Two leading members of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have called for the political will and non-partisan approach to decongesting the central business district of Accra.
They suggested that a similar approach was required to demolish buildings on watercourses which caused floods in the nation’s capital.
The two, Mr Yaw Boateng-Gyan, the Deputy National Organiser of the NDC, and Mr Peter Mac Manu, the National Chairman of the NPP, were speaking in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic about the recent floods in Accra that claimed seven lives and destroyed property in the national capital.
They underscored the need for all political parties to lend support to the party in government in its efforts to deal with national issues.
They were of the opinion that national problems such as health, sanitation and floods had the propensity to wreck havoc on Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation and at the same time drain the national coffers.
Mr Boateng-Gyan, who is also a Presidential Staffer, noted that the Mills Administration was ready to take the bull by the horn and take bold decisions that would in the long run secure the safety and health of the entire nation as well as protect the environment for posterity.
He noted most of the problems of the country had occurred under various governments and caused the nation huge sums of money that could have been used for developing other areas of the society. He therefore called on leadership of all political parties to lend a hand in dealing with these issues.
“If the NDC is able to deal with these issues, a future NPP or CPP Administration would not spend time and fortune to deal with the same problems again. Governments are elected to solve problems and I assure Ghanaians that the NDC government will do exactly that”, he added.
Mr Boateng-Gyan noted that it was high time the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, especially the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) educated the people who had flouted the rules and regulations on building on watercourses and unauthorised places.
He said after the education and establishment of markets for the hawkers, such as what took place during the Kufuor Administration, all buildings on watercourses must be demolished and the hawkers cleared from the street. Bye-laws on people who dispose of rubbish indiscriminately should also be enforced.
He added that these were decisions that usually made governments unpopular in the eyes of such recalcitrant citizens who in turn threatened not to vote for the government in power, but added that if the hawkers were cleared and unauthorised structures on watercourses demolished, the good works of the government would attract more votes.
For his part, the NPP National Chairman noted that it was about time certain issues, especially health, environment and safety of the citizenry were dealt with dispassionately and in a non-partisan manner so that decisions taken would impact positively on the entire nation.
He described as worrying, the increasing trend of flooding during rainy seasons as a result of the parochial interest of some few citizens who were bent on building on watercourses, a situation he said was gaining roots in almost all the major cities in the country.
He said the repercussions of the inability of various governments to take bold decisions on certain issues of national importance over the years had been disastrous for the entire country and that such acts must cease.
Mr Mac Manu described as unacceptable, the unpatriotic behaviour of certain Ghanaians who flout the rules and regulations with impunity even when staff of state institutions had called their attention to their bad deeds.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Mac Manu to allow for fresh face
The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Peter Mac Manu, has said he will step aside to allow for a fresh face to lead the party into the next elections.
The party is expected to go for its national delegates congress in December to elect new officers to steer its affairs.
Explaining his position to the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Mac Manu, who remains the chairman of the party till December, said political office was not a permanent or family position that one must hold on to forever.
“I have taken this decision on my own volition and I will still remain a loyal member to the party,” he noted.
He described his decision as being in conformity with the practice in the NPP tradition where national chairmen, whether they won elections or not, do not seek re-election.
Mr Mac Manu, who has served the party in various capacities, including ward, constituency and regional chairman in the Western Region until he was elected the National Chairman of the party, cited the examples of chairmen such as Mr B.J. da Rocha, Mr Odoi Sykes, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey and Mr Harona Esseku who never contested their positions again after their first terms.
He said as the chairman of the party, “I took the NPP to Election 2008 but could not secure victory. I did my best but my best was not enough and as the leader of the team I take full responsibility and believe that I should allow for a fresh face and idea”.
Mr Mac Manu contested against Mr Stephen Ntim in the last national delegates congress at the University of Ghana, where he was elected chairman, along with Nana Ohene Ntow, Mr Lord Commey and Mr John Boadu as General Secretary, National Organiser and Youth Organiser, respectively.
Currently, some leading members of the party who have expressed interest in some of the national executive positions have started underground work to solicit support for their bids for positions in the party.
The party is expected to go for its national delegates congress in December to elect new officers to steer its affairs.
Explaining his position to the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Mac Manu, who remains the chairman of the party till December, said political office was not a permanent or family position that one must hold on to forever.
“I have taken this decision on my own volition and I will still remain a loyal member to the party,” he noted.
He described his decision as being in conformity with the practice in the NPP tradition where national chairmen, whether they won elections or not, do not seek re-election.
Mr Mac Manu, who has served the party in various capacities, including ward, constituency and regional chairman in the Western Region until he was elected the National Chairman of the party, cited the examples of chairmen such as Mr B.J. da Rocha, Mr Odoi Sykes, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey and Mr Harona Esseku who never contested their positions again after their first terms.
He said as the chairman of the party, “I took the NPP to Election 2008 but could not secure victory. I did my best but my best was not enough and as the leader of the team I take full responsibility and believe that I should allow for a fresh face and idea”.
Mr Mac Manu contested against Mr Stephen Ntim in the last national delegates congress at the University of Ghana, where he was elected chairman, along with Nana Ohene Ntow, Mr Lord Commey and Mr John Boadu as General Secretary, National Organiser and Youth Organiser, respectively.
Currently, some leading members of the party who have expressed interest in some of the national executive positions have started underground work to solicit support for their bids for positions in the party.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Samia: CPP must rejuvenate itself
Proofread by era
CPP 60 Lectures (Pol)
Samia: CPP must rejuvenate itself
Story: Donald Ato Dapatem & Francis Kyei
THE Convention People’s Party’s (CPP’s) only Member of Parliament (MP), Ms Samia Nkrumah, has called on the leadership and members of the party to be transparent and truthful with each other concerning the unity and growth of the party.
She said the party required a great revival to rejuvenate and inspire its structures as well as bring all its members in other Nkrumaist political parties together through a genuine unity talks devoid of parochial interests.
Ms Nkrumah who is the MP for Jomoro in the Western Region was speaking at a lecture organised by the CPP as part of the 60th anniversary of the CPP in Accra on Thursday. Other speakers were Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon and Dr Kweku Osafo, a former CPP Presidential aspirant.
She hinted that she, together with other leading members of the party, were working behind the scenes in unity talks with the People’s National Convention (PNC) to bring them together as part of the revival process, adding that “We must work hard to bring the spirit that made CPP win elections and did great things for the country”.
She expressed concern that as the only MP of the party and the daughter of the Founder of the CPP, the party failed to invite her to the programme, and added that “as a daughter of Nkrumah I am a bit upset that I was not invited to the programme”.
Sharing her insights about the role of women in the formative years of the country, Prof Sutherland-Addy said over the years it had been clear that any attempt to engage in transforming the society, especially the attainment of independence of the country and the growth of the economy could not be achieved without women as active participants.
She argued that such contributions of women were not heard of in history due to certain complications such as the fact that “official space, particularly in terms of nation building is masculine, leaving the contribution of women out”.
She said most stalwart women were involved in the burning issues of African Unity,and were also exposed to the CPP’s international meetings and conferences, especially the Conference of Women in Africa and of African descent held in 1960.
Dr Osafo for his part said Dr Kwame Nkrumah had a vision to ensure that the nation on its own built the capacity of its people, especially the youth, to be able to transform the economy through value addition to the country’s rich natural resources.
He said what the First President of Ghana abhorred was the wholesale export of the nation’s cocoa, bauxite, gold, timber, among others, and that necessitated the establishment of gold refinery, cocoa processing company, among others.
He said the selflessness, vision and the love for the country, especially the future generations, were the reasons why Dr Nkrumah took far reaching decisions which beat the understanding and imaginations of his peers, and cited Dr Nkrumah’s call for African Unity, building of the Akosombo Dam, the construction of the Tema Motorway as some of the examples.
He said Dr Nkrumah was always taking decisions that would not make the country become a beggar nation but self-sufficient because he believed that “until we learn to help ourselves, nobody would genuinely help us. Because the dignity of a people is linked with their ability to do things for themselves”.
He challenged the youth to dream big, have great visions and prepare themselves to take over the mantle of leadership in the party and the nation in general, but they must always be patriotic, transparent and accountable to the people they hoped to serve.
Dr Aidoo speaking on “Economic Transformation” said the CPP government showed commitment that it was determined to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign goods to bring an end to the nation’s vulnerable position as a supplier of raw materials.
He said during the first decade of independence, the CPP government undertook great works, including rural development, which was hinged on agricultural development which was mainly self-reliant, without foreign loans and technology.
He said Dr Nkrumah tried to establish an egalitarian and socialist society that would provide better life and happiness for all through the setting up of many public corporations and state institutions to cater for the industrial and agricultural needs of the country.
Dr Aidoo said to grow local industries, the CPP Administration took a number critical steps such as restricting import licenses.
“By imposing a regime of imports tariffs and quotas, the CPP government managed to increase the market for domestic goods. This type of protectionism was designed to benefit the domestic economy. This policy in the long term protected domestic firms and kept domestic production high.
According to Dr Aidoo, after the overthrow of the CPP government in 1966, incomes became lower than 50 years ago, health prospects were poorer, coupled with widespread malnutrition, corruption and incompetent management, which have all contributed to the current low level of development.
CPP 60 Lectures (Pol)
Samia: CPP must rejuvenate itself
Story: Donald Ato Dapatem & Francis Kyei
THE Convention People’s Party’s (CPP’s) only Member of Parliament (MP), Ms Samia Nkrumah, has called on the leadership and members of the party to be transparent and truthful with each other concerning the unity and growth of the party.
She said the party required a great revival to rejuvenate and inspire its structures as well as bring all its members in other Nkrumaist political parties together through a genuine unity talks devoid of parochial interests.
Ms Nkrumah who is the MP for Jomoro in the Western Region was speaking at a lecture organised by the CPP as part of the 60th anniversary of the CPP in Accra on Thursday. Other speakers were Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon and Dr Kweku Osafo, a former CPP Presidential aspirant.
She hinted that she, together with other leading members of the party, were working behind the scenes in unity talks with the People’s National Convention (PNC) to bring them together as part of the revival process, adding that “We must work hard to bring the spirit that made CPP win elections and did great things for the country”.
She expressed concern that as the only MP of the party and the daughter of the Founder of the CPP, the party failed to invite her to the programme, and added that “as a daughter of Nkrumah I am a bit upset that I was not invited to the programme”.
Sharing her insights about the role of women in the formative years of the country, Prof Sutherland-Addy said over the years it had been clear that any attempt to engage in transforming the society, especially the attainment of independence of the country and the growth of the economy could not be achieved without women as active participants.
She argued that such contributions of women were not heard of in history due to certain complications such as the fact that “official space, particularly in terms of nation building is masculine, leaving the contribution of women out”.
She said most stalwart women were involved in the burning issues of African Unity,and were also exposed to the CPP’s international meetings and conferences, especially the Conference of Women in Africa and of African descent held in 1960.
Dr Osafo for his part said Dr Kwame Nkrumah had a vision to ensure that the nation on its own built the capacity of its people, especially the youth, to be able to transform the economy through value addition to the country’s rich natural resources.
He said what the First President of Ghana abhorred was the wholesale export of the nation’s cocoa, bauxite, gold, timber, among others, and that necessitated the establishment of gold refinery, cocoa processing company, among others.
He said the selflessness, vision and the love for the country, especially the future generations, were the reasons why Dr Nkrumah took far reaching decisions which beat the understanding and imaginations of his peers, and cited Dr Nkrumah’s call for African Unity, building of the Akosombo Dam, the construction of the Tema Motorway as some of the examples.
He said Dr Nkrumah was always taking decisions that would not make the country become a beggar nation but self-sufficient because he believed that “until we learn to help ourselves, nobody would genuinely help us. Because the dignity of a people is linked with their ability to do things for themselves”.
He challenged the youth to dream big, have great visions and prepare themselves to take over the mantle of leadership in the party and the nation in general, but they must always be patriotic, transparent and accountable to the people they hoped to serve.
Dr Aidoo speaking on “Economic Transformation” said the CPP government showed commitment that it was determined to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign goods to bring an end to the nation’s vulnerable position as a supplier of raw materials.
He said during the first decade of independence, the CPP government undertook great works, including rural development, which was hinged on agricultural development which was mainly self-reliant, without foreign loans and technology.
He said Dr Nkrumah tried to establish an egalitarian and socialist society that would provide better life and happiness for all through the setting up of many public corporations and state institutions to cater for the industrial and agricultural needs of the country.
Dr Aidoo said to grow local industries, the CPP Administration took a number critical steps such as restricting import licenses.
“By imposing a regime of imports tariffs and quotas, the CPP government managed to increase the market for domestic goods. This type of protectionism was designed to benefit the domestic economy. This policy in the long term protected domestic firms and kept domestic production high.
According to Dr Aidoo, after the overthrow of the CPP government in 1966, incomes became lower than 50 years ago, health prospects were poorer, coupled with widespread malnutrition, corruption and incompetent management, which have all contributed to the current low level of development.
Photo exhibition on activities of CPP ends
A two-day photo exhibition on the works and activities of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Kwame Nkrumah and other leading members of the party ended in Accra yesterday.
The exhibition, which took place at the Museums and Monuments Board, also depicted activities of the party from the pre-independence era to the time of the Limann Administration.
Opening the exhibition, Ms Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, said there was every reason to believe that with a little effort from all the members of the CPP, they could enhance the fortunes of the party and win elections in the near future.
She called on the leadership of the party to whip up enthusiasm within the party to resource it to embark on massive membership drive.
This, she said, would make the party attractive, especially to the youth.
Other leading members of the party who graced the occasion include Mr Ladi Nylander, the National Chairman of the CPP, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa and Dr Kwaku Osafo, both presidential aspirants in the CPP, Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The occasion also attracted a large crowd of people, which was mainly made up of the youth who were singing CPP songs.
The pictures included those taken when Dr Kwame Nkrumah first entered the Osu Christianborg Castle as the head of government business, Dr Nkrumah’s arrival from the United Kingdom to the Gold Coast as the Prime minister.
Others were Dr Nkrumah’s arrival ceremony in the US, the work of the Young Pioneers, Organisation of African Union conferences and a meeting between Dr Hilla Limann, the President of the Third Republic, and members of Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) under the leadership of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
The exhibition, which took place at the Museums and Monuments Board, also depicted activities of the party from the pre-independence era to the time of the Limann Administration.
Opening the exhibition, Ms Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, said there was every reason to believe that with a little effort from all the members of the CPP, they could enhance the fortunes of the party and win elections in the near future.
She called on the leadership of the party to whip up enthusiasm within the party to resource it to embark on massive membership drive.
This, she said, would make the party attractive, especially to the youth.
Other leading members of the party who graced the occasion include Mr Ladi Nylander, the National Chairman of the CPP, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa and Dr Kwaku Osafo, both presidential aspirants in the CPP, Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The occasion also attracted a large crowd of people, which was mainly made up of the youth who were singing CPP songs.
The pictures included those taken when Dr Kwame Nkrumah first entered the Osu Christianborg Castle as the head of government business, Dr Nkrumah’s arrival from the United Kingdom to the Gold Coast as the Prime minister.
Others were Dr Nkrumah’s arrival ceremony in the US, the work of the Young Pioneers, Organisation of African Union conferences and a meeting between Dr Hilla Limann, the President of the Third Republic, and members of Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) under the leadership of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
Photo exhibition on activities of CPP ends
A two-day photo exhibition on the works and activities of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Kwame Nkrumah and other leading members of the party ended in Accra yesterday.
The exhibition, which took place at the Museums and Monuments Board, also depicted activities of the party from the pre-independence era to the time of the Limann Administration.
Opening the exhibition, Ms Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, said there was every reason to believe that with a little effort from all the members of the CPP, they could enhance the fortunes of the party and win elections in the near future.
She called on the leadership of the party to whip up enthusiasm within the party to resource it to embark on massive membership drive.
This, she said, would make the party attractive, especially to the youth.
Other leading members of the party who graced the occasion include Mr Ladi Nylander, the National Chairman of the CPP, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa and Dr Kwaku Osafo, both presidential aspirants in the CPP, Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The occasion also attracted a large crowd of people, which was mainly made up of the youth who were singing CPP songs.
The pictures included those taken when Dr Kwame Nkrumah first entered the Osu Christianborg Castle as the head of government business, Dr Nkrumah’s arrival from the United Kingdom to the Gold Coast as the Prime minister.
Others were Dr Nkrumah’s arrival ceremony in the US, the work of the Young Pioneers, Organisation of African Union conferences and a meeting between Dr Hilla Limann, the President of the Third Republic, and members of Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) under the leadership of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
The exhibition, which took place at the Museums and Monuments Board, also depicted activities of the party from the pre-independence era to the time of the Limann Administration.
Opening the exhibition, Ms Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, said there was every reason to believe that with a little effort from all the members of the CPP, they could enhance the fortunes of the party and win elections in the near future.
She called on the leadership of the party to whip up enthusiasm within the party to resource it to embark on massive membership drive.
This, she said, would make the party attractive, especially to the youth.
Other leading members of the party who graced the occasion include Mr Ladi Nylander, the National Chairman of the CPP, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa and Dr Kwaku Osafo, both presidential aspirants in the CPP, Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy and Dr Thomas Aidoo, both lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The occasion also attracted a large crowd of people, which was mainly made up of the youth who were singing CPP songs.
The pictures included those taken when Dr Kwame Nkrumah first entered the Osu Christianborg Castle as the head of government business, Dr Nkrumah’s arrival from the United Kingdom to the Gold Coast as the Prime minister.
Others were Dr Nkrumah’s arrival ceremony in the US, the work of the Young Pioneers, Organisation of African Union conferences and a meeting between Dr Hilla Limann, the President of the Third Republic, and members of Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) under the leadership of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
Parties agree on funding for political parties
TWELVE political parties have agreed that all the political parties that participated in the 2008 General elections must be made to benefit from the Enhanced Public Support for Political Parties fund, if the law establishing the fund is passed this year.
However, after the 2012 elections, political parties that would benefit from the fund must obtain at least one per cent of valid votes cast in the general elections.
This was contained in a declaration dubbed ‘Akosombo Two’ developed after a two-day Inter party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting at Akosombo during the weekend.
The declaration was signed by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Democratic Freedom Party,(DFP), Reform Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Democratic People’s Party, (DPP), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), United Renaissance Party (URP), New Vision Party (NVP) and Ghana National Party (GNP).
The declaration said it was high time the fund was established because both President JEA Mills and his predecessor, Former President JEA Kufuor had stated before Parliament their determination to pursue the matter.
Consequently, it urged President JEA Mills to, as a mater of urgency to initiate the legislative processes for the establishment of the fund this year to support political parties activities in the country, this is because “ a bill with financial implications can only be introduced by the president to Parliament”.
The parties recommended to the President and Parliament that when established, the fund should be allocated to the eligible parties on the basis of the following criteria.
Under equity, all political parties should receive 30 per cent, 15 per cent for institutional development, 15 per cent for research and public education, 25 per cent for election campaign cost, eight per cent for reward for performance based on representation in parliament, five per cent for women participation and two per cent for general fund management.
The declaration said that the managers of the fund must ensure that there was a sanction regime comprising a reduction, suspension and cancellation of grant to deal with political parties that abuse the fund.
It also recommended the endorsement of decisions taken under the ‘Akosombo Two’ which was developed in 2007.
Under Akosombo Two, it recommended that major sources of funds would include a seed and annuals budgetary contributions by the state, funds from development partners and corporate bodies and individuals.
“Five per cent of the election campaign cost should be set aside for possible presidential run off, where there is no run off, the money must be added to the following year’s general fund allocation. Election campaign funds should be accessible not less than six months before general elections and that the fund will not give additional support to political parties for bye-elections”, it added.
The declarations warned that political parties accessing the funds would be held to strict accounting and auditing standards.
According to the declaration, the fund would be managed by a seven-member committee made up of two members from the EC, a representative of the Accountant General’s Department, a representative of the Attorney General’s Department and three representative of the political parties.
With the representative of the political parties, one would be for the party in power, the other for the largest party in opposition while the remaining eligible parties would be represented by one person.
To ensure that the there was sustained advocacy on government to initiate the process, the EC was urged to provide the needed leadership in this direction and also work out a plan to build up public support for the state and other contributions to the fund.
The declaration appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to attach great importance to the issue and co-operate with the executive in a non-partisan manner to pass the bill and said the political parties with representatives in parliament must also dialogue with their various caucuses on the matter to get their support for the bill.
However, after the 2012 elections, political parties that would benefit from the fund must obtain at least one per cent of valid votes cast in the general elections.
This was contained in a declaration dubbed ‘Akosombo Two’ developed after a two-day Inter party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting at Akosombo during the weekend.
The declaration was signed by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Democratic Freedom Party,(DFP), Reform Patriotic Democrats (RPD), Democratic People’s Party, (DPP), Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), United Renaissance Party (URP), New Vision Party (NVP) and Ghana National Party (GNP).
The declaration said it was high time the fund was established because both President JEA Mills and his predecessor, Former President JEA Kufuor had stated before Parliament their determination to pursue the matter.
Consequently, it urged President JEA Mills to, as a mater of urgency to initiate the legislative processes for the establishment of the fund this year to support political parties activities in the country, this is because “ a bill with financial implications can only be introduced by the president to Parliament”.
The parties recommended to the President and Parliament that when established, the fund should be allocated to the eligible parties on the basis of the following criteria.
Under equity, all political parties should receive 30 per cent, 15 per cent for institutional development, 15 per cent for research and public education, 25 per cent for election campaign cost, eight per cent for reward for performance based on representation in parliament, five per cent for women participation and two per cent for general fund management.
The declaration said that the managers of the fund must ensure that there was a sanction regime comprising a reduction, suspension and cancellation of grant to deal with political parties that abuse the fund.
It also recommended the endorsement of decisions taken under the ‘Akosombo Two’ which was developed in 2007.
Under Akosombo Two, it recommended that major sources of funds would include a seed and annuals budgetary contributions by the state, funds from development partners and corporate bodies and individuals.
“Five per cent of the election campaign cost should be set aside for possible presidential run off, where there is no run off, the money must be added to the following year’s general fund allocation. Election campaign funds should be accessible not less than six months before general elections and that the fund will not give additional support to political parties for bye-elections”, it added.
The declarations warned that political parties accessing the funds would be held to strict accounting and auditing standards.
According to the declaration, the fund would be managed by a seven-member committee made up of two members from the EC, a representative of the Accountant General’s Department, a representative of the Attorney General’s Department and three representative of the political parties.
With the representative of the political parties, one would be for the party in power, the other for the largest party in opposition while the remaining eligible parties would be represented by one person.
To ensure that the there was sustained advocacy on government to initiate the process, the EC was urged to provide the needed leadership in this direction and also work out a plan to build up public support for the state and other contributions to the fund.
The declaration appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to attach great importance to the issue and co-operate with the executive in a non-partisan manner to pass the bill and said the political parties with representatives in parliament must also dialogue with their various caucuses on the matter to get their support for the bill.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Four C'ttees to handle Prez Obama's visit
THE government has announced the formation of four committees with the mandate to make the pending visit of US President Barrack Obama to the country a rare moment in history.
The committees, which are to handle security, publicity, protocol and culture, comprise Ghanaian officials and their United States counterparts who have already begun feverish preparations towards the July 10 - 11 visit, the third by a sitting President of the United States.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Information Minister, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, who did not give details of the preparations for security reasons, described the visit as a recognition of the country’s ability to maintain its stability, democratic credentials and peaceful nature after a closely contested general election.
She said the government would make every effort to make the visit a momentous one and, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to contribute their quota towards making it an incident-free one by the President of the world’s most powerful country.
Mrs Okaikoi said Ghanaians should bear in mind the enormous economic and political benefits that would accrue from the visit and urged stakeholders, especially those in the tourism industry, to put their house in order to benefit from the event.
“The eyes of the entire world will focus on Ghana; hundreds of international media organisations will shift their attention on Ghana for the two days and Ghanaians must take good advantage of the opportunity and tell our best story and display our rich culture and hospitality to the entire world,” the minister said.
She said the government had been overwhelmed by requests from government officials, journalists and ordinary people from other African countries to visit Ghana during the two-day visit by President Obama.
She said for President Obama to decide to pay an official visit to Ghana, his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, meant that he held the country in high esteem and urged Ghanaians to cherish the country’s soaring image in the international community and work towards its enhancement.
She further appealed to Ghanaians to sustain the clean-up exercises that were initiated at the beginning of the Mills administration to ensure that the country’s cities and towns were cleaned not only for President Obama’s visit but also for the period after.
Mrs Okaikoi made a passionate appeal to the people of the historic town of Cape Coast to prepare for the visit of President Obama to the castle there where he would experience the inhuman treatment meted out to slaves who were shipped to the Americas during the slave trade.
According to a programme line up, the American leader is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Oguaa Omanhen in Cape Coast and afterwards tour the Cape Coast Castle before he returns to Accra for an encounter with people from all walks of life at the Independence Square.
He is likely to make a major policy statement during the encounter at the square.
President Obama is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President J.E.A. Mills at the Osu Castle on a wide range of issues, including economic, security and governance.
The committees, which are to handle security, publicity, protocol and culture, comprise Ghanaian officials and their United States counterparts who have already begun feverish preparations towards the July 10 - 11 visit, the third by a sitting President of the United States.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Information Minister, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, who did not give details of the preparations for security reasons, described the visit as a recognition of the country’s ability to maintain its stability, democratic credentials and peaceful nature after a closely contested general election.
She said the government would make every effort to make the visit a momentous one and, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to contribute their quota towards making it an incident-free one by the President of the world’s most powerful country.
Mrs Okaikoi said Ghanaians should bear in mind the enormous economic and political benefits that would accrue from the visit and urged stakeholders, especially those in the tourism industry, to put their house in order to benefit from the event.
“The eyes of the entire world will focus on Ghana; hundreds of international media organisations will shift their attention on Ghana for the two days and Ghanaians must take good advantage of the opportunity and tell our best story and display our rich culture and hospitality to the entire world,” the minister said.
She said the government had been overwhelmed by requests from government officials, journalists and ordinary people from other African countries to visit Ghana during the two-day visit by President Obama.
She said for President Obama to decide to pay an official visit to Ghana, his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, meant that he held the country in high esteem and urged Ghanaians to cherish the country’s soaring image in the international community and work towards its enhancement.
She further appealed to Ghanaians to sustain the clean-up exercises that were initiated at the beginning of the Mills administration to ensure that the country’s cities and towns were cleaned not only for President Obama’s visit but also for the period after.
Mrs Okaikoi made a passionate appeal to the people of the historic town of Cape Coast to prepare for the visit of President Obama to the castle there where he would experience the inhuman treatment meted out to slaves who were shipped to the Americas during the slave trade.
According to a programme line up, the American leader is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Oguaa Omanhen in Cape Coast and afterwards tour the Cape Coast Castle before he returns to Accra for an encounter with people from all walks of life at the Independence Square.
He is likely to make a major policy statement during the encounter at the square.
President Obama is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President J.E.A. Mills at the Osu Castle on a wide range of issues, including economic, security and governance.
CPP commends govt for recognising Nkrumah •••But calls on it to deconfisticate CPP assets
THE Convention People’s Party (CPP) has commended the Mills Administration for instituting measures to ensure that the 100th birthday anniversary of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his subsequent birthdays are celebrated as public holidays.
This is in recognition of Dr Nkrumah’s immense contribution to the foundation and development of the country.
The party, however, requested that in the true spirit of genuine and complete national reconciliation, the government must also return the party’s property which was genuinely acquired but were seized after the 1966 coup that toppled the Nkrumah government.
The National Chairman of the CPP, Mr Ladi Nylander, made the request at a press conference in Accra yesterday to mark the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the CPP.
He named some of the assets as the party’s national headquarters which currently houses the Ministry of Information,CPP’s offices in Sunyani and Kumasi,currently being used as the Regional Police Headquarters and the Ministry of Education offices, respectively.
Sixty years ago,Dr Nkrumah with the support of some followers broke way from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to form the CPP at Saltpond in the Central Region.
Mr Nylander who is the chairman of the committee set up by President J.E.A. Mills to organise Dr Nkrumah’s 100th birthday anniversary, reminded members of the party to use the 60th anniversary as an opportunity to uphold the principles the founding father left and the selfless manner with which he conducted the affairs of the nation.
He also used the occasion to pay glowing tribute to some leading members of the party, both dead and alive, who through their toil and sacrifices, had maintained the party through turbulent times till date. Mr Nylander mentioned some of them as Mr Kojo Botsio, K.A. Gbedema, Grace Ayensu, Mabel Dove, Imoro Igala , Krobo Edusie, Nana Okutwer Bekoe and other unknown foot soldiers.
He also mentioned the recent day leadership as Abubakar Alhassan Edmund Delle, himself, Prof. George Hagan, Mr George Aggudey and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom.
“This is the occasion to remember the gallant men and women who believed that …”the black man is capable of managing his own affairs” and worked hard to prove that the African personality meant excellent and patriotic behaviour.
Recounting the chequered history of the CPP, Mr Nylander said the party had not had it easy since it was banned after the 1966 coup, after contesting in the 1989 general election under the guise of People’s National Party (PNP) and being in opposition for 28 years.
He said it had not had it easy in the Fourth Republic, because since 1992, the party’s front had been divided into parties like PNC, NIP, People’s Heritage Party (PHP), NCP, PCP, CP and GCPP.
He said through the efforts of some gallant members, the party was able to seek a court judgement to regain the name CPP in 1998.
Mr Nylander described the party’s recent performance in general elections as “disappointing”, adding that the current CPP “bears little or no resemblance to the CPP of the glorious First Republic, adding “It is as if the very soul of our party departed in February 24, 1966”.
According to Mr Nylander, the current generation of CPP could not hang on forever to the success of Dr Nkrumah and others, but must work hard and sacrifice a little to erase the recent losses and become true winners again.
He said the CPP must present to the nation what it would have done if it had won the latest election, especially the fast track promised in its manifesto.
They included meeting with all stakeholders to find short and long term solutions and make public the solutions to the problems in the water sector, enforce existing laws on rent payment, launch the Ghana Emergency Employment Programme after an employment summit with stakeholders.
Mr Nylander reminded the party’s members that the party’s very survival was at stake and urged them to move together with a heightened sense of unity and common purpose to define the CPP and commit themselves anew to the principle of social justice, self determination and Pan Africanism.
This is in recognition of Dr Nkrumah’s immense contribution to the foundation and development of the country.
The party, however, requested that in the true spirit of genuine and complete national reconciliation, the government must also return the party’s property which was genuinely acquired but were seized after the 1966 coup that toppled the Nkrumah government.
The National Chairman of the CPP, Mr Ladi Nylander, made the request at a press conference in Accra yesterday to mark the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the CPP.
He named some of the assets as the party’s national headquarters which currently houses the Ministry of Information,CPP’s offices in Sunyani and Kumasi,currently being used as the Regional Police Headquarters and the Ministry of Education offices, respectively.
Sixty years ago,Dr Nkrumah with the support of some followers broke way from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to form the CPP at Saltpond in the Central Region.
Mr Nylander who is the chairman of the committee set up by President J.E.A. Mills to organise Dr Nkrumah’s 100th birthday anniversary, reminded members of the party to use the 60th anniversary as an opportunity to uphold the principles the founding father left and the selfless manner with which he conducted the affairs of the nation.
He also used the occasion to pay glowing tribute to some leading members of the party, both dead and alive, who through their toil and sacrifices, had maintained the party through turbulent times till date. Mr Nylander mentioned some of them as Mr Kojo Botsio, K.A. Gbedema, Grace Ayensu, Mabel Dove, Imoro Igala , Krobo Edusie, Nana Okutwer Bekoe and other unknown foot soldiers.
He also mentioned the recent day leadership as Abubakar Alhassan Edmund Delle, himself, Prof. George Hagan, Mr George Aggudey and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom.
“This is the occasion to remember the gallant men and women who believed that …”the black man is capable of managing his own affairs” and worked hard to prove that the African personality meant excellent and patriotic behaviour.
Recounting the chequered history of the CPP, Mr Nylander said the party had not had it easy since it was banned after the 1966 coup, after contesting in the 1989 general election under the guise of People’s National Party (PNP) and being in opposition for 28 years.
He said it had not had it easy in the Fourth Republic, because since 1992, the party’s front had been divided into parties like PNC, NIP, People’s Heritage Party (PHP), NCP, PCP, CP and GCPP.
He said through the efforts of some gallant members, the party was able to seek a court judgement to regain the name CPP in 1998.
Mr Nylander described the party’s recent performance in general elections as “disappointing”, adding that the current CPP “bears little or no resemblance to the CPP of the glorious First Republic, adding “It is as if the very soul of our party departed in February 24, 1966”.
According to Mr Nylander, the current generation of CPP could not hang on forever to the success of Dr Nkrumah and others, but must work hard and sacrifice a little to erase the recent losses and become true winners again.
He said the CPP must present to the nation what it would have done if it had won the latest election, especially the fast track promised in its manifesto.
They included meeting with all stakeholders to find short and long term solutions and make public the solutions to the problems in the water sector, enforce existing laws on rent payment, launch the Ghana Emergency Employment Programme after an employment summit with stakeholders.
Mr Nylander reminded the party’s members that the party’s very survival was at stake and urged them to move together with a heightened sense of unity and common purpose to define the CPP and commit themselves anew to the principle of social justice, self determination and Pan Africanism.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Change by Election 2008 not real transformation THE 2008 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has descri
THE 2008 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has described the change that occurred in the 2008 general election, culminating in the coming into office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as not the real transformation that would bring improvement in the lives of Ghanaians.
He said what occurred in the 2008 election was only a switch of players because the status quo existed and that had manifested in the hardships Ghanaians were currently going through.
Dr Nduom was speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the formation of the CPP at Saltpond, the original birth place of the party.
He said what Ghanaians really needed was the CPP which would bring real change to the people, especially to reflect in their pockets.
Dr Nduom said Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP fought for political independence and laid the foundation for economic independence which was however truncated by some detractors of the CPP with the 1966 coup.
He added that what the country needed now was economic independence, stressing that it was only a CPP administration that would be able to bring that to fruition.
Dr Nduom said for that to be realised, members and supporters of the CPP must undertake soul searching and kick out habits and utterances that did not augur well for the forward movement of the party.
Dr Nduom stated that for the party to realise its cardinal vision of capturing power, it should exorcise itself of charlatans and unfaithful members who easily gave up on the CPP and sought greener pastures in other parties in power.
He said the leading members who formed the party 60 years ago worked selflessly and tirelessly for the independence of the country and built infrastructure, educational institutions, health facilities and sought the well-being of the ordinary Ghanaian.
He said those great men with Dr Kwame Nkrumah as their leader were committed to the course of the party unlike some of the current members, who were always in a hurry to support other political parties.
Dr Nduom stated that what would secure political victory for the party was not the name of Dr Nkrumah, the colours of the party, its name and motto that would bring the CPP to power, but the commitment of the members to the ideals of the party.
He said just as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC had been attracting members of the CPP to their fold, it was currently incumbent on the CPP members to undertake serious membership drive to increase the party’s chances of winning power in 2012.
Some members of the party, both past and present, were honoured with certificates and citation for their contribution to the party.
They included Dr Nkrumah, Mr Kojo Botsio, Mr Kofi Baako, Dr Nduom and Mr George Aggudey.
He said what occurred in the 2008 election was only a switch of players because the status quo existed and that had manifested in the hardships Ghanaians were currently going through.
Dr Nduom was speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the formation of the CPP at Saltpond, the original birth place of the party.
He said what Ghanaians really needed was the CPP which would bring real change to the people, especially to reflect in their pockets.
Dr Nduom said Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP fought for political independence and laid the foundation for economic independence which was however truncated by some detractors of the CPP with the 1966 coup.
He added that what the country needed now was economic independence, stressing that it was only a CPP administration that would be able to bring that to fruition.
Dr Nduom said for that to be realised, members and supporters of the CPP must undertake soul searching and kick out habits and utterances that did not augur well for the forward movement of the party.
Dr Nduom stated that for the party to realise its cardinal vision of capturing power, it should exorcise itself of charlatans and unfaithful members who easily gave up on the CPP and sought greener pastures in other parties in power.
He said the leading members who formed the party 60 years ago worked selflessly and tirelessly for the independence of the country and built infrastructure, educational institutions, health facilities and sought the well-being of the ordinary Ghanaian.
He said those great men with Dr Kwame Nkrumah as their leader were committed to the course of the party unlike some of the current members, who were always in a hurry to support other political parties.
Dr Nduom stated that what would secure political victory for the party was not the name of Dr Nkrumah, the colours of the party, its name and motto that would bring the CPP to power, but the commitment of the members to the ideals of the party.
He said just as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC had been attracting members of the CPP to their fold, it was currently incumbent on the CPP members to undertake serious membership drive to increase the party’s chances of winning power in 2012.
Some members of the party, both past and present, were honoured with certificates and citation for their contribution to the party.
They included Dr Nkrumah, Mr Kojo Botsio, Mr Kofi Baako, Dr Nduom and Mr George Aggudey.
'Govt must check Sakawa phenomenon'
The Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, has called on the government and other stakeholders committed to halting cyber fraud in the country to find innovative ways to redirect the energies and talents of the youth involved in the Internet fraud, which is also known as “Sakawa’ into profitable ventures.
He said it was evident that the youth involved in this cyber fraud had become acquainted with the Internet and its use, hence the need to ensure that their talents were put to productive use through proper direction.
Nii Dowuona was speaking to the Daily Graphic on the vision he has for the people of Osu, especially the youth and women. He said: “We must capture their interests very early, develop them to become the Bill Gates of Ghana.
We are in the era of information and communication technology and the nation must ensure that its youth are placed at a vantage position to be able to compete with their counterparts in India and the developed world.“
This will bring an unimaginable foreign exchange to supplement what the fast depleting natural resources such as gold,timber,among others, were yielding for the economy,” he added.
In recent times many youth have been arrested for practising cyber fraud. Some of these youth resort to the use of magical powers to lure their culprits to send huge sums of money to them.
The situation has culminated in the ministries of Education and Communications, some parents and the Association of Internet Service Providers endeavouring to find a lasting solution to the problem.
At the same time, in their bid to provide exemplary leadership, some youthful ministers of state have urged the youth to emulate the young ministers and refrain from such negative acts.
Nii Dowuona suggested that instead of allowing the youth to enter Internet cafes for such bad practices, the government could build huge Internet cafes, employ experts who would identify the talents of such youth and nurture them for the benefit of the society.
He said this, together with other measures being proposed or being implemented, would in the long run turn the ‘Sakawa’ business, which was tarnishing the country’s hard won reputation, and place it on the world radar as one of the high risk countries in cyber fraud.
On his plans for the community, he said his vision was to make Osu’s contribution to the national economy to be recognised.
Nii Dowuona said as a first step, he was working to ensure that the meagre royalties that accrued to the Osu stool was computerised and managed properly for the benefit of the stool and its people.
He said plans were afoot to establish a long term educational and vocational training complex to educate the youth, including the females who drop out of school, and equip them with employable skills.
He said at the same centre, those who had developed keen interest in sports, particularly football, would be encouraged to form football clubs and with support from other stakeholders assist them to manage such clubs.
This, Nii Dowuona said, would enable them to refrain from participating in other anti-social activities while at the same time acquiring employable skills to take care of themselves.
“This would be like killing two birds with one stone; encouraging them to develop their sporting talents and be productive citizens at the same time,” Nii Dowuona said.
He expressed worry that although women in the area were hardworking in nature and had over the years shown great zeal to expand their trades, all their efforts had come to naught due to lack of capital and management skills.
He said his plan was to encourage the women to form co-operatives in order to to be offered credit facilities in the form of soft loans, and educated on how to manage the resources, save and repay in time while making some profits.
“I still do not understand why at this time of our development, mothers would lose their lives when they are giving birth,” he added.
He said it was evident that the youth involved in this cyber fraud had become acquainted with the Internet and its use, hence the need to ensure that their talents were put to productive use through proper direction.
Nii Dowuona was speaking to the Daily Graphic on the vision he has for the people of Osu, especially the youth and women. He said: “We must capture their interests very early, develop them to become the Bill Gates of Ghana.
We are in the era of information and communication technology and the nation must ensure that its youth are placed at a vantage position to be able to compete with their counterparts in India and the developed world.“
This will bring an unimaginable foreign exchange to supplement what the fast depleting natural resources such as gold,timber,among others, were yielding for the economy,” he added.
In recent times many youth have been arrested for practising cyber fraud. Some of these youth resort to the use of magical powers to lure their culprits to send huge sums of money to them.
The situation has culminated in the ministries of Education and Communications, some parents and the Association of Internet Service Providers endeavouring to find a lasting solution to the problem.
At the same time, in their bid to provide exemplary leadership, some youthful ministers of state have urged the youth to emulate the young ministers and refrain from such negative acts.
Nii Dowuona suggested that instead of allowing the youth to enter Internet cafes for such bad practices, the government could build huge Internet cafes, employ experts who would identify the talents of such youth and nurture them for the benefit of the society.
He said this, together with other measures being proposed or being implemented, would in the long run turn the ‘Sakawa’ business, which was tarnishing the country’s hard won reputation, and place it on the world radar as one of the high risk countries in cyber fraud.
On his plans for the community, he said his vision was to make Osu’s contribution to the national economy to be recognised.
Nii Dowuona said as a first step, he was working to ensure that the meagre royalties that accrued to the Osu stool was computerised and managed properly for the benefit of the stool and its people.
He said plans were afoot to establish a long term educational and vocational training complex to educate the youth, including the females who drop out of school, and equip them with employable skills.
He said at the same centre, those who had developed keen interest in sports, particularly football, would be encouraged to form football clubs and with support from other stakeholders assist them to manage such clubs.
This, Nii Dowuona said, would enable them to refrain from participating in other anti-social activities while at the same time acquiring employable skills to take care of themselves.
“This would be like killing two birds with one stone; encouraging them to develop their sporting talents and be productive citizens at the same time,” Nii Dowuona said.
He expressed worry that although women in the area were hardworking in nature and had over the years shown great zeal to expand their trades, all their efforts had come to naught due to lack of capital and management skills.
He said his plan was to encourage the women to form co-operatives in order to to be offered credit facilities in the form of soft loans, and educated on how to manage the resources, save and repay in time while making some profits.
“I still do not understand why at this time of our development, mothers would lose their lives when they are giving birth,” he added.
Tenets of June 4 must guide us—Rawlings
Former President J.J. Rawlings has urged Ghanaians to continuously live by the tenets that brought about the June 4, 1979 uprising.
He said the tenets, accountability, probity and integrity, saved the country from total collapse and should be the guiding principle for all actions by Ghanaians.
Flt Lt Rawlings was addressing a rally of members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and cadres of the revolution at Kasoa as part of the 30th anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising. The occasion was witnessed by a large crowd of cadres dressed in their June 4 T-shirts and black trousers.
He described as unacceptable the pillaging of state coffers by public officials entrusted with the governance of the state to the detriment of the people.
Former President Rawlings who repeatedly said, “I am filled with anger and sadness,” described the decay and corruption that characterised former President Kufuor’s administration as a thousand times worse than what necessitated the June 4 uprising.
He consequently called on the Atta Mills Administration to ensure that functionaries of the former regime who squandered state resources at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian were brought to book to serve as a deterrent.
Recounting the activities leading to the June 4 uprising, he said moral decadence had engulfed the society to such an extent that lower ranks within the military were angry,and there would have been a bloodier consequence than the uprising if they had been allowed to explode.
Former President Rawlings said those who arrested him prior to the June 4, 1979, did not know that he was expressing the mood of the nation at the time, adding that it was no wonder that when he was behind bars, ordinary Ghanaians and soldiers managed to secure the success of the uprising.
According to him, Former President Limann was also overthrown because he resorted to sewing seeds of tribalism within the military, and alleged that the state security apparatus was being used to haunt him (Rawlings).
He said for instance that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings’ car was crashed when she was pregnant.
Explaining how the country went into multi-party democracy, he said 10 years after the December 31 Revolution, when the country was not ready for multi-party democracy, the Western powers forced the country into it to serve as a showpiece to the rest of the world.
Former President Rawlings also took a swipe at some leading members of the NDC who were not part of the struggle that brought the party to power but had gained positions, saying that they had turned their backs on the people who voted for them.
He said the party had started reorganising its structures and that members must be wary of those who would try to influence them with money to vote them into offices within the party.
He advised members to vote for people with integrity who would serve their interests and not the highest bidders.
Former President Rawlings said since the government could not do all the things that needed to be done, the people must take it upon themselves to clear their surroundings of filth to prevent malaria and other diseases.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings called for the setting up of commissions of enquiry in all ministries, regional offices and district offices to investigate corrupt activities of the previous administration.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Aseidu Nketia, said the June 4 celebration which was referred to as ‘Accountability Day’ was one of the party’s main activity.
He said all NDC members who had sworn an oath to respect the party’s constitution have no alternative than to respect June 4 and abide by its tenets, adding that “you cannot be an NDC member without respecting June 4.”
Other speakers included the National Chairman and Women’s Organiser of the party, Dr Kwabena Adjei, and Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, respectively.
He said the tenets, accountability, probity and integrity, saved the country from total collapse and should be the guiding principle for all actions by Ghanaians.
Flt Lt Rawlings was addressing a rally of members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and cadres of the revolution at Kasoa as part of the 30th anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising. The occasion was witnessed by a large crowd of cadres dressed in their June 4 T-shirts and black trousers.
He described as unacceptable the pillaging of state coffers by public officials entrusted with the governance of the state to the detriment of the people.
Former President Rawlings who repeatedly said, “I am filled with anger and sadness,” described the decay and corruption that characterised former President Kufuor’s administration as a thousand times worse than what necessitated the June 4 uprising.
He consequently called on the Atta Mills Administration to ensure that functionaries of the former regime who squandered state resources at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian were brought to book to serve as a deterrent.
Recounting the activities leading to the June 4 uprising, he said moral decadence had engulfed the society to such an extent that lower ranks within the military were angry,and there would have been a bloodier consequence than the uprising if they had been allowed to explode.
Former President Rawlings said those who arrested him prior to the June 4, 1979, did not know that he was expressing the mood of the nation at the time, adding that it was no wonder that when he was behind bars, ordinary Ghanaians and soldiers managed to secure the success of the uprising.
According to him, Former President Limann was also overthrown because he resorted to sewing seeds of tribalism within the military, and alleged that the state security apparatus was being used to haunt him (Rawlings).
He said for instance that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings’ car was crashed when she was pregnant.
Explaining how the country went into multi-party democracy, he said 10 years after the December 31 Revolution, when the country was not ready for multi-party democracy, the Western powers forced the country into it to serve as a showpiece to the rest of the world.
Former President Rawlings also took a swipe at some leading members of the NDC who were not part of the struggle that brought the party to power but had gained positions, saying that they had turned their backs on the people who voted for them.
He said the party had started reorganising its structures and that members must be wary of those who would try to influence them with money to vote them into offices within the party.
He advised members to vote for people with integrity who would serve their interests and not the highest bidders.
Former President Rawlings said since the government could not do all the things that needed to be done, the people must take it upon themselves to clear their surroundings of filth to prevent malaria and other diseases.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings called for the setting up of commissions of enquiry in all ministries, regional offices and district offices to investigate corrupt activities of the previous administration.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Aseidu Nketia, said the June 4 celebration which was referred to as ‘Accountability Day’ was one of the party’s main activity.
He said all NDC members who had sworn an oath to respect the party’s constitution have no alternative than to respect June 4 and abide by its tenets, adding that “you cannot be an NDC member without respecting June 4.”
Other speakers included the National Chairman and Women’s Organiser of the party, Dr Kwabena Adjei, and Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, respectively.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Prof. Oquaye condemns celebration of June 4
Story: Donald Ato Dapatem
THE Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye has described the celebration of the June 4 coup as an insensitivity on the part of those who instituted it to the people who lost their lives, relatives, loved ones and property during the period.
He said the celebration also made useless the indemnity clause that were put into the 1992 constitution for the coup makers, arguing that “if they believed what they did was right and wanted to celebrate it, why did they call for the indemnity clause”.
Prof. Oquaye who was delivering a key note address at a public lecture by the Ga-Dangme Forward Movement in Accra on Tuesday, said such celebrations, “hurt the feelings of Ghanaians and therefore must not go on”.
The event was on the theme: “Revolutionary Politics in Ghana”.
He noted that people with a “coup mentality” did not believe in the due process of law and also tended to experiment with the life of the nation.
Prof. Oquaye said such nation wreckers hid behind fanny names like revolution, enrich themselves and kill innocent people under the guise of accountability.
He stated that in the long run, such recalcitrant nation wreckers took advantage of the lack of accountability process to loot the nation’s covers and left the people in abject poverty.
Prof. Oquaye, therefore, called on Ghanaians to ensure that such characters who, in order to satisfy their parochial interest, took up arms and overthrew governments did not rear their ugly heads again.
The legislator said as far back as the year 2000,then President Rawlings acknowledged in his last State of the Nation address to Parliament that corruption was rife in Ghana and called on the World Bank to undertake a diagnostic study of the problem to help find a concrete way of ameliorating the problem.
Prof. Oquaye said in its fulfilment to the promise of fighting corruption, the Kufuor Administration put in policies such as the Procurement Act and other administrative procedures as well as the abolishing of the Criminal Libel Law.
He challenged President Mills to refrain from the rhetoric of fighting corruption and come out with any workable policy that would improve the system.
In his welcoming address, a leading member of the Movement, Mr Emmanuel Adjei-Boye stated that all the military upheavals that resulted in the over throw of governments affected the peace and stability of the country in general and the people of Accra in particular.
He said in most cases, apart from the trauma that the people in the region went through, its negative impact was great.
Mr Adjei-Boye mentioned some of the soldiers who were killed during such coup as General Odartey Wellington and General R.E.A. Kotei as well as the destruction of the Makola market which significantly affected the livelihood of the people.
“As if these are not enough, some political parties which lack vision and direction have made it their stock in trade to exploit our people with dangerous phenomenon of ethno-centric politics.” he added.
THE Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye has described the celebration of the June 4 coup as an insensitivity on the part of those who instituted it to the people who lost their lives, relatives, loved ones and property during the period.
He said the celebration also made useless the indemnity clause that were put into the 1992 constitution for the coup makers, arguing that “if they believed what they did was right and wanted to celebrate it, why did they call for the indemnity clause”.
Prof. Oquaye who was delivering a key note address at a public lecture by the Ga-Dangme Forward Movement in Accra on Tuesday, said such celebrations, “hurt the feelings of Ghanaians and therefore must not go on”.
The event was on the theme: “Revolutionary Politics in Ghana”.
He noted that people with a “coup mentality” did not believe in the due process of law and also tended to experiment with the life of the nation.
Prof. Oquaye said such nation wreckers hid behind fanny names like revolution, enrich themselves and kill innocent people under the guise of accountability.
He stated that in the long run, such recalcitrant nation wreckers took advantage of the lack of accountability process to loot the nation’s covers and left the people in abject poverty.
Prof. Oquaye, therefore, called on Ghanaians to ensure that such characters who, in order to satisfy their parochial interest, took up arms and overthrew governments did not rear their ugly heads again.
The legislator said as far back as the year 2000,then President Rawlings acknowledged in his last State of the Nation address to Parliament that corruption was rife in Ghana and called on the World Bank to undertake a diagnostic study of the problem to help find a concrete way of ameliorating the problem.
Prof. Oquaye said in its fulfilment to the promise of fighting corruption, the Kufuor Administration put in policies such as the Procurement Act and other administrative procedures as well as the abolishing of the Criminal Libel Law.
He challenged President Mills to refrain from the rhetoric of fighting corruption and come out with any workable policy that would improve the system.
In his welcoming address, a leading member of the Movement, Mr Emmanuel Adjei-Boye stated that all the military upheavals that resulted in the over throw of governments affected the peace and stability of the country in general and the people of Accra in particular.
He said in most cases, apart from the trauma that the people in the region went through, its negative impact was great.
Mr Adjei-Boye mentioned some of the soldiers who were killed during such coup as General Odartey Wellington and General R.E.A. Kotei as well as the destruction of the Makola market which significantly affected the livelihood of the people.
“As if these are not enough, some political parties which lack vision and direction have made it their stock in trade to exploit our people with dangerous phenomenon of ethno-centric politics.” he added.
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