by the new government, instead of doing the work for which they were being paid.
He urged such personnel to be mindful of the corporate image of the Ghana Police Service and work to achieve its mission.
“Planting negative stories about your colleagues for favours is bad,” he said.
He was particularly concerned about those seeking to be appointed IGP by the new government and reminded them that undermining the very officers one would work with when appointed the IGP was bad.
Mr Acheampong urged them to lobby on their strengths and not by undermining others and stop peddling falsehoods about other officers.
He also urged media practitioners to endeavour to verify information given to them before publishing it.
He also recalled that after December 7, he (IGP) gave directives to all Regional Commanders to shuffle all divisional and district personnel for the run-off because they were being accused of bias but said some Regional Commanders were being wrongly accused.
Fortunately, he said, after those reshuffles, the results of the run-off were the same as those of the first round, which indicated that the police had no hand in the results.
Accra records decline in crime rates
Page 23: Daily Graphic, January 15, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra Regional Police Command recorded a drastic decline in crime cases last year registering 17,401 as against 29,951 in 2007.
There was a decline in all criminal cases in 2008 as compared to the figures of 2007.
While there were 304 robbery cases in 2008 made up of 84 street robberies, 131 car snatching, 62 residential and 27 workplace robberies, the police recorded 325 robbery cases in 2007 made up of 72 street, 146 car snatching, 65 residential and 42 work place robberies.
With regard to serious crimes, the police recorded 11 murder cases, 3,823 fraud and 13,263 theft cases in 2008 against 61 murder, 6,863 fraud and 22,702 theft cases in 2007.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, who announced this at a press conference in Accra yesterday, explained that the arrest of some suspected hardened criminals and the increase in police vehicle patrols contributed to the decline.
He named some of the hardened criminals arrested as Isaac Darko Wellington alias Nii Darko, Tunde Abass, alias Shako, Ishmael Tagoe, alias Nii Addy, alias Sugar, Albert Abbey and Nii Armah Burger, who were all in one gang.
Others, he said, were Francis Nsor Nyaaba, alias Sheriff Osman, Isaac Essel, alias Sumaila Mohammed, alias Atiyaa, Ernest Atiogbe, alias Dada Toro, Yahaya Alhassan, alias Zukiya, and Nii Quaye Nai, alias Abdallah Malik.
The rest include Dickson Quansah, alias Fiifi, Daniel Oko Ocran, alias Mechanti Yasmini Yaw Mohammed, Razak Abdul-Rahman, alias Obollo, Paul Onyeka and Cletus Chidi Ndukwe, alias Chidi Emeduka, alias Kofi Asare Patrick.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said most of the suspects were either on remand or had been jailed.
He noted that most of the robberies were being committed in sprawling communities within the Accra region as the criminals took advantage of the non-availability of police presence to commit those crimes.
He was hopeful that if the region was rezoned to create more zones and vehicles provided, it would increase police presence all over the region to deter robbers from carrying out their activities.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh, however, advised car owners to investigate the background of drivers they gave their vehicles to, especially commercial vehicles, while the owners themselves should take their personal and car security issues seriously.
He commended the military and members of the public for their continuous support to the police in fighting crime.
The Deputy Accra Regional Commander, ACP Bright Oduro, said the police were currently looking for four suspects whose names he gave only as Rahman, Hamidu, Bashiru and Obonde.
He said swift reportage of crimes to the police facilitates an immediate response and cited the snatching of a VW Touareg the previous night and said the vehicle was intercepted in the Volta Region early yesterday morning because the victim called the police soon after the robbery.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra Regional Police Command recorded a drastic decline in crime cases last year registering 17,401 as against 29,951 in 2007.
There was a decline in all criminal cases in 2008 as compared to the figures of 2007.
While there were 304 robbery cases in 2008 made up of 84 street robberies, 131 car snatching, 62 residential and 27 workplace robberies, the police recorded 325 robbery cases in 2007 made up of 72 street, 146 car snatching, 65 residential and 42 work place robberies.
With regard to serious crimes, the police recorded 11 murder cases, 3,823 fraud and 13,263 theft cases in 2008 against 61 murder, 6,863 fraud and 22,702 theft cases in 2007.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, who announced this at a press conference in Accra yesterday, explained that the arrest of some suspected hardened criminals and the increase in police vehicle patrols contributed to the decline.
He named some of the hardened criminals arrested as Isaac Darko Wellington alias Nii Darko, Tunde Abass, alias Shako, Ishmael Tagoe, alias Nii Addy, alias Sugar, Albert Abbey and Nii Armah Burger, who were all in one gang.
Others, he said, were Francis Nsor Nyaaba, alias Sheriff Osman, Isaac Essel, alias Sumaila Mohammed, alias Atiyaa, Ernest Atiogbe, alias Dada Toro, Yahaya Alhassan, alias Zukiya, and Nii Quaye Nai, alias Abdallah Malik.
The rest include Dickson Quansah, alias Fiifi, Daniel Oko Ocran, alias Mechanti Yasmini Yaw Mohammed, Razak Abdul-Rahman, alias Obollo, Paul Onyeka and Cletus Chidi Ndukwe, alias Chidi Emeduka, alias Kofi Asare Patrick.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said most of the suspects were either on remand or had been jailed.
He noted that most of the robberies were being committed in sprawling communities within the Accra region as the criminals took advantage of the non-availability of police presence to commit those crimes.
He was hopeful that if the region was rezoned to create more zones and vehicles provided, it would increase police presence all over the region to deter robbers from carrying out their activities.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh, however, advised car owners to investigate the background of drivers they gave their vehicles to, especially commercial vehicles, while the owners themselves should take their personal and car security issues seriously.
He commended the military and members of the public for their continuous support to the police in fighting crime.
The Deputy Accra Regional Commander, ACP Bright Oduro, said the police were currently looking for four suspects whose names he gave only as Rahman, Hamidu, Bashiru and Obonde.
He said swift reportage of crimes to the police facilitates an immediate response and cited the snatching of a VW Touareg the previous night and said the vehicle was intercepted in the Volta Region early yesterday morning because the victim called the police soon after the robbery.
Govt has competence to handle economic challenges — Vice-President John Mahama
Page 21: Daily Graphic, January 15, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Vice-President, Mr John Mahama, has assured Ghanaians and the business community that the government has the will, ability and competence to overcome the economic challenges confronting the nation.
He said it had a clear understanding of the challenges ahead and would adopt prudent policies, better policy co-ordination and better management of the economy to justify the confidence placed in it by Ghanaians.
Addressing the annual Unilever Corporate Dinner in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Mahama said the challenge facing the government was putting in place urgent stabilisation measures to arrest an economy that was in danger of going into a tail spin.
He noted that the Mills administration was aware of the challenges of the recession that had hit many industrialised and developed countries which would obviously affect the levels of assistance that would be available to the country from its development partners and foreign direct investment.
Mr Mahama, however, said the NDC did not anticipate to develop the Ghanaian economy mainly from resources from the country’s development partners and foreign direct investment.
“While acknowledging that these are important sources of funding, it behoves us to think our way through our challenges and come up with innovative programmes, including cutting waste and increasing productivity, that will help us to lead Ghana to a middle-income status by the year 2020,” he said.
Mr Mahama said the government’s intention was to focus on improving and restoring macro-economic stability.
He said it recognised the need to ensure resource mobilisation to support accelerated economic development and gave the assurance that its resource mobilisation would not conflict with the NDC’s commitment to reduce taxes as outlined in its manifesto.
He explained that the tax reduction policies of the government were being proposed with a view to reducing the cost of doing business and improving productivity, adding, “We are in a position to make up for the loss in revenue by the productivity increase that such measures will stimulate and additional revenue generated from other existing tax instruments.”
Mr Mahama said the government was aware of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian industries, including inadequate, expensive and unreliable supply of power, unfair competition in the global market and the absence of a national strategic vision for industry.
Other challenges, he said, were the high cost of production due to the cost build up from the payment of upfront/input taxes, lack of access to appropriate financing and obsolete technology and the transfer of technology.
The Vice-President reminded industry of the NDC’s pledge to strengthen the linkages among industry, research and development institutions.
“This will be carried out with a view to investing in research activities that will be of practical application, foster improvement in productivity and enhance the growth of industry,” he said.
According to him, the government would also support the duty-free importation of production inputs on the same basis for the free zone establishments to make local industry more competitive.
Mr Mahama said the government was also aware that the development of the industrial and manufacturing sector was key to generating the jobs that were required for Ghanaian youth and the country’s accelerated economic growth.
He said it was conscious of the fact that the only way to achieve that objective was to promote increased consultation between the government and the business community to design and implement programmes and policy initiatives to yield results.
He said the government would, therefore, support existing and emerging business associations and use the consultation as effective platforms for channelling support to the formal and informal private sectors.
“We will establish a framework for constant dialogue and consultation with business associations on government’s policies and programmes which impact on business,” he said, and reminded the business community of a memorandum of understanding President Mills signed to that effect when he made a presentation to the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
The Vice-President said the government would also work with business associations to improve the institutional capacity of businesses in the areas of general business management, entrepreneurship, the adoption of appropriate technologies and other forms of support to make Ghanaian businesses competitive.
Mr Mahama stated that the government intended to review and reform the existing regulatory environment, in consultation with the business community, to ensure that it became business friendly and compatible with accelerated growth objectives.
“We also have in mind plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions to design, develop and provide entrepreneurship development skills, the aim of which is to instil in graduates of these institutions the spirit of entrepreneurship that spurs the creation of new businesses and the growth and expansion of the economy,” he added.
According to him, the government intended to establish a Youth Entrepreneurial Development Programme to encourage graduates of the universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions to set up their own businesses.
Mr Mahama, however, reminded the business community that as a social democratic party, “the NDC believes that there is the need for an activist state”.
He said it was the belief of the government that the historical and contemporary role of the state in facilitating growth and development for the attainment of broad-based prosperity was instructive and compelling and Ghana could not be an exception to that process.
He said it was also important that the public service machinery was re-oriented to make it an efficient agency for national development and active supporter of the efforts of the business sector.
Mr Mahama said the NDC campaigned on four points, namely, investing in people, investing in jobs, investing in the economy and maintaining a transparent and accountable government for a better Ghana.
He urged Ghanaians to put the elections behind them and join the government in moving the country forward.
“We invite you to join us in building our nation and creating prosperity for all that was at the foundation of our campaign commitments. We believe that working with you, we will be successful in this endeavour and ask that God continues to richly bless our homeland Ghana,” he concluded, to thunderous applause.
The Chief Executive of Unilever, Mr Charles Cofie, congratulated Prof J.E.A. Mills on his election as President of the country and expressed the hope that the government and industry would collaborate to create jobs and wealth.
He thanked the company’s corporate partners for their support during the past year.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Vice-President, Mr John Mahama, has assured Ghanaians and the business community that the government has the will, ability and competence to overcome the economic challenges confronting the nation.
He said it had a clear understanding of the challenges ahead and would adopt prudent policies, better policy co-ordination and better management of the economy to justify the confidence placed in it by Ghanaians.
Addressing the annual Unilever Corporate Dinner in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Mahama said the challenge facing the government was putting in place urgent stabilisation measures to arrest an economy that was in danger of going into a tail spin.
He noted that the Mills administration was aware of the challenges of the recession that had hit many industrialised and developed countries which would obviously affect the levels of assistance that would be available to the country from its development partners and foreign direct investment.
Mr Mahama, however, said the NDC did not anticipate to develop the Ghanaian economy mainly from resources from the country’s development partners and foreign direct investment.
“While acknowledging that these are important sources of funding, it behoves us to think our way through our challenges and come up with innovative programmes, including cutting waste and increasing productivity, that will help us to lead Ghana to a middle-income status by the year 2020,” he said.
Mr Mahama said the government’s intention was to focus on improving and restoring macro-economic stability.
He said it recognised the need to ensure resource mobilisation to support accelerated economic development and gave the assurance that its resource mobilisation would not conflict with the NDC’s commitment to reduce taxes as outlined in its manifesto.
He explained that the tax reduction policies of the government were being proposed with a view to reducing the cost of doing business and improving productivity, adding, “We are in a position to make up for the loss in revenue by the productivity increase that such measures will stimulate and additional revenue generated from other existing tax instruments.”
Mr Mahama said the government was aware of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian industries, including inadequate, expensive and unreliable supply of power, unfair competition in the global market and the absence of a national strategic vision for industry.
Other challenges, he said, were the high cost of production due to the cost build up from the payment of upfront/input taxes, lack of access to appropriate financing and obsolete technology and the transfer of technology.
The Vice-President reminded industry of the NDC’s pledge to strengthen the linkages among industry, research and development institutions.
“This will be carried out with a view to investing in research activities that will be of practical application, foster improvement in productivity and enhance the growth of industry,” he said.
According to him, the government would also support the duty-free importation of production inputs on the same basis for the free zone establishments to make local industry more competitive.
Mr Mahama said the government was also aware that the development of the industrial and manufacturing sector was key to generating the jobs that were required for Ghanaian youth and the country’s accelerated economic growth.
He said it was conscious of the fact that the only way to achieve that objective was to promote increased consultation between the government and the business community to design and implement programmes and policy initiatives to yield results.
He said the government would, therefore, support existing and emerging business associations and use the consultation as effective platforms for channelling support to the formal and informal private sectors.
“We will establish a framework for constant dialogue and consultation with business associations on government’s policies and programmes which impact on business,” he said, and reminded the business community of a memorandum of understanding President Mills signed to that effect when he made a presentation to the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
The Vice-President said the government would also work with business associations to improve the institutional capacity of businesses in the areas of general business management, entrepreneurship, the adoption of appropriate technologies and other forms of support to make Ghanaian businesses competitive.
Mr Mahama stated that the government intended to review and reform the existing regulatory environment, in consultation with the business community, to ensure that it became business friendly and compatible with accelerated growth objectives.
“We also have in mind plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions to design, develop and provide entrepreneurship development skills, the aim of which is to instil in graduates of these institutions the spirit of entrepreneurship that spurs the creation of new businesses and the growth and expansion of the economy,” he added.
According to him, the government intended to establish a Youth Entrepreneurial Development Programme to encourage graduates of the universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions to set up their own businesses.
Mr Mahama, however, reminded the business community that as a social democratic party, “the NDC believes that there is the need for an activist state”.
He said it was the belief of the government that the historical and contemporary role of the state in facilitating growth and development for the attainment of broad-based prosperity was instructive and compelling and Ghana could not be an exception to that process.
He said it was also important that the public service machinery was re-oriented to make it an efficient agency for national development and active supporter of the efforts of the business sector.
Mr Mahama said the NDC campaigned on four points, namely, investing in people, investing in jobs, investing in the economy and maintaining a transparent and accountable government for a better Ghana.
He urged Ghanaians to put the elections behind them and join the government in moving the country forward.
“We invite you to join us in building our nation and creating prosperity for all that was at the foundation of our campaign commitments. We believe that working with you, we will be successful in this endeavour and ask that God continues to richly bless our homeland Ghana,” he concluded, to thunderous applause.
The Chief Executive of Unilever, Mr Charles Cofie, congratulated Prof J.E.A. Mills on his election as President of the country and expressed the hope that the government and industry would collaborate to create jobs and wealth.
He thanked the company’s corporate partners for their support during the past year.
“Drug suspect’s escape, an embarrassment to law enforcement
Page 23: Daily Graphic, January 13, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO security and narcotics experts have described the escape of a drug suspect from the 37 Military Hospital as an embarrassment to law enforcement.
They said it also demonstrated the culture of impunity in which drug traffickers were manipulating personnel of the enforcement agencies.
Dr Kwesi Aning, who is the Head of the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department (CPMRD) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and Mr K. B. Quantson, a former National Security Co-ordinator, made the comments in response to a publication in the January 12, 2009 edition of the Daily Graphic about the escape of a drug suspect at the 37 Military Hospital on December 25, 2008.
Dr Aning said the escape showed that there was “a near culture of impunity in the manner in which those who deal with drugs feel secure that the agencies that are constitutionally mandated to ensure the fight against drugs can be manipulated to suit the interests of such drug lords and their gangs”.
He said the ability of a handcuffed drug suspect to escape from a military hospital raises disturbing questions that would need to be answered quickly if Ghana’s hard-earned reputation was not to be destroyed.
He, therefore, called for an overhaul of the Narcotics Control Board and a revision of PNDCL 236 to enable a reconstituted independent board to respond appropriately to “a national disgrace”.
Dr Aning said Ghana had a maximum of three to five years window within which to challenge the audacity with which those traffickers performed their nefarious activities in Ghana due to the sensitivity of the drug issue in Ghana and the persuasiveness of such activities.
He said a holistic approach to tackling the issue was for a bipartisan parliamentary commission of all parties supported by technical experts from Ghana and from Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Special Office for Africa to come to grips with the crisis.
He reminded all stakeholders in Ghana’s democracy that drugs posed the greatest challenge to the country’s democracy and security.
For his part, Mr Quantson, who was also the first Executive Secretary of NACOB, said President Mills must see the drug menace as a national calamity that needed urgent attention.
He said the setting up of a bi-partisan parliamentary committee would also send the right signal to the world that Ghana was serious in responding to the crisis.
He expressed regret about the falling of Ghana’s position as a major player in the fight against drugs.
Mr Quantson said a failure to act on the problem immediately would have catastrophic consequences that posterity would not forgive the present generation for.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO security and narcotics experts have described the escape of a drug suspect from the 37 Military Hospital as an embarrassment to law enforcement.
They said it also demonstrated the culture of impunity in which drug traffickers were manipulating personnel of the enforcement agencies.
Dr Kwesi Aning, who is the Head of the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department (CPMRD) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and Mr K. B. Quantson, a former National Security Co-ordinator, made the comments in response to a publication in the January 12, 2009 edition of the Daily Graphic about the escape of a drug suspect at the 37 Military Hospital on December 25, 2008.
Dr Aning said the escape showed that there was “a near culture of impunity in the manner in which those who deal with drugs feel secure that the agencies that are constitutionally mandated to ensure the fight against drugs can be manipulated to suit the interests of such drug lords and their gangs”.
He said the ability of a handcuffed drug suspect to escape from a military hospital raises disturbing questions that would need to be answered quickly if Ghana’s hard-earned reputation was not to be destroyed.
He, therefore, called for an overhaul of the Narcotics Control Board and a revision of PNDCL 236 to enable a reconstituted independent board to respond appropriately to “a national disgrace”.
Dr Aning said Ghana had a maximum of three to five years window within which to challenge the audacity with which those traffickers performed their nefarious activities in Ghana due to the sensitivity of the drug issue in Ghana and the persuasiveness of such activities.
He said a holistic approach to tackling the issue was for a bipartisan parliamentary commission of all parties supported by technical experts from Ghana and from Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Special Office for Africa to come to grips with the crisis.
He reminded all stakeholders in Ghana’s democracy that drugs posed the greatest challenge to the country’s democracy and security.
For his part, Mr Quantson, who was also the first Executive Secretary of NACOB, said President Mills must see the drug menace as a national calamity that needed urgent attention.
He said the setting up of a bi-partisan parliamentary committee would also send the right signal to the world that Ghana was serious in responding to the crisis.
He expressed regret about the falling of Ghana’s position as a major player in the fight against drugs.
Mr Quantson said a failure to act on the problem immediately would have catastrophic consequences that posterity would not forgive the present generation for.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Suspected drug peddler escapes * At 37 Military Hospital
Page 3: Daily Graphic, January 12, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 31-YEAR-OLD man who jumped from the first floor of the Departure Hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on August 30, 2008 to avoid arrest on suspicion of carrying narcotic drugs, has escaped from the 37 Military Hospital where he was being treated for multiple fractures.
At the time of his escape, the suspect, David Danso, was said to be in handcuffs but managed to fasten a rope to his bed and passed it through the window of Side Ward Five of the first floor of Easmon Ward to enable him to scale down to the ground.
Following his escape, six people are assisting the Cantonments Police to unravel the mystery surrounding the escape at 12:30am on Christmas Day.
They are Ebenezer Adu-Nyarko, Shadrack Bosomtwi, Felix Akologo, all of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB); Sannie Mohammed, Sgt Peter Ashong, both of the National Security Secretariat and currently on secondment to NACOB, and an unnamed Military Police officer.
The Daily Graphic in its September 20, 2008 edition reported the story of Danso’s attempt to escape from operatives of the NACOB after he had been invited by them on suspicion of attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be cocaine outside the country.
As a result of his heavy fall from the first floor of the main airport building, Danso was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where doctors indicated that he would be on admission for 10 weeks,
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NACOB, Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, told the Daily Graphic that the management of NACOB had referred the matter to the Cantonments Police for investigations.
He could, however, not tell the state of Danso’s health before his escape.
The Cantonments Police Crime Officer, ASP Kwasi Ofosu-Aduo told the Daily Graphic that the five men had been granted bail to assist in the investigations.
He said Sannie Mohammed, who should have been on duty, reported to his superior that he was sick resulting in Felix Akologo being asked to take over.
ASP Ofosu-Aduo said Akologo claimed he went out to buy water but on his return was informed by the Military Officer that the suspect had escaped.
The Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Surgeon Captain Roland Sowa, told the Daily Graphic that the institution that brought suspects had to provide security for them while they were on admission.
He said the hospital did not encourage the use of weapons at the wards because of the effect on other patients but that if a suspect escaped, then the officer providing security should be held responsible.
The Commanding Officer said the duty officer’s report showed that the suspect escaped at 12:30am on December 25, 2008.
At about 10:30 p.m. on August 30, 2008, Danso, who was resident in London, was the last person to go through departure formalities to board a London-bound flight.
Mr Amoah said while Danso was on his way to board the aircraft, operatives of NACOB invited him for random checks but he quickly turned and took to his heels.
According to the NACOB PRO, after meandering his way through Immigration Control, Danso jumped onto the ground floor.
Mr Amoah said Danso was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where he was admitted for treatment.
While on admission, he said, the suspect expelled 64 pellets of the substance.
He said upon interrogation, Danso claimed that a United States of America-based friend, Alhaji Musah, had sent him £1,500 to enable him to meet his financial obligations in Ghana before returning to London.
Mr Amoah said Danso, however, claimed that Alhaji Musah gave him that amount on condition that he took some drugs to London on his behalf.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 31-YEAR-OLD man who jumped from the first floor of the Departure Hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on August 30, 2008 to avoid arrest on suspicion of carrying narcotic drugs, has escaped from the 37 Military Hospital where he was being treated for multiple fractures.
At the time of his escape, the suspect, David Danso, was said to be in handcuffs but managed to fasten a rope to his bed and passed it through the window of Side Ward Five of the first floor of Easmon Ward to enable him to scale down to the ground.
Following his escape, six people are assisting the Cantonments Police to unravel the mystery surrounding the escape at 12:30am on Christmas Day.
They are Ebenezer Adu-Nyarko, Shadrack Bosomtwi, Felix Akologo, all of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB); Sannie Mohammed, Sgt Peter Ashong, both of the National Security Secretariat and currently on secondment to NACOB, and an unnamed Military Police officer.
The Daily Graphic in its September 20, 2008 edition reported the story of Danso’s attempt to escape from operatives of the NACOB after he had been invited by them on suspicion of attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be cocaine outside the country.
As a result of his heavy fall from the first floor of the main airport building, Danso was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where doctors indicated that he would be on admission for 10 weeks,
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NACOB, Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, told the Daily Graphic that the management of NACOB had referred the matter to the Cantonments Police for investigations.
He could, however, not tell the state of Danso’s health before his escape.
The Cantonments Police Crime Officer, ASP Kwasi Ofosu-Aduo told the Daily Graphic that the five men had been granted bail to assist in the investigations.
He said Sannie Mohammed, who should have been on duty, reported to his superior that he was sick resulting in Felix Akologo being asked to take over.
ASP Ofosu-Aduo said Akologo claimed he went out to buy water but on his return was informed by the Military Officer that the suspect had escaped.
The Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Surgeon Captain Roland Sowa, told the Daily Graphic that the institution that brought suspects had to provide security for them while they were on admission.
He said the hospital did not encourage the use of weapons at the wards because of the effect on other patients but that if a suspect escaped, then the officer providing security should be held responsible.
The Commanding Officer said the duty officer’s report showed that the suspect escaped at 12:30am on December 25, 2008.
At about 10:30 p.m. on August 30, 2008, Danso, who was resident in London, was the last person to go through departure formalities to board a London-bound flight.
Mr Amoah said while Danso was on his way to board the aircraft, operatives of NACOB invited him for random checks but he quickly turned and took to his heels.
According to the NACOB PRO, after meandering his way through Immigration Control, Danso jumped onto the ground floor.
Mr Amoah said Danso was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where he was admitted for treatment.
While on admission, he said, the suspect expelled 64 pellets of the substance.
He said upon interrogation, Danso claimed that a United States of America-based friend, Alhaji Musah, had sent him £1,500 to enable him to meet his financial obligations in Ghana before returning to London.
Mr Amoah said Danso, however, claimed that Alhaji Musah gave him that amount on condition that he took some drugs to London on his behalf.
Deal with drug menace ... Dr Aning advises President Mills
Page 19: Daily Graphic, January 10, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
DR Kwesi Aning, Head of the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department (CPMRD) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has called on President J. E. A. Mills to deal with the narcotics menace because it poses a major threat to the nation’s security.
“This threat is more insidious and dangerous than the threat of conflicts that engulfed this sub-region in the 1990s and early 21st century. This is because of the manner in which this threat, namely, the increasing flow of drugs through Ghana, now one of two major hubs in the region, is beginning to undermine both communities and public sector institutions and increasingly replacing the state, in some instances, by providing services previously reserved for states,” he said.
Dr Aning, whose concerns were contained in a letter to the President under the heading, “Managing expectations, reconciling Ghana and defining priorities”, reminded Prof Mills that “apart from the usual issue areas that were identified and appropriate promises made, Election 2008 was defined by a surprisingly welcome agreement among all presidential candidates about one issue area, namely, the national and security threat posed to Ghana and West Africa by the narcotics trade”.
He said what Prof Mills could do in the immediate to short-term included revising and strengthening legislation underpinning the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) and making it an independent body.
He said the new administration should also create a greater clarity and operational understanding of the emergence, impact and growth of organised crime in general and narcotics in particular, as well as the enforcement of assets declaration regulations.
He explained that the drug trade or trafficking in Ghana now formed a major part of transnational criminal activities taking place in West Africa and, therefore, required “to be on top of your priority list as head of government” due to the multiple threats it posed to all aspects of Ghana’s life.
Touching on other areas, Dr Aning said it was important that Prof Mills considered the time frame within which he could deliver on his promises in a manner that citizens did not start getting disillusioned and how to manage their expectations so that they did not think that they had been given vain promises.
“It is critical that these concerns are brought to your notice, hopefully before you are sworn in, so that in making your choices of the best and brightest minds in Ghana to help you to deliver on your promises, these concerns are factored into your considerations,” he said.
“Equally important is the fact that there should be recognition by yourself and your team that democracy functions best when citizens feel that they have not been taken for granted, but more important that their trust and support really do count for something. This is something that citizens are increasingly becoming aware of and expect that those who wield power on their behalf should show respect for,” he stressed.
Dr Aning said politics was not only about trust, support and respect but also reciprocity; of recognising the competing interests and demands and expectations of the silent but huge minority who did not vote for him.
He said the results from both the first and the second rounds showed that a large and significant minority did not support him, which placed difficulties on him.
“It calls for mature, seasoned, considered and reconciliatory approaches to make this large minority citizen-electorates feel part of your government. Such a minority requires to be heard also,” he opined.
Dr Aning explained that he was raising concerns about reconciliation and the need for Prof Mills’s administration to quickly signal its intention and interest in an inclusive administration.
According to him, the rationale for the necessity of such an approach was that Election 2008 had also exposed serious cracks about the sense of being Ghanaian, basically a feeling of ‘ghanaianess’, namely, “our identity as a diverse but bounded collective, of different ethnicities driven by our shared desire to be Ghanaian, while maintaining our uniqueness”.
He said while that dream had been fought for in the half century since Ghana became independent, the words, actions and behaviour of several national politicians and the misguided policies of some public agencies during the electoral period had resulted in some Ghanaians feeling uncertain and insecure about being part of the bounded collective.
“This is dangerous and can undermine the unity that Ghanaians have fought so hard for. You are in a unique position to quickly reverse this negative trend through considered, inclusive and sober initiatives,” he stated.
Dr Aning noted that the politics of winner-takes-all in Ghana could make some persons around Prof Mills argue against stretching his hand out to his political opponents or rather encourage him to make public statements of reconciliation that he did not intend to follow through.
“This will not only be disingenuous but also dangerous. But there are also moderates around you who will counsel for soberness and sensitivity towards those who are vanquished and to chart a course of inclusiveness. Give these moderate voices around you a fair hearing,” he advised.
Dr Aning congratulated Prof Mills on his election victory, saying that “there is no doubt that in the political history of Ghana this has been one of the longest, hardest fought and most gruelling of elections”.
He said although he would have preferred to leave Prof Mills alone to savour his victory for a few more days and rest after almost 18 months of traversing the length and breadth of Ghana canvassing for votes and presenting and offering his vision to the nation, “I am afraid that the last couple of months have also exposed some disturbing developments that you and the team that you will inevitably put together will have to examine”.
Story: Albert K. Salia
DR Kwesi Aning, Head of the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Department (CPMRD) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has called on President J. E. A. Mills to deal with the narcotics menace because it poses a major threat to the nation’s security.
“This threat is more insidious and dangerous than the threat of conflicts that engulfed this sub-region in the 1990s and early 21st century. This is because of the manner in which this threat, namely, the increasing flow of drugs through Ghana, now one of two major hubs in the region, is beginning to undermine both communities and public sector institutions and increasingly replacing the state, in some instances, by providing services previously reserved for states,” he said.
Dr Aning, whose concerns were contained in a letter to the President under the heading, “Managing expectations, reconciling Ghana and defining priorities”, reminded Prof Mills that “apart from the usual issue areas that were identified and appropriate promises made, Election 2008 was defined by a surprisingly welcome agreement among all presidential candidates about one issue area, namely, the national and security threat posed to Ghana and West Africa by the narcotics trade”.
He said what Prof Mills could do in the immediate to short-term included revising and strengthening legislation underpinning the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) and making it an independent body.
He said the new administration should also create a greater clarity and operational understanding of the emergence, impact and growth of organised crime in general and narcotics in particular, as well as the enforcement of assets declaration regulations.
He explained that the drug trade or trafficking in Ghana now formed a major part of transnational criminal activities taking place in West Africa and, therefore, required “to be on top of your priority list as head of government” due to the multiple threats it posed to all aspects of Ghana’s life.
Touching on other areas, Dr Aning said it was important that Prof Mills considered the time frame within which he could deliver on his promises in a manner that citizens did not start getting disillusioned and how to manage their expectations so that they did not think that they had been given vain promises.
“It is critical that these concerns are brought to your notice, hopefully before you are sworn in, so that in making your choices of the best and brightest minds in Ghana to help you to deliver on your promises, these concerns are factored into your considerations,” he said.
“Equally important is the fact that there should be recognition by yourself and your team that democracy functions best when citizens feel that they have not been taken for granted, but more important that their trust and support really do count for something. This is something that citizens are increasingly becoming aware of and expect that those who wield power on their behalf should show respect for,” he stressed.
Dr Aning said politics was not only about trust, support and respect but also reciprocity; of recognising the competing interests and demands and expectations of the silent but huge minority who did not vote for him.
He said the results from both the first and the second rounds showed that a large and significant minority did not support him, which placed difficulties on him.
“It calls for mature, seasoned, considered and reconciliatory approaches to make this large minority citizen-electorates feel part of your government. Such a minority requires to be heard also,” he opined.
Dr Aning explained that he was raising concerns about reconciliation and the need for Prof Mills’s administration to quickly signal its intention and interest in an inclusive administration.
According to him, the rationale for the necessity of such an approach was that Election 2008 had also exposed serious cracks about the sense of being Ghanaian, basically a feeling of ‘ghanaianess’, namely, “our identity as a diverse but bounded collective, of different ethnicities driven by our shared desire to be Ghanaian, while maintaining our uniqueness”.
He said while that dream had been fought for in the half century since Ghana became independent, the words, actions and behaviour of several national politicians and the misguided policies of some public agencies during the electoral period had resulted in some Ghanaians feeling uncertain and insecure about being part of the bounded collective.
“This is dangerous and can undermine the unity that Ghanaians have fought so hard for. You are in a unique position to quickly reverse this negative trend through considered, inclusive and sober initiatives,” he stated.
Dr Aning noted that the politics of winner-takes-all in Ghana could make some persons around Prof Mills argue against stretching his hand out to his political opponents or rather encourage him to make public statements of reconciliation that he did not intend to follow through.
“This will not only be disingenuous but also dangerous. But there are also moderates around you who will counsel for soberness and sensitivity towards those who are vanquished and to chart a course of inclusiveness. Give these moderate voices around you a fair hearing,” he advised.
Dr Aning congratulated Prof Mills on his election victory, saying that “there is no doubt that in the political history of Ghana this has been one of the longest, hardest fought and most gruelling of elections”.
He said although he would have preferred to leave Prof Mills alone to savour his victory for a few more days and rest after almost 18 months of traversing the length and breadth of Ghana canvassing for votes and presenting and offering his vision to the nation, “I am afraid that the last couple of months have also exposed some disturbing developments that you and the team that you will inevitably put together will have to examine”.
ACP Kofi Boakye's fate in the balance
Page 3: Daily Graphic, January 10, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kofi Boakye’s dream of resuming duty at the Ghana Police Service will have to be on hold until the Police Council decides.
Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor on January 6, this year, in a letter to the chairman of the Police Council asked that ACP Kofi Boakye be reinstated.
The letter explained that the decision was based on the advice of the Attorney-General’s Department that ACP Boakye, a former Director of Operations of the Police, be reinstated since it did not have the intention of prosecuting him.
ACP Kofi Boakye was interdicted in 2006 following a recommendation by the Georgina Wood Committee which investigated the loss of 77 parcels of cocaine on aboard the MV Benjamin ship.
Sources within the Ministry of the Interior told the Daily Graphic that the Police Administration could not act on the letter because it was addressed to the chairman of the Police Council.
The sources were even the more worried that the ex-President had to wait till the eve of his departure before making the announcement when indeed the advice from the AG’s Department had been with his office for well over two months.
They, therefore, said it would be prudent for the new administration to act on the letter.
The Daily Graphic can also confirm that the issue of ACP Boakye was a subject of discussion at the security sub-committee meeting of the transition teams meeting on Thursday during which members of the sub-committee sought clarification on the issue.
When contacted, ACP Kofi Boakye said he was waiting for a letter from the Police Service to enable him to resume duty.
He said he had had the patience for two years and would wait for the Police Administration to communicate to him on the President’s letter that he should be reinstated.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kofi Boakye’s dream of resuming duty at the Ghana Police Service will have to be on hold until the Police Council decides.
Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor on January 6, this year, in a letter to the chairman of the Police Council asked that ACP Kofi Boakye be reinstated.
The letter explained that the decision was based on the advice of the Attorney-General’s Department that ACP Boakye, a former Director of Operations of the Police, be reinstated since it did not have the intention of prosecuting him.
ACP Kofi Boakye was interdicted in 2006 following a recommendation by the Georgina Wood Committee which investigated the loss of 77 parcels of cocaine on aboard the MV Benjamin ship.
Sources within the Ministry of the Interior told the Daily Graphic that the Police Administration could not act on the letter because it was addressed to the chairman of the Police Council.
The sources were even the more worried that the ex-President had to wait till the eve of his departure before making the announcement when indeed the advice from the AG’s Department had been with his office for well over two months.
They, therefore, said it would be prudent for the new administration to act on the letter.
The Daily Graphic can also confirm that the issue of ACP Boakye was a subject of discussion at the security sub-committee meeting of the transition teams meeting on Thursday during which members of the sub-committee sought clarification on the issue.
When contacted, ACP Kofi Boakye said he was waiting for a letter from the Police Service to enable him to resume duty.
He said he had had the patience for two years and would wait for the Police Administration to communicate to him on the President’s letter that he should be reinstated.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
EC can be dragged to court - Obiri Boahen
Page 28: Daily Graphic, January 7, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Interior Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen says that the notion that the Electoral Commission (EC) cannot be dragged to court as wrong.
He said if Ghanaians and the chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan create the impression that the EC was an autonomous body and a creature of a statute, and therefore, not subjected to legal process was wrong.
Reacting to Dr Afari-Gyan’s statement that the evidence provided by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) bothered on criminality and not sufficient to invalidate the outcome of the Presidential run-off, Nana Boahen said by the rule of natural justice, the EC did not have the right to demand evidence from both the NPP and the NDC.
According to him, by demanding the evidence, the EC should have allowed the complainant to be cross-examined by the accused to enable the EC decide, saying that the essence of cross-examination was to enable the arbiter admit the evidence or not and pass judgement.
He made it clear that from time immemorial, it had been the judiciary that interpreted the Constitution and, therefore, “for Dr Afari-Gyan to think that he and the EC were not amenable to the Constitution is false”.
Nana Boahen said it was not possible for Dr Afari-Gyan to be a judge in a case where he failed to allow cross-examination of witnesses and, therefore, the dismissal of the complaint by the NPP was “untenable, unreasonable, unacceptable and uncalled for”.
In that case, he said, the best place to resolve such a dispute or misunderstanding as the Constitution provided was the Courts.
He cited the EC’s own case, the Republic vs Mettle Nunoo and others in which the EC sought to stop Mettle Nunoo and the other interested parties from demanding recounting/recollation of presidential results in the 2004 general elections at the High Court and wanted the matter to be determined by the Supreme Court.
He said it was, therefore, wrong for those who held the view that the NPP should not have gone to court to seek redress of its concerns.
Nana Boahen explained that the results of an election could not be genuine where agents of a political party were chased away and were unable to sign results.
“It is a well-known fact that fraud vitiates everything and, therefore, if a political party resorts to fraudulent means to get what they desire, it is wrong. Despite the perpetuation of the fraud, results were made to stand. It is not fair as the result is tainted with irregularity,” he said.
He said the EC’s acknowledgment of the criminalities and endorsing the results was bad for Ghana’s democracy.
“I think this is the time for Dr Afari-Gyan to quit and bow his head in shame,” he stated.
He said the 1992 Constitution of Ghana was the supreme law of the land which had states in Article 1 (1) and 1 (2) that sovereignity resides in the people of Ghana and that justice was administered by the judiciary.
Nana Boahen said under the constitution, neither the President nor Parliament nor organisation/agency of the President or Parliament shall have or be given final judicial power.
“The judiciary shall have the jurisdiction in all matters - civil and criminal - including matters relating to the 1992 Constitution and such others that may be conferred on it by Parliament,” he said.
Nana Boahen said Dr Afari-Gyan could, therefore, not create the impression that nobody could challenge the acts of commission or omission of the EC since it was created by the Constitution.
“From independence up to now, the greatest asset of this nation is the judiciary. The Executive might transgressed and the Legislature might become unruly. It has always being the judiciary that has stood the test of time by standing firm on the side of truth and justice,” he said.
“Apart from one knock here and there, overwhelmingly, the judiciary is the least offensive of the three arms of government and on that has brought stability to the country,” he added.
Nana Boahen said if the NPP or any other agency or party felt aggrieved, “you do not expect them to take bows and arrows, guns to fight to seek redress. The proper forum is the court”.
Nana Boahen said frowning on the NPP’s going to court was dangerous because “if we want our democracy to thrive, we should not create the impression that a party cannot go to court to seek redress”.
He said the end result of such tendencies would be chaos and war.
As to whether the NPP would go back to court, Nana Boahen said it was the preserve of the leadership of the NPP to decide.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Interior Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen says that the notion that the Electoral Commission (EC) cannot be dragged to court as wrong.
He said if Ghanaians and the chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan create the impression that the EC was an autonomous body and a creature of a statute, and therefore, not subjected to legal process was wrong.
Reacting to Dr Afari-Gyan’s statement that the evidence provided by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) bothered on criminality and not sufficient to invalidate the outcome of the Presidential run-off, Nana Boahen said by the rule of natural justice, the EC did not have the right to demand evidence from both the NPP and the NDC.
According to him, by demanding the evidence, the EC should have allowed the complainant to be cross-examined by the accused to enable the EC decide, saying that the essence of cross-examination was to enable the arbiter admit the evidence or not and pass judgement.
He made it clear that from time immemorial, it had been the judiciary that interpreted the Constitution and, therefore, “for Dr Afari-Gyan to think that he and the EC were not amenable to the Constitution is false”.
Nana Boahen said it was not possible for Dr Afari-Gyan to be a judge in a case where he failed to allow cross-examination of witnesses and, therefore, the dismissal of the complaint by the NPP was “untenable, unreasonable, unacceptable and uncalled for”.
In that case, he said, the best place to resolve such a dispute or misunderstanding as the Constitution provided was the Courts.
He cited the EC’s own case, the Republic vs Mettle Nunoo and others in which the EC sought to stop Mettle Nunoo and the other interested parties from demanding recounting/recollation of presidential results in the 2004 general elections at the High Court and wanted the matter to be determined by the Supreme Court.
He said it was, therefore, wrong for those who held the view that the NPP should not have gone to court to seek redress of its concerns.
Nana Boahen explained that the results of an election could not be genuine where agents of a political party were chased away and were unable to sign results.
“It is a well-known fact that fraud vitiates everything and, therefore, if a political party resorts to fraudulent means to get what they desire, it is wrong. Despite the perpetuation of the fraud, results were made to stand. It is not fair as the result is tainted with irregularity,” he said.
He said the EC’s acknowledgment of the criminalities and endorsing the results was bad for Ghana’s democracy.
“I think this is the time for Dr Afari-Gyan to quit and bow his head in shame,” he stated.
He said the 1992 Constitution of Ghana was the supreme law of the land which had states in Article 1 (1) and 1 (2) that sovereignity resides in the people of Ghana and that justice was administered by the judiciary.
Nana Boahen said under the constitution, neither the President nor Parliament nor organisation/agency of the President or Parliament shall have or be given final judicial power.
“The judiciary shall have the jurisdiction in all matters - civil and criminal - including matters relating to the 1992 Constitution and such others that may be conferred on it by Parliament,” he said.
Nana Boahen said Dr Afari-Gyan could, therefore, not create the impression that nobody could challenge the acts of commission or omission of the EC since it was created by the Constitution.
“From independence up to now, the greatest asset of this nation is the judiciary. The Executive might transgressed and the Legislature might become unruly. It has always being the judiciary that has stood the test of time by standing firm on the side of truth and justice,” he said.
“Apart from one knock here and there, overwhelmingly, the judiciary is the least offensive of the three arms of government and on that has brought stability to the country,” he added.
Nana Boahen said if the NPP or any other agency or party felt aggrieved, “you do not expect them to take bows and arrows, guns to fight to seek redress. The proper forum is the court”.
Nana Boahen said frowning on the NPP’s going to court was dangerous because “if we want our democracy to thrive, we should not create the impression that a party cannot go to court to seek redress”.
He said the end result of such tendencies would be chaos and war.
As to whether the NPP would go back to court, Nana Boahen said it was the preserve of the leadership of the NPP to decide.
Election Task Force shifts to ‘Operation Calm Life’
Page 40: Daily Graphic, January 6, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force says it has now shifted its security arrangements to the sustenance of post-election peace and stability in the country under the code name, “Operation Calm Life”.
It, therefore, called for the co-operation and support of all Ghanaians to enable the security services to perform their duties for the benefit of all.
It noted that despite the reservations, suspicions and challenges of the work of the task force, it succeeded in performing to the satisfaction of all in the conduct of the general election.
The spokesperson of the task force, DSP Kwesi Ofori, warned the investor community to be particularly wary of all kinds of e-mails linking them to the coming administration.
DSP Ofori, who is also the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, said the massive deployment of security personnel and their neutrality in the performance of their duties ensured the peace and stability of the country.
He said post-election security had become the major concern of the task force now.
DSP Ofori advised motorists against drink-driving and abuse of road traffic regulations in the new year to avoid unnecessary accidents.
The task force put in place a three-phase security arrangement to ensure a safe and secure environment for peaceful electioneering before election day and thereafter to ensure post-election peace.
The first phase of the arrangement covered the period of intensified political campaigns and preparation/distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country with phase two covering the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results, the period of tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict and violence.
Under phase three, which would end on March 10, 2009, the security services are expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the Rapid Deployment Forces (RDFs) and, in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries, maintain border security.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force says it has now shifted its security arrangements to the sustenance of post-election peace and stability in the country under the code name, “Operation Calm Life”.
It, therefore, called for the co-operation and support of all Ghanaians to enable the security services to perform their duties for the benefit of all.
It noted that despite the reservations, suspicions and challenges of the work of the task force, it succeeded in performing to the satisfaction of all in the conduct of the general election.
The spokesperson of the task force, DSP Kwesi Ofori, warned the investor community to be particularly wary of all kinds of e-mails linking them to the coming administration.
DSP Ofori, who is also the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, said the massive deployment of security personnel and their neutrality in the performance of their duties ensured the peace and stability of the country.
He said post-election security had become the major concern of the task force now.
DSP Ofori advised motorists against drink-driving and abuse of road traffic regulations in the new year to avoid unnecessary accidents.
The task force put in place a three-phase security arrangement to ensure a safe and secure environment for peaceful electioneering before election day and thereafter to ensure post-election peace.
The first phase of the arrangement covered the period of intensified political campaigns and preparation/distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country with phase two covering the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results, the period of tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict and violence.
Under phase three, which would end on March 10, 2009, the security services are expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the Rapid Deployment Forces (RDFs) and, in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries, maintain border security.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Fifth Parliament must be bi-partisan - Urges Francis Poku
Page 12: Daily Graphic, January 5, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE immediate past National Security Minister, Mr Francis Poku, has called on the fifth Parliament to allow bi-partisanship and consensus building to guide its discourse in the legislature.
He said in the last Parliament, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) agreed on consensus building and that sustained the national development agenda.
“I, therefore, expect that the fifth Parliament will be influenced by what happened in the last Parliament, particularly when I was the Minister for National Security to move the country forward,” he told the Daily Graphic from his London base.
Mr Poku said the need for the consensus should start with the choice of the Speaker of the House because whoever was chosen as the Speaker was crucial in generating consensus building in the House.
He said Ghanaians, particularly Parliament, should remember that the world was embroiled in financial crisis and the only way to attract and sustain investment in the country would depend on how “we promote consensus building, putting the national interest first and focusing on good governance”.
He stressed the need for the Professor Atta Mills administration not to pursue the path of vengeance since vengeance was counter-productive.
According to him, it was usual for new administrations to pursue the path of vengeance either directly or indirectly but “it is time that Ghanaians proved to the rest of the world that Ghana was in a class of its own”.
Mr Poku said he was convinced that Prof Atta Mills would identify the key socio-economic and political issues that needed to be addressed.
As to whether he still harboured political or public service ambitions, Mr Poku said “I have performed my part of serving the public and I have now dedicated my life to playing other roles in the church and the community I live in, both in Ghana and London, and will remain so”.
He said he had known both Prof Mills and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo at the University of Ghana, Legon where they were colleagues and said he was convinced either of them would leave a positive legacy for this country and not do anything untoward.
Mr Poku advised Prof Mills against nervousness in his reign, particularly the early days of government which could see him make unnecessary changes in the public service, especially in the security sector.
“As a new administration, Prof Mills must keep his nerves and not embark on immediate changes which will not serve his interest and that of the state. I know he has his own team and even the rush for positions within the NDC could make him make changes which will not serve him,” he advised.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE immediate past National Security Minister, Mr Francis Poku, has called on the fifth Parliament to allow bi-partisanship and consensus building to guide its discourse in the legislature.
He said in the last Parliament, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) agreed on consensus building and that sustained the national development agenda.
“I, therefore, expect that the fifth Parliament will be influenced by what happened in the last Parliament, particularly when I was the Minister for National Security to move the country forward,” he told the Daily Graphic from his London base.
Mr Poku said the need for the consensus should start with the choice of the Speaker of the House because whoever was chosen as the Speaker was crucial in generating consensus building in the House.
He said Ghanaians, particularly Parliament, should remember that the world was embroiled in financial crisis and the only way to attract and sustain investment in the country would depend on how “we promote consensus building, putting the national interest first and focusing on good governance”.
He stressed the need for the Professor Atta Mills administration not to pursue the path of vengeance since vengeance was counter-productive.
According to him, it was usual for new administrations to pursue the path of vengeance either directly or indirectly but “it is time that Ghanaians proved to the rest of the world that Ghana was in a class of its own”.
Mr Poku said he was convinced that Prof Atta Mills would identify the key socio-economic and political issues that needed to be addressed.
As to whether he still harboured political or public service ambitions, Mr Poku said “I have performed my part of serving the public and I have now dedicated my life to playing other roles in the church and the community I live in, both in Ghana and London, and will remain so”.
He said he had known both Prof Mills and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo at the University of Ghana, Legon where they were colleagues and said he was convinced either of them would leave a positive legacy for this country and not do anything untoward.
Mr Poku advised Prof Mills against nervousness in his reign, particularly the early days of government which could see him make unnecessary changes in the public service, especially in the security sector.
“As a new administration, Prof Mills must keep his nerves and not embark on immediate changes which will not serve his interest and that of the state. I know he has his own team and even the rush for positions within the NDC could make him make changes which will not serve him,” he advised.
NDC deserves to win — Obiri Boahen
Page 12: Daily Graphic, January 5, 2009
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, has admitted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) deserves to win the general election.
He said while the NDC worked as a committed and dedicated team, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were all nerves.
He told the Daily Graphic soon after the declaration of the results that it was a battle well-fought by both parties but it was the most prepared and determined political party that won.
“You cannot take that right from the NDC and I think the national executive of the party, particularly its General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, who was all over the country,” he said.
Nana Boahen said he and some other functionaries were not impressed with the performance of the NPP executive.
Comparing the executives of the two parties, the NDC went the extra mile in discharging their duties except the utterances of its general secretary although he did his administrative and field operations well.
“He performed better than the general secretaries of the other parties,” he said.
Nana Boahen, however, said there were a few isolated cases of intimidation, snatching of ballot boxes, beating of party agents by opponents as well as number of votes exceeding the number on the register and declaration of party agents as persona non-grata that needed to be addressed.
He said the voting trends which centred on tribalism did not augur well for national unity.
He said the Electoral Commission also needed to perfect the printing of electoral materials to avoid allegations of thumb-printing of ballot papers before elections.
“When I raised the alarm about the use of extra ballot papers for other uses, I was lambasted and castigated but I think the disappearance of the 1,800 ballot papers at Tain which necessitated the postponement of the elections there vindicates me,” he said.
Nana Boahen, however, urged the rank and file of the NPP not to be demoralised but stand up and be counted in these challenging times, saying that “Prof Mills contested three times before winning and that should urge us all to be steadfast”.
He said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fought like an ancient Roman soldier and should be commended by all.
He said the NPP must begin to put the pieces together by reviewing the party’s constitution to create positions for deputy general secretaries and repose the selection of parliamentary candidates and presidential candidates of the NPP in the hands of paid up members.
Nana Boahen said it was also important to create positions for Deputy National Organiser and that of Youth Organiser to broaden the field operations of the party.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, has admitted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) deserves to win the general election.
He said while the NDC worked as a committed and dedicated team, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were all nerves.
He told the Daily Graphic soon after the declaration of the results that it was a battle well-fought by both parties but it was the most prepared and determined political party that won.
“You cannot take that right from the NDC and I think the national executive of the party, particularly its General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, who was all over the country,” he said.
Nana Boahen said he and some other functionaries were not impressed with the performance of the NPP executive.
Comparing the executives of the two parties, the NDC went the extra mile in discharging their duties except the utterances of its general secretary although he did his administrative and field operations well.
“He performed better than the general secretaries of the other parties,” he said.
Nana Boahen, however, said there were a few isolated cases of intimidation, snatching of ballot boxes, beating of party agents by opponents as well as number of votes exceeding the number on the register and declaration of party agents as persona non-grata that needed to be addressed.
He said the voting trends which centred on tribalism did not augur well for national unity.
He said the Electoral Commission also needed to perfect the printing of electoral materials to avoid allegations of thumb-printing of ballot papers before elections.
“When I raised the alarm about the use of extra ballot papers for other uses, I was lambasted and castigated but I think the disappearance of the 1,800 ballot papers at Tain which necessitated the postponement of the elections there vindicates me,” he said.
Nana Boahen, however, urged the rank and file of the NPP not to be demoralised but stand up and be counted in these challenging times, saying that “Prof Mills contested three times before winning and that should urge us all to be steadfast”.
He said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fought like an ancient Roman soldier and should be commended by all.
He said the NPP must begin to put the pieces together by reviewing the party’s constitution to create positions for deputy general secretaries and repose the selection of parliamentary candidates and presidential candidates of the NPP in the hands of paid up members.
Nana Boahen said it was also important to create positions for Deputy National Organiser and that of Youth Organiser to broaden the field operations of the party.
Injunction against EC unnecessary - da Rocha
Page 17: Daily Graphic, January 3, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A FORMER Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and legal luminary, Mr B.J. da Rocha, has stated that the move by his party to obtain a court injunction against the Electoral Commission (EC) is unnecessary.
He said the Commission, under the 1992 Constitution, was an independent body in the performance of its functions and was subject only to the Constitution and not subject to the direction or authority of any person.
He told the Daily Graphic in response to the writ filed by the NPP to restrain the Commission from conducting the election in the Tain Constituency that the “court cannot tell the EC to hold an election or not to do so”.
Mr da Rocha said it was only when an election had been held and the results declared that any aggrieved person could go to court and give reasons why he or she thought the results were flawed.
“It is my opinion that the court cannot stop the EC from declaring the results,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged the NPP to abandon the court action and allow the EC to do its work.
“We do no want a situation when on January 7 there is nobody to be sworn-in as President in succession to President Kufuor, because he cannot continue to stay in office even one minute after his term has expired,” he stated.
Mr da Rocha said it was, therefore, not in the interest of the NPP, the NDC and the nation that there would be nobody to be sworn in as President on January 7.
He said he agreed with the statement issued by the President calling on the NPP to allow the EC to do its work.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A FORMER Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and legal luminary, Mr B.J. da Rocha, has stated that the move by his party to obtain a court injunction against the Electoral Commission (EC) is unnecessary.
He said the Commission, under the 1992 Constitution, was an independent body in the performance of its functions and was subject only to the Constitution and not subject to the direction or authority of any person.
He told the Daily Graphic in response to the writ filed by the NPP to restrain the Commission from conducting the election in the Tain Constituency that the “court cannot tell the EC to hold an election or not to do so”.
Mr da Rocha said it was only when an election had been held and the results declared that any aggrieved person could go to court and give reasons why he or she thought the results were flawed.
“It is my opinion that the court cannot stop the EC from declaring the results,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged the NPP to abandon the court action and allow the EC to do its work.
“We do no want a situation when on January 7 there is nobody to be sworn-in as President in succession to President Kufuor, because he cannot continue to stay in office even one minute after his term has expired,” he stated.
Mr da Rocha said it was, therefore, not in the interest of the NPP, the NDC and the nation that there would be nobody to be sworn in as President on January 7.
He said he agreed with the statement issued by the President calling on the NPP to allow the EC to do its work.
Roads leading to EC closed by task force * To ensure security
Page 19: Daily Graphic, January 2, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has announced the closure of all roads leading to and out of the premises of the Electoral Commission (EC) from today, January 2, 2009 until further notice.
It said the roads would remain closed until the task force deemed it fit to re-open them for public use.
The Spokesperson of the task force, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the decision to close the Castle Road from the African Liberation Circle through to the Cathedral Square, the road from the traffic light at the Alisa Hotel Junction at Ridge to the Ridge Roundabout, the road from the TUC, through the Labour College and the roads within the Ridge residential area was to create an enabling environment for officials of the EC, the Ridge Hospital, other business entities, as well as residents and patients in the area, to undertake their legitimate duties without fear.
He said only officials of the EC, stakeholders in the presidential election, emergency services, security personnel and patients would be allowed access to those routes.
He said any unlawful gathering by any group in the area would be met with legitimate force by security personnel.
DSP Ofori, who is also the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, appealed to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their followers not to “use the area as a playing field”.
He said anyone caught breaking the routes would be arrested and prosecuted.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Elections Security Task Force has announced the closure of all roads leading to and out of the premises of the Electoral Commission (EC) from today, January 2, 2009 until further notice.
It said the roads would remain closed until the task force deemed it fit to re-open them for public use.
The Spokesperson of the task force, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the decision to close the Castle Road from the African Liberation Circle through to the Cathedral Square, the road from the traffic light at the Alisa Hotel Junction at Ridge to the Ridge Roundabout, the road from the TUC, through the Labour College and the roads within the Ridge residential area was to create an enabling environment for officials of the EC, the Ridge Hospital, other business entities, as well as residents and patients in the area, to undertake their legitimate duties without fear.
He said only officials of the EC, stakeholders in the presidential election, emergency services, security personnel and patients would be allowed access to those routes.
He said any unlawful gathering by any group in the area would be met with legitimate force by security personnel.
DSP Ofori, who is also the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, appealed to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their followers not to “use the area as a playing field”.
He said anyone caught breaking the routes would be arrested and prosecuted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
