Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

People, Places and Events

GHANA

Concession to travellers

Ghanaian travellers arriving from abroad are at liberty to bring along with them, a number of items that would attract no tax, under a Special Baggage Concession.

The items are: four vehicle tyres, a car battery, about C4,825 worth of spare parts, two quarts of brake fluid and a gallon of engine oil.

The concession applies to all Ghanaian travellers regardless of whether they own cars or not.

Passengers are also entitled to bring in 50 kilograms each of rice, sugar and flour. Other items include 12 tins of milk, 18 cakes of toilet soap, six bars of pale soap or 18 cakes of pale soap and five kilograms of detergents.

Who Watches The Watchman?

From Our Correspondent, Kumasi

When political giants like Victor Owusu and K. A. Gbedemah were summoned to appear before the Citizens Vetting Committee, the revolutionary cadres rejoiced. Yes, the PNDC's net was catching the big fishes which hitherto had been left "untouched" by civilian regimes.

Victor engaged the CVC in an academic exercise over the definition of "income" and that was all that was heard of Victor, Gbedemah and others versus the CVC. Rumour had it that Victor and Gbedemah had questioned the eligibility of members of the CVC.

They, at least, wanted to know whether the vetting members have themselves been vetted, and if so who vetted them.

Whilst Ghanaians trembled at the mention of CVC, the Public Tribunal was the most dreaded organ of the revolution. Today reference to the Tribunals and other organs invite contempt, resentment and condemnation from the people. For if a Chairman of a Public Tribunal took a C35,000 bribe to play it "soft" with an accused, then to a large measure, the investigations and prosecution units of the PDC are fraught with corruption and Chairman Rawlings must be a worried man.

Ghanaians have read local newspaper reports about military officers and men arraigned before Public Tribunals for stealing or extorting moneys from suspects whose cases they were investigating. One of such cases involved a Captain and men attached to the PNDC Information Centre near 37 Military Hospital. Ghanaians have read about PDC Executives accused of embezzling funds or diverting commodities meant for the "people's shop". Ghanaians know of members of Regional or District Investigations Committees who have absconded or been arrested for embezzlement, extortion or fraudulently acquiring some of the cars or other forms of property seized from the people.

But let no PDC or militiaman walk in the corridors of the NDC, the Castle and Gondar Barracks chest out and say, "The arrest, detention and trial of offending cadres and particularly the Tribunal Chairman clearly demonstrate that the PNDC is not condoning crime committed by activists of the revolution".

The point is if people who constitute the bedrock of the revolution, and have shared among themselves sensitive positions like investigators, watchdogs and prosecutors of corrupt enemies of the revolution are themselves corrupt then there is no basis let alone justification for the ongoing revolution ab initio.

Mr Kwame Arhin, Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Tribunal has thrown scores of people into prison to serve long jail terms with hard labour for relatively minor trade offences like selling above the control price. He imposed unreasonably long jail terms and huge fines unprecedented in the judicial history of the country to the admiration of his mentors. He was rewarded with an elevation which enabled him to sit as Chairman of the "head-office" tribunal in Accra to try some enemies of the revolution.

And now the trial has opened in Kumasi of Mr Kwame Arhin, Chairman of the suspended Ashanti Regional Tribunal, charged with four counts of corruption. He is being tried by the Brong Ahafo Regional Tribunal which has temporarily moved from Sunyani to Kumasi following the suspension of Kwame Arhin's Ashanti tribunal. The trial will eventually be shifted to Tribunal headquarters at the Stated House, Accra.

Superintendent of Police Mr Thomas Agyen, prosecuting, gave the facts of the case as follows:

In June last year, one Haruna Afoakwa was charged before the Kwame Arhin Tribunal. The father of the accused, Alhaji Alhassan, alias D.C. in an attempt to save his son from going to prison, approached one Kwasi Bediako Poku to influence the chairman of the tribunal to have his son released from detention and eventually set free. He gave 30,000 to be given to Kwame Arhin.

When Arhin received the C30,000, he demanded extra money and was given C5,000 after telling the Alhaji that the penalty for his son could either be a death sentence, life imprisonment or imprisonment ranging from between 15 and 20 years.

However, instead of freeing Afoakwa, he was jailed 12 months. Infuriated by Arhin's behaviour the Alhaji confronted him (Arhin) in the presence of witnesses and demanded a refund of the money. Arhin then advised the Alhaji to engage a counsel after which the sentence was reviewed and reduced to six months. However, the Alhaji, still not satisfied, insisted on having his son released from prison.

Kwame Arhin also collected C12,000 from fines he imposed on accused persons to buy a windscreen (ie at Kalabule price) for his official car No. WRA 806 which he failed to buy and took another amount which was used in buying the windscreen. Kwame Arhin again took another £60,000 being proceeds from fines he imposed on accused persons which he used for his personal benefit and which he has since then not accounted for.

The registrar of Kwame Arhin's Tribunal Mr Thomas Kontoh, is also facing the tribunal on two counts of stealing. He sold seven car batteries which the tribunal seized from accused persons. The registrar in addition embezzled C8, 811 being part of proceeds from the sale of tyres confiscated by the tribunal.

An Accra lawyer, Mr Duah Adonteng, who appeared for Kwame Arhin, argued that the charges were based on hearsay calculated to discredit the organs of the revolution.

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, co-ordinator of Vetting, Investigations and Tribunals, commenting on the Kwame Arhin trial, said members of the various revolutionary organs should be wary of counter-revolutionaries who "are using subtle ways to trap them."

Yet two members of the Ashanti Regional Defence Coimmittee, L/Cpl. Peter Owusu Baffoe and Isaac Abu Bonsra, are also charged with conspiracy to defraud and fraud by false pretences. They used official letter heads and prepared fictitious assets declaration forms purported to have come from the Citizens Vetting Committee in Accra. They used the false documents to dupe one Kwame Kusi, a Kumasi businessman of C40,000.

C320M collected in taxes

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners (ORC) - formerly Citizens' Vetting Committee has within two years collected C320 million in taxes and penalties from tax defaulters.

According to a report in the Daily Graphic this is separate from voluntary taxes paid to state agencies by people to avoid being vetted and which made such agencies exceed their yearly targets within the period.

More expulsions from Nigeria

Accra radio has reported that the current deportation of illegal aliens from Nigeria has taken a new turn. The Federal Military Government has now empowered all security agencies, including soldiers, to arrest any alien who is unable to produce his or her resident permit on request. This has thrown all foreigners, especially Ghanaians, into panic. According to the report the Nigerian security forces are concentrating on the search for illegal aliens at Agege and Ijora, both suburbs of Lagos, where the majority of the residents are Ghanaians. In two separate raids armed policemen arrested more than 500 people, including Nigerians, who could not explain their presence at these places. There are over 10,000 Ghanaians staying illegally in ghettos in Ijora and Agege.

Meanwhile, the Ghana government decision not to extend the same level of assistance to the current deportees has been received with mixed feelings in Lagos. Most of the Ghanaians said they will either go to Ghana by road, boat, or canoe to avoid the confisca- tion of their travelling documents.

5,000 Cuban troops expected

The French news agency AFP has reported that two factions in Ghana's ruling military government are at odds over whether to invite 5,000 Cuban troops into the country.

Quoting political sources, the agency said that Head of State, Flt-Lt. Jerry Rawlings, has yet to make up his mind which faction to back, but Western and African diplomats in Accra expected the Cubans to come soon.

The main backer of a Cuban presence was said to be special Presidential Adviser Kodjo Tsikata, who wants close ties with Eastern bloc countries. He is supported by some members of the ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) but opposed by a "moderate" faction.

Diplomats said that 50 Cuban troops, sent from Ethiopia, arrived in Ghana last month to strengthen the personal bodyguard of Fl-Lt. Rawlings, who has been the target of a number of coup attempts since he seized power at the end of 1981.

If the 5,000 Cubans came, it was thought they would be stationed at Tamale, the main northern town 400km (250 miles) from Accra, or at Bolgatanga, 150km (100 miles) further north. Some diplomats said the Cubans could be based in both towns. Tamale has the advantage of facilities for heavy transport aircraft, while Bolgatanga is only 20km (12 miles) from the border with Upper Volta whose government has close links with the PNDC.

At the end of March, Cuban Foreign Minister Isidor Malmierca visited both countries, and diplomats said he discussed the basing of Cuban troops in Ghana with both Fl-Lt. Rawlings and Upper Voltan leader Capt. Thomas Sankara in a secret meeting in Ouagadougou, the Upper Voltan capital, on March 25th.

In February, Capt. Sankara, whose similar style of regime to that in Accra took over last August, said during a visit by the Ghanaian leader to Upper Volta that Fl-Lt. Rawlings had secretly backed his own coup.

Capt. Sankara was for two years commander of the parachute training school at Po in southern Upper Volta, only 50km (30 miles) from Bolgatanga.

Major Boakye Djan

A press conference has been held at the conference room of the Auxilium, Kolner Street in Dusseldorf at which Major Boakye Djan, Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy in Ghana condemned the inhuman practices of the Rawlings regime.

Reporting, our correspondent in Dusseldorf, Abubakar Akumfi Ameyaw noted the presence at the con- ference of representatives from the citizens. German Foreign Office in Dusseldorf, Amnesty International, the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and a host of West German lawyers.

Major Boakye Djan referred to the millions of Ghanaians who had fled their country to lead miserable lives due not only to the inhuman policies of the PNDC but also the socio-economic hardships imposed on them through the incompetence of the Rawlings regime

He reported to his audience that currently a 24 hour operation code named search and destroy, is in process Prefects end conference to terrorise and execute innocent citizens

Major Boakye Djan, a spokesman for the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council pledged his organisation's determination to fight Flt-Lt. Rawlings for having betrayed their commitment to democratic rule.

Major Boakye Djan chatting with reporters after the press conference

CHAD

The Chad prefects' conference, which has ended in Ndjamena, condemned the Libyan regime's aggressive policy and its occupation of Chad territories. In a communique published at the end of the conference, the participants called for the unification of Chad ranks to enable them to face any external aggression. The conference expressed total support for the policy pursued by President Hissein Habre.

President Habre paid tribute to the participants and to their resolutions and recommendations. He said that the Chad regime had been inhibited and that the authority was centred in the capital for political reasons, the war, Libyan occupation. President Habre stressed that changing such a regime was difficult and he urged the prefects, political officials and military officers to co-operate.

French aircraft crashes

A French Jaguar plane crashed accidentally in Chad on April 16. It was carrying out a reconnaissance mission in the north-west part of the zone controlled by the French Army. The pilot of the plane was killed outright. The Jaguar crashed as it was flying at a low altitude in an entirely desert area.

Meanwhile, the Chad Ambassador in Paris referred to the accident as having taken place in an area of absolute peace, where there is no contact with the enemy. He pointed out that the aircraft crashed following a technical incident during a routine flight. However, Goukouni Oueddei, announced the responsibility of his forces for shooting down the aircraft. The plane was with a squadron of French military aircraft on a military mission in the region of latitude established by the French government. But Ouedder added that the mine explosions which killed nine French soldiers and the destruction of the Jaguar aircraft or of other aircraft did not mean that there was a direct conflict between them and the French. He said they would like to prove to public opinion that they want to solve the Chad issue through negotiations.

He also announced that his forces would not restrict itself to a war on the ground that they were preparing for the graduation of a group of Chad pilots who would be the nucleus of a Chad air force.

GUINEA

Return of the exiles

Guineans who fled the former regime and sought refuge all over the world have been returning home in great numbers. According to radio Conakry, they include exiles the mere mention of whose name in Guinea was sufficient reason to be sent to Boiro prison, but are today in Conakry with their families.

They are H. Souma, Charles Djani and Capt. Abou Souma who managed to take advantage of the November 22nd, 1970, confusion to escape from Boiro. And despite his busy time, the Head of State, Col. Lansana Conte has made a point of receiving them.

The President took the opportunity offered by this audience to appeal to other refugee brothers to return to the fatherland so that everybody, wherever he may be, can participate in the task of national reconstruction and also to prevent the outside world from mocking the country. He told them "we have nothing to teach you about Guinea. See what is in Guinea and you will realise that Guinea is lagging behind. Invite Guineans who are still abroad, businessmen abroad who knew Guinea previously, and on their arrival here they will see that there has been practically no change. It is change that we want to bring about in Guinea and we will bring about this change with the collaboration of all the sons of Guinea and also with non-Guineans who really want to help Guineans."

Denial of Polisario invitation

Colonel Diara Traore, the Prime Minister has returned to Guinea from a tour of eight African states to re-affirm the holding of the 20th OAU summit in Conakry and the understanding of all the heads of state with whom his delegation held talks. He, however, denied a radio broadcast that the Polisario Front had been officially invited to attend the summit.

Col. Traore explained that he merely stated that the 20th summit be held in Conakry and that, with respect to the Polisario Front, Guinea conforms with the decision made at the 19th summit in Addis Ababa - the summit whose resolution 104 well provided for elections in Western Sahara preceded first by a cease-fire and then a referen- dum. Guinea, which is a member of the OAU implementation committee on Western Sahara, cannot but support or accept this resolution which was taken unanimously by the heads of state, he continued.

Rejecting statements that Guinea had officially invited the Polisario Front, Col Traore pointed out "we have never made any such statements anywhere, we have never made any such pronouncements about such a decision during the various interviews."

CAMEROON

The search continues

The search continues for rebels and arms in northern Cameroon following the abortive coup earlier this month. According to visitors to the area numerous road blocks had been set up on the roads and in the towns of the region, which government officials said had been the source of the plot to topple President Paul Biya. Extensive police operations were also said to be under way in Douala, which is the economic capital and the country's main port. Sources said that arms had been discovered.

Meanwhile, remarks by Armed Forces Minister Gilbert Andze Tsoungui and Army Chief, General Pierre Semengue, to the effect that the members of the Republican Guard who sparked off the rebellion were all from the Muslim north, backed by northern businessmen and ex-President Ahmadou Ahidjo, have been marked as a departure from President Biya.

LIBERIA

US aid returned

Monrovia radio has reported that the Liberian government had decided to return 350,000 dollars contributed by the USA towards the restoration of civilian rule, in the light of what the Head of State, Dr Doe had described as US interference in Liberia's internal affairs.

According to the report the Liberian Ambassador in Washington had been questioned the previous week about the government's decision to extend the constitutional timetable until 1986.

Execution for tax bribery

The Monrovia ELWA radio has reported an announcement by the People's Redemption Council which warns that any one on the special tax collection force caught soliciting or accepting bribes will be summarily executed by firing squad.

Similarly, Liberian citizens caught offering bribes will face the same penalty, while foreign businessmen caught in such acts will be immediately deported and their properties confiscated." Head of State, Mr Samuel Doe has meanwhile directed the Defence Minister "to immediately prepare a firing squad to deal with violators".

UPPER VOLTA

Control of information

Ouagadougou radio has reported that the Ministerial Council has adopted two ordinances giving monopoly to the Upper Volta press agency, AVP. The two ordinances were designed to entrust to the state exclusive control over publicity and information throughout the country in order to inform the people in a better way "by guarding them against misleading and misinformation campaigns orchestrated by imperialists monopolies. renowned for their hostility to popular revolutions."

Meeting on border issues

Ghana and Upper Volta have held a meeting in Tienkodougou in Upper Volta, at which economic and social issues affecting the two countries were discussed. These include the movement of people and goods, currency traffick- ing, trade laws as well as sports and culture. The Ghana delegation was led by the Acting Secretary for Upper West Region, Mr Martin Amidu, while the Upper Volta Commissioner for Bolgou Province represented his country.

At the meeting Mr Amidu explained at length the trade and immigration laws of Ghana. He hoped that the authorities in Upper Volta would undertake to educate their nationals on the need to respect Ghana's laws. A resolution adopted at the end of the meeting noted that since misunder- standing can arise as a result of ignor- ance of each other's laws, there is the need to intensify political education. This, the two sides believe, will help en- lighten people of the two countries so as to ease tension which can be capitalised on by reactionary elements.

NIGER

Ten years of military rule

On the 10th anniversary of the military take-over, President Seyni Kountché has expressed satisfaction with the fulfilment by the armed forces of their duty of restoring to the people their right to live. He paid tribute to the officers, NCO's, gendarmes and soldiers who had foiled all subversive attempts successfully and had worked hard to make the last ten years a fruitful and decisive period. The purchasing power of the workers had increased considerably, the health of the population had been improved, transport and tele- communications infra-structures had been developed and the economy reactivated during this period. The national minimum wage had increased by 300 per cent to 18,898 francs since 1974, he pointed out.

President Kountché further announced that it had been decided that clemency would be granted to some of the people who had been detained following the 1976 attempted coup. Despite this, vigilance had to be maintained and the government was determined to combat subversive elements and all inclinations towards regionalism. "Of course, we respect democracy and are prepared to protect public liberties; however, there exists a field in which we will never effect a compromise that of the preservation of peace and security.

Anyone who tries to endanger the nation's vital interests will find us barring the way. The national army, which is deeply aware of its patriotic duties and responsibilities to the nation, will - despite all opposition - make national unity a living reality in order to ensure the harmonious development of our people in order, justice and peace," he concluded.

NIGERIA

Idiagbon defends cautious approach

The Chief of Staff, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, has defended the present administration's cautious approach to tackling problems, emphasising that it would not be rushed into taking actions.

Speaking at a radio interview in Lagos, he regretted that the measures embarked upon to avoid mistakes had been misconstrued in some quarters as a sign of slowness and a resort to democratic process.

Brigadier Idiagbon stated that in the conduct of public business, speed was sometimes necessary and useful but should not in itself be regarded as an end.

What mattered, he emphasised, was how effective and lasting the solution was. He pointed out that the enormity of the problems inherited by the present administration was such that consider- able time and planning were required to map out strategies for tackling the issues appropriately.

Decree on Press and Banking

Any person found guilty of publishing false reports, rumour or statement shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years without the option of a fine and in the case of a corporate body, to a fine not less than 10,000 naira, according to Decree No 4 promulgated by the Military Government.

The Decree, titled, Public Officers (protection against false accusation) Decree 1984, stipulates that where an offence under this decree has been committee by a corporate body, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, publisher, director, general manager, editor, secretary or other similar officer of the corporate body or was purporting to act in any such capacity, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his consent or connivance, and that he exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and in all the circumstances.

It further stipulates that where a corporate body was convicted under this Decree, the tribunal may, in addition to any other penalty, order all or any of the equipment of the newspaper or wireless telegraphy station with which the offence was committed to be forfeited to the Government.

According to the Decree, the Head of State has the power to prohibit the circulation of newspapers found to be detrimental to the country's interest by an order to be published in a gazette prohibiting such circulation. Under such an order, the Decree further explained, the prohibition shall continue for a period of 12 months unless sooner revoked or extended, as the case may require.

The Head of State is also empowered under the Decree to revoke the licence granted to radio and television stations or order the closure or forfeiture of the station to the Government.

The Decree forbids any publication or broadcast which is false and which states that the public officer has in any manner been engaged in corrupt practices or has in any manner corruptly enriched himself or any other person. Offences under this decree are triable by a military tribunal to be constituted for that purpose.

Details of the Banking (freezing of accounts) Decree 1984 have also been made public in an official gazette. The Decree, which takes effect from December 31st last year, empowers the Head of State to order an investigation into the accounts of any person believed to have been involved in bribery, corruption, extortion or abuse of office. According to the Decree, the Head of State is also empowered to order the restriction of the operation of such accounts subject to such conditions and duration as may be prescribed in the order.

The Decree stipulates that where the bank manager complies with the order of the Head of State, no action, claim, suit or demand by or on behalf of any person whose account is frozen or investigated shall lie against the bank or any person complying. It shall be an offence against the Decree for any bank or manager to refuse to comply with any directive or order by the Head of State, the decree explains. It adds that refusal to comply with the order is punishable under the Banking Act of 1969.

'Daily Times' calls for review

The Daily Times' has examined the recently promulgated Public Officers, protection against false accusation Decree 1984. The paper says the Decree as it stands appears to create a lot of inhibition to the efficient practice of journalism in the country. The "Times' therefore appeals to the Federal Government to review the Decree.

Journalist detained

Mr Tunde Thompson, The Guardian's senior diplomatic correspondent is still being detained by the Nigeria Security Organisation (NSO) officials.

Mr Thompson, 33, is being held over some stories published in The Guardian in the past three weeks. The reports are not denied.

NUJ demand release of journalist

Journalists in Lagos have demanded freedom for Mr Tunde Thompson, senior Diplomatic correspondent of the Guardian held by the Nigeria Security Organisation (NSO).

They also wanted the security agency to halt the rampant detention of journalists and other Nigerians for either carrying out their professional duties or voicing opinion on national issues. The journalists said they were worried by the incessant detention of their colleagues without any reason and without official explanation.

Press still free

The Nigerian Press is not fettered, and is as free as any other in the world, Governor Oladoyo Popoola of Oyo State has said.

Speaking in an interview with the National Concorde he said that even the recent promulgation of States Security (Detention of Persons) Decree 1984 (Decree No 2) constituted no hindrance for a free press in the country.

He said that recent arrests and deten- tions of journalists should not be seen as an indirect way of gagging the free- flow of information in the country's media.

Governor Popoola said that the country's press had nothing to worry about, insofar as the military had appointed "commanders" to vet or dictate what is published in newspapers or broadcast on radio or television.

Inquiry into religious disturbances

The Federal Military Government has set up a five-man tribunal of inquiry into the causes of the religious disturbances that broke out in Jimeta- Yola on February 27th. The tribunal is headed by a Judge of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Muhammadu Wais. The document tagged 'Amendment

Ban on public hearings

The Imo State police command has banned public meetings and demonstrations by students' organisations and other related bodies. The command said that any student or group of students who violated the order will be severely dealt with.

Ban on Students Union

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been proscribed by the Federal Military Government. In its place, various educational institutions are now to set up their individual students unions.

A report in the New Nigerian quoted the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Ibahim Yarima Abdullahi as saying that the proscribed NANS was an off-shoot of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) banned by the Murtala/ Obasanjo administration and therefore could not receive the recognition of the present government.

Crude oil production

A total of 41,800,000 barrels of crude oil was produced in January 1984; 34,400,000 barrels were exported during the month. The performance month showed an increase of 3.6% in production and 5% in exports compared to the figures recorded in December.

A total of 4,829,518 barrels was supplied to the three refineries for processing for the domestic market while a total of 3,468,863 was supplied under the off-shore processing arrangement to augment the domestic refinery capacity. The full stock prices for Nigerian crude were 23.26 naira a barrel for the high quality grade; and 21.86 naira per barrel for the medium grade. The corresponding official selling prices were 22.47 naira and 20.96 naira for the high and medium group of crudes.

Decree 3 amended

Political detainees and public officers who fraudulently enriched themselves are to lose their assets if found guilty by the special tribunals. This is in addition to a minimum of 21 years jail term specified in Recovery of Public Property Special Military Tribunals Decree (No 3). The power to forfeit their property to the Federal Military Government came as an amendment to the decree. of Decree No 3 of 1984' stated that any public officer who had engaged in any corrupt practices or had corruptly enriched himself or any other person or had by virtue of abuse of office. contributed to the economic adversity of the Federal Republic, shall upon conviction, apart from any other penalty prescribed by or pursuant to any other provision of this Decree, forfeit the assets, whether movable or immovable property connected with the commission of the offence, to the Federal Military Government'.

Decree on armed robbery

An armed robbery convict will now face a jail term of not less than 21 years under Decree 5, Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Decree 1984 contained in a Federal gazette. It says that any person armed with any firearms or any offensive weapon or is in company with any person so armed or wounds, or uses any personal violence to any person shall, on conviction, be sentenced to death.




talking drums 1984-04-30 New Naira notes - Cardinal Gantin - the military problem