Major selected speeches of the Leader of the Revolution, Flt-Lt. Jerry John Rawlings have been compiled into a booklet titled 'Revolutionary Journey'.
The first volume which comprised major speeches from December 31, 1981 to December 31, 1982 has just been published by the Ministry of Information.
The second volume will embrace some of his ex-tempore homilies and chats on various aspects of the Ghanaian national life which he gave to institutions, organisations, etc, during the same period. According to the introduction to the first volume, it is hoped "all those who would be privileged to have access to the booklet, the first attempt to document the chairman's speeches for historical purposes will read, mark and inwardly digest it and share the benefits derived from it with others".
Official Chairman of Public Tribunal
Mr S.Y. Anim, formerly of the Eastern Region Public Tribunal has been appointed substantive chairman of the Board of Public Tribunals and the National Public Tribunal which previously had no officially appointed chairman.
According to Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Co- ordinator of Investigations, Vetting and Tribunals, PNDC Law 24, which established the two bodies, was silent on the subject of their Chairmanship.
It therefore became necessary under the circumstances for Mr George Agyekum and Mr Addo Aikins to preside as Chairman of the Board of Public and National Public Tribunals respectively since they were then the only lawyer members on the two bodies.
According to Mr Ahwoi, Mr Agyekum remains a member of the Board of Public Tribunals.
Soviet gifts to Ghana
The Soviet Union has presented gifts valued at C10 million to the Government and people of Ghana.
The items which included a Niva jeep, a RAF Micro-bus, electronic radio receivers, typewriters, megaphones, educational equipment were received by Mr Ebo Tawiah member of the PNDC.
In a short speech, Mr Viatcheslay Semenov, Soviet Ambassador in Ghana, said the gifts symbolised his country's solidarity with and support for the Ghanaian revolution.
He was happy that the healthy relations between the Soviet Union and Ghana have been buttressed by successful agreements in the economic, political, cultural, scientific and technical fields when a Ghanaian delegation led by Captain Kojo Tsikata (rtd), Special Adviser to the PNDC, visited the Soviet Union recently.
Entry requirements to Nigeria
Nigeria has ordered all Ghanaians entering the country to carry with them an equivalent of 100 naira in convertible currency or to show evidence that they have been invited by residents who are gainfully employed before being allowed in.
move is an old regulation which is being enforced. Ghanaian authorities have, however, said that it is an offence for travellers to leave more than 20 naira.
US ambassador commends farmers
Mr Robert Fritts, United States Ambassador to Ghana has commended Ghanaians particularly farmers, for their sense of nationalism and hard work in transforming a virtually disaster-torn country into a highly productive one within a period of one year.
In recognition of this and in support of the genuine economic policy, the US, he said, was determined to increase the volume of assistance to Ghana.
Ambassador Fritts made this pledge when he led the visiting director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of the USAID, Lt-Gen. Julius Wesley Becton Jnr, (rtd) to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Obed Asamoah in Lome
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Obed Asamoah, and the Minister of Interior, Kofi Djin, have taken part in a meeting in Lome that examined issues concerning Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
They were met at the Aflao border post by Ayivi Mawuko Ajavon, a member of the central committee of the ruling Rassemblement du Peuple Togalais and Minister of Justice. A Nigerian delegation was also met at the airport by Kpotivi Lacle, member of the Political Bureau and Minister of the Interior.
Petroleum corporation to be established
The Secretary for Fuel and Power, Mr Appiah Korang, has said that the development of the country's petroleum resources will provide a real boost to the economy. Delivering the keynote address at a symposium organised by the Ghana Institution of Engineers on Oil Possibilities in Ghana, Mr Appiah Korang said the Government has given approval for the establishment of a new National Petroleum Corporation to be responsible for the systematic development of the petroleum potential.
By the Petroleum Exploration Production Law enacted in 1983, the Government has set out to explain the new legal regime and model production-sharing agreement whereby companies in association with Geophysical Services Incorporated have recorded 7,300 km of seismic and magnetic data over an area covering 70% of the offshore acreage. This area, he said, has been declared open for bidding.
According to a report from the Ghana The Secretary said it is the intention of News Agency Correspondent in Lagos, the Government to ensure that the frame- immigration authorities at the Murtala work offered by the law and the new model Muhammed Airport, have said that the agreement represents a definite stable framework. Mr Appiah Korang said the Government's plans for petroleum production fall within the total economic recovery efforts which aim at taking remedial steps against Ghana for any Nigerian port of entry with years of unchecked economic decline.
Gold mine closed
The Konongo gold mine in Ashanti is to be phased out because, according to the State Gold Mines Corporation, it is no longer viable. According to the Ghana Broadcast- ing Corporation regional correspondent who visited the mine, only one shaft out of four is now functioning. The other three have been flooded.
The only mill at the mine installed in 1930 functions only eight days a month. Workers interviewed by the correspondent blamed the State Gold Mines Corporation for the hopeless state of affairs at Konongo and urged the PNDC not to accept the decision to phase out the mine. The workers believed that, given the necessary boost, the mine can be saved.
West German financial aid
Ghana is to benefit from a total package of DM40m under a 1984 German aid pro- gramme for Ghana. Of this amount, DM10m represents a new additional amount, while the rest is a reallocation of the existing credit. This was announced by the Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwesi Botchway, on his return to Accra after attending three conferences in Germany, the United States and Canada. Dr Botchway said the most important projects to be financed under the aid include the Volta lake transport system, agriculture and transport.
IVORY COAST
Increase in prices for cocoa and coffee
The President has signed the decrees providing for an increase in producer prices for cocoa and coffee. Under the decree, a kilo- gram of cocoa will sell for 375 CFA francs instead of the former price of 350 CFA, while a kilogram of unhulled coffee beans will sell for 190 CFA francs instead of 150 and CFA francs.
SIERRA LEONE
Trawlers from South Korea
Sierra Leone's leading fishing company has signed a 4m dollar contract with a South Korean firm to build and deliver within six months four trawlers which will triple the local company's capacity. The delivery by the South Korean firm, Samsung, of the 170-ton vessels will enable at least half of Sierra Leone's national demand for fish to be met, the Sierra Leone company's managing director, Jamil Sahid Mohamed, told reporters. National self-sufficiency should be achieved within two years, he added. By increasing its trawler fleet from two to six, the company will quadruple its catch from 200 tons to 800 tons.
LIBERIA
Reduction in prices of commodities
In an effort to relieve the financial burden imposed on citizens as a result of recent budgetary measures taken to reduce salaries by 60 dollars, the Head of State and President of the Interim National Assembly has announced reductions in the prices of four essential commodities - rice, petrol, kerosene and fish.
According to a release from the office of the Head of State the price of 1001b bags of parboiled rice is reduced by a dollar. The price of petrol is reduced by 10 cents per gallon, and kerosine by 25 cents per gallon while the price of fish is reduced by 1.50 dollars per box.
The Head of State further indicated that he has already directed the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Transportation to do a comprehensive review of all essential commodities on the Liberian market so that a price-reduction scheme can be established on those items.
The Commerce Ministry in Monrovia thereafter issued a new price structure for four basic commodities in keeping with the directive from Head of State, Commander- in-Chief Samuel K. Doe.
The release said the official price for rice is now 23 dollars for a 100lb bag instead of 24 dollars; gasoline, which sold for three dollars a gallon, will now sell at 2.90 dollars; kerosene is now 2.25 dollars per gallon instead of 2.50 dollars; while cartons of fish which sold at 18, 12 and 10 dollars respectively have been reduced by 1.50 dollars respectively.
The new price structure has taken effect throughout the country. According to the Head of State, the reduction in the prices of these commodities is intended to reduce the financial burden imposed on the citizens by the reduction in salaries of employees of Government and public corporations.
Arrest of two politicians
The Government has formally charged former Assistant Planning Minister, Dr Willie Kollie, and Mr Anthony Kesselly, both of the Liberian People's Party (LPP). The Footprints newspaper reported: The Liberian Government has charged the two individuals with the violation of the dissolved People's Redemption Council Decree No 88-A which protects the public against the spread of rumours, lies and disinformation.
The paper further quoted a writ of arrest issued by the first judicial circuit court A: To arrest the two men and bring them before the court to answer charges based upon the indictment brought against them by the grand jury of Montserrado County. According to the indictment, the two accused, on August 22, wrongfully, maliciously and fallaciously exposed to the public hatred, ridicule and contempt, vilified and defamed the Head of State by unlawfully and wickedly publishing leaflets with the heading: Statement by the organising committee of the LPP concerning the charges levelled against Dr Sawyer and others of the LPP.
Oil agreement with AMOCO
An agreement for oil exploration in Liberia has been signed in Monrovia by the AMOCO/Liberia Exploration Company and with the Government of Liberia. Liberia's Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, Fode Kromah, Justice Minister, Jenkins Scott, and Acting Finance Minister, Lindsay Haines, signed for the Government while Mr Roy Sired, President of AMOCO and the company's Vice President, Richard N. Brown, signed for their company.
Under the agreement, the company will operate 15 miles off the shores of Robert- sport, Liberia. The agreement provides for an accelerated recovery of the petroleum costs out of 100% of the production, while the Liberian Government receives rentals and royalties. It also provides for a produc- tion-sharing, after recovery of all petroleum costs where the Government's share Foreign Minister removed escalates as the company's pre-tax rate of return increases. Under the agreement, the Government will accrue an income tax on the net profits derived from the petroleum operations.
AMOCO will begin drilling its first well this month at a depth of 12,300 feet estimated at 12m dollars.
Minister Kromah, speaking at the ceremony, outlined the petroleum exploration programme which included the 1981 World Bank/Government of Liberia survey of 11,684 miles of seismic lines on the Liberian coast. He said some major achievements of the new agreement included additional benefits such as the increase of land rentals by 100% from 10 to 20 per sq.km. and two wells commitment for the two blocks, H3 and S2.
AMOCO President, Mr Sired said the Senghor. agreement would ensure AMOCO's presence in Liberia until the end of 1985, and also meant an increase in its expenditures from about 35m to 55m dollars.
Debt rescheduling agreement with Britain
The third debt rescheduling agreement between the British and Liberian governments was signed on October 8 at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. The agreement, which provides for the rescheduling of a debt of about 2m dollars is a result of the December 1983 Paris conference regarding the consolidation of Liberia's debts.
TOGO
French training aircraft
The French aeronautical firm Aerospatiale has signed a contract with Togo to supply three Epsilon training aircraft to the Togolese air force. The sale to Togo of the Epsilon is the first export breakthrough for the aircraft.
SENEGAL
National Assembly appointment
The National Assembly Bureau, met under the chairmanship of Daouda Sow and nominated Dam Ndiaye as the Secretary General of the National Assembly. Dam Ndiaye replaces Seidou Ba who is to assume higher duties in the judiciary.
The new National Assembly Secretary General was formerly the permanent Under Secretary to the President of the National Assembly.
Divisions with Senegal's ruling Socilaist party have been brought into the open with the replacement of the Foreign Minister, Mr Moustapha Niasse in a government re- shuffle.
He has been replaced by Mr Ibrahim Fall, aged 42 who was the Minister for Higher Education.
The divisions reached their climax last month when the ex-Foreign Minister, who has on several times deputised for President Abdou Diouf, punched the Minister for Information during a cabinet meeting.
Mr Niasse, aged 45, has been considered one of the top three politicians in Senegal, with a solid reputation as Foreign Minister and as a dedicated party man. He held several ministerial positions under President Diouf and former President
French aid
France has allocated aid worth over 19m French francs to Senegal under 11 finance agreements. The aid is to finance projects in the agricultural, scientific research, rail traffic and training sectors.
CHAD
Commissions on withdrawal of troops
The Chad government has agreed to join French and Libyan commissions monitor- ing the withdrawal of the forces of those countries from Southern and Northern Chad respectively. An official communique said in N'djamena that the decision was taken at a special meeting of the cabinet and the executive bureau of the ruling National Union for Independence and Revolution.
The commissions will apparently replace the observers from Senegal and Benin who were originally proposed after the agreement in mid-September by Paris and
Tripoli to withdraw their forces. The Habre government rejected Benin as being "a satellite of Libya and the Senegalese observers were kept waiting in neighbouring Niger until the situation was clarified.
GUINEA
Jail terms for sixteen
Sixteen people have been sentenced to jail terms ranging from one to five years for their part in a looting incident in northern Guinea last month.
A court in Boke, near the Sierra Leonean border, has said that the convicts were behind the ransacking and looting of police station and the house of a police officer by angry mobs on September 9.
Envoy meets Nigerian leader
Nigeria's Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said in Lagos that Nigeria believed in the potentialities of joint ventures with sister African states. Maj- Gen. Buhari, who was receiving a special message from the Guinean President, Mr Lansana Conte, said that that was why Nigeria had investments in the Republic of Guinea.
The Head of State said that Nigeria would participate fully in the next ECOWAS summit to be held in Lome, Togo, under the chairmanship of President Conte. President Conte's message was delivered by the Guinean Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Maj. Sidi Keita.
Earlier, Maj Keita had told Maj-Gen. Buhari that President Conte was concerned about the success of the ECOWAS and would therefore spare no efforts in that direction. He said that the Guinean leader attached special importance to his country's good relations with Nigeria and expressed Vienna. the hope that it could count on Nigeria's goodwill at all times.
Meeting with Amnesty International delegation
Col. Lasana Conte, Head of State and Chairman of the Military Committee for National Redress (CMRN) has received a delegation of Amnesty International led by Jose Zalaket, the organisation's deputy secretary general. The audience enabled the Amnesty International delegation to brief President Lansana Conte on the outcome of the work which it accomplished during its visit to the country.
During the audience, Jose Zalakett stressed: "My delegation was convinced about the commitment of the CMRN and the Government of the Second Republic to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights..." President Lansana Conte, who congratulated the Amnesty International delegation for the good work which it had done, stated that the present Guinean Government would not hide anything from world public opinion.
NIGERIA
Alhaji Alhaji is moved to another Ministry
A minor Cabinet reshuffle has been announced by the Federal Military Government. The Minister of Health, Commodore Patrick Koshoni, becomes the new Minister of Aviation while the former Minister of Works and Housing Dr Emmanuel Nsan moves to the Ministry of Health.
The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Ibrahim Yarima Abdullahi, becomes the new Minister of Works and Housing, while the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim takes over the Ministry of Education.
Also the Federal Government has approved the redeployment of 16 perman- ent secretaries. The Head of State, Maj- Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, directed that the changes should take immediate effect.
Of particular significance is the transfer to the Economic Planning Ministry of Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji the Finance Permanent Secretary who is the country's chief negotiator with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a proposed $2.5 bn loạn.
He is replaced by Mr U.K. Bello, formerly Permanent Secretary responsible for economic affairs in the Executive office of ex-President Shagari.
Alhaji Alhaji, regarded as a super Permanent Secretary who has survived many regimes - Gowon, Murtala Obasanjo, Shagari and now Buhari, was recently in the news as having had his briefcase containing £42,000 (£17,000 by his own account) stolen from a hotel room in Vienna.
His explanation for having the money on him was that he had been to London to close his account which he had held since his student days because the Federal Military Government had ordered all public officials close their foreign accounts.
Not everybody was pleased with this explanation and he remained in office only because the military government refused to budge to demands from several quarters, including Nigerian students.
His removal also puts a question mark over the likely future of the negotiations, currently bogged down over the issue of policy adjustments, such as devaluation of the naira as demanded by the IMF.
Play national anthem before collecting salaries
Hundreds of secondary school teachers in Lagos State have been busy mastering the National Anthem and the Pledge following an order by the State Military Governor, Group Captain Gbolaban Mudasiru, to recite the Anthem, and the Pledge before receiving their salaries.
They have been directed by the State School Management Committee to go for their pay at their Maryland's office, Ikeja where the recitation would be made before they collect their salaries.
35 companies for Nigeria's trade fair
Thirty-five companies from various parts of the world have so far indicated their willing national trade fair scheduled to open in ness to participate in Nigeria's fourth inter- Lagos on November 3, this year.
The director of the trade fair, Mr. Onwubueke, said in Lagos that some of the companies were based in the United States Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, of America, the United Kingdom, Austria, Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe.
He stated that a catalogue of prohibited goods has already been sent to all foreign participants by the Department of Customs and Excise.
Side attractions during the trade fair include raffle draws, a symposium and cultural displays.
Controversy over judge's retirement
The Supreme Military Council (SMC), has directed that Mr Justice Yaya Jinadu's notice of retirement be accepted and the retirement should take immediate effect. Mr Justice Jinadu is the judge whose orders on the Bench a Federal Permanent Secretary defied five times. His sudden notice of retirement sparked off a legal controversy.
Sentences of politicians reduced
The SMC has approved reduction in the sentences passed on 11 former public officers by the special military tribunals. Those affected, according to the state- ment, include Bakin Zuwo whose 66-year jail term was reduced by 30 years, Abubakar Rimi whose 21-year jail term was reduced by two; and Melford Okilo who got a reduction of five years from his 21-year imprisonment.
The SMC also confirmed the sentences Alli, Jim Nwobodo and Solomon Lar. passed on three former governors Ambrose Also confirmed are the jail terms of Victoria Mbakwe, and Paul C. Egbogu.
Fela refused bail
Afro-beat star Fela Anikulapo-Kuti lost his ttle for bail at the Port Harcourt Zone of the Foreign Exchange (Anti-Sabotage) Tribunal sitting in Lagos.
Fela, first appeared before a Federal High Court on September 7 on a two-count charge of being in possession of £1,600 but his case was transferred to the tribunal a week later.
On September 13 Mr Kanmi Ishola- Osobu, Fela's counsel, made an oral application for a bail. He argued that if an exchange control tribunal could grant the wife of a fugitive politician bail, he saw no reason why Fela should not enjoy the same privilege adding that the bail was a right in law.
Mr Philip Okala, prosecuting, opposed the request on the grounds that Fela might jump bail. Mr Justice Okoro Idogo, the tribunal chairman ruled that the defence could still apply for bail with more information.
Arms deal with USSR
Nigeria and the Soviet Union have signed an agreement for the supply of military hardware and high technical military equipment for the Nigeria Airforce.
The acting Minister of Defence who is also the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brigadier Mohammadu Magoro, initialled the document on behalf of the Federal Government while the leader of a visiting Soviet delegation, Vice-Admiral P. Greeshon signed for his country.
Brigadier Magoro expressed gratitude to the Soviet Union for the supportive role she played in the development of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the procurement and maintenance of military hardware.
First transplant baby
Nigeria's first transplant baby is expected to be born this month in Enugu, Anambra State, eight months after the birth of the controversial "first test-tube baby" at the same place.
The man who performed the medical feat that gave the nation her first test-tube baby, Mr Ernest Ugo, is behind it.
Government acts on Akinjide
Steps have been reportedly taken by the Federal Military Government to express the country's resentment at the continued presence of Chief Richard Akinjide at the United Nations.
This was made known in Lagos by the on programme Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon while speaking a Radio Nigeria current affairs Matters of the Moment. He said that as a member of the United Nations and a contributor to its fund, the Federal Military Government would not relent in its efforts to bring back, through lawful means, any discredited Nigerian fugitive.
Chief Akinjide was ex-President Shagari's Attorney General.
Students want journalists released
The Federal Military Government has been called upon to order the immediate release of Dr Tai Solarin and three others. This was contained in a release signed by the public relations officer of the Students Union of University of Benin, Benin-City, Mr Kola Thomas.
According to the release, Dr Solarin, Haroun Adamu, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor detained by the federal government, should be released as those 250 political detainees that were freed on October 1, this year.
The union expressed its concern over the long term detention of Dr Tai Solarin and Haroun Adamu without any charges against them.
The union pointed out, "keeping them in prison is definitely not the best."
Customs officers arrested
Ten senior customs officers are being held in Lagos over seized foreign currencies. Their detention was reported ordered by the Director of Customs, Mr Abubakar Musa. One of those being held include a principal collector who was honoured three years ago with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Identity cards
Nigerians will pay N1 to obtain a national identity card and N2 to replace it when lost.
A decree which amended the National Civic Registration Decree 28 of 1984 said that the minimum age for registration under the national identity scheme has been reduced from 18 to 10.
Business demolished
Thousands of people, mostly technicians, small-scale industrialists and traders have been thrown out of business, while several other thousands have been made homeless following the demolition of their houses and stalls in Lagos which the state authorities claimed were illegally built. The exercise was started after the launching of the Lagos State War Against Filth. At Abule in the Iponri Local Govern- ment Area, many inhabitants wept bitterly as their houses were destroyed by bulldozers.
Ex-Sokoto Governor jailed
The special military tribunal on recovery of public property, Kaduna zone, has sentenced the former governor of Sokoto, Dr Garba Nadama, to 21 years' imprisonment on a two-count charge of corrupt practice and illegal transfer of an important licence.
The tribunal also sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment an ex-permanent secretary in the Sokoto Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Isa Abubakar, for accepting the transferred import licence and utilising it for his own benefit. Alhaji Isa was discharged and acquitted on three other counts.
The tribunal also discharged and of corruptly enriching himself to the tune of acquitted the former Governor on charges 100,000 naira which he was alleged to have received from the sale of an import licence.
Task force on imports warns importers
The task force charged with the inspection of imports into Nigeria has advised importers to ensure that goods are supplied strictly in accordance with specifications spelt out on the proforma invoice.
It warned in a statement in Lagos that "anyone involved in malpractices, un- authorised or unfavourable variation in terms of quality, quantity and price would be refused clearance certificate".
The statement said that it appreciated the concern of affected shippers and importers on the need to obtain the clearance certifi- cate from the task force secretariat to support other documents for release of payments from the established letters of credit within 21 days.
It explained that the mandatory period of 21 days set by the financial house had been extended to 30 days, following the meeting and agreement reached with the commercial officers in the various missions and embassies of Nigeria's trading partners.
BURKINA
Former President retired
The Cabinet has decided all members of the People's Salvation Council headed by former President Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo are to go into retirement.
They are: Nignan nee Bassolet Marie- Louise, Salikou Coulibably, Kouka Edouard Tapsoba, Francoise Zoungrana, Alain Ouedraogo, Idrissa Yya, Pierre Gouro, Gali Gabriel Tsombianou, Bouraima Zogome, Albert Leonard Kabore, Andre Moumou, Touine Jean de Dieu Somda, Nacoulma, nee Ouedraogo Odile, and Benjamin Bonkoungou.
