Two UK-based think-tanks slam 2012 Earth Summit
* GNA


GREAT Trust Council for Afrika International and Afrika Liberation Society, two UK-based think-tanks have dismissed the 2012 Earth Summit in Brazil as a failure.

At the close of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, heads of state and ministers from more than 190 nations signed off on a plan to set global sustainable development goals and other measures to strengthen global environmental management, tighten the protection of the oceans, improve food security and promote a "Green Economy".

Dr. Koku Adomdza, President of GREAT Trust, Council for Afrika International and Afrika Liberation Society, said in a statement issued to Ghana News Agency in Accra that the UN and Global Leadership have once again demonstrated their incompetence to deliver desirable outcomes.

He said the outcome of the conference in no way justifies the enormous expenditure, whilst there was lack of urgency and emergency to deal with the issues of poverty eradication.

Dr. Adomdza said the disconnection of sustainable development from a central tenet of human resources was critical and speaks volumes.

"If the UN were concerned about the plight of the world’s majority, who live precariously day by day without an income with severely malnourished mouths to feed the weak and infirm to cure anxieties of swathes of unemployed adults and hopeless skilled and unskilled youth, a qualitatively different outcome would have been delivered at Rio+20.

"We need new paradigms to attain sustainable development, not for some ‘high-level’ people, but for the ordinary Majority Citizens of the World who were created with certain inalienable fundamental human rights, but denied by incompetent global leadership.”

He noted that, the "main outcome of the Conference is a Plan to Set Sustainable Development Goals which Brazil described as the "crown jewels" of the conference. But the gems have not yet been chosen, let alone cut, polished and set."

He said developing countries wanted a $30bn per year fund to help in the transition to sustainability, but in the midst of a financial crisis in Europe nobody was willing to say how much money they would contribute.

Dr. Adomdza said instead, there was a promise to enhance funding, but by how much and by whom were left to future discussions.

There was frustration that Rio+20 did not do more to guarantee the reproductive rights of women or to protect the world's oceans. A plan to rescue the high seas.

"The strongest initiatives were made outside the negotiating halls where significant agreements have been struck on investing in public transport, commitments made to green accounting by corporations and strategies agreed by cities and judicial bodies on reducing environmental impacts. The dynamism has been found in a 10-day ’People's Summit’ and campaigns to reduce plastics in the ocean and create a new sanctuary in the Arctic."


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Tempers flare over Mills’ health
* Joy Online


The controversial topic of President John Mills’ health and the fabricated news of his death which made headlines this week got to a crescendo with two panelists on Joy FM and MultiTV Newsfile programme throwing salvoes at each other, Saturday.

But for the vigilance of host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, who shrewdly sought refuge in a commercial break to calm tempers, a verbal and maybe physical confrontation between the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Manhyia, Mathew Opoku Prempeh and a member of government’s communication team, Samuel George Nartey could not have been ruled out. And they were seated a nose distance away from each other.

Nartey, in discussing the topic of Mills’ health, accused Opoku Prempeh of leading the diabolic fabrication of the president's death by stating on Metro TV, last Wednesday that President John Mills was in coma, an allegation the Manhyia MP described as mischievous.

He said the “clearly planned mischief” by Prempeh was continued with tons of messages of President Mills’ death on Facebook and other social network sites by persons with the NPP communications team.

Asked which members of the NPP communications team were dabbling in this premature death scandal, George Nartey said he would rather not personalise an issue of broad national interest.

He said whilst the NPP MP was questioning the whereabouts of President John Mills on Metro TV's Good morning Ghana programme, he failed to question the whereabouts of his colleague Kwabre MP, Owusu Ansah who was announced dead on Thursday.

Nartey said discussing the president’s health in the public domain is not only “distasteful” but “repugnant.”

He challenged Opoku Prempeh to disclose his health status to his constituents in Manhyia before proceeding with a demand for Mills to disclose his health status to the whole of Ghana.

On the constitutional provision of the President’s state of health, the NDC Communications team member said, nowhere in the constitution does it say the president must notify Ghanaians when he is going for a check-up.

Rather what it demands is that when the president is incapacitated in any shape or form the vice president can perform the duties of the president, he argued.

As George Nartey rattled on, Opoku Prempeh was anxiously waiting for his turn to explode. That time came.

Asked if he said President Mills was in coma, Opoku Prempeh retorted, “No. I used the word coma for those who want to be illiterates whilst they are very literates. It saddens me.”

“I want to make certain things clear because he has linked it to somebody at Kwabre. Somebody I was in Parliament with on Wednesday. He should go and check the Hansard before he makes such irresponsible remarks on your station. If he is well educated he won’t make such irresponsible remarks,” Prempeh snapped.

He accused George Nartey of mocking the family of the late Owusu Ansah, the Kwabre MP. How dare you!!" He fired.

At that point tempers began flaring and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah intervened with news of an unsolicited commercial break.

After the break and with emotions and tempers back to normal, Opoku Prempeh said he used the word coma during the discussion on Metro TV but not in the context within which Nartey claimed.

He explained that in discussing President Mills’ loud silence on the communal violence that hit the country and juxtaposing it with Koku Anyidoho’s gaffe of sacking the head of the Ashanti Regional ECG boss in the name of the President, “I asked where was President John Mills?”

“Was he sleeping? Was he in deep sleep? Was he in coma?" "Not medical Coma,” he quickly retorted.

He said George Nartey is only being mischievous in making such malicious assumption from his harmless comments.


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We Will Retain Power -NDC
* The Informer


News Desk Report

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sent a clear message of it readiness to retain power, come December 7, 2012.

As part of well-orchestrated game plan, the party has intensified its efforts towards that singular ambition.

The NDC, at the weekend, organized a workshop for all its Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Candidates, Constituency Chairmen and Secretaries from the southern belt of Ghana. Also in attendance were Chief Executives from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies at the Institute of Local Government, in Accra.

A statement released to the press at the close of the one-day session, signed by party General Secretary, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, expressed satisfaction at the success of the workshop, especially, as it has rekindled the spirit and solidarity of the NDC.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah expressed confidence that the high morale and positive enthusiasm exhibited at the workshop by all, confirmed the strong belief within the NDC that the good works of President John Evans Atta Mills had guaranteed a first round ‘one touch victory’.

The National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei, in closing the workshop, emphasized the need for members to eschew complacency and work towards a ‘one touch’ victory. He was ably assisted by his team of National Executives.

The workshop organized under the auspices of the National Executive Committee of the NDC, was attended by Party Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Agyei, National Organizer, Yaw Boateng Gyan, Women Organizer, Anita De-Soosoo and Youth Organizer Ludwig Hlordze.

A high point of the workshop was the number of stalwarts and pillars who inspired the gathering with their presence and strategic insights.

Among these were Captain Kojo Tsikata, Prof Kofi Awoonor, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, Dr. Christine Amoako Nuamah, Mr. Kwame Peprah and Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi. The first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Edward Doe Adjaho and Hon Alfred Agbesi (MP for Ashaiman) were among the sitting members of Parliament present. The statement asked all NDC members to remain resolute, confident to fiercely confront the lies and distortions of the NPP, by propagating the truth of the Better Ghana Agenda which is evident for all to see. The northern sector will soon have its turn.


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TOR to start refining jubilee crude
* Joy Online


The Tema Oil Refinery will soon start refining crude oil from the jubilee field.

Ghana currently exports all the oil it produces outside to refine.

But two years after the nation started producing oil in commercial quantities questions have been raised about the refinery’s capacity to refine the oil from the jubilee field.

But Managing Director of Tema Oil refinery, Ato Ampia told Joy Business it will soon start working on the country’s crude oil.


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Tefle ‘serial murders’: One suspect arrested
* Source: Citifmonline


Residents of Tefle in the Volta region have identified and arrested a young man, Sammy Tsatsu as responsible for the murder of the latest victim – a woman believed to be in her twenties.

The suspect believed to be a wee smoker has also been described as one who takes advantage of persons with mental disabilities.

When he was arrested, Sammy Tsatsu had a number of items believed to be that of women on him, including scissors, brassieres, women clothing amongst others.

He is currently in the grips of the Police Criminal Investigative Department.

The victim who was found near a lavatory on Saturday brings such deaths in the area to six with one of the victims found right around the residence of the Tefle residence of the former president Jerry John Rawlings.

The residents have been living in fear in the wake of what has been described as ‘serial murders’.

The District Chief Executive of the South Tongu District Daniel Amelorku told Citi News in an interview that the trend is disturbing adding that the suspect has been identified and will be arrested as soon as his location is revealed.

He said the victim “was lying dead with blood coming from her nose, it needs a lot of investigations and I’ve asked people to check and see what they know and can tell us. The suspect was last seen with the lady at around 9:30 pm around the same area.

The lady is a lunatic and we’re suspecting that guy might be the fellow who caused the problem so we’re yet to get him arrested.


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“President Mills is Fit and Kicking” – Ablakwa
* Source: Dekportor, Mensah


The NDC Germany communication team in conjunction with Sankofa Radio – a popular radio station based in Stuttgart, Germany on their usual weekend political talk show program featured Hon. Samuel Ablakwa –Deputy Minister of Information for an intensive interview conducted by Akwasi Owusu as a moderator.

A matter concerning the president’s health was the prime subject. In reaction to this, Hon. Ablakwa in a relaxed voice described that “the president is fit, sound and kicking. I spoke with him this morning and was responding well. Hopefully, he arrives in Accra on Monday, 25 of June as expected.”

He continued ‘ this is not the first time Prof. Mills has been rumoured to be sick, dead or incompetent but still, our beloved President keeps going strong and performing”
Highlights of the interview included –opinion poll /unprecedented achievements, electricity problem, Harbor duties, land encroachments by foreigners, Ropal, Wrangling within NDC and others.
‘Considering credible unprecedented achievements by NDC Government under Prof. Mills, if it happens that, elections were held today, no doubt the NDC would definitely retain power. Recent speculations in town about opinion polls were just loose propaganda by opposition NPP to cause fear and panic to the public”. Hon Ablakwah confidently stated.
‘Opposition NPP leading members refused to accept and realize credible developments initiated by NDC. Even, the main road leading to Nana Akuffo Addo’s residence at Nima has been re-constructed, tarred and made motorable, but they would not appreciate – that’s arrogant opposition NPP for you.”
Hon. Ablakwa therefore threw the challenge to listeners to cross-check their various constituencies as whether developments have not been taken place. “Modern hospitals with modern equipments have been provided at all districts and regional capitals, construction of eastern corridors, two separate universities have been built, street lights. etc”
Mr. Ablakwa continued ‘We have not exaggerated to have brought heaven onto earth, neither have we created paradise nor resolved all existing problems. There are more yet to be done hence the need to ask Ghanaian electorate to vote us to retain power”.

Asked about the electricity power shedding across the country, he swiftly explained that, “the electricity power consists of generations and onward transmissions and that, the NDC government has been able to transmit or distribute electricity to over 1,700 communities nation-wide especially, to cater for local fitting shops and other vocational establishments. There have been serious set-backs with the power generation process which were cropped up during NPP regime. Hopefully the situations shall be normalized” he assured.
Asked if government officials really adhered to views, opinions and suggestions from the Ghanaians communities outside Ghana as per day to day radio discussions, the young brilliant politician replied in affirmative and added that, the government has in place media monitoring mechanism in getting daily reports abroad and also respective consulates and embassies hereby submit periodic reports.”
“Ropal for instance has been passed by parliament during previous NPP government. For that matter, no political party has the right to suspend its implementation. It’s therefore the duty of Electoral commission (an autonomous body) to draw up programs and subsequent budgets to effect its operations.”
Asked to comment about the wrangling within the NDC, “Abrantie” Ablakwa retorted “NDC as democratic party believes in internal democracy. Freedom of speech and diversified ideas are respected. As much as the party is liberal and tolerant, there are laid down structures and procedures in resolving internal conflicts and grievances. And it is expected from all members to strictly abide by these bye-laws”.

What he has to say about foreigners encroaching Ghanaian lands to operate galamsey mining? He commended the moderator (Akwasi Owusu) for asking this sensitive concerned question.
Mr. Ablakwah explained that, Ghana as like any other country, runs free and open economy market. As such, we try to comport ourselves diplomatically in our actions and reactions towards foreigners. However, rules and bye-laws are there to check lawlessness. Galamsey is absolutely illegal in Ghana and therefore there are government task forces in place to check defaulters.

Report by: Mensah Dekportor (Hamburg)
krisview@yahoo.co.uk


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Deputy Finance Minister blames Organized Labor for rising wage bill
* Source: Joy Online


Deputy Finance Minister Fifi Kwetey is attributing the sudden rise in government’s spending on public sector wages to high demands from Organized Labor.

The wage bill for public sector workers has surged from GHS2 billion to almost GHS7 billion after government introduced the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).

Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffour recently admitted that this could erode gains made over the years.

But in a response to comments that the government is not being prudent with its fiscal operations at the just ended Consultative Group meeting, Mr Fifi Kwetey said government cannot be blamed entirely.

“When for example organized Labour brings pressure to bear on government and that pressure brings a situation where government literally overspends, what this simply means is, it’s going to bring deficits, it’s going to cause inflation, it’s going to start eroding incomes and at the end of the day the economy as a whole suffers.”

“…The call on government…is in the correct direction but it should not be limited to the government, it should go across.”

But the Executive Director of the Center for Policy Analysis, Dr. Joe Abbey disagrees.

He said governments should refrain from imposing decisions on Labour but get them involved in negotiations in order to agree on common grounds. Meanwhile, Civil Society Groups at the Consultative Group meeting are calling for the enactment of laws that will limit government’s spending.


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Tefle: Police investigate mysterious death of woman
* Source: Joy Online


The Sogakope District Police Command has initiated investigations into the latest mysterious death of a woman at Tefle in the Volta Region.

The lifeless body of the woman was found at a public lavatory Saturday. This is the sixth in a series of mysterious deaths recorded in the area in recent times.

Confirming the incident to Joy News, the District Police Commander John Opoku said investigations are expected to begin soon to establish the facts.

“We got to the scene, got the body examined and after that we conveyed it to the Police Hospital morgue.”

He further stated that the indigenes in the locality alleged the deceased “was a lunatic” but stressed that “it doesn’t matter whether the person is a lunatic or not (but) what killed her or who are responsible for the killing is the most important thing for now.”

The District Police Commander said that “for now we don’t want to assume that some of the indigenes may be responsible…”

He added that information gathered so far has been forwarded to the CID headquarters and that investigations will continue to establish the truth with “concrete evidence.