People, Places and Events
NIGERIA
Arrests over 'subversive publications'
The Minister of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Gp-Capt. Emeka Omerua has said in Lagos that some individuals responsible for the circulation of subversive publications in the country had been arrested by security agents.Speaking during last month's briefing for media executives, Gp-Capt. Omerua described those responsible for the publications as detractors and agents or enemies of the Federal Military Government. He disclosed that some of the documents contained information which not only unfairly criticised the various laudable measures adopted by the Government, but also calculated to bring the Government to disrepute.
He urged members of the public to regard the publications as the last efforts by a few "frustrated and disgruntled deviants in the society to mortgage the development of the country for their selfish, private or group interests".
Gp-Capt. Omerua said that the Govern- ment remained undaunted in its efforts to revamp the nation's "battered economy" irrespective of opposition from those who had brought the country to the "current woeful situation".
Buhari's admonition to students
Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has called on staff and students of educational institutions in the country to tailor their demands to reflect the economic mood of the nation. In a message to the first graduation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Llaro, Ogun, the Head of State said that most of the demands made by them were unrealistic and negated national aspirations. "It is therefore no cause for surprise that the public feel that our institutions of higher learning are strongholds of self-seeking and pampered staff and students," Maj-Gen. Buhari said. On technical education, the Head of State said that the Government placed great emphasis on the development of middle level manpowers with relevant skills and technical expertise... because of the need to develop local potentials and lessen Nigeria's dependence on imported skills and expertise.Maj-Gen. Buhari said: "It is through the development of indigenous skills and technological awareness among the populace that we can put behind us the stigma and discomfort of a country where nothing works".
Sentences confirmed
The Head of State has confirmed the sentences imposed on the former governor of Benue State, Mr Aper Aku; Mrs Okpa Akinloye; and Mr Edet Enanga Atakpa. They were convicted of various offences by the Lagos zone of the exchange control talks anti-sabotage tribunal.Mr Aku will spend 15 years in jail while Mrs Akinloye and Mr Atakpa will spend five years each. The Head of State also directed that they should pay the fines imposed on them by the tribunal.
Tribune editor removed
Editor of the Nigerian Tribune, Mr Banji Ogundele has been removed.The political editor of the paper, Mr Banji K. Roloja has taken over. The removal of Mr Ogundcle was contained in a circular letter titled "Editorial changes" and pasted in the newsroom of the paper. No reason was given for the changes.
NYSC accountant jailed
The former senior accountant of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Raymond Olukayode Fernandez, has been sentenced to 42-year imprisonment for unlawfully enriching himself, and participating in private business, while in public office.He will serve 21 years.
Delivering judgement in Lagos, the Chairman of the Lagos Zone Special Military Tribunal on the recovery of Public property, Brigadier Paul Ufuoma Omu, said Raymond Olukayode Fernandez could not clear himself of "complicity in the crime."
Concord editor released
The editor of National Concord, Mr Duro Onabule, has been released from fourteen days detention.An official statement said that Mr Onabule had been a 'guest' at the head-quarters of the Nigerian Security Organisation.
But it is believed that his arrest was not unconnected with his article published in the November 9, 1984 issue of the National Concord titled: 'Bogey of Bringing Down Governments'.
Marriage boom in Lagos
Far from being deterred by the governments austerity measures, more and more Nigerians are rushing into marriages. As a result, September and October this year recorded the highest number of marriages as compared to any other months for the past two years around Lagos metropolis. Statistics from Mushin, City Hall, Ikeja and Ikoyi registeries reveal that 518 marriages were contracted both in churches and courts in the month of September this year compared to 239 in September 1983 and 289 in September 1982.In October this year, 570 marriages were contracted as to 283 in October 1983 and 286 in October 1982.
External debt and IMF
Nigeria's external debt stands at 20bn dollars and the internal debt at some 8bn, Finance Minister Onaolapo Soleye said in Lagos. There were no problems in the medium and long term, he said, but the short-term debt was causing delicate problems. It consists mainly of arrears and delayed payments.Nigeria is still discussing a 2.5bn dollar loan with the International Monetary Fund, which is insisting on a devaluation of the naira of about 60%. The IMF also wants import liberalisation and the abolition of government subsidies on internal sales of oil products.
Improvement on foreign reserves
The Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Maj-Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, in Lagos, said that the present administration had repaid more than 1bn naira of its foreign debt. Maj-Gen. Idiagbon told a conference of the international business community that the nation's foreign reserves, which stood at 254m naira in January, had risen to more than 1.8bn naira by the end of September. He said that with the improvement in external reserves and the repayment of some of its debt, Nigeria's credibility and financial viability were being restored gradually.The Chief of Staff said that the administration was not satisfied with the response it had been receiving from foreign governments and organisations to its efforts to revamp the country's economy. He stated that the administration still expected further positive indications of solidarity from OPEC despite the recent increase in Nigeria's oil production quota.
He added that the administration also expected international organisations to co-operate financial meaningful with Nigeria in the debt more rescheduling talks currently going on and to waive or relax some of the conditions for the granting of a 1.8bn naira loan to Nigeria.
Aid for large-scale farming
The Federal Government has announced new incentives for large-scale farmers. They include duty-free imports of agricultural machinery and equipment, low interest rates for agricultural loans of between 6 and 70% as well as long moratoriums of up to five years in case of farmers involved in tree crops and cattle breeding.The Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Bukar Shaib, explained this in Lagos while addressing the fourth meeting of the Nigeria-US joint agricultural consultative committee. Dr Shaib said that an agricultural insurance scheme will soon be introduced The Minister stated that an agricultural investment bureau will also be set up in the central planning department of the Ministry to provide information and guidance to large-scale private farmers and investors. The Minister noted that new projects are taking off under the committee and expressed the hope that the current meeting would come up with concrete suggestions on how to solve problems facing the body.
Purchase of four civil aircraft
An agreement for the purchase of four Airbus A-310 aircraft for Nigeria Airways has been signed in Lagos between the Federal Government and a consortium of financial institutions from France, Britain and West Germany.The agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr Onaolapo Soleye, and representatives of the financial institutions. According to the terms of the agreement, Nigeria Airways will take delivery of two of the four Airbuses on December 14 and the remaining two next year.
Appeal on behalf of Fela
Lawyer Kanmi Isola Osubu has said he had appealed to Nigerian military leader Major- General Mohammed Buhari to overturn a five-year jail term passed on music star Fela Anikulapo Kuti for currency smuggling. Osobu represented Fela before the exchange control anti-sabotage Tribual which jailed the musician last month under Nigeria's currency laws. Gen. Buhari has the power to reverse the Tribunal's ruling.CHAD
French troops to return
France Inter has cited "reliable" sources revealing that President Hissein Habre has agreed on the return of French troops to Chad. The radio reported that the decision by Chad is said to be the consequence of observations made recently by American satellites of the Faya-Largeau and Fada oases where, according to the sources, four battalions of mechanised infantry, tanks, a rocket-launcher unit, aircraft and combat helicopters are situated.All these assessments of the Libyan troops stationed in Chad were said to be 5,000 to 6,000 me, but what the Chad authorities are most concerned about is the current construction of an airfield at Oaudi, Doum, about 150km south of Faya Largeau. This information was also provided by satellite observations.
Reports on famine and refugees
A representative of the UN who just returned from an inspection tour of Chad, has described the current drought as "the most serious Chad has ever experienced".He said that 100,000 people had already died of hunger in Chad, and over 200,000 more would be "directly threatened" with the same fate if sufficient food aid was not provided, and he reported a shortfall in foodstuffs of "almost 220,000 tons" every year.
In another dispatch from Lagos, the West African representative of the UNHCR, Albert-Alain Peters, also said that the number of Chadian refugees in Nigeria had decreased from 100,000 to less than 5,000 following the expulsion from Nigeria last year of "nearly 2,000,000 illegal immigrants", and appealed to governments to "lessen the risk of refugees being treated as illegal immigrants".
LIBERIA
Chief Justice lifts ban
The Liberian Chief Justice has lifted a ban on Justice Minister Jenkins Scott practising law for two years for criminal contempt, Monrovia Radio has said.The radio quoted Chief Justice Emmanuel Gbalazeh as saying in a statement that the suspension was lifted on orders from Liberian leader Samuel Doe. Justice Minister Jenkins Scott was barred from practising law in Liberia for two years after he was found guilty of criminal contempt. LINA (the Liberian news agency) stated that the Justice Minister was accused of making derogatory statements against the Liberian judiciary, in an interview published by the New Liberian last September.
Soon after, the Head of State, Samuel Kanyon Doe, ordered the Chief Justice to immediately restore the Minister the right and privilege to practise law in the republic of Liberia. Dr Doe said the move was seen by him as an attempt to embarrass the government, especially when it was obvious that the Minister was expected to represent the state at any time and to defend government as the occasion may arise.
The Head of State said as a matter of courtesy and respect of office, no action of such magnitude should be taken against any of his ministers by the head of another branch of government without his knowledge.
Opposition leader to remain in detention
The criminal court at the Temple of Justice has ruled that Mr Dusty Wolokolie, a member of the Liberia People's Party (LPP), remain in jail until next year. Wolokolie has been in detention for three months, now on charges of violating PRC (People's Redemption Council) Decree No 88A.The decree empowers the security to detain anyone suspected of carrying lies, rumours and disinformation.
According to the Observer newspaper, the case was assigned for November 26, but the prosecution lawyers urged the court to suspend the case until next February.' The prosecution said their motion was due to the illness of their material witness. The court withheld the prosecution motion.
Minister orders release of party representatives
The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and chairman of the Cabinet, Dr J. Bernard Blamo, has ordered the release from detention of representatives of the Unity and Liberia Action Parties without delay. They were arrested and detained for canvassing for membership of their respective parties.The chairman of the Cabinet said since SECOM (Special Elections Commission) has issued valid permits to the parties to canvass for membership, they cannot hold them in custody unless they have violated the laws of the land.
Two 'major' appointments
Head of State and Chairman of the interim National Assembly has made two major appointments. Mr Philip O. Lawrence of Marshal territory has been appointed successor to the late Alfred Susoka Jr. in the interim National Assembly.At the National Ports Authority, Mr. Jackson F. Doe has been relieved of his post as managing director for administrative reasons. He is succeeded by Moses E. Harris Jr. who once headed the National Ports Authority.
NIGER
Niger wants to buy food from Ghana
President Seyni Kountche has sent a special message to the Chairman of the PNDC, Flt- Lt, Rawlings. It was delivered by the Niger ambassador to Ghana, Mr Abdul Zaro- meye. The contents of the message were believed to be centred on the present drought and food situation in Niger. In a speech, Chairman Rawlings blamed the situation on the continent on the result of some African leaders allowing foreign countries to use their territories for destructive purposes. He mentioned in particular the testing of atomic bombs both on land and sea.Chairman Rawlings recalled Ghana's food problems last year and said although he is satisfied over the improvement in the situation, there is still a shortfall this season. He however assured the envoy that he would study the message and see what anyone suspected of help Ghana can give Niger.
GHANA
Cedi devalued
New fiscal measures have been announced by the PNDC as part of the Economic Recovery Programme.The Cedi has been further devalued from the rate of C38 to a dollar to C50 to one US dollar.
Bank interest rates have also been increased by 12%.
Price increases have also been made on petroleum products. A gallon of super petrol goes up from 60 cedis to 80 cedis, regular from 55 cedis to 80 cedis Gas oil from 36 cedis to 70 cedis and kerosene from 30 cedis to 46 cedis.
The minimum wage also goes up from the present 35 cedis a day to 70 cedis a day as from January next year. These measures are seen as part of what the PNDC had to implement before going to the Donor Nations meeting in Paris scheduled for next week.
It will be recalled that at last year's meeting in Paris, the Ghana delegations made undertakings to implement IMF prescriptions to qualify for loans and aid from the donors and have in the main kept to those promises.
Former IGP under house arrest
A high powered committee has been set up to investigate the case in which the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr R.K. Kugblenu has been named in connection with the death of his niece, Rose Korkor Lawson.The committee is made up of top officers of the Police Force, the castle and the Bureau of National Investigations.. Meanwhile, Mr Kugblenu has been placed under house arrest while members of his household have been arrested and placed in custody for questioning.
Col. Asase in charge of CDRs
Lt-Co. J.Y. Asase, rtd, has been appointed political counsellor for economic development of the CDRs. He has been appointed a member of the National Commission for Democracy, NCD. The office of the political counsellor for economic development supersedes what used to be the Office of the Secretariat. All property belonging to the NDC must be returned to Mr Akrasi Sarpong. All staff members of the NDCSecretariat are to return to their former places of work.For purposes of screening and reorganisation, all staff of the Secretariat are to forward their particulars, including addresses, to Mr Akrasi Sarpong with copies to the PNDC Secretariat. Those in the regions and districts should forward them to their respective regional and district political heads.
Those who were not in any employment before December 31, 1981 should report at Gondar barracks for further directives.
Border guard and army merged
The Border Guard unit of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Army are to be merged. This was announced by the Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, Colonel Seidu Ayumah, at the annual administrative inspection parade of the Seventh Garrison of the Ghana Armed Forces at Sunyani.According to the Brigade Commander, the merger will increase the operational and administrative capabilities of the force. It will also ensure maximum participation of the infantry unit in combating smuggling and external aggression. He stressed that smuggling cannot be contained by border guards alone.
Colonel Seidu Ayumah disclosed that the merger will help to put an end to smuggling by land. To ensure a smooth merger and high standard of efficiency, discipline and morale in the army, Border Guards are to be subjected to a series of qualifying courses to justify their postings into the army.
Colonel Ayumah said the merger is in line with the current restructuring exercise within the armed forces. He also announced that very soon the 3rd Battalion at Sunyani will be made responsible for the training of cadet corps in second cycle institutions in the area.
CDR replaces PDC/WDC
The PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council) has made the following changes. Henceforth, People's Defence Committees (PDCS) and Worker's Defence Committees (WDC) shall be known as Committees for the Defence of the Revolution or CDR. The leading sergeants of a unit CDR shall now be known as organising assistant and no longer chairman or secretary as the case may be.Regional and district political heads will assume the role of co-ordinating the activities of CDRs at regional and district levels respectively. Matters relating to security in defence of the revolution shall be channelled to the Office of the Secretary for Interior or through the appropriate political heads. This does not preclude the use of other reliable avenues. The National Civil Defence Committee shall continue to be responsible for the militia development of the CDRs.
PNDC on course
The Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, has said that the course which the PNDC Government is taking in pursuit of the Economic Recovery Programme, is judged to be the most positive and realistic considering the poor state of the economy when the PNDC took over.Dr Botchwey was speaking at a meeting he and other Secretaries of State had with nine Bishops and representatives of the dioceses of the Catholic Church in Accra.
Dr Botchwey outlined the situation of Ghana's economy as it was when the government assumed responsibility and the emerging situation today. The picture depicted the plight which years of mishandling had left as a legacy for the country.
Some of the Secretaries present proceeded to brief the gathering on past and on going activities in their respective sectors.
Replying, the President of the Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Peter Dery, expressed gratitude at the cooperative and cordial reception accorded them and the methodical exposition made.
The vice-President, Bishop Peter Sarpong, went on to read a prepared speech, outlining the concerns of the Bishops.
According to the statement, he raised a number of issues and proposed some ways indicated as being their considered views which it was desirable to consider.
Discussion on Ghana's judicial machinery
The British Deputy Under-Secretary ofState in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with special responsibilities for Africa and the Middle East, Mr E.A.J. Ferguson, has discussed with Mr Justice D.F. Annan, a member of the PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council) Ghana's present judicial machinery. They also discussed matters of mutual interest.Briefing newsmen later, Mr Ferguson said he was on a three-day tour of Ghana. He said he already had talks with the Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwesi Botchway, the special adviser to the PNDC, Capt. Kojo Tsikata, and the Foreign Secretary, Dr Obed Asamoah.
He said the talks have given him a better understanding of the policies being pursued by the Government. Mr Ferguson pointed out that Britain has been through similar problems and knows how difficult it is to combine economic prosperity with social stability.
Warning to aliens and visitors
The Ministry of Interior has asked all aliens without valid residence permits to take steps to secure them. Those whose permits have expired should have them renewed at the immigration office in the district where they reside. In addition, they should in their districts of residence.An official statement issued in Accra reminded aliens resident in Ghana that under the Aliens Act of 1963, article 160, it is an offence for an alien to reside in the registration papers. country without valid permits. Visitors to Ghana are also to ensure that they have valid visitors' permits and do not engage in any occupation while in the country. The statement warned that any category of alien who is in the country without a permit is liable to deportation.
Democracy must have meaning
Mr Justice D.F. Annan, member of the PNDC, has observed that successive democratic experiments failed to have a hold on the people because they were not guided by the cultural background of the people.He said it was time to take a critical look at the new definition of democracy, analyse its structures and find out if it would have meaning for Ghanaians.
He went on, if the "structure of our newly won democracy are well developed, it will free us from military interventions." Mr Justice Annan, who is chairman of the National Commission for Democracy, made this pronouncement when he addressed the inaugural meeting of the commission in Accra.
He expressed confidence in the membership of the Commission, saying, "I am pleased to have people with experience associated with age and maturity. He called for closer cooperation among the rank and file of workers for the positive realization of the commissioner's objectives.
Air India suspends flights to Ghana
Air India has temporarily suspended its flights to Ghana.No official reason has been assigned but it is believed to border on economic demands. The airline officials gave the assurance that Air India flights to Ghana would be resumed as soon as conditions permit.
Meanwhile, the Ghana and West African manager of the airline, (based in Accra), Mr R.K. Rustogi has retired after 36 years' service. Mr Rustogi spent five years in Ghana.
Ghana teachers to Libya
An official of the Ministry of Education has explained that the idea behind the recruitment of Ghanaian teachers to Libya is an attempt to rationalise the mass exodus, which is beyond the control of the government, given the country's economic problems.The recruitment which is only a "secondment programme" therefore offers teachers an opportunity to attain certain basic necessities after which they return with stability of mind to continue their services.
The official, Mr Nicholas Asante, Director of Secondary Education of the Ghana Education Service, who served on the panel interviewing the recruits, however noted with deep concern the rush with which teachers applied for the appointment.
He revealed that some even went to the extent of reducing their qualifications just to be eligible. He said there were instances of teachers with Masters degrees posing as first-degree holders in English only, which was one of the required qualifications. Some of those who had attained other qualifications apart from the Cert 'A' also did the same.
This attitude, apart from giving the Libyans an unfair advantage, also gives an indication as how desperate teachers had grown in their attempts to seek better working conditions elsewhere, he said.
Increase in cocoa production
Under a two-year comprehensive development plan the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOABOD) is expected to achieve a record target of 300,000 tons of cocoa by 1986 against the present figure of 175,000 tons.Mr Harry Dodoo, Chief Executive of COCOABOD said at a Farmers' Day organised by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) at Akem Tafo in the Eastern region as part of measures adopted by COCOABOD, 800,000 hectares of cocoa growing areas in the Brong Ahafo, Western and Ashanti regions would be the Board's concentration.
Mr Dodoo said that cocoa growing areas in the three regions have been divided into 3,000 hectare units and that units would be manned by extension officers to help the farmers with the necessary extension advice.
Burkina students arrive
160 students from Burkina Faso have arrived at Tamale to begin a two-week visit to the country.The students who are from the Ecole Cadet de la Revolution (ECR) and the Lycee Midte de Gounghin (LMG) in Ougadougou are led by six tutors.
Guinean Ambassador Leaves Ghana
The Guinean Ambassador Mr Mamoudou Diallo has commended Ghanaians for their self-help spirit and asked them not to relent.Mr Diallo, who was the Diplomatic Dean of the Corps, made the commendation during a farewell call on the Chairman of the PNDC, Flt-Lt. J.J. Rawlings at the Castle, Osu. He has since left Accra for good after a nine-year duty tour.
The Ambassador was happy that "Ghanaians are becoming increasingly aware that government means everybody's efforts to work for the benefit of all instead of trying to shift responsibility on any one group."
New High Commissioner appointed
Brigadier Kwaku Adu-Bediako (rtd) is the new Ghana High Commissioner in Lagos.Receiving his letters from the Chairman, Brigadier Adu-Bediako noted the already excellent relations between the two countries which had been yielding good results. "As High Commissioner, I will do my best to ensure that the relations are either kept at the present level or improved upon," he promised.
ECOWAS
ECOWAS summit - final communique
The conference of heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held its seventh ordinary session in Lome, Republic of Togo, on 22 and 23 November 1984. Participating were the heads of state and government as well as representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Cape Verde, Gambia and Mauritania..The leaders noted the scope of the crisis that has hit Africa south of the Sahara for several years and which was caused by world recession, persistent drought, desert encroachment, and serious structural problems, and were convinced that the reforms undertaken by African governments should be accompanied by a revival of aid for development and its adaptation to specific needs of countries in crisis. They adopted first a declaration on the creation of a special fund for Africa south of the Sahara; and second, a resolution on the economic revival in West Africa.
The conference adopted a decision on the implementation of a single plan for the liberalisation of exchange of industrial products originating from member-states of the Community. It also adopted the resolution in favour of the creation of the commercial bank called Ecobank and in favour of the principle to have the Community participate in the capital stock of the said Bank through the ECOWAS fund.
