THE Member of Parliament-elect for the Atiwa Constituency, Mr Kwesi Amoako-Attah, has presented assorted items worth GH¢2,000 and an undisclosed sum of money to the 17 persons who sustained various injuries during the Atiwa by-elections.
The items, comprising cartons of tins of Milo, milk and toiletries as well as bags of rice and sugar, were given out to the people who got injured when the four-wheel drive of the National Women’s Organiser, Ms Anita Desoso, allegedly ran into them.
They included Isaac Duah Agyeman, 18, Seth Ampofo, 20, Ruben Addo, 22, Richard Obuoba, 20, Ernest Amoako, 26, Grace Ofosuwaa, 36, Ama Kyerewaa, 30, Ebenezer Adomako, 40, George Abu, 38, Bright Agyapong, 28, Kofi Bremang, 37, Yaw Asiedu, 35, Asomaning Danpreh, 76, Eric Osei, 49, Sameul Owusu Kwesi, 28.
The MP-elect made the presentation to the 17 persons at Abomosu in the Atiwa Constituency last Friday and was accompanied by the Eastern Regional Second Vice-Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, and his Assistant Secretary, Mr Antwi Bosiako, as well as some of the Atiwa Constituency executive members of the party.
Presenting the items, Mr Amoako-Attah said the items were meant to show the commitment of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the welfare and recuperation of the 17 persons.
Mr Amoako-Attah, who said the party had already settled over GH¢7, 500 medical bills incurred in the treatment of the 17 persons, assured them of his personal and that of the party’s support to foot any future expenses.
He, therefore, urged the people to continue to seek further medical treatment at the hospitals to enable them to recuperate fully.
He said since the pains they suffered were meant for a good cause to protect any electoral malpractice by “outsiders”, he and the party would not let “your brave acts and pains go in vain”.
The MP-elect called on the police to expedite action on inverstigation into the incident to ensure justice for the 17 persons. Mr Amoako-Attah pledged to commit himself to the rapid socio-economic progress of the Atiwa District in order to raise the standard of living of the people.
Receiving the items on behalf of the others Isaac Duah thanked the MP-elect, the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo Addo Addo Dankwa, for showing support and footing their medical expenses in the Koforidua and Enyiresi Government Hospitals, as well as the St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
CHIEFTAINCY TEARING NATION APART (SPREAD, OCT 4, 2010)
THE President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has observed that chieftaincy disputes are tearing the country apart and appealed to traditional leaders in the country to work towards a better image for the institution.
President Mills said efforts at improving the quality of life of the people and making the country a better place to live in were being undermined by the numerous disputes, “often with disastrous consequences”.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at a durbar of chiefs and people of Akuapem, on the occasion of Odwira, the President said, “unless chiefs resolve to take concrete measures to stem this trend of affairs, it will be very difficult for us to achieve our development targets”.
The colourful event, which was marked on the theme; “The maintenance of peace and unity within the chieftaincy institution for economic, social and moral development”, drew a large gathering of people from all walks of life.
They included the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and the Eastern Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Anthony Gyampo.
The festivity coincided with the 36th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwa III.
“I am convinced that efforts at accelerating our development will be given a bigger boost if our traditional leaders will play their strategic roles as leaders in the development of our communities,” Prof. Mills stated.
The President said as the oldest governance institution in the country, chieftaincy must necessarily regain its rightful and enviable position in society.
That, he said, would only be possible if chiefs cultivated the will power to discard individual or personal interests and placed the interest of their communities and the nation over and above everything else, adding that, “it is my prayer that the various houses of chiefs will take up this challenge.
“For example, as custodians of culture and tradition, chiefs could exploit the values and traditions that we cherish to protect our environment against degradation and ensure sound environmental practices,” he said.
Prof. Mills added that cultural tourism was an emerging area of the tourism sector, which was very promising in the country and, therefore, urged chiefs to be at the forefront in promoting the sector.
He also urged traditional leaders to exercise the influence they wielded and lead in the crusade against the current moral decadence and instil discipline and sound moral values, particularly in the youth, as well as the promotion of education and the training of the youth.
In his welcoming address read on his behalf, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa called for government support for the chieftaincy institution to enable chiefs and other traditional leaders to play the leadership role expected of them by society.
According to him, the protracted chieftaincy disputes arising out of postponement of judicial committee sittings were due to the absence of legal counsel who were intended to help the judicial committees in their deliberations.
He was of the opinion that to save the chieftaincy institution, its economic and political base should be strengthened, adding that, “some of the former sources of genuine income should be restored to the chiefs”.
President Mills said efforts at improving the quality of life of the people and making the country a better place to live in were being undermined by the numerous disputes, “often with disastrous consequences”.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at a durbar of chiefs and people of Akuapem, on the occasion of Odwira, the President said, “unless chiefs resolve to take concrete measures to stem this trend of affairs, it will be very difficult for us to achieve our development targets”.
The colourful event, which was marked on the theme; “The maintenance of peace and unity within the chieftaincy institution for economic, social and moral development”, drew a large gathering of people from all walks of life.
They included the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and the Eastern Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Anthony Gyampo.
The festivity coincided with the 36th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwa III.
“I am convinced that efforts at accelerating our development will be given a bigger boost if our traditional leaders will play their strategic roles as leaders in the development of our communities,” Prof. Mills stated.
The President said as the oldest governance institution in the country, chieftaincy must necessarily regain its rightful and enviable position in society.
That, he said, would only be possible if chiefs cultivated the will power to discard individual or personal interests and placed the interest of their communities and the nation over and above everything else, adding that, “it is my prayer that the various houses of chiefs will take up this challenge.
“For example, as custodians of culture and tradition, chiefs could exploit the values and traditions that we cherish to protect our environment against degradation and ensure sound environmental practices,” he said.
Prof. Mills added that cultural tourism was an emerging area of the tourism sector, which was very promising in the country and, therefore, urged chiefs to be at the forefront in promoting the sector.
He also urged traditional leaders to exercise the influence they wielded and lead in the crusade against the current moral decadence and instil discipline and sound moral values, particularly in the youth, as well as the promotion of education and the training of the youth.
In his welcoming address read on his behalf, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa called for government support for the chieftaincy institution to enable chiefs and other traditional leaders to play the leadership role expected of them by society.
According to him, the protracted chieftaincy disputes arising out of postponement of judicial committee sittings were due to the absence of legal counsel who were intended to help the judicial committees in their deliberations.
He was of the opinion that to save the chieftaincy institution, its economic and political base should be strengthened, adding that, “some of the former sources of genuine income should be restored to the chiefs”.
AMPOFO SHOWS MATURITY ...At Odwira Festival (PAGE 13, OCT 4, 2010)
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, last Friday displayed political maturity and humility when he walked up to, and shook hands with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, at the Odwira Festival durbar at Akropong-Akuapem.
The gesture put to silence the growing agitation and murmuring among some of the large gathering of people from all walks of life at the event.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who was representing the President as the special guest at the function, announced his preparedness to walk about 70 metres to where Nana Akufo-Addo was seated at the right side of the Akuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, to welcome him to the festival.
The decision of the President’s representative followed the refusal of the security personnel detailed at the festival to allow the NPP flag bearer to greet Mr Ofosu Ampofo and other government dignitaries at the high table.
That was because Nana Akufo-Addo attempt to extend greetings to the government dignitaries was a breach to the event protocol, which required that all invited guests to the function be seated before the arrival of the President or his representative.
Nana Akufo-Addo, in the company of other top members of the NPP, arrived late at the function at about 3.40 p.m. when Mr Ofosu Ampofo and the government delegation were in the process of paying courtesy call on the chiefs and people.
The NPP presidential candidate’s arrival triggered some shouting and clapping from a section of the gathering and just after Mr Ofosu Ampofo and his entourage had finished paying courtesy calls on the chiefs and people and had taken their seats, Nana Akufo-Addo also took turn to extend greetings to the chiefs and people.
Immediately after paying homage to the chiefs and people, he decided to walk up to the high table to greet Mr Ofosu Ampofo and other government dignitaries but just a few metres to the destination, the security personnel prevented him and his entourage from doing so.
That attracted some booing and agitation from a section of the gathering who appeared very dismayed at the scene that was created following the security agencies’ action.
Prior to delivering the President’s address, Mr Ofosu Ampofo expressed worry over the scene that was created when the NPP presidential candidate was disallowed from greeting him and other dignitaries and, therefore, announced his readiness to walk up to Nana Akufo-Addo to return his “disallowed greeting” and formally welcome him to the festival.
To the surprise of the chiefs and the people, just after reading the President’s speech, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, accompanied by the District Chief Executive for the Akuapem North, walked up to Nana Addo-Dankwa and welcomed him to the function, a scene that attracted massive applause from the chiefs and the people.
The gesture immediately brought to an end the agitation and murmuring from the gathering, some of whom were already engaged in trading of words on whether what happened was appropriate or not.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo had earlier told the gathering that since the theme of the occasion sought to foster unity and peace, they must not allow what took placed to trigger any rift among them.
He also told the chiefs and people that he was a brother to Nana Akufo-Addo, since the two of them were Akyems, saying “we are all one people and, therefore, must never let what happened divide us”.
Meanwhile, Mr Ofosu Ampofo has said that he did not instruct police personnel to prevent Nana Akufo-Addo from greeting him at Friday’s Odwira durbar at Akwapim in the Eastern Region.
According to him, he was not initially aware of the presence of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the durbar grounds, since all dignitaries were seated before his arrival.
Throwing more light on the issue, Divisional Police Commander of the Akwapem South District, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu explained that the programme was originally billed to start at 1:30pm but as at 3:30pm when it started, Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage had not arrived.
It was therefore agreed that the Regional Minister, stepping in for the president should proceed to greet the chiefs. It was also agreed that Nana Akufo-Addo would not be allowed to go round to greet the chiefs and the decision was communicated to him through the traditional secretary one Bekoe, the police commander said.
However, he stated, when Nana Akufo Addo arrived, he decided to greet the chiefs including the regional minister, but observing protocol, the police prevailed on him to abandon the greetings and take his seat.
Press Aide of the NPP flag-bearer, Herbert Krapa confirmed the incident.
This is the second time that the NPP’s flag bearer had been prevented from greeting dignitaries at a function as a result of protocol breach.
In the first week of September he was prevented from greeting President Atta Mills during the Fetu Afahye festival of the chiefs and people of Cape Coast in the Central Region under similar circumstances.
The gesture put to silence the growing agitation and murmuring among some of the large gathering of people from all walks of life at the event.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who was representing the President as the special guest at the function, announced his preparedness to walk about 70 metres to where Nana Akufo-Addo was seated at the right side of the Akuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, to welcome him to the festival.
The decision of the President’s representative followed the refusal of the security personnel detailed at the festival to allow the NPP flag bearer to greet Mr Ofosu Ampofo and other government dignitaries at the high table.
That was because Nana Akufo-Addo attempt to extend greetings to the government dignitaries was a breach to the event protocol, which required that all invited guests to the function be seated before the arrival of the President or his representative.
Nana Akufo-Addo, in the company of other top members of the NPP, arrived late at the function at about 3.40 p.m. when Mr Ofosu Ampofo and the government delegation were in the process of paying courtesy call on the chiefs and people.
The NPP presidential candidate’s arrival triggered some shouting and clapping from a section of the gathering and just after Mr Ofosu Ampofo and his entourage had finished paying courtesy calls on the chiefs and people and had taken their seats, Nana Akufo-Addo also took turn to extend greetings to the chiefs and people.
Immediately after paying homage to the chiefs and people, he decided to walk up to the high table to greet Mr Ofosu Ampofo and other government dignitaries but just a few metres to the destination, the security personnel prevented him and his entourage from doing so.
That attracted some booing and agitation from a section of the gathering who appeared very dismayed at the scene that was created following the security agencies’ action.
Prior to delivering the President’s address, Mr Ofosu Ampofo expressed worry over the scene that was created when the NPP presidential candidate was disallowed from greeting him and other dignitaries and, therefore, announced his readiness to walk up to Nana Akufo-Addo to return his “disallowed greeting” and formally welcome him to the festival.
To the surprise of the chiefs and the people, just after reading the President’s speech, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, accompanied by the District Chief Executive for the Akuapem North, walked up to Nana Addo-Dankwa and welcomed him to the function, a scene that attracted massive applause from the chiefs and the people.
The gesture immediately brought to an end the agitation and murmuring from the gathering, some of whom were already engaged in trading of words on whether what happened was appropriate or not.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo had earlier told the gathering that since the theme of the occasion sought to foster unity and peace, they must not allow what took placed to trigger any rift among them.
He also told the chiefs and people that he was a brother to Nana Akufo-Addo, since the two of them were Akyems, saying “we are all one people and, therefore, must never let what happened divide us”.
Meanwhile, Mr Ofosu Ampofo has said that he did not instruct police personnel to prevent Nana Akufo-Addo from greeting him at Friday’s Odwira durbar at Akwapim in the Eastern Region.
According to him, he was not initially aware of the presence of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the durbar grounds, since all dignitaries were seated before his arrival.
Throwing more light on the issue, Divisional Police Commander of the Akwapem South District, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu explained that the programme was originally billed to start at 1:30pm but as at 3:30pm when it started, Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage had not arrived.
It was therefore agreed that the Regional Minister, stepping in for the president should proceed to greet the chiefs. It was also agreed that Nana Akufo-Addo would not be allowed to go round to greet the chiefs and the decision was communicated to him through the traditional secretary one Bekoe, the police commander said.
However, he stated, when Nana Akufo Addo arrived, he decided to greet the chiefs including the regional minister, but observing protocol, the police prevailed on him to abandon the greetings and take his seat.
Press Aide of the NPP flag-bearer, Herbert Krapa confirmed the incident.
This is the second time that the NPP’s flag bearer had been prevented from greeting dignitaries at a function as a result of protocol breach.
In the first week of September he was prevented from greeting President Atta Mills during the Fetu Afahye festival of the chiefs and people of Cape Coast in the Central Region under similar circumstances.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
FEES NOT MEANT TO DENY STUDENTS ACCESS (PAGE 11, SEPT 29, 2010)
THE Board of Governors of the All Nations University College (ANUC) at Koforidua, has explained that the recent adjustment in fees was not meant to deny its students access to higher education.
It said the upward adjustment in the tuition fees was to enable the institution to provide quality higher education to the students.
The 9.09 per cent tuition fee increase, the Board of Governors stated, was the first in three years but it still made the university fees the lowest on the market.
A press release signed by the President of ANUC, Dr Samuel Donkor, said the increment had “become necessary due to the current economic realities and the high cost associated with the delivery of quality higher education”.
It pointed out that the ANUC would continue to provide affordable quality higher education to give access to the average Ghanaian and other foreign nationals.
“Anyone who wishes can survey the market for the cost of higher education in these times”, the statement added.
Giving details of the increment in tuition fees scheduled for the current semester for the various programmes offered by the university, the statement indicated that while under the Business Administration, Ghanaian students would now pay GH¢600, international students would pay US$1,100, while the weekend students would pay GH¢400 per trimester.
With regards to Computer Science, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢600; international students US$1,100 and weekend students GH¢400 per trimester, while under Biomedical Engineering, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢690, international students US$1,300 and GH¢460 for weekend students per trimester.
The statement added that Ghanaian students pursuing Computer Engineering were to pay GH¢690, their international counterparts, US$1,300 while the weekend students were to GH¢460 per trimester.
Under Electronics and Communication Engineering, it said Ghanaian students were being charged GH¢690, international students US$1,300 and weekend students GH¢460 per trimester.
For the Oil and Gas Engineering, Ghanaian students would have to pay GH¢1, 300, international students US$1,800 and GH¢797 per trimester for weekend students.
With regard to Biblical Studies with a minor in business, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢450, international students US$600 and GH¢234 for weekend students per trimester, while under the diploma in Biblical Studies, Ghanaian students were to pay GH¢350, international students US$500 and weekend students GH¢234 for trimester.
“For the Foundations programme, Ghanaian students would have to pay GH¢200 and international students US$200, while the Ghanaians and the international students were to pay GH¢450 and US$450 respectively for the pre-university programmes”, the statement added.
It would be recalled that students of the university last week protested against the upward adjustment in fees, saying that, they were not consulted and given prior notice to prepare for the adjustment.
They contended that the move was likely to deny some of them university education if the authorities failed to heed to their demand for a review.
However, the university authorities and the students leadership have begun talks to find an amicable solution to the disagreement over the fees adjustment.
It said the upward adjustment in the tuition fees was to enable the institution to provide quality higher education to the students.
The 9.09 per cent tuition fee increase, the Board of Governors stated, was the first in three years but it still made the university fees the lowest on the market.
A press release signed by the President of ANUC, Dr Samuel Donkor, said the increment had “become necessary due to the current economic realities and the high cost associated with the delivery of quality higher education”.
It pointed out that the ANUC would continue to provide affordable quality higher education to give access to the average Ghanaian and other foreign nationals.
“Anyone who wishes can survey the market for the cost of higher education in these times”, the statement added.
Giving details of the increment in tuition fees scheduled for the current semester for the various programmes offered by the university, the statement indicated that while under the Business Administration, Ghanaian students would now pay GH¢600, international students would pay US$1,100, while the weekend students would pay GH¢400 per trimester.
With regards to Computer Science, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢600; international students US$1,100 and weekend students GH¢400 per trimester, while under Biomedical Engineering, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢690, international students US$1,300 and GH¢460 for weekend students per trimester.
The statement added that Ghanaian students pursuing Computer Engineering were to pay GH¢690, their international counterparts, US$1,300 while the weekend students were to GH¢460 per trimester.
Under Electronics and Communication Engineering, it said Ghanaian students were being charged GH¢690, international students US$1,300 and weekend students GH¢460 per trimester.
For the Oil and Gas Engineering, Ghanaian students would have to pay GH¢1, 300, international students US$1,800 and GH¢797 per trimester for weekend students.
With regard to Biblical Studies with a minor in business, Ghanaian students would pay GH¢450, international students US$600 and GH¢234 for weekend students per trimester, while under the diploma in Biblical Studies, Ghanaian students were to pay GH¢350, international students US$500 and weekend students GH¢234 for trimester.
“For the Foundations programme, Ghanaian students would have to pay GH¢200 and international students US$200, while the Ghanaians and the international students were to pay GH¢450 and US$450 respectively for the pre-university programmes”, the statement added.
It would be recalled that students of the university last week protested against the upward adjustment in fees, saying that, they were not consulted and given prior notice to prepare for the adjustment.
They contended that the move was likely to deny some of them university education if the authorities failed to heed to their demand for a review.
However, the university authorities and the students leadership have begun talks to find an amicable solution to the disagreement over the fees adjustment.
Monday, September 27, 2010
ACCOMMODATING FIRST YEAR SHS STUDENTS (PAGE 11, SEPT 27, 2010)
PARENTS of students who have gained admission to the Aburi Girls Senior High School have pledged to support the school to tackle the problem of infrastructure facing the school.
The move will see the prospective parents supporting the school with various building materials to renovate and convert a disused chapel building into a dormitory to accommodate 200 fresh students.
Besides, the parents also expressed their readiness to assist with the renovation and furnishing of other structures to enhance the capacity of the school to admit more fresh students.
The pledge followed a meeting between the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and about 250 prospective parents whose children have gained admission to the school.
The meeting saw the executives of the PTA of the school brainstorming with the parents to see how best to find a solution to the accommodation problem facing the school.
The parents’ pledge formed part of their contribution to complementing the government’s efforts at providing infrastructure at the school to enhance teaching and learning.
The meeting, chaired by the PTA chairman of the school, Professor Enu Kwesi, saw the parents touring the site of the disused chapel, where they saw a few trips of sand, stones, blocks and buckets of paints already dumped there towards the renovation of the building.
The Aburi Girls SHS, one of the sought-after girls’ boarding schools in the country, has been allocated a six-unit classroom block but currently the school does not have adequate dormitories and classrooms to accommodate the 432 students placed in the school by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
At the meeting, some of the prospective parents noted that the issue of lack of infrastructure to cater for the admission of fresh students must be seen as “a problem which must be given urgent attention not only by the government but also by all concerned parents".
Some of the parents, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, said the pledge to support the school with the various building materials formed part of “our widow’s mite to support the government in providing infrastructure for the school”.
“Since it is also the responsibility of parents to ensure that our children benefit from quality education in a serene environment, parents could complement the efforts of the government at providing the required infrastructure to the various Senior High Schools in the country,” they stated.
The parents commended the PTA executives and management of the school for their hard work, which, they said, had contributed significantly to making Aburi Girls SHS one of the Best Senior High School in the country.
The move will see the prospective parents supporting the school with various building materials to renovate and convert a disused chapel building into a dormitory to accommodate 200 fresh students.
Besides, the parents also expressed their readiness to assist with the renovation and furnishing of other structures to enhance the capacity of the school to admit more fresh students.
The pledge followed a meeting between the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and about 250 prospective parents whose children have gained admission to the school.
The meeting saw the executives of the PTA of the school brainstorming with the parents to see how best to find a solution to the accommodation problem facing the school.
The parents’ pledge formed part of their contribution to complementing the government’s efforts at providing infrastructure at the school to enhance teaching and learning.
The meeting, chaired by the PTA chairman of the school, Professor Enu Kwesi, saw the parents touring the site of the disused chapel, where they saw a few trips of sand, stones, blocks and buckets of paints already dumped there towards the renovation of the building.
The Aburi Girls SHS, one of the sought-after girls’ boarding schools in the country, has been allocated a six-unit classroom block but currently the school does not have adequate dormitories and classrooms to accommodate the 432 students placed in the school by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
At the meeting, some of the prospective parents noted that the issue of lack of infrastructure to cater for the admission of fresh students must be seen as “a problem which must be given urgent attention not only by the government but also by all concerned parents".
Some of the parents, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, said the pledge to support the school with the various building materials formed part of “our widow’s mite to support the government in providing infrastructure for the school”.
“Since it is also the responsibility of parents to ensure that our children benefit from quality education in a serene environment, parents could complement the efforts of the government at providing the required infrastructure to the various Senior High Schools in the country,” they stated.
The parents commended the PTA executives and management of the school for their hard work, which, they said, had contributed significantly to making Aburi Girls SHS one of the Best Senior High School in the country.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
JUBILANT NPP SUPPORTERS CELEBRATE ATIWA VICTORY (PAGE 12, SEPT 2, 2010)
THOUSANDS of jubilant supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) poured onto the streets of Kwabeng, headquarters of the Atiwa Constituency,on Tuesday, to celebrate the election of Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta as the new Member of Parliament for the area in a by-election.
The by-election was to find a replacement for the late Kwasi Annor Ankama, also of the NPP, who passed away in the middle of the year.
Mr Amoako Atta, a lawyer, secured 20,282 votes (75 per cent) to beat three other contestants; Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had 6,190 votes (22.89 per cent), Mr George Padmore Apreku of the New Vision Party (NVP) who polled 477 votes (1.76 per cent) and Kasum Abdul Karim of the People’s National Party (PNC) who had 94 representing 0.35 per cent of the total vote cast of 27,540.
As soon as the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Paul Boateng, announced the results and raised the hands of Mr Amoako Atta as the new MP-elect, thousands of the NPP members and supporters from all parts of the constituency poured onto the streets of Kwabeng singing party songs and dancing.
The jubilant crowd, including old women and children, went through the main street and other arterial roads in Kwabeng while some praised the NPP executives for doing a good job which ensured an overwhelming victory. Others mobbed Mr Amoako Atta for doing his best to win the seat which had been held for years by the NPP.
Earlier the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, who led a number of the party’s gurus to monitor the election, told the jubilant crowd that by retaining the seat, the NPP had exhibited a clear signal that it would definitely win the 2012 elections to unseat the NDC.
However, the First Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, who commended the police for their excellent performance at the poll, indicated that the NDC would gear up to retain power in 2012.
He also called for investigations to find the culprits who, he alleged, assaulted some NDC officials.
Meanwhile, all the 1,200 policemen and a handful of soldiers deployed for the election have been withdrawn.
According to the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, the policemen who managed to prevent chaotic situations at flash points such as Abomosu where six persons were knocked down by a vehicle during disturbances as well as other few places had to be withdrawn immediately the results were announced and calm restored.
The Anyinam District Police Commander, DSP (Rev) John Opoku, who gave out the names of the victims as Isaac Dua, 18, Seth Ampofo, 20, George Abu, 30, Kwabena Agyepong, 25, Kojo Barima, 30 and Osei Kwabena, 48, said they were among a group of young men armed with sticks and other offensive weapons who blocked the road at Abomosu to prevent the NDC National Women Organiser, Madam Anita De Soso, from passing through.
The driver of Madam De Sooso’s vehicle, DSP Opoku stated, panicked and drove through, injuring them in the process.
All the six victims, he stated, were sent to the Government Hospital at Engiresi where three were treated and discharged.
The by-election was to find a replacement for the late Kwasi Annor Ankama, also of the NPP, who passed away in the middle of the year.
Mr Amoako Atta, a lawyer, secured 20,282 votes (75 per cent) to beat three other contestants; Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had 6,190 votes (22.89 per cent), Mr George Padmore Apreku of the New Vision Party (NVP) who polled 477 votes (1.76 per cent) and Kasum Abdul Karim of the People’s National Party (PNC) who had 94 representing 0.35 per cent of the total vote cast of 27,540.
As soon as the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Paul Boateng, announced the results and raised the hands of Mr Amoako Atta as the new MP-elect, thousands of the NPP members and supporters from all parts of the constituency poured onto the streets of Kwabeng singing party songs and dancing.
The jubilant crowd, including old women and children, went through the main street and other arterial roads in Kwabeng while some praised the NPP executives for doing a good job which ensured an overwhelming victory. Others mobbed Mr Amoako Atta for doing his best to win the seat which had been held for years by the NPP.
Earlier the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, who led a number of the party’s gurus to monitor the election, told the jubilant crowd that by retaining the seat, the NPP had exhibited a clear signal that it would definitely win the 2012 elections to unseat the NDC.
However, the First Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, who commended the police for their excellent performance at the poll, indicated that the NDC would gear up to retain power in 2012.
He also called for investigations to find the culprits who, he alleged, assaulted some NDC officials.
Meanwhile, all the 1,200 policemen and a handful of soldiers deployed for the election have been withdrawn.
According to the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, the policemen who managed to prevent chaotic situations at flash points such as Abomosu where six persons were knocked down by a vehicle during disturbances as well as other few places had to be withdrawn immediately the results were announced and calm restored.
The Anyinam District Police Commander, DSP (Rev) John Opoku, who gave out the names of the victims as Isaac Dua, 18, Seth Ampofo, 20, George Abu, 30, Kwabena Agyepong, 25, Kojo Barima, 30 and Osei Kwabena, 48, said they were among a group of young men armed with sticks and other offensive weapons who blocked the road at Abomosu to prevent the NDC National Women Organiser, Madam Anita De Soso, from passing through.
The driver of Madam De Sooso’s vehicle, DSP Opoku stated, panicked and drove through, injuring them in the process.
All the six victims, he stated, were sent to the Government Hospital at Engiresi where three were treated and discharged.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NPP RETAINS ATIWA SEAT (1C, SEPT 1, 2010)
GHANA is said to be losing an estimated $40 million annually as a result of rice smuggled into the country.
Estimates compiled by the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, for presentation to the Ministry of Trade, indicate that 100,000 metric tonnes out of the 350,000 metric tonnes of rice imported into the country are smuggled in, causing the country the millions of dollars in tax revenue.
The resort to the smuggling of rice is attributed to the high duty and other tariffs being implemented at Ghana’s ports as against the country’s West African neighbours.
In that smuggling adventure, Elubo, Debiso, Nkrankwanta, Dadieso and Enchi border areas are the most frequently used to bring in the 100,000 metric tonnes; 75,000 metric tonnes of which are described as high value perfumed rice.
The finding of the association, made up of about 20 local entrepreneurs, also revealed that rice sales for 2010 dropped by 25 per cent.
It also noted that duty on imported rice in Cote d’Ivoire was 12.5 per cent with no Valued Added Tax (VAT), while “on the contrary, importers in Ghana have to pay 20 per cent customs duty in addition to 12.5 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) in addition to other levies, all totalling 40 per cent.
“So the inherent difference of 22.5 per cent in the landing cost of imported rice in the respective countries works to the advantage of the traders involved in the smuggling,” they added.
They explained that there was a difference to the tune of GH¢7 between a 25kg bag of smuggled perfumed rice and the legally imported one.
According to them, the traders involved in the trade were able to manage the direct cost by manipulating the duty at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border, hence the difference of GH¢7 per bag.
The players said there was also an under-declaration of customs duty to the tune of 50 per cent.
Citing high value perfumed rice as an example, they noted that the CIF price of Thai perfumed rice was $950 per metric tonne and customs duty of 20 per cent amounting to $190 per metric tonne, whereas duty paid at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border was $95 per metric tonne.
They explained that the loss of revenue to the Ghana government on account of VAT on 75,000 metric tonnes was $6,412,500 annually while customs duty on the same quantum of imports was $7,125,000 annually, bringing the total loss of revenue on perfumed rice alone to $13.5 million.
They said the fear was that international prices of rice had started rising in the last four weeks, which was likely to promote more smuggling into the country, stressing that “rice prices have increased from an average of about $800 to $900 in the last four weeks”.
Estimates compiled by the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, for presentation to the Ministry of Trade, indicate that 100,000 metric tonnes out of the 350,000 metric tonnes of rice imported into the country are smuggled in, causing the country the millions of dollars in tax revenue.
The resort to the smuggling of rice is attributed to the high duty and other tariffs being implemented at Ghana’s ports as against the country’s West African neighbours.
In that smuggling adventure, Elubo, Debiso, Nkrankwanta, Dadieso and Enchi border areas are the most frequently used to bring in the 100,000 metric tonnes; 75,000 metric tonnes of which are described as high value perfumed rice.
The finding of the association, made up of about 20 local entrepreneurs, also revealed that rice sales for 2010 dropped by 25 per cent.
It also noted that duty on imported rice in Cote d’Ivoire was 12.5 per cent with no Valued Added Tax (VAT), while “on the contrary, importers in Ghana have to pay 20 per cent customs duty in addition to 12.5 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) in addition to other levies, all totalling 40 per cent.
“So the inherent difference of 22.5 per cent in the landing cost of imported rice in the respective countries works to the advantage of the traders involved in the smuggling,” they added.
They explained that there was a difference to the tune of GH¢7 between a 25kg bag of smuggled perfumed rice and the legally imported one.
According to them, the traders involved in the trade were able to manage the direct cost by manipulating the duty at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border, hence the difference of GH¢7 per bag.
The players said there was also an under-declaration of customs duty to the tune of 50 per cent.
Citing high value perfumed rice as an example, they noted that the CIF price of Thai perfumed rice was $950 per metric tonne and customs duty of 20 per cent amounting to $190 per metric tonne, whereas duty paid at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border was $95 per metric tonne.
They explained that the loss of revenue to the Ghana government on account of VAT on 75,000 metric tonnes was $6,412,500 annually while customs duty on the same quantum of imports was $7,125,000 annually, bringing the total loss of revenue on perfumed rice alone to $13.5 million.
They said the fear was that international prices of rice had started rising in the last four weeks, which was likely to promote more smuggling into the country, stressing that “rice prices have increased from an average of about $800 to $900 in the last four weeks”.
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