People, Places and Events
CAMEROON
Multi-party system must wait
In an interview with Radio France International in the "Third World Press Club" programme, President Biya has again denied an Amnesty International claim that 120 summary executions had taken place without trial after the attempted coup on April 6.The President said "there were no secret executions" but the court has pronounced 51 death sentences. In reply to a question concerning his proposed "opening up" of the sole party in a move towards increasing "democratisation", the President said: "For the moment there is no question of authorising a multi-party system in Cameroon. This would create chaos and disorder", but that he meant to restore "a greater freedom of speech within our great national party". He further stated that Cameroon was "in a state of security".
Journalist arrested for possession of arms
A communique from the Presidency of the Republic, reported that Mr Blaise Pascal Talla, a journalist, shareholder and official in charge of missions in the Jeune Afrique press group, was arrested recently by the security forces.During a search of his residence in Banjun and in the presence of administra- tive and traditional authorities and some members of his family, several military articles were discovered there, notably complete military outfits including helmets, arms, ammunitions, signal guns and military communications equipment, whose possession by individuals is strictly prohibi- ted. Investigations are continuing.
MALI
Soviet military delegation
Capt. Lancine Keita, member of the military committee for national redress and Minister of National Defence has received in audience Admiral Bondarenko, chief at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defence of the Soviet Union.During their discussions, Minister Lancine Keita talked about the good technical assistance of the Soviet experts in Guinea. They also reviewed the July 1983 agreements, which were made within the framework of the national defence.
The Defence Minister expressed the wish to see the friendly relations of co-operation between their two armies further increase. Admiral Bondarenko, leader of the Soviet delegation, expressed happiness over the warm reception given to his delegation. Admiral Bondarenko spoke about the its co-operation with the Republic of Soviet Government's readiness to increase Guinea.
Saudi grant for Muslim Brotherhood
The Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, plants. Saudi Arabia, has donated 1.5m dollars for the construction of an Islamic college in Magburaka. This was the first time such a "large single donation" had been given to any Muslim organisation in the country. The college would be built by the Chinese firm Agricon.Chinese financial aid
Kaita Sanogo, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture has presided over the ceremony for the signing of a loan agreement between China and Mali. The loan granted by the Chinese for promoting economic and technical co-operation with overseas countries is for the sum of 500m CFA francs. The money will be used as working capital for the two sugarFrench aid
A loan and a protocol agreement have been. signed at the office of the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Inter- national Co-operation. The two agreements involve a total sum of 42.5m CFA francs; 35m CFA francs from the French co- operation mission will be used to build a computer centre and a professional training centre for the Treasury. The protocol agree- ment between France and Mali also includes the sum of 7.5m CFA francs which will be used to build two community workshops at Sikasso.Burkina Faso
Closure of Canadian Embassy
Comrade Blaise Compaore, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Justice and Acting Head of State, has received Mr John Bell, Canada's Ambassador. After his audience, the Canadian diplomat told reporters that he discussed bilateral relations between Canada and Burkina Faso. He also reaffirmed Ottawa's and executions decision to close down five Canadian diplomatic representations abroad including that in Burkina.LIBERIA
Journalist set free
The military authorities have released a journalist after he spent six months in jail without formal charges, for allegedly writing anti-government articles, the independent weekly Observer said at the weekend.The journalist, Mr Rufus Darpoh, was arrested on June 18 and detained at the maximum security camp, Bale Yella Prison, after authorities alleged he had written "slanderous articles" about the Liberian Government.
At the time of his arrest Mr Darpoh was a correspondent for the Africa Now Magazine and the Voice of Germany.
Opposition politician in court
The acting chairman of the proposed Liberia People's Party, LPP, Mr Dusty Wolokolie appeared before the people's first judicial circuit court in Monrovia on charges of violation of Decree No 88A. Decree No 88A forbids the spreading of lies, rumours and disinformation to the public.At the call of the case, the defence lawyers petitioned the court to file defendant Wolokolie's file separately in the absence of co-defendant Anthony Kesselly. Kesselly, who was jointly charged with Wolokolie, has not been traced. Advisor resigns for new political role
The political advisor to Head of State Doe, Gbai Gballa, is said to have resigned his post to devote full time to politics. The New Liberian' which did not say when Mr Gballa's resignation takes effect, quoted him as saying he had resigned to take on the role as the new full-time administrator of the National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL).
It can be recalled that a few months ago Mr Gbai Gballa and Dr George Boley were honourably retired from the armed forces of Liberia and at the same time they said they were not resigning their posts in government.
Doe ends visit to Nigeria
Head of State, Samuel Doe, has ended a two-day visit to Nigeria from where he was expected to attend the ECOWAS summit in Togo. In Nigeria he performed the official opening of the new Liberian Chancery at Victoria Island.At the chancery, General Doe was received by the Minister of Defence, Major- General D. Bali and the Minister of Housing, Alhaji Yerima Abdulahi.
General Doe held talks with General Muhammadu Buhari at Dodan Barracks before leaving for home.
NDP applies for political party status
The National Democratic Party (NDP) of Liberia has presented documents to the people's probate court in Monrovia to obtain legal status as a political party in Liberia.The Liberian news agency quoted the probate court judge as saying that following the scrutiny of the documents, the party will be probated 10 days after the publica- tion of its petition. If no objection is made thereafter, the court will issue the certificate to NDF, thus qualifying it to operate as a political party in Liberia.
IVORY COAST
Temporary closure of Cimao
Moves are under way to make the Cement Staff, Company of West Africa, Cimao, project economically viable in clinker production. In this connection, the general manager, financial controller and the operational manager of the project have been told to furnish the board of directors of the project with the reasons responsible for the ineffectiveness of the corporation. This was disclosed to newsmen by the Ghanaian Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology, Dr Charles Boadu, on his return to Accra after attending the Cimao board of directors' meeting in Abidjan. He disclosed that the factory was to be closed down for 29 months.Dr Boadu said the meeting discussed activities that would be undertaken during the 29 month closure. These include looking into the possible participation of private companies, the budget and auditor's accounts of the project and the children. repayment of a 10.3bn CFA franc debt. According to Dr Boadu, the management was also asked to negotiate with the co-lenders in rescheduling the debt.
The Secretary attributed some of the lapses in the organisational set-up to its internal structure. He said management is to reduce the operational staff from 630 to 79 while modalities for the payment of about 100m CFA francs compensation to the affected personnel in the redundancy exercise will be worked out.
Dr Boadu also complained about the high prices of Cimao clinker which far exceed the world market price. Cimao is owned jointly by Ghana, Togo and the Ivory Coast.
NIGERIA
Government denies coup
The Federal Government has denied a report in The Observer, London, that it foiled a coup that would have taken place on October 1, the National Day.,Mr Wada Maida, Chief Press Secretary to the Head of State, said there was no truth in the report that a coup was aborted in September and was to have been carried out at the National Day parade.
The Observer report said that some military officers had planned to take over the government in a way similar to the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat three years ago during a national day parade by the armed forces.
The report said the government had advance knowledge of the plan, aborted it and later executed 42 officers ranging from lieutenant-colonels to lieutenants for their roles.
It said General Buhari and the officers of his Supreme Military Council would have been assassinated in the operation.
The October 1 parade was cancelled by the military for what it said at the time were economic reasons. Later Mr Tunde King, press secretary to Major-General Tunde Idiagbon, Chief of Supreme Headquarters, also said in a statement:
"The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to a report in the London Observer to the effect that 42 army officers have been executed as a result of an attempted coup.
"The Federal Military Government wishes to state that no such coup attempt ever occurred and any such report is baseless and arrant nonsense and is a calculated attempt by Nigerian detractors to bring the Federal Military Government into ridicule and disrepute," Mr King was quoted as saying.
"There has been no uprising in any part of the country since the military returned to power on December 31 last year, and it is and not possible to arrest 42 military officers and try and execute them in secret. especially as they would have wives and children "Nigerians are peace-loving people and the government believes in the rule of law." Mr King concluded.
Army ends recruitment of foreign officers
The recruitment of foreign officers into the Nigerian army has been abolished. The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Bagangida, announced this in Kaduna at the Nigeria Army Ordnance Corps training week. He said that most of the foreign the military officers were unproductive and overpaid.Seven pilots go to France
Seven pilots of an indigenous airline, Intercontinental Airlines, are expected to depart Lagos for a six-week conversion course in Paris, France. The pilots, two captains and five copilots, will be taught to fly the airline's three Caravell planes on its fleet. The course was originally scheduled for June but it took almost five months to obtain the Central Bank clearance. Five other pilots left three weeks ago for a conversion course on the airline's two DC8 planes. The course was held in Amsterdam with KLM, the Royal Dutch airline.Total debt is N21 billion
The country's total debt now stands at about N21 billion. The amount is N19 billion less than what was announced in a nationwide broadcast eight months ago by the Finance Minister.A breakdown of the debts is:
Debt on foreign loans is over N15. This includes loans taken by the state governments and guaranteed by the Federal Government, and debt on internal loans stand at N6 billion.
FMG to regulate broadcasting
Federal Military Government (FMG) is considering the establishment of a National broadcasting commission in the country. A report in the Concord said the proposed commission would be charged with the responsibility of regulation of radio and television broadcasting in the country.Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Major-General Tunde Idiagbon, disclosed this on a Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria programme, "Matters of the Moment".
Under the proposal, he said rules and regulations governing broadcasting as well as the code of conduct for the control of all radio and television stations would also be established.
M.A.N. holds meeting
A 12-man delegation of members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange is in London to hold talks with their counterparts on how best to help smaller companies in Nigeria to grow.The delegation is led by the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Jerome Udojil. The talks will deliberate on opportunities to the new financial era between the stock exchanges of London and Nigeria.
Measures to prevent religious riots
Tight security measures are being taken by the Bauchi State government to prevent the outbreak of religious riots. The state governor, Brig. Sanni Sanni, announced this while speaking to newsmen in Yola. He said that more than 100 religious fanatics, mostly aliens, have been detained, adding that no stone will be left unturned in a bid to provide maximum security for residents in the state.Control of radio and TV stations
It has been suggested that those who will be affected by the proposed reduction of radio and television stations in the country should be absorbed by the News Agency of Nigeria. The proposal was made by the managing director of the Daily Times, Mr Shegun Oshoba, who was speaking in an Ogun radio programme in Abeokuta.Mr Oshoba also pointed out that private ownership of radio stations should be limited to urban stations, while the Govern- ment should monopolise the short and medium-wave for security reasons.
Austerity measures in Benue State
The World Bank assisted urban development project in Benue has been suspended indefinitely, Mr William Amguti, the State Commissioner for Works, Housing, Transport, Lands and Survey stated in Makurdi. He told a news conference that the sus- pension was at the initiative of the Federal Government, which he said regarded the continued execution of the project as an indirect way of obtaining foreign loans. The Federal Government, he said, had barred state governments from obtaining any form of external loan.The project, which was being financed by the World Bank, the Federal and Benue Governments, envisaged the development of sites for the construction of low-income houses and the provision of access roads and pipe-borne water at the locations. Four towns, Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and Idah were to benefit from the project.
Mr Amguti said that work on the project would be resumed without the World Bank's involvement, whenever the state's economy improved. The commissioner said that the state's water corporation was being reorganised to make it more effective in providing drinking water and in collecting water rates.
He stated that the Ministry had saved more than 1m naira this year through the execution of 11 projects by direct labour.
Trade fair ends in Lagos
The fourth International Trade Fair has ended in Lagos with a total business trans- action of over £238 million.The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Bukar Shuaib, assured industrialists at the closing ceremony that whatever foreign exchange was available would be distributed in such a way as to keep existing industries in full production. Eight foreign countries, Britain, the United States of America, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe also took part in the Fair which lasted for one week. More than 35 companies exhibited their products at the fair.
Arrest of 22 former state legislators
In Sokoto State, 22 members of the defunct House of Assembly have been arrested and detained for failing to repay their housing loans granted them while in office. Governor Garab Duba, who announced this, said that the defaulters had pledged to refund the loans about a year ago but failed to honour their promise.He said that a committee will be set up to look into their case. The Governor ordered other former legislators who have started to repay their loans to complete the payment within two months. Governor Duba said it was not the wish of the Government to detain anybody in connection with the loans but regretted that some of them failed to fulfil their promise.
CHAD
France resumes watch over Chad
The French air force has resumed reconnaissance flights over Chad as uncertainty continued to surround the intentions of Libyan troops stationed in the north of the country.The French general staff in Paris confirmed that two air force Jaguars had been sent on a reconnaissance mission over Chad territory.
Reliable sources in N'djamena said the French were considering redeploying troops in Chad in the light of Libya's failure to honour the withdrawal accord. A military communique issued in Paris Arhin made no mention of the possibility of sending French soldiers, now stationed in nearby Central Africa Republic. The decision to resume French military activities in Chad followed the admission by French President Francois Mitterand that Libya had left 600-800 soldiers in the country, where they have been backing forces led by former President Goukouni Weddeye.
Food diverted to Chad
The World Food Programme (WFP) has diverted food aid meant for another country to Chad, one of the most seriously affected countries in the current African drought. Officials said in Rome that the WFP is also to help finance the construc- tion of a large warehouse to accelerate the movement of food aid in Chad. Nearly 9,000 tonnes of wheat, meant for one of the programme's development projects in another country, is expected to reach N'djamena at the end of the month.GABON
Bongo accuses OAU
President Omar Bongo has said that his country's candidate failed to get the top administrative job in the OAU because of a plot against Gabon. He told reporters on his return from the OAU's 20th summit in Addis Ababa, "everything was prepared in advance to prevent the election of the Gabonese candidate to the post of Secretary General".Nigeria's Peter Onu was confirmed in the job for another year because of continued election deadlock.
GAMBIA
USSR cultural relations
The Gambia has re-established cultural relations with the USSR at a signing ceremony at the office of the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.Relations with the Soviet Union were broken off in 1980, following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. The two Governments said that cultural co- operation between them would lead to international peace and understanding. The Gambia Government said that it would like to see some positive moves in the dead-locked North South dialogue, especially in the field of technology transfer from developed to developing nations.
GHANA
Ahwoi appeals to Kwame
The Co-ordinator of Investigations, Vetting and Public Tribunals, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, has appealed to the former chair- man of the Ashanti Regional Public Tribunal, Mr Kwame Arhin, to come outfrom wherever he might be. The appeal was contained in 'an open letter' which asked Mr Arhin to report to his (Mr Ahwoi's) office or to any of the press houses.Mr Arhin is believed to have left the country when the State appealed against his acquittal and discharge by the Public Tribunal in August this year, on charges of taking a bribe of C35,000 from the father of an accused person standing trial before his Tribunal.
Mr Kwamena Ahwoi's open letter to Mr Kwame Arhin said: "I implore you, wherever you may be, to come out and prove to the whole world that you are a man of principle. You and I both know the game that is being played. Do not be the cause of my destruction. I expect you to report in my office or any of the Press Houses upon reading this letter".
Soldiers can't be deterred
The Commander of the First Infantry Brigade, Colonel D.K. Klutse, has stated that no amount of rumour-mongering invented as the latest weapon by some detractors will deter soldiers from consolidating the Revolution. This is because the soldiers had already withstood numerous rumours employed by the enemy to sow seeds of disunity among them to derail the process. He was addressing the annual administrative inspection parade of the Medium Mortar Regiment in Ho.Kumasi in ruins
Flt-Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, chairman of the PNDC, has been reported in the Ghanaian press to have lamented over the unconcerned attitude of the people of Kumasi in the face of the deplorable sanitary conditions and the bad state of roads in the city.He expressed the feeling during an unannounced visit to Kumasi where he conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the city. The visit was prompted by reports on the extremely bad condition of roads and poor sanitation in Kumasi.
Lodges back in operation
A meeting of the National Civil Defence Committee with representatives of Lodges to clarify the operation of lodges has drawn the attention of the general public to the established policy for the promotion of freedom of association in the supreme interest of the society.A press release signed by Colonel J.M. Ewa, Chief of Staff of the PNDC warned against "any misuse of this right by forces of reaction" and also assured that lodges which can be retrieved will be returned and the premises they have been deprived of will be given back to them.
However, where the return of such premises would create accommodation problem, alternative premises would be provided.
Earnings from diamond exports
Ghana expects to earn about 5.4 million dollars from 670,000 carats of rough diamonds which will be exported by the Diamond Marketing Corporation (DMC) from next year's production projections.Production of 180,000 carats of rough diamonds from mid-September to December 31 this year, will also earn the nation 1.2 million dollars.
These were disclosed by Mr K.A. Quansah, managing director of the Diamond Marketing Corporation.
Pledge of more US aid
Mr Robert Fritts, US Ambassador, has hinted that his country would increase aid to Ghana at the next Donors' Conference scheduled for Paris, France, next month.According to reports from Accra after he held discussions behind closed doors in Accra with Mr Justice D.F. Annan, member of the PNDC, Ambassador Fritts re-affirmed his Government's willingness to be of help to Ghana in realising the goals of her Economic Recovery Programme.
Mr Fritts was reportedly happy at the positive trend in Ghana-US relations.
School kids take to fishing
School children in the Prampram are reportedly deserting the classroom and taking to fishing. As a result, serious work has not begun in schools in the township since the re-opening in September for the beginning of the 1984-85 academic year.Parents and guardians are said to be behind their children's absence from school. They are said to be encouraging them to go fishing. Some of the pupils explained that they had opted for fishing at this age because those before them ended up as fishermen after school.
P.V. Obeng in London
The PNDC Co-ordinating Secretary, Mr P.V. Obeng, is in London for a visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the British Government. Mr Obeng will also visit the Federal Republic of Germany at the invitation of the West German Government.He was seen off at the Kotoka Inter- national Airport by the Special Adviser to the PNDC, Captain Kojo Tsikata, the acting British High Commissioner in Ghana, Roy Dean and the West German Ambassador Mr W. Vogel.
Thanks for increased British aid
There has been a further increase of half a million pounds sterling in Britain's programme of assistance to Ghana. This brings to 3.8m pounds sterling the amount of aid so far advanced to Ghana this financial year. This was announced by the British Minister for Overseas Development, Timothy Raison, when the visiting PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council) Co-ordinating Secretary, Mr P.V. Obeng, called on him in London.Mr Raison said the British Government is impressed by the PNDC's economic reforms. He noted that Britain's Common- wealth partners are getting the greatest share of the funds available under the British aid programme.
Mr Obeng, who is on an official visit to Britain, expressed appreciation for the British Government's aid programme. He stressed the importance of the trade links between the two countries, especially as Ghana's economic recovery proceeds. Mr Obeng raised a number of issues on which he thought the British Government's co-operation might be useful.
Mr Raison said Britain will be very willing to help on such matters as crops storage. The PNDC Co-ordinating Secretary was expected to visit the Tropical Development and Research Institute for further discussions.
World Bank credit
The World Bank is processing between 50 and 60 million dollars for Ghana, to be provided by the International Development Agency (IDA).The credit will be disbursed on the importation of urgently needed inputs for the re- habilitation of the four major sectors of the economy within the second phase of the reconstruction and imports programme in 1985.
Disclosing this in Accra after a three- week tour of the country, the Loan Officer of the Bank Mr John S. Ijichi said his visit was in connection with the reappraisal of various World Bank projects in the country.
He explained that the credit, which would be disbursed between 12 and 18 months, covered transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and mining industries, the four major economic sectors.
Mr Ijichi announced that negotiations between the World Bank and Ghana on the credit were expected to take place in Washington in February next year.
Agreement with China
The special adviser to the PNDC, Capt. Kojo Tsikata, has returned home after leading a government delegation to China and the DPRK. He said Ghana and China have agreed to restore and strengthen relations between them. To this end, China has agreed to extend for another seven years the utilisation of a 15m dollar loan granted to Ghana but which has expired.In addition, the repayment of an overall loan of 104m Chinese yuan granted to Ghana during the first republic has been re- scheduled. It is now to be spread over a period of 20 years beginning from 1985.
Capt. Tsikata further stated that agreements on various ongoing projects, especially in the fields of agriculture and gold mining, were included during the visit. According to the special adviser, China has pledged to donate 1,000 tonnes of wheat to victims of natural disasters in the country.
Canadian aid
Canada is to grant Ghana a total of 153m dollars for a number of development projects this financial year. Out of the amount, Petrocanada International would spend 33m dollars on exploratory oil work in the country. Another 60m dollars will be granted to Ghana under a Five Year programme; 12m dollars will be used on the northern regional integrated programme..The Wieja water project, Kumasi Technical Institute and the advanced teacher training college in Winneba will also benefit from the grant. The Canadian International Development Agency will decide in conjunction with the Ghana Government on priority projects for which the rest of the funds should be utilised. Canada has also made available 50m dollars towards the economic recovery programme. Under this, he said, 20m dollars will be used for food aid and the import of fertiliser. The remainder will go to the Volta River Authority for the import of spare parts.
French involvement in palm project
The Ghana Oil Palm Development Corporation has signed a 35.9m dollar agreement with a French firm, Institut de Recherche pour Huiles et Oleagineaux, for the improvement of oil palm production in Ghana. The agreement covers the second phase of a contract signed in 1977 between Ghana and the firm.The firm will provide consultancy services and management as well as research for the project. Infrastructure, including houses, will also be constructed for the workers of the Kwae oil palm plantations, where the project is based. The number of small-scale oil palm plantations, attached to the project will be increased. The mill attached to the project is also to be expanded to produce 25 tonne of palm oil daily.
It is hoped that when the project is completed, it will be possible to reactivate other oil palm plantations managed by the Ghana Food Distribution Corporation and the Food Production Corporation.
The International Development Association will provide 25m dollars while the Ghana Oil Palm Development Corporation will provide 9.6m dollars. The Government of Ghana will support the project with 1.3m dollars.
