Just last September, President John Evans Atta Mills embarked on a trip to China and Japan where he signed a number of bilateral agreements with the two countries for the development of the country’s infrastructure, as well as its oil and gas sector.
In China, Ghana signed a comprehensive finance project facility with the China Development Bank for the development of infrastructure for the upstream, mainstream and downstream development of the country’s oil and gas sector. The Shangai Construction Company also agreed to build hospitals in Wa and Kumasi.
Barely three months after the President’s trip to China, we hear that Chinese investors are here to inject about $570 million into three major projects in the mining, health and agricultural sectors.
The investments include a $500-million project meant to facelift some parts of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the construction of a $42-million gold refinery in Accra and a $25-million oil palm refinery and processing factory in the Central Region.
In all, these three projects are expected to create more than 200,000 jobs, particularly for the youth, and also have a major impact on the country’s economy.
Already, we hear officials of the China and Africa Fund Holding, a Chinese government agency for investments in Africa, are due in Accra pretty soon to conclude arrangements and sign an agreement on the agency’s commitment to provide funding for the Korle-Bu project. They will also hold meetings with officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to seek confirmation for the funding of the $25-million oil palm processing factory.
This should be good news for all Ghanaians, especially the establishment of the gold refinery project in the country in June next year.
At the moment, all gold produced here is sent to Europe to be refined, at a huge cost to the nation. What is sadder is that when we send, say, 1,000 ounces of gold out to Europe to be refined, we do not have the means to know what percentage is refined.
The establishment of the gold refinery here will enable us to derive maximum benefit from our gold production. It will also provide ancillary work and services for our people, as the production of jewellery, gold coins, medals and other gold products will boom in the country.
In addition, with a gold refinery here, we can upgrade the quality of our bullion to the standard required for sale on the world bullion market.
We believe that if the three projects are successfully established and become operational, the impact on the national economy will be immense.
By all means the Chinese investors will come and so the onus is now on us to put in place the necessary regulatory framework in terms of tax regimes, export procedures and what have you.
We want to believe that Dr Lorinda Liang, the Chief Executive Officer of Modern Gold Refinery, a part of the Chyuan Chya Group of Investment, under whose auspices the three projects will be executed, and her company are here to partner us to develop our economy and not to take advantage of us.
We can co-operate for our mutual benefit.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
A COMMENDABLE ACT (NOV 25, 2010)
The availability of natural resources has always been a significant contributory factor for the socio-economic development of the areas where they are found and, by extension, the nation-state within whose jurisdiction they exist.
However, the manner and extent of exploitation of these resources, the ownership structure and control of the instruments or institutions exploiting them, the extent of retention and use of the wealth so generated, among others, are decisive in influencing the quality of life of the people of those areas where they are found.
There is no doubt that Ghana abounds in substantial mineral wealth whose exploitation over the many decades of the nation’s existence has left in its wake a legacy of mixed blessings.
While mining has generated a lot of wealth for the nation and also enhanced its share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings, it has left in its wake a number of untold negative consequences for the communities where such exploitation goes on.
One just needs to take a cursory look at some mining communities, especially areas where galamsey is carried out, to appreciate the extent of destruction of water bodies, farmlands, forests, among others.
The deciding factors, therefore, have been whether or not the political system is willing and ready to work to secure a significant share and control of the mineral wealth and put it to good use for the generality of the people of the country.
The example of the difference in development between Obuasi and Johannesburg in South Africa, both of which are anchored on gold mining but with the former lacking in infrastructure and socio-economic development and the latter cited as a showpiece of progress in Africa and even the world, bears enough testimony to this assertion.
It is acknowledged that a lot of the country’s mineral wealth, ranging from bauxite, through gold and now oil, comes from the Western Region.
It has always been our contention that since Ghana is a sovereign, independent and unitary state, it behoves the government, as the trustee of the nation’s resources, to exploit and harmonise the benefits of resources from all parts of the country to pursue and realise a programme of balanced development for all the regions.
It is only in the pooling of such resources and their proper and efficient use that the interests and aspirations of all our people for a more dignified life could be met and sustained.
This is why we are elated at the action of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to commence a comprehensive needs assessment programme to tackle serious development challenges in the Western Corridor of the country embracing the Central and Western regions.
The programme is expected to ensure the rapid infrastructure and other development of the area as the nation gets set to pour its first oil (see front page).
In commending this move, we take notice of the implementation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) which is designed to accelerate economic development and substantially reduce poverty in the three northern regions, as well as parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.
We believe that this development should provide a healthy platform for the chiefs from the Western Region who recently advocated for a 10 per cent share of the oil revenue for the development of the area to team up with the government to ensure the realisation of this laudable project.
After all, the common objective is to ensure the infrastructure and general socio-economic development of the Western Region and Ghana as a whole.
We, however, wish to urge the government to endeavour to speed up the assessment process so that whatever projects and programmes are needed will be carried out faster and sooner than later.
However, the manner and extent of exploitation of these resources, the ownership structure and control of the instruments or institutions exploiting them, the extent of retention and use of the wealth so generated, among others, are decisive in influencing the quality of life of the people of those areas where they are found.
There is no doubt that Ghana abounds in substantial mineral wealth whose exploitation over the many decades of the nation’s existence has left in its wake a legacy of mixed blessings.
While mining has generated a lot of wealth for the nation and also enhanced its share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings, it has left in its wake a number of untold negative consequences for the communities where such exploitation goes on.
One just needs to take a cursory look at some mining communities, especially areas where galamsey is carried out, to appreciate the extent of destruction of water bodies, farmlands, forests, among others.
The deciding factors, therefore, have been whether or not the political system is willing and ready to work to secure a significant share and control of the mineral wealth and put it to good use for the generality of the people of the country.
The example of the difference in development between Obuasi and Johannesburg in South Africa, both of which are anchored on gold mining but with the former lacking in infrastructure and socio-economic development and the latter cited as a showpiece of progress in Africa and even the world, bears enough testimony to this assertion.
It is acknowledged that a lot of the country’s mineral wealth, ranging from bauxite, through gold and now oil, comes from the Western Region.
It has always been our contention that since Ghana is a sovereign, independent and unitary state, it behoves the government, as the trustee of the nation’s resources, to exploit and harmonise the benefits of resources from all parts of the country to pursue and realise a programme of balanced development for all the regions.
It is only in the pooling of such resources and their proper and efficient use that the interests and aspirations of all our people for a more dignified life could be met and sustained.
This is why we are elated at the action of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to commence a comprehensive needs assessment programme to tackle serious development challenges in the Western Corridor of the country embracing the Central and Western regions.
The programme is expected to ensure the rapid infrastructure and other development of the area as the nation gets set to pour its first oil (see front page).
In commending this move, we take notice of the implementation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) which is designed to accelerate economic development and substantially reduce poverty in the three northern regions, as well as parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.
We believe that this development should provide a healthy platform for the chiefs from the Western Region who recently advocated for a 10 per cent share of the oil revenue for the development of the area to team up with the government to ensure the realisation of this laudable project.
After all, the common objective is to ensure the infrastructure and general socio-economic development of the Western Region and Ghana as a whole.
We, however, wish to urge the government to endeavour to speed up the assessment process so that whatever projects and programmes are needed will be carried out faster and sooner than later.
HELP INTEGRATE THESE RELEASED PRISONERS (NOV 24, 2010)
The Centre for Human Rights and Civil Liberties (CHURCIL), a non-governmental organisation fighting for the release of 160 remand prisoners, through a motion at the High Court in Accra, has managed to secure the freedom of 82 remand prisoners from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
The prisoners, whose cases have not been heard since their long incarceration, were released under the Justice for All programme.
The programme, which is meant to grant the release of prisoners under incarceration between 1993 and 2005, forms part of a series of measures institutionalised by the Judicial Service to decongest prisons in the country.
According to CHURCIL, it filed the motion at the High Court to secure the release of those whose warrants of arrest had expired and whose dockets could not be traced, pointing out that that action was in compliance with Article 14, Section 4 of the 1992 Constitution.
It is self-evident that one is not guilty of a crime until it is proved in a law court that he or she is guilty beyond all reasonable doubt, after which he or she is convicted of the crime and either incarcerated or fined.
The 1992 Constitution states categorically, “Where a person arrested, restricted or detained under Paragraph 4 or 13 of Article 14 is not tried within reasonable time, then without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he should be released unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in particular conditions reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or proceedings preliminary to trial.”
It is based on this constitutional provision that we agree with CHURCIL that those remanded and whose cases have not been heard but have been incarcerated for too long a time should be released.
We are of the belief that detaining suspects without trying them is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights.
These remand prisoners are invariably forgotten when they are thrown into prison and in one instance a remand prisoner was reported to have been incarcerated for 30 years or so.
The CHURCIL has done well in fighting for the interest of those remand prisoners. However, we caution that those released do not revert to their bad ways to infringe on the civil liberties of law-abiding citizens of this country.
The released remand prisoners should be made to sign bonds to be of good behaviour for at least three years.
They should also be monitored strictly by the security agencies and other social service organisations and be helped, through skill training, so that they can be reintegrated into society.
It is the belief of CHURCIL that some of these remand prisoners were innocent individuals who got caught during police swoops and dumped in the prisons without the due process.
We want to call on the police that during these swoops to smoke out criminals, they should carry out due diligence to separate the criminals from the innocent ones and also follow due process to avoid sending innocent people into custody.
The prisoners, whose cases have not been heard since their long incarceration, were released under the Justice for All programme.
The programme, which is meant to grant the release of prisoners under incarceration between 1993 and 2005, forms part of a series of measures institutionalised by the Judicial Service to decongest prisons in the country.
According to CHURCIL, it filed the motion at the High Court to secure the release of those whose warrants of arrest had expired and whose dockets could not be traced, pointing out that that action was in compliance with Article 14, Section 4 of the 1992 Constitution.
It is self-evident that one is not guilty of a crime until it is proved in a law court that he or she is guilty beyond all reasonable doubt, after which he or she is convicted of the crime and either incarcerated or fined.
The 1992 Constitution states categorically, “Where a person arrested, restricted or detained under Paragraph 4 or 13 of Article 14 is not tried within reasonable time, then without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he should be released unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in particular conditions reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or proceedings preliminary to trial.”
It is based on this constitutional provision that we agree with CHURCIL that those remanded and whose cases have not been heard but have been incarcerated for too long a time should be released.
We are of the belief that detaining suspects without trying them is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights.
These remand prisoners are invariably forgotten when they are thrown into prison and in one instance a remand prisoner was reported to have been incarcerated for 30 years or so.
The CHURCIL has done well in fighting for the interest of those remand prisoners. However, we caution that those released do not revert to their bad ways to infringe on the civil liberties of law-abiding citizens of this country.
The released remand prisoners should be made to sign bonds to be of good behaviour for at least three years.
They should also be monitored strictly by the security agencies and other social service organisations and be helped, through skill training, so that they can be reintegrated into society.
It is the belief of CHURCIL that some of these remand prisoners were innocent individuals who got caught during police swoops and dumped in the prisons without the due process.
We want to call on the police that during these swoops to smoke out criminals, they should carry out due diligence to separate the criminals from the innocent ones and also follow due process to avoid sending innocent people into custody.
POLICE NEED OUR SUPPORT (NOV 22, 2010)
THE notorious fugitive criminal and two-time jailbreaker, Johnson Kombian, is reported to have been arrested in Togo and handed over to the Ghana Police.
The 35-year-old recidivist, also known as the Nakpanduri Terror, was said to have been shot in the arm after a violent struggle between him and the Togo security officers and eventually handed over to the Ghana Police in Aflao under heavy security.
Before the police declared him wanted, with a reward of GH¢3,000 for information leading to his arrest, Kombian was alleged to have killed a number of his robbery victims in the course of his deadly and brutal operations at Nakpanduri, his last victims being two policemen, Constables Prince Agyare and Owusu Frimpong.
After killing the two constables, Kombian escaped from the country through the northern border post at the Nakpanduri area to Togo and Burkina-Faso.
The police quickly gave his picture to the Daily Graphic to publish to alert the public to his identity.
From their intelligence report on his movements, the police contacted Interpol in Burkina Faso and also made available to them Kombian’s picture.
According to police intelligence report, Kombian, described as the brain behind a number of robberies, had earlier escaped from jail at the Tamale Prison on January 15, 2010 and crossed the border into Togo from his hideout at Gomsuka, a small village near Nakpanduri.
The Ghanaian authorities again alerted Interpol in Togo and provided them with vital information on the fugitive, including his picture, to facilitate his arrest.
From our information, the Police Command in the Upper East and Upper West regions also worked in close collaboration with their counterparts in both Togo and Burkina Faso, sharing information on Kombian’s whereabouts and movements.
These operational activities of the police, we believe, eventually led to Kombian’s arrest in Togo last Friday.
We have always held the belief that the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, is one of the best in Africa, if not the world.
This is not the first time they have arrested and brought back a fugitive who has broken jail and escaped into one of our neighbouring countries.
About three years ago, the police arrested and brought back a fugitive, John Malm, 12 days after he had broken jail at the Nsawam Prisons and escaped to Togo.
They have done that again, barely five weeks after Kombian had escaped from the country.
We, like all well-meaning and patriotic Ghanaians, are very much elated at the arrest of this dangerous and deadly criminal and wish to congratulate the Ghana Police Service on this splendid professional performance.
Our policemen are professionals and very competent and if they are given the necessary logistics, support and fair opportunity to exhibit their expertise, they will stand out for all to acknowledge them.
It is our expectation that the government will do everything possible to furnish the Ghana Police Service with good and durable vehicles, modern communication gadgets and the necessary tools for it to combat crime, especially armed robbery which is taking a sophisticated trend in the country.
The police need support not only from the government but also all the citizens of this country. Giving vital tip-offs that will lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals will help the police to discharge their statutory duties.
Once again, we say well done to the Ghana Police Service.
The 35-year-old recidivist, also known as the Nakpanduri Terror, was said to have been shot in the arm after a violent struggle between him and the Togo security officers and eventually handed over to the Ghana Police in Aflao under heavy security.
Before the police declared him wanted, with a reward of GH¢3,000 for information leading to his arrest, Kombian was alleged to have killed a number of his robbery victims in the course of his deadly and brutal operations at Nakpanduri, his last victims being two policemen, Constables Prince Agyare and Owusu Frimpong.
After killing the two constables, Kombian escaped from the country through the northern border post at the Nakpanduri area to Togo and Burkina-Faso.
The police quickly gave his picture to the Daily Graphic to publish to alert the public to his identity.
From their intelligence report on his movements, the police contacted Interpol in Burkina Faso and also made available to them Kombian’s picture.
According to police intelligence report, Kombian, described as the brain behind a number of robberies, had earlier escaped from jail at the Tamale Prison on January 15, 2010 and crossed the border into Togo from his hideout at Gomsuka, a small village near Nakpanduri.
The Ghanaian authorities again alerted Interpol in Togo and provided them with vital information on the fugitive, including his picture, to facilitate his arrest.
From our information, the Police Command in the Upper East and Upper West regions also worked in close collaboration with their counterparts in both Togo and Burkina Faso, sharing information on Kombian’s whereabouts and movements.
These operational activities of the police, we believe, eventually led to Kombian’s arrest in Togo last Friday.
We have always held the belief that the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, is one of the best in Africa, if not the world.
This is not the first time they have arrested and brought back a fugitive who has broken jail and escaped into one of our neighbouring countries.
About three years ago, the police arrested and brought back a fugitive, John Malm, 12 days after he had broken jail at the Nsawam Prisons and escaped to Togo.
They have done that again, barely five weeks after Kombian had escaped from the country.
We, like all well-meaning and patriotic Ghanaians, are very much elated at the arrest of this dangerous and deadly criminal and wish to congratulate the Ghana Police Service on this splendid professional performance.
Our policemen are professionals and very competent and if they are given the necessary logistics, support and fair opportunity to exhibit their expertise, they will stand out for all to acknowledge them.
It is our expectation that the government will do everything possible to furnish the Ghana Police Service with good and durable vehicles, modern communication gadgets and the necessary tools for it to combat crime, especially armed robbery which is taking a sophisticated trend in the country.
The police need support not only from the government but also all the citizens of this country. Giving vital tip-offs that will lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals will help the police to discharge their statutory duties.
Once again, we say well done to the Ghana Police Service.
GIVE WESTERN REGION AN EAR (NOV 20, 2010)
ON Wednesday, November 17, 2010, the chiefs and people of the Western Region petitioned Parliament to cede 10 per cent of Ghana’s petroleum revenue to a Western Regional Development Fund to be established under the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill.
That, according to them, was for the purpose of developing the region.
In addition, they called for the establishment of a special fund to take care of any disaster that might occur during the exploration and production of the oil and gas in the area.
After the presentation of the petition by the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Awulae Atibrukusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, referred it to the Joint Committee on Finance and Mines and Energy for consideration.
The committee, in its deliberation, acknowledged that the region was endowed with many resources which had been used to support the development of the country over the years.
It also acknowledged that the Western Region had suffered under-development over the years, despite its numerous natural resources, and stated that it was important that the government come up with special interventions to expedite the development of the region.
However, for one reason or another, the committee stated that ceding 10 per cent of petroleum revenue to a fund for the region might defeat the primary objective of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, which is to avoid “the ring-fencing of petroleum revenues”.
We believe that the issues raised by the chiefs and people of the Western Region were pertinent and the House should have taken more time to go into them because the exploitation and control of oil have become some of the contentious intractable issues in some countries, as is happening in the Niger Delta in Nigeria.
Really, the chiefs have the right to make some demands because as custodians of the assets and heritage of the people, they have the duty to protect and promote the interest, aspirations and welfare of the people, including enhancing their standard of living.
The region is one of the poverty-endemic areas in the country and even in sections of the capital, Sekondi-Takoradi, one can see abject poverty.
The Takoradi Harbour, the Ghana Railway Company offices and workshop, known popularly as Location, and other allied companies which in the past offered employment to the people are not as vibrant as they used to be.
If, for the reasons assigned by the committee, the petition of the chiefs and people of the Western Region are to be rejected, then we call on the government to set up an institution similar to the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) for the Western Region to serve as a vehicle for the accelerated development of the region.
Another way out, as we said some time ago, is for the government to increase resource allocation for the purpose of building more economic and social infrastructure in the Western Region and also help empower those with employable skills in the oil sector to be absorbed into the oil industry.
We should not lose sight of what is happening in the Niger Delta where, as a result of neglect and the destruction of the environment resulting from oil exploration, the people are waging an armed struggle to have a stake in that industry.
The demand for 10 per cent of oil revenue by the chiefs and people of the Western Region is coming at a time when Ghana’s oil is yet to hit the international market to accrue revenue for the nation, for which reason the demand can be nothing more than an act of desperation arising out of what the chiefs and people see as the marginalisation of the region in the past.
We, therefore, appeal to the government to give the chiefs and people of the Western Region an ear.
That, according to them, was for the purpose of developing the region.
In addition, they called for the establishment of a special fund to take care of any disaster that might occur during the exploration and production of the oil and gas in the area.
After the presentation of the petition by the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Awulae Atibrukusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, referred it to the Joint Committee on Finance and Mines and Energy for consideration.
The committee, in its deliberation, acknowledged that the region was endowed with many resources which had been used to support the development of the country over the years.
It also acknowledged that the Western Region had suffered under-development over the years, despite its numerous natural resources, and stated that it was important that the government come up with special interventions to expedite the development of the region.
However, for one reason or another, the committee stated that ceding 10 per cent of petroleum revenue to a fund for the region might defeat the primary objective of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill, which is to avoid “the ring-fencing of petroleum revenues”.
We believe that the issues raised by the chiefs and people of the Western Region were pertinent and the House should have taken more time to go into them because the exploitation and control of oil have become some of the contentious intractable issues in some countries, as is happening in the Niger Delta in Nigeria.
Really, the chiefs have the right to make some demands because as custodians of the assets and heritage of the people, they have the duty to protect and promote the interest, aspirations and welfare of the people, including enhancing their standard of living.
The region is one of the poverty-endemic areas in the country and even in sections of the capital, Sekondi-Takoradi, one can see abject poverty.
The Takoradi Harbour, the Ghana Railway Company offices and workshop, known popularly as Location, and other allied companies which in the past offered employment to the people are not as vibrant as they used to be.
If, for the reasons assigned by the committee, the petition of the chiefs and people of the Western Region are to be rejected, then we call on the government to set up an institution similar to the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) for the Western Region to serve as a vehicle for the accelerated development of the region.
Another way out, as we said some time ago, is for the government to increase resource allocation for the purpose of building more economic and social infrastructure in the Western Region and also help empower those with employable skills in the oil sector to be absorbed into the oil industry.
We should not lose sight of what is happening in the Niger Delta where, as a result of neglect and the destruction of the environment resulting from oil exploration, the people are waging an armed struggle to have a stake in that industry.
The demand for 10 per cent of oil revenue by the chiefs and people of the Western Region is coming at a time when Ghana’s oil is yet to hit the international market to accrue revenue for the nation, for which reason the demand can be nothing more than an act of desperation arising out of what the chiefs and people see as the marginalisation of the region in the past.
We, therefore, appeal to the government to give the chiefs and people of the Western Region an ear.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A VOTE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM (NOV 13, 2010)
THE adage that he who constructs the path may not realise where it has gone crooked and that it takes those who traverse it to point that out is full of meaning, especially for those who assume leadership roles at various levels of society.
A leader may set out with the best of intentions to secure the best of conditions for his or her people through the initiation of policies and programmes, but as human as he or she is, he or she may fall short in one or more ways.
To fall short of achieving all that one sets out to do or to have some things done contrary to what one espouses or believes in is only an eloquent testimony to the fallibility of man. After all, to err is human.
The most rational thing for leadership to do in the face of this human frailty is first to acknowledge this weakness, demonstrate a capability and willingness to listen to others who have the capacity to offer constructive suggestions or alternatives and adopt those suggestions to enrich the policies and programmes being undertaken.
It is on the strength of the above that we recognise as heart-warming and a mark of humility and moral strength the exhortation by President John Evans Atta Mills to religious leaders to endeavour to draw his attention to the weaknesses or lapses in his government.
The President, who was interacting with a cross-section of the clergy at the Peduase Lodge yesterday, also admonished them to give his government constructive suggestions that could serve as useful inputs into policies and programmes crafted by the government (see front page).
It is not a usual human disposition for individuals or groups to openly embrace criticism or remarks that are regarded as uncomplimentary, especially so as they seek to lower one’s esteem or popularity rating in the eyes of the good people in society.
More often than not, people savour or enjoy sweet, sweet words sung to or about them as praises, for these are naturally ego-boosting epithets.
It takes only a few people, especially in our part of the world, on account of a number of factors, including cultural and political, to willingly and genuinely accept well-meaning criticisms and more so take on board such suggestions in the formulation of policies and programmes for society.
We find this call by the President very appropriate and timely as society continues to grapple with an array of age-old vices, such as corruption, robbery, child abuse, moral decadence, etc.
For, is it not an indictment on us as a people that in spite of our professed fear of God, we still indulge in these vices in our homes, offices and even in the churches and other sacred places?
This makes it more imperative for not only the government and religious bodies but also other sections of society to join hands to keep these vices in check and also help improve the material conditions of the people.
We also urge all to join hands to jettison the politics of lies and concoctions, vilification and insults, as well the shameful politics of mobilising people to rally behind individuals who have infringed the law, thereby preventing or seeking to influence the law away from the normal course it otherwise should have taken.
The politicisation of crime is a stab in the back of justice, national development and progress and we all have a duty to work to end that negative development.
We also wish to urge the President to expand such interactions to include other groupings and the masses who are all important stakeholders in our national development effort.
We believe that with such interactions on a regular basis, the President can gain more useful information and support to enrich the content of government policies and programmes to contribute to the realisation of the “Better Ghana” agenda Ghanaians have endorsed.
A leader may set out with the best of intentions to secure the best of conditions for his or her people through the initiation of policies and programmes, but as human as he or she is, he or she may fall short in one or more ways.
To fall short of achieving all that one sets out to do or to have some things done contrary to what one espouses or believes in is only an eloquent testimony to the fallibility of man. After all, to err is human.
The most rational thing for leadership to do in the face of this human frailty is first to acknowledge this weakness, demonstrate a capability and willingness to listen to others who have the capacity to offer constructive suggestions or alternatives and adopt those suggestions to enrich the policies and programmes being undertaken.
It is on the strength of the above that we recognise as heart-warming and a mark of humility and moral strength the exhortation by President John Evans Atta Mills to religious leaders to endeavour to draw his attention to the weaknesses or lapses in his government.
The President, who was interacting with a cross-section of the clergy at the Peduase Lodge yesterday, also admonished them to give his government constructive suggestions that could serve as useful inputs into policies and programmes crafted by the government (see front page).
It is not a usual human disposition for individuals or groups to openly embrace criticism or remarks that are regarded as uncomplimentary, especially so as they seek to lower one’s esteem or popularity rating in the eyes of the good people in society.
More often than not, people savour or enjoy sweet, sweet words sung to or about them as praises, for these are naturally ego-boosting epithets.
It takes only a few people, especially in our part of the world, on account of a number of factors, including cultural and political, to willingly and genuinely accept well-meaning criticisms and more so take on board such suggestions in the formulation of policies and programmes for society.
We find this call by the President very appropriate and timely as society continues to grapple with an array of age-old vices, such as corruption, robbery, child abuse, moral decadence, etc.
For, is it not an indictment on us as a people that in spite of our professed fear of God, we still indulge in these vices in our homes, offices and even in the churches and other sacred places?
This makes it more imperative for not only the government and religious bodies but also other sections of society to join hands to keep these vices in check and also help improve the material conditions of the people.
We also urge all to join hands to jettison the politics of lies and concoctions, vilification and insults, as well the shameful politics of mobilising people to rally behind individuals who have infringed the law, thereby preventing or seeking to influence the law away from the normal course it otherwise should have taken.
The politicisation of crime is a stab in the back of justice, national development and progress and we all have a duty to work to end that negative development.
We also wish to urge the President to expand such interactions to include other groupings and the masses who are all important stakeholders in our national development effort.
We believe that with such interactions on a regular basis, the President can gain more useful information and support to enrich the content of government policies and programmes to contribute to the realisation of the “Better Ghana” agenda Ghanaians have endorsed.
BUDGET OF HOPE (NOV 19, 2010)
Yesterday, the Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, delivered the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government for the fiscal year 2011 to Parliament.
The 2011 Budget is on the theme, “Stimulating Growth for Development and Job Creation”.
It would be recalled that on November 18, 2009 Dr Duffuor presented the second budget statement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government based on the government’s vision of a “Better Ghana” to the House, which budget was based on growth and economic prosperity anchored on creating opportunities for improved standard of living for all Ghanaians.
The “Better Ghana” agenda was crafted in a way to achieve, through the implementation of sound, prudent economic policies, stability and stimulate growth within an environment of good governance.
Two years after the implementation of the 2009 Budget, the economy, despite many challenges, has shown strong resilience and stability.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.1 per cent outstrips the sub-Saharan growth of 2.0 per cent.
Fiscal deficit reduced significantly from 14.5 per cent of GDP on cash basis at the end of 2008 to 9.7 per cent GDP in 2009.
Inflation has gone down in 16 consecutive months from 20.74 per cent at the end of June 2009, reaching 9.38 per cent in October 2010, the lowest in the last two decades, while gross international reserves of $3,973 million at the end of October 2010 have exceeded three months of import cover, compared to reserves of $2,036.2 million at the end of December 2008 which could barely cover two months of import cover.
The cedi has also strengthened and appreciated by 0.1 per cent, 2.2 per cent and 5.4 per cent against the US dollar, the British pound and the euro, respectively.
From the interim growth figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service and the oil and gas production scheduled to begin early December, one can confidently state that the country is ready to make the transition from stability to accelerated growth.
In fact, whatever has been achieved so far is the result of our collective efforts towards good governance since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
We believe that the theme for the 2011 Budget was chosen to focus attention on the need to propel the economy for the further growth and development of our nation.
It stands to reason that the government will focus on major growth-oriented programmes and projects that will improve and sustain Ghana’s middle income status achieved barely two weeks ago.
It is our expectation that the government will invest in the areas of energy, road and rail transport to further expand the economy and bring relief to the people.
These growth-driven investments should really be complemented by sound intervention programmes in line with the core values of the government to provide equal opportunities for and improvement in the social development of our people.
The 2011 budget should be a budget of hope for our people.
The 2011 Budget is on the theme, “Stimulating Growth for Development and Job Creation”.
It would be recalled that on November 18, 2009 Dr Duffuor presented the second budget statement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government based on the government’s vision of a “Better Ghana” to the House, which budget was based on growth and economic prosperity anchored on creating opportunities for improved standard of living for all Ghanaians.
The “Better Ghana” agenda was crafted in a way to achieve, through the implementation of sound, prudent economic policies, stability and stimulate growth within an environment of good governance.
Two years after the implementation of the 2009 Budget, the economy, despite many challenges, has shown strong resilience and stability.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.1 per cent outstrips the sub-Saharan growth of 2.0 per cent.
Fiscal deficit reduced significantly from 14.5 per cent of GDP on cash basis at the end of 2008 to 9.7 per cent GDP in 2009.
Inflation has gone down in 16 consecutive months from 20.74 per cent at the end of June 2009, reaching 9.38 per cent in October 2010, the lowest in the last two decades, while gross international reserves of $3,973 million at the end of October 2010 have exceeded three months of import cover, compared to reserves of $2,036.2 million at the end of December 2008 which could barely cover two months of import cover.
The cedi has also strengthened and appreciated by 0.1 per cent, 2.2 per cent and 5.4 per cent against the US dollar, the British pound and the euro, respectively.
From the interim growth figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service and the oil and gas production scheduled to begin early December, one can confidently state that the country is ready to make the transition from stability to accelerated growth.
In fact, whatever has been achieved so far is the result of our collective efforts towards good governance since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
We believe that the theme for the 2011 Budget was chosen to focus attention on the need to propel the economy for the further growth and development of our nation.
It stands to reason that the government will focus on major growth-oriented programmes and projects that will improve and sustain Ghana’s middle income status achieved barely two weeks ago.
It is our expectation that the government will invest in the areas of energy, road and rail transport to further expand the economy and bring relief to the people.
These growth-driven investments should really be complemented by sound intervention programmes in line with the core values of the government to provide equal opportunities for and improvement in the social development of our people.
The 2011 budget should be a budget of hope for our people.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
AVOIDING OIL WEALTH PITFALLS (NOV 18, 2010)
IT was the legendary Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory, the Founder of Ghana, who made the poignant observation that though the African continent was the richest in the world, Africans were the poorest.
What a paradox!
It is not in doubt that Africa has enough natural resources to support a qualitatively higher standard of living for its people if only it can attain and maintain some significant degree of access to and control of those resources.
Ghana, for many decades, has exploited an array of minerals, ranging from manganese through to diamond to gold. The huge quantities of these minerals exploited and the colossal earnings accruing from them have not reflected in the lives of the vast majority of the people, not even the majority of the indigenes of the areas where these resources are exploited.
Today, as Ghana stands on the threshold of producing oil in commercial quantities, this vexed question of just how much of a benefit this resource will be to the majority of the people has reared its head.
In a bid to hit the iron when it is still hot, the chiefs of the Western Region are demanding that 10 per cent of the value of oil extracted in the area be given to them and their people to prosecute their development agenda.
They have served notice of their desire to be actively involved in determining how the oil wealth generated from their area will be distributed (see front page).
Ideally, one cannot quarrel with the chiefs for making this demand, for, as custodians of the assets and heritage of the people, they have a bounden duty to protect and promote their interest and aspirations, including enhancing their standard of living.
However, the situation in which we are is far from ideal.
For a start, the exploitation and control of the oil is, to a very large extent, in the hands of the state or the government. An overwhelming percentage of the shares in the oil is held by private companies with commitments and loyalties to nations other than Ghana.
Second, the relatively small share the state has stands in the name of the whole nation and millions of our compatriots are looking up to it as the panacea for their economic woes. The government, from its inexhaustible list of needs and wants, has to struggle to make use of this oil money and other limited funds to meet these wide interests of the people.
Thus while the chiefs of the Western Region are entitled to make their claim, the reality of the control structure of our resources and the demands and expectations of the generality of Ghanaians call for a moderation in these demands and the urgent introduction of dialogue between the government and all the major stakeholders to address this and other nagging matters on the oil front.
We wish to caution that in a bid to assert our right to make just demands for our share of resources, we must remain mindful of the fact that we are still operating within a monolithic, sovereign and unitary state, the government of which has a bounden duty to the equal and fair distribution of the national cake, which also includes its resources.
In the face of this development, we believe the state had a justifiable basis for increasing its share or control of the oil and we, therefore, applaud the wisdom of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in seeking to buy out the Kosmos share. This is a venture worthy of the support of every patriotic and well-meaning Ghanaians.
Another way out, we believe, is for the government to increase resource allocation for the purpose of building more economic and social infrastructure in the Western Region and also empowering those with employable skills in the oil sector to be absorbed into the oil industry.
We wish to urge Ghanaians to be moderate in their expectations of this oil find, as it is by no means a panacea for our economic difficulties.
What a paradox!
It is not in doubt that Africa has enough natural resources to support a qualitatively higher standard of living for its people if only it can attain and maintain some significant degree of access to and control of those resources.
Ghana, for many decades, has exploited an array of minerals, ranging from manganese through to diamond to gold. The huge quantities of these minerals exploited and the colossal earnings accruing from them have not reflected in the lives of the vast majority of the people, not even the majority of the indigenes of the areas where these resources are exploited.
Today, as Ghana stands on the threshold of producing oil in commercial quantities, this vexed question of just how much of a benefit this resource will be to the majority of the people has reared its head.
In a bid to hit the iron when it is still hot, the chiefs of the Western Region are demanding that 10 per cent of the value of oil extracted in the area be given to them and their people to prosecute their development agenda.
They have served notice of their desire to be actively involved in determining how the oil wealth generated from their area will be distributed (see front page).
Ideally, one cannot quarrel with the chiefs for making this demand, for, as custodians of the assets and heritage of the people, they have a bounden duty to protect and promote their interest and aspirations, including enhancing their standard of living.
However, the situation in which we are is far from ideal.
For a start, the exploitation and control of the oil is, to a very large extent, in the hands of the state or the government. An overwhelming percentage of the shares in the oil is held by private companies with commitments and loyalties to nations other than Ghana.
Second, the relatively small share the state has stands in the name of the whole nation and millions of our compatriots are looking up to it as the panacea for their economic woes. The government, from its inexhaustible list of needs and wants, has to struggle to make use of this oil money and other limited funds to meet these wide interests of the people.
Thus while the chiefs of the Western Region are entitled to make their claim, the reality of the control structure of our resources and the demands and expectations of the generality of Ghanaians call for a moderation in these demands and the urgent introduction of dialogue between the government and all the major stakeholders to address this and other nagging matters on the oil front.
We wish to caution that in a bid to assert our right to make just demands for our share of resources, we must remain mindful of the fact that we are still operating within a monolithic, sovereign and unitary state, the government of which has a bounden duty to the equal and fair distribution of the national cake, which also includes its resources.
In the face of this development, we believe the state had a justifiable basis for increasing its share or control of the oil and we, therefore, applaud the wisdom of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in seeking to buy out the Kosmos share. This is a venture worthy of the support of every patriotic and well-meaning Ghanaians.
Another way out, we believe, is for the government to increase resource allocation for the purpose of building more economic and social infrastructure in the Western Region and also empowering those with employable skills in the oil sector to be absorbed into the oil industry.
We wish to urge Ghanaians to be moderate in their expectations of this oil find, as it is by no means a panacea for our economic difficulties.
BARKA DA SALLAH (NOV 17, 2010)
YESTERDAY, Muslims throughout the country celebrated Eid-Ul-Adha, one of the important events on the Islamic calendar.
Eid-Ul-Adha is a festival of sacrifice and it arises from Abraham’s obedience to God when he was asked to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a testament of his faith in the Almighty Allah.
And when Abraham was about to sacrifice Ishmael, God intervened and brought him a ram in place of his son, hence the sacrifice of rams during the festival.
The President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, joined hundreds of Muslims in Accra to celebrate the festival and implored them to let the spiritual virtues of Abraham — obedience, faithfulness, love for God, kind-heartedness and love for one another — be written on their hearts.
As the President said, this festival of sacrifice should bring about the spirit of self denial, which will position our Muslim brothers and sisters to receive the bountiful blessings of Allah the Merciful.
On this occasion, which marks the end of the ritual of the Hajj, we need to remind ourselves, as Maulvi Dr Wahab Adam said, of the importance of unity, mutual co-operation and co-existence, despite our political, religious and ethnic diversity.
For, although the Eid is a celebration for Muslims, it provides an opportunity for them to share their joy, peace and goodness with all. Muslims, on this day, share the animals they slaughter and their food with all, even non-Muslim neighbours.
Mankind today lives in an inter-dependent world where followers of various religions go to school together, work together and live in the same neighbourhood, making peace, which Muslims show abundantly on this occasion, a necessity.
We would like to congratulate not only our Muslim brothers and sisters but also all other religious groups who have made it possible for the country to enjoy religious tolerance and peace.
When we take a look at what is happening in some of our neighbouring countries where religious intolerance has brought about strife and death of hundreds of innocent people, then we in Ghana must count ourselves blessed.
As the Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, said at the prayer grounds, we must be mindful of our constitutional role, rights and responsibilities as religious men and women and also acknowledge the government’s efforts at creating a democratic culture to enhance good governance.
We would want to call on Muslims to use this wonderful occasion to rededicate their lives to live in peace and harmony with all and continue to make the necessary sacrifices to push this country forward.
We want to join all Ghanaians to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters Barka da Sallah.
Eid-Ul-Adha is a festival of sacrifice and it arises from Abraham’s obedience to God when he was asked to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a testament of his faith in the Almighty Allah.
And when Abraham was about to sacrifice Ishmael, God intervened and brought him a ram in place of his son, hence the sacrifice of rams during the festival.
The President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, joined hundreds of Muslims in Accra to celebrate the festival and implored them to let the spiritual virtues of Abraham — obedience, faithfulness, love for God, kind-heartedness and love for one another — be written on their hearts.
As the President said, this festival of sacrifice should bring about the spirit of self denial, which will position our Muslim brothers and sisters to receive the bountiful blessings of Allah the Merciful.
On this occasion, which marks the end of the ritual of the Hajj, we need to remind ourselves, as Maulvi Dr Wahab Adam said, of the importance of unity, mutual co-operation and co-existence, despite our political, religious and ethnic diversity.
For, although the Eid is a celebration for Muslims, it provides an opportunity for them to share their joy, peace and goodness with all. Muslims, on this day, share the animals they slaughter and their food with all, even non-Muslim neighbours.
Mankind today lives in an inter-dependent world where followers of various religions go to school together, work together and live in the same neighbourhood, making peace, which Muslims show abundantly on this occasion, a necessity.
We would like to congratulate not only our Muslim brothers and sisters but also all other religious groups who have made it possible for the country to enjoy religious tolerance and peace.
When we take a look at what is happening in some of our neighbouring countries where religious intolerance has brought about strife and death of hundreds of innocent people, then we in Ghana must count ourselves blessed.
As the Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, said at the prayer grounds, we must be mindful of our constitutional role, rights and responsibilities as religious men and women and also acknowledge the government’s efforts at creating a democratic culture to enhance good governance.
We would want to call on Muslims to use this wonderful occasion to rededicate their lives to live in peace and harmony with all and continue to make the necessary sacrifices to push this country forward.
We want to join all Ghanaians to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters Barka da Sallah.
NO BREATHING SPACE FOR FRAUDSTERS (NOV 16, 2010)
Ghana, like any other country with ambition to attain the heights of socio-economic development and improve the well-being of the people, has, within the past two decades, liberalised many areas of the economy.
The intention has primarily been to stimulate competition and attract more capital and the requisite human resource into enterprises so that the people can enjoy better services at cheaper and competitive prices.
The telecommunications sector, undoubtedly, is one area of the economy that has enjoyed the fastest growth and development within the period, attracting a significant number of operators.
Indeed, such has been the competition among the various players in the industry that they are trying to outdo one another not only in the crafting of new products but also in the reduction of call tariffs, a development which has sparked what many call price wars in the sector.
All these have functioned to the benefit of the consumer, while many good things have followed.
Meanwhile, in the wake of this development, some people whose motives and dispositions are anything but noble have also entered the system, albeit through the back door, to try and exploit it to their selfish advantage.
We recall that only recently, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, lamented the loss of substantial revenue to both the telecom companies and the State through what he termed the actions of fraudsters operating outside the regular system.
But, thank God, today the cover has been blown off one such miscreant and the magnitude of the fraud and the modus operandi of those fraudsters have puzzled many.
The police, at a press conference in Accra yesterday, revealed that a Ghanaian said to have resided in Italy for the past 23 years had been arrested for engaging in the illegal termination of international telephone traffic at his hideout at Achimota.
He was said to have had in his possession at the time of his arrest 3,869 SIM cards, mainly from Vodafone and Zain, in addition to sophisticated telecom equipment such as a Cisso Router, Telles I Gate, etc (see front page story).
The Daily Graphic, like all well-meaning and patriotic Ghanaians, is elated at this development and wishes to congratulate the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of the IGP, Paul Tawiah Quaye, on chalking up this splendid feat.
Notwithstanding the existence of a few bad lots in the service, we have always held the belief that our Police Service is one of the most competent in the world and that given the fair opportunity to exhibit their expertise, the personnel will stand out for all to acknowledge them.
We regard the arrest as a vindication of the government’s decision to mandate the National Communications Authority (NCA) to put in measures to intensify its fraud watch activities over the telecom operators in the country.
It bears eloquent testimony to the wisdom of the government and the NCA in implementing the Consolidated International Gateway Project in June this year which has already netted significant revenue for the State, revenue which had been ending up in the pockets of miscreants and nation wreckers.
Since these matters have been demonstrated beyond doubt that they are in the national interest, we would want to appeal to all, including the telecom companies, consumers, the NCA, government officials and the public to be readily forthcoming with information so that together we break the back of these fraudsters whose actions threaten the peace, order, stability and progress of the nation.
At a time when the government needs all the revenue it can get to prosecute its programme of qualitative uplift of the lives of the people to befit the status of a middle-income nation, the last thing we must countenance is the nefarious activities that undermine the viability of enterprises that contribute to the Consolidated Fund.
It is time up for all such miscreants and they will know no sleep.
The intention has primarily been to stimulate competition and attract more capital and the requisite human resource into enterprises so that the people can enjoy better services at cheaper and competitive prices.
The telecommunications sector, undoubtedly, is one area of the economy that has enjoyed the fastest growth and development within the period, attracting a significant number of operators.
Indeed, such has been the competition among the various players in the industry that they are trying to outdo one another not only in the crafting of new products but also in the reduction of call tariffs, a development which has sparked what many call price wars in the sector.
All these have functioned to the benefit of the consumer, while many good things have followed.
Meanwhile, in the wake of this development, some people whose motives and dispositions are anything but noble have also entered the system, albeit through the back door, to try and exploit it to their selfish advantage.
We recall that only recently, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, lamented the loss of substantial revenue to both the telecom companies and the State through what he termed the actions of fraudsters operating outside the regular system.
But, thank God, today the cover has been blown off one such miscreant and the magnitude of the fraud and the modus operandi of those fraudsters have puzzled many.
The police, at a press conference in Accra yesterday, revealed that a Ghanaian said to have resided in Italy for the past 23 years had been arrested for engaging in the illegal termination of international telephone traffic at his hideout at Achimota.
He was said to have had in his possession at the time of his arrest 3,869 SIM cards, mainly from Vodafone and Zain, in addition to sophisticated telecom equipment such as a Cisso Router, Telles I Gate, etc (see front page story).
The Daily Graphic, like all well-meaning and patriotic Ghanaians, is elated at this development and wishes to congratulate the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of the IGP, Paul Tawiah Quaye, on chalking up this splendid feat.
Notwithstanding the existence of a few bad lots in the service, we have always held the belief that our Police Service is one of the most competent in the world and that given the fair opportunity to exhibit their expertise, the personnel will stand out for all to acknowledge them.
We regard the arrest as a vindication of the government’s decision to mandate the National Communications Authority (NCA) to put in measures to intensify its fraud watch activities over the telecom operators in the country.
It bears eloquent testimony to the wisdom of the government and the NCA in implementing the Consolidated International Gateway Project in June this year which has already netted significant revenue for the State, revenue which had been ending up in the pockets of miscreants and nation wreckers.
Since these matters have been demonstrated beyond doubt that they are in the national interest, we would want to appeal to all, including the telecom companies, consumers, the NCA, government officials and the public to be readily forthcoming with information so that together we break the back of these fraudsters whose actions threaten the peace, order, stability and progress of the nation.
At a time when the government needs all the revenue it can get to prosecute its programme of qualitative uplift of the lives of the people to befit the status of a middle-income nation, the last thing we must countenance is the nefarious activities that undermine the viability of enterprises that contribute to the Consolidated Fund.
It is time up for all such miscreants and they will know no sleep.
LET'S GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS MATTER (NOV 15, 2010)
THE essence of founding and sustaining political parties is to realise the true and basic tenets of democracy, which include but not limited to the attainment of the true will of the people, a representative and responsible government and probity and accountability of government to the people.
Democracy, to attain its true meaning of government of the people by the people for the people, can only flourish in an environment of even and fair competition, a free and professional media unreservedly committed to the pursuit of the truth, an independent, just, fair and courageous Electoral Commission (EC) and Judiciary and an enlightened and conscious electorate alive to its rights and responsibilities.
It is when these and other ingredients are present in the contest of ideas among political parties that choices could be made that reflect both the true will and interest and aspirations of the people.
It is not uncommon in many political systems, especially those that aspire to wearing the democratic tag, to witness the injection in the electoral process of issues that not only sharply divide the people but also create serious confusion, fear and panic in society.
In the run up to Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957, the political atmosphere was one of an appreciable degree of violence, with bombs, gunshots and even catapults deployed as instruments of terror designed to intimidate and petrify opponents of those deploying them into inaction and thus enable them to capture political power.
Again, in the run up to the 2008 general election, the same instruments for creating fear and panic were at play when the nation was awash with reports that if a particular political party was elected, it would murder some prominent members of society.
Clearly, such negative acts do not only poison the political atmosphere but also seek to walk the truth on its head and, in so doing, subvert the true will of the people in the democratic process.
Such actions also contribute significantly to further divide and polarise the people, thereby making the quest for national unity and cohesion, which is essential for accelerated development, very difficult to attain.
Again, such acts undermine the confidence of the people and the development partners in the country as they emit potential signals of instability and scare away investment, in the process undermining national socio-economic development and progress.
It is largely on account of these and others that we endorse the call by President John Evans Atta Mills for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to probe the alleged serial murder of women in the run up to the 2000 elections (see front page).
We do so on account of the fact that episode was and still is one issue of great importance touching on the very lives and existence of our people and one in which the government has a bounden duty to ensure that all within its jurisdiction are safe and free from fear and panic.
Again, this matter, even after 10 years, still evokes fear in the ranks of the people, especially so as important questions such as who was behind them, what was their motive, how were the killings carried out, how and when were they conceived, who were those who supported and facilitated them and many more, have not been answered.
We believe that such a probe will get to the bottom of the matter, unearth the truth, ensure that the law takes it course and then the good people of this country will then rest assured that the real miscreants have been smoked out and dealt with and that their safety and freedom from fear is enhanced.
We also urge the media to endeavour to adopt a zero tolerance for falsehood and mischief makers whose stock in trade is to create fear and panic and destabilise the system, compromise national development and progress and then turn round to cry that the nation is not moving forward.
We take this opportunity to call on all to support this probe and volunteer information to the police to enable them to unravel this matter to ensure the prevalence of the national interest.
Democracy, to attain its true meaning of government of the people by the people for the people, can only flourish in an environment of even and fair competition, a free and professional media unreservedly committed to the pursuit of the truth, an independent, just, fair and courageous Electoral Commission (EC) and Judiciary and an enlightened and conscious electorate alive to its rights and responsibilities.
It is when these and other ingredients are present in the contest of ideas among political parties that choices could be made that reflect both the true will and interest and aspirations of the people.
It is not uncommon in many political systems, especially those that aspire to wearing the democratic tag, to witness the injection in the electoral process of issues that not only sharply divide the people but also create serious confusion, fear and panic in society.
In the run up to Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957, the political atmosphere was one of an appreciable degree of violence, with bombs, gunshots and even catapults deployed as instruments of terror designed to intimidate and petrify opponents of those deploying them into inaction and thus enable them to capture political power.
Again, in the run up to the 2008 general election, the same instruments for creating fear and panic were at play when the nation was awash with reports that if a particular political party was elected, it would murder some prominent members of society.
Clearly, such negative acts do not only poison the political atmosphere but also seek to walk the truth on its head and, in so doing, subvert the true will of the people in the democratic process.
Such actions also contribute significantly to further divide and polarise the people, thereby making the quest for national unity and cohesion, which is essential for accelerated development, very difficult to attain.
Again, such acts undermine the confidence of the people and the development partners in the country as they emit potential signals of instability and scare away investment, in the process undermining national socio-economic development and progress.
It is largely on account of these and others that we endorse the call by President John Evans Atta Mills for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to probe the alleged serial murder of women in the run up to the 2000 elections (see front page).
We do so on account of the fact that episode was and still is one issue of great importance touching on the very lives and existence of our people and one in which the government has a bounden duty to ensure that all within its jurisdiction are safe and free from fear and panic.
Again, this matter, even after 10 years, still evokes fear in the ranks of the people, especially so as important questions such as who was behind them, what was their motive, how were the killings carried out, how and when were they conceived, who were those who supported and facilitated them and many more, have not been answered.
We believe that such a probe will get to the bottom of the matter, unearth the truth, ensure that the law takes it course and then the good people of this country will then rest assured that the real miscreants have been smoked out and dealt with and that their safety and freedom from fear is enhanced.
We also urge the media to endeavour to adopt a zero tolerance for falsehood and mischief makers whose stock in trade is to create fear and panic and destabilise the system, compromise national development and progress and then turn round to cry that the nation is not moving forward.
We take this opportunity to call on all to support this probe and volunteer information to the police to enable them to unravel this matter to ensure the prevalence of the national interest.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A GOOD JOB DONE (NOV 12, 2010)
ONE factor that has contributed to undermining the tempo and depth of the socio-economic development of the nation is the speed with which succeeding governments move to dismantle projects and programmes instituted by their predecessors, even when those projects have amply proved to be in the supreme national interest.
Nowhere has this negative phenomenon been more manifest than in the industrial and manufacturing sectors where, soon after the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) government by the military cum police junta, a process was set in motion to dismantle everything that he did, including his industrialisation programme.
Important industrial and manufacturing concerns started in virtually every part of the country were forcibly shut down and, in many cases, valuable plant and machinery looted and totally dismantled or abandoned.
Here, mention could be made of the atomic reactor at Kwabenya, the glass factory at Aboso, the sugar factory at Asutsuare, the meat factory in Bolgatanga, the State farms at Ejura and many other places across the country.
These important state enterprises did not only provide jobs for thousands of Ghanaians and their dependants but also created significant wealth for the nation.
They also contributed to the strengthening of the country’s bid to industrialise, reduce imports, become more self- reliant and propel Ghana to a middle-income status even before many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America which today are far ahead of us on the development ladder.
Notwithstanding these serious setbacks, we are happy today that the government is not enthused by this narrow logic of which regime instituted what project but is concerned about the extent to which projects or programmes advance the national interest.
The continuation of projects and programmes of past governments by the current government bears eloquent testimony to this move to bury this negative past and institute a progressive policy for the future.
We are elated that an agreement has been reached between the government and its Czech Republic counterpart to rehabilitate a number of projects which were abandoned after the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah on February 24, 1966.
The agreement for the revamping of the glass, shoe and sugar factories at Aboso, Kumasi and Asutsuare, respectively, followed the visit by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the Czech Republic and his fruitful interaction with the leaders of that European country.
There can be no doubt about the fact that the rehabilitation and commencement of operations at these enterprises will create many jobs to put money in the pockets of many Ghanaians and also contribute to relieve pressure on the government from the teaming mass of unemployed people.
These enterprises will also contribute to the diversification of the national economy, add value to our exports, increase technology transfer to Ghanaians and increase the stock of wealth to lend credence to the quest for a better and more prosperous and peaceful Ghana.
While we say Ayekoo to the Vice-President and the government for chalking up these feats, we will not go back to rest on the strength of the belief that we are through with everything.
All the necessary arrangements for the Czech team due to visit the country next month for appraisal works to conclude the deal must be made now so that the commencement period could be brought forward. We cant wait.
The immense goodwill that this country enjoys among the international community, including China, Japan, the US, Britain, the IMF, the World Bank, etc, as a result of the selflessness and committed leadership demonstrated, must be tapped to the full for the supreme benefit of our nation and its people.
Nowhere has this negative phenomenon been more manifest than in the industrial and manufacturing sectors where, soon after the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) government by the military cum police junta, a process was set in motion to dismantle everything that he did, including his industrialisation programme.
Important industrial and manufacturing concerns started in virtually every part of the country were forcibly shut down and, in many cases, valuable plant and machinery looted and totally dismantled or abandoned.
Here, mention could be made of the atomic reactor at Kwabenya, the glass factory at Aboso, the sugar factory at Asutsuare, the meat factory in Bolgatanga, the State farms at Ejura and many other places across the country.
These important state enterprises did not only provide jobs for thousands of Ghanaians and their dependants but also created significant wealth for the nation.
They also contributed to the strengthening of the country’s bid to industrialise, reduce imports, become more self- reliant and propel Ghana to a middle-income status even before many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America which today are far ahead of us on the development ladder.
Notwithstanding these serious setbacks, we are happy today that the government is not enthused by this narrow logic of which regime instituted what project but is concerned about the extent to which projects or programmes advance the national interest.
The continuation of projects and programmes of past governments by the current government bears eloquent testimony to this move to bury this negative past and institute a progressive policy for the future.
We are elated that an agreement has been reached between the government and its Czech Republic counterpart to rehabilitate a number of projects which were abandoned after the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah on February 24, 1966.
The agreement for the revamping of the glass, shoe and sugar factories at Aboso, Kumasi and Asutsuare, respectively, followed the visit by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the Czech Republic and his fruitful interaction with the leaders of that European country.
There can be no doubt about the fact that the rehabilitation and commencement of operations at these enterprises will create many jobs to put money in the pockets of many Ghanaians and also contribute to relieve pressure on the government from the teaming mass of unemployed people.
These enterprises will also contribute to the diversification of the national economy, add value to our exports, increase technology transfer to Ghanaians and increase the stock of wealth to lend credence to the quest for a better and more prosperous and peaceful Ghana.
While we say Ayekoo to the Vice-President and the government for chalking up these feats, we will not go back to rest on the strength of the belief that we are through with everything.
All the necessary arrangements for the Czech team due to visit the country next month for appraisal works to conclude the deal must be made now so that the commencement period could be brought forward. We cant wait.
The immense goodwill that this country enjoys among the international community, including China, Japan, the US, Britain, the IMF, the World Bank, etc, as a result of the selflessness and committed leadership demonstrated, must be tapped to the full for the supreme benefit of our nation and its people.
IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE ANSWER (NOV 10, 2010)
ONE of the key factors for the accelerated development and integration of any nation is the level of its infrastructure, principally its road and rail networks.
It is not in contention that the free movement of people, goods and services within the national territory is a sine qua non for sustained national development on which rests the creation of wealth to meet the needs, interests and aspirations of the nation.
It is, therefore, no accident that nations that aspire to mobilise and optimise the potential of their people and other national resources undertake massive infrastructural development, in particular the construction of roads and railways to open up their territories.
This, among others, facilitates the exploitation and easy transportation of raw and processed materials not only for the domestic market in larger and more prosperous urban centres but also for export to increase the national income.
While our governments have, over the years, undertaken some infrastructural development across the 10 regions, the level and quality in many aspects have not been such as will catapult us to the higher rungs of the development ladder.
Indeed, there are many areas of the country which are cut off from the rest of the country during the rainy season, bringing in its wake prohibitive losses in human and material terms that go to undermine national development.
Though a sad commentary on our national development effort, we are not surprised at reports that thousands of bags of cocoa and foodstuffs have been locked up in the northern part of the Western Region as a result of the poor road network in the area this year (see front page story).
Notwithstanding its status as the richest area in the country, the Western Region, paradoxically, has one of the worst road networks in the country, at least one that does not meet the socio-economic challenges of the region.
While the climate of the region, in particular the copious rainfall for a greater part of the year, is a contributory factor, the real problem has been the lack of a comprehensive and sustained programme of infrastructural development of the area over the years.
The result has been the pronounced deterioration of the few motorable roads and this, coupled with the breakdown of the railway system, has worsened the movement of people, goods and services in the area.
From such a challenging background, we cannot wait to see the government commencing its comprehensive infrastructure roll-out for the Western Region captured in the Western Corridor Infrastructural Development Programme.
This programme, which involves principally the construction of first-class roads through many areas of the region to link the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, will no doubt contribute significantly to answering this yawning and artificial infrastructure deficit.
We want to appeal to the government to expedite action on agreements with our development partners so that work on these important projects will commence sooner than later.
This should also include the northern corridor road stretching from Hohoe in the Volta Region through Bimbilla and Yendi in the Northern Region to Kulungugu in the Upper East Region.
These, together with the projected rehabilitation of the western railway line and the extension of the network to the northern part of the country, will open up the country as never before and lend a great boost to agriculture, manufacturing, agro-processing, industry, mining, commerce and other economic activities that will create immense wealth and bring millions of our people out of the quagmire of poverty, deprivation, want and misery.
This is the time.
It is not in contention that the free movement of people, goods and services within the national territory is a sine qua non for sustained national development on which rests the creation of wealth to meet the needs, interests and aspirations of the nation.
It is, therefore, no accident that nations that aspire to mobilise and optimise the potential of their people and other national resources undertake massive infrastructural development, in particular the construction of roads and railways to open up their territories.
This, among others, facilitates the exploitation and easy transportation of raw and processed materials not only for the domestic market in larger and more prosperous urban centres but also for export to increase the national income.
While our governments have, over the years, undertaken some infrastructural development across the 10 regions, the level and quality in many aspects have not been such as will catapult us to the higher rungs of the development ladder.
Indeed, there are many areas of the country which are cut off from the rest of the country during the rainy season, bringing in its wake prohibitive losses in human and material terms that go to undermine national development.
Though a sad commentary on our national development effort, we are not surprised at reports that thousands of bags of cocoa and foodstuffs have been locked up in the northern part of the Western Region as a result of the poor road network in the area this year (see front page story).
Notwithstanding its status as the richest area in the country, the Western Region, paradoxically, has one of the worst road networks in the country, at least one that does not meet the socio-economic challenges of the region.
While the climate of the region, in particular the copious rainfall for a greater part of the year, is a contributory factor, the real problem has been the lack of a comprehensive and sustained programme of infrastructural development of the area over the years.
The result has been the pronounced deterioration of the few motorable roads and this, coupled with the breakdown of the railway system, has worsened the movement of people, goods and services in the area.
From such a challenging background, we cannot wait to see the government commencing its comprehensive infrastructure roll-out for the Western Region captured in the Western Corridor Infrastructural Development Programme.
This programme, which involves principally the construction of first-class roads through many areas of the region to link the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, will no doubt contribute significantly to answering this yawning and artificial infrastructure deficit.
We want to appeal to the government to expedite action on agreements with our development partners so that work on these important projects will commence sooner than later.
This should also include the northern corridor road stretching from Hohoe in the Volta Region through Bimbilla and Yendi in the Northern Region to Kulungugu in the Upper East Region.
These, together with the projected rehabilitation of the western railway line and the extension of the network to the northern part of the country, will open up the country as never before and lend a great boost to agriculture, manufacturing, agro-processing, industry, mining, commerce and other economic activities that will create immense wealth and bring millions of our people out of the quagmire of poverty, deprivation, want and misery.
This is the time.
WE NEED TO WORK HARDER (NOV 9, 2010)
IT is refreshing news that Ghana has joined the group of middle income countries in the world. Through a rebasing exercise undertaken by the Ghana Statistical Service, the value of goods and services produced in the country has increased more than two-fold.
This follows the use of 2006 as the base year for the calculation of economic activities, instead of 1993 which has been the base for more than 10 years.
For some time now Ghanaians from all walks of life, especially our political leaders, have been working out various strategies to catapult the country into the middle income bracket.
In actual fact, our leaders set the time frame of 2015 to attain a middle income status but if we have attained that height in 2010, then we need to pat ourselves on the back.
Nearly three decades ago, the then government embarked upon a Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) to reshape the direction of the economy by stimulating productivity at all levels.
Luckily for Ghana, Western donors endorsed SAP and, therefore, assisted us in many spheres to rebuild the economy.
Unfortunately, however, the revival of the economy faced many challenges, as the implementation of SAP came with the devaluation of the cedi. In the long run, many companies that took loans to expand their businesses could not service the loans, thereby strangulating those firms with heavy debts.
Several reviews of the economy have taken place, including the latest rebasing exercise to fast-track our journey towards the middle income bracket.
The Daily Graphic, however, believes that this is just the beginning of good things to come which will only be made possible through hard work, commitment and sacrifice.
The days when manna used to fall from heaven are part of history and we can only survive through hard work and sacrifice.
We echo the sentiments from government sources that “although it is happy about news that the country now has a larger economy, it will remain resolute and focused on resolving the many challenges that still confront the country” to challenge our people to continue to work harder.
We know that this news comes with its own challenges, such as the lack of access to concessionary loans and aid, as well as a reduction in grants. The tendency will be for the country to go to the open market to access commercial loans now that our economy has expanded.
The Daily Graphic suggests to the government to encourage more local investors or partnerships so that the returns on investment stay in the country for expansion, instead of being repatriated as dividends.
We are certainly on the right path towards economic development, for which everybody should lend his or her support.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the government to use the 2011 budget to remove all the bottlenecks militating against economic development to ease the burden of eking out a living on the people.
We commend all the players who helped in getting Ghana to the middle income status ahead of schedule, while noting that more needs to be done to go a step further to become a developed economy.
All the parameters exist for the attainment of that feat, such as an improved services sector like telecommunications and the exploration of oil and gas.
This follows the use of 2006 as the base year for the calculation of economic activities, instead of 1993 which has been the base for more than 10 years.
For some time now Ghanaians from all walks of life, especially our political leaders, have been working out various strategies to catapult the country into the middle income bracket.
In actual fact, our leaders set the time frame of 2015 to attain a middle income status but if we have attained that height in 2010, then we need to pat ourselves on the back.
Nearly three decades ago, the then government embarked upon a Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) to reshape the direction of the economy by stimulating productivity at all levels.
Luckily for Ghana, Western donors endorsed SAP and, therefore, assisted us in many spheres to rebuild the economy.
Unfortunately, however, the revival of the economy faced many challenges, as the implementation of SAP came with the devaluation of the cedi. In the long run, many companies that took loans to expand their businesses could not service the loans, thereby strangulating those firms with heavy debts.
Several reviews of the economy have taken place, including the latest rebasing exercise to fast-track our journey towards the middle income bracket.
The Daily Graphic, however, believes that this is just the beginning of good things to come which will only be made possible through hard work, commitment and sacrifice.
The days when manna used to fall from heaven are part of history and we can only survive through hard work and sacrifice.
We echo the sentiments from government sources that “although it is happy about news that the country now has a larger economy, it will remain resolute and focused on resolving the many challenges that still confront the country” to challenge our people to continue to work harder.
We know that this news comes with its own challenges, such as the lack of access to concessionary loans and aid, as well as a reduction in grants. The tendency will be for the country to go to the open market to access commercial loans now that our economy has expanded.
The Daily Graphic suggests to the government to encourage more local investors or partnerships so that the returns on investment stay in the country for expansion, instead of being repatriated as dividends.
We are certainly on the right path towards economic development, for which everybody should lend his or her support.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the government to use the 2011 budget to remove all the bottlenecks militating against economic development to ease the burden of eking out a living on the people.
We commend all the players who helped in getting Ghana to the middle income status ahead of schedule, while noting that more needs to be done to go a step further to become a developed economy.
All the parameters exist for the attainment of that feat, such as an improved services sector like telecommunications and the exploration of oil and gas.
Friday, November 12, 2010
NO HIDING PLACE FOR CRIMINALS (NOV 8, 2010)
Undoubtedly Ghana is a peaceful country. With unquestionable democratic credentials, the country is carving a niche for itself as a haven for investment and beacon of hope for Africa. The silver lining points to the fact that the country can witness quantum leaps in its development engagement to become a middle-income economy in future, more so when we are about to join other oil-producing countries as we begin the commercial production of oil and gas.
Our development efforts can, however, be easily truncated if we are not able to fight crime and reduce insecurity, violence, fear and panic.
Recent cases of armed robbery, rumours of rape and creation of fear and panic, especially when we are gliding towards the end of the year and for Christmas celebrations, have given cause for worry by all public-spirited citizens.
This explains why the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has sent yet another clearest message to such evil minds and social miscreants bent on derailing the process of development that they are bound to fail.
The President’s assurance could not have come at a better time.
Addressing the 50th anniversary celebration of the Upper East Region, the President indicated the unhappiness of the government about the situation where some people had taken it upon themselves to create fear and panic in the society and engender a feeling of insecurity among the people.
Although, the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350) enjoins the Ghana Police Service to prevent and detect crime, apprehend and prosecute offenders, maintain law and order, and enforce the law, modern control of crime is now a shared responsibility.
The pursuance of community policing ensures that collectively the police and communities fight crime for the good of the rest of the larger society.
Again, a partnership between the police and members of the various communities can help in identifying accurately potential crime problems and responding proactively to address them.
Furthermore, community policing will change negative factors such as hostility, prejudice, apathy and ignorance into a positive corporate image that would portray the police service as one that is sympathetic, accommodating, interesting and knowledgeable.
The Daily Graphic is, however, worried sometimes about the unwillingness of the public to volunteer information about suspected criminals, who live in our communities, and yet complain about the rising rate of crime in the country.
Some of the suspected criminals, in most cases, are our relatives and we are aware of the harm they do to the rest of society.
We are sometimes even beneficiaries of their nefarious activities and so instead exposing them, we protect them at the peril of the rest of society.
The Daily Graphic calls on such characters to mend their ways if we are to make any headway in the fight against crime.
We passionately enjoin the public to give all police personnel every support, encouragement and information to enable them to achieve the purposes for which the police institution was established.
Additionally, it is our fervent prayer that as a nation, we should not allow politics and parochial interests to divide us in our common resolve to deal with social miscreants and crime.
The leadership of the Ghana Police Service has stated categorically that it will reduce crime by 20 per cent by the end of the year. Even with the limited resources at their disposal, they have demonstrated that they are prepared to defend the society and ensure security even at their peril.
All that the police require from members of the public is support in the fight against violent crime and other criminal activities in the country.
Our development efforts can, however, be easily truncated if we are not able to fight crime and reduce insecurity, violence, fear and panic.
Recent cases of armed robbery, rumours of rape and creation of fear and panic, especially when we are gliding towards the end of the year and for Christmas celebrations, have given cause for worry by all public-spirited citizens.
This explains why the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has sent yet another clearest message to such evil minds and social miscreants bent on derailing the process of development that they are bound to fail.
The President’s assurance could not have come at a better time.
Addressing the 50th anniversary celebration of the Upper East Region, the President indicated the unhappiness of the government about the situation where some people had taken it upon themselves to create fear and panic in the society and engender a feeling of insecurity among the people.
Although, the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350) enjoins the Ghana Police Service to prevent and detect crime, apprehend and prosecute offenders, maintain law and order, and enforce the law, modern control of crime is now a shared responsibility.
The pursuance of community policing ensures that collectively the police and communities fight crime for the good of the rest of the larger society.
Again, a partnership between the police and members of the various communities can help in identifying accurately potential crime problems and responding proactively to address them.
Furthermore, community policing will change negative factors such as hostility, prejudice, apathy and ignorance into a positive corporate image that would portray the police service as one that is sympathetic, accommodating, interesting and knowledgeable.
The Daily Graphic is, however, worried sometimes about the unwillingness of the public to volunteer information about suspected criminals, who live in our communities, and yet complain about the rising rate of crime in the country.
Some of the suspected criminals, in most cases, are our relatives and we are aware of the harm they do to the rest of society.
We are sometimes even beneficiaries of their nefarious activities and so instead exposing them, we protect them at the peril of the rest of society.
The Daily Graphic calls on such characters to mend their ways if we are to make any headway in the fight against crime.
We passionately enjoin the public to give all police personnel every support, encouragement and information to enable them to achieve the purposes for which the police institution was established.
Additionally, it is our fervent prayer that as a nation, we should not allow politics and parochial interests to divide us in our common resolve to deal with social miscreants and crime.
The leadership of the Ghana Police Service has stated categorically that it will reduce crime by 20 per cent by the end of the year. Even with the limited resources at their disposal, they have demonstrated that they are prepared to defend the society and ensure security even at their peril.
All that the police require from members of the public is support in the fight against violent crime and other criminal activities in the country.
EXPANDING TELECOMS SECTOR (NOV 6, 2010)
Good corporate citizens and governments have a common goal, and that is to create value for their businesses and offer job opportunities to the people.
That is why business and the government cannot operate independently of each other.
It is the responsibility of the government to strive to improve the policy space and create the enabling atmosphere for which businesses can operate.
It is such a close collaboration that has led to the advancement of most economies.
Therefore, the directive by the President to the Ministries of Communications, and Environment, Science and Technology to facilitate the launch of Glo, the sixth mobile operator in the country, is laudable.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that the challenges with respect to the spectrum requirements have since been resolved and that the challenge is for Glo to show its commitment to the country by launching its services.
Much as the delay has been at a cost to the company and could have been avoided, the Daily Graphic is of the view that a continuous delay in deploying its services would further compound its financial position and subsequently affect its operations.
The anticipation with which many Ghanaians were waiting for the final launch of Glo has not waned because the stories of Glo in neighbouring countries provide ample evidence of its performance for which Ghanaians are waiting patiently to experience Glo services.
Again, Glo, even before its launch, has indicated the seriousness with which it intends to play ball in the Ghanaian telecommunications sector by being the first mobile operator to launch its fibre optic cable in the country.
The signal was that of a company ready to do things differently. That is the more reason why the Daily Graphic thinks the government has demonstrated its seriousness to faciliate Glo’s unhindered launch of its service.
Even before it launches its operations formally in Ghana, Glo has committed resources to promoting the Premier League game that many have passion for and also helps to unite the nation.
The goodwill of the people of Ghana, has been expressed by the President in his directive; the ball is now in the court of Glo to take up the challenge, and reciprocate the government’s gesture by mobilising resources for the launch as soon as possible.
But that also offers the country the opportunity to redefine its policies with regard to the telecoms sector, to offer a level playing field for the six players in the sector.
Beyond that, Ghana and Nigeria enjoy good neighbourliness, for which reason we must support such investments in the spirit of ECOWAS without compromising the country’s laws and procedures.
We believe that issues related to the environment also need serious considerations just as discussions about infrastructure sharing among telecoms companies should be speeded up.
The Daily Graphic believes Glo has the ability to take the good signal of the government to launch by the end of the year. There are more exciting times for users of cellular phones.
That is why business and the government cannot operate independently of each other.
It is the responsibility of the government to strive to improve the policy space and create the enabling atmosphere for which businesses can operate.
It is such a close collaboration that has led to the advancement of most economies.
Therefore, the directive by the President to the Ministries of Communications, and Environment, Science and Technology to facilitate the launch of Glo, the sixth mobile operator in the country, is laudable.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that the challenges with respect to the spectrum requirements have since been resolved and that the challenge is for Glo to show its commitment to the country by launching its services.
Much as the delay has been at a cost to the company and could have been avoided, the Daily Graphic is of the view that a continuous delay in deploying its services would further compound its financial position and subsequently affect its operations.
The anticipation with which many Ghanaians were waiting for the final launch of Glo has not waned because the stories of Glo in neighbouring countries provide ample evidence of its performance for which Ghanaians are waiting patiently to experience Glo services.
Again, Glo, even before its launch, has indicated the seriousness with which it intends to play ball in the Ghanaian telecommunications sector by being the first mobile operator to launch its fibre optic cable in the country.
The signal was that of a company ready to do things differently. That is the more reason why the Daily Graphic thinks the government has demonstrated its seriousness to faciliate Glo’s unhindered launch of its service.
Even before it launches its operations formally in Ghana, Glo has committed resources to promoting the Premier League game that many have passion for and also helps to unite the nation.
The goodwill of the people of Ghana, has been expressed by the President in his directive; the ball is now in the court of Glo to take up the challenge, and reciprocate the government’s gesture by mobilising resources for the launch as soon as possible.
But that also offers the country the opportunity to redefine its policies with regard to the telecoms sector, to offer a level playing field for the six players in the sector.
Beyond that, Ghana and Nigeria enjoy good neighbourliness, for which reason we must support such investments in the spirit of ECOWAS without compromising the country’s laws and procedures.
We believe that issues related to the environment also need serious considerations just as discussions about infrastructure sharing among telecoms companies should be speeded up.
The Daily Graphic believes Glo has the ability to take the good signal of the government to launch by the end of the year. There are more exciting times for users of cellular phones.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
STABILITY YIELDS INVESTMENT DIVIDENTS (NOV 5, 2010)
THE globalised nature of world economy requires each country to make a conscious effort at wooing investments and Ghana is no exception.
This is quite critical, especially so when the world economy is yet to come out of the global recession, precisely its second wave, which is negatively impacting on some developed economies.
Figures from the World Trade Organisation reveal how investments, especially those of transnational firms, were shrinking in the face of global economic crises.
Interestingly, however, Ghana is recording some appreciation in investments into the country as reported by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) statistics for the first nine months of this year.
The country’s oil find has obviously become attractive to the international and multi-national firms. Rightly so, because oil will continue to drive the world economy in the foreseeable future.
The growing investor confidence is the result of dividends from our democratic dispensation because rule of law and respect for human rights have become a major factor in investment decision.
This, therefore, calls for the need for the country to re-think its development priorities in relation to how we treat investors in the country.
For if the country aims at playing in the big league of development economics, then we need to play by the rules of the game.
Businesses have one major goal, and that is to create shareholder value, so that such value can be re-invested in the business for growth and expansion.
The Daily Graphic believes that this is the time the country could tighten its regulatory framework to deliver the very best for the country.
Issues related to taxes of expatriate staff, local content laws and human resource development aimed at creating the needed opportunity for every Ghanaian should be put in place.
Ghana cannot on its own develop without the support of those who have the capital and technology to assist us join the club of middle-income countries.
While we welcome investors, our strategy must be to look at the opportunities that exist for our people.
Our development priorities lie in huge investments in infrastructure, expansion in educational facilities, quality health care and above all improved living conditions for every Ghanaian.
Therefore, any investment must be geared towards these priority areas that have the potential to leapfrog our economy to the middle-income status.
The Daily Graphic welcomes the news of increased investments in the country from Nigeria and China, which promotes South-South co-operation and a sign that we may well be on course towards our drive to national development.
But again, we caution that since there is increased attention on us, we should not send the wrong signal that we are not ready for a major economic take-off.
That is why the regulatory framework governing all businesses needs to be carefully scrutinised and transparently discussed devoid of any political twist but purely for the common good.
This is quite critical, especially so when the world economy is yet to come out of the global recession, precisely its second wave, which is negatively impacting on some developed economies.
Figures from the World Trade Organisation reveal how investments, especially those of transnational firms, were shrinking in the face of global economic crises.
Interestingly, however, Ghana is recording some appreciation in investments into the country as reported by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) statistics for the first nine months of this year.
The country’s oil find has obviously become attractive to the international and multi-national firms. Rightly so, because oil will continue to drive the world economy in the foreseeable future.
The growing investor confidence is the result of dividends from our democratic dispensation because rule of law and respect for human rights have become a major factor in investment decision.
This, therefore, calls for the need for the country to re-think its development priorities in relation to how we treat investors in the country.
For if the country aims at playing in the big league of development economics, then we need to play by the rules of the game.
Businesses have one major goal, and that is to create shareholder value, so that such value can be re-invested in the business for growth and expansion.
The Daily Graphic believes that this is the time the country could tighten its regulatory framework to deliver the very best for the country.
Issues related to taxes of expatriate staff, local content laws and human resource development aimed at creating the needed opportunity for every Ghanaian should be put in place.
Ghana cannot on its own develop without the support of those who have the capital and technology to assist us join the club of middle-income countries.
While we welcome investors, our strategy must be to look at the opportunities that exist for our people.
Our development priorities lie in huge investments in infrastructure, expansion in educational facilities, quality health care and above all improved living conditions for every Ghanaian.
Therefore, any investment must be geared towards these priority areas that have the potential to leapfrog our economy to the middle-income status.
The Daily Graphic welcomes the news of increased investments in the country from Nigeria and China, which promotes South-South co-operation and a sign that we may well be on course towards our drive to national development.
But again, we caution that since there is increased attention on us, we should not send the wrong signal that we are not ready for a major economic take-off.
That is why the regulatory framework governing all businesses needs to be carefully scrutinised and transparently discussed devoid of any political twist but purely for the common good.
HELPING THE POLICE CURB CRIME (NOV 4, 2010)
UNFORTUNATELY, there seems to be an attempt by miscreants in the society to create a sense of insecurity among the populace. These miscreants engage in all kinds of criminal activities, especially armed robbery, to put a sense of fear in the people, including inter-city travellers.
Another craze, very alien to our culture, which is rearing its nasty head in our society, is car-jacking by hardened criminals. This is happening not only on the highways, but also in even our neighbourhoods. These criminals do not only sell the vehicles across the borders, but use the vehicles to commit other crimes.
Indeed, what is happening has given cause to a section of the Ghanaian public to develop the perception that the police are losing the fight against crime but this necessarily may not be so.
When the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, took over office he pledged to take the fight to the criminals by intensifying night and highway patrols.
The Police/Military operations were also re-introduced all in an attempt to make life uncomfortable for the criminals. The IGP also introduced the concept of Tent Cities in some parts of the country to position the police in the areas where they can readily respond to emergencies or distress calls from residents in those areas.
Not too long ago, it was established that armed robbers could run but could not hide because the police and other security agencies were regularly on their heels engaging them in fierce battles that sometimes led to fatalities on both sides.
The police were not deterred by the apparent sophistication exhibited by armed robbers, who even dared to engage in day-light robbery, including attacks on bullion vans.
In spite of these challenges, the police and other security agencies are not daunted in their efforts to bring the criminals to their knees. Many arrests have been made in recent times, including the latest police operations that led to the retrieval of 21 vehicles suspected to have been seized from their owners by car-snatching syndicates operating in the various parts of the country.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio-Atinga, described the mastermind of the gang, Stephen Aklago, as a notorious car snatcher who had recruited a number of robbers to work for him.
The Daily Graphic commends the police for this latest endeavour leading to the smashing of the car-jacking syndicate operating in Accra, Kumasi, Akim Oda and Akwatia.
Our police personnel have won international recognition anywhere they have been posted to perform security duties and have mounted operations locally to bust criminal gangs to the admiration of many Ghanaians.
The Daily Graphic would like to appeal to the police to remain focussed in their activities. They should not allow negative comments from a section of the public to distract them from their chosen career to maintain law and order in our society.
The government should also continue providing the police with the appropriate logistics to enable them to continue with their fight against crime, particularly on the highways.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also reminds the populace that combating crime is a collective task between the police and the larger society.
We need to be each other’s keeper by forming neighbourhood watch committees to protect lives and property.
The Daily Graphic calls on the police administration to also revamp the concept of Neighbourhood Watch Committees throughout the country to help instil basic security skills in everybody so as to guarantee and sustain a safe environment in the neighbourhoods.
Unless we partner the police in crime combat, there is very little that they can achieve on their own. It is our collective resolve to fight crime.
Another craze, very alien to our culture, which is rearing its nasty head in our society, is car-jacking by hardened criminals. This is happening not only on the highways, but also in even our neighbourhoods. These criminals do not only sell the vehicles across the borders, but use the vehicles to commit other crimes.
Indeed, what is happening has given cause to a section of the Ghanaian public to develop the perception that the police are losing the fight against crime but this necessarily may not be so.
When the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, took over office he pledged to take the fight to the criminals by intensifying night and highway patrols.
The Police/Military operations were also re-introduced all in an attempt to make life uncomfortable for the criminals. The IGP also introduced the concept of Tent Cities in some parts of the country to position the police in the areas where they can readily respond to emergencies or distress calls from residents in those areas.
Not too long ago, it was established that armed robbers could run but could not hide because the police and other security agencies were regularly on their heels engaging them in fierce battles that sometimes led to fatalities on both sides.
The police were not deterred by the apparent sophistication exhibited by armed robbers, who even dared to engage in day-light robbery, including attacks on bullion vans.
In spite of these challenges, the police and other security agencies are not daunted in their efforts to bring the criminals to their knees. Many arrests have been made in recent times, including the latest police operations that led to the retrieval of 21 vehicles suspected to have been seized from their owners by car-snatching syndicates operating in the various parts of the country.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio-Atinga, described the mastermind of the gang, Stephen Aklago, as a notorious car snatcher who had recruited a number of robbers to work for him.
The Daily Graphic commends the police for this latest endeavour leading to the smashing of the car-jacking syndicate operating in Accra, Kumasi, Akim Oda and Akwatia.
Our police personnel have won international recognition anywhere they have been posted to perform security duties and have mounted operations locally to bust criminal gangs to the admiration of many Ghanaians.
The Daily Graphic would like to appeal to the police to remain focussed in their activities. They should not allow negative comments from a section of the public to distract them from their chosen career to maintain law and order in our society.
The government should also continue providing the police with the appropriate logistics to enable them to continue with their fight against crime, particularly on the highways.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also reminds the populace that combating crime is a collective task between the police and the larger society.
We need to be each other’s keeper by forming neighbourhood watch committees to protect lives and property.
The Daily Graphic calls on the police administration to also revamp the concept of Neighbourhood Watch Committees throughout the country to help instil basic security skills in everybody so as to guarantee and sustain a safe environment in the neighbourhoods.
Unless we partner the police in crime combat, there is very little that they can achieve on their own. It is our collective resolve to fight crime.
LET'S RESPECT REGULATIONS (NOV 3, 2010)
GONE were the days when the city of Accra was seen as a well planned city befitting its status as the gateway to Ghana. In the early days of independent Ghana, laws worked, people obeyed laws and the syndrome of “whom you know” was non-existent.
Today, however, virtually all major cities in Ghana can be described, at best, as big slums. The problem is not far-fetched. Laws have become nothing but mere words in the statute books as they are breached with impunity.
Institutions mandated to do their jobs have failed to do what they are, by right and law, established to accomplish.
One of the results of the inaction of statutory institutions is the haphazard development in which buildings and structures are scattered all over the city, destroying the beauty of Accra.
The call by Prof Jacob Songsore of the University of Ghana to enforce the building regulations in the country is a step in the right direction.
The Daily Graphic has on countless occasions called for the right policies to deal with the canker of haphazard siting of buildings and structures springing up in the cities, even in areas classified as first class residential areas.
Not that we are frustrated at the apparent inertia on the part of authorities to crack the whip, but it is our mandate and duty to alert the authorities about the nuisance and threat that the trend poses to the citizens.
The yearly flooding that the city of Accra experiences with its resultant death toll is one that should wake us up from our slumber to act with despatch to preserve human lives.
But the problem goes further to even those issuing legal permits in areas that are clearly not suitable for buildings and structures.
Areas such as water courses, swampy areas, low lands and even to some extent lands close to the sea as is the case at Mpoase, near Dansoman in Accra have all been developed into residential areas.
It is not for nothing that even the spilling of water by the Volta River Authority (VRA) is anticipated to cause some discomfort for people living along the banks of many rivers in the country.
What the country needs is the strict enforcement of the laws. Beyond that there is the need for public education to sensitise the citizenry to the need to follow the rules and regulations of land acquisition and development in the country.
It is not just enough to break down buildings; rather it would be much easier preventing the buildings from springing up.
This year most parts of the country are flooded because of the spillage of the Bagre Dam and heavy rains in other areas.
The Daily Graphic believes the devastation caused to life and property would have been on a much lesser scale if residents in those areas had followed laid-down building regulations.
Some of the people in even the rural areas have constructed houses on water courses or very close to water bodies and any amount of rain causes havoc in those communities.
It is sad that when the challenges emerge as a result of wrongful actions, we are quick to lay the blame at the door of the government.
The Daily Graphic calls on the statutory authorities to sit up and make sure that the building regulations are followed by all in the country.
We also urge all developers to respect the country’s building regulations.
Today, however, virtually all major cities in Ghana can be described, at best, as big slums. The problem is not far-fetched. Laws have become nothing but mere words in the statute books as they are breached with impunity.
Institutions mandated to do their jobs have failed to do what they are, by right and law, established to accomplish.
One of the results of the inaction of statutory institutions is the haphazard development in which buildings and structures are scattered all over the city, destroying the beauty of Accra.
The call by Prof Jacob Songsore of the University of Ghana to enforce the building regulations in the country is a step in the right direction.
The Daily Graphic has on countless occasions called for the right policies to deal with the canker of haphazard siting of buildings and structures springing up in the cities, even in areas classified as first class residential areas.
Not that we are frustrated at the apparent inertia on the part of authorities to crack the whip, but it is our mandate and duty to alert the authorities about the nuisance and threat that the trend poses to the citizens.
The yearly flooding that the city of Accra experiences with its resultant death toll is one that should wake us up from our slumber to act with despatch to preserve human lives.
But the problem goes further to even those issuing legal permits in areas that are clearly not suitable for buildings and structures.
Areas such as water courses, swampy areas, low lands and even to some extent lands close to the sea as is the case at Mpoase, near Dansoman in Accra have all been developed into residential areas.
It is not for nothing that even the spilling of water by the Volta River Authority (VRA) is anticipated to cause some discomfort for people living along the banks of many rivers in the country.
What the country needs is the strict enforcement of the laws. Beyond that there is the need for public education to sensitise the citizenry to the need to follow the rules and regulations of land acquisition and development in the country.
It is not just enough to break down buildings; rather it would be much easier preventing the buildings from springing up.
This year most parts of the country are flooded because of the spillage of the Bagre Dam and heavy rains in other areas.
The Daily Graphic believes the devastation caused to life and property would have been on a much lesser scale if residents in those areas had followed laid-down building regulations.
Some of the people in even the rural areas have constructed houses on water courses or very close to water bodies and any amount of rain causes havoc in those communities.
It is sad that when the challenges emerge as a result of wrongful actions, we are quick to lay the blame at the door of the government.
The Daily Graphic calls on the statutory authorities to sit up and make sure that the building regulations are followed by all in the country.
We also urge all developers to respect the country’s building regulations.
MEDIA MUST NOT BE DESTRUCTIVE (NOV 2, 2010)
For the umpteenth time, the Daily Graphic has had to add its voice to discussions condemning verbal assaults on the airwaves and the use of foul language in the newspapers.
The framers of the 1992 Constitution were very clear in their minds when they guaranteed the freedom and independence of the media.
Article 162 Clause 3 says that “there shall be no impediments to the establishment of private press or media; and in particular, there shall be no law requiring any person to obtain a licence as a prerequisite to the establishment or operation of a newspaper, journal or other media for mass communication or information”.
The same chapter on the freedom and independence of the media guarantees that “all agencies of the mass media shall, at all times, be free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of this Constitution, and shall uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana”.
Although the media is to act as watchdog of society, some media practitioners abuse the role by using the media platform to hold their readers or audiences hostage.
A section of the media that uses the power of the media to blackmail and distort issues in society must be feared and this group poses as a danger to media freedom.
This is because ethical commitment is the cornerstone of any effort to define or redefine and strengthen the journalist’s role to serve the public good.
Journalists must understand their role better and pay particular attention to their sources in the search for the truth, verification of the fact, balanced treatment of the various positions, appropriate use of language and strong story telling.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, at its meeting in Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region, has added its voice to a call made earlier by the President for a stop to the verbal assault in our body politic.
The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference, Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, charged Christian leaders to rise up and speak against “the culture of insults”, which is creeping into Ghanaian politics.
He charged the men of God to not be silent and allow “the noble art of politics to be dragged into the quagmire of insults, character assassination and threat of violence”.
The Daily Graphic will go beyond men of God with the appeal to all leaders of our society, to ensure sanity and decency on the media landscape.
We believe that no matter our disagreements, they can be expressed without necessarily insulting those who do not share our beliefs.
There are many failed states on the African continent whose experiences can serve as a guide to protecting our democracy.
There is little doubt that much of the current concern about the role of journalism in nation building has its roots in the utter disregard for the code of ethics of the profession.
The Daily Graphic thinks that it is about time any ethical breaches were cured before the country entered the stage for preparations towards the 2012 general election.
If journalism is to continue to be relevant, then journalists should listen to the admonitions of the President, the Ghana Bishops Conference and others and pledge to defend the ethical values of the profession and encourage men of goodwill to support excellence in journalism for the public good because anything to the contrary will be a lethal weapon meant for destruction.
The Daily Graphic urges the inky fraternity to endeavour to serve society with accurate, balanced and fair reportage in order to enhance participatory governance and national development.
The framers of the 1992 Constitution were very clear in their minds when they guaranteed the freedom and independence of the media.
Article 162 Clause 3 says that “there shall be no impediments to the establishment of private press or media; and in particular, there shall be no law requiring any person to obtain a licence as a prerequisite to the establishment or operation of a newspaper, journal or other media for mass communication or information”.
The same chapter on the freedom and independence of the media guarantees that “all agencies of the mass media shall, at all times, be free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of this Constitution, and shall uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana”.
Although the media is to act as watchdog of society, some media practitioners abuse the role by using the media platform to hold their readers or audiences hostage.
A section of the media that uses the power of the media to blackmail and distort issues in society must be feared and this group poses as a danger to media freedom.
This is because ethical commitment is the cornerstone of any effort to define or redefine and strengthen the journalist’s role to serve the public good.
Journalists must understand their role better and pay particular attention to their sources in the search for the truth, verification of the fact, balanced treatment of the various positions, appropriate use of language and strong story telling.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, at its meeting in Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region, has added its voice to a call made earlier by the President for a stop to the verbal assault in our body politic.
The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference, Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, charged Christian leaders to rise up and speak against “the culture of insults”, which is creeping into Ghanaian politics.
He charged the men of God to not be silent and allow “the noble art of politics to be dragged into the quagmire of insults, character assassination and threat of violence”.
The Daily Graphic will go beyond men of God with the appeal to all leaders of our society, to ensure sanity and decency on the media landscape.
We believe that no matter our disagreements, they can be expressed without necessarily insulting those who do not share our beliefs.
There are many failed states on the African continent whose experiences can serve as a guide to protecting our democracy.
There is little doubt that much of the current concern about the role of journalism in nation building has its roots in the utter disregard for the code of ethics of the profession.
The Daily Graphic thinks that it is about time any ethical breaches were cured before the country entered the stage for preparations towards the 2012 general election.
If journalism is to continue to be relevant, then journalists should listen to the admonitions of the President, the Ghana Bishops Conference and others and pledge to defend the ethical values of the profession and encourage men of goodwill to support excellence in journalism for the public good because anything to the contrary will be a lethal weapon meant for destruction.
The Daily Graphic urges the inky fraternity to endeavour to serve society with accurate, balanced and fair reportage in order to enhance participatory governance and national development.
TIME TO LEND A HAND (NOV 1, 2010)
Torrential rains, coupled with the spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso, have caused floods, leaving thousands of people displaced, bridges damaged as well as farms and houses destroyed.
According to relief agencies, as many as 700,000 people have so far been displaced and more than 35 lives lost in the Greater Accra, Central, Volta and Northern regions.
Meanwhile it appears our woes are yet to be over.
The consistent rise in the water level of the Akosombo Dam has compelled the Volta River Authority (VRA), for the first time in 20 years, to spill the excess water from today , to save the dam from any danger and possible damage.
Unless the managers of the dam take precautionary measures and are meticulous in their approach, the spillage can adversely affect communities along the Volta Lake.
After leading an official delegation to ascertain the extent of disaster caused by floods in the Central Gonja area in the Northern Region at the weekend, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Martin Amidu, has described the flood situation in the country as a national disaster which calls for international support.
The floods, which have occurred in different parts of the country, have stretched us beyond our response mechanism and contingency plans, hence the need for our development partners to assist us to salvage the situation.
As a nation, we have become vulnerable to flood disasters as a result of economic, socio-cultural, educational, attitudinal, physical, political and organisational factors. In some instances people do not have the material and financial resources to develop effective mechanisms. In other instances they are either uninformed, or deeply engrossed in their cultural beliefs that even against all advice they choose to stay in flood-prone areas instead of moving away. We cannot also discount the weak national and local structures to effectively manage disaster situations.
The Daily Graphic believes that we cannot put the blame on any individual or institution. There is the need for all of us to rally together and pool our resources to deal with the current situation and more especially the aftermath of the floods.
We should be able to handle diseases which might occur and rebuild the devastated infrastructure, as well as deal with post-flood traumas.
The government has decided to provide logistics such as relief items in the meantime and find lasting solutions to the perennial floods in the long term.
Since the floods are partly caused by the spillage of the Bagre Dam, the government should liaise with its counterpart in Burkina Faso to establish a joint Volta Basin Management Agency.
That agency should be mandated to adopt action plans by the appropriate governmental agencies within each country to control the perennial floods in the northern parts of Ghana due mainly to excess water spilled from the Bagre Dam, as well as free flow of water from rivers that have their sources in Burkina Faso.
Additionally we want to suggest that we develop a clear policy to mitigate floods and manage water flow, as well as prepare a national framework for the integrated development and utilisation of the Volta and Oti Water Basins in Ghana.
While we plan and programme for long term solutions, the Daily Graphic appeals to the international community and the country's development partners to assist us to deal with our current predicament. This is yet another opportunity for them to lend a hand.
According to relief agencies, as many as 700,000 people have so far been displaced and more than 35 lives lost in the Greater Accra, Central, Volta and Northern regions.
Meanwhile it appears our woes are yet to be over.
The consistent rise in the water level of the Akosombo Dam has compelled the Volta River Authority (VRA), for the first time in 20 years, to spill the excess water from today , to save the dam from any danger and possible damage.
Unless the managers of the dam take precautionary measures and are meticulous in their approach, the spillage can adversely affect communities along the Volta Lake.
After leading an official delegation to ascertain the extent of disaster caused by floods in the Central Gonja area in the Northern Region at the weekend, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Martin Amidu, has described the flood situation in the country as a national disaster which calls for international support.
The floods, which have occurred in different parts of the country, have stretched us beyond our response mechanism and contingency plans, hence the need for our development partners to assist us to salvage the situation.
As a nation, we have become vulnerable to flood disasters as a result of economic, socio-cultural, educational, attitudinal, physical, political and organisational factors. In some instances people do not have the material and financial resources to develop effective mechanisms. In other instances they are either uninformed, or deeply engrossed in their cultural beliefs that even against all advice they choose to stay in flood-prone areas instead of moving away. We cannot also discount the weak national and local structures to effectively manage disaster situations.
The Daily Graphic believes that we cannot put the blame on any individual or institution. There is the need for all of us to rally together and pool our resources to deal with the current situation and more especially the aftermath of the floods.
We should be able to handle diseases which might occur and rebuild the devastated infrastructure, as well as deal with post-flood traumas.
The government has decided to provide logistics such as relief items in the meantime and find lasting solutions to the perennial floods in the long term.
Since the floods are partly caused by the spillage of the Bagre Dam, the government should liaise with its counterpart in Burkina Faso to establish a joint Volta Basin Management Agency.
That agency should be mandated to adopt action plans by the appropriate governmental agencies within each country to control the perennial floods in the northern parts of Ghana due mainly to excess water spilled from the Bagre Dam, as well as free flow of water from rivers that have their sources in Burkina Faso.
Additionally we want to suggest that we develop a clear policy to mitigate floods and manage water flow, as well as prepare a national framework for the integrated development and utilisation of the Volta and Oti Water Basins in Ghana.
While we plan and programme for long term solutions, the Daily Graphic appeals to the international community and the country's development partners to assist us to deal with our current predicament. This is yet another opportunity for them to lend a hand.
AWAY WITH POLITICS OF INSULTS (OCT 30, 2010)
ON Thursday, no less a personality than our President himself expressed serious concern about the trading of insults in the body politic to the neglect of national development, reconstruction and renewal of the society.
Relatedly, the Ghana Bar Association, in a 25-point resolution released yesterday, also called on Ghanaians to respect the dignity of the office of the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice and chiefs.
Similarly, many individuals have also added their voice to calls on Ghanaians not to add more to the current political tensions, acrimony and insults, which are doing the nation no good but undermining national development efforts.
Indeed, the DAILY GRAPHIC is equally worried about the increasing rate of intolerance permeating the fabric of the Ghanaian political landscape. We are disturbed because abusive or intemperate language in political discourse is not part of the country’s value system.
Unfortunately, the trend where many newspapers focus on sensational issues, scandal mongering and gory pictures to shore up circulation figures has caught on in our society. Regrettably, it is those issues which are reviewed on the airwaves, while issues about health, education and the economy are relegated to the background.
Currently, our children who have been admitted to senior high schools this year are going through challenging moments, with some not even knowing where to lay their heads. Yet, the issues being discussed on the airwaves and in the newspapers are not about those challenges in our education sector but sadly about which political party is better than the other or who can insult more than the other.
The debate in our media is also devoid of alternatives to policy decisions or measures initiated by the government to move this country forward or accelerate the pace of progress.
Indeed, our President made reference to detractors but we think political insults cut across the political divide and we should all resolve to use temperate language on the airwaves and political platforms, and be courteous to one another.
We are in a democracy with political parties of different persuasion and ideologies contending for political power in order to govern the country. Certainly, we are not enemies but one people with a common destiny.
That is why it behoves all of us to treat our leaders, especially our President and his appointees, as well as those who lead the other arms of government, including their functionaries, with respect because they represent the face of this nation.
But if it is also an acceptable principle that all powers of government spring from the sovereign will of the people, then those in leadership positions must desist from engaging in verbal assault that further divides our ranks.
As a nation, we need to maintain a united and stable front, even in the face of extreme provocation, and demonstrate tolerance and commitment to nation building.
We know that the blame game can sometimes be placed at the door of the media for publishing issues that divide our ranks. It is in this connection that the DAILY GRAPHIC would like to encourage the media to play its watch-dog role in a more responsible manner.
The media has no choice but to help in this crusade initiated by our President and reinforced by the Ghana Bar Association and other bodies and individuals by making sure that they give voice to the people whose contributions promote knowledge, enlightenment and the unity of our society.
Anything short of that should not be encouraged for it has the potential to disrupt our democratic dispensation just as in the case of Rwanda, where a reckless statement on a radio station caused the genocide in that country.
Relatedly, the Ghana Bar Association, in a 25-point resolution released yesterday, also called on Ghanaians to respect the dignity of the office of the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice and chiefs.
Similarly, many individuals have also added their voice to calls on Ghanaians not to add more to the current political tensions, acrimony and insults, which are doing the nation no good but undermining national development efforts.
Indeed, the DAILY GRAPHIC is equally worried about the increasing rate of intolerance permeating the fabric of the Ghanaian political landscape. We are disturbed because abusive or intemperate language in political discourse is not part of the country’s value system.
Unfortunately, the trend where many newspapers focus on sensational issues, scandal mongering and gory pictures to shore up circulation figures has caught on in our society. Regrettably, it is those issues which are reviewed on the airwaves, while issues about health, education and the economy are relegated to the background.
Currently, our children who have been admitted to senior high schools this year are going through challenging moments, with some not even knowing where to lay their heads. Yet, the issues being discussed on the airwaves and in the newspapers are not about those challenges in our education sector but sadly about which political party is better than the other or who can insult more than the other.
The debate in our media is also devoid of alternatives to policy decisions or measures initiated by the government to move this country forward or accelerate the pace of progress.
Indeed, our President made reference to detractors but we think political insults cut across the political divide and we should all resolve to use temperate language on the airwaves and political platforms, and be courteous to one another.
We are in a democracy with political parties of different persuasion and ideologies contending for political power in order to govern the country. Certainly, we are not enemies but one people with a common destiny.
That is why it behoves all of us to treat our leaders, especially our President and his appointees, as well as those who lead the other arms of government, including their functionaries, with respect because they represent the face of this nation.
But if it is also an acceptable principle that all powers of government spring from the sovereign will of the people, then those in leadership positions must desist from engaging in verbal assault that further divides our ranks.
As a nation, we need to maintain a united and stable front, even in the face of extreme provocation, and demonstrate tolerance and commitment to nation building.
We know that the blame game can sometimes be placed at the door of the media for publishing issues that divide our ranks. It is in this connection that the DAILY GRAPHIC would like to encourage the media to play its watch-dog role in a more responsible manner.
The media has no choice but to help in this crusade initiated by our President and reinforced by the Ghana Bar Association and other bodies and individuals by making sure that they give voice to the people whose contributions promote knowledge, enlightenment and the unity of our society.
Anything short of that should not be encouraged for it has the potential to disrupt our democratic dispensation just as in the case of Rwanda, where a reckless statement on a radio station caused the genocide in that country.
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