People, Places and Events
GHANA
Search for democratic system continues
Mr Justice D.F. Annan, member of the PNDC, has reiterated the determination of the Government to harness the nation's potential resources to improve the living standards of the people. He admitted that the task facing the Government was arduous but said it would continue the fight undaunted.The PNDC member said this at a dinner he hosted for a delegation of the International Peace Foundation, led by Mr Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States of America. Mr Justice Annan said the PNDC was in search of a democratic system that would lead to the creation of a just political atmosphere in the country.
For this reason, the PNDC member, who is chairman of the National Commission for Democracy, noted that Ghanaians were re-examining the past institutions under which the country was governed since independence.
Stressing that a true democratic system should take into account the history of the people, he hoped that out of the search would emerge a system in which the national values and aspirations would find expression
Turning to the delegation, the PNDC member commended the efforts of the Foundation to assist African countries find lasting solutions to their social and economic problems. He emphasized that with goodwill and genuine assistance from friends, Africa would be able to fight poverty, disease and hunger in its bid to ensure better living standards for her people. Replying, Mr Carter said his Foundation believed that much could be achieved through better understanding among peoples of the world. He said where there was peace, there was no ar, adding peace meant respect for human hs, being free from torture, hunger and poverty.
Ex-detainee seeks answers
Donny Botsio, a veteran journalist who was detained in the wake of the CIA spy scandal and released unconditionally on November 26, 1985, he is not a happy man and not satisfied with Five months detention without explanation. Speaking to the Free Press, Mr Botsio said at a loss as to why he was picked up and detained.Four days after his arrest, on July 19, 1985, was accompanied by seven security personnel, including an armed police escort, to his house for a search for alleged subversive elements, foreign currency, and arms and ammunition, but the search proved futile. On the same day I was subjected to interrogation by a panel of seven who wanted to know if I had any foreign bank accounts and about my professional life and overseas said Mr Botsio.
Botsio said he was interrogated by a much larger team on two more occasions on almost the same subject, but nothing concrete came out of these interrogations. "It is against this backdrop that I keep on wondering why I was picked up in the first place, and I believe I shall never be a happy man till somebody in authority explains the WHY and clear my good name," he concluded.
Kojo Tsikata returns from Arab meeting
A member of the PNDC, Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata, has returned home after attending the eighth session of the Standing Commission for Afro-Arab Co-operations in Damascus, Syria. Capt. Tsikata told newsmen on arrival that the four-day meeting, which was held under the joint-chairmanship of Ghana and Syria, discussed and reviewed co-operation between member states from the two regions in the political, economic and cultural fields.According to the PNDC member, the session reviewed economic and trade co-operation between the two regions and the activities of economic and financial institutions such as the African Development Bank (ADB), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Arab Bank for the Economic Development of Africa, which are charged with promoting such co-operation between the two sister regions.
Justice Sowah confirmed as CJ
The PNDC has confirmed Mr Justice E.N.P. Sowah as Chief Justice following the retirement of F.K. Apaloo, an official statement said in Accra.Mr Justice Sowah has been acting Chief Justice since last November when Mr Justice Apaloo proceeded on leave prior to retirement on January 9, 1986.
Mr Justice Apaloo was Chief Justice for eight and a half years.
Industrial unrest provides no solution
The Secretary for Industries, Science and Technology, Dr Francis Acquah, has stated that industrial unrest in any process of transformation is not in anybody's interest.Addressing about 500 participants at a three- day national congress for CDRS at the State House in Accra, Dr Acquah emphasized that it was only productivity which could put the smiles on the faces of workers.
Briefing the participants about the "modest achievements" of his Ministry during the first phase of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), he said the capacity utilization for beverages and tobacco rose from 26.43 per cent in 1984 to about 43 per cent last year.
Import licences allocation for the textile industry also rose from 16.7 million dollars in 1984 to 19 million dollars last year, he said. The Secretary mentioned over-dependence on foreign exchange for the importation of raw materials, high production cost and low plant efficiency as some of the problems his Ministry faced during the first phase of the ERP, and said the government intended to curtail these drawbacks through the promotion of small-scale industries in rural areas and up-grading of indigenous technologies. Attention would also be given to the manufacturing of simple machinery to help process and store more of the country's surplus farm produce, he said.
Are State Hotels profitable?
Dr Kwesi Botchwey has described the State Hotels as non-viable ventures.The non-profitability of the hotels was cited as one of the justifications for getting off state participation in the hotel industry.
The table below showing the profit levels of the hotels since 1983, however, contradicts Dr Kwesi Botchwey's assessment of the operations of the State Hotels. UNIT 1983 1984 To Oct 85 Hotel Continental 7,760,462.00 7,890,756.00 18,892,292.00 Ambassador Hotel (1,402,066.00) (2,091,124.00) (574,833.00) Star Hotel 768.521.00 (2,722,997.00) (688,587.00) Meridian Hotel (2,066,601.00) (2.879,701.00) .
Sale of State Hotels
At his recent press conference, Ghana's Finance Secretary, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, stated that the PNDC intends to privatise the State Hotels. "Some of the hotels we intend to sell outright to foreign or local investors, with some we shall enter in joint ventures with investors," said Dr Botchwey."I will not give them any subvention," added Dr Botchwey in his answer to a question as to whether rumours that the state owned hotels, particularly Continental Hotel, were up for sale. Meanwhile investigations conducted by the Free Press indicate that advanced stages have been reached in giving out one of the State Hotels Continental Hotel - to a French company, ACCOR Group.
Palm oil exported
The Ministry of Agriculture has exported 30 tonnes of surplus palm oil, Dr I.K. Adjei- Maafo, Secretary for the ministry has disclosed in Accra.The ministry has also embarked on the exportation of Tuna which earned a substantial foreign exchange for the country.
Dr Adjei-Maafo was addressing the CDR national conference at the Kwame Nkrumah Conference Centre.
He reiterated that his ministry is determined to help in the export of non-traditional crops but said the Ghana Export Promotion Council was not giving the feedback on such crops so far exported.
The Secretary, therefore, called for immediate restructuring of the council so that it would respond to the realities of the times and help increase exports to avoid unnecessary frustrations put in the way of exporters.
Tema Port congested with imported goods
The main harbour of Tema has been 'flooded' with a large number of uncleared imports. A visit by newsmen to the port indicated that almost every available space within the harbour was occupied with various imports including vehicles and a large number of personal effects. Other items are tractors, agricultural and constructional equipment imported by the government to support various programmes in the country, and empty containers. Some of the vehicles at the port have been imported by the Ghana Cocoa Board, the Achimota Brewery Limited, and Auto Parts Limited.An official of the Ghana Supply Commission responsible for government imports said the Commission was clearing the agricultural equipment for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Airways head on indefinite leave
Group Captain Frank Okine, managing director of Ghana Airways Corporation, has been instructed to proceed on leave pending the completion of the current inquiry into the affairs of the corporation.Tribunal rejects Appiah-Menka's bail appeal
The National Appeals Tribunal has dismissed Akenten Appiah Menka's application for bail pending the hearing of his appeal. Appiah Menka, a lawyer and an industrialist, was tried with five others and jailed for 18 months in September last year for conspiring and causing monetary loss to a public body. Immediately after the trial he applied for bail but was not heard because the judgement had then not been typed out.In his ruling Mr Yaw Anim, chairman of the Appeals Tribunal, said that no special or exceptional circumstances have been shown why the appellant deserved to be bailed.
He said it is not automatic but discretionary to grant bail to convicted persons, and therefore an application for bail pending appeal ought not to be dealt with lightly.
According to him a person who has been found guilty and convicted by a competent court and whose imprisonment has not been set aside should not be let loose in the community.
Referring to the relevant laws, the chairman indicated that bail would not be granted prior to appeal except in special circumstances or where hearing is likely to be delayed. Furthermore, he said, this could be done where a court is satisfied that a conviction is erroneous either in law or in fact and would therefore lead to miscarriage of justice when bail is refused.
Counsel for the appellant on his part argued that his client is torn between two important judicial bodies being the Court of Appeal and Public Tribunal and would therefore need his freedom to confer with his two lawyers.
Increased Japanese aid
Japan is to extend 41m US dollars in assistance to Ghana this year, the Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Kazuaki Arichi has disclosed in Accra. The amount shows an increase of 10% on Japan's aid last year. Mr Arichi said 25m dollars of the amount, which will be a loan for road rehabilitation, will have a 30-year maturity period with a 10-year moratorium and an interest rate of 3.5%. The rest of the assistance will be a grant.Mr Arichi said 10m dollars would be direct aid to the country's economic recovery programme and 1.9m dollars would be in food aid. Three-point-four (3.4) million dollars would be debt relief and 500,000 dollars would go into technical aid. Mr Arichi said Japan preferred to be benevolent to developing countries because humanitarianism was important for peace and stability of the world.
IDA and donor countries' finance package
The World Bank resident representative in Ghana has announced that the country's industrial production will receive a boost of a 100m dollar credit from the International Development Agency (IDA) and a number of donor nations. According to him, 54m dollars. of the amount will come from the agency, a subsidiary of the World Bank.He told newsmen in Accra that negotiations between Ghana and the agency for the money will be completed soon. The rate of the credit will be negotiated at a meeting of the co-donors to be sponsored by the World Bank next March. The potential donors include Britain, Switzer- land, France and the Brussels-based European Investment Bank. He said about 40m dollars of the IDA credit will increase the disbursing funds intended for the importation of industrial raw materials and spare parts needed to increase the capacity utilisation of public and private Ghanaian enterprises; 10m dollars have been earmarked for the provision of new equipment and the rehabilitation of existing plants for steel industry.
The package will also provide assistance to the Ghana Standards Board and the Food Research Institute to enhance the quality of locally manufactured products for export and the domestic market. In addition, the credit will offer training and advisory services to industries to increase their viability and efficiency.
BENIN
FRG security assistance
Benin and the Federal Republic of Germany have signed an agreement relating to assistance in equipment for the public security forces of Benin and which amounted to Im DM, that is 150m CFA francs. This assistance, an official source disclosed, falls within the framework of the January 1980 and October 1982 agreements relating to the supply of supplementary equipment for the Benin security forces.NIGERIA
People's Parliament inaugurated
Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome of Rivers State has told the inaugural meeting of the "People's Parliament", in Port Harcourt, that the active participation of the people in governance should be accepted as fundamental to good government. Such involvement in the governmental process, whether in an elective civilian regime or military administration, he said, would facilitate and mobilize the people towards the set objectives and goals of government.Also, according to him, the parliament provides a forum for the scrutiny of public institutions and functionaries by representatives of the people in order to ensure a high standard of probity and dedication on the part of public officials.
The governor warned that the government would not tolerate any attempts by any individual or groups to use the "people's parliament" as a forum for character assassination, innuendoes, political invectives or calculated mischief." He explained that the parliament conferred neither privilege nor immunity on any participant who set out deliberately to cast aspersions on the integrity of public functionaries. The composition of the parliament showed that participation was spread to cover interest groups, with 25 per cent of the members drawn from trade unions, workers, farmers and fishermen, students and journalists and 75 per cent area representatives.
But the membership is rotary among the members of the communities, as the governor put it, "to ensure that members of the various communities do not see themselves as being prepared for elective position in future."
Bar Association at trial of coup plotters
The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen Sani Abacha, who is visiting Bauchi State, has said that care has been taken to ensure that no innocent person is punished for involvement in the recent abortive coup. General Abacha told officers and men of the 3rd Armoured Brigade in Bauchi that treason was the worst crime against a nation. He remarked that the Nigerian army had no place for disloyal soldiers.Meanwhile the Nigerian Bar Association has appointed five of its members to represent it at the trial of the suspected coup plotters. This was in response to the Federal Government's decision to allow the Association representatives at the trial as an observer.
A statement by the Association said its representatives would observe the conduct of the trial with particular reference to the fundamental rights of the suspects. It said the Association fully appreciated its duty as a watchdog of the people and would make its views known on the trial after studying the report of its representatives.
Capitals to get direct international links
All state capitals in the country are to be provided with an international direct dialling system, the Minister of Communication, Lt- Colonel Tanko Ayuba, has promised.He made this promise when he paid a courtesy call on the Ondo State Governor, Commander Okhai Akhigbe, on a one-day visit to the state and said that his ministry would embark on the installation of the system as soon as funds were made available.
Colonel Ayuba who explained that his unscheduled visit was to get the telephone exchange projects in Akure and Ikere ready for commissioning by President Ibrahim Babangida on February 8, observed that the international dialling system would enable subscribers to make trunk and international calls from their homes.
While thanking the governor for his interest in the ministry's projects, the minister said that he had given a directive that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the projects were ready for commissioning. Replying, Commander Akhigbe, who said that the visit was significant in the effort to develop the state, added that no development could be meaningful if communication facilities were not provided. He said that the state was the only state in the federation without direct access to the sea, adding that this made the state to look like a patch of jungle in an urban settlement.
Commander Akhigbe however said that he would be looking forward to seeing the early completion of the N52 million communication projects in the state.
Guidelines for political debate
Guidelines for the debate on Nigeria's political future are ready.Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, gave a draft last week when the 17-member political bureau saw him at work. Issues to be tackled include the question of State and religion. The decision to include this on the agenda is believed to have been taken in the light of the raging controversy on Nigeria's unconfirmed membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), which the President is currently trying to settle.
It is understood that bureau members expect the guidelines for a public debate to supersede the private deliberations of the Presidential committee. That committee, comprising civil servants, Christian and Moslem leaders, is to advise the Federal Government on the implications of Nigeria's "full membership" of the OIC.
The bureau's executive secretary, Dr Abdullahi Augie, declined to say what is in store but said bureau members made "far-reaching" contributions.
Opposition to OIC membership
More voices of opposition to Nigeria's membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) have been recorded.The complaints came chiefly from Prophet TO. Obadare of the World Soulwinning Evangelistic Ministry, the Ilorin Union of Christian Churches, the Kwara State wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Christ Apostolic Church of Nigeria (CACN) and a Lagos lawyer, Fola Akinrinsola.
Obadare said in Akure, Ondo State, that the nation's alleged OIC membership was illegal, insulting and an infringement on the individual freedom of worship of Nigerians.
He pleaded with "those who masterminded the admission of Nigeria into the OIC "to return the country to its former status.
In a seven-page statement, Kwara State branch of CAN contended that the report that some non- Islamic nations belonged to the OIC was irrelevant to Nigeria's situation." CAN stated, "not only is she (Nigeria) multi- cultural, she is multi-religious, and so it would be awfully dangerous for anyone, military or civilian, to seek membership of any particular cultural or religious group for the whole nation. "People should make a distinction between religious groups or organisations in Nigeria seeking membership of national bodies, and the government of Nigeria doing the same."
"No-one," CAN argued, "would bother if the Islamic groups in this country were to seek OIC membership, provided such membership was not inimical to the peace of the country."
Hostility to OIC is absurd
A commentary in the New Nigerian on the controversy over Nigeria's reported members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, has asserted that the hostility towards the country's membership of the organisation, especially among Christians, though under- standable, is mistaken.The paper pointed out that the OIC is not a purely religious organisation, otherwise countries like Benin, Cameroon, Uganda and Senegal, which are either predominantly Christian or secular, could not have joined it. According to the New Nigerian the interpretation of the secularity of the state to mean indifference or even hostility to religious values is absurd.
Improved conditions for pilots
The Council of Ministers has recommended better conditions of service for Nigeria Airways pilots. The suggestion emerged in its report to the government of the yearly review of the airlines financial records. Their report advises the government against privatising the airline and suggested bigger transport and housing allowances for its pilots. The council approved a request by Nigeria Airlines to buy three spare engines for its A310 planes, grounded as a result of bird strikes at Kano and Port Harcourt airports.103 policemen dismissed
A total of 103 policemen were dismissed from the Bauchi State Police Command last year, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Yahaya Othman has said.Briefing newsmen on the activities of the Command, Alhaji Yahaya said that a total of 153 police officers left the service during the period. He said that 46 cases involved voluntary retirement, 79 dismissal on disciplinary grounds, while 24 others were dismissed for deserting their posts and another four, killed while on official duty.
The deputy commissioner of police said that the police would continue to flush out any police officer who could not perform and urged members of the public, especially emirs and chiefs and local government administrators, to assist the police in its drive to recruit suitable indigenes of the state into the Police Force.
Alhaji Yahaya commended journalists in the state for their maturity and patriotism, saying that this had contributed to the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the state.
Abuja budget
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, plans to spend N519,353,787 for its services this financial year, according to a budget announced in Abuja by the new Minister of the Territory, Air Commodore Abdullahi.Air Commodore Hamza said that the budget would be financed from an estimated recurrent revenue of N122.98 million and capital receipt of N390.5 million showing a deficit of almost N5 million. He said that N39.76 million of the estimate was for recurrent expenditure while N479.59 million was for capital expenditure.
The minister said that the territory had three main sources of revenue which he named as external loan, recurrent revenue surplus, the Federal Government capital subvention as well as from last year's proceeds of the development loan stock floated by the Federal Government for disbursement to the states.
He said that the capital expenditure would be financed from N200 million capital subvention from Federal Government, N100 million external loan, N83.5 million revenue surplus, N7.5 million development stock and unspent capital vote saved from 1984 and 1985 fiscal years.
Akinyemi cancels Lesotho trip
External Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, called off his proposed trip to Lesotho from the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the minister as saying that he had learn from the Botswana authorities that racist South Africa, which totally encircles the mountain kingdom, had indicated that he would be required to stop over in Johannesburg for security check before going on to Maseru. Nigeria has no diplomatic relations with South Africa and is one of the leading African opponents of the apartheid regime.
Akinyemi said his Zimbabwe and Botswana trips had provided the chance to present Nigeria's views and influence on the developments in southern Africa.
In Zimbabwe, he held comprehensive discussions on regional events with Prime Minister Robert Mugabe. The talks, he said, focussed on what was expected on other African countries in the political situation in the region summit slated for Harare and plans for the Non-Aligned Movement's later this year.
Permanent Secretaries sworn in
The new Minister of Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, has been sworn in by President Ibrahim Babangida. Thirty one Federal Permanent Secretaries also took the oath of office at the ceremony. They included the 11 Permanent Secretaries whose appointment was recently announced by the President.Panel to discuss OIC membership
The Federal government has set up a panel to examine the implications of Nigeria's full membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. The members are drawn from the government, Christian and the Muslim communities. The chairman of the body is the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lt-Col John Shagaya.In a statement in Lagos. the Minister of Information, Lt-Col Anthony Ukpo, said that the setting up of the panel followed representations to government from the leadership and concerned membership of all sides of the religious spectrum in Nigeria, especially from among the Christian and Muslim communities.
Uwaifo's panel resumes sitting
The Samson Uwaifo's panel reviewing cases of persons conditionally released from detention and persons still being detained has resumed sitting.The panel, which went on a two-week break on January 17, was expected to review the cases of former Borno State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, Mr George Onigbogi, Napoleon Orianzi, Alhaji Maideribe, and Chief A.A. Owoade.
The panel will also hear the cases of former Kaduna State Governor in the ousted civilan regime, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Professor Ishaya Audu, Alhaji Garuba, A.D. Inuwa, Peter Okoh, and former Minister of Abuja, Mr John Kadiya.
Discharge Fela
Solicitors to Fela Anikulapo Kuti have urged the Akinola Aguda tribunal reviewing cases of persons convicted under the Foreign Exchange anti-Sabotage Decree to discharge the musician."The real purpose and intention of exchange control decree of 1984 is not to punish people who lawfully obtain foreign currency but failed to inform an officer of Customs at a post, but those who are out to sabotage the economy by obtaining foreign currency "outside the law", Fela's defence lawyers told the tribunal.
Leading a team of three lawyers from his "People's chambers" in Lagos, counsel for Fela, Mr L. Alao-Aka-Bashorun, submitted in Kaduna "that reason, common sense and good public policy requires that failure to declare lawfully acquired foreign currency cannot be an offence under the law as obtaining foreign currency illegally which the decree is all about."
He said it was absurd for the Justice Okor Idogu Special Tribunal which convicted Fela "to refuse to prosecute a visitor to Nigeria that refused to declare to Customs officers the foreign currency he imported to the country but jailed a Nigerian for five years for his refusal to declare his lawfully acquired foreign currency."
