From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Offinso North, Kojo Appiah-Kubi, has been invited to attend the African Trade and Development Conference at the University of Kansas, USA, early October, this year.
The DCE, who is the Chairman of the local Culture and Development International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), will speak on the topic: “Valuing Culture - Ensuring Economic, Social and Environmental Returns on Investment” at the conference, dubbed: “African Culture and Development”.
A release copied to the Mirror and signed by the DCE, noted that Ghana had a strong culture, which had been recognised worldwide.
The release noted that having successfully hosted the first international conference on African Culture in Kumasi last year, it was not only an honour for him to be invited to speak alongside other dignitaries on the second conference, but also encouraging to recognise that the seed they sowed in Kumasi had started yielding fruitful results .
“It’s an interdisciplinary conference focusing on issues of trade and development affecting Africa in the 21st century, and will bring together African scholars and private sector experts who specialise in trade, investment and finance issues in Africa,” it noted, “African diplomats and representatives from business who actively engage in trade and investment across Africa will also attend the conference,”it stated.
The release further noted that the conference would focus on issues that targeted globalisation and how it affected trade in Africa in particular and the world at large.
It said the next conference which would take place in Accra in November this year, would not only address the impact of culture on achieving the Millennium Development Goals, but would also provide special session on Women, Culture and Development.
It said the Accra conference would also focus on Governance and Traditional Leadership as well as Art and Culture as tools for conflict resolution.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
KMA DECONGESTS GARDEN CITY (PAGE 46)
Hundreds of kiosks, tables, chairs and other items belonging to traders who do business on pavements along the principal streets of Kumasi were destroyed at dawn yesterday in a huge fire set by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) as part of its effort to clear the “Garden City” of congestion.
The items were collected from the Morocco Shoe House Area, down to the main Kajetia traffic light, the S.A.T. and the Prempeh II Street, as well as the Unicorn House and other pavements in the Central Business District (CBD) and piled into mountains of wood before setting them ablaze amid tight security.
As the fire blazed, dejected hawkers and owners of the items looked on, with some of them, especially the women, wailing and cursing the KMA officials on duty.
“ We are now going to organise ourselves and leave for Libya because we cannot lead any meaningful life in Ghana,” one dejected woman told the Daily Graphic.
“ My plea is that the authorities would quickly develop the Race Course as an alternative place where we can move to and operate. This is because the exercise has coincided with an academic year and without any business, we cannot earn money to invest in our children’s education”, a middle-aged woman also remarked.
The decongestive exercise at the CBD, which has taken place many times, is meant to clear the traders who prefer doing business on pavements and portions of the road network.
It was also meant to bring sanity to the CBD to enhance the free flow of traffic, thereby reducing accidents, which have characterised the CBD as a result of pedestrians and vehicles competing for space.
The last of the exercises carried out early last year became a failure just as the previous ones.
The reason for the past failures was that the metropolitan authorities did not only back out after the affected traders threatened not to participate in the 2008 general election, but the authorities also apologised for the actions, thus encouraging the traders to return to do business as usual on pavements and along the road networks within the CBD.
This time, however, the KMA said it was collaborating with special courts in Kumasi, where recalcitrant street traders who flouted their directives and operated at any of the demarcated areas would be arrested and swiftly prosecuted to deter others.
The items were collected from the Morocco Shoe House Area, down to the main Kajetia traffic light, the S.A.T. and the Prempeh II Street, as well as the Unicorn House and other pavements in the Central Business District (CBD) and piled into mountains of wood before setting them ablaze amid tight security.
As the fire blazed, dejected hawkers and owners of the items looked on, with some of them, especially the women, wailing and cursing the KMA officials on duty.
“ We are now going to organise ourselves and leave for Libya because we cannot lead any meaningful life in Ghana,” one dejected woman told the Daily Graphic.
“ My plea is that the authorities would quickly develop the Race Course as an alternative place where we can move to and operate. This is because the exercise has coincided with an academic year and without any business, we cannot earn money to invest in our children’s education”, a middle-aged woman also remarked.
The decongestive exercise at the CBD, which has taken place many times, is meant to clear the traders who prefer doing business on pavements and portions of the road network.
It was also meant to bring sanity to the CBD to enhance the free flow of traffic, thereby reducing accidents, which have characterised the CBD as a result of pedestrians and vehicles competing for space.
The last of the exercises carried out early last year became a failure just as the previous ones.
The reason for the past failures was that the metropolitan authorities did not only back out after the affected traders threatened not to participate in the 2008 general election, but the authorities also apologised for the actions, thus encouraging the traders to return to do business as usual on pavements and along the road networks within the CBD.
This time, however, the KMA said it was collaborating with special courts in Kumasi, where recalcitrant street traders who flouted their directives and operated at any of the demarcated areas would be arrested and swiftly prosecuted to deter others.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
POLICE CHIEF COMMENDS RESIDENTS OF KUMASI (PAGE 18)
THE Ashanti Regional Police Commander,Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Eden Timbillah, has commended residents in Kumasi and its environs for providing useful information to the police leading to the arrest of some hardened criminals who were harassing law abiding citizens and creating a sense of fear and insecurity in the metropolis.
He said notwithstanding the public support which enabled the police to chalk up some successes in combating crime in the region, “it was important for the public to be very vigilant and observant, to enable them to continue to provide information on suspicious characters to prevent the commitment of crime “
He was commenting on the challenges of the crime situation in the region and how the police was addressing it.
“The police have been motivated by the public support and collaboration to carry out important raids leading to the arrest of some criminals who were on our wanted list,” he said.”
Mr Timbilla said by their action, “the public had proved that combating crime is a shared responsibility and that the police alone cannot win the battle against criminals”.
Mr Timbillah, however, expressed concern about the lynching of suspected criminals, and said such actions always impeded police investigations.
“ We would appreciate that the public should hand over suspected criminals arrested to the nearest police station to enable us to carry out further investigations into their activities,” he said.
He pointed out that the lynching of suspected criminals made it impossible for the police to arrest and prosecute accomplices, and that “we appreciate public support but they should not mete out instant justice to suspected criminals”.
Mr Timbillah also urged the public to support the police with accommodation and vehicles to enhance police patrols on a 24-hour basis in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
He explained that the Kumasi metropolis was expanding rapidly, and that the available logistics and facilities at the disposal of the police did not make it possible for them to carry out extensive patrols.
He said newly developed suburbs in the metropolis were the most vulnerable in terms of armed robbery attacks, and said “residents in such areas can pool resources together, buy their own vehicles for the police to patrol their areas regularly to ward off armed robbers”.
“We have the men who are eager to carry out patrols to enhance sanity in the metropolis but inadequate accommodation and logistics undermine our operations . Since the government alone cannot bail us out, the public should come to our aid to enhance effective and efficient policing in their areas,” he pleaded
He said it was also important for the public to keep emergency numbers of the police to facilitate contacts during emergency situations.
Mr Timbillah explained that because the public did not keep police contact numbers, they were unable to notify the police in times of attacks by robbers, “and this facilitates the escape of the robbers to enjoy their booty”.
He also called on the business community to build good rapport with the police and warned against carrying large sums of monies home because they attracted robbers at odd hours”.
He said notwithstanding the public support which enabled the police to chalk up some successes in combating crime in the region, “it was important for the public to be very vigilant and observant, to enable them to continue to provide information on suspicious characters to prevent the commitment of crime “
He was commenting on the challenges of the crime situation in the region and how the police was addressing it.
“The police have been motivated by the public support and collaboration to carry out important raids leading to the arrest of some criminals who were on our wanted list,” he said.”
Mr Timbilla said by their action, “the public had proved that combating crime is a shared responsibility and that the police alone cannot win the battle against criminals”.
Mr Timbillah, however, expressed concern about the lynching of suspected criminals, and said such actions always impeded police investigations.
“ We would appreciate that the public should hand over suspected criminals arrested to the nearest police station to enable us to carry out further investigations into their activities,” he said.
He pointed out that the lynching of suspected criminals made it impossible for the police to arrest and prosecute accomplices, and that “we appreciate public support but they should not mete out instant justice to suspected criminals”.
Mr Timbillah also urged the public to support the police with accommodation and vehicles to enhance police patrols on a 24-hour basis in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
He explained that the Kumasi metropolis was expanding rapidly, and that the available logistics and facilities at the disposal of the police did not make it possible for them to carry out extensive patrols.
He said newly developed suburbs in the metropolis were the most vulnerable in terms of armed robbery attacks, and said “residents in such areas can pool resources together, buy their own vehicles for the police to patrol their areas regularly to ward off armed robbers”.
“We have the men who are eager to carry out patrols to enhance sanity in the metropolis but inadequate accommodation and logistics undermine our operations . Since the government alone cannot bail us out, the public should come to our aid to enhance effective and efficient policing in their areas,” he pleaded
He said it was also important for the public to keep emergency numbers of the police to facilitate contacts during emergency situations.
Mr Timbillah explained that because the public did not keep police contact numbers, they were unable to notify the police in times of attacks by robbers, “and this facilitates the escape of the robbers to enjoy their booty”.
He also called on the business community to build good rapport with the police and warned against carrying large sums of monies home because they attracted robbers at odd hours”.
TWO HOSPITALS OBSERVE BAN (PAGE 18)
THE managements of the County Hospital at Abrepo and the Atasemanso Hospital, all in Kumasi, are strictly observing a directive by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) suspending them from providing any medical care to members of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
However, according to the management of the Atasemanso Hospital, even though they were complying, they were unhappy with the manner in which the NHIA had handled the issue without giving them the opportunity to respond to “what was perceived as adverse findings against them”..
They claim they have been treated unfairly by the NHIA by not giving them the opportunity to respond to the findings, and chose to go public with the allegations and consequent decision to suspend them.
The management of the hospital told the Daily Graphic they had no choice but to comply with the suspension order but were planning to seek further audience with the NHIA to iron out the issues.
Patients registered under the insurance scheme are politely turned away from the records department of the two suspended hospitals in Kumasi, which are the first point of call, with an excuse that “we have problems with the scheme authorities and not until the problems are sorted out, we cannot provide you with any medical care ”.
Patients who seek further explanations on the nature of problems hit a blank wall because apart from describing the problem as personal, no further explanations are given to them.
Ms Gift Twum Antwi of the Records Department of County Hospital who attended to curious card holders of the scheme, however, hinted that “by the end of November, we would have sorted things out and began providing medical care to members under the insurance scheme”.
The Medical Director of the County Hospital was, however, not in the office to comment on the issue, and other medical personnel were tight-lipped when patients probed.
“We were suspended by the NHIA about two weeks ago on issues which I cannot explain”, Ms Twum Antwi hinted.
The two private hospitals in Kumasi- County and Atasemanso- were suspended by the NHIA for three months, beginning August 14 to November 13, 2009 for allegedly “indulging in fraudulent activities, including double billing, over billing and irrational prescriptions”.
According to a Daily Graphic report on August 19, 2009, “the action of the authorities was based on the results of investigations carried out by its clinical audit team between March 23 and March 27, 2009.”
The report further stated that “the two hospitals have appealed against the NHIA’s decision but a review by health care professionals upheld the findings and decision of the NHIA”.
The report also quoted the acting Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, as saying that apart from the overbilling, double billing, irrational prescription and non-adherence to tariffs, the hospital also provided poor quality care and unsupported claims and also engaged in fraud, leading to their suspension.
Responding to the matter, Dr John Boateng, the Medical Director of the Atasemanso Hospital, told the Daily Graphic that he preferred not to respond to the issues in the media but rather through direct correspondence with the NHIA.
Nonetheless he said the allegations against the hospital were incorrect and besides it was not given the fair opportunity to respond.
He said in the first place the hospital was not a primary level care centre as was alleged by the NHIA since it also attended to referred cases from other hospitals.
He said the NHIA took samples of folders of patients from the hospital and after studying them, decided to suspend them without allowing them to respond to perceived adverse findings in the folders.
He said the management of the hospital, in any case, had no choice but to comply with the suspension order but was greatly worried about the unfair treatment.
He said there was never any case of malice on the part of the hospital to deliberately sabotage the health insurance scheme, and expressed the hope that the decision to suspend the hospital’s accreditation would be rescinded to enable it to continue offering services.
Dr Boateng said the hospital handled more chronic diseases as depicted by its monthly report sent to the Ministry of Health.
However, according to the management of the Atasemanso Hospital, even though they were complying, they were unhappy with the manner in which the NHIA had handled the issue without giving them the opportunity to respond to “what was perceived as adverse findings against them”..
They claim they have been treated unfairly by the NHIA by not giving them the opportunity to respond to the findings, and chose to go public with the allegations and consequent decision to suspend them.
The management of the hospital told the Daily Graphic they had no choice but to comply with the suspension order but were planning to seek further audience with the NHIA to iron out the issues.
Patients registered under the insurance scheme are politely turned away from the records department of the two suspended hospitals in Kumasi, which are the first point of call, with an excuse that “we have problems with the scheme authorities and not until the problems are sorted out, we cannot provide you with any medical care ”.
Patients who seek further explanations on the nature of problems hit a blank wall because apart from describing the problem as personal, no further explanations are given to them.
Ms Gift Twum Antwi of the Records Department of County Hospital who attended to curious card holders of the scheme, however, hinted that “by the end of November, we would have sorted things out and began providing medical care to members under the insurance scheme”.
The Medical Director of the County Hospital was, however, not in the office to comment on the issue, and other medical personnel were tight-lipped when patients probed.
“We were suspended by the NHIA about two weeks ago on issues which I cannot explain”, Ms Twum Antwi hinted.
The two private hospitals in Kumasi- County and Atasemanso- were suspended by the NHIA for three months, beginning August 14 to November 13, 2009 for allegedly “indulging in fraudulent activities, including double billing, over billing and irrational prescriptions”.
According to a Daily Graphic report on August 19, 2009, “the action of the authorities was based on the results of investigations carried out by its clinical audit team between March 23 and March 27, 2009.”
The report further stated that “the two hospitals have appealed against the NHIA’s decision but a review by health care professionals upheld the findings and decision of the NHIA”.
The report also quoted the acting Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, as saying that apart from the overbilling, double billing, irrational prescription and non-adherence to tariffs, the hospital also provided poor quality care and unsupported claims and also engaged in fraud, leading to their suspension.
Responding to the matter, Dr John Boateng, the Medical Director of the Atasemanso Hospital, told the Daily Graphic that he preferred not to respond to the issues in the media but rather through direct correspondence with the NHIA.
Nonetheless he said the allegations against the hospital were incorrect and besides it was not given the fair opportunity to respond.
He said in the first place the hospital was not a primary level care centre as was alleged by the NHIA since it also attended to referred cases from other hospitals.
He said the NHIA took samples of folders of patients from the hospital and after studying them, decided to suspend them without allowing them to respond to perceived adverse findings in the folders.
He said the management of the hospital, in any case, had no choice but to comply with the suspension order but was greatly worried about the unfair treatment.
He said there was never any case of malice on the part of the hospital to deliberately sabotage the health insurance scheme, and expressed the hope that the decision to suspend the hospital’s accreditation would be rescinded to enable it to continue offering services.
Dr Boateng said the hospital handled more chronic diseases as depicted by its monthly report sent to the Ministry of Health.
Friday, September 4, 2009
VICTIMS IDENTIFY ROBBERS AT MANPONG (MIRROR, PAGE 29)
From George Ernest Asare,
Mampong Ashanti
About 10 victims of armed robbery attacks from the Mampong Municipality have been able to identity their attackers during an identification parade held at the Divisional Command at Mampong.
Among the suspects identified were Razak Achilu, 22, Alim Yao, 20, Kadir Adam,25, Muhammad Yusif 27 and Manzil Alhassan, 19.
The suspects who were arrested in their hideouts after attacking their victims and robbing them at gun points, were alleged to have belonged to a notorious armed robbery gang that had been terrorising residents at Yeji, Ejura, Atebubu and Techiman.
They were arrested following a tip-off by some concerned citizens. Items retrieved from them included a locally manufactured pistol, two unregistered motor bikes, two life ammunitions and a voodoo made up of a bull horn with feathers, empty shells, a whisk and calabash with 13 cowries.
Also found in the voodoo were two talisman, a waistband, a jaw of an unidentified animal with Arabic inscriptions, two pairs of scissors, a black mask, four containers of empty perfumes, as well as a “tasbii” packed in a red bag.
The items, together with the suspects, are in police custody pending further investigations.
The Mampong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Edward Oduro Kwarteng, who briefed The Mirror on the arrest, said the suspects who use unregistered motorbikes for their operations, wounded three of their victims, including a lady at Ejura.
He said the lady died from the wounds at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital when she was sent for medical care.
He gave the assurance that the police would not only continue to combat the armed robbers and prosecute them, but would also provide the requisite security to law abiding citizens for them to carry out their economic ventures in a peaceful and harmonious manner.
He, therefore, appealed to the public to offer the police useful information that could lead to the arrest of suspected criminals.
Explaining how the suspects were arrested, Chief Superintendent Oduro Kwarteng said following series of complaints about their activities in areas such as Atebubu, Yeji, Techiman and Ejura, the police decided to monitor their movement and swooped on them in their hideout at Yeji where six of the suspects were identified and arrested.
Mampong Ashanti
About 10 victims of armed robbery attacks from the Mampong Municipality have been able to identity their attackers during an identification parade held at the Divisional Command at Mampong.
Among the suspects identified were Razak Achilu, 22, Alim Yao, 20, Kadir Adam,25, Muhammad Yusif 27 and Manzil Alhassan, 19.
The suspects who were arrested in their hideouts after attacking their victims and robbing them at gun points, were alleged to have belonged to a notorious armed robbery gang that had been terrorising residents at Yeji, Ejura, Atebubu and Techiman.
They were arrested following a tip-off by some concerned citizens. Items retrieved from them included a locally manufactured pistol, two unregistered motor bikes, two life ammunitions and a voodoo made up of a bull horn with feathers, empty shells, a whisk and calabash with 13 cowries.
Also found in the voodoo were two talisman, a waistband, a jaw of an unidentified animal with Arabic inscriptions, two pairs of scissors, a black mask, four containers of empty perfumes, as well as a “tasbii” packed in a red bag.
The items, together with the suspects, are in police custody pending further investigations.
The Mampong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Edward Oduro Kwarteng, who briefed The Mirror on the arrest, said the suspects who use unregistered motorbikes for their operations, wounded three of their victims, including a lady at Ejura.
He said the lady died from the wounds at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital when she was sent for medical care.
He gave the assurance that the police would not only continue to combat the armed robbers and prosecute them, but would also provide the requisite security to law abiding citizens for them to carry out their economic ventures in a peaceful and harmonious manner.
He, therefore, appealed to the public to offer the police useful information that could lead to the arrest of suspected criminals.
Explaining how the suspects were arrested, Chief Superintendent Oduro Kwarteng said following series of complaints about their activities in areas such as Atebubu, Yeji, Techiman and Ejura, the police decided to monitor their movement and swooped on them in their hideout at Yeji where six of the suspects were identified and arrested.
COP REMANDED FOR DEFILING GIRL, 14 (MIRROR, PAGE 29)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A 39-year-old Police Sergeant, who could not control his sexual desires and allegedly sexually abused a colleague’s 14-year-old daughter, is now battling with the law.
According to the police, Sergeant Samuel Kojo Simons, stationed with the Regional Police Band in Kumasi, took advantage of the victim’s interest in watching films in his room at Efiekesiem at the Central Barracks to sexually molest her.
The suspect, who is said to have divorced his wife, has been remanded into prison custody pending police investigations into the case.
A statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit said the victim and her parents live at Adiebeba near Ahodwo, a Kumasi suburb but she frequents the barracks to play with her friends and watch television in the suspect’s room.
It said the alleged molestation was not detected until August 13, 2009 when the victim’s stepmother detected a change in her physical appearance and demanded to know what had happened to her.
The statement said upon persistent interrogation, the victim mentioned the suspect as the one who had sexually abused her on four occasions in his room.
It said when the suspect was arrested, he denied the allegations but investigations proved otherwise and so was charged with defilement.
A 39-year-old Police Sergeant, who could not control his sexual desires and allegedly sexually abused a colleague’s 14-year-old daughter, is now battling with the law.
According to the police, Sergeant Samuel Kojo Simons, stationed with the Regional Police Band in Kumasi, took advantage of the victim’s interest in watching films in his room at Efiekesiem at the Central Barracks to sexually molest her.
The suspect, who is said to have divorced his wife, has been remanded into prison custody pending police investigations into the case.
A statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit said the victim and her parents live at Adiebeba near Ahodwo, a Kumasi suburb but she frequents the barracks to play with her friends and watch television in the suspect’s room.
It said the alleged molestation was not detected until August 13, 2009 when the victim’s stepmother detected a change in her physical appearance and demanded to know what had happened to her.
The statement said upon persistent interrogation, the victim mentioned the suspect as the one who had sexually abused her on four occasions in his room.
It said when the suspect was arrested, he denied the allegations but investigations proved otherwise and so was charged with defilement.
CHPS COMPOUND INAUGURATED AT GUO (PAGE 25)
A GH¢25,000 Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound has been inaugurated at Guo in the Lawra District in the Upper West Region.
In his inaugural address, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samson Abu, stated that the CHPS concept sought to make basic health information and services accessible to every member of the community.
“It will also reduce the reported cases of common ailments such as diarrhoea and malaria diseases and also serve as a safe-value for the prevention of epidemic situation in our communities”, he added.
Mr Abu said for the facility to achieve its ultimate purpose of rendering quality and sustainable growth and development to the people of Guo and its environs, they had to cultivate the habit of willingly availing themselves to the facility whenever the need arose.
According to him, it was only through that attitude that the facility would serve its intended purpose.
Mr Abu, therefore, appealed to the chiefs and opinion leaders in the Guo community to inculcate the culture of patronising the health facility into the people.
“Let me also appeal to the chief and elders of Guo to support and give their maximum co-operation to the health staff posted to the community”, he advised the people.
Touching on HIV/AIDS, the DCE expressed concern about the high prevalence rate of 10.9 per cent in the district, which he described as a serious threat to the survival, growth and development of the people in the area.
Mr Abu, therefore, appealed to the people to stick to the ABC methods of abstinence, faithfulness and the use of condoms to stay alive.
In his inaugural address, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samson Abu, stated that the CHPS concept sought to make basic health information and services accessible to every member of the community.
“It will also reduce the reported cases of common ailments such as diarrhoea and malaria diseases and also serve as a safe-value for the prevention of epidemic situation in our communities”, he added.
Mr Abu said for the facility to achieve its ultimate purpose of rendering quality and sustainable growth and development to the people of Guo and its environs, they had to cultivate the habit of willingly availing themselves to the facility whenever the need arose.
According to him, it was only through that attitude that the facility would serve its intended purpose.
Mr Abu, therefore, appealed to the chiefs and opinion leaders in the Guo community to inculcate the culture of patronising the health facility into the people.
“Let me also appeal to the chief and elders of Guo to support and give their maximum co-operation to the health staff posted to the community”, he advised the people.
Touching on HIV/AIDS, the DCE expressed concern about the high prevalence rate of 10.9 per cent in the district, which he described as a serious threat to the survival, growth and development of the people in the area.
Mr Abu, therefore, appealed to the people to stick to the ABC methods of abstinence, faithfulness and the use of condoms to stay alive.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
NPP MUST MAINTAIN PRESENT POLLING STATION EXECUTIVES (PAGE 16)
THE Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Robert Yaw Amankwaa, has appealed to the top hierarchy of the party to maintain the present polling station executives throughout the country until the 2012 general election.
This, he contended, would avoid any form of infiltration by any rival party and sow seeds of discord within the NPP fraternity.
Mr Amankwaa said the election of NPP executives should rather be centred on the constituency and regional levels, explaining that “at those levels, it is difficult for our opponents to infiltrate our camp”.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, he said that the decision of the party to elect five polling station executives to take part in the election of their flag bearer was in the right direction, “but we should not rush to implement our decisions now”.
He pointed out that with the expansion of the electoral college to include polling station executives, “the likelihood is that our opponents could easily infiltrate our camp, get elected and eventually indulge in activities that could wreck our chances of coming back to power in 2012”.
He said “prior to the 2008 general election, some of our opponents were able to get access to fake party cards and behaved as if they were party members. It was those people who created a lot of problems in the party and undermined our efforts to retain power”.
The Regional Chairman pointed out that the present polling station executives who fought tirelessly for the cause of the party, “should be recognised and allowed to function to enhance a firm party grip at the grass roots”.
Mr Amankwaa said the party’s opponents were bent on wrecking havoc to the party in order to entrench the power of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said it had now come to light that some of their opponents had infiltrated their camp during the 2008 general election, and this, primarily, was a contributory factor that caused the party’s defeat”.
By 2012, he said, they would have known their rightful members at the polling station level who should be given the nod to be part of the decisions to elect a flag bearer.
He, however, noted that the aged and the sick who could not support effective organisation of the party at the grass roots levels as well as dormant executive members at the grass roots, should be replaced to enhance effective organisation of the party.
“The National Chairman, National Executive Council and the National Executive Committee of the NPP should ponder over this humble appeal and suspend the decision to carry out the election for new polling station executives for the party, because it is likely to affect our chances of returning to power in 2012,” he noted
On the special delegates conference in Accra which amended portions of the constitution of the party, Mr Amankwaa said it was not only held in a peaceful manner, but also ended successfully.
He said that reinforced the democratic nature of the party and the principles of the founding fathers.
He said prior to the conference, there were rumours that there would be a confusion among party members because of their differences, “but we came out more united than ever, and my prayer is that we should put aside all our differences and support initiatives that will enhance our chances of returning to power after the 2012 general election”.
This, he contended, would avoid any form of infiltration by any rival party and sow seeds of discord within the NPP fraternity.
Mr Amankwaa said the election of NPP executives should rather be centred on the constituency and regional levels, explaining that “at those levels, it is difficult for our opponents to infiltrate our camp”.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, he said that the decision of the party to elect five polling station executives to take part in the election of their flag bearer was in the right direction, “but we should not rush to implement our decisions now”.
He pointed out that with the expansion of the electoral college to include polling station executives, “the likelihood is that our opponents could easily infiltrate our camp, get elected and eventually indulge in activities that could wreck our chances of coming back to power in 2012”.
He said “prior to the 2008 general election, some of our opponents were able to get access to fake party cards and behaved as if they were party members. It was those people who created a lot of problems in the party and undermined our efforts to retain power”.
The Regional Chairman pointed out that the present polling station executives who fought tirelessly for the cause of the party, “should be recognised and allowed to function to enhance a firm party grip at the grass roots”.
Mr Amankwaa said the party’s opponents were bent on wrecking havoc to the party in order to entrench the power of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said it had now come to light that some of their opponents had infiltrated their camp during the 2008 general election, and this, primarily, was a contributory factor that caused the party’s defeat”.
By 2012, he said, they would have known their rightful members at the polling station level who should be given the nod to be part of the decisions to elect a flag bearer.
He, however, noted that the aged and the sick who could not support effective organisation of the party at the grass roots levels as well as dormant executive members at the grass roots, should be replaced to enhance effective organisation of the party.
“The National Chairman, National Executive Council and the National Executive Committee of the NPP should ponder over this humble appeal and suspend the decision to carry out the election for new polling station executives for the party, because it is likely to affect our chances of returning to power in 2012,” he noted
On the special delegates conference in Accra which amended portions of the constitution of the party, Mr Amankwaa said it was not only held in a peaceful manner, but also ended successfully.
He said that reinforced the democratic nature of the party and the principles of the founding fathers.
He said prior to the conference, there were rumours that there would be a confusion among party members because of their differences, “but we came out more united than ever, and my prayer is that we should put aside all our differences and support initiatives that will enhance our chances of returning to power after the 2012 general election”.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2ND HIV TEST ON RAPE VICTIM PROVES NEGATIVE (PAGE 3)
A SECOND test to establish whether or not a 17-year-old alleged victim of rape in Kumasi had contracted HIV has contradicted the earlier result.
The HIV Rapid Response Screening conducted on the victim at the Mediscience Laboratory Service at Bantama in Kumasi on August 19, 2,009, proved positive and raised a lot of concern among family members.
But a second test later conducted at the Voluntary Testing Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on August 25, 2009 as part of police investigations into the alleged rape case, has proved negative.
A test conducted on the suspect in the rape case, Charles Kofi Kuuire alias Adable, a native of Bolgatanga who is 46 years and claims to be a technical officer at the Crops Research Institute at Fumesua in Kumasi, also showed that he was HIV negative.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DVVSU) in Kumasi, who are investigating the case, have referred the docket to the Attorney-General Department (A-G) in Kumasi for advice.
The docket was referred to the A-G on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 and the DOVVSU are waiting on their advice to determine the line of action they would take.
Kuuire allegedly raped the victim four months ago and efforts by the police to arrest him proved futile until he was arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2,009.
Earlier, the victim told the Daily Graphic that the suspect, who had divorced her wife, used to be a family friend and had regularly advised her to refrain from indulging in any promiscuous lifestyle.
She said on the day in question, the suspect invited her to visit him at home for an urgent discussion and considering the cordial relations between them and the reputation he had built as a counsellor, she obliged and paid him the visit.
She said when she reached the suspect’s residence, he quickly locked the door of the apartment, which is in a secluded area of Kokode in Kumasi, removed the keys, held her tightly and dragged her into his bedroom.
The victim stated that she protested vehemently when she got to know the amorous intentions of the suspect and drew his attention to the cordial relationship between them.
She said that notwithstanding, the suspect continued to hold her tightly and forcibly undressed her and sexually assaulted her.
She said she suffered a typhoid fever attack a few years ago and was operated upon and had since not recovered fully from the surgical operation she went through.
The victim added that against the background that she was a virgin, she could not match the strength of the suspect and bled profusely from the sexual act.
She said because the incident took place in a secluded area, her continuous cry for help could not attract any attention and this made it possible for the suspect to put her through a lengthy agony to satisfy his amorous instincts.
“As soon as he finished, I protested vehemently and cried a lot because I was not ready for a man, and besides the doctors who operated me insisted that I should not sleep with any man until I fully recover from the surgical operation,” she said.
The girl said she was afraid that her sister would severely reprimand her, so she did not confide in her, but rather threatened to curse the man.
According to her, fearing that she would carry out the threat, the suspect later approached her sister to settle the matter amicably at home.
It was at that level that her sister reported the case to the police, but efforts to arrest him proved futile until the suspect was arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2009.
When the Ashanti Regional DOVVSU Police Commander, ASP George Appiah-Sakyi was contacted, he confirmed the arrest and said investigations were still ongoing.
The HIV Rapid Response Screening conducted on the victim at the Mediscience Laboratory Service at Bantama in Kumasi on August 19, 2,009, proved positive and raised a lot of concern among family members.
But a second test later conducted at the Voluntary Testing Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on August 25, 2009 as part of police investigations into the alleged rape case, has proved negative.
A test conducted on the suspect in the rape case, Charles Kofi Kuuire alias Adable, a native of Bolgatanga who is 46 years and claims to be a technical officer at the Crops Research Institute at Fumesua in Kumasi, also showed that he was HIV negative.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DVVSU) in Kumasi, who are investigating the case, have referred the docket to the Attorney-General Department (A-G) in Kumasi for advice.
The docket was referred to the A-G on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 and the DOVVSU are waiting on their advice to determine the line of action they would take.
Kuuire allegedly raped the victim four months ago and efforts by the police to arrest him proved futile until he was arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2,009.
Earlier, the victim told the Daily Graphic that the suspect, who had divorced her wife, used to be a family friend and had regularly advised her to refrain from indulging in any promiscuous lifestyle.
She said on the day in question, the suspect invited her to visit him at home for an urgent discussion and considering the cordial relations between them and the reputation he had built as a counsellor, she obliged and paid him the visit.
She said when she reached the suspect’s residence, he quickly locked the door of the apartment, which is in a secluded area of Kokode in Kumasi, removed the keys, held her tightly and dragged her into his bedroom.
The victim stated that she protested vehemently when she got to know the amorous intentions of the suspect and drew his attention to the cordial relationship between them.
She said that notwithstanding, the suspect continued to hold her tightly and forcibly undressed her and sexually assaulted her.
She said she suffered a typhoid fever attack a few years ago and was operated upon and had since not recovered fully from the surgical operation she went through.
The victim added that against the background that she was a virgin, she could not match the strength of the suspect and bled profusely from the sexual act.
She said because the incident took place in a secluded area, her continuous cry for help could not attract any attention and this made it possible for the suspect to put her through a lengthy agony to satisfy his amorous instincts.
“As soon as he finished, I protested vehemently and cried a lot because I was not ready for a man, and besides the doctors who operated me insisted that I should not sleep with any man until I fully recover from the surgical operation,” she said.
The girl said she was afraid that her sister would severely reprimand her, so she did not confide in her, but rather threatened to curse the man.
According to her, fearing that she would carry out the threat, the suspect later approached her sister to settle the matter amicably at home.
It was at that level that her sister reported the case to the police, but efforts to arrest him proved futile until the suspect was arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2009.
When the Ashanti Regional DOVVSU Police Commander, ASP George Appiah-Sakyi was contacted, he confirmed the arrest and said investigations were still ongoing.
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