People, Places and Events
GUINEA
Help is welcome
Head of State Col. Cante has told a news conference attended by foreign and local journalists that they seized power in order to ensure national redress for their policies as well as of the economy. He regretted that the economy had been sabotaged."To remedy the situation we need help, be it from Africa or from the East or the West. We want disinteres- ted help which can help us to save the Guinean people from their present economic stagnation," he said. Concerning the national currency he said the Government will study fully the monetary problem and will take into account the general opinion of the Guinean people.
He wants the OAU summit conference to be held in Guinea because it is the desire of the Guinean Government. But this will depend on the negotiations it will have with the Heads of State of the other African countries, who will have the last word. If they decide to hold the summit conference elsewhere, Guinea will be represented there by a strong delegation which will be led by the Head of State, he indicated.
He called on all Guineans living in exile to be associated with the efforts for the construction of Guinea as citizens of the country. They are at liberty to return home or to remain where they are; however, they must remain useful and effective in the struggle for the construction of Guinea, their motherland. No member of the defunct Government will be killed. Those who did not commit any economic crime will have the right to live within Guinean society. They are Guineans, he assured.
Meeting with exiles
The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Col Diara Traore continues to receive in audience various Guinean and foreign personalities who had come to express to him their good will and support for the Military Committee for National Redress (CMRN).They expressed to the Head of Government their joy at the long awaited change by the people of Guinea and their wish to contribute to the success of the national recovery initiative taken by the CMRN in order to promote a balanced and calm atmosphere among the people of Guinea.
The statement of the delegation of Guinean nationals living in the Ivory Coast was particularly touching.
The Prime Minister has also discussed with heads of the country's diplomatic missions abroad the current situation in the country. Col Diara Traore was accompanied during the audience by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Capt Facine Toure, and the Economic Affairs Minister, Richard Haba.
Freedom of the press
Capt. Mohamed Traore, Minister of Information and government spokesman has received in audience journalists of the international press who were present in Conakry to brief them on the situation in the country. The restoration of the freedom of press decided upon by the authorities and the status of the officials of the defunct regime were the points on which the press wanted to be enlightened.According to the Minister, freedom of the press is a basic element of man's individual freedom. He said it was their desire to see all Guinean men and women express themselves as fully as possible with all the freedom they want in order to contribute to all the measures that the Government is likely to take concerning the improvement of the people's living conditions.
Through the freedom of the press, the Government also wants to give them the right to criticise the Government objectively, within the frame- work of national development. "We would like Guineans to express them-selves as freely as possible without any constraint," he said.
Delegations to explain coup
The new military government has held its second meeting under the chairmanship of Colonel Lansana Conte, Presi- dent of the Republic. Briefing the press on the decisions made by the Council of Ministers, Capt. Mohamed Traore, Minister of Information and spokesman of the government, said many national and international matters were examined.He said the Council also decided to send a delegation to neighbouring countries in order to get in touch with the authorities of those countries, which the Minister did not name. The delegation will leave Conakry shortly, he added. The government also examined the problem of food supplies to the people and the issue of wages.
Conte apologises to his people
Head of State Col. Conte has apologised to Guineans for not having seized power earlier. He said, "we who are talking to you today would no longer have been here. At that time, the spirit of the Guinean was such that he would not think, some Guineans behaved like fools. They were remote controlled. One would believe that the people were unable to think. Now, we want Guineans to think in order to act."LIBERIA
Doe grants amnesty
Ten of the 13 persons sentenced to death for high treason this week in Liberia have been granted clemency, the Head of State, Dr Samuel Doe has announced in Monrovia. Three others, also sentenced to death, are to be executed.According to Dr Doe, the decision to grant clemency to the convicts falls within the framework of a "national reconciliatory process". Among them is Major Kalongo Luo, former Minister of Agriculture. The 13 persons accused stood trial before a special military tribunal notably for taking part in a plot last November.
Earlier the chairman of the special tribunal, Maj-Gen Alfred Gayflor, read the verdict at the temple of justice. He said Maj-Kalongo Luo, Capt. Acquoi Dolo, Lieutenants Victor Tokpah and Arthur Suah, Sgt Moses K. Teach, Pte Wilfred Sangri, D.K. Wonseleay and Buster Sinnatuah were found guilty of treason, mutiny and conspiracy.
Maj. Moses Duopo, Capt. Johnny Herring, Harry Yuan and Yasu Weh Dorliae were found guilty of solicitation. The tribunal said Capt. Acquoi Kolo, Pte. Wilfred Sangri and Lt. Afred Suah shot and killed five persons in the last November raid in Yekepa, Nimba County. Lt John Togba, Moses Teah, Buster Sinnatuah were found guilty of taking part in the Yekepa raid under the command of Capt. Acquoi Dolo, while Maj. Kalongo Luo was convicted for taking active part in the Monrovia and Yekepa meetings to subvert the Liberian Government. Maj. Moses Duopo, Capt. Johnny Herring, Harry Yuan and Yasu Weh Dorliae were convicted for advising former commanding general Thomas Quiwonkpa not to accept the position of the Provisional Council Secretary General and not to write a letter of apology to the Council. The tribunal noted that this act on the whole was tantamount to their involvement in activities designed to overthrow the PRC government.
Six others found not guilty by the special military tribunal because of lack of sufficient evidence were ordered released and restored to their former posts with retroactive benefits. They are Col. John D. Nuah, Sgt. Yarkpawolol Flumo, immigration general. officer Jefferson Dolo, Pte. Jessie Siaway, Edward Doloqui and Abadulah Doumbia.
Doe's assurance to Guinea
Head of State, Dr Samuel Kanyon Doe, has assured the new Guinean leadership of continued cordial relationship which has traditionally existed between the two countries over the years.In response to a message from President Lansana Conte on his assumption to power in Guinea, Chairman Doe extended fraternal greetings on behalf of Liberia to the new Guinean leadership. Mr Doe said: "We have followed with interest your pronouncements since assuming leadership and wish to congratulate you for your approved commitment to respect human rights and the rule of law."
The Liberian leaders also praised the commitment of the new leadership to honour all international obligations of the previous government and to embark upon a free enterprise system geared toward the development of the country's natural resources and the improvement of the quality of life of the Guinean people.
The message said Liberia believes in unit. an economic policy based on the open door policy and free enterprise system and looked forward to a close collaboration between the two countries in the spirit of the Mano River Union. The Liberian leader emphasized that Liberia has no intention to interfere in the internal affairs in Guinea.
UPPER VOLTA
Sankara visits Sadr
The President of Upper Volta, Thomas Sankara, has reportedly paid an official visit to the Saharan Republic. He was accorded an enthusiastic welcome. The Upper Volta Head of State watched an imposing military parade organised by units of the Saharan People's Liberation Army. He reaffirmed the constancy of the solidarity of the Upper Volta government and Revolution for the just struggle of the Saharan people.Later President Sankara and Mohammed Abdelaziz, leader of SADR met for a political tete-a-tete. The discussions touched upon issues of common interest as well as on the situation in the north-west of Africa in particular and on the continent in general
President Sankara also visited Nouakchott for a 24 hours working and friendship visit to Mauritania. He was seen off at the airport by Lt-Col Mohammed Khouna Ould Haidallah, Chairman of the Military Committee for National Salvation and Head of State. Prior to his departure, he told the press that the visit had achieved positive results.
GHANA
8 sentenced to death
A special military tribunal has sentenced eight former army officers and a non-commissioned officer to death in absentia for subversion, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has reported.The nine include Col. Annor Odjidja, head of the Armed Forces Intelligence Unit in the government of President Hilla Limann, and Lt-Col Guinean Mohadini Yahaya, a former officer in charge of presidential security.
Others sentenced were named as Lt. Col. Abito, Capt. Appeagyei, Lieutenants Gamor and Cofie, Majors Sulemana and Appong-Addae and Staff Sergeant Thomas Bempong, all former members of the intelligence Detained Alex Adjei jailed The former Member of Parliament for Asamankese, Alex Adjei has been sentenced to a three-year jail term by the public Tribunal in Accra for illegal importation of foreign currency.
Aikins also fined him C200,000 to be paid within 48 hours, in default of which he will go in for another five years.
The sentence takes effect from the day of his arrest 27 months ago during which he has been in custody.
Also C93,000 found on him on the day of arrest should be deducted from the fine. He therefore has a balance of C107,000 to pay,
The prosecution's case was that in his attempt to flee the country in the wake of the 31st December Revolution, Alex Adjei was arrested at Katamansu a village in the Greater Accra Region early January 1982. On him were 14,000 deutsche marks and 210 dollars.
World Bank praises budget
The World Bank Resident Representative in Ghana, Dr Werner Schelzig, has praised some of the measures contained in the 1984 budget, describing them as an "additional bold step in the right direction".He said in an interview with the press in Accra that it contained all the necessary incentives and held the key for the revival of the country's economy and development.
The budget holds good prospects for the nation and encouragement for the continued support from the World Bank and other international donors, he added.
Work hours cut
The government has temporarily shortened a seven-hour working day for public servants by two hours to enable workers to devote more time to agriculture, the official Ghana News Agency (GNA) has reported.The agency quoted an official announcement as saying work hours would be cut to allow civil servants to spend more time on their private plots and to take advantage of current rains to boost food production.
Cuba's fight against exploiters
People who object to the presence of Cuban troops where they have been invited to assist in the fight against oppression in some Third World countries are rather exposing their sympathy for the exploiters, the PNDC Chairman, Flt. Lt. J. J. Rawlings has observed.Chairman Rawlings made these remarks when the visiting Cuban The Tribunal chaired by Mr Addo Foreign Minister, Mr Isidoro Malmi erca called on him at the Castle, Osu in Accra.
Flt. Lt. Rawlings regretted that the mass of the people in the Third World lacked conscious appreciation of the level of exploitation that they had been subjected to over the years.
Visit by Soviet destroyer
A Soviet navy anti-submarine destroyer named Obraztosvy has arrived in Accra for a one-week good will visit to Ghana. The crew is made. up of 27 officers and 270 ratings. The crew has already had discussions with the force commander, Maj-Gen Arnold Quainoo.Cattle importers fined
Fifty-eight herds of cattle illegally imported into the country from the Upper Volta by two Ghanaians have been confiscated to the state.The cattle were estimated at €505,670.
In addition, the two importers, Alhaji Imoru Assibi who imported 27 herds and Mr Agandah Apana who brought in 31 herds are to pay C441,540 and C506,850 respectively for smuggling and evading customs duties.
The cattle have been sold to the Meat Marketing Board (MMB) at C8,720 per herd.
Sell products to GNTC
All industrial firms and manufacturing companies which benefited from the 1983 Specific Import Licence allocation are to sell 30 percent of their manufactured products to the Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC), with effect from 30th April, this year.A statement signed by Mr Ato Ahwoi, Secretary for Trade, warned that industrial and manufacturing firms which fail to comply with the directive will be blacklisted and can no longer benefit from import licence allocations.
It directed registered manufacturing houses to submit their monthly production schedules to the Ministry of Trade with copies to the Ministry of Industries, Science and Technology.
Rural manifesto launched
A document containing the PNDC's theoretical framework for integrated rural development, 'The Rural Manifesto' was formally launched by Mr Kofi Acquaah-Harrison, Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives at a press conference in Accra.The document assesses the features and causes of rural under-development in Ghana and provides strategies for their rectification.
Investment in mining industry
The government is to invest 30 million dollars in the mining industry. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who disclosed this at a rally in Tarkwa said this investment is being made to produce results and not to be frittered away through poor management, pil- fering and low productivity.He stated that the investment is meant "to generate more funds not to be misused and consumed so that the mining industry in a few years' time comes begging for more".
TOGO
Eyadema addresses women's congress
The extraordinary congress of the National Union of Togolese Women (UNFT) opened in Lome with the theme "Vigilance and pursuit of the ideals of security and peace". The opening was chaired by Gen. Gnassingbe Eyadema.In an address, President Eyadema noted that the congress was taking place at a time when the union needs more than ever to strengthen its cohesion so as to assume fully its role as an avant garde force within the party. He charged the women to exchange ideas, share their preoccupa- tions about the future of the nation and to take the necessary measures to guarantee the nation's independence with regard to self-sufficiency in food production and preservation of peace, security and political stability which they had been enjoying for nearly 18 years.
Gen. Eyadema continued, "dear participants, as you know, our world is living in a period characterised by violence, anxiety and insecurity, selfishness, jealousy, hatred and the desire by certain nations to dominate "
MAURITANIA
Student unrest in Mauritania
Nouakchott Radio has quoted the Minister of National Education, Hasni Ould Didi, as saying that disturbances had occurred at some secondary schools which were aimed at upsetting the calm atmosphere which had prevailed in educational institutions in recent years. They had been incited by small groups of 'misguided students who had been directed by trouble makers'. The trouble makers had been discovered and their 'mean schemes revealed, but it was possible that some of them were in hiding and would again try to incite student unrest.NIGERIA
Prices continue to rise
A report in the Concord says thatTraders are winning the war on prices as consumers remain at the receiving end of continuously soaring prices of essential commodities.The story is the same all over the country. Essential commodities including rice are getting harder and hard to come by, and are now mostly so under the counter. Reports filed in by the paper's stable of correspondents indicate that deterge for instance, is a luxury priced beyond the reach of many households. A medium packet of Omo sells f between N2 and N2.5 and that is if one is lucky enough to get one. Long queues are now a familiar sign as people wait patiently for hours to buy increasingly scarce essential commodities at so-called controlled prices,. "
A packet of medium size Omo detergent which sold for N1 before mi tary took over now costs between N2 and N2.5.
"A tablet of toilet soap which sold 50k at the same period is now N1 or more.
A cup of rice was selling between others. In order to satisfy their ambitions, they do not hesitate to attack the sovereignty of Third World states and impose upon them their ideology and political systems.'
"At the Lagos Street market, a tin Peak milk sells for 70k while carnatio and other brands cost between 50k an 70k and N1 depending on the quality "However, the price of toilet soap seems to be coming down. Toilet roll now sells for 40k instead of N1 which it was sold in December. "But the price of palm-oil remains high.
A small gallon of the produc now sells for N20 while a bottle fetche between N4.50 and N5."
Conditional sales
Well-known Lagos department stores are forcing detergent and milk shippers to buy unwanted goods in exchange for trickles of the two basic commodities. A report in the Guardian said shoppers most of whom attack the less. But the stores say they are not cheating, that the sales are the only effective means of checking crooks who buy cheap to re-sell at high prices. The rush to the stores is caused by the gulf between their prices and those available elsewhere. In these days of shortages, the stores sell the smallest pack of Omo detergent for 55 kobo or 60 kobo, at least N1.40 (233 per cent) below the price in the streets.Evaporated milk, too, is cheaper in the merchant stores, which offer a tin for 25 kobo, 75 kobo (200 percent) less.
No press censorship
Federal Military Government (FMG) has no intention whatsoever to censor the press, the Minister of Information, Social Development, Youth, Sports and Culture, Group Captain Samson E. Omeruah, has said.He told newsmen in Kaduna that rather the Federal Military Government would want to see a viable media capable of disseminating news to the public without bias or misrepresentation.
The minister said the press decree was not an attempt to muzzle the press, but to guarantee its freedom, and the press could be free, if it is seen as being responsible and accurate in its reports.
He also said the decree was aimed at making the press more responsive and alive to their responsibilities at all times.
Press will not aid dictatorship
The secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said in Lagos hours before a scheduled meeting with Information Minister, Group Captain Emeka Omeruah that the "Press will not help to install dictatorship."Mr Ogunlusi, the Secretary was billed to meet Mr Omeruah along with NUJ national president Mr Bola Adedoja on the "protection of public officials against false information decree" which the NUJ secretary said was "inimical to national progress".
Deportation of aliens
Nearly 3,000 illegal immigrants rounded up by security forces over the weekend are being deported, the Immi gration Director, Mr Lawal Sambo has said.He said that a further 3,000 illegal aliens were deported from the northern city of Kano last month. More than 1,000 of those arrested in Lagos, most of them from Togo, Cameroon, and Chad, had been taken in trucks to their frontiers.
The rest of those arrested, mainly Ghanaians, were being held in a detention camp in Lagos until transport was arranged for their deportation.
Mr Sambo said they were among at least 6,000 people rounded up as suspected criminals, religious fanatics, and illegal aliens in a combined army and police operation at the weekend.
The raids were part of a crackdown on violent crime which has been rising since General Mohammed Buhari, took power.
Mr Sambo said many of the aliens being deported were among more than two million expelled in 1983 who had since slipped back into Nigeria.
Don't politicise Easter
An appeal has been made to the Federal Military government that "Easter Monday should be retained as a public holiday. The decision that Monday 23rd April, would be a work- day should therefore be rescinded.A report in the Concord said the appeal was made in Lagos recently by the objects. the Christian Youth Association of Nigeria.
The association remarked that it seemed the Christian civil servants in the employment of the Federal military government were too afraid to educate the Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel Magoro on what Easter Monday stood for.
Trials to begin
The Pan-African agency, citing authoritative sources at the Supreme Headquarters and the Federal Ministry of Justice has reported that the trial of politicians and public officials detained by the Federal Military Government would commence by the middle of April. To speed up the process trials would be held simultaneously in Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Jos and Ibadan.Praise for Jakande leads to sacking
The Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr M.O. Awolesi has been dismissed for approving a speech which 'praised' former Governor Lateef Jakande's administration. Also dismissed was the Provost of the College of Education, Ijanikin, where the event took place and his deputy.Education, Mr Ajibade Rokosun has been moved to the Ministry of Information for reasons connected with the same issue.
The affected public officers were said to have incurred the wrath of the state Military Governor Group Captain Gbolahan Mudasiru, because a portion of a speech read on his behalf at the recent convocation of the state College of Education, Ijanikan, contained offensive insinuations.
Maitatsine suspect sentenced
A 30-year-old Muslim, Yahaya Muhammadu, described by the police as a follower of "Maitatsine" has been sentenced to nine months imprison ment by a Yola magistrate's court. The prosecution had told the court that Muhammadu, of no fixed address, was arrested on March 22nd at Jimeta, Yola, carrying "deadly weapons". The prosecution said that two knives were recovered from Muhammadu and that he was unable to give satisfactory reasons for going about the town with them.The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency. On the second charge of idleness, the accused pleaded not guilty and was fixed for April 30th.
Cameroon
President's envoy
The political evolution in Cameroon is an internal affair which Nigeria will not interfere with in accordance with the OAU Charter. The Head of State, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, told the special envoy of President Paul Biya of Cameroon, that Nigeria would continue to understand the problems of her neighbours and co-operate with them in finding solutions conducive to peace in the West African region. General Buhari said that he appreciated the efforts made by President Biya to brief him on the political developments in Cameroon and assured the special envoy that the main interest of Nigeria was to see that peace prevailed in that country.The envoy, who is also a Minister in the Presidency, had briefed the Head of State on the political developments in his country and asked for Nigerian support and understanding. The envoy said that President Biya decided to send the special message to General Buhari because of the importance A report in New Nigerian further Cameroon attached to her relationship revealed that the Commissioner for with Nigeria.
