Tuesday, September 30, 2008

BARKA DA SALLAH (SEPTEMBER 30, 2008)

ONCE again Muslims all over the world today celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr after a month-long Ramadan.
As stated in the Holy Quran, it is within this holy month that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and for this reason the month is also recognised to be the most powerful one in the lunar calendar.
The month of Ramadan is also characterised by a lot of blessings. To enjoy these blessings from Allah, Muslims are obliged to fast right from dawn to sunset. They are also forbidden from engaging in any wrongdoing or act that is likely to result in enmity and animosity between them and their non-Muslim neighbours. Muslims are also entreated to be more generous and kind-hearted during the period.
The Daily Graphic congratulates all Muslims in the country and beyond on the observance of the long-month fast and hopes that the blessings and the peace emanating from the holy month will be felt throughout the year and beyond. We expect that the blessings of the Ramadan will also reflect in the way we conduct ourselves to really demonstrate the peace, fellow-feeling and generosity imbibed during the fast.
It is our expectation that the meaning and essence of the fast will generously manifest in the way the Muslim community conducts its affairs, including the organisation of the Hajj and the electioneering process.
We call on organisers of the Hajj to demonstrate to the entire nation that they are on top of their assignment to avoid any hassle by the would-be pilgrims.
It is against this background that the Daily Graphic wishes to remind all Muslims in the country to be wary of any undesirable elements who would want to cause pain to those who would want to fulfil their religious obligation of performing the Hajj.
We do not want to experience another Hajj fiasco this year, a development which, over the last three years, has resulted in some Muslims being humiliated, dehumanised and treated like dirt.
We know that the Muslim community in the country has a lot of knowledgeable and experienced personalities who can organise the Hajj without allowing anybody to raise any question marks over it and also without putting any innocent life at risk.
The peace and the blessings imbibed in the month of Ramadan should guide whichever committee will be responsible for this year’s Hajj.
We are appalled by the claims and counter claims by two different committees, each staking claim as the legitimate organiser of this year’s Hajj. These committees have gone public, stating how much they are charging for this year’s Hajj and, clearly, this is a recipe for confusion if care is not taken.
The Daily Graphic believes that in the interest of peace these two groups should come together to organise a hassle-free pilgrimage.
They should not provide room for any unbearable inconveniences to characterise this year’s Hajj. The love for their religion and people should be their priority; any other thing must be secondary.
We appeal to all Muslims to ensure that the essence and substance of Ramadan will continue to dominate all that we do, so that we can be at peace with one another and also co-exist with our non-Muslim neighbours.
The Daily Graphic calls on all Muslims to use the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr to pray for a prosperous Ghana, pray for our leaders and politicians everywhere and be tolerant towards one another, irrespective of one’s religious or political inclination.
Nobody in the Muslim community should allow himself or herself to be used as a tool to foment trouble, especially now that the country is preparing for the December polls.
The Daily Graphic wishes Muslims all over the country a happy celebration.
Barka da Sallah.

Monday, September 29, 2008

GHANA WILL MAKE IT (SEPT 29)

PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor has assured the nation that the government is on top of the security situation in the country and will not allow anybody to employ mischief to reverse the democratic successes so far achieved.
He, therefore, allayed the fears of all Ghanaians of a possible political turmoil in the country before, during or after the December elections.
Addressing the Ghanaian community in London on Saturday, President Kufuor said, in reaction to concerns over political conflicts and tension in the run-up to the elections, that the government would continue to conduct its affairs peacefully.
The President’s assurance soothes the ears, but it is our expectation that all organised groups and individuals will make a pledge to promote fair and violence-free elections.
It is appropriate for the President to allay the fears of Ghanaians over the current security situation in the country, following recent acts of political violence and certain developments that tend to undermine national security.
We, however, believe that beyond the assurance given by the President, all the political actors, including the security agencies and the citizenry, will play by the rules governing the game to ensure that nothing untoward happens during the electioneering.
Our worry is that despite our belief in the cardinal principle of equality before the law, there have been instances when some elements have acted with impunity because of their perceived influence in society.
That is why it is imperative, particularly during the run-up to the elections, to give a clear signal to all and sundry about the need to maintain a zero tolerance for violence.
What we yearn for is an environment to organise free and fair elections that will lead to the inauguration of an undisputed President to provide the needed leadership for the attainment of the country’s aspiration to become a middle-income country by 2015.
We do not think Ghanaians need to be reminded of the fact that no progress and development can take place without peace. It, therefore, behoves all political leaders to preach peace and abide by the Political Parties Code of Conduct.
This will ensure that Ghana remains at peace with itself for the nurturing of a conducive atmosphere for any leader to implement the vision of his party and the nation as a whole.
The DAILY GRAPHIC will continue to remind all Ghanaians of the need to maintain peace and tranquillity in the country. We shall behave like the proverbial blacksmith who always strikes while the iron is hot.
Therefore, the DAILY GRAPHIC will belabour the issue of maintaining peace during the run-up to the December polls in the hope that public opinion will weigh heavily on our political leaders to promote free and fair polls.
For this reason, we call on all well-meaning citizens to endorse or support the process for peaceful polls put in motion by organisations such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the Methodist Church and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that the time has come for our political leaders to educate their supporters to stop labelling the polls as a do-or-die affair. The December polls is a normal affair like the four previous polls.
We think the call to arms or violence by some politicians is objectionable and an affront to our status as a model state on the African continent. Consequently, let every Ghanaian reject violence and expose those who preach the hate campaign in the country.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

PERSONAL HYGIENE, KEY FACTOR (SEPT 27, 2008)

The Greater Accra Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has sounded the alarm. Cholera is here with us again!
The directorate announced a confirmed case of cholera in the national capital, Accra, and advised any person who had loose watery stools and was vomiting to quickly report at the nearest hospital or clinic for treatment.
The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Irene Agyepong, has emphasised that the treatment of cholera is free in government health facilities throughout the country, adding that all government hospitals in the Greater Accra Region are well resourced to handle cholera cases.
Cholera is a seasonal disease which occurs every year, usually during the rainy season. It is usually transmitted through faeces, contaminated water or food.
It is no wonder, therefore, that there is an outbreak at this time of the year.
According to the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Elias Kavinah Sory, outbreaks occur particularly when there is a break in the rainy season as the country has experienced this year. When this happens, he pointed out, the rains collect all the dirt that the earlier floods generated and contaminate the water bodies.
The disease is characterised in its most severe form, by a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhoea that can lead to death because of severe dehydration and kidney failure.
Human behaviours, particularly lack of personal hygiene and insanitary food preparation, contribute greatly to the occurrence and severity of outbreaks. Personal hygiene is key to prevention, as no matter one’s level of education, knowledge or social status, he can be infected.
Therefore, we echo the advice of health professionals that the public should avoid food sold near choked drains and refuse dumps and even be sure of the restaurants they eat from. Preferably, the public is advised to eat from their homes. When not sure, we must boil our drinking water.
Other ways to prevent the disease are eating food while it is hot or warm, disposing of toilet and other waste properly and avoiding buying cooked food which is cold and exposed to dust and flies.
These measures — coupled with systematic hand washing with soap and water before eating and after visiting the toilet, washing of fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating as well as covering food and water to keep flies away — are sure ways to prevent cholera.
The Daily Graphic calls on members of the public to heed the advice of the GHS so that we can nip the outbreak in the bud. But the ultimate depends on the actions of the district assemblies, communities and individuals to put environmental sanitation at the top of their agenda to prevent any more cases.
We are convinced that if people abide by basic hygiene such as keeping their homes and surroundings clean, we will keep cholera at bay.

Friday, September 26, 2008

NOT IN OUR DESTINY TO SUFFER GLUT (SEPT 26, 2008)

THERE have been reports that tomato farmers in the southern part of the country are in a state of distress as a result of the glut that has pushed the price of the crop downwards.
Farmers in Keta, Tegbi, Woe, Anloga, Kasseh, Ada and surrounding communities have, in the last couple of months, seen the price fall from GH¢60 per crate to GH¢20, thereby disrupting the local economy.
It is quite unfortunate that anytime there is a glut of food items on our market, it turns out to be a curse, instead of a blessing.
Time and again we have been told that agriculture is the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy, but trends clearly reveal that as a people we are very content with producing raw materials, instead of adding value to those raw materials.
While no one seeks to dispute the fact that our economy is founded on agriculture, there are very serious doubts as to whether we have been able to maximise the gains from agriculture.
In an era when policies are being fashioned to encourage the youth to go into agriculture, it is baffling to note that produce from our farms can be virtually given away for free. Where, then, is the economic incentive for the youth to go into agriculture?
The present woes of tomato farmers in southern Ghana mirror the woes of other food crop farmers in the country and even sometimes fishermen.
The lack of processing plants in the country virtually compels us to limit ourselves to the consumption of primary agricultural produce. Thus, in times of glut, prices are unreasonably slashed or the produce is left to go waste, only for prices to shoot up through the roof in the lean season because we lack the policy initiatives to prepare for the rainy day.
Perhaps it is time the nation brought more practical meaning to the generally held belief that industrialisation is a core requirement for economic growth, especially for an economy founded on agriculture.
Erratic climatic trends even place a greater responsibility on us to draw policies to ensure that in times when the climate fails us there will be enough for local consumption.
But the government must continuously strive to meet farmers’ expectations by ensuring that adequate incentives are put in place to motivate farmers to produce more for local consumption and for export.
It is hoped that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will collaborate with farmer groups to find out how storage facilities can be provided to ensure that agricultural produce, in the event of a glut, does not go waste.
This requires that a more scientific approach be adopted towards agriculture by way of crop production and preservation.
The time has come for us to move away from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation fields, as well as value addition to farm produce, in order to create wealth and jobs for those who love agriculture.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that given the critical role that agriculture plays in the Ghanaian economy, it should not be seen as the ‘forbidden job’.
It is important to recognise that agriculture provides employment for more than 50 per cent of Ghanaians, for which reason the preservation of its dignity will also mean preserving the dignity of a considerable mass of Ghanaian workers.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

NATION MOURNS A GENIUS (SEPT 25)

THE normal busy activities of the newsrooms of the Daily Graphic and its sister papers were yesterday almost brought to a standstill as a tense atmosphere of disbelief followed the news of the demise of Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, arguably one of Ghana’s most hardworking ministers in recent times. Indeed the whole nation was thrown into a state of mourning the moment his death was made public.
Kwadwo, as he was affectionately called during his time as the Finance Minister, worked hard to present the government’s financial and budget statement in November to conform with the provisions of the Constitution.
Since his appointment as the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in 2005, Kwadwo had helped to steer the economy through turbulent times to build and consolidate the robust nature of the economy.
He was instrumental in ensuring that the economy did go into recession, especially when the oil and food crises hit hard at the country since the beginning of the year.
Crude oil prices soared from the government’s budgeted estimates of $85 per barrel to $147 per barrel at the end of June, yet Kwadwo assured the nation that the economy was resilient enough to withstand these shocks. And to a large extent, the economy has weathered the economic shocks.
People in the media remember Kwadwo for his humour and affable disposition. Here was someone who was prepared to share information on the economy with any journalist.
At the launch of the Graphic Business in Accra on August 26, 2008, Baah-Wiredu stated, “Ghana had recorded positive developments in the economy, in spite of the global soaring oil and food prices” and that “the economy is growing”.
The Daily Graphic recalls that Baah-Wiredu was instrumental in the GT-Vodafone deal and addressed the issues rather than condemned opponents of the deal.
Officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and his close allies speak of Kwadwo as a workaholic and one who sacrificed his personal comfort for the good of society.
He carried himself in both public and private life in such a manner that he was a liked personality by both supporters of the ruling party and the minority parties.
The nation indeed has lost a gem. His sudden death has created a big vacuum and an irreplaceable loss.
Kwadwo, you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day and not only to you but also all who have longed for his appearance (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
It is the prayer of the Daily Graphic that Baah-Wiredu’s departure and funeral rites will bring all of us together as one great nation determined in our resolve to break the back of poverty, disease and squalor.
To Kwadwo’s family, we wish them God’s abundant grace in these trying times.
We know that no amount of tears we shed with the family will heal the pain of the Finance Minister’s death, but we believe that the passing on of this genius would be a source of fulfilment for them because their father, husband, son and brother toiled hard to contribute his quota to the efforts of the government to build a better Ghana.
Kwadwo Due, Due, Due! May the good Lord offer you eternal rest.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

WE SHARE IN PAIN OF KANTAMANTO TRADERS (SEPT 24, 2008)

THE scene at the Kantamanto Market in Accra on Monday night was chaotic and pathetic as traders who had lost their property to the fire outbreak there wept uncontrollably.
According to media reports, the fire was so intense that it raged for many hours before it was brought under control by fire fighters who used eight fire tenders, supported by three water tankers.
But that was after the traders had lost wares worth thousands of Ghana cedis.
The fire outbreak at Kantamanto mirrors the very visible malaise of chaotic planning that has become a characteristic feature of many markets in the country.
Fire outbreaks in our markets have become an annual ritual and the insurance companies know that so well that they had reportedly refused to insure the traders at Kantamanto because of the lack of access routes to the market. That alone should have notified the traders that they were running businesses that could at any point in time be razed by fire.
But, unfortunately, such serious issues are usually ignored until disaster strikes and there is loss of lives or property.
Clearly, our metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies have an arduous task at hand, especially as some of these traders can get really intransigent and difficult to deal with.
All over the country, major markets are improperly planned and the problem is compounded by the activities of hawkers who operate around the markets on table tops, creating serious congestion and churning waste in amazing volumes.
Now it is apt to assume that the typical Ghanaian market should be a poorly planned and chaotic place occupied by traders whose wares are uninsured. This has become so normal and something must be done urgently to radically change the planning of our markets to ensure that despite the beehive of activities, they remain serene and safe.
It is depressing to note that these seriously congested places are also centres where some people cook food, not just for themselves but also to sell to the traders and people who go there to shop. This shows a poor appreciation of the dangers such practices pose and the need to educate the traders to observe simple safety practices cannot be dismissed.
The issue is compounded by the ever threatening and dangerous issue of illegal electricity connection. Indeed, many of the traders complain about delays by the Electricity Company of Ghana in providing them with the service, hence the resort to illegal connections with the help of poorly trained electricians.
And it appears the markets are not so well monitored to ensure that the proper thing is done to forestall such avoidable disasters.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that it is time for our municipal and metropolitan assemblies to deal decisively with the issue of our markets doubling as food joints to avoid future outbreaks of fire.
For so long a time there has been talk but very little action, but that should not continue to be the trend. The government has promised to investigate the issue to find the real cause of the fire in order to prevent future occurrences.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the government for the concern shown. However, we wish to caution that whatever findings are made should not end up abandoned on the shelves but they should inform future measures and policies for the siting and planning of our markets.
Our traders cannot continue to suffer the brunt of such disasters. But if we continue to ignore the regulations meant to order our actions, fire disasters like what occurred at Kantamanto will continue to make our lives miserable.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to stop barking and deal decisively with those who breach assembly bye-laws.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

OUR CHILDREN HAVE SPOKEN (SEPT 23, 2008)

THE threat to peace during the run-up to the December 7 polls has become so ominous that even children have decided to voice out their apprehensions.
The concerns of the children are quite understandable, in view of the fact that women and children have always borne the brunt of violent incidents wherever they have occurred.
It is interesting that other people from diverse backgrounds and different political persuasions have also expressed their concerns over the security of the state which seemed threatened as a result of the forthcoming general election.
Ghana opted for constitutional rule, arguably the best form of government on this planet, after several attempts to make democracy work had been interrupted by various military juntas.
Since 1992 when the Constitution was promulgated, the country has gone through four successful elections, including a smooth transition from a sitting President to the political party in opposition. That event was described as an unprecedented feat since the country attained self-government in 1957.
With the passage of time and under democratic governance, the structures that make democracy thrive in any society have been strengthened and the rule of law and all the other benchmarks, such as free speech and association, have been widely enhanced.
The awareness that has been created as a result of the institutionalisation of these structures has made the average Ghanaian voter discernible enough to know when he/she is being misled or misinformed or when the truth is being crucified.
It is against this background that the Daily Graphic wishes to endorse a request made by a group of first and second- cycle students in Accra to political parties, social commentators and callers to radio phone-in programmes to stop raising the political temperature in the country.
According to the students, comments made in public by these groups of people sought to create the impression that this year’s elections were a do-or-die affair and the numerous unguarded statements that came from them threatened the peace and stability of the country.
It is worrying to hear some politicians peddling falsehood, with dire repercussions for the peace of the country. It is equally disturbing for so-called social commentators, who jump into every radio discussion and pretend they are the repository of all knowledge, to really poison the atmosphere with their ignorance and misinformation. The sad aspect of their contribution to public debate is that they present one-sided arguments without any empirical facts.
These groups of people are the sort of people Ghanaians must be wary of as we draw closer to the December elections.
It is abundantly clear that in the electoral market politicians tend to over-promise, with the result that people feel let down. In addition, politicians are inclined to be over-critical of their opponents so that arguments become polarised. Politicians can also feed on cynicism, just to undo their opponents. But all these do not augur well for the growth and promotion of democracy.
The Daily Graphic does not believe that this is the right time for self-seekers to derail the smooth path of democracy. They must be responsible in their actions and must not be overwhelmed by the over-zealous ambition of winning political power through fair or foul means. For such people, we counsel them to be circumspect in all their dealings, respect the rights of others and allow our dear nation to remain stable and peaceful and be the toast of all after the December elections.

Monday, September 22, 2008

REJECT POLITICIANS WHO INFLAME PASSIONS (SEPT. 22)

Since the beginning of the year, different groups of people and individuals, civil society organisations, political party activists, functionaries and religious groups have expressed concern over the need for all Ghanaians to exercise decorum during the run-up to Election 2008 in order to safeguard the peace and tranquillity that has been enjoyed in the country since independence.
These concerns have not come out of a vacuum but from informed sources, especially reports of post-election violence that had rocked some countries on the continent, particularly Kenya and Zimbabwe, which are still fresh in our minds.
In most of these cases, the consequences for the citizenry, especially women and children, have been grave and in some cases the trauma that accompanied the mayhem is yet to be resolved to eliminate the psychological effects on the people.
It is, therefore, gratifying that just last week the Immediate Past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Michael K. Ntumy, implored the leadership of political parties and their teeming supporters to concentrate their energies and resources during their campaigns on their strengths and capabilities, instead of emphasising the weaknesses and shortcomings of their opponents.
Apostle Dr Ntumy recalled the crude politics of rancour, mudslinging and divisiveness that characterised the pre-independence and independence eras and stressed that with the level of enlightenment prevailing in Ghana and the rest of the world, those obscene scenes had no place in our political life.
The Daily Graphic identifies itself with Apostle Ntumy’s position and reminds Ghanaians to engage in decent electioneering towards December 7.
We concede that with 76 days to Election 2008, the political temperature is heightening, but that should not make us reckless in our thoughts and utterances. We must not lose sight of the fact that contesting for the same political position does not make us enemies.
What our politicians must not forget is that all the sweet promises and great policies and programmes that they have outlined for this country are targeted at improving the lot of the people they all pledge to serve. Therefore, what will be at stake if, at the end of the day, these politicians, through their unguarded actions, compromise the peace of the state?
It is time political leaders and party activists remained focused to deal with the issues that will impact positively on the lives of the people and eventually transform the economy for the better.
The Daily Graphic believes that our politicians do not need to inflame passions, descend into the gutter and malign their political opponents, without any basis, in their efforts to win the electorate to their side.
It is an undeniable fact that since Ghana opted for democratic governance, we have succeeded in proving to the whole world that we are the beacon of hope for Africa and it is our wish to remain the most treasured country on the continent.
We must also learn from the mistakes of our neighbours on the continent who have failed to allow democracy to thrive in their countries.
This is the right time to prove to the world that we have made strides in our democratic governance and that there can be no turning back. Nobody should be misled by misguided politicians who have nothing to offer the good people of the country. Ghanaians are discerning and they will tolerate only those who have the country at heart, not those whose utterances divide our ranks.
The Daily Graphic calls on the electorate to reject those who mount political platforms to pour scorn and insults on their opponents and instead rally behind those who will mobilise them to fight their common enemies of poverty, disease and ignorance.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

LET'S PREPARE FOR ECONOMIC SHOCKS (SEPT 20, 2008)

AN Akan proverb, “Se wohu se egya ato wo yonko abodwese mu a, na w’asa nsuo asi wo dee ho”, which loosely translates "If you see your neighbour’s beard in flames, then you better get water by your side", should be a wake-up call to Ghanaians to be mindful of developments on the international financial markets.
Fortunately, the Ghanaian economy has so far weathered the storm generated by the hike in crude oil prices and the global food crisis.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, in an interview with this paper on Friday, September 12, 2008, defended the state of the Ghanaian economy, saying it was expanding tremendously.
Dismissing suggestions that the government was losing its grip on the economy, the minister said despite the spiralling price of oil on the world market that reached a high of $147 per barrel, as against the budget projection of $85 per barrel, the country did not experience any shortage in its daily requirement of 60,000 barrels.
The economic panic that occasioned the loss of homes in the United States of America (USA) following the mortgage crisis was compounded by the fall of two key financial institutions in that country.
The disintegration of Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc. has sent shock waves down the corridors of notable stock exchanges across the world, necessitating the filing of the biggest bankruptcy protection in history.
The Guardian of the United Kingdom and the Daily Telegraph described the Lehman bankruptcy as one of the "worst banking collapses in history".
The economic crisis in the USA is causing alarm in all the financial markets of the world and a developing economy like Ghana must take steps to fence its activities against economic shocks.
The Daily Graphic believes that in spite of the revelation that Ghana's economy is resilient, everybody must be concerned about the pragmatic steps that the government will take in case we are affected by the effects of the credit crunch.
We say so because Ghana is not an island. It has gone to the international market to launch bonds for capital and infrastructural development.
We cannot pretend that the global crisis appears far removed from us. This is because now that we have decided, as a policy, to seek funding for most of our projects on the international market, investment institutions like the Lehman Brothers will execute such transactions on our behalf.
For some time now market economy has been touted as the best model to address global poverty. It is believed, whether rightly or wrongly, that if the private sector plays the leading role in economic development, the effects will trickle down to the ordinary person on the street.
The Daily Graphic thinks that the time has come for governments to rethink the notion that the state should not be actively involved in the management of the economy. Lessons from the USA demonstrate that the private sector is equally vulnerable.
African governments should be bold to allow the state to play a key role in the development of the economy.
The Daily Graphic calls for the reconstruction of the economic architecture such that the state plays active roles in strategic sectors like banking, education, health and agriculture.
We think that the government should put in measures to prevent any unscrupulous person from manipulating the system for personal gain during these trying times.
Be that as it may, there are useful lessons to learn from the approach the US government has adopted to resolve the financial crisis.
Its leaders have suppressed their partisan affiliations to throw their weight behind moves to save the financial sector from total collapse.
The Daily Graphic hopes that if we are confronted with similar circumstances, we shall face the challenges in a non-partisan manner.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

THIS INITIATIVE IS COMMENDABLE (SEPT 19, 2008)

THREE organisations yesterday made clear statements calling on all Ghanaians to show their commitment to promoting violence-free elections on December 7, this year.
At the launch of the “Clean Election Campaign in Ghana 2008”, the three organisations — the Methodist Church, Initiatives of Change/Moral Re-Armanent (MRA)-Ghana, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) — called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join them in the crusade for free and fair elections.
It is heart-warming that other speakers at the forum registered their disdain for any act that will reverse the clock of progress in the country, particularly rejecting any power-sharing deal after the December elections.
Speaking at the launch, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, the Most Rev Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, said Ghana had advanced in multi-party democracy and gone beyond the situation that called for power sharing after elections and “cannot afford to use this backward system of power sharing” to promote democratic rule.
He described the phenomenon as an unpopular system for nations in crisis and that Ghana and its present democratic state were nowhere near such a system.
The Daily Graphic shares the sentiments expressed by the speakers at the launch of the campaign on the theme, “Win honourably, lose graciously”.
For some time now students of politics and some politicians have described the December 7 polls as a do-or-die affair or a champion-of-champions event. Whatever the label we give the forthcoming elections, it is still a democratic contest of ideas during which the various contestants stake a claim for the leadership of the country.
It is an opportunity for Ghanaians to make a choice from among the political parties seeking to govern the country, not a fight, for which reason the electioneering should not degenerate into violence.
This is why at this crucial moment of our preparation for the elections, Ghanaians should affirm our confidence in the ballot box as the best means to change a government or renew its mandate.
At the end of the day, what Ghanaians yearn for are freedom, peace, development and justice, not just the struggle for power. Anybody who wins power through violence or nasty clashes among political opponents risks having an “empty country” to govern.
It is unfortunate that sometimes, out of ambition or misguidedness to govern, politicians do things that retard our progress.
We believe that for public opinion to have an impact, it must be reinforced regularly and forcefully.
For this reason, the Daily Graphic encourages other initiatives, such as peace marches, prayer sessions and town hall meetings, as part of the strategies to educate the electorate on their rights and responsibilities.
Anybody who stays on the fence or decides not to join in the campaigns will be so conspicuously silent that he or she will be seen as working against the tenets of democracy.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls on all political parties to make loud proclamations and commitments towards free and fair elections by filling the pledge forms designed by the three organisations spearheading the campaign for free and fair polls in December. They should also encourage their supporters, families and the members of the public to also pledge their commitment towards the initiative.
This is the only country we have. Therefore, we all have a duty to ensure peace and stability to guarantee the country’s development and prosperity. If we allow the country to go to ruins, we will suffer the pains of enduring the hardships of a failed state.
But if the elections proceed peacefully and the outcome is accepted by all the parties, we would have discharged our civic responsibilities for the good of ourselves, our nation and to God.

HEED CALL OF SCHOOLCHILDREN (SEPTEMBER 18, 2008)

THE pilot phase of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) began in 2005 to provide children in public primary schools and kindergartens in the poorest areas with one nutritious meal per day, using locally grown foodstuffs.
Other goals of the programme include making a contribution to poverty reduction and food security in Ghana.
Statistics, so far, indicate that the GSFP has become an effective strategy for increasing enrolment, attendance, retention and even performance. The programme also has the potential to improve the local economy by relying on farmers to supply about 80 per cent of the foodstuffs for the meals.
In quantitative terms, the programme has helped to raise school enrolment significantly. Enrolment levels in the schools show that there is a high and increasing public interest in the programme, which has the potential to impact positively on the food security situation and educational landscape in the country.
It has come as no suprise to the Daily Graphic that some schoolchildren have lauded the GSFP and called on the government to maintain and extend it to all public schools.
If there is any sense in the popular axiom, “Who feels it knows it”, then it will be counter-productive to dismiss the call by the pupils.
Although one can describe the children as minors who are not in the least versed in the dynamics of government policies and policy implementation, their sentiments clearly represent a true and sincere assessment of the impact of the GSFP.
During the initial stages, the government had to endure some scathing criticisms for introducing the programme and, indeed, some critics went to the extent of labelling it as one of the government’s propaganda tools that would not stand the test of time.
Perhaps these critics will be the first to admit that the policy, indeed, has some very positive sides that far outweigh any weaknesses.
It is striking to note that even some more developed countries than Ghana had, at a point in time, instituted school feeding programmes to shore up school enrolment levels and improve the nutrition of pupils.
School feeding programmes, particularly those in developing countries, have received tremendous support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and it is estimated that in 2003 the WFP fed more than 15 million children in schools in 69 countries.
Clearly, if the enrolment trends are anything to go by, then one can only encourage the government to heed the call of the schoolchildren and extend the programme to all public schools.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, wishes to advocate a thorough review of the programme in order to address any weaknesses that threaten to erode its gains.
The WFP’s strategy has been to identify areas where enrolment ratios are lowest and where school feeding will have the greatest impact.
It is the belief of the DAILY GRAPHIC that a similar strategy must be adopted to ensure that areas with the lowest enrolment ratios in the country are the immediate beneficiaries of the programme, even as the government works towards the extension of the programme to all public schools.
We also wish to caution about the quality of food that is served to pupils in order to ensure that they don’t end up developing health problems after eating food provided under the programme. This is why we call for swift action against those who attempt to undermine the integrity of the programme by serving schoolchildren with unwholesome meals.

INNOCENT PERSONS MUST NOT BE IN JAIL (SEPT 17, 2008)

Ghana’s system of criminal justice is such that offenders are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty. This legal philosophy explains why the judicial system makes every effort to ensure that suspected criminals are given fair trials.
The unintended consequence of the system is that many offenders are sometimes remanded in prison for days while awaiting trial. A case in point is the report that 300 remand prisoners are being held illegally at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison because the warrants issued by the courts to keep them in detention have expired.
The sordid story of the remand prisoners is that, according to checks conducted by the Centre for Human Rights and Civil Liberties (CHURCIL) on behalf of the Justice For All Project, the dockets on their cases cannot also be traced. The result is that some of the remand prisoners have been in detention for as long as 14 years. This, to say the least, is unfortunate and lends credence to the dictum that justice delayed is justice denied.
The report on remand prisoners at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison may not be different from the situation in other prisons across the country. This could just be a reflection of the shortfalls in the country’s penal system.
The Daily Graphic considers the situation at the Nsawam Prison and similar ones which may prevail in other prisons in the country as a sad commentary on the criminal justice system and calls for urgent reforms. There is urgent need to review the system to facilitate the trial process to prevent a situation where many people would continue to be in detention through no fault of theirs.
The Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Attorney-General’s Office and the courts, all of which have various roles to play in the trial process, need to work in concert to ensure the speedy adjudication of cases. Already, we are confronted with a backlog of cases at the courts. There is the need for the establishment of special courts to handle the backlog of cases involving remand prisoners in the country’s prisons.
Furthermore, a system should be put in place to monitor the arrests, remand and conviction of suspected criminals. Again, specific time frames should be set for the adjudication of cases to prevent unwarranted adjournments by the courts and delays on the part of prosecutors and complainants.
The Daily Graphic calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to ensure that remand prisoners whose warrants had expired are taken to court, while fresh dockets are prepared to replace lost ones, otherwise remand prisoners whose dockets cannot be traced should be set free to reflect the legal maxim that it is better to set 1,000 guilty prisoners free than to keep one innocent person in jail.
While dealing with the case of the remand prisoners, it is also important for the stakeholders to review the entire penal system. The current penal arrangement is such that only fines and imprisonment are the means of punishment. The Daily Graphic is of the view that alternative sanctions, such as suspended sentences, community service and probation, can be worked out to reduce the congestion in the prisons.
We, however, want to commend the Attorney-General’s Department and Ministry of Justice, CHURCIL, the judiciary and other stakeholders for initiating the Justice for All Project, which is aimed at having justice on the doorstep of all citizens, especially the vulnerable in the society. It is heart-warming that these revelations on remand prisoners came out as a result of this laudable project.
The Daily Graphic hopes that more people would have the opportunity to access justice under the project.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

INNOCENT PERSONS MUST NOT BE IN JAIL (SEPTEMBER 17, 2008)

Ghana’s system of criminal justice is such that offenders are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty. This legal philosophy explains why the judicial system makes every effort to ensure that suspected criminals are given fair trials.
The unintended consequence of the system is that many offenders are sometimes remanded in prison for days while awaiting trial. A case in point is the report that 300 remand prisoners are being held illegally at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison because the warrants issued by the courts to keep them in detention have expired.
The sordid story of the remand prisoners is that, according to checks conducted by the Centre for Human Rights and Civil Liberties (CHURCIL) on behalf of the Justice For All Project, the dockets on their cases cannot also be traced. The result is that some of the remand prisoners have been in detention for as long as 14 years. This, to say the least, is unfortunate and lends credence to the dictum that justice delayed is justice denied.
The report on remand prisoners at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison may not be different from the situation in other prisons across the country. This could just be a reflection of the shortfalls in the country’s penal system.
The Daily Graphic considers the situation at the Nsawam Prison and similar ones which may prevail in other prisons in the country as a sad commentary on the criminal justice system and calls for urgent reforms. There is urgent need to review the system to facilitate the trial process to prevent a situation where many people would continue to be in detention through no fault of theirs.
The Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Attorney-General’s Office and the courts, all of which have various roles to play in the trial process, need to work in concert to ensure the speedy adjudication of cases. Already, we are confronted with a backlog of cases at the courts. There is the need for the establishment of special courts to handle the backlog of cases involving remand prisoners in the country’s prisons.
Furthermore, a system should be put in place to monitor the arrests, remand and conviction of suspected criminals. Again, specific time frames should be set for the adjudication of cases to prevent unwarranted adjournments by the courts and delays on the part of prosecutors and complainants.
The Daily Graphic calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to ensure that remand prisoners whose warrants had expired are taken to court, while fresh dockets are prepared to replace lost ones, otherwise remand prisoners whose dockets cannot be traced should be set free to reflect the legal maxim that it is better to set 1,000 guilty prisoners free than to keep one innocent person in jail.
While dealing with the case of the remand prisoners, it is also important for the stakeholders to review the entire penal system. The current penal arrangement is such that only fines and imprisonment are the means of punishment. The Daily Graphic is of the view that alternative sanctions, such as suspended sentences, community service and probation, can be worked out to reduce the congestion in the prisons.
We, however, want to commend the Attorney-General’s Department and Ministry of Justice, CHURCIL, the judiciary and other stakeholders for initiating the Justice for All Project, which is aimed at having justice on the doorstep of all citizens, especially the vulnerable in the society. It is heart-warming that these revelations on remand prisoners came out as a result of this laudable project.
The Daily Graphic hopes that more people would have the opportunity to access justice under the project.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

DARK STREETS POSE DANGER

THE Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has expressed worry over the low levy charged consumers for the maintenance of street lights in the face of the serious difficulties the company encounters in the maintenance of the lights.
Presently, the company says it is running at a huge loss due to the electricity consumption by street lights, in addition to their maintenance, and the company incurred a loss of more than GH¢9 million last year alone.
The ECG maintains that the present levy of 50 pesewas (in the old currency, which is now 5Gp) charged consumers is a woeful pittance, considering the cost of genera-ting electricity and maintaining the lights.
As a result, it has called for a review of the levy to ensure that street lights work and work well.
The concerns of the ECG, perhaps, come as no surprise if one considers how poorly lit some of our major streets are.
In many cases, street lights have become ‘museum’ pieces, although their relevance is not lost on us.
Indeed, road safety experts are always quick to advise that well functioning street lights are critical to avoiding accidents in the night.
This makes so much sense as, on a number of occasions, innocent lives have been lost as a result of the failure of drivers to notice parked cars on road sides, thereby running into them.
In as much as it is sad to lose lives in such a preventable manner, it becomes even more painful on the realisation that it may only take the payment of reasonable and affordable tariffs to avoid such deaths.
Again, in an era of crime sophistication, criminals like armed robbers are enjoying the darkness of our streets as they speed through communities well covered by the darkness on the night to commit their heinous crimes.
It is time for Ghanaians to recognise that street lights serve very useful purposes and must, therefore, be maintained in order for them to work efficiently.
The tendency to dismiss calls for the payment of more reasonable tariffs to ensure the smooth operation of such vital state installations must be a thing of the past if we really want to avoid preventable death, check night crimes like armed robbery and also beautify our towns and cities.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls for an urgent review of the levy to reflect the economic trends of the day and help inject some more efficiency into the maintenance and operation of the street lights.
As Ghanaians, we need to recognise that we have a civic responsibility to pay appropriate tariffs to ensure the smooth running of such vital state assets that serve our own good.
It is worrying to note that the tariffs that are charged for electricity consumption and maintenance of street lights have not been reviewed for a long time.
Understandably, it is only Parliament that can legislate for the review of the tariffs and efforts to get Parliament to do so have so far not yielded any positive impact.
While it is understandable that Parliament, as a very important arm of government, has many issues to deal with, it is the belief of the DAILY GRAPHIC that the issue with regard to street lights is not one that must be relegated to the background because the lights are required for their benefits to society, such as making driving in the cities and towns safe.
It is in this vein that we urge metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to find very pragmatic ways to raise the necessary funds to ensure that the street lights luminate our streets.

Monday, September 15, 2008

PRUDENT DECISION (MONDAY, SEPT. 15, 2008

THE decision by the government to approve GH¢7 million from the Consolidated Fund for the mitigation of the impact of the recent floods in parts of the three northern regions, as well as Keta in the Volta Region, is, indeed, a piece of welcome news.
It is also gratifying that the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has been appointed to assume responsibility for the management of the exercise.
And true to his description as a man of action, the minister, we are told, has already dispatched a three-man fact-finding team to the three northern regions, as well as Keta, to meet with regional ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the affected areas and report on items required and also determine the stock levels of supplies in various warehouses of NADMO.
Furthermore, the ministry has negotiated with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for the release of three articulated trucks to transport the items to the affected areas, while the acting National Co-ordinator of NADMO and some staff of the ministry have been tasked to seek clearance from the National Procurement Authority to organise urgent limited tender for the purchase of the items required.
The DAILY GRAPHIC applauds the interior ministry for the various initiatives it has so far taken towards the successful prosecution of the task on hand and we urge them not to relent in their efforts at any point to make this all-important exercise successful.
We recall that barely a year ago when a similar flood situation occurred in the three northern regions, the inter-ministerial task force set up resolved, as part of its remit, that permanent structures should be put in place as early as possible to obviate the need for ad hoc arrangements should the floods recur in future.
In promoting this and with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other development patners, the capacity of NADMO has been strengthened. Additionally, a nascent early warning system was instituted with the view to minimising the impact of any floods in the three northern regions.
However, the havoc caused by the floods in the three northern regions this year — seven lives were reportedly lost and as many as 150 rendered homeless — gives great cause for concern and we, therefore, urge all the stakeholders to put their shoulders to the wheel and come up with a permanent solution to the perennial problem.



LET'S HEED EC'S 'SOS'

THE Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has not minced words about the bloated nature of the voters register. He has stated categorically that the number of people who registered during the limited voter registration exercise has bloated the register, making it statistically incorrect and a recipe for chaos on the election day. And this is no issue to joke with.
He said “with the current national population of 22 million, having almost 13 million people on the voters register is unheard of and if Ghanaians do not assist the EC to clean it during the voter exhibition exercise, we would be witnesses to children, foreigners and people with double identity voting on election day and nothing could be done about it”.
As if those strong words were not enough, the EC chairman, to the astonishment of the gathering, passed round some of the forms containing the data on some of the minors — as young as four — who were registered during the recent exercise.
Shameful and disgusting, isn’t it? So what do we do? What is the way forward?
As Dr Afari Gyan rightly indicated, the EC, on its own volition, could not remove the names of the minors and other unqualified voters from the register until the culprits or their parents call for the deletion of their names from the register or until someone challenged their eligibility.
So, clearly, the ball is in the court of all of us. As a people who dearly cherish our relative peace and freedom, this is the unique opportunity to demonstrate our resolve to consolidate our democratic governance.
The EC chairman has repeatedly said that the credibility of the December 7 polls will not be determined by the commission alone but also by how all stakeholders — the government, the political parties, the security agencies, the media, the electorate and the entire civil society — tackle their shared responsibility.
The first test case is clearly staring at us. Our success or failure in dealing with the rot will, to a large extent, determine our resolve to die for the sake of Mother Ghana.
And we dare not fail. Posterity will certainly not forgive us, if we fold our arms and look on unconcerned for a few people to make mockery of our electoral register.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

THREAT TO OUR FOREST

REPORTS that demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Tema Oil Refinery has increased by 26.32 per cent within a year as a result of the switch from petrol to the use of gas by some commercial vehicles certainly has some implications for the country’s economy.
The conversion from petrol to gas, which is attributed to the rising cost of petrol and diesel, implies that the country should look for resources to increase the supply of LPG gas to meet growing demand.
It is difficult to fault commercial vehicle owners for switching from the use of petrol and diesel to gas, since as business operators they have it as their aim to reduce expenditure in order to maximise profits.
However, the Daily Graphic is worried about the report because the increased demand for LPG by commercial drivers could undermine the country’s effort to save the nation’s forest from further depletion as a result of the over-reliance on the use of charcoal and fuel wood.
Wood and charcoal are often burned in open fires or poorly functioning stoves and the incomplete combustion leads to the release of small particles and other constituents that have been shown to be damaging to human health in the household environment.
Since 1981, the annual rate of deforestation in the country has been two per cent per annum or 750 hectares each year. Currently Ghana's tropical forest area is just 25 per cent of its original size.
The impact of deforestation can be widespread and can affect the livelihoods of local people, disrupt important environmental functions and severely disturb the biological integrity of the original forest ecosystem. Already looming in the horizon are dramatic climatic change, soil erosion and large-scale desertification resulting in poor crop yields.
It is in this vein that the Daily Graphic calls on the authorities to work out a framework to regulate the use of LPG by the commercial vehicle operators and domestic users.
In addressing the challenges, it is our considered opinion that separate outlets could be made available at strategic locations for the consumers who want to use the gas for domestic purposes, while different price regimes could be introduced for those who use the product for commercial and domestic purposes.
When the product is made available to domestic users at affordable price, we would encourage more people to switch from the use of charcoal to LPG, thereby reducing pressures on the country’s already depleted forest resource.
The drive towards the use of LPG was launched in the 1980s with pomp and fanfare. It was meant to motivate households, particularly housewives and food joint operators, to stop the use of charcoal because of its effects on the country’s forest resources.
Many years on, it appears, as a country, we have a long way to go because the use of LPG is far from what was envisaged during the launch of the programme.
Several reasons could be adduced for the low patronage of the LPG. Price and availability have combined to discourage users from turning their back to charcoal.
Despite the drudgery associated with the use of charcoal, many ‘chop bar’ operators continue to rely heavily on the fuel wood for their operations and this is ironical.
The Daily Graphic believes that the authorities owe it as a duty to take steps to popularise the use of LPG by putting in place the necessary legal framework to make sure that deviants do not derail our efforts to protect the environment for their selfish gains.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

PARENTS HEADACHE HERE AGAIN (Thursday, Sept 11, 2008)

SEPTEMBER every year is a period of intense pressure on parents and leavers of junior high schools seeking admission to senior high schools (SHSs).
The situation has come to a head in recent times because of the high demand for secondary education in the country.
In the so-called ‘good old days’, pupils who were successful at the Common Entrance Examination only looked up for their admission letters in the post and even those who were not able to gain admission to their preferred schools received letters from other schools offering them admission once they had made the grade.
Today, the picture is different. The mad rush for admission at this time of the year sometimes compels heads of second cycle schools to go into hiding. In other instances where the heads of schools decide to stay, their offices are besieged by anxious parents seeking admission for their children. Frustrated parents and guardians have on some occasions levelled allegations of bribery and corruption against heads of schools.
To go around this problem, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports directed that the selection process to second cycle schools be done at the regional level.
Even here, there were flaws because heads of so-called first-class schools went to such meetings with made-up list, thereby frustrating the rationale for the exercise.
Then came the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) meant to remove the manual selection of students with a cutting edge system.
The CSSPS did not stop the practice where parents besieged the offices of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the second cycle schools for admissions. Even now, parents and guardians still go to the offices of CSSPS to try and have their way.
There is a high level of interest in education in the country, judging from the rate at which educational institutions, both public and private, are being established.
The bottlenecks appear to be at the second cycle and tertiary levels, where private sector involvement is at a limited stage.
Thus, in September, the hopes of many parents to secure admission for their children get dashed when their children are unable to make it to the schools of their choice.
It is against this background that the Daily Graphic pleads with the GES to use the placement exercise for the 2008/09 academic year to build confidence in the CSSPS.
Although at its inception Ghanaians were assured that the challenges confronting the admission process to SHS would be reduced considerably, the problems still persist.
Therefore, admission time is now headache and frustration time for parents, guardians, students and even school authorities.
It is disheartening that systems that have worked elsewhere to perfection have failed in our country because of human failure and frailty.
Our aim, as a nation, should only be to get the best out of the system and also make sure that access to education is not based on any consideration other than merit.
This is where school officials should check the use of the ‘protocol list’ in which case heads of ‘first class schools’ close the door to prospective students having aggregate above a certain limit, say six and rather admit students with aggregate 12 and even beyond. This is not fair and must not be condoned.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the GES to enforce the directive to schools to admit a certain percentage of their students from their localities in order to give access to brilliant needy students who would otherwise find it difficult to pay fees to attend schools outside their locality.
Parents should also disabuse their minds of the belief that the only schools for excellence in academic pursuits is the ‘first-class schools’. Parents must encourage their children to work hard, if they expect to be accorded a place of excellence in the selection process. For greater heights can only be attained through hard work.
It is our hope that this year’s selection process will be smooth, transparent and hassle-free, particularly for parents and guardians.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

LET'S LEARN TO SPEAK FRENCH (Wed. Seotember 10, 2008)

THE Government has directed all its officials to compulsorily take French lessons. According to the Vice-President, the directive is part of the government’s plans to make French a common language as much as possible to enhance economic, commercial and social activities.
The need for Ghanaians to communicate effectively in the French language has always been emphasised as the country is surrounded by Francophone countries.
Unfortunately, the teaching and learning of French has not made the desired impact over the years and efforts to generate the needed interest among Ghanaians have also not yielded the right response.
It appears that many Ghanaians are content with their proficiency in the English language and, thus, do not find it important to educate themselves in a second international language, particularly, French.
Indeed, on the other side, many people in Francophone countries take their English proficiency studies seriously, be it formal or informal, hence they are able to communicate in the English language unlike us who do not speak French at all.
While it may be out of place to accuse ourselves of being a group of self-conceited people, our very limited ability to communicate in the French language betrays a systemic weakness in our educational system that has persisted for so many years and must be urgently addressed.
Although French lessons have been instituted in the school curricula right from the basic level, the desired impact of these lessons has not been really felt and it is sad that the various education reform programmes have not been able to address this major challenge of empowering our people to promote dialogue among the peoples of the sub-region.
If students are made to sit through French lessons for a greater part of their basic education and then grow up with next to zero level of French proficiency, then we need to ask ourselves whether we are making any gains at all?
For many school authorities, French continues to be fringe subject for which not so high targets are set for students and teachers. That appears to be the bane. Therefore, in many of our schools, the usual scenario is to get a group of students who would rather make fun of French phrases and words they learn in school than to contextualise them and master their usage.
In the realms of pedagogic practice, it is widely acknowledged that those who do well in their mother tongues are more capable to take any course of study in a second language. Perhaps, our lack of interest in the study of the French language must stem from the less premium we place on the study of local languages in our schools.
The DAILY GRAPHIC welcomes the government’s directive and wish to challenge it to ensure that this does not become a nine days’ wonder.
There is also the need for the Ghana Education Service to take a second look at the study of French in schools in order to generate the desired interest and impact.
Our universities and other tertiary institutions must also institute policies that will make the study of French more rigorous. Although in some of our tertiary institutions, the French language has been made compulsory, others prefer to make it optional for their students.
However, if the country recognises the importance of the French language, then it may be very important to introduce measures that will encourage students to take their French lessons seriously at all levels and that we can achieve by making the French language not only compulsory for government officials, but also for students.
It is only when students realise that the French language is a core part of their studies for which they shall be examined that they will attach the needed seriousness to its study and not just pronounce French words and recite phrases in jest.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

STOP THIS PRACTICE NOW (September 9, 2008)

REPORTS indicate that activities of illegal miners along the banks of River Pra at Sekyere Heman is threatening the quality of water to be produced by the water treatment plant sited near the river.
The yet-to-be inaugurated plant, with the potential to produce 6.6 million gallons of water a year, is expected to serve communities in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) District and some parts of Cape Coast.
In the past, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) had on many occasions expressed reservations about human activities near some water bodies, which tended to increase the cost of water treatment.
While some of these complaints had been linked to the pollution of water bodies as a result of basic daily chores of human settlers along those water bodies and the improper disposal of human waste, the latest pollution scare on the banks of River Pra is very alarming because of the presence of dangerous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide.
The facts about the adverse effects of cyanide or mercury poisoning are very grim. As noted by Mr Mac Doe Hyanabui, the Project Engineer of GWCL, mercury, for instance, can cause paralysis and mental retardation.
Yet, the illegal miners are bent on going about their work without any fear of the law and in justifying their illegality, they have always been citing the chorus that “man must survive”. But the question that must be asked is, should the quest for survival bring ultimate destruction?
The activities of the miners, which have become a worrying bane to our development aspirations, raise concerns about the lapses in law enforcement.
The issue of mining, both legal and illegal, has been an emotional one, and this is partly because of the environmentally harmful methods of mining and the lucrative nature of the job.
While large multi-nationals have constantly had their activities scrutinised with the critical lenses of the regulatory bodies, it appears that the illegal miners are having a field day and are going about their activities without due regard for environmental concerns or human life, including their very own lives.
Even more disturbing in this instance is the fact that the chief of the area, Nana Kwadu Kyerefo III, and some elders of the town have been implicated in the illegal business.
So far, the chief and his elders have not come clear on the issue to state their case and that can tarnish their reputation as their silence may lend credence to the allegations that have been levelled against them.
And in any event, assuming that even the chief and his elders have not sanctioned the illegal activities, isn’t it a real affront to their authority as local custodians of the land to look on while such dangerous illegality is perpetuated?
In an era where chieftaincy is being modernised in order to enable the institution to meet the development needs of the 21st Century, the DAILY GRAPHIC wishes to challenge the chief and elders of the town to recognise that they have a responsibility to promote sound environmental practices in their town.
For many Ghanaians, access to potable water continues to be a luxury when it need not be, hence any attempt to provide Ghanaians with potable water must not only be welcome but must also be closely guarded by the local people, who will be the direct beneficiaries. Elsewhere, water treatment plants are security zones that are no-go areas for unauthorised persons because pollution of the plant can be catastrophic. But in Ghana water treatment plants have no security implications.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines and the Minerals Commission to bare their teeth at the illegal miners and restore decency to our mining communities.
There is the need to bear in mind that in as much as there is the will to survive and make money to earn a living, there is a greater will to live healthy lives to be able to earn that living. That we must not compromise!

Monday, September 8, 2008

PREVENT ANOTHER HAJJ DEBACLE

For a couple of years now, the organisation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca has been fraught with challenges, compelling the central government to intervene in the otherwise independent arrangement by Muslims to honour one of the five pillars of Islam.
In 2006 and 2007, the inability of the organisers of the Hajj to put in place the necessary arrangements denied hundreds of prospective pilgrims the opportunity to visit Mecca for the valued spiritual endeavour.
About three months to this year’s pilgrimage, there are ominous indications that an intervention is required if prospective pilgrims are to avoid the painful experiences of the past few years.
It is unfortunate that despite the inability of prospective pilgrims to undertake the hassle-free trips to Mecca in recent times, two bodies have emerged on the scene both claiming legitimacy to organise this year’s Hajj.
The two bodies, the reconstituted National Hajj Council (NHC) and the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC), have made references to the frustrations that potential pilgrims faced in the past, as the basis for their emergence on the scene.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has made it clear that the IHMC is the only recognised body with the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca.
He, therefore, informed the NHC to join the IHMC to manage the operations of this year’s Hajj, since his sole concern was to ensure sanity in the management of the Hajj and to achieve the best for the Islamic community.
The reconstituted NHC was formed following recommendations from the National Hajj Conference, which was held in Accra early this year.
Statements from the two Hajj bodies clearly show that their intention is to organise a problem-free Hajj this year so that the ugly spectacle of would-be pilgrims sleeping in the open in Accra, waiting for aircraft to Mecca, will be a thing of the past.
Last year, it took the intervention of the government to get the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make special arrangements for Ghanaian pilgrims to land in the Kingdom after the Saudi authorities had closed the Jeddah Airport for the commencement of the Hajj.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on those entrusted with the responsibility of organising this year’s Hajj to work extra hard so that those who have put together lifetime savings to undertake the Hajj are not disappointed.
Indeed, Hajj is ordained in Islam for Muslims to seek knowledge and learn about other people’s way of life, and experience a different kind of environment from that of their birthplace.
The DAILY GRAPHIC appeals to the organisers of this year’s Hajj to be guided by the spirit of Hajj which includes love, devotion, sacrifice, patience, mercy, harmony and unity in their preparations for the pilgrimage.
What is happening now can only portend more confusion if the two bodies do not bury their differences and join forces to promote a hassle-free pilgrimage.
The belief in the Muslim world is that Hajj brings immense rewards to those who embark on the pilgrimage.
Therefore, no bureaucracy should stand in the way of the pilgrims.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the two groups to bury their differences, come together and organise this year’s Hajj as one devoid of the trauma and anguish of the past few years.
We remind the Muslim leaders of the failures of the past in the hope that they would work towards a strong Hajj planning committee that would would help prospective pilgrims to attain the goals of Hajj.
When this is done, the country will avoid the ordeal of the previous Hajj debacles.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

LET'S CLEAR OUR NAME (Saturday, September 6, 2008)

THE revelation by a Canadian author and investigative journalist, Declan Hill, last Monday that some Ghana national teams, particularly the Black Stars and the 2004 Black Meteors, may have thrown some matches as part of match-fixing has been as shocking as it has been embarrassing, not only to football fans but to most Ghanaians as well.
It is, therefore, heart-warming to know that the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MoESS) has acted with despatch to get the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to investigate the allegations in order to get to the bottom of it, put the issue to rest and spare Ghana from being looked at with scrutinising eyes any time a national team goes into action.
It is in this vein that the Daily Graphic commends the MoESS for requesting the BNI to conduct further investigation into the matter. We are, however, surprised at the way the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has come out to rubbish the allegation, and dismissed it without giving it any serious thought, despite the issues raised in the book, ‘The Fix’, and which has been made public on the Internet.
Ordinarily, it would have been easy to dismiss the issue just as the GFA has done, but the claims made by Hill in his book and in a subsequent interview granted a German magazine are too serious to be ignored or wished away.
Against a football giant like Brazil, it was possible that the Stars could have won or lost and in this case, they lost 0-3. Information from Hill again traces these match-fixing allegations to the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, where the Meteors, needing only a draw to make it to the next level, lost to Japan, who were on their way home any way. In both cases, Hill said he had a link man who predicted those scorelines.
Also, is it mere coincidence that the former national goalkeeper, Abubakari Damba, who, until last year, was also an assistant coach of the Black Meteors, has been so indicted?
Of all the people in the country, why did it have to be Damba, who, just last year, also was accused of a similar offence in fixing the international friendly between the Meteors and their Iranian counterparts in Tehran?
And what happened to the GFA’s investigations into that case?
Once the investigations begin, the Daily Graphic hopes that all stakeholders would help the authorities to unravel the truth as it is not only the individuals implicated whose integrity is on the line, but also the entire image of the country.
This scandalous news is the least Ghana needs, especially at a time the nation’s image has soared around the world, particularly due to the sterling performance of the Stars during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The Daily Graphic would urge the authorities investigating the allegation to expedite action on the task that has been assigned them in order to clear the names of the innocent and come out with punitive measures against those they find culpable.
Ghanaians and the teeming supporters of the national teams, particularly the Stars, need to be given a clear conscience to support their national teams, for without the support base, football would not be exciting and unless the truth is established about the match-fixing allegations, fans may be reluctant to fully support the national teams.

Friday, September 5, 2008

MORE TRADE NOT AID (FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5)

THE High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness ended in Accra yesterday with a commitment to adopt concrete measures to operationalise the Accra Agenda for Action.
It is worthy of note that although participants in the conference acknowledged the importance of aid in promoting the development processes in countries such as Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania, they also stressed the need for a paradigm shift from aid as a handout to the promotion of trade on equal footing between countries of the South and the North.
Addressing the ministerial session hours before the closing ceremony of the forum in Accra yesterday, President J. A. Kufuor said aid packages should be used to improve the human resource development and infrastructure of recipient countries to enable them to develop the economic muscle to become worthy partners in the international arena. The three countries have been cited among the more successful countries in making aid more effective in delivering social goods to their people in the greater context of fighting poverty.
The high level of success of the Accra forum was the wide ranging consultation that characterised deliberations involving civil society organisations, including women's groups, governmental institutions and a cross-section of development agencies across the globe.
Reports indicate that during the talks that preceded the forum, civil society groups unanimously agreed on what they described as "the failure of aid to effectively deliver progress to communities around the world".
They also said more trade should be encountered instead of aid-for-trade that ultimately benefits the donor countries.
The conditionalities attached to most aid packages have consequently left developing countries still bedevilled with chronic underdevelopment and maternal and infant mortality, as well as a low level of literacy.
The Daily Graphic believes that the Accra platform provided the forum to fashion out bilateral and multilateral engagements in a mutually beneficial manner so that donors do not determine what their assistance to poor countries must be used for.
Oftentimes, donors have tied their assistance to poor countries to certain conditionalities such as the engagement of consultants and purchase of project vehicles and goods from the donor countries and in the end more than half of the aid goes back to developed countries.
This explains why developing countries are calling for more trade between the North and South instead of the South receiving handouts from the North.
The Daily Graphic calls for new terms of trade such that developing countries can benefit from the abundant resources in other countries instead of the present arrangement where developing countries continue to be producers of raw materials.
When the terms of trade improve, ordinary people will have the option to improve their status, get basic services to achieve better livelihoods and have a voice in the way international business should be conducted.
The Daily Graphic thinks that after Accra, the focus of the international community should be to help developing countries to unleash their potential to do it by themselves.
More declarations may not work by themselves but the global efforts to get donors to mend the way they engage developing countries in the globalised economy holds the key for the way forward. The aid architecture can become relevant only if the people can take their destinies into their own hands.
But progress also lies in strong political leadership and the ownership of the development process by the people through broad consultation.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

ELECTION NOT PLATFORM FOR WAR (SEPT 4, 2008)

FOR very good reasons, we are today returning to the subject of the preparations towards the December 7 elections during which the electorate will make a choice between the policies of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and many other political parties.
It is worrying that Ghana must be on the brink of violence due to election-related mayhem in parts of the Northern Region, after the country had been acclaimed a model of democratic governance on the African continent.
The Daily Graphic recalls that only recently, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, reminded Ghanaians that the “credibility of the December presidential and legislative polls will not be determined by the commission alone but also by how all stakeholders — the ruling government, the political parties, the security agencies, the media, the electorate and the entire civil society — tackle their shared responsibility”.
International declarations, agreements and norms unambiguously establish democratic elections as the basis of legitimate government. Indeed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that the “will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government” as “expressed in periodic and genuine elections”.
It is for this reason that all good people in the country do not lose the opportunity to make a plea for free, fair and peaceful elections on December 7. For, fair elections have become an increasingly key requirement for governments to gain legitimacy in the eyes of their citizens and the international community.
Casting votes to select who will represent them in public office is a demonstration of patriotism by the electorate. And since 1992, Ghanaians have exercised this judgement by electing their leaders through elections declared as free and fair by our neighbours.
December 7 offers another fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to the whole world that we want to consolidate our democratic governance. The Daily Graphic, therefore, reminds all party supporters, particularly those in the Northern Region, to say no to the intermittent outbreak of violence resulting in the loss of lives as in the case of the mayhem in Gushiegu. We dare say that whether lose or win on December 7, all Ghanaians will want to live in peace with their neighbours in order to get on with their lives.
It will be catastrophic and an international disgrace to sacrifice the country and the people just because our political parties want to win the elections at all costs. The Daily Graphic calls on party leaders, particularly the flag bearers, to come out openly to denounce their supporters who preach violence and mayhem and pledge to ensure that the country remains peaceful before, during and after the elections.
Already some party leaders have called on their supporters to be vigilant. Surely, we endorse the need to be vigilant but everybody must act within the confines of the law. We all have a duty to protect the integrity of the polls by ensuring that the polls are free and fair. But it is criminal to take the law into one’s hands in the name of protecting the polls.
It is also important to remind the authorities to help kill the culture of impunity in our society by prosecuting offenders to serve as a deterrent to others who would want to incite people to violence during the run-up to the elections.
The Daily Graphic is disturbed about the frequent condemnation of state institutions on perceived bias, even when it is proven that the challenges emanated from human errors. It is our conviction that the time has come for our people to have faith and trust in the country’s institutions, in our ourselves and in our countrymen.
Once again, we appeal to all Ghanaians to remember that the December 7 polls are an occasion to entrust power into the hands of a political party but not a platform for war. Therefore, Ghanaians must not prepare for the polls with a do-or-die attitude or victory at all costs. We must remember that any election that is won through the manipulation of the electoral system is a recipe for violence and lawlessness and our dear country must frown on that.
The Daily Graphic concedes that majority of our people are passionate about the polls and their outcome, but we must psyche our supporters to accept the outcome of the polls — be graceful in victory and demonstrate sportsmanship in defeat. Those who might feel cheated have the right to seek redress in the courts and so be it.
Ghanaians have developed a strong bond or comradeship since independence because despite our different backgrounds, we recognise the value in living together and the consequence is a strong and united country.
In times of crisis, Ghanaians have never forgotten their Maker. Christians and Muslims have gone to their churches and mosques to seek divine intervention, while other believers seek protection in other faiths. The Christian Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference, Muslim leaders and others must intervene to guarantee peaceful polls in December.
Let all the feuding factions in the Northern Region bury the hatchet, look into the future with hope in the belief that sooner than later the election fever would be over and families and communities that were divided along partisan lines would recognise that it was much ado about nothing.
That is why there is no need even during the run-up to the competitive polls to shout fire in a crowded theatre. The chances of survival are very slim.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

COUNTERFEITING KILLING OUR INDUSTRIES

AGHANA is said to lose $200 million annually through the importation of counterfeit products into the country. According to a study by the European Union (EU), the products range from building materials, vehicle spare parts, pharmaceuticals, beverages and other consumable items.
For a country making efforts to develop its industrial base, this must certainly come as an unpleasant piece of news. Besides the toll on the economy, the unfair competition local industries or products are subjected to as a result of the importation of the cheap foreign imports raises serious concerns.
Time and again, local industries have complained about the damage cheap foreign imports is wreaking on the industrial sector. Interestingly, a lot of measures introduced at the country’s entry points to check such importation appears to be leaking.
Some individuals, by their selfish acts, are causing the country to be in the throes of an industrial crisis without any regard to the threat the importation of such items poses to human health and life. Indeed, counterfeit products such as pharmaceuticals, vehicle parts, beverages and other consumable items can have serious implications on the health and safety of those who patronise them.
As the nation ponders over the issue, the question that begs answering is: How effective are our regulatory bodies in ensuring that products that come into the country are of the best quality and not just cheap products that would only serve to drive our clock of progress back?
Over the years, institutions such as the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) have raised the red flags and banned some imported products for failing to meet set standards. It may, therefore, be totally unfair to crucify the regulatory agencies, considering the numerous challenges that they face and also considering the limitations of their mandate in checking the entry of such products.
Yet, there is the need for effective market surveillance to weed out such cheap and counterfeit products. Perhaps, this is one area that we have woefully failed to adequately invest in as a country. It is understandable that faced with a plethora of social and economic challenges, the country will have the tendency to relegate such issues to the background. But need that be the case, especially when it is very critical to the development of the country?
The DAILY GRAPHIC is posing these questions with the view to generating the right debate in order to come up with practical solutions to the challenges. For now, we wish to challenge local industries to take their destinies into their own hands and institute effective market surveillance systems and not necessarily wait for the government to intervene. Working closely with the government, regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies, the local industries can institute measures that can address the issue in a comprehensive manner.
It is also important for consumers to be conscious of the products they patronise and in this regard, consumer awareness programmes can serve a very useful purpose. Thus, it may be helpful for consumer groups to intensify their activities and broaden the scope and membership base in order to make them more vibrant.
For some time now, there have been aggressive campaigns to popularise ‘Made in Ghana’ products with the objective of ensuring that Ghanaians contribute their quota to building local industries and providing the economy with the needed boost. However, it appears that such campaigns have not yielded the desired result.
But that cannot be the end of the matter. We cannot throw up our arms in despair. The DAILY GRAPHIC calls for the repackaging and intensification of the ‘Made in Ghana’ campaign to ensure we all do the right thing.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

ENOUGH OF THE WAR DRUMS

REPORTS that some unknown persons have fired gunshots in Tamale in the Northern Region during a rally by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Jubilee Park have sent shivers down the spine of peace-loving Ghanaians that the situation in Tamale is still volatile.
That the gunshots scuttled the rally being addressed by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, besides the burning of motorbikes, is also very worrying.
Again, the burning down of the old regional office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as that of the NPP in Tamale, and the destruction of some wares belonging to traders in the metropolis are equally disturbing.
With just about 96 days to Election 2008, which has been described differently by observers as the “Champion of Champions” or a “Do or Die Affair,” every Ghanaian who wishes Ghana well must be sitting on tenterhooks, with many things playing in their minds as to what the outcome of the December polls will be.
The Daily Graphic appeals to supporters of the NPP and the NDC to stop beating the war drums, particularly in Tamale, and give peace a chance, for after all, the decision as to who becomes President on January 7, 2009 will be determined by all eligible voters who will cast their ballot on December 7, 2008.
The resort to violence in Tamale at the least provocation must be condemned by all, particularly during the run-up to December 7, when the contest for the leadership of the country is likely to be keener, thereby creating anxiety and tension among the people.
The Daily Graphic appeals to our brothers and sisters in northern Ghana who have a phobia for tolerance to learn from their peace-loving brothers and sisters in other parts of the country, where the political parties have already campaigned.
Just last week, Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP and Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills of the NDC were both in the Central Region canvassing for votes from the electorate but that did not degenerate into violence.
So long as partisan politics and, indeed, democracy is about the contest of ideas or choices, Ghanaians will be divided along partisan lines but that should not be a source of conflict; rather it should strengthen our unity in diversity.
Indeed, in some homes in Ghana, fathers and sons and brothers are divided along partisan lines, but the bond of unity remains the same. The late NPP stalwart, Peter Ala Adjetey and his son, Larry Adjetey, as well as NPP’s Yaw Osafo-Maafo and his brother, Dr I. K. Adjei-Maafo, belong to different political camps; but they were never seen at each other’s throat.
Our brothers and sisters who treat their colleagues with scorn and disdain just because they belong to different political camps must take a trip to Parliament House and observe Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposite ends of the political divide dine and wine in the spirit of comradeship instead of the hatred some of us show to one another in our communities, just because we profess different political philosophies.
The Daily Graphic calls for calm during the run-up to the December polls. We advise those who are easily prone to violence when they hear things they consider unpalatable to stay away from the venues where their political opponents are organising their rallies. However, those who breached any law during the latest violence in Tamale must be fished out and dealt with accordingly, to serve as a deterrent to others bent on disrupting our legitimate struggle to move our democracy forward.
It is also about time we reminded all Ghanaians that our greatest enemies are poverty, ignorance and disease and not those who disagree with us along ideological lines.
For, together we can resolve the challenges of our under-development. Our common battle cry should, therefore, be against poverty, disease and ignorance, and not war. Ghanaians treasure the relative peace they have enjoyed all these years and we cannot allow a few bad nuts in the society to destroy the solid foundations we have laid.

Monday, September 1, 2008

AID AND POOR COUNTRIES

THIS week, Ghana will host about 1000 international dignitaries expected to participate in a high level forum on aid effectiveness.
For both donor and recipient countries, the conference comes at a critical time when efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are continuously being accelerated on all fronts, with the vital input of aid.
Over the years the question of aid effectiveness has featured prominently in efforts at finding solutions to the economic challenges facing developing countries.
Truly, most developing countries have a great percentage of their budgets funded by donors and, clearly, that provides the impetus to critically assess the value placed on aid and the use to which it is put.
It is estimated that one billion people still live in extreme poverty world-wide. These people live in deplorable conditions with no clean water, high illiteracy rates and 6000 dying of HIV/AIDS every single day.
For such people, aid plays a critical role towards alleviating poverty and providing them with decent living. In Ghana, aid, sound economic policies and good governance have played a crucial role towards promoting economic growth.
Yet, despite the gains that have been derived from development assistance, concerns over what has been described as unfriendly and intolerable conditions attached to these aid packages have consistently attracted criticism.
Many aid donors have been criticised for setting up their own parallel structures and channels that tend to undermine the leadership and decision-making powers of the recipient countries and thereby compromising their right to make their own choices in terms of development interventions.
At the core of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness is the vital concept of ownership; that is, to what extent are recipient countries given ownership of any development package that goes with the provision of aid?
As has been argued consistently, ownership of the development agenda prescribes that the developing or recipient country is firmly placed in the driving seat. Anything short of that could easily be interpreted as an imposition, which may not receive maximum patronage.
In this regard, it is gratifying to note that Ghana is an example of a country taking strong leadership of its own development agenda. Ghana is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving extreme poverty, and is on track to achieving a middle income status by 2015.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the leadership of the country for putting in place the right mechanism to ensure that it reports back to the citizens and partners what is being achieved with aid money.
Remarks by donor agencies, including the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), indicate that the country’s public financial management systems have been significantly improved, but quite disappointingly, these gains and stringent monitoring measures do not match increased funding through the public financial management systems.
Thus, the DAILY GRAPHIC wishes to emphasise the importance of the ‘Accra Agenda for Action’, produced from one of the broadest consultation processes ever held in the field of development co-operation. Ghana has taken a leadership role in co-ordinating the views of developing countries around the world.
Indeed, Ghana’s thriving democracy and economy provide a strong basis for making a case for giving developing countries the opportunity to own and drive their own development agenda.
When countries take ownership of their development path, they will seek partnership that respects the priorities of developing countries to invest in their people, institutions and systems to achieve the prosperity the global community is looking for.
However, that fruitful partnership can only be attained if participants at the meeting muster the political will to convert good intentions on paper into real action on the ground.